KAfan

I'm not giving up Traitor. Just taking a break. I re read a new way of life too before I went to this.

Babaksmiles

I'm glad you have a name now lol. Isolde is very different to Emile. And Shazara is the character you just wanna go AWWW about. She is meant to be that way. There will be love matches. I'm a romantic at heart.

Etraya

You gave up coke? Not fair. How come I can't give up? I'm glad you like the story!

Adena27

I'm so relieved that it flowed. I was so worry it'd be all over the place.

June Birdie

I checked your stories and I love it! I'm glad you like mine as well!

Marianna

I hate writers block too. I'm stoked you're so excited about my return as a casual light writer!

Devonshirelass

Thanks I'm glad you liked the start! I wanted to make Emile familiar but different so she was the girl we all know and love.

Chelss

Yeah there are a lot of names so I tried to make each personality really different to help identify them. Glad you thought it was cool though.

Amirra

Isolde is 16. I'm glad it's not too confusing with the knights kids etc. I hoped it wouldn't be.

LANCELOTTRISTANBABY

Glad you liked it. Here's a bit more for the story.

Cardeia

You are an angel for your suggestion. I tried it and it was good fun! I won't normally try and squeeze every character in one chapter but I am at the start so everyone can get to know them.

Je suis une pizza

Traitor is not abandoned so don't worry! I'm glad you could distinguish easily between the characters. I'm so glad about that!

Modernprincess

Kyrilla is in the chapter with a diabolical plot thing. Anyways super happy you like the first chapter.

ChiaraStorm

You described Isolde perfectly. I was really going for typical teenager. I didn't want to really alter the characters from the first story. But you like it… that's great.

Op

You read A new way of life in one go? Wow that's crazy. Actually you didn't review this story but hopefully you find it! Hope you like this story too.

Chiefhow

I really wanted to play with the fact about Isolde being left in the dark about her mother's profession but obviously it worked. Yay! And her and Tristan fighting… brings back memories!

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing.

MEETING

Garrett didn't move from his bed for a while. He could hear his parents moving around but he stayed silent and with his eyes firmly shut. He didn't know if he could watch another day of his parents falling more out of love. Guinevere had been bitter since the lose of her child and Garrett began to suspect that the only reason Guinevere had married his father was to unite the woads. His father's hair had been dotted with gray as he became stressed under the title of king. If anything turned him off wanting to be the king it was this.

He was envious of his friend's parents. They were all so in love. Even Emile and Tristan despite the occasional tryst and what Isolde said. If only his parents could be as affectionate and devoted as Korella's parents. Lyndaal and Gawain were so rapt with each other Garrett found it hard to believe they even noticed there were other people of the opposite sex.

The only person he could think of that would share any of his feelings with good reason was Shazara but she hardly talked to anyone. Not that he could blame her. He hardly talked either. Lancelot and Alera seemed to have a forced fondness. It wasn't obvious straight away but if observed it became startlingly clear. And what else did Shazara have to do but observe her parents? It wasn't as if she was included in any of the outings they had among their friends.

He tried to force these unwelcome thoughts of broken down marriages out of his head. They went only to be replaced by another unwelcome thought. Isolde! Garrett always behaved differently around her and it confused him. He didn't need more perplexity so early in the morning but her face refused to leave his mind. He groaned and pulled a hand through his riffled hair. He had discussed this problem with Merlin during one of their king lessons. He had noticed that Garrett's mind was elsewhere. Merlin had diagnosed love and Garrett had scoffed. Love? That was ridiculous. He was just fond of her. They had spent most of their childhood in each other's pockets.

There was silence in the other rooms and Garrett assumed that at least one parent had left. He couldn't be sure though. There were so many silences now. When they weren't talking to each other because they had nothing else to say. But he couldn't lie in bed all day. So he pulled himself out, grunting as he went. His arm was sore from training with a sword. As his gaze passed over where he had lay his head a flash of white caught his eye. Further examination revealed a letter. Curious Garrett opened it.

Greetings young Prince

There is a meeting taking place tonight in the third hall.

The second room on the right.

I'm sure you are familiar with it.

Invitations have been extended to other particular people

Which I would like to be member of a group.

The subject of conversation is parents.

I expect you there after dinner has adjourned

For tonight's ball.

K

Garrett read the letter before placing it back down. Who was this mysterious K? Of course he would go. He would take weapons of course and he would take Kaye and Armand and Baltimore. But the true thing that enticed him? The mention of parents. Everybody he seemed to have spoken to seemed to have a problem with parents.

