Ray paused hearing Herion words. His knuckles turned white as he gripped his sword tighter and shut his eyes. The urge to kill Kea right there was overwhelming but he forced it down. His jaw clenched and he exhaled slowly.
He turned to the women instead. "You all trust me right?"
They looked at one another and nodded.
"Then please follow me to Blank."
Gratitude flickered in their eyes but so did fear.
Hesitation.
It was obvious they were wary.
They had been treated like objects, traded like animals. Promises meant nothing to them.
Ray understood that.
So he lifted his sword, pointed its tip downward with solemn dignity and declared loudly.
"I, Ray Blanks, first son of Ethan Blanks, swear here before your eyes that you will be safe. You will be respected. You will live as normal people again. And if you do not wish to follow me, you are free to leave. No one will stop you."
