T day and what a nice day it was.

He said. “Our council wants to see what our opportunities are. They are wondering if we have being deigning our self’s chances. So this one thinks we should have a stall at this sale in Secore. What do you think, would we be crazy to try?”

Shaid said. “If your people can’t take the crowds I will take over your stall. Giving all profits to you, as it is my idea. No loss will you take by trying.”

Mr. Woodright said. “It never hurts to try and given the numbers that will be there I would say it is a faire test, both for the amount of sales and the amount of looks.”

He shook his head. “I will see what they say. Now then daughter you know that dragon wont bite. You are here to shop aren’t you?”

Shaid laughed. “Look at my basket, here. I all read have more than I should. These pieces are just so lovely it is hard to pick. I must have this one to. I am just wondering if I brought enough coins with me and I have yet to make it past this table. I have seen any that look so life like.  I can almost feel the wind of his passing and hear the cry.” She switched language and said softly. “Anther reason to get into the east. It is so seldom I hear their voices here.” She put the dragon with the others in her basket and moved over to anther table.

“So you plan on traveling east?”

Shaid nodded. “That is why I am in Secore, I am going to XXX to learn what I can before I set out. I want to see the ancient ruins for myself and I want to know why Quint didn’t come back the last time. I want to see what he found beyond the valley. What happened to the other explores? I want to help find the bits that should be found and hide those we are not ready for. I want to find out what is calling me.”

The boy said. “Did you ever think that there was something that did not want them to come back? That they learned to much? Perhaps you should think of that least you find you are unable to return.”

Shaid said. “Some might have been stopped by the elder kin. But Quint had visited them and returned before. What was so different the third trip? As to learning to much. I am pledged to the face of wisdom, it will lead me. those out there will know Her by a different name, but will see her hand on me and understand I am safe. I am not worried.”

“What could you know?”

Shaid said. “I know what Flaner taught me, and what the Goddes saw fit to share. I know enough to know I know nothing. Do you?” the young one spurted and hissed, the older one looked like he was trying hard not to laugh.  Before the boy could form a word a little bundle ran into Shaid and starter twittering.  When the bundle stopped Shaid said. “I am sorry little one I do not understand.”

“So you are not all knowing.”

Shaid said “Of course not. I have made it a point to learn every language I have access to. I have some I can read but not speak, and some I can speak but not read, and a few I only know bits of. More I have no idea what are.” Hearing that the bundle started waving, glowing symbols fallowed her fingers. Shaid shook her head. The bundle tried a different set. Said was able to read those. She said. “We would be honed to dine with you but only if our presence will not offend. Thank you for the offer. The bundle tweeted and took off.

The one in the shadows rumbled. The man shook his head. “You must have really charmed Allen. The dining area is open, with no hiding places. For him to be willing to let you eat with the children.”

Shaid shrugged and then said in trade. “Guys are question and answer session has been changed to lunch I imaging we will each be laced at a different table with the littles.”

Hope said. “That sounds good I could go for some lunch. I think I am just about done here.”

One of the others said. “They will come get you in about thirty minets. Sorry we are takeing up your day.”

Hope said. “Not at all. Thank you for putting up with us. You have been most kind with answering my questions. It is only fair to return the favor.”

Shaid was at the fabric table and had put some in her basckit. “I fill a bit funny about this. I am buying these so I can get the patterns off them.”

The man lagued. “No doubt there will be some of ours at your stall for the same reson should we send a party. It is the way knowledge spreads.”

Shaid picked up anther pieces and gasp running it though her hands. “Make sure they bring a bunch of this and no less than Five centers a yard. If they do not want to sale it in the art area, bring it to me and I will sale it for you. All so I would love to get some of the fibber this is made from to try my hand at it. I will be willing to give a center a bundle.”

He blinked. “That? but it is just everyday stuff, made from a weed. Why? I can get some fiber sent to you but could not except that much for it.”

Shaid said. “It is a case of area. This is going to be a luxury here. Tell you what I will stock up on the common ones here and then we can exchange items not coins, that is if you think you can get one of weavers to come with them.”

He laughed. “It is not a matter of getting them, more a mateer of stopping. There are a few who have wanted to come west and see your patterns in more than the odds and ends we get from the traders. I feel safe in making that deal.”

Shaid said. “There is less area in the cloth market so I can not be sure of getting them a stall but I would be willing to share space in mine. It is small, so there won’t be a good deal of room, but.”

He said. “I am sure they will be delighted with any. I will let you know what the counsel decides. As for now I believe this kids are here to take you to lunch.” Shaid hand over some coins, mostly gold. “This is to much.”

Shaid said. “You would make more than that offer of the items I have. I real should give more but I do not have it on me.” He shook his head but said no more. Shiad looked at the others only to see they were each being led off by a pair of kids they seemed to be able to understand thore escorts so she did not worry. A tug on her shirt made he look down and she saw the bundle was back. She smiled at it. “Lead the way.”

