Chapter 40Kallan woke the next morning to the steady patter of rain that added a cold, gray drizzle to the keep. The scent of hot fire and damp earth mingled in the air as if cooking out the wet rains from the lingering stale chill. From the warm furs and wools of her bed, she watched the rains welcome the reds and dying greens of autumn that punctured the fading life of Alfheim. The sun had barely risen behind the clouds, encouraging her to linger with the morning drizzle before forcing herself to move.
The keep stirred with the same hesitation. As if the chill outside had slowed their feet, servants took longer serving breakfast, Fires took longer to stoke to life as if the humidity had dampened the fire wood. The scent of porridge and blood sausage lingered from the kitchens through th
