#debukefarmhold

"No one's holding you hostage," He humphs "now holding CS Lewis hostage? Maybe"

Clem mmms "How about 3 nights by the balefire?"

"It is a lovely book, but an odd choice for a stand-alone."

"That illustration is rare and wonderful " He says, then looks at Clem "And don't I get that anyway for Right of Haven?"

"We never turn an honest kithain with no ill inteent aside," Clem nods, "But how you treat with one of my best friends might mean the difference between a very tiny room you share with one our old grumps who snores and a nice wide spot all your own, where you're NOT expected to chip in with stable cleaning"

Apparently, Right of Haven doees not mean 'doormat'

"Aye, and I would pay a fair price. Say...." She names a figure - it is one the low end of market value, but is not below it.

"Fine fine... but three nights, three meals good ones?"

Clem nods adding that into what Zara already offered

"Well, actually if it's okay I'd like it one night now, two nights in a month or so?"

Clem says "If we have an emergency it's off, but otherwise.." A nod to Zara " I think we have a bargain. And you will find the food here a source of pride for us. Mister Bullsworth"

The man starts to shake thier hands, but then says "Ah, pardon me, miss sluagh." And instead he gives a head bob

Hand on her chest, a slight bow.

They have their books, and the salesman is shown to a cushy shack all his own they have for guests.

Clem turns "Okay, what the heck did you just pay for? Because you seemed to get a good enough deal by the way your eyes are sparkling now, but that sounded pricey compared to normal costs. This a good find?"

"Well, I said I would play fair. That was market price."

"And this book appears unique...." She offers the two-way text to the troll.

She looks over one cover, "That's nice" smiling at the summer side, then she flips it over "Oh my" A light blush

"You sure it's safe? seems to have just enough glamour to have some oomph"

"Well, it is intriguing."

"But I thought you would blush at it."

"Well, got me there" She admits "Nice purchase on the Silver Chair though, only one I was tempted to fight you on" a smile shows she won't, then "Can't hardly read the title on that other book"

A secretive smile.

"It is a gift."

"I think I can get behind that" she picks up the lawbooks "Wonder if August would like this? He's probably got better"

"Still mm" she ponders

"Mm?"

"Well, the legal sytem can be banal but we do have run ins now and then. Not so many since that big corporation went down" Pleased by that

"I may see if August haas this, and if he doesn't, hand it over, if he does, well, some of us can read up. Either that or Sally mae, she's been busy as a beaver at Rivervale"

"Oh, guess which childling has turned into a big reader...." Clem fills her in as they talk of books and young folks who like them

(End scene)