28205 off the hike and home.

Yuma shook her head anyway, then took the set. It was perfect, but it was to fine, she knew that most of the stones were real. “This is perfect for the opening ball. It is to much, but I do need it. Is there a set with gyphons as well? That is what I will need to match my second ball dress. Not to sure what the third one will be, other than forest related. So leaves or trees maybe?” It would do no good to fight, if she said three there was no way Yuma would get away with less, the dragons would see she stayed there ell she had them. Shan would be better at picking out the right ones, somehow she just knew what was needed, like with the bag. She couldn’t see them, yet knew what was right. Of course she found a few other sets, two that would work for school, for all it was a bit fancier them what she would typically wear at the clinic they wouldn’t yell to badly. “I had best get away from here. I am way over now. You shouldn’t let me take all of these.”

Rez said. “That almost covers one of the extra bolts of fabric, you’re not even close to caught up yet. Now I said you were all to fill your packs before leaving, so you had best start looking.”

Yuma shook her head. “Now that is hardly right. I am in debt already, you don’t need to go adding to it. Plus this lovely bag is going to hold at least four times as much as the one I had before. I don’t see how that could be fare in the least. You are just trying to make sure I never get paid up. I don’t know how I will break even before I leave for college next spring as it is. It was going to be hard enough before I found I had goofed and the date was moved up.”

Rez smiled a bit. Good she was going for all she was scared now that it was here. Just to see that she had enough that she didn’t get too lost out there. It was going to be hard on her to someplace so vastly different as the east coast was, but it would be good for her to. “So you are going sooner. Is it still Harvard then or have you found a new school?”

Yuma said. “Harvard is still up there, but a few others are looking good as well, all out east. I didn’t even ably to any in the Midwest little own closer. There just wasn’t time. I did put in with Oxford, as they had a table. The test was about even with Harvard’s, but I haven’t heard anything yet. However Joe is doing his best to talk me into going as he will be. I just don’t know that I can. It is a bit too much, yet. I kind of want to, just to know, just to see what it would be like.” Over thee it wouldn’t matter that my last name is Archer, it would be meaningless. I could do what I wanted and not worry so much. Yet is scary because it wouldn’t matter who I am, I wouldn’t be anyone to them. I want it, but yet I don’t know what it would be like to not have my Family looking on.”

Rez nodded. “It would be good for you. You should have to face the choice the same as others do, and this lets you. That is what is truly brothering you. You have enough pushing at you, so I will just say I am glad you are thinking it over and not rejecting it out of hand.” I will be talking to your father and see if I can help, for you should go and learn. I might have turned my back, but I can’t shut of my sight. You are feeling the pull, and it is only going to get worse tell you learn a how to shut it off at least. However you don’t need any more presser. Joe will get you up here to his valley soon enough and give you more than enough to worry over. “Now go shop, I mean it, you are not close to having your credit spent, even before I add in all you brought today.” He made a shoeing motion.

Yuma laughed. “Shan thank you aging, the sets are perfect, as is the bag, truly. Thank you for showing them to me. I had best do and look at the other items, before I take and get that jeweled belt there for my sister. Just how did that one even make it to the stand?”

Shan said. “Take it, it will be good for you, and Gima will be glad not to see it again. She wanted to destroy it, but they instated someone would buy it.  She was just getting ready to ably some lace to it when it got knock into the gen dust and turned into that. You think your sister will wear it?”

Yuma nodded. “Sadly, I do, for all I agree with Gima, I do think she will, as well as complain that I dared give her something like it. It is just to much like her. I will take it and then the one with the Yellow as well, for Alice.”

Shan nodded. “Go on now, and you know Dad meant it, those bags need to be a good deal fuller when you all leave here. Look at the clothes, there are some that will fit and will be just shocking enough for your relatives. You need to show them you. It is time to stop hiding.” She and Jay left, not giving Yuma a chances to answer.

