"You will find her in the very center of the village." Lydia directed her.

Signi nodded then went off to find Aura.

Aura was indeed surrounded by most of the children in the village as she held the injured lad on her knee. She was busy getting the other children to join along in a singsong. The children looked as if they were enjoying themselves in a way they had never done before. As Signi looked about she noticed several adults watching the group as well. Everyone seemed to be drawn to the lighthearted gathering and all seemed pleased by the pure sweet voice that wafted over the crowd.

Signi looked a little further afield to see just how far reaching her influence was and her eyes fell on the figure of her oldest brother.

"Thorn!" Signi whispered and with quick silent moves, she made her way over to his side. He had been totally involved with watching Aura, which Signi found very interesting. She had never seen such a look on her brother's face, almost as if he had never seen a woman before, and the hunger in his eyes could almost be felt. Signi's mind clicked into action as she noted all this and she smiled in glee.

Thorn. Her brother. He would be a perfect match for Aura, and here he was, watching the lady like a cat stalking a mouse. Something told her that this was going to be very interesting.

"Glad you could make it Thorn." Signi greeted her brother as she walked up to the side of his charger.

Thorn acknowledged her presence with a nod, while he settled his horse with subtle pressures of his knees, to make sure he remained calm. During all that his eyes never once left Aura. "Vernon has a new toy I see." He noted with a grim twist of his lips.

"That is a matter of opinion. She is a toy he has great plans for." Signi spoke to both wet her brother's interest as well as gauge it. "The plans, however, have nothing to do with himself."

"So what has he in mind for her then?" Thorn's mind digested all Signi implanted, while still studying his quarry.

"He would like to keep her close at hand, so he seeks to match her with the Lord Allen." Signi informed him.

"She will never wed the Lord Allen." Thorn dismissed the possibility.

Signi noted the flint like glint in Thorn's eyes as he spoke and she was hard pressed not to smile. So he was touchy about the girl was he? Signi's mind danced at the prospects this tidbit of information brought to mind and she added, for his information.

"She says the same thing. So, to get out of the proposed match, she has talked me into introducing her to Arabella, who she seeks to match to Lord Allen."

"Sounds feasible. Lord Allen has an eye for beauty. But that will not stop Vernon from matching her to another of his favorites." Thorn spoke from experience.

"She is aware of that. So she seeks to match the Lord Alex to the Lady Felicity. It is much to Alex's approval."

"Good, and I especially wish her the best of luck. That would take Felicity off of my back." Thorn was especially pleased with that idea, though he didn't show it.

"Are you on your way to see Vernon by any chance Thorn?" Signi let the question slip innocently.

"I was, but now I am not so sure. You know how I hate to fit into court entertainments. I will be with my troops if you wish to visit, out in the North field." Thorn could almost taste the intrigue. He wanted nothing to do with it and could almost feel sorry for the young girl who was the center of Vernon's attention.

"You are wrong in your a.s.sumption that Vernon might even consider matching you with her Thorn. He wants her here, where he can keep an eye on her. You live too far away and you prefer life on your own land to that of life at court."

Thorn smiled as he replied. "So I do."

At that remark Signi thought to plant another seed in his head, to see later if it took root. "The way you were looking at the lady a while ago, I could have sworn you were interested in her for yourself."

"No," Thorn denied a little too quickly to convince his sister. "I was just watching her because she reminds me of a girl I met a while back."

It was a lame excuse in Signi's estimation and she smiled as she noted. "That girl must have made quite an impression to have you remember her this long. I think it would be quite exciting to find that she was that same person."

"It is unlikely. That person is probably dead by now. I doubt whether she was prepared to live the life she was about to face." Though, he thought to himself, she did seem resourceful enough. It was a dangerous thought and he pushed it aside. It was much easier for him to deal with the thought that she was dead, that way he was not tempted to ride up to this woman, pull her onto his horse before him and ride away.

"Did you love her Thorn?" Signi asked, digging further as she dredged up further memories.

It was too close to the truth for him to face fully at the moment, everything before him was too new yet and the facts too old.

