A new start © Barbara Boot 2020. Published by DR21 Publishing. All rights reserved.
The year is sixteen forty one and a ship carrying slaves has arrived at Whitby Bay. The poor slaves huddle together to keep warm. They can clearly see the local people are angry that this awful trade had finally reached their shores. A carriage being pulled by black two horses comes to a stop, the door flings open and a stunning handsome young man with long black wavy hair climbs out.
He points his right slender hand at them and the next thing they hear is a deep voice demand, “You are to release those men immediately.”
“I WILL DO NO SUCH THING!” shouts the trader. “And besides Mr you have no right to give me that order.”
“I have every right,” comes the same deep voice.
The crowd begin to mutter, “It’s Darkness, Master Shin and Celest.”
When the trader hears the surname his face fills with fear and he finds himself performing a deep bow.
“We do not care to repeat ourselves. Release them at once or face prison.”
The trader nods, he gets his men to unlock the chains, then they all return to the ship leaving the slaves wondering what is going on?
One man begins to collapse and is caught by the handsome man who gives him a partial smile and says in a soft voice, “I’m going to take you all to the infirmary.”
The people watch the rest of the Shin family arrive with carriages and they help the slaves into them. The moment Shǒuwèi and Celest have got the week man in to theirs, the line of carriages makes it way at some speed up the hill to a large building.
The slaves are given clean clothes, a good hearty meal, where the weaker ones are helped to eat a nice a hot soup.
Darkness notices the man they helped is still shaking and calls for Dong, who comes trotting over to informs them he is suffering with a fever and he quickly takes him to another building.
It takes the man nearly a week to recover and in that time he has found out who the gods are and he cannot thank them enough for helping him. In that time Darkness, Shǒuwèi and Celestial have found out through the other slaves the ill man’s name is Isoba and he has a wife and a young child. They are all worried about their fate and Shǒuwèi tells him not to worry, as they will do their best to reunite them.
Because Isoba is in such a poor state the gods take him to Raven Manor which lies in Yorkshire to continue his treatment. Isoba is shocked because he is treated like a member of the family, he is given his own room and food is brought to him on a tray.
One morning Shǒuwèi and Darkness help Isoba downstairs and out in to the back garden where he is seated in a chair in the sun.
“There the sun will do you the world of good,” says Darkness, patting him on the shoulder.
“Thank you both of you. This is nice.”
Shǒuwèi gives him a smile and says, “Ah here is my brother Chris with a nice piece of duck.”
Isoba watches an attractive young lady dressed in a stunning dress comes walking over to them, he has to remind himself she is a he as the gods sets a tray down on his lap and says, “Here we are. Eat it slowly.”
“Thank you Chris.”
Josh comes out holding a cup of tea, he sets it down on the tray and says, “That is breakfast tea. It is very refreshing.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem dear boy.”
Then they all begin to hear a horse is galloping up the driveway, it slides to a holt scattering gravel and the next thing they hear is a man shouting, “MASTER SHIN!”
In a blink Shǒuwèi is gone to reaper in the front garden near the man who flinches and quickly says, “Please you must help him,” pointing his hand to another man who is holding a black young man in his arms.
“Bring him inside.”
The men nod, they both get down from their horses and carry the sick man between them into the Manor. Where Dong goes on to show them through to a large room.
“Well done boys. Place him on the bed.”
They do as he asks and Paul says, “He just doesn’t seem to be able to keep anything down.”
Dong starts to hover his hands over the young man, they come to a stop over his left arm and he says, “Ah he has an infected cut. I need to get him warm, please could one of you build a fire?”
Paul’s friend gives the god a sharp nod and heads over to the large fireplace.
Dong takes a deep breath, closes his eyes and a few minutes later he says, “That has sopped the infection and healed the wound.”
Shǒuwèi enters carrying a bowl of water and asks, “How is he uncle?”
“Weak, very weak. Why was he not brought sooner?”
