By the time Jazz, Suzie and Mandy had emerged from the screen, Denya had left and Jade's control was starting to crumble.
"That sounded important Jade, what was it?" Jazz came round the edge of the desk to find her sister close to tears. "What is it? Come on, tell me!"
"Six seasons, six seasons and he's forgotten me. I thought he was different…" Jade said, her voice muffled by her sister's shoulder.
"What are you talking about?" Jade remained confused by her sister's sudden lack of control over her emotions.
"Denya, he was just here. He didn't remember me at all. He sounded different, but as soon as he said his name I knew it was him…but he just denied it." Jade stepped carefully out of her sister's embrace and went over to the window, to stare unseeing at the dark stones below.
"You great goose! If he denied it then it probably wasn't him! Come on Jade be logical, he liked you, as if he's going to deny knowing you." Jazz couldn't believe that her sister was unsettled by something that could be fixed with a small bit of logic.
"He did not like me! He would have said something to me…or I would have noticed it. Now who's being the goose?" Jade spun from the window to find Suzie, Mandy and Jazz nearly doubled over with suppressed laughter. "What now? Why are you all laughing?" To her surprise, Jade felt herself blushing.
Jazz, Mandy and Suzie straightened, brushing tears from their eyes.
"It's just that, well it was very obvious to those outside of the…situation. My lady, he was very much after your affections. You may not have realized but Denya had it bad for you. Just as bad as you had it for him…"Mandy said slyly.
Jade rounded on her best friend. "Mandy! I did not have it…bad for him! How-"
"You defiantly did Jade! Do not deny it; you used to spend everyday with him. When you didn't have lessons with him, you were pouring over some old book or out in the garden with him practicing magic. You did have affections for him!" Jazz accused. The girls giggled as red rose once again to Jade's cheeks.
"I…I…but…" Jade fumbled for words. The others collapsed on the bed as laughter overtook them. The girls spent the time until the next bell teasing Jade unmercifully, just like they had before they had come to the palace.
The knock on the door brought them to their feet and looking expectantly at the door.
"Who…? Jade…did Denya say he was coming back?" Jazz shot a look at her sister.
"Well, um, he may have said something like that…" Jade mumbled.
Mandy and Suzie wore identical evil grins as they sprung to the door. Opening it they showed the two people standing outside in, then excused themselves and left, leaving the door open.
Denya heard Archer's sharp intake of breath as Jazz turned from the desk in the middle of the room. He held a finger to his lips and motioned for Archer to start a conversation.
"Your Highnesses, I am Archer of Kellory, friend of Denya Seeker and mage for the royal guard. I am glad to meet your acquaintance. "Archer said while Denya prowled the room, pinching at pieces of fabric pulling away each time, what looked like blood red jewel. Jade realizing what he was doing, continued the formal conversation, but turned to the window and looked out of it.
"We appreciate you coming to see us, Archer of Kellory. I am Princess Jade Marie and this is my sister, Princess Jasmine."
Archer first bowed to her turned back then turned to Jazz and made an elaborate bow to her, gaining a smile that turned his insides. Jade started to walk around the room, pulling the red objects from the walls, trusting Jazz to keep the conversation going.
"So, Archer of Kellory, in what area does your magic fall?" Jazz did not fail her sister. Archer glanced at Denya, and sighed. Jazz knew this was a safe area to talk about. He had, after all, just stated that he was a mage.
"It lies in weather, good lady…it was very unpredictable, but with help from the teachers here, it's now under control…most of the time." Denya glanced at his friend and made a very ungentle man like snort.
"When he says under control he means that it hasn't snowed inside for the past three weeks."
Archer shrugged and grinned at Jazz, since Denya had long since told him about their shared magic.
"My sister enjoys the same magic as you Archer, maybe you would be able to share experiences later." Jade said absently as she kept combing the room.
Jazz grinned playfully at Archer, pleased to see a returning smile.
"I would enjoy that very much Archer of Kellory…very much indeed."
"It's alright, we can talk freely now. The entire listening spell is gone. Am I right Princess?" She nodded, not trusting her voice.
Denya walked over to where Jade was leaning against the desk with a handful of the objects, which were no longer lit by the magic that made them work.
"Quite ingenious, I only just felt them when you pulled the first one out of the wall. Please Denya Seeker, I would hear more of your past before you came into the service of the royal guard. That you could sense this spell with all of the spells that are already in this room, you must have had very extensive training." Jade was sure that this was her friend. But will he admit it? Will he admit he lied before and say that he grew up at Mallard with me? She thought.
"Well, your highness…Jade. I lied earlier today. I have not forgotten you, nor were you mistaken…you see, when I felt the listening spell, I felt obliged to lie. To protect you and myself…. If the…person who placed the spell found out I was a close friend of yours then they would be able to use that to their advantage…" Denya trailed off, confused by the identical grins that Archer and Jazz wore, also by the blush mantling Jade's cheeks. "Am I missing something here? Jazz-"
Jade flung her arms around him, cutting him off. Then just as suddenly as she had, she pulled back and hit him just as she used to when he had vexed her.
"You fool! You haven't changed one bit, why did you not leave a message or something? A small piece of magic, just to let me know it was you. No, you had to go all protective and lead me to think…" Jade realized what she was saying and stopped. "Archer of Kellory, I must apologise for my behaviour…you see, Denya here is a dear friend of mine, we grew up together and learnt magic together. And being the complete pig he is, none of us at the Mallard household have heard from him since he left six seasons ago." Jade turned back to the window to hide her confusion.
"It is quite alright your highness, in the six seasons I have known Denya; your reaction is entirely understandable. Please would you call me Archer though? After six seasons of Denya telling us all about you and your sister, I feel like I know you." Jazz turned on Denya, who held up his hands in defence. "It was only good things I swear! I tried to tell them what you were really like but they wouldn't believe me!" Jade and Jazz laughed, and Jade came from the window to stand by her sister's side, noting the unusual look on her face as Jazz looked at Archer. Making a point to talk to her later about it she spoke to Archer.
"Then you must call us by our names, Jade and Jazz. And I must ask, has Denya become know as being very… inventive when it comes to vengeance?"
Archer looked with surprise at his friend whose hand did not cover the grin on his face. Denya pointed at the twins and nodded. "Particularly Jazz, she is evil in the purest form. And I would always get the blame because she would just look at them with those huge eyes and act shocked and innocent."
Archer winked slyly at Jade and Jazz. "These two beautiful creatures? Evil? I think not, Denya. You probably deserved any blame laid on you."
Denya stood there gasping in pretend outrage. "My best friend doesn't believe me! And you knowing them for only a bell of time, doubt me? I am outraged."
By now Jade and Jazz had collapsed on the ground in laughter, and Archer leant against the desk trying to breathe and retaliate while laughing. Denya gave up on keeping a straight face and collapsed on the ground with the twins.