She and the others were led into a room full of kids of all ages and shapes.  Some had fur or scales or feathers. There were kids with more arms or legs, and kids with none. A few had flames for hair, some had to many or to few eyes. Basicly anything you could think of there was a good chance of seeing.  The boy had followed as well. “What a bunch of monster we are. Right?”

Shaid said. “Dose it look like they think you are monsters? To me it looks like they see a room full of kids, just as I do. Would you feel better if I let my fingers grow and my hair flame? I will if it will help.”

“Ya an illusion will help you bet.”

Shaid said. “I did not say a would about an illusion. I thought you could see better than that.”

The bundler twittered and anther boy said. “Sabthe wants to know if you are really like us? This is your chair.”

Shaid smiled at the speaker then looked down the table amused to see that there was a pin and paper at her place and the others as well as food. She sat then said. “Yes and no. I am changed by the magic and the toxins but I was born in the cleansed lands and I was older before my chances showed up. My mothers family has roots in your lands, but many generations back and forgotten. I might have never know but for an accident that caused the physical aspects to appear. I had the nonphysical but didn’t know it was anything odd. I didn’t realize that others did not see the magic around them without trying. I knew that not many could use it as young as I was but there had been a few so it meant nothing.”

In a different language one on down the table said. “How did you find out then?”

Shaid answered in the same. “A gate collapsed as I was in it. As I fought to save myself my body changed. But I didn’t know it. When I got out the fact that I got out plus the changes told the others near me. It was from them I learned. It was not a good time. But anther was able to help me come to terms with the idea in time.”

“So they just accepted you?”

Shaid said. “No not even close. I was not near my home and no one knew who I was. Only a few tried to help me. they were the ones who saw me back to my family and they didn’t tell them what I was. Gates changed course all over that year and would spill people in the wrong place my family didn’t realize that it had started to collapse so thought nothing of it. I was to upset and scared by what had happened and what the people had said and thought to say what really went on. So nothing changed except how I felt about myself until the other person came along.”

“So you didn’t tell you family but expect us to go into your wold? Fine contradiction there.”

Shaid said. “Why don’t you drop the invisibility spell and sit down with the rest of us. I can see though it by the way. I said to send adults not kids. Adults who are sure of who they are, and know it will not be easy. I was six years old and the event broke every shield I ha. I was hearing everything any one with in a mile of me was thinking. So I was just a bit traumatized. That was ten years ago when the big waves were going on. And I live on the edge remember? I bet you can image what a lot of the thoughts I was hearing were saying. It was a good month before I was able to damping the voices, longer until I stopped hearing words and just heard a buzz when I was not focusing on a person. If I was looking at someone though I would still hear everything. I could not stop it untell I was eight and a teacher found me. So no I did not say anything. I just tried to run from it.”

One of the others said. “I have heard stories of that time? Why though did it take so long to find a teacher? With us we are never long with out one.”

Shaid said. “It works difernt in the civilized lands and I was not letting anyone know. Teachers look for maicg in kids around ten, not as young as I was. Yes mine had shown, but they belived it to have been blocked. No one thought to check untell I was older. So I just had books to go by, and kids books are not the best help.” From there the questions started each one changing language. When they found one she did not speak they would try writing it. Testing to see what she knew. Shaid smiled enjoying it as much as they were she hid nothing from the kids and so they trusted her answers as did the adults who where watching.

 One of the adults spoke up. “All right kids you have chores to do and we need to let our visitors go I am sure they have things they need to as well. We have taken up enough of there time.” The kids mumbled but slowly got up.

Shaid said. “I know you will no doubt be moving out soon, but you know me now. Ask your parents first, but know any of you are welcome at my campfire anytime. This was fun, and I will be happy to answer more questions. The invite is for the adults as well the children.”

Mr. Woodright said. “The same goes for my fire. I have enjoyed this time and look forward to more chances to talk will all of you.” That improved the children’s mood.

One of the adults came over. “I hope you know they will be by, and not just the little ones, the adults have just many questions and will be wanting to know if you really will welcome them.”

Mr. Woodright said. “No deeplander who comes as a friend will ever be turned away from any of my families campsites. That you can count on.”

Shaid said. “I would say the same but at this time there is only my wagon. I thank you for letting us have this time. I hope we did not cause to many problems.”

“Not at all, in fact your honesty helped. It is not easy for them to understand why we stay sepreate. We have made to much of keeping the fear of the westlanders hidden from them so they do not grow up feeling different but now I wonder if we did not do more harm than good. As our actions let the fear grow among our people as well as yours. Well at least we are starting to correct the problem. It will be a bumpy road but if there are those among you willing to help as you have shown to be it might not be as hard as I thought. Jhonlt here will take you back to the road you will see the market from there. We were told that you do not care for gates.”

