Chapter 3: The warm food
The lean man returned with hot, steaming stew and fresh bread. He gave everyone the same portion and said, "All of you will have a share of food and a chance to clean yourselves. Make use of this opportunity." Then he turned to leave, but not before casting a final glance at them. "You'll need to look your best."
Cassian's stomach churned with dread. Why were they feeding them good food and even asking them to look their best? What did this mean? Why did he have a feeling like cattle that were fed carefully before the day of their slaughter? Cassian gulped when this thought came into his mind.
He looked at the boys who had already started to eat, without caring about any consequences.
After all, the boys were given a decent meal after so much time, and no one wanted to miss the chance to eat their fill. Who knew when the merchant's mood would change and they would snatch the bowl of food from them?
Cassian also ate slowly, his senses on high alert, trying to find anything suspicious in their behavior, but the lean man seemed too sincere in giving them food.
After they had eaten their fill, they were led to a small bathing area. Surprisingly, the water was warm, and they were also provided with fragrant soap. This luxury almost felt like a cruel contrast to their circumstances.
Cassian scrubbed himself clean with the warm water, his mind still thinking about their motive. As he washed himself clean from the grime of the continuous journey, he finally felt his muscles relax.
Once all of them were clean, the merchant's man brought them simple but clean clothes and asked them to get ready. All the boys silently complied.
Cassian finally saw some fear in the other boys' eyes; now they also found this suspicious, and dread clouded all their hearts just like his.