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There was relief and excitement as everyone gathered on the upper deck a short time later. The attack from three massive Glant had only ended up with two people hurt and only one of them was serious and she had already being attended to and moved into the house. As Drentan called for everyone to settle Lord Marverath spoke thanking everyone who helped and the security team that had responded quickly. Lorran a hare and the current lead among them had to admit something.

"Lord, we would have acted with the shouts and screams but I had already given an alert. The ferret had started charging down the stairs. I will admit we thought he was a threat at first, but it was obvious before we caught him that something was wrong." As he finished speaking another voice spoke quietly, "Not that we could have caught him."

Cassandra still holding tight to her sister spoke out. "I sensed something was wrong with Nessandra. Jared was running because I asked him to."

"As it should be between twins." The High Lord spoke in the silence afterwards. "Let all know now. See with your eyes, Hear my words, and Know by magic. Under the Purelight this is my daughter Casssandra Mintof Reylexion. First daughter of the Royal family."

The dinner that evening was filled with joy and alcohol. Several drank a bit much to undo their stress from the day, others just because they were good at it, and the rest drank enough to allow the evening to be a rambunctious night. If Cassandra noticed the absence of Jared she was quickly distracted again before she could really dwell on it.

The next morning the twins slept in late and spent most of the day lazing about the grounds but by the late afternoon Cassandra started to worry feeling more and more upset when Jared refused to answer. By evening she was near frantic sobbing and clinging to Nessandra as they tried to come up with any idea while waiting for a mage who couldn't arrive till the next day.

"You two worry overmuch." Drake spoke to them in the privacy of their father's study. "This could be good news, very good news."

Cassie was far to upset to voice her own feeling but Nessandra's fury was evident as she stood growling at her brother. "If you would think beyond your own stupidity or the money and problems you think to save you would be upset too. Do you understand they are like twins? You may not care if he's gone but this is going to hurt her!!"

"Yes but if he's gone the Mage Council will be happy as well. They would probably even support Cassandra and blame Jared for using uncontrollable magic."

"Drentan that is enough! I have already summoned Klaris and gotten permission for him to examine their souls again. Nothing is certain at the moment and you should be more worried about your sister." Cassie couldn't bare to listen to her fathers voice nor the continuing arguments of her siblings.

'Jared PLEASE!' She cried out retreating further inside trying to block out the world. 'I need you.'

~~

"Is there nothing you can do?" Lord Marverath asked the mage. It was still fairly dark in the study with only one light on to help the dim morning light.

"Aside from trying to cut him away, no. And I'm not even sure if that will help anymore. From what I saw both of them are suffering, even though Cassandra's soul is healthier she is unlikely to survive if he dies and even if she does I can only guess that would ruin her emotionally especially if she comes to the conclusion she is the reason he's like this." Mage Klaris felt that Cassie already knew and was acting or no longer acting because of it.

Pulling the souls out this time had revealed extensive tears and all over damage to the now dark orange and deep red side. Wide spaces and gaps interrupted what was once smooth flowing beauty. While it's opposite turned to a muddy brown and green and had significantly less damage but several parts of the soul had pulled back collapsing upon itself like an ivy plant suddenly ripped away from its support.

"I did my best to strengthen both souls but now I wonder if I shouldn't have tried to suppress him before I did that. You told me before that they fought and Cassie, um Cassandra won. Did it seem like they hurt each other then?" Klaris questioned.

With a quiet noise to clear his throat the tod answered. "If she's even a little like Nessandra then yes, and if watching them was any indication both fought until they couldn't. I guess Cassandra was stronger."

"Well she tore him out of the dominate position, I would guess a lot of the damage was done then. I should have checked before I cast that spell!" Klaris berated himself.

"So?" The High Lord asked after a moment.

"What? Oh... there isn't much we can do now but wait. Cassandra has tried to pull away from being the dominate soul and Jared is far to weak and just isn't capable of controlling the body anymore. I am unsure what is going to happen but for right now all we should do is wait. I don't exactly call it hopeless but unless Jared is given real time to heal the situation won't improve." The mage finished his report.

