The squad left the cave and hurried towards their horses. They packed their things and untied the horses. They rode them and began to move southeast. The horses rushed through the forest under the blazing sun.
"Why don't we just stop and fight them?" Flexin asked.
"We are not wasting our energy and resources in unnecessary battles," Elna replied.
'Our heads are unnecessary?' Flexin thought.
The squad swiftly moved through the forest. As they ran, they felt a fast presence in the bushes and trees around them. They didn't stop, though. Soon, a heinous animal emerged from the forest and attacked Captain Irnik. It bit his arm.
"FUCK!!" The captain shouted in pain.
The animal was a Morl. The cross of an Alcozian wolf and dog. It was small in size, but was physically strong and swift.
The captain immediately took out his sword and killed the Morl. He pulled the dead animal and threw it aside.
"Captain! Are you alright?" Melfer asked.
"Do I look alright?" He shouted back. He was in immense pain.
Soon, numerous Morls and men riding them emerged from behind.
"Those aren't bounty hunters!" Elna said, "They are Morl Riders!"
"Morl Riders?" Flexin asked.
"They are the biggest underground group of killers. They serve those who pay them the most," Melfer answered. "And there is only one suspect right now."
"Falvaria!" Felmer said angrily.
The captain folded his shirt up to his elbow, took off his muffler, and wrapped it around his wound. He tightened it and grunted in pain.
Elna took out her bow and rotated her upper body backwards. She had manifested her bow with magic. Red rose patterns appeared on her bow, and her eyes were glowing. She took out an arrow, aimed and fired. The arrow moved with immense speed and took out a Morl. The arrow was fast enough to perfectly hit its target. Her maroon robe was flying, and she was taking out the Morls.
They had to get out of the forest and get into the open. The horses neighed and ran swiftly. Suddenly, a Morl attacked Felmer from his right. But Felmer grabbed the animal, took out his sword and shoved it in its mouth.
Finally, the squad was out of the forest, and they were now in the plains. A Qaeristiskian village came into view. They changed their course to the village. They got off-road to shorten the distance. As they moved there, they noticed that they were no longer being followed. They immediately stopped and looked back. The Morl riders were standing on the edge of the rest. Soon, their leader emerged as well. He looked at them. Then they left.
"Why aren't they following?" Melfer asked.
"Though they are hired, they are still wanted. No one would like an army chasing them." The captain replied and grunted.
"Hurry, we have to go to the village and get you checked," Elna ordered.
Then the squad hurried towards the village and went straight to an inn.
"I will go with the captain. You guys rest…" Melfer said, and he headed to an infirmary with the captain.
Elna, Felmer, and Flexin went inside the inn and asked for a room for five. After getting the room, they placed their things and rested. Felmer grabbed his bag and took out the paper and the rock.
"What am I gonna do with this rock?"
"Use it as a weapon?" Flexin said with a smile.
"She said to keep care of it and must not lose it," Elna said as she took off her shoes and combed her hair with her hands.
Felmer looked at the paper and read the poem for some time. He read it again and again. He seemed to understand it.
"Why are you staring at it so keenly?" Elna asked him.
"I think…I understand what it means,"
"Wait…Seriously?"
"Yes…"
Elna stood from her bed and sat beside Felmer.
"I think…We are looking for an old temple near an old river…"
"How?" She asked.
"Bronze bells, river, and counting some silences…Bronze bells are mostly at temples, and it says a river…"
Elna grabbed the paper and looked at it.
"And if I remember correctly. River forgetting steps may mean it's dry. But, I don't understand the third silence thing…"
Felmer sighed and fell on the bed.
"We will understand, when we find such a place…"