“Take your pick. To give more credence to the myth. To set a plan in action. To give Fasta time away from her duties at the keep,” Willow said with a shrug. “There are endless reasons. I recall you telling me you didn’t care for her upon first meeting her. Has she been as abrupt with you as she was the first time you were here?”

“She’s been the same and I’ve caught her in lies. She was upset when I removed her from her duties at the keep,” Snow said.

“A place where she could learn much. She could very well be the person who knows the truth behind everything that goes on here. But tell me, do you believe in this myth and the dwarfs?” Willow asked.

Snow shook her head. “No, I believe someone is out to harm my husband, and I believe whoever was responsible for his parents’ deaths intended for Tarass to die with them.”

“That sounds like revenge and revenge can be a powerful weapon, often wielded without thought or reason. Can Tarass think of anyone who holds such a deep grudge against his father?”

“We haven’t gotten a chance to discuss that and I’ve also just learned of another lie Fasta told that Tarass needs to know about,” Snow said and told her about what John had to say.

“I would say this Fasta has a lot of explaining to do, but also think about what I said earlier concerning the true meaning of the myth… jealousy and revenge often go hand in hand.”

“A moment of your time, my lord,” Nettle said, approaching Lord Tarass as he neared the keep with Slatter.

Tarass stopped as did Slatter.

Nettle looked to Slatter, then to Tarass. “There’s something I thought I should tell you.”

“You can speak in front of Slatter,” Tarass said.

Nettle did so without hesitation. “Lady Snow plans to tell you all about John’s dilemma with Fasta so I don’t wish to interfere with that. But I believe what I saw might be helpful in putting pieces of the puzzling matter together,” Nettle said and continued. “The nights I walk the village when I cannot sleep, I sometimes see Fasta. Whether she is coming or going, I cannot say, though her steps are cautious in their gait, and she disappears before I see her reach any particular destination.”

“I appreciate the information, Nettle,” Tarass said.

Nettle bobbed her head and hurried up the keep stairs.

“It is good to have trusted eyes and ears in the clan,” Slatter said. “I have the same myself.”

“My da taught me the importance of it,” Tarass said, his brow narrowing at a sudden thought. “I need to see to something. Would you take Thaw to Snow? I won’t be long.”