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Jared was up early and freely wandering the house for the first time. He had spent the rest of the previous day in bed recovering. He had been given some strengthening magics and medication for a horrible headache but even with a full nights rest Jared was still seemed to be wandering with little will or energy.

The ferret had been summoned to dinner the night before with a bit of help he was dressed up and ready to eat with the family. The introductions were simple with him finally speaking with Teressa and several other close family members. At the end he was told that only Alexander the second prince wasn't present because he was deliberately defying his parent and everyone else at the moment.

It had evidentially been over two years since the family had tried to come together for a non-royal event and all were making it at some time this week with the exception of Alexander. "Even Cassandra made it back this year." Nessandra exclaimed as the dinner was being served.

The few that hadn't heard or been told yet looked up surprised and searching until Lord Marverath cleared his throat and spoke. "This family has always trusted each of its members so you should all understand as I say this. Jared Ferannce has two souls residing in his body. My daughter claims that it is Cassandra. This is a fact that I can not confirm but there is also growing evidence that I can not deny." He had spoken loudly silencing the few murmurs that had started. "Until there is more solid evidence showing me otherwise I will allow him and his female counterpart to make that claim within this house. I do not expect such a thing to be said outside until we have been able to search for more evidence and hopefully find out what happened." The High Lord put his attention on to the ferret. "I ask you to stay on the property for now, at least for the next week. You are allowed to do as you wish just like a full member of the house and will be treated as such. I will end up speaking with both of you at length over the next few days."

So here he was wondering around a house that was far bigger than any he had imagined pausing every now and then to rest or just simply relax. Really it was just two buildings, the original had been added on to twice creating one long house and second building had been absorbed by adding eight feet of covered walkways in the middle and decks on both sides. He took his time and peeked and poked into nearly every room by lunchtime and headed back towards the kitchen area. It took several minutes of simple replies that got him nothing before Kayla showed up and directed him back to his room where he was told food would be served. It seemed several of the guests from last night hadn't stayed leaving either late last night or this morning headed back to the capitol or other places although many would return again.

After what he would consider an overlarge lunch he felt better and energized heading outside checking out the many walkways and decks that layered their way through the property. Several time he noticed one of the house security would pop up especially when he wandered near the river or one of the properties edges. It wasn't that he was planning on leaving but the guards were not even the slightest bit subtle when it came to telling him to turn around.

The next morning breakfast was served with several sets of new clothes, part of Jared was irritated. Sure maybe he had lost his job by now for not showing up but he could have easily paid for such items himself. It had been a long time since anyone had bought him anything and with the money his parents had it would have been easy for him to contact his uncle and receive funds if he needed. The whole point to the job was to prove he could live on his own with a small fund for schooling not because he needed the money.

'Cassie, what do you think?' He had several times yesterday to engage her and for the most part she had ignored him excepting the occasional word or sentence when he knew she was watching. He sat down on the bed with a sigh moving the clothes out of the way. 'What are we going to do? What am I going to do?'

'Whatever you want obviously!' Came her sharp reply. "Do you really believe that? You took over." He whispered quietly. 'No thanks to you.' "Exactly!" He nearly shouted out trying to keep the volume down.'I can't stop you. All you have to do is wait, sooner or later _your mother_is going to get rid of me. I can see her when she watches me. When everyone agrees your the princess the whole kingdom will be used to get rid of me.'

'You know that's not true. And it took everything I had just to get a little while in charge. You have no idea what it's like, always trapped never being able to live.' He waited a few seconds before answering. 'Are you so sure? I'm scared Cassie, soul suppression? That's not like what you have. I'll be buried so far you'll only hear me in your dreams.'

He could only guess what she was thinking in the silence that followed. 'So what are you going to do?'

"Nothing." 'You have a family, I don't. Just try to explain things to uncle Max.' He could feel her irritation. 'Stupid. You think I want you gone?' 'What about in your fathers study.' Jared countered.

'Don't EVEN! You have no right to stop me from talking with my father.' It was the same sort of anger he felt before, he began feeling weak as she turned it on him. Flopping back Jared gave a sigh laying on the bed. With a deep breath he tried curling back attempting to pull away and hide in the corner like he did before. 'What are you doing?' Cassie asked. He didn't answer but it didn't seem to work the same as before when she was attacking him. He just couldn't quite seem to peel himself away from hearing his breath and the feelings of his body.

The light creak from the door make his hand twitch in surprise but other than that he didn't answer as the door opened. There was a silence as he tried blocking out the questions and orders Cassie sent his way. "Are you asleep?" The voice questioned.

'Jared come on!' She couldn't force or push him or make him respond so she finally she struggled to control enough to answer. "We're here."

"Lord Marverath said you two fought and ended up collapsing. I was also told that certain strengthening spells did little to help." Cassie turned the head and opened the eyes seeing Mage Klaris standing near the door. "Are you still having problems?"

"Some." She answered truthfully.

"Is this Cassie?" Seeing her nod he continued. "Are you two still fighting?" He waited but she didn't answer. "You know that could be dangerous for both of you. Fighting like that may harm your souls leaving you weak and exhausted. Eventually one of you will win as the other gives way until there is only one left. That is the main reason why we never merge souls. You two are the only pair ever to exist beyond a few months. We found a spell that might be able to help you out but you both have to be willing.

