First, the channel smuggler that Anna had suggested ignored him completely, and all his letters and secret codes went unanswered.
According to her, this was normal; smugglers were always under the threat of searches and arrests by sheriffs, and they would go into hiding when there was a crackdown.
Rod could only turn to less familiar smugglers.
However, upon learning of Rod's situation, they all quoted prices that were exorbitantly high, beyond Rod's financial capacity, and none guaranteed success. Some were obviously scammers.
Rod had sought many people's help, but to no avail.
Until he met a strange fellow.
——
——
Habulin had been suffering greatly during this time.
The life at the academy he had dreamed of brought him no joy, only immense frustration.
As the highly regarded eldest legitimate son of the ancient Manolo Bana family, everyone had always catered to Habulin's wishes, whether it called for wind or rain, before he joined the academy.
