The late autumn day shone with a bright sun, though the heavenly orb did little in terms of providing warmth. Here at the capital city of Norlov a cold wind whistled through the buildings and sent a shiver down the spine of anyone out of doors. Such things were not a concern for the rich or noble citizens of the city however, as they had well insulated homes in which to hide themselves away. These mansions and other large in city estates stood in the north-west area of the city where they could stand above those poor that populated the rest of the city.

It was in this district that I found myself today, holed up inside a rather luxurious mansion that stood apart from even the other rich homes. This was the estate of the businessman Florentinus Molnar, the tubby purple haired man who had his greedy mitts in all manner of commerce. I so unfortunately had to deal with him due to needing materials to build the schools across the kingdom. Few were as connected in matters of corporeal wealth than this man.

Due to the occasion being one of high profile business I had decided to bring along my champion Jagger Nalark as a sort of bodyguard. Not that I actually needed him of course, but it was expected in such meetings for everyone to have someone there as a security measure. After all who could be more distrustful than the rich? Of course Florentinus had his own bodyguard as well as did the man we were treating with today.

The man in question was named Wren Bard. As an affluent merchant himself he took pride in his vast network of shipping routes that spanned the entire kingdom like a spiderweb. His passion was logistics and through his primary company “Larkland & Co” he was afforded plentiful connections in every corner of Celuduun. He was a tall and somewhat plump man in his late thirties. His golden hair went down to his shoulders and his orange eyes paired well with his fair skin.

Here we were all gathered inside of the main dining room of Florentinus's mansion at a large and heavy oaken table. The walls were decorated in all manner of trophy and painting of exquisite taste and a roaring fireplace kept the otherwise drafty room warm. Servants stood at the ready to get us whatever we needed, something the two men took full advantage of. I of course needed no food or drink and simply differed to my escort for his needs. I was sitting on the west of the table with Jagger behind me. Across from me was Florentinus and Wren sat at the end of the table to my left.

On the table before us were a plethora of papers and counting beads which were here to help us figure out the quantity of materials needed. There was also a map of the kingdom which served to assist us in planning shipment routes. The topic of today was the schools I was planning to build all over the kingdom and how the materials would reach their final destinations. We had already been at it for a couple hours and were reaching the point at which more details of price were discussed.

Florentinus was sliding his finger along the map towards Norlov.

“I find it best to bring all the material to a centralized location here in the capital. All to ensure the proper amounts are accounted for as well as making it much simpler to dole out in shipments. What needs to go where and all.”

Wren was sitting with his hands on the table, tented with his fingers splayed out but touching.

“I've heard a great deal about our goddess's strength and size.” He said looking over to me. “You've transported entire shipments of goods yourself through portals have you not?”

It was difficult if not impossible for me to figure out what he was thinking. Yes I could just touch him and read his mind but I'd rather not do anything suspicious. Its pretty common knowledge that I can do that and it would jeopardize this whole operation. He'd definitely pull his support and I don't want to have to force someone clearly shady into doing something so critically important. No it was best to play nice for now and do my best to read him without magical powers.

I narrowed my eyes and sat back in my chair with my arms crossed across my chest.

“I mean yeah? Why do you ask? I already went over that I wanted to do this using people.”

In response to my defensive reply Wren put his hands down flat on the table and sat up with a surprised look on his face.

“Oh no goddess I wasn't trying to go against your wishes!” He said apologetically. “Its just the longer this conversation goes on the larger in scale this operation becomes.” His hands lifted defensively. “Even one of two shipments being taken care of by you personally would greatly cut costs. Not to say a goddess should lift a finger in work of course...” He put on a look of feigned helplessness. “But I've heard a great deal about your penchant for frugality.”

Jagger was standing behind my chair at attention as knights were known to do. He had been silent pretty much this entire time as the rest of us discussed business though he couldn't help but let a small gasp escape him in this moment. It was clear he was getting nervous the longer he watched me interact with these two, for lack of a better word, scumbag merchants. It was only matter of time in his mind before they did something to really piss me off and I did something to them. This is what was running through his mind when I looked through it.

My face was already changing into a frown but before I could say anything it was Florentinus who spoke next. He was well versed in business dealings after all and having a literal goddess sitting at the table was surely making his brow sweat as well.

“As I believe was mentioned at the beginning, albeit in passing.” He said in a confident tone. “The expenses have all been seen to by a verity of wealthy donors, all to further the goddess's cause. There was even a large contribution by the crown, seen to by the crowned price himself.” He then straightened his shirt. “Needless to say money is no object here.”

