day 17 30110.

After lunch the next day Kell stood up. “You boys are on your own for the afternoon. I am going into town.” They started to protest, she raised her hand. “Anth you are on wards, and therefore should stay in camp. Rick if you need something to do Jordan and Bree would both like to know more about the road ahead of us. What we should avoid and that. I am perfectly capable of going shopping on my own, and will enjoy the change, I will be back by suppertime.” Kell turned to her brother. “And I am sure you can find something to do that doesn’t involve following me.”

Kell made her way into town and started wondering the shops. She took her time and had made a few other purchases before she found the book. She had to chuckle a bit at the sign but went in and lost herself.  By the time she made it to the counter her arms were full of books, maps and pens. The guy at the counter raised an eyebrow. “Well that be all?”

“Yes, er no. I would like to speak with Phillip, is he in?”

The lad sat up straight. “I will be right back with him ma’am.” With that he took off to the back room. Making Kell wonder just who she had asked for.

Thinking she might be best with something to identify her she pulled a necklace out of her shirt. The crest on it was a lot like the ones that Cord and Setf wore. Soon the lad was back with anther man. The second man looked her over and his eyes came to rest on the crest. “What is it?”

Kell looked at him. “Are you Phillip?” The man nodded. Kell shook her head. “I do not take kindly to being lied to.” She turned to go.

Anther man spoke from the door. “What is going on here?”

The first lad said. “Nothing Father.”

Kell turned to the man. “Would you be Phillp?” At his nod she smiled. “Your boys here thought to play a joke. Not realizing that I would not appreciate it. I was told that you could provide me with some spell books.”

Phillip said. “Ah so how many were you needed.”

Kell said. “Six if possible, but four would do.”

“Six it is.” He walked behind the counter and pulled some books out. “I think you will find theses to be what you need.”

Kell nodded. “Yes those are fine. I will need the double wrapped, please. And those other there are mine to.”

He nodded an rang up her purchases and bagged them. “Do you need help with them?”

Kell shook her head and handed the money over. “No I can manage just fine. Thank you.” She turned and left, but heard the start of the lecture as the door shut behind her. She nodded. The kids would think twice next time. With that she head back to camp and packed most of her purchases away, but left a few for the boys to grumble about and pack. Otherwise they wouldn’t be happy.

It took a few more days to reach the camp ground by Rick’s home. Kell moved up beside Bree. “Rick’s home is near here, so do you mind if we disappear for a few hours? He should visit and has been after me to go with him.”

Bree nodded. “Just be here when we pull out.”

Kell waited tell then tent was up then turned to Rick. “So what should I wear for meeting you folks?”

Rick grind. “You will? Really?” Kell laughed. “What you have on is fine. If they don’t like it that is their problem.”

Kell looked at him. “I don’t want to make problems between you and your folks. Are you sure?”

Rick shook his head. “Just be you and there won’t be any problems. When Mom mentions kids, tell her the truth. I have told her, but she will believe it better if you do.”

Athions shook his head. “How long will you be? Am I alone for the night?”

Kell looked at Rick. “Well they will try and get us to stay, but I will do my best to keep it to a few hours.

Kell said. “Bree says we have to be here by pull out so if you can’t get us out it will be all right with her. If we do stay we will be back to help pack up, but will try to get back tonight. All right?”

Athions smiled. “You all have fun and don’t rush on my account. I just wanted to know before I set up a poker game.”

Kell said. “Set up the game, if it is still going when we return I might set in a hand.” She turned to Rick. “Well if what I am wearing is good we had better get going so he can get his game started.” With that they went to get the horses.

A short ride brought them to a gate. “This is the start of our land, the house is on up the lane a bit. Last chance.”

Kell laughed. “Let me see. I need to get back before Anth waits his paycheck. Wait I all ready have half of it. So that won’t work. Guess I am out of luck. Sides there is a rider headed our way. Remember my name is Krelly, that might sit a bit better than Kell.”

Rick smiled at her. “Well there goes you last chance, and go ahead and call me Rick the nickname won’t bother them any.”

The rider came up to the gate, and said with and iterated twang. “The road is back that way folks. This is.” Then he looked at Rick again. “Why you. Richarilis! Why didn’t you send word? Welcome, and is this your lady?” not waiting for an answer he yelled back. “You rats, go tell your mom that Richarils and his lady have come for a visit. Run on now. They will be at the house and you can jabber their ears off then.”

