Rickstan gazed upon the land outside his home from the linen dressed window and smiles; so much had happened since this death of his Father and he was so thankful. Never in his life had he imagined his life would have spun a yarn to evolve into this life. Look at what he had, a beautiful wife expecting his first child, a wonderful loving family, a home to call his own which would reap the rewards of hard earned labor and secure the future of his family for many years to come. And if he took on his idea of taking work from posters and bounties, that would be more money to add to their savings, perhaps to put their child through education, who knows.
The day was a beautiful one, the sun shone down onto the acres around his home, onto the newly build sheep pen; he watched them, the two sheep, brother and sister, chase each other around like swifting clouds on sky of green, then settle with chewing on lumps of feed from the troth. Then there was the tall wooden crated mill to the left of his view, slowly turning in the breeze high above the house. Hours and hours he and his family, Bryse mostly, had toiled in its construction. With that, he would feed the family, even in winter, to make bread and other things, storing food away safely during the heavy winter snow.
Rickstan decided to venture out and roam amongst his land, the sun truly was glorious now the chill had vanished from the early spring. He knew now was the perfect time to start erecting the small vegetables garden and sun house to the other side of the house, which would catch the sun all day as no hills or tree's shaded it. Happy in his ideas, he heard what he thought was a shout, but put it down to the sheep being playful. But when the noise came again, he became curious and wandered to the edge of the hill in which he could see the lower part of the hamlet. There it was again, that sound, cry and whailing. Further investigation found himself outside Bryse's home and he discovered Daldarac's chuddy horse; something was happening.
As he entered Bryse's house, he found Bryse stood in a panicked agitation and Zuilyun.
"Lyndiel's having the baby!" he exclaimed with worry in his voice.
Straight away, Rickstan shut the door and walked to Bryse's side, placing a hand on his back. He knew Bryse needed to be pacified, he knew his nature. So he began encouraging him and giving him words of comfort and humor, even offering him a bottle of wine to soothe his spirit.
Rickstan knew Daldarac would be doing his best in the room and throughout the course of the passing hours, Rickstan was only asked once to assist and bring some boiled water. As the hours passed and their ears were now numb to the cries and whails of the birthing lady, the air suddenly filled with a very weak and whimper of the child. "It's a boy" he heard them say, but their voices were not as joyful as they should have been. Rickstan knew he had to stop Bryse from rushing in there as Daldarac and Zuilyun tended to the infant, so he kept his arm firmly upon his chest, "Let them sort him out, he needs cleaning and what not" he would say.
Eventually, Bryse was permitted to go into the room and see his son and soon afterwards brought the child out to see his Uncle Rickstan. The moment Rickstan held the boy in his arms, he felt his heart melt into such adoration. This little lad was his nephew, and like he does with his Father, he promised to himself to care for them for asl ong as he had to. He looked so much like his Father...."Unfortunatley"...As Rickstan would joke.
The time came for everyone to leave, except Daldarac, who, for the childs sake, would erect a tent in their garden, to be close by should the child need seeing to. He was born weak and frail, but should be well once he is used to being out of the womb. Rickstan bade them farewell, kissed the sleeping Lyndiel on the forehead, hugged his brother Bryse and left.
By the time he reached his home again to go and see Cedwyn, if she was home from the Pony, he was full of such an amazing feeling. He did not think anything else when he took a new letter from inside his mailbox and walked inside with it. He sat down at his tea-table in the corner by the books and sighed happily. The letter, he noticed, had his brother's hand.
"Rick..My brother.."
The letter began, and as he read it..His heart fell to the floor.....
To be continued.....
