GOMEN NASAI!!! TOTEMO GOMEN NASAI!!! (I'M SORRY!!! I'M SO SORRY!!!) I did not mean for this to take me a year! To make it up, I'll try to update within the week!

Wizards... Will They Ever Learn?

Chapter Five: In Which More Help Is Called Upon and A Story of the Past is Revealed

Disclaimer: I'm am not Patricia C. Wrede. If I was, this would be published...

Back at the palace, King Mendanbar was pacing in his study. Paperwork was scattered all over the desk, and the desk's drawers were all open to reveal unorganized clutter. His hair and clothes were as disorderly as the desk; it looked as though he had dressed hurriedly in the dark. In a corner sat a large magic mirror, and beside it, a decorative stone gargoyle. The gargoyle, who normally ridiculed Mendanbar, was unusually silent. He watched Mendanbar pace and looked worried. At that very moment, the magic mirror rang. |A/N- Do magic mirrors ring? If anyone knows otherwise, please tell me!| The gargoyle took his attention off the pacing king and turned it to the mirror. It was his job to answer it, after all.

"This is the castle of the Enchanted Forest, and you're gonna have to leave a message with me, because everyone is very busy right now- oh, I didn't realize it was you, Morwen."

"Obviously, gargoyle," growled an impatient female voice. "You never do. Please see who it is next time before you start rattling on about how everyone's busy or not here and how I have to leave a message with you. Now, is Cimorene or Mendanbar there?"

"Uh, yeah," said the gargoyle, a bit taken back. "Hey King! Call for you!"

Almost instantly, the gargoyle's face was replaced with Mendanbar's.

"Morwen! Did you get the message?"

"Yes, Mendenbar, I did."

"It's a good thing your cats are reliable."

A cat came into view through the mirror. "Of course we are," it replied haughtily.

"Quiet, Quiz," Morwen said sternly. "And get off the desk." The cat was a black and white blur as he leaped off the desk avoiding Morwen's stern but gentle swatting hand. "Please continue, Mendanbar."

"Yes," he said. Mendanbar was used to the private conversations between the witch's cats and her. "Like I said in the message, it's wizards. They're sneaking into the Enchanted Forest again. We found out thanks to an unexpected call from the princess of Emiteaya, the kingdom on the east side of the boarder. Princess Kashana was kind enough to offer to fetch Kazul and Shiara. We don't know what those blasted wizards are up to yet, but there's no doubt it involves the sword."

"Yes, and no," Morwen replied. There was a muffled shout from another room. "I'm in the study!" Morwen shouted back. Seconds later a door slammed and Telemain appeared next to Morwen. "Welcome home," Morwen said, kissing the magician on the check.

"Hello Telemain," Mendanbar said with a smile. The couple had been married for several months now, and had decided to move into Morwen's house. The main reason was that her many cats strongly refused to move.

"Good afternoon, Mendanbar," replied Telemain. "I hear there's more wizard trouble."

"I'm afraid so. Now, what were you saying, Morwen?"

"They could want the sword, but it could be something else. I hate to say it, but the wizards have become clever."

"Too true," Mendanbar said with a sigh. "Morwen, why don't you fill Telemain in on what's going on. After that, please come to the castle as quickly as you can so we can discuss this more and wait for the rest of our party."

~*~

Kazul and Shiara stared at Kashana as she fumed at the young man before her.

"Why didn't you tell me you were Bryan, Lord Truman's son?" she demanded.

"Um, well... I..." Bryan replied awkwardly.

"You know this thief, Princess?" asked Kazul.

"Wait, that's right!" Bryan exclaimed. "They called you Princess Kashana! My Shana was the princess all this time?"

"Um, well... I..." It was Kashana's turn to feel awkward, but she recovered quickly. "At least I didn't pretend to be my opposite!"

"Who said I was pretending?" Bryan attacked back, glaring. Kashana glared right back.

"Just hold on a second, both of you," said Shiara, speaking at last. "What's going on here? I think you owe us an explanation. And from the sound of it, you owe each other one as well."

Kashana and Bryan stopped glowering at each other and sighed.

"Yes, you're right Shiara. I'm sorry." She turned to Bryan and said, "Shall I start first, or you?"

"Ladies first," he growled.

Kashana gave him and why-do-you-always-do-this look and faced Shiara and Kazul again.

"As a girl I was rarely in the public eye, so I liked to take walks outside the castle. I'd dress much like I am now, no elaborate dresses or my crown, so people wouldn't recognize me."

"It sure worked, too," Bryan said. He meant it to sound annoyed, but he couldn't cover up the pride for his friend in his voice. Kashana glared. He quickly collected himself and started his side of the story.