Klaris first started with some of the history and even a recent desperate attempt to join souls. The recent case was a female who's last ditch effort to save her daughter had been to draw her soul into her own body. After a month of becoming weaker and weaker the pair simply passed away. "It's a struggle that damages the soul itself. Several mages have spent time developing ways to strengthen a soul but in the end the damage couldn't heal through the constant battle." he went on to talk about what they hoped to accomplish with the newly crafted spell and how it should work.

"It does suppress one soul." Klaris spoke answering Cassie's question. "It will stop one soul from dominating the other. Control must be passed by agreement, one soul backs off while the other takes the lead. It will limit one soul while giving the other full access. Think of it like a window with one of you on the inside and one on the outside. All you have to do is switch."

"What if one soul takes control from the inside?" Cassie asked.

"This spell is specifically crafted to stop that. You both will be allowed time, and the other won't be able to interfere. There is only one catch. The dominate soul and the passive must both want to switch we can't do this unless you can both totally trust each other."

"That won't be a problem." Cassie said quickly making the mage study her.

"And you're other half?" Klaris asked.

"Right now he's sulking like a little boy." She stated.

"Why?" The question was asked.

"Listen could you give us a few minutes. NO you don't have to leave just give us some time." She told him after he had stood up and went towards the door.

'Jared?' It took several tries before she got him to finally respond. 'Whatever.''Come on. You're the one who wants to be sure you stay.'

'You still don't understand!' He shouted at her shoving her away and taking full control. 'I'm going to lose Everything! No life, no job, nothing. You think for a moment your parents will let me do anything but sit in a room until you come back out?'

'We can work something out.' She replied.'There is nothing to work out. It will end up being either you or me.' ~ 'We can work out something stop being a complete ass.' She had been almost shouting at him in their head before she suddenly stopped noticing he had gone totally still. 'You thought of something.'

'Are you serious, really serious about this?' He could sense her affirmation as well as conviction as he asked.'If we both used our magic, together. We might be able to twist the spell. Instead of separating us we could join together, but it might be even more dangerous.' ~ 'You'll probably end up killing us.' She stated cautiously.

He almost laughed at her. 'You know as well as I do my gift won't allow us to be killed at least not by magic. And I've been thinking the magic that put out two souls together should have killed one of us anyway, unless my ability changed it to make sure we both survived.' Cassie considered for a moment. What he was saying seemed true, seven times they could remember his latent magic triggered on its own protecting them. Each time Jared should have ended up dead, instead the magic directed at him somehow slide sidways or was rewoven allowing him to survive. Six of those times had been in the Listening Hill Institute during one of the hospitals experimental applications. It wasn't until later that they learned exactly how lucky they had truly been.

'You shouldn't.' She told him. 'Are we in this together or not? We will both be dominate souls in the same body. Just remember what he said, if we fight...' He let that thought hang for a moment. 'I don't know if this is right and it's probably stupid, but if we're going to live together than you and I have to agree. We share everything from now on... or nothing.' She considered what he was saying and why he was thinking this. Cassie knew he was getting more and more fearful, even though he spoke like he was ready to give in, in reality she could feel his fear at being trapped in the back with no way to ever escape and she knew he was going to fight that to the end.

'Jared how far are you willing to go?'She asked. 'I thought I was asking that question.' ~ 'If we do this together I want to change to my body, our body as well.' ~'I am NOT a girl.' He suddenly protested. 'Of course not! I am though, we could try binding the spell to the body as well as the soul. I'm not sure if it is going to work but I want to try. You just said yourself, we share everything now which means you're sharing your body with me too.'

She could only catch small parts and flashes of images out of his thoughts that were so chaotic she couldn't make sense of any of it. 'Do you promise? I don't mind that sometimes I'll be here and you'll be the princess, as long as you promise to share everything.' It was the way he said it that made her pause wondering what he was trying his hardest not to think of. 'We will share everything, even my family. If they won't accept you then they don't accept me.'

She felt a wave of confirmation and acceptance but knew he was still holding some small thing back, "Klaris we both accept your offer with only one change. No matter what happens, do not stop the spell." The mage was caught and surprised as the ferret suddenly sat up and addressed him.

"Jared? Well I will have to hear that from Cassie as well but what do you mean? I won't be able to stop once the spell starts." The mage spoke.

Cassie's voice sounded, "I agree as well and also ask you that once you start you must finish."

"Why? I want an explanation now, or I'm not going to start."

Jared stood up and began gathering the clothes that were on the bed moving them to a chair on the other side of the room. "I have a gift. In the institute when they tried to use magic on me it... just didn't work right. Well actually it changed the magic so it couldn't harm me. An instinctive magic, I looked it up when I started going to school. I am one of the four survivors from Listening Hill's mind healing project." His words caused Klaris to frown and shake his head.

