"Of course you were wrong! I kept telling you that you were wrong!" Rurik said and quickly held Shiva in his arms and shook his head. "Hey! You're not taking her away from Shiva, you can't. As for the mistress, Shiva always mentioned her to me, so it gives me reason to believe that she did. It shouldn't matter though, you all did what you came to do and as you can see, none of them are angels." Rurik stated before looking at the new girl then at the others.

"You're highness that girl is clearly an angel, we at least need to talk to her." the general explained and Imber whimpered fearfully and looked extremely frightened and confused. "... uh? o-oh... o-ouh... M-Master?" Shiva whimpered as she started to come to again and slowly opened her weak looking eyes looking up at Rurik confused and worried.

Rurik frowned and looked at the girl before looking down at Shiva, then back at the general. "Very well. You may talk to her but remain here. I'm going to take Shiva to her room to rest but I'll be back very soon." Rurik said and carefully picked up Shiva in his arms and headed out to her room. "I need you to stay in your room and get some rest okay?" he instructed as he carefully opened the door to her room and gently lay her down on her soft bed.

"O-okay Master... but... but what about Imber? Th-they won't hurt her... will they?" Shiva asked worriedly but still looked quite weak and tired. It still hadn't quite occurred to her yet that Imber wasn't exactly Imber and that she had actually seen her old mistress... after awhile she would probably remember and freak out a bit though

Imber whimpered a bit and tried to reach out towards Shiva as Rurik was leaving with her but the guards hissed at her a bit and held her a bit tighter making her whimper painfully. Kaji and Lithil spoke quietly while they waited for Rurik to get back wondering if he would want to be there while they spoke to this girl as well... why did he care what happened to this angel?

"Imber will be perfectly fine Shiva. I'll make sure they don't hurt her in any way." Rurik replied and brushed some hair away from Shiva's face before tucking her in like a child and handing her the stuffed dove and the rabbit. "I have to go, but I'll be back. You just get some rest and stay here." he instructed before leaving her room and closing the door behind him, then quickly left back to the parlour room. "I apologize for keeping you all as it in." he said politely.

"Thank you master... so much" Shiva said softly before falling back asleep still feeling really weak but felt better knowing that Imber would be okay.

"it is fine your highness... now young lady have you calmed down enough that you will speak to us?" Asked Kaji and Imber whimpered a little but nodded. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" Asked Lithil quite a bit less polite then Kaji.

"Who... am I? um... uh....hu...... I... um... hmm...?" Imber paused and seemed really confused and thought really hard to remember. "Um... I... I know my nickname was Imber... when I was little.... u-uhm...... OH! I remember! my name is Syrma Embers! Of the Stiria family." Syrma said after thinking really hard and Kaji seemed stunned at this.

"Lithil, I need you three to leave... now! That's an order got it?!" Kaji commanded making Lithil jump a little and she was about to ask why when she saw the look her gave her and just shut her mouth before motioning for the two warlocks to come with her as she left to the castle doors shutting the parlor door on their way out. "Are you sure you're part of the Stiria family?" he asked once the three had lefter and Syrma nodded confidently but also a bit meekly.

Rurik was happy to see that Lithil had left. He was pretty confused though at this point. He didn't know who this girl was, but he guessed she was someone important if she surprised Kaji so much that he had the others leave.

"Why are you here Syrma? I thought that everyone had joined back into the other kingdom?" Kaji asked and Syrma thought some happy when the guards released her. "Um... I... I don't know... the last thing I remember... was Poppa telling me that Shiva was going to make sure that I was always safe and happy... and that he loved me... the next thing i know I wake up next to Shiva in a strange place... she was always holding me and telling me that everything was going to be okay... and that it was her job to protect me and that she would never let anyone hurt me...." Syrma explained then thought some and looked down as she though and slowly her wings just seemed to vanish. "hm... um.... but... why do I just now remember all that? What happened to Poppa... and everyone else?" she murmured almost to herself.

Kaji frowned before looking at Rurik. "I'm sorry your highness I'm sure this must all be confusing, let me explain. Several years ago there was an angel kingdom not far from our own, we never had any problems with them at all, in fact we even traded goods with them. But one day they were nearly annihilated by the angels that we are now going to war with. One of the noble families that had regular communication with us was the Stiria family and they lived nearly on the border between our two kingdoms. when the other angelic kingdom struck they tried to seek refuge in this kingdom just for a little bit, but right after we finally worked out a deal with them they were annihilated, the only two that we couldn't find was one of the daughters and a beloved family slave... I'm assuming somehow Shiva made her way across the border with Miss Syrma here and managed to blend in with all the other slaves until now. This was all kept very top secret between me, my men and your parents... after all we didn't want anyone to worry about angel's being in the kingdom you know..." Kaji explained as clearly as he could but this made Syrma start to tear up and whimper when she heard that her family was dead.