Garrett finished dressing and left the room. Both parents were thankfully gone. Well it was a problem that had to be dealt with and maybe tonight they would sort out the troubles of everyone involved. Garrett shook his head with a grim smile. He was getting carried away. How could he expect in just one evening to solve his parents issues, which had been developing over years. He sighed and left his rooms. Just as he was leaving Vanora rushed past dragging bedraggled Kaye. She was holding a toddler. Kaye saw his friend emerge into the hall and got a glint in his eye. He flashed a white card and winked. A small smile crossed Garrett's features. He knew Kaye for one would be there tonight. But for now he was late for a lesson with Merlin.

Isolde pounded on Korella's door. It was thrown open by Korella who looked at the best unhappy to see her friend.

"Who did you kill?" Korella demanded.

"What?" Isolde asked confused.

"Death is the only worthy reason of coming by at this time," Korella snarled. She was a late sleeper.

"The sun has risen high. It is almost mid morning," Isolde said pointing at a window down the hall which was filled with sunlight. Korella snorted and went to shut the door. Isolde jammed her foot in the door and held up a little white note. Korella blinked a few times, fixing her eyes on the card. Slowly she fished in her pocket and pulled out one exactly the same.

"It was Garrett," Isolde concluded.

"But it's signed by K," Korella pointed out hastily trying to open her letter again to check if she had missed something. Isolde snatched it out of her hand.

"I know that but it's not hard to sign something with a false name," Isolde sighed at having to explain every little detail.

"But why would Garrett send it?" Korella asked sincerely puzzled. Garret was a private person. It made no sense.

'He mentioned something to me yesterday which has led me to believe it was him that sent the note."

"So we're not going?" Korella guessed.

'Of course we are!" Isolde exclaimed as if Korella was a fool. Korella resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Isolde's dramatic display. At that point Gawain walked past wearing nothing but a sheet wrapped around his waist walked past. Korella adverted her eyes and looked skyward offering a silent prayer for a parent switch. A parent who wore clothes the majority of the time.

'Hello Gawain," Isolde said trying to keep her eyes on his face. She would have to be dead and buried not to notice the muscles rippling down his stomach. But this man was old enough to be her father and he was married.

"Hello Isolde," He greeted her, ruffling his daughters blond hair, so similar to his own. He appeared completely oblivious to the two girls uncomfortable state with regards to his own nakedness.

"Gawain come back to bed," A voice called. Korella looked set to die from embarrassment. Gawain grinned ruefully and he gently pushed Korella out the door.

"Sorry, your mother calls." And with that he shut the door behind them leaving both girls in the hall. Korella had her mouth hanging open.

"Did you see that?" She demanded of Isolde, "There must be laws against that." Both girls stared at the door. An arm appeared from nowhere and snaked around both their shoulders.

"Morning ladies," It was Baltimore. Isolde grimaced and shrugged his arm off and Korella rolled her eyes but suffered his arm there.

"Well what are we doing out in the hall way at this time of the morning?" he asked trying to exude charm.

"Nothing, discussing things," Isolde eluded his question.

"Wouldn't be this would it?" A white note was flashed under both their noses.

"K has no taste if he invited you?" Isolde informed Baltimore harshly.

"Well he invited you so that would have been the first sign of no taste?" Baltimore asked wide-eyed.

"Get!" Isolde shrieked as Korella sniggered. Baltimore danced out of arm reach.

"Just thought I'd warn you ladies Mistress Qurick is coming this way and she is determined to have you married by your seventeenth birthday," And with that he was gone. Running down the hall.

The girls faced each other with open mouths.

"Did he just say?"

"Yeah," Korella said weakly.

"Run?"

"Yeah."

And with that Isolde and Korella took of down the corridor. Their hair streaming out behind them. The last thing they needed was to be caught by mistress Qurick the matchmaker who thought it was her own personal duty to see every woman married. It had been a popular belief that with her new marriage to genius Fox she wouldn't have time to get people together. That hope was dashed as she doubled her efforts.

Kel and Emile stood watching the proceedings of the ball. Some ambassador was here from a country called France. Emile had been talking to them subtly because she didn't want to alert her obnoxious oldest daughter she could speak most of the languages of the known world. But it had become too obvious and so Emile had excused her self to go sit with her best friend Kel.

Kel was pregnant again and for the last time she swore. Lyndaal and Gawain were streaming around the dance floor. Dinner had just finished and dancing began. Fulicina was speaking to Dagonet and Bors about something or another. Galahad was speaking with the ambassador. Galahad had revealed a talent for languages since his service to Rome was over and had spent much time learning all that Emile would teach him. Arthur had been taught the basics as well but you could tell that he greatly appreciated having Galahad there to aid with translation. Tristan was holding a baby for Vanora to feed.

