Soon the cool night air

Soon the cool night air would sweep down from the towering mountain peaks, and drive out the day's heat. Marguerite stepped onto the balcony to enjoy the first refreshing breezes and to watch as the last rays of the sun said farewell to the tops of the highest hills, as it had already done to the valley. Dark clouds were threatening to obscure these parting sunbeams, and thunder was already grumbling in the distance.

Marguerite drank in the smell of the approaching storm, grateful for the moment to be alive. There was nothing like a close brush with the dark angel of death to bring appreciation for the gift of simply being. Her gaze swept the looming fortress above her, and for a moment she thought that she discerned a dark figure at one of the windows. At that instant the first jagged strike of lightning split the sky, and was followed by the loud boom of thunder. The voice of her mother called softly. "Marguerite, my dear, please come inside and close the door, ere the rain starts to fall."

With a smile she obeyed and returned to Lady Audren's side and solicitously fluffed the pillows that allowed the old woman to sit comfortably. Just then Felippe returned from his foray into town. A sweet smile greeted him, and both women gazed at him with interest to hear what he had to report.