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Blood and Water

 �It�s how you want your to ride your first woman, nice and easy, don�t grip too tight or she won�t like it next time.�
 The seven-year-old boy paused and looked up to the man, puzzled by the comment.
 �I�m riding a boy pony.� he insisted to his riding teacher, the stable master for his father�s horses.
 The weathered man smiled politely and checked his student�s grip on the reins. He was born to ride, like his four older brothers; it came naturally to him.
 �All right, you can start, keep your chin up, no funny stuff.�
 The boy clicked his tongue and the pony and its rider cantered away a few steps, his teacher only an arms length away at any moment.
 The peace of the moment was broken as the four older brothers came tumbling into the yard on their quarter horses. Full of laughter, they dismounted and took their rides into the stables. The boy on his pony came to a stop and wistfully looked at his brothers.
 �When I am old enough, I won�t leave my little brother behind.� he told his teacher with a tone of premonition. The teacher had only seen the serious look from one other man, the boy�s father. It was a pity the boy was a fifth son, he was so far from getting attention at all, much less any serious claim to titles and the family land.
 �And you�ll be a better man then.� agreed his teacher.
 �Come along Prince Morgan, we�ll take your ride back in, you can join your brothers at lunch.� And the boy broke his attention from the commotion he heard his brothers create and then followed his teacher obediently.
 After the fat gray pony was cared for as well as he could by the boy, the teacher excused him and the man finished the work. The boy ran off in search of his worshiped brothers.
 �Morgan over here.� Logan, the eldest called for him. Already twenty, he did not spend much time at the family house. As a result more from absence than of age, Morgan revered his brother.
 �So what trouble have the others been getting you into? Tell it all,� teased Logan. He scooped up his brother tossing him in the air, a giggle of glee was returned with a smile.
 �You�ll be getting too big for your pony soon.� observed Colm with a twinkle in his eye as the boys approached the side door.
 Logan eyed his brother carefully, allowing Morgan to slide to the ground, taking Morgan�s hand. �Don�t let Mother hear you say that. She�ll have a fit. You know how much she coddles Morgan.� But the reproach was empty. Their mother had no knowledge that Morgan was old enough to ride a pony. She rarely saw the boys since Morgan�s birth.
 The doors to the house opened and two servants bowed their heads as the boys crossed the threshold. Observing the line of boys, it would be difficult to identify them except for height. All had their mother�s tawny hair and their father�s green eyes. All accomplished athletes and all heirs to their father�s land.
 The boys walked shoulder-to-shoulder, Morgan�s hand in Logan�s.
 �Prince Logan, her ladyship, your mother, requests your presence.�
 �I�ll see her after I have some time with my brothers.�
 �As you wish.� the servant bowed.
 There weren�t many loyal servants in the house any more. Logan and Colm understood that a minor Lord such as their father did not command much awe in the providence that he commanded. He barely commanded the land and it had degraded to the point that caused Logan to wonder if his father was turning a blind eye to the tyranny that existed.
 Morgan tugged innocently on his brother�s shirtsleeve.
 �May I go with you and talk to Mother?� Logan looked to his other brothers; clearly Morgan sheltered Morgan from the truth.
 �We need to talk first.� and he led the small party into a study. Dutifully, the boys crowded around the five rings in a case on the mantle piece. It was the only thing that gave them solace these days.
 Logan picked up Morgan balancing him on his arm so he could see as well as the others. It was a favorite tale for the boys.
