2914. And they leave after supper is done.

Rob said. “He said something. I didn’t understand why and he would not explain. He didn’t come after you because I entered the room as you left and demand to know why I had no say in where I went and what did he mean it was unsafe. That we had been crossing for years, and never found anything more dangerous then a Wasp, which you had killed before I knew it was there. That of course led to more yelling of how we were trying to destroy everything he had done. That we just couldn’t go running around. It wasn’t safe to tempt fate. That I should not be taking you over there. Of all things that was going to far. As if going to that devils tower they were building was not bad enough. I should know by now that you needed to be watched, be monitored. I told him that I was not your shadow. I was not you. You did you and I did me. We were twins but were not the same person. I was not going to live my own life not yours. That I had an internship in the works at Helmant, and had no interest in going to some cities or ruins! I was not going to go running around the country for a year anymore than I was going to go look at dusty old ruins. He had no right to make plans for me without at least talking to me. Then I stormed out. I didn’t know you had left until I got home at noon and the cops were there. Turns out we had both been reported missing, but when I came in the Dale said, see just like I said. He just went to cool off. As to Katie, she is an adult. I will send word out that you want her to contact you, but that is all we can do. She has completed High school, so my hands are tied. That of course led to dad yelling and he actually spent a night in a cell. Don’t know that he was convinced until Mr. Ricghards came to the house and showed him the papers that proved you had complete the tests. He still said that they were given to you illegally. That you were not stable enough to take such actions.” John said. “It was a mess here there was to much that should have been said. I was mad at you for running off, for not at least coming to me. You knew we would help. Then I realized you didn’t want us involved. That you felt it was bad enough. Still it hurts that you ran. I can see a bit. Yet. Now through I see that you felt it was the only way. That you were a danger just by being you. They made you feel that you were a monster. What they did.” Kat said. “Does not excuse me. I was wrong. Yes I was a child, but still there were better ways. I was acting only in anger, not thinking. I shouldn’t have left as I did. You have every right to be angry at me. I would have understood if you weren’t talking to me. I can’t speak for them. I do not know what they heard or saw that caused the actions. I was a child, they had reasons to be worried. Yes they could have handled it better, but so could of I. Truly they never said much about me directly. They might not know how the bits they said affected me.” John said. “Then why didn’t they say anything? Why not give us their side, after all they have had four years where you could say nothing. Yet they never even talked about that night. Only reason I ever knew you wrote at all was one of the others said they saw them with the letter, or what they had been told you said. It isn’t right that they hid them, tried to act like they never got them. Yes I am upset that you didn’t write me, but also that I had to fight to find out what you had said and then wasn’t told much more than you were doing good and enjoying school. I am sure you at least said that you were in a guard force. Plus it was clear they knew you were in town.” Kat said. “I have no idea what the receive or what they read. I did send at least one a month to them, addressed to the family. I did not handle it right. I will agree and yes after this there will be better communication. I never said where I was exactly, but there were hints. I talked of passing through Cailm’s Port. And seeing a Bing Tree, that there were gryphions and Dragons did talk. For all it was a risk, after all it was likely that someone would think to write to the embassy or asked the ambassador about getting a message to me. Granted they might not know the name, but those question were passed on, and it would received an answer.” She shrugged. “It was silly but a part of me wanted to hear from you even as I refused to send the letters that would tell you where I was, as I didn’t send any of the ones I wrote to any of you. I did not say I was in the the guard but did right of working security and that I had been given some mettles for doing my job. I told them of making trips and taking part in from trade and peace treaties. Let them know that I was making a names for myself as an ambassador and that that there was starting to be more talk in the court of sending someone here. Yet they were not sure how contact would be received, if it was wanted. However there was growing support. Then two months ago I wrote that I had volunteered to come as I needed some classes from that side and had in the past been admitted to Scholars. That I was in talks with the school and they were honoring that admittance. Last month I said that I had enrolled and was working on buying an apartment. That they could send a letter to Calim’s Port addressed to Kat Wildstone if there was anything they wanted to say. I also had one hand deliverd to father. For all that likely insured it was destroyed as tainted. I had to try and warn them. I don’t know that read them, and don’t understand why they wouldn't have said something.” Rob said. “I don’t know but I am going to ask them. It is game night, and we are to be there in a bit. John, this time I am going to. You tried now I get to. So how did it go when you told them at the Plalace who Kat was?” John said. “I will do my best to stay out of it and let you get it started. However I get to them that she is going to be at the High table with us.” Kat looked at them and shook her head. Petter said. “Yes you are, and in the honored guest seat. Dad was already delighted to learn that Nighlin was sending an ambassador and was pulling out all the stops for your welcoming next Wednesday, no matter that Ambassador Galven was doing his best to say that you didn’t want anything elaborate, that it wasn’t your style. Dad and Mom said they need need an event as a warm up and this was perfect. I said that I had just come from talking with you and that you had said you were going Military dress for the introduction and they both should know how Katie liked fancy events, so could the please pull back a bit. Dad looked at me shocked, then it changed to confusion as Ambassador Galven said. Just what I that Lord Wildstone would do. She doesn’t like to dress up, tries to hide from it all. This really is to much. Dad said. Well I guess, but just how did I meet you and what did it have to do with Katie? Kat laughed, just seeing it. It didn’t