Paul bows his head and replies, “That’s the thing Dong, he hid it from us until he collapsed and when we touched him his clothes were drenched with sweat.”
The Healer shakes his head as he goes on to take the cloth from the cold water, wrings it out a little and places it over the sick man’s forehead.
“Well there is nothing more I can do,” he says, patting the man’s hand. “It is up to you my dear boy. I’m just going to check on Isoba, call me if there is any change.”
Paul performs a slight bow and asks, “May I join you?”
“Of course dear boy.”
Together they walk out of the room through the house to the back garden to find Isoba is getting to know one of the Ravens who has landed on his knee and Josh is by his side encouraging him to stroke the magnificent bird.
“It is good to see you looking so well,” comes a slightly feminine voice.
“Morning Dong. Yes, I am feeling much better thanks to you,” replies Isoba, looking up at the handsome gad.
The Healer gives him a pat on the shoulder as his other hand gives the Raven a good stroke and he says in a sloppy voice, “Who’s a good boy coming to check on our guest. All the Ravens here are quite friendly.”
“They certainly are,” comes another man’s voice.
“Where are my manners, this is Paul Blackwood. He is our local beekeeper who has been helping us gods take of your people. The young man who he has brought here is doing fine, it was just a small infection. He will soon be better.”
Isoba sees the man has a thick bushy black beard, his long hair that has been lightened by the sun to a lovely chestnut brown is loosely tied back and he dressed in a black shirt and trousers.
“I have also been helping the family find yours and I’m afraid there has been no news. However, knowing their names will help.”
“Yes, yes of course, my wife is called Kunto and my son is Kanye.”
Paul smiles and says, “Thank you. We will keep searching for them.”
Tears begins to form in Isoba’s eyes, Dong gives him a hug and says in a soft voice, “Do not lose hope son, they will be found.”
Josh gives him a cloth to dry his eyes and says, “There is nothing wrong with shedding tears son. It shows us you are getting stronger.”
Isoba takes a deep breath and replies, “I know in my heart they are all right and we will be reunited soon.”
Paul gives him a pat on the shoulder and says, “That’s love for you son. I will tell everyone their names. See you again soon.”
Josh walks with him through the archway to see Chris and Yiska have been taking care of the horses, giving them a bucket of water and some nice fresh apples.
The black horse starts to walk away and they hear Paul say in a sloppy voice, “Missed me? You daft lad, I have not been gone long. You’ve had some nice apples? Yes? Good boy.”
He does not even have to take hold of the reins the horse just follows him like a dog over to the other gods so he can thank them.
“Oh it is no trouble,” replies Yiska, giving the black horse another apple. “There’s a good boy.”
“The moment I have any news, I will return,” says Paul as he mounts his steed and rides off down the drive.
Chris decides to take the other horse to the stables. They all return to Isoba to see he is no longer seated in the garden where Josh goes on to inform them Dong has taken him to the bathroom and Límíng is making sure Eric is all right looking after their new guest.
Darkness looks in to the kitchen and says, “Here they come.”
The Healer is carrying Isoba in his arms, he gently sits him back down in the chair and asks, “Would you care for something to read?”
The man shakes his head and replies, “I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Then you take a rest my son and I will come an check on again in a bit,” says Dong, patting him on the shoulder.
Isoba nods and closes his eyes.
The gods leave him to sleep in the sun, Josh remains in the kitchen so he can keep an eye on the young man. Dong heads down to his brother whilst the young gods head upstairs to play a game.
It is nearly lunch time when Isoba awakens to see a Raven has settled down upon his knee, he gives it a stroke and says, “I have been asleep a long time.”
“You certainly have my boy,” replies Josh as he comes outside and crouches beside him. “Huī seems to have taken a liking to you.”
“It is very sweet,” says the young man as he goes on to have a stretch and asks, “How long have I been asleep.”
“A few hours, then again your body is still healing. Tea?”
Isoba nods and replies, “Please.”
