Shortly afterwards, one of the soldiers came bearing a report to Ganicus about discovering a heap of burning fire, a cauldron of water in one of the tunnel. Alas, it was the tunnel Bojan and Limah had stayed.
''Sire, we found found fire in the tunnel,'' said the soldier to Ganicus, ''and a cauldron of water. The dying fire is still fresh. We should be in the right place, sire.''
''Search further, then!'' Ganicus barked back at the soldier, pressuring them to intensify their search through the cave. ''None of those Balkans must be spared their life.''
Pangs of fear ran down the spine of Bojan at hearing the slur of hatred for the Balkans from Ganicus. He could feel a mix of fear for his life and suppressed anger in retaliation. For a moment, he regretted not putting out the fire in that tunnel before leaving; at least, that would have reduced cleared their traces to some extent and reduced chances of being caught. Pangs upon pangs of regret knocked upon his heart even as he continued to sweat profusely, but he wouldn't blame himself much. He had left the tunnel in a rush for safety. This time, he had brought the baby out of the pouch to avoid discomfort and had equally prepared to prevent the possibility of letting out a cry that could deliver them to the blood-thirsty soldiers.
Bojan could hear the soldiers marching around the caves with flaming torches. He could hear the pounding of their feet on the rocky ground. Amidst the tension, he had moments of respite, bit it was not long before the respite was cut short as he heard one of the soldiers approaching. His marching into the dark tunnel pounded depression and panic in Bojan's heart. He could see the ray of the flaming torch approaching. His heart skipped many beats dreading the worst. But the soldier's advance into the dark tunnel was cut short as he suddenly burst into a spasmodic cough. He shielded his nose with his hand and made to forge ahead regardless, but he couldn't stand the toxic odour that emanated from the tunnel. He had many bursts of coughs and he was forced to give up his search as he waved his torch in the air in casual search and found nothing. Instantly, he retreated to the rest of the waiting troop and reported he found nothing in the dark tunnel but a pile of decaying bones and skeletons. Much to Bojan's relief, Ganicus ordered his troop to vacate the cave and seize the horse which they had found within.
Bojan was not particularly satisfied with Ganicus's last decision to seize the horse but he expected nothing less. However, little did Bojan know that Ganicus would wreak more havoc.
''We must leave now,'' said Ganicus commanding his troop to vacate the cave in an instant. ''But, Lucius and Senderos,'' he continued beckoning to two of his men, '' you must ensure the cave is burnt down in our wake.''
''Consider it done!'' Senderos replied, obviously excited by Ganicus's decision.
Bojan couldn't be more depressed, fearing the worst had been done as he overheard Ganicus order his men to burn down the cave. The tension within him heated up. His belly rumbled in discomfort as he racked his brain on what move to make next.
Without ado, Senderos and Lucius excitedly sprinkled oil across the cave's ground towards the entrance of the cave as they set it ablaze from the entrance. Shortly afterwards, Bojan observed the exit of the soldiers and setting ablaze of the cave, and he snuck out of the hiding place with Limah who limped still. He stuck to the wall of the dark tunnel and peeped but found traces of no one but of the flames that were fast spreading from the entrance of the cave. The entrance was covered up in flames and the fire was beginning to spread within.
Bojan feared the worst as he replaced the baby in his pouch and sustained Limah weight in a bid to walk away from the raging flames. It was obviously not safe to walk through the the entrance, rather he would walk away from the raging flames.
Bojan thought of venturing further deeper into the tunnel; perhaps, he could seek refuge with Limah where the fire could not reach. The fire spread fast further into the cave. Bojan was running out of time. The Balkan was bereft of ideas in this moment. Suddenly, by instinct, he lifted Limah over his shoulder to save time.
Bojan aimlessly ventured deeper and deeper into the darkest parts of Judean cave, far away from the reach of the travelling fire. He had no idea where he was headed but all he had in mind was safety. He ventured through the different parts of the cave and bumped into decaying animals and bones strewn around. He forged ahead regardless. As fate would have it, he came across a ray of light and, by instinct, he scurried towards the ray and, voila! It's light at the end of the tunnel. He hit the tunnel and scurried down, still bearing Limah's body on his shoulder and the infant in his pouch. He soon came to discover that the tunnel's entrance led to the isthmus of Corinth--the very long path which linked to the North of the Balkan Peninsula. Bojan couldn't be happier having home in sight. He heaved sigh of relief and amidst the the load of pressure on him.
The Isthmus of Corinth was a long, forlorn path which rarely had travellers ply the route to the Balkan Peninsula. Bojan was not daunted, however. He would walk the length of the path and only hope he would bump into one of the traders to ride on their horse.
The Balkan merchant hit the forlorn path, but he came to a point where he needed rest. He had to relieve himself of Limah's body and the baby. He looked around and found no traces of humans. He was quite certain that they were far from the reach of Bastian and his troop.