17. Left BehindBranwyn awoke piece by piece. She shifted in bed, her blankets wrapping around her. Her eyes flickered and frowned. The first grey light of dawn was only just seeping in through the cracks in the shutters. She could smell the tang of yeast from downstairs where her father must be making the bread doughs. Why had she awoken? A pained cry sounded from the street, followed by the scuffing of feet. Branwyn rolled over and closed her eyes. Probably drunkards. Then there was the rasping of metal and the dull clang as it hit something. Branwyn opened her eyes again and after a moment sat up. Silence. And then the sounds came again.
She stood quietly, drawing her blankets around her shoulders, and padded over to the window, pulling the shutter open a crack to peer out. Cool air rus
