Now at 40k and change. here is todays. I just cant stopposting this year.

The kids jumped up and starting setting out plates and cups Shaid made to help put anything she touched was politely taken from her. She gave up and sat down at the table, just as a cup of cavah was handed to her. Soon the meal was done and the children were ready to go. It seemed they had worked it all out amongst their selves and saw to it that the injured members had a helper at hand.

There path though the market looked random, but wasn’t. they made a good number of purchases in the first few minutes. Sam said. “I think we had better run these back or we are going to have to many books to carry soon. Thanks to our guides here we are make short work of these list.”

Rod nodded. “I didn’t think it would be possible to buy so many so fast. At this rate I will run out of coin before I run out of time. Much better than trying to find my way alone. I doubt if I would have gotten this far on the list in one day as we have in a couple of hours.”

One of the older kids said. “No since in you going back and forth. We can carry the books and be back faster.”

Gred said. “Now we are not keep you from your own shopping are we? I know it is mostly books but surly there are a few things you want? Sides shouldn’t we head back and see about some lunch I don’t see any food stalls?”

One of the girls answered. “We are getting to do a lot more shopping helping you. As we do not go out alone and most times everyone is busy at the stall. Mom and Gena will have the kitchen going. We are to go there for lunch.”

Shaid said. “For big sales like this the traders set up a community kitchen and the various cooks take turns at making the meals. That way the stalls can stay open and a hot lunch be had. It is easier on everyone as they know the food will be safe. Buying from food stalls can be chancy at these events.”

“All right then if you are sure you want to player runner I guess we keep shopping but um if you do not go around alone?”

The boy said. “I am of age that I can, that is why I am here. well that and the fact that my family only set up one stall with ten of us to work it. With that many there was nothing for me to do.”

Shaid nodded. “I hated those days. Father would get mad if I picked up a book, but yet there was to many hands for the jobs. Anther thing that made me glad to get my own wagon as at lest then I could have my loom out. Thank you, I do appreciate your help.” He nodded scoped up the bags and took off.

Sam said. “Why have so many at one sale?”

Shaid said. “There could be any number of reasons. But at a theam sale like this most likely they had a limited number of items to sale here but will have more at the next place, and no better place for the others to be that would let them get to the next sale on time. Of course are times a sale will fold and so two groups end up at one sale, or there just are not that many sales in the area you are going though. It just happens at times. All the planning in the world cannot cover everything and there will be times when there are to many hands.”

“I didn’t realize how much work went into it. But makes since you can’t just set up in a town and hope people come and buy. Well not all the time if you want to make a living.”

Shaid nodded. “There is some of that to it, but most of your income will be made by hitting towns when there are large groups of people around rather than trying to make large groups come to you. Even if you have a name. That is your items are well known.” 

The shopping continued around non the children led them over to the kitchen. Not thinking about it Shaid put some coins in the jar for their meal then led them over to a table and sat in the first chair. the others taking seats on down the table. Then she happened to catch Zanth’s knowing grin, only then did it dawn on her how it would look. She shook her head and thought about moving but it was to late and she knew it.

Rod said. “Is something wrong? We didn’t goof somehow did we?”

Shaid said. “No you didn’t. I did. Sort of. I acted without out thinking. By paying for all I said we were together, and by taking the chair here and you all just filling in down the table it says I am the head. Basically I just told everyone here that we are a family. Which is what Zanth was getting at with that Miss stuff. Children address the heads of family outside there own as Mr. And Miss. Other adult non family members are called Sir and Ma’m unless they are close in witch case there names can be used as if they are family. Adults will typical use each others first names unless there is a reason to make a point. Once I passed my first test I started using names when Father was around as it irritated him even though I was really to young, then once I got my wagon a lot of the others stopped answering until I dropped the titles. They were worried I didn’t know how to stand up for my self, but I thought they were doing it as pay back for my earlier rudeness at first when they wouldn’t answer And now I am babbling.” The last was said as the food was set on the table.

Rod said. “So what is the big deal? I don’t understand. Weren’t you a head once you left your family? Or is this something else?”

Shaid said. “I am an independent. Not a member of any family. Free to make my own chooses. A family head has two votes per master in the family in government matters. As well as the one vote each of the masters can exercise. I have only my one vote. Where I have only myself top worry about. A head makes plans for all members and arranges marriages, sets up alliances. See by making us into a family they are giving me power over your lives. Power I do not have. Normally no one would even think you were family, but I have let my self be led into trap of sorts.”

Gred laughed. “Sounds like you have your hands full if you are now to find wives for us. Anything we can do? I remember you saying heads were addressed as Father so can you even be one? That is, well.”

Zanth said, taking the chair at the other end as those of his family not working took the other seats. “It is not often seen but has happened before. You have heard of Colemen horses? Well that family was started by a female and there are others. Then for a time Zabler was led by one, though its founder was male. That is more common actually than your situation, but you are not the first. Though you might be the first one in a long time to have the main core of starting members being town folks.”

Shaid closed her eyes and then said. “I hold no oaths. We are just traveling together. There is nothing against taking outsiders on the road to give them a taste if it. In fact Jabber makes a business out of doing so. Why does my doing so mean that I am starting a family or even leaning that way? I have no such plans.”

