The Baron had felt Wilbur pull away from the boatyard and it affected his sleep by making him relive memories stirred up by killishandra's short visit with Wilbur. **** **** ***** flash back ***** **** ***

Snow had fallen hard. Week on end it had snowed and settled. Dry, hard and compact. Banks of the icing everywhere. The wind had left no cranny unturned, no shelter had been overlooked, and snow penetrated everywhere. Sunlight lanced through the thick forest, glanced off the snowdrifts in an unholy dance. Lighting the skeletal trees and the thick firs with their glimmering powder coats. Shine as it might the sun could not melt the snow.

The sure-footed horse stepped lightly in its traces. The wood groaned and the harness jangled as the horse pulled the sled up the hill. The driver stood on the back of the sled in his rough, coarse, layered clothing. Using all his skill to keep the sled from over turning.

The master wrapped in furs warm and protected from the elements. Laying down encased in the sled he urged the driver onwards and faster. He must get home. It had taken him a week to get from the pulsing butterfly of a town to his lands. Almost two weeks more to get to his home from his borders. His keep was self sufficient, it had to be it was so remote and cut off in the winter months.

Wolves howled their farewell to the dying sun. They prowled in the twilight. Wolves of one pack or another had escorted the lord of their lands and his guest's home. For once they hadn't been attacked. Not once had they attacked the procession, they seemed more inclined to slink away into the shadows. Odd. They could have, should have attempted an attack they always did. The poor starved, foaming beasts.

The master turned his head to see the other two sledges catch up to his. He always lost sight of them in the daylight hours but they always caught up at night.

Torches now lined the track as the wolves dropped back. Peasants cheered his good speed home. The tired beast was encouraged and praised as it struggled up the steep, curving track. He waved at them.

One man stepped forward separating himself from the group. The sled drew to a stop level with him.

"Jacob." He said with a tired face.

"Bastion, brother." The master replied.

"We had feared the wolves had . detained you." Bastion said solemnly. Jacob laughed at him as Bastion continued. " How many of the brutes did you kill?"

"Nine on the way to town. None on the way home."

"None? Ivan was the proud one who kept them at bay? How many Ivan?" He said gesturing to the driver. Jacob interrupted.

"No he killed two on the way to town none on the way back. They didn't come out to play."

"They didn't attack? You killed none?" Bastion was astonished.

"None" Jacob confirmed.

"None" Bastion echoed as he made the sign for protection against evil spirits. Jacob signalled the driver to move on.

"We have guests brother" he called over his shoulder as the sled pulled away. Two more sleds came whooshing by. One full of luggage and the other . held precious cargo of a a pair of beautiful brown eyes.