 �There are five rings, each for the five children born to the heir of this land.� began Logan. �The rings choose the heir when they are born. And from the day they receive this gift until the day they are replaced, only they can command what each ring holds. But the rings only do good when they are all together, worn by different people.�
 �Forged from the same gold that was encrusted in Excalibur�s pommel, this was our gift from the Mage Merlin to our family for loyalty to King Arthur.�
 �I am the ring of fire,� said Colm indicating the gold ring with five garnets from a local, extinct volcano. �I destroy and create all in my path. Fire brings hope when controlled and brings fear when misused. It is the first of the five.�
 �I am the ring of wind.� intoned Zechariah, the middle brother. The ring of wind was yellow gold sandwiched between two bands of silver. �A temperate power, an element that is a part of all the others.�
 �I am the ring of water. As dangerous and as giving as fire, the direct equal to fire.� recited Leonard, at eight showing up Morgan as the former family �baby� was old enough and important enough to recite this sacred family story. It was encrusted with the most of pale blue stones, believed to be from when Homer met up with the mermaids, surrounding the yellow gold.
 The fourth ring before Logan was a solid gold band with an inscription in sand script. �This ring was taken to Ancient lands, older than the lands Merlin found in his earliest days of life. It represents time itself. As our world changes, so does the ring, to remind us of time we have forgotten, time that will be and time we live.�
 The fifth ring sat in the middle of the other four. Its bands of gold were weaved in and out, and if one turned the ring, it was noticed that there was a character from Logan�s ring inscribed on it, a silver dollop, a faint blue stone, and a blood red one.
 �Is this one mine?� asked Morgan softly.
 �It is the ring of hope. It unites us all Morgan, binds us together as no tie of blood can. We need it and you, always. No matter what happens.�
 Morgan leaned over as far as he could.
 �Morgan, we tell you this now because things are about to change.� Logan tousled his brother�s hair and the boys took a seat by a lounge, Morgan on Logan�s lap, neither sure of which was not willing to let go.
 �Our father is a good man Morgan, but his people are not. They rob each other day and night, and have done so even in our own home. Our mother grows more ill with each passing day. The day she leaves us Morgan, we are quite sure that there will be nothing left for our people to pray for; they may destroy our home. It will be your job to make sure you take your ring.�
 Morgan looked a little afraid.
 �You�ve scared Morgan. He is too young to understand.� scoffed Leonard.
 �Morgan, you cannot be afraid. The ring chose you knowing full well if it did not, terrible things could come, worse than loosing our lands and our people. Morgan, no matter what happens, that ring will protect you, better than any weapon or guard.�
 �Here,� Zechariah pulled a small leather pouch from his pocket. He tied a loop of string through the ends and tucked it into Morgan�s shirt.
 �When the time comes Morgan, we will all take our rings, but you put yours in this bag. Your fingers are much too little for it yet.�
 �Mother is very ill.� Morgan hugged Logan tightly.
 �As is our Father.� Muttered Colm soberly.
 �Morgan remember the story we�ve told you, but tell it to no one, especially the servants. When the time comes, you�ll know how to tell the tale.�
 Morgan�s nurse began to call for him up and down the halls. Logan set him on the floor and pushed him towards the door.
 �Remember all we�ve said Morgan.�
 After the small boy was gone, Leonard looked up to Logan, because he couldn�t let Morgan see how much he too revered their eldest brother.
 �It�s a hard burden for him so small.�
 �Indeed it may be, but he was chosen for this task that not one of us could take. The ring chooses the heir.�
 �What if we are unable to get to our ring?� asked Colm uneasily.
 �I don�t know.� Logan hung his head.

 The boys had learned to hide their surprise. Their mother was in her bed, she rarely moved from it anymore. Her golden hair had lost its sheen and her wrists were so thin that Morgan�s hand could go around it completely. They came to her and knelt by her side, Morgan, just barely big enough to see his mother�s face as she lay on the bed.
 �How healthy you all look.� smiled their mother. Colm took her hand and kissed it softly as did all the others. Only Logan was allowed to kiss her forehead.
 �How have your days passed Mother?�
 �They are slow, but I love every moment. I�ve not seen your father in weeks, how is he?�
 �He is busy Mother.� Leonard lied.
 �As he always is.� she smiled a little bit. �And Morgan, where is my baby?�
 Morgan stood apprehensively.
