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Idrias said. “I was planning on going with them, for I do want to make sure that Dr. Buggass gets a look at a few of the other ruins close by the look out. The Rangers tend to not think of them, as they see them so often. I will try not to add to the upset. I can’t imagine. I didn’t think that I had dawn that much attention.” She flushed a bit and though then nodded. “There is a good pants set that will be just the thing. It is loose enough not to be to embarrassing for those that find pants indecent for women, yet it is clearly made for hiking. Yes that should do. Do you want to see it?” She knew that her mother wanted her to say that she would not go against them. However she could not make a promise knowing it would be broken. If asked a question she would answer it as she felt was right, no matter what had been shared. However she would try to stay out of the discussions if not addressed.  “I do understand better. Likely they found it easier to yell about my run then complain about me being asked to take a place that should go to those older and more knowledgeable. I am hardly fit to be giving any opinions in this group. I do not know just why and will do my best not to cause any concern.”

Gladys said. “That sounds fine, just don’t let them get to you. I truly don’t see why so many of you have been staying to the dresses. There is no reason to. We should be far past that tend again. I thought it was dying, as it should. I never did get why that idea returned. That and limiting study by gender is just so silly. I am glad that it is fading back to the history it should be. Then I am known for being wild. Always was driving my sister crazy as I am now by encouraging you. However if you wants you with him, he wants to hear what you think, not just parroting of the Lords. He gets enough of that. You got his attention by saying what you thought, don’t let them stop you.”

Alice shook her head and frowned a bit, for that was just what she was afraid of. Yet it would do no good. “I am sure that Idrias knows how to act. I trust you to pick your clothes, I just know that Sara has been pushing the dresses so wanted to make sure you knew not to let her. Never mind you are used to the forest, some would be sure the skirt would trip you and slow everyone. Now we had best get in there.” As they started to the house she looked at Travis again and frowned. Really just what was that boy doing waiting for her like that? I was going to cause talk, there was no way that they were going to let it go. I know that Idrias is not into it, we had to push her in the first place. She is not ready to even think of a long tie, but I am not so sure of him. Not to sure just why he is here, other than that he came with Sally. Yes he was related to the ambassador somehow but still, he wasn’t of this court. Clarly to wild. I am not surprised that is who she met, but that any would be so bold. At least the others are not and the girl is showing sense and seeing that there are in fact others. A couple are even locals, and it is helping. Or was, but now. Well it should help to point out the boy isn’t from here. Sure enough Lady Glenda was watching when they entered and clearly noticed the boy, so would have something to say. At least she is off that idea that the girl was chasing her son.

One of the ladies shook her head and said. “See I told you that you wee making it up. The child doesn’t look like she was harmed. Now will you stop the silly stories?”

Idrias smiled a bit and said. “I am sorry if my going into the forest had you worried. I just needed some air. The foresters see that there is no danger here. I should have thought of how it looked. The worst that I have ever come back with is a twisted ankle and a few scratches. The woods are safe, even though I went out alone.”

“Here maybe but would the rangers say the same of Look out, where there was a tiger prowling?” There was a sneer in the man voice, clearly he was trying to imply that the rangers were dead.

Idrias made sure to keep her smile and shrugged. “The rangers keep the area of the Lookout clear of all predators. They do a good job, for all they can get a few dangerous beasts there. If you are asking if I was in that area, yes I was, but not at the lookout itself. When I run there in my other form I stay to the edges of the patrolled lands and move out from them. The rangers do their jobs just fine, so I don’t see the need to check the lands they watch as there as seldom even a little wolf to chase. It is predators I go after when I run in my other form sir. I feel that way I am doing some good. For all it might sometimes alarm a hunter to see a tiger in the trees. Not that many do, I can usually keep from being seen.”  

He shook his head a bit. “I am sure that is appreciated. I can just bet the enjoy having a shifter running around scaring the game and farm stock. I don’t see how you manage it. I can you that mine would be full of complaints. Having something running their hunts.”

