CHAPTER 6

　　As soon as they arrived home, Dominic went to talk with his cook Elsa. He told her of Jonah and Jade coming for the midday meal.

　　"Elsa, there is something that I must ask of you." Said Dominic

　　"Yes sir, what can I do for you?" Asked Elsa.

　　Dominic began to explain some of the things that went on during their trip. He told her of how Jonah and himself were going to talk with Airow about the difference of boys and girls. Elsa was bright and caught on quick.

　　"Would Sir Jonah like me to talk with Jade about girl things?" Asked Elsa.

　　"Could you please?" Jonah and I would be forever grateful." Asked Dominic.

　　"Sir, Do I need to say anything about how she will have to give up her training?" Asked Elsa.

　　"No, that won't be necessary as the king is going to talk with Lord Titan about letting her in. We just need someone to explain the other girl things." Said Dominic.

　　Elsa was glad to help as she also had a daughter about Jade's age, and she could tell them both together. Well, with that now over with, he just had to wait for Jonah and Jade to get there for the midday meal. While waiting, Dominic took Airow to meet some of the other knights that help in Dragano. He explained each of their duties and asked the knights if they would be willing for Airow to shadow them someday so that he would understand how Dragano is kept safe. The knights all agreed. Then they went to meet Lord Harrison. Lord Harrison was responsible for the courts and as he told how they worked, he also told of his father's part. Airow learned that his father could investigate someone and read his memories. That is how he found out that the bandits had taken Airow and killed his mother and that Ethan had a part in it. Lord Harrison was about to tell him about his grandfather, but Dominic interrupted and said that they had to go. It was time to go and have a discussion that was going to take two men to have. As they walked back towards the house, Airow made a mental note to ask his father about his grandfather.

　　When they got back to the house, Jonah and Jade were already there and the meal was on the table waiting for them. There was pheasant, potatoes, vegetables, homemade bread and for dessert they had apple pie. Airow ate like he had not eaten for a week. Jonah looked up and was watching Airow.

　　"Young Airow, it is no wonder that you are growing like you are." Said Jonah.

　　Dominic looked up and smiled. His son was filling out. When he came to live with him, he was skin and bones. Elsa had taken it upon herself to find out what he liked to eat and then fixed it for him all the time. The boy loved her cooking but so did the whole town. The Inn had even asked her to quit Lord Dominic and come to work for them, but she had refused. She felt this was the biggest compliment of all. She loved to watch Airow eat and grow.

　　Now that dinner was over, the men took Airow into another room to talk. Elsa came and asked Jade to come and help her in the kitchen so that she could have her talk. Dominic and Jonah did a blotched-up job and Airow was now more confused than ever. They tried their best to tell him that Jade was growing up and there were going to be changes but he did not understand. He just saw Jade as his friend and didn't see anything other than she was getting taller like him. Elsa's conversation with the girls was going great. Jade wanted to know if that meant that she would not to be a knight, but Elsa told her that only special girls can become knights. Lady Elizabeth was a knight; she was special and had the training. Elsa told her that she had been training with the best, so the King and Queen wanted her to protect the Princess when she finished her training. Jade did feel indeed special now. Elsa also explained why girls should have rooms apart from boys. Jade and Alana laughed as they had never heard of anything so funny. But when Elsa finished, Jade ran off to find Airow and tell him what she had learned.

　　Elsa thought the talk went well so she went to tell Lord Dominic and Sir Jonah. Elsa explained to the men that she had even told Jade being a knight and how she knew she was special. Both men thanked her so much. She asked if their discussion went well. Both men, blushed and told her it went well. They didn't want her to know that they had messed up.

　　She Knew!!!!!

