Using his knack for design and engineering, Talon offered a great advance to his people. With the village mill in such a state of disrepair, he designed a true marvel for them.

He shared many a hard day of back-breaking work to tear down the old mill and reconstruct, stone by stone, the windmill he designed to take full advantage of the seabreeze coming off the ocean.

One day, a near tragedy occurred that gave him the reputation of a foreign sorcerer. As one heavy block was being coaxed into place, one of the ropes in the block and pulley broke. The huge stone shifted from its place as it was being set into the wall and knocked several other blocks out of place as it fell. Several workers would have been crushed had he not used the Force. Despite the attention the crowd had given to the near tragedy, there were a few who had seen their new Lord wave his hand toward the men as they leapt to safety. Several men later swore they felt as if a hand had pushed them.

Not wishing to upset the balance of their lives, Talon continued to covertly use the Force to make the work go a little easier for everyone. Indeed, many times the workers, consisting of commoners and the knights of Falcon's Nest, felt having their new Lord beside them made the long, hard day pass faster and with more to show for it at the end of the day.

When the new mill was dedicated, it stood tall and proud, facing the sea. Through the Force, the old mill horse thanked Talon for making the twilight of his life easier. Now the aged gelding was put out to pasture where he could spend his time in the fields leisurely enjoying the company of other horses.

@}--- @}--- @}---

While the new Lord of Falcon's Nest worked on the new mill, the farmers banded to together to plant the crops the demesne would need to survive the next winter. The siege by the Ghost Knight's men had put the winter harvest in jeopardy by delaying the spring planting. Even if the crops were planted now, there was no guarantee they would ripen for harvest before the bite of the winter storms came to devour them.

Entire families from one part of the demesne came to aid their neighbors in another part. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters worked well after dark, often by the light cast by torches held by the youngest children. Many choose to sleep in the fields so they could begin anew as the first rays of the sun kissed the horizon.

The people of the Nest worked together for several weeks. Moving from field to field, from crop to crop, at last, the spring planting was complete. Each family struggled to put one foot in front of the other on their journey home. Even the sturdy plow horses and oxen dragged their weary feet.

The Nest held its breath as the gentle spring rains came to bless the fields. Would it be enough? Would the seeds sprout in time this year? Or would they be too late? Would there be enough foodstuffs to survive the next winter? Would Falcon's Nest know hunger for the first time in many generations?

Knowing the people would take their cue from him, Talon kept a positive attitude and assured everyone the crops would, indeed, burst forth on time to guarantee a bountiful harvest in the fall. He even went so far as to predict the very day the seeds would break though the soil. Of course, being a Jedi, all he had to do was listen to nature. He knew, beyond a doubt, that the crops would sprout on time.

Early one morning, a messenger from one of the farmsteads came riding through the gate with word. Overnight, the seeds had broken through the soil. A cheer and a great sigh of relief echoed through the Keep.

Riding out with the messenger, Talon surveyed the fields. Indeed, a carpet of fresh green could be seen blanketing the fields. Spirits soared as word came from across the demesne -- all the crops had sprouted. Falcon's Nest by the Sea would not feel the bite of hunger.

Together, the people of the Nest called for a celebration to give thanks to the Great Spirit. Many realized their new Lord had correctly predicted the day on which the crops would sprout and asked the Creator of All to bless him.

His accurate prediction stood to further reinforce the silent reputation Talon had garnered for being a sorcerer. None, but a few, seemed to care that he may indeed be such.

Two nights later, everyone celebrated. From across the demesne, farmers and ranchers and fishermen came to give thanks alongside the knights of the Nest.

In the fields and orchards near the village, families set up tables and invited their friends and neighbors to share with them.

This night, they would do more than just give thanks, they would celebrate the new life of Spring as well. The sounds of homemade flutes and fiddles floated through the festivities as the moon rose high.

Following custom, the Lord and Lady of the demesne made the first of the Spring Offerings. Talon and Flora held a garland made from the first green shoots of spring betwixt them as they received a blessing from Friar Givens.

Walking around the edge of the clearing, they held aloft the blessed garland for all to see; so that all would know the Great Spirit, had once again, blessed them, the people, and the land.

As they completed the circuit, the bonfire was lit. Once it was fully aflame, the Falcons tossed their offering into the fire. A tremendous cheer carried through out the gathering as the people gave thanks to their god.

