should have done this last night.

“Other traders bring them to you?”

“Yes it started when I was little, other family members or friends.. They got such a kick out of me when the found something I hadn’t seen. As I got older the books got thicker. Then they brought one that had two languages in. I hugged the guy, and it became a competition. They then tried to out do each other with the oldest, thickest or oddest-looking book.. Then others I found in junk piles that folks had thrown out, or sold for a dime a bundle. Some times I pick the wrong bundle, but usually there is one or two good books. Don’t be shy go ahead and look.” That got them opening up boxes.

Fred shook his head and pushed one away.  “So you are into the lost lands I see.” He opened up anther. “This is more like it.”

Sandy said. “Where did you put that box?” She found it without him answering, good thing as he didn’t hear her. “You have a copy of Relmis’ Journal! I have been looking for one.” She put it to one side, and dived in. only about half that box ended up on a shelve.  The past a few hours talking and unpacking. Sandy said. “We had better stop or we will be here all night.”

Anderson nodded. “I didn’t realize how late it had gotten. Shaid you should have kicked us out. Before I forget here is your schedule. We were able to get you in most of your first choices.”

Shaid said. “I have some thing I want to show you but. I am going to warn you I will not lend these books out.” She walked over and took a blanket off a chest.

Fread jumped. “That’s it, isn’t it? I saw pitchers of one.”

Shaid said. Yes this is my Akorn chest, it is not all original. But I think the repairs are accurately done. “ She opened the chest and took a long book out. “Now I will not lend, no matter who or what is offered. But you are welcome to look and make copies.” Then she handed Anderson the book.

Anderson took it then looked. He was glad he was sitting down. “Westland maps. This is the pre lost land. Where did? Is it?”

Shaid said. “As far as I can test it is real. The land marks on this side of the border match. It is one of my trash heap finds. This one was earned Jordnas a hug. You have heard of Quint?” They nodded.

“He is one of the missing first explores.”

Shaid nodded. “He went missing on his second trip. But he left a record of his first and a travel plan for his second behind. Though no one has ever fully retraced his steps. I think because they had incomplete records. I think he left some out of the published one. This is my proof. Though I can not be sure until I retrace it. I plan on make his first trip and if it pans out then I am going try his second. Don’t worry I am not going to run right into. I will make a few other trips first before trying it. But here.”  She hand the book in her hands to Sandy.

Sandy looked at it and her jaw dropped. “Do you know where he found it? Were there any others with it? I can’t be sure but I think this is his handwriting. I will have to bring a letter over to compare. Likely have to bring the librarian with it though would you mind?”

Shaid said. “You know of a letter? By all means, if he will come here. I don’t like to take the book out. I can keep it safe here, but”

Sandy said. “Oh I fully understand. Yes I think I can get him. More so if I can say you will let him copy what he wants of your books. There are some here I know he will want.”

Shaid nodded. “That is not a problem. I have no problem letting them be copied. The knowledge they hold should not be lost.”

Anderson said. “We need to let you get to bed. I know it has been long since you slept sound. You will need tomorrow to get settled, and shopping. But expect us to be back the day after or next at the latest. I know Wallace will want to see that book as soon as he hears of it, and I want a closer look at this one as well as that one.”

Shaid said. “That should do. I should be around here then. I didn’t mean to cause problems. I just really wanted to know what you thought. If they are real or fakes. Everything I see tells me they are real, but.”

Anderson said. “I know and it is no problem. I am glad you showed them to me, and really Wallace will be happy. He will grumble a bit but forget once he sees the ones there little own these works. But we had better get home and let you rest. See you soon.”  He handed her the book, kissed her on the cheek and got everyone to the door. Once they were out he turned back. “Don’t worry. I will not let them come alone, and you know I will not bring anyone I do not trust. They will not go poking their noises where they do not belong. If it gets to much you tell me and they will go.”

Shaid smiled. “I am a bit better about sharing then I used to be. It is fine, I just, the books in the chest are touchy. I will see if I can get a few others out for him.” She changed to the language traders used among each other. “There is a Nateacian spell book in the chest. Any way I think it is. I Well I don’t know what to do with it. I was hoping you might.”

