saying.”

     “Cyrellai is very intelligent.  That I have already learned.  It is not that she doesn’t understand what I am saying.  She is also very beautiful and very charming.  That is a very dangerous combination for me.  She can make me forget my resolve.”

     Her father was listening to this exchange with a smile on his face.  “I have been told you also have experience as a swordsman.”

     “I do know how to handle some weapons if that becomes necessary.  I have never been a soldier, nor have I been a mercenary.  However, I will confess, my knowledge of the use of weapons to defend myself has saved my life a number of times,” Jaascin said with a small smile.  Then he added, “I have found that diplomacy is a far better weapon.  It draws no visible blood.”  Cyrellai’s father and uncle smiled.  Cyrellai laughed. 

     “He should know.  He has great abilities as a diplomat and a courtier.  I think he would be a formidable opponent.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “That is something you will never have to worry about.  We will never be on opposite sides.”

     Cyrellai’s mother smiled and said, “That is something that Cyrellai is determined to make sure of.  That is the impression she has given us as far as you are concerned.”

     Then Cyrellai’s uncle said to Jaascin,  “We would like you and Cyrellai to join the four of us for dinner tonight.  I would like them to hear the stories of your travels that you have told us.”

     Jaascin took this as a dismissal.  He was happy to make his departure.  He was surprised Cyrellai slipped her arm through his and went with him. 

     When they got out into the hall, Cyrellai turned toward him and said,  “See, my parents were very nice.  Mother, I can tell likes you.”

     “You mean I have been given a reprieve for the moment.  The court is now deciding my fate,” Jaascin said solemnly.

Cyrellai grabbed Jaascin’s arm and spun him around to face her.  Her eyes had fire in them.  Her fists were clenched as if she was thinking of beating on him.

     “They are doing no such thing.  My aunt is probably telling them how wonderful a man you are.  She is probably saying she is sure you have some Elven blood in you.  That you really have the manners and bearing of a noble, although you say you are of lowly birth.”

     “You know you are especially beautiful when you have fire in your eye.”

     “And if you keep this up, it is going to get hot enough to scorch you,” said Cyrellai.  Then her look changed.  

     “Speaking of fire, how do you make that fire you had burning in that dish, and how did you float that vessel above it?”

     Jaascin innocently asked,  “What fire in what dish.  I don’t remember floating any vessel except on the water in my bath.”

     “You are totally exasperating, you know.”

     “You could give me up.”

     “Not a chance.  There are too many attractive young women waiting in line for their chance.  I told you I am not giving you up until I am ready.  I am not going to be ready until you are just about to cross over our northern border, and leave our forest.”

     “You mean you are not even going to give me up, while your parents are here?”

     “No.  Why should that make any difference.  They have their own rooms.  It is in a different wing of the palace.  My mother is not going to be checking on me, to see if I am in my own bed.  She figures I old enough and intelligent enough not to do anything completely stupid.”

     “You mean she wouldn’t think sleeping with me was completely stupid, just somewhat stupid.”

     “Actually,” said Cyrellai with a smile,  “If the truth be known, I don’t think she would consider that stupid at all.  She probably applauds my choice of conquest.”

Jaascin looked at her as if he really didn’t believe her.    

     “Elven Princesses, if they are going to have love affairs, should be having affairs with Elven Princes.”

     Cyrellai gave her head a saucy toss.  “But I haven’t found an Elven prince I wanted to have an affair with.  Consequently the best possible substitute is a great healer, who has done a very great service to a favorite aunt and uncle and to a very good friend and cousin.”

     “How do you know your parents see that in the same light as you do?”

     “By their reaction when I told them I was spending my nights in your bed, and then by how they treated you when they met you.”

     “Their probably just waiting until I leave the safety of your uncle’s palace, or maybe until I come within the jurisdiction of your father’s area.”

     Cyrellai stamped her foot in frustration.  “You are determined to be impossible, aren’t you.”  But then instead of stomping off in a huff, she slid her arms around Jaascin’s neck, pulled his head down and gave him a long kiss.  Jaascin put his arms around her and pulled her close.     

     There was a clearing of a throat behind them.  They turned to see who it was.  Her uncle’s mage smiled at them and said,  “I hate to break up such an enjoyable moment, but your cousin would appreciate it if you and your healer would drop in on her.  You will find her in her sitting room.”

     Cyrellai smiled up at Jaascin.  “Your public calls, oh great one.”

     Jaascin looked at her disgustedly.  “You young lady, can be just as impossible as I can.”  Cyrellai took him by the arm and led him off in the direction of her cousin’s room.

     When Cyrellai knocked, the voice of her cousin told them to enter.  She sounded normal.  That is a very good sign, thought Cyrellai.  As they entered, her cousin was seated.  She rose to greet them.  Cyrellai went and gave her cousin a hug.  Her cousin gave her a smile and then unabashedly looked Jaascin over. 

     “I never really have had the chance to thank you,” she said.  “I have finally wormed the complete and true story of how I was cured,” she added as she indicated two chairs close to her.  She was now looking intently at Jaascin as he walked over, waited for Cyrellai to sit down and then seated himself.  “I heard you appeared at the edge of our forest.  You called up sorcerer’s fire and put an enchantment on your horse.  Our people brought you here and you cured me.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “It was all by happenstance.  I needed to cross your land.  I hoped, if I made it look like I was a mage or sorcerer, someone in your land might have need of my services. That way I hoped to get to cross your land.  When they told of your illness, something about it sounded familiar.  I hoped I might have the antidote in my possession.  I really wasn’t too hopeful, but it was worth a gamble.  If I wasn’t sure, I wasn’t going to do anything.  I admit, I didn’t know.  But what I was told sounded more and more familiar.  I had seen a healer, cure a woman from the bite of a similar reptile.  I knew I had everything he had used.  All I had to do is remember what he had done.

We were lucky.  My memory was right.  It was the right antidote.”

     The young woman smiled at Jaascin.  “You make it sound like you just happened to have what was necessary.  That it had nothing to do with your knowledge and abilities.  You just stumbled upon the right thing.  You know that no one here believes that.  It really was you that made it happen.  It was just that you made it seem so commonplace.”  Then she smiled at Jaascin.  “Our mage said you have far greater abilities and far greater knowledge than you will admit.”

     Cyrellai spoke up, “He refuses to admit he is a mage or a sorcerer, or even a healer.  He will not even admit he is very learned.  Yet he calls up scorcerer’s fire as if it was something everyone could do.  He is completely exasperating, cousin.”  Her cousin laughed.

     “Mother says he is a charming enigma, and that you are determined to solve that enigma.”

     Cyrellai smiled at her cousin.  “He is a problem worthy of my attention, don’t you think, cousin?”

     “Oh, definitely,” was the answer.  “I think that problem is worthy of your devoted attention.”  Then her cousin gave Cyrellai a conspiratorial smile.

     Jaascin smiled and gave a sigh.  “That is all I need, for Cyrellai to have a co-conspirator.  I have told her, one Elven princess, especially one as beautiful as she is, is more than I can handle.  To have another, as her ally, spells my complete defeat.”

     Cyrellai looked at him with a disbelieving smile.  “I don’t think you have ever been defeated.  If we defeat you that will be a first.”

     “That is because, up until this time, I knew when to retreat,” Jaascin said.  “This time I am already captured.  I am powerless to retreat.”

     “Pooh,” exploded Cyrellai, “You are never powerless.  If you are not retreating, it is because you know you have won.”

     Cyrellai’s cousin was sitting listening to the two of them and laughing.  “You are planning on keeping him here for a while, aren’t you cousin.  I think the two of you will assure my complete cure.  However, with the two of you around, I’m not sure I can say I will return to my normal self.  However, I will view that as a plus.”

     “Cyrellai, has told me she is not ready to let me go yet,” Jaascin told her with a broad smile.

     “If the truth is known.  I don’t think you are ready to let her go.”

     Jaascin looked at Cyrellai.  “That is because she has me bewitched.  I am totally captivated.”

     Cyrellai laughed.  “That is because you have decided you want to be captivated.  Otherwise the charms of a siren couldn’t captivate you.”

     Her cousin was thoroughly enjoying this interchange between Jaascin and Cyrellai.  Her eyes sparkled like they had not done for a long time.  She was becoming much more vibrant.  At this time, her mother and father, and Cyrellai’s mother and father entered the room.  The young woman turned to greet them and then said. 

     “I have asked Cyrellai to prevail upon Jaascin to stay for a while.  The two of them are wonderful fun.”  Then she added,  “Jaascin said he could not go until Cyrellai releases him.  He claims she has bewitched him and his is totally captivated.”

     Her mother noticed how much more alive, her daughter seemed to be.  “We have invited Jaascin to stay as long as he wishes.  Cyrellai knows we would like her to stay as long as she can.”

     Cyrellai’s mother smiled at her niece’s comment.  “Do you mean that Cyrellai’s and Jaascin’s discussions as to who is captivating whom, is fun to listen to?”

     Her niece laughed delightedly.  “I think they are just having fun doing it.  I don’t think it makes a bit of difference to either of them who is captivating whom.  They just love to tease each other about it.”

     Jaascin spoke up.  “Oh I don’t think there can be any argument that Cyrellai has me completely captivated.  It is she who will not take it seriously,” he said in a pseudo serious tone of voice.

     Cyrellai gave a toss of her head.  “Oh I take it seriously.  I agree that you are my slave for life.  The trouble is, I don’t know what I am going to do with you.  You absolutely refuse to act like a slave.  You are far to flippant about it, and refuse to obey my orders.”  Then she gave Jaascin a charming smile.

     Everyone burst out laughing at the face Jaascin made.

