Due to the compulsion spell Anya had applied earlier, the former Crown Prince found herself behaving just like the small toddler girl she appeared to be. The small wagon was crowded so at no stage was Jess more than 5 yards from other passengers. Jess could hear and understand the conversations on the wagon, but could not readily participate in them. She found her vocabulary was limited to about 10 words. Mama, Jess, I, No, pwease, hungwy, poo-poo and pee-pee were the ones that came the most often.
'Hungwy' was the word that that elicited the most surprising result. When Jess made this sound she found Anya loosened her blouse and showed Jess a large red nipple. Without thinking the former Prince put her mouth to it and began to suckle. It seemed that Jess had not been weaned. Warm milk flowed into the former Jasper's throat.
As she sucked on the nipple, Jess heard the other mother ask 'Katelyn was fully weaned at 12 months. How old is your Jess?'
'15 months' Anya replied without hesitation. 'I resisted weaning her in the hope that I could get employment as a wet nurse. I finally landed a job at the Palace, today was my first day. My timing rather sucks'
'Well I think you are fortunate. I suspect there will be food shortages soon with so many refugees on the road. It's much easier to have a ready supply on hand rather than hunt up meals for the kids'
'This was not what I had planned'
'I fear we are in for perilous times. Where art you bound?'
'I am from Wind's Grove. I will return to my family'
'That is a city in the East, is it not? I have never been to the East'
'It is. It is a 10 day journey in times of peace. I fear it will be much longer now there is war'
'This wagon is not heading East. It is taking you out of your way'
'I but seek to flee the fighting. I will seek any safe haven for the moment'
'It will not be safe for some time I fear. We are going to stay with my husbands brother. Mine husband is with the Royal army. I fear we may not see him for some time. I will be waiting out the war on my brother-in-laws farm. I am told with the young men at war there is plenty of work available'
Jess found herself removed from the nipple and Anya bounced her on her knee until a large burp escaped Jess's mouth.
'Your child is bright. She makes her will known. Mine did not talk at all till 20 months'
'She seems wise beyond her years. How old is your own infant?'
'This is Sabrina. She is 8 months. I am Mary and Katelyn is 4'
Jess found herself now put to Anya's other teat. She began suckling instinctively. Soon she felt very sleepy