As the sky turned shades of orange and pink, Amber turned to Guto, who was sharpening his dagger by the fire. She cleared her throat to get his attention.
"Guto," she began, her voice soft but resolute. "We need to talk about our next move."
Guto glanced up from his task, his eyes meeting hers. "What's on your mind?"
She took a deep breath before continuing. "We've gathered enough money from those flasks, and it's time to leave this place. Arbon is our best bet. From there, we can hire someone to smuggle us into The Kingdom of Germany. They still have rules and a king. It's a place where we might find some stability."
Guto nodded, setting his dagger aside. "You're right. We can't stay here forever, and we can't keep running either. Arbon it is."
Amber smiled, relieved that he agreed with her plan. She knew that their journey was far from over, but with each step they took, they were one step closer to a place where they could start anew.
The two of them began to pack their belongings, preparing for the road ahead. It was time to leave, and face the uncertain future that awaited them in the town of Arbon.
***
The vibrant town of Arbon welcomed Guto and Amber as they rode into its bustling streets on horseback. The air was filled with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, children laughing.
"Wow are you sure we are not already in Germany?" Guto asked.
"Pretty cool right? This is technically German territory since Switzerland technically does not exist anymore." Amber said.
They tethered their horses near the docks, the bustling harbor teeming with activity. Ships of all shapes and sizes bobbed in the water, their masts adorned with fluttering flags from various nations.
As they strolled along the waterfront, searching for a means to cross the sea, they spotted a weathered man overseeing the loading of supplies onto a sturdy caravel.
Amber approached the man, a confident smile on her face. "Excuse me," she began, "are you the captain of this caravel?"
The man turned to face her, his eyes assessing the two strangers before him. He was a seasoned sailor, his face etched with the lines of countless voyages. "Aye, that's me," he replied gruffly. "Captain Rolf."
Guto and Amber introduced themselves and explained their situation. "We're looking for passage to the Kingdom of Germany," Guto explained. "We've heard you're headed that way."
Captain Rolf nodded slowly. "Aye, I am. But crossing into Germany is no easy feat. They've got rules and regulations aplenty."
Amber reached into a concealed pouch and withdrew a handful of glittering gold coins, which she presented to the captain. "We understand," she said, her voice low and persuasive. "But we're willing to make it worth your while."
Captain Rolf's eyes widened as he gazed at the gleaming coins in her palm. "Well now, that's a tempting offer," Captain Rolf's gaze lingered on the gold for a moment longer before he finally nodded. "Very well," he said. "Your gold will secure your passage aboard my caravel, and I'll do what I can to get you safely into German waters. Meet me here in a week, by morning."
Relief washed over Guto and Amber as the captain agreed to help them. They knew that their journey was far from over, but with Captain Rolf and his ship as their allies, they were one step closer to the sanctuary they sought in the Kingdom of Germany.
With their passage secured on the ship and some time to spare before they set sail, Guto and Amber decided to make the most of the day in Arbon. The bustling town offered a myriad of distractions, from street performers to open-air markets, and they were eager to explore it together.
As they wandered through the lively streets, they found themselves drawn to a quaint park nestled in the heart of the town. It was a serene oasis, with a cobblestone path winding through meticulously manicured gardens.
Amber's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she strolled beside Guto. "This place is beautiful," she remarked, her fingers brushing against the petals of vibrant flowers.
Guto nodded in agreement. "It's a hidden gem," he replied, his tone filled with appreciation. "I'm glad we stumbled upon it."
They continued to walk along the path, taking in the fragrant blossoms and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. The sun bathed the park in a warm, golden glow, casting dappled shadows across their path.
As they reached a charming wooden bridge arching over a tranquil pond, Guto turned to Amber with a playful grin. "Race you to the other side," he challenged, his eyes dancing with mischief.
Amber accepted the challenge with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You're on," she declared.
With a shared laugh, they both took off, sprinting across the bridge with carefree abandon. It didn't matter who reached the other side first; what mattered was the sheer joy of the moment. They had been through so much together, and now they were seizing the opportunity to simply enjoy each other's company.
After their impromptu race, they found themselves seated on a weathered bench by the pond, their breaths slightly labored from their sprint. Guto couldn't help but steal glances at Amber, his heart feeling unexpectedly light.
Amber caught his gaze and smiled warmly. "What?" she asked, her voice soft.
Guto shook his head, his own smile widening. "Nothing," he replied. "I'm just grateful for moments like these, you know? Moments when we can forget about our troubles and just be."
Amber's expression softened as she gazed at him. "I feel the same way," she admitted. "We've been through so much together, and I wouldn't want to share this journey with anyone else."
Their hands found each other's on the bench, fingers intertwining in a silent affirmation of their unspoken bond. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them and the serenity of the park.
As they sat there, content in each other's presence, they knew that their path ahead was uncertain and filled with challenges. But for now, in that fleeting moment of tranquility, they found solace and strength in their connection.
With the day drawing to a close, they decided to rent a room so they could rest.