The Choosing by Jeremy Laszlo, Ronnell Porter Page B

she knew exactly where they would be.  A girl who likes shoes.  Go figure.
    “Been here before?” Seth asked Sara in a sarcastic tone.
    “Yup.”  She replied. “But I’ve never actually bought anything.”
    Seth took her meaning, and took the boots from her.  Sara turned her head as Seth read the small tag hanging from one of the boots.  One silver, fifty copper.  A bit steep, but they were what she wanted, and she had obviously visited them several times.  This time Sara accompanied Seth to the counter.  No one sat at the counter, but there was a bell, so Seth picked it up and rang it.  A moment later a short white haired man appeared.  The old man greeted his customers and picked up the boots off the counter.  He read the tag on the boots and looked up again.  Recognition registered on his face.
    “Sara!”  The old man said her name almost hysterically.  “Why look at you, you look gorgeous.”
    Sara blushed and smiled lowering her face to hide her embarrassment.
    “You know.” The old man now speaking to Seth. “This girl has come in this store every day for three months, just to look at these boots.”  The old man smiled first to Seth then to Sara.  “You know young lady, if I could afford it, I would have given them to you.”  The old man’s face lit up even more then, if it were possible.  “You know what I can do though, I will sell you one boot, and you can have the other one for free!”
    Sara smiled so brightly at the old man; Seth feared the man might go blind.  Seth gladly reached into his small pouch and drew out yet another silver coin.  He handed it to the old man, telling him to keep the change, feeling it was the least he could do for the man making Sara so happy.  Sara plopped herself down on the floor right there at the counter, peeling off her old ragged shoes she tossed them in a small pail of trash next to the counter, and pulled on her new boots smiling the whole time.  The boots were also made from black leather, polished to shine.  They fit her perfectly from the tips of her toes all the way up her calves.  She laced them up tightly, and smiling at Seth stood and took a couple steps back for him to get a good look at her.  Seth smiled his approval, and she returned to his side, again taking his hand.  Sara was a bit taller now with the new boots.  Noticing her new height, Seth looked at the heel on the boots.  They must have made her three inches taller, but it was a wide heel, and so shouldn’t impair her walking.  They both thanked the shopkeeper graciously and left the shop headed once again, hand in hand, back to the main market.
    “You’re done buying me stuff right?  Sara asked almost pleadingly.
    “Almost.”  Seth grinned at her.  “I promise just two more things.”
    “What else do I need? Sara questioned a bit embarrassed that she really didn’t know.
    “Well.” Seth began to answer.  “We need to find you a pack, and I would feel safer if we found you something for protection.”
    “But I have you for protection.”  Sara stated in earnest but giggled a little despite herself.
    “Yes you do." Seth agreed.  "But we got some news last night that makes me a little nervous and I would feel better if you had something to protect yourself with.”  This he stated matter-of-factly leaving the subject pretty well un-open to discussion.  “Do you know how to use any kind of weapon?”  Seth asked her, almost certain she would say no.”
    “Well, James at the inn showed me one time how to shoot a crossbow.”  Sara said this with pride, finally not being completely oblivious.
    “That’s good.”  Seth stated thinking quietly that it was not so good.  Cross bows were very easy to wield, but they weren’t cheap.  So far they had done very well.  Seth had only spent two silver for all of her clothes which left him thirteen for the rest of the trip.  Seth knew he could teach her to use a bow, but also knew that if she could