After they put up camp Amy, and Yu returned with the children. Denying the request for more games was too tempting to pass up. The wagon was rolling along a large river, and at a distance, one could see a large structure damming up the river.
As the wagon drew closer they could see a group of castors' building onto the dam. They had wide flat tails, and small round ears atop their head. Their bodies had brown fur along their forearms and thighs.
Around their waist were animal hides and the hunters were wielding spears. While their comrades reinforced the dam they stood watch for threats and attempted to catch fish to pass the time. Zack halted the wagon admiring the workers' cooperation.
One group was gathering new wood to stack atop, and as they turned to grab it their tails would pat down the mud. Their comrades used magic to gather the next layer. Their bodies swayed together in unison calling up muck from the bottom of the river. The only thing to halt their work was a polite wave in their direction.
"Are there a lot of tribes out here?" Zack asked Miu.
"There's less every year, but the ones left are friendly," Miu replied.
"I'll let a group know to make contact." Kaya slid through the wagon door.
Kaya entered the hall to see Aida straightening up the tavern.
"Why are you here?" Kaya investigated.
"To serve my master and his women." Aida bowed.
"When did you get here?" Kaya asked.
"When the wagon was first brought out," Aida replied.
'She didn't step through with the others, but the other way isn't possible. Maybe I missed something.'
"It's possible because I'm an artificial being," Aida stated.
"Doing that without permission is rude you know," Kaya replied.
"Forgive my impertinence." Aida turned around sticking her rear out.
"Wh-what are you d-doing?" Kaya stuttered.
"Waiting for punishment," Aida replied wiggling her butt.
"Put your s-skirt down already...In what way is that punishment." Kaya looked away.
"Master has always used this method," Aida replied while complying with Kaya's orders.
Kaya stormed back out into the wagon and opened the window grabbing Zack by the hair.
"H-how is th-that punishment!" Kaya tried to pull Zack through the window.
"What are you talking about?" Zack asked.
"The misunderstanding is my fault master," Aida stated.
"What do you mean?" Kaya released Zack's hair.
"I was referring to my original master. Zack has only owned me for a day and has yet to punish me." Aida replied.
"I've told you I don't intend to," Zack told Aida.
With the misunderstanding fixed Aida sent for a sentry, and once it appeared from the array it jumped out of the wagon. It returned to the Castors and relayed a greeting from Aida. When they were moving out of view of the dam they saw the array being built.
Aida has only been around for a day, but she's already accomplished so much. The sentries at Eden were given more complex orders to handling conflicts, and now had routes extending outside the walls. They just started campaigns to rid Eden's borders of bandits.
Worker dolls are now moving between jobs instead of waiting for more supplies to continue. With spare time they took up inventory duties freeing up the others. All this information running through Aida's mind, and at the service of Zack.
"Anything else?" Aida asked.
"No that's everything. Thanks for your help." Zack smiled.
"I'll be in the tavern if you need anything." Aida winked.
As they continued down the road the canyons started coming into view. Entering dangerous territory again Kaya went through the hatch in the roof. She didn't wanna ride through a narrow passage without her bow at the ready.
"You gonna be like that the whole time?" Octavia asked.
"It's supposed to be dangerous here remember," Kaya replied.
"Cause it's tricky to navigate. The dangerous part was an excuse for her to stay close." Octavia smirked.
"How long are you gonna keep that up?" Miu retorted growing impatient.
"Once you admit it." Octavia declared.
"I do wa-wanna spend time w-with him, but I di..."
An odd creaking was heard above as a large boulder came crashing down. Miu hopped up from the wagon drawing her kodachi while unleashing her sword aura. The boulder was eradicated in an instant as the blade returned to its sheath.
Miu began running up the side of the canyon, but boulders rained down from all sides. There were too many for her to counter, and one was preparing to hit her head-on. Zack rapidly appeared shattering it with a single blow and grabbing Miu by the hips.
The wagon was warded against attacks, but Kaya still let loose. Zack reappeared above the mayhem below and saw ogres pushing them over. They were standing at seven feet tall with bronzed skin, pointy ears, and a single horn protruding from their head.
The ogres intended to crush the wagon and block the horses in. Food in these parts was scarce meaning any meat was worth it. After realizing they were magic users the ogres decided to cut their losses, and pick the through the mincemeat later.
"Thanks, but I can h-handle it from here." Miu jumped towards the ogres on the right conjuring shuriken.
Watching Miu leap their way the ogre swung a massive club with full force. The ogres may have been powerful, but they weren't the brightest bunch. When the shurikens hurled his way missed it was ignored, and the result was his body freezing in mid-swing.
'Dumbass.' Miu smirked.
Miu ran up the frozen club and shattered the ogre's head with a kick while springing over their formation. When she landed Miu charged forward with her kodachi. Her fingers tips ran across the blade as it was covered in frost, and with one swing three ogres were rendered to statues.
One of the ogres slammed his club into the boulder sending rubble flying Miu's way at frightening speeds. She stomped her foot while flicking her hand up as the earth rose, and a wall enveloped her.
'I hate areas like this.'
Dry environments like this made it difficult to launch large-scale ice attacks. With the lack of moisture, Miu was forced to burn up her mana at a faster rate to launch her current attacks. The wall around Miu was barely formed when the ground rumbled.
Miu tried to spring back, but it was too late. An ogre swung a large maul down shattering the wall, and the force produced sent Miu tumbling back. She slammed to kodachi into the ground sliding back as ten ogres charged.
The large one that shattered Miu's wall with ease was now in striking range. Miu was standing up to defend herself when Octavia appeared above the ogre. She came crashing out of the shadows onto the ogre's back jamming her gladius into the base of his neck and twisting it. Octavia jumped towards Miu's side as his body crashed into the dirt.
"Seems you weren't full of it," Octavia smirked.