Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2015 12:38:13 -0500 From: Eff Del Subject: The Oak and the Ash- Chapter 2 The Oak and the Ash-Chapter 2 By Eff Del Nolitimere156@gmail.com The concept of family is often misconstrued. A family is not about bloodlines. Members of your family are people who you have allowed into your life, your heart and your soul and they have allowed you that same privilege. Family are people that accept anything you do and would do anything for you and the quiet laid back love of family is unconditional. Many people are legally related to other people who will (sadly) never qualify as `family'. You certainly don't have to share parents to be family in fact; it often works out better if you don't. "I never thought that there was a place like this in the world. Joyous Gaurde is so beautiful but this place is almost like a dream." They'd taken the `whaler' all around the cove and (true to his nature), Sean had shown Brian how to operate the simple controls so that his new brother could drive the sturdy craft and share the pleasure as well as the responsibility. They'd spent about two hours out on the water, had apparently caught some fish, and (as they'd been taught by Doc Swaim) released them. Brian was grinning from ear to ear as he brought the boat back to the dock and he was excited right through dinner. We were now lying together in my bedroom with the almost all glass walls and the nighttime view; illuminated by the moon and the stars was just breathtaking. "How can I have been so lucky to become a part of this family?" It was Sean that answered without a pause; "I used to wonder about that a lot... but I think that there must be God...not like the one your Mom so believes in and that she used to make you go to church for an' stuff. God's more like a guy who made everything and then didn't make any rules. I think the rules are made up by people who don't enjoy their lives. I think God watches what happens down here an' then, sometimes he makes little changes `cause he knows certain things should happen. He certainly knew about Jack an' me and brought us together and then he brought us back together again with Dad an' then he brought you to us as well. Think about it...if we hadn't been on the same soccer team Spider, you wouldn't a been here with us. I don't think its luck, I think its God. Not a `go to church' god but a real God who loves us and tries to keep us on the right path even though he don't interfere more than once an' a while." I was startled. "Sean I had no idea that you held those beliefs. Do you want to start going to church?" "No Dad. The real God isn't interested in people going to church, he's interested in people being happy and doin' what they want even though sometimes I guess that some people will wind up doin' bad things. We're spossed' to live our lives an try to be happy. It's just that sometimes things need to happen to help that an that's when God comes in. He helped you find me cause I never could of found you. Then he helped you find Jack an you never knew he was my `Lead Senior' but you found him anyway. An then he led you to take Spider home cause his granma was so sick...that's when God comes in see? It's not luck it's...well, it's love...BIG love." I pulled both of them tightly to me and we lay snuggled tightly together. I thought to myself that had been a remarkable explanation of spirituality from the mind of a thirteen-year-old boy. Then again, I reminded myself that Sean was no run of the mill thirteen-year-old boy. "LOOK! A meteorite!" Brian exclaimed. The quick blazing white object seemed to streak across the dark sky. "Technically Brian that was a `meteor'. It only becomes a `meteorite' if it hits the ground and very few actually do. Although TONS of residual small powder like particles do land all over the earth every year. It's not really true of course, but I like to thinks of that stuff as `star dust'." I rubbed a hand down each of their lush young asses and whispered more than spoke; "I love you boys. Time to sleep." They snuggled closer to me and soon the three of us were snoring at different levels. ************************** I was actually startled as I awoke and realized that I was alone in my bed. I threw on shorts and a tee shirt and instinctively headed down to the kitchen. They were both there wearing large aprons and giggling as they jointly were doing something. "I assume that coffee is brewing?" I'd tried to sound formal and very nonchalant. Their heads spun around in tandem and their smiles were brighter than the morning sunshine. "Dad! We're both kitchen slaves this mornin' and we're making biscuits which are almost ready to roll an' cut. Brian, go get Dad a cuppa coffee." The taller boy smiled and returned quickly with a steaming mug. "Roll out that dough kitchen slaves and then cut out the biscuits with this glass...it's the perfect size then, when you're done, place them on these trays and you can go have coffee with your Dad. I'll pop them into the oven." Windy smiled at me and shrugged. "They were both standing