Cassie knew as long as there was such a dark place then she was still alive, and now a small part of her was beginning to wishing she wasn't. She had plenty of time to realize that she was the cause of Jared's absence. He hadn't just been tired, but weak and she had just ignored that and treated him like nothing was wrong not only that she hadn't even given a thought to him feeling tired even after what they had been told by Klaris at the start. No matter what she had said or done she had never wanted him hurt and didn't want him gone, they had grown up together and she knew him like she knew as herself. It didn't even matter to her all the times he had forced himself to ignore her her had never, not even once, denied or dismissed her presence never once had he thought or asked how to get rid of her.

Time meant nothing to her so nothing meant anything, including the feeling and emotions her twin sent to her as she waited, hoped for Jared's return. Cassie knew he was still there, felt that he was still there, that and the fact they were still doing so much to her body did give her some hope. Multiple times she had felt magic move through her body that didn't trigger any sort of response from him and twice she had felt the nothingness of having her essence drawn out of the body. All there was left for he to do was wait, hiding from life wrapped in darkness and ignoring the increasing worry, fear, and pleas of her twin.

The change was slight, probably unnoticeable if Cassie hadn't felt like she was waiting her entire life for it. 'Jared?' She waited keeping herself still hoping as she called out again and still received no response. With a great deal of worry and reluctance she slowly reached out creeping forward through the body. Gently as possible she filled the places she was meant to occupy feeling the bed beneath her and the blankets that covered her. Inside she touched and cradled her other half seeking some kind of assurance that what she had felt was real and meant something.

She held back her relief and joy that flooded through her as he nestled back into place the two of them connected again. She held off responding to the shaking of her arm and the several calls of "CASS." as she gently probed him for a reaction. Cassie quickly picked up on the sensations she knew all to well of him sleeping. She did again like in the past chanting his name quietly, there was no moan or restless rolling in his sleep to her calling his name but, it did cause a reaction as she felt the slightest pressure back as if to push her away.

It was more than enough for her to open her eyes and try to rejoin the world. The pressure on her arm tightened and she moved her head in that direction giving a weak smile to her sister. The response was her twin flopping on top of her body hugging tightly and crying. "Cass pleas don't leave me."

When her sister finally pulled off she did try and open her mouth only to have a paw touch her muzzle tip. "It's alright. I know. Rest and I'll get you something to drink."

Hours later Cassie was asleep again after a small meal and a short visit from her mother, and half a dozen others, that let her know that her general well being really was important. Three days they had remained unconscious and there had been real concern as to whether or not they would survive. Although everyone had avoided it the mentions of going slow and not to force herself or Jared were more than enough proof for her to believe that she was the cause to all this.

It was dark when she woke next, taking several moments to try and figure out why. A new pressure on her bladder made her realize she would have to get up. It took a bit of doing taking two tries and nearly wetting herself to make it out of bed with a slow shaky walk to the toilet. Ended up shivering as the warm stream sprayed out into the bowl allowing her stressed bladder to relax. When she wiped herself dry she felt the first thought of doing something else as her hand rubbed over her skin checking for any extra moisture. She gently rubbed the finger back across her folds feeling how soft and sensitive that area felt to the light touch.

A light shiver of excitement suddenly stopped her. 'Jared.... please are you there?'

'Yes.' His voice was quiet almost guilty sounding as he was suddenly smashed with a gargantuan mass of relief that nearly smothered him.'I can't let you die. I'm sorry.. about EVERYTHING!'

'What does it matter.' He finally answered her. 'You have a life and a family, and I don't. You won't even..' "Yes!" She nearly shouted out interrupting him. 'I'll do whatever you like and you do have a life, mine if you need it. Jared I won't hurt you again and don't you dare try and die on me. Ho do you think I felt knowing that.. I might have killed you.' This time the emotion was dark; despair, worry, and guilt crept in growing stronger as Cassie began to cry. 'I'm sorry!'