As the celebration continued, Talon felt at ease. In the air, he could feel the joy and vitality these people felt.

'These people,' he thought to himself as he watched the young children run and play through the crowd. No. These are *my* people now.

Flora saw the smile grow on his face to reveal the dimples that always took her breath away. Putting her arms around her husband, she drew him nearer to whisper into his ear, "What makes you grin so, Talon?"

He turned his dark eyes to gaze onto hers. "I am pleased to see them so happy. After all that back-breaking work and all those long hours to plant the crops, they still find cause to celebrate."

Flora drew her head closer and kissed his jaw near his ear. A quick intake of breath confirmed she had, indeed, found a sensitive spot. "We love life. You will find that we excel in finding reasons to celebrate." She continued to tease him by placing small kisses up and down his jawline. In the midst of the celebration, they slowly made their way deeper into the orchard.

Along the way, they teased each other like the young lovers they were. A kiss and a quick retreat behind a tree was followed time and again by a quick tag to pull at each other's laces.



_____When in the springtime of the year_____

_____When the trees are crowned with leaves. _____

_____When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew_____

_____Are dressed in ribbons fair. _____

The colorful pennants used to celebrate the wedding were now draped from tree to tree, waving to everyone from their place amongst the new leaves of the orchard.

_____When owls call the breathless moon_____

_____In the blue veil of the night_____

_____The shadows of the trees appear_____

_____Amidst the lantern light. _____

Lanterns placed within the boughs of trees twinkled like stars captured within their lofty embrace.

_____We've been rambling all the night_____

_____And some time of this day. _____

_____Now returning back again_____

_____We bring a garland gay. _____

One by one, families from across the demesne came forward to follow the example of their Lord and Lady. One bye one, the youngest of the families would approach the blaze with a garland. The new shoots, carefully woven, were a promise of a bountiful year to come.

The glow from the lanterns dimmed as the Lord and Lady of the Nest retreated.

_____Who will go down to those shady groves_____

_____And summon the shadows there. _____

Shadows of lovers escaping the festivities in search of their own celebration danced among the trees.

_____And tie a ribbon on those sheltering arms_____

_____In the springtime of the year. _____

_____The songs of birds seem to fill the wood_____

_____That when the fiddler plays_____

_____All their voices can be heard_____

_____Long past their woodland days. _____

A lone fiddler began to play as Flora and Talon continued to tease each other farther and farther into the orchard.

_____We've been rambling all the night_____

_____And some time of this day. _____

_____Now returning back again_____

_____We bring a garland gay. _____

Around the bonfire the people of the Nest danced. Their voices rose in song to accompany the lone fiddler as lutes, tambourines, drums and flutes joined him.

_____And so they linked their hands and danced_____

_____Round in circles and in rows. _____

_____And so the journey of the night descends_____

_____When all the shades are gone. _____

_____A garland gay we bring you here_____

_____And at your door we stand. _____

_____It is a sprout well budded out_____

_____The work of Our Lord's hand. _____

A sweet scent filled the air as the garlands of the Spring Offering continued to burn as a thanks-offering to their god.

Set within the new leaves of the orchard's tree's night blossoms caught the glow from the full moon and reflected the gentle light onto the lovers below.

_____We've been rambling all the night_____

_____And some time of this day. _____

_____Now returning back again_____

_____We bring a garland gay... _____



The people of Falcon's Nest by the Sea continued with the celebration well into the night as their Lord and Lady celebrated in their own way.

As his Lady slipped his grasp yet again, Talon reached upward to give the boughs a gentle Force-shake. A cascade of white blossoms showered Flora as their delicate fragrance filled the air betwixt them.

Within their private shelter of the orchard, the Lord and Lady of Falcon's Nest by the Sea celebrated life in their own manner.

Flora saw the starlight reflecting brightly in Talon's eyes. The bronze highlights glowed faintly as the moon cast its pale golden light upon his dark hair. She slipped her fingers through his hair. Already, it was noticeably longer. She rubbed his nape as he bent his head to meet her lips.

As he broke the kiss, he felt a burning sensation on his chest. He looked down to realize she had eased a hand beneath his shirt. He growled lightly as she locked her gaze with his. In answer to her silent request, he allowed her to pull his shirt and tunic over his head.

Talon stood perfectly still as Flora's fingertips traced over his chest. In the night, she committed to memory what every light and shadow of his body looked like in the glow of the moonlight.