here when we came in this morning. I think that this is part of Sean's pleasure here at the lake. He certainly knows his way around a kitchen and Brian is no slouch either. Congratulations on those boys but we'll cut them loose shortly." "Things smell so good that I probably shouldn't come down here so early." "I could fry you an egg or something right now." "Nope, I'll wait for breakfast and just go out on the deck and enjoy my coffee." ************************** I was giving Brian the complete tour of the lake including the `sandies' the almost unnatural little beaches on the north side of lake. He had never experienced beauty like this and he was in sensual overload. Will had been here once before but was still overwhelmed with the sheer grandeur of the place. He was teary eyed as he said softly; "I like myself a lot...don't get me wrong, but if I could have come to a place like this as a kid, I might have done more with my life. Anyway, I sure would've looked at the world and life differently. I wouldn't have been such an angry young man. That's why that Camp is so important you know? No kid should have to grow up angry and with no hope. That's what's most wrong with this world...anger and despair have trumped love and hope." We made our obligatory visit to Camp West Wind but we didn't stay long. Just long enough to invite the Commodore to our end of the lake for dinner. Before we could leave, we did have to hunt Will down and extract him from a game of football he'd gotten involved in with some of the camp kids. They'd mobbed him. It looked more like a game of Rugby was taking place out there. The only American style football that camp rules allowed was `touch' but this game had gone far beyond that. Everyone involved was giggling hysterically however, so we just moved in and broke it up. "He certainly gets along with the boys doesn't he?" The Commodore smiled. "I think it's because he had such a strained childhood himself. He's a good man. Everything he is, he's done on his own. He's made himself a good life and he isn't in the least bit bitter about the past. He's wonderfully optimistic. I like him a lot and Sean adores him." I smiled quietly as we pushed off from the camp's dock. As we were pulling alongside our own dock, I noticed a strange man was leaning against an older F-100 in my parking area. We secured the boat and I walked over to see what was going on. I sent Will and the two boys into the cabin. "You're Eric Tucker are you?" "I am, but I don't allow the casual use of my first name and you are?" "Whyles, Moses Whyles. Let's get down to the chase because I'm a very busy man. Eric I've just purchased fifty-five acres of land south of your property and I need you to sell me a right-of-way. I need to build a road that will give the people in my new housing development access to the lake and the beach and boat launch I'll develop there." I smiled at him and then my face grew grim. "First off Moses, I already told you I don't allow casual use of my first name. I'm `Mister Tucker' to you and you have no idea of the definition of being a `busy man'. Next, I could care less about your little real estate transactions as long as they don't concern me. The vast majority the shore of this lake and at least forty acres outward all around it are my private property. THAT Moses Whyles, is SERIOUS real estate not some piddling fifty some odd acres. I own basically seventy five percent of this lake and I have no intention of selling a single inch of it. The twenty five percent that I don't own is at the other end of the lake. That is Camp West Wind and if the owner of that property decided to sell, he'd give me first bid and I promise you that you wouldn't be in the ballpark if you tried to outbid me. You simply don't have the resources. So, Moses Whyles, If there's nothing else to discuss, I'd suggest you get your truck and yourself off my property. Oh, good luck with your real estate deal. Just make certain that it's known to those who purchase your plots of land that my property is off limits... even for picnics. If any of your new homeowners want to use this lake, they'd better figure out how parachute into it and then fly out because if they touch the shore, they're on my property. I'll have people patrolling the area. You've purchased some land Moses, but essentially, I own the lake and almost everything around it." "So, you won't allow access to this lake to people who live relatively nearby?" "Moses, I won't allow access to this lake to anyone who is not my guest or participating in Camp West Wind in some official way. There will certainly not be a beach and a boat launch. This lake is essentially pristine and will stay that way. It is developed only slightly at both ends; my cabin here and the boys camp at the other end." He climbed into his truck, slammed the door and drove away. I thought to myself that `good fences make good neighbors' but no neighbors are better yet. Perhaps I needed to buy up more land around the lake so as not to have more confrontations like this and keep the area natural. Dinner