Jared was still to weak to hold back the emotions she covered him in, forced to just endure as she slowly pulled herself back together.'Cassie?' He finally started to ask asked, trying not to seem suddenly eager but still needing to know he spoke, 'When you say yes does that mean?'

She moved trying to bend herself in half staring intently at the space between her legs. The fur was very short and thin surrounding her privates stopping just as the skin started to raise to her lips which pressed together in a tight line. 'What do you want to do?'She asked. She could feel a slight flicker of excitement before his quiet voice answered. 'Nothing, let's go to bed.'

He fully felt her surprise finding even that emotion seemed far to strong. 'Cass,' He spoke softly making her stop as he used her shortened name for the first time but in a way that she had only felt from her twin before. 'I'm tired, weak and your emotions are to strong. I don't think I could handle you feeling that good.'There was nothing else tied to those words, just simple honesty.

'Just let me know what you need. We are in this together.' ~ 'Are you sure? How far are we really going to go? Are we just going to live together or do we live and be together..' She knew the question he was trying to ask even though he couldn't seem to find the words to use. 'I swear from now on you and I live, or die, together. My family gets both of us together or neither of us. I still want to be with Nessandra and Teressa wanted me to promise to be her older sister... Jared it will be us together now.' "I swear under the Purelight!" She spoke aloud.

Jared gave a little sigh, then a half giggle as he faded back. 'On the toilet.' The final thought came up as a laugh. Cassie gave a few blinks of realization, she was still painfully hunched over with her muzzle nearly poking her waist as it held up her nightgown. She did echo his amusement as she stretched and stumbled into her bed. She had just made her first true promise, out loud, in her families tradition, in the bathroom, on the toilet.

~~

It took two full days before Jared finally took back control spending the entire day lazing in the sun. They had spoken with both the High Lord and Lady for several hours on both days. Mostly it was about Cassandra and the plans and things they would have to do with the court. The most important would be her entrance and introduction; how, where, when were discussed at length. Cassie had asked several time about Jared and each time she had been told to wait and they would get to that later. The only time Lord Marverath did speak to him personally was that morning right before he left taking the time to thank Jared for saving Nessandra and telling him that he owed him a great deal. When Cassie tried to ask a question about Jared the High Lord was suddenly out of time and had to leave.

She was far more irritated about the whole thing than he was especially since they wouldn't even answer the basic questions concerning him, like where he was going to stay. 'Cassie I'm not strong enough yet. We know it's us so don't worry, when the time is right we are going to show them, together.'

After dinner when Jared was crawling into bed Cassie suddenly remembered something, 'You still haven't called Uncle Max yet.' He thought a moment about he skunk he called his uncle. 'It can wait. After all it's not like he would be expecting a call.' He feel her wanting to question more, curious as to why now he no longer felt the need to speak with him. As he laid there Jared slowly started to set out parts of a plan and things he hoped to accomplish that might make her family understand he wasn't just going to hide or disappear.

Nessandra, when asked, had happily found his car keys and checked the vehicle finding it undisturbed, functional, and with a half a tank of gas. It wasn't enough to get him half way to his uncle's farm but it was enough to get them far away so they wouldn't have to stop too soon. 'But even if you go there what good will that do?' She asked still not having heard the entire plan.

'A lot. We are going to the bank. I am tired of the off handed looks I get from Kayla and half the others. So what if she apologized, she still thinks I might run off with her silverware. I plan on going to the capitol Cass, in full dress with all the expensive trim. I am going to walk into the royal palace and announce myself claiming that I have returned the first princess.' ~ 'Ya right and get arrested on the spot! Although, we could work it out to be on one of the open court days. Mother and father have to attend the open court days and to listen to any major public complaints and serious business problems.'

