I do not know what happend.

A few hours latter they made it back to the campsite. Once there Shaid dropped her shield and the kids took there items and went back to their wagons to show them off. “Might as well bring ours out here so we can go though them I will be willing to handle resale of anything you don’t want.” Shaid said, “That is for those in my wagon. I know you can handle your own items.”

Mr. Woodright laughed. “I knew what you meant.”

Sam says. “Sounds good to me.” He and the others started bring items out, Shaid stirred the fire so it would be ready for Bert to get the food starting as they looked. It wasn’t long until they had the bundles and baskets out the odds and ends got looked though first, the books saved for last. There was indeed a purple chipmunk, which caused Shaid to shake her head and the other traders to laugh. But they refused to explain.

They ate then started on the more numerous book bundles. There wear a few history books, and nature studies as well as the spell books she had seen. Some of the pitchers turned out to be nothing, but some were plans. Not all were complete but there was only a handful that was unlikely to resell. Shaid set some aside for Wallace and Anders. There were a few she meant to have copied, and some she was keeping but would let them copy. The bundle with the item she was sent after was all spell books and after a brief glance she took them all back into the wagon. Some would go to Wallace, but most even he would never see. At lest not tell she had time to study them better. If the others noticed they said nothing.

“You are not easy to find. “Now then as I said I will pay you double for that bundle you stole.”

Shaid said. “I am not hiding. The items that I am willing to resale are here. You are welcome to see if what you want is among them. Then we can talk price. But insulting me will only make it increase. I took nothing out of hand. I got to it first therefore it was my chose to by or not.”

The lady made a sound that said sh fund all beneath and stocked over to the table refilled though the books in a ware that showed there age meant nothing to her. “It is not here! I know you know what I am after now go get it!”

Shaid looked at her. “Those are the only items I am reselling. If what you want is not there it is not for sale.”

“You little thief. You will not get away with it this time. You filth!” She started towards the wagon.

Shaid kept her voice mild. “I would stop right there. You are not welcome. You would be wise to leave.” The lady huffed and took anther step. Shaid’s wards flared knocking her back.

“That was a warning tap. Try again and it will hurt. Leave and I will not involve the guards.”

“Oh dare me you had you wagon spelled. Let me give you a lesson.” The lady tried to take the shield. Shaid changed it and her spell bounced back at her.

Shaid said. “I believe you know what direction the road is., or do you need some help.” The woman growled and her hands started to glow. Shaid put a blue shield around the people at the table. “Don’t try it. You will not like the result.” As she spoke a wind raised in the clearing string the dirt at the woman’s feet. Bouncing off the shield around her.

“So you know a few tricks child. What of it. All you need to is get the books. I tried to be nice.”  Lighting played off the shield around them. Shaid shook her head and the dust was inside the woman’s shields.

“Stop now it will be no more than a bit of dust. Try again and you will wake up in a cell three or four days from now.”

The woman raised her hands. A voice behind them said. “What is going on here?”

Sneering she said. “Nothing that concerns you Shalern. Go away.”

Anther said. “It might not concern him, that is a matter of debate but as captain of the guard it clearly concerns me. So answer!”

“That trash took something and I am getting it back.”

“I find that hard to believe, but if so then we will do it the right way. What was taken and how?”

Shaid said. “I bought some books early that she feels she has a right to never mind that my hand was first on them. In fact she never touched them, or not to my knowledge. She was reaching towards them when I picked them up, but there were other bundles there as well. She found me after the sale and offered to pay double. I told her nothing was for sale until I looked at it but if she found me I would let her look over the items I didn’t plan on keeping.  The book she want was not among them so she thought to enter my wagon and found my shield irritating.”

Mr. Woodright said. “I know nothing of the early confutation but the tonight the lady marched up and said she would pay double for the bundle Shaid had stole. Shaid told her she was welcome to go though the items there. The lady moved them around and said they were not what she wanted and demanded Shaid produced the other items. When Shaid did not she made to enter the wagon. When that failed she started to threaten us with magic. I am willing to repeat this and answer questions under a truth spell if you have a way to gantry my safety should Shaid drop the ward she has put around us.”

