Tanisha and Aurelius arrived at Bjorn's paddock. They were apprised to find that many of the dwarves they met in the town were all there to give them a farewell party. Ironbrow, Rubyhearth and Jadeleaf were the ones she knew the most. They didn't say anything about the impromptu party but if there was one thing Tanisha understood about the Dwarves it was that they didn't need a reason to drink.
"We wanted to keep it small so you all would be able to leave today." Ironbrow said as he handed Tanisha a tanker of ale. "Half the town wanted to come and say goodbye after ya'll saved our asses."
Rubyhearth took the tankered and gave her a more manageable amount.
"She is going to be driving Ironbrow, she doesn't need all of that," Rubyhearth with a sigh. "We really did have to work hard to stop this from a festival."
"Well, I do appreciate that," Aurelius said. "Not that we don't enjoy the hospitality."
"Ah, yeah it is such a shame to be losin' ya'll," Ironbrow said. "Mages are uncommon around these parts, especially ones that can reach the high shelves without a ladder."
The sounds of someone a little too drunk this early in the morning caught Tanisha's attention.
"Bjorn, Anasuya, please be sure to write." Jadeleaf slurred as she clung onto Bjorn's leg. "I know ya all don't have hands but Tanisha can write for ya. It's goin' ta be so borin' here without ya."
Tanisha took a swig of the drink she was given. It was sweet and unlike most alcohols she had it that just tasted like fermented plant-stuff. This was more like sugar and honey but spiced and it burned to drink. It wasn't a bad burn. It was kind of soothing in fact. She was spending so much time examining the drink that she realized she had zoned out of the conversation.
"...that's not too far from Highall but it will take you out of the way," Ironbrow said to Aurelius.
"It should be worth it." Aurelius said. "We need to rearm and armor ourselves and we might as well do it with some of the best blacksmith we can find on the way to the border."
A sturdy white haired dwarf walked over. He cleared his throat to get their attention.
"Take this token when ya meet with them," Blackforge said. "The forge master out there is my nephew. Better as forging arms then us out here. Recommend ya let Bjorn sell his flames out there as well. My nephew is a business man to the core he'll sniff out a possible profit."
Anasuya flew over and landed next to Tanisha. She lifted the small dragonoid and realized she was heavier too. Ever since she ate the rift, they were still confused about how that happened, she had been growing faster. She was still dog sized but much more solid.
"We need to get you a new bow too sweetie," Tanisha cooed.
Anasuya hissed excitedly but likely not because she understood. Bjorn had already explained that she was still learning the language. She would likely not be able to speak it until she was older and could mimic vocalizations with her maya. It didn't matter now however, the adorable little spiky ball of sunshine was just excited to be lifted up.
"If we find another Rift we should work to close it." Bjorn said as he joined the semicircle. "We can stop monsters from invading through them."
"And we might get more of the things we lost." Aurelius said.
Flintbeard let out a low whistle. "Still can't believe ya all survived goin' through one of those things. Most folk don't even survive lookin' at one too long."
"There's an order here for a Ms. Tanisha Scalebound!" a voice called from outside the paddock.
Tanisha's eyes lit up instantly. "Oh good, it's here," she said.
Aurelius glanced at her. "What's here?"
"The wagon I told you about," Tanisha said, barely containing her excitement.
"It's a nice one too," Rubyhearth said.
Aurelius narrowed his eyes. "You've seen it?"
"Sure have," Rubyhearth said proudly. "Helped her pick it out."
Parked in front of the entrance to the animal stables was a large wagon. Sturdy frame, wide body, and fully enclosed. The craftsmanship was immaculate and nothing short of what was expected of dwarven craftsmen. Thick wooden planks formed the body, each reinforced with dark iron bands. The frame bowed slightly inward, giving it strength without sacrificing balance, while the ribbed supports held a stretched leather cover taut against the structure.
The wheels were shorter than most, but broader, built to carry weight rather than chase speed. Everything about it suggested durability first, comfort second, and aesthetics only where it served both. The entire wagon looked like it was designed for whenever the road would fight back.
Their dwarven companions were already ogling it from every angle.
"What is that," Aurelius asked.
"It is our wagon," Tanisha said, pointing at it with both hands, fingers wiggling in triumph. "Tada."
"The wagon is impressive, Tani," Aurelius said slowly. "But I meant the animals pulling it."
"They are called ox panthers aren't they adorable!" Tanisha said. "Come on look-look."
Tanisha took his hand and pulled him around to the front of the wagon. They approached slowly and Tanisha held her hand out. The pair stood hitched in tandem, broad shoulders filling the yokes like they were built and bred for this very wagon, in a way they were. They were definitely not horses, they were heavy set, shorter but no less powerful. They were what happened when big cats were bred for hauling instead of predation.
