3000 to day

They looked at the paper one boy said. “Sure it is by Alve, just across the bridge.

A girl said. “Less than helpful Jarred. It is on the west side of the city, past the old town markets just across the towered bridge. You have seen the bridge haven’t you?”

Shaid nodded. “I have seen it from the market and know how to get to it.”

“All right take the first right after you cross the bridge and it is the second house on the left. It has a badly shaped bush out front. It is supposedly a duck. But I don’t think the gardener ever saw a duck. So what are you delivering?”

“A wall hanging. It turned out a bit larger than intend though so I am not sure if it will be wanted. Thank you. I thought it was likely over that way, but I would have been wondering for hours. I just can’t get the streets straight.”

Hope answered. “It would help if the labeled them better. It is on the list, but they have yet to decide on the color and height of the signs. I am sure that being larger won’t hurt.”

Shaid said. “We will see. Some wan them to fit a certain space. I am usually better about it, but I was having to much fun with it this time to think of the size. If it is over there I had better wait to take it until I am done for the day.”

“Where are you off to now?”

“One of my langue classes, have a test in it. I should look my notes over a bit. See you in history.”

After her last class Shaid set off to make her delivery. Thanks to the directions she found the house without getting to lost on the way there. She went up the walk to the door, which opened as she got there. The man at it looked her over. “We are not hiring. If you are delivering go to the back, as you should now. If you are not an incompetent fool. I will have a word with your boss.”

Shaid said. “I was told to use the front door and give you, if you are the butler, this card.”

He took the card, in a way that made it plane he didn’t want to touch her. “Wait here.’ He shut the door.

Shaid shook her head, but waited. He was back in a bit. “Fallow me, and do not wonder off.” Rolling her eyes a bit she walked after him and he led her into a sun filled room, bowed.

The lady said. “Thank you that will be all. I will ring if you are needed.”  He left and she turned to Shaid with a real smile. “You have it done all ready? I was not expecting you for at least a week yet.”

“It is done, but I ended up making it a big larger than you asked. I got so warped up in the image I forgot to leave room for a border.”

Smiling wider lady Night said, “I can’t wait to see it! I am sure it is lovely.”

Shaid slipped her backpack off and took out the case. “First here is your image back.” The lady took it and handed it to one of her maids as Shaid undid the straps holding the tapestry.

Watching eagerly as it was reviled Lady Night said. “I can not believe you got such detail. I didn’t see those caves.”

Shaid said. “I found an early print that had a bit more detail of the mountain and used it as well. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Mind? Why would I mind? That is what I wanted. But where did you find that print, and is there any way I could see it? This is best I have been able to find.”

Shaid said. “I don’t remember for sure where I picked it up at. I have a few others by the same person as well.”

“You do? Could I come see them?”

“As long as you don’t mind coming to a rinkhouse, I am afraid some of them are a large to carry across town. I live in one by the forest.”

“What number, and is Saturday afternoon all right? Also do you work in silk?”

Shaid blink. “Number eight and that would be fine. No I don’t but I do work with a fabric that looks a lot like silk, but last longer and takes dyes a good bit better. Here is a small piece.”

She took it and then said. “This isn’t silk? I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t have said so. Rosa what do you think?”

One of the other ladies came over and took the piece. “I think Hope will like this better than true silk. I know it will be easy to sew. Can you get about four yards in pink in three weeks?”

Shaid said. “I can but dose it have to be pink? Would a more red shade work? I don’t think a bright pink would go over well.”

Rosa said. “You must know hope. Sadly all the girls are required to ware pink, but nothing was said about shades. So maybe. Is there anyway I can see it?”

The butler said. “Her Ladyship Bubble is here to see you my lady.” He bowed with a good deal more show as a bejeweled lady and attendants swept in past him.

Shaid said, ignoring the new arrivals. “I can. Wait, why don’t you come over Saturday to, and I will have a bunch of different shades out. Maybe you could get Hope to come and see if there is one you that she doesn’t absolutely hate that will work?”

Lady Bubble said. “How are you dear? I just don’t know what to do about the ball. Why must they pick such bright colors? They look so awful on my Isabel. What are you doing for Hopes dress?” She saw the tapestry. “What is that thing?”

Lady Night said. “Shaid that sounds like an good plan. There was no way Rosa was going to stay back anyway. I think I will be able to talk Hope into coming. Perhaps with a bit of bribe. “ She turned to Bubble. “We were just going over that, and were reminded of something. There was nothing said about the shade of the dress only that it had to be pink. I think that will make it workable.”

