The Rules of Blood

Volume Two ; Chapter 117 (333) - The Unyielding One

“I have to say,” Aidan began. “Your will, your morality is quite extraordinary. To walk through every trap, to see every trap yet pay it no heed, makes you either a wild beast or a fool.”

“Cease your blabbering, and let’s talk about why you are here,” Blanc sighed. “I assume that if you wanted to stop all of us, you would have attacked by now.”

“That’s where you are wrong,” Aidan grinned. “Of course, the princess of Iskahul, although a pity that she got wounded, is of no concern to me and can leave. We cannot afford a battle against the Empire and Iskahul at the same time. But you… Your older sister… that’s another matter entirely. You have to pay for the sins your Blood has committed against my own.”

“You dare speak of sins?” Blanc chuckled. “When you were the ones who betrayed us first.”

Aidan sighed, controlling his anger. “Let’s forget about the honorifics, but tell me, Blanc, do you know what was in the box you gave my mother?”

“Why would I care about that?” Blanc asked.

“Because the mummified body of my twin sister lay inside it. My twin sister, who has been poisoned by your Blood in secret, only to steal her body a day after they buried it. A newborn girl was a threat to the mighty Blood Denegis,” Aidan muttered, his face turning red from anger as he spoke.

“You bring such accusations yet no proof,” Blanc shook his head. “How convenient.”

“Trying to argue with a fool is like trying to teach a shadow to stand still indeed,” Aidan sighed. “But no matter, I do not have to explain my reasons to a dead man.”

“My heart still beats strong,” Blanc shrugged, his face growing colder. “Tell me, boy, what is it you really want to talk about? You act mighty, but you came out to talk out of desperation or arrogance. The rest are about now already at the boat, ordered to leave if I do not return.”

Aidan smiled, amused by the man in front of him. “You are right, of course, I moved all the people looking for you in such a way that I get to keep you for a while, and pour my anger on someone, perhaps even keep you as a dog. You have angered quite a few people, do you know that? Two ladies are shaking with excitement to meet you.”

“Tell them I’m married, thanks,” Blanc waved his offer.

“But you have no choice, my good man. And you know why?” Aidan grinned. “A word from me can sink that beautiful ship of yours. But I am feeling generous today, and truth be told, in a hurry. So, I will let your princess and your sister go if you stay and fight. And when you lose, I have a special place that I’m sure you would like, since I’ve heard Blood Denegis does enjoy their torture quite a bit.”

“And what if I win?” Blanc chuckled. “I’ve beaten you once before; I find it even easier now.”

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“Yes,” Aidan nodded lightly. “You have beaten me once or twice, your cunning has indeed killed my father, but that is all you have amounted to, since, as you can see, you are now alone, powerless to face me and my army.”

“I would’ve called you a coward, but if I were you, I would’ve killed you already.”

Blanc chuckled, thinking on the proposition.

“If we fight, what assurances do I have that the others can leave safely?” Blanc asked curiously.

Aidan turned around, waving to three of his soldiers to approach.

Blanc took a step back, grabbing the handle of his sheathed sword.

“If I wanted you dead already, I would’ve sent my entire army, no?” Aidan frowned, looking back at Blanc.

Still, he stood with his hand there until the three soldiers approached.

“My Lord,” one of the three soldiers said, a hand on his chest as he bowed lightly.

“Tell the others we’ve discovered that the boat it’s empty, and a diversion,” Aidan began.“When they ask where Blanc of Blood Denegis is, tell them they received help from one of their allies and are now moving north, trying to escape. Tell them to retreat and meet me at the lake.”

“Understood,” the soldiers bowed, turning to the side, and rushing off out of sight.

“See?” Aidan smiled. “Safe.”

“I’ve seen theatrics before, Aidan,” Blanc gritted his teeth. “Such a conversation does not prove anything.”

“I assumed so,” Aidan shrugged. “But this is the best I can do for you. You either assume I really do not want war with Iskahul, and that I will let them go, or you do not, and either die here, or on the boat, together with them.”

“And what stops me from killing you right this instant?” Blanc asked, placing the knife he held hidden at Aidan’s throat.

“Because my death does not change the situation you are in,” Aidan grinned. “I die, so be it. But you and all those on that boat of yours will join me soon enough. Or… you go back to your boat, say your goodbyes, write your letters, and then, once they leave, you come out and accept the destiny the Vita has in store for you.”

Blanc sighed, thinking about what to do.

The reality is that this is the closest thing to a salvageable plan he had.

Would he win if he fought? Most probably not.

Would he be able to escape by boat with the rest if he ignored all the boy spoke? Perhaps.

But would he risk it? Would he risk Sera and Velakia’s death? He would not.

He came for Sera all this way; he would not risk her life now.

For Velakia, though… of course, he wouldn’t.

Not only because she was a Princess and her dying here meant certain war with Iskahul, but because he loved her, and because, as it seems, she really did carry his child.

Was there any other choice? A better one than this? There was an item in his bag.

A token given by Allegra when they parted ways with the Metamorphs. Something that might aid him, something to call upon.

But Vita knows what that was or how much that would take, so he threw the thought aside. And for two more minutes, he thought on the matter in silence.

“Well?” Aidan asked, slowly losing patience.

“The Vita yields to men who do not yield to themselves,” Blanc sighed, getting on his feet. “I will go back to the boat, then, you will have your fight.”

“Brilliant,” Aidan grinned. “Do not keep me waiting for too long.”