Josh gives him a nod, then he rises and heads back inside to return a moment later holding a tray.
“Here you go Huī some nice worms,” he says, showing the Raven a small dish.
The young man is shocked by the size of them and says, “I must say they are big for worms.”
Josh sets the dish on the ground and pours him a cup of tea. “They certainly are. Then again it is not surprising when they were bread by my uncle Límíng.”
They both laugh and Isoba says, “Dragons are amazing people.”
“I agree with you lad, in all my time they have never ceases to amaze me.”
Isoba has a sip of the tea, to discover it is also different from the morning one, he looks at the light brown slightly yellow liquid and mutters, “What a sweet flavour.”
“That is afternoon tea, it is a blend of apple and green tea with a dish of honey.”
“It’s nice.”
Josh smiles and says, “I am pleased to hear that son. How are you feeling?”
Isoba has another sip of the tea and replies, “I would like something to eat.”
The god pats him gently on the arm and says, “Wonderful. What do you fancy?”
“I’m sure... Whatever you are making will be fine.”
“All right dear boy. Would you like to come inside?”
Isoba nods and the well-built god picks him up as though he weighed nothing, and takes him inside the kitchen where he sees Límíng wù appears to be chopping vegetables.
The kitchen is soon filled the wonderful armours which brings the rest of the family in to the room and Josh takes Eric a bowl of food along with a pot of tea.
In the afternoon it begins to rain the gods keep their guests entreated with stories to card games which Isoba finds at first a little tricky to master, but once he does he finds them to be very enjoyable.
With each passing day both men begin to get stronger and in the early hours Eric sees the man he has been helping to take care of is beginning to awaken.
“Dong,” he whispers, giving him a soft shake.
The Healer rubs his eyes and replies, “At last he is awaking.”
They both sit by the man’s side and Dong says when he sees his eyes open, “Easy my son, you are in safe hands.”
The man looks at him all confused and asks, “Who are you?”
“I am Shin Dong, Ancient Healer. You are at my dear nephew’s Manor. My family along with Eric have been taking care of you.”
“It is good to see you finally awake,” says Eric, smiling with joy.
The Healer goes on to pour him a drink and says, “Take it slowly my son, you are very weak.”
“What happen to me?”
“You suffered an infection which gave you a fever. I was able to cure the infection and left it to your own body to fight the fever, with a little help from me.”
The man begins to chock on the tea making both of them say, “Steady on lad,” patting him on the back.
“I don’t know I did not realise I had put a bone in it?”
Elric laughs and replies, “I cannot recall.”
Dong smiles he pats the top of the man’s chest and says, “You need to take things easy son. In a bit we will try you with some soup.”
The man nods and he goes on to take some more tea.
When he has around half a cup, the Healer lies him back down and whispers, “Try to get some rest son. Eric and I will be right here.”
The man emits a sleepy sigh, he rolls over on to his left side and soon falls off to sleep.
Now the man’s fever has broken Isoba is allow to see him, he immediately recognises the man says close to tears, “Imamu, he is my cousin.”
“Isoba is so good to see you,” weeps the man.
Then they hear a knock at the front door, Guardian goes to answer it.
“Good morning Paul.”
The man performs a shallow bow and replies with a voice full of joy, “Good morning Darkness, Shǒuwèi and Celest. I bring you all wonderful news we have found them.”
The gods watch him turn to point his hand down to the driveway just as small carriage comes through the gates.
“They were being looked after by your very own family Shǒuwèi.”
Guardian places a hand to his chest and asks, “Zhēn?”
Paul nods and replies, “Really, really. They could not bring them sooner as the little boy was not well enough to travel, but he is now.”
The carriage comes to a stop near the four steps and the driver jumps down to open the door.
“Here we are my dear,” he says, helping the young lady out along with a little boy.
The lady is wearing a lovely salmon pink dress and a lovely flower pin has been placed in her hair. The child is dressed in a blue long sleeve shirt and black trousers and is holding a tory bear.
