*
"What do you think you're doing?" Kabeer barked, stepping out from behind a sack. The room suddenly stiffened, as all the slaves gathered around looked up at their master with rapt attention.
"N... Nothing." the young man whom Kabeer had been addressing quickly shook his head, hiding the dagger he had been holding behind him.
"You dare to lie even when I saw you clearly?" Kabeer thundered.
"Forgive me, master." the slave bowed, stretching out the hand in which he held the shiny silver dagger. Kabeer stared down at the blade, suddenly overwhelmed by emotion. Very slowly, he reached out towards it, his hand hovering briefly over the slaves shaking hands before he snatched the dagger away.
Kabeer turned the blade in his hands, remembering all too well the last time he'd held the b
