"Nia! Where are you?!" Hannaquah continues calling from some where below me. I roll my eyes and choose not to answer. One of my sister's few talents is bothering the hell out of me. I can't remember the last time I had a day all to myself with no interruptions. She will probably continue to call out for the next hour or so if I let her. I sigh, irritated, but finally relent to her pestering after the seventh call.

"Yes?"

"Why are you up there?!" The alarm in her voice makes it high pitched and shrilly.

" It is only a tree Hanna. Calm down." I sigh again in frustration.

"Girls don't climb trees, Lacconia! Especially a tree this tall; you get down here this instant!"

"Again Hanna, calm down, there is no need to loose your hair over a little tree climbing."

"Down! Now!"

"I'll get down when I damn well please, Hannaquah. Go on back home now. I don't need a baby sitter." I glare down at her, daring her to continue on with this nonsense. Her mouth drops open at my reply, no doubt bewildered and out raged by my crudeness. She'll get over it.

"Shay will not be happy about this! And do believe that I will tell her!" She retorts at last, finally finding her voice again. She even proceeds to cross her arms like an errant child. Well she can tell Shaylen all that she pleases. I am still not going home until I feel like it. I am 20 years old dammit, not twelve! Hanna narrows her eyes up at me from the ground.

" Go right ahead Hanna, by all means. What ever will she do to my disrespectful, unapologetic behind?" I feign horror, grasping my face in my hands eyes wide in distress. She stomps the ground, child like behavior no less, then storms off infuriated. "Good rid-dens." I grumble to myself mostly.

I sit back up against the trunk of the tree once more, relaxing. The woods are my only escape from the hectic everyday hustle and bustle of my village. I wonder off into the forest as often as possible only to be tracked down by my awful sisters. Ynattrib or Hannaquah always come after me when they think that I've been gone for too long. They hate me coming out here but I don't care. This is my safe haven. I could sit up in the canopy of the forest for hours or swim along the soft flowing waters of the river all day. My favorite place, however, is the waterfall. I climb the cliff face well up onto the side of the mountain until I reach the cave just to the side of the falls; the view is breath-taking. I can see out for miles in any one direction. Birds glide up above the treetops in graceful figure eights scanning the grounds below. The fall thunders down powerfully beside me, little sprays of water randomly cascade down on my hair as I sit with my legs hanging off the ledge of the cave. Rainbows often form across the span of the waterfall because of the constant mist that escapes from the downpour of water, lighting up the skies with a serene beauty all their own. It's so tranquil and secluded up there that sometimes I pack up my covers and pillows to take up there for me to sleep right under the opening of the cave. The only problem with the waterfall is that I can generally only go at night because I don't want to be followed up there by my annoying sisters. Heaven forbid they actually find my last hideout; I'd probably go insane. As far as I can tell I'm the only person to ever brave climbing up the slick rock face beside the falls to get to the cave. And it will stay that way if I can help it at all. All this thinking of the waterfall leaves me wanting. Eventually I decide to get down out of the tree and go home. Besides, my leg has fallen asleep from sitting in the same position too long.

I hear the soft footfall of one of my close friends not too far off in the trees somewhere as I walk through the forest homeward bound. If Aldolphus was close by then Goldie couldn't be far off either.

I'll be back for you guys. I know they can hear my thoughts because they are within thought range.

All too soon I am outside of the woods and back in the out-skirts of my village. It's after dark now so everyone is in their houses for the most part, leaving the pathways a quiet route for travel. I can smell the various meals being made in the houses as I walk by; venison, pork, quail, rabbits, and trout smells fill the air with heavenly scents intermingling with a variety of lovely spices. I can smell roasted chicken coming from my own home as I come near. For a brief moment I smile at the smell, reminiscing on years past of Shay learning how to cook for all of us. She was thrust into motherhood way before she was ready but she handled it well in my opinion. The little bun in her oven will never want for anything with the loving parents that he or she has waiting on them to come. My smile fades as I come up onto the porch.

"She will never find a man willing to deal with her disobedience Shaylen! This is a fact and her behavior must be reprimanded!" Hanna looks up surprised as I open the door. Yes, I heard you, wench. She and Shay are sitting on the couch sewing baby clothes. Shay's reproach to Hanna's brazen comment is clear all across her face. She frowns at Hanna, her brow creased with annoyance.

"Hanna that is enough. Lacconia will find a husband just fine. I will hear nothing else on the matter." Shay finally responds looking back to her sewing, closing the subject. I finally close the door behind me and walk across the room to the stairs on far side. As I made my way down the stairs to the kitchen I can feel the smile spreading across my face. Shaylen always knows how to shut Hanna's foolishness down. Downstairs, the smiling faces of the rest of my siblings greet me. My brothers Kered and Nilanek are standing by the sink basin drinking what looks like strawberry infused white wine. My other brother Quinthium is deep in conversation with Sketchie, Shay's husband, while they both work on cutting up little yellow skinned potatoes I presume. My sister Kappaty, is the head cook for tonight so she's flying about the kitchen gathering up the ingredients needed for today's dinner. My last sibling, Ynattrib, is making lemonade for us to drink tonight. The smell of the rotisserie chicken is intoxicating.

