Morning gossip from the lower market taverns claimed young Ash was expanding into a gigantic mountain titan overnight.
Lana stood beside the kitchen doorframe holding a notched measuring rod, checking the carved marks against her survey notebook.
Hajin sat on a low stool nearby, watching the boy attempt to stretch his heels to reach the higher notch.
Ash stood with his small back pressed completely flat against the doorframe, glaring up at the kitchen shelf above his head.
Morning light streamed through the open pantry windows, warming the bundles of dried sage and rosemary hanging above the hearth.
A large pot of goat milk simmered gently over the embers, filling the kitchen with rich, comforting warmth.
The bright morning light illuminated the fragrant steam rising from the hearth, bringing a cozy warmth to the room.
The loaf of crusty sourdough bread sat safely on the upper shelf, completely out of reach of his grasping fingers.
