The rest of the time before we had to leave we spent in silence. While Melle was constantly rummaging through her belongings, checking if everything was in place, I was just lying down on the bed, staring towards the wooden ceiling.

Jack never came back, so we both assumed that, as he said, he was busy and couldn’t see us off. Leaving the inn, I closed all the doors behind us and we started heading towards the main entrance to the city, where the caravan was supposed to be stationed.

The whole way, Melle looked calm and collected, but from time to time I was able to notice her shaking a little bit. No wonder, besides that her actual daughter being kidnapped, the “plan” we had was pretty half-assed. Not like I didn’t trust Jack, but I found it hard to believe that the whole caravan was going to just ignore a fight that was bound to happen on the way. How much did he have to pay them? Was it really that profitable for him? All this was weird. And soon enough I learned why - as soon as we reached the caravan, which consisted of a bunch of carts that were stationed right outside the city, and we were approached by the guard standing watch. A very familiar guard.

-You.

It was Goldie, although I only managed to recognize him thanks to his hair and voice. Without his golden sword and armor he looked like just some regular mercenary.

I instantly stopped, not sure what he was going to do. From what I heard, he blamed the loss of his gear on me. While he wasn’t entirely wrong, it’s not like I wanted to do that, I actually intended to help. Too bad I got caught by For’s people.

-Hello - started Melle. - We are…

-I know who you are - interrupted Goldie with a monotone voice, staring daggers at me - Come with me to the leader.

-You know him? - Melle asked quietly as we started following him.

-Yes - Goldie replied for me. - I did not think we’re going to meet so soon.

-Me neither - I muttered. - Does that mean the leader is…

-Of course. Who else?

-Figures - I sighed. - Listen, I am sorry for what happened earlier, I still am going to finish that job, just… Well, shit happens.

-I knew I shouldn’t have trusted anyone besides myself.

-I…

-Enough - he interrupted me with a hint of pain in his voice. - I’m not in the mood for this. But this is far from over. We will discuss that later, when I reach my brother.

Brother? I heard about him, but what did he have to do with anything?

Before I even had the time to process that information, we reached the first cart and Goldie knocked on the side of the wooden wall.

-They’re here - he said. - And you won’t believe who’s one of them.

From the cart emerged, in the flesh, Bert. Still in the same gear I’ve seen him when we last split off, still looking tired, now staring at me, absolutely stunned.

-How you doin’?

Well, it made sense. No wonder Jack was able to convince him, along with his men, to cooperate with us. He probably even didn’t have to pay him, just asking was enough. I sort of had a feeling: the same place, a caravan… I kinda was doubting that only because I thought he still was recovering after the attack, but I guess he was faster than I imagined.

The three of us entered the cart, very similar to the one I first was traveling on, but this time without the crapload of the cargo. To be honest, it was now barely filled, just had a few boxes. Goldie was left outside, and pretty much instantly went back to where he came from, I assume to wait for the other passengers.

-I swear, is your caravan the only one that runs from this city? - I said, sitting on one of the boxes.

-Yes - he answered. - But never mind that. What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were…

-Imprisoned by the Red Mages? Yep. Long story short, I sort of work for them, and she has what I need. But she refuses to help if I won’t help her. And here we are - I summarized to him my predicament.

Bert quickly looked out of the cart, scouring the surroundings.

-What about your previous job? - he said looking back at me. - I tried to stop Caleb, but he is adamant on calling his brother. That is never good.

-Yeah, he was mentioning that… Well, his stuff is most likely safe.

-Most likely?

-Well, you already know I got got by the Red Mages. So it happens that I already reclaimed his junk back then. Guess what happened to it when I got jailed.

-They confiscated it. Shit. Tough luck.

-Eh, it’s not that bad - I shrugged. - After I am finished with all this, I’ll just ask for it back. No big deal.

-No big deal? - he asked, surprised. - I understand you work for them, but you think they will give it up that easily? I thought it’s…

He stopped himself, looking at Melle.

-Don’t worry about it. Let’s get on to the task at hand - I said, changing subject, feeling that he was not keen on explaining details in front of her.

-Right - he nodded and turned to the woman. - Sorry about this rant, see, Mor is my friend and I never expected to see him that soon. So. You are the “interested party”...

-That’s an interesting way to put it - she said, looking at us both, intrigued. - By the way, I didn’t know you have friends in such high places - she said, turning to me.

-Oh, I am just a humble caravan leader, nothing much. I don’t really deal with my family any more - Bert replied for me.

-I see. Well, I am indeed interested in one of your “clients”. Is he here?

-Yes. The last cart.

-Who’s with him?

-No one. So it happens that he’s been placed in the last free spot, along with the cargo - he looked at me.

I grinned.

-Same situation as me and the kid?

-Yep. But this time with no deals - he nodded.

-How convenient. You sure about all this? I know you’ve been asked by a friend, but won’t all this ruin your reputation?

-Yeah… about that, I was never told what do you want with him, just that you want to meet the guy… What is this all about?

-Oh boy… - I sighed. - No wonder you were so cooperative. Listen. Our “talks” will most likely involve tying someone up. Got it?

