The sun was sinking low behind the hills when the trader began walking toward Joran’s compound, his heavy boots pressing against the dusty road. The air felt thick, almost watchful, and even the birds seemed to hold their breath. Joran was outside the compound, sitting quietly on a wooden bench, lost in thought when he noticed a shadow moving from a distance. He squinted his eyes, trying to see clearly who it was.As the figure drew closer, Joran’s heart began to beat faster. The man’s shape, his gait—it all felt familiar. Then, as the rays of the fading sun caught the man’s face, realization hit him like a spark of lightning. It was the trader.A sudden wave of unease washed through Joran’s chest. His legs trembled slightly. He didn’t know what the trader wanted or why he was coming directly to his home. But something about the man’s expression told him this wasn’t an ordinary visit. Still, he swallowed his fear and steadied himself, forcing his hands to stop shaking. He refused to l