The guard said. “That is not necessary. That you are willing is enough. Miss Willson do you have anything to add?”

The lady’s face was red. “You are going to just let this filth steel from me? I am an honest citizen not some tramp!”

The guard said. “There is no evidence that anything was stolen and if anything was you clearly took the wrong way to retrieve it. If you can establish ownership of anything in the traders position I will see it return and the right punishments meted. So do you have any evidence?” In answer the lady flung a spell. Shaid got enough of a shield over the new avails to block most of it, but there was enough to knock them to the ground. When the dust settled the lady was on the ground.

Shaid said. “I didn’t. I did say I would, but”

Another man said. “I had gotten the spell set so if either for you did anything against the other you would be out, but I was still to far to get a good shield up. Fast work with that young lady.”

Shaid said. “I am sorry I did not think she would attack you until she did. I saw the spell but expected it to come at me. I just couldn’t shift in time.”

The guard said. “I think you did fine and thank you Ben, I was hoping you had gotten the message. So miss, you threaded to knock her out?”

Shaid nodded and lowered her shields. “After the first attack, but um if I had of done it I would be asleep right now. I am still recovering from the trip here. though this shields show that I am doing a bit better than I thought.”

“Yes, I heard of the trouble on the way here. One of the resons I was with Shalem tonight was to make sure you are willing to see him to Secore. I do not want to leave him in the care of patrol.”

Shaid nodded. “I meant my offer, and Mr. Woodright agrees and will be traveling with us as well. We had planed to wait a full day after the sale was over before leavening. But if that will be a problem giving her anger we can change our plans. Just what kind of a mess have I made?”

The guard said. “Her family is powerful, but it is not the first trouble she has caused. What were the things she was after?”

Shaid said. “A bundle of spell books.  I have not had the time to look close at them, but saw enough to know that care needs to be taken with them.” She closed her eyes then added. “I was sent after two in the goup specifically, but have them all under tighter guard than my wagon is. I will not show you those but there is one I feel I can safely show you.”

The guard said. “I do not need to see it, but her family might. I will come with them if they do, after the sale close tomorrow evening. They will not need to come sooner, and would not expect to be able to. As to your plans I see no reason why they would need to change.”

Shaid said. “If that changes let me know. I do not want to make things hard for you. I am grateful you arrived when you did. So what was it that brought you out here?”

Shalem answered. “I want to know when if you knew when we were leavening, and he wanted to make sure I had an escort. So you made it to the lostlanders sale. And must have made it there early.”

Shaid nodded. “Take a look if you want, those there are going up for resale. We were able to be there as they opened thanks to our helpers. Do to the way I looked when I pulled in I have a bunch of kids assigned to show me around. Really it is as much to keep them out of their parents’ way as it is to see we don’t over do. Anyway the kids of course know when anything happens so we were able to be among the first inline.”

The guard captain said. “Hum maybe I should look in to paying a few to let me know when someone comes in or leaves. I find it hard to keep up. Or would that be spying?”

Mr. Woodright said. “Oh that is public information sop should not be a problem. Now if you were asking for details about who was fight or such that would different.”

Shalem said. “I will have to pass on it for now, but perhaps you will let me look another night. I do want to, but I know the captain must get back, and he will not allow me to walk back on my own.”

Shaid laughed. “Well I am sure that there will be anther chance. With luck we will be a bit more comfortable on the way back then what we were on the trip here.”

“It wasn’t to bad, no matter what some of my companions think. Still though I could do with less excitement. Though somehow I think I will be out of luck. Well you have a good evening.” With that he left.

Mr. Woodright nodded. “I like that kid. Glad I will get to know a bit more of him. Now then though I think I had best pack this up and find my bed or I will be getting a late start on the day.”

Shaid said. “Before you go, there is one thing. The deeplanders said that if I stoped by in the morning I might find more of intrest. I thanked them and said that I, and those with me would be horned to see whatever they had, that I would be equly pleased with items of their making as I was with items they found. He said if that was the case we would both be happy. I don’t want to bring to many, but perhaps you would like to come?”

Mr. Woodright blinked. “I have heard of such, but. You must have impressed someone. Such invites are not offered lightly. Yes I will go with you.”