“Good morning bàba, uncle Darkness and uncle Celest, allow me to introduce you all to Isoba’s wife.”
“It is good to see you Quentin,” replies Darkness. “And good morning my dear.”
They all bows to each other and Guardian says, “My dear allow me to escort you and your son.”
“I cannot begin to thank you all for taking care of my husband. I’m just sorry it has taken us so long to come.”
The Soul Drinker turns to face her, he places his warm hand to he side of her beautiful troubled face and replies in a soft voice, “Daughter, you must not feel the need to apologise when your son has been ill. Plus we could not allow you both here until your cousin Imamu was also out of danger.”
Kunto begins to weep, Darkness hands her cloth and says, “It’s all right my dear, you take a moment.”
After a few minutes the lady is calmed enough to continues and they all enter the quiet room where she is greet by her husband giving a hug.
“My love,” he says, trying to hold back the tears.
“Daddy,” says the little boy, looking up at him.
Dong helps Isoba to pick the little boy up and he goes on to give them in turn a kiss.
Imamu is so pleased to see his dear cousin reunited with his family he begins to weep. This makes them go to him and they all give each other a hug. They were finally safe and free.
It takes both men another week to fully recover by then Darkness, Shǒuwèi and Celest along with Chris and Yiska have got them a surprise.
The gods even make them put on blindfolds as the carriage rocks down the country lane and only allowed to remove them when it comes to a stop. The family peer through the window to see they are now outside a three story house, that has a lovely flowing vine going around the front door.
The carriage door is opened and Chris says, “Welcome to your home.”
Isoba climbs out and asks, “Really?”
The gods all nod and Darkness replies, “Go ahead take a look inside. It even has a nice playroom for you Kanye.”
The little boys face lights up, he begins to pull his mother’s sleeve, saying in an excited voice, “Mother, let’s go and see.”
“All right my son, let’s go.”
Chris opens the front door and allows the family to enter first, they each take a moment to remove their shoes before they continue to look around. The whole house has been fitted with the finest furniture and playroom is full of toys some for now and some for when the child gets older.
Imamu meets Isoba on the landing, he quickly takes him in to a room and whispers, “We cannot accept this without giving them something in return.”
“I hear you cousin. The only problem is what to give a god?”
They both take a moment to think and they both come to the same concussion when they recalled how untidy the gardens were at the Manor. Only the herb garden was beautifully kept. Inside some rooms were covered in dust, cobwebs in the corners or hanging down from the ceiling and none of the windows looked like they had been cleaned in a very long time.
They both clamp their hands and say, “Let’s help them take care of the Manor.”
They both laugh then carry on looking around the house. When the gods leave them to get settled in they go on to tell Kunto who also agrees it is the best thing they can do.
The following morning they all head back up to the Manor to start work. Josh is a little puzzled to see them in the driveway pulling up weeds and sorting the two small gardens on either sides of the steps.
He opens the front door and asks, “My dear children what are you all doing? There is no need for you all to be doing this.”
“Oh but there is,” replies Isoba. “You all saved our lives, gave us a lovely home. In return we would like to help you make this place look... I’m sorry to say, better.”
The Annihilation Deity starts to laugh, he shakes his head and says, “My dear sons, daughter none of you should feel the need to repay us, for we were only doing what we do best.”
“We know that Josh,” replies Imamu, performing a slight bow. “We just feel we must return the favour.”
“I do understand son. However, it is not me who will be allowing you to do this. That will be my uncle Fedor, great grandfather Hisashi and Shǒuwèi. You all will have to listen to them and obey the rules of this Manor. There are just some places you are not allowed to entire understand?”
They all nod and the little boy asks, “Why?”
“Because they are not safe,” replies Josh, gently stroking the top of the child’s head. “Understand this place is very old, it has stood here proudly for four centuries. Or I should say it another way four hundred years.”
Kanye frowns an asks, “Mummy is that a long time?”