To cover his thoughts he spoke with a trace of his usual arrogance and disregard for females in general. "She was a woman and could have been mine if I would have wished. For some reason, I refrained from taking her. That is all there is to it sister, so I would suggest you leave it at that." Thorn then turned his horse around and rode towards his camp.

Signi watched her brother ride off with a pleased, pensive smile. Something told her that things were not quite the way her brother had told her. Could it be that Aura actually was the mystery girl in his past? She wondered how they had met and what had happened, for Aura had definitely made an impression on her here-to-fore invulnerable brother. She skipped happily and walked on, wondering as she did just what type of effect Thorn had managed to have on Aura. It was time, she decided, to set ALL plans into action, and she headed out to find Arabella.

As luck would have it Arabella was easy to find and not too far away, as she was amongst the crowd watching Aura. Signi saw her and made a beeline straight for her.

"Arabella, just who I was looking for. The Lady Aura and I were planning a bit of a surprise tonight and would like you to join us. Would you like to join our party?" Signi invited.

"I would love to, but are you sure the Lady Aura meant me? I do not even know her." Arabella was unsure whether to agree or to protest. She had never been put in such a position before. Most women never invited her to any of their functions. They tended to avoid her and she often found herself alone.

"Of course Aura meant you. It was she who suggested you specifically. Well, we will expect you at Vernon's tonight. I believe you know the way and the routine."

Arabella nodded with obvious enthusiasm then made an exclamation of disappointment when Aura got up and left. She would have liked to got to know more about the mysterious lady. Signi seemed to know her well enough and appeared to be more than happy to introduce them. It seemed as if Aura had other plans. She wondered what Aura would say if she followed her with the idea of introducing herself to her. She quickly decided it was a poor idea. She didn't want to insinuate herself into a friendship that might never exist, it might harm her chances for later. She would wait.

Aura went to her room, where she changed into her riding clothes. She then went to the stables to get her horse, and rode off to her bathing spot. Wolf was already there, waiting for her with great impatience. She watched as he ran around in excitement. He was beside himself, jumping on her to lick her face in greeting and knocking her over. He wiggled as he whined, then ran back and forth between her and the river. She feared he was starting to get a little wild and she decided it was time to take him home with her. He would not be so alone at her side. Nor, in fact, would she. Wolf ran around confident that they were alone and Aura no longer cared if they were anymore or not. When their play time was over Wolf was only too happy to trot along at her side as she rode into the town and anyone who came across them immediately got out of the way. A wolf was a dangerous animal.

When she got back to her room, she changed and went down for the evening meal. Wolf went with her. No one challenged the decision. Vernon thought the incident amusing and for that reason alone, Chatelaine allowed it. She had to admit it had amused her as well. Her guests, although appearing shocked for some time, also thought it was a great lark, as the wolf proved to be quite a show off.

Signi and Aura's campaign to match the people about them, to benefit themselves, was a total success and at the end of two weeks, before Vernon's victory banquet, the girls were smiling at each other in smug satisfaction. Lord Alex, with support from Aura, talked the Lady Felicity into giving up her childish fantasies about the Lord Thorn, whom Aura had yet to meet, and into accepting his proposal. Signi managed to convince the Lord Allen that his desires towards the Lady Arabella should not be denied.

Aura was more than pleased with their results, as she had no more suitors to dodge, despite the swelling numbers about Vernon's palace. Vernon's warlords were beginning to congregate in antic.i.p.ation of the upcoming celebration. Aura felt freer than she had since she had met her host. She came and went as she felt the urge, spending her afternoons with her wolf, swimming and sunning herself and left the others to their own devices.

Signi, whenever she got the chance, went off to spend some time with her brothers. Edwin, more often that not, was off with some of the younger warlords like himself, but Thorn proved to be a very ardent listener. He was both impressed and amused by the tales his sister brought to him about her new friend. Yet, he was reluctant to break his self-imposed exile, despite knowing that he was bound to do so sooner or later. He told himself that he stayed in his camp because he wanted to remain out of Vernon's matchmaking reach. In truth, he was finding the memory of the girl he had known at the cave, pressing on him. There were too many things about her that still haunted him, the feel of her lips under his and her body pressed up against him, to name but a few. Still he held the reigns firm on his control. Signi saw through it all and she still brought him news, all the while withholding two pertinent pieces of information, the woman's name and any mention of her pet.

