This is a fun chapter…I almost forgot I was going to put all this stuff in…but then I remembered…A good thing too, cause it's real important later on.  Anyways…here it goes…!

Karigan

Uncontrollable

Festival

            The first thing that came flying into her conscience was that the bed was bouncing.  "Wha?" came the sleepy question.

            "Get up, Jade!  Come on.  You have to come see this!"  Amena was bouncing up and down on the edge of Jade's bed.  Kitten, who had taken to sleeping in her room when her parents were otherwise occupied, had already scurried to the cushioned chair in the corner of the room with sleepy indignation.

            Jade peeked out from her closed eyes and looked towards her window; the sun hadn't even fully risen yet.  She pulled the covers up over her head with a groan.  "Go away, Amena."

            "Owww, come on, Jade.  You won't want to miss this." The 11-year-old girl pulled at the covers.  Jade clung to them in defiance and curled up.  They both pulled on the blanket until Jade finally let go, sending Amena down to the floor with an "Oomph."

            Jade, now without a cover, curled up into a tiny ball and turned away from Amena.  "I want to sleep."

            Amena stood with a grunt and pouted her lips.  "Fine!" she started towards the bedroom door.  "But don't blame me when all the others have seen the spring festival preparations and you haven't."

            Jade sat up quickly, rubbing her eyes.  "They're here already?"

            Amena turned with a wide smile, took a running start and bounced onto the bed, yet again.  "Yes, of coarse they are.  Spring Festival is only two weeks away.  They arrived at least an hour ago.  Pa had to go out and help them set up the tents out on Main Street."

            "Oh."

            "Well?" came Amena's whine.  "Are you coming or am I going by myself to see the Sky Fire they have set up for this year?"

            "I'm coming, I'm coming." Came a sleepy reply.  Jade fell out of bed and scrambled for some clothing.

She was tying the strings to her breeches when Amena tossed boots at her.  "Come on, Jade.  You're so slow!"

            "I am not!" came the appalled reply.  "It's been two minutes, Amena!  Get off my back!  UMPH!" Jade scrambled not to drop the boots Amena had tossed at her.  She sat on the edge of her bed and pulled one on.

            "Let's go!" Amena said, running out the door.

            "I'm…coming…hold…on," came the breathy reply as Jade attempted to run after her while trying to put on her second boot.  They ran into the living quarters and were slightly surprised to see Atune, clad in a blue robe, blocking their way.
            "And what are you two up to?"  Hands on hips.  Suspicious.

            "Atune, we want to go see all the things they're bringing in for the festival."

            "This early?"

            "We don't want to miss anything." Amena said pleadingly.

            "I don't think your parents would want you to going out into the city this early."  Amena said responsibly.

            "Oh, it's not that bad.  Everyone is already up for the preparations.  Besides, I go everyday into the city for school.  I know where I'm going.  We won't get lost.  I promise."  Amena begged.

            Jade nodded in agreement.

            "Well…"

            "PLEEEASE???" Both girls begged with puppy eyes.

            Atune sighed.  "All right.  But be back in time for both of you to get to your classes and lessons."

            Both girls launched themselves at Atune and hugged her fiercely.  "You're the best adult there is, Atune." Came mumbled words from Amena.

            "Right."  Jade.

            "Go, now.  Before I change my mind."  With that, the girls dashed out of the rooms with glee, Atune shaking her head as she walked back to her room.  "Best 25 year old adult.  Wonder why they don't say that when they're scrubbing the floors for putting coloring in the provosts bath water?" she muttered to herself.  She stopped for a second and looked back at the entrance door.  "I'd still like to know how that girl gets in here," she said, referring to Amena's occasional morning visits.

*****

            "…And there were all kinds of stands being set up, Mama.  I think they're going to have games, too."

            "Is that so?" Daine asked with a smile.  Evening had almost ended.  Jade had been bathed and was now sitting with Daine having her hair brushed.

            "Yup!  Oh! And Music, Mama.  They're going to have music!"

            "I would hope so."

            "They had funny instruments.  I"ve never seen some of them before."
            "What did they look like?"

            "They were made of wood.  And they had strings on them.  And another piece…a stick…made of wood too."
            "I think you mean Violins."

            "What are those?"

            "Instruments.  You'll get to see them when you go to the festival.  They make pretty music."

            "I like music.  Will there be dancing?"

            "Of coarse, they always dance at the Spring Festival."
            "What kind of dance?"

            "Some traditional ones…like you see at the banquets here in the palace.  Some just for fun.  They always dance the Festive Overture Dance at least once.  That one is a lot of fun."

            "Why?"

