Deniz sighed and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "Aries, it looks like there might be some pirate ships approaching the island. That's why the Bramevaria guards are tightening security around the area."

My heart sank at the mention of pirates. We had heard tales of ruthless marauders who plundered ships and terrorized coastal settlements. But also today's the recruitment day so the Royal higher-ups from the Imperial Empire would be joining too.

"What should we do?" I asked, my concern growing.

Deniz leaned closer, his voice low and cautious. "Jerich left to get the ticket for the ship we plan to board. It's more of a formality, so the Bramevaria guards won't suspect us. The plan is still to board the upcoming merchant ship at night with the ticket."

I nodded, understanding the need for secrecy. The last thing we wanted was to draw any attention from the guards, especially if the pirate threat was real. We would have to trust Jerich's judgment and await his return.

I walked back to my room and flopped onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow. Thoughts raced through my mind about leaving Ringsheer Island.

But as the moments passed, the distant sound of cannon fire reached my ears, echoing through the island. It looked like the fight started outside but I was not worried about that kind of threat, the thought of me being absent here also made me anxious, how would Jerich handle that situation if they confronted him, he does have some influence in the legion so I should leave it at that.

Soon I drifted into an uneasy sleep. what it felt like a little while, A deafening roar jolted me awake. It sounded like a cannonball had struck nearby. My heart raced as I shot up in bed, disoriented and alarmed.

I rushed to the window and threw it open, my eyes widening in shock. The sky had turned to shades of orange and pink; the evening had fallen, and the battle with the approaching pirate ships was still raging. I watched in horror as cannonballs streaked across the sky, their fiery tails tracing deadly arcs.

To my right, near the port, flames danced ominously. The forest was on fire, likely a result of the cannon barrage. As I continued to observe the chaos, I spotted Jerich in the distance, sprinting towards the house from the town.

I rushed down the stairs, my heart pounding with each step. As I reached the ground floor, I found Jerich sitting at the dining table, his breath heavy from his sprint back to the house. One of the older girls from the orphanage quickly handed him a glass of water, which he gratefully accepted.

Deniz and Cairo appeared at the scene. We gathered around Jerich, waiting for him to explain the chaos unfolding outside.

Jerich took a deep breath, his voice strained "The ship from Eblistan has launched an attack on Ringsheer Island. They want to take back control of the island, but they seem to be avoiding harming the people directly that's why they fighting away from the town. However, the problem lies with the imperial and Bramevaria guards here. These foreign guards have gone berserk, apprehending people for forced recruitment and arresting anyone who tries to stop them. The situation has escalated to the point where martial law has been imposed on the island."

Jerich looked at us with a reassuring nod. "The orphanage should be fine. It's far enough from the town to avoid the worst of the chaos. But you, Aries, Deniz, and Cairo, you need to make your way to the port. That's where we'll rendezvous once I've secured the key to the mansion in Bologna."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

We affirmed his instructions.

We gathered our belongings in silence, our faces masked with seriousness. Deniz made sure he had the matchlocks securely in his possession, and I checked that my sword was firmly strapped to my belt.

As we descended the stairs to the ground floor, we were met with the sight of all the children standing there, their expressions a mix of fear and concern. Some of the younger ones clung to the older ones for comfort.

I stepped forward, trying to offer some reassurance. "We'll be back soon, everyone. In the meantime, the older children here will take care of you. Be brave, and stay safe."

I could see the uncertainty in their eyes, but I hoped that our promise to return would provide them with some comfort in these troubling times.

As we prepared to leave the orphanage, the children gathered around us. Some of the older children hugged us tightly, their words of encouragement and reassurance echoing in our ears.

Layla, her eyes shining with unshed tears, approached us. She hugged each of us in turn, but when she reached Deniz, her hug lingered a little longer, and her whispered words were filled with emotion. "Stay safe, Deniz. Promise me you'll come back."

"I promise, Layla. We'll be back before you know it. Take care of everyone here."

Layla nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, and we shared one final group hug with the children. With a heartfelt farewell, we left the orphanage, our hearts heavy with the knowledge that we were leaving behind the only family we had known for a long time.

We continued our journey through the dimly lit forest, the sounds of the ongoing conflict at the port growing distant. The fading light of evening cast long shadows among the trees, making our surroundings feel even more mysterious and foreboding.

We were cautious, ever watchful for any signs of danger. Suddenly, we spotted two guards approaching from the direction of the town. Quickly, we sought refuge behind a sturdy oak tree, our hearts pounding in our chests.

One of them,a stout man with a rough demeanor, wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Y'know, somethin' ain't right, Bill. The grog on this blasted island... it don't taste like it used to."

Bill, his lanky companion, nodded thoughtfully. "Aye, Pete, I noticed it too. Can't put me finger on it, but it's like the spirits've lost their soul."

Pete took a swig from his flask, his face contorted by the peculiar flavor. "Could be the water they use in the brewin', messin' with the recipe."

Bill chuckled, taking a sip from his own flask. "Or maybe we've been spoiled by the finest British spirits. Those were the days, weren't they? Now we are stuck in this damn middle east shit."

Pete leaned on his musket, his brows furrowing. "Rumor has it they're plannin' to take back the island. "

Bill shrugged, gazing into the distance. "Could be, mate. Could be. All I know is I'd give me right arm for a taste of British finest right now if we could get out of this mess."

They shared a wistful laugh, their conversation drifting into the evening air, unaware of the trio of fugitives hiding nearby.

Cairo gathered Deniz and me close, his voice hushed with concern. "Listen, those guards we encountered in the forest, they're not just any guards. They're from the Imperial Legion, from Britain."

I frowned, my heart sinking at the mention of the Imperial Legion. "That's bad news, Cairo. It means there might be more of them around. We need to be cautious."

Deniz nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the bustling streets filled with guards as we reached the town. "Right, let's stick to the shadows and avoid any unnecessary attention."

As we carefully navigated the town's streets, we stumbled upon the familiar sight of old man Salman's house. It appeared ransacked and damaged. Salman himself lay sprawled on the ground nearby, looking frail and wounded.

I rushed to Salman's side, "Old men! What happened here?"

Cairo and Deniz joined me, concern etched on their faces. Old man Salman weakly opened his eyes, his voice trembling as he spoke. "Imperial Legion... they... they came Her... Aisha they took her."

I clenched my fists, "You two need to get him to safety and find out what he knows. I'll go look for her."

Cairo tried to reason with me, "Aries, it's too dangerous out there. We don't even know where they've taken Aisha. We need to stick to the plan and find a way out of here safely."

I placed a hand on Cairo's shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "Cairo, I understand the risks, but this time I can't listen to you. I promise to be careful."

"Alright, Aries. But please, exercise extreme caution. We'll continue with the plan and meet up later. Don't do anything reckless."

I squeezed hisshoulder in gratitude before breaking into a sprint toward the town.