Autumn Romance

"That is ok."Allanna spoke as she took the baby and laid it down on his bed.
The doll made more movements as it was unwrapped.


"I am making some dresses for Carol so that she would look pretty."

Bess stood at the end of the bed to watch.

"Want to hold her?" Melody carefully lifted the baby up.


Bess was very disappointed that Prince Kadern knew that it was a doll.

"Is there anything else for me to do?" she asked quietly.

"No, just your normal chores for the moment." Allanna spoke quietly.

((Wanted to see his response to t he baby))

SHe laid the baby on the bed again.
"Then let me add to your plate. Would you like any bacon or sausage?" Allanna asked quietly.


King Albert had hammered out the detials for the second case. The first case was easy, second case was harder and the third was yet to be determined.
The Advisor gathered up the paperwork and they walked to the Court Room. Once they were in the room off to one side, they asked the guard to bring the first cast to the court room.

The guard left and went to the upstairs cells.
"I need to bring the slave that was bought yesterday by King Albert. WHich one of you is the slave?" he asked as he looked at the two people.

"Very well then." He opened the cell door.
"Please step out and go out the door. I will take you to the court room."

The guard took her upper arm gently but firmly enough that she would know that he meant business. Once they were in the court room the guard stood her in the center of a red box. He then went outside.

There were only the advisor and King Albert in the room.

"Greetings. Please state your full name and background." King Albert spoke as he watched the slave.


"Here you are, Kadern. Will that be enough for you or not?" Allanna asked after placed what she had on his plate.

"What would you do if I hire you as a guard? Where would your loyality lie? What if you caught the person that I ask you to guard was stealing? WOuld you try to seduce the one I want you to guard? What would it take to make you desert your duties?" The king leaned forward and spoke quickly to Zari to see if she could handle fast firing questions.

"I am glad that you are eating well today. Perhaps you will be able to come downstairs for dinner tonight. But for now try to rest. Perhaps we can simply chat for a bit while I work on Carol's dress." Allanna spoke as she cleared up the dishes and move the table off to one side of the room.

"You would give me your Oath to protect those you are assigned to. It does not matter who they are or what position they they hold?" King Albert spoke.

"I am not sure. What kind of classes I would most likely be taking. Do you know anything about Magic Classes?" Allanna asked as she choose the color of thread she wanted to use.

"Very well then. I want you to protect two ladies. Grand Lady Avalon and Lady Allanna. I want you to be aware of where they are at all times. Make sure that they are safe.
While they are in the castle, you may relax a bit but when they go into town or outside, they must be attended.
Now they do not know that you are to guard them but they will at noon.

Speak your oath if you wish to have this position." King Albert spoke.


"Then let's talk about...... the future? Perhaps?" Allanna asked.

"Go out to the guard and ask for a new uniform. He will take you to a supply clerk who will assist you with something.
You may leave now and if you do well, I will promote you." King Albert spoke.
"For now you are Private Zari, attendant and guard over Grand Lady Avalon and Lady Allanna. You may leave."

"Hmmmm... a trick question or not? Let's assime it is not a trick question.
What kind of things will we be able to do after the snow breaks." Allanna spoke as she embroidered a tiny leaf.

"All ready to go where?" the guard asked.


"The beach? What would I do there? I mean I never been to one and have nothing to wear. I have heard that there are special things that you must wear on the beach....." Allanna spoke quietly.

"A picnic would be nice. What would we need for a picnic on a picnic? A basket to hold food. table cloth, food, drink, dishes, silverware.
What kind of foods would you want to have on a picnic?" Allanna spoke.

"Very well then. Follow me." the guard spoke.
The guard went to the supply clerk and spoke.
"Mathew, this female is to get some kind of a uniform."

"Very well then. Let's see your measurements. The order will soon be here I expect. In fact, here Timmy. What do you have for me?" Mathew asked.

"An order from the King himself." Timmy spoke with a grin.

"Thank you, Timmy." Mathew spoke as Timmy ran off.
"There is a good lad. Now let's see what it says here..... What is your name and postion to be?"


James brought in some soup and crackers.
"Here is some soup. If you can keep this down, you may be brought to the King."

The guard went to get the next two persons wanted in the court room.

"That is what it says here.... Unfortunatly we don't have any formal uniforms for females. Tell me about the kind of uniform that would suit a female guard.... What kind of fighting do you do? I will have to tailor something special for you. And don't forget to tell what you would do with your hair while on duty...." Mathew took up some paper and drew a bit as Zari talked.

"You are welcome. I shall be back in an half hour." James spoke as he left the room.

"Maybe some sandwiches? Other kinds of finger foods? Perhaps that can be discussed when we get closer to the summer." Allanna spoke softly as she gazed at the baby doll. She had just finished the last flower on the long night gown. She gently picked up the baby as if it was real. Undressed it and redressed Carol gently.

"What do you think of this gown on her?" she asked.

"Then you would need something loose like maybe like this but with a cover up for a clever disquise and a head band...... the head band tails are negotiable. And there is what I suggest...." Mathew held the pad of paper to Zari




"Thanks. I hope to make clothes for all of the babies I bought. I didn't have time before the Holidays." Allanna spoke as she took up amother outfit to embroider.