Kunto nods and replies, “Yes, it is my son. A very, very long time.”
“Oh,” says the little boy, looking back to the god who gives him a smile.
Then they all hear a voice stripped of emotions, “What’s all this?”
Josh turns around and replies, “Good morning uncle.”
Guardian makes his way down the steps and Darkness replies, “Morning dear boy. And tell me why are you all back?”
Isoba goes on to explain and watches Shǒuwèi’s eyes grow wide.
“My dear sons, daughter you should not feel obligated to pay us back, we were only doing what us gods do best and that is help innocent mortals like yourselves. Caught up in something which can only be described as awful.”
“We know that Darkness,” replies Kunto, “We just want to thank you all for looking after us.”
“Now my dear I can think of other ways you can repay me, if you were not already taken,” he says and begins to purr like a cat.
Then they all hear Shǒuwèi make a whipping sound and moves his left hand as though he holding a riding crop.
Darkness even pretends to be in pain and says, “I’m sorry my host. I’ll behave.”
Josh notices the mortals are shocked but he can also sense concern, he shakes his head and says, “They are only playing around.”
This makes them all relax and Guardian says, “I know there is nothing we can do to change your minds so you might as well carry on. However, Isoba come with us.”
The man nods he wipes his soil hands on a piece of cloth tucked in to this belt and follows them in the herb garden where the gate is closed behind him.
“Oops I did not mean to put you on edge son, I was just doing it to demonstrate something.”
“I understand Darkness. Please continue.”
“Raven Manor is not a quiet place, you must have heard whilst you were staying here, unexplained footsteps to door closing?”
Isoba has a think and replies, “Now you mention it, yes I did hear odd noises. I just put it down to it being an old house.”
The man can feel the warm presence walk around him and seems to emit a somewhat of a soft groan as he says, “Yes, you are partly right it is indeed just the house settling. Now I do not wish to frighten you, dear boy. There are other things at work in this house. We have to go back to when a castle once stood on these very grounds. For years it stood here until one night when half of it was destroyed and the other half was set on fire. Everyone who were living here at the time perished as their souls were left to wonder this place forever as strange shadows. Then we fast forward to the twelve hundreds when Sir Guardian bought the remains of the castle to build Raven Manor. Why am I pointing at the building when you cannot see me.”
The others laugh and Isoba replies, “It’s all right I can use my imagination.”
“Bless you. Whatever happen here after Sir Guardian moved in along with his second wife, caused him to board up all the entrances in to the east wing. Locked all the doors in to the north wing and hid all the keys to both of them. Some time later the manor was left to Soul who allowed the building to fall in to ruin and in fifteen hundreds we got it restored to its former glory. We have found since living here you can walk in to the room leaving the door open and when you turn around you find it just like that closed without making a sound. Others get slammed and you will hear a lot of footers coming from the sealed east wing. The sound of a woman weeping coming from the second floor. Now I say this as a warning if you happen to see the unvarnished door next to the bathroom open do not enter, just walk away and inform one of us. The second floor belongs to Soul and I cannot stress this enough he will do everything he can to intimidate you... or should be frighten you. My dear boy you must not give into fear, because if you do it only makes him worse.”
Isoba face has turned pale, his Adam's apple bobbles as though he is trying to swallow a lump within his throat and he starts to look really uncomfortable.
“Oops sorry, I have said too much.”
“No not at all Darkness. It is me, I am over thinking it, how can half a castle just disappear?”
Guardian shakes his head and says, “The best thing to do is not to think about it, for it is mystery we may never solve.”
“Too right my host. One last thing Soul may trap you in the library, if it ever happens just tell him to leave you alone and us gods will come to assist you.”
“I’ll bare that in mind,” replies Isoba, giving them a bit of a worried smile. “Is that everything?”
Guardian nods and Darkness replies, “Yes, that’s everything.”
The gate opens and they all return to the front of the Manor where the gods go on to leave the mortals to it. However, Yiska and Chris take Kanye into another garden to play ball, as well as hide and seek.