Cyrellai’s father, after he stopped laughing, said to his daughter,  “I really think that you deserve Jaascin and that he deserves you.  I don’t think anyone else could figure out how to take either of you.”

Cyrellai turned to Jaascin with a mock disapproving look.   

     “See what you have done.  You have condemned me to a life of trying to make you into a normal person.”

     Jaascin lifted his eyebrows at her.  “Physician heal thyself.”

     “See,” said Cyrellai’s cousin.  “They aren’t serious for a moment.”  Then she laughed delightedly.

     Cyrellai and Jaascin then left, giving Cyrellai’s parents the chance to visit with their niece.  Cyrellai’s aunt went out of the room with them.  When they got out into the hall, she stopped them. 

     “You deliberately did that to raise her spirits, didn’t you,” she said to Jaascin.

     Jaascin smiled.  “Actually we didn’t start it for that purpose, but we continued it when we saw how it delighted her.”

     “Don’t believe him for a minute, aunt.  He had that planned and I just went along, when I realized what he was doing.”

     Jaascin looked at Cyrellai in mock disgust.  “You keep insisting on giving me great powers that I do not have.”

     “Oh, Pooh,” Cyrellai said.  “You just refuse to admit it.”

Her aunt just gave Jaascin a hug, then turned and went back into her daughter’s room.

     As she came in her husband looked at her with a questioning smile.  “He absolutely refuses to admit it.  Cyrellai absolutely refuses to believe him.  They make a wonderful pair.  She absolutely refuses to listen to him, when he tells her it would be in her best interests to give him up.  He really means it.  Even though, I am sure he is in love with her.  The trouble is she is in love with him and refuses to give him up.  She is willing to take him as he is, kiss him goodbye when he has to leave, then hope he returns regularly.”

     “Do you think he will return?” asked Cyrellai’s mother.

     “I think he will.  He says Cyrellai will be a powerful lodestone that will keep drawing him back,” her sister said.  Then she added questioningly.  “Are you willing to accept that situation?  I think he is part Elf, although he says he does not remember his mother.  Apparently, his father never talked about his mother.  I think he is more than he claims to be.  He was the one that insisted he stay until we knew for sure that our daughter was cured.  He refuses to claim rich rewards for what he has accomplished for us.”

     Cyrellai’s father said, “Apparently you feel he is a very honorable man with a very high code of conduct.”

     “He is willing to admit to that only in very specific things.  However, I have not seen him deviate,” Cyrellai’s uncle said.  “He is very learned, and has powers of a mage and a healer.  How great his powers are, my mage says he has no idea.  He thinks they are far greater than Jaascin claims and we have seen.  I am inclined to agree.  I think your daughter is of the same opinion."

     Cyrellai’s father said, “The king indicated he would be very willing to give Jaascin a certain standing in our nation. Your mage has said he is perfectly in tune with the energy of our forests.  That would seem to indicate Elven blood.  I can see no reason to oppose this suggestion of the king.”

     “Neither would I,” Cyrellai’s uncle said immediately.

Cyrellai’s aunt said with a smile, “He really is a charming enigma.  One with whom, I feel perfectly comfortable.  I really do hope he does return from time to time.  He will always be welcome here.  He is a man such as we will never see again unless he returns.”

     Cyrellai’s mother had a thoughtful look on her face as she was listening to this conversation.  “I have no desire to oppose my daughter on this.  I see no real reason to do so.  He makes no claims to being what he is not.  I think he will do nothing that will harm our daughter.  On the contrary, I have a feeling he would do everything to keep her safe.  For Cyrellai’s sake I will gladly welcome him back whenever he returns, as long as our daughter wishes for his return.”  Then she turned to her husband with a questioning look.

     “I see no reason to oppose our daughter on this,” Cyrellai’s father said.  “I agree with you that there is no reason why we should not welcome him back as long as our daughter wishes it.  It is obvious he treats Cyrellai with very high regard.”  Then he thought for a moment.  “He does have a natural easy charm, but underneath it is a lot of steel.”

     Cyrellai’s uncle smiled.  “I would agree with Cyrellai.  He would be an absolutely formidable opponent.  On the other hand, he would also be a very valuable ally.”

     Cyrellai’s mother smiled.  “I think we need not fear that he will ever be our opponent.  Cyrellai has obviously guaranteed that.”

     Her sister turned to her.  “Your daughter worried, that you might ask her to go home with you.  I think she was planning to wait until Jaascin decides it is time to travel north.  She planned to accompany him to your home and wanted to prevail upon him to stay for a while.  I think she then intended to travel north with him to our boundaries.  There she would kiss him goodbye.”

     Cyrellai’s father spoke up, “We see no reason to ask her to go with us.  We would expect her to wait until her cousin is completely cured.  Send us word when they start north.  We wish to suitably welcome them home.  We would hope that Jaascin would stay a while with us.  I would like to get to know him better.  He does seem very open.  I suspect, we will learn only what he wants us to learn.  At the moment, I can see nothing wrong in that.  We will tell Cyrellai, that she may stay as long as she wants, and that we will hope that Jaascin will stay with us for a while before traveling on.”

     Cyrellai was told of their discussion before she went to get Jaascin to bring him to dinner with the four.  She gave her mother and father, a hug and thanked them for their understanding, and for being wonderful parents.  When she came to Jaascin’s room she was happily smiling. 

     “You look like something is agreeing wonderfully with you,” Jaascin said, looking questioningly at Cyrellai.

     “My mother and father have said I can stay as long as I wish and that they will be waiting to greet the two of us when we come north.  They said they would hope you would stay with us for a while.  My father said he would like to get to know you better.  I think he is sure you have Elven blood in you.”

     “The higher court has spoken.  I have been pardoned for my immediate past transgressions,” Jaascin, facetiously solemnly intoned.

     Cyrellai turned on him with fire in her eye.  “You had better behave yourself at dinner tonight or suffer the dire consequences.”

     Jaascin looked apologetic.  “Humble pardon, beautiful princess.”  He gave her a most abject look.  Cyrellai couldn’t help herself.  She burst out laughing.

     “You be nice, and somewhat serious for a change,” she managed to sputter.

     Jaascin smiled.  “I promise,” he said.

     They walked hand in hand to the room where the six of them would be dining.  The greeting they received was very friendly.  Jaascin did tell them some stories of the lands in which he had traveled.  He gave them some very good descriptions of the countries, their inhabitants and their customs.  It was obvious that he must have traveled where he said he had, and that he was very observant.  They were all very interested in what he told them.  They questioned him at length about many things.  It was not till afterward,  they realized he had actually revealed nothing about himself, or what he was doing in those countries, or how he came to be there.  After Jaascin and Cyrellai left, Cyrellai’s uncle turned to her father. 

     “Did you notice he revealed little or nothing about himself.  Except for the fact, he must have lived in these places and not just traveled through them.  Also, he must have studied under the sorcerers, learned scholars and healers he mentioned.”

     “I did realize that, but not until after he had left the room and I thought about it,” agreed Cyrellai’s father.  “He is very good at revealing only that which he wishes to reveal.  Yet, he does not appear to be deliberately hiding anything.  It as if he is telling us, what he thinks is important for us to know.”

     “Cyrellai says he has many scars.  That he has obviously fought many a battle.  Perhaps he thinks those things are only important to him.  He has warned her that some of his past actions may not be viewed as above reproach.  I think Cyrellai thinks that in those cases, he had no choice because his life was threatened and he had to defend himself.  I also think she believes some of those actions were taken in order to save someone else.”  Her aunt paused for a moment, then she continued,  “I am inclined to believe that Cyrellai is right.  She says he owes no one allegiance, yet when he gives it, it is complete and without question.  I have no doubt that he would willingly die for her, although he makes jests about being her slave.”

     They spent much time discussing this mystery man, whom their daughter and niece had taken as her lover.  However there was no hint of any disapproval of the situation.  It was accepted on Cyrellai’s terms.  The members of the palace staff breathed a sigh of relief, when this became evident.  Cyrellai was a favorite, and Jaascin had earned their gratitude for healing their Princess.  This showed in the happiness that was evident throughout the palace.  They saw nothing wrong in Cyrellai’s actions. 

     Cyrellai spent the night with Jaascin.  However, the next morning she had breakfast with her mother and father.  They had a very pleasant talk.  Again they told her she could stay as long as she wished, and that they would look forward to Jaascin coming to their home and staying a while.  They both said they would very much like to get to know him better.

     Later, Cyrellai found Jaascin in the garden.  She slipped into his arms and gave him a long hug and a kiss. 

     “Our relationship has their acceptance on my terms.  Mother says she will welcome you whenever you return to our land.  Father, I think, has become intrigued with you, and really would like to get to know you better.  However, he assures me that he has no intention of prying.  He says you are far too good at telling people what you want them to know.” 

     Jaascin laughed.  “Do they think I am deliberately hiding something from them?”

     Cyrellai thought about that for a moment.  “No,” she replied.  “I get the impression they think you are telling them what you think is important for them to know.  I think they think you feel the rest is important only to you.  They know you have told me some of your past actions would not be viewed by some as above reproach.  They know that I think you were forced into those actions in order to save your own or someone else’s life.”

     Jaascin smiled at Cyrellai.  “You keep insisting on attributing wonderful characteristics to me, and refusing to admit that I may pose a danger for you.”

     “Why do you insist on saying you are dangerous, when you have shown us nothing but a most wonderful and honorable man?” Cyrellai asked

     “Because the situation in which I find myself here requires nothing of me but those attributes.  It is easy to be that type of man, when I am treated as I have been treated since I entered your land.  Here I am perfectly safe.  Here my every want is met.  I will admit, I have never before been in this situation for this length of time, with no worry that it will end.  In addition, I cannot say that I have been completely honorable.”