It was not long before Vernon figured out how he had been outmaneuvered and in his anger he vowed to even the score. He felt that he had been made to look the fool and he did not like it. He announced the time of the festival then decided that he would throw caution to the wind, and offer the Lady Aura to whoever would accept her. Then, he smugly thought to himself, he would see if she still thought herself so smart crossing him.

Signi, as she watched Vernon's mood swings, sensed something was amiss. She turned to her brother with her suspicions. Thorn, upon hearing Signi's concerns, decided it was past time to make his presence known and went to see Vernon. He would soon find out what was going through their leader's mind.

"So you finally arrive to join your troops Thorn?" Vernon greeted his old friend with open arms. n.o.body had told him that the Lord Thorn had been camped on his very doorstep for the last two weeks. He escorted him into one of his private rooms where they could speak in relative comfort. "That must have been some persistent raider to keep you away so long." It had been a while since they had spent any amount of time together and he was happy to see his favorite warlord.

"All in your service my Duke." Thorn teased back.

"You got him?" Vernon was serious for a moment as he asked.

"I got him," Thorn replied with equal firmness then changed the subject. "Signi tells me there have been a rash of marriages and engagements this year. You must have been busier than ever."

"Yes, well, I must admit they are all not to my liking." Vernon relayed with a frown. "There have been other hands which have been at play here."

"You have any idea who that might be?" Thorn probed with a smile.

"It could only be one person, the Lady Aura. I would have had her wed to one of the men at court, but she would have none of it." Vernon sounded his annoyance.

"Perhaps she did not suit the men you chose for her?" Thorn replied carelessly.

"More likely she wanted nothing to do with them and I know through many sources that it was she who had masterminded several of the newest unions. Just so that she could remain single."

"Ah Vernon, you just do not like being beaten at your own games, do you?" Thorn teased as he took a drink and sat in a chair, leaning it back on two legs to put his feet up on Vernon's desk as he did.

"Well I am taking steps to make sure that she will never interfere like that again. I am going to offer the Lady Aura to anyone who will take her and that blasted wolf of hers can go with her."

"Wolf?" Thorn asked as he looked at Vernon with renewed interest. This was something that Signi had neglected to mention. Thorn put his feet back down on the floor as he sat upright, not even trying to hide his eagerness to hear more.

"Yes, wolf." Vernon was so agitated he neglected to pay Thorn's reaction any attention. "She says she raised him from a pup. Stupid animal will do anything she tells it to do. I must admit though, he is an amusing sc.r.a.p of fur and he does love her."

"Where did you find them Vernon?" Thorn pressed. "This sounds like a story that needs telling."

"You are right, it does." And saying this Vernon proceeded to tell his story. Nor did he have to deal with any interruptions.

"And now you seek to marry the girl off against her wishes? No wonder she does what she can to thwart your plans." Thorn stated drily.

"You know as well as I Thorn that the girl needs a protector in this world. Who better than a husband to fit that role? She will come around, you will see."

Thorn yawned and changed the subject before Vernon could sense the deep interest he was trying to hide. "I have been pet.i.tioned for the hand of my sister Signi and I fear you will be losing her this time. She has told me that the match is to her liking, so I have told the young man that they have my blessings. They have decided to wed in late spring."

"Young man! You make yourself sound ancient Thorn, that when you are no more than twenty-six. Also in late spring Thorn? Why so long?"

"It suits them both and I am pleased." Thorn answered.

"I am pleased for your sister as well. It is not often that a woman gets the chance of a love match. Not all arranged marriages are as happy as Chatelaine's and mine. We have been very lucky indeed." Vernon was smug as he relayed his pleasure at how well his own marriage was turning out.

