By the Kings Order II (New Generation)

It had been quite a time for Dustin McCloud of the Clan McCloud. It has all started out simple enough. The King of Scotland to bring unity to the country had decreed that the lairds of the highland should marry a woman of the lowlands. There had been family's picked for the unions and Dustin had rode down out of the highlands to claim his bride. Who knew what would happen after that would have such an impact on the lives of so many. Upon his return to the highlands he married Laire and hosted the weddings of many of the other lairds or thier sons.

Then the English decided to invade Scotland. They sent an army north into Scotland and Dustin was proclaimed the leader of all the clans and he lead his clan and the clans of the highland down to join the king of Scotland. They defeated the english army but Dustin was captured and taken south witht he retreating English Army. Laire now the leader of the McCloud Clan gathered its men to go after him. She was joined by the other clans of the highland. They rescued Dustin and then set off to invade England.

They did not meet much resistance as the army of the north was now mostly destroyed and the northern lands lay open to the highlanders. But the highlanders were not cruel or merciless. They helped the people of the villages and towns that they came upon. Most had been stripped of food and supplies by the northern army of England. The highlanders shared everything they had. They made many friends of the people of the lands they claimed for Scotland.

But another army from the south began marching north and the Highlanders drew together, making friends with an English Duke in the north. When the English army drew near, the Duke sided with the Highlanders and rode out with his men to fight the English. The King of Scotland and his army arrived and between them they defeated the army of England and caputred the King of England. The Duke was made king of the lands that the Highlander's had claimed and some stayed to help defend the new kingdom. Dustin was made a Duke and given the Highlands as his lands.

Dustin gave the McCloud Clan over to his cousin Duncan McCloud and took up his duties of ruling over all of the clans of the Highlands. All the Lairds had accepted his authorities and it was up to him to settle squables among the clans and keep the peace. Laire bore him twins, a boy and a girl. Dustin's mother was extremely happy with having little ones once more in the castle. Dustin and Laire spend alot of time with the two along with their nannys and his mother and his mother in law. It was a time of learning for Dustin. Learning how to deal with two little bundles of joy and at times headachs. They watched them grow and began walking which was a whole new thing. They were everywhere, getting into all sorts of things. When they were five Dusting got them ponies and taught them to ride, so they could go riding with him and Laire.

The two of them were almost inseperable. Where Eric went his sister, Clare went. She wanted to learn what Eric learned and do what he did. Knowing how his wife Laire was back at the begining, and what she had told him of her child hood, he had them both trained to use the sword and the bow, from the age of five. His daughter would not be no silly empty headed girl. She would learn to read, write, use the sword and bow, along with the art of healing that her mother knew so well, and had become known for. Her Angles of Mercy were now a well known and respected group of women that were sent all over the country to teach and help heal the sick and injured. No longer was it forbiden for women to touch men that they were not married to.

At age eight, the twins had grown and were giving fits to their guards. They had been assigned a guard each to keep an eye on them when they were out of the castle and away from Dustin and Laire. The two were always running off somewhere and most times getting into some sort of trouble. It was their birthday and Dustin and Laire had a grand party for the pair. The sons and daughter's of the other Lairds were there to celebrate it. There were games and entertainment, food, and cake. All was going well till one of the Laird's son kissed Clare. She hauled off and let him have it with a right hook that sent the boy back and on his ass. "No one kisses me with out my permission!" she stamped her little foot. Dustin had to hold back laughing out loud at what had happened. He turned to Laire and said, "She takes after you." and grinned.

The other children laughed and Eric helped the boy up. "I would think twice about doing that again." he told the boy and patted him on the back. The boys father came forward to see if his boy was alright and looked down at him hands on his hips and then ruffled his hair.

"Spirited lass you have there Dustin." and turned to Laire, "Lady Laire." he chuckled. "She will make a fiesty bride one day." he looked at Laire and grinned.

Ten years later, both of them were tall and handsome adults. Eric was strong and handsome in his colors of the clan. Clare was tall and beautiful just like her mother Laire. She was graceful, but she was a ball of fire and like her mother sturborn and strong willed. She already had a number of suiters coming to try and court her. She seemed to keep them dangling, not sure of who she wanted to come court her. Dustin looked upon the two of them from the chair that he used to hold court. Laire sat beside him in another chair. Together they had ruled over the Highlanders. Dustin looked to her for advice and help keeping the peace.

Lara, a relative of Laire and the wife of the King of Northern England wanted to have both of them come for a visit and Dustin was giving Eric some documents to take with him to give to the King.

Men dressed in highland colours were scrambling over fallen logs looking in every bush. They were panicking, They were all yelling “Clair Elizabeth Ann McCloud, Eric William Nathaniel McCloud this isn’t funny where are you, game is over Come out now” The response to the panic-struck Highlanders commands was a young child's giggle. Followed but an other one. Clair and Eric McCloud both climbed out of the hole they had made and covered with branches and grinned a toothless grin to the protectors. “Here we are”

Their guardians and the other Highlander's soldiers that had been searching the forest for the two youngsters that were suppose to be taking a nap were relived that they kids had been found. The twins born to Laire and Dustin were both 4 and were a handful, not really naughty but very adventurous getting into everything. Everyone was shocked that the two had never broken any bones, both had leaped from the trees and then yelled out to their guardians to catch them while they were falling. Yes they both had fun much to the dismay of those put in charge of their safety while they were not with their parents.