Shaid said. “See you in the morning then.” The next morning they split up. After a bit of talking the night before it was decided that Sam and Hope would go with Shaid as well. The rest went to the other stalls to browse.

When they got to the stall no one was visible but aft a bit a man stepped out looked them over then in ancient, a bit unsure said. “If you and your friends will but follow me.”

Shaid said. “If you fear there are to many of us I will send some away.”

“That is not it, I was told to bring who ever was with you it is just I am a bit worried. I hope you understand.”

Shaid nodded. “I do I was not expecting this honor. Let me explain to the others, as they do not all understand this language.” Turn to the other Shaid said, changing languages. “We are being invited to their camp. The children there will be curious about us. It is important that we do not make them feel like, well, like they are not human. “

Sam nodded. “No problem. I didn’t think they let outsiders around the children?”

Hope said. “They don’t. The children have a harder time hiding their differences so they do all they can to keep them safe. My Father works with the ambassador, who is kind enough to explain to a overly curious child why his family doesn’t come with him. As well as tell me other things about his land.”

Shaid said. “So you all understand what is going on here then. I didn’t expect this. Just treat the children the same as you would any others.” Turning back to the guide she saw him nod.

“I am not able to speak their language but I do understand it. Your words and there’s easy my mind. The older one is known to me but I was not sure the other two. Some cannot see past differences. Come, there is a gate here that we will use. It is safe, do not fear.” He stepped back into shadows and vanished. Sam went to follow then looked at Shaid. She nodded and waved the others on. She went though last. When she emerged the guide said. “I hope it was not to distressing. We find it best to use a gate to get around. Walking though the market is stressful.”

Shaid said. “It was very smooth. I can understand why you would find it better. I just have a few issues with gates. I had one collapses on me once. Since then it is hard for me to enter one I have not made.”

“I see. I didn’t realized.”

Shaid said. “It is fine, really. I just have to work past my nervous a bit before I can enter one. It is silly, but some things linger.”

He nodded and set off down the path between the wagons. As the went the kids came out and looked at them. One of them waved and Sam waved back.

One of them asked. “Where are you from?”

Sam answered. “I am from Brown, way west of here, not quite on the coast but near it. Not as many trees there, and a lot more houses.”

“Does that mean you want to tame us? Borrbd said you city folks wanted to tame us, make us go to your schools.”

One of the others said something that he could not understand, but he knew by the tone that she was trying to get the first to stop. He laughed. “No I do not want to tame you, and most I know would not. Though sadly there are some who thing that the cities here in the east are to wild and need a stronger government, but there are not many that listen them. Those that are in power know better, now anyway.”

“So you don’t want to put us in cages?”

“Not hardly! I do not lock people in cages.”

A lady came over. “Come now back to your lessons. I told you not to trouble our visitors. They are not here to be pestered.” She looked at them. “Sorry I looked away and they took off.”

Sam said. “It is no problem, I don’t mind.”

She said. “Be careful you might regret saying that. I have no doubt they will find away to get away from me again and there have a lot of questions.”

Shaid said. “Perhaps, if it is all right with the elders we can stop by the school and answer some. We are not in a hurry and perhaps that will help them get the studies done?”

A man said. “That is lovely, if you are sure? I will tell them all that if they get their work done you will meat with them in the main square.”

Mr. Woodright said. “We are in no hurry, so I do not see why we can’t. I know how the children in my wagons get when a visitor is among them. With us being so strange I can bet it is worse. We will need translators though. Shaid is the only one of use that speaks Ancent,.”

“No problem I have some others there to help. Thank you, I just hope the do not give you cause to regret your offer.”

“Kids are kids. I am not worried.”

“I See youu have madde it. Was thrrre troubles?” The speeker looked more like a bear than anything.

Shaid said. “No troubles grandfather. Just a few of the children mangled to get away from their teacher.”

The other man said in the same liquid langue the girl has spoken. “They have generously agreed to meet with the young ones and answer some questions when they are done here.”

The older one answered. “I am not surprised. She would not have brought those who were not kind. I will let you get it set up. We will be fine.” They younger one nodded and left. The older one said so all could understand. “Forrgive me but you languagesss arre harrrd on me. Othrrres inside do betrrre. Come, but know ye that you have much pleased.”

