Meet the Robynsons

As the farmer stood up from his work repairing the dry stone wall that bordered the road, he noticed the lone individual striding purposely down the track towards him. As the figure got closer, the farmer was stunned to realise that the man wore a heavy fabric binding over his eyes, and appeared to be completely blind.

The farmer wiped the sweat from his brow and stared intently at the blind man, considering the unerring walk and apparent purpose of the man, despite his apparent lack of sight. The man was dressed in the garb of a nobleman, but his outfit was dirty and heavily worn. The grizzled old labourer was even more stunned when he noticed a small hummingbird atop the strangers shoulder, the tiny bird hopping and flinching at an incredible speed before giving out a sharp peep into the nobleman's ear.

"Greetings!" the stranger waved, his head turning towards the farmer as he spoke, a well-meaning smile playing across his lips. The farmer was taken aback, but managed a wave and a "G'day m'lud" in response, not sure what to make of the whole scene.

The farmer stared up accusingly at the midday sun, and decided he should go and rest in the shade for a while as he watched the stranger head past him on the road toward Castle Robynson.

* * *

Echo paused when Nadir began to chatter excitedly into his ear. The exuberant hummingbird hopped up and down, and Echo turned his head as if regarding the high castle above, and the bridge that intersected the road that lead to it. The green jewel on the brooch he wore above his heart glowed brightly for a moment, before Echo turned his head again to regard Nadir.

"Help Wanted? Well, we're in the need of supplies, and even more in need of the money to buy them, so how about it?"

Nadir hopped around in exuberant agreement, and Echo looked up and gave out a loud click. It was a noise that Echo made often, his tongue pushing into the roof of his mouth before releasing it with a loud 'nTock' sound. As soon as he did it, a barn owl drifted silently out of the sky, and landed atop the sign on the bridge. It regarded Echo for a moment, before setting to preening the brown and white downy feathers that covered it.

"Zenith, we're heading into this tower to try and get some supplies. Why don't you stay outside and I'll call you if needed."

Zenith the barn owl seemed nonplussed, and continued arranging its feathers with its beak, but did find itself spinning it's head around as it watched Echo step towards the castle gates and rap loudly upon the heavy wood.

Echo smiled widely, and dipped into a courteous bow towards Lars and Lucette. As he did so, Nadir flinched into flight, buzzing quickly around his head before returning to the shoulder of the now-straightened man.

"Greetings Lars and Lucette. I am Echo, and this little one is my good friend Nadir." As he spoke, the hummingbird took flight, buzzing in the air a respectful distance from the pair in front of him. He seemed inquisitive to see them better, and allow them to take a better look at him. Nadir was tiny indeed, covered in dark feathers infused with blues and greens, and made a high pitched buzzing sound as he flew.

"We saw your sign requesting help, and we were keen to offer our services. Our supplies and finances are low, and we hoped there may be some payment for whatever assistance you may need."

Echo turned his face to the young woman, his smile broadening further still.

With that he clicked loudly, the loud 'Tock' sound filling the room. Nadir returned to his shoulder then, his curiosity sated.

"That's a beautiful ring you are wearing my lady. Now that I have such a close-up view of it, I can admire it's beauty even more."

He laughed gently in anticipation of the young lady's reaction, but continued on with no sign of malice or impatience.

"I'm afraid I can claim neither sight nor blindness my lady. While I understand your reservations, may I assure you that I have many skills that could prove of use to you. I can assure you that you have my solemn word that I shall not divulge this news of your father to anyone."

Turning once again to regard Lars, Echo spoke out. "Did you have a plan in mind for your father?"

Echo nodded, absorbing the information. It made sense that Lars wasn't overly despairing his fathers imminent demise, as it seemed likely that he would take over the reins after he had gone.

"If you would be so kind as to advise one of your remaining staff to point me to my room, I can attempt to wash some of the road out of this outfit before meeting your mother, though if it suits better, I'll be happy to see her now."

Nadir chirped loudly into his ear then, and Echo smirked. "Either way, it's a warm day, and I was hoping I might get a drink, and my friend here a little honey, if it's not too much of an imposition."

