The Rules of Blood

Volume Two ; Chapter 105 (321) - The Stranger’s Offer

“There is a small creak in the front,” Blanc pointed out past a hill.

The flat plains ended by that same afternoon, with the road now crossing small hills or valleys filled with red grass or wild flowers.

It would have been beautiful if Blanc had paid attention to that. But he did not. He was too paranoid. Most of his focus was used purely on maintaining his heightened senses.

That is how he heard the creek hundreds of feet in front of them. As well as the whistling that came from the same place.

“Can we take a small break there? I want to refill my waterskin,” Sera asked.

“There is someone there as well,” Blanc added. “If they are friendly, we can take a breather for fifteen minutes. Is that fine with you, my dear?”

“Sure, why not?” Velakia nodded. “I think we all need to refill our waters.”

“Perfect,” Sera replied, pleased.

Blanc smiled, seeing how happy Sera was with herself over such a small thing.

It seems that, besides all the bad that has happened to her, it has taught her how to appreciate the small things, the small victories, even if it was only a break by the creek.

Seeing her smile, it became impossible for him not to stop now, regardless of the person whistling.

As they reached the crest of the small hill, the creek came into view.

Its water ran shallow, so clear that even from where they were, the smooth stones scattered across its bed were easily visible. It was also narrow, no more than two feet across, curling twenty feet away from the hill before slipping southward.

Beside it, three horses lowered their heads to drink, their reflections rippling in the current.

And behind them, a short distance away, a man in his thirties sat upon a broad boulder, absently whistling as he toyed with a strand of grass.

When he noticed Blanc and the rest, he came back to reality, almost reaching for something at his side, but Blanc raised his hands as they started walking downhill.

“We are just passing by, friend,” Blanc smiled gently.

“Haah,” the man sighed, taking his hand off from what he was holding. “You scared me shitless.”

“Sorry for that,” Blanc chuckled, as they turned towards the creek. “We plan to rest here for a bit, we won’t disturb you or your horses, no?”

“Nah,” the man shook his head lightly, turning towards the ground, still sitting down on the boulder, “These beauties do not get scared even if you throw them in the middle of the damn battlefield.”

“Fine beasts, then,” Blanc took a look at the horses. “Are they all mares?”

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“They are indeed,” the man nodded, “Do you know why?”

“Because they are still young and do not neigh as stallions do,” Blanc replied casually.

“You know your stuff, my good man,” the man chuckled, impressed.

“Took care of some horses when I was a kid,” Blanc crouched down near the water.

As he filled his waterskin, he felt his monologue returning to him.

‘Why don’t I kill him, take his horses, hm?’

Am I hearing myself? Kill a man for that?

‘Think about it, it would help us greatly, not only in removing this annoying feeling but-’

Stop.

‘Why don’t I listen? After Velakia leaves, we can use them to get home directly.’

But I won’t kill a man for such a thing.

‘Buy them then.’

I have eight gold coins and some change, which might buy me one if he is dumb enough.

‘Then kill him and take them for free.’

We are in allied territory. Do I even hear what I’m saying?

‘Look around, is there someone looking? How will they know?’

Stop it.

‘Come on-’

Stop, please.

‘…’

“Blanc?” Sera asked, “Are you all right?”

“Of course,” Blanc nodded, happy that the monologue vanished. “Feel your waters and relax for a bit, we'll continue soon.”

“Where are you headed?” the man asked, curious.

“What is it to you?” Blanc narrowed his eyes as he got to his feet.

“Sorry,” the man raised his hands in the air. “Didn’t mean to pry into someone’s business, just a casual banter by a creak. What’s the worst that could happen, you know? Haha.”

“How about dying?” Blanc asked curiously. “That has to be somewhere at the top of that list, no?”

The man coughed, hearing Blanc’s question, “I-indeed.”

“But do not worry,” Blanc began, chuckling. “There won’t be anyone dying here today.”

“Thank the Vita…” the man sighed as he watched Blanc return to his group.

But a question kept staying on the man’s tongue, despite the obvious threat Blanc just gave him.

“What is it?” Blanc asked, looking at the man. “You’ve been opening your mouth to speak for a good twenty seconds now.”

“The thing is, I’m heading to Decan Pasa, do you know it?” the man asked.

“Not from these parts, sorry,” Blanc shook his head.

The man waved Blanc’s apology, “It’s a city some thirty miles north of here, where I plan to sell two of the horses for a dowry.”

“Congratulations are in order then,” Blanc smiled. “How much is the dowry?”

“Five gold coins, three sacks of wheat flour, a sheep, and a fistful of apple seeds,” the man sighed, “Somewhere around eight or nine gold coins.”

“A decent dowry,” Blanc nodded. “But why are you telling me this?”

“The thing is that, uh, you seem well off, and I need to get back home somehow, so I cannot sell all three horses, but in the city I won’t get much for these,” the man sighed.

“Yet you were saying they were fit even for the battlefield. Those are valuable horses,” Blanc frowned.

“Not in these parts, as every man, child, and their mothers are raising horses lately,” the man shook his head. “Give me five gold coins, and you can pick either one of the three.”

“And what will you do to get the rest of the dowry?” Velakia entered the conversation.

“I’ll, uh, hello miss,” the man nodded deeply, “I hope I can exchange one horse for the rest of the dowry. But the gold is the hardest to grab, so if you have any and are in need of a good, loyal horse, then here it is.”

Blanc sighed, looking towards the sky, wondering how the Vita really works.

But when no answer came from the sky, he turned to Velakia and Sera for counsel.

With their answers given, he turned to the man, “Do you have a spare saddle?”