Alright, second last chapter. Why do I bother you ask, because I have it on my computer anyways and I am trying to perfect a certain element in this story. Tell me if you figure out what it is.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.


Red cloth, that's the first thing Jade saw. She sat up on her own.

Sir Darrel was sitting by the bed, "Joining the land of living?"

"What was that?" Jade spoke slowly.

"That was a curse. It was probably from a magician in the last battle."

Jade's thoughts immiediately went to Jackie, she hadn't thought of him in a long time. What if it was him? Why was she still here then?

"On the other hand, we found that you may have actually summoned the curse yourself. That fountain was reffered to in another library. It is a fountain that sunk Atlantis."

Jade was shocked. It is the first time she's heard of any reference to her world!

"Atlantis? I know that place!"

Sir Darrel frowned, "Really? no one knows about Atlantis. We only know that something powerful sunk the place, and gave great flooding powers to the Fountain of Water."

"How did it get summoned back?"

"You summoned it."

"No! I mean, how did it get to the other world?"

"I have no idea."

Jade sighed, it was something at least. "Can I borrow that book then."

A week later, Jade was in another library when a messanger found her.

"Lady Jade. Her Majesty, The Great Lady Tourn. . ." Jade wondered to herself if titles and position were as important back home as they were here. Here, the Queen was expected to take two minutes to enter a room, simply because she must be introduced with her titles. Maybe it was just compensation for not having a castle, or the households, or even the crown. Maybe if they had all of those things, the Queen's messengers wouldn't even bother telling you who the message was from. They would hand you the seal, and walk away.

If the messenger did that now, even if the message was only from another knight, Jade couldn't imagine the reactions, or anyone actually doing it. People would react though. They just would. Unless it was an emergency, that was different.

Pulling herself back, Jade listened as the messenger finally told her that Her Majesty wanted to see her, there was a set time, in an hour .

An hour later, Jade used the Rabbit to bypass all the gaurds outside, and head straight to the room that her majesty was taking audience in. The gaurds outside the door took the moment to announce her.

"Ahh, Knight Jade," The Queen waved her closer. "Captain Isik, This is the Lady Knight I was telling you about before. Lady Jade, this is Captain Isik, Lord of the Temple of Glorn."

Jade stole a glance at him. Instant permagrin. She couldn't help it. He wore Sorcerer robes over his armour. She couldn't see his face, as he was closer to the Queen, but he had long white hair, as was common in ancient sorcerer families. He had massive shoulders. He turned around partially, looking to see who the queen was reffering to. Completely starstruck, Jade couldn't help but stare. He was drop dead gorgeous.

Something pulled Jade's robes. Jade snapped out of it, looking at the young queen.

"Well, I am asking that you two be ready to leave for the young prince tomorrow. You will lead an escort out to him, and bring him here."

"Your future husband will arrive safe," Jade promised.

Sometimes fate is funny like that. Jade could feel his eyes on her back all the way out.

"Lady Jade," Jade's squire races up. Two years, and the boy was proving himself to be quite competant. Jade still feared to take the boy out of the city, but she could see him growing up to be a worthy soldier, or maybe even a knight himself if the war wasn't over by then. The last two squires died, one from illness, and the other after mistaking enemy as ally. It only took a second, he saw a man with a bow, saw what he thought was long, unkept hair, and tried to move past him. 12 years of training, probably starting when the kid could first stand for crying outloud, wasted in seconds. What he thought was hair, were actually ribbons on the General's hat.

The next morning, Jade surprised her squire, by letting him come with them.

A year later, 23 years since she first disappeared, Jade was sneaking very carefully in the long grass. She stopped a good eight feet from were she knew he lay. Stiffling her giggles, she picked up a dirt clog.

"Jade?" She stopped, giving herself a moment to get it under control. Toss. The sound of dirt hitting something and breaking. Jade picked up another. She tossed it at him again.

