Chapter 129: Tidying things up

While Strax had left the carriage and was heading to the stable to retrieve Apocalypse, the women began to organize for the journey. Samira, Beatrice, and Monica knew it was best to hurry, as they faced a two- to three-day journey, so they needed to be ready quickly.

Inside the House...

Monica was the first to act, going upstairs to open the large wooden chest that stored her weapons she had bought for training. Choosing two sharp daggers and a short sword, she placed them in a large bag. "These will be useful if we run into trouble," she murmured to herself. She then grabbed a set of lightweight yet durable clothes and a cloak to protect her from the cold night.

Monica descended the stairs with the items, finding Beatrice and Samira in the living room.

Beatrice was organizing her own arsenal. She picked up her favorite sword, well-balanced and deadly, along with a small collection of healing potions she had bought from a merchant a few days before that damned kidnapping. Beatrice also chose a set of travel clothes and a long cape. Looking at Monica, she said, "We have to be prepared for anything. We don't know what awaits us in Eldoria. Besides...

I don't want to lose my mother." She finished, a bit shy, while Monica smiled, thinking, "So cute."

Samira, who was already well-acquainted with long journeys, was checking her equipment and clothes, which were thicker than the other women's, as well as her large, sharp sword. She grabbed a pair of black boots and small water canteens, along with a bow carved from dark wood.

Samira also chose a set of thicker but functional clothes and a hooded cloak that would help conceal her identity if necessary—those thoughts about that city still lingering in her mind. "On the road, don't get distracted. Strax won't always be able to protect us, and you need to learn to fend for yourselves.

"I see... how strange," Samira said, thoughtfully.

"Do we have anything else to get before we go?" Monica asked, wanting to make sure nothing was left behind before they left. "Well, remember to close the entire house before we leave. We might be gone for a month or two," Strax said, stepping outside and looking at Apocalypse, who was waiting for him outside.

"Do you believe this nonsense?" Of course, his words wouldn't go unnoticed, especially by Samira, Monica, and Beatrice, who had already started to understand Strax very well. "When it comes to power, he hasn't been very fair with us, don't you think?" Samira concluded, making the mother and daughter duo look at him.

"Yes, for some time now I've noticed that he isn't entirely honest with us when it comes to his evolution... he seems to be hiding something very serious that he can't tell us directly. Do you remember him ever going out? I mean, he likes to stay at home; this man is obsessed with us," Beatrice said, making all the women look out the open door at Strax, who was brushing Apocalypse's fur.

"Have you ever thought that... he might want to tell us but can't? He's not a man who hides things. Even with us, he always tries to be as humble and understanding as possible. I don't need to mention his desires. He loves us too much...

don't overthink it," Monica said, closing the living room windows. "Just trust him. At some point, he'll need to talk to us about his secrets; just be patient," she concluded, making Beatrice and Samira look at each other and nod.

"Okay, let's see how long it will take for that to happen," Samira's words reflected what Beatrice was thinking. She nodded and commented, "Let's go; soon he'll start complaining that we're too slow."

"Yes, let's go," Monica finished.