Clair was just as stubborn and headstrong as her mother. She demanded to do what ever her brother did. Eric was very protective of his sister. He was older after all, he never let anyone forgot that although he wasn’t even a full minute older.

They were raised well . Never spoiled rotten although everyone seemed to try hard to do so but their parents were careful to make sure they didn’t get it in their heads that they where entitled , and were trained well that things did not make a person better or happier, but love and charity.

When they were five they caused an entire training session to come to a halt when the twins raced onto the field chasing each other, again when they were suppose to be taking a nap .The poor men who had just shot the arrows when the two kids toddled on to field all screamed out and began running towards them waving their arms like mad. The kids thinking it was a game ran away from them. They were captured unarmed and that is when Clair demanded that she learn how to shoot the “pretty sticks” The men then dropped to their knees and hugged each of the kids trying to chastise them for running on to the field but everyone loved them so much most of the grown men were crying grateful that their arrows had not hit the two kids. That was how it always seemed, serious injure seemed to allude the two almost as if they were protected by some unseen force.

As they grew older they were both trained, Clair got her medical training and helped her mom with the minor injuries en-cured during training. The two were well trained and learned. Both were taught how to read and write in Latin, French, Gaelic, English and many other small clan languages. They also had lessons in sciences, what plants could be used for healing or giving relive or help a person sleep, and even stop or start labour. Clair and Eric learned the hard way about poison Ivy though.

Poetry and math and how to survive in nearly any situation were also taught to them. Since their mother and father had both been captured at some point in the famous war that Laire and Dustin wanted both of them to be trained in hand to hand combat. Nearly anything that could be learned and taught they were taught it.

They were both taught in the way of the sword and bow and arrow as well. Clair loved her pony and spent hours daily brushing her and talking to her. She also practised her trick ridding. Already she was able to ride the horse standing up on the saddle as her horse pranced around, another habit that drove her protectors wild and from what they had told her, caused every grey hair that now graced their heads.

Although they were both curious and adventurous they were not really naughty or misbehaved their parents just allowed them to be kids and explore like kid make mistakes like kids and learn from their mistakes.

Laire made sure that both of her children were wise in manyw ays. And made special care to make sure that Clair knew how to defend herself. That came into practise on her 8th birthday. A Lords son kissed her and Clair responded with a punch screamed at the poor boy she then stormed off.

When Laire saw this she chuckled and turned to her husband who had blamed her she smiled and stroked Dustin's arm.

“I do believe it is purely you my love” She then took a moment and kissed him gently. The twins were their only children, Laire had nearly died birthing the twins who seemed to have fought for first chance to come into the world and they both tried to come out at the same time. Laire was able to direct the poor midwife that had never seen this before what to do and they came into this world Eric first and Claire clutching at his foot. Laire had bled a lot after words and ran a high fever for days but she came through it but knew that her body would be at risk for carrying twins again she she didn’t dare and Dustin had agreed.

Now years later Clair had grown into a beautiful woman, many men had come asking her hand but none had that spark that she was looking for. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to get married. She did not want to be held down, she had been told many times that she was a spit fire and was more likely to be found in her clans kilts then the many gowns that graced her closet.

A meeting with her father did require a form of formality so she was wearing a dress, but her hair was a mess and although she was 18 she still was still running around the woods, with the other kids so she had smudges of dirt on her face and her knees were skinned.

She curtsied to her father and mother, a little out of breath she spoke she was over joyed to hear that she along with her brother and their guards were going to England. She clapped her hands revealing how dirty they were and snapped her hands behind her back.

Eric stiffened a giggle. “Father when do we all leave?”

((hope you like))

Dustin could not help but chuckle at the sight of his daughter and son. It seemed both had been out among the people of the clan again. The dirt smuged faces and hands were a clear indication of it. The two of them had the well being of the clan and the highlanders in thier hearts. Ever since they entered their teen years did they go off for days at a time to the villages and towns to see and talk to the people.

Even at home one could find Eric out drinking with the men of the clan, his sister not far away, but more lady like in not drinking and talking to the women who all would be keeping an eye on their men and making sure they didn't get so drunk to get into trouble. Things had changed since Dustin and Laire had become the Duke and Dutchess of the highlands. Women, even though they had been respected in the past now had more rights and say in things. That was something Laire seemed to have inspired. It was Clare that kept her brother from getting into serious fights with the younger clansmen.

But like any children, Eric got into fights. Who was the strongest, who could beat who, ahhhhhh the small challanges. He would come back home with bruises, black eyes and such with Clare at his side. She would be the one that would tend to both the victor and the defeated, her training with the Angels of Mercy coming in very handy. Their protectors could only stand by and make sure that none got seriously hurt or killed. Dustin had given orders that Eric was to learn the hard way that at times he was not always the toughest, that there was someone always better out there. But most of the time he won, and made friends with those he defeated. It caused him to become a well loved by the younger generation that one day he would rule over.