"It's true." Jared protested. "If you can you should look it up. They claim that I was cured even though they know their process didn't work right. They stated the magic worked on me because my mind was less developed. Later I found out the truth, there was less than a dozen who survived their magical experiments. Out of more than a hundred I'm the only one left who doesn't require permanent hospitalization or full time care. My magic prevents me from being seriously harmed by magic. I can try to hold it back but we both want you to keep going even if something seems wrong."

Klaris stood for several moments making the two wonder if he would even agree. "Instinctive mages are extremely rare while latent abilities of a royal family can be extremely strong. It's far more likely she is responsible not you."

'Wait.' Jared warned her knowing she wanted to speak. 'It should be easier if he doesn't believe us.'

"That shouldn't be a problem with what we're doing anyway. This isn't a powerful spell and if you both relax the magic will just put limitations between the two of you." Klaris pointed out.

'See.' Jared told her. 'I think we should tell him to change the spell so you don't have to.' ~ 'WE Cassie. I'm not strong enough to do something like that. Your power, my control, together.' He had closed his eyes as he laid down on the bed allowing himself to concentrate on Cassie attempting to reassure her. Nearly a minute passed before he looked over at the mage wiggling just a little to make himself fully comfortable. "We're ready." He stated which was follow quickly by her voice. "We are."

Klaris prepared himself drawing slowly on the energies carefully beginning a delicate weave that hopefully wouldn't startle either of them. The weaves crawled over the bed slowly touching the ferrets body, he had no doubts about the spell but he still worried for the two souls inside. Hopefully this spell would end their arguments and protect them. The one true flaw was if one of them refused to hand over control but even that would be preferable to watching as they tore each other apart every time they argued.

He wasn't even half way done when he felt the powers twist and absorbing even more energies around them. The spell wove itself into a more complex pattern slowly sinking deeper into the body. There was no doubt someone was deliberately altering the spell changing both its function and purpose. With a great deal of irritation he finished off his weave watching and sensing as the change continued absorbing itself inside the ferret's body.

Klaris was almost upset enough to say something or shake them if he didn't know that something like that might be extremely harmful at the moment. A few seconds later and the last of the weaves drew itself inside and Jared let out a slow breath. For better or for worse what ever they had done was not likely going to be undone.

Jared didn't speak to her, he didn't have to. Cassie felt like she was right there next to him instead of a half step behind. If anything she maybe felt to close, like she could touch every part of him inside and out. She quickly showed how much control she now had by opening their eyes and turning towards the mage as if this really was her own body.

"What did you do?!!" Klaris demanded making both is worry and anger felt through those few words as he moved next to the bed.

Jared could already sense her intentions, she didn't need to speak but still she did. 'I got this.'"Klaris I appreciate your help. We did what we needed to for our survival. I won't let Jared be shoved in some back room or back corner of his mind. The spell now binds us closer than before." They could easily see his anger as he leaved over the bead but before he could even start on whatever lecture or argument he had Cassie waved him off. "You may leave now." Not even allowing him a chance she continued. "While I am in this house or until my father says otherwise I am Princess Cassandra and you will leave my room now!"

Klaris stepped away. "Foolish child. You may have ruined your one chance to keep yourselves alive. Let alone the fact you should probably be dead now attempting to alter magic you don't even understand!"

As he stormed towards the door Jared slid in enough to speak. "It is not my fault you didn't or wouldn't understand what I said. My body is not so easily affected by magic and with Cassie's latent ability I easily bent your spell. Please inform the council that we have no further need to have either of our souls altered." He felt an echoing wave of satisfaction when Klaris paused with the door half way closed to look back at them. The both paused at the same time sensing the shared feeling vanish. 'This will take some getting used to.' Jared thought out feeling her complete and total agreement.

They kept the door locked and refused entry to all including food exploring how the magic had altered them. Just like they planned the spell had affected much more than just their souls. It had seeped into Jared's body causing a curious effect when Cassie tried her hand at control. When Jared at her insistence finally back off pulling himself as far away as he could, Cassie came out in full body and soul transforming into a young vixen.

While the two were a year apart they shared a similar build, Jared being a half foot taller and slim while Cassie was slightly fuller in the hips and chest. The result was a fox standing in front of the mirror with a button up shirt with a filled out chest and pants that hugged her waist but dragged slightly against the carpet at her heels. They were having a small argument over going to Nessandra's room to try and find more appropriate clothes, something Jared was seriously set against especially if it involved a dress, when they were interrupted by a loud banking at the door.

"High Lord Marverath request the immediate response of Jared and Cassandra to the study." He was already begging Cassie to change back hoping she wouldn't leave the room like this even though he had promised her that she could stay like this through the night. By the time she entered the study Jared had given up agreeing that if they truly needed to share then they would likely be seen in each others clothes from time to time. Privately Jared swore to himself that he would have a handy pair of clothes near or he wasn't going to switch from being Cassie.

"Lady Cassandra here as requested." She spoke as she stepped out into the center of the room facing the small figure that was hovering just over the desk looking like a miniature of the High Lord. There were several means of communication over distances but one of the best and most private was to link two mages. Cassie saw the partly shadowed figure that stood behind her father's chair move as he spoke, "Please step forward Lady."