The night air became chilled as they moved farther away from the bonfire, but the heat in their eyes only made their blood hotter.

In the background the fiddler still played, but together, they made their own music.

@}--- @}--- @}---

As days became weeks, and weeks became months, Talon found himself more and more a part of these people's lives. He accepted the strange fact that he could sense some people, but not others through the Force. More and more, he found his life woven into the tapestry of this ordinary world.

Talon discovered the land was very fertile and with proper care and understanding would continue to be coveted by their neighbors and seen as a sparkling example of land in its prime. Falcon's Nest by the Sea had ever been highly regarded for its rich lands and abundant crops, and with his experience would continue to be so.

Sir Talon proved himself to be a wise judge and negotiator in the monthly court he presided over to handle any disputes betwixt neighbors that could not be settled amongst themselves. The people had long ago taken Lady Flora deep into their hearts. The same now could be said for their new Lord. In each small settlement they visited, he knew every person by name. At each birth or wedding, the Lord and his Lady would share in the joy and celebration.

The people of Falcon's Nest by the Sea were pleased to have this new Lord prove to be much like their previous one, and his father before him. Sir Talon was proving himself to be a man of his word, and a Lord who was not above getting his hands dirty with common work. He asked nothing of his people and his knights that he was not the first to do himself.

Joining his knights everyday for practice, he also watched them with a critical eye, making a few friendly suggestions and even taking on several at a time in mock battle. Flora's heart swelled with more than pride as she watched her husband take on his challengers and each time emerge the victor.

After speaking at length with Sir Gates, a few changes were made in the training of the initiates and padawans, or as they were called here, pages and squires. They, too, came to see a benefit in their physical training in preparation for the day they would set foot upon the field of battle.

The day of his thirteenth birthday, Garret found himself being summoned to stand before his new lord at supper. Then according to local custom, Talon took the lad under his wing as his personal squire. At last, Jedi Knight Talon Savon had taken on a Padawan. He chuckled to himself, I wonder what my Master would think. I hope he would be pleased... I hope I can do a good job of this.

Every morning before even the kitchen workers arrived to begin their duties, and every evening before supper, Talon would work with his young padawan/squire. Time was spent teaching the lad to meditate; as always, that proved to be the most difficult task of all for a boy on the verge of manhood. During the day, Talon also helped Sir Gates revamp his training routine. Under Talon's guidance, lessons in balance and tumbling were incorporated. The younger students took an almost immediate liking to this part of the new training.

Many of the knights stood on the sidelines and laughed and made fun of the new training. Sir Paul and his cronies were the most vocal in issuing catcalls, and generally heckling the lads until one would lose his concentration and fall.

A quick lesson with the whole of the garrison and most of the village watching settled things once and for all. Throwing down a gauntlet before Paul, Talon told him to meet him at the quarry from whence the Nest got its building material. The uneven surfaces and many levels were reminiscent of the many training rooms in the Jedi Temple.

Sir Paul clambered down into one of the lowest levels of the quarry. Waiting for him was his Liege Lord, wearing his customary tan tunic and brown chausses. Over this was the light metal armor one would normally wear in battle.

Holding out a strip of cloth, and instructing Paul to blindfold him well, Talon told him the reason for this demonstration. "I have called ye here to this friendly challenge, to demonstrate how useful the changes in training could be to ye one day. 'Tis not enough to merely be able to swing a sword at thine opponent, 'tis as useful to be able to get out of the way in time should the need ever arise. 'Tis not enough to know thine opponent, but as well, ye should be aware of thy surroundings and learn to take full advantage of it should there be the need. Thou may commence when ready, S--."

Before Talon finished his last sentence, Paul took his cue and began to press his liege. Each blow echoed through the quarry as their blades met. More often than not, Paul's sword would bounce off the stone, its echo became a bitter reminder that this stranger arrived and was bestowed with a noble rank higher than his own. Each time he swung, Talon would fly over his head in a leap the pages and young squires were beginning to learn.

The crowd gathered cheered as they came to realize the benefits of the new training. With each cheer, Paul's hatred grew.

The match ended when Sir Paul lost his balance. As he flapped his arms in a vain effort to stay on his feet, his sword flew from his grasp. A steely clatter echoed off the stone walls as he fell headfirst into a deep pool of water gathered at the lowest level of the quarry. Sputtering, he forced himself out of the water on his own. Picking up his sword he did the last thing he could do to save face after being so soundly defeated by a blind man -- he stiffly bowed to his Liege.

