After about a week of travel, we finally arrived at Sous. The city was unlike anything I had ever imagined. As we entered the inner town, it looked almost like a festival was taking place—brightly colored banners adorned the streets, merchants displayed their goods with enthusiasm, and music filled the air. But Nabeel quickly explained that this wasn't a festival at all. It was simply how Sous welcomed traders. It was a custom, a part of the city's culture, to treat the arrival of merchants as a grand event.
Each clan seemed to have its own section of the city, and they were all busy managing their work. Some were overseeing trade, others handling security, while craftsmen and laborers went about their daily tasks. The air buzzed with energy, and despite the festive atmosphere, there was a distinct sense of order, with each clan contributing to the city's well-being.
As we moved deeper into the town, we caught sight of a tall, grey-haired demihuman man with feline features similar to Nabeel's. His expression was stern, his posture commanding, but the moment he saw Nabeel, his demeanor changed. Without hesitation, the man embraced Nabeel tightly. The warmth between them was clear, and for a moment, the serious look in the older man's eyes softened.
"This is my father," Nabeel said, turning toward us after they broke their hug. "His name is Kadar. He leads our clan's operations in the city."
Kadar's sharp eyes landed on us as Nabeel introduced us. There was a deep wisdom in his gaze, as if he could size up a person's entire character with just a glance. He nodded in acknowledgment, offering a short, polite greeting. "Welcome to Sous. Any friend of my son is under our clan's protection."
I thanked him, feeling a mix of relief and tension. Kadar's presence was intimidating, but it also brought a sense of security knowing that we had an ally in a place as unfamiliar as this. Nabeel spoke highly of his father on the journey, and now I understood why. There was strength in this man, but also a fierce loyalty to those he cared about.
"We'll make arrangements for your stay," Kadar said, motioning for us to follow him. As we walked through the bustling streets of Sous, I couldn't help but notice how different this city was from Granada. The customs, the people, the way of life—it was all new. But for the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, we could carve out a life here.
Even if it was a place filled with its own challenges, I resolved to learn as much as I could about Sous and its people. We would need to adapt, but with Nabeel and his father by our side, I felt we at least had a chance.