Rammble

Shaid was shocked at the amount of red. Everyone on the street had something red on. The houses on the main way had even draped red out of the windows and on awnings. She laughed. “Oh main this is to much. Lady Kashmer is going to be lived and unable to do a thing. By the way how did you get out of the parade?”

Sam said. “Father felt there was no need for all of is to be init so let us chose and Rod’s family has refused to take part for years. There we are, and I see Anders and Wallace found them. Got to be up front so we are seen.”

Shaid said. “The folks in the show want to make sure you see it?”

Rod said. “And my family has to make a statement about not being in it. It is silly. I see the rest made it. I wonder what Grandfather will think. I don’t know if anyone told him about the red.”

Shaid said. “I don’t know about you guys. I am sure I told you that Lady Kashmer is not fond of me. I don’t know that being in such a prominent place is a good idea.”

Mr. Gold said. “I am, you are not going to hide. Nice dress.”

Shaid said. “Thank you, it is a bit flashy and I was not sure, but it was the right color. “

One of the ladies said. “It is a bit bright for the morning ordinarily, but given the day it is fine. Where did you get it? I have never seen the like.”

Shaid said. “It was a gift, one I still wonder about. It was miles to big for me at the time, but the one who gave it to me said it would see a lot use. I still wonder what he had in mind, but when looking though my clothes this felt right for the day. I cannot match the color but I can the fabric. It is among the ones I have been holding back.”

Anderson said. “You matched it? I knew you were trying but.”

Shaid smiled. “I figured it out a few years ago and have quit a bit made up. But it has never been offered for sale. I have a few items, and some new colors I will be bringing out Monday. Though I think Feathers’ will out shine mine. Just wait tell you see.”

He laughed. “All ways the trader. Here you are trying to drum up sales at a party. Come have a cup of tea and forget work for a bit boss.”

Shaid smiled. “What can I say? I am who I am. So how are things with you? I know it has been busy but have you had time to visit?”

Anderson said. “A lot better. He agreed that there was no way I could come home now. Said I was a fool and if I wanted to be an agent I should have went to him. Went to family not some stranger. They have no idea who I am working for, but some taboo keeps them from asking after I said it was not my place to answer. So we have been able to talk, really talk. Thank you. Things will never be what they were, but at least there is a chance we can get to know one anther. Have a relationship now. I had not known how much it bothered me.”

Shaid said. “It had to be. That was why you didn’t go sooner. You were so close. It hurt them to, but there was no way to cross the gap. I hope there is now.”

“How is it for you?”

“It is harder than I thought, but not unexpected. For me there was never any going back. I am adjusting. The trip here, those first days were the worst. I was not sure I could make it, and there are times I still wonder. But I have all this support.”

“Hay Anders how’d you mange those seats? I thought we had good ones but you toped us. Guess no point in asking if you want to join us. Like all the red. I am felling a bit under dressed.”

Anderson laughed. “I told you all it was going to be red and offered to help. You said you had it covered.”

Alter said. “Well I thought we did but now I fill a bit plain.”

Shaid turned to look at the speakers and broke out laughing. “I was going to offer some ribbons but I don’t think you need them. Love the outfits.” He and the others had on sparkling red shirts and pants. “I would say you have nothing to worry about.”

He bowed. “Why thank you gracious Lad. . . Shaid!? Wow! No. Amazing. How are you what are you?”

Shaid said. “I am well and you? I trust you have been working hard?”

“Good, we are doing better than we hoped give the size and locations. Our big stall is getting a lot more traffic that Father thought that area would bring in.”

Shaid nodded. “That is nice. I know things had been insane at my stall. I don’t think I could mange if I was not sharing the space. As it is I was going to take the morning to see what I have left for next week. But my neighbors had other ideas. They are the ones responsible for our location here. We have a study group during the school year.”

Alter nodded. “I see, well I had better get the drinks back before they think we are lost.”

Shaid said. “A bit late I believe the search party is coming now. That looks like father.”

Alter looked. “So it is. How do you think this fabric will do Monday? Is it to flashy?”

Shaid said. “I think it will do well with all the dances happening this week. One of you Monday fabrics? I hope you have colors other than red, the town might be a bit tired of red.”

“Wonder why it would be? Yes we have other shades. Good thing as red did not do as well as expected.”

Shaid smiled. “Odd. I sold a good deal, and made more than I was looking to given how I slashed my prices. Oh that’s right you weren’t here then.”

“You little scamp. Was it just you or market wide?”

Shaid said. “At the time it was just me but as it got advertised it turned into the market. If Anders and Wallace hadn’t been so helpful with the signs I doubt if it would have been as good.”