"What the-Jade! where are you?" It was too much. Jade broke out in giggles.

"I should have known," the Captain passed through the grass. Jade didn't stop giggling when he picked her up. In fact, she could only laugh harder.

"You hit me by the way."

"Oops."

"You don't sound apologetic."

Jade tried her best to sound sorry, "oooopsies"

He laughed, setting her down on his cape that had been spread out on the ground. Over the last year, the two had been inseperable. They went everywhere together, but this was the first time they went anywhere alone. Jade was making the most of not having anyone else around them. The queen had given them the day off, as tomorrow night, they would finally storm the capital. It was time. They wouldn't survive another winter here, and although they were outnumbered at least three times over, it was the first time that the main armies left the city. The Queen's support was at a hieght now, and they would lose it quickily if they didn't act fast. It was the last chance for them. The army that was leaving would bring a princess from a nearby country back.

Even just waiting for tomorrow seemed like a stretch the more Jade thought of it. It was times like this that Jade wished she had the last talisman. If she did, Jade would give that last talisman to Isik. Jade was afraid to lose him now.

"Jade," Isik sat down on the grass. "Do you possess magic powers?"

"Of course, is there anyone in this war that doesn't?" Jade laughed.

"No, I mean powers that are-" Isik struggled to find the right words, "gifts. That you did not learn, or could not learn from any book?"

Jade immiediately thought of the talismans, "I do. I possess eleven talismans of power."

Isik slowly lay down, sighing. "What do they do?"

"Different things; fire, speed, movement," Jade traced the bones in his hand.

"If I may, why have you never surrendered this power to the queen?" Jade sat back.

"Why are you asking me this?" Jade snapped.

"I merely want to know. You never get sick, you always find a way out of every situation, you are always there when you're needed. . . " The Captain smiled, tugging her body back down.

Jade lay back down, thinking it over. Really, it had never occured to her to share the powers with the queen. Well, to be honest, once apon a dream, Jade had considered it, but then realized that the talismans served a greater purpose in the frontlines of battle, than behind the safe city walls. "These powers came from a far away land, where I am from. I have been using them a long time, and they could not serve her majesty as greatly as they can through me."

It was a partial lie. That was a reason, but it was only part of it. What would Jackie say if he came and she had lost the talismans? She wouldn't have been protecting them all this time knowing that she would give them away freely.

"Hmmm," Isik sighed, settling down. "I got you something. I heard you were interested in dimensions. My library does not have many books on this, but it does have a book on portals. I thought you might like it."

Jade took the book smiling. Really, Jade wasn't sure if she should go back. "Thank you. You have given me something to think about."

"I hope to always give you something to think about, Jade." If she were younger, Jade would probably have been ill with the sweet words. Jade laughed, then pounced on him. Not the best martial move, but Jade could live with a suspisciously familiar voice barrading her for the lack of stealth.

Jade grabbed a little girl by the shoulder, lifting her, and throwing her back in one fluid movement. "Hiiya!" She backed up from the wall of armed men and women trying to take the city.

Jade drew Trident. The mob cut down an unfortunately leashed dog in their path. Jade backed up more. "Driana, go back!" She told the girl. She had landed not too badly, from what Jade could see, two good skinned knees, and an elbow. The rest of the children were already running back. "Driana!" Jade couldn't say anything further, the army of supporters crashed into her.

Damn. Jade defended as best she could, and prayed that the kid had run. The Capital's streets were far too wide for her to defend completely. Davin would be devestated if she died.

The knights of their sect had been left in control of the capital city. With the queen out of the city, some supporters gained enough courage to try to over run them. Jade tried to remember that was what this was. It wasn't hard to forget, pedestrians lacked the dexterity that comes out of years of real combat. The only hard part was the sheer number of them. It felt like the entire city had started fighting.