-Oh… well yeah, that might be a problem…

-Yep - I started scratching my chin, thinking. - If I knew up front that it was your group… Eh, that’s problematic.

-Why the hell did Jack not tell you that? - Bert grumbled, annoyed. - What, he wants to run me out of business? I already have enough issues as it is…

-Probably not. He never said you’re going to cooperate, just that your men will not stop us if we try doing anything that might look suspicious.

-Well, no wonder. I have no men besides Goldie, and… well, you know him.

-What? What about the rest of those guards that I’ve seen loitering around?

-Those are city guards. They are not coming with us, they are just hired to help pack the carts. My men are only the people driving and that’s it. Not really fighting types.

-Oh. That last trip cost you that much?

-Yeah - he said, bitterly. - Right now I am trying to bounce back by moving some supplies to the coast. And apparently your target. I swear, both of your timing is impeccable, he contacted me just yesterday but you probably knew about that already.

-Huh.

I sat there, quietly thinking for a minute.

-Say, Melle, do you care when you get to talk with the guy?

-Not particularly, but the sooner the better, you know why.

-Yeah. And you know why we have time. Bert, can anyone else fit in the same cart as our guy?

-Yeah, it’s basically the same setup as you had with the kid.

-Good. I have an idea.

I wasn’t that keen on helping Melle that much, but I decided that I probably should, since if I left her to her own devices it would most likely end with either a failure or a complete destruction of Bert 's reputation and cargo. My idea was for me to join the caravan, exactly like the last time, and travel along with our guy, trying to prod him for information a little bit. If that was to not work, we’d straight up capture him after arrival at the destination. Melle was to remain with the caravan, out of sight. She agreed, but was constantly insisting on the immediate attack anyway, hoping I would change my mind.

I was led to the cart by none other than Goldie. He, on the other hand, did not speak a word to me after the last time, just silently was doing his job. To be honest, it felt like a change for the better.

When we arrived at the last cart, he knocked at the side.

-We’ll be having another passenger along with you. Make some room.

There was no reply, but I heard some shifting inside.

-In - he finally said to me. - We’ll be leaving soon.

-Thanks.

Inside, as expected, was full to the brim with boxes and barrels. This time though, it did not reek of fish, instead I smelt a mixture of mold, wood and tree sap, I think? Definitely the better one of the two.

Climbing over a bunch of boxes, I noticed our person of interest. He did not look like what expected. Since he was supposed to be a noble, and a head of family no less, I thought I’m gonna meet some fancy looking gray eminence, but nope. He was an older man, with short, balding gray hair, dressed in plain linen clothing that looked like he stole from some trash pile - dirty and full of holes. If I didn’t know who he was, I’d easily mistake him for some peasant. Only thing that looked half-decent was a cloak that he was wrapped in, made of some sort of dark leather, but even that was absolutely filthy. With that look, you’d think he’d reek as bad or even worse than that old carriage. I expected for the smell to hit me any second, but surprisingly, there was none. Quite the opposite in fact, as I got closer, I smelt something akin to the perfume.

-Hello. I guess we’ll be traveling together - I said, sitting opposite of him, on some random box.

He did not reply, just nodded and moved as far away from me as possible.

It did not look like he caught up onto anything, as planned. I’d be surprised if he would to be honest, I barely even was in the city last time, and even if he would know who I was, not like that could even make me suspicious - the only people that I was seen around were involved in this caravan.

A few minutes later the carts finally started moving. No one else joined us, exactly as Bert said. He told me that it’s most likely because of him converting to “cargo transport”, but I was pretty sure that it’s just that no one wanted to join the caravan that got attacked and almost wiped twice in recent times - the interest in travel was still there and the proof of that was sitting right in front of me.

-You’re traveling towards Kruro too, eh? - I tried to start a conversation with my quiet partner.

He just nodded, not looking at me, constantly staring at the floor.

-Hmm. Yeah, that’s a nice village. Coastal. Shame that people stopped visiting.

Still nothing.

-I am glad that at least this caravan is still working. I was stuck in the capital for so long, couldn’t get back for months thanks to those stupid accidents…

That peaked his interest.

-Accidents?

His voice was hoarse, it was barely audible through the rumbling of the wheels and the noise of hooves stomping the brickwork outside.

-Yea. I wanted to get home two months ago, but then the caravans suddenly stopped, due to some bandits and monsters on the road.

-Monsters? That close to the capital? - he did not sound scared, instead he looked like he was just not believing a word I say. - Ridiculous.

-Yeah, apparently even this month the whole caravan got destroyed by some plant creature. Or that’s what I’ve heard people gossip in the tavern. But I think it’s just an excuse! Probably fucker didn’t have enough people pay him to get to the coast, or just waiting to smuggle some contraband - I said slapping the box beside me. - But as soon as the clients appeared, he suddenly moved, slick bastard.

-Clients? There is more? - he said, with a hint of worry in his voice.

-Well, there is us - I chuckled. - If he squeezed at least half of what he got from me from you, I say that’s more than enough for this trip to be worth it for him. Plus the cargo, I swear he’s making a mint.