Jared didn't even have to ask for her help or permission, together they spent the better part of that afternoon and night planning. They could do it all and it wasn't even going to be that hard, Jared felt that all they really needed was sufficient money and a little luck. 'Don't worry I'm sure uncle will help us out especially when he finds out about you besides it's my inheritance.'

When Cassie and Jared spoke with Nessandra several days later when she returned they found out the the next open court assembly was just six days away. To have any hope they would have to leave soon maybe even tomorrow. 'We'll need her help.' Jared wasn't all that happy letting Nessandra help but he realized how helpful it would be, after all she could cover for them after they left. He really wanted to do this all on his own, with his own money, and his own ability but as Cassie told him he had already gotten her help why would her twin matter much.

In the end he decided it would be enough if they could do this without needing actual help from others. Sadly, Cassie knew no matter how much he hoped, this was only going to work if he used the royal family's name in some way and it was goint to be a lot harder than he thought. She kept quiet on that figuring that if he used his own money and was able to do most things on his own, it hopefully would be enough for him.

Cassandra waited until she was sure anyone who might question or see them was likely asleep. Most of the family and those connected with the royal family had been gone for days and Nessandra had only come back the day before.

Her twin still had a small lamp on when she opened the door waiting just a second before Ness pulled back the covers and beaconed her over. Hugging her sister close Cassie suddenly had no idea where to start. "We need your help." Jared stated trying to get things going.

"Well if Cass wants I'm willing to hep you out some." The two didn't quite understand why she suddenly licked across their muzzle before her body wiggled under the covers. A moment later she bend further under the blanket coming back up a few seconds later with a pair of panties.

Jared had a full stunned gape from the inside while Cassie spoke sharply. "Honestly Ness."

"Well I can tell you two hadn't gone that way yet and I though you might need some help... or advice?" She was grinning giving the panties a small shake before tossing them off into the room.

Jared acted and for the first time since he came back Cassie had to seriously consider trying to stop him as her arm pushed out ending up firmly on one of Nessandra's boobs. 'I won't squeeze!' He thought firmly to her as he spoke out. "Ness no games this is really serious." He was able to control all those other ideas as he pulled their hand away. "We really need your help. Cassie and I are leaving tomorrow."

The look she gave them was hard for Jared to read but Cassie could already tell what her twin was thinking and helped to more the train of thought in the right direction. "Ness we have a plan and if all goes well we will see you again in a few days."

"At court!" She gasped then suddenly realizing why they had asked that earlier. She was a bit loud but started again in a whisper, "Good! Mother and Father could use a good stir. And you need to prove you can act on your own."

"No this is for Jared too. We have a plan and Jared wants to announce finding and returning the royal princess." Cassie finished.

"Even better!" She stated hugging her twin tight. "Jared if you do that you can claim all the rewards for helping Cass. So you need some money what else."

"No!" Now it was Jared's turn to lower his voice. "He doesn't want any money help. Part of this whole thing is because he want to prove he can do this without anyone's money."

Nessandra looked doubtful taking a moment to consider. "Just trust us, we have a plan. What we really need to do is leave tomorrow morning, maybe after breakfast." The twins cuddled close as the three of them made a little plan making sure to give Jared at least an hours head start before anyone might notice and with Nessandra providing possible distractions it might be half the day before anyone really thought to look for them.

It started out with Jared in the morning eating breakfast out on the back deck and chatting with Nessandra before they announced their wish for a little swim together. There had been no sign of any other Glant beyond the first three and with extensive continuing searches still turning up nothing, the incident had been called a possible attempt on some of the royal family.

Not that the security had lessened, every house was required to participate in patrols or allow patrols to search their properties along the water to be sure the area stayed clear. Even with that though they were stopped when they went back inside by Nate, the days security head and were told them it would take at least an hour before they would be allowed near the water possibly longer so they could have a mage scan the area as well just to be sure.

At Jared's bedroom door Nessandra kissed his cheek and wished them good luck. He was already stripping as soon as he finished locking the door while Cassie started changing their body. Just a few short minutes later Cassie crawled out the window in a baggy pair of shorts and a loose fitting shirt. She gripped the backpack that had one set of clothes for them each and walked calmly towards the top gate where they had first entered the property.

