Passing through the Fa district, the clan approached the western gate. Juliana was in awe. The gate towered high at about six stories of stacked white stones. It was topped with an etching that reminded her of the Red King’s crown. As they waited in line to be checked by the town guard, nearby, someone hummed a discordant rhythm. Three pink haired Fa’s walked up to the wagon.

  “Look who it is—our inept creche-mate. Plan to disappoint your new clan?”

  “She must be desperate to accept the reject. Lady, he’s a broken-egg.” Another called out.

  Fionn hissed. Their throat clacked and gave off low threatening notes. The alien sound startled Juliana and she leaned away. Oynoiz climbed to their side and had their hand on the hilt of a short sword. Juliana wondered why they had a weapon when other Adasions usually preferred their mana or favored bows, then she remembered that Oynoiz’s power was only to take away other’s mana ability. It was not a power that could be easily used as an aggressive attack such as wind or fire. For those Adasions who had that ability, their whole body was a weapon.

  The first Fa spoke, “Easy, mana-less. We’re saying hi to our ex-clan member,” they looked at Juliana, “Human, we would be more than happy to take you in as a clan.”

  The other whispered, “But she’s Re level! She’s not good enough—”

  The third harshly answered back, “Well, if you didn’t procrastinate to add our names to the Welcoming Ceremony list, this wouldn’t have happened. We would’ve had a woman in our clan. The stars know Fionn does not deserve that kind of power. Moons, they probably don’t know the advantages of her, being as cowardly as they are.”

  Fionn shouted, “Having morals doesn’t make you a coward!”

  “What’s going on back there?” A guard further up the line called out.

  “Just an inner clan disagreement!” Id’rit called back.

  “You’d better fix it before you come here!” Was the guard’s answer.

  “I do not want to be in trouble with the guard,” Oynoiz whispered to Fionn, “Make this quick.”

  Fionn glared, “You lot wish to use our mana for manipulation. I won’t be on sale for the highest bidder. Go back to the mansion. I have nothing to say to you.”

  The three sang discordant notes. Juliana began to feel pressuring fear.

  “How dare you!” Before Fionn could leap from the wagon.

  Oynoiz squinted their eyes and the notes suddenly cut off.

  “Null—you egg reject! How dare you!” The first insulted.

  “You heard the guard and Fionn. We have nothing to say to you!” Oynoiz called out.

  They stared at Juliana. She realized she’d better speak up, “You heard them. Fionn is my clan. Get lost.”

  A stunning smile shown on Fionn’s face with her words. Bouncing up and down, he waved them away with sour sung notes and what looked like an offensive hand gesture.

  The guard looked relieved as the Fa’s left. There were no other roadblocks as they left the capitol city.

  The Quantop Forrest was loud. Creatures of all kinds clicked, cooed, trilled, and growled. Multiple colored leaves were a kaleidoscope of colors. A cool breeze blew fragrances both fruity and foul. For Juliana, who recognized none of the flora nor fauna, it was almost overwhelming. She reminded her group that she knew little about what could be dangerous or deadly. Id’rit and Fionn assured her that they were not much better. Oynoiz then became point for the clan as Id’rit was the waggoneer and Fionn sat on the roof of the wooden wagon.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  Fionn hummed a carefree tune in treble clef.

  Oynoiz chided, “We should be silent. You never know the dangers of the forest.”

  Fionn quipped, “We should live a little. We’re nowhere near the high predators of the forest. You know they’re deeper and away from the trails.” The black haired elf grunted in response.

  The war and high tensions meant that few traveled across the low mountains towards Lysara territory. The trail they took was narrow and unmaintained. The wagon occasionally jolted from the rough road. Juliana had insisted on bringing an extra wheel and axle. Playing survival games on the computer had taught her that extra ammo, parts, and medicine were crucial. Unless as a group they wanted to die from dysentery. She also bought a bow and dagger to practice with Oynoiz. Since she had no mana powers, she needed to learn some defense.

