It's nearly time, the comet is coming in just a few more days. And a lot has changed last 8 years since Drake wanted some more independence and Geoff came to live with us. Geoff is now 16 years old and works in the stables as a stable boy. Though he often dreams of becoming a knight and is a very ingenious young man. In the middle of the stables, he made a mannequin to practice his sword fighting. I will admit I was half tempted to pick up one of the wooden swords he made and try it out, but I remembered my vow to never pick up another weapon for as long as I live. I told him that he could work on his skills after his chores for Friar Peter are done, but he seems to be spending more time doing that instead of cleaning like he's supposed to. I told him that the next time I catch him practicing instead of working that I was doing to take that dummy of his apart. That seemed to get him to stop for a while but I'll bet he's been secretly practicing behind my back. That's ok, I'll catch him in the act one of these days, he knows by now that I always make good on my promises.

I know he also wants Colt to train him to be a knight but since the invasion of the Teregoths, Colt hasn't had the time to train him. But he said he would be back sometime tomorrow in the letter he sent me. That makes me very happy to hear every time I read it because I've gone through a lot of changes recently myself. With Drake getting older, Colt wanted us to start thinking about a family of our own. It was difficult because for some reason. we just couldn't have one. But then one day about 9 months ago, I started having the sign I had seen many MANY times. And on the day, I knew for sure, I told Colt. He was over the moon with excitement. To be honest, I don't know who was more excited of the news, Colt, Geoff or Drake.

And as for Drake, he's grown into a fine young dragon. He and Geoff have never met before and I plan to keep it that way. For the next few days at least. After that, then I'll consider introducing my human brother to my dragon brother. I make sure to visit Drake every day, but bring him his food has become a harder chore than ever with my condition. I told him the truth about our father, except the part about his death and about Einon, and that Draco was a dragon. He took it surprisingly well, I also told him about the potion father left for me and Colt and that we have to take it once a year. I have also taught him the Once way and the Old Code of the Knights the way father taught me . But I did leave out his blending abilities, flying and breathing fire. Just until the comet passes by. Now he's taller than I am by 3 feet and my height is 5 ft. 4.

On some sadder news, Brother Gilbert and King Bowen passed away years ago. Prince Ethan became king shortly afterwards. He had tried to get me to take the crown since I was the eldest and technically a princess, but I politely refused him. I'm just not cut out for palace life. And Friar Peter has grown very old. I don't know how much longer he's gonna be with us. A few weeks ago, we introduced Mansel to Drake so he could help me take care of him. When he first laid eye on Drake, he fainted. But after a couple of days, he got used to Drake and the two of them became good friends. I just finish cooking Drake's dinner and call for Mansel.

"Yes lady Kalias? You called for me," Mansel asks as he enters the kitchen.

"Yes Mansel, I have to gather herbs for that special potion I told you about and I need you to take this down to Drake," I groan as I put my hand on my stomach, "Oh, sorry the baby is pushing."

"Are you sure you should be gathering herbs? Maybe you should lay down and wait for Colt to come tomorrow instead," Mansel says as he puts a hand on my back in comfort, "I can handle Drake."

"No no no I'll be fine. Here you can borrow my key," I say as I hand him the cauldron and start to get my key out for him.

"Oh that's not necessary. Friar Peter already gave me his to use."

"Oh ok, well thank you very much. Now remember, you can't breathe a word to anyone about Drake, especially to Geoff. I have a hard enough time as it is keeping his curiosity away from the dungeons."

"I promise. I won't speak a word about Drake to Geoff," Mansel says as he carries the cauldron out of the kitchen and to Drake's room.

Now to make sure Geoff is doing his chores before I leave. I grab my basket, some shears and a small shovel and start walking towards the gate. I see him looking over the wall and I go over to him. Passing by are several knights and squires in red tunics with gold trim riding by on horses. The last one is a little older than Geoff but not by much. He looks up at us; his eyes went from Geoff to mine. He smiles and bows his head slightly at me before leaving with the others.

"Wishing to be one of them won't get the stables clean faster Geoff," Friar Peter says to him as he comes up behind us.

"Where do you suppose they're going all dressed up like that?"

"They're going to the castle. The king is swearing-in Lord Osric as his new chief adviser today. Maybe with his help, our king will finally be able to regain his senses."

"Kalias," Geoff asks and turns to me, "You're one of the best healers in the land. Isn't there anything you can do for him?"

"Sadly no," I admit because honestly I don't know what has happened to King Ethan lately, "He used to be a brilliant man, but lately his mind seems to be in a daze and it's like he's off in another world of his own. Nothing I have tried has worked on him. It's beyond my power to help and it's so frustrating!"