            "Because it's danced with lots of people together.  At least 10 couples.  They change partners.  It's a fast dance, you're breathing hard by the end.  But it's a lot of fun."
            "Are children allowed to dance it?"

            "Yes…if they know the steps."

            Jade jumped up and around.  "I want to dance it!"

            "Well, you're still a bit young.  Maybe in a few years.  Besides it takes longer than two weeks to learn.  And you need some practice first."

            "Well, can you start showing me so I can dance it next year maybe."
            Daine smiled.  "All right.  Stand up," she said with a slight shove.  Kitten, who had been dozing on Jade's pillow lifted her slender neck and head up in interest.  "Stand in front of me like this, hands on hips.  We'll take it slow.  Now, everyone will be lined up like this left to right.  When the music starts.  You start with your right foot.  Take a step forward, but across your left foot like this.  Then your left foot comes up and taps the back of your right leg in a little hop like so.  Good, you're doing well, Jade.  Now, while your doing this, your hands are going to be up like this, one hand over your head, wrist bent, the other arm in front of you, wrist bent.  This is what the women do.  The men do something different with their arms but do the same step.  Now, after you tap the back of your right foot with your left, you are going to return your left foot to where it started.  Your right foot…hold on. Put it back, don't move it yet….good….now, your right foot, the one you crossed over, is going to come back to be across your left leg up nice and tight.  But your going to just lightly tap the ground with your toes, because the next thing your going to do is swing your right leg up slightly and around back to your starting position.  So its going to be…step, tap, step back, toe tap, swing your foot over and back."  Daine did a quick show, using her arms to style the dance.  "You do the same again, but the other way around, starting off with you left foot.  Let's try it."

            They took a few steps, but fumbled, bumping into each other.  Laughing, they tried again and again for the next hour.  Daine twirled her around the bedroom, showing her the exaggerated bows and curtsies, even tried it once up to speed…though it hadn't been pretty.

            "Now, pass each other….no..the right side, Jade.  Good."  More laughs.  "OK, now, up to me, grab my hands and we swing around, remember by now, everyone's in a big circle so you're going to swing right into someone else, you got to keep swinging until we get back to each other.  Once you see me we swing around, but different like this…step out then in…so we make a full circle back to each other…" Kitten sat, head slightly tilted to the side, trilling in laughter.

            It was a night Jade would remember always.  Precious memories of laughter and smiles from her mother would fill her mind for years to come.  Dancing with her until they both fell on the bed in exhaustion, laughing so hard from their fumbled dance that they were red in the face.

*****

            "What was all the noise about?"

Daine climbed into bed and curled up against Numiar's side, resting her head over his heart.  "I was showing Jade the Festive Overture dance."  A slow smile crept across Daine's face.  "Still needs a little work, though."

"I'd say.  It sounded like a heard of elephants tripped and fell in there….OW!"  Numair laughed and rubbed his side where she had elbowed him.

Daine giggled and tried to sober.  "We have to get up early tomorrow.  That meeting with the Scanran ambassador."

Numair sighed.  "Hmm.  These border raids are starting to get out of hand.  If they can't cut a deal tomorrow…I'm afraid Scanra may be leaning towards war."

Daine leaned up on her elbows, looking down on him.  "You don't think it will come to that, do you?"

"I don't know, Magelet.  At this point, anything is possible.  They've had their borders closed for almost 4 years now.  They've lost control of most of their villages.  Grain isn't getting to the cities…and that King of theirs…if he doesn't stop killing off all his noble supporters…well, let's just say, he's not being very wise."

"If they declare war, we're going to have to go up there…the both of us.  To fight."  Daine looked down in anxiousness.

He breathed in deeply.  "More than likely.  Your border hopping a few years ago did a lot to prevent raids on Tortallan villages by the border; they'll want you up there again.  As for me, well…being a War Mage doesn't really make much other use for me, does it?"

"Nonsense.  You have lots of uses."  She looked distressed for a minute.  "What about Jade?"

"Well…Atune is here if we need her.  I'll talk to Gary about letting them stay at his estate if we end up in war.  They'd be safer there.  The capital would be to much of a target."

"Send her all the way to Naxen?  That's so far!"

"What else is there to do, Magelet?  Corrus is a main target in wartime.  Tusaine has already given Serain crossing rights for its armies.  If Maren gives in, Serain will attack.  That's the entire eastern front.  That's not to far away at this point.  And Scanra takes up the entire Northern front.  The only allies we have at this point are Carthak and the Copper Isles.  And the Isles are iffy at best.  It's a good thing Tyra has always stayed neutral; their flat plains would make the southeastern border an easy target.  There would be warships trying to attack Port Cayne all the time.  If Cayne is taken…Corrus is only half a day's ride from there.  Jade would be safer away from the capital."