was LC's wonderfully glazed, grilled pork chops, and the boys were in carnivore heaven. LC and Windy were smart enough to have prepared enough because Will and I sat amazed at the amount of food they consumed. Sean hadn't brought his guitar and so, we headed to bed rather early. We were just about asleep when I realized something was going on outside the cabin. Looking outside the window, Windy and LC were struggling with a man who was thrashing on the ground. I picked up my phone and pushed the code. There were SKUGGOR always close to me these days even here. I jumped from the bed and pulled up a pair of jeans. I rushed out the door admonishing the boys to stay in bed and not try to come down. "B-but Dad! We wanna help!" "But nothing Sean! You do what I just told you it's probably all under control already." The SKUGGOR team was somehow on the parking lot sooner than I was able to leave the cabin and had arrived out onto the grounds. LC and Windy had subdued the intruder and the SKUGGOR team had him totally under restraint. As things calmed down, I realized that it was Moses Whyles. He was thrashing and sobbing. "You bastard! The major selling point for houses on those lots was access to the lake and you've destroyed that and ruined me!" "Did you come here to kill me Moses?" "Yes! Yes! I came here to kill you and your whole fucking family!" "Well then you'd have failed because I have one son who is not here and his vengeance upon you would have been horrible." He was obviously very drunk. I sat and thought for a while. "So, tomorrow you're going to sell me your land for exactly what you bought it for and then my people will castrate you and with cash in your pockets, you'll be dropped off in the dessert far away from here and from that point I don't care. I never want to see you again. Had you harmed my family, this would have gone far worse for you." "Did you say castrate me?" "Oh yes, that's the most lenient aspect of Tucker Justice. You've chosen to attack the wrong family you foolish man but we're giving you your life. We don't do that often." The SKUGGOR took him away and his pleas for mercy were soon out of my ears. I made a quick call to Richard to let him know what had just happened and to inform him that I wanted a permanent crew to patrole the lake from now on even when I was not there. These were going to become known as the `scary woods' that nobody wanted to go wandering into. ******************************** I was standing on the dock as Commodore Tipton pulled up. Two handsome teenaged boys were actually handling his boat. "Welcome Sir. It's such a pleasure to have you here." He grinned and said; "Little E, it's been such a while since I've been to the big cabin I think it's been before the accident. These two stalwart mates of mine are Leonard and Tanner and though they've enjoyed the entire lake including your beaches for several years, they're excited to see the inside of `Mr. Tucker's Cabin'." I smiled as I helped the old man onto the dock. "Well we can take care of that right away. Sean and Brian, please show Leonard and Tanner around. Commodore, the sun indicates that it's happy hour so let's retire to the porch eh?" He, Will and I were sitting back and sipping on good whiskey as the boys joined us on the porch. From their laughter, I gathered that they'd formed a bond and had a good time. I frowned at the old man. "Now Commodore, there is no lemonade here and you know how liberal I am as to my boys and alcohol so, it's completely up to you." He smiled. "Leonard and Tanner, you're out of camp boundaries now so, you can do what boy's your age often do although in the clearest sense, it's against the law." The two young men grinned and quickly accepted the beers that Brian offered them. Dinner was a surprise. It was a roast chicken with a mix of broiled vegetables accompanied by a fresh greens salad with a ranch dressing and a simple side dish of creamed fettucine; almost but not quite `alfredo'...probably more accurately `fettucine LC'. We all inhaled it. Windy quickly entered bearing a tray containing a glorious pastry. The boys all stared at it with wide-open eyes not knowing what to make of it. The Commodore's eyes sparkled with glee. "Windy, did LC make that just for me?" "None other Commodore. We know how much you like it." The old man looked around the table zeroing on the four boys. "Boys, this is a `tarte Tatin' think about it as an upside down apple pie. According to the tradition, it was invented by two elderly sisters who ran the `Hotel Tatin' in Bruvron, France around 1886. It's caramelized apples...both golden delicious and granny Smith (unless LC has changed his recipe). There's other goodies in there including I think a splash or so of brandy. If Windy and LC are true to form, LC will soon be out with a large bowl of fresh whipped cream and your eyes are going to roll back into your heads but remember...the first slice is mine." As the tart was sliced, topped with whipped cream and passed around, each boy took his first taste and smiled. Second and third tastes came in very