Home is where the heart is

"Like I said good sir, we are boat haulers. I've travelled the seas for as long as I can remember. I know every passageway into England that any spy can tell you about." I suggested.

"Go on." I had him intrigued. "Well for instance say you wanted to assassinate some poor lord in Britain to gain favour in the Roman Kingdom, it would be dishonorable of me to assist you in doing so." I put out the bait.

"So it will be." He looked at me side-eyed.

"But a troubled man has to do troubled things to get by."

"So he does." He paced back and forth the room visibly thinking, then continued..

"You mean to promise us passageways through Britain, for what exactly?"

"For what every man wants.. a home."

"Hmm.. Maybe I can talk to the king's hand and get you a place to stay but don't expect any royalty, the disease has extinguished resources and there are barely any places to sleep." And with that he started along with the guards.

"Where are the children?"

"They are safe, if luck is by your side you'll reunite soon enough." And with that he left.

I looked around the room, there a was portrait of some lady and her children, who, judging by their clothes were lords. It was disgraceful how the poor were dying outside while the rich were cozied up in their estates.

After some time the stout man and the guards returned and with them.. the kids.

"Richie! We were so worried." They all ran up and hugged me. "Oh thank god!" I was relieved. "Release him." The stout man ordered the guard, after which he cut the ropes open.

"Not so quick, tell us about the passageways first." he demanded. "Of course." I replied. Then I was led to a secluded room, the guards stayed outside. "Here, here and here."I pointed out the exact places through which one could easily enter Britain without getting spotted.

"Hmm.. very well.. we will test these waterways soon and if what you say is true we'll let you be with us for a long time my friend but you'll have to be very resourceful and even lend a hand during times of war."

Just like that I had secured a roof over our heads. What was going to come I did not know, all I knew was that we were safe.. for now.