“Those and other issues like inflation were the main reason why the kingdom abolished the usage of pence, shilling, and pound as currency.

Nics, as well as their sub-denominations and their aspected forms, are by their very nature non-counterfitable and have a property that allows them to be used up which reduces risk of inflation.

The decision to switch the type of currency is widely regarded as a bad move by the less fortunate members of society, given the relative worth of a nic.

To counter those concerns so-called els, mechanically into one-hundred and twenty-eight pieces divided nics, were introduced a few years later. The discovery of reassembly of the non-uniform el-types has since then been one of the most exciting new scientific fields.“

Excerpt from the introductory chapter of “Coinage throughout the ages” by H. G. Arloom.

—

With the guertls in a state that allowed them to keep going again, they set off, to try and reach Larkos by noon of the next day. Envigorated by the effects of [Ocean Breeze] they breezed through across the country side, and the guertls were driven to increase their speed to an all-time high.

Ionis spent the majority of the night trying to squeeze out every bit of information she could about [Ocean Breeze]. Helped by the driver, they made several observations regarding the invigorating effect and the effects on the environment. While the invigorating effects of the spell were able to get you back up to your peak condition, it was a wobbly peak. The energy gained through the use of the skill would wane faster than what Ionis’ test dummies were used to with each consecutive refresher. By about twice as fast after the first refreshing, about a thrice after the second, and so forth. Ionis considered that they might have to pay interest on the banked up exhaustion at a later point but didn’t particularly care about finding out now.

Using the skill basically every time Liana had the flow to spare she was able to increase her control to a sufficient degree - thanks to some helpful tips on mindset and imagery given by Ionis - to slightly direct the breeze’s direction and propel the coach just a bit faster - if only for half a minute at once. It also allowed them to stop taking breaks unless the guertls needed more water to replenish their reserves.

That had also resulted in another boost to two of her skills.

[Ocean Breeze] has increased in level

[Dancing] has increased in level

Her first level in [Dancing] had taken some time, a lot longer than she would have expected. People were, from what Liana had been told, able to level their skills to ten within the first few months, with the initial levels coming very quickly, an experience she had had with [Ocean Breeze] but not [Dancing]. Using the skill combination in a driving carriage had at last given her a level up for the skill.

“Yes, this is normal,” Ionis responded after being asked about it. “Skills, depending on their purview, level differently. Some through usage, others through strain. Though most level through a combination of both, and the influence they have on ongoing events. Dancing like many other movement skills should only level when it has a strong influence or is being strained. Usage alone would probably never level it,” was Ionis’ opinion on the matter.

“Why didn’t they teach us that,” Liana asked.

“You tell me. Most likely, because it hardly matters, right. Everybody will figure that out on their own eventually. Maybe they thought your parents would teach you, who knows,” came the answer from her master.

They also talked for a bit about the other skill Liana had unlocked under Ionis’ guidance.

New Skill available

[Skill Suppression] - Skills can be suppressed without effort. While having all skills suppressed you are more in tune with the world (+1 Agility)

“In retrospect, I must apologize. I was a bit impatient. We should have made you unlock the skill by using the moves of [Ocean Breeze] without casting the skill. An additional flow would have probably ended up being more helpful should you ever pick up the skill,” Ionis said, seeming to actually mean what she said, by the slightly annoyed expression on her face.

“It might be a useful skill to pick up later, though you’ll have to figure that out for yourself. Some people swear by it. I met a flowbringer some time back, who had an aura that taunted everything around him, it was supposedly quite useful for them in combat, but in a town… And it might have some interesting properties at the higher ranks. The secondary effect of being more “in-tune” with the world increases flow regeneration in case you were wondering,” she continued after a long pause.

That had been how most of the conversation had been throughout the night; Either of the two would say something, followed by a lengthy pause. They weren’t taking the pauses due to fatigue, but the stillness of night made them calmer and they had gotten slightly used to each other. Enjoying the silence, and the rustling of the wind on the carriage was another reason.

Slowly the change that had overcome the landscape at night, former green and turquoise leaves of the forests, the soft yellows, reds, and greens of the fields had grown dark as night approached. Now they were once again changing in coloring. The landscape grew green golden as the day grew closer and the sun rays started to chrest the tree tops.

It was gonna be a good day, Liana though.

Ambient sounds of bird, signaling the rising state of nature, blew through the carriage raising the mood of both passengers.

As the golden world around the carriage seemed to be in its final stretches Ionis leaned her head out of a window and yelled at the coach driver to take a rest at the next inn they were to come across, so they could feed themselves and the guertls.

Which completely ruined the nice ambiance of the beautiful sunrise in Liana’s opinion. Not only by disturbing the pleasant state of the world but also because she reminded Liana that she hadn’t had food since the last evening.