Zanth said. “Life throws us curves. Trust me as someone who has had some unexpected changes I know the signs. You might not think you want this, but it is happening. The sooner you see it the easier it will be to have the answers.”

Shaid said. “It is not that simple there are to many things for it to go that way. By the law they are not even free to offer me the oath, even if they had the faintest idea what we are talking about. Sorry, but this time you are seeing things that can not be.”

Zanth said. “Time will tell. Now then how is the shopping going?” Shaid smiled and shook her head as the talk moved to other things. The rest of the day was uneventful, aside from a few good buys. Though she tried she didn’t get any indication that there the thing she was after was in the market yet. But there were places for more stalls, so perhaps it was still coming.

The next morning the kids arrived out of breath just as Shaid and her friends were finishing up their breakfasts. “You wont believe what just happened! There is a party in out of the deep lands and they are setting up a stall to sale off some found things. I don’t know what all but we need to move or they will be gone!”

Shaid was all ready on her feet. “We can’t leave the dishes like this. Will you mind pitching in? I want to get a few more coins out of the safe.” The kids had started clearing the table before she finished asking. Shaid headed to the wagon. When she got out she gave a few coins to each kids. “You earned them. There is no way we would have known or be in place without you.” She then gave each of the others a bag. “I don’t know what they will have but this is a rare chance. No need to be short on funds.”

Sam said. “I can’t take this.”

Shaid said. “Pay me back latter then.” The sound of a wagon made her turned she recognized the Woodright mark and waved. As it pulled up and she saw Thanale she let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. She went up to the wagon before it had fully stopped. “Our guides here just informed us that there is a group of deeplanders setting up a stall I know it is a rush. But can you leave?”

Mr. Woodright said. “They just got here? Than jump back and get those coins. You guys see the camping all right?”

Mrs Woodright said. “We will get it, you to go see what they have there is enough of us here to get set up. Dear you look like you had some trouble. You will fill me in at lunch. Now run on you don’t want to miss anything.”

Shaid nodded. “Thank you, I will then. Sorry but.”

“Oh I understand now get you can’t afford the delay..”

With the children in the lead they made the way though the market and got there just as the last item was set out. There were bundles of books, pottery some whole even, bits of woodwork and other odds and ends. Shaid went for the books. Trusting the others to make there own finds. She started by trying to look at what was in the bundles but others showed up so she gave up looking and just grabbed any that looking to have at lest one whole book. One of them one of them jumped out at her. It was or had the item she was sent for. She snatched ignoring the other hand reaching for it. There was all ways a bit of madness about this type of sale. Things getting taking out from under others hands. There were a few more bundles she managed to get then she moved on to the other things as the pushing was getting to much. She found a few bits of cloth she had to get. There was so much not known about the work even the smallest bit could prove to have a new pattern once it was washed up. Or it might revile a new dye recipe. She had gotten a few colors that way, off of scraps. Finley things got to busy for her to get in and so she went to one of the men waiting to collect the coins. Deeplanders were odd, the had been changed more by the magic and toxins of there land and sometimes looking more like beasts than people. Some were said to be beasts given the power of speech. No one not of the lands could say. But in place like this it was the ones that looked human that you saw. The others stayed in the shadows, but she could since them watching. There eyes would help see nothing left unpaid for.

Shaid addressed the man in carpathing, a language all most lost in the civilized lands, but common in the lost lands. “Sir I hope you had fair travel,. Thank you for the chance to see what you have found in you wanderings. Do you have a price for this or would you like me to make an offer?”

The man blinked at her. “It is a shook to find one who speaks. We have a price in mind but are willing to hear your offer.”

Shaid thought for a bit then held out seven gold coins. “Do not take less than one center a bundle for the books. The whole pieces of the pottery should fetch you at least two. Any less and they are trying to steel it. Try for more.”

Another answered form behind. “That was our hope, but we were unsure. Thank you. You offerrre is most grraces. Come back morrow morning and there will be something to see.” His speech telling her he was one that was more animal in shape, though he stayed out of sight.

Shaid blinked. “Thank you sir. If you are after something I would be horned to help.”

He changed to Anchent, clearly easier for him to speak. “We have agents who will make the purchase, but thank your for the offer daughter.”

Shaid answered in the same as the man made to translate. “You honor me. Me and those with me will be pleased to see what ever you have to show us. I am as interested in your own items as I am in those you have found.” She bowed and trend to leave.

The one in the shadows said. “If you speak the truth we might both be happy. We shall see. Good day upon you. I look forward to talking with you more when we are not as rushed.”

Shaid said. “As do I. I am sure there is much you could teach me Grandfather.” The look on the young mans face was all the proof she needed to know she was right. She bowed again and left so that others could pay. She managed to find an out of the way place to wait for the others. It was not long until they found her.

Sam said. “I think we need to get these locked up then get some lunch before we see just what we have here.”

Shaid nodded. “There is a code but with this it might be temping for some to break it. I think that is a good idea. Do you have ward spell on your wagon” If not you are welcome to use mine. I had better not try and set one on yours yet, but activating mine won’t be a problem.”

