“Come on, Miko,” James tells him. “We gotta go.”

“Bye Nate,” he says to him as he goes over and gives his friend a hug.

Patting him on the back, Nate says, “You take care, now. Come back if you can.”

“I will, promise,” Miko says as he fights back tears forming in his eyes. The last week with Nate had been one of the best of his life. He really feels bad about leaving him.

“You take care of him,” Nate says as he looks to James.

“As best I can, you can rest assured,” he replies.

Jiron shakes Nate’s hand and then the three friends leave his room. Going back down the stairs, they make their way along the corridor toward the main door.

On their way, they’re stopped by Miriam who gives each of them a sack. “What’s this?” James asks.

“It’s traveling money,” she explains. “My parents thought it an ample reward for saving their son.”

“There must be over fifty golds in here,” Jiron says as he feels the sack.

“Actually, each holds seventy five,” she tells him.

“Thanks!” he replies as he puts the sack in his pack.

“You’re welcome,” she replies and then proceeds to give each a goodbye hug. When she gets to James, she says, “You better hurry, Captain Caril won’t like it if you keep him waiting.”

“I will,” he says to her. “Say goodbye to Meliana for me.”

“Next time I see her,” she says as she gives him a hug. She says goodbye to both Jiron and Miko before they turn toward the door and leave.

Walking down the street toward the dock, James says, “I hope this Captain Caril wouldn’t have sailed without us.”