The squad began the journey for the fourth trial. They left the village and headed southeast, following the bleeding star. In front of the blazing sun of the morning, the four horses ran on the vast plains and then through the old battlefield. Passing through the vast wasteland, they entered a forest. They maintained their pace and headed towards the eastern border of Hormis.
A scout ran towards Deris and stood near him.
"Captain, they have left the village and headed towards the eastern border. From their direction and the road they have taken, we think they are moving to the lawless plains."
Deris swiftly stood up, grabbed his weapon and signalled others to get ready.
"Although we will have no political advantage in the plains, we will remain hidden and spy on them. We will not attack until we obtain the badge they are seeking." Deris announced. "We will switch to horses. Prepare…We are leaving right now!"
His second-hand man came forward and opened a map. "The border southwest of here is unguarded. We can easily enter Hormis and follow them through the forest and reach the plains."
Deris looked at the map and thought about the suggested path. He agreed with his second-hand man.
"Fine…We will take this route." Deris rode his horse. "Be alert at all times. I won't bear any carelessness. Remember!"
The riders shouted yes and then set off towards their targets. They entered Hormis from the southeast and then headed into the forest and began to travel towards the lawless plains.
A Hormisian soldier ran towards the military building. He went inside and entered the border guard captain's office.
"Sir, we have a report of numerous horsemen entering Hormis from the southwest. They are led by a wanted Morl Rider, Deris Hasflin. And the five cerfisians who came tomorrow have also left the village."
The captain immediately stood up and grabbed his sword and robe. "Where are they headed? The Morl Riders."
"They are heading southeast from here, towards the lawless plains."
"And the Cerfisians?"
"They are going southeast as well. Towards the plains."
The captain immediately understood where the Morl Riders were headed.
"Immobilise all the reserve and free troops in the village. We will chase them before they reach the Cerfisians. And send a word to the border guards on the eastern border as well. They must stop whoever they see first."
"Yes, sir! And one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Sir, last night our soldiers found 8 dead bodies near the old battlefield. They were the same 8 people whom one of the guards reported as suspicious. There were rifles and swords."
'8 dead bodies near the battlefield. The Cerfisians went to the battlefield yesterday. Maybe they did that?' The captain thought.
"Try to find out who those 8 men were and who killed them. For now, we will deal with those horsemen." The captain ordered.
"Yes, sir!" The soldier said and left the office.
The captain grabbed the key to his room, left the room, locked it and went outside.
A soldier brought his horse, and he rode it. The captain, alongside 12 of his soldiers, left the village and headed towards the eastern border, separating the kingdom from the lawless plains.
The squad reached the border, and a guard stopped them. The messenger hasn't reached the guards. The guard stopped them to ask why they were going to those plains.
"Do you know what those plains are?" The guard asked.
"The lawless plains, owned by no kingdom," Elna replied.
"Then why are you going there? Your clothes tell that you are nobles. And that area has all the people who would want you dead."
"Yes, we are nobles. We have work there. We are not going for tourism." Elna replied.
"I am not gonna force you. But it is my duty to warn you. Anything happens there, and you will be totally on your own."
"Yes, I understand. We will be careful."
The guard nodded, and then they continued their journey. But as they left the kingdom, they heard a voice calling them. They stopped and turned back. A rider coming towards them was calling them. The guards turned towards him as well.
"Stop!" He came near them and breathed heavily. "Wait…The captain has sent a word not to let you go."
"Why?" Captain Irnik asked.
"We saw 25 horsemen, reportedly led by the wanted Morl Rider, Deris Hasflin. They are headed towards you. The captain is coming here."
"But won't it be good if we left?" Melfer asked.
"Here you are protected by our laws of foreign people's protection. There, you are totally vulnerable." He stopped.
"Fine…We will wait for their captain." Elna said.
Then they crossed the border and were in Hormisian territory.
As they waited, the border guard captain arrived. It was noon.
"My man was in time." The captain said under his breath. "I advise that you don't go any further."
"Your messenger told us," Elna replied. "We encountered 8 of them yesterday evening."
"Wait…You killed those 8 men?" The captain was shocked.
"Yes…I did it…Alone." Felmer said, flexing his skills.
"You…Alone?" The captain was stunned.
Felmer nodded.
The captain was shocked. He looked around and then at them.
"By your roles, I will believe you."
"I am grateful that you are thinking of the good for us. But we have to go there. We have work to do." Elna replied.
The captain stared at them and decided to let them go.
"Fine…Go…But you know there won't be anything stopping the riders."
"Yes, we are aware," Elna replied.
The squad looked at the Hormisian soldiers, nodded, and continued their journey.