Kaelus lowered himself, giving the boy a small salute—not a formal gesture, but the habit of a soldier toward something more fragile. “I’ll fetch you after I’m done,” he said. “By anything.” The promise carried no heroic flourish; it landed flat and certain, like an order to himself.

  Thalion watched the two of them, his eyes still searching for footing after safety had come too quickly.

  Loriane walked Kaelus to the door. The evening breeze slipped in, carrying the smell of wet stone from the street. They exchanged a brief nod—enough for two people who understood that time demanded more than polite farewells. Kaelus turned and his steps receded. The door closed softly.

  Loriane knelt before Thalion. “Warm water’s ready,” she said gently. “Come, so you can be clean and smell nice.”

  Her warm palm cradled Thalion’s head for a moment—soothing, not restraining. The boy nodded and followed her inside.

  In Loriane’s small bathing room, steam rose thinly from the bucket. The dusk light reflected on the limewashed walls. Thalion sat on a wooden stool, watching the neat row of buckets and cloths; his mind still hummed from the long road. “Thalion,” Loriane called softly—one word that pulled him back.

  She cleaned him with patient movements. The water ran, washing away travel-dust without prying into what had passed. When the last rinse fell from his shoulder, Thalion asked in a small voice, “Have you known Master Kaelus long?”

  “Yes,” Loriane answered while wringing a cloth. “He’s my husband Dorian’s friend. You met him, didn’t you?”

  “Yes.” Thalion’s voice brightened a little. “Master Dorian is funny…and kind.” He swallowed, then said with a resolve still finding its shape, “I want to be like Master Dorian and Master Kaelus. So I can protect people.”

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  Loriane paused. Her fingers held the cloth over the bucket. She saw the small clenched hand—not anger, but a grip on necessity. “It’s a hard path,” she said honestly, without breaking him. “But if you train, you can.”

  “I must be able,” Thalion replied.

  He finished washing and gave thanks. Loriane picked up the bucket to finish watering the plants in the yard. Thalion moved quickly to help, but a light touch stopped him. “Enough,” Loriane said gently but firmly. “You’re tired. Sleep.”

  “It’s fine,” Thalion tried to protest.

  “You heard what Kaelus said earlier,” Loriane smiled, setting the bucket down. “Now listen to me.” She led Thalion to the room. The boy complied. Once he lay down, his eyes closed; weariness won quickly. Loriane sat by the bedside until his breathing steadied, then rose.

  Time slid into night.

  Thalion woke to low laughter from outside. He left the room, following the sound into the yard.

  Under the oil-lamp light, Kaelus sat with General Dunwald, Dorian, and Loriane. Wine shimmered in the glasses; their conversation kept to small things so the day’s remainder wouldn’t spill—big matters set aside, warmth preserved.

  “Master Kaelus,” Thalion called.

  Kaelus rose at once. “You’re awake,” he said, appraising eyes that were still heavy. “If you’re sleepy, go back to bed. I’ll wake you when we leave.”

  “No,” Thalion rubbed his eyes.

  Kaelus offered a small smile—he understood. He came over and led Thalion back to the room. Once the small body touched the mattress, sleep returned swiftly.

  Outside, voices quieted again. Loriane placed a small paper boat on the shelf—a folded piece representing that night—then added a pinch of salt to the knot she had just tied; a small promise that this house would hold back the wind.

  In the little room, Thalion slept soundly. In Kaelithar’s streets, oil lamps reflected wet lines on the stones; toward the palace, heavy footsteps still moved.Every support is a small flame that keeps the story's fire alive.

  If you'd like to light one little light for me:

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  But simply reading and enjoying this tale is more than enough—I am already deeply grateful

  If you'd like to light one little light for me:

  ??https://ko-fi.com/barunamarch

  But simply reading and enjoying this tale is more than enough—I am already deeply grateful.