She stepped closer and smiled at the sudden shocked look on her father's face. "Is there something that you wished to talk about father?" Her tone was sweet while the grin spoke of satisfaction. It took only a few seconds for the tod to recover but she felt proud and elated at each one that passed as he tried to collect himself.

"I was just officially informed by the Mages Council that the two of you performed serious and highly dangerous magic. Something that could have been fatal not to mention illegal." He started.

Jared spoke out for a moment. "Sir that is an exaggeration. Whether the council chooses to believe it or not we were in no danger, as for the legality. We simply corrected their over site. Neither of us should have been suppressed for any reason!"

"We did what we had to father." Cassie picked up next. "Now neither of us has to worry and both of us has a chance to have half a life, as you can see." She gestured to herself.

"Young lady, you will address me as Lord Marverath or by another title as is proper." 'Careful and think!!' Jared shouted at her. 'Look at yourself, don't ruin it now!'

"Very well Lord Marverath although I find it upsetting since I am still on the property and your decree was that I had family status. So High Lord when might you return to grace us with your presence so I can speak to you personally." Jared gave a little inward sigh, at least she hadn't raised her voice even though the sound of it along with the feeling of cold fury could have put a layer of frost over a glass of water.

"I have plans to return in two days. Until then I expect.."

"Father. Where is Nessandra at? She just left her an hour ago." Drentan's voice suddenly interrupted, "And what exactly is she wearing?"

Still sounding cold and Jared still worried Cassie spoke. "Brother if you can not tell you sisters apart then perhaps you need glasses. Lord Marverath please inform the council we were required to alter Mage Klaris' spell to ensure both of our safety and well being. The fact I stand before you should be proof enough. Now! I am going to find some of my sister's clothes. If you have anything more you wish to say to me I'm sure it can wait two days." Cassie spun walking out of the study mentally telling Jared to be quiet.

'I need to show them exactly who I am. If I am going to be a princess then I _will_be treated like one.' With out a further comment she went into her twins room and began picking through the closet pulling out two dresses before finding a pair of riding pants to appease Jared. The ferret retreated allowing his counterpart complete rule.

He spent his time thinking about what his future might be like. There was no question he was going to lose his entire life, not that it was really much of one, but now at least he felt that maybe he could have a small part of one with Cassie's help. He wondered if this was how she felt, he could sit back here and it was like listening to someone talk in another room.

In fact she was talking, Jared perked up enough to see a small pekingese holding up a dress of blue and light greens even as he felt Cassie's giddy little feeling. "That one next. It's so perfect."

"Yes Lady it will really light your eyes." He quickly retreated again ignoring the females chat and dress changes as best he could. Instead he spent his time trying to plan how to end/start his new life. Although his job was likely over there was still a paycheck, and of course his schooling, and he would need to get a hold of his uncle, then there would be his advocate. This thought gave him a small shiver, what would they really say when he told them the voice he heard was there all along but that it was alright because it really was the first princess.

Then there was the stuff he would have to settle with Uncle Max they had talked about putting it off until he finished his schooling in two years. After thinking of his families fortunes and money, Jared tried to consider what Max would think and tried to image what his parents might have said about the position he was in now. At six there really wasn't much he remembered of them. He knew his father had often been out of the providence working sometimes far, far away. Later he had found out his father was actually a great archaeologist but more importantly a site lead. He hadn't understood it all back then only that his father had been on a streak of lucky digs that had unearthed a great deal of important artifacts making him very important. What he remembered of his mother was warm soft fur and a quiet voice. She too was often gone although it was usually only for a day or two, always coming home with his extra special big hug and sometimes a toy. For her he had been told later that she had been 'playing the high life' as his uncle had put it. That was one thing the really did remember a lot of the skunk who picked him up from daycare after school saying his mother was off 'playing the high life'. Honestly he had never really understood what that meant but now he suspected he was going to find out a lot.

He was interrupted in his thought later by Cassie's sudden joy and a near squeal she let out. Jared watched as she literally attacked a rather lavish meal laid out on a table. She had sampled everything before going back and devouring the things she found the most appealing. It seemed her manners were shocking to the maid who had been helping her leaving a half voiced admonishment drop as the canine clamped her mouth shut.

Cassie ignored several unheard warning she received about manners, slowing down, and stomach aches. It wasn't until the little pekingese finally stammered out an entire sentence that Cassie finally stopped. "Lady.. Princess, you, you've never eaten so much before. Is, is there something wrong?"

While she was considering the fork in her hand Jared asked. 'Princess? Does she know who you are?'

'I've tried explaining several times. I just don't think she understands anything beyond cleaning and clothes.'While Cassie nibbled at a few more things Jared explained his thoughts on what he should do and who he should call. 'I'm sure by now the advocate knows we're gone. Probably thinks I've finally gone nuts thanks to you.'

"Alright I've had enough, let's go." She stated aloud.

"Of course Lady. I'll clean things up but, where are you going? It's soon to be evening, surely you wish to rest after such a large meal." The canine was already stacking up dishes and setting them in piles to be removed.

Not bothering to answer Cassie stood up and left the room leaving the slightly confused dog behind. It only took a few moments to find one of the family's guards and ask questions. "Princess surely you know how to place a call. If there is a problem you could ask someone for assistance."

