GREEN BAR GREEN BAR. hit 50k yesterday :)

Charity held up the basket. “Just bringing you out some rolls and hopping you will have something I can do this morning before they start worrying about me finding trouble. Would you be the reasons Kim added the sticky ones?”

Uncle Jim laughed. “You know full well I can always use a hand. Now come on over here and tell and look at this would you? I am hoping the numbers are wrong.” The other man looked at him oddly. Then stily armed when Uncle pulled out the papers they had just been looking at.

Charity walked up to them and sat the basket down. “There really is rolls in the basket, Kim packed it so you know Beth will have them check to see they were ate. Now then what are the numbers?” The man blinked as Uncle handed her the papers, clearly wondering just what was going on. those were not decoded even, plus would get them in all kinds of trouble.

Jim said. “I received you letter about the legions, but these numbers still look to high.”

Charity said. “This fits with the easements we have made from the size of the camp, save that you need to double the number of mages., and don’t count the slaves. They don’t fight.  They are there for fuel and entertainment only.” She handed him a paper. “Now that is taking from scryed images, but they were marching so it should be close.”

Jim looked at it paled and handed it to the young man who read it then looked at Charity. “This can’t be. Where did they get that many? It is not.”

Charity said softly. “I am second in command of the Dragons scouts now. I have been watching the Tower since I left here six years ago. I am not just pulling it out of a hat, though I wish that was the case. This is every bit as real as the letter we spent the night coping. The empire reaches to the coast, and they consider the people in the towns as commodities. All with mage talent go into one of six government run schools when they turn six. Those judged fit for service enter army training centers at seven. The rest are left in the towns to make the next set of requites or taken in there teen years to work in the schools or houses of the wealthy. I have a copy of the laws they live under over there if you wish to see it. Basically they are better at brain washing.”

Jim smiled. “Rob, I thought you said you would never forget Charity after the fright she gave you. Rob here is acting as my second right now, as Gorger is away at school,, much to his disgust. Feather insisted that even though he barley had any gift he needed to go.”

Charity nodded. “Billines told me, and a friend was able to see he has nothing to fear from the bracelet he was given. I didn’t feel safe sending this even though the agents.” She handed him another sheet of paper. “It is the key to reading the bracelets. I gave Heanrick a copy as well, and I hope he will at least look at it. Wasn’t easy to track down, even when I knew where to look. Luckily there was a collector that handed it in a room full of jeweled skeletons. Still don’t know why the skeletons were jeweled, he claimed they were made by the ancestor who had the castile at the time that script was in use. At that point I started asking him about the paintings instead, not wanting to see the dungeons. Not that it worked, I ended up getting a tour of them anyway. At least I can now tell you that the stories of Ascarable are indeed biased on a real place, and it is worse in person. I would like to get a couple copies of that book while I am here. King Diisscca would be delighted to add it to his collection, and Misa will enjoy it as well.”

Rob and her Uncle both started at her. Jim said. “You have got to be kidding me. No way that could be real. I mean who would have a room full of jeweled goblets?”

Jabari said. “Actually he has three, one of them is full of cursed ones, one holds ones that were never meant to be used and the then one that can be used and sometimes are. I can not show those to you. However Uncle Disscca has no problems with me showing off his entry way.” With that the air shimmered and an image formed. “So does that fit with the stories you have?”

The kids had started coming in, one said. “That is worse then it was in the book. I still don’t see how anyone could come up with something like that.”

Rob shook his head. “I never. To think it is a real place. I wonder how it is we have tales of it?”

Jim shook his head and said. “One of the boys is copying it now, I will just go tell him we need three more, as you need one for yourself. He won’t mind. Now if you really can give me a hand this morning you can take that desk.”

Jab let the spell go Charity said. “I can, however Jabari though will be leaving shortly.”

Jabari nodded, though he was looking at her a bit worried. Hoping she really would be alright here. Knowing she had to be a bit upset about being here and about him leavening Cri tied as he had. “I had best be going in fact, Cri is likely more then ready for me. I will see you at lunch, Love.” He kissed her then nodded to Mike.

