The distance wasn’t far but the snow on the ground made the trek seem endless.

After a while Snow began to make out other gray shadows and the bigger they grew the more difficult it became to see Tarass.

When he was about to meld with the other shadows, she called out to him, “Tarass!”

His hand was on her arm instantly. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re beginning to blend with gray shadows that draw near.”

“We are almost at the village and the keep is not far away,” he said and his hand moved down along her arm to take her hand. “Hold tight to my hand.”

She closed her hand around his and Thaw gave a bark.

“Keep up, Thaw,” Tarass ordered and the pup grumbled and growled as he followed along.

Snow was surprised when they were met with an endless round of greetings as they entered the village. She thought most of the villagers would be inside, out of the cold.

“Tell me this is your bride and not just a woman to warm your bed for the winter?” a man called out with robust laughter.

Thaw planted himself in front of Snow as soon as Tarass stopped and let out a warning growl as the thick-chested man approached.

“This wisp of an animal will not make much of a meal,” the man said.

Snow gasped, her hand falling away from Tarass to reach down and snatch Thaw up in her arms. “You will not dare touch my pup,” she threatened.

Tarass shook his head. “Rannock, meet Snow of the Clan Macardle.”

“The blind Macardle sister?” Rannock asked with a scrunch of his nose. “What is she doing with you?”

“I came across her in the snowstorm,” Tarass said and continued before his friend could ask more questions. “I’ll explain later. Right now, we need food and shelter from the cold that has burrowed into our bones. She’ll be staying with us until I can return her home safely. I also need Runa. Snow was injured in a fall.”

“I’ll bring Runa to the keep,” Rannock said and he took the wolf’s headdress that Tarass handed him.

Snow turned her head toward Tarass. “You will command him not to harm Thaw.”

“Rannock jests. He will not harm Thaw.”

“I would never harm a creature who carries the name of our great god Thor,” Rannock said.

Snow didn’t correct him. It was better that Rannock thought Thaw was named after a god. The barbarians here would then surely leave the pup alone. Though, she did wonder if Tarass thought the same of Thaw.

She didn’t take a chance, though, she held onto the pup.

The warmth of the Great Hall was most welcoming as was the bench Tarass set her on.

“Lord Tarass, welcome home,” a woman’s voice called out.

Snow couldn’t help but hear in her voice how pleased the woman was over his arrival.