Mortality

After reaching Obsequence, the bustling trade city on an inlet of the sea, the group suddenly grew many times over by picking up a company of soldiers to accompany them.

It was bittersweet to lose the intimacy, but the reinforcements were necessary for what was to come. When inspecting the troops, Mairwen had tried to search for familiar faces in the crowd, but found there were none.

In part, that was because none of these men had been in the Battle at the Great Lake. That seemed for the best. The soldiers who had fought at the barrier had experienced untold trauma fighting their own kind who had become monsters both mentally and physically.

There was a genuine concern that when faced with actual monsters who were neither human nor currently in possession of magic, these men might behave in unpredictable ways that could get them killed.

The better course of action was to bring fresh eyes to the problem and train them for the issue at hand.

The princess had hoped that at least one of the men from when Renat was in the army or even someone from Cafer's War would be around for her to welcome. When this was not the case, she allowed Eira to coordinate everything with the regiment's commanding officer before they headed out the following morning.

She was still mulling over the lack of companions among the soldiers a few day later.

"I do wish we had brought Captain Caleb with us," Mairwen said to no one in particular as the sun blazed overhead.

She felt it was her duty to make idle chatter since no one else with her--except possibly her husband--was keen on speaking much. While she did not really mind the silence, the princess felt it was her duty to look relaxed and talkative for the soldiers following behind her.

If Mairwen seemed tense this early in the journey, then everyone would follow her lead. Hanna had more authority on this expedition and Alaron had more raw power, but the former was not human and therefore eyed with subdued reverence, and the latter was not known by his true title.

That left the burden of morale squarely on Mairwen's shoulders. She idly continued her line of thought, "The Captain has never been able to come on a journey. I do wonder if he grows bored of being in the palace most of the time."

"I think Captain Caleb would have offered to come if he thought it was best for the Empire," Eira answered her mistress.

Since commanding the troops at the Great Lake, the beautiful soldier had become more vocal. She was more comfortable sharing her thoughts with both the princess and the rest of the group, especially when they were not at the palace.

"Caleb knows the importance of protecting the capital city. The Captain is not young anymore and knows his own strengths and limitations." Hanna stared forward, her face pinched.

After many days in the saddle, the Fate's rear end was very sore. It seemed she was discovering her own strengths and limitations as well. Though there were far more of the latter as of late. Hanna felt her stomach rumble and sighed.

Across the centuries, she had never needed to eat. It was a luxury but not a necessity. Now that Hanna had very little magic to sustain her, her body had to bend to the wills of nature. That included eating and sleeping as well as muscle soreness from riding on a beast of burden.

Seeing the Fate's mood change, Alaron motioned to his sister. She immediately understood.

Mairwen yawned dramatically. "I think I may need a short rest and a midday meal. No use running ourselves ragged just to get there quicker. We will be no good to anyone if we arrive exhausted."

"If you say so dearie," Hanna tried to put up a brave front. She reined in her horse and quickly dismounted. Her wide walk showed her discomfort even though she tried to disguise it by adjusting her dress for walking in the snow. "I think there is a river over here where we can drink and refill our waterskins."

"Thank you Hanna. We appreciate all of your help." On Mairwen's signal, the rest of her company as well as all of the soldiers following them dismounted and prepared for a small meal.

"You are very welcome, Your Highness. I--" Hanna's eyes grew slightly. "I will be right back..."

The twins gave each other curious glances as Hanna hurried off into the trees. When she returned, the group had spread out and was waiting for her with a blanket covered in food.

"I hate being mortal." Hanna grunted as she sat down between Mairwen and Eira. "I don't know how you ladies have managed to relieve yourselves with all these skirts for generations. Especially in the woods!"

"It is an acquired skill." The princess nodded sympathetically.

"At least you have facilities for that in the Mystic Spires," Alaron thought about all of the Fates stuck in the floating tower.

"I guess Asha will have some competition for using them for once." Hanna wasn't sure whether she was amused or disgusted. Other than when the Empress had visited or when Alaron had lived there for a year, no one used the more mundane resources of the Spires except Asha. Until now.

As they munched on dried fruit that they had bought in Obsequence, Alaron had another thought. "Do the Fates have enough supplies to make it until we arrive?"

Finishing a dried plum, Hanna tilted up her nose. "It is the custom of the Fates to always have a store of food available in case an emergency should arise where they are compelled to intervene. Hopefully Justum will ration the food properly to last many months."

Hanna took another dried plum from the basket. Somehow it did not taste as good as when she did not have to eat, but it did satiate her hunger. The gnawing of her stomach was another unpleasant experience Hanna could have just as easily gone without ever knowing.

Would the leader of the Fates give in too much when the others complained of their own hunger pains?

"You don't think very highly of Justum, do you?" Alaron had seen the two disagree more than once. He felt torn because he genuinely liked both of the Fates and did not want to have to choose sides.

While Alaron thought of Justum as a mentor, Hanna was someone he considered an ally of humanity and a friend. The blue skinned lady furrowed her brow at his comment. She shook her head as she finished her plum.

"On the contrary, I think very highly of him and respect him. But it is also my job to keep him accountable. We may seem at odds, but we do both want what is best, and for that we are united." Hanna wished suddenly that she were back with the other Fates. The disconnection was very lonely.

In her sadness, Hanna polished off another dried plum. She wasn't even hungry any more, yet eating was somehow comforting to her. It was a strange phenomena. "I hate being mortal," Hanna sighed. The princess gave the Fate a hug from her side.

"We will get back to the other Fates soon and help all of you get back your magic, don't worry." Mairwen comforted the blue-skinned Fate.

Hanna nodded. She needed to stay positive. The dried fruit was good. The people around her cared about her. The Fate was in far better shape than he had been just a week ago.

"In the meantime, maybe you should stop eating so many prunes..." Alaron scratched the back of his head.

"I'm trying to! They are just so delicious. I'm sure we can pick up more food before we get too far into the wilderness if that is what you are worried about. I will replenish whatever it costs when things get back to normal." Hanna defended herself.

"That is very thoughtful, but that wasn't my concern." Alaron raised his eyebrows knowingly.

The Fate paled slightly, her stomach growing sour at his words. Would she gain weight from eating like other mortals? She had no idea. But at this rate she would find out very soon. "It you are worried about my figure..."

"Hanna," Mairwen intervened. "You have eaten a dozen prunes and nothing else. I think my brother is concerned about something else."

Hanna pursed her lips. "What? It is just fruit. Fruit is healthy. Fruit is very good for the digestive system."

"Perhaps a little too good," Alaron chuckled softly.

"What do you...Oh...oh no!" Hanna looked at him for a second before her eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed. "Excuse me."

The Fate rose and dashed off into the woods. It was not the first time nor the last that her voice could be heard sifting through the forest.

"...I hate being mortal..."