Now before him and Laire the two youngsters stood. "Well you will be leaving within a couple hours, so I would suggest that the two of you go get a bath." he looked over at Clare trying to give her a stern look but failing. "Now you to...... Try......not to give your Cousin Lara and her husband the King to much trouble." The last time they had been down to their castle the two of them and the three children of Lara had broken a number of vases, toppled small statues and the like playing a game of tag.

Eric cleared his throat, "We can but try father." he said with a grin, "But you know Clare and her temper. Wouldn't put it past her to knock another on his arse because he tried to kiss her hand and create an inciedent." Eric loved his sister dearly, but could not help but jest with her. Oh Dustin pitied the poor suiters that came for his daughters hand. The man that would finally claim her would have his hands full indeed, and he would enjoy seeing his lovely and fiesty daughter finally settle down a bit.

Dustin chuckled at the comment then quickly stopped and cleared his throat as he saw Laire's look. "Well then the two of you had best be off and get that bath and be ready to ride. All has been already prepared for your trip." he told them. Eric turned grinning at his sister and then began to walk out of the room.

(Ahhhh You take Clare and Laire and then Lara. I will Do Dustin, Eric, and King Wellington and then of course the young Englishman.)

Claire smiled back at her father when he tried to give her a stern look. Very rarely did her father ever have to get very angry at her. She knew that the fact that she had been out in the village with the people would not have gotten pass him her and her brother always seemed to be there. Many of the ladies seemed to prefer her there when they gave birth. Claire did not mind, there had been some tough ones but so far she had not lost a baby or a mama which was unheard of. Everyone seemed to think she was a good luck and had started requesting her for the births of their animals as well.

Now she was happy she was heading to England to see the King and Queen, the kids were close to her and Eric's age. She blushed at her fathers memory of the last visit. She immediately pointed to Eric. “As I said then Eric did it” She smiled and stuck out her tongue at him. Although she was much a young lady nearly a woman she still sometimes acted like a child especially when it came to her brother. At the comment of her knocking another man out that would dare try to kiss her she raised her head jutted out her chin.

“Of course I will, mother tells me she wouldnt let you kiss her either”

Now it was Laire's turn to laugh. “Oh yes the eventful ride back to the highlands” She patted Dustin's knee.

Hearing his chuckle Clair and Laire both shot him a evil glare. Then Claire bowed “As you wish” She started up the stairs and turned to her brother and grinned “You know strange men are not the only type I can throttle” Without warning she punched him hard in the arm. She might be a lady but had the training that made it so she could take care of herself.

“More is to come dear brother” She glared at him “Remember law 96 always watch your back” She then walked to her room her bath had already been prepared she was stripped and her ladies tisked as she lowered herself down into the water.

“Mi Lady you have more dirt and grim on you then skin” They all loved her though and said it with teasing in her voice.

Soon enough she was washed and packed and was downstairs waiting to say good bye to her parents.

((Okay not the greatest I am finishing with a massive headach so critique if its no good))

Oh yes the first time they had met and the ride back to the highlands was one that was not for the romantic tales. Dustin chuckled as Laire laughed. It had been quite a time for sure. But he had been sent by the king to select one of the daughters and he picked Laire because of her spirit. He was not sorry that he had picked her. She had become more then his wife and the woman he loved.

Their two children were quite the handful and Claire took after her mother not only in looks but in her temper and spirit. As they left he turned to Laire. "She is going to be a handful for any man that finally is able to peak her intrest." Eric on the other hand had a flock of the vaiours Lairds daughters flirting with him along with a number of the woman of the clans. He was a handsome man, stong, and tall. He had not found the one he wanted either. But that did not mean he had not been around and enjoyed himself.

When Eric was on his way up to his chambers Claire made her comments and hit him on the arm. "Hey, that is not fair. You know I will not hit a woman in anger or in this case revenge." he rubbed his arm. She was stronger then she looked, from the weapons training and exercises for that. "Rule 96 eh. Well remember rule 5, Never underestimate your opponent." he grinned. He had his ways to get even with his sister. He was not long in getting undressed and into the hot tub of wather that had been prepared for him. He washed the dirt and grime of the day off of him and then dressed in clean and sturdy travel clothes. His servents had already packed things for him and had taken them down to the carriage. He would not be riding in the carriage but riding his horse, as his sister was probably going to be doing. Their servents would ride in the carriage. He was only taking two with him.

He came down the stairs and then out the main doors of the castle's main house in the colors of the Clan. He mounted up on his horse as Dustin and Laire came out to see them off. Oh the peace and quiet they would have for the time that the two were gone. Dustin was grinning ear to ear.


Down south in Southern England, in the city of London, the new King of Southern England looked around the throne room at the nobles. "We must bring the northern lands back into the fold. But we can not do it by force. We are still rebuilding our armies and armories. The Last King made a great blunder in trying to invade Scotland. He wasted men, matierals, supplies, and money, and then lost a good portion of England in the process as well." his speach was more for any spies that might be around then for the nobles. He had plans already for getting back the northern portion of England and punish Scotland for they part in seperating the northern lands from the south. But he would lull Wellington and Scotland into a false sence of security by sending a delegation to the King of Northern England to enter into talks about reuniting the two parts of England

"I will be sending Count Farnswoth, Baron Ellington and my nephew William Eston to talk to King Wellington."

