Spice of reality

"Why did you decide to come with me? Don't you have academy to attend?" asked Elric.

"It's nothing special. My holiday got extended, so I decided to spend more time with you. Also, I want to meet God," Julius replied.

"Even so, you decided to come with me, but I don't know where we might end up. A place where the water is frozen with a colorful sky sounds unrealistic," said Elric.

"You're right, but once a person told me that life is all about hope," said Julius.

Elric and Julius both smiled.

After walking for three days, they finally crossed the forest and found a city at the southern end of the forest. They resided there for two days, gathering information about the place they wanted to go. But everyone laughed at them and said, "Live in the real world, kids. These are just fairy tales." After not getting any leads, they moved on to the next city, and then the next city. Months passed, and times got difficult for them because the money they had carried was about to run out, and Julius was far from his hometown to bring more money.

"Looks like we can't afford food for tomorrow," said Elric.

"Don't worry. Enjoy the dinner; we will see tomorrow what we can do," said Julius.

"It's been three months we've been wandering from city to village, village to city, and your vacation ended last month. Are you going back now?" asked Elric.

"It's true. I think we should go back. We've been to many places, but not a single person knows about that place. They don't even know about the story of a Saint who is that great. How is that possible?" said Julius.

"I can't go back. It's true that without you, I wouldn't have afforded food for these months, for which I am extremely grateful to you," said Elric.

"Don't mention it. We are friends. If I knew I was going on this long trip, I would have brought more money," said Julius.

"You mean all the money you've spent till now you brought for hiking just two to three days?" asked Elric, shocked.

"Yes, how could I have known we would be on a trip for three months?" said Julius.

"You rich people are crazy," said Elric.

They then worked at some shops to earn a living. They worked for a month in that city, and when they had enough money to move to the next city, they did. Julius didn't go back; he refused, saying, "Oh, I lost a month. I will be scolded by the teacher for not submitting assignments," so he decided to join the next year's session. They finally stayed in a city known as Elpizo, where they worked daily chores to earn money and gathered information about the place in their free time but didn't find anything. But one day, they found a boy their age talking about frozen water. They were happy like they had found water in a desert. They asked the boy about what he was talking about and what he knew about the frozen water.

The kid said, "I don't know anything. The boy who lives uphill told us about this story." Now they knew where they had to go. After work, they went uphill to a small house away from the others. Elric asked, "Is anyone home?" but no reply came. When they were about to leave, Julius heard a slight noise of wood cutting from the back of the house. They both went there and saw a young boy cutting wood.

Elric asked, "Do you live here?"

The boy said, "Who else would? It's my house. What business do you have with me?"

"Nothing. We heard that you told a story to some boys in the city about frozen water," said Elric.

"So what? Is there anything wrong with that?" said the boy.

"No, no. We also want to know about that story. Where did you hear it?" asked Julius.

The boy said, "Come, sit. You are my guests. So, it starts from when a king obtained wealth and fame."

"No, not from the beginning. We already know. Tell us about how you know," said Julius.

"You already know? Strange. When I was eight years old, my grandfather used to tell me a story of a king who became a saint and his disciples," said the boy.

"Do you have any idea how your grandfather knew about this story?" asked Elric.

"I can't say for sure, but he was an explorer. He used to sell goods across the kingdom. Maybe that's how he heard this story somewhere," said the boy.

"Do you know about the frozen land and where it can be?" asked Julius.

"I'll tell you something interesting. That's what I also want to find. My grandfather once told me that he found that place with frozen water. He also said the closer you get, the colder the environment gets. It's somewhere in the South Ocean, crossing the hallway route," said the boy.

"South Ocean? Hallway route? What is this?" asked Elric.

"Looks like you guys don't know about the ocean," said the boy.

"True, I live near mountains. I've never seen the ocean but have read about it," said Julius.

"I live in a normal place. I've never seen the ocean nor heard about it," said Elric.

"By the way, what will you do by knowing this?" asked the boy.

Elric said, "I have to go there to find someone to protect someone very close to me."

Julius said, "I was bored, so I decided to accompany him."

"I also want to go there, but I have some debt to pay. But how are you planning to go? Do you have a ship?" asked the boy.

"Ship! Do we need one?" said Elric.

"Obviously, it's a hundred percent certain that you need a ship to cross the ocean," said the boy.

"How much does a ship cost?" asked Julius.

"It depends on the size, but it will cost you somewhere between 20 to 200 thousand ols (currency)," said the boy.

"That's a lot. We have to work for years to save this much," said Elric.

"I have a ship. It was my grandfather's. I can give it to you, but only when you pay all my debts," said the boy.

"How much debt do you have?" asked Julius.

"Around 2 thousand ols," the boy replied.

"That's also too much. We still need many months to afford this," said Elric.

"Do you know how far the city of Patra is?" asked Julius.

"It's roughly around two days' walk from here," said the boy.

"Now we have to go there," said Julius.

"Why? What will we do there?" asked Elric.

"In Patra, my uncle lives. I believe he will give me not more, but at least 3 to 4 thousand ols," Julius replied.

After this conversation with the boy, they left for the city of Patra. After two days, they finally reached the city. Julius met his uncle and asked for his help. He had a good relationship with his uncle. His uncle hesitated, not because of the amount Julius asked for, but because he was young and might use this money for the wrong things. But Julius insisted, and his uncle knew Julius since childhood, so he believed him and gave him five thousand ols.

They both stayed there for two days and then went back to the boy. When they finally reached Elpizo city, Julius paid all the boy's debts.

The boy happily greeted them and said, "Follow me."

Elric asked, "You didn't tell us your name."

The boy said, "Neither did you ask. Anyway, my name is Karl."

"If there is no problem, can I also join you on this journey?" Karl asked.

They both thought for a moment.

Karl said, "I know how to sail a ship and the ocean routes. I will be very helpful."

Finally, Julius said, "I have no problem."

Elric also said, "Neither do I."

Karl happily said, "The ship is at the port, which is not very far. So, gentlemen, now follow me."