I slept REALLY well last night. I don't even think I've slept that well before taking over Bernadette. It might have just been the build up of fatigue and stress from being on the run, but sleeping next to Mi' ara has really left me feeling refreshed.

As I was reflecting on my good night's rest, the inn keeper brought us breakfast. The inn doesn't have a dining area, as it isn't big enough, so food seems to be brought up to the room and is eaten on a small stand. 

As for the Food itself, it isn't much. Just vegetable soup with some hard bread. Like the other foods I've eaten so far it lacks spices. Once I deal with the organization I should try and find where all the spices are in this world. There might even be some on Esu that haven't been discovered by the locals. Food aside now would be a good time to inquire about Mi' ara's circumstances.

"So Mi'ara, you're a snake person right? Judging by the color of your scales you are from the n'esk tribe. What are you doing all the way in the right region?"

"Oh my, you are quite knowledgeable about us snake folk aren't you. As for why I'm here there was a large monster swarm that attcked my village. During the attack I got separated and lost. After wandering around for a few weeks I stumbled upon a human settlement. The nice guard at the gate there gave me directions and I started on the journey back. It was quite the journey wrought with peril and adventure but I'm almost back home!"

My god. That guard clearly got the names of the snake tribes wrong and gave her the directions to the S'enk tribe which is near here, and the poor girl actually went along with it without questioning it. How the hell is she here alive and well when she was gullible enough to not question clearly wrong information. She would have been scammed at every opportunity. Actually considering her muscles and spear on her vack, most would be intimated enough not to try anything. They'd probably get their asses kicked.

Dumb mistake and gullible snek milf aside, I could use this. She perfectly covers my flaws. First off she can clearly fight on the front lines with that spear, which I, as a small squishy mage loli, wouldn't be able to do. Second she has the racial trait of heat detection, so she could see hidden foes. A huge boon for someone up against an organization that can afford to just spam assassins at me until one finally succeeds. I could probably do something similar with magic detection spells to detect people trying to hide their presence, but keeping that active constantly would be costly mana wise and be easily countered by a piece of anti-magic metal. Third is that she is an adult. I could get her to do things only adults could do that I cannot as a child like buying weapons or alcohol for alchemy. Finaly having a snake person to vouch for my trustworthiness would make convincing the N'esk tribe to let me stay easier. Convincing her to come along with me should be easy as we are going to the same destination and I should be able to get into her good graces by pointing out the actual way back to her home.

"Ummm, the N'esk tribe is actually on the border between the north and left regions of the Esu island. It seems that guard you mention confused the N'esk tribe with the S'enk tribe and gave you the wrong directions. Your tribe is quite literally on the other side of the island..."

"WAIT WHAT!? Are you sure?"

"Yes I am. I happen to be going there for my own reasons, And have set out a little over a week ago."

"Is that so... WAIT! Aren't you traveling alone? That won't do. A child like yourself shouldn't be setting off alone on that long of a journey. Please allow me to accompany you."

Damn I didn't even have to ask. She offered it up herself. I would feel bad if I dragged her into my mess with the organization without informing her first, so I'll take the opportunity to do so now,

"About that, I'm actually traveling to the N'esk territory to shake off some pursuers. You see in the human settlements there is this organization that wants to take over. I being a noble was an important part of their scheme. They intended to force me to wed someone I didn't like so they could influence said person. I didn't want to take part in their nefarious plots so I ran away taking only money, and some equipment with me. Now I'm on the run. As the organization is only interested in taking over the human settlements for now I intend to hide in the N'esk territory far from here. I actually brought some books on how to make human tools to trade for my protection."

Mi' ara listened to my story with there eyes closed before nodding,

"Then it seems you need my help even more. Don't worry young one this Mi' ara will ensure you're safe and sound on your journey to my tribe."

It seems like I've gotten my hands on a very useful, albeit a little naive, companion.