The Desperate Plan

The following day. there was one hour left before departure to the Royal Kingdom. The departing ones were preparing: there were about five young people, including Duraan for sure, and four other youngsters—one male and three females. All five of them were the best in the village. Hukuro was going with them as their instructor.

All the village inhabitants were there to say goodbye and give them gifts. Some of them were crying, usually the elderly because they were watching their children leave for such a grand and important journey. The fathers gave advice to everyone, while the mothers gave them food because the journey was long.

Rania was there too. She was happy to see that the people of their village had this opportunity, even though she hadn't had it herself. This made her a bit disappointed, but her mother reassured her about the future.

* * *

Now only half an hour remained when carriages began entering the village. The carriages were numerous and of high quality: built from precious black wood with silver-plated edges and golden designs on top. The carriages were surrounded by knights, and the knights were surrounded by riders who rode monstrous and massive horses.

The scene looked as if the king himself had come.

Once all the carriages and knights entered the village and approached the people, the inhabitants felt somewhat insecure in front of the royal army's aura. Even though they were few, to the village inhabitants they were nothing less than an entire army.

The rider who was furthest ahead dismounted from his horse and removed his helmet. He was a charming young man with long brown hair gathered in a ponytail on his shoulder and brown eyes.

He opened his mouth: "Good morning to all the inhabitants of Kopoto. I bring you greetings from our magnificent KING Svuls. My name is Wilhelm Von Falkenhorst, and I am the general who has been assigned to this journey. We have been tasked with bringing your young people to the magnificent city of Kingdom Royale. The departure will begin in a few minutes, so be prepared."

For a long moment there was silence. People looked at each other and spoke in low voices about what the palace men were like.

A few seconds later, Tenen stepped forward: "Welcome, magnificent soldiers who protect our lands from enemies. We welcome you to our small village. Before you leave, we want to show you our hospitality."

"There's no need for this, and besides, we're not authorized to eat or drink anywhere. But I thank you for your invitation," said the general.

"Alright, I understand your point of view, but at least let us show you the village and our culture. Please, it's our small wish."

The general thought for a while, then accepted but only for a brief time. So everyone began showing them around the village.

While all this was happening, Rania went to the same rock near the stream to calm her mind a bit. She climbed onto the rock and began looking at the stream.

Ahhhhh, what a life.

What do I do now? Once they leave, everything will go back to how it was before.

It's not that I hate things going back to how they were, but I also wanted to go.

Ahhhhh, life. If I had worked hard, it would have been much better, but my laziness didn't want to. I was really foolish.

Then at a certain point: "Hey, what are you doing sitting there?"

"What?" asked Rania as she turned and saw Hiroshi with some bizarre things in his hand.

"What are those things, Hiroshi?"

"Don't you want to go too? So these are for you. Come on, wake up, there's no time."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WITH THAT BIG BAG IN YOUR HAND?!" Rania shouted.

"You'll get into this big bag, then you'll put yourself together with the others' luggage, they'll throw you into the carriage and you just have to stay silent and stay there. And I've already put a small bag inside with necessary things, like food and herbs in case something happens."

"SO YOU'RE TELLING ME TO GET INTO THAT BAG?!"

"Yes, but lower your voice because someone might hear. Haven't you heard that even walls have ears?"

"But if we're in an open place, where are the walls?"

"Never mind that and get inside."

"No."

"Why don't you want to go?"

"Yes, but not this way."

"Don't make too many wishes, because first of all you don't even deserve this, considering how lazy you are. Then I'm doing you this favor. Ah, let me clarify: it's not 100% guaranteed, so you have to be careful because something could go wrong."

"If it's not guaranteed, then why should I risk it?! I could even lose my life, you know."

"Then don't go, simple."

"But I want to go."

"Then choose: yes or no."

Rania began thinking intensely about whether she should or not, whether she wanted to stay here or not, stay with her parents or not, and many other questions. She couldn't reach a conclusion.

Several minutes passed.

"But when we hide next to the luggage, the guards won't be able to look at us, right?"

"Don't worry, the luggage is placed in a part where there's a 45% chance that nothing will happen."

Rania went back to thinking.

"Hurry up, there are only 10 minutes left."

"I KNOW! BUT I CAN'T!"

"Okay, do you want to go?"

"Yes."

"Then take this step and don't worry about the rest."

"But my parents?"

"Don't worry, I left them a letter saying that you're going illegally and not to worry about their dear daughter Rania."

"WHAT KIND OF LETTER IS THAT?!"

"I didn't write that, I just summarized it in a few words. So, are you ready?"

Rania took another round of thoughts and found her answer.

"Alright, I'll go, but there's one condition."

"Which one?"

"You have to come with me."

"Why? What would I do there? I don't possess power or magic, I won't be useful for anything."

"I know, but I want at least one person to be with me in this dangerous move. And besides, I'm not strong either, so let's go together. And if I go, what would you do here alone? You wouldn't be a stranger without me here."

Hiroshi analyzed the situation and agreed with Rania.

"Your words make sense. I can't say I'd do who knows what in your absence, so I accept. But I don't guarantee anything if something happens."

"That's fine."

"Alright then, let's get to work."

* * *

So the two of them went near where the luggage was, being careful not to be seen by anyone.

Once they arrived, Rania asked: "But by putting ourselves in these bags, won't we be recognized immediately by our shape?"

A moment of heavy silence.

"Ah, I hadn't thought about that."

"WHAT?! HOW CAN YOU NOT THINK ABOUT THIS?! IT'S SO SIMPLE! AND BESIDES, THOSE PEOPLE ARE ABOUT TO ARRIVE!"

"Well, I'm also human and I made a mistake, so say goodbye to your dream of going."

Rania got irritated and grabbed him by the neck.

"NO! NOW DO SOMETHING AND MAKE ME GO, OR I'LL KILL YOU WITH MY OWN HANDS!"

Hiroshi started thinking hard, then quickly said: "Then the only way is those oil barrels. We empty them a bit and then get inside until we're loaded into those carriages."

"But I'll get all dirty."

"Don't worry, if you take that small bag I made, there are also a change of clothes in there."

Rania looked at him with suspicious glances, as if she already knew that what should be in that bag wouldn't be there. However, since they didn't have much time and people were about to arrive, they did exactly what Hiroshi had said.

They quickly emptied the barrel somewhere and then got inside.

Now there was nothing left but to wait: two people in two barrels waiting to be loaded into carriages by one of the strongest armies in this world.

Would they manage not to be discovered?