" Hey, sweet cheeks!" Pati calls over to me from the stove, on overly cheery smile stretched across her face as usual.

"Hey, Pati."

"Nia, is the Sunkarmatik court not full of sun heads with over zealous smiles on their faces?!" Sketchie is fervently trying to prove a point to Quin.

"I do not like to categorize others negatively Sketchie, especially if I don't know them. The last time I went they were relatively nice people."

"So your point is invalid Sketch." Quin responds matter-of-factly. Sketchie feigns a look of pure agony my way, making me laugh.

"Hey Nia." Nik and Kered say sequentially in quick succession. They nod their heads in my direction.

"Hey guys." I say laughing lightly. It's nice to see my family all together again in one house. Nik's wife Macii comes up behind me and hugs me, making me jump in surprise. I love Macii's carefree spirit. Only she is brave enough to hug me like that.

"Hey, Macii."

"Hi Nia! How are you? I haven't seen you in awhile!" She responds, her voice pitchy with excitement.

"I know. Nik keeps you away from us."

"Hey now. I do no such thing Nia." Nik retorts, mockingly wounded.

"Oh yes you do Nik! So hush up." Macii scolds him. "You keep me locked up in the house like some wretched house wench!" Watching her scold my brother is cute. She's so little and fiery in comparison to his tall stocky build. He raises his hands in surrender.

"And you should come over more often Nia!" Macii turns her berating in my direction. My hands mirror Nik's expression of surrender.

"I should, you're right." I smile down at her, trying to placate her. She is right though. I should go visit more often. Macii and Nik live in a house right beside Kered's and Quin's, a little further away from mine. The boys all moved out together when Kered turned 18 since he is the youngest boy. Nik is 24 and Macii, my sister in law, is 22. Quin is 26 making him the eldest sibling and Kered is 23 now. Shaylen is the second oldest at 25, Ynattrib is Kered's twin so she too is 23. Hannaquah is 22 though she acts ten years younger most of the time. Pati is only one year older than myself at 21, leaving me the baby of the pack. All of my siblings are courting someone or married except Quin and myself. They followed the traditional route of finding a mate almost as soon as they came of age. Quin is too busy with his service to the court and I'm just not interested in anyone yet. Ynattrib has many beaus, as usual. Kered has been courting with a girl for a while now named Chika. Hanna is engaged to a guy that's Shays age, and he suits her very well. He is her complete opposite; funny, less up tight, and his laugh is contagious. I hope he lightens her up a little. Pati is dating someone from a near by village named David. They have mostly chosen their mates well in my opinion.

"Is the food ready yet? Me and my little one are hungry." Shay says as she appears at the kitchen doorway. She's making a cute little pouty face as she rubs her swollen belly.

"Yep!" Pati quips happily. We all make our way into the dining room carrying various dishes and drinks in tow. The conversation is light and pleasant as we begin our meal. Pati's roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and mustard turnip green mix with pearl onions is delicious. I must say that Shay taught us well.

"Shay when are you going to move in with Sketchie?" Macii is asking as she spoons another mouth-full into her mouth. This question catches my attention and Quin's as well who has been eating just as absentmindedly as myself. Macii doesn't know how close knitted we are as a family. Shay probably won't move in with Sketchie until all of us girls have moved in with someone else as well. That's just how she is. We all have tried to convince her to move in with him before and it obviously didn't work. I can't say I blame her because she has been like a mother to us since my parents left.

" When the time is right, I guess." She replies softly. Macii doesn't seem to notice her unease with the subject.

"But you're already married and you are 9 months pregnant with you guys' first child. Isn't the time right now?" She asks still not getting it. Why doesn't Nik fill her in more on our past?

"No it isn't." Sketchie says authoritatively, which is very rare for his usual playful and carefree personality. He's rather protective of Shay. Macii's eyes grow wide in concern and she tries to choke down the rest of the food in her mouth.

"Oh." There is an awkward uncomfortable silence that ensues.

"So Shay what did you do today?" Nik ask breaking the silence. Shay seizes the opportunity to break the awkward ambiance.

"Well I got my weekly check up and the medicine lady said that we are doing fine. Nia she told me to tell you to come in tomorrow." She pauses and smiles at me. " Oh and I made more baby clothes and went to pay the village elders a visit. They wished the baby and I well wishes and the usual. You Nik?"

" I was called into one of those God awful village meeting today. All they talked about was how many new children we have in the village. Apparently we have quite a few new adoptions now." Nik says absentmindedly, still stuffing his cheeks full of food.

