The next day, after hours of sitting in the market without selling any of his books, the boy was suddenly approached by a man who kept most of his face hidden, with a hood pulled low over his head, leaving only his sunken eyes visible. His attire, however, suggested great wealth.
"What are you selling, young man?" the man asked in a hoarse voice.
"I sell and exchange books, as you can see," the boy replied.
"And what do you accept in exchange for your books?" the man inquired.
"Other books," the boy answered.
An exclamation appeared on the man's face before a laugh escaped him. "I've never seen a merchant sell his merchandise for something else."
"I'm not a merchant," the boy said. "I just want to exchange my books for others to keep me company the rest of the way."
The man regained his composure, his face showing signs of interest. "I've heard a lot about what books contain. Some tell stories that draw the soul in, making the mind travel to places it's never been. Others teach black magic and quackery." He paused, studying the books, then added, "I've never read one. I've never been a good reader."
The man bent down, picking up one of the books and flipping through the pages quickly, as though he had never handled a book before.
"What are you looking for in these books of yours?" the man asked, looking directly into the boy's eyes.
It was an unexpected question, one that caught the boy off guard. He had never really asked himself what he was searching for in these books. He had been reading about ships and seas for months, learning about the adventures of those who had sailed and written about it. Although he had dreamed of traveling for as long as he could remember, he had never actually had an adventure of his own. So, what was he really looking for?
"I read about the seas and ships, about the adventures people have had and written about," the boy finally replied, though he felt his answer lacked conviction. He had never sailed before, so what did he truly seek in those books?
"What is a boy reading about the sea doing in this barren desert?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow.
The boy remained silent, choosing not to answer. He thought it would be impolite to answer every question posed to him. The man stood up, holding one of the books, took some money from his bag, paid for it, and said he would give it to a friend. Without another word, he left.
A few moments later, the boy's eyes caught sight of the girl with the letter—the same one he had seen the day before. She was standing next to the box with another letter in her hand, but this time, she was looking at the boy.