When an unusually dry autumn reduces the estate's river to a whisper, ten-year-old knight-in-training Malcolm sets out to explore the exposed gravel beds and lower meadows. Scholar Master Finch warns him that low waters leave behind treacherous, sucking mud, urging the young knight to stick to the stony banks and rely on Brody's keen ears
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With his faithful Scottish sheepdog bounding through drifts of russet and gold leaves, Malcolm descends into the shadowy hollow beneath the weeping willows. Guided by the mysterious brass falcon key resting beneath his tunic, Malcolm discovers the forgotten stonework and sluice channels of the old millrace-piecing together another vital relic of the castle's hidden history.
Filled with vivid autumn landscapes, outdoor exploration, and enduring canine loyalty, Sir Malcolm and the Old Millrace is the fifth installment in the Sir Malcolm the Brave series, crafted for early independent readers and family read-alouds.