　　Dominic told Elsa that he wanted to throw a special party. It was for Airow's and Jade's birthday. He gave her the money for the food and wanted to make it a celebration for all of Dragano. The two children had been born a few days of one another and were the best of friends. Neither of the children were to know as it was a surprise. Elsa was kept busy with all the food preparations and decorations. Lord Dominic had hired the tailor in town to make both of them something new for the party. He already had their measurements, so they would not need to know. It was getting near the day of the party, and everyone was nervous trying to keep it secret. Even the King and Queen, along with the Princess, were coming to the event. The King was going to send extra knights the day before so that all would be safe. Lord Dominic asked Elsa to go make the spare rooms ready for the King and Queen. Since the Princess was still small, her nanny was coming also. Elsa went and readied the rooms on the top floor that were never used. At least not since Lady Elizabeth had been alive. When she was alive, the whole place was alive with her essence.

　　The day of the party arrived. When young Airow woke up, he found a new outfit on his chest by the wall. On top of the clothes was a note from his father.

　　"Happy Birthday, my son. Please wear these for today. I had them made specially for the occasion. Your father."

　　Airow got up and showered and changed into the clothes. He felt that they were the best he ever had. On the other side of town, Jade was waking up and finding her own present. She ran to her father and gave him his morning hug. She then went to get ready and change into her new clothes. Jonah and Jade made their way into town and towards Lord Dominic's. Jade kept asking questions as to what they were doing and how did he afford her new outfit. Both children had been told to go into the library and wait for them to be called. Airow was already in the library when Jade arrived. Jade walked in as always and there she saw the most handsome boy she had ever seen. Airow was in a white shirt and pants adorned with gold trim. He was very handsome for a ten-year-old boy. Airow was standing in the room as Jade entered and as some would say now, *She rocked his world. * There stood the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Jade was dressed in a emerald colored dress adorned with gold. Her dark hair and green eyes stood out and just hypnotized him. When Jade shut the door, he decided he would keep his mouth closed as he didn't know what to say but he did tell her that she looked nice.

　　? "Jade, did your father tell you what is going on?" Asked Airow.

　　"No, did yours?" Asked Jade.

　　Since they didn't have a clue, they would just have to wait.

　　There was a knock on the door, telling them to come out. Waiting for them was the whole town of Dragano, the royal family and both of their parents. They were both still confused until they heard.

　　"Happy Birthday!!!!!!"

　　Jade teared up as she had never had a birthday like this before. Airow ran to his father and to Elsa to thank them for this wonderful day. Jade and Airow still did not know why the royal family had come, but it just made the day better. Everyone sat down to eat. There was a lot of food and enough drinks for everyone. Then Elsa brought out two birthday cakes for Jade and Airow. She had made a cake fit for a king and queen or so they felt. After everyone had eaten the cake, Lord Dominic made a toast to them both for long lives and to always be friends.

　　The moment had finally come. King Gregory and Queen Isabella came forward. They had a special gift for both children. Prince Raymond, the King's nephew, had stayed back to watch the Princess. She was only a year old but getting into everything, especially cakes. That was her favorite part. King Gregory presented a letter to both Jade and Airow. He asked them to read it aloud. Airow opened his letter first. It was his letter of acceptance into the training school for pages and knights. He was so happy that he forgot who was there and let out a whoop and holler. Now it was Jade's turn. She began to read and teared up. Airow asked her what was wrong.? Jade began to read her letter out loud. As you know Jade, there are not a lot of young girls allowed into the program of pages and knights. But Lord Titan and I feel that your training qualifies you to enter the program. Upon finishing the program and if you decide to accept, you will be protecting the Queen and the Princess at all costs. If you take this honor, then this will be your task at hand. The note was signed by King Gregory and Queen Isabella. She raised her head, glancing at no one but the Queen and answered.

　　"YES! PLEASE!" Said Jade.

　　The Queen rose and told the children that normally no one gets their letter until ready to enter. But as seeing as their training was so advanced and it was your birthday, the King and I felt it would be the perfect present for the two of you. Lord Dominic stood and told them both that they had one year of training left. Upon completion of that training, you will then go to Dragon Fang to complete additional training. Those in the room all stood and cheered the two children. As they were soon to see, Airow and Jade would be quite capable of protecting Dragano and the royal family. They would be able to accomplish everything that they wanted to and more.