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Joe looked at him then at Yuma. “So being offered an on campus apparent is a big deal, and I know that it is almost imposable to get double majors approved. That was some of the hold up with Mike. I don’t know how you can say no to this offer.”

Yuma said. “It won’t be easy, but it isn’t a done deal yet. I need to go by the mall again, if you don’t mind. I forgot I had the graduation ball to go to. Oh and The First family will here all Season so there are going to be a lot of open events. I fear that all the Stanford students can expect to be getting invites to more than the opening, they will want a good turn out. Yes you all can see the rest of it papers and tell why I can’t say no, but can it wait tell we have food as well? Lunch was mess for me today.”

Joe laughed, took the hint and stood up. “All right, but you had pest bring those in, or you will have to go get them.”

Mike nodded. “We are not going to let you get away. You are forcing us into society this Season, we are going to get you to Oxford so we can make you see how the other side lives.”

Yuma shook her head as she went to the door. “I am not sure, after all I want to take a carrier route. Just would that go over if I am in England? It would be a bit difficult wouldn’t it?”

Mark said. “It just takes a week to get here, and you would be given up time to do it each summer so it shouldn’t matter where you are. However what about the riding? I didn’t know that you ever went, and I do believe that is the only way to get to Outsider towns. Don’t they move everything by horse and wagon?”

Yuma nodded. “Well dragons come in as well, but yes it means riding and camping. The routes are set so there is no more than three days between towns, but it is still rough. Yes I can ride, but will be sore the first days as I will have to get used to it again.” The others looked at her, but just got in the cars, somehow seeing to it that her and Joe were the only ones in his car again.

Joe shook his head. “I think they like to help the rumors. I do fear just how they are going to get back at us, but it will help having someone to talk to at the events. Be nice to be able to relax a bit. Di you think they will get the Ambassador involved? That will get back to the others and will turn it into a bigger mess.”

Yuma nodded. “Both sides are going to be trying to use me, but they would regardless. There was never a chance it wouldn’t be used. That is likely why Richard hasn’t said he is in the program.” Joe looked at her oddly. “Walter wouldn’t go without him, I’m not that blind. Watch the road, would you? No I won’t say anything, it is just they need to know that they don’t have to hide from me. If I do end up going there is going to be enough stress without that adding to it. Yet I don’t know how to dare say anything to them.”

Joe said. “I can see why you would worry about it, I will let Walter know. Likely that will help a bit. I should have known that some of those times we happened to bump into Richard on the trails would tell you something was up. However there are so few safe ways for them to meet up due to the class differences. The trails are the least watched.”

Yuma said. “No need to explain, I don’t care. I know I should, but that is one law I just don’t understand. Fine, don’t let them marry in the church, but you don’t need to make it illegal. Besides it is a comply double standard. They have no problems with female couples, for all it is equally prohibited. They get a pass, but males end up with a record more often then not. It is ridiculous, as long as they are in a committed relation and are adults what does it matter the gender of the persons. Now then, how purple is that going to get my Father if I can’t avoid the debate on that amendment? Yes it is being brought. Not that they validate them as acceptable, just that it be left to church court and that no record be involved. Something that is in truth in keeping with the code of laws. They say that such belongs to the Church courts, and those records are to be separate from the Crimes courts. Yet that isn’t the case a lot of times.”

Joe smiled. “I just hope you do say it when you get there. It is going to be fun to see them react when you stop hiding and start answering. None of them expect it, they are to used to the shy you. Now this is going to be another new experience, as I don’t think you have ever been to a true French restaurant before, just the nock offs at the diners. I think you will like it.” They got out and went in.

They waited until she had sat to take the letter from her. “So when did you learn to ride? And why?”

Yuma said. “The ranch we go to each summer, we all had lessons and can ride. We would go out for day trips and a couple of times I went camping with the ranchers. I liked it out there, it was so quiet and free. Then as I realized that Carries were needed I started asking to go on more of the camping trips and longer rides. I am not going to say I am ready for it, but I know as much as I can now what I am in for. If they will let me do it.”

