“Mm. A good day to travel.”

Contrary to my peaceful contemplation of the gloomy sky, the house is a scene of controlled chaos. The bulk of the supplies have been loaded. Everything being added now are last minute requests.

There’s also the hassle of harnessing and keeping control of the many beasts needed to pull the wagons. Cloud has it well under control with assistance from Anna and Kierra, but they are still making quite a racket.

Earl and Gajin are checking the wagons are secure. The succubi are “cleaning house”, even though the house is always spotless. The air is full of movement and excitement.

“Lou.”

I turn at Alana’s call. Her face is set in a stern mask, speaking to her nerves. My wife, pending, is not eager to return to her home. Less eager to see her father. I’m convinced it won’t be a happy reunion.

How unhappy it is depends on the good Duke James. For his sake, I hope his heart suddenly swells with fatherly love and he reconciles with his daughter because there is no question whose side I will be on and how far I will go for her.

“Ready to go?”

“Mm. So are the others. It’s time to get moving.”

“Alright.”

I follow her through the house and out the front door, smiling wistfully as I close it behind us. I haven’t spent much time here yet but it holds many of my fondest memories. “I’m going to miss this place,” I mumble but it’s loud enough Alana hears me.

“You’ll be back in a few months.”

“Maybe.” Who knows what fate has in store.

“Stop it. That’s inviting bad luck.”

“Unexpected doesn’t necessarily mean bad. Anyway, let’s get going.” I hold out a hand. Alana ignores me, stomping past me toward our carriage.

Cloud and Kierra are there, my wife leaning against the carriage while the tamer whispers to the horses. Earl and Anna wait by the side, my youngest servant looking distinctively unhappy. I move to ruffle her hair but pause when something under my hand squeaks. A flockett jumps out, catching the shoulder of her jacket and hiding at the base of her neck.

“Hey, why the long face?”

Anna pouts. “Lady Lou…are you leaving us?”

Gah. Those eyes. “Just for a while.”

The little girl’s pout deepens. “Can’t we come?”

“Anna, don’t bother the lady,” her brother scolds her gently. “We have a duty here.”

“Your brother is right.” I crouch down and meet her eyes. “The two of you have to watch the house while we’re gone. And you have to look after your friends.” I eye the flockett cowering against her collar. “They won’t do good in the cold. I know you want to help me but I need you to protect the rest of the family.”

“Family…” Anna slowly nods her head. She wipes eyes with her sleeve before looking up with determination. “Watch the house.”

Aw. I can’t resist the urge to pick her up under her shoulders, the way I’ve seen some parents do for their children, chuckling at her wide eyes. “How about this? I’ll bring you a souvenir from the north. Would you like that?”

“Souu…”

“A gift. Is there anything you’d like?”

Her eyes sparkle. “Bones!”

Eh?

“There is no need to make that face, honored sister.” I turn to Cloud as she approaches, dressed in the same sleeveless black shirt and brown skirt she usually wears.

Hm. I think I can see a faint amount of hair, or I suppose it would be fur, peeking above the neckline. Sigh. Really hope she doesn’t take this whole transformation too far. Though if I say that aloud, I’d get reprimanded for sticking my opinions where they’re not wanted.

I may not have any say about what she does with her body, and that’s fine, but no one can fault me for being disappointed.

“The flocketts of your household seem to have a liking for bones. She is asking you to bring back treats.”

“Ah.” Here I thought the girl had picked up strange tastes from my wife. “Bones it is.” I set Anna down and ruffle her hair. “Look forward to it.”

“Mm!”

“And you?” The stoic older brother jumps a little as I turn to him. Did he think I would leave him out? He is mature beyond his years and very dependable, but he’s still a kid. He’s looks after my house but I still feel responsible for him. Besides, I don’t think he’s ever gotten a gift from the look he’s giving me.

“Me, my lady?”

“Yes, you. There’s got to be something you want.”

“I’m wholly content with my life.”

This boy. “This is an order. Tell me something that would make you happy.”

His features scrunch up as he struggles to unearth his selfishness because of my order. “If you insist…”

“I do. It would be unseemly to force me to repeat an order.”

His shoulders sag. “Then…I suppose I would ask for decorations for our room.”

“Eh? Is your pay not enough for a few paintings?”

The boy blushes. Huh. Didn’t think he was still capable of that. “Our pay is more than acceptable. The problem is that I have no confidence in my taste. I would be very grateful if my lady could assist us.”

