Kishnet moved through a dark alley, quickening his steps due a growing sense of dread. The narrow passageways twisted and turned, each shadow seeming to conceal unseen threats. He had never been a person of action, at least not the one requiring weapons or fists. All the thoughts overwhelming him, non reassuring, filled with the fear of what would happen to his wife and children if they had to be left alone, vulnerable in a world that showed no mercy. The weight bore down on him, but he pressed forward, knowing he had no choice but to continue.

As he prepared to push open the creaking door of the dangerous tavern, a voice startled him from behind. “You should not enter there,” Gupta said.

Kishnet spun around, his heart skipping a beat. “It was your idea to meet here,” Kishnet’s voice stormed, lacing frustration and fear altogether.

The dim light from the tavern’s window cast eerie shadows on Gupta’s face, making his expression unreadable. “This is the only safe place,” he said, glancing warily at the surroundings.

With a heavy sigh, Kishnet reached into his coat and pulled out a weathered envelope. His hand trembled slightly as he handed it over. “This is all I have left.”

Gupta checked the insides with rushing precision. “It will be enough, but understand, Kish, my men need to be silent. Some of them... they don’t share our ideals. I’m sorry.”

Gupta gave a reassuring, soft punch on Kish’s shoulder before heading toward the corner of the alley. Kishnet’s voice halted him. “Where? And how many?”

Gupta paused but didn’t turn around. “I’ll get all the survivors out. But we can’t pretend they all die at the same time. It will take time. But I promise I’ll get them out. The info about the Blue Maze, is it correct? If they find it’s not real, we’ll be in serious trouble.”

Kishnet tensed, the thought of giving the Kraken the charts guiding their ships into the hidden islands of the Blue gnawing at him. It was a sacrifice he and Marie had agreed upon, but the risk was enormous. “Yes, it’s real. They’ll reach a few islands with that.”

“Then it will be fine,” Gupta said, only a voice coming from the shadows.

Everything unfolded as planned, yet Kishnet returned home with a nauseating feeling of being a traitor. Adding to his self imposed illness, piled up the thoughts about the dangers laying ahead. Nothing seemed to convince him that the incredible but impossible plan of the man called Robert was going to end well. And from all the intrusive thoughts, he could get nothing good out of it except that thanks to his overthinking, he barely worried about any dangers lurking in the shadows as he reached home safely.

When he arrived his modest home, he knocked softly. A moment later, the door creaked open, and Maha stood there, her eyes searching his face for answers. “Did you get what you needed?” she asked, her voice a mixture of concern and hope.

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Kishnet nodded.

He followed his wife upstairs, His mind planning the next steps of a journey of deceits, lies and all their repercussions. In the dim light of the small bedroom, he first embraced his elder son, holding him close for a moment longer than usual. Then he gently caressed his daughter’s hair and bent down to kiss his baby boy.

When they descended to the small dining area, Kishnet sat heavily at the table, his mind unable to forget his worries for a moment. His wife quietly ladled out the curry stew, a meagre of cheap vegetables and scraps of old meat. As she offered a prayer, he remained silent, staring at the small portions in front of their children. Guilt gnawed at him, and without hesitation, he scooped a portion of his own meal onto their plates.

Maha noticed, her lips curving into a sad, timid smile. She said nothing, but her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, spoke. Kishnet reached for her hand under the table, offering silent comfort.

“We’ll go to your parents’ village tomorrow, no delays,” Kishnet finally said, firmly pushing the most needed courage.

For the way Maha stared, he couldn’t say if it was confusion or surprise. “So, you’re going to accept that person’s offer? I thought you didn’t trust him.”

“I don’t,” he said. “But I trust the people of Bandanii. And they’re convinced he has a good plan.”

A memory of the letter flashed through his mind. The plan outlined within its pages was indeed plausible, but only if all the paperwork, the letters, the documents, and the confessions were believable. Only if all its calligraphy, signatures and seals were crafted to perfection. Donna was sure it’d be, and somehow, her confidence encouraged him to move forward.

“After you settle in the village, I’ll depart for Huriin Port,” he said. “As soon as I arrive in Bandanii, I’ll send a check to Hippata. Donna has promised a first payment. She just needs to know the address and that’s something I won’t give by writing. It’s a huge amount, love. And I trust her very much, so don’t worry. Please, ask your brother to help with anything you need.”

She struggled to keep her composure. No secrets she could hide from him. She was scared indeed. Worried. But not of money they didn’t have, but of a husband she she’d easily lose soon. As she rubbed at a lonely tear, Kishnet reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, sharing a silence soon broken by the giggling of their two eldest kids, who at the same time shared a naughty stare.

“Everything is going to be fine.” Kishnet found on the playful sounds of their two kids more strength to do what needed to be done than with any plan, idea, or thought. The questions gnaw at him, loosened importance. It didn’t matter who Robert was. Or the mysterious person sending letters from the Black Rock. It didn’t matter if the plan was good or not, if the stakes were high or low. Everything was going to be fine.

As he noticed his son eagerly stuffing his mouth with stew and prompting his sister to do the same. Kishnet gently stopped them. “Let’s pray again,” his tone, soft and warm.

“Why again?” his son asked.

Kishnet pushed a smile. “Because your father forgot to do it properly the first time.”