Jared tried counting off the number of days that they had spent here coming up with roughly three weeks instead of the months it felt like. 'Now is better than later.' He told Cassie when the gate closed behind them. She agreed and crouched down turning her back to the road as they switched. Thankfully the loose clothes made it easy and Jared only had tighten up the shoes they had left loose and readjust his shorts before he settled the pack on his shoulder and started to jog towards his car.

~~

He still couldn't believe how easy leaving had been when he pulled off the highway nearly two hours later for gas. They had seen no one and the guard at the gatehouse had actually returned his wave when he gave a big smile while driving past. He wasn't sure what the guard had thought, but now behind the wheel both Jared and Cassie felt like it had been the perfect getaway. It still took several hours of driving and one more stop before he turned into the driveway of his uncles farm honking out as he got close to the main house.

The place was quite well known around the area and his Uncle Max was considered one of the most fair and honest skunks ever. Although there was nothing special about the property, its workers, or its animals. The White Stripe Farm was a famous and it's name actually had nothing to do with its owner, instead it referred to the white lines that ran all about the property. There wasn't a child that went to school with in driving distance that hadn't been on one of its white paths at least once, if not a few times.

Depending on the age group one of the three paths was selected that showed how everything worked from growing and harvesting crops to tending and care of animals. It had been expanded when Maximilian finally took over, adding several new animals and setting up an acres for on site care while adding on different strains of crops that were supposed to be heartier starting them in the areas he expanded. There were tests done several times a year, sometimes happening at the same time school kids visited allowing them to learn even more about health and safety of grown produce and how regulations were kept.

The main house, which actually happened to be one of the smallest buildings around, was where Maximilian lived and had raised Jared for a few years before he had been taken and placed at Listening Hill. Jared hoped they had timed it right. Max would hopefully be alone and getting ready for dinner, while all the other workers who stayed at the farm would be at the hall cleaning up from the days work and getting ready to eat and then sleep afterwards.

As his uncle stepped out of the kitchen door Jared gave a little sigh of relief knowing he would be alone. He was sure the royal family would easily be able to trace down his uncle and might already know where he was, he just hoped Nessandra would find a way to stop them from searching him out.

"Jared!" The skunk called out when he realized who it was. "I was expecting a call at least before you showed up. Although I'm not surprised to see you early, but your birthday isn't until the end of next month."

Quickly disregarding several half thought out greetings and explanations he started out, "Uncle Max I have something very serious to tell you. I need as much help as you can give but, before that I need to introduce you to someone." The skunk still continued forward giving a firm hug to Jared as he spoke.

He gave a quick glance assessing the ferret before giving the car a bit of attention. "Are they hiding?"

"No she's here." He stated placing a hand on his chest. "Before you run for a phone I need you to just listen. WE performed magic just like dad did." That had caught is uncle's total attention staring for a moment before he nodded for him to continue. "There are two souls within my body, even the High Lord and Lady have accepted this so listen. Cassie is Lady Cassandra."

"Kid you can't..." Max stopped seeing the familiar face change outline blurring until he was staring a someone different.

"It is nice to finally meet you Maximilian. I would change fully but I wish to do so indoors." Another few seconds and Jared was once again grinning a little impishly at the slack jaw of his uncle. It took a few gulps but the skunk finally responded.

"All.. Alright boy let's get inside. I almost have dinner ready." Jared threw an arm around his uncle's shoulder as they turned towards the house and was glad when he got one in return.

"Uncle I think I'm old enough now that you can drop the boy can't you?"

Max grabbed the door handle opening it wide allowing Jared to go through first. "We'll see."

Their talks had gone well into the night. Jared insisting after a while leaving to change and came back with Cassie in the lead. Max treated her as a separate person introducing himself and made sure to speak to her even though Jared spoke often. It wasn't until Cassie made the comment that she never did like the stinky animals that a problem started.

