Draxer and Raphaello began walking away from the village, away from the hustle and bustle and Baron Jericho's rule. As they moved further away, the vegetation around them became denser, the trees closing a green canopy above their heads, casting shadows across their path.
The ground was covered in dry leaves that crunched under your feet with each step. The sound of birds chirping filled the air, and the murmur of a distant stream could be heard, a calming sound that contrasted with the tension Raphaello felt.
Draxer led the way confidently, like someone familiar with the area. The surrounding forest seemed almost magical, with ancient, imposing trees that seemed to hold ancient secrets. Raphaello felt that he was entering an unknown and intriguing world.
As they advanced through the forest, Raphaello couldn't help but wonder where Draxer was taking him. His mind was filled with questions, and his imagination began to create possible scenarios. He wondered if Draxer was guiding him to a location that had some relevance to his plan or if there was something deeper to it.
After about 20 minutes of walking, Draxer led Raphaello to an even denser area of the forest. There, almost hidden beneath the vegetation, was a hidden entrance that led to a narrow, winding path. Raphaello's anxiety increased as he followed Draxer down this mysterious path, with the feeling that an important discovery awaited him in the heart of the forest.
As they followed the winding path through the dense forest, Raphaello and Draxer came to a hidden clearing, where an abandoned mini coal production revealed itself. The scene before them was almost magical. There were several rudimentary and worn-out objects that formed the basis of this operation.
Raphaello was impressed with what he saw. In the center of the clearing, there was a small wooden structure, a kind of rustic cabin with a makeshift chimney. All around, pieces of tree trunks, large empty barrels and rusty tools were scattered, all of which pointed to a previous attempt to produce charcoal.
He looked at Draxer, his eyes expressing his surprise.
- Draxer, how did all this get here? It's impressive!
Draxer laughed proudly, pointing to the surrounding objects and structure.
- Well, Raphaello, this is not my doing. This was an attempt by a group of villagers who tried to create their own coal to escape the Baron's control. Unfortunately, they were discovered, and what's left of it is what we see now.
Raphaello studied the worn-out objects around him and realized that although they were rusty and neglected, there was still much that could be reused and enjoyed. He saw an old metal barrel with some rusty parts, but he believed it could be repaired. Additionally, there were some cutting tools that, with some care, could be restored.
- Draxer, even with all this worn out, I see potential here. If we work together and put our knowledge into practice, we can create our own charcoal production, escape the Baron's monopoly, and provide the people of the village with a viable alternative.
Draxer nodded his approval and the two began exploring the area, determined to make the most of what they had at their disposal. However, Draxer, as he watched Raphaello explore the area of former coal production, began to voice his concerns. He considered the challenges they would face in the endeavor.
Rapha, there are some problems that we must take into consideration. First, the place is practically unknown to the Baron's army, but there are still people in the village who could report us. We need to be discreet to avoid suspicion.
Draxer paused before continuing.
- Furthermore, we need to think about how to take all the coal produced back to the village without being seen. Storage is another issue. We'll have to find a safe place to hide the material. And finally, when we decide to sell coal, we will need to be extremely careful so that no one suspects that we have independent production.
Raphaello listened carefully to Draxer's concerns, and a determined look crossed his face.
- It's something we need to consider, for sure. Let's work together to find a solution that doesn't put our lives at risk. I have a plan in mind that could be the answer to these problems.
Draxer was curious about Raphaello's plan and decided to ask:
- Raphaello, where do you plan to store all this coal?
- You can call me Rapha, Draxer. Cordiality will not be necessary between us. As for storage, I don't plan on taking it back to the village until the snow starts to fall.
Draxer thought it was a great idea, but remembered that they would eventually have to transport the coal. He questioned Raphaello again:
- But eventually we'll have to take the coal back to the village. Since you plan to do this, leaving the village at night without torches and entering this forest is impossible without lighting.
Raphaello smiled and replied confidently:
- Don't worry, Draxer. We have plenty of time until the snow falls, and I already have some ideas in mind to solve this problem. We don't need to worry about that for now. Follow my instructions and everything will work out.
Draxer was pleased with Raphaello's answers, feeling confident that they were on the right path to solving the challenges at hand. At that moment, Raphaello began to separate some objects that he believed he could restore, and mentioned to Draxer what they were:
- Draxer, I intend to take these objects to the blacksmith, Roger. These are parts we may need, and we don't want anyone to suspect where we got them.
The objects that Raphaello took were: a shovel and an ax that was very rusty.
Night was beginning to fall, and Raphaello said goodbye to Draxer with a promise that they would meet again the next day to speed things up in the coal production area, which now had a name they both knew: "Coal Valley."
Raphaello arrived at the shipyard in the early evening, noticing that there was still some movement in the area. His footsteps took him to the place where Lancer was engaged in a lively conversation with a middle-aged man, around 40 years old. The man was dressed like a boat builder, and they seemed to be getting along very well in conversation.
Raphaello discreetly observed the scene from a spot near where he and Lancer used to sleep. He didn't want to interrupt the conversation, but he was curious as to why Lancer was talking to the boat builder that night.
After finishing his conversation with the boat builder, Lancer returned to the dormitory where Raphaello was, with a beaming smile on his face. It looked like he had good news to share. With enthusiasm, Lancer began to speak:
- Rapha, you won't believe the good things that are happening. You know, and I feel stronger than ever. I was able to carry almost double the amount of grain bags I used to carry.
He seemed elated by his achievement. But then, Lancer continued:
- And there's more, Cornelius, the man who gave us work at the warehouse, offered a raise in my salary. Now, I will receive 80 copper coins per day. This is amazing, Rapha!
But the good news didn't stop there. Lancer seemed full of expectations as he shared the latest news:
- Also, the boat builder I talked to today asked if I would like to work with him on boat building. It's a great opportunity, and I couldn't refuse it. This means more work and more money for us. What do you think of this, my friend?
Lancer looked at Raphaello with hope and excitement, hoping that he too saw how promising the future was becoming.
Raphaello, upon hearing the opportunity that had arisen for Lancer in boat building, saw beyond the moment and began to ponder the possibilities that this skill would bring. His face showed concentration, as he stared at the horizon, lost in thought.
Thinking long term, Raphaello realized that mastering the art of boat building could open doors to trade and expansion, something that could bring prosperity to both. With a firmness in his voice, he finally broke the silence:
- Lancer, I believe this opportunity is incredible, and I want you to focus on it. Mastering boat building can open many doors for us in the future. You should focus on that work for now.
Lancer looked at Raphaello with an expression of uncertainty. He shared his concern:
- Rapha, the boat builder is only willing to pay 20 copper coins initially. It's not much, and I could still carry bags to make more money.
But Raphaello was determined, and his eyes reflected his confidence in the plan.
- I know that 20 copper coins may seem small now, but I'm thinking long term, my friend. You can do this work and still continue with your current tasks for a while. However, mastering boat building will open up a world of opportunities for us. Don't underestimate the power of knowledge.