The squad travelled through the kingdom of Hormis. The horses galloped at full speed towards Cerfis. They left Hormis and arrived at Erfis. Through the land of temples, they didn't stop. They ate while riding, and some slept while others controlled their horses.
With this non-stop journey of five days, they were back at Cerfis. After a week, the squad has seen its home and the great mountain.
At evening, they were back at Nolos. They gave their horses to the soldiers and went inside the military building. Then they followed Elna to her office.
"You three go back home. I will come after I am done writing the report to the general."
"Okay…" Felmer responded.
The three brothers left the office, headed outside the building and then towards their house. They have been waiting to meet their parents.
Felmer stood in front of the door and knocked. Soon, he heard footsteps and the door opened. In front of them stood Benny. His mouth opened in surprise, and he ran inside.
"They are back!" He announced in the house.
"Shut up, you dumbass!" Felmer said aloud.
Melfer and Flexin laughed and went inside. Felmer walked swiftly and grabbed Benny by the collar.
"Why do you always forget to use the muscle inside this skull of yours?" He asked, knocking Benny's head.
Benny grabbed his head and tried to run, but Felmer's grasp was tight. Emilia came from her room and hugged Melfer and Flexin. She kissed them on the head and then walked towards Felmer. Felmer let go of Benny's collar and extended his arms. They hugged each other tightly and smiled.
"Oh, you all are back. I waited so much for you." Emilia said and kissed Felmer on the forehead.
"I missed you as well," Felmer replied, smiling.
Anna came from behind Emilia and hugged Felmer's legs. Felmer picked her up and smiled.
Soon, Marnis came inside the house. He walked ahead and hugged the three of them.
"How was your treasure hunt?" He asked Felmer.
"Oh, that? That went peak." Felmer said. "A LOT of things happened."
"So? Got the thing?" Emilia asked, placing water on the table.
"Yes…" Felmer came close to Emilia. "The first jewel as well." He whispered.
They picked up the cups and drank water. Then they sat and began to tell their parents about the quest. He told them everything. From the first trial and Morl Riders, to the fifth sky and the confrontation with Deris.
"Then General Irfika came and stole my battle," Felmer said.
They laughed and ate their meal. Soon, the door knocked, and Elna came. She walked inside and met Emilia and the two kids.
As they talked and laughed, the door knocked again. Melfer opened the door, and in front of them stood a soldier.
"You and master Felmer are being called by Lord Raftin. He is in the office of the district leader. Your father." The soldier said and left.
Melfer went back and stood still, looking at Felmer.
"He is calling. The Lord." Melfer said, mockingly. "He is in the father's office.
Felmer sighed and stood up lazily. Marnis looked at Melfer.
"We can't even rest for a bit," Felmer said and grabbed his sword.
"We will come in a bit," Melfer said and left with Felmer.
They walked through the town and towards the governor's office. They entered the building and went towards the office. The soldiers looked at them weirdly. Melfer felt something wasn't right. He stared back angrily, and the soldiers looked away.
When they stood in front of the office door. Melfer grabbed Felmer's arm.
"Be ready. Something's not right."
"Okay…" Felmer replied, trusting his brother's judgement.
They entered the office and walked near. Raftin sat on the governor's throne, and General Ednita stood at his right.
"Welcome back, prince. How are you?" Raftin asked mockingly.
"Fine…Lord…" Felmer replied in the same tone.
"Ednita told me that you were successful. Congratulations."
"Yes, I was. Thank you." Felmer replied.
"Now…" Raftin stood up and walked a step. "Give me the badge."
"Haha…Good joke…" Felmer said sarcastically.
"Give it or…" Raftin wasn't smiling. He was serious.
"Or?" Felmer said, his hand on his sword.
"You die…" Raftin replied.
Three soldiers got near the brothers and drew out their swords. They were serious. Raftin's greed had taken a serious turn.
"Raftin! What are you…" General Ednita tried to intervene, but a blade cut through his heart.
Raftin's right hand was pointing towards the blade. He had used his flotation magic to kill the general. He was ready to kill them all for the badge.
The general clutched his wound and fell to his knees. He looked at Raftin with blood in his eyes, blood spewing out of his mouth. He had been betrayed by Raftin. The general looked up and said with his remaining strength.
"Felmer…RUN!!"
Then he fell, and the yellow light left his eyes.
"General!" Felmer shouted.
"Kill them!" Raftin ordered.
The soldiers hesitated, and then one of them attacked. Melfer grabbed his arm, broke it and hit his head. He fell and grunted in pain. The other two stopped and looked at them in fear. They couldn't fight their own.
"What are you waiting for?" Raftin shouted.
As they stood, suddenly, the room around them flew away. It was Captain Irnik. His blue eyes and blade glowed brightly. Raftin tried to attack, but the captain generated an orb, and Raftin and the soldiers were thrown back.
"We have to run. They have attacked your family and arrested your parents. Flexin and Elna are fighting, but we have to run."
He looked at the dying general and clenched his fists. He couldn't do anything.
Felmer looked at him, and then they ran outside the building. As they ran towards their house. They saw it rise into flames. Then they heard a voice.
"Stop them!! Don't let them run!!" Raftin shouted, his head bleeding.
Numerous soldiers came and ran towards the two brothers and the captain. Then a big orb came from behind and immobilised all of them, including Raftin. General Irfika had arrived at the scene.
"You three…Get your horses. Take Elna, Flexin, and Benny. And run." He ordered. "Where's Ednita?"
"Raftin killed the general!" Irnik said, and then he brought six horses.
"What about Anna and our parents?" Felmer asked.
"They attacked suddenly and were able to arrest your parents. I gave Anna to Mrs Kilia. I have sent the two of them to western district with Lieutenant Torna. Take those three and leave the country." General Irfika said, controlling his horse.
Suddenly, Elna, Flexin, and Benny arrived. They ran towards the horses and rode them. The two brothers and the captain did the same.
"Where do we go?" Felmer asked.
"Go to the Kingdom of Russin and Solvo, your mother's homeland. They may give support." He said.
"And you?"
"I have numerous things to do. I will leave the country as well." He said and paused. "Felmer…You have the badge and the first jewel. You will lead this group."
"What? Me? Lead?"
"Yes, Felmer…If you can't lead five people than how can you lead a nation of five million? Now, you have to travel around the world and find the remaining jewels. The badge will lead you to it."
"What then?" Felmer's heart was racing.
"Collect them, complete the badge and then come back. The country will wait for its king!" He stopped and gave him his eagle. "Take care of the bird, and keep me updated on your situation. The bird will know where I will be."
"Okay…"
"Go now…Leave!" He ordered and went away.
Felmer looked around him and then at his squad. He looked back and saw Raftin slowly getting up.
"C'mon, we are leaving!" He ordered his squad.
Then they left Nolos and headed for the eastern district. They rode swiftly under the night sky.
Raftin grunted and watched Felmer run from his grasp. He couldn't catch him.
'Lead? Jewels?' Felmer was stunned and angry at the same time.
He had been bestowed with a great responsibility. He had only one goal, find the remaining four jewels and free his country from the tyrant ruler.