In the quietude of their journey toward Cerdeauxia, a voice suddenly greeted him, "Excuse me, sir. Where are you going?"
Ferdinand jolted in his seat. His heart pounded with surprise at the sudden greeting.
His body tensed, and his eyes darted left and right, searching for the source of the voice.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as his anxiety peaked in the face of the unexpected interruption.
The secluded streets suddenly felt far less isolated, and his instincts went on high alert.
Then, his eyes fall onto a figure standing not too far from him on the side of the road.
Although he wearing a cloak, the mysterious man didn't cover his face. Perhaps due to the intense heat of the day.
The sunlight provided a clear look at the mysterious individual. Ferdinand could see the man's features in detail.
The man had sharp, observant eyes that seemed to pierce through Ferdinand's defences.