I had been caught off guard first by the dog then by this man's laughter and voice. Now as he slowly approached me I regained my bearing and glared at him as I pulled my dagger from a special pocket inside my cloak. Pointing the sharp weapon at him I demanded, "Stop sir or you will bleed!"

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips his eyebrows raised slightly as he held out both hands palm upward to assure me he was not armed. "As you wish." he said giving a bow of his covered head.

For an instant I stared at him. Something was vaguely familiar about him but I wasn't sure what or why. It was probably a play of the light at this hour.

"What is your business here?" I demanded. Then added, "Who are you? You had best not have harmed my mother!"

"Nay lady." he said. "I would never harm your mother. Nor you."

A low growl drew my attention to the great dog which stood between the man and myself. The man spoke to the dog in a strange tongue and she laid down her head on her large paws.

"Stand aside, sir. I will see my Mother for myself." I made a figure eight in the air with the dagger. Then from the cottage doorway I heard Mother's melodic voice. "Valenta, luv, I assure you I am fine."

I looked passed the strangely dressed man to the doorway and could hardly believe my eyes. There stood Mother leaning against the door jam. Forgetting the man and dog I rushed past them to Mother's side. "Mother!" I exclaimed. "You shouldn't be exerting yourself so. Here, let me help you to your chair."

She grasped my hand saying. "It's alright child. I'm fine." Then she looked toward the stranger who stood gazing at us and said, "Let's all go inside and have some tea, shall we?"

I looked from one to the other, dumbfounded. "But Mother.." I began. "What..Who..?"

Mother looked at me tenderly and answered, "Come now. Let's all sit together and talk."

"But.." I stammered, looking suspiciously at the stranger and refusing to budge. A soft hand to my lips stopped my protest and I gazed into my mother's blue-grey eyes. I could not recall having seen the particular glow that filled them at this moment.

The tall sturdy stranger came up to us and Mother smiling, reached a hand out to him. He smiled back at her as he took her hand in his. Then as I stared wide eyed at them, Mother spoke. "Valenta, sweet child. It is time you meet your father."