At the mansion, the gates creaked open, guards saluting as he passed. Sylvara's voice rang out, her small form darting across the courtyard. Sera trailed behind her with a shy smile.
"Kael! You're back!" Sylvara called, waving a wooden bow. "Sera's teaching me to shoot!"
Kael dismounted, ruffling Sylvara's hair. "Good. Keep practicing. You'll need to be strong." His tone was gentle, but his silver eyes held a distant fire.
Sera met his gaze, her expression soft. "You look… troubled," she said quietly.
Kael's lips twitched, not quite a smile. "Just thinking. The world's bigger than I remembered."
She nodded, understanding he meant more than what he said. Sylvara tugged at Kael's mantle, oblivious to the weight in his words. "Come see my target! I hit it twice!"
Kael let her pull him along, his heart steadying. Revenge was his anchor, but moments like this were sparks of something new.
