SS [59] That’s Not Fair

Numerius Pompeius, Logistician for the Runeforge Consortium's Postlumia Expansion, was tired. It wasn’t the kind of tired that came from lack of sleep. Between his favorite coffee and the stamina potions, he could remain awake for days. No, that would have been simple. His exhaustion came from inheriting another man’s disaster.

Three days before the caravan's departure from Highhall, the expedition's previous logistician had been arrested for embezzling Consortium funds. By the end of the day, Numerius had found himself promoted into the vacant position. His pay almost tripled overnight along with his workload. He had worked for the Runeforge Consortium for a century and his track record had been nearly spotless, it made him the obvious replacement. At least, that was what everyone kept telling him whenever they handed him another stack of documents. 

Most people imagined caravans were held together by guards, wagons, and draft animals. Numerius knew better. They ran on manifests, customs declarations, supply inventories, payroll ledgers, border permits, and enough official seals to fill a chest. If even one document was missing when they reached a checkpoint, hundreds of workers could find themselves sitting idle while bureaucrats argued over regulations. 

The latest complication had arrived that morning. A messenger bearing the personal seal of the oligarch himself, Torik Ironvow had informed him that several distinguished guests would be joining the expedition before nightfall. Their travel permits, border registrations, accommodations, and security classifications all needed to be amended before the caravan departed.

Who were they? Well, no one too important, just a Divines damned foreign princess from Yuhia in disguise and just to further complicate things, one elf companion, and of course a hydra and a dragonoid familiar. He had to do a double take on the fact that someone actually was crazy enough to have a hydra as a familiar in the first place.

It had taken the better part of an afternoon to finally revise manifests and secure approvals. The Ironvow name helped expedite service and he was again on top of everything. By the time the distinguished guests finally arrived at the rendezvous, Numerius was confident nothing else could possibly go wrong. He was mistaken.

As introductions concluded, Ismene pointed out there was another person with them. The princess just casually mentioned that another traveler would also be accompanying the expedition. A Mister Soren. No one had informed him beforehand. No paperwork had been prepared. No border permit existed. As far as the official records were concerned, the man did not exist.

Numerius wished he could have yelled but he had to remain cordial in front of royalty. Instead he very professionally went over the travel plan and their placement in the caravan along with any other important logistical concern. He even had time to answer questions before ensuring they were in place. 

Then he turned on his heels. He vaulted onto his horse and spurred it back toward Highhall. He had to file the additional paperwork before the caravan could move. If he didn't...well, the Consortium had just demonstrated how quickly it replaced incompetent logisticians.

Upon his return he noticed the VIPs were still together and in place. He straightened his hair and suit, calming his breath and walked over with the dignity expected of a representative of the Consortium.

“Excuse me,” he said. “We are getting ready to head out. We have everyone’s travel permits secured with all of the other documentation for the expedition. If there are any concerns please feel free to voice them.”

“Do you need my permit as well?” Soren questioned. “I know I was going to be an addition to whatever arrangements you all had so Aurelius and I had stopped before coming to meet with the caravan.”

The young man set down his travel bag and pulled out several travel documents. The same exact travel documents he just had to rush back and complete. He just stared for a quiet moment. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again, as if hoping the world would correct itself.

“I.. uh.” Numerius took the offered documents. “Yes. Well thank you for your consideration. We will hold these as well.”

He really had to observe the man now. The man was not dressed like a royal guard but a well experienced traveler. He was expecting the princess’s group to be more pompous and expectant. Not proactive. 

“Is it alright if Bjorn hunts once we are far enough away from the city?” Tanisha asked.

He looked over to the hydra, one of its five heads was studying him. It was unsettling to say the least but of course wouldn’t show his discomfort.

“Most regions we will be passing have game laws. I will have someone provide you with an approved list of hunt safe game.” Numerius stated. “However as a guest of the Consortium we would never make you hunt your own food supplies.”

“Self reliance is important too. I would not want to burden the caravan for every hunt I can make myself.” Bjorn said.

He can talk? The hydra can talk. Don’t panic, just keep calm.

“Of course.” Numerius said, said with a nervous smile.

Assuming the conversation was over he prepared to excuse himself.

“Wait one more question,” Tanisha said. “I like to forage for plants for my alchemy. Would that be okay?”

“You would need an escort. I will talk with Ismene.” 

“I can teleport. Taking someone with me would make traveling take longer.” Tanisha said.

Oh, of course the princess was also a darkness mage.

“I… will see what I can do.” Numerius said.

He looked up at the princess sitting on the wagon. He couldn’t help but notice that Aurelius had his tail wrapped around her waist. It suggested that they may be closer than he had originally thought. He would note that for future interactions. 

His eyes returned to the young elf man and the longer he looked the more unsettled he felt. Not that the man was threatening, though he did look like a capable warrior. It was more like he was restraining something just beneath the surface. 

