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He drew in a deep breath that was so cold it hurt the deepest part of his lungs, then exhaled strongly Soreat channel he’d crossed once to France If he listened closely, he’d hear the crashing waves upon the cliffs He stopped breathing, just to hear the sound

A movement fro, he found that Sir Dirick had come pell ht of his host

"My lord," Dirick said, clearly uncomfortable

"Nay, Dirick, you do not disturb ht "Unless ’tis you who does not wish to be disturbed"

"Nay, my lord ’Tis just that I did not expect to colad for your co out into the darkness "See you here, Dirick… See you all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon h Merle kneas unable to see far in the diht "You’re worthy of them, my lord," he said quietly

"Listen and you can hear the sea…it has been the cause of the wealth that has con, betrothed to the daughter of a Norrandfather’s land, here near the sea, was a randfather ith Lord Huaret, this keep and this fief have served the King of England with no regret, and no hesitation--even when Stephen of Blois ruled, and ruined, this land"

Merle was silent for athoughts upon his coive e thatto another man…and these lands will so hiood It was the best he could wish for Maris

Yet, of the man whom he’d come to know and respect, and one as clearly a confidant of the king, Merle nevertheless felt couests?"

"They seem pleasant dinner companions…full of ht, Merle saw his cohness of the stone half wall

"Yet you do not sound convinced," he pressed Then gave a wry chuckle "Has hter complained to you?"

"My lady does not seee," Dirick adht, do not wish to see a darinned, then sobered He was full aware of the way Dirick’s eyes often settled on his daughter, and the way she tended to avoid looking at him…unless the man was turned in the other direction "Aye, Maris has a way ofeven her father with her sad stories ’Tis the best for her, I believe, Dirick The world can be an unfriendly place, and I’ll not have her alone and vulnerable should aught happen to me" His voice softened at the last

"She may not understand reat debt to Michael d’Arcy…for ’twas because of hirievously wounded and Michael saved reatest gift I have to give"

Dirick nodded in acknowledgment, but remained silent

Thus theA cold, brisk breeze ruffled their hair and the cloaks that huddled about their shoulders, yet each was lost in thought and ’twas as if the other were not present

The world was quiet but for the breeze, and when he heard the sound of voices below, Dirick looked down into the courtyard He stood near the edge of the crenellation and peered over the waist high stone

Voices drifted up to hih the snow to the stables Even in the low light, Dirick recognized the brilliant blue cloak ’Twas Maris, and with her, the silvery-blond Sir Victor, his hair gleaht The two disappeared into the stables and Dirick turned abruptly fro hi to et his courtly s that preyed on hisleave of you, now, Lord Merle, and for the morrow I’ll leave early in the reat hospitality now, and for all of the assistance you’ve given me in my quest for thehere, enjoying your hospitality and your pallet"