help that Gaven knew her name had been Kathryn so likely guessed. “I said that it turned out the school you found had a lot in common with Sheves and that you were know know as Kat Wildstone and were here not only to take classes but to act as the first contact Ambassador for Nightlin. Dad fell into a chair and the guards actually looked shocked. It was great. Of course I had to tell him everything you had said and then again with Mcale and Heather got there. It is still happening Wednesday, during evening court, with a supper to follow, but there is no band or dance. That was the best I could get. In return you will be giving John his crown and joining us for the formal supper. Oh and a bunch of diners between now and then, but you expected that.” Kat shook her head. “Yes you had best tell the folks. They need to get ahead of it if they want any peace from the rest. I expected the dinners to happen. Both for the Ambassador and John’s sister. However I didn’t expect to be taking part in the Coronation. I do hope that I can arrange meetings to go over the protocol here. I might have done this before, but I don’t think that it will be the same.” She shook her head. “Mark is going to love this. He knows how much I detest these things, which is why he had me not Bear go to Riverton to crown there king. Still not to sure how it fell on me. That was not among the duties I was told I would have. Now this. I thought it was priests that did that here?” John said. “We don’t want to have a fight over what Church so are changing that. It was to be the Marshall for me, as I am ranked in the Guard, and Philip for Petter. They had tried to get Rob to so it was both done by a sibling, but he said that wasn’t in government ion any from and it should be someone that was. So as you are in government and a knight of the realm it was perfect. Even Father Davies agreed. For all he dislikes the fact that the heir is wed to another man. Wills was practically dancing that he got of it of, and you had it. You are cleared to carry weapons anywhere you want to. You are a Knight of the Kingdom, and passed the guard test. It doesn’t matter that you are also an ambassador. That fact that you are knighted gives you the right to carry weapons. It would help if you stopped by the off and picked up a guard badge for your belt. I was just going to bring you one, but then Frances got involved and you need a different one as you are a knight. So I left them designing it.” He shook his head. “I walked in to the office only to be yelled at that we needed to get ready from an Ambassador from Nightlin, and who knew if that was trouble or not. That given the reports we needed to have the top ranks on the walls in throne room. Did I have anyone that could watch my back yet? This was just why I had to stop delaying. There was no way to know how skilled the ambassadors was.” That got some laughter. “I told him that she was deadly, as she was the one that flew across the stage to meet the assassin in the report and had set all of us on our butts in train training more than once.” Kat broke out laughing and nodded when the others looked at her. “Wills only went down once, but the rest of the class more than that. They had me down a lot to. Still I have an advantage as I know them and they do not know what I have learned.” John said. “He paled and asked me if I was sure and just how I knew that. I said that sis told me about it over lunch and that she was wondering if there was a way that she could wear her weapons openly without you having to let every ambassador carry them. He blinked and said that you were still on the books as a guard, and as for the ambassador, if she was on the stage she was knight so had the right to. Just how did Katie know and why didn’t I tell him you were back that he needed to talk you into taking our guard before I got myself killed. I said, well Kat is the Ambassador for Nightlin, so she can’t take the guard but will be recommended a trained assassin for the post. However the person won’t be here for about three weeks. He just looked at me for a bit. Then said. No you don’t. Your sister is that Ambassador! She is giving you the crown! I don’t care. And he did indeed start dancing. He was loud enough the doors were flung open and so I do think all will know before morning. At least you are no longer a threat.” Vin said. “The only of my mom’s questions that hasn’t been answered is how did you send the letters. Oh and Sally wants to know what color your uniform is.” Kat said. “Black and gold, with green stripes do to my school for the formal uniform, black and green for everyday. They are not to bad. I sent most of them by birds, but sent a few with ships that were heading this way. Only tow did I ask to be hand delivered to them. The second one saying I was fine after the storm and then the one about my coming here.” Vin nodded. “That should do for now. I told them that Kat was an ambassador but not for who, so need to do and tell them that she will be taking part in the Coronation. I can wait three days, but more than that and I will be in trouble.” Rob said. “The folks will know tonight so if they don’t say anything it is there fault. Now tomorrow is market day.” Kat nodded. “My neighbor is going to help me out there, after all I am an outsider now. As a mage I need to follow the unwritten rules, and some have changed. Still we will likely see you there.” Rob nodded. “You will, I have cupboards to fill to. We will have to do this downstairs next week. Only fair I host sometimes, for all you have the better library. That is going to be handy. Jas you had best go tell your folks. They will be upset if they find out by seeing her in the market.” He nodded. “That they will. So I will see you all tomorrow.” He went to kiss Kat but stopped. “Sorry. I will get used to it, but well I am going to slip some. I do understand what you want, but I know how I feel.” Kat closed her eyes and took a breath. “Give me two months, get to know me and the servant that I will have. See just what you asking. Then we will talk. I am not the person you knew, nor are you the one I knew. We need to be sure that we didn’t change to much before anything happens. I don’t want you to give your life up for me, but if you need it. If I can see you need to, need me. Then I won’t say no. That is all I can offer. I am not promising anything, just that agreeing not to say never.” Jasper smiled. “That is fair and likely will assure my folks. That I can deal with. I don’t like it, and don’t see why, but I will push less. See you in the Market. Come on guys she needs to get the last news sent and warn her neighbors that there is going to be a bit more traffic than she had expected.” Kat nodded and walked them to the door then crossed the hall. He was right they did need to know that they now had an ambassador living across from them so there would be a few more people in uniforms poking around.