I put my shirt back on and decided that, for now, I would focus on being the best friend I could be to Aisha. I had calculated my chances of winning her over, and I was ready to take the slow and steady approach. After all, I believed that someday, just like in the novels I cherished, his own love story would unfold. Until then, I gotta work extra hard on my wor-

As the weight of tomorrow's departure settled in, I found myself sitting on the edge of my bed, lost in thought. The room was filled with a quiet melancholy, and the shelves of novels that had been my companions for so long seemed to whisper their own tales of longing and parting.

I sat there for what felt like an eternity, contemplating the situation and the friends I would leave behind. The room had been my sanctuary, a place where I could escape into countless worlds and lose myself in the pages of books. But now, it was a space that would soon be devoid of my presence.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, a gentle knock on the door broke the silence. I rose from my seat and opened the door to find Deniz and Cairo standing in the hallway.

"Jerich is calling us three," Deniz informed me,

"He wants to discuss the issue from before."

I nodded in response, I carefully placed my cherished books back in their designated spots on the shelves and, with one last lingering look around my room, headed downstairs to join Jerich, Deniz, and Cairo in the dining room, we sat around the table on the chairs.

"So," Jerich began, his voice steady, "The plan is that you two will also accompany him." He directed his gaze at both Cairo and Deniz, studying their reactions. Cairo appeared somewhat troubled, his brows furrowed in deep thought, while Deniz, surprisingly, didn't even flinch.

"Understood," Deniz replied with determination.

"Good," Jerich continued, "So, see you tomorrow evening. The ship will depart from the port in the town, not from the main port. Your tickets will be arranged by tomorrow."

We all nodded in agreement, Jerich leaned in closer, his tone more serious. "What you have to do is visit Marco and tell him my name. He'll understand the situation. It will take you some days to reach the mainland, but once you arrive in Egypt, you'll have to lay low before reaching the port in Bilad al-Sham. Marco will arrange carriages for his cargo to be transported to Acre, and he'll accompany you on that journey. From Acre, with his second ship, you'll safely reach Forli. After that, you'll be on your own, and you must make your way to Bologna. I have a mansion there, and I'll provide you with the key. Bologna is a great place; you'll find work easily, and it's home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Bologna. I recommend you take admission there once you arrive safely. I'll give you some extra gold coins for that."

Deniz couldn't help but express his amazement. "You have so many connections? And a house?"

Jerich nodded somberly. "Bramevaria paid us well, but it came at the cost of dirty work. Still, it's troublesome here in Italy, as I've heard. I would have preferred arranging a house in the Mali Empire or even in China. Both places are more stable right now. But circumstances are as they are."

Cairo, the pragmatic one, added, "Don't worry, Jerich. I'll make sure to put some sense into them if they cause trouble."

"Well, then I'd appreciate it." said Jerich with a smile.

"So, here's the thing. I know it sounds so sudden but I've already clarified the reason. any questions?"

Deniz's curiosity rised "What about Acre? You mentioned reaching there from Egypt. What's in Acre?"

Jerich nodded, appreciating the questions. "Acre is a strategic port city, and you'll find more ships there heading to various destinations. Marco, the ship owner, can arrange a safer journey for you from Acre to Forli. It's a necessary stop in our plan."

Deniz seemed satisfied with that answer, but I had one more question. "And the university in Bologna, is it really a good idea for us to pursue education there?"

Jerich offered a reassuring smile. "Yes, the University of Bologna is renowned in Europe. It will not only provide you with knowledge but also a cover for your presence in the city. Plus, I have a contact there who can assist you in getting started."

Deniz leaned forward, "What about the language, Jerich? Do they speak Italian there? We don't know the language."

Jerich nodded, understanding the concern. "You're right; language can be a barrier. But don't worry, both of you are quick learners. Italian is the primary language, but you'll find people who speak Latin and other languages too. Besides, I can arrange for some basic language lessons before you leave."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Cairo chimed in, his voice steady. "Jerich, what if someone from Bramevaria finds out we're in Italy? Won't they come after us?"

Jerich's tone grew serious. "I won't deny the risk, but they won't have any reason to suspect you've left the island for italy. We're taking precautions to ensure your departure remains confidential. Once you reach Italy, you'll be safer than staying here."

I had one last question. "Jerich, what if we need to contact you or if something goes wrong?"

Jerich handed me a small, sealed envelope. "Inside this envelope, you'll find letters of introduction to some trustworthy contacts in Italy. They can help you if you face any trouble. And remember, I'm always a letter away if you need assistance."

