Nixiesocean: Oh yay! Reviewers! I fixed my errors. :-D

Responses:

Simplegrl007: Of course I forgive you! Thank you for pointing out my grammatical errors (I hate neuter pronouns!). I went back and fixed them. I understand being busy, these past three days; I've been on FF.N like an hour at most. I've been watching the old Pride and Prejudice. Hehe. It's a really good chick flick. Anyways, thank you for the long post. Mine are nearly never that long.

CascadeOfBeauty: When is it confusing. I know with all the brothers being 'A's it is kind of hard… but that was intentional. Is it hard because both the twins are 'A's as well?

Classy Lady Elegance: Thank you. Although Aram is the hotheaded one, he also knows that he's the eldest, and therefore the one to inherit the throne. You might say he knows more of duty deep down inside than Ade.

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Chapter 6: Jade

When we arrived back at the camp, it was totally decimated. "You know," Ceara said. "I think by the hurry you left this camp in that you truly thought I couldn't fend for myself."

Her question reminded me of something. "What's Draining?" I asked absently.

I saw her shudder. "Don't-"

I turned toward her. My eyes, I knew, showed immense worry. "If you love me as deeply as you say you do, you'll tell me. I want to know what trouble might come our way." I grasped her hand. "I'll be there," I whispered, heart thumping madly. "Every step of the way."

Ceara let out a forced laugh. "Of course," Small tears began to form in her eyes. "I come to protect you, and look what ends up happening." She smiled in spite of the tears. "You vow to protect me."

I gently kissed her cheek. "No, love, help. No one could protect themselves better than you." I smiled. "What about Draining?"

She turned away. "Ah, how to describe Draining?" I reached around and placed my arms on her waist. If she noticed she made no move. "My parents – they were both Drained – describe it differently." I noticed she smelled faintly of new rain. "To Dragons, it is like having a limb torn off." I shuddered. "It's like having a part of you taken away. Some scholars maintain that a Dragon can regain Draconsis – the part that makes up the Dragon versus a Human – if proper steps are taken."

"Such as?" I said softly in her ear. The morning was still new. We'd lose time, but I didn't care. This was way more romantic.

"Having someone to love." She murmured almost inaudibly.

"What happens when a Human is Drained?" I asked.

"No one knows." She said plainly. "Anyone that was Drained merely dropped dead after the experience." She breathed deeply. "Most don't survive long enough to scream."

I nodded. "I understand why you're so reluctant to speak of it."

"My mother had nightmares long after she was Drained." Ceara bowed her head. "Some of me wishes I could be Drained – if only to understand what she went through. Most of me, the sensible side, takes my mother's advice: Stay away from it."

"Asnarinith wanted to Drain me." I told her.

"I know." Again, she shuddered. "It won't happen to you," She said. "Not if I'm there." She broke my semi-hug and walked away to look at the remnants of our camp.

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Thank the Goddess I keep my backpack with me. For sure, I'd lose this journal.

Of course he'd be embarrassed to see me naked! I'll just – no I'll let him come to terms with it on his own. I know he loves me. I see it in his heart (that anger exposed a lot of his walls that hid it) and with his actions. Though, I truly want to find a forest tribe.

I hear their marriage rites are fairly easy.

Written after the day's ride.

He wanted to know of Draining. I tried to make it as easy as possible for him to understand. In reality, Diary, it's far worse than merely losing a limb; It's losing a part of yourself; losing a part of what makes you, you

He asked what happens when a Human was Drained. I tried to be as blunt as possible. Really, though, Diary, I won't tell him what truly happens. Your soul is stripped away in a series of what feels like knives or flames cutting it from your body. Your body is undamaged, but your inner self, your mind and soul, are ruined. No Human survived longer than a week after a Draining. Most had memories wiped and painful nightmares of it during the week they were alive.

I never knew any Human that was Drained. The Draconic Lineage outlawed it over a millennia ago. How did Asnarinith gain a hold over it? He was a mere Human when my father lived in his real time (he was drug a millennia in the future because he was going to die)! Even though that was slightly over a millennia, Asnarinith wouldn't have been old enough to get it.

Was someone else involved?

I won't think more on it.