"That is why I have been so lenient with her. That and the fact that she has a level head, even in matters of love." Thorn was very happy with his sister, she had never given him reason to question any of her decisions. He also loved her very much.

"At least she seemed to until she met Aura." Vernon replied and Thorn could hear how exasperated he was with the girls. "Let us hope it has not affected her too much. Of course, after tomorrow that will be a thing of the past anyway."

"So it will, and now I am going to leave you and return to my men. I shall see you at the banquet. It is late, time to get some sleep."

Vernon nodded and Thorn left. Vernon looked at the darkness of the sky outside of his windows and smiled, as usual his great warlord was right, it was late, though his mind was not on sleep. Chatelaine would be waiting for him and with that thought his smile widened. With a twinkle in his eye and a bounce in his step he went to join her. Tonight, for some reason, he felt very good.

She had lived, Thorn found himself thinking, and her name is Aura. He had often wondered what her name was. She had never told him. Nor had he a.s.sociated the name with the girl in his memory during conversations with others. There had been many stories relayed to him in pa.s.sing of the Lady Aura, but no one had mentioned her great beauty. Gentle, caring, loving, kind and thoughtful were but a few of the descriptions he had heard of her. Of course there had been mention of her evasiveness and her tendency towards being a bit of a loner, but nothing to support his inner sense of recognition.

He had not gone back to the cave to get her for he knew she would have moved on as soon as he had left. He had no idea, other than that starting point, where to look for her. The land about them was vast enough to hide one slightly built girl.

Thorn b.u.mped into a maid in his preoccupation and frowned as the woman smiled up at him, following the gesture with a more open and blatant invitation. Thorn felt sickened by the lack of morals displayed and the acceptance of this by the people who surrounded him. He had been thinking about something pure, something untouched, and now his memories felt defiled. He also felt a deep disgust with himself, for despite his respect and admiration of Aura, he still reacted to those memories with a l.u.s.t that made him hard. He gave the woman before him a look of contempt then stormed out of the building to return to his own cold and lonely bed.

CHAPTER XIV.

The next morning Thorn was in such a foul mood that even his men avoided him. It was news that caused Signi no end of satisfaction. She knew her brother had gone to see the Duke Vernon the day before and she knew that the subject of Aura had come up during their conversation. It was only logical. She was almost all that Vernon ever spoke of lately, it seemed as if he was consumed by the challenge she had presented him. Thorn could not have been too pleased with the plans Vernon had for her. Yes, it all sounded very promising.

Having dealt with her brother, Signi turned her attention to Aura. It had been harder to keep her interest in Thorn as she became more familiar with matters of the castle. As she had never seen Thorn, Signi could forgive her for the lapse. She knew it would only be a matter of time before the two of them met. Then the sparks would fly, she was sure of it.

Signi made sure to keep Thorn's name on the top of her conversation list. She told Aura all about him, his prowess on the battlefield, his strength, his intelligence, his fairness in dealing with people, his handsome demeanor, his rank and what it meant, and, most important, his belief in a higher order of honor and G.o.d's overall plans for mankind. To her frustration Aura did not seem to care at all, even though she did listen.

Even now Aura was off somewhere else, probably with that stupid wolf of hers, and who knew when they would return. Aura should have been with her, so she could continue to fill her in on Thorn's background. Signi would have liked her friend to see Thorn in the mock battles that the men indulged in. Aura was missing all the fun of the festivities, and her presence was not going unnoticed. Vernon was very aware of her absence and it irritated him that she was ignoring his wishes. She knew he had plans for her that demanded her attendance.

Signi watched Vernon closely, noting how his anger grew as the day progressed, and she knew that when Aura did show she would be in serious trouble. She continued to watch for her friend and followed her up to her room when she did arrive, though she knew it was already too late to stop anything that Vernon might do to her. With that knowledge in mind she decided not to mention anything at all.

"Thorn has agreed to a match for me, and I could not be happier with my groom! I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful I feel, and it's all because of you. If you not have told me of how interested he was in me, I would have never have known to show him that his suit was welcome. I wish there was a way I could repay the favor." Signi burst into Aura's room with her news.

