A/N Thanks so much for the reviews and favs. I hope the story continues to inspire you to leave feedback! :) Rah!

Shadows and Whispers

Chapter 4

"An order from my future queen." Jeb was still chuckling after retelling his father about the glimmer. Wyatt was looking out the window of Jeb's office, trying to keep his thoughts away from DG and focused on the threat that might be headed towards them. If Shadows were indeed stirring again, this would be a struggle that no one alive had ever experienced. "Don't get me wrong, I like the fact that DG will be running things. I think she will be the best monarch our kingdom has ever seen."

"And that was it?" Wyatt thought the same, although with her parents choice for a husband it seemed they simply wanted her to carry on their legacy instead. It was nice to hear that she still had her spunk but from the way Jeb told it, she had backed down fast in the beginning.

"Yea." Jeb quieted and glanced down at his desk. "It looked like DG was gently moved away from the glimmer and then the Queen reappeared. She stated the whole 'you will be briefed at a later time' again and then the glimmer faded."

Still in control, still getting the image she wants. Wyatt grumbled under his breath, knowing that this was not going to be a fun time for DG. She was probably being berated right now, she had stepped out of line and it would not be tolerated. Three years later and he still had the urge to defend and protect…

"Who will you choose for the special assignment?" Cain moved over to his son's desk, pushing that train of thought aside, watching as Jeb pulled some personnel files from a drawer.

"You mean who can I do without? If a new regiment is coming they will have to be re-trained. Things aren't the same here as they are in other camps and I want to keep it that way."

"Maybe you should go." Speaking quietly, Wyatt didn't look up from the pile of paper on the corner of the desk as he made his suggestion.

"Excuse me?"

"Reinstate me. I can run things here and you can..."

"Babysit the crown prince? I don't think so."

Wyatt sighed and straightened the papers as he spoke. "DG will need some help, you know she isn't going to sit back and watch others put themselves in danger. She will be the one to defeat these Shadows, if that is what is happening."

"Then maybe you should go." Wyatt did look up at Jeb then, meeting his sons scolding gaze. Shaking his head, he quickly backed down. Jeb still didn't know all the details surrounding why Wyatt had chosen to leave and he didn't need that burden.

"You know that she doesn't want me there."

"Says you." Jeb frowned and crossed his arms.

"Besides," Wyatt took a deep breath, letting the comment go. They had argued too many times on that particular topic. "I don't want you here if those things come down this far."

"And knowing you'd be here will make me feel better how?" Jeb's voice had a familiar edge to it and Wyatt couldn't help but smile at how alike he and his son really were.

"It won't make you feel better. You should both be coming down here." Wyatt froze at the extra voice that joined their conversation. He didn't want to look at the glimmer, knowing all too well what he would see. And how much had she heard exactly? Jeb stood at attention quickly, facing the glass panel and Cain heard her soft chuckle in response. Immediately he knew this was not where he needed to be at the moment. He needed to be out in the officers room, distracted by the squadron that was rapidly approaching.

"Loosen up, I only have a few minutes until I am found out and I wanted to restate my orders." He saw Jeb relax with a smile and cursed himself for the quick shot of jealousy that shot through his chest. He had always been happy that DG and his son had become close. But part of him still wanted to be closer to her in other ways and that part had been denied a dose of DG for far too long. Slowly turning around, taking a deep breath to steady himself, his eyes snapped to hers almost immediately. Those same lovely blue eyes that had been in his dream only a short while ago...

"General Cain." DG addressed him politely and he nodded his head in return, slightly irritated at the use of the title she had given him years ago.

"Princess Dorothy." He saw a brief flicker of annoyance at her title being used in return but she moved her eyes to Jeb.

"I am sorry to interrupt without warning. I just needed to make sure you were clear on the steps of my brilliant plan." She paused, her eyebrow lifting as both men remained silent. Rolling her eyes she continued on. "Sheesh. A little more enthusiasm would hurt? One - gather everyone together. Two - run away."

"I'm sorry Princess. I am unable to follow your brilliant plan. As you stated you are my future queen, not my present queen." Wyatt watched as the girl in the glimmer frowned at his son. It took all of his strength not to smirk at her familiar expression of frustration.

