As she rode Mocha alongside the wagon that trudged along toward its next stop, Iris looked down at the container filled with a strange glowing poultice that she had traded for. Well, that and a pretty diamond necklace that likely would have been destined for some noblewoman’s jewelry stash, only to be worn once.

The poultice though… Tanith had been surprised that the merchant had traded it. According to the high elf guard, the material had miraculous medicinal applications. Able to heal lacerations as if they were a mere scrape.

To her, the goopy substance that glowed with a soft turquoise color had the consistency of a face mask or something else from back home. She’d be willing to try it. If only because she knew how often she managed to injure herself.

She was a bit surprised at how much the woman wanted the bird’s core. It was a fair quality one, she’d only seen a few others of the like.

I wonder if she’d want the ones I have in my pack, also…

Thus far, no one wanted the cores she’d obtained during her monster and beast extermination quests. Which was probably just because no one really knew what they could be used for.

For making magic, duh!

She couldn’t help but just shake her head at those people. Such little imagination. What weak vision. It was like they couldn’t see the forest for the trees.

“You doing alright down there, Mocha? Not too tired?” she asked as she patted her faithful steed.

Mocha snorted dismissively.

“That’s a bit rude. I don’t weigh that much…”

The horse shook her head from side to side and neighed.

“Look, if you were a person, I’d give you a piggyback now and then. I know it’s only fair, but let’s be honest. Girl, you are way too big to ride on my back. We all have our roles in life, Mocha. Yours is being the most amazing horse in the world… Neigh… the universe,” she said, chuckling at her joke.

Mocha let out a series of neighs that again sounded like curses to her.

“Are–Are you having a conversation with your horse?” Tanith asked in confusion to her right.

Iris glanced over where both the guard and merchant were sitting on the wagon bench, staring at her in confused amazement.

She shook her head a wide grin on her face. “Of course! Mocha here is my best friend and traveling companion. We talk about everything, don't we girl?” she said, patting the horse's neck affectionately.

Mocha snorted derisively.

Sera raised an eyebrow, clearly not used to such behavior. “Well, as long as it doesn't affect our journey, I suppose it's fine,” she said with a bit of hesitation.

Iris chuckled. “Don't worry, I won't let our conversations delay us. But Mocha deserves some attention, don't you think?” she said, reaching into the saddle bag behind her and pulling out a purple carrot for the horse to munch on.

Tanith shook his head in disbelief, but couldn't help but smile at Iris's carefree attitude. “You're a strange one, but I suppose it's refreshing in a way,” he said.

Iris beamed at the compliment. “Why thank you! I always strive to be unique and bring a little bit of joy to the world,” she said, before turning back to Mocha. “Now, where were we? Ah yes, the meaning of life…”

Mocha let out a series of neighs that sounded like a laugh.

It sounded so adorable that Iris couldn’t help but join in, tittering along with Mocha’s laughter, enjoying the moment of lightheartedness. She looked over at Sera and Tanith, still chuckling, and noticed their confused expressions.

“What?” Iris asked, still grinning. “Just having a little chat with my trusty steed.”

Sera shook her head in amusement. “You're a strange one, Iris. But I suppose that's one of the reasons I hired you. We need someone who can handle themselves out here.”

Iris's grin faltered slightly at the mention of her escort quest. “Right, of course. I take my duties as a guard very seriously.”

Tanith’s face was all scrunched up, finally, he mustered the courage to ask, “I-Is your ability to understand animals a magic thing, Miss Iris?”

Iris chuckled. “No, it's not magic. I just have a special bond with Mocha. I can understand her, and she can understand me. It's a gift, really. Very Disney. It’s probably the mana helping.” She patted Mocha's side affectionately. “Isn't that right, girl?"

Mocha nodded her head and let out a pleased whinny in response. Iris turned back to the others, shock very evident on their faces.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The wagon lurched forward, bouncing slightly over the rough terrain, causing both elves to bounce and shift on the bench. Tanith cursed as he readjusted his grip on the reins. “Sorry, Miss Sera.”

The woman smoothed out her dress and resituated herself in her seat. “It is no issue. These things happen,” she said. “I cannot wait to stop for the night.”

A slightly buzzing sound assaulted Iris’s ears as the two elves started talking about the village they would be stopping in. She glanced around, trying to see what was setting her sense off.