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I tied up the one horse I had brought with me. I'd even forgotten its name… When I turned around, I saw Ceara's face there. Her lips made contact. Her arms wrapped around my neck and pulled it in harder. Where had she learned to kiss so well? I was blushing furiously when she released me. "Ceara!"

"What?" She whispered. "It's not like you really minded." Gently, I moved her out of the way. I started to walk around the clearing to find "tinder" and other wood to burn.

"How far to the next town?" I asked over a shoulder.

"A day, we should arrive tomorrow."

"Find some suitable cover." I ordered. "I'll find some wood for a fire."

"Yes, Your Great Awesome Leaderness." I smiled in spite of her teasing. Before long, she had taught me how to make a "lean-to" (in which pieces of brush are leaned against a single pole). I learned how to make bedding from pine needles and other leaves. Finally, she showed me how to create some semblance of a blanket from river rushes, since she insisted we camp near a river.

It was a cool summer night. We would need to buy new supplies when we were in town. The lean-to was not especially big (nor comfortable) so Ceara slept very close. She had claimed to be too tired to make another lean-to for herself. I secretly suspected she wanted a reason to be near me. Sighing in her sleep, she rolled over, facing me. She seemed very peaceful in the land of dreams. Smiling, I laid an arm over her waist and tried to fall asleep without a pillow. I never saw her contented smile.

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Ade's barriers seemed to have dropped from his moment of fury. I had a hard time keeping control of my own emotions. Waves of content and happiness wafted over from his mind (though it was far away) and affected my own emotions. Once, I even found a servant romantically interesting. It scared my how much power Ade seemed to have over my emotions these days.

No woman held my fancy. No woman could contend with my ideas of women, though Ade seems to have found Ceara to his liking. I was secretly (and very guardedly) jealous that Ade had a love interest. It seemed that with each passing day, Ade was luckier than I; it seemed like he had a better life.

I shook my head. I'm sure the Goddess would send along some girl for me to take as a wife. I'll probably end up marrying for power and stability anyways. My couch seemed to suck me in, telling me don't practice today, there's always tomorrow. Sighing, I left the comfy couch and went down to the training yard.

To my surprise, someone was already dueling. The helmet covered the other dueler's face but I could tell my mother's build from a mile away, so I knew her. But the other dueler? I had no clue as to who it was.

The other dueler's Caller spoke when – he? She? – made a touch. "Two!"

My mother quickly recovered. Her Caller shouted, "Three! Queen Katharine wins!" I had made it to the sidelines. My mother removed her practice helmet.

"Great duel," She said, reaching down a padded hand. "I hope to see you again."

I was jealous. Who else received praise from my mother than I? I was the one out here every day learning the art of fighting! I was the one that worked hard every day to gain praise, and here she handed it out willy-nilly? I slammed down on that surge. It must be Ade's influence again.

I felt no emotions from him.

I turned my eyes back on the practice field. The second dueler took of their helmet. To my surprise, a mane of ruddy blonde hair poured out. "You've no idea my disappointment, Your Majesty." The dueler – a female! – said. "Here I was, hoping I could beat the 'Greatest Dueler on this Earth." She smiled. She turned her face toward me. My posse was not present. "And who is this?"

My mother turned. "Aram!" She knew us apart so well, our trick on our father never worked. Alan said it had to do with her being a mother. "Come on in, I was just having a friendly duel with Her Highness Princess Jade."

'Her Highness, Princess Jade' had ruddy blonde hair and deep hazel eyes. I bowed. "Welcome to Furde, Princess." I replied.

"Aram." My mother said flatly. "Do you remember where Princess Jade is from?"

She soooo had to do that? Of course I didn't remember!

Luckily, Her Highness Princess Jade saved me from mortal embarrassment. "Furde is very different from Calain," Calain! Of course! I mentally kicked myself.

"Is it to your liking?" I asked. My mother, the sly thing she is, slipped away some how.

"Yes," She gave me a small smile. "You should visit Calain sometime, Prince Aram, it has beautiful winters."

"I shall one day, Princess." I returned with a smile – though no more than the court demanded. "Would you like to visit our gardens?" I suddenly remembered she was still in dueling garb. "After you change, of course."

