Free Rose of Hope by Mairi Norris

of Wulfsinraed pleased him, ’twas merely an unexpected benefit to an already overflowing bounty. His inheritance from his godmother had supplied him with all the wealth he needed. Now, he had enough not only for himself, but for all who were his responsibility.
    As if so much were not enough, he was now a baron. Would that not swell the pride of his father’s heart? Though as clearly as if she stood before him, he heard his mother remind him what God had given, so He could take away and he must take heed not to become vainglorious. Aye, she was wise, his mother. He must pen a missive to his family, apprising them of his good fortune, and the hopes he held in his heart for Wulfsinraed and the Lady Ysane.
    Ah…the Lady Ysane, his beautiful white rose. As it had since the moment he first saw her, Fallard’s body quickened at thought of the lovely mistress of Wulfsinraed. She still lived, though she fought through the darkness and flame of a raging fever. Attended to by the women of her bower and Lady Lewena, she seemed too delicate a flower to survive the harsh treatment life had chosen to bestow. Yet still she lived! She was a fighter, his rose, and he would do all he could to aid her in her battle.
    An errant breeze stirred the hem of his cloak, and with it came the sense of a presence behind him. He whirled, his sword ready in his hand ere he completed the turn. He relaxed. Trifine ’twas who approached him on silent feet, moonlight glinting off his close-cropped silver hair.
    His First came alongside him as he sheathed his blade. “The hearth companions have begun to call you ‘Black Ghost’,” he said, so quietly none but Fallard would hear. “They wonder what kind of lord would stand in solitude on the wall and laugh aloud in the darkest hours of the night. They fear you daft, or mayhap fey, Fallard.”
    “And what think you, my friend?”
    The white of his teeth showed clearly as Trifine grinned. “I know you are daft, but I have long since ceased to be concerned.”
    He set his gaze upon the dark forest before them. The two stood in companionable silence, the ease of long association between them.
    Trifine shifted his feet. “All went well today.”
    “Aye, far better than expected.”
    “Domnall of Cullanis and Thegn Randel will be dependable allies, mayhap even friends.”
    “That is also my thought.”
    “Lady Roana sends word Lady Ysane is resting. The fever seems to have abated somewhat for the night, though Luilda can say not what the morrow will bring.”
    “That is well.”
    “The Lady Roana is very fair of face and figure, and soft of voice.”
    “That she is.”
    “I am told that like her cousin, she is good and gentle of manner.”
    “So I have also heard.”
    “She has no kin but the Lady Ysane, and no home but Wulfsinraed, and ’twould seem, no prospects for a home and family of her own, as women are wont to desire.”
    Fallard waited, the crinkling at the corners of his eyes the only sign of his amusement. He had been expecting this since he had seen the look on Trifine’s face the moment his First laid eyes on the fair Roana.
    “Methinks Wulfsinraed is a good place for a man weary of wandering and warfare to put down roots,” Trifine ventured.
    “I will argue not with that.”
    “You would give your blessing to a betrothal between us?”
    “If the lady is willing, aye.”
    Silence descended again. Then…”When plan you to wed the Lady Ysane?”
    “As soon as she is well enough to stand.”
    Trifine nodded. “I believe that will be as long as my betrothal to Lady Roana will last, before we marry.”
    This time, Fallard hid neither his grin nor his laughter. He placed a hand on Trifine’s shoulder. “That is agreeable,” he said simply.
    Trifine lifted his face to a star-bejeweled sky and inhaled sharply, his chest puffing out. He patted his lean ribs with his palms. “’Tis a fine clear night, my captain, but methinks I am for bed.”
    “I shall retire with you, my