A wonderer, that’s all she was now, no home, no family, no master, she had only herself and her few belongings to her name. For what that name was worth anymore anyway, and it was worth whatever her current employer was willing to pay. Turning to mercenary work was distasteful, but she had to eat, food wasn’t free and stealing was lower than mercenary work. However, as she had no name in that world, no experience, it had been hard to get jobs at the start. A few small paying jobs here and there, with those that couldn’t afford a more experienced merc to work for them. She could have tried to join up with a company, but that did not suit her, not at the moment anyway, she’s rather work on her own.

The low note of a flute like instrument wafted over the small caravan as it made its way from Adeluna to Vilpamolan, at this moment in half way through the Plains. The note if followed to its source came from a woman who was sitting cross legged on top of one of the hard topped covered wagons. From there she could see all around the small caravan, even as she continued to play a melody on the flute in her hands. She wore simple clothing, cut well to allow her freedom of movement to use the katana on her side, and show off the tattoos she had on her chest and arms. A large snake wrapped itself around a heart on her chest, while flowers adorned her arms, her long black hair tied back in a tail out of her face.

There were a couple of other mercs on the trip, but they were keeping to themselves, knowing each other from past work. So far they had not asked anything of the new woman, her eyes had had a ‘leave me alone’ kind of look in them, but she would have conversed if asked. Instead she had decided to take up a spot on a bit of high ground and play her flute until interrupted in some way. The couple driving the wagon she was on top of her did not seem to mind her playing, or at least had yet to ask her to stop after growing tired of it.

The low notes continued to echo as the caravan moved ever onward.

For once in her life, Fiori would NOT be making a dramatic entrance to her destination. She sat in a decent wagon as it was being pulled by a couple she had hired to drive. The rest of the caravan was also hers, or really the rest of her stuff being sent to Vilpamolan along with some assisting servants and a few people who decided to join out of safety. Fiori didn't mind having a few extra people and had given a message to the mercenaries she hired to protect everybody in the caravan. Some of her hired mercenaries had worked together before while others were new to the group. 

On any other day she would have trusted the caravan to get to its destination unharmed. However, this was Vilpamolan. The most difficult of locations to sell to. Any one of her garments could be stolen or packages end up destroyed even with the help of mercenaries. The last shipment she sent went missing before it arrived so now she has to go on the second shipment herself to either find the source or to prevent it from happening again. Its why she now sat in the wagon, a bit squished against a few crates. Even the mercenaries she hired wouldn't recognize her since she paid them under the Terrowin name. 

The only problem? Her motion sickness. Travelling in airships or even sea ships were fine. If she had an expensive carriage built to prevent motion sickness then she wouldn't have a single issue. But this was not a fancy carriage. It was a carriage built to hold heavy items and storage items. The entire trip she had been leaning against one of the carriage walls, trying not to hurl. Luckily her outfit was just a simple red tunic and black pants with some black boots. Her hair was tied up in a pretty bun and her sword was plain. Hurling on any of this was acceptable, though she would rather avoid it. 

While Kawabata was playing her flute and Fiori was throwing her guts up, Hans Grish, black clad Knight of The Raven rode on next to caravan on his beloved steed, a mighty black warhorse named Schwarz, that just like her master, was clad in black armour and cloth. Hans had to admit that he was not expecting to be escorting a caravan today but as it happened he was on the road while it was riding by. Hans of course approached the caravan and its owner, a lady named Fiori Terrowin, to inquire about its purpose and what not, learning that it was a trading heading to place called Vilpamolan. He also heard that the caravan accepted those who tagged along and that sellswords hired by Fiori were instructed to protect them too. Truly a kind gesture, he thought and decided that it, he should help lady Fiori and people in her caravan and so, he offered her services. Wishing to not trouble her or her finances that were probably already set aside for other mercenaries, he only asked for food and drink as compensation. Afterall, he wasn't a contract bound sellsword here, he was more or less tagging along and so it wouldn't be proper to ask for money, that was already calculated and set aside for others, while in the middle of a trip, now would it?

As he rode on, he listened intently to Kawabata's flute or well flute like instrument that she was playing. He had to admit that it seemed rather peculiar to see this woman just sitting crossleged on top of one of the carts but who was he to judge? A knight in black armour, adorned with silver details that emulate a ribcage on his chestplate while his face is covered up by a skull shaped helmet? Still he had to admit, that the song brought on something of a somber mood on him. He was thinking of home, back to his own world. He was getting bit melancholic and homesick at the momment, knowing full well he wouldn't see his family anymore…nor his friends or mentors. It was a gut wrenching feeling he had to admit and wished to alleviate it somehow. So he started to hum up a melody he remembered of a song he heard and learned some time ago. However as they moved on, the quiet humming soon turned louder and soon enough, it was not just humming anymore but full on song.

