a gorgeous white by Heather_anare

294: Exposing the hiding

The trees were silent, bare, and almost with hidden intentions. Their dark naked branches bowed as though greeting the moving people beneath them with their thorns. Over the treetops, one could see the sky slowly brightening yet cruelly dim. Nevertheless, it brought a sigh of relief from the lips of the men walking. They have survived the night unscathed. For a moment, they thought the gods had given mercy upon them. However, they know they would not have another chance of luck.

"Keep moving."

A voice, grating, and weary-sounding spoke. Flicking her platinum hair behind her shoulder with her spear, Ghana eyed their prisoners carefully. The tight grip around her spear never loosened even a bit. The grasp shaped her inner palms since last night, but she ignored it. Her cerulean eyes shifted to observed the woods, wondering if they would encounter some vicious creature. The silence last night made her increasingly uneasy. Would something jump at them now?

"Nothing will come out, miste- lady. The malibreeds roaming these woods wouldn't wake until late morning."

Ghana's gaze turned to the young man beside her, hands tied and stripped of his weapons. She raised a brow. "How are you so sure, kid?"

The boy was several inches shorter than her. He looked like he would break down, starving. He was as thin as a stick. The boy drew his brows together while turning away. "I've spent a few years in these woods."

"Ambushing people?"

There was a loud cough, and both of them were interrupted. This time the leader of the men spoke. There was an amused smile on his face.

"We do everything to live. It's not easy living in these wretched lands." He said with a voice almost lost.

Beside him, a young man with silver eyes glanced at him. The little snow-white fox sat on his shoulders, gazing at the treetops curiously. They have been walking since last night, occasionally stopping for short breaks before continuing their journey. There was no Shelter or Base near the outpost in Emlen's maps. These people explained that they didn't kill the survivors of the outpost. Instead, they were tasked to bring those people back to the city. They no longer know anything after handing them in.

Moulin recalled their conversations from several hours ago.

"It's a City governed by beastmen?" Moulin asked.

The bearded man nodded. "You wouldn't want to name them 'beastmen or orcs' in front of their faces, young man. They are not very kind to travelers like you."

"What are they?"

"Felines from Skilis Country. They have the blood of lions, and they're quite the carnivores. I wouldn't wonder about what happened to those friends of yours, nor do I want to..."

Moulin shut his eyes and let out a deep exhale. He shook his head, throwing the discussion to the back of his mind. There was no one else besides them who would rescue the men of the outpost. Whether they be dead or alive, Moulin and the rest would have to find out.

"That little creature on you..."

Moulin glanced at the man beside him. The bearded leader kept a grin as he observed Snow, who growled at him intimidatingly.

"I've never seen anything like it." He added. "Would catch a great price if you'd be selling them."

Moulin's eyes narrowed at the words, not liking any bit of it. He coldly responded, "He's never to be sold."

Snow bared his teeth. His silver eyes glowed with frightening intensity, much like the fearsome look of his master. The man closed his mouth as Moulin turned away. The little beast's tail swished like the sound of a whip cutting through the air.