 �Ah no longer a baby, but a study lad.� she smiled warmly to him.
 �Have you been listening to your nurse and your brothers?�
 He could only shake his head.
 �Come to me let me hug you.� Zechariah lifted Morgan to his mother�s side and watched as their mother kissed his temple.
 �You smell of wild flowers. It�s a pretty smell on you.�
 Leonard suppressed a snicker.
 �You�ll take care of your father won�t you Colm?�
 �Yes Mother, without fail.�
 �Zechariah, how do your studies go?�
 �Well Mother, I excel with languages.�
 �And your sciences?� a blush drew into Zechariah�s cheeks.
 �So as long as you try.� encouraged the cool hand that touched the youth�s cheek.
 �And you Logan, any young ladies?�
 �He keeps fawning over Lady Teresa�s daughter.� teased Colm.
 �And Leonard, I hear you�ve given your archery instructor a run for his money?�
 Leonard blushed. �I only fired two arrows blindfolded.�
 �And did they hit their target?�
 He shook his head. �One did, the other opened the stable door letting one of the mares out.�
 �You�ll be more careful next time.� The boy nodded.
 �Milady, it�s time for you to rest.� It was her nurse.
 The boys kissed their mother and Morgan slid from the bed.
 �You shouldn�t have them all at once, they�ll tire you out more.� clucked the large woman.
 �I love my sons, I see them so infrequently. They�ve grown so much since I�ve last seen them.�
 �They�ll grow like weeds before you know it.�
 The boys scattered to various directions. Somehow it was unspoken between all of them, after a visit to their mother that they needed to be alone.

 �My Lord, I believe it is time to have a ball for your son, Master Logan. He is of age to be named your heir.� it was Lord Kensington�s advisor. Logan raised an eyebrow from his seat in his father�s chambers.
 �I have no interest in naming my heir, it is one more lock for my death.� the ailing man paused. �But it is time to have a ball. There has been no happiness in this land. Perhaps this might encourage it. Logan, lead your brothers in its arrangments.�
 Logan bowed his head.
 �Perhaps, Father, Morgan will join us?� asked Logan
 �How old is he now?�
 �He turned six at the start of the summer.�
 The older man nodded. �He may join us for the dinner.� And with a smile of remembrance, �He may watch the dances from the upper stairs until his nurse insists that he go to bed or that he falls asleep on the carpet, which ever comes first.�
 The announcement of the pending ball for the summer swept through the household. It did lift many people�s spirits. It broke the air of tension as preparations began to solidify.
 Colm oversaw the arrangements of the servants and the halls that were to be used for the guests. Zechariah saw that new suits were tailored for all of his brothers and their father. Logan took it upon himself to help Morgan.
 Leading him into the large dining hall, Logan showed Morgan the room.
 �You and Leonard will come in together. You will sit at the very end of the tables here. Nurse will be sitting right behind you both so no throwing food.� He warned.
 �When dinner is over, you will be taken back to your room by Nurse, but if you�re quiet, you can sneak out onto the stairs.� Logan pointed to the place.
 �You can see all the dances.�
 �Will you dance?�
 Logan nodded. �I will if I find a girl who is worthy of my time.�
 �When will I learn to dance?�
 Logan ruffled Morgan�s hair. �When you are bigger.�
 �Will you teach me?�
 �Watch from the stairs Morgan, you�ll learn all you�ll ever need to know.�
 �Master Logan, Master Morgan is needed to get ready for tonight.�
 �Off with you Morgan, remember everything I told you.�
 Morgan tore off and Logan looked around the hall filled with activity. He pulled away and got ready.
 �Lady Faith has returned the invitation Master Logan.� said a servant as Logan began to dress.
 �Is she bringing her daughter?�
 �The young Mistress Sarah will be in attendance as well.�
 �Very well. When Lady Faith arrives, please have them both brought to my attention.�
 �As you wish Master Logan.�
 Colm, Leonard and Zechariah entered Logan�s rooms.