" You Macii?" Shay asks next, pleasantly keeping the conversation alive.

" I just stayed around the house and did chores." She shrugs.

" Well I have actually done something exciting today! I got a new boyfriend!" Ynat chimes in, rude as usual.

" How man does that make now? Five?" I ask sardonically. Her mouth puckers in disapproval.

" This is coming from the one with out a beau." She spits back spitefully.

" Quality control, Ynat. I'll get one when I want, but you on the other hand can't keep one."

" Yeah right. I'll believe it when I see it. No man wants a snobby prick like you."

"Back to the name calling are we? How old are we now? 20 and 23? I'm sure you can do better than that, can't cha' doll."

" Ynat, hush. You do have like five suitors at the time. There is no need for this banter seeing as how we all know what Nia has said is true." Quin says sharply, trying to hide the humor dancing about his eyes from my last comment. Everyone at the table is trying to hold back their laughter beside, Ynat of course.

" So what did you do today Pati?" Kered asks her, changing the subject.

" I hung out with Ogone, David, and their friends all day. How about you?" She answers, smiling broadly.

" I went fishing and stuff, how about you Quin?"

" Unfortunately I received a message from the court that I am needed back next week." By court he is referencing the court he currently works for which is the Enkarmatik Court; which so happens to be our home court, but as many rotating knights he has worked at many others. The three main Courts on our side of the Rojos Mountains are the Enkarmatik Court, which is neither good or evil, the Unkarmatik Court which is over running with predominately wicked trolls, tree fairies, and a variety of other evil doing fairiies. The Sunkarmatik Court is supposedly the home of the good fairiies, though most people just consider them to be uptight and superfluous. One of the other lesser-known courts is the Kunseeliee court which houses most of the rebels or progressives.

" Oh no! For how long Quin?" Hanna asks.

" About a month." He confesses. He looks at me hesitantly, the anxiety etched across his brow. I can feel myself frowning though I don't mean too, because I know fully well that his stay could extend much longer than a month. Quin's presences is in high demand at most of these superfluous courts, which of course means that he is usually gone quite often and for long periods of time. I usually end up stressing over his safety copiously through out his absences. He's like my father more so than a brother because he and Shaylen have had to raise me since I was about three. Just thinking about him having to be involved in combat stress me out. I already lost my parents I can't loose him too.

" But you just got back... Can't you decline?" I ask quietly, already knowing his answer.

" I have no choice in the matter." He murmurs, his eyes trained down onto his plate in an effort to avoid looking up at me. I decide not to respond to his unpleasant news any further; it will only make me more upset than I already am.

" So Nia what did you do today?" Macii asks me pleasantly, trying to lighten the mood at the table once more.

" Nothing of any real importance." I say as I get to excuse myself from the table. I'm no longer in the mood for eating or talking. I need to get out of the house and get my mind right, because as of right now I'm furious and depressed all at the same time. That's never a good mix for me.

" Oh Nia, please stay?" Shay asks sadly as I make my way from the table.

" I'm going to hang out with Ogone for awhile. I'll see you guys later." I wave behind me as I exit the room, heading straight for the kitchen. It takes me maybe a total of two minutes before I'm out of the house and heading down the pathway in front of my house. My head throbs dully as I make my way through the village to Ogone's house, not even the clean crisp air can help to calm me down. I'm simply livid about Quin having to leave once more for such an extended amount of time. It'd be a different story if he could be like regular knights and just stay here in our court, where less lunatics reside, but oh no... he has to be sent out all over the fucking place doing random shit for that punk ass queen! She just sits on her high horse day and night and sends out rotating knights such as Quinthium to do her dirty work. But if he was to get hurt on one of her ridiculously dangerous missions do you think she would feel any remorse, or even stop him from continuing on with those sorts of missions? Absolutely not, that bitch has had Quin almost killed on several occasions and hurt badly other times and yet she still sends him to such awful situations. I get pissed and saddened every time I think about that time Quin was at the ML's on the brink of death all because that low life, uncaring bitch sent him into the Unkarmatik court to try and take out one of their spies and he had to fight off a fleet of like 20 men just to make it back to our village! Then she scolded him for not coming back directly to the court upon his arrival! He was damn near dead, what the hell did she expect?

By the time I finally make it to Ogone's house my anger has yet to subside along with my headache. Ogone opens the door almost immediately after I knock, and his face lights up with happiness at my unexpected arrival.

" Well hey there, Bumble! I didn't expect you to come by tonight." He says as he steps out of the way to let me in.

" Quin has to leave again." His smile fades a bit.

" Oh. Well for how long?"

" A month or more." He nods his head solemnly, knowing now why I'm here. He strokes his chin thoughtfully before responding.

" Massage?"

" Yes please."