As Paul scrambled up past him, Talon could feel the waves of black fury roiling beneath the surface. He knew, without a doubt, he had made an enemy within his own camp.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Two days later, the Ghost Knight struck, yet again, close to home. The attack came in the dark of night. 'Twas well after midnight when the rider came to the gate. A young man, barely more than a boy, slumped over his mount's back. Covered with soot and mud, and caked with his own blood, he all but fell off as soon as he passed through.

The lad spoke clearly, but with a visible effort to stay awake long enough to deliver his plea. His small settlement at the far end of the demesne had been attacked. Rustlers were driving off their livestock as their accomplices set fire to the fields. As the villagers battled the flames to save their livelihood, they found their homes, and those they left behind under attack. Several homes were burned to the ground and many lives were lost. The lad, Josh by name, had left as soon as he saw what was happening. His sturdy plow horse made a fast gallop at the lad's capable hands.

Under the Sir Branyon's orders, the knights of Falcon's Nest quickly donned their light armor and strapped on their weapons. Meanwhile, Garret rushed to help his Lord likewise prepare.

Sensing a disturbance through the Force, Talon was in the yard before Garret could turn around. Confident in his abilities, he decided to forsake his own armor and leapt onto the bare back of his destrier. Grabbing the reins, he circled his mount around and shouted over his shoulder for his men to meet him there.

When Talon finally had the settlement in sight, he reached out into the Force to learn what he could of the situation. What he found was disconcerting. The hay fields grown in this part of the demesne were still burning.

Turning his focus toward the village, he sensed masked riders atop ash-grey horses harassing a small collection of stone cottages. Their clothing had also been covered by ash to give the illusion of a ghost. The youngest children were huddled together, crying and screaming as they witnessed the rape of their mothers and older sisters.

A crash of thunder and a flash of lightening over the sea heralded the on- set of a seastorm.

An unfamiliar rage built up swiftly within Talon's chest. It threatened to overwhelm him as he kicked his horse into a run. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Talon could hear Master Yoda's voice, "To the Darkside, Anger is a path." For the first time in his life, Jedi Knight Talon Savon let go of his many years of training and gave into the rage. His only clear thought was to protect *his* people from these animals in human guise.

Later, word would spread of this night -- of how Sir Talon swooped down upon the reivers like the bird of prey that was the Falcon. Of how he brought with him the rage and fury of a seastorm that aided in putting out the fires and washing away the soot and blood.

After his men rejoined him, he learned that he had single-handedly killed seven of the attackers in the village. Some of his men were able to capture a couple of reivers, but could learn nothing from them; their tongues had been cut out -- the punishment for the most serious crimes. These men were escaped felons who would be returned to the King's prisons for further punishment. Talon knew he was sending them to their death, but felt nothing for them -- not the least bit of pity nor mercy for them.

At midday, as the storm ended, the Lord of the Falcon's Nest, his knights and local hunters had to finally give up hope of tracking the outlaws. The fury of the storm had worked both for and against them. It helped put out the fires, but also washed away any trail they could have followed. They lost any markings the reivers left behind at the entrance to the forest. None of the livestock had been retrieved, and all the milk cows had been slaughtered.

As the men returned to the settlement a welcome site greeted them. Flora, as Mistress of the Nest, had organized a caravan of wagons to help the survivors. Nestled within mounds of hay were steaming cauldrons of hearty stew and fresh bread to be handed out. From another wagon, warm blankets and dry clothing were passed out as needed. Several larger wagons were being relieved of building supplies as they passed by dwellings that had been destroyed. Already several men and boys were working together to help rebuild. The local healer was busy doing what she could to help the victims of the night's violence. Indeed, within some of the victims, Talon could already sense a new life.

Looking at the damage inflicted upon his people, Talon felt the dark rage again creep up to feed upon his guilt. He felt guilty that he had not done enough to protect what and who he was responsible for. He felt guilty that he had given in to the Darkside as he felt his sword cut down those who had inflicted such pain on innocents.