 �The guests have begun to arrive.�
 �Has Father said whether I will be allowed to stay up?� buzzed Leonard.
 �Behave yourself and I might be able to gather his favor. Is there a girl who you wish to dance with?�
 Leonard turned red.
 �Is that all there is to do if I am to stay up?�
 �There certainly isn�t much else is there Colm?�
 �Not one other solitary thing.�
 �You�re teasing all of you.�
 �Where�s Morgan, Leonard? You�re to be with him the entire evening.� asked Zechariah.
 �No he is not. I�ve arranged for a guest Morgan�s age to come.�
 �A guest and his first time at the main table, you�ll spoil him.�
 �Come, I promised Mother we would visit so she might see us all. Leonard, go to the nursery and bring Morgan.�
 In the dark room where their mother was propped up on several white pillows in her bed, the five boys scuffled in quietly. Her eyes were closed; she didn�t even hear them enter. They all stood at the foot of the bed looking upon its great size and her tiny one.
 Logan took their mother�s hand and grasped it carefully.
 �Mother, we are here for you to inspect he whispered softly.�
 Her eyes opened. "Oh Logan, I�m sorry I only meant to close them for an instant. I didn�t hear you boys at all.� Leonard awakened her sleeping servant to have the curtains drawn to allow the last bits of the late afternoon light to filter in.
 �Don�t worry Mother.� Colm leaned forward and kissed her hand.
 The younger boys followed suit.
 �Why you all look like such fine gentlemen. There won�t be one envious woman here tonight. Present yourselves, one at a time.�
 Logan stepped back and bowed at the waist.
 �Logan, you look more and more like your father every day. Do tell me you have your hopes on one of the young ladies visiting tonight.�
 �I shall tell you if I do Mother.�
 Colm came next, following his brother�s example. Zechariah held onto Morgan�s shoulder.
 Zechariah allowed Leonard to present himself next, Zechariah followed.
 �You boys do look wonderful.�
 �Mother, we�re not all done.Father allowed Morgan to join us tonight.�
 Timidly, Morgan went to his mother�s side and bowed from the waist slightly as all his brothers had done.
 �Oh Morgan, have you grown so, I hardly would have remembered to ask your father�s permission to allow you to go.� she reached out and stroked his cheek.
 �Remember your manners Morgan.�
 �Yes Mother.� the words hung on his lips as a whisper.
 �Enjoy yourselves, all of you. Come give me a kiss, and promise to tell me all about it when it is over.�
 One by one they kissed their mother�s cheek. Logan was the last as his brothers waited for him by the door.
 �Logan,� she whispered, �Watch for Morgan.�
 �I will Mother. He has a guest his age. Mistress Sarah, the daughter of Lady Faith.�
 �She is a sweet lady. At least Morgan might behave himself if there is an example for him to set himself by.�
 Logan smiled, and quickly kissed her cheek and then left the room with his brothers behind him. They headed down stairs where they were to be announced and then to lead off the receiving line.
 �Masters Logan, Colm, Zechariah, Leonard, and Morgan, Masters of the House Kensington, Sons of Lord Thaddeus Kensington.� announces a servant loudly, causing the roaring whispers of gossip to stop as the boys each entered the room stepping down to the floor. Their welcome was the hand clapping as the guests fell in line to greet the sons of the house to whom they owed the honor of the gathering. Thousands of lights filled the stone room and huge fires basked in the fireplace.
 Logan was at the start, Morgan at his direct left sandwiched against Leonard who was book ended by Zechariah, ending with Colm.
 The women and men bowed their heads as Logan greeted each one and shook the mens�s hands. Morgan grew bored with the inane chit chatter as the guests commented on how cute he was.
 �Lady Faith and her daughter have arrived.� whispered one servant to Logan as he pulled away from his guest.