Lady Bubble said. “I am sure that all understood what was meant. Why just look at the past years. Surely you are not going to do anything outrageous, now dear.”

“Hope will be dressed in pink silk, like the rest of the young girls. Shaid here are the coins I owe you, and a tip for being early.” She moved closer and lowered her voice as she hand over the coin pouch. “I would offer you some tea as I intend, but trust me you would not like the company.”

Shaid said. “I would be forced to decline I fear my manners would not be up to the present circumstances, thank you.” Louder she said. “That is not necessary, Ma’m. By wait there is extra in the pouch as it is.”

Lady Night said. “No more than you earned. Nancy, you want to see our guest to the door?”

The servant who rose got disapproving look from the new arrivals. “Right this way.” Once they were out and the door closed Nancy said. “Thank goodness. I don’t know I would have gotten out of there if you hadn’t been here. They do not approve of me.”

Shaid said. “I would think there is little they do approve of. Will you let Lady night now that I thank her, and will look forward to her visit? I do hope I did not cause her problems.”

“I will and don’t worry, she likes to cause a stir.”

Saturday was a clear day. Shaid did her best to get her walk cleared, the prints out and then set out the fabrics. Glad she had a wider range of pinks made up from prior years, most of them were even in the right fabric. After a bit of thought she set out a few darker colors as well. The tea and cocoa had just finished when they crossed her wards. She set the tray out on the desk then went and opened the door.  “Welcome. Come on in. I have put everything in my library room as it worked best. Right though here.”

Hope looked around. “That is a lot of books. Where do you find the time?”

Shaid said. “It is not that hard to find really. You are welcome to look at the books, but how about a hot drink? I have tea or cocoa.”

Lady night took a cup off the tray. “Thank you. Just the thing. Those must be the prints. I see what you mean about them being to big to carry but first. Hope is there any shade here you do not hate. I mean the pinks, I know you like the others.”

Hope looked them over. “I guess I could stand that dark one, or that one next to. It is not so bright.”

Rosa said. “I think the second one would do, but the one next to it would please your grandmother more.” Hope sighed.

Shaid said. “If I work a bit of the brighter pink in a ripple pattern though the darker it will make it all look pinker, but not be to shoot me. And have the benefit of making it hard to look right at. Hang on let me show you.” She left and came back with a sparkling lemon yellow dress that seemed to move on its own. “Now think of this in pink. Think you could ware it. It is not the easy to sew. But I managed and I am not a seamstress.”

Hope said. “What a horrible color. It is perfect! How do you get the sparkle effect?”

Shaid said. “If you come closer you will see it is little bits of glass. I can do it for yours as well. As for the color, well it is better on me than the orange that was the other choice. Yes I have worn this. I had to. We were invited to a ball in Kashmer, the Queen picked the colors, but left a bit of room. This is the one item of clothing that I have sewn myself. I was worried Father wouldn’t let me if he knew what I had in mind. To my surprise when I showed up in this he laughed. That was the only time I made him laugh. We ran out of fabric in this pattern, all colors we had. The pattern still sales good over there I understand. After that year I all ways ended up with the part of the family headed to the Grest sale instead of Kashmer.”

Hope said. “I take that your dress didn’t go over well?”

“Well it did not do what the Queen wanted it to do. It was a hit, just not with her. Then I understand she tried to outlaw the pattern.”

Hope smiled and looked at her mom. “You said if I did this I got to pick my dress for the summer ball. Right, any pattern I want?”

Her mother nodded. “That I did, and I will stand by it.”

Shaid looked at them. “What am I missing?”

Hope said. “There is a big festival every summer, before the next year starts. All the neighbor royalty come. This year the guests of honor happen to be the royal house of Kashmer as their son will be starting classes. My grandmother thinks their oldest and I make a good pair. I think he is a pig and want to discourage the idea.”

Shaid said. “I can see why. Is there anything here agaist waring red, and you are intaled to ware a blade right? Do you have a cermanle one that you can ware?”

Hope said. “Nothing against waring red and I can get a blade.”