Finding a place to stop for a bite had never been as agonizing. The time dragged on as she stared out of the window anticipating a building that would signal the relief of hunger. Every so often they came across small farm buildings, but they kept going.

When they finally stopped in front of a bricked two-story house with tiled roof and barn right next to it her belly informed her of an additional dire situation.

Now, it wasn’t only food that required her to find facilities.

Irritated she looked for the outhouse. Having to surround the building before she found it a bit further behind the post station.

As she returned to the front to seek out Ionis, who had wondered of to acquire food for their travel group, cause vast amounts of stress when she couldn’t find the woman or the carriage initially. Worried that the two had moved on without her she grew worried and agitated.

Just before she could rush into the inn, in the hopes of finding them there, she heard the grunting of a guertl, rushing towards the monster-sounds she strained her ears, trying to locate the others. Hearing voices from inside the barn she approached the large wooden gate to see if one of them could be Ionis.

She hadn’t even come halfway when she could discern Ionis’ voice mixed into the jumble of sounds.

“... not asking for much, I’ve said I’m willing to pay double. They won’t mind having to wait for the next delivery. You can give them half. It’s not like they would mind. I’m willing to pay for their stay too if that would help,” the high pitched voice of Liana’s master exclaimed.

“Miss, I’m sorry. We simply cannot make that decision. The chow has already been claimed, you will need to speak with the other customers,” a non-distinct male voice responded. “A few are already in the common room, just go ahead and ask there.”

Moments later, Liana’s master trudged out through the gate, with the driver in tow.

“It is not quite necessary to feed them, they should be fine even if we end up traveling till the late afternoon,” the coachman said. “You really needn’t bother with this. Just enjoy your breakfast, while I take care of the beasts.”

Liana had stopped once she spotted her master and was now looking at the pair with raised eyebrows. I wouldn’t have expected her to care so much about the guertls being fed. Having them fed probably helps her somehow, her thoughts swirled in confusion.

“Let’s get breakfast, come on,” Ionis said, not even looking at her apprentice, plodding into the inn.

Walking through the door an odd mixture of smells wafted over Liana. The malty smell of beer was mixed with a putrid odor, which she couldn’t quite place, accented by the smell of what might be morning stew or a hearty porridge.

The dim light, that came through the small glass windows - showing a surprisingly high quality for the establishment -, illuminated the room well enough for Liana to see the vivacious people spread across the common room. The occasional candle still burned in metal fixtures on the wall throwing soft shadows through the room.

The disparity in mood between people sitting closer to the bar and those further removed was odd to Liana’s eyes. The gathering towards the counter was buoyant in cheer and animated in speech - though admittedly clumsy when it came to making sense. The remainder was subdued, some downright miserable looking.

What’s going on… she tried to figure out, then she realized what the difference was. One, the cheerful one, was swaying around with jugs of beer in hand. The others were probably part of the same group but had already had their snatch of sleep and were not yet suffering the consequences of the previous evening.

Ionis hadn’t paid mind to anyone in the room, Liana realized, who had stopped in the door frame, not having moved since entering.

“My lady, if you were so kind as to allow me entrance as well. My throat is quite parched,” came the voice of their driver from behind Liana.

Hurridly catching up to Ionis she made space for the driver.

“The good meal for me and my two companions, please,” Ionis ordered.

“That’s nine el, please. You’ll have to wait a short moment if you want it warm and we are out of fruit. We could have warm grain ready for you now,” the waitress responded.

“Nah, it is fine. Find me someone willing to sell provisions for a guertls. You may leave and bring us our breakfast,” Ionis spoke with a regal tone.

The serving woman just stared at Ionis, the confusion palpable through her torn expression.

“Miss, please inquire with our guests yourself. One of our custormers might be interested but I do not have sway over them,” came the belated response.

But Ionis wasn’t listening anymore. She had once again started moving, this time towards a window that was oriented toward Rising. Not knowing what else to do Liana followed and sat down at the chosen table.

Sighing, Ionis turned away from the window and looked at the coachman.

“Could you do me a favour and wait at the counter for our food,” she asked the driver. He in response only stood back up, just having stat down and went back to the bar.

Seeing that her command had been followed she turned to Liana and instructed her as well.

“I never know how to act in settings like this. Please, see if you can find an upstanding citizen in this building that is willing to sell their guertl provisions.”

With that she plunged her left arm deep into a pocket sewn onto her right hem - a lot deeper than should be possible from the angle of insertion - and pulled out a glowing white twisted band. A band of flow, a nic.

A medium of exchange, worth what her parents earned together in half a year, which she just handed to Liana.

“Do try to not spend it all. A provision for both guertls should cost around thirty to forty el, so this should be plenty to convince someone to sell the food. One provision might even be enough.