"You already have, just by being my friend. As for the match, I really cannot claim credit for that though I am happy for you. When is the betrothal to be announced?" Aura offered her genuine heart felt congratulations with a smile.

"Shortly, but for now we just want a bit of time to enjoy ourselves. What are you going to wear to the banquet tonight?"

Aura thought on the matter for a moment then pulled out her white gown and jewels. "I understand that this is to be a very elaborate affair, so I will wear these."

Signi held the gown up before her and looked at it closely before asking. "What were you where you lived before."

"An unwanted daughter, but so far I am happy here, so I will stay a while longer."

Signi laughed at that as she answered. "You have little choice as to whether you want to go or not. Vernon refuses to let you go."

Turning serious Aura replied. "I cannot stay here forever Signi. There is nothing for me to do. I am not needed here."

"There is bound to be someone who needs you Aura and we will do our best to find him for you." Signi responded.

"Signi, you have a one track mind lately. The successes we have had at matchmaking have gone to your head. It is not going to work on me though. A person has to want to get married before that happens. I have no desire to wed."

"Well I happen to think that deep down you do. Someday you will find that you will want no more than to be with the man you love and I hope it happens. I always thought you needed a bit of happiness. Sometimes you are just too solemn for words."

"Well it seems to me that you are too romantic for words sometimes. Perhaps you should take your dreams and get ready for tonight Signi." Aura suggested.

"On one condition Aura. You promise to wear your hair down, as befitting a maiden." Signi had never seen Aura wear her hair in any other manner than in a braid and she had a feeling that she would be gorgeous with a different style, even if it were just left to hang loose.

Aura looked at her friend for a moment, then agreed. After all, what could it hurt? She used to wear it long and free when she had been young and had always preferred it that way. Tonight she would allow herself that freedom again. The idea appealed to her very much.

Vernon had Aura detained at the door of the banquet hall after he had summoned her to attend him, for some reason unknown to her. She waited for some time then was finally called in to join the a.s.sembly.

The great hall was filled to capacity with the odd empty place to mark the absence of some important and noteworthy Lord of the realm. Huge platters of food were being brought to be set onto the tables, as well as jugs of ale and wine. Somewhere in all the activities, Aura got the feeling that she was about to be offered as the main course. It left her with a very uncomfortable sensation.

Walking with reluctant, hesitant steps, through the center of the great hall Aura moved until she reached the very middle of the room, where Vernon had her stop. "You will stand there, Lady Aura."

Stopping as commanded, she placed a hand on her wolf's head, to gather a little extra courage, as she inwardly squirmed under Vernon's steady gaze. He, she could tell, had something on his mind that she was not going to like.

After she had stood there for a few moments Vernon held up his hands in a play for silence and announced: "I present to all of you the Lady Aura, whom I have grown to care for as if she were my own daughter. It is time; however, as it gets to be with all women, that she marries."

Aura opened her mouth in mute protest, stifling an urge to scream out an objection. Only the look on Vernon's face stopped her, and she decided she would have to rethink her decision that he was a good sport. Vernon stared at her with flint like precision until he was sure that she would not speak then he continued. He felt he had made his point with her and, she now knew and understood her place. As he cleared his throat all eyes shot to him to hear what more he was about to say.

"It is my intention at this time to open the floor to offers for the hand of the Lady Aura. For the right man she shall be very well dowered."

The hall went quieter than it had been during his speech and Aura turned white as she felt several pairs of eyes transfer their attention from Vernon, to her. Vernon then added.

"You will find that the closer a man lives to me, the higher the dowry shall be and you must all admit, the Lady Aura is most beautiful."

The hall erupted into chaos, until a voice louder than the others, bellowed from off one of the side s.p.a.ces.

"With your permission sire," a dark rough looking man spoke as he stood to identify himself. "I offer for the hand of the Lady Aura. As you all know I am in need of a wife to help me with my young brood ever since the death of my own wife."