meeting for supper.

Vin said. “There are others in the family that hear the energy, and that use the lines. It is a trait on our side, likely as we have a long history of living near the break and some ancestors had lived on the other side. There are stories in the journals of some changing shapes, but I am not to sure if that was just those that came from there or if it was inherited.” Kat said. “Both, it is one of those traits that depend on the magic to show. One that will be woken by a crossing or a shift.” Rob looked at her. “The school trip that we sunk out for. That is why it was so important to you. I was wondering why you wanted to go see Castle so badly. It was nothing but a pile of rocks at that point. You just wanted to wake your changes. Never mind that we were nine and supposedly didn’t even understand what made the sides different. That is why I started seeing glowing spots and suddenly knew who was working a spell. That is one of the sleeping talents! That is why Mr. Rice refused to tell me what the spots are. I knew he could see them, for he was avoiding them, but he wouldn’t tell me why. I still don’t know why he avoids the pools they are harmless, just hum a bit when you stand in them. That is how most find them after all.” Kat nodded. “Mom was furious, but the family gathering the week before Aunt Helen told me that my forth great grandmother came from the other side. I knew that there were things that woke only in the presence of the energy streams I saw the plants blow and changed when they washed over. No matter what excuse was given, I could see the energy and knew what was going on. The ones here were not strong enough to cause changes in me, or rather had done what could. That is why were were able to cast spells after all. I decided that the reason I was so often kept in bed that year was that something was trying to wake but it needed help. Aunt Helen was only one that would listen to me, but she couldn’t take me. However when the school trip came up. Well, had seen the older kids sneak off the trips and knew just hoe easy it was so why not sneak on it instead? It worked I felt better once we crossed and got stronger in the days after. Of course I made more trips, now that I knew where to go. It was just a few hours on the bike. Long as I didn’t skip school more than twice a month no one reported it. Anyway the folks never asked me about the missed days.” Rob said. “We were there more than two-thirds of our class. They likely thought we were at some event, if they even noticed. I wondered what you did on your days, but you never asked so I didn’t. I went to Glent siren and got lessons there, but I knew you didn’t. You refused to pass the door, saying you weren’t going to enter when you couldn’t accept their laws.” Vin said. “I wonder if that is why Aunt Helen just laughed when we got the word you had ran away. She wouldn’t explain just said that it was about time you took matters into your hands. That everything would be fine now. She insisted that we each crossed the line once a year starting when we turned nine. Said that we needed to be safe, to be ready. Never did know what she meant, but we still make the trips, my sis brings her children, for all her husbands refuse to make the trips.” Kat said. “She read and trusted the old books, so knew the signs are here, that there will be a shift. Those that have crossed will have an easier time of it when it happens. It will still take you down, but you will recover faster. That is why the guards have to making crossing during the training.. Those that recover first are going to have power over those that take longer. Further in it won’t be as bad, but this close. Some will be out a day, others hours, going from the reports of the last shift.” She looked at the store and smiled a bit. “So odd not to see a section that is warded, to not see a weapons rack at the door. Things I didn’t even notice anymore but do now. Looks like we are getting here at the right time. Shouldn’t take to long to find the books. I have two history classes a computer class, and them four magic classes. Luckily they accepted my credits so I don’t have to retake to much. One of the magic is an introduction to Fishers, that has me a bit worried. I don’t do to well at being told things are beyond me.” Rob smiled. “I am sure the teachers will be glad of it. So no lit class this semester or languages?” Kat said. “There were no languages offered that I needed that I don’t have to take classes to get to. Those are two of the magic classes. As to lit, I felt the history fit my needs better.” Vin said. “Well I get to do the second year, not the first. Still I have to take the basics. Did get into intro of Fishers, so will have that with you. The rest they are making me take basics for, never mind I have studying with mages for years it wasn’t through a school so they won’t credit it. Even after I passed the tests. This semester is going to be a pain. I am here for Healing, but need more than that as I want to work in the remote areas. Yes I have included self defense and will work in Militarily tactics. Hunter says I am nuts. Dad said he hopes I will change my plan, but that at least I am being more sensible about it than Aunt Grace was when she started traveling.” Jasper said. “I have been taking classes in my gifts and wilderness survival, with all the languages I could. Not to sure what I will do, but.” He looked at Kat. “I know what was likely needed for what I wanted, even if it is not what I can have. My gifts will work well for a traveling wizard, and mt skill with weapons is on pair to keep me safe from most bandits, or