Wolfgang and Stephanwolfe were show where to stand on the rug. One one each side.

"I have made my decision on what to do with the two of you." the king began.

"Certianly. The motif is yours to decide on as a personal banner. I am not a seamstress by any means. I will need to ask Lady Allanna if I can borrow hers. She has a personal maid that is excellent with fabrics.
I mangine that she would be in Prince Kadern's room for they are often together and Prince Kadern is sick from a spider bite. Ask the butler- James is his name- where she is at the moment. He usually knows where the key people are." Mathew spoke as he handed the paper to Zari.

"It will unless I get more. I want to put up a nativity scene somewhere." Allanna spoke with a smile.
"What would you like for me to make for you? I do some sewing and embroidery work. I can make macreme tassels and the like. Even animals."


The king looked at the two from his high throne.
"I have come to my decision about the two of you.
Stephanwolfe wil reside here as a Magic Mentor.

Wolfegang, you are to find yourself a position with some castle as an advisor or some such position.
I have in my hands 2 castles that have postions open for a lessor advisor. You may choose one of these or find your own work after the big snows leave. I will not support your travels any longer.

Stephanwolfe will be here on a probation basis. I have an overseer in mind for him.
While this position is not a paid position until you have proven yourself worthy of pay, you will have needed supplies and a roof over your head, food in your stomach.

Also, niether one of you will do any arguing while you are here. Not in public or in private. Do I make myself clear?" King Albert decreeed.

Wolfegang was sweating nervously for he knew what spot he was in. He did not want to cross his cousin or it would be the end of him. Taking a deep breath he spoke

"Aye, And I remember this spot all too well, King Albert. Your father show me what happens here and I assume that you have kept up the tradition as well."

"Indeed I have. Please both of you step back and I will give a demonstration." Albert spoke coldly.

Both took two large steps back- one in wonder and the other in knowledge.
Suddenly where they stood were 3 open panels into a dark hole.

"Is this for real?" Stephanwolfe spoke as he strained to see down there.

"Aye, it is. I only saw one open but not all three." Wolfegang grew pale for he thought that he heard the gnashing of sharp parahna teeth.

The panels slammed in place as quickly as the dropped.

"I too understand well, King Albert." Stephanwolfe spoke as he looked up at the King in complete horror.

"Then you may leave and Stephanwolfe......" King tossed a key ring at him.
"Keep them well hidden on your body with your life."

"Sure can. And put a new eye on him as well. The seams are a bit weak so I would do a bit of reweaving to close him up good. Let me see what colors I have....." Allanna spoke as she pulled threads out for comparison.

"At this time of day in the kitchen or dining room." was the reply.
"The cells are off of the kitchen so go back to where you came from and follow your nose."


The guard came and got the last person.

"Are you up to walking a ways? The King wishes to see you." he spoke.

"I believe that white would be the one to do the reweaving since it will show a bit. I'll fix Jingle for you." Allanna put the dress down and began to work on Jingle.
"Perhaps you will want to place Jingle somewhere one day where people can see him. Maybe for your own little one to see."

"Then please come with me. I'll take you the court room." the guard spoke as he took the man's arm to guide him.

James noticed that the guard had taken the male when Zari came into the kitchen.
"How may I help you?" he asked.

"As I look at Jingle, he was well loved. I think that you may be right. But he will be mended." Allanna spoke softly.

The guard took the man to the court room and stood him in front of the King.

"Please tell me your name and your background as well as why you were found nearly frozen on my back step." King Albert spoke.

"Lady Allanna was in Prince Kadern's room the last I know of. Miss Bessie is most likely cleaning up Lady Allanna's room. Go up the staircase. The bedrooms have a name plate on each door." James spoke as he worked with the veggie tray for lunch.

"Then this kitten is extremely special. I will take great care in fixing her. I have something better for her. I need to go upstairs to find what I want. I'll be right back." Allanna spoke then sat the kitten next to Kadern before leaving.


"I see..... Who is your father and what kind of a relationship did you have with him? Not counting the one about the food. Did the two of you get along most of the time?" Albert asked

"Hmmm..... Could you be a clerk? I need someone that is excellent with numbers. What about correspondace? Knowledge of the kingdoms, kings and countries?" Albert asked.
"Would you be willing to say an Oath to me and my house?"

"Very well then. Make your Oath and we shall get you a room of your own." King Albert spoke.


Allanna was soon back to Kadern's room with a variety of needle as well as a basket of mohair yarn.
"See this yarn? It is quite fuzzy and will work like fur. I can easily reweave the kitten so that it would look new or I can just patch the areas that need patching."

"Then I shall reweave her so that she will still have your mother's touch on the inside and a new coat on the outside." Allanna spoke as she matched up the colors that she would need.

After a bit she asked a question of Kadern.
"What does your father think of me sitting in your room so much while you are sick?"

"Rise and assume your duties in the morning. Meet me in the parlor after breakfast and I will instruct you on your duties to the King." Albert spoke.
"Go to the supply clerk and get new clothes. Here is your order. Ask the guard to take you there."