Shaid nodded. “I am not a seamstress but I am a historian.” She walked over and picked out a book, found the right page than handed it over. “How about a dress like that, in dark red? Just a minuet.” She went to her closet and hunted until she found the right piece. “This shade, it is made from graven fruit and not the easiest to get. But I have enough for this. Add the right beads in it and on the sword belt. You will be stunning and the Queen outraged. She hates red and has forbidden it to be worn or sold in the capital.”

Hope showed the pattern to Rosa and her mom. “Can I, or is it to much? Will father let me you think?”

Lady Night said. “I think he will be delighted. Hum this is an Emprion style. I think we have just found the theme for the ball. Do you have more patterns from the same era?”

“There are others in that book and I think.” She went to the boxes of sale books and pulled a few out. “Here you go. There might be some in theses and you are more than welcome to them. If you are willing to come here I think if we work together I can make it so that it is easier to sew. That is design the fabric to the dress. We can use the pink ball gown to practice with as pink is easy to come by.”

Hope said. “That sounds good to me. We can call it a study group. That will keep it under warps and besides I could use the help with history.”

 Shaid nodded. “I can use it with Modern lit. I just cannot understand half the stuff. So the meetings can serve a double purpose. In fact we can have the guys come to. Sam and Rod won’t tell anyone about the dress, and Than won’t care. You know I think I am going have a few bargains on red fabric this spring.”

Lady night said. “Having the boys here is perfect. That is why Rosa has to come, as it just wouldn’t do for you to be unsupervised. And ofcourse I will have to stop by and check as well. Giving me the chance to get a better look at the rest of your prints. Do you need a few coins for dye so you have an abundance of red? I think a spring sale sounds like a good idea. We can make the Queen feel right at home. Don’t worry she is not poplar around here. But we had better go or it will be past suppertime. What time for these study sessions?”

Shaid said. “Well would Tuesday and Thursday s from four to six and then Saturday afternoons work for you? Or is that to much?”

Lady Night said. “I am fine with it as long as some studying does get done.”

Hope said. “It sounds fine to me. See you Monday.” Shaid saw them out then pulled on her coat and went and told the boys about the study group and got supper off of them. Once home she made a decision and reached out to Alter.

 ‘Hi there big brother. Hope I am not interrupting anything.’

‘Shaid how are you doing? What’s up? Are you all right?’

‘I am fine just thought I would share a bit of news. Did you know there was a ball for the surrounding nobles around enrolment time? Well I just learned that the Kashmer royals are the guest of honor. I am having a spring sale on red fabric. I hope to sale a good bit. Have to make them feel at home.’

She heard his laughter. “I think I know where we can get rid of a lot of red. The Kashmer royals are to visit Secore this summer. With all the rough feelings between the to I bet red is going to be a popular color. ‘He his rubbing his hand and smiling. I think our trip just took on new meaning. Hope it wont cut into your profits to much.’

‘I am not worried. I have the advantage. I am already here, and making a name. Your fabrics might just be playing second best. Have fun, see you when you get here. Just remember not to be to friendly. I am a rival now brother.’ She let the connection fade, and set to work. If she wanted to make good she need to be ready when the market opened next week. Sundays and Wednesdays were the big market days here. Hence study group on Saturdays.

Over the next few weeks as the weather warmed Shaid got to know Hope better. The pink dress turned out better than hoped and the red one started to from, after some making test samples it ended up having three colors in a complex pattern. But there was time to let it form. As for her stall, it was getting more traffic as the days pasted. Lady Night did not hesitate to tell where the wall hang and dress fabric was purchased, and Shaid made a point to keep goods at all price leaves. Leavening her prices alone even as her fame grew. Soon the nights were warm enough one could be out in the weather over night.

Shaid looked out the window and shook her head. It was so hard to focus. Hope said. “What’s wrong? You see out there tonight.”

Shaid said. “I just didn’t realize how hard it would be this time of year. I want to be on the road. We would be breaking camp about now. Odd not to be getting ready for the trading season. As we have a few days off I am going to take a trip to Westhaven, so no study group for me Thursday or Saturday. I should be back Sunday, for class on Monday. I am glad for the short week. Having some dust in my lungs will help a bit.”

Hope said. “Mom is planning a trip west for some shopping, so I wont be here either.”

Sam said. “I am to go home so my mom can remember what look like.”

Rod nodded. “Same here, so Thanel that leaves you.”

Thanle said. “I am hitting the road as well, over to Brutish for some supplies and what have you. My small tables and bookcases are sailing better than I thought and I am run out of stains. So it sounds like we will all have a busy vacation.”