Chapter 43Thick clouds covered the skies that muted the first of the sunlight and promised more rain by the day's end. It was barely after sunrise when a light sprinkle began. Kallan and Rune emerged from Swann Dalr and rode through the maze of rivers and trees, into the plains that preceded the Klarelfr.
The plains stretched on to the river. Over the stone bridge, they rode through the vacant streets of Gunir and on to the empty courtyard. There, Rune called out into the silence.
“Brother!”
Inside the barracks, still clutching his flagon and fatigued by the two-day evacuation, Bergen lifted his head from the table.
“Bergen! Brother!”
Despite his stiff back, sore from sleeping hunched over the table, Bergen leapt from his chair with renewed vigor, banging his knee on the table. He win
