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Kat got up showed and dressed relived that today her cloths didn’t matter as long as they were fit for a lot of walking. Well all right, it wouldn’t do to be in a uniform, but still she didn’t need to worry about what they were saying like she had yesterday, Today she would just be shopping. She went into the kitchen and shook her head as there was a bird waiting on her, with a letter next to them. She sat out some grapes and peppers. “I will have a better selection after today, sorry there isn’t a lot of choice right now. The stores wait on the market to get there goods in.” The bird chipped and dived on the peppers. She picked up the letter and opened it to see what Seal had to say. As expected he was delighted . To stop worrying they would make it there in time, even if it meant using a spell or two, that it had all been cleared as she knew. Yes militarily was right for the presentation, stop over thinking. They would be there and would see to the clothes for the coronation and supper. It was fine. He was glad to hear that they were being so strongly welcomed, even if it did cause stress for her. That was a good sign that they would accept help and head the warnings. Let them talk her into going to a bar a few times. It would be good for her. He was glad that she had gone out, but to remember it was to happen more than just when she was ready to snap. The point was to not get to the point in the first place. She shook her head, leave it to him. “There is no answer that needs to be taken right now. I need to get before the buys are gone. Yes I am being careful. I will be going to the guards office soon and then will have a knife that is visible.” The bird nodded and so Kat started to the door. She walked out the door and smiled to see Beth come out of hers. “Now that is timing. Good morning. John said that it is going to be a large market today. Thank goodness I can send things home by a gate without causing an alarm now. Unlike when I world do it when I was eight. Never mind I had been cleared to make them, some would yell every time I did so until I was fourteen. Now I am just going to get a few looks from those that don’t like mages. I fear there is going to be more mutters about outsides. I can’t believe I forgot about Coronation. This is going to be a mess. I am sorry for it is going to get you more attention just because you live near me and I am unknown. If only I had the time I was planing on, then I would be less a mystery.” Beth smiled a bit. “It will be fine, there would always be those asking about you. Yes there will be more after you have been to court, but we have lived here long enough that people have their minds made up about us. I am glad it is going to be a big market, the last few were so small it was hardly worth go as the shops cleaned out a lot of the stalls. So you think the news is out already?” Kat nodded. “John and Rob had to go to family game night after they left my place. They were going to see that the folks talked to them about me. So yes it is out. They are not going to be happy with yet another ambassador from the wild lands. Never mind who the person is. Father is one that believes another shift is imposable, that the barrier is permanent, despite all the evidence. That was the one thing that would get me extra chores. I mean coming in late seldom even got noticed, coming in late and drunk got a talking to, being seen at a whore house meant a talk about being safe, but saying that the barrier would die in my lifetime was sure to get a punishment. Never mind all the writers said it had a time limit, that it was just there to give us time to adjust, that it can’t last and isn’t healthy for the planet.” Beth shook her head, and looked at the girl, hearing the pain that she was trying hard to hide. It wasn’t right that she could tell even then that her parents had written her off. “That is silly, even in the center they admit that the day is coming when they will feel in effects of the energy. They are scared of what it will do, what the will loses but are working on ways to keep as much as they can. Spells have been replace tec for the last five years where ever possible. Yet the deniers are just sure it isn’t needed no matter what they are told by those that have dedicated their life to unraveling the first Split and what was done in those years.” She started to the door, they did need to get there for the best sales went fast and the market would be open soon. Kat nodded, and fell in next to her, “According to father Dr. Goldwash is the worst kind of fraud the world ever saw. Even when he brings up the writings of those that worked on the containing the energy. It is all just lies. I am glad to hear that others have been louder in the last years. That is a relief, for everything says that change is come soon.” Beth nodded. “So they are all warning and most are listening, but there will always be those that won’t. We can only hope that it goes better this time, that there is less destruction. Janet do you think there is any chance of thread this time? And how is the meet looking? ” A lady with green hair and yellow eyes said. “It is looking real good, there are a lot here from the other side so should be able to get a number of deals. Walt said all the clod storage stalls were full in both squares so should be a descent selection. More so as some of it won’t get looked at by Coldfish and few of the others buy in quaintly like they do. Not sure what all, but Walt thought there was lamb and beef of course. He saw beads and cloth, so thinks there will be thread as well, but wasn’t sure as he got the food not crafts this time, so just got a fast look.” She looked at Kat oddly. Kat said. “That is a help, I was hoping for some lamb, I am used to having it or deer, more than pork and beef. All John knew was that there was still wagons heading this way, nothing about what was being offered.” Kat held her hand out. “Kat Wildsone. I am here from Nightlin, both