“Lady Tome…give me a break.”

It’s the fifth night after setting off from Quest. Once again, we’ve made camp. Cloud is still settling the beasts but Alana is beside me as Geneva prepares dinner. Rolly is off by the wagons, amusing herself by conjuring illusions of colorful birds, likely having some connection to whatever story she plans to tell tonight.

A peaceful scene ruined by the presence of Will, the commander of the acolytes, flanked by Mr. Talented and someone I don’t know. I don’t want to know him. From the sneer on his face, he clearly doesn’t have good intentions.

“I don’t see what the problem is,” I huff, holding out my mug for Alana to refill from the bottle of Herbanacle we’re sharing. “As we’re not doing any harm, I don’t know why you all are taking offense to my group’s actions.”

“Not doing any harm!” the stranger shouts. “You’ve been playing music and throwing around lights well into the night! The men can’t sleep and you’re practically begging something to attack us!”

“Has there been any attacks?” I ask dryly, already knowing the answer. If there was something brave or strong enough to challenge a group this large, Kierra would have been all over it before it even got in sight of the acolytes.

“No, but—"

“No attacks, good. Then it would seem we aren’t putting you in danger. As for the lights and music, I know none of you can hear it.” I made sure to tell Rolly to keep the sound contained to our wagons. “The lights aren’t a problem if you’re in your tents or bedrolls.”

I grin at his grit teeth. “Be honest. You’re really here because the others want me to share, am I right?”

I may have Rolly keeping the noise contained but it’s obvious that there’s a party going on just a few steps away. Besides that, there are also attractive women and delicious smelling food. More than once, an acolyte has tried to beg and barter their way into my camp but they’ve been unilaterally refused. Even the one lady that tried, flashing a poor attempt at a seductive smile.

Really, how bad is my reputation in the Hall that they thought anyone with breasts would be enough to sway me?

Will sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. “Then you do understand. I don’t fault you for refusing to share. We all had the opportunity to prepare whatever we wanted for the journey, including items of leisure. However, please see it from my perspective. It’s rather demoralizing for the others to eat dry rations and sleep on the hard ground next to…” He makes vague gestures at our camp and carriage.

“I understand, Will, I do. Now see it from my perspective. Who would willing suffer just to make a bunch of strangers feel better?”

“Strangers? Those are your future comrades,” the stranger snarls. “A march like this is already hard but it becomes ten times more difficult when we’re forced to endure the hardships of travel while watching you flaunt your wealth. You could easily keep it contained to your camp but you literally plaster it over the sky. Is it no wonder that the men feel resentful?”

“Sounds like you’re blaming me for their lack of discipline. Common soldiers march alongside noble commanders all the time. Do their commanders eating better food and riding on carriages give them the right to revolt? Pretty sure they’d be detained for insubordination.”

I shrug. “Really, why are you three here? To tell me to stop having such a good time? To force me to share my hard-earned and valuable resources with everyone else because they really, really want them? Does this not sound ridiculous to anyone else beside me?”

“We’re not asking for you to give up your resources,” Mr. Talented says slowly. “We’re asking you to show a little consideration. As the Squires showed you when inviting you to travel with us.”

“Yeah,” the stranger echoes. “Quit being selfish. You can do whatever you want, just don’t throw it in everyone’s faces. If not showing off is too hard for you, then you can travel on your own. It’s not like the Squires are eager to defend you.”

I consider it. There’s been no sign of the hunters and these people are turning out to be a pain. We could cover much more distance if we broke away. Hm.

“Calm down, George,” Will snaps. “Our invitation to Lady Tome was not an act of charity.” He glares at the taller man. “We are not the lady’s shields, but deterrents. Both for her sake and the sake of the hunters that might be tempted to attack her thinking her an easy target while traveling.”

Despite being smaller, Will wins the contest of wills. George turns his gaze with scoff, crossing his arms. What are you, a child?

“However, Lady Tome, I don’t think a little consideration is asking for too much. Particularly because I don’t believe we are asking you to invest much effort.” His dark eyes are wide and honest as he faces me. “You may have the strength to forge your own path but do you really want to do so alone?”

I stare at him as I mull over his words. Alone? I wouldn’t be alone. I would have Kii, Alana, and my elementals. My servants and even my family. As a noble, I know the value in cultivating allies. But as someone with the potential to live a very long time and with sights that extend beyond the Harvest kingdom, I don’t have to scramble for every scrap of influence I can get my hands on.

These acolytes I have angered, what does their goodwill amount to? In the Bleak Peaks, I wouldn’t entrust my safety to them. I could shower them in gold but that wouldn’t make them anymore likely to risk their lives for me.

Beyond that? There is the slightest chance that, in a couple dozen years, they’ll all be masters. However, in a couple dozen years, I can’t imagine how powerful my house will be. Saints, I bet my gardener will have more power and influence than all of them put together.

So, really, what am I giving up by telling them to fuck off?

Before I can open my mouth to give a response, perhaps sensing what I’m going to say, a hand covers my lips. Alana gives me a look that makes my teeth click shut as she stands from the stone bench and faces our complaining traveling companions.

“Lou has a point that these complaints are a sign of poor discipline amongst your ranks. It’s beyond sad that they are whining to their leaders about their jealousies.” She raises a hand to stop the retort from the red-faced, uh, George, who’s been looking for a fight from the start.

“However, it is also our fault to contributing to that lack of discipline. The biggest complaint is the light show, right? Fine. No more shows in the sky. However, we won’t be doing anything about the smell of dinner. That is a useless expense of power and it would never fly in the army or an order. Tell them to get over it or cook their own dinner if they can’t stomach dry rations.”

“That’s…fair,” Will says. I think he’s happy to get anything at all.

“Thank you, Alana,” Mr. Talented says with a soft smile. What is that expression? Why are you acting like she did you a personal favor? Bastard’s taking her kindness as favor.

The third one stays silent.

“We won’t take up any more of your time. Goodnight, ladies.” Will motions for the others to follow as he walks off, heading for their own camp.

I wait until they are definitely out of hearing range before turning to her. “What was th—mmph?”

She cuts me off in the most effective way. That is, pressing our lips together. Continuing my indignant response means ending the kiss, which I’m completely unwilling to do.

She does so after several minutes, red-faced and slightly panting. She slides down the bench a little before picking up her mug and taking a long drink. “They just asked us to turn down the lights,” she says when she finishes the drink. “Relax.”

“That’s not the point,” I mutter around the rim of my own mug. We’re being told to not have such a good time. How is that reasonable? If they’re going to make ridiculous requests like that, I have no obligation to listen.

“They think they’re marching to their deaths. That’s a lot of fear and anger with nowhere to go for three long weeks. You’re a convenient target.” She shakes her head. “Just think of it as doing it for me.”

I throw up my hands, some of the Herbanacle sloshing over the side of my cup. “Then what are we supposed to do for the rest of the journey? I like watching Rolly’s performances.”

She averts her gaze. “We can think of something…”

Why is she looking like…oh.

Ooooh.

Heh. Maybe there’s something to this consideration thing.