"I am asking for assistance! Surely you can help me or find someone who can." 'Don't say anything about manners!' She added to Jared feeling his slight protest about her attitude. Before she could continue Kayla came rushing down the hall.

"Lady Nessandra I truly apologize for not greeting you. I was informed I still had an hour before you arrived. I'm sure your room is ready." The female opossum cleared her throat slightly and gave a dip of her head. "Princess Nessandra welcome back. You honor us again with your return."

Amidst Jared's light snickers and urging Cassie allowed a small smile to play across her muzzle. This would be enjoyable for both of them. "Kayla I will forgive your lapse at greeting me but I arrived several hours ago, some time late this morning." She could see the little head shake even though the other kept her mouth shut. "I was just enjoying the most delicious meal when I realized we needed to make several calls."

"Of course princess I'm sure your father's study would do well if you wish to call him. I can summon Ryall at once." Kayla turned to leave when Cassie stopped her.

"No these will be regular calls I just need some help to make them... Tell me Kayla, you enjoy your job and position right?"

"Lady Nessandra I will not allow you to continue to threaten me. I spoke with both the High Lord and Lady over the incident and the current orders. What I did was perfectly fine especially since I was not informed." The opossum neck had fluffed up and her lips had pulled back showing her displeasure.

Cassie grinned showing a full pristine set of teeth. "That was not a threat, just a simple question. Three times now you have gotten my name wrong. I am sure you still have nearly an hour before you have to greet my sister and when she arrives you will tell her I wish to see her. I will wait in my father's study until you find someone who can assist me in making a few calls... Kayla, I think you should make a greater effort to try and call me by my proper name don't you think?"

Although she had schooled her expression with Cassie's grin there was a small amount of a slack jaw and pure disbelief that echoed through the opossum's features. The princess waited staring at her with the other tried to find a voice. "Prrr, Princess Cassandra."

"Yes. Now I do believe you were going to welcome me to this house."

"I..." Kayla dropped both her head and shoulders as she continued. "Princess Cassandra I welcome you to River Rush, it is an honor to finally serve you. I offer my deepest apologies and also offer a greater apology to any mistreatment you have received so far. I will make it my priority to see such actions are never repeated again."

"I accept. Although I will remind you that you also should offer an apology to Jared when you next meet him. He has been through a great ordeal, one which you helped to make worse." She stated.

"Of course Princess." Kayla offered immediately as Cassie turned to leave. 'You see, this is how it's done.' She told Jared making her way to the study. Before she even got close to the desk a voice stopped her.

"Lady are you ready to continue your conversation?" Cassie stopped catching the shadowed figure behind the desks chair. He waited several seconds before speaking again. "The High Lord ordered me to wait until you came back. He seems quite eager to continue your conversation." He pointed to the center of the desk where a soft disk glowed.

"Actually I was planning on making some other calls." Cassie informed him. She watched as he stepped around to the desk showing more of himself in the light. Again they would say this was definitely a rodent, maybe mouse, with the long nose, whiskers, and light tan fur. But as the other pushed his hood back sharp pointed tuffed ears perked up as the hood fell, that and the grin of razor sharp teeth spoke of something else entirely. "I am sorry Princess Cassandra. I have exact orders to block all outgoing messages especially concerning you. If you wish to make some kind of call you will have to ask the High Lord or Lady first. Perhaps you wish to resume your conversation." As he spoke a black furred hand pointed to the seat behind the desk.

Cassie took the hint and the chair while the mage told her it would be just a moment. However it was not her father but Queen Lindara who appeared over the desk. "Yes?... Oh I see." The queen made several hand gestures obviously to those unseen before she turned back. "Well stand up child and let me see." There was suddenly a small smirk on the vixen's face as she made a little twirling motion with a finger encouraging Cassie to spin. "I can see what upset your father so. If I hadn't known Nessandra left in a different outfit or about Drake's outburst I might not have seen the difference. Tell me child how do you feel?"

Jared had mentally snorted each time she used the word child but had otherwise stayed silent. "I would feel better if you called me daughter or Cassandra or at the very least Cassie." She said it as a simple statement without a trace of irritation or attitude.

"Cassie you must know I can not call you my daughter." Lady Lindara answered.

"Why not? Is it because you still don't think I'm telling the truth?" She asked quietly.

"NO! I believe you are telling the truth. Believe me we searched for years, offered expansive rewards, tried everything we could. We even allowed Nessandra to keep a space for you at her birth celebrations, except for last year. When Nessandra turned sixteen we gave up. No matter what my daughter said or believed I could no longer... we moved on. Bringing you back now will cause a great deal of trouble. I could call you a princess, I could call you my daughter, I could call you Cassandra or Cassie but unless we can find some more proof you will never be accepted as a member of the royal family especially since you look like that. If you only understood, calling you a soul would have gone over better in the court than having you return with a body. Give us time, a week at most, even Drentan is suddenly finding holes in what he believes."

Queen Lindara shifted around and the image moved to show only the top half. Cassie realize she had sat down and followed suit. "Good gentlemen please step forward. I trust the talk with my husband has cleared up some issues?"