Her eyes went wide as she made out some shapes approaching from the sky coming from the direction of the forest. Her mind turned inward, connecting with her core and allowing green and yellow mana to flood into her body.

“You know, I never asked…” Iris started as she pulled her bow from where it was strapped to the saddle. “How long will it take for us to get to Brightburn?”

Laying the bow down across the saddle, she started to string it, keeping the incoming threat at the corner of her eye.

“Cosdale to Brightburn is a three-day journey at our pace,” Tanith explained. “We’ll stop again tonight in the village of Stilstead.”

Iris nodded and drew an arrow from the quiver. Tanith’s eyes went wide as he finally took in what she was doing.

“Good. I think you should urge those horses to go a bit faster. Uhm.” She turned her head. “Yeah, like now.”

“What? What is going on?” Sera asked.

Tanith peeked his head around the side of the wagon and looked at what she was focused on. He cursed.

“Sera, I need you to get inside the wagon. Now!”

The elf jerked in shock.

Iris shook her head. “No, there’s not enough time. You need to go faster, not slow down.”

“Is this because of the bird you killed?” Sera called out.

Tanith glanced between the two women. “What bird?” his head turned toward Iris. “Wait, is that where you got the core?”

She narrowed her eyes. “You missed the body sitting back by the campfire?”

“I was focused on packing up!”

Iris rolled her eyes. “Well, uh..” She [Focused], letting her thoughts settle. Iris took in what was coming and her spell fell as her shock overrode it. “What?”

“You guys have harpies?!” she called out.

“What in Alos’s name is a harpy!?” Tanith yelled.

Iris scowled.

Mana monsterization? How? People? No… Surely they would have heard about that.

She tried to peer closer at the flapping figures. They had long beaks, wings for arms, and bird-like legs and feet all in a humanoid–elvenoid–form. Their feathers were a beautiful array of colors that almost had her mesmerized if she didn’t think they’d eat her face given the chance.

Yup, definitely harpies. Maybe formed from a type of bird, though? Weird. Forest people? Do they have people that go off the grid?

“That,” she pointed at the oncoming monsters. “Is a harpy. Winged being, looks kinda like a bird mixed with a person.”

Tanith lifted his hand to block out the reddish sun and looked at the group of six harpies.

His gasp of surprise was a bit much in Iris’s opinion.

“Eona’s Bountiful Tits! What are those!?”

“Whoa, dude, language. I just told you. Harpies,” she called out over the sound of galloping horses and a bouncing wagon. She glanced down at her horse. “Okay, Mocha, hold me steady. I’m going to turn around, okay girl?”

Mocha let out a neigh of acknowledgment and the horse’s muscles seemed to tense even as she maintained her fast pace. Still, the galloping horse’s focus became dedicated to providing the smoothest ride possible despite her movements.

Iris shifted in the saddle until she was facing backward… reverse…cowgirl style.

Ugh! Damn it, Iris. Now isn’t the time.

Her mind turned to the two elves who held fearful expressions.

Plus, Tanith and Sera have all that built-up sexual tension. It’s rubbing off on me… shit. Did it again.

[Focus]. Iris took a deep breath and nocked her arrow.

The harpies flew closer. When they reached what she felt was her max range, she drew back. She channeled her [Static Discharge] spell into the arrow, sighted in on the lead harpy…

Then used her [Unerring Shot] ability.

The arrow flew straight and true, striking the lead harpy in the chest in a burst of lightning that shot two sparks of energy that flew toward the closest monsters. The harpy screeched in pain as it tumbled out of the sky. The two lightning sparks hit the nearest two harpies, jolting them with a paralyzing shock of energy that caused them to also fall to their demise.

Undeterred, Iris quickly fired two more arrows, taking down two of the remaining three harpies with another pair of stamina-hungry [Unerring Shots]. The remaining harpy let out a shrill cry as it retreated, disappearing into the sky.

Iris let out a satisfied sigh and lowered her bow. “That should teach them to mess with us,” she said with a grin.

“Uhm, Miss Iris?!” Sera called out.

Iris turned toward the merchant and tilted her head. “Yeah?”

The woman just pointed toward the forest’s canopy, where more harpies were soaring into the sky.

Iris groaned.

“I really need to stop jinxing myself.”

Mocha neighed her agreement.

“Traitor. If I could have knocked on wood, I would have.”

Actually…

She knocked on Mocha’s head. “There. We’re safe.”

Mocha cursed her out.