Emile watched this fondly.

"Who knew that Tristan was going to be so good with children?" Kel asked Emile as she put her feet on the table. Some of the migrated nobles watched with distaste but she was pregnant and so she didn't Kel.

"I didn't," Emile said as she smiled at her husband, "But Galahad's not bad himself is he?"

"Not bad at all. Baltimore is not much like him but they have the best relationship."

Emile nodded in agreement but a sad look crossed her face as she was reminded of her own terrible relation ship with her daughter. Kel patted her hand sympathetically.

"She doesn't hate you," Kel assured her.

"She threw a book at me this morning," Emile snorted.

"But you caught it right?" Kel asked.

"Yeah and threw it back at her," Emile admitted guilty.

"Not the smartest idea. They call that child abuse."

Emile shrugged she honestly didn't care anymore. She was sick of pretending to protect her daughter and not having it appreciated.

"Speaking of the children. Have you noticed that the oldest have made themselves scarce?"

Emile hadn't noticed but she looked up and realised she couldn't see any of them. In fact she hadn't seen them since dinner. Even Shazara had gone. Strange thing. Emile's spy sense tingled but she threw up her hands.

"Good some peace and quiet."

Emile was glad to be rid of her moody daughter for the moment. Isolde was thinking much the same thing. Glad to be rid of her mother.

Korella and her had slipped out easily and found the nominated room. They pushed open the door and went inside. Garrett was there with Kaye. Garrett inclined his head in greeting. Kaye slapped Korella on the back and forced a smile at Isolde. She thought she was too good for them and Kaye had no time for that pompous attitude.

Baltimore slipped in a moment latter. He flashed grins at everyone in the room. Armand and Shazara followed after. Isolde groaned inwardly at the appearance of Shazara. However Shazara, despite noticing her cousin's face, smiled sweetly at everyone and for the most part it was returned. Garrett, who observed everyone, noticed her smile fail when her gaze fell upon the cold Isolde but he didn't open his mouth to defend the girl. He was busy gazing at Isolde. Enraptured by her cool gaze. His face on the outside remained blank.

There was silence in the room before Kaye spoke.

"Is this it do you think?"

"How would we know?" Isolde returned bitingly. Kaye ignored her as he had addressed the question to the civil people in the room.

"I think this is it," Baltimore surmised. Korella nodded, agreeing with Baltimore. Shazara stayed quiet and so did Garrett. Isolde was sulking as she usually did when she got around other people.

"Everyone enjoy the feast?" Armand said to break the growing silence.

"Good!" A deep voice announced, "you are all here."

Everyone rose to their feet. The males reached for their swords, Korella went for her dagger. Isolde and Shazara, who had no interest in learning weapons, just watched a man appear.

"You!" Isolde screeched.

Kyrilla stepped out of the darkness, "Yes me. Honestly this is turning out so cliché."

There was silence as everyone scrutinized the man. They could feel the power radiating off him and Garrett's words from yesterday echoed in their minds. He wasn't human.

"Lets make this matter short, I have a place to be in a short time and it could result in catastrophe of the watery kind if I'm not there to sort it out. So let me begin. I am the god of… uh… secrets. You can feel my power but you won't believe me so if I stop talking for an instant you will all cry prove it. Honestly humans are so predictable. So to save you all from a useless sentence I'm going to do this."

He changed form several times before returning to the man. Every single human had their mouth gaping.

"Oh sit down," Kyrilla said. Emile had taken the appearance of a god in her stride. These youngsters were about to hyperventilate. "Just breath," He added off handed to Baltimore.

"Where was I? Oh yes god of secrets. Your parents have a secret. I want to know it. You want to know it. So we're going to help each other know it. Whose in?"

Five hands shot up immediately. The other two followed more hesitantly.

"Right so I'm the president of this club. We don't have jackets or a dental plan but despite all that it's going to be interesting. Meet here same time next week. I'll have a plan for you to execute!"

And with that he disappeared. Emile would have said typical god with the appearing, talking fast and the vanishing. The people in the room couldn't talk. Kyrilla's plan had been put into action.

AN: so right yeah. Nothing to say. Lovely feedback. I'll probably update Traitor next. Isolde is not meant to be a likable character by the by. Anyway. Kyrilla is being bad. There is an ulterior motive behind this "group." Please review. What you hate… what you love… whatever! Beside Emile and Isolde are completely different on purpose. There is after all one Emile and how boring would it be if the next main character was the same kind of person? Besides in the story I'm gonna share the spot light a bit more.

MD666