Werza handed Felmer the stone and the paper. Felmer took the things and read the fourth clue.
"Four winds argue above the plain,
Yet none may cross the watching line.
Follow the star that bleeds at dawn,
It points away from every throne."
"I don't understand it a bit…" Melfer said as he heard Felmer.
"Nothing to worry, we will solve it when we return," Felmer replied.
"Wish that we return safely…" Elna said, reminding them of the vulnerability.
Werza pointed behind them. They returned and saw the same white sand falling in the air.
"Your way back…"
"What about you?" Felmer asked Werza.
"Me? I will stay here, in this realm. Remember. When you obtain the badge and the five jewels in its slots, then we will be under your direct command. As you have passed this trial, I think you can pass the others. I believe in you."
"Don't worry. I will get them all…" Felmer said and extended his hand.
Werza smiled faintly and shook his hand. Then the three of them turned and walked towards the falling sand. They stood around it and touched it.
'Don't worry…I will make sure that I get the badges and the jewels. I will!' Felmer thought.
Felmer felt that he was in his world. But something was wrong. He was moving and could feel his hands and feet tied. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Melfer and Elna in front of him. Tied and lying on the cart. They were looking at Felmer. Felmer looked ahead and saw a masked gunman. He felt a horse behind him as well. He pushed his legs and arms and, after some struggle, sat. Their mouths were tied as well.
'Damn…They got us. Good disguise.' Felmer thought.
Felmer looked around him and understood the formation of the enemy.
8 enemies in total. Four horsemen around the cart, three ahead and a driver. Five swordsmen and three gunmen.' Felmer counted in his mind.
Then he looked at his two companions and nodded in a way to assure that he would do something. Felmer had something on his mind. The horseman on his left had two guns. A handgun and a rifle. The other two were on his right, at a distance.
Felmer used his teeth and moved down the cloth on his mouth.
"You got us…" Felmer said to the gunman on his left.
He said nothing and looked at Felmer.
"Are these guns?"
The man looked at Felmer. "Yes…They are."
"How you use them?"
"Why do you need to know?"
"It's new for me. I want to know how. Curiosity."
"Curiosity killed the cat…" The man replied. "You use the trigger to fire. And aim by holding it properly. Reload by opening the lid here."
"Hmm…That little metal is the trigger?"
"Yes…Now keep quiet."
Felmer stopped and looked around him again. He closed his eyes and gathered some magic in his fingers. He generated the cyan flame and burned the rope's knot. He looked here and there. He placed his hand between his legs and hid the flame with his legs above, so the riders didn't notice anything. Their weapons were in a bag at the other end of the cart. Their bodies were checked, and all hidden knives and daggers were taken as well.
'I haven't drunk any water for some time…' He thought.
"Can I get water?" Felmer said, looking at the bottle on the man's waist.
"You talk a lot…No." The man said.
"C'mon, I am thirsty."
"I said NO!"
"Would you like your prisoner to die from thirst? I don't think so…"
The man was angry with the continuous questions. Out of frustration, he took out his bottle, got closer and gave it to him. Felmer carefully grabbed the rope and the bottle. He drank the water and filled his thirst. He looked at the man and extended his hands to give the bottle.
Just as the man grabbed the bottle, Felmer swiftly grabbed his wrists, pulled him, and broke his neck. In that instant, he got back, pulled the driver's knife and threw it at the swordsman in front. Then he pulled the man's pistol. One of the gunmen fired, Felmer dodged, and then he shot the second gunman in the head. Felmer pulled the dead man's knife and swiftly slit the driver's throat. Before the third one could do anything, Felmer cut the rope binding his legs.
The third gunman fired at Felmer. Felmer grabbed the dead man's rifle, rotated 360 degrees, ran forward, jumped out of the cart and gave a flying sidekick to the third gunman. The gunman fell from the horse. Felmer landed on the ground. He shot him in the head with the rifle, then he pulled his rifle and hit one of the horsemen ahead.
The remaining two turned. But Felmer rushed toward the bag, containing his weapons. He pulled the sword that came to hand. Melfer's sword. He ran at one of the horsemen, slid and cut the horse's legs, then he stabbed the man in the abdomen. The last rushed at him. Felmer blocked the attack, stabbed the leg and then the heart.
"Mission accomplished!" Felmer said as he cleaned the blood on the sword.
Felmer moved towards the cart and untied his two companions.
"Amazing stunt, prince," Melfer complimented.
"Thanks for saving," Elna thanked.
"My pleasure…"