"Listen Miss. I don't care who you are I expect my guests to have a certain amount of manners." He stated firmly.

"Guest?" She asked surprised while Jared was almost interrupting her words with. "She's family!"

'Wait... Together.' For the first time they tried to speak in tandem feeling their throat ripple and hurt slightly as they strove to speak together with the same words. "Reject one, reject the other! We are together, two souls one body." Their merged voice sounded much like both of them speaking together, all though at times one sounded slightly louder than the other with tone or inflection.

Jared continued after a breath. "She is the niece you never knew. Standing beside you working in the sables every bit as much as I was. I'm sure you thought it funny when you told me to tell Cassie something because you thought she wasn't real. You were wrong, everyone who kept trying to make me forget or not listen to her was wrong, all the time people kept telling me she wasn't real Lied!" He took another breath and looked across the table at his uncle. "Tell me, if someone told you that something could not possibly be done with magic what exactly would you say?"

Max gave a snort and almost seemed to laugh. "Magic like life holds its own secrets. No one can possibly understand magic nor can one fully understand life. You know if there was anyone capable of walking into the royal palace and surviving amongst all those plots and hidden rules it would be the son of Rose and Arthur. Both had great qualities that many people respected and that upset others. They were quite a pair together and very hard to keep up with."

"If I survive it won't be because of my parents, but because of Cassie. Together we can walk into the royal court and pull this off. Although.." he paused knowing it had to be said. "tomorrow might be the last day I ever see you."

"BOY that's just plain stupid talking. I expect to see you several more times and if you can't do that, then she will." He nodded firmly at them.

It might have been a bit of surprise from all three when Cassie answered. "Yes Sir." Something the skunk had required a younger Jared to answer when he gave an order and expected it to be followed.

They spent a good part of the night talking as Jared asked for his uncle to clean out his apartment, stop by his work, and try to personally close off parts of his life. After a night of unrestful sleep Jared and Cassie went to the bank with Uncle Max signing the finished paperwork transferring everything into Jared's name. He had been surprised how easy this was since he had only been able to produce part of the paperwork stating he was an adult able to be on his own. After it was all done they were lead down a secure elevator and three small vaults trundled down a track way to a small alcove they were guided into.

The vault attendant took several minutes entering complex codes that were verified by Max before she cast the last spell releasing the doors drawing back the magical seal. "You're welcome to add or remove anything you like but please do not close the door until you're completely finished." With that the female left drawing a metal mesh fence across the front of the alcove protecting and giving a moderate amount of privacy for those inside.

Jared had only been here twice before when Uncle Max had sat him down and explained about coins and treasures. After that he had to study pictures of the items that were lying within the vaults. Although he had barely studied much while he had been at the farm later on the subject had become an avid pursuit that helped break up their long times of study for school.

Nearly a hundred years ago Jared's great grandfather, as a young boy, was given a special reward of a minted coin that celebrated the Mystalane kingdom's one hundredth anniversary. It had been a small war that forced several of the smaller lands, and lords to submit but after nearly ten years Rastalle became the first High Lord. He created the high court allowing those whose lands were absorbed to have a say within the ruling body. Thirty years later though with no strong heir and when more power struggles broke out the Reylexion family took control with both magic and a well placed marriage with another strong house. With offspring that soon showed better and stronger magical talent the kingdom gained strength and power.

That minted coin though was a start. The young ferret found a keen interest in collecting all the coins he could picking out years and types often stacking them up to see which he had more of. As he grew up he found out that his own kingdoms coins were not as well sought as others so he began picking up any he could trading and learning what types were more valuable and where he could acquire them. He still kept his own collection going gathering one of each type as they came out in the Mystalane kingdom and keeping them together in sets.