 Yuma shook her head, but picked you another belt, this one was lacey, for her mother, then moved on to the other part of the stall to look at the carvings. A few made it into her pack, then she moved on over to the leather and fabric works the others were slowly going over. Leather wasn’t right as it was dragon hides, but it was still the label attached to them. She was looking at the clothes a bit unsure if she could, but there were a few nice dresses there. Still she could just here them, more so if she did get one of the hide ones. It was amazing how soft some of it was. She couldn’t believe the clothes were hide the first time they told her after she asked what they were made of.  Her father wouldn’t let her get one then, said that her mother would be upset if he did, however he wasn’t here now and a few of them did look like they would be nice to wear, and a couple of the pants as well. Did she dare?

Joe came over and said. “Nice pack, just how did they get that shade of blue? That will make a good bag for the boat, the books you need in the school bag and the rest of the things for the trip in that bag, that way you can just have your trunks in the hold and not worry about them in the cabin.”

Yuma shook her head. “What trip are you talking about? I don’t know that I am going on any that I need to worry about luggage on. The pack is dragon hide they just seldom use this one on trade goods. It is light weight and so they worry it would appear to flimsy. It would last just fine, but Shan lined it with the normal hide as well. There is no chance of it wearing out on me now.” She was still looking at the clothes and took one of the dresses out. “What do you think? Can I survive the yelling if I get some clothes?”

Joe said. “You are trying to change the subject. You know full well that I am talking about the trip to England. There is not a lot of room on a ship, after all, so most of our things will have to be shipped ahead of us on the cargo boats. You know I know less about clothes then you do, but Alice has some like that so why would there be yelling? Get them if you like them.”

Yuma said. “I don’t recall agreeing to going on a trip to England. When did that happen? I doubt if Alice has any dresses like this, it is not something I can see her ever wearing, but I think I will. I do need some new things for the season after all. I still say that he is under charging me. I should have quite a bill as it is, but he says we can’t leave until the packs are fuller, so I do hope you have found something. To help fill mine.”

There was a lot of laughing, but the packs did all get heavier by the time they left the stall and made their way back to the trail, but not the same one they had been on. “Sorry, I have you both lost. I just cut out a bit of the walk, we are on the trail to the red valley now. It is just faster to get to it though the trees, as we missed a lot of the turnings.” Joe just shook his head, he could see where they were now, but would have never made it in his own.

Mike said. “I was wondering why we were in the trees longer, and going downhill as well. This is east of where we were.”

Yuma nodded. “That’s right we have time for a stop at the gyphons, but the sun is going to be setting when we get to the parking lot. I fear that we spent a bit to much time at the stall. I wasn’t expecting there to be that much there so early and so took the long trail up. I do think that Tulip and Mother will be pleased with the lace though.”

Joe said. “Alice will be pleased to and we aren’t expected at the dorm until eight, they are ordering in pizza and we are going to watch a scary movie before I take you home. That will give the gossips something to talk about. Don’t worry so, no one is going to care how long we were on the trails.”

Yuma shook her head. “I think they will have plenty as it. You didn’t need to give them more, but you couldn’t resist. I do think you like the idea as much as they do. Trust me Father will know just what time we started up the trails and what time it is when we returned to the cars, and will know what way your car turned as we leave the lot.”

Mike laughed, but Joe nodded. “I know and that just makes it better. You know he enjoys how shocked they get over it. I bet he will tell at least one of them that he just told you to be quite when you came in. that he isn’t going to wait up. They really do call her parents whenever they see us out together. I don’t know just why they enjoy it so much, but they do.”

Yuma said. “When I said I would be going out with you afterwards he just said to try and get in around Midnight, if I could as there is church tomorrow. Uncle Wane was rather red, as you can imagine. I do think he is descried that I am a bad influence and he needs to move. He truly has been trying to get them to restrict me more, instead Father told me I needed to look into the fan sites more. So yes, he will say something like that, if only to drive the point home. I think he might be getting a bit fed up with my uncle’s habit.”