 �Thank you.� The servant returned to the shadows to go about serving drinks to all the guests.
 Finally, Lady Faith and her daughter made it to the head of the line.
 �Master Logan, thank you so kindly for your invitation for my daughter and I.�
 �It is my pleasure.� Logan bowed at the waist as he had done for his mother.
 �Mistress Sarah, may I introduce you to my brother Morgan. He is only a few months older than you. I thought you two might find something to talk about at dinner.�
 Morgan hesitated; the girl had her mother�s dark hair. He gulped and bowed copying his brother in every instance through the night.
 �Hello Mistress Sarah Hello Lady Faith.�
 �It is nice to meet you Master Morgan.� Sarah smiled.
 Morgan looked to his brother who smiled as Lady Faith and her daughter greeted Leonard.
 �Ask her mother to escort her to dinner.� hissed Logan.
 �Might I escort Mistress Sarah to dinner Lady Faith?� asked Morgan.
 �You man Master Morgan.� Lady Faith looked to Logan with a smile.
 �No wonder you�re such a charmer Master Logan, you Kensingtons start early in life.� she laughed
 �Did he offend you Lady Faith?� asked Zechariah almost on cue.
 �No, certainly not.� she said as she greeted Zechariah moving the line forward.
 After all the guests were greeted, Colm caught Logan�s arm.
 �Are you trying to get Father to match Morgan with Sarah?�
 �Hush Colm, she was the closest Lady with a child Morgan�s age. He�s too young, but the sooner he knows how to conduct himself, the better. There are things that are not right.� whispered Logan. �Morgan will be fifteen before he sees another girl his age. He can enjoy himself this night, his first ball.�
 Colm let go and then joined a group of boys his age while all the eligible women his brother�s age surrounded him. Needlessly, Logan would be swamped all night.
 Dinner was announced, and Logan caught Morgan and led him over to a corner where Lady Faith held Sarah�s hand.
 �When you meet them this time,� prompted Logan, �Thank Lady Faith for the honor of escorting her daughter. Bow at the waist and offer your hand to Sarah. Ask her if she will join you for dinner."
 Morgan didn�t understand all of what Logan was trying to say; it tumbled out so quickly. Fortunately, Lady Faith saved Morgan from an embarrassing moment by starting out.
 �Master Morgan, you best treat my daughter as your brothers would.�
 �I will try Lady Faith.� he bowed at the waist.
 �May I escort you to dinner Mistress Sarah?�
 The child giggled but her mother pushed her forward. Sarah curtsied as Morgan took her hand.
 �Thank you Lady Faith.� Logan said.
 �It is my pleasure Master Logan.�
 �I remember you before you were married, you were always my mother�s favorite companion. I can only return this small token of appreciation.�
 �Your mother is a lovely woman, and I can see her sons take after her with her loving and open heart.�
 �It is kind of you to say. Might I escort you Lady Faith?�
 �I shall decline respectfully Master Logan, my husband has been gone these past three years, but I shall not raise anyone�s suspicions as you could easily be my own son.�
 �As you wish Lady Faith.�
 Colm motioned for Logan to join them as the nurse herded Morgan and Sarah to the very end of the head table. Lenard held Sarah�s chair for her.
 �Ladies and Gentlemen, Master Logan, Master Colm, Master Zechariah, Master Leonard, Master Morgan, I present Lord Thaddeus Kensington, Master of the House of Kensington.� The guests all stood up and bowed their heads as the man walked leaning heavily on his cane into the hall. Logan began to clap, and the guests followed suit.
 When he reached his place,Lord Kensington quieted the guests down.
 �Welcome all of you to this gathering. Please eat and enjoy yourselves.� he took his seat and all the guests sat. Logan at his right hand, the place his mother would have held.
