Yes the last chapter was a flash back; this chapter is back to Casi's present time.

Sorry this chapter took so long, I have a case of writer's block. It is highly annoying. If anyone has any ideas regarding any of my stories, esspecially this one, I would be very greatful.

A/N: Just a reminder, this chapter takes place right after the second chapter, not the third.

Important Note!! Casi is staying in Tortal with her grandparents. They are staying at the palace.

"You know, out of all my offspring, you are the only one I know of to have the sticky fingers."

Casinara gave a tiny scream, which she immediately tried to swallow, and turned to face one of the many people she'd rather not have seen at that particular moment.

George stared at his grand-daughter with a small, amused smile on his sun-tanned face. Casi recovered her as much of her dignity as she possibly could. It was enough to glare at her grandfather and saunter over to her desk as if she wasn't worried about anything, least of all George Cooper, the baron of Pirate's Swoop and her mother's father. "I'm not sure that that is a complement, Grandda. By the way, how long have you been sitting there?"

George gave a bit of a laugh. "Somehow I knew you wouldn't be one of those people to beg that I won't tell their parents, or grandmother, for that matter."

"You know very well that I wouldn't beg anything from you, least of all your silence, since I know you would just go and tell Ma and Grandma anyway, just like when I was five and you swore you wouldn't tell grandma that I broke the mirror in the gallery." Casi replied, not even bothering to look at George as she carefully examined the tiny gold box that she had stolen off of some nobleman in the marketplace. "You still haven't answered my question: how long have you been sitting there?"

"Almost half an hour, I think. Oh, and you should remember to properly lock your door next time you try to sneak out."

"I did lock it! I was very careful! I had the maids bring up the bath water, you know, as an excuse, waited until they left, locked the door, and climbed out the window. It's not my fault that you can pick locks!" Casi gestured to the small packet on the table that her grandfather was sitting next to. It was identical to the packet of lock picks that Aly had given her daughter for her thirteenth birthday.

George chuckled again. "You were pulling off the apathetic act so well until a moment ago. You really should work on that." He laughed again at Casi's glare before going on. "You are a truly an interesting child, Casinara." He paused to study her. "You are truly the first of my descendants to take an interest in the thieving art. Even your mother thought more for spy-work than anything else. Where did you learn and why are you… so interested in it, even though you are an exceptionally well-provided-for child who has the best education of many noble-born in you generation, seeing as you spend half your time in the Isles and the other half here in Tortal. Why become a thief? Why not just become a spy like your mother and I?

Casi raised her eyebrows at the last question. "Do you expect me to believe that you have always led a perfectly respectable life, Grandda? I know that you have tried to keep your… um… previous life away from us kids, but we all know that you were a thief before you married Grandma and the King hired you to be his spymaster. Come on, Grandda; give me a little more credit for my… paying attention to history if you want to call it that. That is slightly more flattering than some other terms I could use for trying to 

find out the real facts about the past of my family. Do you know how hard it was to uncover the truth about you and Grandma?"

George rolled his eyes at the slightly smirking girl in front of him. "Yes, I tried to keep you from it; obviously I need to try a little harder if you managed to get a hold of my information. But don't avoid my questions."

Now it was Casi's turn to roll her eyes. "A man in the Copper Isles approached me with an offer to teach me how to become a thief. I accepted. He taught me and now I am considered one of the best in Ramaught. I don't keep the things I steal, by the way. I sell them and give the money to those who need it. It's not like I do. You said yourself that I'm very well provided for. As to why I do it… I'm not really sure. I just like the thrill of it, I guess. You know what I mean, right?" She looked at her grandfather hopefully.

George quirked a small smile, "More than you know, little one, more than you know." He stood up and stretched. "I'm going to turn in for the night, you should probably clean up and do likewise" He turned away from her and started towards the door. Suddenly he turned back towards her and winked, "Don't worry, I won't tell your grandmother… yet. She'll find out eventually, though, unless you are very, very careful. Good night. Oh, and you might want to try the specialties store one Dove Street to get rid of that box you have there. And one more thing, I'm a bit old to do this for myself, but would you mind stopping by Lord Solard's townhouse on one of your next runs and relieve them of some of their… unneeded wealth? Lord Solard is getting on my nerves." George winked once more and left the room.

Casi couldn't help but laugh.

A/N: This is Casinara's family. I hope it is not too confusing or anything. If you have any questions or ideas or whatever, please send them to me via review or PM.

Alanna of Pirate's Swoop- dubbed "The Lioness" by the Tortallan people. Champion of King Jonathon of Contѐ. First Lady Knight of Tortall. Servant of the Great Mother Goddess.

George Cooper- Baron of Pirate's Swoop. Born a commoner in the city of Corus, but befriended the king and was gifted the barony just before the coronation. Unofficial spymaster of Tortall.

Thom of Pirate's Swoop- Eldest son of Alanna and George. Mage. Married to Salara of Loswood, another mage. They have four children: Diara, Georgina, Randal, and Josan.

Alan of Pirate's Swoop- Second son of Alanna and George. Knight of the Realm. Married to Lianne of Conte. They have five children: Aliara, Jason, Navina, Lial and Lila (twins), and Aaron. Alianne's twin.

Alianne Crow, formerly of Pirate's Swoop- Spymaster of the Copper Isles. Born in Tortall. Only daughter of Alanna and George. Servant of the Trickster God, Kyprioth.

Nawat Crow- Alianne's husband and Head of the Copper Isles' Special Forces. (A/N: I made that up; I figured he might as well have an actual special role in the government for his role in the revolution. As opposed to the Queen's Guard, the Special Forces are the elite of both the warrior and spy fields. In other words, my version of the Special Opps. Force. I hope you guys know what I mean.) Former crow.

Saraivy Crow- Alianne and Nawat's oldest child. Sixteen years of age. Training for knighthood in Tortall.

Farad Crow- Second child. Fifteen years old. Mage. Lives in Copper Isles. Is one of the two children that can shape-shift into crow form.

Casinara Crow- Third child. Fourteen. Mage, but does not want that to be her career seeing as she is not that powerful. Would rather be a spy, but she is kind of unsure of that, too. Possesses the Sight to the degree of her mother. Is one of the children that can shape-shift into crow form.

Junai Crow- Fourth child. Ten years old. About to start knight training in Tortall. Has a touch of the Gift, but only enough to heal bruises and headaches and such

A/N: S what do you think? Please let me know, I'm dying to know all of your critisizems and comments all that, unless you want to falme me. In that case, you can submit it anyway, but you will just be ignored. So pleeeeease review, I will probably love you forever. Mabye.