Lila's new friends arrived shortly, and they set up for their performance. As they were tuning up, a barrel fell off a nearby ship, making a loud crashing sound. 

The loud sound echoed through the air, reverberating in Lila's ears. Her heart raced as she felt a jolt of fear, a flash of a moment long ago. She saw only a brief glimpse of the inside of the barrel as she cowered in terror, listening to the sailors above her. And then, as quickly as it began, the memory faded, and Lila was left with a lingering sense of unease. She looked out over the bay, lost in thought, remembering.

I'd dreamed of escaping my situation, but the only way out was on the Thunderbird that sailed across The Winding Sea to Tirovna, a far-off land I’d only heard whispers of. The sailors were always on the lookout for stowaways, and the penalty for getting caught was harsh.

Then, I had a plan. I'd heard that the sailors loved music and would often gather in the local tavern to hear the best bards and minstrels perform. So I'd been practicing my singing and playing on my lute every night, pouring my heart and soul into my music.

Before dawn, I slipped away and made my way to the docks. I saw the sailors boarding the ship and felt a flutter of fear in my chest. I knew I had to act fast if I was going to make it on board undetected. 

I set up my lute and started strumming out a tune. My voice followed, rising up and filling the air with a sweet melody. A few people stopped to listen, and I felt a sense of satisfaction as their faces softened into smiles. But then, the sailors appeared, and they seemed particularly interested in my music.

They gathered around me, clapping and cheering, and I felt a sense of pride and exhilaration. Even Jori, the captain of the ship, was among them. For a moment, I let myself dream of a life at sea, traveling to exotic lands and entertaining people with my music.

I told the sailors that I would be playing inside the pub shortly, and they eagerly headed in. I stayed outside, knowing that this was my chance. I scanned the area for any barrels or crates that might provide cover. Finally, I spotted a large barrel near the loading ramp.

Without hesitation, I made my way over to it and climbed inside. I pushed myself down as far as I could, trying to make myself as small as possible. I covered myself with straw, hoping it would be enough to hide me from the sailors.

My heart pounded as I heard their footsteps approach. I held my breath as they walked by, praying that they wouldn't notice the barrel. After what felt like an eternity, they finally finished loading the cargo and boarded the ship. The ship slowly pulled away from the dock, and I was on my way to Tirovna.

I was cramped and uncomfortable, but I knew that I had to stay hidden if I wanted to survive. I listened to the sounds of the ship creaking and groaning as it rocked back and forth on the waves. The smell of saltwater was overwhelming, but I tried to ignore it and focus on my music.

Days passed, and I lost track of time. I ate and drank sparingly, trying to conserve my energy. I knew that the longer I stayed hidden, the better my chances of making it to Tirovna undetected.

But then, one night during a heavy storm, the barrel fell over. I was thrown around inside, hitting my head and bruising my body. I held on for dear life, praying that the sailors wouldn't discover me.

When the ship finally docked in Tirovna, I emerged from the barrel, my body sore and my mind dizzy from the journey. I stumbled down the loading ramp and onto the dock, my eyes taking in the sight of this new, strange land. I was finally free, but at what cost?