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“How is the stall shaping up? Sam said you were setting it up today?” Shaid jumped. “Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you. You were looking a bit troubled.”

Shaid said. “More wishful than troubled. The stall is great. I managed to get more space and I love the painting they have done for the sale I was just looking at the sky trying to relax. The pull is strong tonight. I was hoping a walk under the moon would easy it a bit.”

“The pull? Is it like words or just a felling?”

Shaid said. “It is not words, but stronger than a felling. It is not something I know how to put into words. Something is telling me I need to be there. Now not latter. I do not know where there is, just that it is east. It can be ignored and for years I did, but it is still there. When I was not careful I would find myself drifting east and not know it.  That is how my father knew when one of the others let me take the leads for a bit. Once I stop ignoring it that was more controllable. Still I have Nuiblas not horses or oxen pulling my wagon for a reason.”

“So it never went away, even when you tried to forget it. I wondered if they did. So why did you stop?”

“I meet a wise man who was able to teach me not to fear the call or my self. It is hard to say where I would be if I hadn’t of wondered away that day.” She smiled. “There over the tall tree. Do you see him?”

He looked and then said softly. “Is It? But they said. Wow. I never thought.”

Shaid said. “When there are big waves you can some times get a glimpse at night of a young one. The older ones do not roam so far. I still wonder if they have anything to do with the call. I do not think these are the ones in Quints books, they do not seem to be intelligent as his were. Sorry I tend to ramble at times.”

He said. “Try not to get lost out there.”

Shaid said. “I plan on coming back. But If the boys do go in with me there will come a time when you will have to come out here. The taint makes it hard to go far from the lostlands. The deeper in you travel the more it affects you. They likely won’t have visible changes as old as they are but they will have non-visible ones. If they have kids, they likely will have visible ones, at least part of the time.”

Mr. Gold said. “I have done some studies, but it is hard to separate fact form fiction sometimes. I all ways wonder if it was something that went away. When Rod was six he went missing one night. We found him out waling to the east. All he would say was that he had to go. Bad advice had us lock the doors and tell him that he was making it up when he said anything. I tried to fix it later but the damage was done. That part of him he won’t share with me. I think he does with Sam and his older brother. Well I had better get some sleep, and you should to.”

Shaid nodded. “Yes I had. Tomorrow might be a long day. Now I have Sam helping me on Monday and Wednesday and Rod on Wednesday and Friday. They said they were free those days and Wend says are always a mess here. I am expecting double this time. Are they or are they using me to get out of something?”

He laughed. “No those days are good but the next weekend is the ball and they will try and use you, but if you send them away at noon each day they will have time to get ready. Will that help you any?”

Shaid nodded. “There are things going on all though out the city so sales should slow down in the afternoons that weekend anyway. Thank you I know it is going to cause some trouble for you. I do think I can sleep now.”

He said. “Not as much as you might think. I will just say I felt they should see how the world works. It is a thing just now to have younger sons work in trade for a bit. Though how much they really do is hard to say.”

Shaid said. “Well I can tell you that your son works for the coin he gets. He dose my books for me as well, thank goodness. I would be in a big mess if not for him. I just cannot make numbers do what they should. He cold use a bit more confidence on the selling end, but that will come.”

“Ever let them try weaving?”

“No not yet, but I am temped to see if they want to try there hands at spinning one of theses days. It will be a help no matter how bad it is to have some else making the first spools for me. I can fix them in the next round. I just don’t like doing that first one.”  She laughed. “You have a good night.”

He nodded. “You to.” They each head back to their houses.

Shaid looked around her stall and shook her head. Sam said. “Is there a problem?”

“Not really. I just sold more chests than I thought I would yesterday. I wish I had more, at this rate I am going to run out. I wonder if I send someone with a promise to pay extra if they will deliver?”

“As long as you will pay to feed the horse and driver so we don’t lose any that won’t be a problem. This time though it is on us as we were coming this way and I didn’t see the since in bringing empty wagons. Glad to hear you will look at what I have brought. So they are selling?”

“Yes they are, and I will be delighted to buy what ever you have. Sam I will be back in thirty. If you get swamped, just ask Jenna for some help. Chances are that should it get busy they will be over anyway.”

Sam said. “You are going to leave me? but?”