"Calm down Kalias. It's ok," Peter calmly says to me as he puts his hand on my shoulder to comfort me, "You can't be expected to heal every one, you know that."

"I know," I sigh and pick up my things, "It's just so frustrating wanting to help him, but being powerless to do anything. Geoff, you are going to be in trouble if that stable isn't clean by the end of the day."

"I promise the stables will be as clean as the abbot's table before Mass. And if you or Friar Peter will open that door," He says and points to the door leading to Drake's room, "I'll also clean out that old dungeon for you. Kalias your baby is gonna be born any day now. You should be taking it easy. Isn't that what you tell other expecting mothers all the time?"

Peter and I look at each other and then back at Geoff. I arch my eyebrow and cross my arms at him while Peter shakes his head and pulls Geoff towards the stables.

"I'll tell you a secret about that dungeon Geoff," Peter softly says to him. He leans in closer to listen, "There's nothing in there that can help you to become a knight. You are a good boy and you have a good heart. If you work hard and try a little humility, you'll be a fine Stables Master someday."

Disappointment quickly shows on his face, but he politely nods his head. As I watch Peter leave, I hear Geoff softly say, "I'll be out of here before I'm any kind-of stable master."

"Geoff get back to the stables and forget about the dungeon," I say, turn him and gently start pushing him all the way there, "I expect at least half of it to be done when I get back. And don't forget the corners this time ok?"

"Ok sister," He sighs as I hand him a pitchfork and pat him on the shoulder.

"Kalias hello," Colt calls out as he gets off his horse.

"Colt you're back," I smile and kiss him, " I'm so glad. I thought your letter said you wouldn't be home until sometime tomorrow."

"Lord Osric called us back early to witness his being sworn in a King Ethan's advisor. But what you doing out here? You should be at home in bed."

"I told her that but she doesn't listen to me, "Geoff chimes in with the pick fork in his hands.

"Oh hush you," I frown at him and then whisper to Colt as we walk to the entrance, " I would be but it's that time and I need to gather the herbs for that potion. But if I had some help, I could be done a lot faster."

"You know I can't resist those gorgeous eyes of yours and those charms. I would be happy to help you, " Colt smiles and rubs my belly, " You gather the high ingredients and I'll get the low ones."

"Sounds good to me," I say to him.

Half an hour later, the two of us return to the monastery with the herbs and ingredients to make our yearly potion. We start heading to our home when I notice something out of the corner of my eye. I back up and we both do a double take. For a moment I thought I had just imagined it, but I hadn't. Mansel is in the stables doing Geoff's job and Geoff's nowhere to be found.

"Mansel what are you doing?"

"Repenting for my sins," He says to us as he works.

"What," Colt laughs, " What sin could you possibly have done?"

"I might have been a bit prideful earlier and Geoff let me do this so I could keep my soul humble."

"Really," I skeptically ask as I cross my arms, "Just what happened in the last half hour I was gone?"

"Well I had just come out of Drake's room and Geoff saw me. When he questioned why I was carrying Friar Peter's old cauldron around, I told him that Friar Peter and you had given me a new secret chore to do."

"Mansel, you didn't tell him about Drake, " Colt fearfully asks him, "Please tell us you didn't!"

"No, I told him that was the point, that it was a secret," He calmly said and that reassured me, but it still didn't answer our question as to how Mansel was doing Geoff's work, "Well, he said that a new chore given by both you Lady Kalias and Friar Peter was pretty special and that I should take some pride in it. Well I did for a moment, until he pointed out that pride is one of the 7 Deadly Sins. Then he let me clean the stables."

"Mansel? Where is Geoff? And do you still have your key," I smirk at him and think, "Very clever little brother of mine."

"He just left and the key is right here," He says and feels the tie on his robe. Panic clearly starts showing on his face as he feels all over his robe for it, "It's gone!"

"Mansel, Geoff tricked you and stole your key when you weren't looking," Colt says to him.

The look on Mansel's face reminds me of a fish. His eyes are wide and he keeps opening and closing his mouth, but no sound comes out of it. Normally I would be laughing at this point, if the situation wasn't serious. I need to find Geoff now.

"I'll take care of this. Mansel you go about your normal duties, "I say to him as I take the pitch fork and then turn to Colt to give him the basket I had, "Colt take these home and I'll join you in a bit."

As I storm off to Drake's room, I think, "Geoff if you're where I think you are, you're in big trouble buster!"