"I would like that greatly." She bobbed a curtsy, it looked funny without a skirt, but I made no comment. "I will send my handmaiden for you once I am ready."

I nodded my head. "Call me Aram, Princess."

She touched my arm gently. "Then I request Jade."

I nodded again. "Jade it is, Your Highness." She smiled, revealing brilliantly white teeth. I bowed and left.

I barely noticed when I entered my room and sat on that too comfy couch again.

She seemed like an answer to what I was looking for – in looks at least. That, of course, made me more wary. It might be a trick. I knew I could ascend the throne without a wife. The parliament would badger me, however, if I didn't marry.

Princess Jade was an oddity. Why would King Michael send his firstborn daughter to a backwater country like Furde?

"Aram?" A voice asked. It was Mother. "I'm coming in." And so she did. "How is Princess Jade?"

I narrowed my eyes. "You sent for her."

She rolled hers. "No, actually, I didn't."

"Why did she come? It wasn't to admire my – how ironic – jade eyes." I said plainly. "After all, she could just look at Father, that's where they come from anyways." My mother's jaw dropped. "Why send a firstborn princess to such a rural country? Furde isn't known for being overly rich anyways."

"Aram! How can you speak of your country as such?" My mother asked. "Princess Jade is here of her accord!"

My eyelids fell. "Of her own accord? Oh, I'm sure you forgot to mention the eligible bachelor!" I turned and stared out the window. The gardens (As my room overlooked them) were really quite beautiful. I saw a figure across the gardens. She had blonde hair. She was undressing. Blushing, I shut my window and closed the curtains.

"Aram, please." Mother said carefully. "You and I both know that you must marry. Answer me this question: Is Jade truly that terrible?"

I looked at the ornate rug on the floor. "I shall speak with her, though I cannot promise any notions of romance to surface."

My mother breathed in deeply. She kissed my forehead. "And that is all I ask of you. Since your brother has run off, I need my firstborn to take up his duties." She gave me a hug and went to the door. She opened it, though, just before closing I heard, "I'm just trying to have you avoid an arranged marriage."

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My back was slowing getting used to sleep on the ground. I welcomed the form of heat next to me. My arms were covered in dew. Ceara was too. The little dewdrops were on her like little fairy kisses. It sparkled in the new morning light, giving her an unearthly appearance. I gently brushed her lips.

Her beautiful blue eyes opened. "Good morning." I murmured.

She said while snuggling deeper into my chest, "If the sun isn't up, then neither am I."

"May I start breakfast, love?" I asked; she had twined her legs with mine. A slow sigh answered me. I put my chin on her head and tried to sleep. She still smelled lightly of rain. I decided I liked it; it was fresh rain on a summer's eve. I soon fell asleep.

"The garden is beautiful, Aram." A sweet voice said.

I smiled. "I am happy you like it, Jade." Jade's blonde hair sparkled in the daylight.

"Do you have a lake of sorts?" She turned her shining hazel eyes on me. I could refuse her no more than a puppy chasing after a stick.

"Yes, though we can see it tomorrow. It lies far enough away for the need of a horse." I said stiffly. Would she ever see how unsociable I was being?

"Father didn't send me." She said quietly. "I know you think he did. My father has too much on his hands to worry about his daughter's marriage." Why was my heart flip-flopping like this? First, I couldn't refuse her; then I'm trying to keep her away!

"I heard there was unrest." I softly said. "Is it something about the Isle?"

"Yes." She whispered. "They want to be their own country rather than an annex. Father doesn't like the idea, they supply a great bit of wool and other needful things." So that's why she was here, to set up supply routes to give the Isle of the Amazons their freedom. I decided it was a noble cause, though that didn't confirm a marriage.

It took my brain to realize it wasn't truly my mind. I was seeing what Aram was doing! It was late in the morning. Had I truly slept that long? I smelled cooking. I noticed Ceara was up and about.

"Do we need to take down the lean-to?" I asked.

"But O Great Leader, don't you need to make that decision?" She teased.

"We take it down." I said dully. "I dreamed through my brother's eyes. He's seeing a girl named Jade. Princess Jade of Calain, I believe."

