That night, after Elara and Lily had retired to their room, Juan invited me up to the terrace of his shop. The night air was cool, and the city of Tangier spread out below us, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns. The sounds of the bustling market had faded into a quiet hum, and for a moment, it felt like we were in a world apart.
Juan poured two cups of tea, offering one to me as we settled into chairs. We talked for a while, mostly about life in Tangier and how business was going. It was a pleasant distraction from the worry that had been gnawing at me, but eventually, Juan turned the conversation to a more serious note.
"So, Roy," he began, his tone more somber, "what's your plan now? I assume you're not planning to stay in Tangier forever."
I sighed, taking a sip of the tea before answering. "No, we can't stay here too long. We're planning to move to the Sous tribe. It's one of the few places not under the Omaya rule. Elara thinks it's our best option, somewhere we can start fresh without too much interference."
Juan's expression shifted, a hint of concern crossing his face. "The Sous tribe?" he repeated, leaning back in his chair. "I've heard about that place. It's true they're not under the Omaya rule, but the people there… they don't treat outsiders well. They're very protective of their land and traditions. If you go there, you might find yourselves having to live outside the main settlement, maybe even in the wilderness."
His words made me pause. I hadn't considered just how difficult it might be to integrate into the tribe, especially with their reputation for being wary of strangers. But before I could voice my doubts, Juan continued.
"Look, if you're set on going there, I suggest you wait until mid-summer. There's a merchant caravan that comes from the Sous tribe around that time. I know one of the merchants—his name is Hakim. He's well-connected and has a good reputation among the tribe. If anyone can help you get a proper residence there, it's him."
I felt a flicker of hope at Juan's suggestion. "That could make a big difference," I admitted. "We've already been through so much. If we can get some help settling in, it might make things easier."
Juan nodded, though his expression remained serious. "It's not a guarantee, but it's worth a try. In the meantime, you should focus on saving up. You'll need all the resources you can get for the journey and to set up a new life there."
I thought of the 30 gold coins I had taken when we left Granada. After paying for travel and basic needs, I was down to 27 gold. It wasn't much, especially considering what lay ahead. "You're right," I said, a sense of determination settling over me. "I'll need to earn more before we go. Maybe I can find some work here in Tangier, something to help us get by until the caravan arrives."
Juan offered me a reassuring smile. "There's always work to be found, especially for someone willing to put in the effort. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We'll get you through this."
As the night wore on, I decided to write a letter to Chara. I needed to know what was happening in Granada, especially concerning Eric. I hoped Chara could provide some news, even if it was just a glimmer of hope. The uncertainty was eating away at me, and I knew that until I heard from Chara, I wouldn't be able to fully relax.
With the letter written and a tentative plan in place, I felt a little more at ease. There was still a long road ahead of us, but for the first time in days, I felt like we had a direction to follow. As I returned to our room, I looked down at Elara and Lily sleeping peacefully, and I vowed to do everything I could to keep them safe, no matter what challenges lay ahead.