The travel day was much shorter than Kori had envisioned, it seemed that they had barely gotten started with the day when they were already pulling off the road onto a cleared patch of dirt that seemed purpose built for them.

"Already?" She asked Har as the other traders began unhitching the oxen from their harnesses.

"My mana only goes so far, Kori." He replied, shaking his head. "The driver's Abilities aren't enough to get these beasts moving with such a heavy load and we don't have enough of us with evolved classes that can do so to send more than one with each caravan."

"Aren't there lots of traders though?" She questioned, not understanding why they would work so inefficiently.

"Hah, lots? Sure, there's lots." Har laughed as he responded to her question, "But trader is a pretty broad term. More so than most of the other disciplines you might find yourself in." He saw her quirked brow and pre-empted what he knew came next. "Why? Well, I guess it's time I earn my keep and give you an actual lesson on what it is to be a trader then, huh?"

Kori can't say she wasn't curious about what he meant by that, or about most any subject for that matter. She responded with a vigorous nod and a grin at the thought of learning just a bit more about how things in the clan worked.

"Well then, lets get settled in and once we've got some food in front of us, I'll give you the basics." With a mischievous smile on his face, Har called over to one of the drivers who was beginning to prepare their camp for the evening. "Hey Nkt, put her to work, would ya?"

The next hour was spent brushing the rather smelly oxen and making an effort at keeping her tail away from their front ends, she learned quickly that they had a habit of nipping the appendage. Given her own height in comparison to the beasts she had to stand on a barrel for most of the brushing.

While she did that the others spent their time doing the various other tasks, or even the same task as there was no way Kori could handle brushing all twelve of the cantankerous oxen. Wood was retrieved from a nearby pile that was already there when they'd arrived and a large iron pot, that had been procured from one of the wagons, was hung above the firepit from a stand.

The smell that wafted out from the cauldron's contents was intriguing, it differed from their typical steamed fish or anything else she'd had before. Constantly peeking at the driver chopping ingredients she did not recognize as she tended to the task that she'd been assigned. The savory scent of meats, roots, and other things soon wafted through the camp, drawing her attention and making her mouth water. She was a bit confused by what she saw next though, a cloud of steam rose from within the pot as a water rune was used to douse the ingredients and fill it.

By the time her task was adequately done, no one would compliment her efforts but they didn't complain too much either, she found Har and many of the others sitting around the fire pit on logs. The thick tree trunks sat in a wide ring and looked like they had been in place for years, sunk into the dirt with plants growing up from where bark and earth met. There was room for dozens of kobolds to sit about, watch the fire dance around the black iron pot and listen to the bubble of its contents cooking away.

"You're in for a treat, Kori." Har said, patting the log next to himself in invitation, "We've taken this tradition from the human traders," Pointing at the pot as Nkt stirred away and sprinkled in a few last-minute additions, "it's called stew." As he spoke the other kobolds assembled grinned, looking forward to the meal that was being prepared. "The surface traders prepare large pots of it to feed their people on the road as it can be made in large quantities at the same time and is quite tasty. It's a bit different though, you have to eat it with a small ladle. Or you can just slurp it down straight from the bowl." He shrugged at the last bit, "For some reason the humans consider that to be rude though, so try to use their ladle if you're around any of them."

"Why? Isn't it easier than using some weird little ladle?" Kori asked, the topic of table manners not really having come up previously. Though given that she'd eaten most of her meals sat on the floor and not at a table, it wasn't that surprising.

"Definitely." Har nodded along, a motion echoed across many of the other gathered kobolds. "But humans are weird about food. And don't get me started on the elves." He added in a frustrated tone. "If they ever offer to 'break bread' with you, just know it's not what it sounds like and then come ask for help."

"Oookaay…" She said, finding the bit about the elves confusing but not wanting to delve any deeper for now.

"How long til it's ready, Nkt?" One of the warriors asked, impatient for the delicious smelling food to be ready.

"Ready now." He replied, "But you know how it is, it'll be better if we wait a bit." His statement got grumbles from all around, agreeing that it would be better later, but also hungry now.

Not knowing enough to have an opinion, Kori figured she'd just wait until they gave her food and assume that it was as good as it was going to get when they did.

Everyone busied themselves while they waited, rolls of leather were retrieved and stacked for them to sleep on later, animals were tended or placated with food of their own, and the traders settled in for their evening. The warriors traveling with them however seemed to be more energetic and diligent in their actions, weapons were sharpened or maintained, armour checked and tightened and the mages and shaman were off together in close discussion bearing serious looks.

Har watched as she gazed about curiously, but this time waited until she actually asked the question that he knew was coming instead of cutting her off.

"Why do they all look like they're getting ready to fight?"

