<html> <body> Part 6!  We're almost finished! --------- March 26, 708 CR While his chest and jaw stilled pained him at times, it was now a faint suggestion of what had happened to him on the mount rather than an ever-present reminder of Marzac's power. And for this he was grateful as he had to keep one arm raised over his head to steady his middle boy Erick on the back of Malicon while the other gently guided the pony around the paddock area, while he constantly assured his son that he was doing fine and reminding him that he needed to keep seated with straight back and focused attention. It had rained again that morning, and so they were all stained with mud up to their ankles, and now Charles had a generous helping smeared across his sleeves and both front and back of his tunic. When he'd tried to place little Berndatte on his pony's saddle, she had manage to slip from his grasp and wrap her legs about his neck instead. He was going to need another bath already; judging by the look and smell of the sky, if he lingered outside long enough the weather would take care of that for him. Still, despite the much, he was enjoying taking the time that afternoon to begin instructing his children in the art of riding horseback. Their legs would never be large enough to manage a real horse, but the ponies in the Valley were of good stock and would serve well enough as much as they were able. Already the names of Armivest and Malicon were known by most of the knights of Metamor as steeds to be respected and that brought Charles quite a bit of pride; both for his own sake and for his knight's. “Look! I'm riding! I'm riding!” Erick squealed in delight, his tail bouncing off the back of the saddle as Charles led Malicon in a wide circle around the edge of the paddocks. “Aye, you are,” Charles replied noting that his middle son minded his lessons when it came to riding much better than he usually did. “Ah, he takes to the saddle as if he wert of the Steppe!” Sir Saulius announced as he approached from the commons. The knight hugged the other children who rushed over to welcome him, not minding the way their muddy paws smeared across his tabard. After setting them each down, he gestured over his shoulder toward one of the trees on the other side of the commons. “Lord Avery dost wish to speak with thee, Charles. I shalt watch o'er thy children.” Charles drew Malicon to a stop and steadied his son Erick. “Where is he? At Lars's?” “In his home.” He grunted and handed the reins to the knight. Saulius moved into place next to him, one paw steadying his namesake on the saddle. “I'd best go find out what he wants.” Sir Saulius smiled so broadly, and he stood so tall on his toes that Charles began to wonder if his knight didn't already know. Still, he allowed his friend to keep his secret for a little longer, patting each of his children on the head before heading across the commons to one of the ropes that dangled out of the branches. His chest ached by the time he'd reached the landing at the top. This was the place he'd come the very first time he'd been to Glen Avery two years ago. The small entrance had no roof but the branches overhead, and set on either end were unlit lanterns. Along the walls on either side were narrow windows perfect for archers, and at the far end was a round door into the side of the massive redwood on whose broad branches the rat now stood. The door was cracked, and Charles gingerly pushed it open, “Lord Avery?” “Come in!” he heard the squirrel's voice echo from within the small chamber beyond. The Lord of the Glen sat by himself at a small table fashioned directly out of the tree. “Charles, welcome! Please sit.” He gestured opposite him, and then rested his elbows on a hand-drawn map. Charles glanced at it as he closed the door behind him and settled down opposite the gray squirrel; it appeared to be of Glen Avery and the land to its north, south, east, and west. “You wished to see me, milord?” Charles asked as hew sat, tail bunching behind him as there was not much space between the bench and the wall of the tree, warm to the touch as in his own home; the magic of the woodmage Burris at work. “I did,” Lord Avery studied him for a moment and then smiled faintly. “You have been a help to us here at the Glen ever since you first arrived two years past and sat in that very same spot. You have been away on many long adventures, but you know that everyone here considers a Glenner as much as if you were born here.” He felt his chest swell at that, and his whiskers flicked in delight. “Thank you, milord. It is one of the nicest homes I've ever known. I look forward to raising my family here, and seeing them raise families of their own here too.” “It warms my heart to hear of it,” the gray squirrel's tail danced back and forth behind his head. “You stared a trend last year; at first it was only Angela and I who had children already touched by the animal Curse. Now you both you and Jurmas have such children, and there are a few others who are expecting that my wife tells me will be as your children and mine!” Charles smiled at the thought of the Glen filled with beastly children playing their games together. Already the few grown humans looked out of place in the Glen; could even the human children look out of place too? “Well, I and my family have returned and we are here to stay. Much to Misha's lament I'm sure. He did wish me to speak with you about possibly providing me, as the representative of the Long Scouts here at the Glen, more opportunities to help direct affairs for the Glen Scouts. I would never take Angus or that skunk's place, but... some authority of my own. I hope I am not too forward when I say this.” Brian Avery blinked in surprise, and then leaned back with a hearty laugh, grabbing at the table with his sharp claws to keep from completely upending. “Oh, Charles! What sweet irony! No, I wouldn't want you to take either Angus or Berchem's place – although he has gone south for a few weeks, no matter. But I do want to offer you the chance to lead in a very special here at the Glen.” “Oh?” And then he learned what his knight already knew. ---------- Charles headed straight home without giving Lord Avery an answer, though one was promised that evening. He saw that Sir Saulius was still at the paddocks trying to teach his children to ride. He did not pause to greet them; their attention was so focused on getting their turn to ride the pony that they never looked or sniffed his way. Unimpeded, Charles snuck down to the door between the roots, and slipped into his home, dipping his paws in the washbasin by the door and drying them off before looking for his wife. Kimberly was in the kitchen reacquainting herself with all of its implements and scolded him in a gentle way on his muddy attire. Then she saw his serious expression and set down the pans she'd held. “What is it, Charles?” He grasped one of her paws and drew her close. “My sweet Lady Kimberly. I know you left behind a noble's inheritance because the life your family had planned for you was so distasteful that you would rather live with the common folk as one of them. I could never accept the offer that has just been made to me without your consent, and without prayer.” She blinked and then lifted her free paw to his face and plucked a bit of dried mud from his cheek fur. “What offer is this?” He told her. She listened. And then they both went to the little house altar Charles had built for them and knelt in prayer. ---------- It was well into evening and Lord Avery had just come from enjoying a pleasant meal with his two sons and wife to hear the reports from his scouts at the brewery when he was stopped only a few paces from the door by a very familiar figure. The torches were lit about the commons and another pair flanked the stony entrance to Lars's very popular establishment. “Who is... oh, Charles! It is good to see you. Have you and your family had enough time to consider the offer?” Charles, still touched by mud and smelling strongly of horse, nodded his wide head. “We have, we prayed, and without reservation both I and my family accept the honor!” ---------- May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love, Charles Matthias !DSPAM:4eff59fa115971080519667! </body> </html>