Shaid said. “Just for a bit. You will be fine. Just pretend I am out back eating. You do fine then, you can handle it. It will be good for you. Sir I am going to run across the road then if you will take me to your wagon I can direct you to my house and we can get it unloaded.” Shaid went over and made sure that Jenna would send one of her girls over should things get to busy.

It didn’t take long to get to Shiad’s house and unloaded. The guy said. “I still have to wonder if you don’t have them stacked someplace and are just to kind to say no.”

Shaid said. “Come on. This is the room where I store them one I have set the spell. See for yourself.” It was down to about a dozen. “These plus what is at my stall are all I have left. They sale, heck I could double the price and still not keep up.”

“I find it hard to believe.”

Shaid said. “If you will trust me with a credit you bring me a wagon any full anytime you have extra and I will take it. If I am not here the residents of either of those two houses will take it for me. Should they be gone as well go see Greg Anderson in the admission office at XXX. He is general there, if he is not in the office they can find him for you. I will pay you when I get to town. If you are willing to do that. That is how sure I am I can sale your chests. What ever you bring, any shape or size.”

He said. “Your credit is good and I will see that none of our wagons heading this way leaves out empty. Until you tell me you have changed your mind. You have a good sale.”

Shaid nodded. “If you are after lumber I understand there is a big sale going in Nuld. Must be a good one as my neighbors are missing the first of the sale to go.”

He said “Thank you for the tip. See you next time.”

Shaid made it back to her stall. As she expected Sam had everything under control. The day we well, there were a few rushes, but not to many. After one Shaid said. “I think it is a good time for a break.”

Sam said. “You are not leaving me here.”

Shaid laughed. “You did just fine, but no. I was just wondering if you would mind going and asking Anders if he would kindly stop by for supper. I still have books for him and Wallace. There just hasn’t been time to get them to him but I want them out of they way.”

Sam nodded. “No problem. I will be right back.” He took of and came back with drinks. “He said they will be waiting on you and wanted me to tell him what you were plotting now.”

It was later than Shaid had planed when she finally made it home. She walked in and smiled. “That smells fabulous. Thank you. Sorry I am late. One of those last minuet shoppers that couldn’t decide between red or blue then left without anything.”

Anderson nodded. ”I know the type now what are you up to?”

Shaid said. “Didn’t you find the books? Had your names on them? Wal there are some in your stack for your locked rooms.”

Wallace said. “Let her eat. Yes we found them, and I see why you didn’t send them with the rest. He is convinced you have anther reason for having us come.”

Shaid smiled and set down at the table making it a point to take a bite before answering. “Well I was wondering if you were having any luck talking with your folks. They did make it? The family mark is on a stall down from me but is not open.”

“They have one near yours?”  yes they came in a day after you left and set up a few times. Then moved on, but will be back Saturday is what they told me. There was a bit less throwing of women but still a good bit of are you ready to come home yet. Not enough real talk. The usual. Why?”

“They seem to have the one that had all that bad cotton in it. I don’t think they know I am two down from them. They might not like it when they find out.” She took  anther bite. “The guy for Norlan delivered me some chests. Said he was coming this way and saw no reason to come empty. I told him I would take any he sent this way. If no one was in the house here he could look you up and I would pay him latter. Hope you don’t mind. I should have asked but I had to act.”

Anderson blinked. “That is fine. They school all ways knows where to find me and if I should happen to go I can leave orders for them to accept the chests.”

Shaid nodded. “Thank you. Any way that got me thinking it might be a good idea to find an agent. Then I happened to remember something. Do you know that there is a law that says an agent is forbidding from joining a rivals family for ten years after wearing the mark?”

Aderson was puzzled. “No I didn’t.”

Shaid said. “It is little used anymore but still on the books as far as I know.” She took a drink then reached into her bag. “That same law says that a rival as any family whose heads practice the same craft.”

He nodded. “Now that I knew.”

Shad said. “So that means if you agree to by my agent you can not join back with Knightsmith. Therefore there would be no reason for your family to ask you to.” She let the necklace dangle from her hand so he could see it. “An agent simply has the power to act in my name. The only thing involved is looking out for my interest here in Secore. You are overly qualified to do that. So what do you say?

“What? But. Wow dose he know?”

Wallace said. “What about the other rumors?”