Numerius shook his head to stop himself from thinking about it. It wasn’t his place to pry nor did he want to. 

“Just get them to the next checkpoint.” He muttered under his breath as he walked away.

***

The caravan made its slow crawl across the countryside. Highhall was behind them and hilly roads of the north stretched like waves in an ocean. Tanisha was glad to see that Aurelius had calmed down though he still kept his aura tightly controlled. 

She decided to practice her aura control alongside him. Though their auras were fundamentally different. His could radiate outward like that of a typical magic cultivator. She on the other hand had an alloy made of multiple types of energy. That wasn’t all though. Her core and aura was unique.

Most people’s aura radiated from them like a fire. Mages had to learn to manipulate and suppress their auras so they didn’t affect the environment around them. A sufficiently powerful person could seriously harm normal people with aura alone. Against other casters and material users properly applying aura could suppress people and show your magical strength without ever casting a spell. 

Her aura was different. It had long since changed from what was normally expected of aura. Hers could be used as a singularity that absorbed the energy around her to fuel her magic or to dominate ambient magic for her to use and manipulate. 

While Aurelius compressed his aura  she pulled ambient mana to flow around her body. The effect would make her seem almost like a normal person to all but the most probing magical senses. It wasn’t perfect however and but she was just doing it to pass the time anyway.

“That is impressive.” Soren said.

Tanisha glanced over to him to see if he was talking to her.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion.” Tanisha responded.

“True.” Soren said but continued anyway. “Your power flows more like lifeforce when you manipulate it that way. Ambient mana often pushes against magic casters but you don’t have that restriction. If you try to absorb ambient mana throughout your body at once it can restrict your mana flow outward. Rivers don’t flow both ways at once. Out going path to the world and ingoing path to the core.”

“Uh-huh. And you are still talking?” Tanisha said as she tilted her head.

“A casual observation is all. But since you already know everything. Ignore me.” Soren slowed his pace, vanishing from sight.

“What was that about?” Tanisha grumbled.

“It is called advice.” Aurelius said.

“I don’t need his advice.” Tanisha said. 

“And he gave it anyway despite what you would say. Honestly what he said is true. I didn’t even consider it until he said it but your aura does work a lot like a lifeshaper’s.”

“They're still completely different,” Tanisha said. “Simularities doesn’t mean anything.”

“You and I know that is not true,” Aurelius said. “You trained with me and I am a cultivator. Are you saying you didn’t learn anything? Fuyumi used Walking Armory magic and you learned a lot from her.”

“You two aren’t material users.” Tanisha said.

She knew the defense was flimsy before she even got it all out of her mouth. Aurelius’s mouth pressed into a line. She rolled her eyes and grunted.

“I am not saying you have to like anyone you don’t like. But I know you know how to at least pretend to be cordial if not just professional. We are going to be with Soren until we get back to the Force Isles.” Aurelius said.

“We will have to add him into our combat rhythm as well,” Bjorn added. “If we get attacked by monsters we all need to fight together.”

“Right. I already talked to him about running drills.” Aurelius said.

“I don’t like this.” Tanisha her voice grew quieter but more raw with emotion. “I am not going to do it. He is here because you like him, not me. I was fine with leaving him in Highhall. Now it is like I am the bad guy because-because I don’t want to be around a monster like him? They killed my sister. They tortured innocent wendigo and made them into skinwalkers. His fucking people are the reason my real father is out there somewhere hurting because he had to become something he never wanted to again.”

Tanisha was breathing heavily tears threatening to fall as she scooted away from Aurelius, her tail unwrapped from around him and stiffened in agitation.

“You want me to work with him? You want me to forgive his people? You think I should care about how he feels? You already chose him over me when you let him come along. But that doesn’t mean I will suddenly forgive and forget.”

Aurelius flinched at her accusation.

“It wasn’t Soren that did those things. Soren is—”

“I don’t care.” Tanisha cut him off. “Aurelius. I don’t care. He can stay but keep your druid away from me.”

Aurelius opened his mouth to say something but whatever it was he dropped it. He simply nodded and looked forward. As the carriage moved on.

Bjorn hissed something to Anasuya and  she flew off his back landing beside her. By the time she landed she had already shifted to her cernunnos form. She looked like a child version of Tanisha herself. She landed with a plop and wrapped Tanisha in a hug. The fury melted from her posture. She couldn’t stay angry with Anasuya being a sweetie.

“That is not fair, Bjorn.” Tanisha said as patted Anasuya’s head. “I am still upset.”

“I know.” Bjorn said. “We will face everything together. Always.”

“Ugh. Now you are being cute too?” Tanisha said.

Tanisha sighed and pushed the reins into Aurelius’s hands. 

“Woah, what?” He exclaimed. 

“I am going to lay down,” Tanisha said. “Try not to crash us into anything.”

“Yes ma’am.” Aurelius said.