     Cyrellai laughed, “You mean because you allowed me to climb into your bed, and continue to allow me to do so, although you are not convinced you should have allowed that.” Then she continued, “You worry overmuch about this.  You refuse to see that we look at such a thing entirely different from the way you look at it.  You know you enjoy it as much as I do.  So why don’t you quit worrying and just enjoy.” 

     Jaascin drew her close and bent down and kissed her.  “Because I have fallen in love with you, and I have allowed you to do something that may haunt you the rest of your life.  I could not live the life of the husband of an Elven princess.”

     “I am well aware of that and am willing to live with that.  Just make sure you return to me now and then, when you pass this way in your travels.  I will not begrudge you an affair or two while you are gone.  Just make sure I get your complete attention when you return.”

     Jaascin shook his head.  “I don’t know what I’m to do with you.  I think you delight in not acting like an Elven princess.  You know you will get my complete attention whenever you are near.  You will be the lodestone that will keep drawing me back.”

     Jaascin and Cyrellai did stay for several more weeks.  They made sure her cousin was completely cured before they planned to travel north.  By this time, Jaascin was informed the King had granted him the standing of a noble in the Elven forest.  He was granted the right to return and pass through the land whenever he wished.  He knew he was attuned to the magic of the forest, and that would cause him no problem. 

     When he and Cyrellai did start north, Jaascin now had three very fine Elven horses, as well as much gold and jewels.  He also gathered many things he would need as a mage and a healer.  He was given a number of books he could study.  Although it was doubtful they would meet any problems, the Prince sent a troop of Elven bowman with them.  They were to be met by a similar troop sent by Cyrellai’s father at the border of his area.

     “I’m afraid you will have to forgo your harem, and will have to bathe yourself until we arrive at my father’s house,” Cyrellai told him with a devilish smile. 

     Actually they were welcomed at homes of several nobles.  They were royally treated.  Cyrellai was a favorite princess throughout much of the Elven forest.  Besides, Jaascin’s fame had traveled through the Kingdom. 

     During the ride north, Jaascin proved himself to be the equal of all but the top Elven bowman.  This, and his fine swords, earned him respect of the men.  He refused to unsheathe the swords within the Elven forest.  Cyrellia one night asked him why.

     “Because my beautiful princess, they are enchanted.  They would cause problems if I unsheathed them unless we were attacked.  They are not attuned to the magic of your forests.”

     “But you are my darling Jaascin,” Cyrellai reminded him questioningly.

     “That I cannot explain to you although I know it is true.”

     “But you can unsheathe your daggers,” said Cyrellai.

     “I have found they are Elven, designed and produced by dwarven craftsman.  The enchantment is an ancient Elven charm, that apparently I am attuned to,” Jaascin explained.  He did not tell her how he came to acquire them.  She knew it would be useless to ask at this time.

     At the border of her father’s land, they were met by a royal guard.  It seemed the King was visiting Cyrellai’s mother and father.  It was indicated the King was interested in meeting Jaascin.  He was planning on personally confirming Jaascin’s standing as a noble in the Elven forest.

     On learning this, Jaascin looked at Cyrellai somewhat apprehensive.  “How do I act before the King?” he asked her.

     She looked at him with disbelief.  “I do not believe that you have never stood before a king or comparable ruler.  You were far too at home with my uncle and father.  However, I will attempt to instruct you in the proper protocol to be observed.  The king may dismiss all ceremony in your case.”  Then she looked very hard at Jaascin.  “But you had better behave yourself.  I want their majesties to like you.”

     Jaascin looked even more apprehensive.  “Don’t tell me the queen has accompanied him here.”

     “Of course, she wanted to meet you.  She had to see what man finally caught and held my attention,” Cyrellai answered with a slightly devilish smile.

     “What have you told her?” questioned Jaascin.

     “Only that I am having an affair with you.  That I am going to let you go, but intend to draw you back at regular times.”  Then Cyrellai laughed delightedly at the stricken look on Jaascin’s face. 

     “I am doomed,” he said.

     “Oh you are not.  They already like you from what my aunt and uncle, have been telling them.  Besides, because I have finally found a man who interests me greatly, they are beginning to think there is hope for me.”  Cyrellai gave Jaascin a devilish grin.  “See what you have done for me.  Because I decided to have an affair with you, everyone is beginning to have hope for me.”

     “I don’t believe that for a moment.  It was obvious that you were a favorite of everyone at your uncle’s palace.  I assume that is true of your own home, only even more so.  I wouldn’t be surprised that it isn’t true at the King’s palace.”

     Cyrellai smiled at Jaascin.  “Now you are attributing wonderful characteristics to me, like you accuse me of doing to you.  Actually, if they would admit the truth, I was a pain in the neck to everyone.  They were always trying to keep me out of trouble, and covering up for me, so my parents and others wouldn’t be mad at me.”

     Jaascin had a crooked grin on his face when he said, “And you haven’t changed a bit.  It’s just the trouble you stir up is more serious.  Especially for me.”

     “Oh I haven’t stirred up any trouble at all for you.  But if you don’t quit getting me mad, I may consider it.”

     During the rest of the trip to Cyrellai’s home, she did instruct Jaascin on the proper protocol.  She was not afraid that he would do anything wrong.  She knew he was a very quick learner.  Besides, she was sure the King and Queen would forgive any small slip on his part.  She thought it was even possible, that the King and Queen would dispense with all formality when meeting Jaascin.

Chapter Four

     When they came into the city, and wended their way to the palace, it was obvious it was a time of celebration.  Not only, were the King and Queen here, but their Princess Cyrellai was back home.  Everyone was curious to see this great healer she was bringing with her. 

     The story of how he cured a princess, when all seemed lost, traveled throughout the land.  Jaascin had been provided with fine clothes that were somewhat Elven.  However, they had been made to reflect the clothes he had been wearing.  The tailors made them look like that of a noble.  Cyrellai oversaw the process.  Consequently, Jaascin did present a dashing figure.

     Cyrellai greeted the crowds as they proceeded to the palace.  At the palace, she was again enthusiastically greeted.  As they came to the palace, Cyrellai turned to Jaascin. 

     “I have arranged for you to stay with me in my apartments.  I have assigned a room for all your things.”  Then in answer to the look of surprise on Jaascin’s face, she said, “Everyone knows.  There is no reason for secrecy.”

Cyrellai added with a smile.  “Everyone knows you are my slave.”  Then she gave a small giggle.

     “You are determined to be impossible, and get me into as much trouble as is possible,” Jaascin told her, but he was smiling.

     Cyrellai was swarmed over by friends and palace staff.  Everyone must get a hug and get a close look at this mysterious and ruggedly handsome man who accompanied her.  Everyone was surprised.  He did not look like a healer or a mage.  He looked like a noble, and a swordsman.  He wore his two swords, at Cyrellia’s request.  Jaascin did not feel he would need them in this land.  However, that would solve the worry of anyone else handling them.  The palace staff had been warned.

     Cyrellai and Jaascin were taken up to their room as soon as everyone had greeted Cyrellai.  They would be meeting Cyrellai’s mother and father and the King and Queen later.  They were allowed to freshen up and rest after their travels.  Jaascin didn’t know what he should make of this arrangement Cyrellai made for him.  He would have to wait and judge the reaction of the palace staff.  At the moment, he got no indication of adverse feelings.  On the contrary, it seemed to be just the opposite.   Those, who served Cyrellai, seemed very happy.  Perhaps it was because Cyrellai seemed to be happy.

     After they rested, Cyrellai decided to show Jaascin around the palace grounds.  As they were walking, there was a big commotion just outside the palace grounds.  Jaascin began walking toward the noise.  There was a crowd and several men were struggling with a man.  He seemed to be having some kind of a fit.  Someone shouted that he should be put in a cage because he was mad.  

      Jaascin told them to bring the man to him.  He turned to several of the palace staff with he and Cyrellai.  He told them to hurry to his room and bring him some things from a certain pack.  Then he turned his attention to the man.  Jaascin took him from the men struggling with him.  He was able to calm the man down somewhat. 

     Soon the palace staff came hurrying with the pack Jaascin had asked for.  He quickly took it and took certain things from the pack.  Without any one noticing, he called up sorcerer’s fire.  Taking a vessel, he also had asked for, he began preparing a potion, which he then forced the man to drink.  Slowly the man began to relax. 

     Then he turned to the crowd.  “Whoever gave this man the potion is either a fool or a murderer.  No one but a great healer should prescribe that potion.  It would have led to the man’s death.  I am inclined to believe it was intentional.”  Jaascin was looking at a particular man in the crowd.  He was the man shouting the loudest that man should be put in a cage.   That man, at whom Jaascin was looking, reacted violently. 

     “Are you accusing me of being a murderer.  I demand satisfaction.”  He threw a dagger at Jaascin, who was unarmed.  The dagger seemed to be directed to the ground.  The man then drew a sword and drove it at Jaascin.  Jaascin quickly stepped aside and seizing the man by the front of his shirt propelled him backwards.  The man stumbled then regained his balance and started moving back toward Jaascin as if he intended to run him through.  

     An elf, close by, pulled his sword out of his scabbard and tossed it to Jaascin.  Jaascin quickly caught it, parried the thrust of his opponent and then ran him through with the sword.  The man slumped to the ground dead. 

     Jaascin quickly said, “Do not touch those daggers, they are poisoned.”  Then he added, “The second dagger was not thrown by the man on the ground and it was not meant for me.”  There was a commotion at the back of the crowd and a man began to flee.  He was quickly seized and taken away.