Hawk said. “You? He is working for You? What joke is this? This is so not happening.”

Shaid said. “Well yes he is now, but wasn’t then. He had just stopped by to return a book or two. Saw what I was up to and agreed to help a bit that day. I wasn’t a head then, not until the end of the book sale. Not that it is much of a family, more like rumors of a family. Still has me a bit confused to tell the truth. But yes Anders is my agent.”

Alter was looking at Anders, Shaid and his father, trying to decide whether or not to laugh. The others were backing away. Hawk looked murderous. “Just how do you not know?”

Shaid said. “Well at the last day of the sale an official came into our camp. I had taken my friends with me. I thought it was about some early troubles, but he asked to see my wrist. Next thing I know I am the head of a family that really isn’t but is. So you see, it is a bit confusing.”

“How can you not be a family but be one? That makes no since are you saying you never asked? But how dose that happen?”

“I did not ask, and never intend but it happened. Danth Woodright was there as well and said that from the look of things this had been planed for some time.”

“So the whole family is you?”

Shaid said. “Well no, not as of last night. But it is still small. One other and a healer is staying as well.”

Hawk shook his head. “What next?” He turned to Alter. “Where you don’t find trouble you make it. Come the others are waiting. What you don’t find to distract you. It makes me wonder if you will learn a thing at school or if will be a waste of time.” He turned and left.

Alter shook his head. “Catch you latter Sis. Anders, remember you are expected for lunch. This revelation won’t get you out of it. If anything he will be looking for you sooner.”

Shaid said. “He would do better talking to Zanth who at lest was around the same place. Don’t go pushing him. He has reasons to be upset with me. I understand it even if you don’t. Enjoy the day off and get what rest you can. There wont be much chance in the next few days.”

Alter put his hands on his hips. “Now just who is the older here.” He ruined it by laughing. “I will do and you to. Don’t worry if he tells me to I will stay away when he is around to see. Love you.” With that he left.

Shaid shook her head. “I hope he dose behave his self. Father can’t take losing him. Not yet. Anders sorry, but what could I say? I didn’t think of him making that leap. I real thought he would just say something about wasting time and leave.”

Anderson said. “It was bound to come out. I am just glad you were the one to tell him. So any hints as to what to do about lunch?”

Shaid said. “Take Wallace and have fun. Answer any questions you can but don’t make things up. I think they parade is starting.”

Wallace said. “Not so fast miss. Just how did I get involved?”

Shaid said. “You have something better to do? It will help having anther face there. They will be on guest behavior and so not be to insistent.”

Wallace shook his head. “If I didn’t know better I would think it all a plot. But all right you win. I will go only because I do not want to hear of it all night. I see they have even put red on the floats.”  As the floats neared there was a show of confetti from the booths along the route. “It is customary for the watching nobles to give gifts to the crowds and marchers. Hence the reason the places around the boxes are so packed. “

Shaid smiled and opened her bag and took out a basket, shaking her head at the mummer. “I don’t see why it still surprise you when I take a big thing out. It is not that different from the chests I sale.” She reached into the basket and took out a red rose. “These are nothing fancy but I was thinking of dumping them on the guest of honor and her guards as they are likely to be lacking color. I can do it so they come from above but given that I have to see the float it will likely be thought to come from you so I had changed my mind. But maybe it is all right?”

“All they all red? You made them?”

Shaid said. “Well I stared with red but that got old so there are all kids of colors.” She took out a few more to show them. “I was just using up scraps. It is something we did as kids. Take the leavens of fabric and spools of thread and turn them into shapes. Here take a closer look. So will it embarrass you?”

“Not at all, but do you have enough?”

“I think I can do all right. I will have to change the spell a bit and add in some. But there is time enough. Trickiest part will be keeping under wraps.” Shaid fell quite and seemed to be studying the sky.

“What do you mean?”

She didn’t seem to hear Anderson said. “She wants it to be a surprise so it needs to go unseen until released, but set a spell up makes waves so it is hard to keep them unseen. The more people the more risk. But Shaid is good at keeping spells hidden.”

“But wont the roses be visible overhead anyway?”

“No grandma,” One of the others said, “you shield them from view. All you see is the sky. Like an illusion. I bet there are some others up there.”

Shaid nodded. “But there was plenty of room for my goods. Now then how much flash do I add?”

The old lady said. “The more the better. It is fashion to see who has the biggest show for the guests.”

Shaid smiled. “All right. Showy it is. Now then we just have to wait. I don’t think anyone detected my spell going up. The guy across the road is setting one so I just put my waves under his.”

“Hope yours is better. It will do me good to up stage them. Ah here comes some tumblers.” They spent the next few minutes enjoying the parade.