Normally, reaching Fort Victory from Quest would take about two weeks with simple horses. With the amount of “luggage” we’re taking with us, that would have been extended to three but, thanks to Cloud sourcing horse-like manabeasts that are so big they look like they eat one of their non-magical counterparts for every meal and the general hardiness of my household, we could have shaved the time down to a week and a half, maybe less.

Traveling with the Squiddies, with their average beasts of burden and much less stamina, means we have added time to our schedule instead. They only have three wagons, loaded with their supplies. The poor acolytes are walking beside them, forcing those of us who are riding in carriages to keep pace with their slow march.

Combined with rest breaks, meal breaks, and their need to stop at sunset to make camp, it feels like we’ve barely gone anywhere. Saints, I can still see Quest in the distance if I lower my magnifying ‘film’.

“What’s up with that look?” Alana asks, clearly amused as we sit on a stone bench created by Bell. In front of us, Geneva is arranging ingredients for dinner. “It’s only the first night. We’ve got a long way to go.”

“Don’t remind me,” I grumble. “I’m considering just sleeping through this nonsense.”

“You can’t. What if something happens?”

“Who or what is going to attack our group? We’ve got four master casters, there’s nothing here that can challenge us.”

“Four?”

“My wife, my elementals, and the great Sir Plucky.”

“…you’re definitely doing that on purpose. His name’s not even that hard to remember.” She shakes her head. “How are your elementals master casters? Thralls have coefficients around three hundred, right? And imps are weaker.”

I look at her, brows furrowed. Didn’t I tell her about them?

[No~]

Huh. “I know I’ve told you all succubi have the mental and physical affinities.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Well, that means they are all capable of shapeshifting. While they have recognizable forms, there’s nothing stopping a weaker succubus posing as a stronger one. Or, say, a very strong succubus posing as a weaker one.”

Alana stares at me. Then she turns to stare at Geneva, who is cheerfully adding ingredients to a pot. “…how strong is the thing cooking us dinner?”

“Four affinities, a coefficient of a thousand.”

Silence. Heavy silence. After a few moments, she nods her head stiffly. “And Bell?”

“Three, coefficient something around six hundred or so. She was originally contracted to the previous head of the Grimoire family and controlled all the succubi in the family.”

The future saint rubs her forehead. “Honestly, at this point, there’s nothing you can say that will surprise me. Wait, why are they serving you? What did you have to give…saints, creatures stronger than master casters?”

“Succubi feed on mana. The rarer the affinity, the more they want it.”

Her eyes widen with understanding. “And you…” She stops, giving our surroundings a suspicious look. “That explains it.”

I look over my shoulder at the sound of footsteps. Cloud flashes a smile with teeth that are too big to go unnoticed as she takes a seat beside me. “The brethren have been settled for the night.”

“Thanks for your hard work. Did you have to put a pen around them?” That would have been a pain. I’ll have to do something nice for her after this is over.

“They would not appreciate being caged. Our wagons contain their feed. They will stick close. Better, they will alert us if any approach.”

“Convenient.”

She chuckles. “Before settling in the Sanctuary, the Temple was nomadic. We are experts in long journeys.” She closes her eyes and sniffs the air. “I always enjoy a chance to travel but your thrall’s cooking makes the journey especially enjoyable.”

“If a little food is all you want, I’m still getting a deal.”

“That’s not all I want.”

I grin at the look she gives me but the moment is ruined by the soft pressure of Alana driving her elbow into my side. I lean toward her, lowering my voice. “No?”

She doesn’t say anything, face conflicted.

“Do not worry, sister.” Cloud flashes a cocky smirk. “I’m sure I can convince your mate to share you.”

Alana scoffs but her disapproval is superficial. We’ve already talked about it and her dislike of Cloud stemmed from seeing the tamer as competition. Now that our relationship has been settled, she has no reason to be jealous. I’m sure they’ll get along better now, once she breaks the habit of quarreling with her.

“Oh? What this?” A small ball of light appears over us, zipping around our heads in a small circle. “A new character in the story? Hoho, interesting. I see…a bit of the cute mascot, a bit of the best friend, and a bit of the rival in love.”

“I never know what you’re talking about,” I tell Rolly as the lueorale shows herself, dropping onto Alana’s shoulder. Seeing Cloud’s heavy stare, I clear my throat and make introductions. “Cloud, my new companion, R-oh, actually, I think she may appreciate the full version.”

“Rolling Hills Beneath a Sky of Dreams That Rains Water of the Heart,” the small creature pronounces grandly.

“A beautiful name,” Cloud says. From her tone and expression, I know she is not being polite and means the compliment. “I am Cloudy Blood Moon.”

“Hm. A small name but you are at the beginning of your story.”

“Yes.”

“Rolly is going to teach Alana how to wield her light affinity,” I add.

“And dazzle crowds!”

“Like I’ve been saying, I don’t need to dazzle them.”

“Of course you do! Perception is half the battle.”

“Wha…”

“Interesting. I have no doubt you will become as fearsome as the saints the men of the kingdom worship.”

“Hah! Give me a few years and they’ll be singing songs about Alana the Brilliant in every corner of this kingdom!”

“Saints, no. Anything but that.”

“The Shining Knight?” Rolly offers.

“Burning Justice?” I snicker taking a page out of Kierra’s book.

“The Beast of the North?” Cloud offers with a wide smile.

Alana makes several rude gestures with her hands in answer, getting to her feet and walking off to us calling out more titles. She soon returns when Geneva announces that the food is ready, enduring our continued teasing in exchange for the delicious meal.

Kierra ends her vigil of the caravan to join us. I told her she didn’t have to do it, Bell being more than enough to keep an eye on the wagons, but she insisted. I think she wants to be the first to pounce on the fool stupid enough to attack us so she spends idle time slinking between the shadows of the wagons, like a cat waiting in tall blades of grass.

After serving the food, Geneva pours several mugs of Herbanacle, of which I have copious amounts of after buying out Howie’s supply of booze. Rolly adds to the merry mood by playing music, something light and fast that wouldn’t be out of place at a festival. Several colorful lights that float around our camp complete the picture of a party.

While the acolytes around us grapple with their anxiety after committing themselves to fighting what seems to be an unwinnable war, my household spends the first day laughing through the night.