They began acting like animals, or even worse than animals. They cut down anything in their path. They trampled anyone, even themselves to death. They threw chamberpots out of windows. Like now, one hit the a man a few feet away from Jade. In seconds, the man's yells died out. He had fallen. Jade backed up and continued. Another item came crashing down. Jade could hear the wood splintering as the mob didn't stop running around. This time, Jade couldn't miss it, a bed! It crashed down on the crowd, knocking a good handful of people down. Jade took a second to look up, some old ladies were now throwing fruit at them.

"Eyes foward lass," Jade snapped back to attention.

McCail was at her side in seconds. It helped to have people beside her. Slowly, as more support came, they could make a wall from one building to another. This was the typical plan to stop the riot. When the wall was strong enough, the people had to find another way to go. They crashed into one another, and tried to find another direction. With so many other options, and no clear order to follow, the crowed split up. Some headed straight back where they came from, some dove into windows of the surrounding homes, others went down the alleyways on either side of the road.

Jade didn't chase them, the scare of seeing authority was enough to make most of panic uncontrollably. But they would lose power as their numbers dwindled.

It would take a miracle for the city to still be standing for her majesty. Jade was getting too old for these challenges.

. . .

Jade couldn't help but grumble to herself. And admittedly to the tiny baby in her arms too.

"I am too old to care for a child! I am not even married!" Something Jade was more than unhappy about. No one could marry until the rightful queen and king sat apon the throne. Anyone who tried was imprisoned, anyone with children were fined. And she had been fined three times since leaving the captial city. She wouldn't have enough to pay off the next one, no matter how much the king had given her. It was mostly gone.

"The enemy is at our gates. The time to run is gone, now is the time to hide our treasures!" Jade mimicked the king. Even after all these months, she was still furious at being ordered out to no where, and away from her beloved- the little princess cried again.

This was the one part that Jade didn't mind. The little one was nearly one and a half. Sir Isik didn't age, but despite the healing of the horse power, Jade did. At Least she thought she did, she had some silver hair, and a deeper womanly voice now. And this life was not easy on her, it was probably due to the healing that she hadn't been taken down yet, or seriously injured. Her right arm still had phantom pains though.

"Hush," she croo'ed, feeding her.

Jade had the mountains again. It was oddly reminiscent of the rebellion's flight of terror 30 years ago. This time though, she had more time to appreciate the view. It was hard to do that when you are getting shot from behind. Unfortunately, like last time, she couldn't use the road. Not being able to pay taxes if anyone saw her.

The baby fussed, so Jade started tossing her in the air. "We're going to Taa-aall!" She sang over and over.

Yes, this part, with the giggling baby, was Jade's favourite part of this assignment.

. . .

"Lady of Awroe, how can I help you?" Jade asked, setting up tea.

"I am looking for Lady Jade Knight of Talisar," The lady tossed her pale brown hair over her shoulder, looking around the room.

Jade smiled, "I am sorry, I was not expecting the need to wear my full attire. Was there something you needed?"

"Oh," the mage blinked at her, "You do not look that old."

"Healing magic, what can I say? My betrothed will enjoy my silver hair though."

"You look no older than 25. . ."

"Except for my silver hair, I know." And her voice. That had gotten older too. And sadly, the horse hadn't brought her right arm back either.

The mage still looked shocked, "You are more than 60 years old . . . "

"Why are you here," Jade would not tell her how far off she was.

"Her majesty needs you."

"What for?" Jade sipped at her cup. She had no business with the queen, or the war until her demands were met.

"She is dying."

"And her own healers cannot help?"

"Sir Irik told her that you might be able to help."

"Sir Isik, as it is in the North."

"You should go."

The queen looked ill, lying in her bed. Her husband lying at her side.

"You summoned," Jade stood proud, she would not bow to the woman who had sent Sir Isik across the seas in a half-thought plan to achieve alliances.

"You came," The queen's face lit up, just like in the old times when Jade visited. "You haven't aged a day."