"My parents knew about this?!" Rurik repeated. Why didn't they ever tell him anything...probably because they knew he wouldn't have cared either way. The story was pretty confusing, but none of it matters anymore. What mattered was what was going to happen now. "I see...interesting." he said softly and looked at the girl before looking at the male. "So what do you suggest we do now? Is she going to stay like this? Will she be allowed to stay here?" Rurik asked.

"It was quite a few years ago... it's possible your parents forgot, I almost had forgotten myself... but more for the fact I thought she had escaped into another kingdom or had found someone in this kingdom to take her in." Kaji explained softly then thought some and looked at Syrma who was sniffling a little. "Miss Syrma? What do you want to do? If you like I'm sure we can find you a very nice place to-" he was cut off when she shook her head and looked as though she was going to cry as she looked to Rurik. "I'm sorry I've upset you before... but can I please stay with Shiva? Please.... I don't like being away from Shiva.... it makes me really sad." she asked in her soft almost chime like voice surprising Kaji a bit. She had lived in a fox form for so many years with Shiva... he would think that she wouldn't want to stay where she might be bound anymore.

Rurik listened to her speak and thought for a bit. "Commander Kaji. She would be safer here in the palace, and I cannot and will not separate these two girls who have been through many things together. I may have a reputation for being cold blooded, heartless, cruel...whatever you want to call it and it's true. But even I know when to draw the line, and I am drawing it now. These two have to stay together, and if I have to get another room just for her, well I will." Rurik replied with a smirk on his face. It felt odd to do something nice, but he did this to keep Shiva happy.

Syrma smiled gratefully and the general nodded. "Very well then, shall I introduce her to your parents or will you?" Kaji asked giving a slight smile since he could tell Rurik really cared for Shiva. "Thank you Prince, thank you so much" Syrma smiled and gave a bit of a bow clearly happy that she could stay with the girl she thought of as a sister.

"Can you? I have to go check on Shiva and give her the news." Rurik explained. "My parents should be out in the garden or in the study." he said and slightly bowed to Syrma. "You don't need to thank me, but you are very welcome." He said and opened up the door for them before walking out himself and going to Shiva's room to check on her. Knocking softly on her door, he slowly opened it and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

Atros and Irsa were looking at the flowers and picking out some to place in the vases that they had throughout the palace. "We need of various colors love." Irsa said as she looked at the flowers they had picked.

Syrma blushed a little when Rurik bowed but fallowed Kaji out to the garden. "Your highness', I have someone I think you should meet... or should I say be reintroduced to." he said softly..

Shiva yawned a little and moved waking up some as she heard the door to her room and slowly sat up rubbing her head a bit then looked at Rurik and smiled a little. "Oh... master... hello..." she said softly but felt as though she had just had a really odd dream.

Atros looked to see who was speaking and smiled at the familiar face. "General Kaji, what a wonderful surprise." he said. Irsa smiled and looked at the girl with him. "And who might this be?" she asked curiously.

Rurik smiled back and sat on the edge of her bed. "I have some good news for you Shiva, Imbra is staying right here with you." he started and decided to tell her everything that had happened since he knew she'd be very confused.

"it is very nice to see you both again I do apologize, I was unable to make it to the party yesterday." Kaji said then stepped aside so they could see Syrma better. "I know it's been quite some time but do you both by chance remember the Stiria clan? From that small angelic kingdom that was overtaken? Well, it seems that it wasn't just a coincidence that Shiva had the same last name, this is Syrma Ember Stiria, or as you know her, ember. It turns out that when we did the test to see if the two were spies a spell was released that had been placed on miss Syrma here that kept her in the form of a fox." Kaji explained and Syrma blushed a little and gave a kirtsy.

"Imber? oh... that's right... uh... what happened...? uh... I had a really weird dream that I saw my young mistress all grown up again... and heard allot of angry voices... uhh..... i'm confused." Shiva said as she rubbed her head again feeling like she was either forgetting or remembering something.... but what? She shook her head a little to clear her thoughts some. "O-oh I'm sorry master... I got sidetracked." she said softly.

"The Stiria Clan?" repeated Irsa. "Well it does ring a bell." she said and gasped when she remembered, "Oh yes! I remember now. Oh my goodness it has been much too long!" she replied and smiled at Syrma. Atros nodded and bowed, "It has been a very long time. We had forgotten about that clan." he said. "It must be nice not being a fox anymore correct?" he asked.

"Well that's because it is your mistress now. It seems the spell that bound her to be a fox was broken. So now your mistress will be staying here with us. I will have to find her a room to stay in, but I wanted to let you know that way you weren't so confused when you see her." Rurik explained.

Syrma looked a bit uncomfortable when she saw the king give and bow. "I... I barely remember anything... of my family... a-all I want... is to repay the kindness I've been shown... I... I want to work alongside Shiva... I... I'm nothing special... I really just want to help.... would... that be okay?" she asked meekly to the king and queen surprising Kaji a bit.

"Imber.... was my young mistress?.... all grown up... b-but.... you're my master... a-and... I... I broke... I broke my promise.... to my old master... I... I swore to protect her... I... I... I couldn't...." Shiva said then whimpered feeling as though she were torn and about to cry. The final request of her first master.... his dying wish.... and she broke it... how could she call herself a servant when she couldn't keep a simple command? How could she forget that she had been entrusted to protect her own mistress?.

