Mark chuckled, feeling a connection with Kael already.
Mark asked Kael quietly, "What did the castle guards say about me, exactly?"
Kael leaned in, voice low and excited:
"They whispered to my little sister that you're...
'a monster from Elyria Castle who eats darkness and scares the moon'."
Mark burst out laughing at the absurdity –
Kael grinned, looking relieved Mark wasn't offended:
"My sister was terrified – she still sleeps with a candle lit!"
Mark chuckled and teased:
"I guess I'll have to prove I don't eat darkness... by eating your village food instead."
Kael laughed loudly, and Mark felt a strong friendship spark.
Thorne smiled warmly, observing their interaction:
"Glad you're settling in. Kael, show Mark to the cottage he'll be staying in."
Mark followed Kael to the cottage, asking:
"Does everyone in the village believe those rumors?"
Kael laughed and shook his head:
"Nah, only my little sister, Lila. She believes everything scary stories tell her."
They stopped in front of a cozy cottage with smoke drifting from the chimney.
Kael pushed open the door:
"Welcome to our home... which is now also yours! Head Thorne said you'd stay with us."
Mark's eyes widened in surprise:
"You live here? I'm crashing into your family space?"
Kael grinned:
"Lila will finally see you don't eat darkness!"
A tiny voice echoed from inside:
"KAEL, IS HE THE MONSTER FROM THE CASTLE?!"
Lila peeked around the corner – big brown eyes fixed on Mark.
Mark knelt down, smiling warmly:
"Hi Lila, I'm Mark – your brother's new friend. Definitely not a monster!"
Lila giggled and hid behind Kael.
Kael whispered to Mark, "She's been terrified of you for days – you're already charming her!"
Mark smiled warmly at Kael's words.
Then, he gently called out to Lila:
"Hey Lila, I heard you think I eat darkness...
Want to see what I really eat?"
Lila peeked out from behind Kael, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Mark pretended to rummage through his travel bag and pulled out some dried fruit:
"Apples and berries – not darkness at all!"
Lila giggled and took a step forward.
Mark asked, still smiling:
"May I come in and rest – traveling from the castle was exhausting?
Your brother said this is my home now too..."
Lila nodded enthusiastically and ran to open the door wider:
"YES, Mark can rest – he doesn't eat darkness, Kael!"
Kael laughed and clapped Mark on the back:
"I think you're officially approved by our household."
Mark collapsed dramatically:
"Bliss – a soft seat after days in that carriage!"
Kael laughed and said:
"Even better than the couch – your actual bed is this way!"
He escorted Mark to a small, cozy room with a plush bed and a window overlooking the village.
Mark's eyes widened at the comforting sight:
"This is amazing... thanks to you and Lila for sharing your home."
Kael smiled and placed Mark's travel bag on the floor:
"Head Thorne said you needed kindness after... whatever happened at the castle."
Mark nodded slowly, feeling a sense of trust with Kael.
Mark yawned and said:
"I'm exhausted – may I rest now, or is dinner soon with you and Lila?"
Kael smiled warmly:
"Dinner's actually being prepared now – Lila's helping with bread.
You rest for just an hour, then come downstairs – we'll eat together like family."
Mark's heart felt touched by their kindness:
"Thank you, Kael... this means a lot after being alone in that carriage for days."
Kael nodded and closed the door softly behind him:
"Rest – you're home now."
Mark collapsed onto the bed, feeling unexpected peace...
Mark drifted off to sleep, feeling unexpected peace...
But his slumber was short-lived, as a dream enveloped him:
In the dream, he stood in Elyria Castle's moonlit garden...
Lady Hana appeared before him, her eyes locking onto his...
Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet filled his heart:
"I'll be waiting..."
Mark's dream self felt a surge of longing and hope...
But before he could reach out or respond, everything faded...
He woke up with a start, his heart still racing from the dream.
The delicious aromas wafting from downstairs registered again – dinner was ready.
Mark sat up, wondering... was Hana's message in his dream just wishful thinking?
Mark threw off the covers, eager to distract himself from Hana thoughts
He headed downstairs, where delicious smells filled the air:
Kael and Lila had prepared a feast – roasted chicken, fresh bread, and steaming vegetables!
They welcomed him with warm smiles, and they sat down together.
Laughter filled the room as they shared stories:
Lila giggled about her day at the village school,
Kael teased Mark about his "non-darkness-eating" skills,
Mark regaled them with humorous tales of his castle life (leaving out the darker parts).
For the first time in months, Mark felt like he belonged – like he had found family.
As they finished dessert, Lila snuggled into Mark's side:
"Mark, can you stay with us forever?"
Kael chuckled and added:
"Yeah, you're already like a brother."
Mark smiled warmly, "I'd love to – but first, can you tell me more about this village and what happens here?"
Kael's expression shifted subtly – a hint of nervousness:
"Oh, uh, Brindlemark's just a simple farming village...
We grow crops, raise livestock – pretty ordinary stuff."
Lila, yawning, said:
"Time for bed – I'm tired from helping with dinner!"
Kael quickly agreed:
"Yes, let's get some rest – we rise early for chores."
The routine evening transition seemed deliberate – diverting Mark's question.
As they prepared for bed, Mark observed their familiar routine:
Lila brushed her teeth and changed into pajamas,
Kael banked the fire and locked the doors,
The cottage grew quiet, except for crickets outside.
Mark felt a sense of belonging – this could be his new normal...
But his mind still lingered on Kael's evasive answer...
Mark drifted off to sleep, feeling grateful for this newfound sense of family and home.
Next morning, Mark woke up to Lila's excited voice:
"WAKE UP, BIG BROTHER MARK! TODAY YOU LEARN FARMING!"
Mark laughed and sat up, rubbing sleepy eyes – touched by her term of endearment.
Lila bounced on his bed:
"Kael said he'll teach you everything – you'll be a real farmer like us, Big Brother!"
Kael walked into the room, smiling:
"Morning – city boy turns farmer today!
Lila's already claimed you as her big brother – I guess that makes you mine too!"
Mark's heart swelled with emotion – he felt like he belonged.
Lila nodded vigorously:
"Yeah, Big Brother Mark – you have to teach me things too, not just learn from Kael!"
Mark laughed and ruffled her hair:
"Deal, little sister – farming lessons for me, and maybe some castle stories for you?"
Kael led them outside to start the farming lessons:
* Planting and irrigating crops
* Caring for livestock
* Harvesting vegetables
As they worked, Mark felt grateful for this newfound family bond...