     Jaascin turned to Cyrellai, who had been in back of him.  She was white as a ghost.  Jaascin took her in his arms, “You can relax and stop shivering.  I really was in no danger.  He was a fool as well as a poor swordsman.  His mage friend was of no great consequence.” 

     As he held Cyrellai tightly in his arms, he turned to the Prince’s mage who had come up to them.  “You and I know who he is.  I leave his fate up to you.  You may be inclined to be more lenient.  The second dagger however was meant for Cyrellai.” 

     The mage nodded.  “It will be taken care of.”  Then, after he had given some orders to men close by, he turned to Jaascin. 

     “An enchantment was thrown at you at the same time as the dagger.  You turned them both away as if they were nothing.  I have never seen that done as you were able to do that.”

     During this time, the King, Queen and Cyrellai’s parents had come out of the palace to see the action unfold.  Jaascin realizing that they had seen the duel turned to the queen. 

     “My most humblest apologies for this to happen before your eyes,” he said with a deep bow.  “I would not have wished this be the way I would meet you.”

The King smiled and waved his hand as if to dismiss it.

     “It seems we have seen that you are all that you have been said to be.  We now can become believers.  Cyrellai need not convince us, for we have seen for ourselves.”

     Cyrellai, realizing that the King and Queen were there, became flustered, then quickly recovered and curtsied to the Queen. 

     The Queen smiled,  “Now I see why you are taken with him, Cyrellai.  With a wave of his hand he saved your life.  One minute he is a healer, the next he is defending you and himself.  And he does make it all look so easy.”

     Cyrellai’s father said, almost in disbelief, “I have never seen a swordsman of your obvious ability.”

     Jaascin smiled, “He was but a very poor swordsman.  I owe my life to the man who tossed me his sword.”

     Cyrellai’s father said, “He shall be amply rewarded.”

     Cyrellai had slipped back into his arms.  She smiled up at Jaascin.  “He makes it seem so unimportant.  He makes me so angry.”  However she did not sound angry. 

     The Queen laughed.  “You mean he refuses to be the hero you claim he is.”

     Jaascin picked up the two daggers handed them to one of the guards close by.  He gave him directions as to what should be done with them and how they should be handled.   

     Cyrellai’s father said, “Shall we go into the palace, where their majesties can meet and get to know Jaascin.”

     King smiled, “Under the circumstances, I think we should dispense with any protocol.  I do not think it would serve any useful purpose.”  The Queen nodded her agreement.  She slipped her arm around Cyrellai who had come to curtsey before her. 

     “I would like your woman’s view of this man of mystery, or as your aunt says, this charming enigma.”

     Cyrellai smiled somewhat shyly.  “He really isn’t an enigma at all.  It’s just that he refuses to admit what he really is.  In spite of all of us insisting that he is.”

     Cyrellai’s mother smiled at her daughter.  “To those of us who do not know him as you know him, that is slightly confusing.  However I admit, what we have just seen, does make a little more clear, what you have just said.”

     Cyrellai’s father with a broad smile said, “Perhaps Jaascin is fostering this confusion.  We know he is a mage, or a sorcerer, or a wizard as well as healer, and that he is a scholar of broad knowledge.  However, as Cyrellai will tell you, he protests that he really is none of these things.”

Jaascin just held up his hands in surrender.  The King laughed at this gesture.

     “You have the manner of a diplomat.  One whom I would want to have on my side,” the King commented.

     The Queen with a smile at Cyrellai said, “I think that Cyrellai has guaranteed that he will be on our side.  For this I think we are in her debt.”

     Jaascin just smiled and said, “I am her slave for life.”

     Cyrellai, in a tone she tried to make sound like she was disgusted said, “Some slave.  He refuses to obey me.  He disputes my every statement about him.  And he is totally irreverent.”

     Jaascin sounded hurt.  “I have never knowingly disobeyed you.  I do not ever remember arguing with you.”

     “Pooh,” exploded Cyrellai.  The rest started laughing.

     Her mother smiled at Cyrellai.  “Your aunt said, your nonsensical arguments delighted your cousin so much, it hurried her complete recovery.  She claims you both knew that and put the act on for her benefit.”

     Jaascin just ducked his head and smiled.  It was obvious, no one was going to object to the fact that Cyrellai had moved him into her apartment.  He had a hunch, to the staff of the palace, their wayward but very charming princess, could do no wrong.

     The six of them moved to a room where they could sit around a table.  It was obvious that the King was dispensing with any and all protocol.  He was more interested in talking with Jaascin.  With a smile at Cyrellai, Jaascin did tell them of the lands and countries he had visited and often lived in for a time.  He also talked about the scholars, sorcerers, mages, wizards and healers he had studied under.  The King and Queen were very interested.    

     “It was obvious to my mage that you have powers that only a mage would have,” the King said.

     Cyrellai said, “I asked him how he created scorcerer’s fire.  He claimed he knew nothing about it.”  She was looking intently at Jaascin as she spoke.  He just smiled.

     “Much of what some mage’s claim as magic is merely illusion.”  He reached into his cloak and brought forth a bag.  From the bag he brought some strange fruit.  He offered in turn, one to the Queen, one to the King, one to Cyrellai’s mother and then one to her father.  He then made a sad face and turned the bag inside out to show it was empty.  Cyrellai put on an angry face as if mad because he had not offered her any.  Then Jaascin turned the bag right side out again, hesitantly reached into the bag.  His face lit up into a smile and he pulled one out and gave it to Cyrellai. 

     “You may eat them,” Jaascin told them.  “They are sweet and very nutritious.  They come from an island in the southeastern sea.”

     They all tried them and were surprised how delicious they tasted.  The queen looked at Jaascin questioningly.   

     “Are they real or have you created an illusion that we are really eating something?”

     “They are real your highness,” Jaascin assured her with a smile.  “However, I will create an illusion that is not real.”  He reached into the bag and began to pull out beautiful gems.  These, he handed to the women. 

      “You can see them but the men cannot,” Jaascin told them.  He turned to the men, they shook their heads.  “Now put them down on the table.”  The women reluctantly put them on the table.  The gems disappeared. 

     Jaascin smiled but then got a startled look on his face.  A large beautiful gem appeared on the center of the table.  A mist arose from it and from that mist stepped a beautiful fairy.  She was dressed as a queen and wore a crown on her head.  She turned to Jaascin.

     “Shame on you Jaascin.  You give the women beautiful gems and then you take the gems away from them.  I thought I taught you better manners then that.”  Then turning to the startled group around the table, she said,  “He is a problem sometimes, but he really is a nice young man.”  Then she went to Jaascin and kissed his cheek.  

     “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends.  I particularly want to meet your princess, my love.”

     Jaascin took a deep breath,  “This is Aphrael, Queen of the fairies.”  Then he introduced all of them, saving Cyrellai until the last. 

     Then he turned to the fairy queen and said, “Did you appear just to plague me?”  The fairy laughed delightedly.  

     “I have asked to meet your Elven princess, but you ignored me.  I am very unhappy that you have done that.”  She did not look at all unhappy.  It was obvious she was delighting in causing him confusion.

     The Queen looked at the fairy queen.  “You are not an illusion of Jaascin’s.  You are indeed real.  My grandmother said she had seen fairies.”

     The fairy queen smiled.  “Your grandmother was a wonderful woman.  She was my favorite.”  Then the fairy queen, in answer to the questioning look of everyone, said, “Fairies do not live in your sense of the word.  We exist.  Therefore we have no age.”

     “You obviously know Jaascin,” said Cyrellai’s father.

     “That is a long story,” said the fairy queen.  “When he was a very young boy, and just apprenticed to a wise man, he had been disciplined.  He was feeling very alone and made a wish.  I heard him.  I came and brought him to our land.  He danced with us and we cheered him up.  I decided that I was going to watch over him.  Little did I know what trouble he would be.  He was forever trying to help others and constantly getting himself in trouble.  He has been a real problem.”  She smiled fondly at Jaascin then gave him another kiss on the cheek.  Then she looked at Cyrellai, smiled at her, went over and gave Cyrellai a kiss on the cheek. 

     “He really is a well meaning young man.  As you have already found out, he tends to be impossible.  He refuses to do as he is told.  I am glad you have decided to take him under your wing.  He really needs a lot of tender loving care, along with some occasional chastisement.”         

     Then the fairy queen laughed delightedly.  Then she added, “You will need to be patient with him because he really is wonderfully impossible, and means well.”

     Jaascin shook his head.  “You really aren’t doing much for my reputation.  I was hoping to show my best side to the King and Queen and Cyrellai’s parents.”

     The fairy queen smiled looked around at all of them.  “He really is all that you think he is.  He just refuses to admit it.”  Then turning to Cyrellai she said, “He really is, as your aunt has declared, a very charming enigma.  He is worth your study to decipher that enigma.” 

     She reached into a small bag she produced and withdrew three beautiful gems, which she gave to the women.  Then she and the gem in the center of the table disappeared.  Everyone was silent for a moment.  Then Cyrellai noticed the look of great surprise on Jaascin’s face as he was looking at the gem that the fairy queen had given her.

     Cyrellai asked, “Are they real?”

     Jaascin nodded his head.  “They are very real although they are fairy gems.  They have wonderful powers for the women who have them.  You can never lose them.  They will be with you as long as you live.”

     Then Cyrellai said, “You had a look of surprise that was almost shock, when you saw the gem she gave to me.”

     Jaascin quietly said, “I have only seen that gem in fairyland.  I have never known it to be given to anyone.  That is the fairy queen’s special gem.”

     Cyrellai’s mother said, “Perhaps she gave it to Cyrellai because she said Cyrellai was your princess.  She obviously wanted to meet Cyrellai, and apparently was happy that she was in love with you.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “Perhaps she gave it to you in hopes that it would help you to control me.  However, I am already your slave.  I do not know what other powers you would need.”

