The next morning differed from our standard fare. Instead of the normal breakfast, Meleri gave us the full three-star treatment. It comprised perfectly made toast, eggs poached and spiced to absolute perfection, sausages cooked the perfect amount to have a crunchy skin without being overcooked. And, of course, a small stack of American pancakes with syrup. The latter became a massive hit with Ivy, to the surprise of no one.


    “This is delicious, sis. And you receive full marks from the jury, it seems.” I noted as I watched everyone else devour their food with abandon. The others didn’t reply, they were too busy eating. She replied with a smug grin. “Told you I improved, didn’t I?” I finished another mouthful of a poached egg. “Yeah, yeah, It’s great. What more do you want, standing ovation?”


    She looked like she was about to reply when Miva held her plate out towards Meleri. “Auntie Meleri, seconds, please!” She blinked a few times in surprise. The scene caused me to chuckle. “I remember telling you I am an honorary aunt for her. I guess you have gained that status, too.” Meleri broke into a smile as she grabbed the plate. “That doesn’t sound so bad, actually. Considering my older sister is about as aromantic as they come.”


    “Ha, ha, ha, hilarious, sis. You’re a real comedian.” I finished me meal and leaned against the back of my chair. “You know, there is one perk to this place over the old one.” Meleri looked at me with an inquisitive expression, just as my plate and cutlery levitated towards the sink. “The chores do themselves.”


    Meleri blinked a few times, then started laughing. “I suppose they do, don’t they?” After breakfast, we all assembled on the porch once more. It was still, so early the morning mist was still around, lending mystique to the morning view.


    As we sat down to relax, Miva in Meleri’s lap, Ivy swinging from one of the wind chimes, and Soot was sitting on a crossbeam near the roof where he was preening his feathers. Midnight was resting on my lap, enjoying my gentle scratching of her head and neck, and Midnight was enjoying the bird bath. “So, finally done with the unpleasantness as of yesterday, next up should be…” My voice trailed off as a familiar jingle filled the air. “Never mind, looks like we have guests.”


    A few moments later, a wagon arrived from the direction of Nekkal. The wagon itself was pulled by a camel-like beast with three humps. The beast was whistling a melodious tune as it walked. Although, to call it an actual wagon, was a bit of a stretch. It was more akin to a hover sled than anything, as it was levitating off the ground and lacked wheels. The driver and the two men beside him could only be described as having an Adonis build, and their skin was darkly tanned. Their forms were loosely covered in runed bandages under the leather cloaks and loincloths covering their large frames. Upon arriving, the driver pulled up and one of the three hopped off and opened the door on the wagon itself.


    Out stepped a lithe bronze-skinned woman with black hair tied up in dreadlocks, deep brown eyes with golden eye shadow, sharp angular nose and thick lips painted gold. You could easily mistake her for an Egyptian queen from earth, risen from her tomb in all her beauty. There was a key difference, however.


    Her clothing was so skimpy you’d be hard-pressed to call it decent. She was essentially wearing a leather bikini and the rest of her body was loosely wrapped in bandages with runes and a cloak, like her two guards and driver. Although her cloak was made from red silk and the bandages of a much better quality. As she looked up at the house and saw us, she broke into a smile. “Morgana! Darling, how delightful to see you!” Her husky voice was as silky smooth as silk and a delight to listen to.


    I gave her a polite nod. “Jaira, business must be doing well, considering you have added at least one more guard to your caravan. And arrived about half a month early.” Meleri gave me a sideways glance, since a caravan would need more than one wagon. But Jaira would have left most of her guards and wagons back in Nekkal, since most of what she was selling was not something I was remotely interested in, or approved of within my borders, and she knew it.


    Jaira beamed at my words. “Oh, you noticed? I’m touched! No, really Darling, I am.” she walked up the stairs and gave be a radiant smile. Then turned her attention to Soot. “Hello to you too, Soot. Delighted, as always.” Soot lowered his beak in greeting. “Ma’am.” Midnight was next as she all but danced over to her. “Oh Midnight, my divine darling. I have a treat for you.” She gave a quick snap, and one guard pulled out a box with some expertly cut meat on it from a magical storage.


    “Sliced and boned fish from the great Alendek River of my homeland. I hope it will fit your distinguished tastes, oh divine Midnight.” Midnight glanced at me, but I just shrugged. It was not my place to tell her whether she should accept Jaira’s offering or not. She gave it a sniff, licked her lips, then gave it a taste. She quickly purred as she kept eating, earning a beaming smile from Jaira.


    Jaira then skipped to where Winter was roosting. “Oh Winter you cute little fluff ball you! You are just adorable, you are. I hope you are doing well.” She gently stroked Winter’s feathers, earning a delighted hoot from the owl. She then looked up at Ivy.


    “Oh, and what a delightful surprise. Ivy, my favorite pixie customer. Did you know I have half a dozen jars of Orange Jam with your name on them?” Ivy trilled happily. “That sounds wonderful, same price as always?” Jaira nodded. “Of course, I would never be so uncouth as to rise the price on my trusted regulars.”You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Ivy trilled eagerly as Jaira pulled out a small jar from her bag and placed it on the porch railing. “Whenever you’re ready, hon.” Ivy flew above the jar and began to rise and fall in rapid succession, causing a rain of glittering pixie dust to fill the small jar.


    Meanwhile, the same guard as before pulled out six bucket-sized jars filled with jam. "Pleasure doing business with you, Ivy, as always.” Ivy flitted over to the jars and pulled them into her bag in short order. “Pleasures all mine, Jaira, I assure you.” She flew back to her wind chime swing, happily singing the word “jam” over and over.


