Jalia on the Road (Jalia - World of Jalon) by John Booth Read Free Book Online Page B

men do not?” Daniel said, and he laughed cheerfully. “There are coffee houses aplenty where gambling is the only reason for their existence. However, I have heard the locals do not like to lose money to strangers.”
    “Who likes to lose money to anyone?” Jalia replied, though she had never experienced losing at any game of chance. She suspected she would be unhappy indeed if she were ever to lose money gambling.
    “Winning isn’t everything,” Daniel said quietly. Jalia ignored him as she always ignored people when they talked foolishly.
    “What games do they play in Enbar Entar?”
    “The usual, chess, dice and backgammon are popular, but the principal game is cards. There is a game they play called fade, if you know of it?”
    “I’ve never lost a game of fade since the age of five,” Jalia said with a grin. Failing to mention she was only taught the game at the age of five. “Would you like to play a game now, I have a pack of cards in my saddlebag?”
    “I don’t believe it would be wise for me to play with someone who never loses,” Daniel said seriously, “And we must make a move now or we will not get anywhere today.”
     
    Enbar Entar is a graceful city when viewed from a sufficient distance. Its tall towers and grand domes reflected the Caliph’s taste in architecture and his choice suited the warm dry climate the city experienced. From inside its walls, it loses much of its grace. Narrow streets and tall clay buildings gave the city a claustrophobic feel.
    They entered the market before dawn when the city was still cool and less than half of the stallholders had taken up their positions. Daniel hired a table to display his wares and paid for a canvas awning to provide cover from the blazing sun. Jalia helped Daniel set up his trade goods and suggested how he might display them to their best advantage. She was no stranger to markets and often sold her father’s wares on a stall in Bagdor when the occasion warranted
    The central market was soon packed with people, stalls, camels, and horses to the point where it was impossible to move without bumping into something.
    Hawkers shouted out their wares in accents so thick it was difficult for Jalia and Daniel to understand them. Their shouts bounced off the sand colored walls surrounding the market, making it difficult to hear the people standing next to them.
    The heat of the day became intense as the sun rose and drinking copious amounts of water were essential for survival.
      “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Jalia told Daniel and went to investigate the market. It took her some time to find what she was looking for and buy them. Daniel was surprised to see her staggering towards him carrying a dozen spade handles.
    “Your ironmongery will sell much better when we have these made up. Most customers want to buy a complete spade and not have to make them themselves,” Jalia explained.
    “But I can’t afford them.”
    “We will soon make up their cost in sales and I owe you for the meal last night anyway.”
    Jalia’s prediction turned out to be correct and sales went surprisingly well. She had a natural gift for selling, not at all hindered in any way by how attractive she was. Many a man who came to flirt and flatter her, walked away with goods he had no use for. Often purchased at twice the price he should have paid.
    Jalia stayed with the stall for the first few hours and teased much better prices out of customers than Daniel could ever have done.
    Daniel watched in admiration as she accumulated as much money selling half his ironmongery, as he would have made selling the lot.
    However, Jalia soon became bored by the lack of a challenge. Men were the same everywhere and if she got enough blood flowing to their lower regions the blood to their brains reduced and she could get them to pay foolish prices.
    She was eager to have some fun and excitement in this exotic city. She wanted the feeling in the pit of her stomach when she