quick succession. Coffee and `Grand Marnier' was soon on the table even for the boys. After taking his first sip of the sweet orange liqueur, Tanner grinned and said; "Man, I want to stay here forever!" We laughed. It was entirely too dark for the three of them to attempt to cross the lake tonight so, it had long ago been decided that they would be sleeping here. I'd given the boys the choice of using the loft or sleeping in individual rooms. Considering a long summer of dormitory styled living, I wasn't in the least bit surprised that they'd chosen individual rooms. That's the way I would have rolled. I wasn't very disappointed, because that meant that Sean and Brian would share my bed again; not feeling obligated to share the loft with the two West Wind boys. We sat on the porch sipping our drinks and I told the Commodore about what happened last night. "Well Eric, since you own the majority of the lake, you're going to get the worst of it but I'm being pressured as well. Little real estate developers are trying to build up around the place and turn the lake into a resort. That guy last night was a wacko who probably spent his last dime being convinced that he could just buffalo you into gaining access to the lake, but there will be others for certain who will try again. They buy a few acres of land and think that they're big shots and that they'll make a large profit thanks to access to a lake that they don't actually have access to. They don't know who you are and who they're going against but Eric, they're like gnats and they'll keep coming." He leaned forward and taped my knee. "Eric, I've never told you this but I will now. I have no family in this world besides the kids who I hope I've helped through my camp. When I decide to pass on, all of my part of this lake will be yours. It's in the will but I truly hope that you'll find some way to keep the camp going. The boys that it's helped are beyond the value of the land...they're individual treasures to this nation... grand gifts to the country that might have tossed them aside. Never sell this lake Eric...never sell this lake. " He sniffed and grasped a napkin and wiped his eyes. He smiled sheepishly and offered me his empty glass. "I think that I'm a better host than you are Little E. I never let my guest's glasses get empty." It was Will who rose and took the Commodore's glass and refilled his drink. "That will never happen Commodore but, have you given any thought as to who will replace you when you get too old and crotchety to keep coming up here?" He grinned and said; "Of course I have. I only made that decision today. I figure that by then he'll be through teaching young Sean to fly and be ready for a new adventure and he'll be perfect for the job." "ME?" Will was astonished as the old man grinned at him. "Certainly you Will. Kids love you and you teach with such ease and gentle comfort. I've watched you. Except for the fact that I don't know how to fly and you've never actually taught school, you remind me of myself when I was young. It's too late this year because the season is almost over but I want you to train with me next summer and you'll see how right I am. I never make bad judgements when it comes to the Camp and those precious campers." I stared at the startled young man. "Will, I think that the Commodore has picked the right guy and assuming this all works out, when this old guy chooses to punch his card, the land that is Camp West Wind will become yours with the proviso that if you ever decided to sell it, I get first bid." "I-I'm stunned." "Don't be stunned Will, I've watched you with Sean. You're caring and natural. You may never have taught school but you certainly know how to teach and it's by kind and careful instinct. You're a perfect choice. Everything you are, you've done by yourself. Your outlook on the world is optimistic and caring. That's the lesson the Commodore here has been instilling in boys for countless years. That's the spirit and attitude these young men need to learn and cling to. If you think you fly well now Will, wait until you learn how high you'll fly when you teach young men to `stoop to soar'...that's the Camp's philosophy and you'll learn all about it. It's only a summer job so you'd be free to continue your flying instruction and whatever you're interested in the rest of the year. I'll pay your salary if you agree to do it. I'd also like you to start learning from the Commodore next year. Don't worry about Sean, we'll find someone to sit next to him when he wants to fly next summer. It's a substantial job offer Will and an important decision. It will certainly change your life. We'll talk about it when we return to Joyous Gaurde." Will smiled and gathered our glasses and fixed fresh drinks. "So maybe, we could have the dock at the camp modified to handle a pontoon plane and then we'd be perfect at both ends of the lake. You Tuckers will have Sean as your own pilot in about three years but in the meantime, I could access both ends of the lake servicing the camp and the cabin." "Windy and LC will take care of