Anderson said. “Walace keeps the locked archives. He will be better able to tell. Trust me he has been sworn in every way possible. He will not let anything go where it could cause harm. You will see, and I will take a look if you can’t let him. However, he would know more than me.”

Shaid nodded. “Thank you. Now you had better go. They are looking at us oddly.”

He laughed. “I can make them really look and tell them that we were once betrothed to each other.”

Shaid punched him. “Don’t even think it. If father hears he will start getting ideas again. No matter that I am sworn.”

He laughed and headed down the walk, his voice caring back. “What you waiting on? Did you forget how to get to the city?”

Shaid didn’t here the rest. She went back in and finished the bed room, then fell into the bed. The sun was high then she would have liked when her eyes opened. She showered, dressed then made her way to the kitchen. Shocked and happy to find the boxes gone and everything put away. She managed to find enough food to coble together a breakfast. Then started making a list of what she needed to buy as she ate. Food being the top, but there were a number of odds and ends. Once she had the list done and breakfast cleaned up she head out to get the shopping out of the way. By night fall she had a fully stocked pantry and the house looked like someone lived there. There were a few more hangings to go up but it was looking good.

Mid morning as she was trying to decide where a tapestry looked best there was a knock on the door. Thinking it was Anders she just said. “Its open, I am in here. Tell me do you think this looks better here or here?”

Thanale said. “I like the first best. Do you always just let people in?”

Shaid said. “Thanks. Sorry my wards recognized you as trader, and so I just thought you were Anders, as he is coming buy sometime today. So what do you think? Dose it look better with the books out of the boxes? I think I am going to have to get another bookcase or three from you if you have them.”

Thanale said. “Looks nice. I might have one more, and I will have father bring in some extras. Before I forget I am to deliver this basket of backed goods. Mother loved the curtains. She would have came over but was to busy making sure I wouldn’t starve and that the house would be warm and welcoming. Then supervising the loading of the wagons, they were late getting on the road, but my place looks all most as nice as yours, and I think she is convinced I can cook.”

Shaid laughed. “Let me take that, and you go ahead and look before you break your neck trying to read the titles.” She took the basket and sat it on the desk next to her schedule.

He smiled and said. “I am sorry but I just can’t help it.”

Shaid nodded. “I understand, I do the same thing. So are you going to have a both at this winter gather thing next week? I was going to set up sooner but was told that it would be best to wait tell then. I want to get a few more coins in my store before winter shuts the market down. Just to be safe.”

He said. “I have a few things to try and sale and will make more fro the spring market. Then father will be bringing in a supply for the summer and fall trading season. So you will be running a stall?”

“Yes I will be I need to get a name so I can make a living. I hope to make a few trips to the neighbors as well. I want to see if Norlien will let me enchant and sale some of their chests. I have been want to for years. Have you seen any of there’s?”

“Father loves there shaped ones, all most enough to become a city dweller so he could make them.  So yes I have seen them. From our dealings I think they will be more than happy to let you sale them.”

There was a knock on the door and the lights dimmed. “The knock must be Anders this time. The dimming means his friends are not far behind him. Be right back, don’t let them stop you.” She went to the door and opened it, smiling. “Good it is you this time. Hi and welcome. You, sir, must be Wallace? Come on in. Right in here. This is my neighbor Thanale, Thanale this is An, er Greg and I will let him introduce the others. I am going to round up some drinks before my mum rises and gives me a tongue-lashing. The books won’t bite. I put a few more on the selves and there are still some in the boxes that wouldn’t fit.”

Anderson laughed. “Don’t worry about the name. Anders is fine. Yes the man with his nose in books already is Wallace.”

Sandy said. “You have really brightened things up in here. It took me weeks to unpack. Really we are fine.”

Wallace said. “Wouldn’t have taken so long if you would have let a few spells be cast. Nice ward by the way. Don’t worry about the drinks. Do you know what you have here?”

Shaid said. “In that case yes, the one next to is books I can not read yet. The boxes by the door are ones I hope to sale. Manners say I must bring some drinks in. I will be right back.”  She fled to the kitchen and fixed a tray. She took the back and set it on the desk next to the basket of back goods. Which she took the cover off and was pleased to find a lot of cookies. She made a point to leave the basket open then turned to the others to find them going thou the boxes by the door. “Anything in them you want, take it. A few I have other copies of, but most just are not anything I want to read.”