The Rules of Blood

Volume Two ; Chapter 108 (324) - The Burden of Belief

[Translated from Iskahese.]

“We need to move now,” Blanc said as he stopped in front of the three.

“I can’t… run no more,” Tahreni replied, exhausted, sweat pouring from her forehead.

“We cannot fight,” Blanc muttered, “We are too few, and too tired to fight even if we stood a chance.”

Velakia sighed, looking at her protectors, “He is right, but you two won’t be able to run like this.”

“Anything for you… My princess,” Lendros muttered, getting to his feet.

“Calm down, Lendros,” Blanc sighed, before turning to Velakia. “Can you give your spot to one of them? I’ll carry the other. After a while, they can change places.”

The smoke thickened in the distance, the arrow making the surrounding corn slowly catch on fire.

“A great idea,” Velakia nodded. “Lendros, you go first with Sera. Tahreni, you go with Blanc.”

Tahreni stood silent, looking at Velakia.

But Velakia just smiled at her, “It’s fine, but can you do it, Blanc?”

“Of course,” Blanc replied confidently. “Slower, but I can.”

The fire grew stronger, expanding to the corn nearby.

They had to go.

“Tahreni?” Velakia muttered, looking at her friend.

Tahreni sighed, but gave up, turning her head to Blanc, “I am sorry for the inconvenience.”

Blanc smiled, “Let’s go then.”

“Hurry towards the road, sister,” Blanc replied, putting his backpack on Silvia’s side, replacing Velakia’s.

“But the soldier,” Sera muttered.

“I’ll deal with him, you go,” Blanc muttered, bow in one hand, two arrows in the other. “Velakia, you stay by their side. We will be behind you.”

Velakia nodded, tightening her backpack around her body.

“Well then,” Blanc groaned, helping Tahreni get on his back, “Move out.”

A raging blaze stood in the middle of the cornfield, now growing faster and faster as the flames expanded across the field.

It was a good moment to run, since the smoke and flames would cover them right until the last moment.

“Hyah!” Sera voiced, making Silvia dash back the way they came mere minutes ago.

Velakia began sprinting too, making sure to remain to Silvia’s right, under her cover.

Blanc exhaled as he nocked an arrow, Tahreni’s arms and legs tightening around his neck and waist as he began running, bow at the ready.

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The smoke blocked his aim, but he had the advantage of surprise, so as he drew the string back, he prepared to loose the moment he spotted the man. It was difficult to aim while running, but he was a better marksman than a swordman, so he trusted his skills.

And the moment he outran the smoke, the soldier was already trying to retreat, climbing on his lizard after he saw Sera riding out first.

Blanc loosed.

The arrow flew straight above the flames, striking the man at the side of his unprotected neck.

The soldier fell to the ground, grabbing at the arrow stuck in his neck.

Blanc nocked another arrow.

Loosed again.

Thud.

A wild screech left the lizard’s mouth as it scrambled in pain, before dashing into another field, running away from the dying soldier.

“Good,” Blanc muttered, before looking further down the road.

No other soldiers or signs of them present.

He clicked his tongue in frustration, but did not linger, as he turned towards his companions and slowly caught up to them.

[Translated from Iskahese.]

“Are you comfortable?” Blanc asked once he slowed to match the pace of Velakia and Silvia, the mare his sister and Lendros rode on.

“I am,” Tahreni replied, “Good aim.”

“Did you kill the soldier?” Velakia asked curiously.

“Mhm,” Blanc muttered, “Had to.”

“Good,” Velakia nodded.

Tahreni watched everything unfold in silence, unsure of what to think of the man who carried her.

“Can you hold this for me?” Blanc asked, raising the bow. “It’s uncomfortable to run with it.”

“Sure,” Tahreni took the bow from him, holding it with one hand. “But am I not the thing that makes the run uncomfortable?”

“Not at all,” Blanc chuckled.

“Am I not heavy?” She asked.

“Quite light,” Blanc replied, looking forward. “I think the backpack is heavier than you.”

“A poor moment to start flirting,” Velakia hissed. “Focus on running.”

Tahreni started laughing, despite the situation they were all in. “Yes, Blanc, focus on running.”

Blanc sighed, but did as he was told, certainly not in the mood to defend himself on two different fronts.

And so they kept on running for two more hours with no attacks from the soldiers of Blood Seraph.

But there were plenty of times when Blanc spotted enemy soldiers behind them, only to increase their speed, check again, and find nothing there.

“We are being played with,” Blanc sighed, realizing what was happening. “The bastard wants to weaken us.”

“What do you mean?” Sera frowned. “He has enough power to overwhelm us, no?”

“He does, but he is prideful, so he perhaps thinks such tactics would break us mentally,” Blanc replied. “But that’s where he shows a lack of wisdom.”

“Lack of wisdom?” Velakia repeated his words, not understanding the point he was trying to make.

Blanc nodded, beginning to explain, “If he were wise enough, he would act quickly, making sure he would rid himself of us before we reach the boat or a city, then escape back into his home Domain before Xeladar takes notice of them in their territory, because if we first reach the boat, or Blood Xeladar takes notice, we win.”

“But is Blood Xeladar really an ally? An army of Blood Seraph here, uncontested, says otherwise,” Velakia replied.

“I refuse to believe the most fanatic of all Domains really betrayed the object of their worship,” Blanc shook his head. “You saw how they venerated the High Monarch and how serious they were to uphold the law. If not even the most honorable people remain loyal to the Empire, what hope is there? Also, I refuse-”

“You refuse to think Lord Ali really might be an enemy,” Velakia and Sera completed his sentence in unison.

“Is it that wrong?” Blanc sighed.

“Not wrong, my dear,” Velakia smiled. “Overly optimistic, or perhaps foolish.”

“Foolish, you say,” Blanc sighed, praying that his foolishness was right.

But all the proof he needed to draw a conclusion was there. If not a conclusion, at least the required caution. And if his old friend decided to go astray, if his Father-in-Law proved to be wrong about Blood Xeladar, he at least hoped he would have the wisdom he judged others not to have.