"I already named them," Tanisha said proudly, resting her hand against the first. "This is Smjor. He's a big softy, yes he is."
Smjor's coat was a deep black. He did not react much to the touch, but a low rumble built in his chest, a purr so deep it felt more like distant thunder than sound. His neck was thick as a barrel, muscles layered beneath his fur like coiled rope. When he leaned slightly into her hand, it was with the casual confidence of something that knew its own strength and had no need to prove it.
Aurelius let the creature sniff his hand. Smjor regarded him with half-lidded eyes, uninterested in anything beyond acknowledgment.
"And this is Duna," Tanisha said, moving to the other.
Duna's coat was a shade lighter, more charcoal than black, but it was not softness that defined her. Where Smjor was mass, Duna was tension held in perfect control. Her frame was just as powerful, but tighter, more refined, every line of her body suggesting readiness rather than rest. Her eyes were sharp, alert in a way that made it clear she was not simply observing them. She was assessing them. Tanisha liked that about her.
Tanisha reached out and stroked her without hesitation. Duna allowed it, though her gaze never dulled. Aurelius hesitated for a moment longer this time, but once his hand met her fur, that tension eased just enough for him to continue.
"They're… not what I expected," he admitted.
"They're perfect," Tanisha said immediately.
The cats were content and Tanisha was more than excited to get going with their brand new fluffy and adorable companions. While she was definitely more a reptile girl, she couldn't help but see the cuteness and having two large cats as part of the journey.
"What do the names mean?" Aurelius questioned.
Tanisha blinked at him, then tilted her head. "That is what you are going to ask? I thought I was going to be in trouble for buying a whole wagon."
Aurelius folded his arms. "I am getting there. Answer the question."
Tanisha grinned. "Duna means something like soft-fur, and Smjor means butter."
"Wait, really?" Aurelius stared at her.
"Yep," she said proudly. "And Bjorn means bear."
"So Bjorn is a hydra named Bear?" Aurelius asked cautiously.
"No," Tanisha said immediately. "He is a hydra named Bjorn."
"That is the same thing." Aurelius said.
"It is not, it is his name, not a description." Tanisha said.
Aurelius opened his mouth to argue, paused, then shook his head as if deciding it was not worth the effort.
"And Anasuya?" Aurelius asked cautiously.
Tanisha shrugged. "No idea. Bjorn named her. I think. When we go back inside we can ask him."
Tanisha pulled him along so he would finally see the inside. She led him into the wagon from the rear where steps had been pulled down. Several of the dwarves were already inside looking around at the spacious interior. Several mana lamps hung from the metal ribs above them lighting the space in a slight blue glow.
The inside was large enough for any supplies they needed along with one increasingly larger hydra and his daughter. Tanisha was sure that she got one with enough space for a work station, the two beds and supplies for both herself and Aurelius. There was even a privacy curtain, mainly for Aurelius, since he was so self-conscious about his body for some elf reason no doubt.
"She is a beautiful one," Ironbrow said, running a hand along one of the supports. "Reminds me of my travelin' days."
Tanisha beamed. "Rubyhearth really helped pick out the best one for us."
"There would be a lot more space if you just went with one bed," Rubyhearth said flatly.
Aurelius immediately let go of Tanisha's hand and stepped further inside, as if inspecting the wagon required distance from that statement.
"We are good with two," he said.
"Yeah, yeah," Rubyhearth waved him off, clearly unconvinced.
Tanisha clasped her hands behind her back, rocking slightly on her heels.
"Once we load up supplies, we are ready to go." Tanisha said.
Aurelius glanced around once more, then back toward the entrance. "You know we could run faster than this thing."
"Yes," Tanisha said, crossing her arms. "And we would also have to stop at every town for food, water, and sleep."
"We could manage," Aurelius countered.
"We don't have dimensional storage aside from your one ring," she countered. "And I still have not figured out maya storage. With this, we can carry everything we need and keep going. No stopping unless we want to."
"Fair." Aurelius nodded slightly.
"And," she added, just a little more quietly, "we will not be exhausted if we run into monsters."
"And if we don't take it you wouldn't have a bed." Aurelius pointed out.
Tanisha looked away immediately, her expression shifting into something far more neutral than it had any right to be.
"I don't see what that has to do with anything." Tanisha said deadpan. "We could sleep on solid hard rock ground just fine."
"Right," Aurelius said with a knowing sigh. "Lets go get stocked up and you are going to have to teach me how to drive a wagon pulled by ox panthers."
"Oh, that part is easy. I think." Tanisha said confidently.
Aurelius stopped mid-step. "You think?"
"I have never driven one either," Tanisha said.
"What?" Aurelius said.
"Relax, she is kiddin', I've been teachin' her all week," Rubyhearth said.