so my instructors feel. That is better than sitting in an office all day at least. Come on, sooner we get them the sooner you can get out of here. You don’t want to be running late.” Kat said. “I have an hour yet, so am not worried, but yes we need to get them.” She smiled a bit and entered the store. Getting the books didn’t take to long, and then she was able to get away. She entered her apartment wonder what was worse, that she had paid to use a cane on someone or that it helped her. It wasn’t right to use them like that, to pay for the right to beat them. Sex was one thing, but this. Yes he agreed, but it wasn’t right. It was better than accepting Jasper’s offer, but it still felt wrong. To think it wouldn’t be the cane with her servant, but at least they had known what they risking. Most were told that they should leave before they failed, yet choose to stay and take the role of serving. It wasn’t like she took some one off the street, some who didn’t know what she was asking. The houses were there so that those with the needs had away to see to them. I just wish it wasn’t there. It is a help that he looked to enjoy it, not just the sex. She shook her head and wet to get the paper and pen, best to get the letter sent now. It will help him to know I went out. She was just finishing the letter when there was a knock on her door. She went to it and opened it to find Rob and John. Rob said. Petter is just a bit behind us, he stopped to pick up the food. Good, you look more like you with your hair down. It fit your clothes, but just looked odd to see you so done up.” Kat laughed. “That is nothing to court dress. I have had four maids doing my hair for a ball. Thankfully there will be nothing quite so complex needed here, but it will be worse than todays. It won’t help that my servant will have been trained in court dress. They won’t put froth any for consideration that haven’t been.” She shook her head a bit. “That is never going to sound right. I still don’t like the idea, for all I knew what I was agreeing to. Come on it. I am just finishing a letter.” She led them in. “Go ahead and look around, nothing is out that will hurt you. All spelled items are safely locked away.” John looked at her she flushed. “Habit, all students have some books of spells they are studying and some of them need certain protections in place to handled, so we always made sure any over knew they were locked out out. Just let me get this done and sent.” She sat back down and took up her pen. John looked and shook his head. “I would never have thought that was words. Looks more like some toddler got their hands on a pen.” Kat nodded. “It does, but Cilet is convent for bird messages as a lot can be said in little space.. All of my unit are fluent in it, and most of our Elite can read it. However the people that used it are just footnotes in history texts, so it is unlikely that to many places have put in the time.” She summoned a bird, and only realized how shocking it was when she head a gasp. “So how are birds called here? Do you have a station you go to? I didn’t think. I never need of them before I left. This is how it is always done on the other side.” She gave the bird the folded letter, and it went into a pouch, then she offered him some grapes. “You can tell them mentally or verbal who the messages is for, just do your best to think of the person. I always just tell where I need the message to go as a part of calling them. That way it is one willing to take it there that comes.” Rob said. “It is normal to call them if you can or there is a message station on main. However not inside the buildings. That is the only time I have seen one that would enter. When delivering they wait outside, might tap on a window or something.” Kat said. “Well at least I will know why folks are screaming. Southern messengers are not going to worry over little things like walls. They will come to me no matter where I am. The birds might be a bit better at it than the Kempils, but I doubt it, and at some point some is going to forget that I said use birds only.” Rob said. “That is going to be fun. I hope that I can see a fairy hand you a note in the middle of campus.” Kat said.” No doubt you will, I am sure it will happen. At least it will be a bit before it is a dragon. Milly was quite upset that she could come with me, but they can’t cross. No matter what you might have heard. Yes a dragon wanted to come with me. She is staying in a village just over the border, come with me next Saturday and you can meet her.” John said. “Just how big is she? I need to be ready for the reports of dragon stalkings, that without a doubt will be coming and nearly impossible to read do the the person taking it trying not laugh.” There was a knock on the door. “I have it.” He had one hand on his knife as he moved to answer. Kat said. “I told my neighbors you were harmless, don’t go making a liar out of me. My wards will take care any threat faster than your knife anyway.” He looked at her odd, then flushed and drooped his hand. Milly is small enough to ride on my should, but is very bright red and white and can have sparks surrounding her, making her look larger. She is deadly, but harmless. Wally, who is black and large enough to ride agreed that he should not cross the ocean unless there is danger than requires him to do so. Which he allowed was unlikely as Milly would be perfectly able to take care of any threats that might arise before the shift and at least three weeks after it. Given you all time to adjust before he was needed.” Petter looked at John. “Do I dare ask?” Jasper said. “I wouldn’t. Where do you want the food?”