William stood there listening to his Uncle. He doubted that King Wellington would ever accept or even consider the reunification. He knew that his uncle's predacesor had made a mess of everything. He couldn't blame the Scots for what they did. They were tired of having their country invaded and the will of an English King imposed on their people. He would go, but not because he thought they had a chance in hell of accomplishing the mission, but just to get away from Court and London. It was boring and he wanted a bit of excitement.

A few hours later, the three of them along with a complement of soldiers were on their way north. It would take a few days to get there but William didn't mind it at all.

Although she was now downstairs in her ridding clothes, a heavy cloak in her clans colours. She knew that should have to at least pretend to ride in the carriage that would hold their servants. She was a lady and knew that her parents would except her to ride in the carriage, but she would move to her horse shortly after leaving their land.

The gifts that they were to present to their Godparents were just being loading when a young girl brust into the door. She ran to Claire. Sensing that something was wrong Clair went to child. “My child what is wrong?” The girl looked up at her
“Mama having birthing pains, but it is too early, she is mightily scared” Looking around she found her trusted apprentice who was training beneath her

“Come Marta” She then told another where she was going and grabbed her medicine basket and raced to the small cottage. She knew this family well. The woman was at least 2 months early and Claire only hoped that she could get there in time. She came in through the door and too the womans bed, she was laying down and was sweating. Claire brought a hand to her stomach and clucked. “Your children grow restless, now remember I told you twins are normally born a little early but we will see if we can delay them a little bit”

Clair felt guilty leaving the towns people, but there was Marta and the man others that not only she had trained but her mother too. She smiled and turned to the mom “Rachael, I am sure you have heard, but I am leaving” She held her hand before Rachael could get worked up “Marta here is my best student, and my mother as agreed to keep an eye on you” She turned to Marta “Prepare the mixture to stop the pains and then keep her in bed” She turned to the little girl “Laura, can you be mommy's big help” She smiled at the little girls nodding.

She made stops at a couple other places, then made it back to the waiting carriage. She smiled at her mother who had her hands on her hips. “Mom Rachael was having pains” Laire's hand went immediately to her throat

“I will check on her at once” She kissed her daughter's cheek and waiting for the caravan to be off, as their nature it was a small one, the twins were much like their parents liking to travel light.

Claire sat in the carriage with the servants and waited for them to be on their way. It would be a long trip but Claire didn't mind.

Eric never liked to travel with alot of things. A couple changes of clothing, his weapons, bedroll and some supplies. Go to see their God Parents and for an extend stay, he needed to pack a few extra things. These all went ontop of the carrage, as he was riding his horse. He was waiting for his sister to come down and get in so they could get going, but whens she did a young girl ran up and Claire was on her way down to the village.

Like their mother she was one to help those in need. He sighed and resigned himself to wait a while longer while his sister did what she had to do. As he waited he talked to the men that would travel with them. They were young like him except their commander who was several years older and more experienced. All were good men and he had shared mugs of ale and kegs of good whisky with them all. He was a clansmen after all, even though he was better educated then most of the others. The price of being a noble.

When Claire finally came back she spoke with their mother and then got into the carriage. He leaned down from his horse and looked at her. "Well now, its about time ye got back. The longer you wait, the longer it will be that you have to sit in that contraption and not be on the back of your horse. I know ye be wanting to ride all the way there." he grinned. "Your horse is all ready for you once we be out of sight of the castle and all."

Once she was back in the Carriage she poked her head out and waved to her parents and the town who had all come out to bid them farewell. She felt bad leaving them all but with the next generation of the Angels of Mercy, many of which her mom helped bring into this world. She knew that they would all be in good hands.

Claire had seen the look Eric gave her when she came back but she simply smiled, he was used to having to wait for her, just like a few times she had to wait for him for training when he was sleeping in due to a busy night the night before.

When Eric made his comment she stuck out her tongue. “Just lets get going so I can get out in the fresh air” She said with a bit of bitterness, it seemed her guards and parents were still concerned about her, it probably didn’t help that as a child she had fallen from the horse, but she had been fine, but seemed people were still concerned.

They were soon on their way. As soon as they got out of town she opened the carriage door as it was still moving and whistled for her horse and leaped from the carriage onto her horse.

“Lady Claire, every time you do that I think you scare three years off of my life” Scolded the driving but Claire just smiled.

“Forgive me Patterson I am just too constricted in there. She then stood on the saddle as her horse continued on. Every guard flanked her with their arms prepared to catch her. Claire with her eyes closed was not aware of the fear she was striking in all of them, and they all loved her too much to scold her

Eric watched as she called her horse and jumped from the carriage to it. His sister loved riding horses, not in carriages. He laughed and rode up beside her. Then she began doing one of the many tricks that they had learned over the years. It alway gave their bodyguards a lot of headachs, but they loved being able to do things others didn't do. Claire though seemed to do it more often and he wondered if she knew what would happen if anything should go wrong and she got hurt or killed.

"Claire have you ever thought of what would happen to your body guards should anything really bad happened to you from you doing this?" he asked her. Their father could and might have their head for it, their mother definately would, literally. "You really should think of them and their families you know." He was just as bad as his sister but he was begining to learn that one had to restrain themselves and think of others.

