Laying on the floor before the two rebels was an infant wearing only a diaper and locket. They approached cautiously.
"Where did this baby come from?" asked one rebel. The other rolled his eyes.
"Look at those gray eyes and red hair! Clearly he's a bastard of the prince. Almost definitely with one of his concubines. I'm surprised we haven't found more babies, with how much time the prince spends fucking his concubines. He does it like it's his job."
"What should we do with him?"
"Take him to the boss. She'll know what to do."
The smarter of the two carefully picked up the baby, who was Jasper, transformed by the amulet. All he could do as the rebel carried him through the palace was squirm and wail. Why had Anya chosen this shape for him? He had no way of getting to her like this!
They entered the royal court. Sitting on the king's throne was a woman Jasper recognized. Her name was Lady Leta. She was the queen of a kingdom that Jasper's father had taken from her to become part of Karagot. Her people were savage and uncultured, evidenced by how they refused to cover their chests with clothes, even the women.
"What is it that you have brought me?" asked Lady Leta. The rebel approached her and held Jasper out.
"We found this baby crying in the hall. We think he is a bastard, son of the former prince and one of his many concubines."
"I think you are right," Lady Leta said, taking Jasper from the rebel and holding him in her arms. She examined the locket. "This must have the family crest of his mother." Jasper continued to cry at the top of his lungs. Lady Leta sighed. She shoved one of her bare breasts into Jasper's mouth. Jasper instinctively suckled eagerly on her nipple. "This won't feed him, but it will quiet him while I think of what to do with him."
After a few minutes, Lady Leta nodded.
"I know what I will do with this child."