a short one for as many days as it has been.

(This has to end some place but finding that place. ending is worse than starting. I never know where to stop even when I know it is getting way off track. though this one never had much of a path.)

Amber said. “I think everyone is shooed at the size. There were a lot of messages being sent to reroute wagons as they are worried about run out before the sale is over.”

Shaid nodded. “I would be if I was not sharing my stall. As it is I will have to cut out a sale or two as I restock.”

Feather said. “I can see why. I am glad we can gate things in. We in no way would have had enough. None of us expected to do even half as well. But the real test will be next week as it becomes more evident where we are from.”

Shaid said. “It will be interesting to see. I hope Wondtaven won’t be to disappoint that he doesn’t have to customize the loom. It worked just fine under her hands.”

“I think he will be to excited that eight of them sold to be upset by it.  I will try and get him to wait to come until Learna does. I think that might make it a bit easier. But he is not like to notice the stares if folks are looking at his looms. You have fun.”

Shaid nodded “’You to and I do hope the rest will get to see some of the fun in the afternoon at least. “

“We will be taking it over. See you Monday if not before.”

Shaid and Amber made their way home Amber’s friend was there waiting. “I do hope you haven’t been there all day sir. There the ward will let you in now. A fast tour then you can move things in as I get supper. Word of warning I am not the worlds best cook. All so I am not saying yes, just saying you can stay for now. We will work the rest out over supper.” True to her word she gave them a walk though then left it to them to decide where their things went.

They made it to the table a bit after Shaid had the food on it. “I do hope one of you likes to cook. I am not the worst cook, but it is not something I enjoy. So I told Amber I would welcome her, but I see know there was more going on. Now that does not mean I am saying no, I just think we had best get things laid out before things are official.” They nodded but said nothing. Shaid said. “So what is the rest of the story? I can see you are in love. I take it that was a part of the fight. Allso if you are a trained healer why are you a member of a family? All I have been taught is that a healer must always be free to go where needed so can not swear to follow another.”

He said. “I think it is a bit deeper than love between us. We are tied together. Are parents did not, would not, see it. They were forbidding us from seeing each other and had plans to marry her off to some old man.”

Amber said. “It os not that I was fighting his right to see me married. I mean I understand it is the place of the head to do that. but I could not take being forced never to see Allen again. He is a part of me. I just couldn’t. I would have went willing you understand if they had just droped that clause. I am not.”

Shaid said. “Relax I am not going to judge you on you wiliness to marry some guy you barely know who is trice your age. I just wanted to know what was going on. Of course you were less than happy, that is normal. I do wonder if you were given a reason for being forced apart. It seems a bit extreme to me.”

Allen said. “They said our relanship was getting in way of my work and cutting into the profits so it had to stop.”

“Profit? Work?”

“My healings.”

“You do not make money off of healings. That is not fitting! Just what was going on? Where were you trained?”

Allen said. “Well I didn’t but the family dose as they must get something for keeping me fed and clothed. I was thought by anther member of the family. I was the only one fit for him to teach.”

Shaid shook her head. “There are some holes in your knowledge. Tomorrow we are going to healer hall and see about getting them fixed They will no better than I the laws that have been abused here. This much I know, No one is to charge for healing work and no one is to bare access to those services. It sounds to me like that is what was being done here.” 

Allen said. “I am afraid I don’t understand.”

Amber said. “What about? That s can we stay?”

Shaid closed her eyes. There were so many unanswered questions. “For now you will stay here and Amber will ware my bracelet it is not safe for her not to be in a family. Allen you need to get in the classes at the center. Around those I want you to start the necessary classes at XXX next semester with Amber. Now this is in no way binding. I will not hold it against you should you find it is not where you need to be. Should that happen we can see about fining a better place for Amber so you will not be to far apart. Will that work for the both of you?” They nodded. “All right then finish up and turn in. We need to get to the center early or there won’t be anyone around with time to listen. Amber your wrist, we will do this formally at a latter date should you want. For now this is just a mark of protection. In return you are agreeing to help out at the stall and with providing goods for the stall, as well as taking some classes. Sound fair?”

Amber held out her right hand. “More than fair. Thank you. I know I put you in a hard spot.”

Allen said. “I was not allowed in the market at all once my uncle said he could teach me so would be no use there. But I do know how to cook and will do so gladly in return for the shelter. Thank you. I do hope trouble will not follow us.”

Shaid said. “Nothing will come that cannot be dealt with. Your help with the house is most welcome as long as it doesn’t interfere with your classes at the hall. Now then it has been a long day for me and so I am going to retire. Have you any questions before I do?”

“Do you mind is I look at your books and is there some place we shouldn’t go?”

Shaid said. “Just stay out of my bed room and try to keep the noise down. Other than that, um just leave anything that is open alone and works in progress where they are.”

Amber nodded. “See you in the morning.”

The next morning Shaid led Allen to the healers tent there was a man standing outside. “What can I do for you two?”

Shaid said. “I am considered about the way this young man was trained. Some of what he has told me leads me to think there might be a few big holes. For example it seems his family saw fit to charge for accesses to healing and kept him away from most others. I was hoping there would be someone here who cold check on his trying and the extent of the problem.”

 The healer said. “We certainly will.  Young man if you will come with me so we can find out what you know and what you don’t.  Relax I promise we won’t miss the parade we are just going to run though a few prelims and set a time for you to return.” The healer turned and walked to the tent Allen looked at Shaid and she nodded and he reluctantly followed the healer into the tent.

Shaid headed back to her house to find the guys waiting, all in red shirts. Sam said. “Come on we need to get there if we want a good seat.”

Shaid said. “Nice shirts. What makes you think I am going anywhere? I have work to do this morning.”

Rod said. “You have to come and see how it goes. After all you started it. Besides it is not good for you to work all the time.”

Shaid said. “All I did was hold a sale. How it played out is not y doing. I will be going over to Hopes in the afternoon, that is a break.”

“No it is work. You are going to see how your dress turned out and likely take six more orders before you leave. This is fun, now come on.”

Shaid shook her head. “If I know you I wont be back here before dark. I need to change.”

Rod said. “All right but don’t take to long or I will have to come in after you. You are not going to get by with hiding.”

Shaid said. “It might just be worth it. Just to see what you would do walking in on me undressed.” He turned red. “Maybe some other time.” She went into her room and changed into a red dress trimmed with white lace then came back out. “Hope my hair is all right down. I feared that if I took time to put it up you might send one of the wall ornaments in after me.” They were all staring. “What? Is my hair to strand to leave like this? I know it is an odd color when lose like this. Should I put it up?”

“No it is fine. Everything is fine. Wow. Where? When? Wow.”

Shaid said. “I take it you like the dress then. It is not to much? I was not sure it didn’t look that much different from what I have seen the ladies wearing, but it is a bit flashy.”

Sal said. “I can’t speak to the style but I see nothing wrong. So it is not new then?”

“No it is a gift from years ago. At the time it was miles to big and I did not think I would ever ware it. The one who gave it to me told me it would see a lot of ware. I don’t know what he meant I bet it was not this. But I needed a dress of some kind so hope’s aunts will be comfortable around me. This seemed to be the right one given the color of the day. So are we ready?”

Rod said. “Told you she was planning on going all along. Yes we are ready.”

Shaid nodded. “One of you mind carrying that bag? It would look odd I think if I did.”

Sal said. “That it would. I’ve got it.”