The Highlanders always were a high spirited people and that is what seemed to get him and his sister into trouble alot when they went visititing their godparents. The people of Northern England were after all English, a bit more reserved then the Highlanders. Now that they were fully grown they would be expected to be more noble like, though he wondered if the two of them ever could be. "Now be good sister and ride properly. Remember we are nobility and are expected to act like it." He knew she would not like that idea one bit but they were not home and going to be where they were expected to act like noblity.

Clare was having such a good time lifting her head towards the sun and sighing she was so used to doing her tricks, she had practised and practised. She loved jumping with her horse too. She was of course not aware of what she was doing to the guards, she had never fallen even as a child so it never crossed her mind, even as a young adult now that falling could happen.

When her brother rode up beside her she thought that he was going to compete with her like they used too. But when instead he spoke sternly she opeend her eyes and noticed her guards there. She gasped and lowered herself down so she was sitting. She gasped again and turned to her guards unable to speak. She turned to her brother. “I didnt know that they did this I had never fallen before.” He was right of course, if anything happened to her when they were suppose to be in their care there would be hell to pay, when they were kids it was a different story because they had been children and had never been really hurt. But if she had fallen it was likely that she would be trampled and killed. She looked at her brother, her face void of all colour.

She had tears streaming down her cheeks she was so embarrassed and ashamed of herself. She knew what she had to do. She held up her hand to call for a halt she then took a deep breath and turned to her guards. “Please forgive me I had no idea that it scared you so, I had never fallen and I didnt stop to think that it would upset you” She looked each of them in the eyes then ignoring any protests she slid off of her horse and she knelt in front of them in a silent request for forgiveness.
She knew that what she was doing was disgraceful for a person of her stature but she wanted a public show of her remorse. She knew that if the each touched her head she was forgiven, she was still silently weeping.

It was time to put childish things behind her. She realized that, maybe even time for her to start ridding in the carriage, she knew her horse would not like that too much, she loved to ride just as much as she did, but she was a lady. The daughter of a Duke and Duchess. No longer a child she didn’t raise her head but thought she heard mummers her servants in the carriage shocked at her behaviour, it was becoming of a Knight or servants or peasants not the duchess her servants looked at the guards wondering how they were going to handle this

Eric watched as she lowered herself back into the saddle and the shocked look that appeared on her face. He could see she finally realized what she was doing to her guards and perhaps understood the consequence that they would suffer if anything happened to her. He didn't think thier parents would be the type to have them executed. But there were other punishments that would make death far better.

When they were kids they did all sorts of things many parents would have
been scared to death of, and they probably did that to them. But mostly the guards assigned to protect them from being kidnapped. They had no idea at the time that they could have caused these men to receive serious punishments should something bad happen to them. Their guards were always there to help them and some even taught them some of the trick riding and other things. But they were always there and ensured that safety meausres were taken to protect their wards.

Both him and his sister were now grown up and had to begin acting like they were. So when she made her appology to them he thought nothing of it. But when she called a halt and dismounted and went to her knews to beg their forgiveness it shocked him. Not because of their station but just by how serious she took her action. It showed that she really ment what she said and he was proud of her. The guards of course were shocked and didn't know wha to say. They dismounted and moved to her picking her up and embrasing her.

"We know ya mean no harm missy. You know we would die to protect you. We just don't want no harm coming to ya nor your brother."

"Come Claire." Eric said softly. "We can ride and still enjoy it." The guards brought her back to her horse so she could remount.

Kneeling there on the ground Clair was still trembling slightly, she didnt think that what she was doing was dangerous she had been doing it as a child. But Eric was right, even though she doubted that their parents would exucute them if something happened to her, they would have to live with the fact that she died, or got injured on their watch.

She swallowed hard when she heard the guards dismounting this is when she would find out if they forgave her or not. She lick her lips then chewed on her bottom lip. When they came to her and lifed her up and embraced her she smiled. She was forgiven and that was all that counted. “Thank you” She sighed as she was lead back to her horse she petted her horse and hugged her then whispered something unaudiable. But it was “I’m sorry I promise I will ride again, just not now”

Claire tightened her jaw and held her head high and wiggled her fingers slightly, if Eric was watching he would know that he was lying.

“I wish to ride in the carriage” She paused. “Star Catcher will follow her brother” She nodded towards the horse that Eric sat upon.” She then curtised and ducked into the carriage placed her hands in her lap and then knocked on the roof singling that she was ready”

In truth she hated the carriage but as a lady, it was her place, and it was about time she started acting like it. She didn’t dare look out the window or she knew she would bolt from the carriage and mount her horse. But she remained in the carriage waiting for them to start moving again.

Oh he knew his sister. He could see that she was not really wanting to ride in the carriage and would rather be riding Star Catcher. Though the guards were releived that she had decided to ride in the carriage, they to knew that it was something that she really did not want. They had been with the two siblings for a number of years and knew their likes and dislikes.

They remounted and made sure that her horse was teathered to the carriage. Before the carriage began moving, Eric dismounted and tied his horse beside Star Catcher, then walked up to the door of the carriage. Opening it he climbed in and sat next to his sister. He gave her a smile and leaned his head back as the carriage began moving again. The guards were a bit surprised by his actions but said nothing. "Well Sis I guess we ride in comfort all the way."

Claire sighed it was going to be a long ride she took out her knitting, she sighed she could hear Star Catcher whinney she didnt like being tied up, and Claire did not like to travel closed in. But she knew that she must grow up and this would be part of it.

