I'm baa-aaackkk...!

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It was the warmest summer day yet, and Kaden was sweating. She had been working all day, getting information about Eadulf, reading those few sheets she kept from his bag over and over until she had them memorized; until she figured out their secrets.

She was sitting in her room when a knock on the door interrupted her twelfth time reading the first page. She lazily got up, brushed herself off and opened the door. Ambrose was standing there, a grin on her face. She was adorned in a spring dress, not too over the top for day to day wear, but just enough to make her stand out. It was emerald green, one layer for such a hot day, with no sleeves and lace straps. It had a plain skirt, but the top had black beads embroidered in it. She was holding something yellow in her hands.

"Kaden! You need to try this on! Edvard and I were just at the market; it's come to town again! Did you know? They have the most gorgeous dresses up there, yellow, green, orange, purple, red, white, black, pink, blue, turquoise..." She was now in the room, walking around like a maniac, looking up at the ceiling. Kaden looked at the ceiling with a puzzled look, trying to see what Ambrose saw, but she couldn't see anything. She looked at Ambrose, or at the back of her head, and shut the door.

"What are you rambling on about?"

"The colors! They were gorgeous... and the food. Oh, Kaden! You should have been there to try the food!" She sighed as she sat down on the bed and set the yellow fabric, or garment on the bed beside her. She looked at it, like she didn't know what it was, and then a smile came on her face. "Oh, we found this! For you for the Midsummers Festival! It's your color, and it would fit your body like a charm." She passed Kaden the yellow dress.

"You want me to try it on?"

"Yes, oh, yes! It goes wonderfully with your skin tone. Your eyes will look gorgeous!"

"Ambrose, have you been drinking?"

"The wine was gorgeous... but I didn't have too much, don't worry." She looked at her reasurringly. "Well? What are you waiting for? Go try it on!" So she did. She pulled it over her head, and it looked gorgeous, but not on her. It was too big for her. The straps were too long and the skirt was too short. It wasn't really what Ambrose had made it out to be.

"Well?" Kaden asked from the doorway to her bathroom. "It's too big and short and long."

"Oh, dear." Ambrose got up and started fiddling with different things. "I can get it taylored? Maybe then it would fit better."

"Can I go change now?"

"Yes, go." Ambrose took the dress after Kaden had changed and Kaden finally got some peace and quiet. She opened the drawer she had her paperwork in and before she even finished the first sentence, there was another knock on the door.

"Who could it be this time?" She got up, sighed and opened the door. A smile crept onto her face. Galen was at the door.

"Galen? Where did you come from?"

"From my mother." He said jokingly. "Come on, Kaden, where did you think? I just wanted to come visit, see how my little sister is doing."

"Well, your little sister is doing more than she wanted to be doing. What have you been doing lately?" Kaden brought him in her room and they sat.

"I have been doing a lot lately. Being a healer is a lot of work. I don't get many days off, or for holidays, but I do get to go to balls."

"Has it been that long?"

"Has what been that long?"
"Since we saw each other? The ball last year?"

"Yes, actually, half a year almost."

"Wow, that's amazing. I haven't seen you in a while, then."

"Well, actually, you won't be seeing me for much longer either. I have to go soon. Duty calls."

"You have a meeting or something?"

"No, an appointment. Someone's sick. They need their bones healed or something. But it was awesome seeing you again!"

"You too. Just like old friends, or something."

"More than friends, Kaden. We were siblings, a long long time ago, but all the same, siblings. We fought, we laughed and we had fun together, and we were like true siblings. Until mother and father told you that you were adopted."

"Yes, that had to be unfortunate."

"Have I ever told you that I was the one who found you?" Kaden shook her head. "Lalita and I were playing hide and seek. It's weird how it happened." He looked and smiled at her. "Oh, I should be going. I'll be-"

"Late for work. Of course. Well, It was so great to see you again. You'll stop by again?"

"If I can. Have fun, sorry I couldn't have stayed for longer."

After he left, Kaden smiled and sat back on the bed for some more reading. Suddenly, but not surprisingly, there was yet another knock at the door. "Another drop in to say 'hi'?" She got up again, opened the door and there stood someone she didn't recognize.

"Yes?" It was probably another messenger sent from the King. I guess it was time to apologize to her father. "Let me guess, you want me to follow you to the King's office. I mean, why does he send them here? He knows I've been there like a million ti-"

"No, it's me, Damek, remember?" Kaden looked at him sharply. Then she slowly blushed.

"Oh, my Gods, I'm so terribly sorry! I must have gotten you mixed up with the messenger boys that come down here! Oh, how could I have forgotten you?"

"Don't worry about it. It's fine."

"No, it isn't. Do you want to come in? I can get you some tea, or some coffee... what ever you drink.."

"No, that's fine too. I just came by to see how you were. You know how much I worry."

"You do, a lot, and you need to stop. Are you sure you don't want to come in? It's way too hot out, and I'm sure if I were you, I'd want a nice, cold glass of water."

"No, I'm fine, really. And I should be getting back."
"Surely the training master wouldn't make you work on a day like today?"

"Oh, he would. Only on the worst days. Maybe we'll see each other again, then?"

"Oh, I hope we will. You won't let me repay you for what you've done for me, will you?"

"I don't want your gifts Kaden, all I want to know is that you're safe."

"Well, thanks again. I know sorry is hardly enough." She stepped out the door and closed it behind her. Then she waved goodbye. He was like an angel. There when she needed him and gone when his work was done. She watched him walk down the hall. Then she sighed and tried to open her door. It was locked. 'Oh, great. I locked myself out of my room. And I bet the keys are inside too. Nice.'

"Damek, wait! Can you help me one more time?" He turned around, she pointed to her door and made a face, and he smiled.

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AAGGGHH! I know it's been forever, but in my defense, I was on a mission trip for the whole summer, and I had this chapter written, but then FF.N was screwing up and if this doesn't work AGAIN, I'll be mad, but I hope it does, because you guys deserve an update. I will hopefully be able to finish this book soon! Don't forget to give me really good reviews! I missed them over the summer.