Idrias took a breath and looked at her father then said. “Sir I do not know that any have complained of me. I can tell you that a few have been most grateful to see me. I have herded cows back in, but never chased them out, nor killed any. The closest I came to interfering with a hunt was leading some hunters to a ravine that had some trapped deer in it. I don’t think they mined a bit. Least they didn’t seem upset. a bit confused, that I didn’t go for the deer but not upset to have them”

He shook his head but Iron nodded a bit. Pleased with the answer, that was just the right way. She had done fine, not let her anger show, even managed to sound a bit confused. Just the thing to help, given the fact that they know. I do wish that could have gone a bit different, but it is done. Now to just see it managed.  “I have never had a complaint, for all I had been expecting to hear more once I gave her permission to running alone. The reports of livestock being disturbed actually dropped, and the only times I hear anything of her it is someone wanting to give her thanks. A few times I have been amazed by what she did and glad I didn’t know of it until after it was done. I am not worried about it. She knows what she can do better than we do. As she said there has never been a broken bone even, little own anything worse. Idrias is always in control of her actions, she has never been confused that way.” He smiled at her. “Idrias I hope it was a good run. Thank you for letting me know as I fear you were right to be worried about it. Some were indeed a bit worried about you being in the forest alone.”

Travis said. “I told you that I should have went with you.”

Idrias shook her head. “And I told you that wouldn’t have helped a thing. I do not need to waited on, I am fine taking care of myself. I know things are different in Landen but here that sort of offer implies a commitment that I am not looking for nor going to accept, even if you think you want it. I know that you are teasing, but the others do not. Now then I do need to go get the leaves out of hair, then I will join you for a hand or two.” She kissed him lightly, flushing a bit at being so bold, then made it to the stairs and up to her room. Waiting to see who would get there first.  It had been a bit much, but should give them something else to talk about. Sure enough as she was brushing her hair Sara came in.

Sara said. “That was brilliant, but do watch it. He might just be getting the idea that you looking for more. I do hope he knows you are not looking to from a clan. Some can be a think headed, and he has been a bit to watchful. Did he really try to go with you?”

Idrias nodded. “Even said he would wait for me to get back, as he was sure he could be of use.” Sara gasped and Sally shook her head. “He was joking, but it was a bit much. It is in part my fault for telling him just how many here would take him asking to see my other from. I should have realized he would jump on it, as upset as he was over the reactions. I saw to it that he understood that I am not looking for anything more than friendship. I made it clear to each that I have spent more than one night with. I didn’t want them thinking I was and feared that my inexperience with guys could make it easy to look like I was after more. If you are worried then I must be doing better at the filtering than I thought. Am I going to far, other than tonight? That was a bit much, I know, but I wanted to change the conversation. I do wonder that Ambassador Snowfield has not been upset by the insults. I do hope that they are not doing damage to whatever the talks are.”

Sara shook her head a bit, still puzzled as to why they would have sent him as an Ambassador. Surely they had to have better choices. “I am glad that you have made sure. No you haven’t been going to far, it was just that boy was a bit to clingy and I wanted to be sure you saw it was just a joke to him. He is looking for more, no matter what. He might be willing to wait but he is going to be trying. I am sure that the Ambassador knows that they are just trying to embarrass father by getting to you. No one would be so silly to believe a lot of the nonsense they have been saying. There is no way they could. You are doing just fine it is upsetting them more that you are not upset.”

Idrias said. “I just fear that a few do believe it, do see shifters that way. That they think we need to be shut away, that we can’t be trusted. That we are unble to think. There is just something in how they react. I know that Travis would be happy” She shook her head a bit then stood up. “You likely are here to see what I plan to wear tomorrow. I know that it is likely going to get frowns, but there is no way I can go out there n a dress. Far better that the Lords grumble over pants, then risk getting a skirt tangled on a bush. Luckily I have the perfect answer.” She went to the closet and pulled out the tan pants and shirt. They both looked light and fragile, but were not. The tan was softened by lace. “This is made for hiking, but yet just as clearly not for a man, so should do fine.”

She almost looked at them and nodded. “I am sure that is fine. I can’t belive you have to go with them, but at least  you do like that stuff. Just do try not to say any of them are worng even when they are. It isn’t right to apper to know more than they do. Don’t even think of saying anything about the tade issues that are bond to come up. It is not your place. Do be carefull. It is going to be a long day with all of them. It can be hard to put up  with, but you must always think of image. Just how it even? Who would have thought that maps. Of all things for Him to be interested in. To be thinking of reaching out to those trolls again. Why would any think they could be worked with? And the ruins somehow fit in. Just do be careful. Come on, we need to get down there. Just watch that boy. The other one is alright, that Travis though seems to have never been to court before. I don’t know why they would bring him. Some are just sure he caused a problem and needed space to fix.” Idrias was glad that she was not expected to answer as Sara pulled her out of the room. She had no idea just what to say to any of that mess. Nor did she want to try and sort it out. Clearly there was a lot of gossip flying around.