Rick laughed. “Yes Dad this is the lady I have been telling you and Mom about.”

The other man pulled the gate open. “Come on up to the house.” Rick moved though the gate and Kell fowled him. They made the way up the lane and rounded a small hill.

Kell pulled her horse up and took in the view. Rick nodded. “It is something isn’t it? Are you ready?” Kell shook her head but got the horse moving again.

They pulled up to the house where Rick’s mother was waiting; his father dismounted and passed the reigns to one of the boys. Then turned to them. “Welcome home Richiarlis, it is good to have you back son.” Rick got off his horse, but held the reigns. “Who is this you have with you?”

Rick said. “Father, Mother, I would like you to meet the one who has won my heart. This is Krelly.”

Turning to Kell he said. “Hardly the way one is usually introduced to his bride. But then much of this one is unusual. Welcome to my home and land Krelly.”

Kell took a breath and swung down. “Thank you for the welcome Farmer Jotlsus. I apologize for the unusualness of my presentation, but my father lives far from here, and my brother know not the way of the plains, and I would not burden you with him.”

Rick was a bit startled, his father nodded. “But you I see are not unfamiliar with our ways.”

“Not completely, though I see there are differences this far inland from the crofts in Ketltvch. When younger I was often a guest of Weaver Ritchus. He was a relative of my teacher. As my father is was one of the Empire he felt it good that I be introduced to the ways of our neighbors.”

He smiled. “Do give your animals to the lads care and come have refreshments.”

Rick relaxed and gave his rainges to his brother. Kell took her hand from hers and said. “Follow.” Then turned to the boy. Just lead the others and he will go with you, but do not try and get him in a stall he tends to kick.”

The lad nodded. “Most Arabions do. I will show him the pastures and see that there is grain.”

Kell nodded. “Thank you. He would like that.” With that they heading in and were given bread and wine, then other foods fallowed. Soon the talk swung back to them.

“So why didn’t you send word, and how long are you staying?”

Rick said. “By the time things were finalized I would have been here before an message telling you I was coming. I am just here for a few hours then we will need to get back to camp. We are headed to Wisdom, hunting some information that is proving hard to find.”

“I don’t know if I can by that or not. Surly you can’t be that pressed for time.”

Kell smiled. “Well it is not life and death, but we would have easily out passed a message.”

“Anything to worry about?”

Rick said. “Not yet, perhaps when we know more, but the safe guards you have would handle what we have been running into.”

His father nodded. “Good to here.”

His mother turned to Kell. “So will you be settling down soon?”

Kell said. “I am sorry, Rick won’t give you grandkids unless he finds anther. I can’t have them, it is a choice I made, and one I am still sure of. Everything has a price and I am not  willing to give up what I have. Even seeing how happy you are. As to living the road, that time is coming, but I fear it will bring its own battles.”

Rick smiled. “And as I have said many times. My life is complete. I am happy.”

It was late when they finally headed out the door to leave, still insisting the had to. Once they were mounted Kell reached inside her shirt and took out a piece of paper. “I don’t think you will need this, but just in case this is the symbol that we are hunting, as well as how to kill those warring it. Can you see it gets to your guardians? If we learn that it is a threat to the plains I will see that notice is brought. On that you have the Dragons word.”

He took the paper and nodded. “I will see it gets there. You travel well, and may your fear be wrong.”

It was late when they were back at camp. A few more days brought them to the join of roads and in sight of more traffic. They moved into the flow and started mingling with the others. Learning some things they weren’t expecting.

 Bree signaled a halt and asked that the officers join her. “So I guess that whale the library is open you must tell them exactly where you are looking and changing areas will require more paper work. They are hiring guards, which will get some in. but what about the library? Any thoughts? Do we tell or find anther way?”

Robert said. “Where do we want to stay? If you want in the place Kell and I can take you in with us, that will give you a bit more freedom, though you will be expected to stay in the general area we are.”

A few shook their heads. “I just don’t see that working. We don’t play servant very good. But then it won’t do to have to beg to see something. And how could you get us in?”

“Kell and I both have resident scholar status. All royal kids are given scholar rights, but few do much with it. We did and so can get a few in with us, but they would expect our guest to at lest stay at the palace, most likely in our suite of rooms.”