Before Har could answer, the same warrior who had spoken to Nkt earlier gave her the answer directly. "Cause we are!" He said, his excitement plain to hear in his voice. "You lot come up to trade, but us," Pointing towards himself and his fellow combatants, "We're here to keep you safe and bash a few skulls while we're at it." His grin wide as the other warriors nodded along. From off to the side Kori heard one of the mages sigh as she shook her head looking at the battle hungry fighters.

After it was clear that the fighter wasn't going to provide any clarity to his statement, Har continued with an actual explanation. "The roads aren't always safe. There can be some aggressive beasts, or even the occasional monster, in the area since nobody lives out this way. So, the warriors and magic users come along to protect us while we travel." Most of what he said was a repeat of what he had explained earlier when she'd asked why they were coming along. "But it's also a way for them to get experience, since the main thing combat classes get levels from is fighting things. They're going to go hunting after dinner, partly to make sure nothing bothers us tonight and to get some experience."

Kori nodded along with the lecture, understanding that 'for experience' was half the reason an adult seemed to do just about anything in their lives and not surprised that this was no different. One point stuck in her mind and had to be questioned once Har finished though.

"You said beasts or monsters… What's the difference?" She asked as soon as it wouldn't be rude to interrupt him.

"Hmm? The difference?" Har responded, having not expected that question. "I only really know the basics." He pointed over to the mages before continuing, "They'd be able to explain it better than me." Pointing over at the group of warriors. "Them too I guess, but you'd likely learn less about what the difference is and more about where you stick the pointy end of whatever they're hitting it with to kill it…"

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

One of the warriors looked mildly offended at the implication of what Har had said, but the fighter who had spoken earlier on the other hand, just nodded along in agreement with his grin never faltering. He even went so far as to point to the sharp end of his spear, propped up against the log beside him. "It's usually that end. Not always, but usually." He said facetiously before laughing at his own joke.

Most everyone else gave in and laughed along with him at his self-deprecating joke, except for the first warrior who just pouted at being lumped in with what most everyone thought of as a bunch of battle happy blockheads. Eventually as the laughter settled and Nkt announced that food would be served soon, one of the mages broke away from the little group of casters to join Kori on the log with Har.

"Hello again Kori." She greeted her. The older mage was familiar but she couldn't place the woman. "My name is Snq, we met when you were apprenticing to be a mage. I attempted to help you with meditating and control once or twice." At hearing her name, Kori vaguely recalled following the mage's droning voice with her eyes tightly shut while she tried to attain the skills that had vexed her. She wasn't an inscriptionist so she hadn't spent much time with her outside of those few sessions.

Kori returned her greeting, feeling a little awkward that she didn't recognize her. "It is good to see you again, Mage Snq."

Grinning at the young apprentice, "I heard your question about the difference between beasts and monsters, it's an interesting subject and one I've spent a great many years looking into. If you would like we can discuss the topic while we do some [Mana Sense] training? Once I return from this little excursion after dinner, that is." She offered, much to Kori's delight. Basics from Har would be nice, but someone actually interested in the topic always explained things better. Or at least in more detail, which in Kori's mind meant the same thing.

Dinner was served from the steaming pot, chunks of fish and other things in a dark liquid sloshing in the bowl with a wooden spoon, similar to some of the implements she had seen in Bolst's lab to portion ingredients. It smelled of cooked meat and earthy roots as well as some spices that she couldn't identify. Most of her companions slurped noisily from the bowls, some making more of a mess at it than others, while a few used the spoons to carefully ladle the mixture. Har was among the latter group so Kori followed suit.

The taste was a new experience. The root vegetables soft and toothsome, the fish tender and flaking apart in the broth that had taken on all of the flavours in a hearty medley. Each mouthful slightly different based on what she managed to scoop up. It took some effort to get used to the spoon though, she wasn't used to using such an implement to bring things to her mouth rather than transferring contents from one vessel to another and it needed to be held entirely differently. By the time she was done with her meal Kori had spilt nearly as much of the stew as the warriors who had hastily slurped it down straight from the bowl.

Har could only shake his head at the waste of good food, Kori had at least tried but the others knew full well going in that the method wasn't well suited for their longer muzzles in comparison to the humans and other surface races. "If you intend to accompany me in any of my dealings, I'll need to teach you how they eat up here… You did, well," Eyeing the wet splotches on her clothing before glancing at the others sat around the fire, "better than some…"

The same boisterous warrior that had been the loudest voice in their conversations shrugged at Har's comment as he looked at the various droppings that had marred his leather armour. "Soup, blood, whatever. Not like I wasn't gonna make a mess of myself before long either way." He said cheerily. "Tasty as always, Nkt!" He looked about at his companions and when he saw that they were all setting aside their own bowls he stood and rubbed his hands together. "You lot ready to go have a bit of fun?" He asked excitedly, his eyes scanning the copse of trees past the field that they were camping in.

