here you go :)

Alter said. “What? You mean avoid you, why? That is the last thing I want to do.”

Shaid said. “He is going to be mad for some time, it will be easer on you to limit contact. It is going to be worse then when you let me take the test in your place, then tricked him into letting me have a wagon.”

Alter shrugged. “Not much he can do. I have my wagon now and he told everyone that I will be going. He can’t back out now. I wonder why I heard that but not about you?”

Shaid said. “From what I gather he had not told them I left. I don’t know what he told them about where I was. He expected me to change my mind and come back. Or he thought I would be rejected and then give up. Either way he was wrong. I would not have gone back even if my pledged had not been accepted. He went to far, proved that he would not listen to me, and I was not ever going to let him marry me off. That is why I got my knot. Now then it looks like you had plans and I had better get my meal before it gets to crowed here.”

Alter said. “I will see you soon. If I was not meeting with someone I wouldn’t let you get away that easy.”

Shaid smiled and moved away, after she ate she made her way back to her wagon, and made sure that Alter didn’t get a chance to talk to her alone in the days before she left.

Chapter 2

A month later Shade stopped just outside of Secore, glad the weather had held, to consider what to do now. First thing was to get some shelter. As she was going to be here unlit spring at lest made since to buy a rinkouse. She needed one even if she would just be here the winter, every trade group had at lest one to store items that they thought would get a better price down the road, or keepsakes they didn’t want on the road, and they made a place to fall back on if the weather got really rough. Shade turned her wagon and made a wide circle of the town looking for the houses. She remembered few being next to the forest, those would be the ones on the least wanted land, no way the city would push them out anytime soon. If there was a two or three room one that would be perfect. The one room ones were to small no matter that there was only her, but a big one would be unnecessary. She smiled as she came up to them. The one she remembered was still there and open. She had wanted to buy it then, but Father didn’t want a base here. She turned the wagon into the yard then hopped down to opened a gate on a paddock. The nibuls that pulled her wagon followed her in. She un hitched them, gave them some grain and saw that there was water. “You guys wait here. Once I am back I will turn you out and you can roam the forest.” The wagon and animals would tell any others that there was an offer being made on this house. Not that she expected there would be any this late in the season. She went up to the house and took one of the tickets there with the number. The housing office would need it to process the sale. That done she headed into town, she knew vaguely where the land office was, and any sizeable town had signs up in trade as well as what ever the locals used to tell folks where important things were.

Shaid found the housing office with out problem but to her surprise it was busy. “I thought it would be near dead this time of year. Should have brought something to do as I waited.”

A man answered. “With the winter show in a week and the semesters changing soon at the collage I am surprised we aren’t busier. New students come in and don’t want the dorms so end up here with no clue as to what they want. That said I will try not to keep you waiting.”

Shaid blushed, as she had not meant to speak aloud. “Oh I don’t mind, not in a hurry. The crowd just surprised me, and I have been alone so much I spoke with out knowing it. I don’t usually come this far south so was unaware you had a fair going. So XXX does taken in new students at half year? I can see where that would make for some long days.”

The man smiled. “We try to get the traders out as fast as we can so they are not to bothered. I will get back with you in a bit. Just need to finish up this claim.” He headed over to a desk.

Shaid smiled and looked around one particle group attracted her eye and she felt a pull. So she wondered closer. “Why don’t we want to rent? Buying seems kind of foolish? And why that one not the one I said?”

The answer was more of a growl than anything. “Just trying to save you some trouble but whatever.”

Shaid shook her head if this was typical of the people working here no wonder the one that had spoke to her looked so tired. “Forgive me but I couldn’t help over hearing. Perhaps I can help a bit. In buying you are saving money if you will be staying in place more than a year as the money you will get back when you sale the house is guaranteed to be equal to a years rent. If the place has been kept up you can get sixty percent of your purchase price back, depending on the market.”

The other man said. “But in a growing city like this isn’t it dangerous to buy, what if the city sales the land the house is on?” don’t you have to move it if you buy it?”

Shade said. “Most think that, but do to the way the contract for the rinkhoueses is written the city must provide the land for them, and is responsible to see they are set up on the land. Now they do tend to raise rents around moving time, but they are the ones that move them. Though moves can get messy so you are best pick a house in an area that wont be developed to soon.”

Another voice asked. “How do you tell that?”

“By looking at the map, if the city is close then it is likely you will be moved, unless there is something that makes the land undesirable. Also the colors will tell you how finished a house is, some have furnishings in them, some just have clapboard walls. Fixing one up and having in good shape, you might make money on the sale depending on the market. One reason we suggest you take a look at them before making a deal.”

The older one in the group Shaid was by turned to her. “So what would you recommend for a young one on their own for the first time with no building experience?”