He nodded.

-His prices are something else. Thanks to him I am broke and even in debt.

-I knew it. Let me be frank, you don’t look like someone that sleeps on the pile of gold. Was it worth it?

-What?

-Was it worth it to get in debt just to get to the coast? Let’s be honest, neither of us are going to stay in that dump for long. Sooner or later you’ll have to move, and without money no one is going to even lift a finger.

-I thought it was your home.

-It is. Doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s a shithole and I am going to stay there. It’s the only place with a boat that isn’t fully staffed with guards.

-You got that right - he sighed. - And about that being worth it… eh, who knows? - he said bitterly.

-Tough luck? Eh, I get what you mean - I said grabbing my arm.

We sat there in silence for a few minutes, while I was thinking of a good way to somehow bait him into leaving the caravan, or at least to talk a bit more. He definitely did not sound like someone who just kidnapped a person worth a good chunk of money, quite the opposite in fact.

-Say, you said you are getting out of the continent as soon as possible? - he interrupted the silence later that day.

-Yeh. Just need to grab my shit and I am out. What’s that to you?

-I was thinking… - he said with hesitation. - Do you have any free spots?

-Oh.

That was surprising. I was sure he already had his passage further secured.

-That depends. Where are you heading?

-Anywhere is fine. Just need to get out of here.

I frowned. That did not fit at all. Wasn’t he supposed to go where the kid was located? If not, then why the hell was he leaving the city, or rather the continent.

-Maybe… - I said, trying to sound unsure. - There is one problem though. Didn’t you say you’re broke?

-I will do anything! - he suddenly said, almost begging. - There is no place for me here, I need to get out, I can even work as a servant on the ship.

-Can you even do anything? You ever worked on a ship?

-No. I don’t know, maybe I can move cargo… or clean the deck.

I laughed.

-As much as this prospect is amusing to me, I don’t think that will work.

-There is really nothing…?

I sat there for a minute, pretending to think.

-I tell you what. You can come with me, I can at least introduce you to the capitan. What they do is, however, their decision,

-Thank you! Thank you! - he fell on his knees and almost looked like he was crying. - You are a godsend!

-Come on, stop it. I never said anyone is going to help you.

-The chance is more than enough.

He stood up and sat back down on his box. I was absolutely right - he was crying - and now wiping the tears with his sleeve.

A bit unsettled by his performance, I started thinking once more. He either had to be a godlike actor, or something was not right. But what was his plan then? Did he want to steal the ship to go to their meeting place? I mean, assuming that he was the one behind the kidnapping, it was possible - and just thought I might be an easy target. In any case, I had to notify Melle, or she might act on her own and try something stupid.

I started rummaging through my bag and pulled out a bunch of papers. At first, he was looking at me, curious, but when he realized that I was just writing some notes, he lost interest. At first, I was just pretending, but after a while I actually started writing a short letter explaining what the plan was.

B.

Everything is fine. We’ll be having a client meet us away from the city, where I have a ship stationed. Tell her to meet me on the beach, a couple minutes north of the village. Thanks for the help.

M.

I gave the letter to Goldie during our stop, when Rubo was not around. It was a bit cryptic, but better safe than sorry. And I also did not want Goldie to know anything - knowing what he’s like.

-I am not your carrier pigeon - he said, but took the letter.

I managed to barely sit down near the campfire before Rubo came out of the cart and saw me talking to him.

Speaking of, this time the caravan was using an actual bonfire, not the magical crystals. If I was to guess, they haven’t yet managed to fully restock and get the regular supplies and tools that they used before. Actually, maybe not, there were no people left from that older squad, and the new people looked basically like a bunch of random townspeople down on luck, so no wonder they just used fire. The food itself, there was also no mana fruit, instead we had some kind of dried meat. I guess he was not kidding when he said that he needed to bounce back.

The rest of the trip passed uneventfully. I was constantly pretending to write while trying to observe the guy. At first, it appeared that he was fast asleep, but after a while he opened his eyes and started watching me. Finally, he couldn’t take it and asked:

-You’ve been constantly writing for a while. Are you a writer of some sort?

-Me? No. I wish I was though.

-So what’s those papers about?

-I’m making a journal.

-I guess that’s the first step to becoming a writer…

-Well, when you put it like that… But no, it’s just to pass time. Since I’ve been stuck in that stupid city, I literally had nothing to do besides of reading. After a while, the inn ran out of books and the innkeeper threatened me that if I won't stop bothering him, he’ll kick me out, so I settled on the second best - writing. I am not good at making shit up, so I decided to write about my life and travels. Still boring as fuck, but hey, at least I have something to do.

-I see. You better be careful about that though.

-Why? - I asked, looking up from the papers.

-You’re creating blackmail material. If anyone else gets their hands on that…

-Is that a threat?

-Gods no! - he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. - Just speaking from experience, even a lost page can sometimes lead to unforeseen circumstances.

-The hell does that mean? - I asked, interested. - You have some stories?

-I’d rather not talk about it.

-I see.

Why did you mention it then?