Joe smiled. “Not to worry, they will. You won’t be the only one that leaves out of the country, one of the others is in Mexico most of the year. It is going to be fun having you there, even if I am to beat up any guy that dears look at you sideways.” She looked at him, he led up his hands. “I know better, but really that is what I was told in one call.”

Yuma shook her head. “They sure are going to be upset when one of us gets engaged.”  Joe nodded smiling and the rest of the meal passed with comments on the food and the papers.

When she got home she was surprised to see Tulip in the living room looking at her phone oddly. It was not surprising that she was looking at her phone, but she was usually upstairs by now. Tulip said. “I called Misty’s lawyer, I know that they wouldn’t want me, but I had to offer. For all it would do more damage really to use me, it made me feel like I was doing something. I also asked them to let the family know that I was so upset by it all and was praying for them, that this mess could be cleared up. I just can’t see how it could be, how Misty could have ever been there. Well Mrs. Murphy called me and said she was sorry for not calling me before, but it was such a mess she didn’t know where to start. That Misty appreciated the cards we had sent, and she was getting stronger. She knew I had nothing to do with what happened, I wasn’t one to run around downtown or visit illegal stores. It was not anyone’s fault that Misty had been there. She should have known better than to go. Misty wouldn’t say just how it happened, which one of them set her up or how they had ties to that area. She knew though that it wasn’t me, and she hadn’t mean to lead me to think she was upset with me. I didn’t hang around downtown, with those sorts. That I wasn’t the problem. It just sounds odd, not like her. I am not too sure, but well.”

Martha said. “She is under a lot of strain and it is getting to her. I will see if a few ladies will go over and see if they can help. It does sound like she is close to breaking, this would do it to anyone. She is grasping at anything she can. If Misty isn’t talking to her it has to be eating her more.”

Yuma said. “Let her blame me, It won’t hurt me and it will give her something to focus on. It might be what she needs to get though the trail. Hopefully Misty will give an explanation then, and she will be able to accept it. She is not the only looking at me. That was in a number of whispers today. If the weren’t pointing fingers at one  of the accused as being the start they were looking at any of use that were known to associated with those from a minority religion. I expected it, but it is wearing. I do expect that a sequester order will have to be put in place once the jury summons are sent out. It is going to be a bit of a pain, but I won’t be the only one taking finales at the court house around the trails. It is going to be a long few weeks. Did you get any asking you when I was leaving for Oxford?”

Samuel said. “Henry called and said that it didn’t matter if you were running away to become some great mage you were going to be working on the cases with him, so had best be ready. He wasn’t going to do the grunt work this time. Not with you being of age for it. Does that count?”

Yuma looked at him shocked. “Um How in the world? How did it get to him? So this is getting him to come here from Colorado? He never goes to the Seasons, I knew they would have to bring someone in, but I thought he would take one of the other cases.” He did his best not to be noticed and being here would out him front and center of the press coverage.

Samuel said. “Craig called and asked him to take it, pointing out that you were of age so there would be a student there. That you had a good mind and had scored high on the test, were judge certified, even if you were going to chase some boy to England, or something like that. Or so I found out when I was able to ask him just what he was talking about. I explained that you had an offer from Oxford that were considering alongside the ones from Harvard, Duke and some others I wasn’t sure of. I fear he thinks you should go to Oxford and have fun, but only after the case is finished.”

Yuma shook her head. “Like I needed another person telling me to go. At this rate I might have to just to get them to stop. In truth the genetics and history programs are truly more devolved, and it is going to be hard not to take the opportunity, for all I never meant to. I set out to see how it compared, but the offer is good, and the programs sound amazing. I am a bit worried about the housing, but I haven’t looked at the second letter yet, which I think will have more information on it. I am troubled that they are so sure I would be upset by the dorms. It could just be something to do with my age, but if that was it why offer an apartment and not a boarding house? That is anything I have to look into, if my age will mean I am a minor no matter that I’m not here.”