"Like I said, my father is Lord Truman Jordan of Emiteaya. My mother died when I was young, and my father was always too busy to pay me much attention. I don't blame him because I know he regrets not having time for me. Eventually, I got very bored. So, I started going to the lower city and made friends with some of the most wanted thieves in the kingdom. They even taught me the tricks of their trade. I began practicing on the lesser noble streets. Those aristocrats have enough money, so I never felt guilty. Of course, I didn't need the money myself, so I gave it all to my thief friends, especially the more inexperienced ones." He looked at Kashana and smiled slightly. "Then I met her." She smiled back.

*Flashback*

A twelve year old Bryan Truman walked down the street, dark brown hair tousled by the wind, scooping out possible targets. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any easy ones. He sighed. he was still learning, and he couldn't afford to be caught. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw one. A girl, all alone. Perfect. He casually sauntered over, catching up with her. He nodded a greeting; she replied. He waited, then, fast as lightening, snatched her purse. Rather, he tried to snatch her purse. he would have, if he hadn't tripped.

Idiot! he cursed himself. How could I have fallen? Stupid! Wait, how could I have fallen...? There's nothing to trip over... Then he realized the girl was on the ground right next to him. Remembering his manners, he got up and offered his hand. He was a lord's son after all, even if he had taken up pick pocketing.

She accepted his hand with a cordial thank you. "I'm very sorry. This is all my fault. I'm afraid I wasn't watching where I was going."

"No, no," he said as he helped her up. "My fault entirely."

"Oh, I'm Shana," she said. I can't tell him I'm Princess Kashana! I'm not supposed to be out without an escort. Plus, he tried to pick-pocket me! I can't turn him in without being recognized, and I don't think I'd want to... I'm glad I've been getting so fast with my magic. That little whirlwind saved me! I don't know how I would have explained a missing purse to mother!

"Uh, I'm Bry." She can't know who I really am! What if she suspects me of trying to steal from her?

"Nice to meet you, Bry." She hesitated. I did want to have friends in town... "Would you like to walk with me?"

He looked at her in surprise. Then he really looked at her. Shana was probably around his age, maybe a year younger. Her curly brown reddish hair was cut to her chin, and her brown eyes were framed by long lashes.

She's really quite pretty, Bry thought to himself as he stared at her. Wait, no! Don't think like that! Pull yourself together! |A/N- Don't worry, he not being perverted. He's only 12!| As he reprimanded himself, he realized that Shana was talking again.

"--sorry, I guess I was being a bit forward, but..."

"No, no," he said to her, reclaiming his thoughts. "My mind was wandering. Yes, I think I'd like to walk with you."

The look on Shana's face was that of pure relief. From then on the ice was broken. Shana (Princess Kashana) got out as often as she could to see Bry (Bryan Truman). Bry just assumed that Shana had strict parents, while Shana assumed Bry's father didn't care what his son did. They never told each other the truth about their identities.

As they spend more and more time together, Bry started to develop feelings for Shana. He swore to himself he'd never tell her, for fear of ruining their friendship. Just being friends was better than not having her at all. But, when Shana was fourteen and Bry was fifteen, Shana's duty as princess interfered with seeing Bry. She found out that she had to go on a progress of the country. A very long progress. The day she told Bry this, she cried, and he felt like crying as well. They had become extremely close friends. They arranged to meet again in three weeks, the day before Shana's departure.

"Hello Bry," Shana said, feeling very sad indeed.

"Hi Shana."

They were silent for a long time.

"Oh, Shana, I have something for you," Bry said as he pulled a box out of his pocket and handing it to her.

"You do? Please say you didn't steal it!"

"No! I'd never give you anything stolen!"

"I know, but..." She opened the box and gasped.

Inside was a necklace. It was the most gorgeous thing Shana had ever seen. A purple amethyst with silver wire intertwining to hold it in place, hung by a delicate silver chain.

"Oh! It's so pretty, Bry! Thank you!"

"Here, let me put it on you."

Shana's breath caught in her chest as Bry clasped the necklace on. He was so close, so close that she could feel the heat coming off his body. She felt his warm breath on her neck. She turned around, not sure how much more she could take, and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you," she whimpered.

Bry was startled, but he quickly relaxed. He, in turn, put his arms around her waist. He loved being so close to her. They stood there for the longest time. Then, Bry reluctantly pulled away to look at her. Their eyes met, and Bry couldn't hold back any longer. Their faces were so close, and he started to close the distance. Shana moved in as well. As soon as their lips were almost touching, someone called in the distance.

"Mistress!"

Shana jerked away in surprise.

"Oh, no! I have to go!"

"Shana, wait --"

"I'm sorry," she said, giving him another quick hug. Then she ran off, stopping to say, "We will see each other again!"

Bry watched her go in dismay. "Damnit."

~*~

A/N- Aww, isn't that sad? ^_^ Please give me feedback; that's the first romantic scene I've ever written. Yeah... This summer I'm probablt going to be sweet sixteen and never been kissed. Anyway, please keep in mind that Kashana and Bryan only told the gist of the story to Kazul and Shiara. They know nothing of their thoughts or the little romance scene. That's for all of you reader people. ^^ Well, please review! See you next time, and I promise it won't be another year! _