To protect those who could not protect themselves, he had given in to the Darkside. To take the life of anyone, or anything in a fit of rage went against the Jedi Code he had grown up believing in. Hiding behind a small cottage, he hung his head in guilt and shame. Am I no longer worthy of being a Jedi? he asked himself. Jedi are the Guardians of Peace and Justice. We protect those who can not protect themselves. We revere life in all its forms. And what have I done?... I killed in cold blood. As a Jedi, those men never had a chance to stand against me... Am I no longer worthy of being a Jedi?... Am I?

A warm, dry blanket settled about his shoulders. Flora knelt in the mud beside her husband and gently wiped a lock of hair away from his forehead. Sitting there in the mud with shoulders slumped, he looked like a lost little boy who knew not what to do. She could almost feel the confusion warring inside his soul. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she drew him nearer to her heart. "Ease your heart, beloved. Sometimes 'tis necessary to kill so that others may live. 'Tis sad truth, but a truth just the same in this world... Is it not so where you come from, Talon?"

"Nay," he replied in a small voice. "The Jedi, my people, work to avoid bloodshed, even as we train to win if we must fight for the good of others."

"Ease thy mind. That is what you have done this day. You had no choice but to fight in defense of others who could not fight for themselves. Sometimes the enemy will give no quarter and so you must fight...and kill. For that is the way of this world -- those who can not fight for themselves must find someone who can do it for them or they will surely die. Surely thy people would understand that you yet stand with them, not against."

Turning his senses inward, Talon felt she had the right of it. The Force of Light was still strong within him. "You are right, my rose." He put an arm around her neck and leaned in to capture a long, lazy kiss. A smile spread across his face as her blush grew.

"Now come, my Lord, enough of that." She stood, tugging on his arms to get him to his feet. "There is hot stew and fresh bread awaiting you. We must hurry if we are to put some in you before 'tis all gone."

A large bowl had been set aside for the Falcon. He picked it up as Flora went to finish her inventory of supplies that would be needed to make the villagers comfortable until their homes were rebuilt. A small, dirty face peered at him from beneath the wagon. Dressed in what were now rags and sporting short hair, Talon could not decide if this was a boy or a girl; he could only sense the child's fear and hunger. Hearing someone yell there was no more stew, Talon sat down next to the wagon and used the Force to ease the child's fear. Soon, 'she' was settled in his lap wolfing down the hot stew and drinking water from a chipped, clay mug.

Sir Paul happened by and glared at the sight. "You! What do you think you are doing? You get your dirt and filth all over your liege and then to take the food from his bowl? Away with you, you little dirt-rat! Learn to respect your betters!" He tried to shoo the frightened girl away, instead she turned to burrow into the Falcon Lord's chest. Her silent sobs racked her small frame.

In a soft voice, the Falcon Lord comforted the child and gently rocked her back and forth. In the same soft voice he publicly rebuked his knight, "There is no need to raise your voice Sir Paul. This child has my permission to share what is mine."

Paul narrowed his eyes to glare at the child thus making him look even more like a greasy weasel. He turned on his heel and disappeared.

One of the women from the village came up to her Lord and bowed her head to him. Keeping her eyes on the ground she apologized, "I am sorry, my Lord, there is no food left to offer thee."

Smiling and with a gentle Force-wave of gratitude, he put her at ease. "Your name is Mildred, is it not?"

"Aye, my Lord. I am aunt to wee Sally here," she answered gesturing to the girl still in his arms.

"Mildred, 'tis quite all right. I have been trained to go without food or water for an extended time. Be assured I will not suffer for it. Besides, how could I, in good conscience, take food from those who need it more than I." Looking down at a weary Sally, he smiled. "Looks like she will need a warm place to sleep now that her stomach is full. Where are her parents?"

"She has none, my Lord. Both were taken by illness last year. Now she lives with me and my husband and children. She is the daughter I do not have. I have all boys, but never had a wee lass of my own." Mildred smiled at the bundle in his arms and shook her head, "Try as I might, I just can not seem to keep her clean. She loves playing with my boys."

Standing up and looking at the cottages Talon asked, "Which one is yours?"

"That one on the far side, my Lord," she pointed to a scorched dwelling now in need of repair.

Following Mildred, Talon laid the small child onto a straw mattress and covered her with a new blanket brought from the Keep. Smoothing the stray locks away, he said a quick prayer and placed a small kiss on a grimy little cheek.

Returning outside, the Falcon Lord picked up a piece of timber and worked with the rest of the men to rebuild and repair the destruction caused by the Ghost Knight and his reivers.

@}--- @}--- @}---

TBC...