Joe said. “It might be a bit about that education reform bill as well. They are going to be at heads over it as well. So that might be your fathers way of drawing the line before they are in the chamber.” Yuma nodded as she had thought that, and it would fit. However there was a bit more going on as well.

They rounded a turn and were at the field, Yuma stepped off the trail and led them past some bush only to have two young gyphons running at them. Mike stepped back a bit worried for he knew that gyphons were very protective of their young. Yuma just laughed as the pair crashed into her and knocked her down. She managed to get back to her feet as the others came over, a bit more slowly. “Come on, there is no need to worry. They won’t hurt you, they are just happy to see me.”

Mike slowly moved up to where Joe was, which was still back a bit from the youngest of them, but far closer then he had ever been to a gryphon before.  He wasn’t a mage and hadn’t went into the forest with ounce. They seldom had anything to do with people that weren’t mages, as they didn’t likely to be treated as though they were less than they were. Here though they seemed to have no problems, still to yet there young ones so close to them and to trust Yuma with the babies. That was never done to non-mages,  and only the powerful ones, as they were easily harmed. Yet. He frowned realizing just what that meant about Yuma, and realized just what would happen if she stayed here. It wasn’t easy for a strong mage to ignore the energy, it would pull at them even in their sleep unless they knew how to block it. However all teaching was forbidding here so just how. He looked at the older gryphon, and was shocked when it nodded.

Joe jumped as the gryphon strengthened the ward around Yuma and then looked at him sharply. ‘Just what are you planning with my student there?’

Joe hoped that Yuma didn’t notice him stiffen, but the little ones had her occupied as they were demanding their treats. It was strange to hear the gryphon, different from when he and the others shared thoughts. Still should be the same printable. So he carefully formed his answer. ‘I want her to know what she could be, all of it. I think of her as my sister and she thinks of me as a brother. I want to show her what I know she can do and see that she has a chance to learn how. To know what she would give up, to know that it will cost her. To see she makes a free choice.’

The gryphon nodded. The lad was alright, and trying. His heart was in the right place, for all he didn’t know just why he felt so protective of the girl. ‘Good, that will help. She knows more, but for now she has no idea. It isn’t safe yet, but it will be there when it is. You talk her into going and others will be there to guide her when the teachers can’t. In turn she will help you. You will have some gaps filled when you wake, for all you only half understand me now. She will go I have seen it, but keep pushing.’

Joe blinked, his head suddenly felt to full, and he truly didn’t know just what he had heard, but know the gryphon was no longer worried about him, but had been. Why was a bit of a mess something about how he viewed Yuma. The fact she was a strong mage made her important to them, but he was unclear just why, yet knew he would understand better when he next remembered this, but that wouldn’t be for some time. And just like that it was gone, he was just left with the fact that Yuma would be going to Oxford, but he wasn’t sure how he knew it. Still he knew it was true and was relived. However he did need to break the news before she went. There would be too much to spring it on her there. He shook his head a bit as he watched the gyphons jumping around and on her. They were carful not hurt her, but clearly did like the apples she brought them. “Yuma you should see about getting some balls brought up here for them. It would help build there coordination, and I bet they would like them as much as the dragons do.” He then had to laugh as one of the gyphons threw a ball at him. “Sorry, I didn’t see them.” He threw it back and found himself in a game that soon involved Mike as well. Sadly the game ended to sooner then everyone wanted, but they had to get back to the cars before it was fully dark, and the gyphons need to get their supper. It was close to midnight when Yuma made it in, and to her surprise there seemed to be no one up. She put her second gun in its pace in the locked cupboard, but took the bag up to her room as it would be easier to go though it there sometime tomorrow.

CHAPTER9 SUNDAY EMAI, Monday letter.