Charity laughed. “I am not going to get lost. I will see you then. He needs it worked out with you. He really is worried about it. Go on now before he thinks you have forgot.” She kissed him and gave him a gentile push to the door then went to the desk.

Mike took the seat next to and Jab started back to the house. Mike said. “So is it still three of each, sir?”

Jim looked at them. “Yes it is, but just why does Charity need guarding?”

Mike said. “Now then can’t I just be board to? After all there is not that much going on right now.”

Jim looked at him. “You could be, however this was not a place you hung out in last time you were here.”

Charity shook her head. “There is a minor threat from a bunch Gissam monks, it is unlikely they will try anything here but where I am not wearing any obvious blades the guys are a bit jumpy.”

Jim looked at her wondering what she wasn’t saying. The monks were a problem, but that wouldn’t have them watching her. However he knew that he would have better luck by watching the boys then pressing her. “Yes three of those, and thank you. there is once again more work than hands. I am thinking of asking for a few of the older ones to take a shift every other week.”

Charity said. “I will see you get some help from our guys, most of Kaneb’s will be able to handle it as well as their writing is more elaborate then most you see here.”

Jim smiled wondering if she realized what she had just said. “That will be a help, now get to work you two.”

Laughing Charity took up her pen and was soon lost in the work, enjoying that feel of the pen and paper, Mike watched her a bit then took up his own pen. The first part of the morning passed quietly then a tension in the air caused him to look up,. “Sis, I just realized I need a drink, as it has been an hour since we sat down here. What can I bring you?”

Charity almost looked up. “Tea will be fine, and thank you. I didn’t even realize it. It is nice to be dealing with something other than scout reports, or old books on Hardering artwork. I have got to get Max to look at this desk and see if he will make me one to replace that table I have at home.”

Mike said. “I don’t know if that is a good idea or not. I will be right back with the tea.” He stood up and walked to the table pleased to find a tray of cookies and a bowl of fruit as well as the drinks.

Jim said. “It is another way to get the girls to eat a bit more. As long as it is sitting there they will forget they are not hungry and eat a bit as they work.”

Mike nodded, and filled a plate for Charity. “I can see where that would work. I was just going ask if you would mind having something brought over, as I was told to see she had a snack now, where she is planning on being in the ring this afternoon.” He shook his head a bit looking at her. He watched as Feather scan the room from the doorway, and saw his frown deepen when he saw Charity there, but it was Jim he start walking towards. “I think Feather is looking for you sir.” He carefully set the plates and drinks on a tray,

Jim said. “Is she still trying to skip meals then?”

Mike said. “No, she knows better then to try that. She just doesn’t believe she needs to eat as much as she does. That and at this point it is something all of us would miss. We have all been caught fixing her a plate when she was out in the field. I had best get this over to her, so you can find out what he wants.” He picked up the try and went back over to the desk with it. He handed her the tea and sat the plate where she could reach it. “Uncle said he has taken to have food here so the girls eat a bit more.”

Charity shook her head. “And you couldn’t pass up the chance. Here I was thinking I might just get buy with having only one breakfast today.”

Mike smiled. “This is a mid morning snack in place of the afternoon snack, that’s all. And these cookies are delicious. You see I have the same amount as you do. If I am not given you food when I have the chance Jab will say I am unfit to watch you and start making me take the meetings he should be at. Therefore it is in my best interest to see you have food in front of you.”

Charity laughed but took a sip of tea then set the cup down and picked up a cookie as she went back to the papers. “Very well last thing I want is for you to have deal with a request that the mages wear blue hats so they can be identified easier. Jab has the training to tell them they are idiots without them feeling insulted.”

“Surely no one is asking that!”

Charity said. “I just finished the copies of that very request. At least there has been nothing about silk sheets, but some of those are just about as bad. Still it beets the Hardering books I had been working on at home. Did you need something sir, or just wondering why I am here?”

Inspector Heanrick picked up the copies. “I came here to check that there wasn’t a lot of nonsense request come tough here as I just rejected a bunch that were up at the camp, and my wife had said some of the papers here had the seals on them. I see I need to go over what is fitting to ask for from command and what should be asked for in letters home.”