Shaid said. “We did nothing we wouldn’t have anyplace we were.”

The man nodded. And led to a clearing full of tables and goods with other older people around. The man said in ancent. “That is why it worked daughter. The people there will answer any questions your friends have. Anything they see they may make an offer on.”

Shaid turned to the others. “They are willing to answer your questions, not just about the items here. The things here can all be bought. Go ahead and look.” They headed off down the tables not knowing where to start. Shaid turned back to the man. “You do us a big honor. Thank you. This is overwhelming, for them and me.”

He said. “It is our counsels wish to know how things of our making would be recived. We have been hesitant to offer them, but need an outlet.”

Shaid said. “Well the to other younger ones are both city dewlers not traders. So their faces should tell you. Sam is from the west, Hope is of Secore. But I would have no trouble sailing anything here. My only issue would be pricing it fairly. As right now I could ask anything and get it. And my primary trade is cloth not art. You have a gold mine here, no doubt as more gets out the market will even out but it will all ways be there.” She had moved closer to the table and reached out to touch a flying dragon sculpture lightly. “These look like they will start moving any minuet. Such as this would be sold as it was seen. Send a wagon to any big sale and you will be sold out the first day, at two centers a piece.”

A voice said, in the liquid language. “Why, because it was made by freaks? Beasts? Give me a break by the time we pay for the trade there would be nothing.”

The man said. “Peace Groue that is not what she meant.”

Shaid said in the same language. “It has nothing to do with who made it, but with the quality. Yes the novelty would bring them in to look but it is the buttery that will make the sale, and the quality that will bring them back after the novelty has gone.  Why pay others? Get the stall your self. There are those among you who can speak the trade, and I know you know how to bargain.”

“So we can be stared at? No thank you!”

“They will only stare tell they see the goods. Send older people of even temper, keep the young ones at home. Until folks are used to seeing you among the other traders. They will get used to it over time. But yes it will be rough at first, hence the adults only, and mostly those with only minor visible changes. But let some with changes come as well. It will work. In fact, there is a sale in a week in Secore. If you can get a wagon there I can get you a stall. I will take it over if I am wrong, all profit going back to you.”

The older man said. “I did not know this language was know outside our lands. Is that what you would as for them?”

Shaid said. “It is not. I was taught by a man know as Flaner. He was sick and unable to get home for a bit. As he was gain his strength he taught me a few things. Made it easier for me to accept myself, all of me.” She looked over at the others, raised her voice and changed languages. “Danth what would you sale these items at in a high rate art stall.”

Mr. Woodright said. “So you do know my name I was starting to wonder. Assuming the same cost as today in my stall I would ask two and a half for them small and up from the with size. Five and half for the largest I think. Perhaps a bit more depend on the attention they got.”

Shaid nodded. “If they were direct what would you ask?”

He said. “I would start at one and half for the basics and add up biased on detail and sized. So this one is the base this little guy though would be three, and this bigger one with less character is two. Bigger there would be six.”

The kid, still in the shadows asked in ancent. “Why the difference?”

Mr. Woodright said. “Lower on the low end so you undercut the resellers. The higher prices on the other will make up for the loss, and travel costs. The lower prices all so means they are more likely to pay more for the bigger ones. Exclusive items, one they can only get from the make you charge the high end price for.” He looked at Shiad. “I never said I didn’t understand, just that I can not speak it. My mouth will not form the sounds. Just what are you up to?”

The older man answered. “She thinks we could sale our items direct at you big sales. I am not so sure.”

Shaid said, in trade so all could understand. “If they send adults with even tempers who speak trade I don’t see why it would work. Of course most would have to have the less visible changes at first. But that could change slowly as outlanders got used to seeing you around. Or am I dreaming? What do you think?”

Mr. Woodright said. “It could work, but the ones you send out for the year or two will get a lot of stares and pointing. There will be some whispers and a good bit of buzz. The other traders will settle first, the citys slower, but we, traders can help. Once they see we accept you they will start to. It will take a good bit of time, but I can see the since it. I must ask why though? After all this time what has changed?”