As we navigated through the bustling market, surrounded by the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and the clamor of other children begging for scraps, I turned to Eric with a sense of urgency in my voice.
"Eric, have you ever considered leaving this orphanage?" I asked, my words tinged with determination.
Beside me, Joshua nodded in agreement, his stomach full from the bread we had purchased upon arriving at the market. The price of the bread, a mere 5 copper, served as a stark reminder of the scarcity of resources within the orphanage, despite our efforts to earn money.
I continued, explaining to Eric that no matter how much we earned, it would never be enough to truly improve our situation. Fitrus seemed unwilling to invest any of the money we collected back into the orphanage, and it appeared that even the funds provided by the lord of the town were not being utilized for the benefit of the orphans.
With each passing day, it became increasingly clear that if we were to have any hope of a better life, we would need to take matters into our own hands. Leaving the orphanage may be risky, but it was a risk worth taking if it meant escaping the cycle of poverty and neglect that had become our daily reality.
As Eric pondered my words, I could see the flicker of determination in his eyes. Together, we knew that we would find a way to leave the orphanage behind and carve out a new future for ourselves, one filled with hope and possibility.
Eric's question hung in the air, casting a shadow of uncertainty over our plans. It was a valid concern – leaving the orphanage meant stepping into the unknown, with no guarantee of where we would go or how we would survive.
But despite the daunting prospect before us, I refused to let fear hold us back. With determination in my voice, I turned to Eric and Joshua, my resolve unwavering.
"We'll figure it out together," I assured them, my words infused with conviction. "We may not know where we'll live or how we'll make it, but we'll find a way. We have each other, and that's all that matters."
As we continued to navigate the bustling market, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination stirring within me. We may be venturing into the unknown, but with Eric and Joshua by my side, I knew that together, we could overcome any obstacle that stood in our way.
With renewed purpose, we set out to gather what supplies we could, knowing that our journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but also filled with the promise of a better future, one that we would forge with our own hands.
As Eric lent his assistance to the merchants in the bustling market, Joshua and I decided to explore further, drawn by the clang of metal echoing from a nearby smithy. Stepping into the dimly lit interior, we were greeted by the sight of a stout figure, unmistakably a dwarf, barking orders to his staff.
The dwarf's presence commanded attention, his rugged demeanor and authoritative tone leaving no doubt as to who was in charge. His skilled artisans worked diligently under his watchful eye, their movements synchronized as they carried out his instructions with precision.
Mesmerized by the sight of molten metal being shaped and forged into intricate designs, Joshua and I watched in awe as the blacksmith and his team worked their magic. There was a sense of camaraderie among them, a shared dedication to their craft that was palpable in the air.
As I watched the forging process unfold before me, my eyes keenly followed the movements of the blacksmiths, each strike of the hammer resonating with precision and skill. However, amidst the rhythmic clang of metal, I noticed a newcomer to the craft struggling with the quenching process.
In a moment of instinctive reaction, driven by my background as a student of engineering, I couldn't help but call out a warning as I observed the novice mishandling the metal rod. "Careful with the quenching!" I exclaimed, my voice cutting through the din of the forge.
My sudden interjection caught the attention of the dwarf, his gaze fixing upon me with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Stepping forward, he regarded me with a scrutinizing gaze, as if assessing my knowledge and expertise.
With a gruff nod of acknowledgment, the dwarf approached the novice forger, his voice firm yet instructive as he offered guidance and correction. It was clear that he valued the opportunity to impart his wisdom to the next generation of craftsmen, even if it meant tolerating the occasional misstep along the way.
As I stood there, dwarf named Hani approached me with purpose in his stride. Introducing himself as a smith from the Dwarf Kingdom of Naga who had settled in Espona for better opportunities, he inquired about my knowledge of smithing.
Feeling a bit sheepish, I admitted that my understanding of the craft was limited. However, instead of dismissing me, Hani surprised me by extending an offer to become his apprentice. He promised to impart his knowledge to me and provide me with a place to stay, along with a wage of 10 copper coins per day.
Excitement coursing through me, I asked Hani for a moment to gather my thoughts. With a sense of urgency, I hurried back to where Eric was assisting the merchants, eager to share the news of Hani's offer.
"Joshua," I called out as I hurried back to where he was waiting with Eric, excitement bubbling within me. "You won't believe it – Hani, the dwarf from the smithy, offered to take me on as his apprentice!"
Joshua's eyes widened with surprise as he took in my words. "That's incredible!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm matching my own.
Returning to Hani with newfound resolve, I mustered the courage to broach the subject of Eric and Joshua joining me as apprentices. To my surprise, Hani readily agreed, albeit with a begrudging admission of wanting cheap labor. Despite this, I accepted his offer, recognizing that it wasn't a bad deal considering the circumstances.
With arrangements made, Eric and Joshua joined me as apprentices under Hani's tutelage. While Eric received 20 copper per day, Joshua and I each earned 10 copper coins. It was a fair arrangement, allowing us to leave the orphanage behind for good.
As we quietly departed from the orphanage, I couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism for the future. Though Hani possessed a stingy character common among merchants, his willingness to take us under his wing spoke volumes about his character. With Hani as our guide, Eric, Joshua, and I embarked on a new chapter of our lives, filled with promise and opportunity.