A MOMENT IN THE CASTLE CHAPLE

Life resumes much of its timelessness for the recently returned Fletcher Quill. Long smoky Northern Ireland mornings interrupted by endless satellite phone beeps as the waves crash against the mighty gray castle walls. In the castle chapel Quill and his beloved cat Timba, sit side by side in the middle of three rows of empty chairs. They are having a last private moment in memory of a lost personal friend and wonderful sports ambassador Cindy G. The Marin County Independent Journal Headline at Quill's feet says it all, " Noted African Fly fisher Adventurer feared lost."

Quill remembered a folio of ancient Irish tales he once read called " The Immrama " that spoke of fantastic voyages into the unknown realms of the invisible world. One of the many mystical places he remembered was " Mag Mell " or " The Plane Of Pleasure" a place where endless feasting and revelry rule every moment and all pleasures are constantly satisfied! That would be a perfect place for Cindy to have disappeared into. The long walk up the castle's winding stairwell was a sad one for Timba and his master…

Twenty minutes later and the fly tying room has become it's usual feathers flying all about madhouse as Timba rejoices in scrambling after all the bits and pieces Quill throws as he begins tying up a batch of rare dry flies. Tied with end feather tips found embedded in the highly ornate hunter's robe recently excavated in eastern Tibet. The Tibetan archeological dig has been paying rich dividends in rare feathers. Quill has a solid student contact and has been unwrapping freshly smuggled shipments all morning.

ENTER JIVE BOY

The phone rings, it's the one and only Jive Boy" Dude, so what a bummer about Cindy, but life moves on. So when are you going to do the Wild Turkey/Coyote shoot thing in Marin County? Oh yeah, and what the hell happened with the peace diplomat boys?" Quill responds, " I'm setting up a list of volunteers for the bird/dog shoot and it looks like it will go down this spring in downtown Sausalito. They have requested it to bring back the hordes of tourists that have evaporated of late! The peace boys are meeting right now at a conclave of old school peace activists I arranged. The notorious Mayor of Oakland California Jerry " I'm still not mainstream!" Brown and the Dali Lama are meeting at Ken Keseys old ranch in Oregon, Man, there can't be a more centered spiritual place on Earth." " That all sounds most heart tugging, gotta jam dude, oh by the by, ran into Sammy Hagar and Keith Richards down at the Doggy Diner on Van Ness. They were a little testy about not making the peace trip, I cooled them out, its cool dude. Later."

Fletcher reflects on the last months as he watches his perfectly tied #18 Mosquito dry in the vice. Endless phone calls from a new President eager to pursue peace in every possible configuration. The leaders of two sides pledged mortal enemies possibly working things out in the dim light of a fallen sister of the long rod. Much to ponder as Quill remembers a favorite poem by Emily Dickinson " My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close " My life closed twice before its close; It yet remains to see If immortality unveils a third to me." The smell of East African incense wafted up the castle walls into the fly tower as Timba somehow managed to reveal one more irritated meow at Quills long absence. The synergy around the ancient Raven's Haven was almost back to normal. The endless quest for more adventure and exotic tomfoolery was back in full swing. Suddenly a very loud cackle rang through the castles turret windows, it was two eagles locked in claw to claw wildness screaming at one another while tumbling out of a beautiful northern Irish sunset. Quill fell into the plush red window seat with Timba quickly on his chest and they lay quietly watching the Sea Eagles do their ancient wind dance among the wisps of fog drifting in on the rough Irish Coast…

A dim red light flickers and the momentary bliss ends with the sound of the Cowboy " Quill, listen, son-we have almost all your old gang in the 1st Marines up to their butts in a wild west shootout and I know you wish you could get right in the middle of it!" " Well, without a whimper, Mr. President and if push comes to shove and you get down to veterans 55 plus living in foreign lands, I'm your man." " Don't hold your breath, Fletch. I really called to let you know that both sides are close in the Israeli talks. I know it was that trip of yours that finally turned the tide. What a shame that girl guide of yours had to make the ultimate sacrifice." " Sir, it seems like everyone in America had better get ready for the idea of freedom not being free. When I was the boy Marine in the 60s, it was like being the lone Ranger and no one cared or wanted to hear about it. This new crew has all the networks eating and sleeping with them as the latest chow hall scuttlebutt is tossed back and forth." " That was the old Corps, Quill and those ancient memories still live in the hearts and minds of a lot of old salts like you. Now we want you to work the same magic on the diplomats in the Irish conflict, you won't even have to travel for this assignment. I'll let you know when this will be on. In the mean time, let me see if I have this right. You're going to hold a wild turkey/coyote shoot in Sausalito, California, right smack in the middle of Hot Tubber Heaven all-my-kids-go-to-private schools Shangri-La! " Yes sir, how about you're being a special guest and I could… ' " Forget it, I'm not that desperate for new travel itineraries yet."

NIGHT WATCH AT RAVEN'S HAVEN

Blissful stillness creeps up the castle walls as Timba and Quill come down from the fly tower into the library. Fire crackles while silent shadows welcome the night and the spirits that often rule Raven's Haven. The two best friends pause at the window seat next to the fireplace. Fletcher thanks his angels for helping him find this secluded retreat on the tip of the Irish Northern Coast. He sleeps soundly as the waves splash against the gray walls and occasional sea birds come and go.

Check back next month for the ongoing storyline of Fletcher Quill, "Will the upcoming Sausalito shoot out come to be?".