“I had hoped that he might hear some gossip about my parents that would help open a door to what happened here that caused my da not to return home and my mum to flee with me.”

“You think he may have learned something and that’s why he was killed?”

“It’s possible,” Tarass said.

“You think the dead man was the one who killed him?”

“That’s something I don’t know, but what I do know is that Finn was the one marked for death, whoever killed him had no interest in you or you would be dead now too.”

A light snow was falling when Snow took Thaw outside later in the day. Nettle walked with her, detailing everything she saw around them.

“The village is quiet, many feeling safer inside than out, though most agree that if the dwarfs wanted to find their prey, nothing would stop them. But I don’t know what the dwarfs would want with the likes of this group since they’re all claiming ignorance.”

Snow chuckled.

“Runa is busy with demands for amulets to keep them safe.”

That news brought a worry to Snow. If a cleric or the abbot arrived and saw that, it would not bode well for her and Tarass. But she couldn’t nor would she prevent anyone from seeking and using something they believed would protect them.

“Runa is busy enough, having three women near ready to give birth,” Nettle went on talking. “Two are first births and the other a third birth. Helga doesn’t need much help. All are amazed at how easily she delivers her bairns. But some say her mum or grandmother, maybe both, had been a healer and she knows about birthing better than most.”

“Do not keep Lady Snow out long, Nettle, the snow grows heavier,” Rannock ordered.

“I know how to look after Lady Snow, you don’t have to tell me,” Nettle said.

“You’re busy talking and not paying attention,” Rannock argued. “Do you not see how the snowfall has turned heavier?”

Nettle planted her hands on her hips as she took steps to stand right in front of Rannock. “Do you think I cannot see that for myself?”

“Watch your tongue with me, woman,” Rannock said.

“You make demands that are not necessary,” Nettle said, standing face to face with Rannock.

An arm hooked around Snow’s. “Let the couple argue since it’s the only way they’ll ever get together, and come join me for a hot brew.”

Snow recognized Twilla’s raspy voice and followed along with the woman, Thaw keeping pace beside her.

“Nettle and Rannock?” Snow couldn’t help but shake her head. “An unlikely pair to me.”

“As perfect and unlikely a pair as you and Tarass?” Twilla’s chuckle was as raspy as her voice. “The one you’re looking for isn’t always the one you find.”