By the time the sun has risen hight in the clear blue sky the two small gardens have been cleared and most of the grass has been taken out of the driveway. The things they have left alone are flowing weeds.
Kunto watches the bees come and go from them and thinks they must have a home nearby? This makes her start to look inside the other gardens until she comes to one that is filled with trees and sees there are strange bells made from weaved grass. Her eyes are drawn to the little insects flying in and out of them.
“Ah this is where your homes are. My word there are lots of you,” she says in a soft voice, crouching down to watch them.
The young lady’s eyes are soon drawn to a floating white flower near the bee’s home, it appears to be looking right at her, she puts out her hand and the tiny flower lads upon her palm.
“What are you?” she whispers, watching it move as though a wind is blowing up from underneath it.
The next thing she sees is the stunning masked Dragon coming into land and he says in a soft voice, “Good morning daughter. I hope I did not startle you?”
Kunto shakes her head and replies, “Good morning Límíng and no you did not frighten me. Do you know what this is?”
“Shì, that is a tree spirit, the orchard here is full of them. I see she is not showing you her true form. Kin’ta min la kun’na sin tan’na. I am telling her you will not harm her.”
The young lady shakes her head and replies, “No, I would never harm her.”
The masked Dragon smiles and says, “Ter’ha mun’sa.”
The flower then changes in to a tiny person with large green eyes, sun coloured hair and blueish green skin.
Kunto places a hand to her chest and says, “You are beautiful.”
Límíng wù smiles and says, “Tin’ta kin ce ce han da lin. I saying you are family.”
The young woman looks at him all shocked and gasps, “Family?!”
“Why yes. When we took your dear husband in we treated the same way we would any member of this unusual family,” replies the masked Dragon, taking hold of her hand. “We all felt the same way because you had lost everything. We wanted to give you a place you could call home and feel welcome. Question though daughter, why are you here?”
Kunto explains which makes his eyes open wide and a few minutes later he seems to almost gasp, “Repay us?”
“Yes, for all your help and for giving us a lovely home.”
Límíng wù shakes his head, he kisses the back of her hand and says, “My dear sweet daughter you are too kind. Or though you are correct we do need help in taking care of this place. Take these hives they have been looked after the same family for over a hundred years. The Blackwood family have been beekeepers for centuries and were highly recommend by the Ellwood family. They understood the serious nature of these tiny creatures here they are guarded by the tree spirits and when it comes to harvesting the honey they are not allowed to take it from the hives at the back of the garden. Come I will show you.”
The young lady nods and walks with him along the path between the tall old looking tree that are beginning to produce apples and pears.
“This is why,” he says, pointing his hand outwards.
Kunto is shocked to see all six hives are covered in a strange light purple flowering vine that has long silvery green leaves and sweet smell coming from it.
“These were the first hives to be placed in here after Fedor, my son and Hisashi spotted the nest of bees on the back wall. Within a week this is what happened to them, the purple flowers are associated with the other realm and we begin to see these little tree spirits appearing in the trees. As you can see for yourself it is clear this orchard is very old from the fact that the trees have been left to grow wild and they have been effected by what happened to the castle.”
The young lady looks at him all confused and asks, “What castle?”
Límíng wù goes on to tell her all about what happen to the building that once stood here, he points his left hand towards the Manor and explains, “All of the walls of the sealed east week, part of the south and north sides were made from the remains because you can see these very stone brinks have a strange sparkle to them. The likes of which the stonemason had never seen before. All she could do was match the colour as best she could.”
Kunto’s eyes blink in shock and she mutters, “A woman?”
The masked Dragon laughs and replies, “Shì. In this village you will discover your sex does not determine what job you do. You can do whatever job you wish. It all comes down to us, shì, I may appear to be a man, however, I am also a woman. This is why the sexes here are not divided and if someone tries to dive them, they will get a very long lecture from me that I have been doing this for centuries.”
