Dragons and ribbons.

As the big float got near those on the street started straightens up and shacking out bags. The air changed, you could say. As the anticipation grew. The crowds looking at the booths and the floats with more interests as the items coming from both were better, the top values being given as the float got there. You could see folks trying to guess what was being thrown from the float before it reached them, as well as trying to get a look at the shows of the other boxes. Even those in the boxes were looking trying to judge if there own show was big enough. It was expected so bans were placed before and after the float so others would not fell over looked.

As expected the guards around the float were dressed in browns. Not bad looking, but dull, even there boots were brown. The float was pale, muddy, yellow and brown. The guests of honor were dressed in earth tones as will, but with a bit more glimmer than the guards.  The king was in brown and white with a touch of lace and sparkle. The queen was in her trademark tan, with yellow trim. She was not looking very happy, though that might just have been do to her dress. As the float neared the others in the box stood and seeing them stand Shaid did as well. Mr. Gold said. “Now no trying to hide behind anyone. You will find that it wont work anyway. The box is made so that everyone can be seen. I expect we will be getting asked about you latter. Sitting down will just make you more obvious.”

Shaid said. “Not if I slip lower than the railing. That is for those on the float, of course those in the other box have all ready seen me. So I guess I am stuck. I am going to get back at those two. Somehow. I did not want this, I do not belong in this world. I am just a trader not a power.”

Mr. Gold said. “It is Sam and Rod’s world and so it is one you will find your self in from time to time. Part odiv>

An old man said. “Yes child. In fact the more visible you are the better. That is more than I hoped. This is going to be a good year indeed. Absolutely brilliant.  John you stay right there next to her, move closer if you can. Good. That should do.”

Shaid said. “Don’t tell me you are going to start anther rumor. That is not what I intended.”

Mr. Gold said. “No I think just enhancing the ones out there will serve. Just go along with the idea that you have some say over who the boys marry works well.”

Shaid shook her head but laughed. “I do not know what I am going to do with you. The folks across the road are about to trigger their spell. I will let mine go when theirs fade. That should make it go just as the center of the float is under it. I just hope the colors come out right. They can be tricky.” As she finished speaking there was a pop and sparks started falling. Fallowed by dancing green and blue lights. Candy in red wrappers joined the falling sparks. The cowed below watched the lights amazed at the show. The others in the box tried not to look impressed, but clearly someone of them were.

Shaid yawned. “I thought he would have something a bit more original. Maybe I should have held back a bit more. I mean this sort of thing is common in the north. Must not be here.”

Mr. Gold said. “I have seen a few displace like it back west but not many. Magic is used more for function than art out there. Seen is a utilitarian item not a enjoyable one.” The last of the lights fade as he was speeking.

Shaid smiled. “In that case I think you will like this as much as she will hate it. Just a bit. Ah there they go, thinking it is done. Just watch.” She pulled a string. Nothing happens then a funny breeze started and the sky looked a bit to bright. The bright patch turned green then gold then red, brown and back to gold. Picking up the colors on the box and magnifying them. It repeated the cycle a few times then stopped on the gold.  Slowly the gold split and things started falling out. increasing in number and speed as the tear widened. The ribbons fell down drifting in the breeze. Mixed in with the rose were other flowers and animals. But it was not only ribbons there were spiking birds and dragons the colors that the sky had been coming out of the tear as well. They dived the crowd and the float then pulled up only to dive again. Each dive they got a bit lighter. Larger red dragons appeared each seeming to carry a red and gold rose. The large dragons dived to each person on the float and the racking guards. Slightly smaller dragons headed to the rest of the guards. The dragons fixed the roses they were carrying to the shoulder of the person they went to. In spite of that persons protests. Then they went back into the rift and disappeared, the divers were transparent as they turned and followed the big ones back into the rift. The rift closed and they sky went back to normal. Shaid nodded and hand those in the box a rose of there own to match the ones given out by the dragons. Then with a sly grin she lifted a dozen more and used a bit of magic to send them to the box across the road.

“I hope that wasn’t to much. It looked good for as much time as I had. But it could have been a bit better. The colors were a bit light and the sky show was sloppy. Still I think it went over all right. What did you think? I fear that lord and lady Kashmer are not going to be to happy with you. She looks a bit shaken.” The said lady had fainted and was just now getting back on her feet. The guards were trying to remove the roses but finding they did not move. “The spell holding the pins will fade. They should be able to remove them in three or four hours, give or take.”

“A bit shaken? Lass you scared her enough she lost her composer and screamed. I love it. Well done lass. They will be taking of this for months. Thank you for thinking to send some roses across the road. That was a nice touch. Hum wonder how hard it will be to work these roses into tonight’s formal wear? Think you can dear?”

The older lady said. “Oh I think we will mange. It is to good not to. That was fun. I don’t think I have ever seen such a show.”

Shaid said. “It wasn’t meant to scare her. I thought she would have seen such illusions before. I had seen it done at other events. Really they were not that good of illusions. But maybe that is a good thing. It does look like the ribbons were a hit.”

Anderson nodded. “Father will be upset. Remember when we tried to sale them? Speaking of that I suggest you put some out in your stale Monday if you have any left. I think folks will be asking for them.”

Shaid said. “I will have to look and see. I think I still have a few. If not I might be able to make some, if I get home at a half way decent time.”

Sam said. “It is a holiday you are not to work. That said we will have to let you go as we have to go to the ball. But not until after lunch, then we will leave you at Hope’s house. You might be able to make it home after that. Unless Than has something planed for the evening.”

Shaid laughed. “Some how I think you have cooked something up with him. But with luck there will be enough of a crowd I can slip away.” They watched the rest of the floats pass as they joked and waited for some of the folks to leave.