Kate faced him as she sat on the log, "Ann is sweet and she is a comfort. I have known her all my life. I have no quick fix for the little boy. You will have good memories in time. This is a happy time of year; it can get hectic with lots of people, and noisy. If you need a quiet place please let me or Ann know. Jasper we host the first ball the manor is full of people. You want to stay upstairs you can; it's not much notice the party begins in three weeks. You can help if you want. Do not over do it. I would like to begin by decorating your room. We have greenery to decorate your mantel, candles, and a holiday bedspread. You can help decorate my room. Get lots of rest as I do not want you missing out of some of the festivities. I talked your arm off. Your head needs a rest."<br/>Kate let him rest and let him adjust to the household routine. Ann brought him breakfast. Kate kept him in his cat form and mostly to her room for the next two weeks. She encouraged him to talk, showed him the first year primer, reviewed the alphabet, worked little math, and read him stories mostly folklore about dragons. By the end of the 2nd week he was able to take short walks outside. The bruises were barely visible and he was having meals in the dining room with the family. Ann spent the 2nd week teaching him manors and protocols living in a manor. Vincent showed him how to dress, how to act around nobility. Kate reminded him just fallow her lead and watch her father. He was a quick study.It was Sunday of his 3rd week. The servants were busy cleaning house, polishing silver, and it was breakfast. Ann fixed a huge breakfast, eggs, pancakes, sausage, hash browns, fresh fruit, and assorted juices, coffee and tea.<br/>Lord Lyons was reading his daily news paper.<br/>Kate held Jasper's hand as she led him into the dining room. She wore a white satin blouse with covered buttons and pin tucks gathered at the waist. She hat a green velvet waist coat and full satin and velvet green skirt with winter underpinnings. Vincent dressed Jasper in a silk poets shirt, formal black attire no tails. His black leather shoes were newly polished to a shine. Lyons and Jon stood as Kate entered.<br/>Lyons waited for the couple to be seated, "I have a formal invitation that we will be spending the day in uptown at the Coach and Six. The royal family has asked us to dinner. Jasper, you will spend the day as Kate's companion. Any weapons you carry will be concealed as the King has own elite guard. This unexpected and you will be expected to dance. The waltz is easy. I suggest you wear very light armor and throwing weapons only. I do not want you passing out. There are other guests this will be a small gathering. You do not let Kate out of your sight. You watch Jon for ques. I will tell you how to act. I expect you to be nervous that will keep you alert and on your toes."<br/>Kate held his hand under the table and squeezed it. "Dancing is like learning to fight only no one gets hurt. Stepping on toes perhaps."<br/>Jon snickers and Sara giggles.<br/>Lyons waves his palms up and down, "Simmer down. All of you. You will keep your own room. Jasper you will remain with Kate. I expect you may see people from your previous life. You speak upon spoken to little as possible. The best position for you is at Kate's side. Kate make Jasper look good, dance very little tonight. Sit and talk to your friends or something, amuse Princess Amanda that's an order, Kate."<br/>Kate stuck her tongue out and pointed at her mouth. She leaned over toward Jasper, "Bossy, Spoiled Brat."<br/>Lyons sat down, "Eat your breakfast we leave right after."<br/>Sara had arrived the night before she had been attending her school in the next kingdom. The girl was blond with long ringlet curls, sapphire blue eyes, and wore fine blue satin, dress with a ruffled hem. Matching over jacket with a tightly pleated bodice. She was slightly larger than Kate with a fuller chest.<br/>She was the carbon copy of Malora in curls and had the same upturned thin nose. Sara had a pleasant soft eyes and a sweet smile. Her voice was soft with the accent of the western highlands.<br/>Sara saw Kate sitting next to a slightly bruised, young cat-man, with green cat like eyes, his longer shoulder length hair tied back with a black silk ribbon. The blond waited for her father to stop talking, "You must be Jasper. Kate wrote and told me about you. I have your picture in my locker. Your the top fighter in you class. Kate he's famous. She digs in her purse and hands him a book across the table, "Can I have your autograph. I would hate going up against you. What happened? It was not a fair fight a four on one? How could they throw the match like that? That just burns my croaw.  Bet you caught hell. Hell Cat they set you up? Besides....how did you get here? Kate did you save his life?"<br/>Kate wagged her finger at Sara. "I have no idea what you are talking about. Yea, he was a wreck when he arrived. His name is Jasper and he lives with us now. He is off the circuit."<br/>Sara whistles, "Whew cat. You can't take him off Kate. His fans are everywhere. Papa can she do it? Can she just take him off like that." She snapped her fingers. "I bet King Atrius is got lords breathing down his neck to release him."<br/>Kate blinked and lunged toward her father, her fist on the table, "Is that what he wants to take Jasper back/ I won't let him have Jasper. He's come so far." Kate eyes pool with water and streak her cheeks."I love him. Papa, do not let them take Jasper. Please." Kate hugs her gift and smooths his hair, "It's true Jasper. I do love you. One more month I will be of age. I made Jasper a promise he can stay."<br/>Lyons sat and shook his head, "No one is taking Jasper. You Godfather and I have an agreement all slaves seeking freedom can live their lives here. King Atrious just want to meet him and see us. That's all."<br/>Kate sniffled and released Jasper, "If this is a trick. I will teleport him to the mage guild. I am not giving him back. Draco can't have him. Not without a fight. "