“Amazing and I yes, I can see you doing that giving them good lecture. May I ask though what do you mean these are connected to the other realm?”
Límíng wù’s thin lips part as though he is about to answer her, but instead he places his left hand behind his back and begins to walk in a tight crucial.
The young lady shakes her head and says, “Forgive me, forget I asked.”
The masked Dragon stops and emits a soft, “Huh?” then he smiles and replies, “Bù, it is quite all right. I was just thinking of the best way to explain it without leaving you all confused... I know, see that gate?”
Kunto looks dead ahead to see there is a gate half covered by a long curtain of ivy and replies, “Yes.”
“What if you were to open it to discover there is a whole different world to the one you are in. It seems almost magical, that is what the other realm is to us. There are all kinds of strange and interesting creatures, from tiny ones like this, to huge beasts with horns, or ones draped in long black hooded robes. That is the other realm.”
“My it does sound like a fascinating place. I think I am beginning to understand if I see these flowers growing somewhere else the best thing to do is leave the area alone.”
“Correct my dear,” replies Límíng wù as he turns around and continues, “For a moment I heard your son scream, he is not in danger, he is just getting a little excited playing with Yiska and Chris.”
Kunto shakes her head and says, “Isoba and I have been trying to get him to stop that. I’d better go and make sure they are coping with him.”
The masked Dragon nods and leads her back through the gardens across the driveway to the library garden to find Kanye is being held in his father’s arms and he is telling him not to squeal.
Yiska shakes his head and says, “You forget I’m a Dreamer, I know it is only because he is getting all excited. Is that not so brother?”
Chris nods and replies, “It sure is, you are getting too excited,” going on to give the child a very gentle tickle, making him laugh.
Kunto places a hand to her chest and asks, “I hope he is not getting too much for you both?”
The gods shake their heads and Yiska replies, “No, not all. He is a very well behaved child. The screaming is just normal for someone his age. The problem is too many conflicting emotions. Yes, that is what it is.”
The parents watch them tickle their son and Chris goes on to say, “May I suggest though it would do him good to play with children his own age. The Ellwood family have five sons the youngest his around the same age as your son.”
Límíng wù gives him a pat on the shoulder and says, “My dear boy that is a very good suggestion. I should have said the Ellwood’s are family through my son’s sister. They have run the bakery in the village for centuries. They are also well renowned historians.”
Isoba smiles and asks his son, “Would you like to play with some children?”
Kanye nods and replies, “Yes please.”
Kunto picks him and says, “Then I’ll take you whilst your daddy finishes up. How does that sound?”
The little boy gives his mother a happy nod and replies with a voice full of joy, “Let’s go! Let’s go!”
Everyone laughs and Isoba goes on to give his son a kiss on the forehead.
“I’ll see you both later,” he says, going to give his wife a kiss.
“Yes see you later my love.”
Límíng wù escorts them to the home of the Ellwood which lies in the village opposite the hill to Raven Manor where he goes on to introduce the young lady to the owner Gilbert who goes on to call his eldest son Edwin. The young man escorts Kunto and her son down the steep stone steps through a dimly lit narrow corridor to a back room where his brothers are busy drawing.
The second eldest son Frederick gives Kanye a sheet of paper along with a pencil and tells him to draw whatever he likes. So he draws a creature with a long neck and long legs. His mother explain it is an animal he remembers from his home. The Ellwood children love and they cannot wait to what he draws next.
Once the masked Dragon sees they are setting in he makes his way home to carry on playing a game with Fedor, Shǒuwèi and Hisashi.
Over the years which followed Isoba and Kunto were blessed with four more sons. Every month they would arrive at the Manor to see to the grounds and clean inside from bottom to top. As their children grew they began to take on more jobs and it soon becomes clear their mother will not be able to continue being the housekeeper. So their second son decides to take her place and on a lovely summers day he begins to make his way up the hill.
To be continued...
ns 15.158.61.6da2
