"Unexpectedly delicious," Velakia said out loud, putting the empty wooden bowl down on the ground, "But I think we should start walking soon."
"During the night?" Olivia asked, surprised, "We might get lost by not seeing where we are going."
"Well, there are no places nearby where we could get clothes for the ladies," Blanc began, "So I suggest we walk at night."
"Exactly," Velakia nodded, "And do not worry, we see well in the dark."
Velakia turned to her servants, and although embarrassed at the situation they were in, they all knew it had to be done.
"If we move constantly, we should be at Lupa by sunrise," Blanc added, pushing them to agree to their idea. "I know the way."
At that, Zoe and the rest of the women nodded towards Velakia, letting her know all that she needed to. It was cordial for Blanc and Velakia to let them choose. However, the truth was that two of them were the ones who were really choosing.
The one who saved them became their master, even if temporarily.
For the world was built on mistrust, a mistrust in others so deep that many saw saviours as nothing more than opportunists, who would switch on those they saved if they became too much of a liability.
In this case, however, they were wrong.
Blanc had no intention to harm them, but to get them to safety. Perhaps there was opportunity in his mind… no, of course there was, but the opportunity wasn't as cruel and lecherous as some of the women thought.
"We walk in the dark, then," Olivia said, looking in Blanc's direction.
At her words, Blanc and his companions began packing things up, readying themselves to leave.
And in less than ten minutes, they were ready to go.
Now, with the fire extinguished, darkness blocked the sight of Olivia and her servants, sending them into a panic as if they were in danger.
"Olivia," said Blanc, walking towards them, making one of the servant women yelp as his steps approached them, making Blanc feel bad for doing this after they extinguished the fire.
"What is it?" Olivia asked, throwing away any fear she might have felt at the man approaching.
"Take this," said Blanc, now a feet away from her, placing a few feet of rope in her hand, "We can see in the dark, but you and your ladies do not. Tie this around your waist to make sure none of you lose your way."
"But how will we see the road ourselves?" Olivia asked, her eyes darting around in the dark, not seeing Blanc.
"That…" Blanc murmured before turning towards Velakia, "Do you want to help them, Velakia? They might be more comfortable with a woman leading them."
"They are your problem, Blanc," Velakia giggled, "You lead them."
"And that's how things stand," Blanc sighed, turning back towards Olivia, "If you do not mind, leave a foot or two of rope for me to hold while we walk."
With a nod, Olivia began tying a knot around her waist before attempting to give the rope to the next in line,
"Let me do it," Blanc said, taking the rope from her hands and gently placing them in Zoe's, who stood right behind Olivia.
"Thanks, sir… Lord," Zoe stuttered, not knowing where to look.
Which made Blanc quietly chuckle as he turned on his heels, giving the women some space.
Another minute passed before the women were all tied up among themselves.
It was convenient as the rope held together the remnants of their clothes. But what was most important was that it made them feel safer, calmer, and easier for them to trust the people who saved them from harm's way, as wrong as one might find such thoughts.
But who could blame them?
After what had happened, even the kindness and gentleness of Blanc seemed eerie to some of them, especially now that they knew he was of Noble Blood. A person with enough power to do whatever he wanted to do to them without so much as the slightest hint of a repercussion.
And many of the Noble Bloods used that to their advantage to satiate their desires, their lust, and their greed.
With such knowledge, who would not have doubts about the value of his smile? With such fears, who would believe in a handsome face as being safer than an ugly one?
But now, with a rope tied around them, for some reason, all calmed down. Even Olivia and Zoe, who appeared not to fear Blanc in the darkness, instinctually exhaled in relief as they felt the rope around their waist.
"Ready?" Blanc asked, picking into his hand the two feet of rope Olivia had left in front of her for Blanc to grab onto.
Olivia nodded, "Although I feel like cattle, yes, we are ready."
With confirmation given, Blanc exchanged a nod with Velakia as they started walking through the valley, before reaching the dirt road that would ultimately take them to Lupa.
With Blanc in the lead, the six women in a line behind him, and Velakia with her protectors walking closely behind, they kept on slowly walking, easier for the women to be able to keep pace with them.
They passed through valleys, grasslands, and small hills. They passed two villages devoid of any light in the late hours of the night.
As the hours passed, as Lupa drew closer and closer, conversations started between the groups, slowly improving the mood of the women when no new danger came their way. And just before dawn, as the darkness began to lift and the women could see a few feet ahead, Lupa began to rise from the horizon, as if emerging from the earth itself.
A city under Blood Elna's rule, but a city of commoners, of commerce, and of trade.
"One of the main hubs of all trade in the central part of the Empire," Olivia began, "All merchants who are worth their gold in these parts live here."
"But you said it was to keep Blood Elna as far away as possible," Blanc replied, while looking at the city.
"Two things can be true at once, my Lord," Olivia said, now fully relaxed despite the exhaustion she and her servants were carrying, "But, as the dawn is about to grace us, we should take the ropes off before we are confused with slaves."