The children have grown! Neil has went to stay a year with Mother Willow and Father Oak. Izzy plays little mother to Hawk, who tires her with his endless running about and getting into everything. Emily and Hamish are expecting their first child. Raven and I are expecting our second. Everything had been peaceful!

We are woke by Ash, a rider, riding hard, coming toward the castle. Wolves were howling outside, I knew something was not right. My insides felt like tiny bouts of  energy were being thrown at me, I could hear humming. The guard was all alert, I stood on the balcony and focused my energy on the rider. He was tired, holding on to the reigns for dear life as he struggled to keep up his crazed pace. He was dressed in dark muted colors, he carried no banner, wore no emblem that I could see. He whipped his exhausted horse, pushing it to go faster.

The nights were still cold, spring newly upon us, I could see my breath in front of me. The wind swirled around me, the humming in my head grew louder. “Hurry, “We must be ready to hear what this rider has to say, double the guard on the children!” I said to Raven as he approached. I leaned closer to the railing “Odin, You need come” I called out onto the wind.

The castle secure, the children safe, we made our way to the hall to meet this rider. Nicky escorted him in as Raven and I sat on our thrones. He was a young man clearly exhausted as he made his way before us quickly. “From Lord Echo, Majesties” he said sinking into a deep bow. “See this young man to the kitchens and a bed” I replied while taking the message from Nicky’s hand. Looking down at it I noticed two things, one I was shaking, and the other was the black seal with my brother’s emblem of a lone thistle. Raven placed his hand on my shoulder as I opened the missive.

Sister,

It is with great need that I write to you. I hurry this message as fast as possible. I fear the state of things by the time you read these words. It is now the first of Spring. Some days past, two women appeared in the village. These women are not of these parts. They speak no language of which I know. They appear very frightened and lost. Two days after these women were brought before me, another stranger was brought to me. This a man found lying ill, near the village well in the morning light. He is recovered and speaks yet a language we can not determine. A sennight past, I had a messenger about to come to you when another women was brought to me. This one was caught by hunters in the forest beyond the village. It is said that four more strangers hide in the forest. The four that have been brought to me now rest comfortably in the north tower. I know not what to do with these strangers. It is my only hope that you may send your wise words with all haste!

Your Loyal Servant & Brother

Echo