Once more, Nadim found himself wandering the sunbaked streets of Atria, the air thick with spice, heat, and the murmurs of barter. The marketplace sprawled before him in a vibrant chaos—merchants shouting over one another, silks fluttering in the desert breeze, and the mingled scents of incense and roasted meat clinging to the air.

People of every station moved through the crowd—wealthy nobles in embroidered robes brushing shoulders with barefoot children and sand-worn travelers. Amid the clamor, something softer caught Nadim’s ear—a melody, drifting like an oasis breeze through the din.

Drawn by the sound, he turned toward the edge of the market, where a small crowd had gathered. There, beneath the shade of woven canopies, a dancer moved with mesmerizing grace, her every motion flowing in harmony with the rhythm of the musicians beside her. Silks shimmered around her like liquid fire, and for a moment, all of Atria seemed to pause, spellbound by her presence.