"RIght"

As Jerich, Deniz, and I discussed our departure in the dining room, little did we know that we were being watched. The orphanage's younger children had gathered in the adjoining room, their innocent eyes wide with curiosity and tears forming as they listened to our conversation.

I happened to glance toward the doorway that separated the two rooms and saw their small figures huddled together, peering through the crack. My heart sank as I realized they had overheard our plans. Without a word, I stood up and made my way to the doorway, pushing it open gently.

"Are you all right?" I asked, crouching down to their eye level.

A young girl, no older than seven, with tear-streaked cheeks, finally found her voice. "Are you going to leave us?"

The question hung heavily in the air, and it was evident that they were afraid of being abandoned once again. Deniz and Cairo joined me, their expressions sympathetic.

I put on a reassuring smile. "We're not leaving you forever. We have some important things to do, but we promise we'll come back to visit. And to show you how much we care about you, how about this? Tonight, we'll all go to the tavern, and I'll treat everyone to a special meal. How does that sound?"

The children's faces lit up at the prospect of a meal at the tavern, and their tears began to transform into hesitant smiles.

Deniz chimed in, "That's right. We may be going on a journey, but you'll always be in our hearts. We're like a big family, and we'll come back to see you all."

Cairo nodded in agreement, adding, "And remember, Jerich will still be here to take care of you. He's like a father to us all."

With the promise of a special meal and our reassurances, the children's fear began to subside. They wiped away their tears and clung to us, feeling a bit more secure about our impending departure.

The night was draped in a deep, velvety darkness as the children of the orphanage made their way to the town. The faint glow of the moon and the twinkle of stars provided just enough light for them to navigate the cobbled streets of Ringsheer Island.

The tavern was a place filled with lively music, hearty laughter, and mouthwatering treats.

Me and the boys stood back, hidden in the shadows, observing their joyous parade. They moved with the carefree giggles and animated conversations blending with the night's melody.

Inside, the tavern was a riot of colors and sounds. The live music of a fiddle and a flute resonated through the air, and the tantalizing aroma of savory dishes filled the room. The children hesitated only briefly before stepping inside, their eyes wide with wonder.

I talked with the manager and they all settled in, I and Cairo settled at the right side of the big table where all the of them were sitting.

"Feeling too generous huh? But I am not contributing." Cairo said with a carefree expression

"Wait what? Oh man... then let me talk to the manager again."

"Wait wait, joking!! jokin!!"

"so am I"

After that we talked a while about various things until...

Cairo noticed Deniz and chuckled. "He's sitting with her again, Aries. It's kind of uncomfortable to watch."

I nodded a wry smile on my face. "Yeah, they act like that, and still, Deniz says that it's nothing between them. Well, let's finish up here and sleep early."

We continued our meal and chatted about the plans for the next day, keeping the atmosphere light. But it wasn't long before Deniz left his spot next to Layla and approached our table.

"Hey, Aries, I wanted to show you something," Deniz said with a mysterious glint in his eye.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?" I asked, curious about what he had in store for me.

There's the psychic on the upper floor you'd want to meet, he's from Winterheilm there you see, that board over there" In the tavern near the staircase there was a board

In ye Medieval Realm...

Turneth to the Mystic's Wisdom, Unveil Secrets of Yon Stars, Predict Thy Fate with Ancient Lore, Visit the Enchanted Seer in the Towne Square

Consult the Mystic of Ye Olden Days!"

"Too corny, not interested," I chuckled, exchanging a knowing wink with Deniz, indicating that I had a different plan in mind.

Once we had everything settled with the tavern, we headed back home, ensuring that all the children were comfortably asleep.

In the moonlit garden, Deniz and I met silently, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound in the still night.

"Aries, what's going on? Why did you want to meet here, at this hour?" Deniz inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.

I reached into my pocket and retrieved a crumpled piece of paper. I unfolded it carefully, and in the faint moonlight, Deniz could make out the writing on it.

"It's a receipt," I explained in hushed tones, "for a shipment of matchlock rifles. They're currently stored in the main port warehouse. I've been thinking... what if we execute a raid on that place tonight while everyone else believes we're sound asleep?"

Deniz's eyes widened, and his brows furrowed in thought. He seemed torn between fear and intrigue, uncertainty and determination. After a lengthy pause, he finally nodded.

"You know, Aries, this is risky," Deniz admitted, hi

"We could get caught, and if we do, the consequences would be severe. But..." He hesitated for a moment, his gaze locking with mine. "I'm in. Let's do this. Just promise me we'll be careful."

"Deniz," Isaid, placing a hand on his shoulder, "we'll be as cautious as shadows inthe night. Together, we can pull this off. Trust me."

"If you say so"