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Severin chuffed before he nodded to Oliver and s tossed his head before leading the way out of the courtyard and down the shoveled driveway

Behind them the servants--unable to call out--clapped their hands or waved white, lace handkerchiefs in the crisp air

Neither Severin nor Elle acknowledged the send off as they rode on

It took nearly five rounds The front gates were open, fastened to the walls of a brick bridge that extended over a s outside the chateau was untouched by travelers and snow shovelers alike

"We will ride east, it’s the route ill take when you finally are able to return to the palace," Severin said, gesturing up the road

"Very well," Elle said

They settled into a brisk walk, Severin going first on Fidele to break the path for the smaller Rosemerry

The snoas not terribly deep in most places on the road It had drifted horribly on the far side of the road, gathering in piles nearly as tall as Rosee was scant inches deep

"It certainly is beautiful," Elle said Snow covered the trees and bushes in a white glaze, and the sunshine lanced at the iced branches overhead "It can be," he said

"You’re a gardener, how can you not enjoy the beauty of nature?"

"I also happen to be a general, and snow is htfully studied the snowy forest "How far do the chateau lands extend?" Elle asked

"Quite far Chanceux Chateau is the only household in these woods The village is the closest settle Lord de Bertainmont’s land"

"His land borders the capital’s district, doesn’t it?"

"Yes"

"So it is quite rural in these parts"

"Yes"

The pair was quiet for a time until Severin asked, "You find it forlorn?"