"Figures you would be all technical about it. So why aren't you leading the detail that should be coming down here with Viktor?" Choosing to ignore the fact that DG was comfortable calling the crown prince by his first name, Cain looked at his son and sent him a look of smug agreement. But it quickly got wiped off his face with her next words. "Oh no, Tin Man, you will be coming with him. Let my mothers general stay to the north and you two get OUTTA THERE!" All three were silent as DG glared between the two of them. Wyatt dared not speak, knowing how easy it was to get into an argument with the headstrong girl but Jeb seemed of a different mind.

"DG" he spoke calmly, walking around his desk and closer to the glimmer. "This is my regiment. I led them through the end of the witches reign, I am not leaving them now." He sighed heavily and Wyatt struggled to remember when his son had gone and gotten so old. "You know I appreciate the concern, but this is where I am staying."

At his words DG seemed defeated. It was too easy a forfeit, too easy of a surrender. Her head lowered and Cain could tell she was trying not to cry. His heart ached to see her like this and he wondered how she had been managing to put on a brave face, holding back her wild emotions, trying to fit in...

"All right. But please Jeb..." For the first time since her distant greeting DG fixed her eyes only on Cain and he suppressed a shiver as he stared back at her. "Please Wyatt...don't wait until it's too late to leave."

Before either man could respond the glimmer faded and they were both left staring at an empty pane of glass. Wyatt could scarcely breathe, she rarely used his given name and her plea had been so sorrowful, as if all her hope for a happy ending was already gone. Just like in the dream...

"Commander?" Jordan walked into the room without knocking and paused as her eyes took in both father and son staring at the wall.

"Yes Lieutenant?" Jeb's voice was quiet and he had yet to look towards his officer.

"I'm sorry sir, but the prince has arrived."

Jeb simply nodded and moved back to his desk to put on his commanders jacket. "You may show him in." Wyatt made move to leave but Jeb looked at him and shook his head no. Maybe his son didn't like the idea of the crown prince any more than he did. Moments later Jordan returned, holding open the office door for crown prince Viktor of Andriean as he marched into the room. He was alone, unaccompanied by any of the soldiers that had been with him on the pass. Wyatt wasn't sure if it was a show of strength or trust on the prince's part. He was as tall as Jeb and looked only slightly older. His black hair was slicked back stiffly on his head and his cheeks and nose were a muddy red as if permanently cooled by the cold north wind. He smiled as the door closed behind him and extended a hand to Jeb.

"Commander Cain" his voice did not have as thick of an Andreian dialect as Wyatt had expected but the elongated 'o' and the roll of the 'r' were still distinct. "It is an honor. I have heard many good things about your camp here and the fairness you show upon both your people and travelers."

Jeb shook the extended hand and looked pleased at the compliment. "Thank you your highness, we do our best." With a gesture he offered the crown prince a seat but the offer was ignored as Viktor moved over to Wyatt.

"General Cain I presume?" Cain simply nodded his head in affirmation, not shaking the outstretched hand as Jeb had. Viktor's eyes narrowed slightly as he lowered his offered greeting. "Tales of your heroic adventure restoring the OZ and defeating the witch reached even our snowy lands."

"Didn't do much, just tried to keep the princess safe." Wyatt didn't want to be friendly quite yet. There was a lot of rumors and old stories about the Andreian people, not to many of them positive.

"I am sure you are simply being humble. I would very much like to hear of the tale someday from your own point of view. Certainly the story has been exaggerated by eager storytellers, but that does not lessen the triumph of the kill." Cain didn't react to the praise or the jab, just held his gaze stoically. "Yet, for now, we have a new enemy." turning from Wyatt to Jeb, Viktor moved to stand in front of the desk. "Queen Lavender has informed you of the attack in the early hours this morning?"

Wyatt watched as Jeb tried to keep his features blank. There had been no mention of an attack in the Queen's glimmer, only DG's reference to Shadows.

"Perhaps she was wise to keep it from you." Viktor frowned and lowered his gaze. "An entire village gone and everything dead. I, of course, gathered my squadron and began moving south instantly. My only thoughts were for the safety of my beloved fiancée."