     The Queen was looking quietly at Jaascin, studying him.  “Now I know even less what to make of you.  But obviously it is something I really have no need to worry about.  My grandmother said, the fairies could read a person’s innermost character.”

     “Did she also tell you that even the most powerful mages could not control or in anyway affect the fairies,” Jaascin asked.

     Cyrellai looked at Jaascin.  “Is that why you were so startled when she appeared.”

     “She appears only when she wishes.  She loves to plague me.  However, I have no idea why she appeared now and in front of all of you.  I am even more perplexed why she chose to allow all of you to see her.  That is the first time I know that she has allowed that.  She no doubt had a reason, but she didn’t let me know what it was.  If I asked, she would have told me that with all my wisdom I should have known what it was.  Of course then she would have laughed.”

     The Queen looked at Jaascin.  “Why the Queen of the fairies.  Why not some trusted member of her band?”

     “She said I was a problem only she could handle.  She implied she would not wish me on any other member of her band.”

     Everyone started to laugh at that.  The King said, “But she obviously likes you very much.  Apparently she wanted us to know that.”

     Cyrellai was thinking.  She looked at Jaascin and with a smile asked, “Might she come to me sometime?’

     Jaascin nodded his head.  “That is why she gave you that particular gem.  She intends to keep in touch with you.”  Then with a half-smile he added, “Just what I needed.  The Queen of the fairies in league with you.  First your cousin became a co-conspirator, now the Queen of the Fairies.  You have proved more than enough for me to deal with.  I might as well surrender right now.” 

     The Queen didn’t think Jaascin seemed particularly sorrowful over that situation.  She thought the Queen of the Fairies was probably a powerful ally for Jaascin.  Cyrellai, she knew wanted only wonderful things for Jaascin. 

     She told Jaascin, “You are proving a wonderful person to know.  I never ever thought I would personally see a fairy, but to see the Queen of all the fairies was beyond my wildest dream.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “At least I have proved of some value, your highness.”

     The King replied, “Oh you have already proved of great value.  It is just that value keeps increasing.”

     Cyrellai smiled, “Then may I keep him, your highness?”

     The King smiled.  “I think you had better ask Jaascin.  I do not think I have any power over him whatsoever.”

     The Queen with a light laugh added, “I think you have much more power over him than any of us.”

     Cyrellai’s mother then asked Jaascin, “You say they have wonderful powers and we may never lose them.”

     Jaascin nodded.  “They cannot be stolen.  They cannot be destroyed.  No mage, no matter how powerful has any power over them.  They will warn you if some danger threatens.  If necessary, they will alert someone else that danger threatens you.  They have certain powers to protect you also.  It is a great gift Aphrael has given to you.”

     “And it is because of you, we were given this gift,” Cyrellai’s mother said.

     “No,” said Jaascin.  “It was because of Cyrellai.  Apparently Cyrellai has become important to the fairy queen.”

Cyrellai looked questioningly at Jaascin.  Jaascin just shrugged his shoulders. 

     “I know not why.  Her ways are a mystery to me.  I know it is not because of me.”

     Cyrellai smiled at him.  “I do not believe you.  I think for some reason you are very important to her.  Therefore, I may be of some importance to her.”

     Jaascin smiled and shook his head.  He did not agree with her.  He had a strong feeling Cyrellai had become important to the fairy queen for her own sake.  That is why the Queen and Cyrellai’s mother were also given the fairy gems.  The fairy queen wanted them to be protected also.

     A state dinner was being held the next night, to welcome the King and Queen.  The royal pair had asked it be held off until Cyrellai and Jaascin arrived.  Cyrellai’s parents were to be seated to the right of the King.  Cyrellai and Jaascin were to be seated to the left of the Queen.  Cyrellai did not tell Jaascin where they were to be seated.  Jaascin figured they would be seated with the other sons and daughters of the nobles and dignitaries. 

     When they came in to the banquet room, Jaascin looked questioningly at Cyrellai when she began to lead him toward the head table where the King and Queen had just been seated.  When he realized where they were going to be seated, he raised his eyes to the ceiling.  Cyrellai poked him with her elbow. 

     “Behave now.  This is my home.”  Jaascin gave her a sickly smile.  Cyrellai’s eyes sparked fire.  The Queen looked on with a small smile at the by-play between the two of them.  She was going to enjoy having them beside her.  There were a number of questions she wanted to ask the two of them.  She figured their conversation would be much more enjoyable, than if she were seated beside some other dignitary.  The Queen was still thinking about the appearance of the fairy queen, and her conversation with Jaascin.  She was finding this mysterious healer, a very intriguing man.  Cyrellai, of course, she had always enjoyed. 

     With the appearance of Cyrellai and Jaascin, the room began to buzz with a discussion of what had gone on outside the palace earlier, on the day before.  The story, in varying degrees of authenticity, had spread like wildfire throughout the city.  The people who had not met Jaascin craned their necks to get a good glimpse of him.  To most he did not look like their idea of a healer, or a wizard, or a mage, or a sorcerer, although they could see the possibility of a swordsman.  He did move with a flowing ease.  Of course, the young women sighed at the sight of this man of mystery, who was reputed to have so much power and who captured the heart of Princess Cyrellai. 

     The usual speeches of welcome were made, and dignitaries noted.  No mention was made at this time of the man seated with Princess Cyrellai to the left of the Queen.  

     The King then rose.  “I would like to take this opportunity to personally announce a recent official act of the royal court.  It has to do with the gentleman seated with Princess Cyrellai to the left of the Queen.  As a granting of a petition by two Princes of the land, we announce that we have granted the standing of a noble of our land to Sir Jaascin Wanilain.  According to testimony of our esteemed Princes and vouched for by the mages of our Princes and by my own mage, this gentleman has great powers of a mage and a healer.  As we have witnessed ourselves, he is also a swordsman we would rather not face.”  The King had a smile on his face as he added this.    

     He had a much broader smile on his face when he said,  “Our esteemed Princess Cyrellai, would like all young women to know that she has established her claim for Jaascin.  Jaascin has admitted he has no intention of disputing that claim.”    

      There was general laughter around the banquet hall at this announcement by the King.  Cyrellai’s best friend raised her hand in petition for the right to speak.  The King recognized her and she rose from her seat. 

     “We would like to lodge a protest, that Cyrellai did not even allow the rest of us to see him before she made her claim,” she said in mock seriousness.  The Queen had a hard time trying to keep from bursting out laughing.  Cyrellai rose and petitioned the King for the right to speak.  It was granted to her. 

     “I am more than willing to allow all of you to meet Jaascin.  However, because of false assumptions he made when we first met, he owes me a lifetime of penance.  I do not plan to release him from them.”  By this time, both the Queen and Cyrellai’s mother could not contain their laughter.  Jaascin sat through all of this as if they were discussing some one else.  This just made the Queen laugh that much more.  With this light-hearted spirit setting the tone, the evening proceeded to the enjoyment of almost everyone. 

     There were a few who were not happy that this man, who was obviously not an elf, had claimed the heart of their princess.  However they knew enough not to voice this opinion where it might get back to the Prince or the King.  There were a few, even, who did not believe that Jaascin had cured the niece of their Prince.  These people remained silent and did nothing to dampen the enjoyment of the rest, this evening.  Jaascin was well aware of this.  However he said nothing to Cyrellai. 

     Most of her friends were happy she laid claim to this rather handsome and mysterious man to whom great powers seemed to be attributed.  It might be easier for them to get to know him.  It was also obvious, as the evening went on, that the Queen liked Jaascin and saw nothing wrong with this relationship between Cyrellai and Jaascin.  The Queen was very well liked.  Her acceptance of this relationship set the tone for the great majority of the people.

     After the banquet, Cyrellai and Jaascin mingled among those in attendance.  She introduced everyone to her mysterious friend.  It delighted her young friends that Jaascin insisted there was really nothing mysterious about him.  He also insisted that he was credited with being what he insisted he was not.  Her friends, like Cyrellai, saw fit not to believe him.  It was much more fun for them to see him as a mysterious great mage and healer.  They were taken with his easy charm, and his great knowledge.   

     During the evening, several of the mage’s there questioned him on how he cured the Prince’s niece.  Jaascin told them the story how he remembered how a wizard he was studying under cured a woman.  This woman had the same symptoms and had been bitten by a similar reptile.  Jaascin said he just happened to have the same things the wizard had used.  Jaascin said, luckily he remembered exactly what the wizard had done.  By great good fortune it worked on the young princess.  Jaascin credited it all to very fortunate happenstance. 

     The mage of the Prince and that of the King just smiled at the way Jaascin told the story.  They had already been told the whole story by the mage of the father of the young princess who had been cured.  He did not say it was happenstance.  He had told them that he was sure Jaascin was far more learned and far more powerful a mage and healer than he would admit.  Of course Jaascin laid claim to being neither a mage nor a healer of any ability. 

     Jaascin did tell them all specifically what he had used and what he had done.  He also gave them detailed information, on the symptoms he had noted and the type of reptile.  He seemed more than willing to share all this with them.  He treated it as if it was something any of them could have done just as easily.  Cyrellai’s friends listened in wonder as he discussed these things with the other mages.

     As the evening was ending, the King, Queen, Cyrellai’s parents and their mages gathered up Cyrellai and Jaascin and went to a private sitting room.  The King’s mage said,  

     “We were told that the scorcerer’s fire you called up had different degrees of heat and characteristics.  That ability is unknown to us.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “The sorcerer, who taught me this, said there are variances in the incantation that achieves this phenomena.”  Then Jaascin demonstrated how he achieved this and gave the mages detailed instruction how to do this.

