Alduin had gotten in the habit of taking his Lady for a walk each morning to get her out and keep her from sitting around brooding on her latest loss and all the others - Lord Colin, her fourth husband. She was convinced that someone had cursed her to lose everyone she loved. Alduin was beginning to wonder if she wasn't right...as much as he didn't want to think that way. It was why he never told her how he felt about her. He knew she'd push him away, because she needed him too much. He'd been the most solid and steady thing in her life and she more than valued his friendship and advice. He couldnt' bear the thought of her pushing him away, so he just bit his tongue and bore it. They'd had reports from down lower in the hills that Mog's Dark Army were stealing children and killing animals, so Colin took his personal guard and went to investigate. They were ambushed as they rode down into Glyn-Dee. Two of Colin's guard managed to escape, and made it home half-dead. One did die of his wounds. The other was still healing and delirious from the shock of what he'd seen. Alduin had had to keep him sedated. That was the day after Magnus had left there on his way home. Brianna, more or less took it in stride. She and Colin had only been together a few months. Alduin had noticed with some dismay that the amount of time she had a husband was growing shorter and shorter in duration. She hadn't been that close to Colin. It was a marriage of convenience more than anything. Still, she mourned and fretted over whether or not she *was* cursed. She would become extremely depressed if he didn't entertain her and keep her occupied. Not that he minded. She laughed as he finished telling her a story. The wolves were pretending to fight with each up ahead as they walked back toward the hold. "Tis nice ta see ya laughin', Bri," Alduin smiled. A sudden movement caught from the corner of his eye made him look up. A little yellow bird was flying toward him. Recognizing it he held out his arm and hand. The bird landed on his finger and began to chatter excitedly. Brianna gasped. "Someone's comin'?! The man 'oo was here a'fore an' others!" Her hand tightened around Alduin's arm. "D'ya think she means yer brother? How many come?" Brianna inquired in the tongue of birds. Six was the answer. "Six?" Brianna looked at Alduin askew. "There be only five of 'em, if they're all comin'. "Have ya e'er seen one o' them before?" Alduin inquired of the bird. Peep! That was a no. Aldiun lifted his hand and the bird flew off. "If tis me brother, then he brings someone new." "Oooooh, Alduin...! D'ya think? Remember ma feelin's?" "Aye. I guess we'll soon know. We'd best get back if we're ta have company,luv." ***** Hope everyone survived Black Friday and Thanksgiving :) Thanks for coming by and your comments, dear friends! And woo-hoo I managed to fit it all in the box this time!! Cheers! Rayvn