Charity nodded. “In that light you might want to take a look at this one. it is perfectly reasonable to me, but like the administration wont take like on folks asking for games.”

He took the paper. “Given the way it is written it would, but I will rewrite and then send it out. They do need something to do in the evenings as we are waiting. If worded right I should be able to get some. So I take it this is how you stay busy?”

She smiled. “Warren is in a meeting with the rest of the scout captains setting up routes so we are not tripping over each other. Therefore I decide this was the safest place for me as my being in the meeting would be more of a problem then a help. Once the route is set Warren and I will be altering turns on a border patrol, that way one of us is always on hand, as I have somehow become his second. As well as the fact it just felt right to come on out here after getting my breakfast from Beth. I never did learn how to sleep in.”

He shook his head. “I will let you get back to it. You seem to be having fun.”  She was already lost in the copies and just sort of nodded at him.

Mike looked at her and shook his head then stopped her as she reached for the next page. “Sis what do you think Jab will do if you don’t turn up for lunch? I think we had best head in.”

Charity blushed, as she looked up are realized a lot of the boys had left and the others were getting ready to. “I didn’t realize it we had been here that long. Yes we had best go in they are likely starting to worry.”

Mike smiled. “Likely so, Cri at least has to be, you haven been out his sight all morning.”

Charity smiled. “He has been enjoying a miserable morning, and done it knowing he will be working out this afternoon.” She stood up and started to the door as a few more girls came in.

One of them said. “I can’t believe father is making me do this, and he says I will take part the whole time we are here! Of all the ridiusile ideas! Why would we need this? Andto have to eat out here as well. As if it wasn’t long enough. I don’t know howyou do it Sasanes. You simply must come stay with us. I can not see how you manage.”

Charity smiled. “I see he is still able to get them out here for a full meal. That must be why the gilrs look a bit more healthy. I was afraid father would deside it wasn’t needed.”

Jim said. “He did for a bit, but I asked him to watching the ladies eat about a week latter. He was horrified, and jumped up at the table, reinstated the lunches and made them all stay until they ate a full plate that night. He does watch a bit more and will say things in the family room. So all are eating a bit better. Now go on, and don’t let the looks stop you from eating.”

Charity said. “I will have food waiting on me in the room as well. I have trouble eating more then one plate where ever we are unless it is just us in the mess hall, or I am just getting in from the lines. Thanks for letting me barge in.”

Jim smiled. “The desk is there anytime you want it child. It is nice seeing you there.”

Charity said. “You might regret saying that, just think on some of throble I have found.” He laughed and she started to the door.

The girl said. “Why does she get to leave? It isn’t fair!”

Charity shook her head. “I am sorry you don’t find it so, I would stay, however I have a meeting so I can’t. Now as I remember the rule about taking lunches here applied to those putting in there once a week shift so as I was here at my request, not assigned to be here that rule doesn’t apply to me. Relax, it won’t undo your hard earned work to put in a few hours here. In fact the work here can improve your sewing if you put in the effort to get the fancier papers. Take a look at a few of those papers and I think you will see why.” The girl shook her head as Charity left, but at least she had stopped yelling.

Jabari was in the dining room waiting when thy got there, Cri was behind him kneeling, but looking worriedly at the door. Charity shook her head. “Well at least one of them knows I’m not lost. Come on, we are almost late.” She slipped into her chair between Jab and Warren as Mike took the one on the other side of Warren looking at Luke. Charity said. “Sorry I forgot the time, and was just trying to get though the papers.”

Warren laughed. “You always do get caught up, even when complaining the book is just a waste of paper.”

Jab shook his head. “Now you see why Mike was needed. He at least would know it was time for lunch.”

Charity laughed. “So Warren did you guys get the routs mapped out? We have likely a week at most before they are wanting to go more then a night away.”

Warren nodded. “I left a copy in your room for you., and the first set of overnights is going out tomorrow so likely they won’t make it a week. They want to get a good feel for the area.”

Charity shook her head. “Of course they do. At least there is less trouble for them to get into here.”