When her brother came in she raised a eyebrow put down her knitting and shock her head. Otherbray ywhay areway ouyay inway erehay? Iway owknay ouyay atehay iddingray inway isthay ingthay asway uchmay asway Iway oday Iway ustmay ecomebay away adylay andway ideray inway isthay ilewhay ouyay ancay ebay ethay anmay andway ideray erewhay ouyay antway. She was speaking in there
“Twin talk” which used to drive their parents nuts, because they seemed to do it when they had to get their story straight about something.

((That part translates to Brother why are you in here? I know you hate ridding in this thing as much as I do I must become a lady and ride in this while you can be the man and ride where you want.))

She continued Onway ethay otherway andhay Iway amway adglay ouyay areway erehay isthay isway oinggay otay ebay away oringbayideray. Iway oday owknay ymay uardsgay orgivefay emay utbay
Iway oday otnay orgivefay eselfmay. Owhay ancay Iway everway orgivefay yselfmay enwhay. Ellway ouyay owknay ((On the other hand I am glad you are here this is going to be a boring ride. I do know my guards forgive me but I do not forgive meself. How can I ever forgive myself when. Well you know.))

She then decided to change topics as they starting moving she leaned back and had a twinkle in her eyes and spoke again in a low voice, not that they could be heard not with all the horses hooves around.
Osay Iway awsay ouyay omingcay ackbay atelay ethay otherway ightnay, enjoyingway ethay adieslay ompanycay? Isktay isktay Otherbray. ((So I saw you coming back late the other night, enjoying the ladies company? Tisk tisk Brother.))

She then giggled softly and leaned back. It was going to be a long ride and though she wouldn’t admit it in fear of making him feel like he has to stay, she was grateful that he was there, break the boredom a little bit at least.

“How long do you think it will take?” She asked using english. “And do you think there will be breaks where I can ride star catcher, she will be very put out unless I do ride her at least a little bit.”

"Well my dear sister, I can't let you suffer alone. I think you know me better then that." Talking in their twin language was something that their parents frowned upon, especially when the two of them would be talking to each other when one or both parents were scolding them. It drove them nuts. But it had its uses, well for the two of them, when they wanted to keep secrets from others.

May of the guards and the people of the clan they were around when talking thought it was a language from abroad. Most didn't speak or understand Latain, French, Spanish and the like. No one knew what they were saying to each other.

When she asked about him coming back in late and the ladies, he smiled and told her, "Ah a gentleman doesn't discuss such things, not even with his sister. But she knew him well enough to know that he had a couple young lasses that he made love to now and then.

"As for breaks in our travel there should be a number of them. We must stop and rest the horses and then of course prepare the noon and evening meals. Also I think that about half way there is the Crossroads Inn where we will spend the night. So I think there will be time for you to ride." he grinned and leaned back and closed his eyes.

Grinning Claire looked at her brother. “I do brother and thank you” She had a feeling he was not only here to keep her company but to stop her from leaping from the carriage and ridding her horse again.

She raised an eye brow about his comment. “Or are you just trying to keep me in the dark?” She laughed. Although she had assisted in many births and had assisted on many injuries she was still kept in the dark about many things. She did not have the freedom that Eric had, she was a lady and had not been bedded not that she wanted it to. Latly though she found herself wondering what it would feel like to have sex. The only males member she had even seen was her twin brother Eric's and that was when they were brother children. She opened her mouth to ask him about the feelings then closed her mouth quickly. She shook her head, the late night and then the rush medical emergency just before they left had taken its toll. She couldn’t believe what she had nearly done and had to make a joke of it to make sure he didn’t clue in, which would be hard since they could almost tell what each other were thinking.

She shook her head to her brother again. “Well you are the ladies man” She teased. She of course had many men asking her father, but even though she was getting to the age where she should be married and baring children she just want sure it was what she wanted.

Sighing she smiled “Last time I took this voyage we were children and I think we slept most of the way, mother always had her ways of easing us to sleep for long trips” She watched him close his eyes and giggled “Hmmm you have a good idea”

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes too and sighed. She had to get used to this as much as she hated it.

Eric just smiled as he laid his head back and relaxed. His sister was still a virgin and had no idea of the pleasures that a man and woman could have when they made love. Their parents made sure that there was no messing around when suiters came to call. Of course Claire never liked any of the ones courting her, so there was nothing realy to worry about. Now him on the other hand, well he had been out with the other clansmen and found out in his teens about women.

He made sure though that those he had spent time with knew that there was nothing serious going on. That one day his parents would probably be trying to get him married. Of course he wanted a say in the matter. There were none that he really saw as a potential wife. Perhaps he was like his sister in that.

"Ladies man?' he chuckled, "Perhaps. You know perhaps you should find some one just to enjoy each other. " he chuckled again. "You know it is quite pleasurable what a man and woman does together." He knew his sister was not bad looking, looks and body. He had seen her in the bath chamber a couple of times, but never told her about it. A man would not mind enjoying her body.

Claire really did not think it was fair that Eric had this upper hand on her. She did not understand why when some of the younger warriors were training her heart seemed to flip flop and her throat grew dry. Or her palms grew sweaty she was sure that her brother would know but it wasn’t really something that brother and sisters would talk about. Even as close as the two of them were.

