Inlander

Can't be Found

Jim gathered up the two horses he had just purchased with his horse that was in the stables near the rear of the inn. Meanwhile, Jill was waiting for Jim at the inn entrance.

Soon after, Jim came rushing in. It seemed that among them only Jim couldn't relax. Then Jim said to Jill near the door. “Jill, give everyone breakfast now. Then we'll go right away.”

Jill replied "fine, I'll do it quickly". Jill ran quickly to their room. She distributed bread and jam to Gristie, Eliza and Neil.

They all have breakfast in their rooms. Until all is finished, they gather at the door of Jim and Neil's room. Jim began to say. "Very well, before Prusiudeus's army arrives, we must quickly get out of here."

Then Neil asked, "has the information on the incident in the white tower been heard by the royal troops?". Then Jim answered Neil's question. He said "maybe not yet, but in a matter of hours they'll find out. And one more thing, they suspect that this mess was caused by Vitelyn rebels, which is certain, you will be the main fugitive"

Neil also realized that, because he is one of the Vitelyn rebel group, surely the rumours will say that the source of this chaos is Vitelyn's rebels. Then Neil said. "It is better that I separate myself from you. because they're only trying to find me, after all, you have saved me, I will not harm the person who has saved me".

It seemed like Jill was a little unhappy with Neil's decision, then she said "then, what are you going to do now? Where are you going?".

With a heavy heart, Neil said "I'm going back to Vitelyn. Well, you know it, right? I'm a Vitelyn rebel".

Jim suddenly thought of something, he realized that his primary goal to Centrical city was a one-way street with Neil's goal. Then Jim made an offer to Neil. "Actually I'm going to the east too, but why don't you just come with us? Because we are in the same direction"

Then Neil was curious about Jim's goal, then he immediately asked that he said "where are you going?"

Jim replied, "I'm going to Centrical, but before that, I'll take Gristie and Eliza first to Eastend town."

Suddenly Gristie interrupted the conversation, She said "it's okay Jim, Eliza and I can go alone to Eastend, you can just go to the east leaving us".

Jim also refused, he said, "no gris, I promised Captain D'Breick to free Eliza, so I have to escort Eliza herself to Captain".

Gristie said nothing to listen to Jim's words. She was silent, indicating that she accepted Jim's decision.

But Neil seemed to be hesitating. He also asked again "however, I am a rebel, do you not mind? Plus it will be very dangerous for you".

Jim calmly replied, "take it easy, if we hurry, we'll be fine."

After that, everyone who was there was silent, indicating that they all accepted Jim's decisions. Then Jim said "okay, it's decided, now let's go to Eastend town"

They came out of the inn together. They headed to the place where their horses were tied. They finally got on their horses.

With the robes given by Jim earlier, they looked like ordinary adventurers stopping by, nothing suspicious of them. Finally, they went west.

The sun was almost directly above their heads, that afternoon, the weather was very bright, even only a few clouds could be seen.

They arrived at the junction near the western exit of the city of Sarleen. However, what they were worried about happened. They paused for a moment, They realized. That several guards were already at the exit gate. The guards seemed to be selecting merchants, adventurers or residents in and out of the city of Saarlen. None other than nothing, they seem to be looking for prisoners who managed to escape from the white tower prison.

Jim also said, "this is dangerous, we will be caught if we pass through the gate".

Gristie swiftly whipped his horse, he led the line, as he said "follow me, we must take the North route".

The others agreed with Gristie's suggestion, they didn't ask many questions, they just followed the gristie's horse without asking anything. Because they know, only Gristie knows the way. But not for Eliza, she spurred his horse a little briskly. He caught up with Gristie until their horses were level. Eliza asked. "Gristie, isn't the North line very difficult to pass?"

"Calm down, even though the time taken is twice as long and a little difficult, but I know the way, only this path we can go on now".

Eliza accepted, she said "all right, I'll leave it to you". Eliza knows that Gristie knows this area very well because in the past she often accompanied her father to trade from Gatelain to the Prusiudeus kingdom.

In fact, there were two routes in and out of Gatelain to the Prusiudeus kingdom. However, it was the southern route that was often used by traders, namely the route which that is currently guarded by several guards.

The southern route is very easy and fast. It only takes half a day to get from Eastend to Saarlen. So that this route is the best option for all traders.

As for the northern route, it was only a small road and it was very difficult to pass because it had to pass through the valley of the Arden mountains. the time needed is quite long, it takes one day and one night to get to Gatelain. Besides that, the northern route was not safe, sometimes there were bandits around there. However, the Prusiudeus kingdom did not build a gateway to the North, only agricultural land on the slopes of the mountains if it passed this route. No guards will be found there. So the North route is the right choice for now.

They race their horses fast. They passed through the farmland, so green and lush. The air temperature is slowly getting colder. About 48 degrees Fahrenheit. But it didn't affect them, because their robes were enough to cover their bodies.

After riding for more than an hour, they had passed the last village, and at last, they reached the border between the village and the foothills of the Arden Mountains. No more houses to be seen, only tall and thick trees could be seen as far as the eye could see.

