• The snow was tinged in rose as the first fringes of dawn crept over the stone walls of Wintering Keep, which was really more a small castle. Nara sighed. To be stuck inside on such a beautiful day should be a crime. But southerners disliked the cold, mistrusted the winter. They only saw the death that it brought, they were blind to its beauty.

    She sighed again, wishing she could play in the snow with her brothers. But they were only children, and she was almost a grown woman, she had nearly sixteen years. So it fell to her to contend with this arrogant southern lord.

    Sister Ana said that one of the high lords had come to demand something of her. Swords, provisions, perhaps even an alliance. Nara did not see the reason why he had come to her. There were hundreds of southern lords he could have bothered.

    There was a sharp rap on the door, and Sister Ana pushed open the door a crack. "Do I have leave to enter?" Nara nodded, and Sister Ana entered, already dressed in her long sky-blue habit and dark gray coif. She saw Nara standing by the window still in her bed gown. "M'lady, you should be dressed by now! What have you been doing?"

    Nara tilted her head up. "Watching the snow."
    Sister Ana tutted. "Come, girl, it is best not to keep Lord Martin waiting. He is an impatient man. Remember that." She waddled across the room to Nara's wardrobe, and flung it open. "Let's see if we can't find you something suitable to wear. You must make a good impression on Lord Martin. His is a very powerful house, it would not do to offend him." She pulled out a green velvet dress with a low-cut bodice, embroidered with tiny silver roses on the skirt and cuffs. "Here, this should do."

    Nara grabbed the dress, letting her bed gown fall to the floor. She pulled on the dress.
    Sister Ana cooed, "Ah, yes, perfect, you look lovely. Almost like your late lady mother."
    Nara looked at her reflection in the full length looking glass by the wardrobe. Sister Ana was right. Her long dark brown curls fell lazily to her shoulders, like her mother's had, and the green of the velvet brought out the green flecks in her gold eyes. She felt a swell of pride.

    Her mother had been a good woman, kind and fair, and strong. When Josef fell from his horse, she stayed by him day and night, nursing him back to health. When Father fell ill, she ran the castle in his stead, just as well as any man. When Father’s brother died in the war, and it seemed he would let go, she was there, giving him comfort and support.

    She was so strong, but she still died. Nara’s eyes burned, she rubbed them with the heel of her hand. “Sister, what’s the gossip about this Lord Martin?” She asked, banishing her previous thoughts. It did no good to dwell on such things.

    “Oh, gossip, is it?” Sister Ana’s eyes twinkled. She knew all the latest gossip, from the other nuns. “Since we can’t have our own business, we have to settle for everyone else’s instead,” she had said once, laughing.

    She chuckled now. “Well, girl, I’ll tell you, listen. I’ve heard some queer things about this one.” She sat down on Nara’s little stool, the wood creaking in protest. “One of the sisters says he’s got a b*****d daughter in the mountain lands. She’s either two or seven or ten, her mother was a crofter’s daughter, or a whore, or a young lady, depends on whom you ask. His little sister is supposedly a witch. I’ve seen that girl, and she certainly doesn’t wear a pointy hat with stars on it, but she burned a bird alive, roasted it right on the branch, just by looking at it!” Sister Ana prattled on about the three headed dogs they kept and how their ancestors used to wear human skins instead of cloaks.

    Nara looked out the window, out over the walls and the trees. The sun was almost fully up now, the magic gone. She was disappointed to have missed it. She imagined she was ten again, running through waist deep snow, laughing as Sister Ana demanded she come in right this instant and dry off.

    A scream in the yard jolted Nara from her daydreaming, filling her with fear. Down iamid the snow drifts, her brother, little Daniel, who was barely six, was lying in the snow, a large wolf standing over him. Nara's breath caught in her throat. It was almost as tall as Daniel was, had he been standing. With him flat on his back, it towered over him. The wolf lowered its face to Daniel's, and licked his cheek. The boy giggled, and hopped up. The wolf started running, and Daniel chasing after him.

    "Lord Martin brought it, as a gift. It looks vicious, to be sure, but he swears it will not harm the boys. It was a thoughtful gesture. He is well renowned for his breeding program. Remember that." Sister Ana appeared at her shoulder. Nara was amazed how silently the woman could move, given her considerable bulk. According to her, Sister Ana had never been a fair maiden, and the years hadn't improved her.

    So, this Lord Martin is trying to buy my favor, is that the way of it? Nara smiled wanly. "I suppose he expects something in return of me, no doubt."

    "Well, he didn't say, but he was very eager to speak with you, M'lady." Sister Ana waddled to the door. "I shall await without, if it please you M'lady." Nara nodded her head in consent, and Sister Ana was gone from the room. Nara sighed and sat down on the bed. The rushes rustled as she shifted her legs under her.

    How to deal with this Lord Martin? He wanted something; that was obvious. Why else would he come this far north, and bring such handsome gifts? The wolf wasn't the only gift he had bestowed upon her. She had also received a handsome set of jewels, a gold chain dripping with emeralds, and a matching circlet. It had been sitting at her dressing table when she woke up, with a note. She pondered wearing them for the audience. No. It will only make it seem as if I have accepted his offer. Instead, she wore a small silver chain around her neck, and a green satin ribbon weaved into her curls. She pulled on a pair of soft gray doeskin slippers.

    When Sister Ana saw her, she cooed and fluttered about like a pigeon, straightening this hem, fixing this lock of hair, adjusting the fold of this pleat. Nara finally waved her away. "Sister, I think it is time we finally broke our fast with Lord Martin." She knew the meal wouldn't be served until she arrived in the solar. She intended to take as long as she could without causing offense. It would serve him right, showing up unannounced and uninvited in the middle of the night.