“You don’t need to worry about them. I’ve been thinking…if such documents even exist, only those would understand them that know how to read, and I couldn’t think of anyone who was able to read and is not already involved in our affairs!” Mart explains with a spark in his eye. Akhgar understands but he still looks worried.

“What about the third disciples? Tirad’s students like Bamin, Mahzad and Farnab? Or the missioners?” Akhgar asks. Mart says he has handled them all. The missioners were summoned to come and fight and they will be given commands of the army divisions and battles which should keep them satisfied and occupied. The same goes for the third-tier disciple. They all could be bought either with coins or with an important commanding role in the war. Mart says if they are kept happy, they will not act against them, even if they get hold of the documents.

“Then why did you destroy the books so fast? We could have at least waited until the dry season… I would have emptied the cabin for you but we could have kept the book,” Akhgar asks. Mart replies, smiling. He says they need paper. There are at least five hundred ships that they need to send letters to asking them to send men as soldiers. Akhgar understands again and nods.

“If we had kept the books, the maids and pilgrims would have stolen from them…and we had to buy paper, spending so much money! Don’t worry! It will be finished soon, at most four days from now,” Mart explains and Akhgar agrees.

“I think we should keep the warehouse. We could buy cheap used paper and recycle it, producing more paper. It will not be too profitable, but it’s better than nothing.” Mart suggests in a respectful tone. Akhgar approves and grants him the paper warehouse license. Mart hides his excitement. He didn’t think Akhgar would believe him so easily when he had said the business would not be profitable. But Akhgar seems to be in a good mood today. He should persuade him to order the attack. He keeps his respectful tone and starts his request with an introduction. He says the boats have reached the Oxan naval and they can start any time. He then proposes his time table.

“The summoning letters for soldiers will be sent by the end of the week, ordering them to be ready at the naval by two weeks’ time and prepare for the battle. The food supply and clothes are already in the naval storages. We will have to send the guns when they are all set. We shall raid Parsana first and then sail to Atlan. By the end of the rain season, Atlan would be in our hands!” Mart says hoping for a quick positive response. But Akhgar will not accept it so easily.

“It’s not as simple as you think! Many unexpected things happen in wars. We still don’t know how much Atlan knows about our attack. Any of the sellers could have told them, the boat sellers or the procurers of guns and arms or even the ship that we ordered the soldiers uniforms from. If they know of our plans, they might be prepared,” Akhgar replies while Mart stops his sentence saying he had foreseen this, having paid them enough money not to sell the same equipment to their enemies. But Akhgar doesn’t agree with him. He says they are not fully prepared yet. He also has another worry.