The next morning...

After breaking their fast at the Sleeping Dragon, Richard Teressa and lady Bronwyn set out for Moffat Manor. The air was cool and filled with the sounds and scents of a late spring morning. As they rode by the pond that bordered the inn they could hear the quacking of the ducks that lived there. The songs of meadowlarks and nightingales could be heard as well.

The distance from the inn to Moffat Manor was not far, only about two miles, so Richard relaxed atop his horse, Cadimus.

Riding south along the main road, they took the turning that led to St. Boswells.

As they rode along, Teressa's elven eyes spotted something in the air. It was a falcon that flew on high. "Look," she said and directed the eyes of both Bronwyn and Richard to the bird. They drew their horses to a stop and watched events unfold.

High above, the Falcon seemed to come to a complete stop. Then, It rolled over and dropped like a stone, it's wings held in close to its sides. Faster and faster it plummeted toward the earth, the wind whistling through it's feathers.

Suddenly, from the trees, there broke a flock of birds. They rose some fifty feet or so above the trees before the rearmost one was struck as if by a thunderbolt. There was a puff of feathers as the falcon collided with the bird, and the two vanished into the branches of the trees below. A moment later the falcon emerged from the trees with the smaller bird grasped in its talons. It let out what could only have been a cry of victory and then it turned eastward and flew away, its morning meal for it and its young dangling below.

The three riders smiled at each other and rode on. What they had seen was not cruelty, but natures own way of things. The Falcon had been hunting for food for its own survival and for that of its young.

A short time later they arrived at Moffat Manor. As they rode through the gate the guard there stopped them momentarily. As soon as Richard identified himself and the others, they were allowed to continue up to the house.

As they dismounted, a stable boy took their horses and led them away to the stabled behind the main house. Making their way toward that building they were almost bowled over by two young children who seemingly exploded from the doorway before them.

"Richard, Teressa, Lady Bronwyn!" they exclaimed. "What ha'e ye brought us? Father wants tae see ye!" The two continued to chatter as they grasped The hands of Richard and Teressa and led them toward the front doors of the manor.

It was Richard who brought them to a stop by planting his feet firmly and allowing no further progress. In a stern voice he said, "Now ye twa, behave! I ken that father wants tae see me, and that ye twa want presents. Those I ha'e for ye, but anly if ye calm doon. Sean Robert, 'Lisbeth Rose ye are children o' an important mon, noo act yer station when ye ha'e guests!" Then he winked at them and said, "At least for th' next few minutes, if ye can."

The two children looked at him and then at each other. They giggled and then straightened up. Bowing and curtsying as proticol required, Sean Robert then said, "Of course, Richard, you are our older brother, after all and we SHOULD listen to you." there was a hint of a giggle in Sean Roberts voice as he replied. "Aye, Elizabeth Rose added with a hint of insubordination in her voice as well. We ha'e baith been taught tae respect oor ELDERS."

Richard's eyes narrowed and he was about to speak, when a familiar voice came from the doorway. "Richard! Teressa! and is that Lady Bronwyn I see wi' ye? Be welcome all o' ye and enter! 'Tis with great joy I greet the three o' ye.

Ha'e these twa rapscallions been after ye for presents? Tsk, tsk. Children, wha ha'e I taeld ye aboot pestering others for gifts?" Turning to Richard he said, with a chuckle, "What news ha'e ye brought? Any waerd frae Earl Dubh-Glas?"

For a minute they all sat there looking at each other and then they laughed. The children had definitely gotten his sense of humor.

From the hall to the right came a feminine voice. "What, pray tell, is so funny? Would you care to share with me, Ian, My dearest?

Ian spun about and smiled, for there stood his wife, the lovely Ainsley. My Love, you know Richard, of course but let me introduce you to his twa companions. First is the Lady Teressa, of Ravenscrag. The other is my 'old' friend and sometimes teacher, the Lady Bronwyn of Skye. I dae think that ye wull find baith o' them very interesting once ye get tae ken them."

Both Teressa and Bronwyn curtsied as they were introduced, then Ainsley curtsied in reply. "Ian, she said, I dae believe ye are right, and get to know them, I shall."