A Familiar Void

Chapter 27

"It's good that we managed to find a ship that wanted to travel towards Albion," Agnes said as she took a seat at the table with the rest of the students.

The inn that they were staying in was busy. More than a couple travellers were eating and drinking, a few of the workers were enjoying their meals before they had to retire for the night. And then there was their table, where it sat a group of mages, a bodyguard to the queen, and a single Familar.

Sylphid was forced to sleep away from the inn, lest it scare the rest of the patrons. While Bug was currently wandering the area.

All of them looked tired and slightly irritated., with the sole exception of Tabitha was reading her book. Louise was resting her cheek on the palm of her hand as she stared forward, Sib was sitting beside her looking around at the patrons as they walked past the table. Montmorency was just staring at the air without an focus in her eyes. Kirche was the only one that didn't seem that tired, besides Tabitha, even then they could see that she was still fatigued from the trip.

Agnes however wasn't as effected by the trip, her gaze was still as she looked among the group. She tapped her fingers on the table "It's going to cost some money, but at least we managed to secure a trip. I was worried we might be stuck here."

"I still can't believe that they expected us to pay," Montmorency grumbled out. The blonde mage narrowed her eyes at some of the workers currently eating "They should've waived the fee for us when we told them that it was an important mission from the Princess."

"Yeah," Louise joined in "Did you hear what he said 'That's what they all say. The trip ain't free, especially since you're asking us to go to Albion.'" She shook her head "The nerve of them!"

"They deserved compensation for our request," Agnes stated, giving the two of them glares from her spot "Especially since there's a chance that they don't want to leave La Rochelle or even go Albion."

The two mage kept grumbling, but said nothing else.

Agnes sighed "Besides, we need to pay them back for the Windstones that they would use up. A trip to Albion right now isn't going to be cheap."

"A shame we didn't get here sooner," Louise complained, placing a hand under her chin "The moons were closest just two days ago, if we had gotten here then we might not have to pay that much."

"Not that we should pay that amount that they asked for," Montmorency let out an annoyed huff "It's not like Windstones are in hard supply now."

"Oh let them have their gold," Kirche told them, the fire mage was smiling "It's not like we can't afford it." She then shrugged "Besides, if we ever decide not to take a ship we could always take Sylphid to Albion," she turned to Tabitha and threw a hand over her shoulder "I'm sure it could make the trip, eh Tabby?"

The blue haired mage lowered the book in her hands so that she could peek over the top of it, her eyes flicked towards Kirche and answered with a simple "No."

Kirche flinched, drawing her arms back.

Agnes raised an eyebrow "Is there any reason?" She asked "It's always good to have a back up plan, but..."

Tabitha's eyes turned towards Louise, "Louise," the mage's eyes widened at the accusation. Blue eyes then turned towards the small creature at the side, who was still looking at each single passerby "Her Familiars would cause trouble."