Shaid said. “I was only worried about them because he would try and get me to come back. He can’t now. But if you are worried I can take steps to increase the spread of anther set making those seem more outlandish. I haven’t seen him since I was made a head, but I did have a run in with Reveright in Limber, so there is a small chance. But as far as I know they still are not talking. This is going to be a fun weekend.”

Anderson took the necklace but did not put it on. “That it is. Wal what do you say, do you have a problem with this?”

Wallace said. “No, why would I it just makes officle what we would be doing anyway. Now what other rumor, and just how did this happen?”

Shaid smiled. “I am not sure it is completely legal, but it is done. Look at the work on that necklace some time went into this. I think they had been planning it longer than I had been thinking of leaving. I just managed to give them the all they need to carry out there plan. Zanth was the holster in Opal. He started it by having his kids show us around and seeing to it that they were calling me Miss Shaid. Then when we went to lunch in the common tent I naturally paid and set at the head of the table not thinking. Zanth took the other end. So those with me became my family no matter what I had to say about it.” Anders looked at Wal and started laughing. “So you had been talking humm?” She waited for them to get control of there selves.

Anderson said. “I just wondered if something like that wouldn’t happen. But I just thought rumors. I didn’t think.”

Shaid said. “Wait. I fingered they would include Thanel so when they got in I suggested that we keep a distance tell the rumors blew over. But Danth wouldn’t hear of it. Instead he went out of the way to help the rumors of an impending agreement between his family and mine. So you see anything about Anders and I doesn’t have a chance against Thanel and I.” Shaid was laughing her self and had to catch her breath. “Last night of the sale a commissioner, one of the people elected to see that laws are followed amongst us, comes into my camp and when he leaves I have this. I still am not sure just what happened. But I guess I am a family and so I might as well use it.”

Anderson said. “Well in that case it is my pleaser to ware your symbol. I can’t wait tell he sees it. I don’t know what will be better, the fact that I am acting as an agent or the moment when he finds out who’s.”

Wallace said. “It will be something to see either way.”

Shaid said. “One more thing and this dose not get said out of here. but at this time I am working for some others so that means you are and have a right to know who. I suppose you have heard of the stall in the high end art market with the dancing bear?”

Wallace nodded. “I hear little else in the break room these days but talk of who it could be and what they will sale.”

Shaid said. “They will never come close. You however both have some of there work.” The looked puzzled. “The statues and wallets.”

“The deeplander work? But” Wallace shook his head “Oh man. That will upset a few. How and when?”

Shaid said.  “Around Wednesday if all goes well.  I said that if they sent adults with few visible changes who spoke trade they would do fine. And if I should be wrong I would take over the stall and see the goods sold. But I do not think that will be necessary. I know there will be those who have to watch and point but I think they can win them over.”

Wallace said. “I agree and once they are hear and the secret is out I can see the right people find out. There are some I know who fell the deeplanders should be included in the government meetings and will be overjoyed to see them out of hiding. The quality of items will take care of the selling part. I gave been offered as much as three gold’s for that little lion. The mystery around it doesn’t hurt either. Yes this is going to be a good summer.” The talk moved to other things and the guest found reasons to leave. Shaid spelled a few of the new chests then found her bed.

Wednesday was a mess. By the evening Shaid’s stall was empty and her money box full.  She looked at her stall and shook her head. “Well guess I am closing early to night”

There was a laugh behind her. “So you want the wagon tonight or in the morning?”

Shaid said in the morning, and could I get two, one that can hull breakables. I believe I will need it. That is I think some friends have made it in and will be wanting to set up.”

He winked. “I will have ‘em there with the sun if not a bit before. Don’t you worry. I will send my quite divers. Hope you have more of them chests. I know at least a dozen that want one and are counting on there holiday pay to get it.”

Shaid smiled. “Luckily I have a nice stock in. I knew it was going to be busy but I didn’t think this bad. Thanks for the wagons. You never know they might just find something else for that holiday pay.”

“Perhaps, but I think most won’t change. See in the morning then.” He headed on down the line. It was one of his busy times, and the drivers would befit as well.

Shaid made her way back to the houses and smiled. “Good I see they told you which one is yours. I hope it is all right? Sorry I couldn’t get away. Did you find your stall or do you want to go now?”