    Jaira’s gaze then fell on Meleri and Miva. “Oh, fresh faces, how delightful.” She walked over and spread her arms with a friendly and winning smile. “Oh, you are both so adorable, I could just give you a k-” That was as far as she got before I grabbed her shoulder in a vice grip. “Don’t even think about it. No addiction inducing, life draining kisses for anyone on my lands, Jaira. Even less so, my friends and family.”


    Jaira blinked a few times, as she unsuccessfully tried to extract herself from my grip. “Alright, alright, Darling, no need to get your cloak in a twist. It was just a manner of speaking, and I apologize if it appeared anything else.” I released her. “Well, considering your primary stock of goods, and reputation, forgive me for not being entirely convinced of your good intentions, where strangers to yourself are concerned.”


    Jaira inclined her head. “I understand, Darling. And I will admit I have earned my reputation, all things considered. Something that has marred more than one business deals as well. The mistakes of my youth will always haunt me, I fear.” Seeing that her regretful act was not working, she just shrugged. “Fine, Darling, I swear on my honor as a merchant, no funny business with friends and kin of yours. Happy?” I nodded.


    Jaira massaged her shoulder for a bit before she turned back to Miva and Meleri, now all smiles once again. “Well then, sorry about that, darlings. Allow me to introduce myself. Jaira Vèl-D?-Set, Master Merchant and leader of Caravan Jaira. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She gave a polite bow.


    My sister looked a bit uncomfortable as she reached out a hand. “Meleri.” Jaira took the hand and shook it immediately. “It''s my pleasure, Meleri. Truly. And you, little one?” Miva looked far less uncertain or apprehensive. “Miva, though we have met before, you visited my Granny’s coven a few years back.” Jaira blinked a few times. “Oh really, a few years… hmm my last trip then... oh! Right, I remember. Aile’s coven, right?”


    Miva nodded, and Jaira beamed at the confirmation. “A delightful woman, truly. Sharp witted and sharp tongued. Sold her some ingredients for a potion of youth. What a great deal. I hope she got the remaining ingredients.” Miva nodded again, a bit overwhelmed by the sheer positivity in Jaira’s demeanor. Jaira beamed even more at the news. “Oh, that’s marvelous, hon. My best wishes on the brewing.” She turned back to me. “So, Darling, could I interest you in looking at my wares? As always, a special discount for you, of course.” Jaira winked and blew me a kiss.


    Meleri seemed to get even more confused, given Jaira’s behavior. Best to get this over with before Meleri started coming to all the wrong conclusions. “Why don’t you prepare them, while I explain to my obviously confuses sister exactly what’s going on here.” Jaira looked at Meleri, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Oh, hon, why ruin the fun?” I arched an eyebrow, and Jaira threw her hands out. “Fine, fine, we’ll do it your way.”


    As Jaira hopped down from the porch, Meleri walked over to me. “Is she…?” I shook my head. “Jaira is not my girlfriend, no, she’s that flirty with everyone and everything, it''s instinctual to her kin.” That seemed to poke Meleri’s interest. “Kin, you mean she isn’t human?” I shook my head. “Nope. She’s a Mummir.” Meleri looked at me. “A what?” I looked over at where Jaira and her guards were laying out numerous items.


    “Mummir, the best way to explain what they are, would be…” I paused for a moment, looking for the words. “Take the seduction, life draining and… flirty… aspects of a succubus.” I glanced over at where Miva was within earshot as I changed the last wording from its original meaning. “The Egyptian motif of mummies, and the “all female and female dominated society” motif of amazons and cram it into one package. The result is the Mummir. They''re a mercantile-obsessed species with a focus on two far less savory trades, given their abilities.” Meleri looked at me, not fully connecting the dots. “Flesh and pleasure. Those men, they are hers, literally.” The disapproval in my voice as I spoke was obvious.


    Meleri finally got it. “Oh… but... if she is a slaver, why…?” I pointed at the wares Jaira was putting out to show off. “She is the only Mummir willing to deviate from their usual fare of dealing in flesh for more common goods. She also understands that I don’t approve of her usual wares, and so leaves most of her caravan back in Nekkal. Not only that, but she only takes items that might interest me, and a few bodyguards with her when she travels into my domain. Which is an outrageous sign of trust for her kin, I might add.” Jaira’s men finished lining up the goods, and she approached the porch again.


    “Oh, it’s not trust. It’s that I know it’s safe. What kind of bandit would be insane enough to waylay travelers in your domain, after all? As such, I only take a few of my darling bodyguards to ward off wild animals. Besides, I earn good money dealing with other items here in the midlands where flesh markets are at best frowned upon, if not outright forbidden. And with no competition from my kinsmen, any mundane items or food from back home go at a premium. And I have my darling Morgana to thank for this divine revelation called Supply and Demand.” Jaira’s smile was absolutely radiant as she spoke.


    Meleri gave another confused look. I just shook my head. “Ironically enough, Jaira will enter the next part of my story, so you can learn more about that later. For now, let’s see what’s for sale, shall we? I hopped down from the landing and Meleri followed suit. She then glanced over at Jaira again. “Umm, not to be rude or anything, but... what’s with the bandages?”


    Jaira looked at her, confused, for a bit. “Bandages… oh my Reimmeith? It’s for protection against the elements, hon. As long as I wear it, I am comfortable, no matter how hot or warm it becomes. And a high-quality one, such as this, also doubles as magical armor. It might not look it, but this Reimmeith offers better protection to me, than a full plate would a knight. But enough about my clothes. Come now, browse, buy!” She grinned as she waved towards her exotic wares.