Cyrellia’s father’s mage looked at Jaascin with a little bit of awe. 

     “You are so willing to share your knowledge.  And you do it so easily it makes it looks like it is no great thing.  However what you have just taught us was beyond the best teachers we have had.”  Jaascin just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. 

     “Apparently in that thing, I was very lucky in my teacher.”

     Cyrellai’s mother smiled.  “You always seem to be lucky in the particular ability being discussed.  But those abilities keep adding up, Jaascin.  Apparently you have been a very lucky man all your life.”

     The King’s mage said, “The Queen has shown me the fairy gem she had received.  I told her, I had never been lucky enough to see a fairy, although I am aware they exist.  I said it was common knowledge to most mages that fairies could not be controlled or even affected by a mage, and that held for the power of the fairy gems.  Have you tested this out, Jaascin?”

     Jaascin smiled broadly in remembrance.  “When I was younger, and being taught by a very powerful wizard, I tried.  Not only, did I completely fail, but Aphrael appeared and strongly rebuked me.  It was evident she was very unhappy that I should try such a thing.  I have never made that mistake again.”

     “Not even you can do that,” the Queen said.

     “You cannot, call her up either.  That she appears when and if she decides she wants to appear,” the King’s mage said.

     Jaascin was thoughtful.  “That is true.  I really think, she appears at times, she thinks it might plague me.  She delights to startle me and surprise me as to the times she decides to appear.”

     All of a sudden the fairy gem appeared in the middle of them. A mist arose from it and out of the mist Aphrael floated. 

     “Like right now Jaascin,” she said as she floated over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she continued when Jaascin said nothing.  He was again startled to see her.  “Obviously you regard these mages as ones you trust.  Introduce me to them.  In the future I may wish to communicate with them.  It will be much easier if I know their name and they mine.”

     Jaascin looked at Aphrael with a smile,  “You mean you want a formal introduction so they will not know you already know all about them.”

     “Jaascin,” said the fairy queen in a hurt tone.  “How could you accuse me of such a thing.”  Then she smiled at him and gave him another kiss.  Jaascin introduce the fairy queen to the two mages, who were just recovering from the surprise of seeing this beautiful fairy queen.  They bowed in deference to her. 

     Aphrael smiled at them and said, “Although he can be a very impossible young man, he still remains my favorite.  I just have to remind him now and then when he strays.  However now,” and she looked pointedly a Cyrellai, “I have an ally.  Of course, I must remember not to kiss him so fondly in her presence.”

     Cyrellai smiled.  “Oh I do not mind if his fairy queen kisses him.  It is when other young women do so, that I take exception.”  Aphrael laughed lightly, then she floated over and gently kissed Cyrellai on the cheek.  She then vanished.  Jaascin threw up his hands in total wonder. 

     “You see.  She appears when she wishes.  I have no idea why she chooses the times she does.  This time she evidently wanted you to know she existed, so you would not be surprised if she contacted you.  I would assume that would be if and when she knows the Queen or the Princess are in danger.”  He was speaking directly to the two mages.

     “You truly are a special and very mysterious man,” said the Prince’s mage.  Then he continued with a smile.  “I, for one, am glad I can assume that you are on our side.”

     The King with a smile agreed.  “I think we all are glad of that.  Especially after these last several days.”

     Cyrellai looked at him in mock chagrin.  “I don’t know what I am going to do with you, hobnobbing with fairies, and such.  It is bad enough competing with very beautiful young Elven women and human women.  Now I have to also compete with the very, very beautiful queen of the fairies.”

     Jaascin smiled at her.  “My Princess.  You have no competition.  I am your slave for life.”

     Cyrellai’s mother looked at the two of them.  “I don’t think you two are ever serious when you are talking to each other.  It is a good thing that you understand each other so well.  No one else could possibly make sense to your conversations.”

     The Queen laughed.  “I think it is wonderful.  I don’t think I have ever met two more delightful young people.  I hope you never change.”  Then she turned to Jaascin.  “I can see you could be very dangerous to any opponent.  They would not take you seriously enough until it was too late.”

     Cyrellai then pointedly said, “It isn’t only opponents.” 

Everyone laughed as they recognized her meaning.

     The King with a broad smile said, “You mean he charmed you into falling in love with him before you knew what you were doing?”  Cyrellai just smiled.  Jaascin tried to look shocked at the obvious meaning of her smile.

     Her mother said.  “I don’t think you can blame Jaascin for that.  I think Cyrellai had plans to claim him for herself, the minute she laid eyes on him.  It was just that he intelligently saw no reason to object to her plans.”

     Cyrellai pretended to be shocked, but she was smiling as she said, “Mother how could you think that of me.”

     “Because I would have done the same if I had been you,” her mother answered with a smile.

     The Queen then asked, “What are your plans for the future, Jaascin?”

     “Well if Cyrellai’s parents can put up with me, I am planning to stay here several weeks and get to know some of Cyrellai’s friends.  I would also like to wander the city and surrounding woods.  Then I need to travel north.  I have an old friend that traveled up there some years ago.  I plan to try to find him,” answered Jaascin.

     Cyrellai smiled, “I’m glad you said him, Jaascin and not her.”

     Jaascin smiled but ignored Cyrellia’s comment for the moment.  “I have not been in that part of the world, so I plan to take my time and get to know the people, the language and the customs.  I find travel is much more enjoyable that way.”

     “Also much more enlightening, I assume,” said one of the mages.

     “Yes, it does broaden one’s education, if you learn as you go and not just travel through.”

     “And it can prove much more enjoyable at times, depending on whom you become acquainted with,” said the Queen with a smile at Cyrellai.

     Cyrellai with a flip of her head said, “I may be sorry that I am not planning to accompany you to check on whom you become well acquainted with.”  Jaascin just smiled at her but did not reply.  Cyrellai’s mother had a smile at this silent sparring between the two of them.  She knew Cyrellai was aware other young women would be attracted to Jaascin as she had been.  She was also aware that Cyrellai was sure that Jaascin would be back.

     A thought struck Cyrellai’s father.  “If you were planning to travel north, you could have sailed to a port closer to your intended destination.  Why did you disembark at a port you knew would require you to traverse our forest to get to that destination?”

     Jaascin smiled and without a moments hesitation replied, “Because that is as far as my money would carry me.  It was imperative that I get as far as I could at that time.”

     The King began to laugh, realizing what Jaascin was saying and that he was being bluntly truthful.  “It seems your situation then was our good fortune.  Otherwise you may not have entered Prince Sherantel’s land, and his daughter may not have been cured.”

     “Fate sometimes intervenes at strange times and for unknown purposes,” said Jaascin.  “I have found it is best not to question fate too closely, but to follow where it leads you.  In this case, I am very happy that I followed where it led me.”

     “Oh I am too,” Cyrellai quickly said with a lovely smile at him.  Then she added, “But sometime I may demand to know what you were fleeing.”

     Her father asserted, “Would it be of great importance, seeing as it brought him to our land and saved your cousin’s life?”

     With a laugh Cyrellai’s mother said, “She would like to know if it was a beautiful woman he was fleeing, or perhaps her father.”

     “Mother, how could you think such a thing of Jaascin?” but she was also laughing.

     “My reputation seems to be taking a definite turn for the worse.  Perhaps I should flee north immediately,” said Jaascin with a smile.

     Cyrellai quickly spoke up.  “As I have told you before, I am not yet ready to let you go.”

     The Queen with a small smile commented, “It seems Cyrellai is taking this slave thing seriously, Jaascin.  It seems you may not go until she frees you.”

     “Oh, I have no intention to free him,” Cyrellai quickly said.  “Only give him a temporary reprieve from which he must return.”  The Queen and Cyrellai’s mother began to laugh.  Even the King and Cyrellai’s father had broad smiles on their faces.  They all knew that Jaascin would never be a slave to anyone.  Not even to an Elven princess as beautiful as Cyrellai.  They also knew that he loved her in his own way, and that he would return to her at some time.

     The mage’s took their departure, thanking Jaascin for sharing his knowledge with them and for making it possible for them to make the acquaintance of the fairy queen.   

     After they had departed, Cyrellai’s mother turned to Jaascin and asked, “Do you think the fairy queen will drop in on Cyrellai some time as she does to you?”

     Cyrellai looked expectantly at Jaascin.  “Yes, I think she indicated that she planned to do that.  As to when or why, I could not pretend to know.  I am just sure that she will.”

     “Will she give me news of you?” Cyrellai asked.

     Jaascin smiled.  “Only that I am safe,” he answered.

     “Oh Pooh,” Cyrellai answered in disappointment.

     Her mother laughed.  “You have to remember.  Jaascin is a special person to the fairy queen.  She is not about to tell tales on him.  She will do any chastising of him she feels necessary.”

     “Necessary or not,” added Jaascin with a smile. Everyone laughed at the thought.  Aphrael did seem to delight in seeming to take Jaascin to task.

     Shortly afterward Cyrellai excused herself and taking Jaascin in tow, went to her apartments.  There her staff had drawn their baths and had laid out their nightclothes.  Cyrellai planned to take Jaascin out into the city after breakfast.  They had been asked to have breakfast with the King, Queen, Cyrellai’s parents and several other dignitaries.  Nothing had been said about the fact that Jaascin was staying with Cyrellai in her apartments in the palace.  However, all the palace staff knew this.

Chapter Five

     At the breakfast, Jaascin was again questioned, regarding some of the countries and lands in which he had traveled.  Again he gave the questioners a very complete picture of these lands, their people and customs.  Jaascin had a way of making his stories interesting to everyone, even if they had heard them before.  Jaascin was asked how he came to know and speak the Elven language so well. 

