The sun rose once more and cast its golden light upon the world. People stirred from their deep slumber, A-in among them, though in truth he was roused not by the dawn itself but by Fabian shaking him without mercy. Irritated as he was, he dared not utter a word, fearing Fabian might withdraw the offer of work he had made the night before.
Together, A-in, Fabian, and the other two men set out and head for the old man's house, guided by Fabian leading the way.
"We have arrived." Fabian announced at last.
The house was but a small hut, scarcely large enough for two people. Beside it lay a modest rice field, not the wide expanse A-in had imagined, but a mere square of land.
"Fabian!" An old man called as he stepped from the hut. His hair was thin and white as clouds, revealing glimpses of his scalp. His beard, too, had turned to gray. A wooden cane supported his frail frame, and his skin bore the deep creases of many lived years.
Old he was, indeed.
"Old man Aayan! I have brought the number of men you required, myself included."
"That is well, Fabian, very well. I am glad you managed it." the old man praised. "Come now, I shall show you where the rice is stored. I stacked it all in the barn."
He turned and began to walk. His pace was so painfully slow that they moved scarcely faster than a turtle, though perhaps a little quicker than a snail.
"Who is this young lad?" he asked, pointing his cane at A-in.
"His name is A-in, old man. He stayed with us on the streets. Hideous, is he not?"
"So long as he keeps a pleasant attitude, that is all that matters." replied Aayan.
Both men laughed. A-in felt a prick of annoyance but held his peace. So what if he was not as handsome as noblemen? Beauty mattered little to one who had known chains.
"Boy," the old man said, wrinkling his nose, "you ought to bathe. You stink."
A-in sniffed at himself cautiously.
Indeed, he stank.
How long had it been since water touched his skin? He could not recall. He had grown so accustomed to his own scent that he no longer noticed it until the old man remarked upon it. Perhaps this was why no one would hire him, and why people always kept their distance. Even among the homeless, the others were far cleaner than he. Foolish of him to think they looked alike, he was far more ragged than the rest.
"I have no water with which to bathe." he muttered.
"The river is near. Bathe there." said Aayan. "I will provide you with spare clothes."
A-in did not move. To his wary mind, such simple kindness seemed suspicious. Surely it must come with a price. What hidden intention lay behind the old man's generosity?
"What are you waiting for, boy?" Aayan asked. "Do you not know where the river is? Fabian, show him the way."
"Man, you're hopeless." Fabian grumbled, seizing A-in by the arm. "Were you isolated before you became homeless?"
They walked for several minutes until A-in heard the rush of water. Moments later, a vast river appeared before them, gleaming beneath the sunlight. He could not see where it began nor where it ended.
Along with the flowing stream came a cool breeze that set the trees swaying. The water mirrored the blue sky, and A-in could see his own reflection clearly upon its surface.
"This river… what is it called?" he asked in awe. Surely this was the very source of the waters that sustain the fields.
"The Nile." Fabian answered, giving him an odd look. "Hurry on now. The old man should not be kept waiting."
"Are you not coming with me? You stink as well." A-in retorted, pointing at him.
Fabian stared at him, mouth agape then shoved him straight into the river.
A-in plunged into the water with a cry, but he managed to seize a nearby rock before he could sink.
"You must be mad! Do you not know that I cannot swim?!" he gasped between breaths.
"None of my concern." Fabian said cheerfully and leapt in after him.
Because he was large and heavy, his splash sent a wave crashing outward. A-in, still clinging to the rock, braced himself desperately as the force nearly tore him free.
I escaped death so many times. he thought miserably, yet I never imagined I might lose my life like this by drowning over such foolishness!