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That night at the study meeting she looked at the others and decided it would be good to have some company. “My last final is Wednesday at one. You have any after that?”

Hope said. “My last one is at two Wednesday. They should all be done Wednesday afternoon.”

Shaid said. “That is what I thought. I am going to go to the big book sale in Opal, the one Professor Barns was talking about, and I thought some company might be fun. So if you want to come and clear it with your parents. We will be gone at least a week likely a bit longer. It will not be a fun trip, I will not make it easy for you, my pace will be the same it is for any journey. We will be sleeping on the ground under the stars, they maybe nights where we have a cold camp, we do not want to attack attention. This being a big sale bandits will be working the roads in higher numbers. I haven’t had any troubles but that doesn’t many there is no chance, so if you have arms ware them and be ready to use them. But don’t go looking for trouble.” She looked at the guards. “If the folks say yes, and you feel more guards are needed hire them. You know what is needed if you think it is a silly risk tell the parents. The patrols will be increased but they cannot be everywhere. I plan on take a side road for some of the trip as it should be less used, but it might also be less patrolled.”

One of the guards said. “I think it will be good for them. They need to know what it is like to travel. I will see that the danger is not glossed over. I just hope you know what you are offering.”

Shaid said. “I am offering to escort a bunch of city raised kids on their first trek overland. Yes I might be crazy, but I just think it would be a good idea, and was told to listen.”

Hope said. “You mean it?”

Shaid said. “If your parents say you can pack A bag and what coin you want. We will pull out Wednesday once all are out of the last test. Thanel do you want to join my madness?”

Thanel said. “I would, but I can’t I have to meet the folks in Riverden then we will be swing over. But we will be able to joining up on the trip back. I do like the plan though. I was wondering if I could get them in on trip now that the weather is decent.”

Shaid said. “That is fine. We will see you when you get there then. Now I do not want to be accused of kidnaping.”

“Not to worry we will ask. The wall supports will see to it.”

Hope said. “My mom might have to check with you and be sure.”

Shaid said. “That is not a problem but I will not lie about the possible danger.”

 Hope nodded. “That is fair. That shouldn’t be a problem for them really. But they will want to make sure you offered. I invited myself on a hunting trip once, so they double check. I know I shouldn’t of, but I was tired if staying behind, and they just saw the dress. You know?”

Shaid said. “Anther reason to be glad I am uncivilized. I never had to worry about being left. Let me know the answers sometime tomorrow, and then I can start getting things together.”

No sooner did she get the door the next morning than Sam found her. “They said yes! They really said yes. I think only because Granger hadn’t of supported it I don’t think they would have. But maybe they are realizing I am not six. Even if I am acting like it. Sorry.”

Shaid said. “I am glad they agreed. What did Rod’s say?”

“He is talking to them now. They were out last night, but called back a bit ago.”

Shaid said. “I will catch him later then. I have test in twenty.”

“Good luck. See you later.”

Hope and her father found Shaid at lunch, she smiled. “I take it you have some questions and got dragged here to ask me. Did she let you eat? I didn’t realize what a hit my offer would be.”

He laughed. “Yes she let me eat, but I don’t want to stop you. I can wait.”

Shaid said. “As long as you don’t mid if I eat as we talk there is no need to wait. What do you want to know?”

He sat down. “Well you have already answered my main question. You must have asked her to come.  But I do have a few others. Are you sure you know what you are doing? Who will be going? Just how long will you be gone?”

Shaid said. “Minimum time will be a week, but probable a few more days than that. I want to enjoy the sale, I have been want to get to it for years. So far I know that Samual Hillfinder will be going, and likely Roald Gold as well but I have not seen him since he got a hold of his folks. That means there bodyguards as well. Four experienced fighters. I did not should like they will be hireling any others. On the return trip we will be joined by Thanel Woodright and his family, they will meet up with us at the sale. As to the other. Well I have spent my life traveling the roads, though further north. I have had my own wagon for two years. I have been though flood, blizzards and bandit attacks, one wild fire. Of them all the fire was the worst. I think I know what I am doing, but one thing you learn early is that the road is full of surprises. There are risks but I do everything I can to minimize them. Dare devils die young, and I have no plans on do so.”

