As the group crossed into the sunlit hills of Greece, the shift in scenery brought mixed emotions. The rolling olive groves and whitewashed buildings gleamed against the azure sky, but the realization that they would need to part with their carriage weighed heavily on Irina. She sat stiffly, her arms crossed as the horses trotted along the cobblestone road.

Leo broke the silence. "We can't take the carriage much further. The path to the Ottoman Empire will be tougher, and eventually, we'll need a boat."

Irina frowned. "You mean my father's carriage. You want me to sell it? This is a luxury vehicle—do you realize how much it meant to him?"

Mila sighed, shifting in her seat. "Irina, think about it. If we keep the carriage, we risk it being stolen or ruined. Selling it now means we'll have enough money to make the crossing and take care of ourselves."

Irina looked at her skeptically. "And what happens if we sell it and then run out of money? What if something else goes wrong?"

Leo spoke calmly, as though trying to soothe a skittish horse. "That's why we sell it for a good price. Greece has merchants with plenty of gold to spend. We'll make it worthwhile."

They reached a bustling Greek port town by early afternoon. The streets were alive with activity—vendors hawking fresh fish and fruits, merchants haggling over goods, and travelers exchanging coins and goods. They managed to find a wealthy merchant willing to look at the carriage. He was a stout, older man with a shrewd smile, introducing himself only by his last name, Arkadios.

Arkadios inspected the carriage carefully, running his hands over the polished wood and fine leather seats. "A fine piece of craftsmanship," he admitted in Greek-accented Ukrainian, glancing at the group. "But why sell it?"

Irina lifted her chin. "Because we're moving on to grander plans," she said curtly, though her expression betrayed her reluctance.

Leo stepped in before Irina could say more. "We're looking for a fair price. Something reflective of its quality."

Arkadios stroked his beard, then named a sum that made Mila's eyebrows shoot up. The amount was generous, more than they expected. Still, Leo didn't agree immediately, instead negotiating for a few more coins to sweeten the deal. Eventually, they shook hands, and the group walked away with a heavy bag of gold coins.

Later, as they gathered supplies at the market, Irina sulked. "I still think it was a mistake. That carriage was a symbol of my family's wealth and dignity."

Mila placed a hand on her shoulder. "And now, it's a ticket to our survival. Think of it as your father's gift for this journey. Without it, we might not make it."

Irina sighed but said no more. As they left the market, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the town. The trio, along with Katalin, now prepared to face the next leg of their journey—one step closer to the Ottoman Empire, with gold in their pockets and a plan in their hearts.