Chapter 45: Ways

Dinner was fun. Most of the food was served in a communal style with the tables pushed into rows, platters placed around with minced meat or sautéed mushrooms, tortillas (the flatbreads which Billie had been grilling), grilled fresh veggies and sauces. Occasionally people would order bespoke combinations with cheese or additional sauces drizzled on top, but it seemed more fun to share with the others, and banter about what combinations were really tasty.

The scruffies settled in next to me while I was eating, even though Roy and Jazmine were further away. I assured them that dessert was arranged as we chatted about the games they liked to play on the dream consoles, and what kind of exercises I might be able to do on my own to help reinforce what they had already taught me earlier.

The deserts were as tasty as dinner, small bowls of thick custard with churros, long lines of fried dough with sprinklings of sugar and spices. Against my tongue the flavors and textures felt almost as nice as Ann’s voice, Billie’s hugs, or Millie’s smiles when she wasn’t just trying to sell me something.

After I finished my dessert I checked in with Buckle, and moved his hides from my room to his. I caught him glance my way a few times, and thought he might be about to offer to give me more money or something, or maybe just say something parental or bothersome, but I just helped and made sure things were set for Dominick and their partner before returning down to the couches and hearth.

Friday and I shared some conversation about stories I most wanted to listen to her tell me, what voices I wanted her to use, and information we’d gotten from Wanda about economics before Roy wandered over.

“Thank you for dessert, Monday March. You really didn’t need to do that for us, but it was tasty.” The mustached man told me.

“Wasn’t it? I liked the spice and heat on the churros with how the custard just mellowed it almost immediately, but left that short moment of ‘bite’.”

The moment of confusion at my words faded almost immediately from his face as Roy shook his head. “Anyhow, Bluebird accepted our agreement for The Merits to escort you to the Grindstone. Jordan, the System user merchant that you mentioned earlier, agreed to pay for a Ways pass and come with us. So long as we get there safely, all of us, including you, will get a letter of credit for purchases from her.”

“Fine by me, but is Jazmine really okay with this? She… I don’t know her well, but she seems really… skittish about System users. Or at least traveling and working closely with them.” I was trying to express my impression of her, but was having a challenge selecting the right words.

Roy shrugged and smiled. “We’ve worked with Syssies before, and will again. She’d rather avoid it when possible, but the pay is good, the Ways are pretty safe and she trusts Tok and Muto. Well, she trusts their judgment of character, and that they have her back. So tomorrow morning one of us will tap on your door when we head down to breakfast, in case you are not already down. And while it’s nice, I don’t think this dress would be the best choice for travel.”

Nodding at the man I agreed. “If you want plain, I’ve got the leathers you’ve seen me in. I also have another outfit, but the hoodie is red and might be overly eye-catching.”

“No worry about that, the Ways passes take care of most of those concerns. Just something you are comfortable walking in and roughing it for a bit.”

“What all do the passes do?” I’d been curious, but this seemed like the first opportunity to ask where I didn’t think I’d be derailing a conversation.

“Hmmm? A few things, but they are all tied in with the pathways and travel. The Vaneers made a network of paths that allow for reasonably safe and quick travel. The passes are a bit like keys to use it? Without one you might be able to walk it, but even if you do it won’t be fast, and you will be in sight of any threats. If you have a pass you move like 3 or 4 times faster, and things can’t even detect you for the most part.”

“How will we travel together then?”

“Clever bit of Mana work that, and one of the main ways the Vaneers do good enough business to be so big. Passes can be activated while touching, if so and they share one destination, it bypasses the obscuring effect for the connected passes, and can even be used to locate the other connected passes.”

Friday prompted me to ask a question I hadn’t considered. “What keeps people from just using the obscuring effect for safe spots? And not going to the destination?”

“A pass only stays charged for a certain amount of time, usually as long as it would take to travel at about 4 hours a day. So, with a pass, travel is about 15 kilometers an hour at the slowest, and most people can go faster. If you are going 100 kilometers, it’s going to expire after 2 days. Our passes will last 4 days, but it’s just too expensive for most folks to use just for the obscuring. Better options out there.”

I nodded, and Friday prompted another question. “Roy? Jordan is a merchant, right? Do you know where I might find them?”

Roy had a momentarily quizzical look, but gestured towards one of the tables with diners enjoying the spread. “The woman with the red hair, grey cloak and badge that has crystals inset on it.” I saw the square faced woman he described and nodded.

“Thanks. Was there anything else you wanted to let me know or ask me before the morning?”

Looking slightly uncomfortable Roy took a short glance at my hands and back at my face. “Less rings is fine, but don’t add any for the trip. Don’t need any distractions on the road.”

I really hoped my grey skin, that I was uncomfortable with, was good at disguising blushes; as it only took a few seconds to realize what he was talking about. ‘It isn’t even a blush about wanting to do it, just knowing what he’s saying. Stupid hormones.’ I decided blaming it on my system designated age category was the best choice for my immediate mental health.

“Understood, Roy. Excuse me, I want to introduce myself to our other traveling companion while I have a chance.” I said as the traveling merchant seemed to be relaxing after dining, but hadn’t yet climbed to their feet.

I moved to her and as I drew closer I noticed a single gold band on her left thumb and a silver band on her right pinkie. Her eyes moved and tracked my approach, her gaze exacting and showing a hint of hunger when she met my eyes… Not like a moment I’d seen from Billie the other night, more like Shopkeep Goode when talking about his wares.

“Pardon me, Em. You are Jordan?” Her expression indicated an acknowledgement paired with the slightest bit of curiosity. “I will be one of your traveling companions tomorrow. I wanted to introduce myself as I had the chance… and I wanted to ask a couple questions if you are open to it?”

The woman’s laugh was like a rumble, I felt it in my bones more than my ears. “You're the secret bit that got me a costly escort? Better than not getting back in a timely, and they have a good reputation. While I’ve no thanks for you in yourself, you seem to have provided a fortuitous event for me. Yes, I am Jordan. I might be willing to answer your questions, but I wouldn’t know unless I hear them. Have a seat. You’ve already eaten, and had dessert, correct?” She extended her hand in greeting and I took it, lightly squeezing her hand and feeling her own strong grip. “I’m not having more food, but I’ve a beverage coming. Sit and talk here?”

I nodded and placed myself in an adjacent seat. “I’m certain we will have the chance to talk plenty tomorrow, and on the road, but I felt it might be worth introducing myself now and learning what kind of trade you do.” Following Friday’s suggestion, I decided to fess up. “Because, I’ve a friend who recently got to town with tanned hides from local creatures. If they are of any interest to you, it might be worth talking with him before you leave in the morning.”

Her fingers were solid and tapped the wood on the table as she looked at me, into me. “Tanner’s your friend, huh? Good wares?”

I shrugged. “I’m not a tanner, but one of the guards said that he was beneficial to God’s Bath. I expect his goods are decent enough. Just because we are leaving tomorrow doesn’t seem like a good reason to leave profit behind.” I glanced around and noticed that Dominick wasn’t at the table where I’d seen him earlier. Bernie delivered a small glass to Jordan with a slight nod and a whisper of ‘Em’ lingering in the air as he turned back to the kitchen.

“I’d look at his goods, but I really don’t have much capacity for something bulky like hides. Well, if there is something small and high quality, perhaps.” Jordan took a sip of her drink and smiled at the small glass before looking back at me.

I chuckled thinking about her words. “Certainly up to you, but if you just need a porter, that isn’t much of an issue.”