Martha said. “It is scary to think of you going over there, but it is a good offer and a good chance. It will help to have some there that can represent us, and being there will let you explain it to us. Still. It is a help that Joe and your group is going, so they will be there if you need them. It is troubling to think of all you will be forced to face over there and how it may come to change you. Henry might have been joking, but the fact that it could be the case. That other will think it, that you will have to deal with it, to learn to cope with spell casting. It is not something I want anyone to face, however as some must at least we know that you have a solid base. That you can see the danger of it.”

Yuma nodded. “I am thinking of that, both me among it and the rumors it is going to cause. If I go no matter what there will be those that are going to watch me a bit closer waiting for me to do something to confirm their belief that I am breaking that law. I do realize that, but yet there is so much on the side saying I should go, even before the politics comes into it. As they are going to, even if the Ambassador doesn’t get involved as the school wants. There is no easy answer to this one, I just. Well I want you to know that the list of reasons to go is getting longer. I never really thought of  going when I took the test, but now I am not so sure I can say no.” You need time, you might have said it, but you never thought of it anymore than I did. Perhaps you will see what I don’t, talk me out of going. I want someone to, I am scared, but yet I truly think it would be a mistake to say no. “I’m going to go work on my papers a bit and then turn in. Night all.”

Samuel nodded. “Try not to let it trouble you. I was thinking the offer would be to good to let you pass on it, and like you said the politics are going to make it harder. Craig hasn’t said anything to me yet, but I expect him to. There are going to be a lot that want someone from the Families there to act as eyes. An embassy will be arranged, but that is not the same as living there. They will see that they only see what they want them to. So you had best look at the housing and see what is there. The first trail starts in two weeks, so they should have the juries worked out by Monday and so look to be moving in next Wednesday. Henry will want you there when he gets in. Have a good night, and it will work out.”

Chapter 10 the next few days.

Nothing was said the next day, they were still going over the trails. Misty’s would start the first week of November, but two others would be ahead of hers, one public and one other minor. The big whispers ere trying to guess who would make up the juries and who would be the Consultant, for the news just said they were bring an experienced person form out of state to fill the place. Oddly no one asked Yuma if it was a close relative or a distant one. Not that many were talking to her at all.

At first she didn’t notice it. She tended to be a bit of loner, but as the day went on it got a bit more evident that she was being avoided. A few went so far as to turn their backs when she neared them. It wasn’t just the friends of those facing trail, which she could have understand a bit. Likely they would know she would be one of the junior Consultants for the cases, and with so may wanting to blame the downtown area they naturally looked at her as well. Perhaps expecting that someone would say she introduced them, or served as the link. Finger pointing was just normal, they wanted to blame someone they didn’t know. They wanted answers that cleared their friends, that made it all a mistake, but they feared it wasn’t. This seemed more than that.

By lunch time she was sure she was a part of what was being whispered about. She couldn’t think of why, then she did and had to fight not to laugh. It was so obvious she could believe she hadn’t expected it. The thing was what to do? If she said anything it would either be taken wrong or seen to support them. Saying nothing might just let it get bigger. Sighing a bit she took out her cell and texted her sister. ‘Tulip I am just sure half the whispers are saying I am casting spells over them. All because of Oxford. I should have, but didn’t even consider it. I don’t know how to combat it, or if I should.’

It wasn’t long tell her phone buzzed she looked at it and relaxed. ‘Wong sis, it is even sillier. A few are saying you are going to study magic, but most don’t care. No they are saying that you gave Joe a black eye and kissed one of the others. I think they mean Walter, but no one has a name, just a vague description. Why did you hit Joe and who were with?’