"We couldn't possibly let you work here, no. You are free to live here though. If you really want to work here then I suppose you can though." Irsa said softly. "If you want to repay someone it should be our son. He's the one that has allowed you to stay with Shiva all this time." added Atros.

Rurik was surprised at the way Shiva reacted and sighed softly. "Calm down Shiva. You have done nothing wrong so I suggest you stop blaming yourself unless you really want to be punished. I can easily not feed until my eyes go red, then feed off of you...but that might kill you and I don't think you want that. I know I don't." he said and gently pet her. "Try to relax Shiva, don't cry. I'll go get your mistress son that the two of you can talk while I get a room for her." Rurik suggested.

"You're right... I just hope not to be a burden though... I know he's been either stressed or upset recently... and I don't want to cause trouble for Shiva..." Syrma said but then smiled again. "But thank you very much, for letting me stay." she smiled happily then looked to Kaji. "And... I know she didn't have the best intentions but please, tell miss Lithil thank you for me... I am very grateful that you broke that spell... I know Shiva will be a bit freaked out for awhile but I can fix that I'm sure." she smiled gently and Kaji smiled and nodded "Of course, really though there's no need to thank us." he said softly and kindly before looking to the king and queen. "If you both have time i would love to catch up." he smiled softly and Syrma excused herself before starting to head inside wanting to speak with Shiva and Rurik

Shiva calmed some then shook her head really not wanting him to do that. She took a few deep breaths before calming some. "I-I'm sorry... It's.... just a huge shock to me... I... thought I lost my young mistress years ago... it's... just... a little overwhelming...." Shiva explained as she calmed but still seemed to have a bit of worry about her, not near as much though. "Thank you master" She said softly giving a soft smile at the thought of Syrma staying.

"Our son is well...different in the sense that he has trouble adjusting to changes. You shouldn't take it personally, it's a family thing." Irsa explained. She didn't think that it would be a good idea to feel her all that had happened that caused Rurik to be so upset lately. "I'm sure Shiva is looking forward to seeing you." she added and looked over at Kaji. "Why of course Kaji! We've missed chatting with you. Come, let's talk inside." Irsa suggested and walked inside with Atros at her side and Kaji following.

"Well you should be happy now that you have her back here with you." Rurik said easily and yawned softly. "I was surprised to see her but hey, at least you won't be so lonely now. You'll have your friend back." he said and offered a smile. "Anyway, I should go clean up a room for her to stay in." Rurik said and quickly left to get a room ready for her.

"O-oh M-master wait why don't I-" Shiva started but when she tried to move just whimpered weakly. Her body was completely drained, not only had Imber changing taken allot of her energy Rurik's blood lust just added on top of that.

Syrma smiled as she made her way to Shiva's room and knocked softly before coming in causing Shiva to look a little surprised and a bit bewildered. "I'm so sorry Mistress Syrma... I... I completely forgot... and... and..." Shiva started but Syrma just smiled and shook her head moving over and started to rub Shiva's head. "Please... don't apologize anymore... honestly I had forgotten myself. I don't want to be your mistress anymore Shiva.... I never did... I just want to be your friend... can... can we just be friends? like we were when I was in my fox form?" she asked softly and Shiva started to tear up before she hugged Syrma softly. "I would like that... very much." she smiled some before pulling away and Syrma sat on Shiva's bed easily. "I don't want you to call me mistress anymore either, we've known each other for too long, please call me Syrma or continue to call me Imber or Ember." She said softly and Shiva smiled "O-okay... Syrma... but... what will you do now?" Shiva asked blushing a little as she called her by her first name for the first time. "I... I want to help you.... and I want to repay Prince Rurik.... if he will allow me, I would like to work along side you." she explained softly and this stunned Shiva completely.

Rurik heard what she said about wanting to work there and wasn't sure how he felt about it. It didn't matter, if she felt comfortable working with Shiva then he had no reason to object really. Silently, Rurik continued to clean a room for her and made sure it looked absolutely perfect before dusting himself off and admiring his work. "Not bad Rurik, it looks perfect." He said to himself and smirked. He wasn't used to cleaning rooms but he did very nicely for his first room cleaning. He decided it was time to show her the room and headed back to Shiva's room where he knocked before walking inside. "Your room is ready for you Syrma." He announced.

"Oh thank you Prince... um I actually had something that I wanted to ask you if that's okay" Syrma said then looked at Shiva and smiled "I can come back in later if you like" she smiled easily before walking to where Rurik was hoping he didn't mind her request.

"I know what you want to ask me. If you really want to work here with her, and you'd feel comfortable doing so, then it's fine by me." Rurik answered and showed her to her new room. When they got to her room, Rurik opened the door for her to walk inside. "I hope you find it comfortable and to your satisfaction." he added politely. In the back of his head, he knew that Shiva wouldn't be able to work the next day since today's events had drained her both mentally and physically.