"Not hardly. I do not like what you and the High Lord are trying to claim happened. There is still a great deal to answer for and you will not just sidestep the issues for you family." Cassie could hear but not see who had spoken. With a simple wave the image changed from the High Lady to two men one being Klaris and the second was still hooded but had a long equine like muzzle.

"Master Mage Untan and Mage Klaris I would like to properly introduce you to Jared's second half Cassandra Reylexion as she wishes to be called. Now Mage Ryall would you please confirm that this is not an illusion, that the person you are projecting is in fact real." The queen asked.

"Master. This is not an illusion. The female is sitting at the desk of High Lord Marverath and to the best of my ability and knowledge is Not Princess Nessandra. She is slated to arrive soon and I will inspect the two together if you ask." Ryall answered.

"I don't think that is necessary at the moment. Thank you Ryall." Queen Lindara stated before an answer could be given. "Now as you all know, well most of you. I look for three things Facts, Coincidence, and Interesting things when I am forced to make a decision, so let me put a few things together. Lets start with facts, until now no two souls have been bonded together and lived, and never has any spell been able to attempt the complexity of these two. This morning they altered a spell meant to suppress one half at a time, Facts. Coincidences, Jared at the age of six began speaking with and interacting with a person no one could see or hear shortly after my daughters disappearance. At the age of nine he was placed in the Listening Hill Institute and under went a barrage of physical, emotional, and magical treatments which should have broken if not destroyed a child especially over the course of three years. Yet he survived because Jared claims to be able to effect magic.."

"Hold on High Lady a Ochalent or an instinctive mage is only capable of casting minor spells with little or no training. He completely altered a spell drawing more power to an unknown and likely dangerous outcome. That is not possible of an Ochalent." The hooded figure stated.

"That is correct on that account but also wrong. Jared claimed to be able to effect magic directed at his body and I find such a coincidence, interesting. Out of everything the interesting ideas are the most unusual. For instance another fact is Jared's father is Arthur Ferannce." She paused watching the obvious new interest from the master mage as he took off his hood revealing a pale pink skin that was nearly white in spots and totally void of any hair. "You do remember how his father altered a certain spell and the entire council was unable to figure out what was done, nor were they able to replicate the feat. I find it most interesting that the their line supposedly comes from the Forest of Fergull, where the Ferrondance ruled for centuries, supposedly by blocking magic."

"Now there are more facts and coincidences and certainly more interesting items but I want the four of you to consider something. Each of you has at least a small amount of magical knowledge so weigh this with that in mind. A six year old injured cub having just lost his parents was put into a magical sleep so that they could try to contact relatives to be there when he woke up. Along came, whomever, with an extra young soul. Seeing the unconscious young cub suddenly thinks a suppression and then exchange might be best. The problem is the young boy has a latent ability, call it a self preservation technique, when they try to remove or suppress one soul and insert the other his magic latches onto the spell and binds the two together. Wild magic it would be, but bent on preservation. It would likely look like nothing we have ever seen before but it might allow both souls to survive. Being young, resilient, and adaptable both souls bind together to survive. Jumping forward to his days at the institute he spent many weeks near bed ridden from near overdoses on several experimental drugs before he was switched to their advanced magical reformation area. A total failure killing or destroying every patient except one. All those records are destroyed or conveniently lost except subject 14-12-E who they tried to hold up as a success during criminal trials. Had anyone looked closer the subject was seriously under aged. All known patients at Listening Hill were over sixteen and had consenting family members which means that Jared somehow survived multiple illegal and fatal magical experiments basically unharmed." Jared had been feeling elated as several of his own ideas and thoughts were spoken out loud by someone completely different.

"Now between the two of them they took a spell meant to suppress and allow souls to exchange to something different drawing in even more power to change it and once again seem entirely unharmed. I am of the mind to agree that Jared seems to have a very special gift. Add to that his second half which seems to have inherited the royal family's latent magic and they seemed to have created a spell that not only worked to keep their souls together but allow either access to the body as well. I would even go so far as to point out the spell is a mix of two latent royal family lines" As Queen Lindara paused it sounded like a chair moved and a wooden drawer slid open. "Master Mage Untan, Mage Klaris, Mage Ryall, and Cassie/Jared. I would like to know before I ask something else, how possible is that."

"It still unlikely. Magic requires knowledge and understanding of how energies are applied. It's not random and even those with royal gifts must be trained." The master mage answered.

"Cassie may I ask you to switch to Jared, fully switch." Queen Lindara asked.

"He won't not while I'm wearing a dress at least." Cassie stated with a full agreement from Jared.

"Is there any way to convince both of you to switch for just a minute and then switch back?" Behind the scene the two were talking back and forth.

It was silent for nearly a minute before Jared's voice was heard. "Actually I wanted to make some calls. My work, school, I'm sure my advocate is probably looking for me."

"Yes we dealt with the missing persons report this morning and everything should be fine now. You can give me a list of numbers and we can contact whom ever you wish with a message but Lord Marverath has ordered you fully confined to the property until the end of the week. I won't be allowed to let you speak with anyone until he has made a decision."

"Surely moth.. Lady Lindara one phone call could be allowed." Cassie asked.