Sadly though Jared's grandfather had traded or spent most of those that had been collected leaving only a small portion for his son. What was left were the coins that looked like they had no value, weird, or just plain worthless. Though unknowingly he had left his son several rather rare and valuable coins that only helped to spark Aurthur's interest in history. His fascination with history led the young man to double then triple starting the collection all over again and in a year and when his archeology studies began bearing fruit and getting him to other places he began to acquire some truly rare and unique coins and money trading items.

Now as Jared and Max began taking out small boxes and extremely rare framed black matted sets the young ferret began to wonder if he really could part with any of what his father had collected. Max though was already far ahead of him having set out several preserved cases aside before he began shifting through the next vault.

The skunk, at the request of his friend, had been taking part of the money from the account each year and purchasing a complete set of coins from the nine major kingdoms having them framed together as a set for the year. However he already knew near the bottom of the second safe were several stacks of silver and gold coins that were extras from various places that Aurthur had visited. He had also told Max which coins he had set aside if he needed to keep the collection going. So far he had only used a few of them and about half of the extras in the ten plus years he had been doing this and there was still plenty of money in the main account at the moment.

Some might think it odd that a normal person might go so far to plan into the future especially for a coin collecting but Aurthur had changed greatly the day his son had been born. Max smiled as he watched the young man carefully wipe off and look over the sets of the collection. The one thing his father had wanted to do was preserve the past and protect the future. All that planning was to keep this collection safe and give his son and wife a future in case anything ever happened to him.

It had been a long time since Jared's father and he became friends as teens. Sam was always out at the farm since his father was often absent allowing him or a foreman to take care of the land and animals. Often times there was an extra free hand working with Sam as Aurthur ended up hiding out there more and more often to avoid someone or wait until trouble blew over.

Rose had shown up sometime after, a young lady who wished for things that were a little different from what she felt was a smothering life. When Sam introduced the two it had started out as a rocky and near friendship ending disaster, but after a truly heart felt apology the trio had some truly wild times as they grew to adults.

Rose a beauty who secretly wished for the more wild side, which Aurthur gave, showed them glimpses of the higher side of life leaving Sam to be the mediator between the two and often the only voice of reason. Life changed a great deal as Rose became more involved with society and Aurthur finished up his schooling. She drew on what little connections she had and got him a position at a rather questionable dig site which he excelled at gaining approval from those that ran the dig. Sam meanwhile inherited his fathers farm and for a while they went their own ways only to meet up later and have their friendships deepen.

"What did you find?" Max asked noticing he had been staring at his hand. The young ferret held up the crest coin and the one thing that Aurthur had never explained only stating that it was part of their family. He walked over and placed his paws on the others shoulders. "So what do you plan to do?" he finally asked.

"There are several shops and collectors in the capitol." Jared answered.

"There's also the auction house." Max suggested.

"No, I need the money now and maybe quite a bit of it."

"Relax." His uncle told him patting his shoulders when his voice sounded a little strained. He turned back and finally took several folders out of the third vault that had been neglected so far also taking out a box that took both paws to remove. "Now let's start with these."

Opening the folders revealed hand written notes on most of the collection including estimated prices and potential contacts for buyers. There was also documentation for several of the more valued items from dig site recovery records to purchase invoices which included records of authenticity. True most of the information was as old as he was and most of the contacts probably were wrong but it gave him a starting point on prices helping to make some much needed decisions.

Hours later he had most of the extras of early Mystalane coins, anything that was a tripled, several mid grade rare coins, and a good deal of dead weights of gold and silver, coins that could no longer be considered coins. He felt with just the worn ones there would be at least ten grand which he could easily sell and the rest would require time but even on the low end he was counting on nearly a hundred thousand. What was left was nearly a half a million by his estimation in coins and the third vault which held several special archaeological items and treasures his father had been gifted or gained.

"Last thing." Max said handing him a typed letter, notes, a newspaper clipping, and several other documents. "I think your old enough to finally be told about this."

Jared looked at the top three sheets of paper that told of the dig within the, then newly uncovered, Cerastin ruins. It stated how the government and council had taken it's share, where and how many of the recovered items had gone, and towards the end gave special mention to Aurthur Ferance who had acted quickly preventing injury and possible death along with rescuing several priceless artifacts during an accident. His reward had been a wooden box with the contents that were inside.

