Jasper allowed himself to be soothed by Kate's hand on his back, as well as her words. He didn't want to disappoint her, he knew she wanted him to try so many things and get into the king's guard. Jasper understood that Kate saw no shame in him not being able to meet those expectations, but he still felt obligated to do so. Part of his previous 'training' making it so he needed to strive for some goal, to make his mistress, or in this case, Kate happy. She had been so happy for him to be given the chance to be in the king's guard, and he knew he couldn't let her down. The only problem was getting there. Heck, he didn't even know how best he learned! It wasn't as though he had ever been given a book and told to read, or to write anything out. He was trained for one thing, and one thing only.<br/><br/>Jasper looked up from where he gaze had dropped when Kate told him to go get the others. He could do that, he could follow orders, this was familiar territory. He knew he had to shake this way of thinking, but it was so much easier just to fall back into it, easier, and less intimidating. Nodding, Jasper stood and made his way to the stairs to wake Abby and Matt, quietly repeating the first few letters he was expected to remember as he went.