I simply nodded and gave an annoyed look to Wren. The reminder of copious amounts of gold pieces seemed to shut him up anyway. Greed was the secret with these merchant types after all.

Wren clapped his heads together and nodded, a bright smile on his face.

“Of course!” He exclaimed. “I'm so sorry for forgetting! Being in the presence of a goddess seems to have affected me more than I thought.”

I let out a low sigh and sat up in my chair again, my hands returning to my lap.

“Mhm. So do you have enough logistical power to do a project on this scale? I want the construction to start right away and it'll go well into spring probably.”

Wren nodded confidently and traced several lines on the map before us, his finger stopping at various towns and cities as he spoke.

“Yes great goddess I do. My initial plan would to be following my dear friend's advice and gathering all the materials to the central location of Norlov here. Then my company would begin transporting the sorted goods to the destinations starting with the closest to the capital and working outwards like a fan from there. Does that seem satisfactory?”

I followed along as he detailed the movements on the map and then put my hands together on the table as I looked up to him.

“Yes that works.” I replied. “How long will this all take do you think?”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Wren put his right hand up to his chin in thought for a few moments before removing it.

“Oh it'll take most of the winter to do this. I'm afraid even with the quickest estimates construction won't be possible until even at the closest locations until winter.”

I couldn't help but cross my arms and huff in disappointment. My frustration was clear in my voice. Even though I understood the limitations of transporting goods around the kingdom my excitement and drive to get this education started was challenging my tempered expectations.

“I want to start this as soon as possible. At least in the capital city! How soon to start a school's construction here?”

Florentinus sensed my agitation and was quick to try to calm me down. He understood my temperament perhaps the most of anyone in the room as he had personally seen me deal with the king on at least two occasions.

“Not to worry goddess!” He said with outstretched hands. “With the blueprints, as you call them, already provided I can say with confidence that we'll have enough materials in the capital here for at least one of these buildings.”

This brought a little smile to my face and did in fact lighten my souring mood. I sat up in my seat with my hands on the chair at my sides and smiled brightly.

“Good! Let me know as soon as the materials are ready!”

My new reaction was a great relief to Florentinus and a lesser one to Wren. The latter still didn't quite have an understanding exactly what he was dealing with when he looked at me, not having the full scope of what this friendly goddess was truly capable of.

“Don't worry about the rest of the transportation my goddess” Wren said with a sly smile. “Rest assured my people will complete the deliveries quickly enough to surprise even you I'd wager!”

It was at this point Jagger could hold himself no longer. He had been fidgeting around for a short while now and I hadn't bothered to read his mind yet. It seemed I wouldn't have to as he leaned forward on my right side and cleared his throat softly. There was a concerned look in his eye and sweat on his brow as every eye in the room turned to him.

“E-Excuse me goddess.” He stammered. “May I speak to you privately for a moment?”

The other two gave him inquisitive looks and I simply waved at them with my left hand.

“Give us a moment.” I said flatly.

With just a mental command I conjured up an invisible conversation cone that covered only Jagger and me. Without looking away from the two nobles I spoke out the side of my mouth at my champion.

“Go ahead.” I said curtly. “They can't hear us so make it quick. This better be important.”

Jagger seemed confused for a moment but looked at me after deciding to fully trust me. He did speak quickly and was quite nervous indeed. Almost shaking.

“Well goddess that man plans to fraud you. Wren does!”

I looked at Jagger out of the corner of my eye and then back at Florentinus, deciding it was best to avoid looking directly at Wren.

“What gives you that idea?” I asked quickly.

Jagger gulped and couldn't help looking directly at Wren. He quickly looked away however and back at the floor.

“Well um...” He started. “I overheard him talking about it his escort outside while you went to greet our host. He plans to skim materials out of the shipments to keep for himself.”

I waved my hand in the air again and dismissed the magical effect. In the same moment as I did this I looked into Jagger's mind and through his recent memories. It only took a moment for me, less than a second, and I discovered that he indeed did witness such a conversation. Without changing my expression I looked once again to each of our rich companions.

Florentinus looked a bit confused and nervous himself. He cleared his throat and spoke.

“Is something the matter good goddess?”

I put my hand back down onto the table and shook my head.

“No nothing. Excuse us.”

Wren seemed quite interested in what had just happened and turned in his seat to better face me. He didn't give Jagger even a slightly suspicions look, seemingly accepting whatever we had conversed about being altogether separate from this meeting.

“What was that magic goddess?” He asked in an excited voice. “I've never seen anything like it!” He straightened himself in a proud pose. “I've many a mage friend and never have I seen a spell that could silence spoken word.”