  “When we get to Lysara, I want to sell two thirds of the aromatic wood. I think the Lysarans will be able to afford it more than the Gongre Confederacy. For the mushrooms and other, I think we can sell half at Lysara and sell the rest at the other two countries. What do you think, Oynoiz?” Id’rit asked.

  Oynoiz thought for a moment, “The cloth is best sold at Lysara. Anything you can’t sell might be able to be sold in Una’Ta. I don’t think many in Gongre will want it—we are a practical people and the material, while strong, stains easily.”

  Fionn nodded, “The Lysarans I met during my troupe’s travels loved the lightweight Asan materials. They are perfect for the summer. The challenge is to sell them as autumn begins. We need to remind them it’s an investment in next season’s fashion as we’ll probably be one of the few merchants selling it. That reminds me, Id’rit, won’t we need a merchant license?”

  Id’rit flashed a glowing gem. With mana added it projected the group’s business information.

  “Sonata Sales?” Juliana read.

  Id’rit flushed, “I couldn’t think of a better name on short notice. We could always change it later.”

  She smiled, “No, it sounds good to me.”

  Juliana moved her cuffed arm in front of her. The identification emerald faced the top of the cuff. She’d learned how to flow the ambient mana. Even though she could not change it to an element or any of the other Adasion abilities, she could move it through objects. Mana was all that was needed to activate an identification. With a breath, she slowly moved it through her gem. Staring at its projection, her identification included in smaller print which clan she was in. With a wave, the screen rolled up and she could read each of her clan members’ names. As a clan, each of them had an identification stone in their cuff.

  “Unbelievable, isn’t it?” Id’rit asked, “I never thought I’d have a clan again.” Juliana nodded.

  “Watch out!” Oynoiz jumped on the wagon’s bench and pulled out a short sword. They held it at defensive position at their side.

  Shrill squawking came from above. Diving bombing them in a twisting motion, a flock of four-winged lizards descended with their serrated teeth exposed and their claws spread.

  Oynoiz crouched, “Everyone, don’t let the awalws bite—the yellow ones are poisonous!”

  Juliana saw that among the orange ones, the flying lizards that looked older, longer were lighter and brighter in color. Wind and sparks started to fly from their wings.

  Oynoiz hollered, “I got this!”

  “No!” Id’rit interrupted. “Allow me!”

  Juliana felt a pull in front of her. The gravity surrounding the lizards became heavy and they fell with sickening crunches to the forest floor.

  Fionn commented, “Why little Mi, I’m impressed!”

  Id’rit breathed heavy, “It was nothing. I haven’t practiced in a while. Larger groups are a challenge, and these were high up. It took a little more energy than I’m used to.”

  Fionn glanced at Juliana, “Too bad you didn’t find a healer to join us, they’d pep little Id’rit right up!”

  “Why do you call them little?” She asked.

  “Darling, they are young. Really young for an Adasion. They did a good job. They’ll get stronger as they get older.”

  Id’rit ducked, “It’s true. I became an adult this year.”

  “You don’t seem like it.”

  “Being the youngest in my former clan, I had to make up the difference and learn to catch up to the others’ skills.”

  “Do you ever miss them?” Juliana asked.

  “Sometimes.”

  Fionn continued humming and their notes turned into song

  We fight those in flight

  Downed are they by Id’rit’s weighty might

  Id’rit coughed.

  “Alas, my fans will miss me. My troupe will miss me.” Fionn hung upside down over the wagon and looked at Juiliana, “You are fortunate I joined this clan. We can use some entertainment.”

  Juliana felt their mirth.

  Oynoiz snorted, but Juliana saw they hid a smile.

  The scent of sulfur assaulted their noses.

  “What is that?” Id’rit held the material of their robes to their nose.

  “Hot springs! Hot springs!” Fionn called from on top of the wagon as they pointed west.