to start talks and to take some classes at Scholars. With a bit of luck there will be a few more that come to your school and perhapses a few will try ours.” Janet shook her head. “That has to have your folks in a state. I know you don’t recognize me, but I am from Calven Traders. I just stayed out of sight when we were here, but now my husband is in the guards so no more hiding, for all it gets a bit rough at times.” Kat said. “I am surprised you recognize me, I lost interest in your groups wagons once I knew you were farmers. I was hunting relics not carrots.” She laughed, letting Kat relax some. She truly just vaguely remembered asking if they were selling found objects. Some did, with the food they grew, but she had been told that they had nothing to do with the ruins. That such places were not safe to be poking around. It could have been for her father’s benefit, but she didn’t think so. “For all you produce was good enough that dad would buy it even knowing that your farms crossed the barrier. I am sorry that you found it needed to hide, but can see why. It is hard to be feared and many here do. Still it is better than it was before I left. I have not had seen any pass out because of a messenger bird, and clearly there are more line spells being done. I am sure that is is spreading fast that there is an Ambassador here from Nightlin, and just where that is. They are not going to be pleased, but it is time that there was trade between us.” Janet said. “Dad always grumbles about those that asked about relics. He dislikes treasure hunters. Says that to many of them are messing with things they don’t understand. Still I might not have remembered you, but you were my age and brought us notebooks at night, when you didn’t think you would be seen. Even now that we have better funding notebooks are left.” Kat said. “I knew that it was being lobbied for, but it wasn’t right that your school were heaving to skimp on paper when it was easy to get here. I couldn’t give it openly. That would have just caused problems all around. So leaving boxes with traders at night was the answer I came up with. Truly a lot of it the first years was considered junk paper. I hated that, but it was all I could get in a quantity to be useful. I am glad that other took over.” Beth said. “I bet that went over with your parents well. I am understating your relationship with them better all the time.” Kat shrugged. “It was one of the things they never appeared to know. They were also good at pretending that John was just Petter’s guard. They were good at not seeing things they didn’t agree with. At times they seem to think that not believing a truth will change it.” She smiled a bit as the sounds of the market reached them. It was odd to hear it again after so long. The markets at home were different. There was less languages here, but more color and jewels, for many here were out to be seen, not just shop. “I forgot that here the market is used to get noticed. That is more glitz than I have seen at a ball.” They both laughed. Beth said. “I never did understand why, yet they do. I would much rather be comfortable then dressed up and trying to walk. I don’t see the point of it.” Kat said. “I agree. I never did see the point of it, but then a lot times I considered having a jeweled scabbard on as being dressed up. It was a fight to get me in a dress, and I had to be sure I could run in it before I left the the house.” “Yet you insisted you wouldn’t joining the guard.” Garth said. “Refused even after you passed the test. Now then we all have seen your picture and know you are cleared, so put this on before you jump out of your skin. Just what were you thinking trying to come here without a visible weapon? You haven’t done that since you were ten!” Kat shook her head. “I am fully armed and this is nothing to the center market of Hitclt. I do not have a noticeable weapon me there unless in uniform. Besides armed strangers cause problems and I had no reason to expect the guards to know I was cleared.” He just looked at her, she took the sword belt from him and put it on, still shaking her head. He nodded. “Now then I had best not need tell you again. You are not to be on the streets without a visible weapon, even if you are a fancy Ambassador. Knights of the realm are not to be be without their blade, and yes that is yours. Every knight gets one, but it is fine to wear your normal one, just see you have on after this.” Kat shook her head. “Just when it that law get past. Hilder never had a sword on when not at court. Most folks never knew he was a knight.” Garth nodded. “However as of just before Aklands visit the old laws were all brought back and so he is wearing his now. We are making a statement. We might be small, but we are not without talent.” Kat said. I can see the need of it, so will see that after this I have a sword on me. I plan on going to see Wills soon so I can set a time to drop in for practice.” He looked at her. “I feel better asking. Our alliance is not yet made, so he might want to set a time.” Garth laughed. “Beth, the Fullers are set up in the second row, I told them you needed thread and so they have some set back, but still best not wait to long. I bet a lot of people are low on it. Janet there are some fantastic art works in the other square I am to be sure you know about. You ladies enjoy your shopping. If any look like trouble send me an Orb Kat. Your brother is being good and staying with the Royal party, but I will be walking the market. He said you were finding one for his guard. I hope they are used to dealing with those that don’t know when to step back and let the guards work.” Kat nodded. “Cheetah had the job of keeping me safe when I was injured. They are up to it, and will see that the rest learn how to deal with the challenges the two of them are.” He looked at her. “It was a year ago, I have been fully cleared for duty for ten months, but yes it was that bad, and I am honorable at letting others fight for me.” He nodded a bit and left.