that in the off-season with the Commodore's permission." The wily old man grinned and nodded his head. "A sea plane dock at raccoon cove would be wonderful." "Then it's settled. Will we'll talk about this when we get back but, we're spending one more day here at the lake and then we'll leave in the morning. You might want to go over to the camp use one of my boats behind the Commodore and spend some time looking around. The boys and I are going to take a hike." ************************ Brian was amazed as we led him into the grotto. As we took off our clothes and stepped into the lovely pool, he shouted out his astonishment at how cold the water was. "I warned ya Spider!" Sean giggled. I smiled and explained to him that the little pool was essentially provided by melting snow from the mountain. "Come on Spider, let's go through the wall!" Sean grasped his hand and led him to the face of the waterfall. Soon they were through and invisible to me. I smiled and followed them through the watery curtain. They were sitting on the stone shelf and Brian was wide-eyed as he looked around. "I never thought a place like this could exist." I smiled and said; "Well my son, it's a great place to hide and it's a great place to get your pecker sucked and I see two peckers that probably need some attention yes?" They giggled and I pushed Brian back and spread his legs. I lowered my lips over his now raging little boner and took him in. It was probably the unusual location... whatever it was; he came in less than five minutes. Sean was grinning as I moved between his legs and he moaned as soon as I took him between my lips. It was very soon that he was bucking his hips and gasping and shortly shooting his load. "Behind the waterfall blowjobs are really something special yes guys?" They grinned and with a boy under each arm, I plunged through the falls and out into the little pool. "Sorry Sean, no fucking on the table rock today. We've actually got to dry off quickly and get back to the cabin. There's an important conference call that both of you should actually be there for. Its business and business that you'll both be involved in as you get older. Therefore, you should at least listen now." *********************** I'd told Windy and LC that now that we were airborne, they should expect more frequent visits from us. They both smiled and said that they wouldn't be expecting us during the winter and I most heartily agreed. "If we decide to do things in the winter guys, it will be Breckenridge and places like that." I'd met with Moses Whyles and told him that he wouldn't be castrated after all as long as he agreed to take his money and never return to this area. He was tearful in his agreement. I assured him that if I ever saw him again, that I would take out my punishment. He'd been drunk and he hadn't been armed so I'd decided to be very lenient. Had he been carrying a gun, things would have been different. I'd also met with Jimmy Ault, the son of the man who'd created my six rocking chairs. He'd assured me that he could construct matching stationary chairs that would complement his father's pieces. He apprenticed under his father and was confident in his skills. I asked him what his price for six chairs would be and he answered without hesitation. I almost sputtered. "Jimmy, that's ridiculous. If you can deliver the goods, then your price needs to be double that and even then, I'm feeling like I'm cheating you." He grinned. "Dad always said your family was fair people to deal with. May I take one of these rocking chairs back with me to use as a guide? Dad was never one to keep plans or sketches an stuff and I know you want these six chairs to fit in perfectly." "By all means Jimmy and if this works out, I suspect I'll have more work for you." ********************** Sean moved us out of the cove and onto the lake and then, fighting the water every inch of the way, the shuddering pontoon plane surged up and into the air. My little boy did that and my heart was filled with joy. ************************* As we pulled through the gate at Joyous Gaurde, John was giggling because Jenny had gone through a false labor. "You wouldn't believe what a bozo I was Eric. I almost tripped and fell over trying to tie up my shoelaces. Everything is fine though and the doctor tells us that it could be any day now." Daniel was standing at the front door looking rather distressed. "John! You didn't answer your phone. Jenny has gone into true labor. Arlen has taken her to the hospital. I've had your Camaro pulled out onto the car park for you. Go now!" My big friend stared at me bewildered and I patted his shoulder. "Go John, and your car is the perfect ride for the night your baby is going to be born. It brought you here and now it's going to bring you to your future. Call us with news!" He jumped out of the limo and ran around to the car park and soon the sleek black car headed down the drive. "Gonna be a new baby by the morning." I smiled as the boys and I got out of the limo. Martha was waiting with a big smile and ushered us into the little dining