Shaid said. “One of the red houses, they are the finished ones. It will cost you more but be better in the long run. You need two rooms per person if possible. One room just is not enough.”

He said. “That would be why he wanted me to change houses, though he picked a green one not a red.”

Shaid said. “Green would work, but I said red as it will have some items, like a beds and cook stove, in it. Thus saving you some shopping.”

He nodded. “Makes since. Now then what can you tell me about location.”

Shaid said. “I do not know the city, so I can only make guesses. But um,” She went closer to the map. “this area here will not be wanted for years, if ever do to how close it is to the forest, which is the edge of the lost lands. It is safe, but most are to scared to live there. The houses here are going to be the cheapest, but you have a good chance to loses money. This area and this one look to be the next to be moved, so this one and this one are your best places to buy in and look to profit from in six years. Going by the map. Now there might be something about the land there that I don’t know.”

The older man turned to the younger one. “Well you win. This one it is.” He pointed at the house next to the one Shaid was after.

Shaid said. “You would be better to move down one. When I cam in there was a wagon at that one. That means there is someone here after it, if they haven’t bought it all ready.”

He nodded. “Thank you for your help.” Then he turned the one with growling voice. “We would like to buy this house here then.” Pointing at the next one down from Shaid’s chosen.

A young man said. “Thanks for saving my house. I really like it better than that one. So how did you see come to see the wagon?”

Shaid said. “From the road. I am after the house on your other side. I wasn’t close enough to see your family.”

“Ah so you are my naibori then. I was wondering when we would meet. I am Thanle Woodright. The house is a family purchers, but mostly it will just be me there. I am going to be taken classes at XXX. You, I confess we snooped, but don’t know your device.”

Shaid smiled. “I would be shocked if you did, as I just went lone at the last gather. Shaid Sundancer, formerly of Knightsmith. So you are the one that make lovely wooden chairs. We pick some up here a few since ago and made double off it up north.”

Thanle said. “We make more than chairs I will have you know. We make beds and tables as well. Knightsmith. That is a decent wall hanging. We have made some profits off of it.”

Shaid smiled. “Wait tell you see my other goods if you thought the wall hangs were good. I must say that it is not likely you saw any of the bests pieces, and likely none of mine.” Thanle laughed, and Said smiled. “I hope to attend XXX as well. I was offered a place there before but could not accept it.”

Anther said. “If only I could get my employees to explain it half as well as you did. You wouldn’t be looking for a job?”

Shaid shook her head. “I would not be a good fit as I would end up strangling half the people here.”

He shook his head. “Well then what can I do for you two?”

Shaid said. “We are not together. I am here for this house.” She handed him the tag and the coins.

The man blinked. “What no haggling?”

Shaid said. “There are some things you do not haggle for. The price on the tag is fair.”

Thanle smiled and hand the man his tag and coins. “Like she said the price you set is fair.”

“Give me a few and I will be back with your papers. If only they were all this easy.”

Shaid shook her head. “It is going to be an interesting change. Things must be done a bit different around here. Tell me am I expected to barging my stall fees as well?”

Thanle shrugged. “I can tell you we didn’t. But come to think of it the guy did look at us odd. But the fees were mighty low for a town this size I thought.”

Shaid filed that away for latter. The man came back and handle them each a set of papers. “The red one goes on the fence, as you know. Your addresses are on the next one. Mailing is different from street. It will be a day or two tell it is in the system so you might get some trying to say they bought your place just send them back to us and we will take care of it.”

Both of them spoke at once. “Thank you.” They looked at each other and laughed. He went of shaking his head.  Once they were out of the door Shaid turned to Thanel. “I have a few more things to do, but if you stop by latter I think I have some curtains for those front windows. You are going to want something as big as they are.”

Thanel nodded. “I will do that the folks want to met you any way. All ways a good idea to know the neighbors.”

Shaid smiled and head off to the commerce office to secure some stall space. She enter the office and walked up to the counter waiting for the man behind it to look up from his papers. “Sorry, can I help you?”

Shaid said. “I am looking to purchase a stall space, I am a weaver by trade but sale a bit of everything.”

The man looked her over. “Are you old enough for that? You look young. I’m not sure.”

Shaid smiled. “I have had my masters knot for two years and ran a stall under my father for a year before that. Here are my credentials.”  She handed his a stack of papers.

He took his time looking them over then looked up with a slight frown. “It is in order. Still don’t like it, but you have your knot so. Space thirty-six cw. It is a small sized, but it should be enough. Fifty seven crowns.”

Shaid nodded and counted out the money, adding in an extra one. “Thank you sir that will do. Now is their a yearly tax, and where is it paid?”

He slid a paper across the desk. “All is on here as well as a map showing you where the stall is. Good day.”