She sat up coughing in surprise which immediately brought everything to a halt but she looked out the door. “I'm fine” They procession continued and Claire looked at him surprised. Then leaned forward and smiled and spoke again in their language just in case someone was listening.

“Atwhay isway itway ikelay otherbray owhay oesday itway itfay, atwhay oesday itway eelfay ikelay? Atwhay oday ouyay oday. Atwhay oesday away ansmay....enispay eelfay ikelay? Iway
alwaysway antedway otay owknay utbay owhay amway Iway oinggay otay askway amamay andway apapay Iway ontday inkthay osay. Osay otherbray enlightenway ouryay eivenay istersay ifway ouyay
inkthay Iway ouldshay ogay outway andway oday itway, atwhay aypray elltay isway itway.

(What is it like brother how does it fit, what does it feel like? What do you do. What does a mans....penis feel like? I always wanted to know but who am I going to ask mama and papa I don’t think so. So brother enlighten your naive sister if you think I should go out and do it, what pray tell is it.)

The last males member she had seen was her brothers, and that was when they were young children, she had to admit she had tried to follow him on one of his outings but was caught and brought home. Out side was no place for a young lady, she had been told. But she hated being kept in the dark.

She raised an eyebrow and waited to see what her brother would say. Of course she was none the wiser about him spying on her, and even if she did know she probably wouldn't be angrey, they were twins its not like it meant anything. Least not in her mind.

Eric was silently laughing in his mind at his sister when he had made his comment. But his eyes snapped wide open and his jaw dropped when she began asking the questions. The way she had treated her suitors he wondered if she even thought about being with a man. Also with her being more or less kept away from such situations by their parents because she was a lady and all.

He slowly turned his head and looked at his sister. "Well now what has brought on this Sis? You actually thinking of finding a man and doing something?" He grinned. If she did their parents would be a bit upset for sure, but, somehow he didn't think they would disown her, though the poor bastard that would take her virginity might not be so fortunate.

"As to how it feels, I can only tell you how it feels to me to have my manhood up a woman's pussy, how it feels to squeeze a woman's tits and the feel of her naked body on my hands. You would have to ask a woman how it felt, but I do know it is quite pleasurable." he chuckled. "By the way the women moan and cry out for more. Even when I have taken them up their ass' they have enjoyed feeling my hard manhood there."

He smiled and continued. "Do you think you could stand having a man run his hands over your naked body, squeeze your lovely tits hard, and finger your pussy? That is without you knocking him to the ground?"

Sitting there in the carriage Claire waited to see her brothers reaction. Her heart was beating so loud and fast she was certain that he could hear it. The reaction he did give her surprised her though. He seemed to go from nearly asleep to bug-eyed. She supposed she should have excepted it to be that way, she knew that she had turned down ever suitor that came her way, but she had good cause, she witnessed one use a whip on his horse to get him to go faster. Another talked coarsely to the servants; others answered her questions in a way that she didn’t like. Mostly about what their wife should be doing all day. Most wanted them to sew and stay safe. That was not for Claire. She wanted adventure, to be able to be with the people like she was in her beloved highlands.

When he asked his own question she blushed a deep red and covered her cheeks with her hands. She shook her head “Not just any man brother, but I have been curious”

She listened to him explain what he did. Her eyes went wide. “Why would you squeeze the womans tits, wouldn’t that hurt?” She shook her head when he suggested she talk to a woman there wasn’t one that she felt she could, maybe Lara, she would most likely tell her.

She gasped when he mentioned taking a girl up the ass, she shook her head. “Nay you jest with me brother, it would never fit” She crossed her arms frustrated that he was lying to her.

It took a moment for Claire to get her thoughts together when he asked his next question. “I do not know brother, but as to what brought this on, well” She paused and took a deep breath. “You know nothing really stays quiet in the castle.” She shrugged then licked her lips. “I heard some of the maids talking about it” She looked up at him. “Now you mustn’t tell papa I adore these women”

She sighed and leaned back. “I just know I am going to be married soon and I don’t even know what to do, or what...it looks like” She giggled “Last one I saw was yours when our maids would bathe us together” I mean does it always stay that size?

Claire took another swing of the drink beside her, good wine, and maybe it was going to her head for in a clear thought would she talk about sex with her brother.

Eric chuckled when he saw how embarased she was. She wanted to know so he was telling her, but telling her about it could not really make her understand how it felt. She had to feel it all to truely understand how it felt and know how pleasurable it could be. But that would be impossible for her, unless a man was to show her, and the likelyhood of that happening was slim to none. She would not allow a man to get near her let alone let him have his way with her.

When she exclaimed that a mans cock would not fit up a womans ass, he laughed. "Oh believe me dear sister, it will. A womans ass will expand to let the mans cock in. Though if it is the first time and even with some lubrication to help the man's cock fit up inside her ass, she would be a bit sore for a couple of days or so. But......" he sighed, "I guess you will never know until mother and father marry you off." he chuckled again, Only a man can show you the true pleasures of having sex.