room. "I've made Philly cheese steak sandwiches and a salad for my boys I know that you're hungry" We WERE hungry and we devoured the delicious lunch that she'd prepared. "Mrs. Edwards, you're the most wonderful cook in the entire world!" Brian wrapped his arms around her and she blushed red as a beet. "You already knew that didn't you?" Sean was embracing her now. "We love you Mrs. Edwards. I was wonderin', do you know how to make a tot tatoon?" I smiled; "You mean a `tarte tatin' Sean and I assure you that Martha can make one using many different fruits and other ingredients although apples are the original and preferred filling. I'm certain now that she knows about your interest, that she'll surprise you." "Of course I will my little darling but, perhaps, you'd like to learn to bake one yourself like you did with the lasagna?" He launched a `Sean smile' as he hugged her tighter. Sean loved to cook and Martha loved to teach him. ************************* I walked into the command room just to check up on things. Richard, Barry and Wolfman were huddled in front of one of Barry's monitors howling with laughter. They noticed that I'd entered the room. "Come over here Eric. Brutus recorded this for us last night and we can't stop watching it. So far, its Jack's finest moment." I walked around to join them and Richard explained; "Claire has been giving Jack real life training just as we asked her to. Last night, there was a break-in in one of our consumer electronics warehouses and since it was relatively close to them, Clair brought Jack along on the `bust'. There were three perps and two were `sent to the cornfield' almost immediately the third, knowing he probably had to try to shoot his way out had taken refuge deep in the large building. He had a cheap 357 magnum with a full clip and was prepared to use it. As the SKUGGOR essentially surrounded him, he crouched tight as a spring ready for an assault when a teen-aged boy dressed in civilian clothes stepped out from one of the isles. It was Jack, he'd flanked the guy he'll probably catch hell from Claire but, well, just watch this ballsy performance." They started the video and just as Richard described, the intruder was well entrenched in the warehouse with his gun at the ready. The video quality was superior so it was clearly Jack who walked meekly up to the man. "Scuze me mister." The man spun around but didn't fire. I think he was shocked to see a teen-aged boy standing before him looking lost and frightened. "I got locked in here last night and I don't know how to get out. Do you t-think you could help me?" As he was speaking, I realized that he was slowly moving closer to the intruder who was so shocked that he just stood there. "Kid...this ain't a safe place for you right now. I broke into this place and I know now that I ain't leavin' here alive. You go and hide someplace and when the shootin' is over, let them know that you're here and that you ain't packing and that you had nuthin' to do with this. Move very slow and very careful. You'll be alright but for crissakes get away from me right now because you don't deserve getting' caught up in what's gonna happen here." Jack's punch was like lightning and caught the guy square on the jaw and he dropped to the floor in an instant. "SKUGGOR to me!" My red haired wonder called out as he knelt down and cradled the fallen man's head. He looked up at Claire Dunn as her crew closed in. "In the end Claire, he was more concerned about my safety than his own life. That earns him some consideration." The video ended and the three of them just laughed. "Did you see that punch? What a right hand that kid has got. No wonder he hasn't lost a boxing match yet." I smiled back but rather bitter sweetly. "Yes, but I'm just as proud of what he said at the end of the video. What's happened to the guy he punched?" "We took him to the `Steele Cunt' and decided to let you choose his fate." I nodded and then said; "Make certain that he's very comfortable and then, have Jack brought out to the `Slida av Stall' and I'll meet him there. I'll be interested in seeing what Jack's justice is like especially in this case." ********************** Jack had spent a long time in the rather comfortable cell we'd constrained the intruder in. It turned out that (rather remarkably) his name was James Brown. He was twenty-eight and his parents had passed away when he was a teen-ager. He'd been on the streets and in foster homes until he'd aged out and then become a street animal surviving as best as he could. After leaving his last interview, Jack came and sat next to me. "Do I really have a decision about what's going to happen to this guy Dad?" I hugged him tightly and said; "Of course Jack. What did you have in mind?" "Well, I'm thinking an apartment and a scholarship at the University including some financing for food and some fun. Dad, I took a foolish chance walking up to him and he could have shot me down but he recognized that I was a kid and suddenly all he was worried about was me. He didn't want me to get caught in the crossfire, he