“OK, how far until we reach City-I-Shall-Eternally-Hate?”

It was now a week until Wonder officially got his new Ranch crew (that was his story and was what he was sticking to). The trip had been peaceful. And thankfully, the slaves were good with just heading out to the Plains and setting up themselves.

Acryoa insisted on staying, however. Since Wonder would need someone to convince the Fasis Bloodrun slaves to go with him, he accepted. Acryoa didn’t have any combat skills, so he stayed at base and monitored things remotely. He did try to cook, but… well, he was banished from cooking, let’s put it like that.

They were now at a small Village on the edge of the desert. Acryoa said, “A month at the rate we are going.”

Wonder said, “That’s… faster than I expected.”

“Since we aren’t staying at most Villages, it has been a decent clip. And the magical carriage your friend dropped off has helped.”

Oh yes, Lil had gotten them the replacement magic carriage. It was bigger, more a traditional RV than carriage, but since the party had expanded, Wonder couldn’t decline it.

Wonder said, “I love these things. OK, moving on. What are we looking at? We’ve been avoiding bounty hunters by avoiding civilization, but I imagine we won’t be able to safely in the desert.”

Rose nodded. “There’s nearly no water. Maybe we could cheat with the cacti, but it’s not gonna happen.”

Acryoa nodded. “We need to re-supply at least every week thanks to the size of our party. There’s no avoiding that.”

Rose said, “And the only Tribes out here are… special.”

Acryoa said, “Unless you manage to get a Slave March. They might be willing to help.”

Wonder said, “Hmm… you just made me think of something. But later. So a month, and stopping at a Village at least once a week, maybe more.”

Blood waved. You can cut me from the rations. I’ll be warping directly to Fasis. Dad’s called me in. I got to go help with a certain event.

Wonder nodded. “Fair enough. Tell Ralton I said hi… if you can do so without his voice blowing your head off.”

Blood smiled and saluted.

Acryoa nodded. “Even then, I wouldn’t suggest skimping on the once a week. Most of the irregular towns don’t have steady water supplies.”

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Wonder said, “Hence the why you’re sure about hitting a major town once a week. That’s the oasis-es.”

He looked at the map. “Can we cut anywhere?”

“Not without great risk, sir. And I’m not talking animals… you and Master Izuku can handle any Beast easily.”

He tapped a clear shortcut. “Such areas are usual areas of Tribes or bad weather spots. Here is known for major sandstorms, for example.”

Wonder sighed, and looked at Kat. The baby shook his head. He typed: Light territory. Light’s got me cut out.

“How about close?”

Kat shook his head, then yawned. He thought and started babbling. There is a Dark temple at the halfway point. Talcini.

“We have a warp point at Talcini. Someone give me a sitrep there.”

Acryoa said, “Actually, that is not an Oasis town. It’s a mining town.”

“I’m guessing they found some underwater lakes or something.”

“One of the town’s closely guarded secrets. But it’s obviously yes. They have all sorts of mines and ores down there, as well as a thriving cattle community.”

Wonder said, “Cattle? I’m sorry, did I just hear that’s a cowboy town? In total desert.”

Rose said, “I got this. There’s a beast called a sand cow.”

Wonder said, “Gotcha. Oooooo, what’s the Tamer community like? I hope more accepting than Echilion.”

Izuku said, “We’re gonna have fresh milk?” He chuckled.

Acryoa said, “There’s not a strong diverse Tamer community. Many are cowpoke and summoners. However, as I’ve heard it, they don’t reject other Tamers, so… maybe.” He shrugged.

Rose said, “Wait… did you say summoners?”

Wonder said, “Yeah, why that wording? Any Tamer would seem like a summoner.”

Acryoa said, “The cowpokes summon… I don’t even know how to describe them. Beings. Not from Hoseki. They are stalwart guards and protectors. The most I have heard of them interacting with an outsider outside the compacity of their summons is to take a mate and bear children.”

Wonder said, “So someone to sleep with. Otherwise… we got a ton of Bill Ciphers.”

“Just better behaved.”

Wonder said, “How do you keep up with my weird fandom references?”

Acryoa just smiled.

He then said, “I’m not entirely sure we can deem them as Ciphers, though. They have mental illusions covering them. They will take the mental form of whatever you have in your mind as closest to their form.”

“So I may be seeing a bunch of Slender Men in cowboy outfits.”

There were some light chuckles with the few who knew.

Wonder said, “So us warping there might freak some folks out?”

Acryoa shook his head. “The temples are basically meant for warp points. You got get some slight panic over the fact none of you are religious, but… no one’s gonna take too much crap either.”

“Acryoa. This is definitely a money question. Should we finish resupplying here or there?”

Acryoa said, “I suggest here, outside anything with metal. Definitely stock up on water here.”

Wonder nodded. “We got a plan. Now people…”

“Transform, rise up.”

Wonder just stared at Acryoa, who only smiled at him.