A chorus of responses from the other combatants, cheers, whoops, and a few groans from Snq and the other mage, came as they stood and brushed themselves off. In just a few minutes the six of them were making their way from camp with the warriors fanned out in front and the mages and shaman trailing behind. They disappeared into the tall grass past their waists and sparse trees by the time they'd gone a hundred meters.

While the others were out looking for threats, or more likely anything at all that would put up a decent fight, the traders brewed some tea and chatted around the fire.

"Now, I believe I promised you a lesson on what makes traders different from the rest of the clan's workers, did I not, apprentice?" Har asked, as he sipped his mug. "The simple answer is diversity. Mages are mages, some burn with fire, some slice with wind, and others bludgeon with stones, but in the end they're all similar in nature and purpose." He began, trying to use a concept she was familiar with to base his explanation on. "Traders, well we're a bit different. Some of us are porters, granted abilities to help them move goods easier. Some are drivers like our companions here, allowing them to better control the beasts and impart bonuses to them to make traveling like this easier. I began as a driver, though I'm now a caravan master." Explaining why his ability was able to enhance all of the oxen at the same time. "Then there are the merchants, they stay in our little enclave in Whatzakt mostly, they're the ones who do most of the negotiations and contracts. Though I oversee most of that and do the largest of our deals." His explanation continued, detailing how they also had classes like bookkeepers and even carpenters who maintained the carts, crates, and barrels. Those last workers also assisted the trappers occasionally too.

They spent nearly two hours discussing the practical matters of trade. Things like gathering the goods from the mines and quarries, even some of the fish used to be sold but the catch wasn't enough to accommodate such lately. Keeping inventory in the storeroom below to be transported to the waystation where it was made ready to ship to Whatzakt. Their group of merchants who would negotiate the sales and arrange delivery, of both goods sold and bought by the clan. How they used the funds they earned to support the clan in ways both large and small.

This also led to some explanations of the monetary system of the land. On Vor they used the Elven Laurel as the primary currency, though you'd occasionally see some of the other coinage present from the other continents. Or at least from one of them, since there were no large kingdoms on Anazul's Clutch any longer and no one ever crossed the border of Xeros. In either direction. The Divine Empire took their isolation incredibly seriously, vessels did not return from their waters and no one ever left.

The Laurel was split into four denominations. The least valuable was the copper leaf, one hundred of which was worth a single silver branch, which again could be traded at one hundred to one for a golden trunk. Above the gold trunk you would find the mithril root. The first three coins were each cast entirely of their metal, but the root was mostly made of gold with a smaller disk of mithril inset in the center depicting the roots of a tree.

Their lesson continued, with many questions about the things that he was teaching her and the subjects that he touched on coming from Kori. She found the mention of the other continents very interesting, but unfortunately Har knew little more than what he had already told her. That they existed and you'd sometimes see travellers from one of them passing through. Whatzakt wasn't exactly a major trading hub for anyone outside the kobolds, so they didn't attract many interesting visitors.

The end of the lesson came as the warriors trapsed back into camp covered in blood, mud, and things that Kori honestly didn't want to know about. Between them hung a large tusked beast with four legs and hard hooves like the oxen had, strung to a roughly chopped down sapling. It must have weighed more than the pair of warriors combined. Some distance away from them the casters travelled, Snq with a large tear rent in her robe and the colour of drying blood warring with its original red hue. The scales of her midsection below flaking with blood but seemingly unmarred.

Har stood and examined them as they entered camp, smiling at the sight of the boar but looking worried when he saw that one of them had been injured. "Everyone alright?" He asked, eyeing the blood on Snq's midsection.

The leading warrior proudly proclaimed their success, dismissing the severity of what had happened. "This steeltusk managed to surprise us, burst out of the bushes and took Snq there for a bit of a ride." Laughing at the mages misfortune as he pictured it carrying the mage around impaled to its tusk. "Put a few spears in it and the other casters did their thing and it went down soon enough. Aln there,"Nodding towards the shaman, "patched her up good once we got the thing off er."

While he boasted and the other warriors dealt with the boar's corpse, readying it to be hung from a tree and drained for butchering, Snq hobbled over and dropped down next to Kori on the log.

"You okay, mage Snq?" Kori asked in a concerned tone.

"No. Between briefly having a hole straight through my gut, a boar charging me through brush and brambles while I dangled off its tusk, and my robe being absolutely ruined, I can honestly say I've been better." She complained, animatedly gesturing towards the bloody rent in her abdomen. Kori could see a faint pink line along the scales where a new scar had formed. "Aln healed me best they could, but I'm still barely at half my health…"

Hearing that she was still injured, Kori quickly dug through her satchel for her little pot, suddenly glad she'd packed an extra alongside it. "Don't worry, I have healing ointment!"

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