“Sit and have hot cider with me,” Snow offered.

Nettle sat and added more cider to Snow’s tankard and filled a tankard for herself.

“This is a treat. I never get to sit and enjoy a hot cider,” Nettle said. “So tell me, did you see the two dead men? Do you know either one?”

There was no pretense to Nettle, she was who she was and Snow liked that about her.

“One man was a friend and belonged to my clan,” Snow said.

“I’m so sorry. I will offer a prayer for him,” Nettle said.

Snow heard the genuine sympathy in her voice and it was comforting. “I appreciate that, Nettle.”

“You didn’t know the other man?” Nettle asked.

Snow shook her head, then stopped. “I don’t believe so, but then no one detailed his features to me. Although Rannock made mention of a painted image on one of the man’s arms.”

“One like Lord Tarass’s?”

“Lord Tarass’s arm holds a painted image?”

“A crude blue arrow runs on the inside of his forearm, from the fold to the wrist. It can be seen clearly when his sleeve is rolled up or when he’s bare-chested. Naturally, I asked someone about it and was told that the arrow depicts one of the sacred ruin symbols of the heathen barbarians. It’s often worn on their shields when they go into battle. It supposedly represents victory. Maybe that’s why Lord Tarass is so victorious.”

The image Nettle had painted of the arrow made Snow realize just how strongly Tarass had embraced his mother’s heritage. It made her wonder if the dead man had been the one Tarass was supposed to meet with and he didn’t want it known or perhaps he didn’t know the identity of the man.

“Did Rannock detail the painted image for you?” Nettle asked.

Snow thought it best she didn’t tell Nettle that Tarass forbid it.

“No, he didn’t.”

“I could detail it for you and describe the man,” Nettle offered.

Her offer was far too tempting. “I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

Nettle laughed. “I’m always in trouble no matter what I do.” She lowered her voice. “We can be quick. We’ll be there and back before anyone knows we’re gone. And I’ll make sure to tell one or two of the servants here that we go to Runa since your wound pains you. We can stop there after seeing the bodies.”

Snow couldn’t help but smile. “You remind me of my sister Sorrell. That would be just the thing she would do.”

“And would you go with her?”

“Absolutely,” Snow said and stood.

Thaw roused himself from where he lay sleeping at Snow’s feet.

“We go on an adventure, Thaw,” Snow said and the pup barked.