A/n: chapter 2

A/n: chapter 2. This is after her fifth child is born. So like a year later. Andy and Keila are 11. I will introduce the rest of the 5 in this chapter. I didn't feel like dwelling on the other stuff…read and review. The next chapter will jump to when Andy and Keila turn 16…

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone except for the people I've made up…

"Mother, I don't want to go to court. I hate the dresses and the way I have to wear my hair. Shouldn't we stay here with Anna? She is only one year old." Keila complained whilst her maid combed her hair. Aly was busy putting on her earrings and trying to arrange the baby's clothing.

"Keila, we are going to court to introduce baby Anna. Your Aunt Dove insisted partly because your cousin Briar will be introduced as well and Amalia is going to be introduced as Heir Apparent for Dove which means I have to be there. So you will quit complaining and once Baikal is done braiding your hair you will go fetch your brother." Aly looked at her daughter and suppressed a laugh; she was pouting and reminded Aly of Dove as a young child. She turned around and viewed Anna. Annalyn was the youngest of her and Nawat's brood or 5. Having been born only a year previous she was the final child in their family. She wore light blue silk with white slippers on her feet. Her baby fine hair was gathered up into a jeweled clip. Aly looked dazzling in crème silk with a royal purple over robe. Her hair was intricately braided and coiled on her head like many pythons waiting to attack. She looked over at her other children. Keila uncomfortable in white silk with a green over robe. She pouted as her maid finished up the intricate braids in her hair as well. Her youngest son, 6 year old Stephan looked absolutely regal with crème breaches and a brown tunic with gold and purple embroidery. And her middle daughter, 4 year old Danae, whom they called Dana, looked elegant in purple silk with a white over robe. Aly smiled to herself as Nawat entered the room with their oldest son Andy who, because he was old enough, had been outfitted with a jacket to go over his breeches. He was in black silk breeches and a black jacket with white lace trim. She looked finally at Nawat and swooned inwardly. He was in soft brown pants and a crème under shirt and a royal purple jacket.

"I love you." Aly said and turned to her children. "This is Anna's first time at court, so I want everyone on their best behavior. And Andy, you are going to present Amalia to court as the heir apparent. I love you all my children. Lets get this over with." She smiled and her children giggled. They filed out in age order, Keila, Andrew, Stephan, Danae, and finally Aly, Nawat and baby Annalyn.

"Aly BrightEyes, why are you looking so glum?" Nawat asked her as they walked quickly from their rooms to the throne room.

"You know how I despise being all dolled up. Court is my least favorite place." She huffed as she carried Anna.

"But you look beautiful. And our nestlings look all sparkly. Cheer up Aly." He pressed a kiss to her temple and Aly sighed.

'Damn if I ever argue with a crow.' She thought as they passed under the golden arch into the robbing pavilion. She saw Keila shoot a glance at Andrew, who nodded. 'Oh great. She's up to something…what else is new?' she thought and decided to overlook the situation as she followed her children into the throne room. She looked to the dais where Dove and her husband Rudakai sat with their children surrounding them, 2 girls, 9 year old Amalia and 6 year old Dovasary the II. As well as their son, 1 year old Briar who sat on a small cushion. Amalia immediately got up and smoothed out her wrinkled silks and patted her hair. She walked very regally and curtsied to Andy, who turned 3 shades of red and bowed back. Andy looked back at Aly, while Amalia looked back at Dove, both mothers nodded at the same moment and the children went over and began to talk by the small pond by the dais. Aly left Nawat with the rest of the children and went to Dove.

"Your Highness." She curtsied and let out a small laugh. Dove too giggled and swept up to give her spymaster a hug.

"Aly, my friend. Where have you been? How is my god daughter?" Dove asked as Aly settled into a seat next to her.

"Keila is as stubborn as ever. I suspect her and Badi have a secret rendezvous planned." Aly mused.

"Oh, she is simply you with a smaller body." Dove laughed and turned to her husband, "Rudi darling, is Keila not just Aly in a smaller body?"

"Rudi laughed, "oh yes. You have yourself a sprightly one there Aly." They continued to talk, a few minutes later Aly took a moment to sweep the room for her children. Amalia and Andy were still by the pond. Annalyn and Briar were being tended to by nurses on the dais. Danae and several young Dukes were playing with a large toy castle and Stephan was having a mage teach him how to do a spell. She couldn't find Keila until she saw her slip through the door of the Robing Pavilion. Aly excused herself from the conversation and followed her daughter. Keila was headed to the Lily viewing pond and there Aly saw someone she hadn't seen in almost 12 years. George Cooper sat on a bench and Keila ran to him and gave him a big hug.

"Granda!" Aly heard the little girl squeal.

"How is my pretty Keila?" her father asked

"I'm perfect. I think mommy suspected me this time…"

"You're right on that one." Aly said stepping out from the bushes.

Keila's green eyes widened to a saucer like width and George smiled at his daughter.

"Da? What are you doing here?" Aly asked

"The Tortallan delegation is coming to present gifts to the Heir Apparent and her betrothed. I skipped ahead. I was just checking with my agents when this little girl ran up to me in the road. All I saw was a mud ball flying at me. But that smile and those eyes were my Aly's. I asked her, her name and got a pert 'My name is Yuri Homewood.'. That's when I knew. So I told her I knew her mother. And she says, 'My mother left us when I was a little girl.' I followed her back to the palace and got a message to her through a pretty little maid. Her liar's palace is almost as good as yours." George laughed.

"Oh Da. I've missed you." Aly ran to her father and embraced him. He pulled back and held her at arms length.

"Damn, look at you. A woman, in a pretty dress. We've missed you Aly girl. I'll tell your mother you look well. They won't be here for another day or so. Then I imagine we'll see you at court?" George asked

"You might. The heir's betrothed is my son Andy. So either Nawat or I will be there." Aly smiled and looked at her daughter. "Keila, we need to go back in. Taybur had something he wanted to show you."

Keila lit up, hugged George around the knees and ran as fast as the dress she wore would let her. Aly looked at her father.

"Well Aly Girl. You've outdone yourself. I'll tell your mother that you are good and hopefully you'll see us. I love you." George hugged his daughter and Aly was quick to say, "I had a feeling you were going to try and recruit Keila is the palace. That's the only reason I followed her out here. Same as last time. I want all your agents out or I'll have them shipped home." He chuckled and they parted ways.

Later that night, after the declaration and the introduction Aly and Nawat were in their chamber. Aly was tucking the light cotton blanket around Anna and Nawat was already lounging in bed. That is when they heard the commotion start.

"I WILL be a spy!" came the shrill voice of Keila.

"No you won't. I heard mother talking that she would never let any of her children become spies. You'll have to be a lady in waiting and get married." Andy said back clearly looking to be superior

"I'll never get married! I'll never be a lady in waiting for Amalia! I'm going to be a spy!" Keila yelled at her brother, they listened as bare feet slapped their way to their door and their eldest daughter burst in. Tears streaming down her face.

"Da, tell Andy I can be a spy. Tell him I don't have to get married." She sobbed by the door. Nawat opened his arms and Keila jumped into them.

"You can be whatever you'd like to be my love. Though I do hope you get married, so that I can have grandchildren. You go to sleep now love. Andy will leave you alone." Nawat whispered at his daughter. He disappeared for a time and then returned to their room visibly amused.

"You are so good with them. I love you Nawat." Aly kissed him and snuggled into bed. Nawat came to wrapping his arms around her. And then they slept…

A/n: As I said, next chapter is 5 years in the future…that's when the good stuff starts…