He nodded. “I was more think about taking this girl with you on a road trip. But that will do. Hope you will have a list of books from your mother and me to look for.”

She jumped and hugged him. “Thank you.”

“Just remember who is in command and don’t play hero. It will be good for you to see what life is like if you are still planning on going exploring.” He says to Shaid. “If she gives you problems I want to hear of it. I hope they behave. It is going to be an uncomfortable experience for them. But good for them. They need to know what it is like to camp on the road before they can not pick different goals.”

It was another hour before Rod found her. “They said I can come, but I have a long list of books to get so um does that one bag mean coming back as well?”

Shaid said. “Not at all. I am just limiting what you leave here with to make sure there is room for the books. Between all of us I expect to have a load on the way back. Hope is coming as well.”

Rod. Said. “ Good. That way we will be all together, just as it should be.”

Shaid shook her head. “I am be begging to wonder just what I am think. You had better get to you test. And I have some supplies to buy. He laughed but headed off.

Shaid had just gotten the last of the supplies loaded when Hope showed up pulling a large bag with blankets tied to it. “I need to stash some of this in your house. Mom was worried and kept adding things. Sorry.”

Shaid said. “Well it is all in one bag. Got to giver her that. go ahead, but keep some of the winter cloths it will get chilly at nights. I can fit the blankets in here, never hurts to have a few extra. Can’t blame her though the stories make overland travel more out to be more dangerous than it is.” The boys showed up as Hope was sorting her bag.

One of the bodyguards said. “We helped them pack, so no worries there.”

Hope said. “My mom helped me. I am cutting it down a bit. I do know better, honest.”

The man said. “I didn’t mean that. Just.” Hope laughed. And he shook his head. “Want some help, not that you don’t know what you are doing, just might speed it.”

“Thanks anything so we can get on the road.”

Shaid lagued and wet back out to see to that the boys got there bags in. The market manger came up. “Ah I see you are heading out of town. So is it all right if we repaint your stall. It will take around a wek before it can be used.”

Shaid said, a bit puzzled. “No that is fine, but I don’t recall that being covered.”

He said. “New ordnance, they want all stalls repaint before the sale. Say you looked a bit crowded, you get me a few more coopers and I will add some space as well.”

Shaid reached in to a coin pouch and hand his some coins. “Can you make my name in orange not the gray it is now?”

“Sure thing have a safe trip.” A short time later every thing was loaded and they were off.

As it got dark Shaid turned off the road, one of the guards looked puzzled. “There is a traveler camp just over here. If things go right we should reach one at dusk each day. Make use of them will be easier as they are hidden and set to be easily defendable. There is a chance we will run into other but camps are neutral. The only danger will come from outside.” She passed though some boulders and then guided the wagon to an unlit fire ring. “You guys get the wood and I will get the water and animals, sound fair? Oh and who wants to cook? I can, but I am not the best.”

One of the body gauds said, as the others headed to the woods. “I will handle the cooking after Greag there gets the fire going.  He has a thing for fire, that is he can get it started when we can’t. About the water.”

Shaid said, as see to the animals. “It is a spelled well, and I would know if it was tampered with, but there is a test kit next to the cooking pots, left side of the wagon. Your cooking you pick what to use.”

He said. “I trust you to know. I just. Well I lost a buddy to a poised well in a camp ground once.”

Shaid nodded. “One of my gifts is the ability to know the nature of what I am holding. It has saved me a few times. I understand, but tamping with a well in one of our camps is a death sentence. It might happen, but all would go after the person. No matter the feelings.”

