Chapter 106 - The First Day of Summer

"Ok, sweetness, are you sure we've got everything? We're going to be gone for most of the summer, and I don't want us to forget something important, or we are going to regret it." Eira said, cinching her bag closed.

I gave the room a quick once-over. No leftover food or dirty clothes. Travel weapons at my side, a dagger and a short sword, along with a few potions and half of our paired communication crystal. I had my breastplate and some bracers in a bag, along with other outfits and necessities.

Ice Moon and the other magic items I had picked up in my first year at Dungeon School were secured at the school, since I wasn't allowed to bring magical weapons or armor that were obtained in dungeons on journeys that weren't school-sanctioned. Not until I graduated, at least. It was a weird legal thing that classes hadn't gone super in-depth with, but I wasn't going to risk my vacation on the hope I figured out a weird loophole.

As I ran down my list, I panicked for a half second about not packing a swimsuit, when the back of my brain reminded me that we were going to pick those up in Hastera. Eira was really excited about that, and it was rubbing off on me.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's it. We said our goodbyes to Sasa, Lele, and Manya. Everyone in my party has left or is going to leave soon, so that wraps up all the social obligations. I'd say we're ready to go!" I said with a confident nod of my head, hands on my hips, looking and feeling rather pleased with myself.

I made extra sure to let the two harpies that were our neighbors know that we would be on a trip, and explaining what a vacation meant was trickier than I thought, but I think I got the idea across. At the very least, they wouldn't think we just randomly disappeared.

Manya definitely understood our need to get away for a little while and promised she'd make sure no one messed with our room. She even packed us travel rations, which, despite not being nearly as good as her fresh meals, would be a far sight better than the rations you usually find available for travelers.

"Everything checks out on my end, too." She turned to look at me, eyes bright and excited. She also gave me a quick once-over, checking out my new travel outfit.

I had taken a small bit of the money we earned from our recent debacle of an adventure and used it to actually get some new clothes, instead of wearing my usual attire of a white blouse and blue skirt over which I usually tossed my armor. It looked good, but to be honest, I needed a change. Not to mention issues with protection, but that was a problem for another day. Adventurers needed to balance style and function to, essentially, advertise themselves.

But that was far from my concerns today. Today was all about vacation.

And for vacation, I picked a very loose sleeveless tunic-style top that came down to my hips, showing off a bit more décolletage than my usual fashion, white because I'm decidedly unoriginal sometimes, and some nice trousers in a nice blue, because like I said, I'm unoriginal. As much as I loved showing off my legs, sometimes it was nice not to worry about the wind showing off too much.

Before I started my little romantic entanglement with Eira, I really didn't care as long as people didn't get handsy, but now, well, I kind of wanted to keep those parts of me a bit on the exclusive side. It was probably silly, but that's how I felt.

Topping off the entire ensemble were some nice study boots. I wanted to look cute, but practical everywhere that mattered to me. Didn't get too warm, I could move easily, and if I needed to, I could wear my breastplate over top. I prayed to all gods above, below, sideways, and crossways that I didn't need to use them.

I needed a break from death and danger something fierce, and I'd kill to get it.

"Goodness gracious, Alta, you look amazing in that. Trousers highlight your rear end quite nicely." She winked with a playful smirk. I took a look at her while I waited for my brain to stop blanking out. She was dressed similarly to me, but she wore black trousers and a matching vest over her blouse. The blouse was also lower cut than she normally wore, and I was having trouble not staring.

Gods above, I am no better than a man sometimes.

"No seducing me! I just finished packing, and I do not want to have to get dressed again! Besides, we have a caravan to catch, and I will not have us be late!" I insisted, despite blushing at her flirting.

She pouted cutely before flouncing over and embracing me. Eira was a full head taller than me, and well muscled besides, so she practically enveloped me in her arms. Which was more than fine by me.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Thank you for agreeing to this, Alta. We really need to get away, and this will be a good way to do it. You need to get away from the bustle of Revenstahd, away from dungeons, away from a million and a half conspiracies, and as far from all the drama we've been dealing with as we can get." She sighed as she started to pet my head.

"Yeah. I'm so tired from just...all of it, really. Classes, conspiracies, stuff like that. Even though my party mates are great people, I need a break from them. And I feel like I haven't smelled fresh air since the trip up that damn mountain during winter." I scrunched up my nose. Revenstahd had a smell to it, one that was hard to describe. Oily, smoky, and something else. One gets used to it.

I hated that I was used to it.

"You'll love the resort we're going to! It's off the coast, right where the waters of the Godsea and the Swordwind Sea meet. Fresh air, clear water, just trees, sand, sun, and drinks that'll knock you on your arse!" She giggled and beamed at me as she let me go from the embrace.

