Stephan sat in the small keeping room just off of the kitchen, he could hear the bustle of the kitchen staff, and the busy sounds were comforting to the old man. The shadows were beginning to lengthen outside as the world turned to twilight. This particular room was very pleasant, lined with windows that in the morning let in an abundance of light. Very few were clear though, as intact panes of glass had become an almost impossible commodity to acquire since the war, just as mirror glass had. So a creative craftsman had manufactured lead-lights from many broken pieces, and they formed beautiful mosaics that gave the cozy room an almost monastic feel.

The old man loved to come here, and often did, favoring this location over his study, especially in the morning hours. The large gnarled wolf’s apple tree grew prominent, just outside the window, the blossoms had recently faded, giving way to abundant green leaves with the promise of a bountiful apple crop that made the finest pies.

Beyond he could see the completed palisade wall that ringed the township, and the guard towers, which every member of his town had worked so hard to make a possibility, in such a short space of time. This wall to Stephan represented the one reminder of approaching war, even as he looked on such tranquil beauty.

This was also his and Anna's most favorite place to sit and reflect over a much-needed meal, and a glass of wine. This he did alone this evening as he looked out across these abundant acres that had been so kind to him and his people. His mind as it often did, drifted to the upcoming war. ‘Why could his neighbors simply not live in peace! Were they truly ready for this war that they did not need?’

At least with the return of his beloved son, he possessed new intelligence about his old foe. That had heartened him some and caused his people to feel more confident as well. His adversary Lothar was crippled and confined to a wheelchair, and he had lost many of his best fighting men that bloody day. It well may be some time before the war even ensued, and every day they grew more prepared for whatever was to come.

A light step at the open doorway roused Stephan from his recurring worries, he had presumed it was the presence of his lovely wife he had detected there. Adjusting his uncooperative eyes he realized he was wrong.

“Oh Lissa, it’s you. Do come in.”

“Good evening Sir.” She answered cheerily stepping through the doorway.

“Do sit.” The elderly man gestured to the vacant chair where his wife usually sat.

“Thank you.” Lissa settled herself down, crossing her legs and brushing down her pretty floral dress.

“Wine?”

“Oh lovely, thank you Sir.”

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“Such a pleasing and polite girl, and a brave one too. I still haven't thanked you for your actions that night.”

“You have no need to thank me Sir, anyone would have done the same.”

“Ah, ever modest my dear.”

Lissa blushed a little at the elder man’s compliment and took a sip of her wine. It was fruity and tasted like the essence of summer. She tossed her bountiful auburn curls back over her slim shoulders and set her kind brown-eyed gaze on the elderly man. He sat in his chair with his cane leaning against his leg, his left hand resting on its top, he looked dignified and handsome still in this navy blue robe tied at the waist with a tasseled rope belt.

“So how are the girls?”

“Oh, they are both, recovering quite well. Sarah still has a trace of a cough, and Kate is going to have a baby.”

“Oh…” Stephan sounded sad, “How goes that new lass, what was her name, Mary, Myra…”

“Oh, you mean Maya.”

“Yes that was it, Maya, how is she?”

“Well, she seems kind of lost here honestly. Many have tried to include her but she still seems very withdrawn.”

“Hopefully that will pass.”

Lissa nodded, her curls bouncing as she did so.

“So to what do I owe the lovely visit my dear.” His words were warm and gentle with no hidden agendas.

“Well Sir, I came to see you because I had this idea... I wanted to tell Renard but… I felt it better if I approached you or Anna first.”

“Then my dear let me hear it.”

“I have thought about it for some time Sir. I think it might be nice if we made a memorial for Frances. She was so very loved. I know we don’t have her…”

Lissa paused and took another sip of her wine, she was feeling torn with emotion trying to discuss her lost friend. This was proving more difficult than she had thought it would be. Bravely though she continued.“… Her remains, but I do have a little something of her.”

She looked down and pulled a beaded bracelet from her arm, it was turquoise blue, with silver beaded accents threaded on some tough twine.

“She made this for me on my twelfth birthday. I have worn it ever since. It’s a part of her, we could inter it and have a funeral, some closure for family and friends, but especially Renard. I know he feels so responsible.”

“That my dear would be a lovely idea.” Stephan smiled. “I shall talk to the stone mason at once and see what can be done.”

Lissa rose and made to deposit the bracelet in her aging leader's hand. Her brown eyed gaze was sad with the remembrance of her dear friend, and the tragedy of her passing. As she placed the item in Stephan's outstretched palm his other hand covered hers with a warm reassuring embrace.

“Thank you for being so thoughtful Lissa, my son is lucky to have you by his side.”

He knew then Lissa realized, and he had just given his blessing to their love.

*****

Maya stared down at the little amulet that hung suspended about her neck on the fine gold chain, she fondled it often, wondering where Aran was and if he would ever return to her. She sighed softly, she missed her strong, golden man. The family she had been housed with, in the farming settlement had been nothing but lovely to her, yet she felt she did not belong.

She was a wild she-wolf who missed her lifelong mate. Maya could not see her way to a life without him. She regretted leaving the valley, she missed Raissa, little Eirik, and Lucy, and only wished to return. She was angry at Sven for ordering her to leave. Replaying the events of that evening over and over. She should have defied him, and she wondered if he had died. Worry and sadness descended like demons then to mess with her thoughts. If he had died what had become of her friends? The thought put her in an ever agitated state of mind.