A GIFT FOR SULTANA

Certainly! Here is the revised version with the additional detail at the start:

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The riders came down the road, their horses' hooves clattering against the cobblestones. As they approached, I noticed the grandeur of their procession. It wasn't like the usual merchants or townspeople passing through the market; these riders had an air of importance, their attire rich and regal. A palanquin followed closely behind, carried by sturdy men, and soldiers walked alongside, their postures upright and dignified. As they neared, all the merchants in the area bowed their heads in respect. I did the same, unsure of who was arriving but instinctively aware of their status.

The palanquin came to a halt right in front of my shop. The procession paused for a moment, the air thick with anticipation. Then, the curtain of the palanquin was drawn aside, and out stepped a beautiful woman. She was wearing a golden dress that seemed to shimmer in the fading light of the evening. Her skin was fair, almost ethereal, and she wore a golden mask that covered her face, adding an air of mystery to her presence. Her every movement was graceful, deliberate, and almost otherworldly as she slowly walked toward my shop.

I stood in awe for a moment, taken aback by her beauty, before quickly regaining my composure. I bowed low in respect, my heart pounding in my chest. As she approached, she paused in front of me, her eyes shining from behind the golden mask. She looked at me with curiosity, and then, in a voice soft and sweet, she spoke, "Are you the merchant who painted the sky with your colorful birds?"

My breath caught in my throat. "Yes, I am that merchant," I replied, trying to steady my voice.

She studied me from head to toe, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than I expected. Then, with a gentle laugh, she said, "Such a big mind at such a young age?"

I was both flattered and surprised by her words. "Thank you," I said, feeling the weight of her attention.

Her gaze shifted to the colorful birds soaring in the sky, their vibrant wings catching the light. She watched them for a moment, her expression softening. "Our queen has seen these birds from the palace roof. She, too, would like to fly such a bird," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

I was taken aback. "I thought you were the queen," I blurted out.

She laughed lightly, a sound like chimes in the wind. "No, I am her main servant, her confidante," she clarified with a smile.

I felt a wave of curiosity flood over me. "Will the queen come to take the bird herself?" I asked, eager to learn more.

The woman nodded, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "When we went for a walk on the roof of the palace, the queen saw the colorful birds in the sky. She was fascinated by them, especially when she saw the children flying them. She asked a soldier, and he told her about a new merchant in the market who sells these birds. The queen's heart was filled with longing to fly one, so she sent me to collect them. If possible, we would like to buy some of your finest birds."

The mere idea that the queen wanted to fly one of my birds made my heart race with excitement. This was an opportunity unlike any I had ever imagined. Without hesitation, I selected ten of my best birds—bright, lively, and sure to impress—and handed them to her. As I did, I tried to steal a glimpse of her face, but the golden mask obscured it entirely. I could only see her eyes—eyes that were gentle and full of mystery, yet they held a spark of understanding, as though she knew I was eager to see more of her.

But she never revealed her face. Instead, she handed me a small, delicate bag. "Take this for now," she said softly. "And you may see her face later."

She turned and walked gracefully back toward the palanquin. The soldiers began to lift it, and the procession moved off, the sound of hooves fading into the distance. I stood there, my heart still racing, watching the palanquin as it disappeared into the evening light. It felt like a dream. What had just happened? Had the queen truly sought me out?

Uncle, who had been watching from a distance, walked over to me with a knowing look. "Open the bag and see what you've been given," he said, his voice full of curiosity.

With trembling hands, I untied the bag and peered inside. To my astonishment, it was filled with gold coins. I held them up in the light, and they gleamed with a soft, golden glow. It was more wealth than I had ever seen in my life. I could hardly believe it.

I immediately handed all the coins to Uncle. He looked at me, his expression one of pride and surprise. "Son, this is the reward for your hard work," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

I shook my head, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "If you hadn't helped me, I wouldn't have reached this point. I owe everything to you," I replied, my voice filled with sincerity.

Uncle's eyes softened, and he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Son, seeing you grow like this... I feel like I have no children of my own," he said, his voice breaking with emotion. I wiped away a tear that had escaped from his eye.

"Don't say that, uncle," I whispered, my heart full. "You've always been like a father to me."

After a few moments, we broke apart, and I looked up at the sky. "It's getting late. Let's close the shop and head home. We have much to do. There's a new idea I want to try," I said, my mind already turning to the next challenge.

We quickly closed up the shop and made our way home. Once inside, I couldn't shake the excitement of the evening. The thought of the queen, the gold coins, and the birds I had sold filled my mind. But I had another goal in mind—something more. I had learned that glass could be made from sand, lime, and salt, and I was determined to create something even more valuable: a mirror.

The hours slipped by as I worked through the night, experimenting with different methods to create a shiny, reflective surface. But as the night wore on, my efforts seemed futile. The mirror I had made was dull and black—lifeless. I felt disappointment creeping in.

Then, a thought struck me. What if I wash it with water? I grabbed some ash from the nearby stove, rubbed it onto the surface, and rinsed it. When I wiped away the water, I couldn't believe my eyes. The surface of the glass sparkled with brilliance, catching the light in a way I had never imagined. I had done it—I had created a mirror.

Excitedly, I ran to Uncle and showed him my creation. "Uncle, look! It's perfect now! The mirror is shining!" I exclaimed, my voice full of pride.

Uncle blinked at the mirror in disbelief. "Son, you didn't sleep all night. What were you doing?" he asked, his eyes wide.

"I was making something special," I replied, grinning. "Here, let me show you."

I asked him to close his eyes. Carefully, I held the mirror in front of him and said, "Now open your eyes."

Uncle gasped in surprise, stumbling back at the sight of his own reflection. He stepped forward, squinting at the mirror in awe. "I—I've only ever seen my reflection in still water, but never like this. Tell me, how did you do it?"

I smiled. "It's a game of the mind, uncle. With patience and care, you can freeze the water."

Before we could say more, a group of soldiers arrived at our doorstep. They asked, "Does the bird seller stay here?" I nodded, and they informed me that the Sultana had called for me to come to the palace.

Uncle's face darkened. "Son, be careful. The Sultana is said to be not only incredibly beautiful but also a powerful magician. They say she has imprisoned dangerous creatures and demons in her palace."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of fear and excitement. There was no turning back. I quickly prepared myself and grabbed the mirror. Uncle wrapped it in red cloth. "Take this as a gift," he said. "You'll be rewarded handsomely for it."

With the mirror in hand, I followed the soldiers toward the palace, my heart racing with both trepidation and anticipation. What awaited me at the palace?