đź“Ť Scene: Merchant Guild Courtyard, Mosul - Early Morning
The sun had barely touched the rooftops of Mosul when ZAYD IBN SULEIMAN began his first real task at the Guild Hall: sweeping the long, tiled courtyard.
His fingers were blistered. His back ached. He had not yet seen a single coin, lesson, or merchant scroll. But he worked silently - watching, listening.
đź“Ś Zayd's Internal Thought:
"This broom may look like wood... but it's the handle of a door. If I sweep well, someone might open it."
USTADH FARUQ passed by, pausing only briefly.
USTADH FARUQ (without looking):
"Tomorrow, wipe the ink stands in the hall. If even one spills, you'll clean scrolls with your tears."
Zayd bowed his head, absorbing the lesson in humility and responsibility.
đź“Ť Scene Change: Mosul Merchant Guild - Inner Hall, Week 1
Zayd learned by proximity. He watched scribes measure cloth, compare ledgers, track contracts, and seal deals with hand signs and subtle glances.
He began organizing scrolls, and Faruq noticed his hunger for understanding.
One afternoon, Faruq tossed him a broken contract.
USTADH FARUQ:
"Fix this. Three merchants owe five dinars each for the same shipment. The scribes mixed it up."
Zayd reread the contract, caught the error in phrasing, and rewrote it with careful clarity.
ZAYD:
"They each owe five. But the scribe wrote: 'Jointly, fifteen.' One may claim the others must pay it all."
Faruq raised an eyebrow, impressed.
USTADH FARUQ:
"You've swept your first real mistake. Good."
đź“Ś Zayd's Growth, Month 1 in Mosul:
Learned to read formal contracts and recognize loopholes.
Observed the chain of delivery - from caravan to warehouse to market.
Memorized seals of key merchant families (especially Jewish, Armenian, Arab).
Gained trust from Faruq, who let him sit quietly in back of meetings.
đź“Ť Scene Change: Mosul Market Docks - Evening
Zayd carried crates with porters and observed how goods were weighed differently depending on the buyer's knowledge. He noticed merchants exaggerate freshness, value, or origin to foreign traders.
He began to note these quietly in a small leather-bound journal:
Zayd's Journal, Entry 12:
"Merchant Yusef under-weighs wheat by 4%. Always offers 'good luck' dates to distract buyers. Will remember this."
Entry 16:
"Armenian silk trader uses real indigo - not diluted. Keeps weight honest. Trustworthy."
đź“Ś Practical Lessons Learned:
Business is part trade, part theater.
Not all honesty is spoken - it's often measured.
Watch the hands more than the tongue.
đź“Ť Scene Change: Quiet Room in Guild Hall - Night
One night, as the rest of the guild slept, Zayd sat by candlelight reading scrolls on maritime insurance and partnership law. He traced letters with his finger, practicing Turkish vocabulary and Persian legal phrases.
He whispered poetry under his breath to help memorize:
"He who trades without law sails on a sea without stars.
He who writes his contract rides a ship of gold bars."
đź“Ť Scene: Training Yard behind Guild - Midday
Zayd caught the attention of Faris ibn Makhzum, a retired guard now training apprentices in self-defense.
Faris tossed him a wooden staff.
FARIS (grinning):
"You're smart. But markets get robbed too. Show me your stance."
Zayd barely blocked the first swing.
By week's end, he could dodge three, land one.
đź“Ś Physical Growth:
Trained basic staff defense and street-level brawling techniques.
Learned where thieves strike: loading docks, alley corners, exits after auctions.
Learned to move light and fast, with his satchel tied close and sandals secured.
đź“Ť Scene: Rooftop of Guild Hall - Night
Zayd sat with nimr the eagle, now growing stronger. Its feathers had returned. It perched beside him with quiet loyalty.
He fed it bits of meat and whispered:
ZAYD:
"One day we'll fly over this city - not as thieves, but as masters."
He wrapped himself in his scarf and drifted to sleep, Barq alert beside him.
đź“Ť Scene Change: Private Chamber - Final Week of Chapter
USTADH FARUQ handed Zayd a sealed envelope.
USTADH FARUQ:
"This is for Ustadh Jalil in Tikrit. A real merchant. He'll test you harder than I have."
Zayd bowed, deeply.
ZAYD:
"Then I'll sharpen myself like a blade before I reach his hand."
USTADH FARUQ (smiling faintly):
"You speak like a man too old for your bones. Don't forget to live, Zayd. Not all wealth is coin."
đź“Ś End of Chapter 5 Summary - Age 14:
Languages: Fluent Arabic, beginner Turkish and Persian.
Commerce: Understanding contracts, fraud, trust-building, logistics.
Combat: Basic street-fighting and self-defense.
Habits: Journaling observations, memorizing laws and prices.
Trust earned: Ustadh Faruq, Aaron the Jewish merchant, and Haji Rashid.
đź“Ť Next Destination: Tikrit - to train under Ustadh Jalil.
End of Chapter 5