"That would make sense." Ceara said kindly. "The Isle of the Amazons have been an annex of Calain for about twenty years. They have been fighting the rule of a king for a while. It would make sense that King Michael would send his daughter to Furde for a marriage. Mainland Calain is very industrial verses the Isle, which is mainly farming and such." She explained. "She'd want-"

"To set up trade routes." I interrupted. "Aram already figured that out."

"Yes."

"The princess says she not here on her father's orders." I replied.

"Isn't it sort of ironic that Princess Jade is here, when both of you have jade-colored eyes?" She laughed at her own joke.

"Watch it, subordinate!" I said in a joking tone. "I can still wrestle better than you."

"Uh-huh." She cocked her head. "Yes, thank you."

"What?" I asked, completely confused.

"The rabbits brought roots for breakfast, I was merely saying that yes, we would take down our lean-to and put out our fire before we leave." She explained. "Don't ask it."

How did she know I'd ask about the rabbits?

I dare not know.

The ride was leisurely, with Ceara in front of me. I held her hips while she commanded the horse. I have to admit; I think I got the better end of the deal. In any case, the villagers stared. Here, a man and a woman, riding one dirty horse with no gear, they probably though us elopers.

Ceara dismounted. We had thought it a good idea to rub dirt into her silver hair. Little people had a full head of Dragon-like hair. She saw a man walk by.

"Excuse me-"

"I've no time, miss." He replied stiffly.

An older woman passed. I dismounted. "Pardon me, but-"

"See the herb witch!" She hissed.

"Um, thank you." I replied.

I held the horse tightly. A street urchin came up. "Master! Have ye spare change?"

My eyes widened. Even this far into the country, there were the poor, the hungry, and the hopeless. Smiling, I reached into my belt purse. I pulled out a copper or two and handed him them. "Keep them safe, little one." He thanked me heartily and ran off.

"You shouldn't do that." A voice said. "They get used to it and don't work."

I turned. A well-dressed man was there. I saw the vague glimmer of silver in his fading brown hair. "Are they not homeless then?"

"Aye, lad, they have homes." He said. I saw Ceara turn in amazement. Her eyes widened. He saw her. "Sister!"

Sister?

"Brother!" She said, giving the middle-aged man a big hug. She started speaking very fast in that hissing language her parents spoke. The man nodded. "He'll help us!" She practically squealed in delight. "A – Adam! Come on!" She grabbed my hand.

Adam?

The man was named Everett. He had two daughters. The daughters had a silver streak too. They were twins. Ceara explained the situation. "They're not in the town. Five years ago when Syan and Sara – the twins – were born, they chased the family out of town." She sighed. "A year later, the wife – Mia – grew very sick. The villagers refused to give them medicine, believing the Goddess had cursed them with odd-colored hair." A tear sprung in her eyes. "Mia died. Syan and Sara live with their father, alone and away from the village."

"What does Master Everett do for a living?"

"He's a carpenter." She replied sadly.

"I think we have a spot available for a master carpenter." I said softly.

Her eyes widened. "You'd help them?"

I smiled. "I'm not heartless."

"Oh, A – Adam!" I guessed she named me Adam because Ade was too well known. "You're so wonderful."

"Here." Everett said. He pointed to a quaint little hut. Two girls, each with bright – almost white – blonde hair ran outside. Their hair, though braided, was out of the braids and flying everywhere. Everett went down on his knees to scoop up his small children. He kissed them each, then set them down. "Say hello to Adam and Ceara." He added another thing in that strange language (Draconic?).

I guessed Ceara was common enough to not need changing.

"Hello Lady Ceara. Hello Master Adam." They chimed together.

Guess not.

"I'm Syan." One bobbed a curtsy. She had a silver streak on the right side of her hair.

"I'm Sara." The other said, also giving a curtsy. Sara had her streak on the left side.

"Please come inside." They seemed far too mature for their ages. Ceara smiled and gave them each a little copper from her belt purse. They grinned broadly, betraying their true age.

"Do you have parchment and writing things with you?" I asked quietly.

"Of course." She replied, rolling her eyes. "You want to write a court order?"

"Of course." I mocked.

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