day 14 25638

Rick looked over at Cord who wasn’t quite as red. “I can see why that would be a good idea. You would have been all right in the edges, they are more tolerant of outsiders, being the trade gateway.  They have to be, but they still are openly disapproving.” He buttered some bread and handed it to Kell. “By way how do you know each other? Kell and Setf I mean.”

Kell chuckled and looked a Seft. “Well after he got kicked out of t=his fifth school his folks sent him to Derhord. After he got beat up a few times I stepped in. And after that my teacher felt it necessary to take him on as well.”

Seft said. “I was brat back then wasn’t I?”

Kell said. “Just a bit, but you did straighten up. And no there was never anything but friendship, even when he thought he might want more. Though that didn’t last long.”

Setf laughed. “Just as long as it took for you to shove me at Randall.”

Kell shrugged. “Well it worked, you were much happier with him then you would have been with me.”

Setf said. “True, but at the time I just thought you were being mean, turning me down all the time. So Athions where are you from?”

“My turn is it? Well I come from way down south and a bit east of here. There weather is a warmer, the clothes Kell has on would fit, though the colors should be brighter.” Athions smiled at Kell.  “There would be a few raised eyebrows at our relationship, but that would be it. Love is as is, and shouldn’t be questioned. That said I would never think of taking Kell home, even if I could go back. Females who show sings of witchcraft, as my folk call the mage gifts, are killed. Males are turned over to the priests, and then sometimes exiled. The trades who make there way must be careful of what they show, but as long as there is no signs of magic in the goods, or them they are made welcome, and there ignorance of proper behaviors is forgiven.”

Cord said, “Your folks might be more understand them mine then. They do not accept that there is magic and view any that shows signs as tainted. They must be cured, and the process of curing generally leaves the person dead, if not they wish they were.” He shudder, Setf squeezed his leg, reminding him that he was safe. “As for. Well children did not see any who were not family. Well out side of business, but that was done under the instruction of others in the family. Marriages were set up by the fathers, the couple met at the ceremony, love was learned.”

Kell said. “I thought your accent rang of the Lester Empire. That was the longest month I have ever seen. Such a closed people.”

Cord looked at her. “When were you. Wait you were on the mapping mission as well?”

Setf said. “Oh it was worse than that.”

Kell nodded. “You at lest could hide. About seven years ago some folks back home decided that better maps of the waterways were needed. And so fleets were commissioned and sent out, all with one member of the royal family with them whose job it was to settle any disputes amongst the captions and handle diplomacy. I got sent north, a storm came off and we ended up off the coast of Lester.  I sent one of the Captions out to make contact and see if there was a place we could put in to make repairs. It took some talking but they agreed, and even helped toe in a couple of the worst hit ships. However the Captain had let it slip that he was not the one in charge, just the one in the best position to make contact. So, of course, once we were docked they felt it necessary to talk to the person in charge. I was sixteen and female. Lister is very um male dominated, at lest there. I did not see more then that one area.”

Cord was red again. “You mean you were?” He chocked. Kell looked at Setf.

Setf said, “His uncle has some very unflattering names for you.”

Cord said. “Um I am not sure what you mean or just what happened. He was ravening about week men and a um girl that needed a man to teach her.”

Kell laughed. “I bet that is the least if what he had to say. Wonder if he was the one that ended up hitting the wall? Not that it matters. The important thing is after that they realized that diplomacy and I do not belong in the same sentence.”

Bree said. “That must be why Robert wouldn’t let me send you to talk to the envoys from Redale, though in truth I would have loved seeing him thrown though a wall.”

Kell said. “Well he derived it, and he didn’t go though the wall, just into it. Though one of the others swear there was a hole in the wall where he hit it. Cord regardless of what roll your uncle took it has nothing to do with you. Heck as far as the Dragons are concerd your past started when you signed up unless you choose to say otherwise. So Bree are we pulling out soon?”

Bree nodded. “Looks like we will set out tomorrow. I just need to know where we are headed.”

Kell blinked, “I thought we were going to Wisdom?”

“Well that is where the votes are, but I needed to know how you felt. I take it you are fine with it?” Kell nodded, and Bree got a map out. “Well then it is jut the route that needs to be decide. See the most direct way takes us though the plains. So Rick how do you fell about that?”

Rick said. “Why take a longer route? Oh this is that veto thing isn’t it? I don’t care, every knows I am a merc.” Rick traced the rout out and stopped a bit north of Riverton and got a silly grin on his face.

Kell looked at him. “Ok what is it?”

Rick taped the map. “We will be going right past my folks. I will of course go say hi, and I was wondering what you will come up with to get out of it this time.”

Kell looked at the map. “Well I do have some things I want to buy in Riverton, that will take some time. Looks like there is a lot of road for me to come up with something better.” She got an odd look. “Bree Do you know where I would find Robert? He hasn’t been around, at lest not when I was awake.”

“Did I here my name? What’s up Sis, how are you?”

“Well I am officially relished, but am to ride in a wagon for the first part of the trip.  Want to take a walk with me? We won’t go far, how about one of you see about some fresh drinks?” She stood up. “I am going to need you next to me, I am still a bit shaky.” Rob moved up next to her and the headed a ways down the stream. Once they were far enough away she said. “This is a meeting year, and it is in Wisdom.

Rob shook his head. “That is good though. It will help with money, as Bree said we were going to stay out until we found some way to get rid of these guys.”

Kell bit her lip. “Well they will be hiring more security, as I am fairly sure everyone will be coming. Including.” She stopped and just looked at him.

“Oh Shit. Well are you ready? I can if you can.”

Kell shook her head. “I don’t know that I will ever be ready. But Wisdoms library is the best shot we have. So I am willing to chance it, but I don’t want to make the choice for you. If I am right there will be no more hiding. It was tricky enough as it was, but if the family is coming.”

He nodded. “I knew there was a good chance of it all coming out when I agreed to go to Wisdom. So I am game. But no anocement, let it come as it comes otherwise they might think it matters.”

Kell nodded. “Good. Now then for the bigger problem. Any thoughts on how I get out of going home with Rick? The road we will take runs right by his home.” Robert broke out laughing. “No fair! What if it was Jordan’s home we were passing by?”

He stopped laughing for a minuet then started again. “Sorry, but it just doesn’t work. You put his parents above ours in terms of trouble. Sorry but.” He started laughing again, and soon she joined him. “Feel better?” Kell nodded. “One thing. You need to find a way to let them know just who are. I need to do the same with Jordan.”

“I am working on it. But I have tried so hard not to, that it is hard to know where to start.”

“I know what you mean. We had better get back. You look like you need to sit.” It did not take long to reach the table and soon they were making plans for the trip.

Chapter 4