"That I think we might be able to do or at least try to work out or at the very least Lord Marverath will be there the day after tomorrow. I will have him monitor the call for you if he still has objections." She told the pair.

Inside Jared was grumbling over the need to be monitored while Cassie was having a hard time containing her giggle,'Come on, it's funny that Lord Marverath would have to monitor your call.' A few seconds later Cassie nodded, at first nothing happened but as they stood her fur seemed to lose some of its vibrant color. As the facial fur thinned out and became more sleek than fluffy the ears tilted back slightly and shortened gaining a slight curve. Jared was glad he had decided to stand as the dress seemed to stretch across his back lifting the hem several inches up his legs.

By the time a dozen seconds had passed Jared was standing there feeling fully embarrassed as he felt the female underwear hug closely to his privates. 'Never again!'he nearly shouted at Cassie. "I assume this is enough." He spoke watching the two men hovering over the desk.

He had basically forgotten about Ryall and was startled when the mage spoke standing close enough to nearly brush against his fur. "I don't sense any magic." The rodent looking mage stated taking back his hand that had hovered over Jared's shoulder. He might have stared longer if he didn't know his attention should be more for those who he was able to see at the desk.

The image still showed the two mages both looking stern almost glaring at him while still somehow tossing several glances between them. "Again!" Mage Untan ordered.

Far more politely the queen spoke. "Jared if you would please allow Cassie back in control." He was more than ready to thrust Cassie back up front but she held him up.

"Don't think this is about control mother." 'Oops.' He thought in the background. "As we stated earlier to Klaris the spell we bent allows both of us total control. Jared felt his arm lift as his paw changed becoming slightly more elegant and thinner along with the fur color that changed before finally the claws lengthened nearly an inch.

The paw curled and twisted showing the extent of the change. "We are here together, not two but one. Working within the same body." She lowered her hand and took over the rest of the body as Jared gladly retracted. Again in the space of less then ten heartbeats Cassie stood in full body. "We don't need magic to change that was part of what we made the spell change. It bonded both soul and body so that we wouldn't need to be separated and coudn't be confined again." She spoke turning to look directly at Ryall as he attempted to detect magical energies.

"Still nothing Master." The mage confirmed after a few seconds. Cassie was wondering about the strange look the mage was giving her but turned back at her mothers voice.

"Once again the Ferannce bend magical laws with ease. Let me guess, you have no idea what they did, no clue as to what happened, and no thought of how to do it again?" Cassie could see the master mages quiet snarl, lips pulled completely back and narrowed eyes that wanted to burn through something.

"That was not anything like what the spell was meant to do. It would not, could not have affected the body at all!" Klaris exclaimed.

"Don't feel bad." Lady Lindara spoke sounding almost sympathetic, "Jared has obviously followed in his fathers footsteps. If that is true, not even the boy knows what he did, there was only the thought of what could be done not how it was done. It does make me wonder what exactly the old order could do but it would explain several of the oldest stories about needing mages on the battlefield and why the Continent war is considered the bloodiest conflict ever and why such effort went into destroying the three nation's family lines. Imagine bending your enemies spells or drawing on greater magics with out needing true control."

Lady Lindara continued talking but Cassie wasn't listening, she collapsed back into the chair barely keeping herself from ending up on the floor. She quickly became lightheaded, disoriented, and confused with Jared being of little help. He couldn't seem to make heads or tails of what was happening nor could he seem to break through the haze that kept him back. The harder he tried to take control the less effect it seemed to have and he was now frightened that Cassie wouldn't respond to him either.

~~

Time seemed to fade, or was it stretch keeping Jared pinned in darkness waiting for something to happen. Finally something pushed and he tried to push back as the pressure grew what was going on? "Cass, Cass please come on. Please, please be alright!" There was a groan, or was that his own groan.

It took a great deal of effort just just to push back forcing his way forward opening his mouth, "No." It was weak but he had succeed. He slipped back already feeling drained from just the effort involved. As time passed things became more clear, the noises about him and someone rubbing his arm, no Cassie's arm. He could now feel the difference in body as well as the dress that felt snug against her body. With the haze clearing he became more alert trying to sense his other half. Cassie was there but even with their new closeness he couldn't seem to touch her, he knew she was there but feeling more than that was useless and no matter what he tried it seemed she wouldn't respond.

"Cass... are you awake?" Now Jared could hear and understand Nessandra's voice.

"Not Cassie." He mumbled out weakly.

"He's awake?" A more dominate voice sounded moving closer. The bump and rock allowed Jared to understand they were prone and likely on a bed. The creeping tingle of energy brought a sudden fear as he tried to fling whatever magic was being brought towards her body. The bed gave a violent jump and shook as a hand holding the forearm of the body tightened.

"Leave him alone!" the command was clear and close allowing the ferret to understand the princess was close to his side, likely the one holding his arm.

It was like peeling Velcro apart as Jared forced the eyes open, blinking at the light that flooded in. there were shapes and lights moving as he continued blinking and trying to focus. He tried to force the head up enough to tilt it looking around the room catching four bodies.