Shaid nodded. “I try to hide it, but entering one is not easy for me. thank you.”

Once they were back at the road Shaid looked at the others. “I need to take my things back to the wagon. Any of you want me to take yours?”

Mr. Woodright said. “I better anything that we had all best go back to camp. There are no doubt more questions waiting us.”

Shaid nodded. “Most likely as we missed lunch. But I say it was worth it.” Shaid whistled and her nibles appeared. “Up for a ride? Two on each one and they will have us there in a step. I bet your wife is trying hard not to pull her hair out. I could have called them at the camp, but I decided we had caused enough of a stir.”

Mr. Woodhaven looked at them then said. “It wont tax you will it?”

Shaid says. “No it wont bother me a bit. Only reason it did last time was the wagons. Mine they could have got, but I had to help with the other one and was keeping a shield over them. Hence the foolish part.” He nodded and they mounted. It was literally one step for the nibles and they were back at the camp.

Rod said. “Where have you been all day?”

Mrs. Woodright says. “Have you eaten? Let me get you some lunch.”

Sam says. “We ate at with the deeplanders, which is where we have been wait tell you see this and it is nothing to what they had there. I don’t think Shaid made it to the relics.”

“You have been there all this time? They invited you to lunch? Just where?”

Mr. Woodright said. “We ended up at there camp and of course the kids had to come see us. Shaid said we would be hapy to answer quitstions, and somehow that turnd in to lunch after the shoping. Sorry, but. Well how do you say no?”

Shaid says. “We are as odd to them as they are to us. They just want to know what we are like. I just hope the sale goes well for them.”

There were some blamk looks. Hope said. “Shaid has talked them into considering seting up a stall in Secord for the sale. I am not sure how as I couldn’t understand all of it. “

Mrs. Woodright said. “That sounds like a fantisc idea? Do you think they will?”

Shaid said. “I think so. They do want to find a new market for there goods, and I think that he is convinced they will sale. The only problem will be how people act around them. I will take over the stall if it gets to much, but I think if they pick the people they send carefully for the first few sales it will work for them. Look at these figurines.” She tok a bear and a rabbit out.

“Wow they look alive. What else?” Soon all of them were showing off what they had bought and give the items picked up for a certain person out.

Shaid said. “You see why I lobbied so hard to get them to set up a stall? Here I thought you might want this for a dress.” She hand Mrs Woodright a piece of the fabric then took to more and hand them to Hope. “You and your mom, I know you didn’t make it over there. By the way they could not believe it was worth anything. Told me it was made from a weed. I didn’t know what the rest of you would like, but if there is a piece here feel free.”

“I hope they bring more than one wagon or they will not make it past two days I bet.”

Rod said. “I bet they will gate more goods in. Goods are safe to gate out of the eastlands. That is how a lot of the maps and samples got back.”

Shaid nodded. “I have a few things I want to get before the market closes tonight. Some stalls will not be open tomorrow. So if you will excuse me I will be back in a bit.”

Gred said. “Have fun. If you are not back by supper I will be after you.” Shaid laughed and shook her head then set off down the road.

They were setting around talking after super when Shaid turned towards the trees. “Come on over we wont bite.” The armed members moved a hand towards their blades.

A man stepped into the light of the fire. “Sorry I did no mean alarm. Have message.”

Shaid smiled. “I thought that was all. You can use whatever language you are comfortable with. Of the ones I know that is.”

He relaxed and switched to the fluid language. “This is much easyer. Speech is hard. I am to say the consles said yes. And that they would like to share your stall as well. This is for the other.” He handed her a gold coin. “Is enough? Have more.”

Shaid said. “No this will be fine. If by change it takes more I will tell your pary when they get in.”

He nodded. “Not be here for two half week, so hope late is allright?”

Shaid said. “The main bulk wont start untell that weekend so the time will be fine. Do you know if the have a name they want on the stall, or a image? It helps to establish a brand for other sales, so that repeat buyers can find you.”

There was a pause then he said. “Not know what name. But would this work?” He showed he a dancing bear.

Shaid said. “That will be fine, but the let them know that the image will like be a bit less complex on the stall. More of an outline.” She reached for pin and paper and wrote down her address. “This is my place. If you come up the woods to the rickhouses there you will be near it any of the occupied house there will be able to point them to me. I will see that your guys have one of the house there to camp out, and will help them find the stall.”

He took the paper. “Thank you lady. I will let them know.” He slipped back into the trees and left.

Shaid smiled and set the coin on the table. “They will be in approximately half way though the first week. I told him I would reserve a rickhouse next to the woods for them and anyone they saw there would help them find me. So there is the answer.”