:) more sorry if dubs. I got lost.

The wagons arrived with the sun as promised. As they loaded the looms one of the drivers said. “Those look neat, are the easy on the hands? My girl wants to weave  but her hands just wont let her work the others.”

Shaid said this should be a bit easier. If you bring her by I will set up one of the small ones and we can see if she can work it.”

“If she can’t, I might be able to fix it. Once I know what she can’t do. Ops I am not here.”

Shaid laughed and the driver smiled. “A bit early for the party costumes lad. Wait tell Sunday afternoon then you will fit right in, by evening you will look tame. If you think you could that would be nice. When should I bring her by?”

Shaid said. “For him to be there Tuesday would be best. He will be at the stall Monday but I fear we wont have time then.”

The driver said. “I have to take them though the market today so like she will want to try right away. But I might be able to get her to wait.”

Shaid said. “I will have one she can try out. I was going to have one set up to be used anyway. Just that if she can’t get it to work you will have to bring her back to get it customized. And don’t look so, we can work out a deal.”

“Thank you so much. She will be happy if it works. She wants so much to do something.”

Shaid said. “I can not guaranty the loom will work until we see her, but I bet we can find something that she can do. There are more things out there that she can try.”

“Thank you. If so that will mean a lot. You haven’t met her have you?”

Shaid said. “No but I can tell how important she is to you, and I can make a guess at how much it bothers her to feel so helpless. You think of her quite a bit and I can’t help but hear a bit. I don’t mean to but.”

“Not to worry. I know how those things work. I know you went snooping.  ‘Sides it could just as easily been one of the others that told you. Now then we had better get on the road don’t want you there late.”

Once the goods had been unloaded and the wagons were gone Feather said. “Just why would the girl be feeling useless? I love the idea of setting a loom up by the way. I bet that will increases sales of them.”

Shaid said. “I hadn’t really thought of tell I said it. It just made since once I started talking. As to his daughter, I do not know all of it. But for some reason she cannot stand for long and so that limits the things she can do around the house. If her hands are affected severely there would be even less. I bet she is attracted to weaving as it can be done when setting. If the loom can’t be fixed perhaps there are other things that can be.”

Feather nodded. “It could be something we know of can make it easier for her to use her hands or legs as well. We likely have more experience at such. Once we see her we will both know more.”

“Sorry for just offering to work out a deal. It is not my item and I should have done it. I will make up the difference.”

Feather said. “Don’t be silly. I would have given it to him, but I didn’t know how to without insulting him. Wondtaven won’t care. Like he said he doesn’t think of them as marketable. He usually just asks for the cost of the wood and takes less than that half the time.”

Shaid shook her head. “That is fine in cases of need, but he needs to learn to charge those that can pay. If you do it right you will make enough to live on.”

Feather smiled. “No wonder your stall sees so much traffic. It is not just the quality of your goods that is bringing the people.”

Shaid shrugged. “I do what I can, I see no harm in sharing. Time might be that I am the one needed the hand. Looks like I got this set up just in time.”

Feather looked up and nodded. “Here they come, and I think it safe to say they are here to spend. Looks mostly like a younger bunch.” Soon they were busy.

One group of young girls descended on them and made a beeline to the looms. “These are so neat. And they work?”

Shaid said. “Yes the are fully functional that size can handle three yards of silk or one ten inch square for a wall hanging. The details are on the tag there. There is one set up here if you would like to see.”

Anther said. “That is perfect Matty. How much? My maid will be head over heals.”

Shaid said. “The small ones are one center.”

Hope said, stepping out from the middle. “It is tradition to give gifts to the staff tomorrow. That is what most of will be after today. It is considered best to give something useful rather than decorative. So to that end I need a bunch of your mid-weight thread in every color and four yards of a fine light white fabric. What do you think of my dress? It was anther pattern from your books. More practical then the ball gown but still made to be worn with a sword. My Gram hates it, but can’t do much as it is a dress. She insisted I could not go running around in pants like a boy. I was a bit worried but once my friend’s folks saw I could fight init they had no problems. In fact they cut down the guards.”

Shaid smiled. “I am glad they liked it. I think it looks a lot better than some I have seen. I will be right back with the thread and fabric.”

As she walked away she heard one of the other say. “so she is who we have to thank for these? They are way more comfortable then what my folks were trying.”

Shaid packed a box with threads and then picked up two different pieces of fabric. “I was not sure which fabric you would want. This two are both selling well for embroiders.”

Hope looked at them. “I will take both. I have no idea which is better and I know she will use them both. This must be Feather’s I haven’t seen its like.”

Shaid nodded. “It is though I plan on try my hand at making some once this sale is over. That will be a center.”

Hope said. “I might not work here as much as the boys but I can add.”

Shaid said. “Call it the family rate then.”

Hope laughed and handed over the coin. “Five up on killing that rumor have you?”

Shaid smiled. “The more I fight the more it spreads. I figure it will take care of its self in time.”

