"What do you mean?" Allegra asked, unsure of what he was talking about.
Blanc sighed, seeing her confusion, "A thousand soldiers against a maze of traps and the best-defended city of this Domain. What is that if not a death sentence?"
"So we should retreat, is what you are saying?" Allegra questioned.
"Run away as fast as you can," Blanc nodded, "You don't know the layout of the traps, and even if you did, you do not have the numbers to conquer the city."
Celine spoke next, "While you all could have the advantage of… transforming into beasts, you are not invincible. It is better to regroup, leave the City of Silver, and explain to your chiefs that it's impossible."
Even though she was beyond tired, Allegra was now fully focused on every word these people in front of her were uttering.
Their background was unknown to her, and even if she could guess that they might be important people, she didn't ask why or how they knew such things, for she and her people all had their own secrets that they would rather die than reveal to someone.
But she couldn't help but wonder, "How do you all know so much?" she asked them, eyes steady.
"It doesn't matter now, does it?" Blanc replied, "We cannot help you or your people. All we can do now is tell you all to run away. As of now, there have been two misunderstandings between your people and us, so, for your sake and ours, we cannot become further involved." He continued as he stirred the food, his wives and Allegra's eyes were glued to him as he spoke, "No item or passage through the Silver Gardens would allow you entrance to the city or past the traps. But, at least you met us here, who can tell you with certainty that it is a suicidal mission to think you can take that damned city. Take your people and war elsewhere, or leave, because your enemy, Blood Certa, is good for one thing, and one thing only."
"And what is that thing?" Allegra asked, fully focused.
"Never forget their enemies," Blanc replied, staring into her crystal-white eyes.
As Blanc finished the porridge and began making the juice, Allegra stood silent, thinking about the words of wisdom the people in front of her had shared with her.
It did not seem as though they were lying.
From what she understood of Imperial laws, their being here, in the Silver Gardens, was illegal since they were most likely not allowed entrance or part of the Noble Blood Certa.
For if they were, neither Heru nor she would most likely be alive since they were both defeated by them.
What other thing was there now, but listen to the advice she was given, and trust that it was the truth?
She barely had any strength left, and the situation was only getting more dire by the day, while the chiefs enjoyed rampaging through the countryside of the Domain.
And if Blood Certa really was as dangerous as Blanc makes it out to be, then it might just be safer to go on their way back home and rethink their plans.
She only hoped that the High-Chief would be reasonable.
But if they planned to punish her, let them. At least no more pointless deaths would come to her kin, out of revenge for Heru's mistake.
"My love, could you please wake Lune and Kael up?" Blanc asked, turning to Miyanna, "Breakfast is soon ready."
"Happily," said Miyanna, as she got up and headed towards the twins' tent, but not before sending a glance to Allegra, who was still lost in thought.
"Are we both hunting and fishing today? Or just fishing?" Celine asked as she watched Miyanna walk away.
Blanc thought for a bit before answering, "We could do both, as planned, but it would be nice just to fish and relax. What would you like, my love?"
"It does sound nice to have more caiman meat to eat," Celine giggled, as she traced a finger along her stomach.
"Do you crave it because of the pregnancy?" Blanc wondered as she placed a hand on Celine's stomach.
Celine shrugged her shoulders as she smiled at him, "Honestly, I can't tell if it's a pregnancy craving or if I would just like to eat the way you cooked it again."
"I won't risk it," Blanc laughed lightly, "If my lady wants caiman, I will dry the river of all caimans."
"And what do you want this lady to do for you in return, hm?" Celine asked, placing her hands around Blanc's neck.
"Well, besides staying healthy and happy, a kiss maybe?" Blanc replied as he looked towards the sky.
But he could not fool his wife. She could taste the sarcasm on the tip of her tongue.
"Is that so?" Celine asked, her eyelids lowering.
"I mean," Blanc said, going in for a quick peck on her lips, "If you still have energy later, we could continue this conversation then, what do you say to that?"
"That does sound tempting, indeed," Celine replied, before kissing him. "But do not come up with too wild an idea."
"Never even crossed my mind," Blanc said, turning back towards the fire, and towards the pair of crystal white eyes that stared at them as if they were nomadic actors doing a play.
"Is this how all human married couples act?" Allegra asked.
"No," Celine giggled, "Only us."
Allegra had more questions, but none prevailed escaping her lips. Not the embarrassment from witnessing Celine and Blanc's conversation, nor the curiosity about Celine's pregnancy, the wonder at how Blanc treated his wives, or even her own thoughts about what she had to do next.
Not because she couldn't, but because as soon as she opened her mouth to speak, Miyanna, Kael, and Lune came out of the tent.
"Good morning! You are just in time," Blanc said as he finished preparing the juice. "Go wash up, and come eat, we have a long day ahead."