"With cast iron fist grasping the lance's shaft
And left hand holding the reins
That is how Empire's Knights advance
And their banners flutter on the wind!

Heja, heja, heja, heja!
And their banners flutter on the wind!
Heja, heja, heja, heja!
And their banners flutter on the wind!

The eagle pattern, in black it flies
Forwards on the white field
And underneath it
Reiklanders are marching forwards!

Heja, heja, heja, heja!
Reiklanders are marching forwards!
Heja, heja, heja, heja!
Reiklanders are marching forwards!

The cross pattern, in white it flies
Forwards on the red field
And underneath it
Hochlanders are marching forwards!

Heja, heja, heja, heja!
Hochlanders are marching forwards!
Heja, heja, heja, heja!
Hochlanders are marching forwards! (…)"

The other reason for Kawabata to be sitting on this carriage was because her payche… employer, was sitting inside of it. From what the ronin could tell the young elf woman had a problem with motion sickness. Fiori had instructed the guards to protect everyone, not just Fiori herself and the goods they were transporting. Another who had joined up with them was the heavily armoured knight and his equally armoured steed. Hans was his name and when he had approached at first Kawabata had kept an eye on him until she was sure that he was not a threat. He damned well looked like one, but thus far had proven to just be another traveler heading in their direction who wished to offer his assistance.

As they continued the flute player could hear Hans humming and before long he was singing. Glancing in his direction after the first verse and chorus Kawabata picked up the rhythm and flowed her own song around to match what he was singing instead. After that was finished Kawabata set her kagurabue back into its sheath in her jacket. Without a word she smiled and nodded to Hans as she stood and looked around from that extra height; no trouble in view just yet.

”Checking on Fiori.” Was all the ronin said as she swung herself down from the top of the carriage and into the opened back to land gracefully in an open spot among the cargo. There in sat Fiori in her red tunic and black pants and boots. The tattooed woman looked over the younger elf woman for a moment. ”Still sick?” It was said as a question, but was more of an observation than anything. Kawabata’s voice was clear and not too high, but her thick accent made it clear that Common was not her native language.

Adjusting her sword belt, the ronin stepped up to Fioni and reached out to take the elf’s left hand. ”This might help.” Holding Fioni’s left hand, Kawabata took her own right index, middle and ring fingers and put them on Fioni’s wrist just under the crease between the tendons and pressed firmly and would for a minute or two while she spoke. ”Ginger or chamomile if you have any, bread or apples to, eat slow. Sit up front and look at horizon, in here eyes say you aren’t moving, but you’re body says you are, confuses the stomach.” She explained and would apply pressure until either Fioni felt relief or told to stop.

The singing and music was something Fiori could focus on for a while as a distraction from her stomach. She choked back a bit of bile and her embarrassment as the carriage bumped its way forwards. Frustration lingered in her eyes at her own helplessness. If she could only magic away this type of problem, but alas the universe was against her. At least the music was nice. Soon the song ended and she heard the sound of someone swinging into her carriage. She nodded her head at the statement, unable to properly respond. Kawabata reached out to take her left hand. Fiori eyed the hand for a bit before giving her left hand over. If the ronin wanted to hurt her at any point, she would have done so already. Besides, even the basic mercenaries understood that harming their clients was bad for business. 

She was surprised by the massaging motions and silently hoped that it would help. The mercenary suggested ginger or chamomile and if she ate anything to eat slow. Fiori would ask why a mercenary would have such expertise on the subject but she was too busy focusing on the advice itself. Slowly, her stomach seemed to calm down and she felt a bit of relief. Fiori could even speak now. 

"Thank you." Fiori said politely, "It's usually not this bad. I think I'm just not used to it." 

Maybe moving out to the front would be a good idea. Before she could make a movement, one of the lookout mercenaries shouted something about bandits. Fiori was still recovering from her stomach but had enough sense to understand that bandits were on their way. She poked her head out of the door to listen to any further details. There was a small group heading to their front and a small group heading to the back. The wagons and carriages weren't made for speed and the bandits were all riding horses. Outrunning them wouldn't be an option. 

"We appear to have guests." She muttered, mostly to herself.