I am confronted with a sight I never expected. All three Frisians, Piet, Ottmar, and Hanse, are surrounded by jumping, squirming, squealing children, each one eager to be the next to ride one of my beautiful Friesian horses.

As I stride toward the paddock, I think on what to do. Actually, whether intending it or no, my men have struck on a wonderful gambit to showcase our horses. Yes...I can hawk it well...look one and all...so gentle and well-trained, even the merest child can ride one. I laugh aloud.

There is a large throng milling about, many folks leaning against the paddock rails and observing the horseflesh. Aelwid supervises the horse rides, and a little farther down the rail, a group of soldiers are pointing to this horse and that...discussing the relative merits of each. I see their leader, a bit apart, looking with some pleasure at my horses. He is a man I should cultivate. If not for a sale now, at least for future prospects.

Yet a bit further down field, I see a woman sitting on a bench, with what appears to be a collection of boards scattered around her. She has the most peculiar expression on her face. Almost as though she's received a gut-blow.

Driven by curiosity, I approach her from the rear. The boards, it turns out, are covered with drawings.

I clear my throat to alert her to my presence. "Those drawings are quite fine. I've never seen pictures rendered in quite that manner," I comment. "Could you tell me a bit about it?"