Chapter 99

"You let a woman do falconry?" The young man right across the table from me said. It was not one of unapproving shock but one of awe and wonder. He sat next to the young woman with the freckles, the two sharing very similar features. Their bone structure, freckles and curly hair clearly showed they were siblings. These definitely were the twins Mercury warned me of. This boy was just as gorgeous as his sister, but not as polished looking. He definitely was a rough and tumble kid! "No," I said plainly, "Falconry is a game! Barbary is for those who use raptors to eke out a living." "You know what falconry is?" The young man asked. "I saw you all with your black eagles lure coursing the birds on pulleys and hare fur, trying to beat each other's times." I responded, my tone becoming more biting than I'd want. All eyes fell to the door behind me. The king finally made his appearance, taking a seat on his breakfast throne. There was a sense of regalness with his presence, quite unlike anythi