Throughout the convoluted trip to his room, the now overly-excited Nadir had buzzed and bustled around him, seemingly aware of the impending honey. The hummingbird was overly eager to get there first as he rushed ahead of Lars, constantly taking wrong turns down corridors, before quickly dashing back to follow, and then rush ahead of, the young nobleman.

Nadir wasted no time, and as soon as the saucer of honey was set down, he hovered above it, greedily diving repeatedly in to grab a beak full at a time.

Echo turned to the young pair, and nodded his consent to dinner. "I'd be delighted to join you. Reset assured my lady, I grew up amongst the highborn, and I'd like to think my manners impeccable. Though I've had a number of years on the road, I believe I'll know which fork to use."

With that, he bowed again, and turned to the nightstand, unerringly grabbing the mug of ale before quaffing a heady draft and giving out a satisfying sigh.

As the two were leaving, Echo called out calmly after Lucette. "I fear I am no noble my lady, but it pleases me that you think it possible."

With that, he closed the door and set about making himself as presentable as possible for the coming dinner. A quick attempt to get the worst of the dust and dirt out of his clothes was followed by a thorough ablution as he scrubbed away the muck of the journey.

Twenty minutes after the young nobles had left, Echo was as ready as he would be, and headed out. Nadir chattered happily, the saucer bearing only the faintest trace of honey as he'd happily devoured as much as his beak would allow. As Echo walked, he clicked repeatedly, building up a better idea of the area around him as Nadir hopped contentedly from shoulder to head and back again.

As he reached the doors to the dining room, he opened them and stepped forth.

Echo listened intently as Lady Robynson spoke, and with a beaming smile stepped towards the table and dipped into a low bow. Once again Nadir fussed at the sudden movement, and flew off to hover over the centre of the table to scrutinise the elderly woman more closely.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Robynson. May I introduce you to my friend Nadir. I apologise for his manners, he's not used to such company."

Emitting a loud click, Echo stepped forwarded confidently to the chair next to Lars, lifted it, and moved it silently so that he could make room for himself as he took a seat.

"May we offer condolences to you on the current condition of your husband, I fear this must be a difficult time for you."

Echo considered the other place settings with some suspicion, and wondered if this house may place significance in honouring some dead relatives with places at the table. He'd seen it used when the son of a noble house had passed, and the mother wanted to ensure his memory. Echo had never seen it used to honour so many at once though.

He made sure to smile, and waited patiently for the Lady to speak.

Echo recognised the faux pas as soon as he said it, and quickly attempted to back-track. "Ah, completely my mistake Lady Robynson, it's been a long road, and the summer heat can sometimes scramble my wits. It's good to hear your husband is well, please convey my regards to him the next time you see him, and I hope to meet him soon."

He turned to Lars, and under his breath apologised quietly. "I'm sorry my Lord. I assumed your mother knew already. I'll be sure to never mention it again. As for her talking to animals, I fear you won't find me adverse to the idea." He smiled as he finished, hoping to lift the mood and move the topic away from his blunder.

Nadir returned to his shoulder then, and emitted a taunting whistle in his ear. Echo gave the bird a long, wilting look, and then turned back to regard the Lady of the Castle.

Happy that the conversation had moved beyond his inopportune comments, Echo relaxed slightly as he quietly considered the words of the matriarch. He had seen cases of enfeebled minds before, and he was relieved she appeared lucid enough for a conversation at least. He couldn't help but wonder how dark her moods might get, but he felt obliged to regale her with some answers to her questions, if for no other reason than provide her a little fresh stimulus.

"My Lady, I've become something of a wanderer this last decade or so. I was born in a distant city many moons travel south of here, the eldest son of a small noble house. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, my family name was stripped from me."

He paused before continuing. The topic wasn't one he was used to discussing, and for some reason the words stuck slightly in the back of his throat. "I suffered an injury, and after spending some time convalescing in a monastery, I decided to seek my fortune on the open road. I'm skilled both with and without a blade, though I have to confess I no longer have my own weapon." He smiled at the sentiment. His ancestral blade had been taken from him along with his name, and while he'd managed to get hold of a number of would-be replacements in the intervening years, none had sat comfortably in his hand.

"I'm intrigued as to why you feel the need for extra security, do you fear some outside threat?" He looked from Lady Robynson to Lars, wondering what solid threat the apparent illness of the family patriarch might hold.