However, they had not completely escaped the Prusiudeus royal guards, because these were still within the realm of the kingdom. They kept speeding their horses, they did not reduce their speed in the slightest.

Until approximately four hours of riding, they were finally right on the border between the Kingdom of Prusiudeus and Gatelain. They are now right in the middle of Arden's mountain bees.

The Arden Mountains were not wholly owned by the Prusiudeus kingdom, but the mountainous region of the Arden was divided into two, Gatelain in the west, and Prusiudeus in the east.

It's easy to know that they are on the border. Because when in the middle of the lane, you found the size of the ground quite wide and there were lots of pebbles around it, it was almost certain that it was that boundary area.

Furthermore, the most striking thing about the boundary was, there was a large rock. which was two crossed swords embedded in the rock, it was located around a large area of ​​land. People often call it 'A Fare-Thee-Well Rock'.

When they passed the rock, Neil's face looked dumbfounded at the sight of the stone. Maybe this was the first time he had seen the boulder.

Then Neil asked, "Whose sword is that sword? Why is it stuck there?"

Gristie replied, "The stone and the two swords are a sign of the border between Gatelain and Prusiudeus, the sword is a symbol of the dark history between Gatelain and Prusiudeus. And by the way, now we have really left the territory of the Kingdom of Prusiudeus."

Neil pursed his lips slightly as he nodded his head as if he understood what Gristie had explained.

Then they slowed their horse a little. The five of them looked a little relieved. Finally, they went on a little leisurely journey.

The sky began to turn A little reddish-orange, the sun had started to fall as if a small path in the valley led to the sun. Twilight is so beautiful seen from the foothills. Jim took the initiative to end the trip for a moment, he said "well, it's getting dark, we better spend the night here"

Finally, They stopped the horse, some were looking for firewood, some were looking for tents. They work together with each other according to their own duties.

Day turned to night, the sky grew darker, with millions of stars so clearly visible. They made a bonfire and burned it, they sat in a circle between it, now they seem to feel warmer. holding a loaf of provision. They finally had dinner together.

After finishing dinner, they took the time to chat with each other until the fire started to go out, only coals and charcoal remained, they got ready to sleep. As for Jim and Neil, they took turns to be on guard.

The night, the temperature getting colder. at midnight, Jim woke up, it was time for him to take turns on guard with Neil, he replaced Neil now. Neil went to sleep. He fell asleep so fast, maybe because of fatigue during the trip.

When Jim felt cold in his body, like it or not, he returned to stacking wood, and he started burning it.

When Jim was engrossed in lighting a fire, suddenly, Eliza spun, she felt cold, she woke up. When she looked forward, she saw Jim trying to make a fire. Eliza woke up from her sleep. She slowly approached Jim, she sat so close to Jim's right side.

Jim saw Eliza, he said, "I'm sorry, I made you wake up, I'm not very good at making campfires".

Eliza smiled, she said, "it's okay, I'm also cold anyways". She was helping Jim to put a few pieces of wood into the fire.

Jim is now a little embarrassed, and he is also awkward to talk, he is confused about having to start the topic of conversation, plus, he is sitting alone with a beautiful woman in the middle of the night and outside the room too.

Jim also looked down a little and he did not dare to look at Eliza's face. Instantly the atmosphere turned silent, only the sound of burning wood could be heard.

Eliza took the initiative to break the silence. She sat on his side, and supported the chin of his hands, softly, she said. "Em … thanks for saving me, er …". She didn't dare look at Jim's face because she was so embarrassed.

This is a golden opportunity for Jim if he wants to heat up the atmosphere of the conversation. He turned his head towards Eliza, while saying "Call me Jim, Jim Slavn", Jim smiled as he closed his eyes.

Eliza also turned to Jim's face for a while. But not long after that, she looked back down and shook her head. With full shame, he said "aaa … I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Eliza Guinbeth, just call Eli"

Jim smiled back and turned his head, he said "okay Eliza".

But suddenly Eliza turned her head to the left, she turned Jim's face, she said "I told you, just call Eli". But, after saying that, it was as if time had stopped ticking. Everything seemed to be silent, the two of them looked into each other's eyes. They see each other's faces.

Until a few seconds later, Jim suddenly turned his face downwards, he was embarrassed to show his ridiculous face. How could he not, he was dumbfounded, he was stunned, he had just seen the beauty of Eliza's face right in front of his eyes.

Then shyly, Jim said, "ah um … I mean Eli, hehe".

Eliza laughed as she covered her mouth with her hand, saying. "Hahaha. You're so cute". Jim also calmed himself down by taking a deep breath.

After Eliza finished her laughter. With great interest. He asked, "em … Why did you save me?" Then the atmosphere was quiet again.

Jim honestly answered, "Should there be a reason to save you? There is no need for a reason to save a beautiful woman like you".

Then the atmosphere was fell silent again, Hearing Jim's words made Eliza blushed, she just remained silent. Then Jim went back to saying "all right, you better sleep again, Eli."

Embarrassed, Eliza answered. "Okay, I'll sleep first, good night Jim". Eliza hurried back to bed. Eliza was so embarrassed that night. Until finally Eliza fell asleep again, leaving Jim who was on guard.