 Platters of food were brought out on silver and gold trays; everyone was served generous helpings of all sorts of meats in gravy and assorted greens. The hall filled with delicious smells and conversations and laughter. Lord Kensington looked over the tables seeing some of his aging friends and their children, now grown and with children of their own. As he looked down at his five sons, he saw at the very end, his youngest doing a wonderful job of entertaining a young girl.
 �Who is the girl with Morgan?�
 �It is Mistress Sarah, Lady Faith�s daughter.�
 �She caught Morgan�s eye?�
 �She is the only child his age here Father.�
 The man looked around again.
 �So she is son.�
 �Nothing is meant by it Father, though anyone may guess for themselves. Morgan will make his own match in his own time.�
 �You�ll make a man of him before he�s ready Logan. Be careful.�
 �I am Father.�
 The night wore on and the musicians were brought out. And every one began to dance. His nurse took Morgan upstairs, and Leonard returned Mistress Sarah to Lady Faith.
The nurse returned to her own chambers quickly so she might slip out and enjoy some leftovers in the kitchen with the other servants. Morgan who wasn�t even a bit sleepy from all the excitement of the guests crept out to the stairs where Logan had pointed out.
He saw from between the banisters the dances, the women�s skirts swirling about the men with their graceful stances. He watched his brothers dance. Sometimes they danced with one girl twice, but all the girls their age received at least one dance.
�Are they all that beautiful?� it was Mistress Sarah.
�Why aren�t you with your mother?� He turned his feet tucked in his sleepwear.
�Mother is talking with some other widows.�
�They look grand. All moving together.� said Morgan watching.
�Is this your first ball?� asked Sarah.
�Yes it is.�
�It is my second. Mother took me to one last year for my uncle.�
�Are they all like this?�
�I believe so, but my uncle�s didn�t have anyone my age. I was sent to bed before supper, but I watched my mother sit with the widows.�
�Your mother is pretty.�
The little girl agreed. Morgan was suddenly struck by an odd thought, he watched the men and women downstairs dance and twirl.
�Would you like to try and dance?�
�You�re in your night clothes.�
�Does it matter? I can go get some other clothes on if you want.�
�No I�d like to dance.�
Morgan tried with all his effort to feel like he was as skilled as the men downstairs. Sarah had the grace of the women naturally when it came to dancing.
�You�re a silly boy. You don�t know how to dance.�
�I will learn one day.� Morgan wasn�t defeated though he had tripped over her dress hem twice and almost missed when she twirled. They watched the glowing party until they fell asleep on the stairs. Zechariah and Colm found them hours later as they waived away their guests. Lady Faith gratefully took her daughter into her arms. As Zechariah hoisted his brother to his shoulder, he said, �You are right Lady Faith, we do start young.�
Lady Faith only shook her head and laughed as she left the house.

 The bells rang out five times solemnly several days later. It was the last moment of peace the boys knew. Upon hearing the death of their mother, Logan took the news to his father who only cried. Logan understood his father�s grief but his father�s grief did nothing for his health. Logan kissed his father�s cooling head only hours later. Slipping out through a servant�s entrance, Logan awoke Morgan and took him into the study.
 There were already people at the gate banging on the iron fence that protected the family. Loyal servants were already with the other boys, Morgan having been easily overlooked. Logan was pulled away as he shoved Morgan inside the room.
 �They�ve torches Milord.� said one. �They want no more Lords.�
 �Go to my father, put him with my mother.�
 The servant bowed his head.
 �May God keep you Milord.�
 �May God keep us all.�
 Inside, Morgan climbed upon a chair by the fireplace and took his ring from the mantel. Suddenly, the other four levitated spinning, then flew in with the fifth into the pouch under Morgan�s shirt.
 Morgan crept out of the room; men and women were running around and tipping over vases as he ran through the house without his shoes. It was his ridding instructor who swooped upon the boy running him into another room.
 �Careful lad, it is dangerous for you and your brothers.� The man shielded Morgan as they made their way around from room to room looking for Morgan�s.
