The Rules of Blood

Volume Two ; Chapter 95 (311) - The Daughter’s Name

It was the afternoon of the seventy-sixth day of their journey.

Before Blanc stood the bridge that would finally take them out of the Domain of Blood Seraph.

He glanced back at the distant Manor they had passed the day before, still spewing smoke, lava, and the occasional dragon.

Just the sight of it behind him stirred a wave of relief within him.

At last, they were leaving this cursed place behind.

Turning again to the bridge, his eyes settled on the land beyond.

There lay the Domain of Noble Blood Xeladar, sworn loyalists to the Empire, their devotion bordering on fanaticism. Yet in troubled times such as these, such zealots were counted among the Empire’s most reliable allies.

Their loyalty was never to be put in doubt.

Blanc trusted them not only for that reason but also because he had once met their heir, a young man whom he became friends with, and a man who gave him a sense of sincerity.

It was for this reason that Lucien had chosen Xeladar’s Domain as the place where Velakia, Tahreni, and Lendros would part ways and return home.

The Domain’s perfect placement on the map, as well as its northern reaches that held the Dabune River, which could carry them straight into the ocean, offered Velakia swift passage back to the open seas, and ultimately, Iskahul.

As for Blanc, once she embarked, his path would lead him to Blood Xeladar himself, where he would secure transport back to the Domain of Blood Maroux, through the Imperial Capital, and the southern parts of the Surem Mountains, along what were called the “safer” roads.

If such a word could even be used for that part of the Empire.

“I assume this is where we part ways, Daughter,” Blanc turned towards the emotionless middle-aged woman.

“Indeed,” she nodded once, “I am to return to the Order now before being assigned again someplace else.”

“You’re not going back to Blood Seraph?” Velakia asked, curious, as she stood next to Blanc.

“When it was decided to stand on your side, it was also decided that Blood Seraph be removed from the Order’s influence,” the Daughter explained, “They have lost the privilege.”

Blanc smiled, “Let us hope that the next time they lose something, it will be their heads.”

“If all goes well,” the Daughter replied, agreeing with him.

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“Will it take you a long time to get back to the Order?” Blanc wondered, casually.

“A few months, yes,” she nodded, “But I’ve walked the roads back to the Order countless times already.”

“Forgive my curiosity, Daughter, but where is the Order located?” Sera looked at the woman in front of her.

The Daughter bowed lightly, “Then you must forgive my silence, Lady Sera, Lord Blanc, for I am not allowed to disclose that.”

“Nothing to worry about,” Blanc waved her apology off, “Either way, we wish you safe travels. Would you like us to share some of our supplies with you? A gift for all you have done for us.”

“Thank you for your generosity, Lord Blanc, but no,” the Daughter shook her head lightly, “I will be picking my own supplies at a later date, when I need them. If I were to take yours now, it would most likely spoil by then.”

Although Blanc was confused, as all they had were either preserved foods, he did not question her, planning not to waste her time.

“In that case, Daughter,” Blanc put his hand forward, “May your roads be kind to you, and may we meet again in the future.”

“Yes, let us meet again in the future,” the Daughter replied, accepting his hand and shaking it.

Her hand was cold to the touch despite the warmth in the air.

Yet, as a second passed while shaking her hand, a comforting sense of warmth took over her cold hand.

Only then did she let go of him.

“Before I leave you, a warning,” the Daughter said, turning to face all five of them, “Act with caution, and never let go of your surroundings even in allied territory. You may never know who lurks in the shadows.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Blanc nodded at her advice.

She then turned to face Velakia, “Your Highness, please do take care of yourself until you get on the boat, and once you do, may the Vita offer you calm seas and strong winds.”

“Thank you, Daughter,” Velakia smiled, shaking the woman’s hand.

“Lady Sera,” the Daughter moved to the gray-eyed woman next to Velakia and Blanc, “Your presence in that grim estate brought a bit of the color back, and for that I thank you. Take care of yourself, enjoy your freedom, and, if you find love again, please make sure it is a more… deserving person.”

Sera smiled sadly, “I doubt that, but all the same, I will not rush into such things again. Thank you for your kind words, Daughter.”

After shaking Sera’s hand, the Daughter moved to Lendros and Tahreni.

No words were exchanged between the three of them, as they only kept staring at each other.

But when the Daughter placed her hand forward, although with great difficulty, they shook her hand gently, nodding to her.

The Daughter took a few steps away from them before turning and bowing lightly.

“May the Vita be with you all on all your endeavors,” she said while still bowing.

And with that, she turned and left.

Or that should have been the plan, but Blanc had one last question for her.

“Daughter,” he said out loud, making the middle-aged woman stop mid-step and turn sideways to look at him.

“What is it, Lord Blanc?” she asked flatly.

“What was your name before you took the role of a Daughter?” Blanc asked, his eyes steady.

The Daughter blinked once.

Twice.

It has been far too long since she used that name. And never did a person ask such a question.

It wasn’t allowed to say it, but…

What a thing that question did for her cold, frozen heart.

What a sight it was to behold as the Daughter’s face lit up, as if getting younger by a decade only from hearing the question.

What a sight it was to behold as the Daughter’s lips curled up into a smile as she replied.

“Anna.”