I was actually annoyed with this dirt bag after this discovery, not that I hadn't expected him to be a little shit already. Hearing about his plans to steal from me shouldn't have annoyed me as much as it did but for some reason I was actually getting worked up. Because of this I decided to humor his question with a curt tone.

“It's called conversation cone.” I replied. “It doesn't use one of the elements.”

Both Florentinus and Wren looked at each other in confusion and shock. Even my own champion was surprised to hear this, though he hadn't known me for long.

“I've heard of this before.” Florentinus said. “Unaspected magic called aether. The thirteenth element.” He nodded knowingly. “Of course such things are the domain of the goddesses. Such as the one sitting before us!”

Wren also nodded and sat back in his chair, his arms crossing across his chest.

“Indeed. The power to manipulate reality itself. So sayeth my mage friends. Truly you are blessed Goddess Jenna.”

After letting both of them have their little imaginary moments of understanding I sat back in my chair and put both hands up on the table. I couldn't help but let out a little giggle as I looked between the two of them. They were in high spirits while it was Jagger and the other bodyguards standing around the room that seemed to be sensing something was amiss.

“I really am!” I said with a smile. “Did you know I can even read minds?”

Wren nodded still not quite sensing something was off. Florentinus on the other hand was starting to get nervous. Whatever he was planning though I didn't care about for the moment as it likely wasn't involving crossing me in this escapade. Even he wasn't that stupid.

“I've heard goddess.” Wren said calmly. “It's actually quite terrifying if one thinks about it for too long.”

I leaned forward in my chair, leaning on the table slightly as looking right at Wren. My tone had dropped to a serious one as I gave him a more open eyed look.

“So I've heard!” I said with a overly friendly smile. “Its nothing compared to the terror felt by those who think they can trick me though!” I sat back in my chair and threw my hands up for a moment. “Imagine trying to trick a goddess!” I then brought my hands down again and sat forward. “I mean no one's stupid enough to try and steal from a goddess right?”

Florentinus had a wave of relief wash over him as clearly whatever he was worried about me knowing didn't have anything to do with this business matter. That would have to be a mystery for another day it seemed. He sat back in his chair with a deep sigh and quickly tried to play it off as having to do with his weight.

Wren on the other hand was practically dripping in sweat now, his neck and face red from fear and worry. He was clearly trying to contain himself and was failing miserably. It looked like the not so poor man would die from a heart attack and I actually wanted to avoid that.

With a deep sigh I stood up from my chair, my chest barely reaching the surface of the table due to my child body. As I stood Jagger stepped back to give me space to move.

“Anyway I was reminded of something important at the temple I have to go take care of. Something my champion forgot to mention previously.” I turned and gave each of the merchants a nod. “You'll excuse me then?”

My sudden and drastic change of subject alongside my deadpan serious mannerisms totally convinced the two greedy asshats I was telling the truth. In honesty I just wanted to remove myself from the situation before I actually did something I'd regret in regards to Wren. Besides the plan for the shipments had already been almost entirely completed. All that was left was the nitty-gritty details which would be handled by their companies directly. It wasn't necessary for me to be here for that.

The two men nodded in unison. They were both well aware of the stakes involved in this venture now, my reminder of exactly what level of power they were dealing with waking them up from the stupor they've been in this whole time. Indeed it was perilous to forget that the little girl one spoke to was actually a gigantic goddess of awe inspiring power.

Florentinus nodded and smiled weakly.

“Of course goddess! I apologize for keeping you this long with such boring business details.”

I shrugged and stepped away from the table as I looked over at him. “No its fine really. It was actually pretty fun.” I then looked over at Wren who immediately jerked back in his seat. “It was nice to meet you as well. Thank you for assisting us in this. I'll follow up with you two at a later date.”

Wren gulped and sat up in his chair again, adjusting his shirt and trying to regain his full composure. He then stood and bowed to me deeply, if not to hide his face.

“Yes goddess!” He replied. “T-Thank you for allowing me to assist you! The honor is mine.”

A small huff escaped my lips as I turned away from him and I spoke quietly.

“It really is.”

After these farewells I nodded to Jagger and walked out of the room with him following closely behind me. I left those two merchants in quite the emotional tizzy but not one they didn't deserve. The fat one Florentinus I didn't have any concerns about double crossing me. Wren however I still had some slight concerns about, even though he was unlikely to after this meeting there was still the chance his underlings would try something. I made a note to have the materials double checked on delivery as I almost scowled at the floor. While this was just me deep in thought my poor champion was left worrying about me all the way back to the temple.