 Finally finding the nursery, Morgan found his boots.
 �Take a sweater lad. I think you�ll be needing it.� The riding teacher watched from the nursery window as the iron gate clattered to the ground. The few staff that was in the stables charged at the crowd with pitchforks, but to no avail, there were too few loyal to the former lord.
 Logan and Colm went to the crowd on the front steps, trying to calm those that would listen. Colm�s throat was slashed without a second glance. Logan fought bravely, but was no match for armed men with knives and guns.
 The man gathered Morgan and wrapped him in blankets tightly.
 �Say nothing lad, we might save your other brothers yet.� when Morgan began to protest being carried like a baby.
 Through the dark shadows, filled with howls of pain and sorrow as servants loyal to the family fell one by one, they crept. Cries of contentment from those who looted then took their place, followed by cries of greed and contempt.
 The riding instructor found the older boys� room, it was empty, there was no telling where Zechariah and Leonard might be.
 �I got one of the liter!�
 �Let me go!� it was Leonard.
 �He bit me, the little louse bit me!�
 �Serves you right. You have no right to do this to anyone!�
 The boy was beaten for his insolence. When the two who had cornered him had tired of beating the boy left, the riding instructor looked upon the other boy. He set Morgan down on his feet.
 �Look at me lad, can you walk far distances?� his reply was a scared nod.
 �We might be able to save Leonard, but he needs to be carried. I need you to stay close your life is in grave danger boy.�
 Zechariah was not met with such fortune. Having been studying languages with his tutor, he met a grizzly fate by a man he trusted.
 �They knew.� whispered Morgan.
 �Come lad, there is nothing for anyone to see. Let�s get out of here while you still live.�
 �He is too young.� sputtered Leonard in a light breath.
 They snuck around carefully, slipping out through a window on the first floor. Morgan trailed after his riding teacher running after the long strides as fast as he could.
 �Stop.� a white light surrounded the party. A bright cloud surrounded them and it circled them.
 �Who are you?� demanded Morgan�s riding instructor.
 �Put the boy down, and uncover him.�
 �Who are you?� he demanded again.
 �Leonard, come to us, you cannot help Morgan now.� It was a plea. And the shimmering light became all of Morgan�s brothers. Morgan looked around and ran for Logan. From Leonard�s mortal hand, his father�s ring fell. Logan had given him the ring for safekeeping.
 �Logan!� instead of being tossed up and caught, as he always was, Morgan ran into nothing.
 Leonard closed his eyes. A fourth cloud appeared.
 �Morgan, there was a story we did not tell you, but you now keep our family secret, guard it well.� the white figure that appeared to be Colm grew bright red.
 �This man will not remember seeing us Morgan, we�ll find you from time to time. When it is the right time, you will remember all that you need. Do not forget that what we have is stronger than blood. You do not need us, only our memory to right this wrong.�
 �Stay with the Stable Master, Morgan. He deserves your undying gratitude.�
 �Morgan it is a heavy man�s burden you carry. Morgan, bear it well. You are never alone.�
 �Morgan, it is you that has been chosen. Remember but tell no one. Remember.� the four wisps of air disappeared.
 The Stable Master, who had also provided Morgan with riding instruction was bent over Leonard�s body crying.
 �Forgive me Milord Morgan, I did try to save him.� He took a thread from Leonard�s shirt and tied it around the ring and gave it to Morgan.
 �Bury him Stable Master, please,� the boy begged.
 �Yes, he does deserve that Milord.� The stable Master began digging in the loose dirt. It was only a hundred or so yards from the only home Morgan had only known, he saw as the flames began to consume it.
 �Will I be all right Stable Master?� Morgan looked between his former home and his brother�s freshly dug grave.
 �I believe you might Milord.� a wind made the boy shiver.
 �Come along. We�ll find someplace to sleep tonight.� He picked up the boy and walked through the night.