Daine sighed and, trying to be positive, rushed on.  "But it's not for sure yet.  Hopefully the ambassador will be in a good mood tomorrow and willing to talk."

"We can hope," came Numair's quiet response.  "But don't get your hopes up."  He stroked her hair gently, running fingers through the curly strands.  He smiled then.  "Have I told you today just how beautiful you are?"

A small grin splayed out across her lips.  "No," she said.

"Well then." He rolled them over so that he was looking down upon her now.  "I'll just have to show you."

Daine giggled, worries temporarily forgotten.

*****

"Did they say what happened?" called out Amena as they pushed through the crowd of people."

"No," called out Jade.  The Spring Festival was in full swing.  Thousands of people had turned up to set up stands and gather.  Nearly all the streets around the palace's main gates were crowded with celebrants.  Amena and Jade had been given one hour "…and stay on the mains streets.  I find out you two have been sneaking off to the smaller roads and I'll turn your behinds purple, understood?" Amena's mother had declared; to roam the festivities and have fun.

Jade had become much more comfortable around crowds the last year.  With her magic seemingly under some kind of control, the chances of 'accidents' happening where much less and therefore, less mind-consuming.  She was still cautious, always double-checking herself for the humming inside herself that represented the unstable magic.

"No one said anything to you?" asked Jade as they pushed through some people to see a fire-eater.

"No one ever tells me anything!" growled Amena.

"But you always end of knowing anyways."

"Well…I have to have some occupation, right?"  A toothy smile.

"Hmm."  Jade once again wondered if Amena's natural talent for sneaking around was a good thing.  "Anyhow, all I know is that they came back from having that meeting and they were both really angry.  Kept yelling about stupid aricrats."

"Aristocrats?"

"Ya.  That."

"Which one? Do you know?"

"I think he was important.  'Cause Mama started crying about how Scanra was going to give up everything just for pride."

Amena turned around and stared at Jade for a moment.  "That doesn't sound good at all."

Jade shook her head.  "That's what I said."

"Hmm…" Amena thought.  "Hey, look.  Candy apples.  Maybe this time we can actually eat them, huh."

Jade scrunched her nose up.  "Not funny."

Amena snorted.  "You need to get a sense of humor, Jade.  You're way to serious."

They walked their way up the main street again, candy apples in hand.  "Amena! Jade!" came a call from somewhere in the crowd.  They both turned to look for the source of the yell.

            A boy, a bit older than Jade popped through the crowd.  Jade smiled.  He had been one of they few children at the palace that didn't make her life horrible.  He was quiet most of the time, shy, under spoken, often times needed his own protection from cruel pranks.  He was small for his age.  His hazel yes were set wide apart and he was cross-eyed; which made him clumsy.  His light skin was always scratched up from either his clumsiness or from encounters with other boys.  He had a slight stutter and was nervous and twitchy most of the time.  But Jade thought he was nice, all the same.  He wasn't afraid of her.

            "Hullo, Gregory!" called Amena.

            "Hi!" smiled Jade.

            He smiled at Amena's greeting and then turned to Jade.  At her smile he blushed scarlet and tried to speak.  "I was…I w..w…was just coming' to s…s…see if you two wanted t…t…to go see the Fes…fes..festive Oveture Dance.  They…they..they…are going to start i..i…i…in five minutes."

            Amena jumped and screamed in glee…Jade smiled wider.  "Of coarse we'll go!" Amena and Jade both took off at a run towards the Palace, Gregory starring after them.  He was slightly surprised…and a bit flustered…when Jade ran back after a moment and grabbed his hand.

            "Come on, Gregory!" She pulled him along.

            The palace gates had been opened up to the festivities.  The courts were set up as areas for dancing.  The entrance court, the largest, was now being filled with dancers.  The three children pushed through and sat directly under the ropes that had been put up as a barrier.  People were filling in.  Twenty couples at least were already inside.  Some were people she recognized from the palace.  Some she had never seen before.  Seats with guards had been set up at one side of the circle for the King and Queen, who this year would be spectators.  Jade didn't get to see them as often as she had when she was younger.  They looked happy to her; in a good mood.  Though they seemed much older.  To the surprise and splendor of the crowd, Prince Roald and his wife, the future Queen, stepped up to the circle.  Applaud and cheers rung out.  Their young son, only a year younger than Jade, sat with his grandparents, watching with a smile.  A man stepped up onto a wooden box, and screamed out.  "Your majesties…with your permission, we will begin the Overture Dance."

            King Jonathan smiled and waved him on.  The crowd roared with delight.

The man ran around quickly, placing the pairs in their lines.  A group of musicians filled in and stood at the corner of the courtyard.

