The party woke up early and had breakfast at the inn. Soon, after they were finished eating, Elna opened a map and laid it on the table.
"We are currently here," She said, pointing at the map. "And this is the Kingdom of Qaeristisk." She paused, looking at the rest. "I asked the innkeeper and the shopkeeper from where we bought the map. But they knew nothing of such a place. The shopkeeper's best bet is that it may be in the kingdom. Probably, further east or northeast." She said, getting closer so no one else hears.
"So…Where do we look first?" The captain asked.
"We would first search in the kingdom, and then move northeast. There are plenty of hills and cliffs, so we might find something."
"Fine, then…Let's pack up then," Felmer said and got up.
"Yep," Elna nodded and closed the map.
As Felmer got up, his gaze got stuck on a man. Their eyes met each other and stared for quite a long time. The unknown man was eating, drinking and looking at him. Felmer felt something, but he turned and followed his party. They got up the stairs and entered their room. They began to pack up their things. As Felmer placed his things inside his bag, the captain came closer to him.
"You noticed them?"
"Them? I only saw one," Felmer replied, without looking up.
"I noticed yesterday. They have been keeping a watch on us."
"Who might they be?"
"Either spies of Falvaria, sent to hunt the heirs, or underground bounty hunters."
"Bounty hunters?" Felmer was quite shocked.
"You are a prince, remember." The captain said, and then he, closing his bag, left the room.
'Damn…There is a bounty on me?' Felmer thought. He never thought about such things.
Many types of people entered and left the country. So it was understandable if such people were present in a border village.
They packed their things, paid the innkeeper, and went to the stable.
"Show your crests to the guard. They will let you pass." Elna told the rest.
"What about the other side?" Flexin asked.
"We will stop and tell our names. They aren't strict."
"Okay…" Flexin nodded.
They untied their horses, rode them and then headed towards the border gates. The horses slowly walked on the road and reached the gates. Upon reaching, Elna showed her crest. The guard bowed his head and let all of them pass without questioning.
As they crossed the gates, a guard stopped them. He was a border guard, wearing a black uniform with a white cap and a sword at his waist.
"Elna Gorbin…"
The guard nodded. "Purpose?"
"Travel…"
"Fine…You can go…"
"The four horsemen in the back are with me…"
The guard looked at the four of them and studied them. He was pretty experienced and could understand people at a single glance.
"Okay…They can go as well…" The guard said and let them pass.
Their horses jolted forward, and they were past the gates. They were now in Kingdom Qaeristisk. The north-eastern Alcoz mountain range was barely visible. And to the east, small hills were visible. It was a beautiful country.
"Where to?" Felmer asked.
"There…" Elna said, pointing to the distant hills in the east.
"Let's go, then…" Felmer said, gave his horse a jolt and rushed ahead.
"Follow him!" Elna ordered, and she rushed ahead, following Felmer.
The rest looked and then followed them. The party of five was in the new kingdom, and their journey had just begun.