     Jaascin replied, “When I was very young I spent some years, living with a band of elves.  I had actually forgotten all about that experience until I came into your forest and realized I understood your language.” 

     That is the first time Cyrellai had heard him say that.  She looked questioningly at him but said nothing.  She intended to question him later on this fact.  Cyrellai’s mother noticed that look.  She filed it away in her mind as a future topic to discuss with Cyrellai.  The rest of the elves at the breakfast took his story at face value and accepted it.  They went on to other topics.  As soon as the breakfast seemed over, Cyrellai and Jaascin excused themselves.   

     Then they got ready to set off into the city.  Cyrellai told Jaascin he could take his daggers, but not his swords.  She had gotten an Elven short sword for him to wear.  She actually had one made with an emblem on the handle and on the scabbard.  When Jaascin saw it, he admired it and said to Cyrellai,

     “It is a very nice design.  I think I shall adopt it.”

     Cyrellai smiled.  “I saw it in a dream.  I thought it fit you perfectly.” 

     What she did not know is that the fairy queen had introduced that design into her dream about Jaascin.  It actually put a fairy enchantment on the short sword.  A fairy gem had also been imbedded in the design.  This did give Jaascin something of the look of an Elven noble.  Cyrellai was quite pleased with his look.  She pronounced him fit to accompany her out into the city. 

     Jaascin asked, “Would it be agreeable with you if we walk rather than take a carriage?”  Cyrellai looked at Jaascin, wondering what had made him make that request.  However she decided to humor him, so she agreed.  As they started out, Cyrellai looked over at Jaascin and innocently asked, 

     “So you spent some years with an Elven band when you were young.  You didn’t tell me this before.”

     Jaascin looked very innocent.  “My darling Princess.  It slipped my mind because I didn’t think it important.  It was a long time ago.  I was very young.  It was before I knew anything about elves.  I was fleeing and came to a forest.  It looked like a very good place in which to get myself lost.  I fled into it.   I had gone a ways, when all of a sudden, I was surrounded by people I had never seen before.  They spoke a strange language that was somewhat hard for me to understand.  They wanted to know how I got into their forest and why I wasn’t confused.  I didn’t understand what they were talking about.  It looked like an ordinary forest to me.  They took me to an old man in a funny robe.  He questioned me for quite some time, then he asked me if I would like to live with him and be his apprentice.  I learned he was a mage who had been banned from this forest by some local noble.  The elves had found him a place to live in the forest away from the noble’s city.  They were able to hide him and provide him with whatever he needed.  I stayed with him for several years.  Then I got a little too curious and a little careless and wandered too far.  The noble’s guards found me.  They took me to the noble who questioned me on how I got into the forest.  I said I just walked into it and kind of got lost.  He had me put out of the forest.  The last I knew, that mage was still living in that forest.”

     They were wandering through the streets of the city as Jaascin was telling his tale.  Suddenly Jaascin felt a warning of danger coming.  He pulled Cyrellai back off the street and into an opening.  A rider came riding fast, aimed an arrow at them.  The arrow fell short and Jaascin hurled a dagger at the elf.  The rider slumped and slid off his horse.  Jaascin commanded everyone to leave him until the guards arrived.  The people who were surging forward stopped and moved back at his command. 

     Jaascin walked over to the man.  His horse had stopped and then moved back toward Jaascin as if he had been called.  Jaascin took his reins and examined the equipment on the horse.  In a few minutes the guard appeared.  Jaascin spoke to them for several minutes and then they took the man and his horse and headed for their headquarters. 

     Jaascin went back to Cyrellai, took her arm and said,  “Shall we continue our exploration of the city that was so rudely interrupted.”

     “You act as if that was a normal occurrence.  You could have been killed,” Cyrellai exclaimed.

     “He wasn’t aiming the arrow at me.  He was aiming it at you.  That is what I told the guards.”

     “But why would he want to kill me?”

     “He was a paid assassin.  I suggested the guards closely examine all the equipment on the horse and on the man.  I also suggested they find out how he could have gotten into the city,” Jaascin told her.  “When we get back to the palace, I will talk to your father’s mage and the head of the guards.”  Then he led her off to finish exploring the city.  

     Jaascin acted as if he dismissed the happening from his mind.  Cyrellai looked strangely at him but followed his lead.  They were soon wrapped up in exploring the city together.  Cyrellai was soon seeing things she had never noticed before as Jaascin kept asking questions and exclaiming about certain things that caught his interest. They found a little Inn on a side street and had lunch.  Cyrellai had to admit the food was surprisingly good.  She had never been aware of the Inn before.  It was very close to dinnertime before they arrived back at the palace.   

     Jaascin was asked to join the Prince, his mage and the chief of his guards.  He was closeted with them for over an hour.  When they came out, the chief of the guards set briskly off toward his headquarters and the mage set out for his rooms.  Cyrellai’s father had a serious look on his face, but smiled when he saw his daughter approaching.   

     “You are joining us for dinner, are you not Cyrellai?” he asked.

     “I thought maybe you were going to forget about dinner, father,” she said. “I wondered if mother and I were to entertain their majesties.”

     Her father smiled at her.  “We had to make certain plans.  Everything is now in hand.  I will talk to the King later on this matter.”

     Cyrellai slipped her arm through Jaascin’s.  “Are you going to explain all this to me later, my wonderful guardian?” she asked.

     “Later, my beautiful princess, later,” Jaascin said with a smile.  “Shall we dress for dinner?  We shouldn’t keep their majesties waiting.”  Then he followed her toward their quarters in her apartments in the palace.  They were to dine with the King and Queen along with several other top-ranking nobles in the area.  The mages were also going to be in attendance. 

     When Cyrellai and Jaascin were seated beside her mother, her mother leaned over to Cyrellai and asked, “Did you find out what you wished from Jaascin?”

     “About his sojourn with the elves in his youth, yes I think.  About what happened this morning in the city, no,” said Cyrellai.  “I am beginning to wonder about him.  He said it was I who was the target of the assassin, but then he dismisses it as of no great import.”

     “My darling Cyrellai.  I did not dismiss it as of no, great importance.  I had already set the wheels in motion, so we could go about our business.  At the moment, I had already done what I could do.  The rest was in the experts’ hands,” Jaascin said apologetically.

     The mage spoke up, “He does not waste energy by unnecessarily looking over others shoulders.  His information and directions were very explicit, Princess.”

     Her father looked at Cyrellai.  “Obviously he did exactly what was needed to protect you and end the danger to you.”  Then he smiled,  “You must excuse him for being an expert in getting you to forget the threat, and enjoy your day.”

     The King smiled.  “Apparently you are much too efficient in your actions, Jaascin.  You make it look too easy.”

     Jaascin smiled.  “I was warned in advance, but I do not know by whom or how.”  Then he thought.  “Remind me to look at that design you had made on the handle of that Elven sword you gave me, Cyrellai.”

     “You think it put an enchantment onto the sword?” the king’s mage asked.

     “I just remembered where I had seen that design before.  I think there is a fairy gem embedded in that design.”

     Cyrellai looked at him in surprise. “But I had not met the queen of the fairies, when I dreamed about that design.”

     Her mother looked at Cyrellai thoughtfully.  “Perhaps you had not met the queen of the fairies then.  But perhaps she had met you.”  Cyrellai looked accusingly at Jaascin.

     He shrugged apologetically.  “But I have absolutely no control over her.  She is about as willful as you.”

     The Queen and Cyrellai’s mother began to laugh.  The Queen shook her head in wonder.  “He is a master,” she said.

     “He is absolutely awful,” Cyrellai said, trying to sound hurt.

     One of the nobles questioned, “What is this about the Queen of the Fairies?”

     The King explained, “Among his other talents and abilities, Jaascin is a friend of the queen.  He claims she delights in plaguing him, knowing he has absolutely no power over her.  He can not call her.  She only appears when she wishes to appear.  She seems to delight in startling him by appearing when he would least expect her to do so.” 

     Then the Queen picked it up, “Of course now he says she has adopted Cyrellai as a special friend and ally.  Jaascin claims Cyrellai is more than enough of a challenge, without the help of the queen of the fairies.”

     Jaascin was looking very sorrowful, much to the amusement of everyone.  One of the nobles turned to the King. 

     “You have seen the Queen of the Fairies?” he asked.

     “We have,” answered the King, “but only because Jaascin was showing some illusions.  He produced some gems that the women could see, but we could not.  He then made the gems disappear.  Immediately after that a very beautiful gem made its appearance in the middle of our group.  Mist rose from the gem and then out of the mist stepped this beautiful creature.  She chastised Jaascin for giving the women gems and then taking them away.  She said she had taught him better than that.  She then proceeded to produce and give the women very, very beautiful fairy gems.  After telling Cyrellai that she was glad Cyrellai had taken Jaascin in hand, because he needed someone to look after him, the fairy queen disappeared.  The gems, however remained.  Jaascin said my wife, Princess Wellarein and her daughter cannot lose those gems, nor can they be stolen or destroyed.”

     “I have heard that said of them.  I have only seen one before.  It was indeed very beautiful,” another noble said.  Then he added, “Is it true even mages have no power over these gems?”

     The King’s mage replied, “Yes that is true.  Even the greatest of us cannot affect the power of those gems.

     Jaascin smiled.  “Even the greatest of the mages have no power over the fairies.  In fact they cannot be detected unless they themselves want to be.”

     “Then you do not know when the Queen of the Fairies is around?” Jaascin was asked.

     “I never know when she is to appear, or if she is even around at any particular time.  It is totally frustrating.  She has told me, however, that she respects my privacy.”  Then he shrugged his shoulders, “but how am I to know.”