Shaid picked up the paper. “You have a good day as well.” She then head over to the school and in to the administration building and up the front desk.

The clerk said. “What can I do for you?”

Shaid said. “I was wondering if Anders, that is Director Anderson happened to be in?”

The clerk said. “I can find someone for.”

“Shaid! What are you doing here?”

“Hay Anders. I am here to see if your offer of a spot is still good. That is to say I would like to enroll if you think the school will have me.”

Anderson said. “Of course we will have you. Come lets get you set up with classes. What major are you looking for?”

Shaid said. “I am after my lost land pass. But I would like a good chunk of history and languages as well.”

He nodded. “Good, now I need to now any new ones you have picked up in the last two yeas. Bring midyear you can’t get in on any completely new ones but we can get in some you want to polish. Come and we will go over the list. Greaten will you have Director Sanders come by my office. She is going to want to test Shaid a bit for some of the classes.” He barley noticed the clerk’s stunned nod. “Sandy is the head of the linguistics department. I know you will like her. My office is this way.”

When they reached his office Shaid’s eyes went right to the bookcases, she took a step towards them before making herself stop. “I hope I did not cause a problem. You have been Anders for so long I just forgot.”

Anderson smiled. “No problem at all. Hearing you call me anything else would have been strange. Go ahead and look I am sure you will find a few you want to borrow. So what made the old man change his mind?”

Shaid said. “He didn’t we had anther fight and I left. I have had my masters knot for two years now and my own wagon just about as long. I kept trying to work with him, but he made it plain he didn’t want to work with me. Even after I left he tried to order me around. I think I convinced him. By the way he will be coming this way, I guess Alter will be enrolling.”

Anerson nodded. “I saw his name on next years roster, but wasn’t sure it was real.”

Shaid said. “Caren told me. So he has announced it, therefore he wont be changing his mind. Besides Alter set his test for real this year. It seems he wants to come here.”

“Are you all right with every thing? I know it is not easy.” He pointed to a chair.

Shaid set down. “I am getting that way. I I did not really think it though until the drive here. That is when just what I had done hit me. Still though it was the right choice even if it was made in the heat of the moment. When he saw me the next time he told me that I had my time to pout and now my head had better be on straight. I had ruined one match but there was anther. So it was for the best. You were right he never heard a word I said. At lest he knows now I meant it.”

“I hope you are right. He is still after me, and I don’t know how I can make it any plainer. You’re his blood, I was just a member. He doesn’t let go. I have given up trying to talk to anyone as all they do is tell me about the nice new young lady he has been working with and how nice a pair we would be if I would just return home.”

Shaid shook her head. “The only way to get him to give that up is to marry in the church, and even then he might be after you to come back, but at lest they would stop throwing the ladies at you.”

He said. “When I do find the right person, I am going to let him decide how official he wants and how. Is it even possible to have a church sealing?”

Shaid nodded. “There is nothing stopping those not of the faith from seeking its blessing, though generally at lest one member of the pairing is of the faith. Non-members must take a class so it is sure they understand what they are agreeing to. But after that then yes it is done. I really though kissing James in front of all would have stopped some of it. You should at lest be able to find out the news without it.” She then told him what had went on the last few years with the family.

“Thank you. So what is the name for these papers? Here are the course listings. Go though and make a list of what you want to take and we will see what still has an open spot off your list.” She reached for the lists and he saw the bracelet. “No wonder you were so sure. You don’t do things half way do you?”

“Well it is what the fight was over, and to be fair I started asking him when I was twelve and to young to take the vows. So he shouldn’t have been surprised. Anyways it is Shaid Sundancer. I just dropped the Knightsmith.”

“That makes it easier on you. I still find myself looking around to see who they are talking to at times when they call me Greg, but the change helped me fit in.” They spent the next few minuets in silence filling out the papers.

Shaid said. “I think I had better stop. I have about three for each slot, listed in order of importance, that is how badly I want to take them. If I keep looking no doubt the list will get larger. I tried to stay with the entry level classes for all but a couple of languages.”

Anders took the paper and nodded. “Now then I will go see what ones have empty places. Sandy, come on in. this is Shaid, she is going to be starting here and wants in on some languages classes. Being mid year I need you to agree. I was just going to see what ones have room for her. This is the list of what she wants.”

Sandy looked at Shaid. “So this is Shaid. Nice to finally be able to put a face with the name. I have heard a lot about you. Let me see what we have here. Just give us a few minuets and we will get you taken care of.”

Anders smiled. “Help your self to my books. I am sure there are a few you want to take with you.” Shaid laughed but went over to the bookcase. By the time they were done she had pulled out about eight to take with her, and was reading one of them.

