'Whatever you recommend' Jasper managed to say.
'I think it's safest if I give you the compulsion. I can always undo the spell if it proves a problem'
'But we will still be able to talk when we are alone?'
'Yes. I will make it so that if any others are within 5 yards, you shall behave as you appear, other times you will be yourself. Be brave my little Prince' Anya placed her hands on Jas's head and muttered something under her breath. Before she finished she said 'Sleep well child' Jasper immediately felt dozy and buried his head on Anya's lap. He was soon asleep.
.......
When Jasper woke. They were not alone. He was cradled in Anya's arms. Anya was standing with the other maids, servants and children. He recognised they were still in the storeroom. A rebel officer was talking to them.
'All who are not Royals may return to their families. Inspect their heads. Any with red hair are to be detained. Take off your hats and bonnets so my soldiers may inspect your hair'
Soldiers moved around the room and began to separate the prisoners. 7 redheads were discovered. 2 babies and 4 children including 2 preteen girls, dressed in expensive gowns. Jasper vaguely recognised them as some of his half siblings. He knew not their names. The last redhead was a girl of about 18 dressed as a maid. She shrieked as she was separated from the other servants. 'My Lord. I am not a royal. I am a chambermaid. You are making a mistake'
The officer came across and inspected her. After close perusal of her face he said. 'You are a Royal even if you were not aware of that fact. You are no doubt one of the King's bastards. I'd guess he claimed royal privilege on your mother. Let me guess. She was a chambermaid as well?'
An older servant woman wailed. The red head turned to her 'Mother?' but the older woman was looking to the floor in shame.
The office said to the girl 'Go and stand with your siblings. You will be a fine prize for one of our junior officers'
The soldiers progressed closer to where Anya stood. She was clutching Jasper tightly to her bosom. They questioned a maid holding a brown haired boy of about 5 by the hand. 'Is this your son?'
The maid shook her head. 'He is not'
'Who are you boy?' The officer must have heard the maids reply.
In a weak scared voice the boy replied. 'I am Master Steven Kendrick. My father is Lord Kendrick' Jasper knew Lord Kendrick, he was one of his fathers Marshals.
'Is that so? Go and stand with the redheads. You may be worth ransoming' The soldiers dragged the now crying boy away.
Jasper was scared, would he once more be separated from Anya? In barely a whisper he said "Pwotect me" he realised he sounded like the toddler he appeared to be. It was because of the latest compulsion Anya had put on him. He would not be able to talk like an adult with the guards so close. However it did suddenly feel a lot safer snuggled up against Anya's soft breasts.
The guards came to Anya. She had taken off her bonnet to show her now dark hair. The guard then inspected her face and turned to his companion. 'This is a pretty one. Too pretty to be a maid'
The officer approached and lifted Anya's chin. He too looked at her face. 'You are a beauty. Are you one of the Kings concubines or one of the Prince's?'
'I am but a servant. Today was my first day. I was to be a nurse in the harem'
'A nurse? Then is this child not yours? Is it another Royal? Show me it's hair'
Jasper was surprised by this request. He had not realised he was wrapped in a shawl of some kind and was surprised when Anya removed it from his head. 'This is my child Jess. See she has my hair'