Nessandra was sitting in a chair next to the bed while the three others were standing close around his bed making him feel very uncomfortable. He dropped back onto the bed unable to keep the head up. "Ryall what do you think?" She asked stroking his arm.

"Lady he is not prepared nor qualified to start answering such questions. I was specifically summoned here to..."

"Quite!" Her curt voice cut off the other which huffed irritated when she did. "You have no clue what happened nor what to do." She continued.

Jared closed his eyes and slipped back slightly resting. "As I already told you, your father, and the rest. They didn't use magic. I can only guess that the rapid changes either over stressed the body or used up some sort of personal energy causing them to collapse." Jared had a sudden happy thought from out of the blue feeling a great deal of pleasure from the simple use of the word 'them'. For him it was an acknowledgment, whether it was meant as one or not he had spoken of the two of them together, them, us, we not she and he.

As tired as he was he pushed back again forcing the energies that seemed aimed at his body to slide away interrupting their ability to work. "Princess what do you think you're doing?" Demanded a voice.

"It's not me. I believe it is time you leave doctor you services do not seem to be required." Nessandra told him.

"Princess you do not know what your are talking about. If I hadn't come you would have let some energy hungry freak do, whatever he wanted!" The loud grunt seemed to end the doctors comment leaving Jared wondering what had happened.

"Ryall please perform some strengthening magic to both body and energy and if you know how to strengthen the soul as well please try that too. And as for you, I trust our magicians far more than someone I don't know who has no clue what is going on in the first place." She stated out firmly.

"Of course princess but I'm afraid I I can't do anything more than help add some energy. I'm sure the High Lord has someone more experienced coming." Jared's attention was drawn away from the argument as he felt something shift. 'Cassie?'

"Of course he doesn't know magic like that it's Illegal!!" The doctor cried out. 'Cassie?' Jared asked again this time trying to press himself against her. "I can not allow this. You don't just toss out magic with out knowing what is wrong. In fact.."

"Shut up!" Jared had meant to shout but the words barely made it past his lips it was only Ryall's snap that seemed to echo with a force in the room that caused the silence. 'Cassie?'

"Doctor Shawsen." A new and feminine voice sounded. "Perhaps I was in error in summoning you. Could you please step into the hall?" The question seemed more of a command as Jared retreated totally pushing everything away trying to find her.

'Cassie are you alright?' It was fear a few thoughts of confusion which he soothed helping her to regain full consciousness. Together the pair pulled themselves back listening back in at what was going on. 'Kayla.' She thought as the voice was recognized which was arguing.

"Let me make this CLEAR. You will leave the property now or you will be spending the next few years in jail." The opossum threatened.

"Not even the royal family can do that. I was asked to see to a patient and I will. I know someone from the mages council is not stupid enough to interfere when health is in question. And just because this is royal property doesn't give you the authority to enforce the laws." The doctor concluded.

Having heard more than enough and suddenly feeling her sisters encouragement as she spoke Nessandra ended the argument. "BUT I CAN!" Jared worked with every bit of his own energy trying to support Cassie as she opened her eyes, raised her head, and spoke. "So can I." It was weak but heard as the room turned towards them. "I refuse your medical help, I will wait for someone from the palace." Not to be overshadowed Jared spoke as well "As do I." His voice was stronger but left no room to argue.

It was enough for Nessandra to order everyone from the room and since she had brought her sister into her own room no one could argue or say otherwise when the princess demanded privacy. The pair collapsed back onto the bed laying there as Jared tried to go over what he had heard. Again minutes later Jared felt energies being woven towards their body but at Cassie's insistence did not interfere. 'Ness says it's okay.' She told him.

Slowly at first then with increasing swiftness the magic seeped into the body helping to lift both out of a sluggishness and allow Cassie to find the strength to sit up with some help. A full meal in bed was placed around her and she enjoyed all the tastes and sensations as much as the first time going so far as to request seconds and thirds of some items.

This time though she allowed Jared to set her pace, eating slower as apposed to the near ravenous gorging of the afternoon. She did finally stop feeling full almost to the point of being painful before expelling a long burp. Cassie had covered the end of her muzzle but Jared had pulled enough control too keep her mouth and airway open to her complete shame. Nessandra burst out laughing while Ryall smirked as she tried to blame Jared for the entire thing.

"Alright now. It's late and I believe all three of you should get some sleep. Klaris will be back in the morning along with a physician who will check you over. Cassie if you'll allow it I would like to help you fall asleep." Ryall suggested.

"Don't ask me. Jared is the one you should ask." She told him.

"Either way you both need a full nights sleep. We can get some help to get you back to your room first." he told them.

Nessandra gave a little giggle and the twins stared at each other nodding. Inside Jared felt like protesting for just a second before deciding it would be better to keep himself quiet. Without explaining Nessandra nearly pushed the mage from the room closing the door and telling him to wait. Cassie was still feeling to weak to stand so the sisters worked together to change her into an appropriate sleeping gown while Jared did his best to covertly watch, but caught nothing important.

As Cassie crawled back under the covers her twin did her own quick change making Jared feel like he had missed a second chance to catch a glimpse. When Ryall was called back into the room and found the twins curling up in bed together he gave no comment and wove a simple spell That sent them all to sleep.