Everyone was curious to find out what was on the plane, which Dan shot. The plane landed on the runway near the town and they mounted horses to reach the site of the crash.
The plane was quite big. It was a big, black bomber. After examining it thoroughly, they figured out that it was not piloted by anyone, as there wasn't a pilot's cabin at all. What surprised them, is the fact that the other wing of the plane is almost good as new, though it had a few dents and cracks. The body frame of the plane was still hard and strong, but the aluminium sheet covering it is entirely damaged.
"Seems like there's no engine in it, 'cause I don't see any smoke," said Dan.
He was right. It probably flew above with the help of magic or any other sort of thing; nobody knows. It was a big plane, so there might be something inside, thought Fayette, so they all agreed to go in.
It wasn't very interesting inside. Just a few cloth bags, a pile of rope, and some wires hanging here and there. But there were boxes almost everywhere, which they found on the outside as well.
They were all empty wooden boxes, though some had more cloth bags inside, and the bags were empty. While Sculp was throwing all the wooden boxes to a corner, he accidentally tripped over something while he went forward to fetch a box. It was hard and made a ringing sound similar to that of a gong.
He bent low to find what was it, as it looked like the wooden boxes in the dark. After a closer look at the thing, he yelled to Dan and Fayette. Wondering what was the fuss this tour guide was to tell, they went to Sculp.
"Everybody, come here! Look what I've found. It's a metal chest!"
Fayette gazed at the metal chest; she could not believe it at all. "Let's bring it out Fayette," said Dan.
They brought it out of the plane and they realized it was nighttime. They decided to take it to the fort and open it.
And then they mounted the horses and rode back to the fort. The fort was normal and claiming. All the villagers were having a good time over there. The adventurers went to the couch room and kept the chest on the floor. It was a fairly good chest; it was strong and shiny, though it had normal patina and some dents.
Dan agreed to open the chest. He slowly lifted it. Everyone leaned over him. Inside the chest was a spyglass, which looked to be in good condition. There were small paintings of deserts, mountains, rivers and oceans. And inside was an envelope, with words were written:
"Open this envelope as soon as possible"
Dan opened it without thinking twice, and on the ground fell a map.
"Alright, here we go again," murmured Fayette, in a state of excitement and anxiety
Inside the envelope was also a letter, which Dan started to read. He was already sweating in confusion.
The letter read:
"Greetings adventurer. How's it going? I know, you would be doing good, isn't it? But, you wouldn't be doing good hereafter, and if you think why, read on.
You might not have heard me at all. You had never realized I was behind the devilry that almost cost your life.
But, could you believe that I am the person you are chasing after?
The answer is YES.
Horn Nemesis is how I am known by my supporters, and I wish you to call me by that name as well. I am the undisputed king of the Aquilla and Serpento clans. I've heard that you have been saving people from my rule. How dare you challenge my sovereignty?
If you think that you could defeat me, or prevent me from annexing Fantalasia, meet me IN PERSON. I want to see you face-to-face. Take your own time; it's not even a problem.
It doesn't matter if you come late, but it does matter for you to come safe, for once you enter, YOU CAN'T LEAVE!!!.....
Your Good Old Nightmare"
"That's.....That's insane. What the heck does he want?"
"Don't collapse Dan, he is such a bad king to challenge you."
"Alright, Fayette, let's check out the map."
Dan picked up the map from the ground. A bolt of lightning struck a tree far away in the spruce forest. The candles flickered. The gale blew hard against the windows of the fort. Dan now opened it.
It was quite an eerie map. It was a map of Bajista. There was one point where a spruce forest was marked with a red line. There were words written over it, saying "Follow the village of Dermis". The trail continued into the savannah, where a black line was drawn from the end of the spruce forest, through the savannah, ending at the abrupt hills. They couldn't figure out what the black line showed. But it said, "Be ready for the chase".
Lastly, a blue line was marked over a flat mountain. It was marked with yellow dots around it. It said, "Escape the brood of Dermis".
"Seems mysterious," muttered Sculp.
"We could not wait any more," exclaimed Dan, "We should follow the trail mentioned on this map. But, someone should stay behind at the fort and should take care of the fort and train the new soldiers whom we would call for tomorrow."
"I will be staying behind," said Sculp.
"Okay then, Sculp. Fayette, me, and Camb shall leave tomorrow morning. Fayette, inform the villagers about them. Sculp, you shall be inviting the villagers from Cabro for fighting. I shall pack the necessary things needed."
While others carried out the works ordered, Dan packed lots of food for the voyage - canned meat and fish, noodles, cheese, pickles, dried bread (stored in safe ice boxes) and of course, water. He also packed three muskets, a crossbow (gifted by the town mayor), some arrows, a shield, a pistol, a longsword and a dagger.