Chapter 26The air was stiff and filled with a stagnant chill. Pulling at his tunic, Bergen stepped into the cold, dark corridor and closed the door to his brother's bower behind him. Immediately, he stopped dead at the old woman, who seemed to appear from the air. Dressed in a chemise and dressing gown, Gudrun held two fingers upright, the tips of which fed a single orange Seidr-flame that flickered and danced with a personality all its own. Orange and black streaks decorated the wall, submerging her ancient face in a dangerous glare and catching a bit of the gold in her eye as she spoke.
“What's the report?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
“He's asleep,” Bergen said.
Gudrun nodded, keeping her thoughts private.
“Geirolf came back with you, I presume?” Gudrun asked.
“He's in the lar
