The next day arrived fast, and after some hours of sunrise, the Termonian delegates arrived in the capital, Cerfa. They were welcomed by Elna, Melfer and Irnik. The convoy was led by their leader, Terizia Fosker. Some of the council members and a military commander were with him as well. The delegation numbered five.
"Welcome to Cerfis…I hope your journey was a comfortable one, Lord Terizia." Elna stepped forward and welcomed Terizia.
"Indeed, it was a good one. Might I ask who you are?"
"We three are the members of Cerfisian special squad, Children of Gorbin."
"Oh…" Terizia nodded in response.
"Please follow us…" She replied.
The delegates followed the three, and then they were in the meeting hall. In front of the delegate stood Raftin, his second in command, Felmer, and General Ednita. Felmer stood beside the general; he didn't want to be near Raftin.
As Terizia entered the hall, Raftin stepped forward and greeted him.
"I am Raftin Gorbin, the current leader of Cerfis," Raftin said and extended his hand.
"Oh…Nice to meet you." Terizia replied and shook his hand. Then he looked at Felmer. "And you are?"
"I am Felmer Gorbin, the 456th heir of the throne."
Terizia nodded and gave a good look at Felmer. "Also, the leader of the opposition?"
Felmer gave a faint smile; he was somewhat shocked that he knew that. "Yes, you are correct."
"Please sit, so we can talk comfortably." Raftin interrupted and gestured for them to sit.
The delegates moved to the other side of the table and took their place. The hosts sat on their chairs. Felmer sat between the second in command and the general. The remaining members of the squad stood behind the hosts, near the wall.
The two parties sat, and the meeting began.
"You know that we were allies a century ago. These years have been very hard for your country. Our leaders were tyrants, but we replaced them and gave justice to the people. Following this code, we gave you diplomatic support. Your country is still in a perilous state. So, we would like to be allies with you again."
"This sounds good…" Raftin was speaking, but Felmer interrupted him.
"And abandon just like you did back then?" Felmer asked.
Raftin's muscles twitched, but he controlled his anger. Terizia was quite impressed by this question.
"No, no, no…Don't worry, young prince, this won't be the case this time. We have a better government and better plans."
Felmer looked at Terizia. This was the first time someone had called him prince.
"We would like to talk about your new plans," Raftin replied.
"There is no direct trade route, and the sea route isn't economically feasible for any of us. You think that Falvaria would allow trade?" The general spoke this time.
"We are in times of peace. I highly doubt that they will take such a diplomatic risk."
"They don't play with diplomacy. They only know one thing: to kill and destroy." The general shot back.
"We will make treaties with them and ensure that they don't disturb us," Terizia replied.
"I am sure that you will have some plans to handle this," Raftin said.
"Correct, we have plans. We just need your cooperation."
"Can we hear one of your plans?" Felmer asked.
"We can't discuss such detailed plans in a short time." One of the council members replied.
"So, you think that we will believe you?" Felmer asked again.
"We are here to talk if you will cooperate. To discuss such detailed plans, we will need more time and more delegates." The same member replied.
"More like wasting our time," Felmer said.
"That could have been done through letters." The general continued.
The delegates were becoming uneasy; they didn't like it.
"Gentlemen…Cerfis would like to have allies. We would be happy if our old friends came back. We could talk over this in detail later on." Raftin gave his word; he accepted yet again. "We would have to make further confirmations with the council.
"Well then…" Terizia said and got up. They were ready to leave. "We can assume that we are allies again.
"Correct…" Raftin replied and stood. The others did as well.
The two leaders, followed by their delegates, left the hall and then the building. Their horses were brought, and they got on them. Elna, Melfer, and Irnik joined as well.
"I will wait for your further response," Terizia said, and the convoy left with the escort.
Felmer looked at them leaving, then signalled a soldier to get his horse, rode it, and then began to move out as well.
"Felmer!" Raftin called him.
"Don't interrupt me again."
"Sure…" Felmer replied, nodded, and left.
He gave his horse a jerk, and it picked up pace. As he rode through the streets and reached the Termonian delegate, he was called by Terezia before he could leave. Felmer stopped.
"I presume our paths are the same? Down the mountain?"
"Correct…" Felmer replied.
"Then, I hope wouldn't mind accompanying me."
Felmer looked at his squad, then at Terizia, and then gave his reply. "Sure…No problem.
Then Felmer and Terizia began to ride side by side, with his delegates behind and the squad ahead.
"I have heard a lot about you and the politics of the country. You seem to be doing well, according to your age and experience in the field." Terizia began to speak once they had left the city and were halfway to Nolos.
"I didn't want to, but the situation forced me. I couldn't see our leader doing things the way he was doing."
"I had always been against oppression and stupid decisions. Our predecessors had made countless such decisions. So, I decided to revolt and bring revolution. A country can't progress with such leaders."
"Correct…Though I don't want to spill blood. Once we do that, Falvaria will complete the job."
"You are right…You are stuck. You can't move much freely."
They rode for some time, and they reached Nolos. At the entrance, they stopped.
"Well…Our paths part here." Felmer said to Terizia.
"I am impressed by your revolutionary fight. As a supporter of similar beliefs, I can assure you that I will support you diplomatically, politically, and even militarily if needed."
"Well…I will look forward to your promise if such a time arrives."
They nodded to each other, and then they went their ways. Felmer had gotten more support.