Hope nodded. “I told the boys to bring you over so you can see my dress. I won’t be able to get out but I thought you all might come by and give me a break.”

Shaid said. “I told them I was staying home and working but I will see if I can make it over to your place in the afternoon.”

One of the others said. “I hope you can. You have got to see the dresses you help make. I want you to see what you saved me from as well. Here is the money for the loom.” Four others bought small looms as well. But when Shaid counted the money there was six centers. She looked after them.

“Somehow. You scamps.”

Feather said. “Is something wrong?”

Shaid said. “Not exactly. Just a couple of those girls paid double and I was to busy to catch it.”.

Feather said. “Dose that happen often?”

Rod said. “At least once a day someone manages to do it. Usually on Sam or I not Shaid. They will get extra points for pulling it on Shaid herself. Now you two want to eat so Sam and I can go? We have a ball tonight as well as tomorrow and then Monday night is the opening of the meeting. I would be glad to be rid of it all.”

Shaid smiled. “Thanks for helping this morning I know you are busy. I am coming.”

Feather laughed and they sat down to eat. “What is that costume thing the driver spoke of?”

Sam said. “Oh it is just an odd thing they do as the day gose on folks will get dressed up. That later in the day the strange the costumes will get. I guess because it is a masked ball at court and the nobles try to out do each other. I had forgotten all about that. there might be a few who tell you that the you forgot to take your costumes off Monday.”

“So in the evening it might be that none of us would stand out?”

Sam nodded. “Most assuredly by then. I bet by afternoon most wont notice. Heck stay at the back of the crowd during the pared and the most you would get is comments about dressing up early.”

Feather nodded. “I do not know about that but I think it will do good to get if all with us get a taste of the city. We will see.” Sam and Rod took off once Shaid and Feather had finished lunch.

Shaid glanced up from a customer to see Amber walking up. She smiled at her then finished adding up the customer’s purchase. That done she started to see what Amber wanted. “Excuse me. What is this?”

Shaid blinked. The lady was holding a pieces of ugly yellow fabric. “That is a very good question Ma’am. I do hope you didn’t find it here. I would not put something that”

“Hideous?”

“I was going to say shade, but hideous color works as well. What is it you wanted to know?”

“I was wanting to know the name of the fabric. Sorry for being so vague. I loved the feel of it but cannot find out for the life of me what it is. It is not silk, I know that much.”

“If you will let me see the piece I might be able to tell you.” Shaid took the piece and looked at it. “This is thornbur, but in a different weave than I have seen. I do have some cloth made of the same plant. And if you will let me borrow this and give me a couple of weeks I should be able to match the weave. But if you want this color it will be double.”

“You can’t match it now?”

Shaid said. “Not exactly if you will come with me I will show you what I do have.” She led the woman over to a table and held up a piece of cloth. “All this is made from the same fibers. This weight is the closet I can come to the piece you brought.”

The lady felt it. “This fells the same. Yet you say it is not? Hum. Oh you can have that if you want it I have no need for it now that you were able to identify it. And do not go matching that horrid color for me. I still cannot believe she had us in it. So what colors do you have this in and how much?”

Shaid said. “All on this table is made from the same plant but there are different weights. Basically if you have a color in mind tell me and I will find it. There is more not on the table. It is one of my higher priced fabrics and in your basic colors it is 40 rhins for 4 yards and the others are one center for 4 yards.”

“Is that all? Why my cousin said she paid six centers a dress for those ugly things. Do you have a nice bright purple and a sky blue?”

Shaid blinked. “Six for a dress? That seems oddly high, but as I said I do not know where she got her fabric. This is the best purple I have in that weight, but I do have this one in a lightweight. The heavy threads just would not take the dye the same. Here are the blues. Now these are the one center colors, and for the lightweight I add ten rhins. A bit steep but those threads are a pain so I feel justified.”

The lady felt the light purple. “My daughter will love this color and I don’t think it will be to light for her. But I had better have eight yards. She is like to change her mind on what pattern to use. I will that the first blue. It suits me better. Oh and that rose color piece there to.” Shaid packed up the items, and went to write the ticket. “Let see that is four twenty. Here you go. This is going to be a good year, indeed.” She took the bundle of fabric and left smiling.

This time Shaid made it over to Amber who was talking to anther lady. “I am not sure of the price here. I am sorry. This is not the stall I am used to working.”

Shaid said. “The cottons are ten rhins a four yard, or three rhins for one yard.”

“Three rhins! You have got to be kidding me!” She dropped the fabric and left.

Amber picked up the piece and refolded it. “Father wants four a yard out of his. Guess it is a good thing I didn’t tell her that. I tried, I really did. But I just can’t do what he wants, and he will not try and listen to me. So I hope you will take me in.”

Shaid said. “Do you need help getting your things?”

Amber said. “No my friend helped me. they are in his wagon right now.”

Shaid said. “That leads me to ask why you do not go to his family?”

“They agree with my father. My friend is hoping you have room for him to. I know it is a bit much to ask. But he is a trained healer so I thought you might not be to upset.”

