The Golden Telescope

2 - EDWARD

DUBLIN, IRELAND - EIGHT YEARS AGO

Mac Paidin Manor sat at the end of a long, winding driveway on the top of a rocky hill overlooking the Irish Sea. It was more than a house. Much more. Built of dark gray bumpy stone, there were 15 bedrooms and almost as many bathrooms in the place. It was large and imposing, but to those who lived in it, the small castle possessed a rustic warmth uncommon for mansions of its size. Having lived there more than half his fifty-four years, Arthur, the butler, certainly thought so.

Entering the library, he found his dear old friend and master, Sir Edward, seated in a large, brocade wingback chair facing the roaring fire, his slippered feet stretched out in front of him to absorb the warmth.

"Sir Edward," Arthur said, "I thought you might like a brandy to chase away the chill before you retire for the evening." He carried a decanter of honey-colored liquid with him on a silver platter. A single snifter sat next to it, at the ready. He sat the tray down on the round walnut table next to the chair.

Gazing up at him over wire-rimmed reading glasses, Sir Edward glanced over to the tray, the flickering light of the fire glowing across his penetrating hazel eyes.

"Why, yes, Arty, that would be lovely," he responded in a weary old voice.

That Master Mac Paidin was in his golden years was self-evident. His full head of hair, which was once raven black, was now heavily streaked with gray, and there was a deep sense of sadness in his overall demeanor, an indication of a past filled with immense pain and loss. And yet, his chiseled jaw, prominent nose, and the way he squared his shoulders still offered a glimpse of the powerful man he had once been.

*****

The deep, resonant tone of the doorbell announced an unexpected evening visitor. The two gentlemen shared a curious glance before the butler, carrying out his duty, made his way from the library to the imposing mahogany and iron front entrance. Two silhouettes stood beyond the dappled glass, and as Arthur pulled the door open, his surprise was obvious, not only in his expression but the constricted "Oh!" that erupted from his tight-lipped smile.

Inez and Clara Mac Paidin had aged considerably in the sixteen years since he last saw their faces, but there was no mistaking the stark if intimidating beauty of the pair.

"Arthur..." The sisters chimed in a sing-song sort of way that said they were less than genuinely happy to see him.

"It's been too long," Inez said, shifting uncomfortably under the butler's scrutinizing gaze.

Arthur did not move nor invite them inside, and so the two sisters pushed past him into the main foyer, barely a glance in his direction.

"Where is he?" Clara asked, glancing to the left, toward the library.

"Is he in there?" Inez headed in that direction.

Arthur followed, keeping up a brisk yet silent step to fall ahead of them. "Sir Edward is not expecting you," he said. "I will announce you," And he attempted to sidestep them, blocking their path.

"Nonsense," Inez proclaimed. "He will be thrilled to see us."

The two sisters strode confidently past him and on into the room.

"Daddy!" They shrieked in discordant, high-pitched voices.

Sir Edward looked up, and his eyebrows raised, though he did not move further.

"Girls..." He said, slowly putting his brandy down. He studied them closely and allowed a moment for their presence to register before cautiously standing to greet them. "This is a...surprise." His words were measured with skepticism.