It was hard to believe Kingdomer Nations could stoop so low as to deny their faith, but it was the way of it. The Kingdom of Sartorry had always been more liberal than the other kingdoms when it came to matters of religion and morality. With Sartorry given over and both Perganel and Philanthia already engaged on multiple fronts, the way north was a risky one at best.
I had only a few more days to line up with the timetable that Ayaya had given me. If I had more time it would have been a tempting option to take several days to build rafts and sail across Lake Orlone and avoid confrontation altogether, but I had rejected it as too many of the people would be lost in the tempestuous waters of the lake and I had no time to build the rafts anyway.
I glanced away from the border as a shout rang out. Another rider bearing ill news, no doubt.
The rider brought his foam flecked mount to a stop before me. His face echoed the horror of the words his voice hadn't even given birth to yet, "Philanthia has fallen!"
The others around me gasped in horror, but I couldn't say I was all that surprised. They had been great in number, but poorly led. I hadn't thought they would last for long after hearing how Crona was overcome in a night.
"How long do we have before enemy advance troops are here?"
The man shrugged in exhaustion, "Maybe a day, perhaps a little more. They move so fast! It's inhuman!"
I nodded and was about to speak when he said, "That isn't all. The Kingdom of Sartorry has signed a peace agreement and she has been joined by Lancandia."
That I knew, but I wasn't prepared for what he said next.
"Even now Lancandia, per the request of her new dark overlords, sends a force to intercept us here! I heard this straight from a Lancandian believer several miles back trying to catch up with your group."
A Kingdomer Nation coming to hunt down her own flesh and blood. The world had gone mad!
The unthinkable had happened and I was suddenly without choices anymore, "Give the order for all wagons to proceed over the border. No one stops until we reach Ephanum!"
Those around me stared at me aghast before one said, "It will take at least two days! How can we ask so much of the animals to go without rest?"
"We can and we will or else I fear we won't reach Ephanum at all."
Shouts of my order rang out as well as word of the loss of Philanthia and the heavy laden carts started forward quickly into the terrain of the unknown borderlands.