Yuma said. ‘I haven’t hit him lately, I was glaring at him for a bit last night, but that was it, and we were laughing after it. I can promise I wasn’t kissing anyone. Just how and when? Say have Alice ask Joe about his eye? See what he says?’ Thank goodness it is just the normal sort of nonsense after all. Kissing might get me talked to but it isn’t as bad as talk of spelling people would be. She was smiling as she put her phone away and started down the hall. That caused a few headshakes.

One girl she didn’t know said. “So Yuma what’s your new boyfriend have to say?”

Yuma blinked. “I have a new boyfriend? Dose that mean I had an old one? As I don’t know this I can’t know that he said anything. “

She laughed. “Come on everyone knows you and Joe were an item, though now I hear you had a fight and he’s been replaced with some tall dark fellow. So who is he and how are your parents taking it? He isn’t a Family or they would recognize him and I’d have a name.”

Yuma laughed. “I fear I have no idea what you are talking about. This is the first I have heard about a fight with Joe or a new boyfriend. I wonder just who he is? Will you let me know if you get a better description? Then perhaps I can know. Tall and dark just isn’t enough to go off of. I do wonder just when this happened and how.”

The other girl shook her head. “So you are saying that you didn’t give Joe a black eye? Then who did?”

Yuma said. “The last time I gave him a black eye was when I was eight and he tried to run off with my stuffed dragon. This is the first I have heard of him having one, so I don’t know how he got it.” She took her phone out. “If he tells me how he got it I will let you now next break. Now I had best get moving. I have Philips, and you know how well he takes late avails.” She started walking but did text Joe. ‘I have just learned you have a black eye and I gave it to you. Any idea when? Or and I guess that I also replaced you with someone who is tall and dark??? Think I am in for a looong week!!’

She was putting her phone away as she entered the class room. “Not you to? Just what is going on today. Not a person has entered my room that wasn’t putting their phone away. At least you made it on time.

Yuma said, as she made it to her place. “Sorry, I do try not to, but there are times I just have to find something out.” He shook his head but just started his lesson. Her phone buzzed half way though, but it would wait at least she did have it on vibrate so few noticed it had even went off.  She waited until she was in the hall to check it as Mr. Philips truly didn’t like the phones and wanted them removed from the school.

Joe had answered. ‘What? I don’t have a black eye and you had better not be cheating on me! I still know where you hide your dragon at, missy. Just how do they come up with these things? Sorry. How about we move to Hastons and sit at the front? That will get us seen and might help. I’m sure the others won’t mind going there. The coffee is better anyway.’

Yuma said. ‘Fine with me, but check with them and see if they want to or not. Btw T said it sounded to her like it was Walter I was with. Do you dare tell him?’

It wasn’t long tell he answered. ‘all ready checked and they said it sounds good, time we switched places for a bit. Lord No! I am not that brave! You do it.’

Yuma laughed and looked around, seeing the other girl she said. “Joe says he hasn’t got a black eye as far as he knows, so can’t tell me how he got it. He also has no idea who the tall dark man would be. So he wasn’t any help.” To Joe she said. ‘Sounds good, see you then and thanks. I do wonder just how it got started. I fear it is going to be an interesting few weeks. I will be sure and let you know if some tall dark guy shows up and says that we are together. That way you can beat him up. Unless I do it first, of course.’

The girl said. “Thanks, I will have to see if I can find out just who it is that got the black eye. I do wonder just who they could have mixed up with you. Not many just leave there hair in a messy bun anymore. Or wear such tasteless clothes. I truly don’t know where you ever find half the things you do. However I do love that bag. It is a lot better than the ones I have seen.”

Yuma smiled a bit. “It is from one of the small gothic shops, so likely no where you want to go. If it helps the bags are handmade, using recycled metrales. The name of the store is Skulls.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know why those places have to have such awful names. Thank you, no I would never have thought to look in them. I do wonder just who it was? Well good to know you and Joe are still solid. So that must mean Oxford is still on. Latter.” She left and Yuma shook her head a bit and went to her next class.