A tall thin lady with orange hair said. “It is fine thank you so much Shaid. Glen told me how swamped you were, is that normal? I am Dronathy, by the way. A bit unfair that I know your name and you don’t know mine. Your firend is taken Glen and some of the others around the market now.”

Shaid said. “Wednesdays and Sundays are big days, but this was insane. No defiantly not normal. I am glad Sal is showing them around I wasn’t sure if would feel he could. Now then here is the change from  the stall rent minus the rent for the house. There will be a wagon here with the first light that is city licensed to take the good over to the stall for you. The customary charge is once crown but I add ten rinhs to it for the driver, and one for any loaders he has. Makes them more willing to help. I know you usually have a gate near by but it is polite to make use of the hullers for big sales. It helps you as well.”

Dronathy nodded. “That is fine. The reason we don’t at others id because of the make up in the group. But we were a bit more careful about it this time. Now then should I hide my hair? And then come meet the others. We made sure most us will blend in and those that don’t can.”

Shaid said. “It is up to you. I think it is fine, but it will get a few more stares and whispers. Understand that there is a lot going on now about your stall. No one knows who the dancing bear is. Even the stall master just knows your goods and that you let me act on your behalf. I didn’t tell him where you were from and he has not told anyone what you will be selling.”

Another laughed. “That is perfect. I love it. They will be so busy talking about us that they won’t talk about us.”

Shaid said. “They like to do events around the sell and have a mystery is good for every one. I didn’t do it to hide you, but to bring people in.”

He nodded. “Yes, Yes. It is perfect. I love it. We can work with it. Are the drivers likely to talk?”

Shaid said. “Not the ones being sent in the morning. He is sending the ones that don’t talk. Though they might be a bit more talkative if you stand out. But not if you tip them. Those rinhs will be more they the information would have brought them.”

The man rubbed his hands together. “Don’t hide your hair, it will add to the mystery. We do not say where we are from and stay with items they will recognize the first few days then slowly add the more unusual ones. The fabric is going to stand out a bit more but it won’t be at are stall and we can stay to those more like the city there to at first then. Over all there was something about her that said bird. “I am the most changed of those who came this trip the others just have odd shades of hair or skin and height differences.”

Shaid smiled. “You will need to do something with your hair for the days he want to keep it under warps where you are from. But after that don’t. unless the whispers will bother you, they won’t me. UI do hope you will share some of your patterns. I will mine, and I have extra goods to trade”

Feather said. “We will see. Now then these two want to make plans for the other stall. I can see the wheels turning. You have made there day I think, with out meaning to. Would you mind helping pick out the best fabrics to start with. I think I have a fair idea of what is the least exotic but would like you help if you have time.”

Shaid nodded. “I would be happy to help.”  Feather led her in the house and the got to work going over the fabric.  They soon had it planed out. Someone handed them each a plate of food. Shaid looked up startled. ”

The girl said. “It is done and there is enough no reason for you to go hungry.”

Shaid smiled.  “Thank you. Anytime I can get out of cooking is welcome indeed. I thought, that is you seem a bit young.”

Feather said. “A handful of teens talked there way into the trip by agreeing to stay at the house and keep it. Though I bet the make it out to the market some way in a few days.”

Shaid smiled. “Well then welcome, and just try not to wonder to far in town. I will see if I can’t get some guides. It can be tricky to tell the places that are not friendly with young visitors.”

The girl blushed. “We agreed to stay to the house. But thank you for the offer.”

Dronathy said. “That would be welcome I will fell better knowing they are not exploring on there own if you think you can find some.”

Shaid said. “I happen to know of a few that are going to be a bit to free in a few days. I think the parents will glad to have something for them to do.”

Dronathy nodded. “That will easy my mind.  Now then you are not letting Frrreaatheeensic there run you out of your stall are you?”

Shaid said. “Not at all. We are just planning to make the best use of the space. Truth is I will be glad of the help. The ones who usually help me will be tied up with family a lot of the time” I hope you won’t think me rude to eat and run but I need to get my own things ready. I sold a bit more than I expected to today.”

 “Of course. I can understand that. Is there anything we can do to help?”

Shaid said. “Thank you for offering, but I don’t think so this time. I will see you all in the morning.” They nodded and Shaid made her way to her house.