[M.D. Holloway]

All men of power and position knew that if a task was to be done right it must be done singularly, a fate Baron Elkton knew all to well.

As the tall, sinewy Elkton unlatched the gate to the aviary a cold breeze swept though. The sun had now set past the oaks and the sound of night made its way through the pond, the orchards and echoed through the courtyard. He glanced back to the manor only to see the silhouette of Manfred in the window of the library. Manfred was slight in stature and character often weeping and whining with a perpetual drip from his bulbous nose and a strange mannerism of stumbling every third step. Elkton shook his head in disgust. An action that was all too familiar and lately all to frequent. He considered relieving Manfred of his post and wondered why he hadn’t. Just then he heard a load shriek…SHREEEE! He looked back to the aviary and barely saw his Owl feasting on one of the ground squirrels he let run. The Owl quickly made a meal of it and glanced towards Elkton who was shinning his lantern towards the bird. The owl’s large yellow eyes gleamed. Elkton held out his arm and the large bird took flight resting on the thick leather sleeve.

“Come my friend, we have work to do.”