            After a few minutes, they seemed ready, as did the dancers.  Jade suddenly gasped.  "What?" asked Amena.

            "Look!  Over there." She pointed the far corner of the couples.  "Amena.  Those are your parents!"  Amena gasped as well and nearly yelled out.

            "I hope they don't mess up," she laughed.

            "I think it's wonderful," Jade laughed.  "I wish I could dance."

            Gregory looked over and quietly said.  "When we're old enough…I'll dance it with you."  He blushed scarlet and looked away, ashamed of himself.

            Amena looked over and smiled.  Jade look amazed.  "Gregory!  You didn't stutter once."

            Gregory smiled shyly.  "I guess not."

            Jade beamed.  "Well, when we're old enough.  I'll dance with you Gregory."  Jade turned back to the dancers and pointed something out to Amena, Gregory smiling stupidly.

            "They're starting!" called Amena.  The musicians' put up there instruments and the couples straightened up.  Even the Future King and Queen looked equal tonight.  A man with a violin began with a slow and pretty number.  It was sad, Jade could tell, telling a story of some kind.  She was trying to figure it out when suddenly all the instruments came in with a speeding tempo.  She snapped her head back towards the couples and was surprised to see them dancing away in a perfect rhythm.  She recognized the step, tap step back, toe tap and swing over and smiled with glee.  The music was festive and wonderful and Jade couldn't help but bounce along with it as many other watchers were doing.  Soon the footwork ended and the swinging began.

            Jade stared and smiled, as so many people were able to do the same thing.  They formed into a circle and the music changed.  It was still fast passed, but the song shifted.  Where as before, one could hardly hear the five violins before, probably because of the horns that played, suddenly the violins were center stage in the music.  They did some sort of run up and down the scale, twice, and then into a melody that was wonderful.  They repeated it again, but this time, it sounded deeper, other instruments that looked much like the violin, but very different, had joined in, they had a much lower sound, but just as pretty.  It made the melody deep and rich and Jade loved it.  She joined in when the crowd started clapping in rhythm with the beat.  The couples grabbed hands and swung each other around.  They were laughing and grinning.  She caught sight of Onua and was momentarily surprised.  She recognized the head cook in there and even thought she saw old Maude giving it a go.

*****

            "Did you see it, Mama?  Wasn't it wonderful?" Jade gushed as the three children ran up to the waiting pair of parents.

            "I did!" said Daine as she picked her up.  "It was beautiful."

            Numair smirked at Amena as she begged her father for another few coppers and greeted Gregory.

            Jade turned to the Cassidies and smiled.  "Was it fun?  Was it hard?"

            Amena's father smiled, still out of breath.  "I think this will be the last year we do it.  I'm getting to old."  He group laughed.

            "Mama!  I even saw ONUA in there!"

            "I know!"

            "And old Maude!"

            "Ya," Amena agreed, taking a huge cracking bite out of her candy apple.  "The old bag looked like she was going to burst a lung."  Her mother smacked the back of her head lightly, but laughed anyways.

*****

            The rest of that spring passed uneventfully.  Jade's magic continued to lay mostly dormant, bar the occasional mishap.  When the weather turned heated and children ran around without shoes, preparations began at the capital for an event that the people of Corrus had been waiting for for almost eight years.  Their Princess, the Empress of Carthak was coming to Tortall with her two children.  The decision had been made and preparations were in full swing.  They were to arrive at the end of fall and stay until spring.

            Officially, it was a state visit.  The two friendly kingdoms had much to discuss, the situation being as it was with surrounding nations.  But the King's closest friends knew, as did many of his subjects, that the King and Queen were anxious to see their only daughter again after so many years.

            By the end of summer, servants were frantically arranging the palace to hold not only a handful of ambassadors, but also an Empress, her ladies, her two children, one who was the heir of Carthak, her guards, the heirs guards, the princess of Carthak's guard, and various nurses and priest.  There was plenty of room, of coarse, a good quarter of the palace rooms were never even used regularly.  The trouble was getting them all ready and aired out before the Empress arrived.  Along with that, feast had to be planned and organized, hunting parties for the men, short Kingdom tours routed and set up.

            Truth being what it was, the Empress may have been Tortallan, but as any statesman knows, you can never not show complete welcomes, even with friends.  So as fall finally came to a close, the usual quietness that came with the white winters in Tortall was soon to become a winter wonderland.

A/N:  Oh My Goodness!  I did not even know it was going to be this long of a chapter…Is that OK?  I know it's kinda seemed like a lot of the story isn't very important.  I can understand that…why'd you think it.  But trust me TRUST ME….most everything in my chapters are important for later on.  Maybe not in this story (Uncontrollable) but by the end of the entire thing, everything will have its place ok! Good

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