didn't want me to be accidentally shot. That's got to say something about the guy. Maybe instead of punishing him, we should give him a chance." I hugged my red haired wonder closely and said; "Someday, you'll be a great Galahad my son. I love you and I'm proud of you. Let's go tell that frightened young man what we have in store for him. I suspect that he'll be surprised." Together, we walked into the cell and I could see the terror in the young man's eyes. Jack quietly explained what our intentions were for him and he collapsed into a sobbing heap. Jack pulled him up from the floor. "James, the compassion you had for me and your attempt to keep me safe even though you were certain you were going to die, convinces me that there is a lot in you that needs to be developed. Our family usually deals out harsh punishment but for you, we're going to try out something different." Jack explained our plan and the young man was soon weeping. "I was trying to rip you off." "Yeah but you didn't and besides that, you were more worried for me than you were for yourself. James, let's turn you into the man you are destined to be and not the man you've been for these past years. Compassion should be rewarded with compassion." The man sank to his knees sobbing as Jack and I began to walk out of the room and a Skugga silently walked up behind him and put a bullet into his brain. Jack was stunned and horrified and I pulled him into me and said; "There is no mercy for people who attack us Jack. If you can't understand that, then you can never hope to be `Galahad' and head of the SKUGGOR. If they attack us, they must be destroyed. At least that man didn't see it coming and he died instantly. He actually died happy and with hope. That's much better than what his death might have been like. In our family, mercy can only be issued by `Launcelot'...that as you know is me and eventually will be Sean. You have chosen the path to become `Galahad' and in the administration of that duty, you must be cold and vengeful. You must be always on guard and your actions must be as swift and devastating as the punch you threw that dropped that guy to the floor. Do you understand Jack?" He was still stunned but he shook his head and answered; "Yeah but Dad that guy could have killed me but he didn't." "Well Jack, the point here is that he could have. He also could have stolen from us. Those things aren't allowed and he placed himself in the position that led to his death . As Sean has already learned, we have to be the scariest family in the world. That's why the SKUGGOR exist. Magnus Venatus is a worldwide empire and you and your brothers will control it someday. Of course, you can still choose to return to your original path of ocean research. There would be no shame in doing that but if you still choose SKUGGOR as your goal, then you have to understand why what just happened had to occur. Sean will have the toughest job but yours will be in many ways the cruelest and most interesting. You'll be well trained before you assume that mantel and hopefully fully prepared. People must respect Magnus Venatus and yes, fear it. We are wonderful friends but horrifying enemies. As more people understand that, then there will be less situations such as just happened. I'm proud that you felt compassion for that guy but understand that had you not been there to intervene, he'd have shot it out with our people and perhaps wounded; even killed one or two and then, he'd have been gunned down on the spot. Had he been taken alive, he'd have died a horrifying death not the quick almost unanticipated end that he experienced. Sometimes we loose Jack, just as we lost Walter up on that hill but we never totally loose. We always win in the end and we're never kind to those who attack us. Remember that we're wonderful friends and terrible enemies Jack. Always remember that. Do you want to come home?" "Yeah Dad I really want to but I've still got another eight days scheduled with Claire and I think it's better if I finish that." I hugged him tight against me and tried desperately not to cry because I loved him so much. "You're quite the son Jack Tucker." He pulled me close and said; "Yeah, but you're quite the Dad." (to be continued) ************** Thank you all who sent such positive feedback on the first chapter of `Oak and Ash'. It's very gratifying. I will try to respond quicker than I have in the past especially since I'm feeling so wonderful as of late. For those of you who've asked `The Oak and the Ash' is an old English folk song (as are `Green Grow the Rushes O' and `Young but Daily Growing') `Flights of Angels' of course is from Shakespeare...I don't know why I did that, Probably because I never expected this thing to grow into four books. With my current vitality, I'll attempt to issue chapters on a frequent basis but please remember that with new found strength comes new found obligation. For those of you to whom it mattered, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and to all of you, may the New Year be full of joy and prosperity. NIFTY...remember NIFTY