"I've aged many, I am an old crone and still have no husband of my own."

"You are still bitter. You may have your husband, Sir Isik, or any other you desire, name them now," The queen ordered.

"Sir Isik, always Sir Isik."

"Then he is yours, I will send a pidgeon out, informing him of the matrimony," the queen gasped. Breathing was getting harder.

Jade knelt by the bed. The queen beckoned her closer, Jade came. But she couldn't heal the Queen. Instead she leaned forward and willed herself, all she had to do was touch the stone to the queen's hand-but no, the Queen would take it away, and keep it. She would have to wait.

It took three days, before Jade could heal the woman. The next day, Jade was sent out in the front lines of the battlefield.

. . .

Jade was walking down the hall when a large stone bounced off her head. She was twenty paces behind the King, enough that he wouldn't have noticed anything was amiss if Sir Daniel hadn't called out.

Jade quickily recognized the dog, and leaped down frantically to pick it up. They were still out there! Looking for her! Jade kissed it, she was so happy. She was so excited in fact, that she didn't notice the King standing before her, until she tried to pick the stone up from Jade's hands.

"What? Your" Jade pulled the stone to herself.

"Let me see it, Lady Jade," he ordered.

Jade handed it over, remembering bitterly that America had no king. Her home, she missed it all over again.

"What is this?" The King asked, turning it over. Looking at either side.

"It is an heirloom, from Jade's Uncle. It was thought he had died many years ago."

"It is a sign that he lives! That he loves me," Jade adds.

"Tell me, where is he then?" The King asked.

"We were heading to enemy territory, Uncle was going to pay our taxes," Jade relays the old story that Sir Darel unknowingly helped her to make.

"He must have been taken prisoner. All the tax payers have been taken prisoner," The King looks down at the polished stone again, his eyes shining.

"Jackie says the dog is the obedient servant. It means he will be coming to me very soon."

The King hands the talisman back, "I prefer dragons or horses."

Jade can only breath a sigh of relief. She doesn't want to let anything of Jackie's go. And she would need immortality when she was sent back to the frontlines, where she had been kept for the past 18 years.

. . .

Jade had the perfect gift to send her husband for their 20th aniversary. The Stone of Wisdom, she had found amongst a ruined house her mother in law had probably died in.

Saying a quick prayer, Jade picked up the pink stone. "Don't worry," she muttered, "This is going straight to your son."

. . .

The messenger at the door of the tent asked to see Lady Jade. He wouldn't speak to any other.

"What is it? We are about to head out again," Jade signalled him to follow her to her horse. A gift from Sir Isik, as the horse could not cross the sea. Lately he was only kept alive by the power of the horse and dog continuously everyday. Jade had no idea how old he was supposed to live, but guessed at 60, she should be grateful.

"I come with news from the capital city-"

"Unless it's surrendering, I don't want to hear it!" Jade readied herself to jump up, onto the horse much taller than her.

"Lady Jade, your husband is dead!" Jade froze, turning around.

"Where did you hear this?"

"The carrier pidgeon, he died with our Prince. Her Majesty had an attack of some sort when she recieved the news," The messenger carried on.

Jade's squire interrupted, Lord bless the man. Jade trusted him enough to let him carry the dog talisman. He signalled that he needed an imiediate word, and huddled close.

"Her highness is coming here, and she's riding fast!" Jade followed him to the other side of the camp, arriving just in time, to hold her highness's reigns.

"Lady Jade!" She hugged her. "I came as fast as I could, am I too late?"

"Probably," Jade muttered, hugging her almost granddaughter.

"Sir Isik and my uncle, the whole gaurd-" She shook her head.

"I know."

"Please come back to the city with me. I can't go there alone! Everyone is mourning and crying and not thinking of the war. We could be marched apon right now and never even notice!"

Funny her Highnesses gaurds were not crying or mourning, and all 300 of them looked offended at her words. Ever the diplomat, Jade thought sarcastically.

