The road towards the Domain of Blood Seraph was a treacherous one.
Having to go through six other Domains, with each of them more dangerous than the other.
Not only because of all that was happening, and not knowing who was on your side and who wasn't, but because the Domains themselves were violent, the elements and the beasts living in them, horrors compared to what Blanc fought until now.
However, he had prepared as well as he could to face whatever came his way. But now, barely an hour after they left, as they all walked in complete silence, he started to worry that he was the only one prepared for the challenges ahead.
"I have a question, Your Highness," Blanc said, slowing down to the point that he and Velakia were shoulder to shoulder.
"No need for titles outside, Blanc. It would be safer that way," Velakia replied, looking ahead.
They were on one of the main roads that went north, a more secluded one, but one still filled with life.
"Are you certain? I do not wish for your protectors to take it the wrong way," Blanc pointed out.
Velakia giggled, "Are you afraid of my people, Blanc? Be honest… is it the color?"
"Nonsense," Blanc sighed, "I am neither afraid of them nor the color of your skin. What I want to make sure is that, until this journey of ours is done, and you are on your way back to your Kingdom, we are able to at least get along, and not fight between each other."
Velakia turned to face Blanc, her pink colored eye stuck onto his own as she spoke out loud for her protectors, who stood a few feet away, to be able to hear.
"A so imi cazi emun pe, un satinefo tiano ticrea," she said to the two.
To which the two nodded sharply, understanding the order given.
"See?" Velakia shrugged, "Now, do as I requested. We do not want commoners hearing things and acting too noisily."
Even though Blanc did not understand what she said to the two, he had to at least trust them enough.
"Very well, Velakia," Blanc nodded, "But I doubt that with the clothes you all wear, many would really believe you are important."
"Was that a jab at our attire?" Velakia asked, surprised, "I have to tell you we had to wear your definition of normal clothes because ours were drawing too much attention."
"Whatever you say, Velakia," Blanc shook his head, focusing back on the road ahead. Something that appeared to annoy Velakia, with a deep frown appearing on her forehead.
"Siz ec a?" the man, Lendros, asked from behind the two.
Which quickly brought forth a reply from Velakia, "Et-meazalca."
Tahreni began speaking next, drawing closer to Velakia and Blanc, "Arod enusp vantulcu is, rente findi ec es alampti mov-"
"Junge a!" Velakia interrupted, which silenced the two.
It was both fascinating for Blanc to hear their language and try to understand it, as it was annoying. Especially since the tone of their voice was getting increasingly aggressive, especially Velakia's.
From what he guessed, his last remark was the reason.
But he remained silent as they kept on walking past villagers and farmers who were making their way back towards their homes, now that the sun's heat was slowly increasing.
Summer in these parts of the Empire was rough, and instead of using the water to cool themselves down, the farmers would rather use it to water their crops.
A sacrifice Blanc was too much of a Noble Blood to fully grasp, but one he took notice of now that he focused on anything else besides the weird-sounding language that reminded him of a choking baby and an angry squirrel.
But because of that, he spent his time on other matters, other thoughts and worries, until the sun began to set, drawing their first day of travel to a close.
A day Blanc considered successful, if only because no blows had been exchanged between them, and no real trouble had found them, aside from the occasional passing stare from a child or curious woman that lingered perhaps too long.
"This is a good spot to rest for the night," Blanc said to the three as he pointed between a few bushes in the distance. "That can give us enough of a cover, and I also hear water nearby."
The three turned towards the brushes he pointed at, before Velakia looked back at Blanc.
"Do you not see in the dark?" she asked, confused.
"I do see in the dark," Blanc replied, not sure what she meant by that question.
Luckily for him, another one followed soon after, "Are you tired, then?"
"No, not really. I can go on for a day or two more," Blanc shook his head. "But why do you ask? Aren't you three tired? Hungry? Wanting to rest?"
"We are able to go without stopping for a week with only a break or two in between to refill our waters, eat, and sleep for a few hours maybe," Velakia explained, "But we can stop if you feel the need to. After all, we have been assigned to more or less be your guards."
Blanc sighed, "And this is the exact reason why I asked you for days about how you and your people are in combat, or in life."
"You asked about our culture, about our combat abilities, not how long we can go without sleep," Velakia countered.
"Never mind then." Blanc shook his head before turning on his heel back towards the road. "We keep on going throughout the night."
Velakia, not wanting to explain or start arguing, gave in to his words as she replied, "Lead the way."
Not even a day in and Blanc was already tired of their presence, and missed that of his Blood and wives.
The difference between them was too great, and his Iskahul protectors, as well as Blanc, would rather hold to themselves than give away too much information.
It was lonely for him, but it had to be done, regardless of who his companions were.