A clatter of metal on stone in the kitchen woke her up just before sunrise. Then there was the sound of something wooden dragging, and behind it were two or three muffled voices. A dull thud came next, then chirping trickled in from outside, too sharp and high to be one of the farm birds.

Elynara didn’t move at first. Her eyes stayed closed. The blanket was pulled up to her chin and the mattress hadn’t shifted enough to demand a response.

Then a soft, invisible weight bounced once on her stomach.

She groaned.