. . .

This time was just like last time 29 years before, the queen lay in her bed, the king was absent though, having died of influenca last year.

"Heal me," the queen weezed, with barely the energy to form the words. Like last time, Jade knelt by her side, taking her hand between both of her own. She leaned close to the queen's ear, contemplating what to say.

"You are the reason I lost him, you are the reason I will die an old maid. But I get a granddaughter, thank you for that." Jade invisioned the words. They felt so sweet, then she would turn around and walk out that door. She could do it right now.

Instead Jade pulled out the horse Talisman, and focused on the Queen. There was a bright light, and then the Queen died. Not how it was supposed to go. Now Jade had to worry about assassination accusations.

"Sometimes to heal is to die," The princess came further into the room, not once glancing at her mother. "I know you did what you could. And now I am queen. May I live to sit on my own throne."


Jackie was frantic as he paced from side to side of the small hallway. the doctors were once again trying to get Jade to come back. Although she wasn't breathing, somehow they had nearly 'lost' her.

Uncle was with him, instead of with her. Jackie was more than upset about that.

"Mr. Chan? You should go in now," the doctor told him, "Her body is deteriorating, we'll have to call the morgue now. You can have until they get up here."

"What?" Jackie turned to Uncle.

"We tried Jackie, there's nothing more I can do," Uncle said slowly and deliberately.


"We will take the city!" Jade told the Queen. "We will not last another year here. We must act now."

This was only partially true, but Jade was tired of the war. She wanted it to end, and now. Immortality or not, Jade was too rung out to last another year. More than 80 years, Jade had been fighting. Their youngest fighters were even getting too old. Maybe the queen saw this when she looked to her grandmother.

"Alright. I have been queen for two years, it is time I sat on my throne. The City is to be abandoned, no man or woman is to be left behind. We are all going to go out and attack. Empty all of our other cities as well. They can go back after this is done."

"At least we won't have to worry about children," Jade sighed.


"Jade," Jackie sat down beside her, "You need to come back now! I can't stall for anymore time than I already have."


It had been ridiculously easy, these last 10 years. Farmers were now farming, shopkeepers were opening, and all Jade had to do now was choose an heir to the throne. Jade could finally relax, although sadly she had no one to do that with. Jade absently scratched the stump of her right arm. Even Darrel's line had died out. Fortunately, Jade still had mementos and her squire, and of course her horse.

Occasionally, she took to visiting Sir Isik's massive collection of homes all over the country. Most of which had been damaged beyond repair.

Jade had just retired to bed when a messenger interrupted her. Damn, Jade got out of bed and stormed to the door.

"Yes?"

"There is a massive army seen coming ashore. They bore our flags," Her Old squire told her.

"Get me my armour, and suit yourself up too," Jade ordered. She wasn't sure if she was paranoid or not, but only Sir Boris was allowed to armour her. She was more than well aware his wife didn't like this though. Well, Jade thought to herself, better a disgruntled wife than an assassination.

Riding out took less than an hour despite the late time. There was nothing she could do about the long trip being accompanied by so many bodygaurds.

The army must have been heading in to, for they ran into one another the next morning.

"Halt!" Jade faced the man, stopping her gaurds.

"Who are you?" Sir Boris called out.

"We are allies of the country. We ride with the rightful King," the man told them.

Jade felt strangely confident, and giddy for a moment. She knew what she had to do.

"What will become of my knights and ladies?"

"They will bow to their rightful King," The man seemed strangely confident about this.

Jade thought for a moment before taking the painfully heavy crown off. She felt more than saw the gaurds hold their breath. She handed him her crown and rode off.

Hopefully he would be a great king.

. . . .

Jade had lost track of the years. She knew that most of the people she had known were dead. She just wished to start over. The ground turned sideways, causing the old woman to fall and fall and fall. She felt her entire body catch an electric shock and everything faded out.