Then a crazy thought crossed his mind and he shook his head. But it made him smile. He could show her, let her feel what it was like to have her tits squeezed and played with, have her pussy fingered at least and rubbed. She had a nice ass and he would not mind showing her how it felt to be fucked in the ass. But he doubted that she would go for something like that. It would be something people seldom did. Though he had heard stories of the royal families in France and Spain doing such things. But he wondered. He laughed again and said, "But there might be a way, only you would have to concent to it."

Claire was not happy on how her brother was acting here she was voicing her questions about something and all he could do was laugh at her. She finished her mug and refilled it. She knew she was risking getting drunk but she was too nervous about this discussion to really care about it right now.

She shook her head when he said again that a womans ass could accept a mans member. “Nay I nos know youd be jesting with me” She then frowned. “Why is it that the man can experience things but us women must keep ourselves pure for the bedding” She was sluring her words now and put her mug down, but now before downing the contents.

She glared at him as he smiled and shook his head. “What you be thinking brother, what would I must consent too, you will not be offering me to the men, none of them would dare touch me or risk losing their claybourn. Being chopped off” She the wrinkled her brows, “What is a clayborn? I heard the maids talking about one, and well they said that is what would happen if any man touched me, since I must be with royality and will never be able to marry for love”

She was rambling the wine really going to her head now. She looked at her brother. “Sorry I will shut up at let you talk now” She said softly leaning back to let him talk.

((Sorry its short...hope its good))

Eric smiled and shook his head. "Old wives tales to keep the ladies virginity intact." he told her. He could see that she was becoming a bit drunk. She was never the one to be able to drink. Like their mother, she could not handle to much wine let alone strong whiskey. He took the mug from her and drank from it, finishing it off and setting it on the floor of the coach.

"Now then dear sister, since you have no knowledge of what it feels like to have a man squeeze your tits, play with your pussy or even fuck you up your ass I have an idea. No it is not having a strange man touch you or anything like that. I would not want some stranger touching my sister in that way." He paused a moment and put and arm about her shoulders and undid her sash and sat it on the bench beside them. "What I am suggesting is that I teach you what it feels like. I will show you how it feels to have a man squeeze your tits and finger your pussy and I will show you that a mans cock can indeed fit up in your ass."

He looked at her to see what kind of a reaction she would have. "It will of course have to be with your consent and no one else must know of it." he told her. It might be strange, but he had seen her naked and she had a nice body indeed. He would not mind enjoying it even though in most eyes it would be wrong. But he felt that she needed to have some knowledge of what it was like so she would be prepared for what was to come when she did get married. "So what do you say sis? Care to learn some things or be surprised on your wedding night, when ever that might come?"

Claire nearly objected when he took the drink from her but simple frowned and glared at him as he finished it. She knew that he was thinking that she couldn’t hold her wine she couldn’t never been able too. It was why she rarely had more then mead but she was nervous about this trip, her impending marriage, even though she had just turned down the latest suitor, but she was reaching the age where she should be married and producing heirs.

When Eric made his comments she shook her head her face blushing a deep red. “No, I have only see the smile you wear when you sneak back into your room, she winked at him. Then she smiled as he said that he wouldn’t have a stranger touching her, he had always been protective of her. Once when she came down ill, she had been told that Eric didn’t leave her bed. They had always been close. So when he sat beside her and undid her sash she didn’t think anything of it. She turned her face and looked at her.

Her eyes went wide when he made his suggestion. She blushed again and giggled slightly. “It would be good if I wasn’t so dumb about it all” She looked at him and licked her lips. “How could we do that all with no one knowing” They were never alone, especially when they were traveling, right now their carriage was surrounded by mounted guards. There wasn’t going to be too much time for them to be alone, and from what she had heard when she had spied on a couple servants they were very loud. She turned and looked at him.

“So brother how do you suggest you teach me” She was a little drunk, but not too bad. She was interested in what he had in mind. She had seen him without a shirt on many times, he was very good looking, and she had been tempted many times to touch his sculpted chest and abs, but it would have been wrong, or at least she had thought so at the time, but now. Now she wanted to do it and from the way he was acting she was certain that he would be fine with it.

She smiled up at her brother with a twinkle in her eyes. “So brother are you going to tell me how you are going to show me what I need to know?”

The carriage they were in had curtins so to keep the dust of the road out as much as possible and provided privacy. He grinned when she blushed at his suggestion but she didn't say no or argue with him on the matter. "Well now, we will have to take it in steps, my dear sister." he told her and then he pulled her shirt out from her kilt and pulled it over her head and off. "First I will show you how a man's hands feels on your tits and how squeezing them makes you feel."

He again put an arm about her rubbing her arm with the one hand as he moved his other up to one of her lovely tits and began squeezing it. "Now you will feel strange sensations running through your body, but do not worry this is normal. " he grinned and squeezed her one tit harder before moving his other hand from her arm to her other tit and squeezed both of them some what hard and began pulling on her hardening nipples. "How does that feel sis?" he asked her

He then leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Pull your kilt up all the way, and pull your undergarment down about your ankles." His cock was now rock hard by now and he would be showing it to her in a bit, but first he wanted to enjoy playing with her tits some more as he showed her what it was like. "This is called foreplay. It helps get the woman excited and wet and the man likes the feel of a womans tits in his hands. I must say Sis you have a marvelous pair of tits. Who ever marrys you will enjoy them emensly."