Kell said. “Give me a list of names that you will be using and I will see what I can do. There is a park just to the side of the main gate. Give me a couple of days then we can meet there and I will let you know. Is that good, it will give you some time to get used to the city?”

Bree nodded. “Sounds good, but make it a couple of weeks. If you think you can it will make it easer. And we should split a bit going in. No need to advertises we are here, after all we don’t want work to find us. Break in to units and stagger into town over the next week. We can meet up in town, look for the crown lion that is were the rooms will be, or word if we can’t get beds there. Tell those that want they have my blessing are hiring out their swords as guards.” They nodded and headed off to find their men.

Kell headed over to the scouts, waving to Anth. “Bree wants us to split into smaller groups and then make are way into town. You guys are to arrive over the next two weeks and meet at the crown lion. It is right of the center, you will not have a problem finding it. I am going ahead and try and get visiting scholar passes for everyone that wants one. If you do I need you to write the name you will be using on this sheet. Doesn’t need be your real name, but you must remember to use it. If you want to stay in the palace, there is room. You will need to be ready to leave when I am, or find Robert and go with him. I might could get a few of you in later but it would look odd. Anything I missed that you want me to repeat?” They shook there heads and some came up to write their names down. “Yes Rick you and Anth are expected to come with me, so go get our things off the wagon and ready to move.”

It didn’t take long to get the names found and the trunks moved to a pack horse. Then they were on the way. Kell lead them off the road. “We are going to camp in those trees, then cut across county and save some time. We will come back to the road just outside the main gates.”

The next afternoon they found the road again and were soon at the gates. As the joined the flow Kell pointed at the sign hanging over them and, chuckling, said. Notice anything odd?”

Athions shook his head. “It just says welcome to Wisdom.”

“Are you sure that is all it says? Remember the local language here is Ancet not Rondo, you are in the Dragon now.”

They were trying to get her meaning when anther said. “Try it from the left, that might help.”turn to Kell he said. “You must be a local. I never did get why they get such a kick out of the sign.”

Kell said. “Once you have been here long enough some one will tell you the story.” Turn to the others she nodded. “It also says Welcome to Insanity. And yes there is a reason why it has two meanings. Working it out will give you something to do when you get bored with the other tasks.” They made the way though the gates and Kell lead them though the streets.

She stopped so they could get a look at the palace and it seven gates, each leading to a different door. “I will show you some points to use to get though the city later, but if you get lost all you have to do is ask for directions to the scholar gate. They will get here. Each of the Gates has a name and a certain group that is to use it. Though there is cross over amongst the groups. Ready?”

Athions put a hand on her arm. “When you are love. Is there any way we can make this easier on you?”

Kell shook her head. “It is enough that you want to. No since in sitting here.” She started forward and the others fallowed her. When the entered the gates grooms came running. Kell swung down and took a medallion out of her shirt. “We will be staying some time, can you take the horses to the east field pleas? And one of you help with the trunks, they are a bit much for two to handle.” She spoke with the air of one who expected her requests to be taken as orders and indeed they were. She nodded and headed to the tables. “The one with the longest line is for those seeking accesses with no passes, the second is ones who were in the first on anther day, the third is nonresident scholars, and the forth is where we are headed.” She headed up to the table there was a man all ready there.

“I sent a week ago, what do you mean I have to wait. This is preposterous. Just why the delay?”

“Your letter did not reach us. So it will be a bit until your rooms are made. I am sorry.”

Kell shook her head. “Excuse me I just need to sign in. Yes I am totally unexpected, but I am sure my rooms will be in better shape then when I left them last.” She picked up the pen and page, filled out her name and put two under guest, but left the room and length blank. “There you are, now I will be out of your way, so you can keep yelling at someone who has nothing to do with the fact that it takes a minimum of three weeks for a messenger to get here from Learders. Which a man of your years should know.” She moved passed them to the door. The guard stepped up looked at the medallion and moved back with a nod. Kell lead them though a maze of halls and in to a modest looking room. Turning to the lad. “You can just leave the trunk there. Do you know this part of the castle?”

“I was shown all over Highness. Thank you.” He bowed and left.

Kell shook her head. “There is a lamp there and windows should be letting in some light. Do you want a tour of the rooms or would you like to explore on you own?”

Rick shrugged. “How much do I unpack and where? Oh and the bathing chamber is which door?”