The sun was hidden behind the clouds, but its golden rays reflected on the ground as it rose in the east.
The rays reached Joya's eyes from where she was lying beside the staircase of a temple.
She stirred, her lashes fluttering against the morning light. She was lying on the hard earth, the ground still damp with night's dew. Above her, the temple loomed, its stone spires catching the first golden streaks of dawn. The air was cool, filled with the faint scent of incense drifting from within the temple.
Her palms pressed into the soil as she pushed herself up, feeling grit against her skin. A faint ringing echoed in her ears, as though the temple bells had once tolled in her dreams.
She slowly sat up, then stretched her legs, then her hand flew to her back, scratching the itchy rashes that had appeared there a few days ago.
Her vision became more lucid, and she glanced around her environment to take in the people around her. Every day it was new faces, old women, and beggars; even little children lay on the ground beside the temples.
Joya's eyes slowly widened when she saw a naked woman sleeping next to a man whose shirt was off; they were snuggled up next to Joya.
Joya sighed; she put the pieces together and definitely knew what transpired between those two last night.
The great temple loomed above, its staircases alive with people, mothers pulling children by the hand. Sandals scraped against stone as they climbed upward, murmuring prayers or clutching offerings wrapped in cloth.
From the wide entrance, priests in flowing robes stepped out, their chants rising and falling.
Some carried clay bowls brimming with grains and oil, setting them down at the foot of bronze idols before returning inside. The air was heavy with smoke, the sharp bite of incense weaving into the morning breeze.
She hugged her knees to her chest, half-hidden among the roots of an old tree near the steps.
Nobody paid her any mind, as though she were no more than another beggar at the temple.
After sitting for a long while, watching the endless stream of worshippers, she finally pushed herself up. Dust clung to her dress, and she slapped it away lightly.
The temples in Hamstung were slightly higher. The foundations were set on dusty ground, with numerous staircases to climb.
It stretched toward the sky in great tiers of stone, each level adorned with statues of gods and guardians. Some statues stood with serene faces and hands outstretched in blessing; others loomed with fierce expressions, weapons raised as though to strike down the unworthy.
These statues were believed to be ancient gods; Hamstung has a deep heritage for their religion.
As Joya climbed the staircase, she looked around and saw that other faithful worshippers climbed with offerings balanced on their shoulders, baskets of fruit, folded cloth, and jars of oil—while priests in white and crimson moved solemnly among them.
Some priests blessed those who offered more gifts. Joya felt reluctant to go any further, but she immediately changed her mind when she heard her stomach grumble.
Unlike everyone around her, she wasn't here to worship foreign gods. She needed a source of income, and she had heard rumors of the wages workers in the temples get paid.
The scent of burning oil and sweet herbs grew stronger as she neared the higher steps, smoke curling down from above.
At last she reached the last staircase, her breath ragged. The vast courtyard of the temple stretched before her, lined with tall pillars carved in spirals of script and symbols.
A lot of priests in spotless white robes moved methodically across the temple whispering prayers, pausing to scatter the incense toward the statues that flanked the courtyard.
Joya looked around and took notice of him, the head priest. He stood further within, near the temple's entrance, clad in flowing red robes.
Unlike the others, he did not move about. He was still, watching, his hands clasped around a tall staff crowned with a small idol. Even from a distance, his presence was heavy and commanding.
The head priest stood in front of a dragon statue. His head was hanging down as he muttered prayers. Joya immediately made her way to where the head priest stood.
She stood aside and waited until he was done praying before approaching him curtly.
"Salam alaikum."
She greeted, bowing in respect.
The priest glared at her, scanning her from head to toe before finally fixing his piercing gaze on her face.
"What brings you to the holy temple?"
He asked, crossing both hands behind his back. The priest was old, with a bald head; he had a long white beard, which he stroked as he conversed with Joya.
"I would like to work in the temple."
Joya says after drawing in a heavy breath, she was anxious.
"I do not accept beggars." The priest said without thinking twice. Joya blinked her eyes, a bit startled.
"No…no, you have got the wrong impression. I am not here to beg; I want to work in the temple."
"I heard you the first time, young lady, and my answer is no."
The priest snapped before turning away from Joya. Without a second glance, he started walking away. Joya felt her knees grow weak; she went after him desperately.
"Please…please, holy priest." She said, clasping both hands together in a pleading manner as she went after him.
"I will do anything. Scrub the floors, wash your holy robes, and even scrub all the staircases!
Joya pleaded shamelessly.
"The… the statues! They are a bit dusty; I will clean them. Not a single bit of dirt will you find…" She was still talking when he interrupted calmly.
"Have you been sent to provoke me to anger this beautiful morning?" The priest shot back, turning around, and he glared at her with disgust.
"Leave this place, and you never show your face again."
He retorted, and Joya bit her lips bitterly.
"I… I am trying to repent from my old ways. I do no longer want to beg or be condemned to the street as a thief; only you can help me… Please do not turn your back on me." Her voice trembled.
The priest arched his brows.
"Repent? I see! You were a thief! Wonderful! He scoffed and then inched closer.
"I have seen the likes of you before; you come here pleading innocently. At the end of the day, half of the offerings go missing!
Joya felt her chest twist in annoyance.
"Leave, leave this place right now, or else I will be forced to take drastic measures." He threatened calmly.
Joya sighed.
All her efforts were in vain.
She retracted her steps and made her way out of the temple, climbing down the staircase, her face swollen with annoyance.
"I heard what you were saying to the priest." A small boy suddenly appeared in the front seat in front of her as she was climbing down the steps. Joya halted…
"You are looking for a place where you can work and get paid. I can show you such a place." The little boy of no more than six years said, and Joya's interest was pricked.
"Really? Tell me."
Her face lightened up but suddenly turned sour when the little boy stretched out his right hand.
"Nothing goes for free."
He said, and Joya hissed.
"I don't have any money." She said, grumbling. The little boy shrugged lightly, then turned around to leave.
"I guess you will just have to figure it out yourself."
When she saw that he was about to leave, Joya immediately took action. She grips him by the wrist gently to stop him from walking any further.
"If you tell me about this place, I promise to give you half of my wages when I have been paid." She retorted, gazing at the little boy, silently praying in her heart that he agrees to her condition.
The boy was quiet for a while.
"Okay. But if you go back on your words, I will have my mother lay curses on you, and you will be crippled.
He threatened, and Joya furrowed her brows in shock.
"I won't go back on my words."
She assured him. She watched as he began to walk away; instinctively, she followed him from behind.
He slipped into the streets beyond the temple, weaving through the crowd with ease. She trailed after him, her own feet bare.
At every corner, he turned sharply, never looking back; he knew the path by heart. They passed between narrow alleys where merchants shouted and donkeys brayed, then into smaller lanes where the voices of the city began to fade.
The further they went, the more secluded it became. The stalls grew fewer, the noise dimmed, and soon only the hollow sound of their feet on stone echoed between the walls.
"Are you sure you know where you are going?" Joya couldn't help but ask.
"You have nothing to worry about. I will not lead you all the way here just to abandon you. My mother is waiting for me back at the temple. We have to hurry."
He said, increasing his pace."
They walked for a while, and soon Joya began to doubt the truthfulness of his words. Just as she was about to open her mouth to say something… Her eyes inadvertently darted ahead, and she spotted faint shadows a short distance away.
As they drew closer, Joya was left for words at the sight she saw. The air around them was now thick with the smell of sweat mixed with blood and the metallic tang of chains rattling.
Finally the little boy slowed down and then came to a halt. He turned to look at Joya and then said.
"Welcome to Slaver's Bay!