Ann and Remtani had gone with Steve and Curt to Steve’s office to act as bodyguards while they filed the contract. Both men thought it unnecessary, but Nim was worried, and Drepal seem to think he had reason to be. Ann kept a spell shield around them the whole time. There were a couple of times Remtani thought something seemed off, and once Drepal told Ann to keep a close eye on a group of figures. Drepal wouldn’t take over unless she needed to after her difficulty going to sleep the day before. Ann also kept in constant contact with Nim to let him know how they were save a brief time to let Thailyn know Andy was quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, there were no problems and they made it to the office and back okay. It left Ann wondering what Mr. Creepy had planned to affect the contract. Nim wanted to call and confront him but the rest thought it was a bad idea. Right now, it was likely he thought they had little or no information about him. They thought it best he continued to think that. Jo talked more with her mother about her life in Menthanla. She told her of the surprise wedding and honeymoon at the beach. She told her a little about Nim’s surgery, mostly that he’d had an old injury that needed attention and she talked of her job, telling of the kids and some of their problems. “One little girl is only about eight from the best we can tell. She doesn’t talk much so we’re not sure if she ran away or her parent sent her away. A friend she made said he thought she ran away but she told Thailyn her parents sent her away. “Another boy’s been on his own so long, he doesn’t know how to relate to others. He’s trying so hard to fit in and do well. He gets into a lot of fights. The last couple were his attempts to get other kids to behave. There was a group of kids teasing Jaidu because her father neglected her education and he took them all on.” “That’s terrible.” Jo nodded. “Although, he was doing quite well. Remtani wants him to enlist. He’s a soldier.” Amelia nodded. “He mentioned that yesterday. He’s quite high-ranking too it sounds like. Although, he seems quite young.” “We’re the same age. Age doesn’t play as much importance there as skill. Remtani is a natural leader. He’s always on the lookout for new soldiers, however, Pt’this wants the boy to finish schooling first.” “Pt’this?” “He’s one of the ones who run the home. He, his wife, Sapphire, Dae, and Ti all run it.” “Dae and Ti are dragons. The way Nim acts I wouldn’t think dragons would treat their kids that way.” “They don’t. All the kids are human. Pt’this is also a dragon. Remtani is the one who started the home, based on things Pt’this’s nephew Kith had done. Kith passed away several years ago, so Rem asked Sapphire to run the place because Kith had raised her.” “The woman was raised by her husband’s nephew?” “Kar, the real Kar, and his wife were terribly sick so they sent Kith to live with Pt’this and his first wife. Kith was helping street kids and gave Sapphire a place to stay.” “This man raised his nephew to adulthood who then turned around and raised this girl and she married the uncle?” “It’s not like they were related. Kith never even adopted her.” “But how old is he?” “Mom, he’s a dragon. They don’t age like we do.” “How old is he?” Amelia insisted. “Eight hundred,” Jo said. “How old?” “Eight hundred years old. Kith was two hundred and fifty when he died.” “And how old is Sapphire?” “Twenty-four.” “Nim’s not in his thirties, is he?” “No,” Jo admitted. “How old is he?” “I don’t know.” “What do you mean you don’t know? Didn’t you ask?” “Of course I did. He doesn’t know.” “How could he not know?” “When you live thousands of years, the passing of one is insignificant. They don’t keep track of ages like we do. He said he’d have to figure it out to know exactly.” “Does he know approximately?” “He said he’s about twelve hundred years old.” “Twelve hundred? You married a man who’s over a thousand years older than you?” “Do you know how crazy that question sounds?” “No crazier than you doing it.” “If you think that’s bad, look at it from his point of view. He’ll live another couple thousand years. I’m only going to live maybe fifty. Then he’ll be alone again.” Amelia stared at her as what she said sunk in. “There’s something else I should tell you too. Dragons form a connection with their spouse, a bond. We feel what each other feels, both physically and emotionally. I feel the pain from his surgery. He feels my anger when you call me a slut. I feel his too. I feel his love and passion and he feels mine. This bond has been forming since before you called to find out if he was a murderer. This man you call Kar wants to split us up? It can’t happen. Nor’than, Nathan North, spent five hundred years trying to break the bond between Thailyn’s parents and failed. Nim and I are together for life.” Amelia apologized to Jo for her behavior the previous morning. When Mr. Creepy had found out she was going to see Jo and to meet Nim in person, he’d insisted she do what she could to break them apart including insulting Jo like she had. **** Nim had wanted to drive with Jo’s parents to the airport but Thailyn wouldn’t let him. It was over an hour’s drive one way. If Nim got sick, he’d damaged the