"And I'm looking forward to meeting your family. You've never really told me much about them, and I'm kind of curious! I mean, you've met my family, much to my infinite regret." I grimaced as I remembered Cassandra's wedding, and seeing my traitorous parents marched off in irons.

Eira's face still smiled, but I could see something in the corner of her eyes that seemed strained.

"Yeah, it'll-- It'll be great. You'll get to see my siblings. Maybe my parents, if they're not too busy. I wouldn't count on that, though. Summer time is a busy time for them." She said, picking up her bags.

"What do they do again?" I asked, picking up mine and making for the door.

"Oh uh. Transport stuff. Shipping-related things. I uh I forget exactly what. It's not important. Anyway! Let's get going, we want to get a good seat on the caravan!" She opened the door for me and ushered me out quickly.

Something was raising a red flag in my brain, but I decided to chalk it up to some kind of family-related drama that she didn't want to talk about, and I would leave it at that. I understand that all too well.

We waved goodbye to Manya, who was hard at work feeding customers, and we made our leave. I took one last look at our new home, and in a way, I already missed it.

I shook the feeling from my mind as Eira grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

We soon came to the eastern gate of Revenstahd, where someone was checking off names and taking tickets. Eira had handled all of that, as I had no idea how the caravans out of Revenstahd worked. Going in was a slightly different story, as I had just hitched a ride with one of the many caravans leaving Burgotova.

Caravan companies were a lot like Dungeoneer Companies. Similar in function, but the rules and regulations varied quite a bit. Eira said she was experienced in dealing with them, so I happily let her handle it.

There was a pretty solid mix of people gathered around: elves, humans, dwarves, drakekin, kobolds, everything really. A little bit of every part of the Mortal Kingdoms was represented. I didn't really see anyone familiar. Well, not that I knew well anyway. Spend enough time anywhere, and some faces become familiar to you, I suppose.

"Ok, we've got our tickets verified, and we're good to board the caravan wagon. Now, I know you've been on a wagon before, but the ones they have running between here and Hastera are something else!" Eira pulled me along enthusiastically.

We exited the gate, and sure enough, I was surprised at what I saw. The wagons we used on our little winter trip to Burgotova, and the ones I rode to get to Revenstahd, were simple cloth-covered affairs and were cramped. I hadn't been looking forward to that again, especially in the growing summer heat.

These wagons barely looked like wagons. They were larger for one thing, and were completely closed, with what looked like windows. Glass windows at that.

It reminded me a lot of the carriages nobles used, but much bigger and longer. Significantly so, for that matter. On top of that, there was a large train of them. At least ten or more. Surrounding them were armored individuals, in red and color armor, with some kind of heraldry on their pauldrons I couldn't quite make out.

"This is awfully fancy, Eira. Are you sure this is for a caravan and not nobles?" I asked, feeling like we had ended up at the wrong place.

"No ma'am! This is it! Hastera lives and dies by its summer visitors. Well, that and it's fishing. And textiles. O,k, there's a lot of stuff, but they really like tourist money, so the caravan companies are directly contracted by the Hastera Principality, and they make them really nice. It'll be like having a wagon all to ourselves. We won't even see the other passengers except when we stop for meals." She was practically bouncing where she stood.

"Have you ever taken on these caravans before?" I asked, smirking at her reactions.

"Are you kidding? I never could've afforded one of these! I had to hitch a ride on a merchant caravan. I've dreamt of being on one of these! And with that little reward we got, we can afford it with zero trouble!" She got behind me and gave me a little push towards one of the wagons.

"And the folks in red?" I asked, trying my best to keep some air of dignity as she guided me along.

"If I remember right, they're called the Scarlet Aegis. Mercenary company, but exclusively contracted through the Principality. Don't worry, they're not Knights or anything." She assured me, as she opened the door of the wagon and tossed her bags in. Before I could do so with mine, she snagged them from me and tossed them in to join hers. I was very glad I didn't stick anything important in there.

She hopped up and held her hand out for me.

"Wouldst my lady care to join me?" She said in a very dramatic posh accent.

"Mmm, yes, quite, I think I shall, yes." I playfully curtsied and let her pull me up.

As soon as we were inside, she closed and locked the door and pulled down a set of window shades. She turned towards me and gave me a look I recognized all too well.

"We've got at least thirty or so minutes till the caravan takes off. You wanna make out?" She cocked an eyebrow at me in a quite suggestive manner.

"You're gods damn right I do!" I said, not even trying to hide my thoughts on the matter.