     This got a laugh around the table.  “Knowing the Queen of Fairies could prove unsettling at times,” was the comment.  The conversation went on to unusual phenomena.  Jaascin commented that many of these could be logically explained.  He did admit that some could not at this time.

     Then a thought occurred to someone at the table.  “Is it possible that she maneuvered you into appearing near the Elven forest when the prince’s daughter needed you?”

     Jaascin thought for a moment then answered, “No I am sure that was just happenstance.  It was through what might be described as a personal misfortune that I was there.  Fairies do not deal in misfortunes.”  He said that with a smile.

     Cyrellai’s father spoke up, “Jaascin claims he was fleeing the wrath of a Wizard and his money would only allow him to buy passage to the port at which he disembarked.  Then he had a need to traverse our forests.  That was the happenstance.  A very lucky happenstance for all of us.”

     The king with a smile added, “I have commented earlier that I would prefer to have Jaascin as an ally.  Luckily Cyrellai has guaranteed that.  Jaascin has said he would never be on the opposite side from her.”

     One of the nobles bowed in Cyrellai’s direction, “Then it appears we are very fortunate indeed to have you in our midst.” 

     Cyrellai blushed prettily and commented, “It was really nothing.”

     Jaascin smiled and said, “I eagerly walked into her trap, and had no desire to escape it.”

     The Queen spoke up and said, “You must take everything the two of them say about each other with a grain of salt.  They are never serious.  They make light of it all.  Of course that makes the two of them great fun to be around.”

     The Prince’s mage spoke up, “But that makes Jaascin particularly dangerous as an opponent.  He is easy to underestimate, or forget he has great power.  He can lull you to sleep with his act of laughing about his reputed powers.”

     The King’s mage smiled.  “It is a very good act.  That probably has confused a lot of people.”

     Cyrellai looked at Jaascin in mock disapproval,  “That isn’t very nice of you.  Fooling all those people.  Aren’t you ashamed of yourself.”

     Jaascin pretended to hang his head in apology, but he was smiling.  Cyrellai started laughing.  “You are absolutely awful.  You are an unrepentant rogue.”

     The Queen smiled.  “I think my dear Princess Cyrellai, that you are the only one that dares call Jaascin a rogue.”  Then she turned to Jaascin.  “The next time you return to visit Cyrellai, we would like you and Cyrellai to come and visit us.  We would like to introduce you to our court and show you our city.”

     “It shall be my pleasure, your majesty.  I am sure Cyrellai will know when I am coming,” Jaascin said with a bow to the Queen.  Cyrellai had a questioning look on her face at this statement by Jaascin.  Then realizing what he meant, she smiled.  Of course, the fairy queen would let her know.

     After the dinner, Cyrellai and Jaascin went for a stroll in the palace gardens.

     “You still are staying for several weeks, are you not.  That incident has not changed your mind?” Cyrellai asked Jaascin.

     “Yes, I am staying and no the incident has not changed my mind.  It was an isolated incident.  We have checked.  There is no further danger.  The instigators are already known and they will be dealt with immediately.”  Then in answer to Cyrellai’s unspoken question, Jaascin added, “I do not know the particulars, but it apparently has to do with a rejected suitor of yours.  He will undoubtedly plead extreme mental torment.  That plea has no chance when the charge is attempted murder of a Princess.”  Then Jaascin added with a smile, “especially a Princess named Cyrellai.”  Cyrellai gave him a look of mock disgust.

     Then the thought occurred to her.  “How did you know it was me the arrow was aimed at and how did you turn it aside.  I was to the side of you and you did not move in front of me.  Besides, no one was hit by the arrow.  Come to think of it the arrow was on the ground beside you.  How did he die?”

     “You are full of questions, tonight,” said Jaascin with a smile. “I caused the air to be thick so it slowed the arrow in flight and it fell to the ground.  Something warned me you were in danger.  He was killed by a dagger, before he could shoot another arrow.”

     “You said he was an assassin.  Did some one hire him to try to kill me?”

     “Some one hired him to kill you not try to kill you.  He had no feelings about you one way or the other.  He was a renegade elf according to the chief of the guards.  He was not even supposed to be able to come back into the forest. There are a lot of questions someone is going to have to answer.  The King has become involved.”  Then Jaascin added with a smile, “It is out or our hands and into very capable hands.  We may now go about enjoying the next several weeks of exploring your city and surrounding area.”

     “You are sure it is safe?” Cyrellai asked.

     “Very, very sure,” was the reply.  They strolled through the garden arm in arm, oblivious of any one else around.

     Several days later, the King and Queen departed.  The palace and the city settled down to its normal routines.  Jaascin and Cyrellai did thoroughly explore the city and surrounding country.  The rest of the time, Jaascin spent with Cyrellai and her family, was very peaceful.  Jaascin was accepted in the palace and the city practically as a relative of the family.  This amused Cyrellai.  Everyone was ignoring the fact that Jaascin was living in Cyrellai’s apartment in the palace.  Jaascin was included in several meetings the Prince had with dignitaries from other areas.  He was included in a gathering of a group of Elven Mages.

     It was in early spring that Jaascin began to gather his things together. 

     “You are planning on leaving me?” Cyrellai inquired with a smile.

     “It is time,” Jaascin replied.  “I lingered far longer than I intended.  But I must go now.  I want to reach the northern mountains before winter makes them impassible.”

     “You will come back to us when you come this way again?”

     Jaascin smiled, “You are too powerful a lodestone for me to pass by.  I shall be back.  I have no idea when that will be.”

     “I will ride with you to the border.  Unfortunately, my father and the king insist we have armed men with us.  They say that is because you will not be with me when I return from the border,” Cyrellai told him.

     Jaascin smiled at her.  “Then I will be sure you will be safe.  I will not be worrying as I travel north.”

     “You could always make me invisible until I reached home,” Cyrellai teased him.

     “You keep attributing great powers to me.”

     “That’s because you keep demonstrating them,” answered Cyrellai.  Jaascin shook his head as he kept on packing up his things.  He was soon ready to pack them on his horses.  Cyrellai had also been packing some things she would be taking along with her.  She was planning, to have one attendant come with her.  The young woman was actually a distant cousin. 

     On the trip, Jaascin insisted they ride from dawn to dusk.  That way the trip would only take four days to reach the border of the forest.  They camped near the border that last night.  In the morning Jaascin prepared to leave.  At the border, Jaascin said goodbye to Cyrellai and the men who were accompanying them.  He then urged his horse forward and did not look back.  He knew that Cyrellai waited and watched until he disappeared over a low hill.  Then she turned her horse and headed back for her home.  

     She missed Jaascin already.  She realized she felt perfectly safe when he was with her.  She did have great confidence in his powers.  Even if he insisted he didn’t have the powers she insisted he did have.  He was a strange and wonderful man, the likes of whom she knew she would never see again until Jaascin might return.

     Jaascin was riding through some rolling country that had patches of forest.  The country was much the same until midday.  Farms began to dot the landscape as he got farther along.  The sun was beginning to set when he saw a town on the horizon.  He rode into town and found an inn.  

     Although the town was small, the inn looked well kept.  He went inside and asked for their best room.  The proprietor looked this stranger over, and noted the swords and daggers he carried under his cloak.  He noted the clothes he wore were very fine.  Jaascin then went outside to arrange for his horses.  The stable boy was looking over his horses and the bags on the three horses.  Jaascin smiled.   

     Jaascin enlisted the help of a man standing by to help him get his bags up to his room.  He flipped the stable boy a coin to make sure his horses were well cared for.  When Jaascin came down from his room to get some dinner, he had only his Elven short sword and one dagger.  The proprietor looked at him questioningly.  Jaascin said, in a voice loud enough for the two men in the inn to hear,

     “Only a fool would try to steal those two swords.”  Then he smiled at the owner and found a table where he could survey the room. 

     A young barmaid came over to him.  He smiled pleasantly at her and asked what was good tonight.  She smiled back at him, openly looking him over.  She told Jaascin what was available for dinner.  He gave his order and asked for a glass of ale.  When she brought it back to him, he gave her a coin.  She looked in surprise at it and gave him a curtsey and a big smile.  Jaascin brought something out of his pocket and dropped it into the ale.  Then he took a large drink of it.  It had been dry business riding all day.  He did not think anything had been put in his drink, but he was making sure.  He had the look of a prosperous man.  He did not know the reputation of this Inn.  The food was good and the barmaid very attentive.   

     After he finished eating, he ordered another ale and again dropped something into it.  The Inn was beginning to fill up.  Jaascin sat quietly drinking his ale looking over the people who came in.  An old man in a long cloak came in and sat down in a corner.  He ordered a mug of ale, and as the barmaid came to serve him, the old man waved his hand, in which then appeared a coin.  He gave it to the barmaid.  She looked at him strangely.  He then waved his hand again and muttered something and a colorful flame danced upon the table.

     Jaascin watched him silently.  The old man turned to Jaascin. 

     “That is an interesting trick, don’t you think, noble sir,” he said with a wink.

     Jaascin smiled at him.  “You do that very neatly.”  The barmaid came up beside Jaascin. 

     “You watch him, sir,” she whispered,  “He’s a magician.  He lives in the woods nearby.”

Jaascin smiled at her, winked and silently thanked her.  

     Jaascin had already determined he had nothing to worry about from the old man.  He was indeed a mage and a healer, but there was no evil in him.  In fact the appearance of the old man, had taken the attention away from Jaascin.  He was able to continue quietly drinking his ale and looking over the crowd.  There was no one of any importance to him in the crowd.  He would be on his way in early morning.  He wondered what the old man was doing living here in the woods.  He surveyed the crowd to see if there was any danger to the old man from anyone in the crowd.  Jaascin found no evidence of that.  When he had finished his ale, he paid his bill and went to his room.