healing incision and Thailyn was not in a good way after healing Ti and Kate. They promised to call at the airport and again once they got home. The rest were finishing lunch when Mishtali scried them. As usual, Jaidu was excited to see them. She never complained and she seemed to be enjoying their time on Earth, but Ann wondered if she missed her parents more than she admitted. “You’ll never believe what happened yesterday,” she said excitedly. “Jaidu, dear, I’m sorry but we need to talk with Princess Ann and Prince Remtani today. I didn’t get a chance to get more classwork from Master Elos for you so for your assignment, I want you to write a report on it,” Mishtali said. “I already wrote it down.” “Well then, you may become queen. How about you and Remtani research the government there and how it’s run and then compare it to the one here,” Shay suggested. Jaidu nodded. “What do you need to talk to us about?” Remtani asked. “This is court business,” Pt’this said. “Vor needs to leave the room.” “Me? Why me?” “Because you’re the elf queen’s consort.” “Do you have to call me that?” Vor frowned. “You’re sleeping with her, aren’t you?” “Occasionally, if I’m lucky.” “Vor, just leave for a little bit.” Vor sighed and left. “Do we need to leave too?” Dae asked. “No, this involves the home,” Pt’this said. “Nobody else needs to leave, just don’t tell Vor.” “What is it?” Ann asked. “A new boy showed up at the home last night. He’s half-human, half-elf. Plus, Shunati knows about it.” “Why is this a problem?” Carla asked. “After everything that happened during the war against Nor’than, King Arlen, the elf king, decided they need to keep the bloodline pure and made it illegal to marry other races or have children with them. Any half-elf children are to be killed. Shunati is the first elf to hold dual citizenship in five hundred years. Legally, as a Menthanlan, he can’t kill the child. But, he is obligated to report him to Queen Deyama or the elders. If it gets out he didn’t, he’ll be banished and his family will be forced to return to Erilu and never see him again. Assassins are also sent after banished Elves. He’s protected in the palace but he’d never be able to leave. If Vor finds out, he’ll be obligated to report it all to Deyama. The elders will send assassins for the boy and possibly Shunati too,” Ann explained. “How can we protect them?” Pt’this asked. “Put Shunati in seclusion for now so he can’t tell Sinta,” Ann suggested. “We did. We said it was quarantine because the boy was sick, and we didn’t want Vaila to get sick too.” “The last treaties say if the child is Menthanlan, he’s protected. Citizenship comes from the father,” Ann said. “We don’t know who the father is,” Pt’this said. “Can you speak to the mother?” Andy asked. “She’s in a coma, she has been for years. Shunati wanted to heal her, but the family won’t let him.” “We’ll talk with Vor about that,” Ann said. “Have Rejenn find out who the father is,” Remtani said. “I’ll talk with him.” Pt’this nodded “And, if you feel it necessary, put a couple of guards on the boy. Solvnor and Merton I’d suggest. I think Crito might be intimidating. But, tell Solvnor he better do a better job than he did with Ann.” Pt’this nodded. “I don’t know that’s necessary, but we’ll keep it in mind. “Also, Emeton wants to know how much longer you’ll be,” he added. “We’ll probably be home tomorrow,” Ann said. “There’s something we need to finish here first. We’ll tell you about it.” Then she smiled. “Or, you can read Jaidu’s composition.” “Okay see you then.” Pt’this nodded and Mishtali ended the spell. They called Vor back in. “So what is it I’m not supposed to hear?” He asked. They frequently claimed court business to keep those who shouldn’t be involved from the conversation but would tell them later to keep them from the mix-ups of gossip. “Sorry, we can’t tell you this time,” Ann said. “Is Deyama okay?” “She’s fine.” “Shun?” “He’s also fine. He’s in quarantine right now. He had to treat a sick kid from the home. He’s fine. He’s just trying to protect Vaila.” “But he’s okay? Wait, why wasn’t Vaila with him?” “Pt’this didn’t say. Maybe somebody else is watching them.” “But…” “Relax Vor. We’ll be home tomorrow. Come with us to Sen-gan and check on him.” “I don’t know that I can. I’ll scry him at least.” “Who’s Vaila?” Carla whispered to Andy. “Shunati’s son. He was way premature so Shunati’s been acting as an ICU for him.” “I think it’s about ten weeks now,” Ann said. “When Sinta kept going into labor, he was started pushing the development of the child’s organs at the expense of the size. He has trouble staying warm,” Vor explained. “Do you how risky that was?” Thailyn asked. “Not as risky as if he’d left him alone to be born so early. He knew Sinta wouldn’t carry the child full-term. Shun did everything he could to make sure the child survived.” “He could’ve stopped the labor.” “He did. Several times. Vaila and Sinta couldn’t take it any longer. Shun’s always wanted to be a father. He would do anything for that baby.” “But…” “Boys, let’s not fight. What’s done is done,” Carla said. “Boys?” Vor laughed. “You do realize we're both older than you.” “Then act like it. If you’re going to act like a child, then you’ll be treated like one.”