Jahl lives with his people, the Hamica, in the jungles of a nameless world. They live at one with nature. It’s a simple existence, centred around family and community. One day all this is snatched away when Jahl is captured by slavers. But he’s a proud man from a proud people, and he never shows his fright or anxiety, despite what he feels inside. They take him through the jungle, through swampland and farmland, to a town that has seen many like him come before. In a strange, wooden building in the middle of the town square, Jahl is put into a harness, naked and spread-eagle for all who have gathered there to see. It’s humiliating and degrading, especially when the bidding starts. For the first time, Jahl is truly frightened. Who will purchase him? And for what purpose?

Goodbye to the Jungle

The crease between Brocknor’s brows deepened. “You know the answer to that, Jahl. I paid for you. You belong to me now.”


Jahl gave a single nod. An acknowledgement, not an agreement.


Brocknor began walking down the open corridor. “Come with me.”


They arrived in a large open room at the opposite end of the villa, lit by oil lamps and filled with the scent of incense burning, though Jahl couldn’t see the source of the fragrance. A naked woman stood pouring large buckets of water into a copper bath. She was olive-skinned like Jahl, but he didn’t recognise her. She could have come from a different tribe elsewhere in the vast jungle.


“Mari is preparing a bath for you,” said Brocknor, the friendliness in his voice returning. “You must be tired after your journey. This will help you to relax.”


Brocknor helped him into the water as Mari went back and forth to a large iron cauldron suspended above a small fire, filling the bucket with hot water to add to the bath.


Chapter 8