The box was described with notes on size weight claiming it was a used Cerastin trader's box. While most kingdoms and governments had developed coins the ancient Cerastin empire had gone with thin gold bars approximately one inch wide and a half inch in height and just under a foot. They were notched five times and broken down into measurements of sixths. Payments were made in Trone, Ah-Trone(half bars), and Pyrone(one/sixth pieces). The next document was a simple response to an obvious letter stating Aurthur Ferance had legal possession of the box in question and all contents inside again describing both the box dimensions and weight.

Sam stopped him from reading the news article next and set the worn wooden box in front of him opening it. It was a foot long and inside were three carved grooves, two of them holding three strips of gold, two Pyrone and one Ah-Trone. "Your father pulled a fast one on everybody. Legally the box is his and everything in it is his, now lift it up."

Jared tried picking up the bottom half of the box and failed because the lid was far to heavy. Adjusting his paws the ferret realized quickly the lid was far heavier than the bottom and as he inspected he realized the top was the same size as the bottom. Curious, he applied both his mind and claws finding a seam and gently teased out a thin panel of wood that revealed a second set of grooves within the top half two of them containing full Trone.

"All the inspections and measurements included the weights but no one but your father seemed to notice the oddity. As far as anyone knows there are only two full Trone bars in the world and both of them are in museums."

Jared quickly scanned the news article which both praised and condemned his father for cheating both the government and the dig site committee for not returning the Trone bar he found. The article went on to say several things about historical significance and a possible price of one million at auction but finished with the fact that his quick actions and heroics saved at least that much in life and artifacts.

Sam continued when he was done reading. "After a huge ordeal and your father facing several faked serious criminal charges he proved legally that all the items with in the box were his, then donated a Trone to the Central Museum. Still no one realized there was two more inside the box although there was some speculation they weren't able to force your father to bring it forward to be inspected. He also told me one time that he had a private investor willing to pay him two million up front if he were to somehow find another one. My advice, hide it and tell no one. There are still several very sore people within the court and in other governments and more over other stunts he pulled. I'm not sure what you were told or heard so far but there were people who would have paid to get rid of your father. And BOY..." His tone changed, "If you ever hear about an incident in the Clay Hall about skunks do NOT mention my name. I had nothing to do with what your father did and I don't want it brought up."

There was little that Jared could say or ask against a stern gaze, with a small nod Uncle Max went back to restacking items that were to be replaced into the vaults. 'I'm going to ask Ness the first chance I get.' Cassie promised. Jared on the other hand wasn't sure if he really wanted to know the story now.

Arriving back at the farm the pair decided Cassie could have the afternoon and they ended up following behind Max half snickering as he lead them out one of the white trails speaking like they were on a tour. When they passed into one of the bars where the feed was being prepared she stepped off the line and went with the workers tearing off flakes of hay and sticking two in each bin. She held up her paw and made a clamping motion at the skunk as she went back for a scoop of grain and corn to add to the bin. With her help it took less than ten minutes to get all the bins filled and the gates open letting the cows in.

As they watched the animals low and shift positions Jared was the first to speak. "What I know she knows, we have done this before."

'Jared!' Cassie shouted at him mentally quickly looking over to the workers who stood a several yards away.. Seeing her look of worry Max chuckled.

"Don't worry no one is gonna say anything. They don't even know what's going on." He added to her in a quieter voice. "Come one let's get some supper." He said aloud again laying his hand on her shoulder for just a few seconds. Although the evening could be called pleasant and they turned in early for extra sleep, it seemed the morning came far to early seeing Jared up and feeling tired as he got in his car leaving before dawn was breaking starting a six hour drive to get to the capital, knowing that it was going to be an even long day once he got there. He just hoped it didn't end to quickly, there was so much they needed to do and only three days now to do it in.