"Who alerted you to the village's demise?" Jeb asked. It was something weighing on Wyatt's mind too - if the whole village had been killed...

"A patrol unit who was watching from a remote post. They are both brave men but what they saw turned them pale and sick." Jeb glanced at Wyatt before turning his attention back to Viktor.

"We are to form a small unit of our own soldiers to see you safely to Central City, I have been gathering..."

"There is no need Commander." Viktor held up his hand. "My men and I are quite capable of finding the way."

"There is need your highness. I have direct orders." Wyatt had to grin at the way Jeb stared down the crown prince.

"Very well." Viktor sighed with annoyance. "But do not believe we will slow to allow your soldiers to keep up. I am very concerned for the safety of my bride and I wish to be in Central City by sundown."

"Rest assured, your highness. My soldiers will have no problem matching your speed. She is, after all out future queen and our concern for her safety has been top priority for years, not mere weeks. I have arranged for your men to have a quick meal and your horses watered before continuing." Jeb looked away from Viktor then and focused on the files that lay on his desk, silently dismissing the prince.

"Forgive my brashness, Commander Cain." the sincerity in Viktor's voice caused Jeb to look up. "I meant no disrespect. I appreciate the chance to allow my men a brief pause in the journey. It will allow us to press forward with even more speed." He bowed slightly and turned to leave as Jeb looked to Wyatt, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"If there is anything else you require, your highness..."

Viktor turned and smiled warmly. "I will send you word if there is. And please Commander, Viktor. We shall be working together much in the future."

Jeb smiled and nodded as Viktor bowed again and left the office. Wyatt scowled at the back of the Crown Prince and then turned his gaze to his son.

"What? You were no help at all." Jeb stated simply and began to pull some files from behind his desk.

"I didn't shake his hand. Other than that I was civil."

"Yes. That help set the mood quite nicely. Thanks."

"I don't like him, son."

"And you think I do? Simply because he was polite and told me to call him Viktor? The way he laced compliments and insults...but I would rather be civil and keep a close watch than be closed off after the marriage." Wyatt sighed, turning his hat around in his hands.

"Yep. The marriage offers security. Unifies the lands. Insures peace for the OZ." he responded with an unenthused voice.

"And nothing for DG. I don't trust him. Not one bit. But she isn't a push over. She must see something we haven't."

"Don't matter much now, the contract has been sealed." He had known one day there would be a consort bound to DG but he had hoped she would have had enough gumption to fight for someone she could care for, possibly love even. But she had seemingly given in yet again to her parents demands.

"I know you're not going to like this. I know you want to stay here..." Wyatt looked up quickly, already shaking his head no in response.

"No, Jeb. I can't"

"I can't leave the border without my regiment. I can't possibly take them all and leave the new regiment to fend for itself. You said it yourself, she is going to need help and you don't trust Viktor anymore than I do..." Jeb stopped pacing and walked over to his father, placing a hand on his arm.

"I will write with every slightest bit of news. Once you reach Central City have DG set up a glimmer for you to this office and my bunk. You can pick the soldiers you want to take with you."

"If this is real, son. If the Shadows are returning..."

"Then the people in the village will need help being evacuated. You know I would never risk their lives. I will follow DG's two step plan should the time come."

"I'm afraid there won't be time enough." Wyatt looked at his son dead in the eye. "If it comes to you or them...Jeb I can't lose you again."

"Then you'll go?" As Cain nodded his reluctant affirmation, Jeb embraced his father tightly . "If I know you are with DG, then I know there is hope of stopping whatever is happening."

"No pressure at all then." Wyatt grumbled, returning the hug. Jeb laughed as they stepped apart and Wyatt ruffled his hair.

"Hey!"

"It's still too long."

"Get over it old man." Wyatt laughed as he walked toward the door. As much as he hated leaving Jeb, it felt good to have a purpose again. He had just gotten good at convincing himself that he was satisfied with a slower life, but he hadn't realized how much he actually missed the rush at the beginning of an assignment, his brain awakening to the list of dangers and possibilities, supplies and protocols. If he was leaving soon he would need a few things from his place. And he was a little worried about where his horse may have gotten to.