"Why would they waste time and space on books?" Questa was disgusted.

"To explain how to use the magical items and how to make potions and the such, of course." Sileas rolled her eyes.

"Yer don't need ter read ter know that." Questa pried open a box, hoping it wasn't just books.

"You do if you don't want to accidentally turn someone in to a frog or make them go poof! never to be seen again."

"That might not be so bad." Questa eyed Yehudit as she pulled out some sparkly orange rock.

Sileas scowled. "Oooh that's pretty."

"Wotcher ffink it does?" Questa asked, turning the stone in her hand. "I bet it's worff a bit."

"We're not selling anything, even after we find out what it is. We don't know what any of it does and if it gets in the wrong hands, we're sunk. It all stays. Now come on and move the bed, this trunk is getting heavy."

"It might just be a pretty rock." Questa dropped the pretty rock back int the crate. She went over and moved the bed.

"It could be, but until we know for certain," Sileas grunted as she hauled the trunk in where she wanted it. Once it was in place the way she wanted it, Sileas moved the bed over, leaving enough room to slip a lock in the hasp. She couldn't have Oscar getting into dangerous weapons.

Yehudit tiredly flopped down on the bed. Her ankle was killing her.

Sileas gave her a look that clearly said she wanted to say she told her so, but Sileas refrained.

"I helped." Yehudit said stubbornly, not wanting her damned ankle to make her useless.

"I didn't say a word. But I do need someone to go see if I can get a lock and key for this trunk."

"I don't know where we'd get one." Yehudit said.

"There must be one somewhere. We can probably ask at the stables. They should know."

"Any lock can be picked." Questa said.

"I suppose I could put it right against the bed, though it will be terribly inconvenient if I have need of them."

"Stick 'em on yor belt and 'ang wot yer can fit on the bleedin' walls. Why are yer puttin' them in a trunk any roads, then, eh? Can't use a weapon in a trunk." Questa asked.

"Trying to keep them out of inquistive little fingers. Besides, I can't wear all of them at once. These are for times of trouble, not everyday."

"Times of trubble come wen yor not expectin' them." Questa said.

"It's not like I walk about unarmed. But I think being heavily armed all of the time might unnerve people."

Oscar was feeling like throwing up again. It might have something to do with the fact that he ate everything in the basket while Sileas was distracted.

Sileas left the bedroom area. She spotted Oscar looking a little green and an empty basket. She sighed. "I might need a locking trunk for food. I'm going to take Oscar outside."

"Maybe I've been poisoned." Oscar said unhappily.