“Thank you that helps.” Shaid nodded and took some buckets over to the well. She got there only to see Caren filling her own buckets she frozen for a mint then went to the well. There were no fights in camps, grudges stopped at the gate. Shaid looked at the spell then turned the keeper. “The pest portion looks like it is getting week.”

He nodded. “I redid the tampering a bit ago, pest I will get latter after the fires have been started and the interface dies down. It is still holding and the water is good, but there was a bit of a dust problem.”

Shaid said. “Thank you that explains it.” She filled her buckets and turned to go.

Caren said. “So where are you headed?”

Shaid answered. “Over to Opal for the book sale. I finally get to see it. I take it you didn’t get to gate after all?”

“We did some of the way, but couldn’t gate in all the way there was to much junk in the air or something. How long will you be in Opal?”

Shaid said. “I am expected back in Secore in a week or so. Then I have to get to Westvain before the big sale starts, but I will be there. Stalls will fill up fast. Some of the renters are booked as it is.”

“So is it going to be as big a Selen?”

“I would be surprised if its not bigger really. It gets busy without the added goings on the sale will have. I need to get this water back before they come looking. Should be about ready to start cooking. See you around.” Caren nodded and Shaid made her way back to her wagon. Wondering how far she was from where the Kightsmith’s had camped. With a bit of luck this would be her only run in lord knew she wasn’t ready for that talk

“There was a bit of a line. This should let you get started.” She set the buckets down and grabbed a couple more. Sam looked at her.  “Two will not be enough. That will just a bout do a pot of cava and supper. I will be back faster.”

“Want some help? You seem to have gotten the worse end of it.”

“I have got it but thanks.” This time she got it and made it back.

Rod said. “There has been a guy wondering past. I think he might be looking for you. He never said anything but seemed to be studying the camp.”

Shaid said. “I doubt if it is anything to worry about. Likely they could tell you were city and were wondering why you are with a trader wagon. If he comes by again I will find out.  So what’s for supper?”

“All I got told was a little of this with some of that and pan bread, biscuits in the morning.”

Shaid said. “Well it smells delicious. That might just have a hand in the visitor as well.”

“I hope it taste as well. I was glad to see something other than beans. To many think they are fit trail food. Now I am thinking we will be having lunch on the road and cooking with that in mind.”

Shaid nodded. “That is right, we want to get to the sale on time. So are stops are going to be brief as possible.”

He nodded. “Something specific you are worried about or just don’t want to miss any?”

 Shaid said. “A bit of both. I am going after something that I wont know until I see it, but is important. Then I have a list besides and don’t want to miss a barging by getting there to late.”

“Hate those kind of orders. The prowler is coming back around.”

 Shaid turned and muttered something. “Curiosity and trouble it is. I should have known he would be around.” She let him get closer. “Evening, enjoying the walk, my? I am told you have been by a few times. They were worried you were sizing us up and were wondering if they should talk to someone.”

“I was just trying to figure out why you went into the slave hauling business. Are things that rough?”

Shaid wanted to hit him but forced herself to laugh. “I see no chains, just a good number of weapons. Somehow it doesn’t look like slaves to me. But you do know more about it than I do. So let me clear it up. My friends and I are just doing a bit of traveling to celebrate the end of our first semester exams. I do not keep or transport slaves, and never will.”

He smiled. “Good to know. Odd though, I can’t see your father letting Townies in and so can not come up with anther explanation.”

Shaid said. “I think you can if you try. But as you seem to want to be seen as a dunce tonight I will spell it out. I am not with Knightsmith, we had a parting of the ways. Before you try it was agreeable to both sides and yes I know they happen to be here. Now then unless you have more silliness to bring up I am going to see about some supper.”

He said. “See you latter.”

She said. “Thanks for the warning, do it and you will die. He will not be there to stop me this time.” He laughed and walked off. “Well we can plan on one ambush. Sorry guys I honestly didn’t think of him working this road.