The elder's eyes sparkled with warmth as she took my hands in hers. "I know it can't be easy for you, being a stranger in a new place," she said. "But I want you to know that you're welcome here. We may not know much about you, but we're willing to learn."

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the elder. She seemed kind and genuine, and I found myself trusting her instinctively.

The guard who had brought me to the market cleared his throat, reminding me that he was still there. "I'll leave you two to talk," he said. "But ma'am, don't forget that you're still under the...