[ The kitchen is at least used to last minute requests, and Halsin's efforts to get to know every single person in the manor have paid off. He's given a bacon roll as well as his coffee and pastry, and tucks the latter into the pocket of his cardigan while he works on the hot food.

He measures his stride to match Gale's as they make their way out of the kitchen and the mud room and out into the cold air and the bright morning. He tucks into his breakfast as they step out onto the snowy grass, chewing and swallowing before he answers Gale. ]

As well as I can, I suppose. It is a passing strange place. I'm not used to spending so much time indoors. And this business with the shaman.. [ He frowns, his thoughts lingering on how Dorian had turned him out of his bed the day before, the harsh cold words from a man who had seemed so warm just hours before. ]

I fear there's some darker magic at work.