“Ah, well. If that’s what you want.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

“My summoner.” Geneva walks up to us with Bell in her arms. “Everything is prepared.”

“It is time,” Kierra adds. Alana doesn’t join in on the comments, opening the door to the carriage and climbing inside. Not one for sentimentality, my future saint. At least, not in public when she’s sober.

“I’ll be off.”

“Good luck, my lady. May you crush your enemies and come back heavy with riches.”

“Luck!”

I flash the kids one more smile before following Kierra into the carriage. On to glory.

-

Before glory, there is the tedium that is travel. Our first stop of the day is the Grand Market. My caravan of sixteen wagons garners quite the attention as we settle in open area next to the lifts where several carriages are parked. More than usual and the reason why loiters around them, acolytes dressed in colorful robes and uniform armor.

I know they’re the group I’m looking for as I spot Mr. Talented amongst them while stepping off the carriage. Alana follows but Kierra stretches out on the bench. “Not coming?” I ask.

“Mm. Best not if we want to leave without issue.” She waves for us to leave.

I shrug and close the door. As I’ve spotted him, Mr. Legend has also noticed us. He breaks away from a conversation he’s having and walks toward us with another man in tow.

Another acolyte, from the silver robe he wears over his clothes. He has a friendly if completely ordinary face, smiling easily as he approaches us. At a nudge from Alana, I mirror the expression as best as I can despite my dread of the coming conversation.

“Greetings, you must be Lady Lourianne Tome.” The man holds out a hand. “Willowmere’s the name. Most people call me Will. Fifth-year acolyte specializing in messenger magic. I’ll be guiding the acolytes attending the campaign past the Bleak Peaks.”

I take the offered hand, using the opportunity to examine him more closely. His dark hair, dark eyes, and fair complexion are common near the capital but there’s a barely detectable drawl that says he didn’t grow up there. Likely from one of the surrounding villages.

Is he one of those? A young talent meant to be the hope of his village? His parents and neighbors all contributing to his education in hopes he will pay back his debt of gratitude ten times over?

“Good to meet you. This is Alana James.”

“I’ve heard of you. The foundation instructors were all disappointed not to be guiding you next year.”

He extends his hand to her and she gives it a firm shake. “I appreciate the interest but I already have plans for my future.”

“Haha, that so? One of the great things about the Hall, that there. Everyone has their own path. Now.” He claps his hands and I fight the urge to frown. I remember my tutors doing the same thing when I was young. Is he treating me like a child? No, no. I shouldn’t hold a common enough gesture against him on our first meeting. I’m not that petty.

“Quin has already told me that you plan to do your own thing. While I’m not happy about it, I have no right to stand in your way. I hope you won’t hold it against me if I try to change your mind on the long road to the north, haha.”

My lips twitch with the urge to return the smile. I think I understand why he’s in charge. He certainly doesn’t look strong, with his trim build and weak chin, and I doubt someone who specializes in passing messages through magic is going to decimate the monsters past the Bleak Peaks.

What he does have is a good nature. It practically oozes off him. I stepped off the carriage with the intention of hating him but a few words and I already will admit he doesn’t seem that bad. Maybe even likeable.

“In the meantime, feel free to ask me or any of the others anything. This will be my third campaign since coming to the Hall. It’s a lot of money in a short amount of time. Dangerous, very dangerous, but a good option for people to make enough for another year’s tuition. There’s no way to truly prepare for the Peaks but I can tell you stories, give you an idea what you’re riding into.”

“I may take you up on that offer.”

“Great! So, a few of the instructors are going to speak to us in a few minutes. Afterwards, there’ll be a last call for anyone to grab anything they’ve forgotten. We should be on our way in two hours at most.”

I grimace. Saints, I knew traveling with these people would slow me down but I can’t believe it’s already happened on the first day. Ugh.

Before I can climb back into the carriage, Alana catches my arm. When I raise a brow, she mumbles, “I spotted Sir Polluck earlier.”

I’m not the only one who hears her. “You know Sir Polluck?” Will asks happily. “A remarkable man. He’s from one of Victory’s most famous orders, as I’m sure you know, Lady James. He’ll be traveling with us. With luck, he’ll also be joining the campaign. I’d feel relieved to have a man of his caliber with us but we’re lucky enough that he’s chosen to address us.”

Hm. “Alright.” I shake free of Alana’s grip and grab her arm instead, pulling her toward the driver’s bench of our carriage. I put myself between her and Cloud, who is reclining with her eyes closed, chewing a stalk of grass.

Let’s see what the man chosen by Alana’s father has to say.