Happy Family

“Seriously?” Kern roared with laughter. “The kid got drunk off non-alcoholic juice?” “Bisky is...special. And she knew it wasn’t a real drink! She’s eight! Esmo would never give her alcohol!” Kern slapped his knee, trying to get his hysterics under control. “I’m not making it up! She was visiting while I was working, and I don’t know if she got high off her own weirdness or what, but it was pure chaos! She was literally bouncing off the walls and rolling on the floor! The chef had to stop her from running out and jumping into the pond in the backyard!” Kern sounded like he was about to asphyxiate. “Then she passed out and I had to carry her back to our house! She slept like the dead and Aqua literally had to start banging a pan to get her to wake up the next day!”

The two were talking as they rode along at the back of the band. To Mahannana’s surprise, Kern was easy to talk to, and he eagerly lapped up her stories about Japan and her life adjusting to Nyxpiria. “This friend of yours seems like a spunky kid!” Mahannana couldn’t agree more with that assessment. “She’s full of energy alright. She robs people, appears out of nowhere, and cusses like a sailor. She sure keeps you on your toes! But she’s still a good girl, even if I don’t know what to do with her sometimes.” “I’m a bit confused by all these people you’re talking about.” Kern admited. “Your family consists of you, your mother who’s a wolf, and the guy who took you in. So, then this Bisky kid and the other little guy are...what to you? Just friends?”

Mahannana paused. She hadn’t really thought much about it. “Well, I’d say that Bisky is definitely like a little sister to me! I’m not sure about Pip. He's still warming up to us, but he could be my little brother once he learns to trust me. Mr Aqua is totally my big brother! I mean, I’ve accidentally called him that a few times! He’s always looking out for me, and he’s teaching me how to cook!” Her mind was on a roll. “Lir-Chan feels more like a cool aunt, but she also is kinda like a grandma because she’s so old. I guess that would make Omthor either my uncle or grandpa. They’re nice, but I do feel like they’re more adults and mama’s friends, sometimes. I would say that Elfrida-Chan is another aunt because she’s so wise, but with her attitude and how bossy she can be, maybe she’s more like a big sister? Hmm...I feel bad leaving out Esmo, but she’s still so new. She’s my boss, but maybe she’s the closest thing I have to a best friend, since she isn’t so involved in my life and doesn’t feel like a family member, at least not yet?” Mahannana turned red and clapped her hands over her mouth.

“I’m sorry! You asked me a specific question, but I started rambling about stupid stuff that’s off topic!” “No, I like listening to other people’s stories” Kern promised. He’d only wanted to know if Mahannana had known Bisky before Nyxphiria, but the question had come out wrong. Not that what he got in return wasn’t interesting. “Even though your mother is technically the only one related to you, it seems like you still have a big family full of people who love you.” Mahannana nodded. “Yeah. I’m really blessed. Getting sucked into that game was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Worried that Kern was secretly annoyed with her, Mahannana redirected the conversation. “What about your family? You said you were a big brother?”

“Yeah. I have a little sister named Alice. Our parents died when we were younger, so I raised her. She isn’t exactly little anymore though!" He chuckled. "She’s nineteen.” He smiled. “She’s why I became a raider. We needed the money and, even now that she’s grown up and I was able to send her to school, it’s a force of habit. She keeps telling me I should take it easy and find a less dangerous job but...” He shrugged. “Being a raider is thrilling! And good money! It’s not like anything particularly dangerous has happened in all the years I’ve been doing this. But she’s training to be an accountant and good with money.” He rubbed his head sheepishly. “She’s too smart for her own good and has all sorts of logical arguments about why I should quit.”

Mahannana looked around at the forest. Despite only being an hour or two outside of Umbria, it looked like an entirely different country! The towering, moss covered trees reminded her of pictures she’d seen of the Pine Barrens in the USA. Everything was peaceful. They were traveling at such a casual pace that she hadn’t even needed to hold on to Kern. He looked back at her. “It’s gorgeous, isn't it?” “Sorry! I’m still paying attention to you! This forest is just different from anything I’ve seen before. This is the furthest from Umbria I’ve been.” As the trees ahead opened into a small clearing, someone let out a loud whistle.

“That’s the signal that we’re stopping.” Kern explained as he slowed Fang to a walk. “We’re maybe 40 minutes out from the den, so Thoren likely wants to discuss the attack plan before we arrive.” Mahannana hopped down from the tiger and, after setting her staff down, did a big streach. “Ow!” She felt her bones cracking. “Never rode before?” Kern asked, taking a drink from his water skein. “Nope.” Mahannana massaged her tailbone. “If you ride pack animals for long enough, you’ll get used to it eventually.” He offered her the skein. “Thanks.” Mahannana took deep gulps of water; realizing how dry her mouth was from talking so much. As she passed the skein back, she picked up her staff. There wasn’t any reason to have it out yet, but having it in her lap as they traveled made her feel more comfortable.

“How’s the trip going, wolf mage?” Thoren sauntered over. “You two getting along?” Kern smiled. “She’s good company.” Mahannana nodded. “No issues here.” “Good!” Thoren boomed. “I’m going to let everyone have a few mintues to dismount and rest and then we’ll gather and discuss the plan of attack. You two will trail the rest of us during the attack and take care of pulling out anyone who’s serverly injured, if it comes to that, but you still should pay attention, mage! It’s in your best interest to know what to expect.” Mahannana nodded.

‘Ugh, my nerves are starting to act up.’ Everything had happened too suddenly for her to think on it much but, now that it was getting down to it, Mahannana was nervous. ‘Even if I’m just on emergency stand-by, this is still my first time ever acting as a medic and my first time being a mage for an official party! It feels like there’s so much more pressure when it’s a group of seasoned strangers and not my family full of noobs...’

“Hey, don’t go chickening out on us!” Kern cheerfully slapped Mahannana on the back, causing her to stumble. “Your worry is written all over your face! It’s a bit nerve-wracking when you’re new to adventuring, but it’ll get easier. That’s a promise!” “O-okay!” Mahannana plastered a stiff smile on her face, trying to act brave.

“Seriously, mage, it’ll be fine! It’s just a few lizzard folk! You got nothing to worry about with us here!” Thoren boasted with a reassuring smile as an arrow entered the back of his skull.