As soon as we got back from the border meetings, the first snow of the season started to fall.

Winter used to be a period of survival.

We waited for the cold to pass by staying indoors and keeping our fireplaces high.

However, the mood was different this year.

I had never experienced such a feeling of excitement.

We were going to have a winter festival, Matilda had determined.

She didn't want it to be a formal, regal ball where aristocrats sat in corners and discussed border issues ...