Sandy saw the book she was reading. “Well that answers me. Go head and hit yes. If she is reading that she can handle the class all right.”

Shaid looked up. “Sorry its just I have been trying to find this one for some time. I have Compten’s you see and the reference’s he makes to this one made me want to read it.”

Anders said. “You have Compten’s? Can I get it?”

Shaid said. “I will bring it by tomorrow or you can come get. You want the whole set or just some of them?”

Sandy said. “You have all ten? I get to read them to. All I have ever found is the first one and had to beg to get a look at it.”

Shaid said. “I think there are fourteen, but I have twelve.”

Sandy said. “I have only ever heard of ten. I would love to see them.”

Shaid said. “Sure. I am nowhere near unpacked. But if you want to come by I can find them tonight I can find them easily enough. Just give me a few hours. I want to take a walk though the market before I head back and move things in.”

Sandy said. “Around six all right? I will bring diner, and likely a two more if you don’t mind?”

Shaid said. “Six will be fine. Just know it will be a bit of a mess.”

Anders said. “That isn’t a problem. I will see you then and will have a print out for you. That way you don’t have to wait around here any longer.”

Shaid said. “Thank you that will let me get a bit more unpacked. See you latter then. Who knows I might have a few other books you will like.” She left and headed to the market area to find her stall. She made a tour of the others before taking out her map. Both to get the lay of the land and to get a since of the prices here, she didn’t want to sale things to cheep once she got set up. She found her stall place and was pleased. It had good traffic and was big enough. Not the bests of places but it would do. That done she headed back to her house.

Once there she opened the gate closest to the forest so her niblus could come and go as they whished. Then she went into the house and looked over what she had to work with. It wasn’t to bad. There was a bed in one room and a few chairs scared around, a big table was in the room off the kitchen. She oved all the chairs into that onerom, moved the bed to a room with an east window. Then set about moving things out of the wagon, using a few small gate spells to make it get done. Trade goods went into the room just off the door, books into the empty room just down from that. she would have to get a desk and some book cases for it latter. Personal items went to the bedroom. Her loom and spinning wheel and the assorted items that went with she put in the room with her books, as it was large enough to work for both purposes. The dyes she put in a closets off the room. Most of that work would be done out in the forests were the smell wouldn’t be noticed as much. Some combinations could really stink.  Then came the work of unpack and put away what she could.

She got so involved in unpacking she didn’t here the door so Thanal’s voice made her jump. “We knocked put you must of not herd us back here. Hope you don’t mind us walking in.”

Shaid said. “No that is fine. Likely you would have been standing out there all night if you hadn’t.” She stood and moved back to the front room. “Sorry for the mess. Here are the curtains that I thought you might like. I did remember to leave them out.”

The older man with him said. “Don’t trouble your self. I know what a hassle unpacking can be. Looks like you are remarkably organized, how did you get it sorted in so short a time. I know you haven’t been here that long. big box for a set of curtains”

Shaid said. “Well it wasn’t that hard. Once I saw the rooms and knew where I wanted things I just put them there.” She saw the odd look hit herself and then said. “I am a mage. A bit of magic applied just so and I can get things to go just where I want them to. Saves time, but can make a mess if I am not careful.”

“Ah that makes since. Yes that helps. Looks like you could use a bookcase and a chair or two.” Thanal looked at his father a bit shocked.  “Than go wave at your brother and leave the door open. Can’t have our new neighbor living out of boxes. Wouldn’t look right. It is just some odds and ends but will help you feel more settled.”

Shaid blinked. “Thank you sir.”

“Think nothing of it.”  Soon her room had a nice row of book cases a few chairs and a big hard wood desk.

Examining the desk Said had to ask. “How did you mange to haul this desk around? Even with the spells on the wagon it has to take a wagon by its self.”

Mr. Woodright nodded. ‘That it did and I am glad to be rid of the beast. Guy ordered it then refused it after I built it. Said it was to big. Never mind he gave me the size and all.”

Shaid said. “At least when they do that with wall hangs they are easier to move around, and usually you can find a buyer for them. This is a lovely desk. A masterwork I would think. You have to let me pay.” Not wanting for an answer she put a coin purse in the box with the curtains.

Mr. Woodright shook his head. “I will get even with you. Now what are you doing for supper?”

Shaid said. “A few folks are coming buy to look at some books and one of them kindly offered to bring supper. Thanks to you they wont have to dig though boxes. Well maybe they will. They can unpack them for me. I know Anders at least knows how.”

Thanale said. “Must be some books. So how did you make out at the school?”

Shaid said. “I am in, not sure what classes I end up with. At this late time they said some would be full. I am fine with what ever. I was not looking to start tell next fall. Guess I wont have to worry about a spring trading route, will do some travel in summer, but that is easier.”