Yum smiled at the other ladies and nodded. “Yes, it was a long day, but it was fun. It was Dr. Inkols first time at the high look out and Rezear’s was open for all it is early yet, so I took him to meet them. I do think he was able to find some items he liked. Then I had to stop by the gyphons, so he could see them.”

Mrs. Faincers said. “So you and Joe weren’t alone. He must have been disappointed about that.”

Yuma smiled a bit and shook her head, causing the dragon earrings to dance. “Not in the least, he knows that I lead hikes. There was no reason to think we would be alone, even if it is early in the migration. I have no idea why you would think it troubled him.” They just smiled a bit, and Yuma was able to escape. At least they were talking of something other than the news, for all she bet it would soon go back to it. That was going to be the main topic for the rest of the month at least, likely a bit longer as a few of the trials would carry over into December. One of the public ones wasn’t even going to start until then. Hopefully she would be discharged by then so she could take her finales without worrying over the court stuff she had to look up as well, but time would tell. She looked at Mrs. Edity, but this wasn’t the time. Latter when she showed up for a spot of tea there would be the opening she needed, if she could just make it out the door. It was a relief to get home and change, for all it got her a few frowns. It was good to be out of the to fancy dress she had worn. It wasn’t like she had put on pants, just a planer dress and flat shoes in place of the heals. Still her sister was upset.

Tulip said. “I don’t see why you have to dress down so much. You could at least look nice, you know they will be coming over after lunch. At least put some jewelry on. You can’t go hide in your room, you need to be here. No matter how tired you are after staying out all night. Uncle Wane said you were still up at one, of all things.  Just how late were out anyway and what is that you have?”

Yuma smiled a bit. “I didn’t think I was up until one, I got in around midnight and just took my pack up to my room as it was to late to sort it out last night. I traded for it just before the stall closed last time and it was made over the off months. This is a bit larger than the one I had asked about, but it is perfect, for all it is bright. I can always slip a covering on it if I need it hid for some reason. I brought it down to get it stored. I also used it to bring down the items I have for you and Mother.” She brought the laces and jewelry out first then the belts, glad that she had remembered to give Joe the one for Alice. “I know the belt is over the top, but I thought it might just be needed at some point during the Season. If I am wrong, I am sure you will find another use for it. Mother I saw this one and it just reminded so much of your pink dress that you said you needed a belt for, I just had to get it in case I was right. Now Joe said that you would all want a lot of lace so added these other packs, I truly have no idea what they are. I am sorry about it, but there was no talking him out of it for all it is a different kind and so I don’t know what it is meant for or if you can use it.” Aright, so that was a bit of a stretch as some of it was hair ribbon and the other was trim or belts, but best to play it up. For she had never dared bring them any of this as they threw enough of a fit over the dressing lace they used so much of. They used it and flaunted it, but complained about it not being from the right store when it was just her there.

Wane came in the and shook his head as he saw the bag. “Another backpack? Just wat do you need one that large for. However did you find something like that? Why does is shimmer like that, just what is it made of? You sure are buying a lot of interesting items.”

Yuma smiled a bit and wondered just how this was going to go over. Her father being there might save her a bit. “My hiking bag was starting to show its ages so I tried to get a new one last year, but they said that they didn’t have one for me. However for a bolt of red cotton they would make me one. Sound like a good deal for me, so I agreed, got the fabric from a friend who knows fabric and met the trader, at the end of last trading season. The pack was ready for me yesterday. This is larger than I was expecting and brighter, but perfect none the less. It is made from dragon hides.” That had both her Uncle and sister mad, and her Mother was looking a bit uncomfortable as well. “The outside is from a type raised for meat, they seldom trade any of its hides, and then it is lined with the more normally seen brown hide to increase its durability. Not that it needed it. The blue hide is both water and fire proof. They use it for cloaks and blankets, both of which I found some of when I unpacked the bag. I had to keep one of the rain cloaks and one blanket out, but the others are back in here as I don’t need them in my room. Likely I won’t need the ones I kept out, but you never know.”