Trying to find a fantasy book I read in my early teens (circa '95 - 2000), which tells the story of a quest/adventure of a married couple of status (perhaps a Lord & Lady), that I think was set in Russia/eastern europe. The wife is a well practiced magic user, while the husband is not, but is learning some of the laws/rules of magic.
There is a mother and son duo of shapeshifting wolves involved, the mother being an old acquaintance of the husband.
The opening of the first chapter has the wife making a social commentary about the fashion of the people and how it's changing as they move into winter.
A later chapter has the couple at a crossroad, and presented being presented by a riddle upon the signposts, the husband makes an 'old magic' pact to the 4 elements bestowing his horse to the wife to enable them to safely choose a path from the crossroad.
There is a mother and son duo of shapeshifting wolves involved, the mother being an old acquaintance of the husband.
The opening of the first chapter has the wife making a social commentary about the fashion of the people and how it's changing as they move into winter.
A later chapter has the couple at a crossroad, and presented being presented by a riddle upon the signposts, the husband makes an 'old magic' pact to the 4 elements bestowing his horse to the wife to enable them to safely choose a path from the crossroad.