“We have one on ours, but I want to here just why you can’t set one up. I take it is related to the bandages I see. So we will wait tell all are here so you need not tell it more than once.” They made it back to the wagons and got things stored. Four more Woodright wagons had arrived.

“Did you get anything good?”

“I think so, but I didn’t take time to look I thought we would after the market closes.”

Mrs. Woodright said. “If you can’t wait to look I can shop without you.”

“No it can wait. I have some titles of my own to find, though I do want to see what the others got to.”

Shaid said. “We still have some more to get as well so I think we can wait. Oh and um I should warn you that Zanth, the holster, has encouraged the idea that I am starting a new family so um you might want to keep Thanel closer to you than me.”

Thanel just looked at her. One of the kids said. ”Miss  Shaid everything is put away. Were you wanting to do a bit more shoping or just head to lunch?”

Shaid smiled. “I think lunch is in order, then we can get the shoping done. Now did you put your items in my wagon to?”

She nodded. “It seemed safer than carrying them. We will take them after we see you back for the night.” Shaid laughed and raised the shields.

 Thanel shook his head. “They really are? Have you been getting offers?”

“Not yet, but there have been a few looks I told him that I didn’t hold any oaths he just said I would so I had better get used to it. And you see the guides that we have helping us.”

Mr. Woodhaven said. “Well so be it. Thanel could do worse and it beets either one of you going into the lost lands alone. I will throw my hat behind you. Don’t look at me. I know the way these rumors go. It will die on it’s own if it is going to die at all. Fighting it with just make it grow and no use trying to separate Thanel. It wouldn’t work so better I am seen supporting it, don’t you think?”

Shaid shook her head. “I am not. Oh I give up. What a family, a wood carver, weaver, leather workers and some solders. Oh and an accountant.” She laughed. “What you say we go get that lunch before the purple chipmunk shows up.”

Sam looked at Hope. “Purple chipmunk?” 

Hope said, trying hard not to laugh. “I just put it in the wagon with the rest of the items I bought. I don’t think she saw it though. I thought it was neat. There were some other nice pieces of pottery there to. Did you see the wallet by the way? I am not sure but it was dyed as well as beaded I think.”

Gred said. “Really? How did they dye it? I never get the right color when I try.”

Shaid, shaking her head, said. “They might have a different additive in it than we do. I might be able to tell by touching it. If it is not to degraded. I have been able to get some of the dyes they used on cloth.”  She started walking so the others did as well. “I think I might have a spell book. I know one had some maps in it. And there were a few other drawings. Then I gave up looking and just grabbed so I am not sure. But I can make what I spent back I am sure.”

Sam nodded. “It got a bit wild. I have no idea what I have. But it was fun. Now then why did you call them deeplanders? I got that these are lost land relics, but deep land?”

Mr. Woodright answered. “Deep lands are the middle of the lost lands. The folks who make it there home seldom leave. They do trade, but usually though agents. So this is a big deal. We see them a bit more working the edges but still a sale like this happens maybe once every seven years. Always unannounced and a bit of madhouse. They might stay a few days, or they might be gone in the morning. This is the fourth inland sale I have heard of and the second I have been at. I have had the chance to trade a few other times in the lost land but that is slower, few people, and higher prices. But generally better items though this looked to have some very good pieces Now then what happened to you all?” They reached a table and sat down, Mr. Woodhaven at one end, Shaid at the other.

The tale worked its way out. When they told of Shalern Westlord and his insistence that he was the cause Mr. Woodright shook his head. Shaid concluded the story by saying. “So there is a chance of an attack on the way back, and to add I did offer to escort Mr. Westlord if he didn’t fell like waiting for a patrol. I hope you don’t think it forward, as you son had offered to let us travel back in your company.”

Mr. Woodright said. “Absolutely not! I would be more upset if you hadn’t. That young man can not be the cause of it, whatever he might think. I would much rather have him with us than taking his risks on his own. In fact giving the chance I will be encouraging him not to wait on the parole. They do a good job and all, but they do get side tracked and the fellow might find himself on his own.”

Mrs. Woodright nodded. “Just so. He is much safer with us. We might not look imposing, but we can be as needed, and you have proving you can handle yourself well for all your youth.”

Shaid said.  “I told him how to get word to me and promised to look him up once I knew just when we would be heading back.”

Mr. Woodright said. “There are two more days of the sale left. And I have some shopping to get done before my safe gets to full. So I was thinking late, afternoon, the day after it ends, if not the fowling morning. Give time for everyone to get started si we are not jammed and maybe pick up a few things from the locals. I like to buy some goods from them, but big sales it can be hard to tell who is who.”

Shaid said. “I like the next morning best myself. A day to relax before taking to the road. That will have them back just a few days over week, so shouldn’t cause to much trouble.”

Hope said. “My dad said he wouldn’t panic before the two week mark.”

Bert said. “I told the boys to tell their folks two weeks so all is good there. We will even have time should he hit another spot of trouble.

“All right then that is what we will shoot for. Now then what should he hit first?” They were soon back in the market