Shaid shook her head. “Fist if he is a healer why is he a member of any family? I will have to talk to him before I can answer. He will being your goods over tonight?”

Amber nodded. “Yes he will we found your house the other day.  We I tried I really did.  He is not sworn, just trained.”

“Still a healer should be free to go where he needs to. Anyways we will work all that out. Learna can you show Amber here how the prices work? She is offering to lend us a hand, and I am not going to turn it down.”

Learna smiled. “No problem boss. More hands are most welcome. I had no idea there were this many people.” Shaid laughed and went to see if she could help a couple who seemed to be having an argument over blue and green cloth.

As the day went on more people in duller colors were showing up they looked around and muttered. One spoke loud enough to be heard. “What is with all the red?”

Shaid answered him in Kashmer. “We want to welcome your nobles fell welcome and are aware of how your lady enjoys red. I know there is not time for you to get clothes made to join in, but there are some nice ribbons in that stall there. When in the a crowd it is hard to pick out individual faces.”

The man said. “That it is. I know a stall that is going to be busy. The young bunch is going to love this chance. I hope she appreciates your efforts this time.”

Shaid said. “I am sure they will. Did you know that it is custom for the nobles to open the market the day after the ball? We do want to make her fell at home.” The group laughed and some did go over to look at the ribbons a few others drifted over to look at the cloth.

Two girls were at the table where Shaid was. One ran her hand longingly over a bright read with paler red roses. Then turned to the blues and picked a piece in the same pattern, the other went for yellow. Then they looked at each other and laughed. “How much is this? Don’t you think it would be lovely?”

A lady said. “Now dears I do not think that would be wise. Her ladyship is not likely to approve. We agreed that we would look only.”

The one with yellow set her back down the one with the blue was slower. “I don’t see why. I mean I wont have anything made up when we are here.”

Shaid said. “Has she expanded the ban or something? I thought the browns were just do to traveling.”

“They are it is just that no one is to outshine her. She has been a bit out of sorts. It is best not to draw her attention.“

“And she will want to govern what I buy and won’t let me near this stall. She still thinks you are trying to take Robert, believe it or not. I am sorry Aunt but I do want this cloth, do you really think that she will notice?”

Shaid said. “Maybe it will help if she learns I am not with Knightsmith but on my own I wish something would. I don’t know where she got the idea but it would do a lot of good if she would get over it. I am sorry but I cannot let you buy it. I will not be responsible for making her angrier with you. But perhaps there is something else I can do. I will see. Now then I believe in sprit of cooperation there are a number of young folks who are to enter school here, are you among them?”

“We are to set the exams at least. More than that I do not know.”

“I understand that anyone who passes the tests will be admitted and it is going to be framed in such a way that a refusal among the nobles will be like saying our school is not good enough. There has been hints that some might be needing a bit of space. The thing to think about is where or not you want to go.”

“I know some who will want to hear that, and it is something to think on. I do not wish to make more trouble for you. I should have thought about that. Mother knows your work to well not to know it, even if I buried it away. It is lovely and I do wish I could but you and my Aunt are right.” Shaid watched them go then picked up the blue, yellow and a few other pieces and too them behind the counter.

Feather said. “Planning some trouble?”

Shaid said. “I am just going to see if an old tradition is still in play and if so make a donation.”

She shook her head, but handed her some more pieces. “Take theses as well. Might as well do what we can to see the young ones shine.” Shaid laughed and added them to her bag.

They were all glad when evening came and the market closed. Learna said. “I will be most glad to see my bed. I had no idea how much work a big sale was.”

Shaid nodded. “Mondays will be bigger and the rest of the week is going to go at a good clip. Each event will require a new gown and planes for them will change, meaning new fabric and trimmings.”

Amber said. “All so as they share where a fabric was found the trends will move and so will the buying as they try and stay up with the in bunch.

Feather nodded. “All in all it will be a busy week. I think though that it is a good way for us to get our feet wet. If we can take a big sale like this the others will be no problem.”

Shaid said. “Just as long as your leaders understand that this is not a typical sale. Profits are going to be higher than average just do to the number of people. Everyone is going to a better than normal sale here. But that might make the others lean.”

Amber said. “There were good harvests last fall and so there is more coin. My father was expecting all sales to go good this season But fall back to normal ranges next year. It cycles up every five years. But this is better than he remembers seeing. Or so he was telling one of his buddies.”

Shaid said. “Thank you. So then this event is more of a marker, opposite of what happens up north. “

“As long as the harvests stay good profits will but if there is a dry year in the area then it is best to move to a different region.”

Feather said. “I will pass that on, thank you. Perhaps I will see you in town, if not I will see you Monday. I am going to try and talk Learna into come late so he will be rested.”

Shaid nodded. “I think Rod at least will be there in the morning, so he could wait tell noon or so. Tell him it is going to be even busy and have a fresh face in the afternoon will be a big help. Might get him to wait tell mid morning. I am glad you guys are here. I don’t know how I would mange on my own. This is bigger than I was expecting.”