Night Visit

The orphanage was quiet, the night sky casting silver light through the windows. The soft crackle of the fire in the hearth was the only sound in the room as Lera rocked gently in her chair, feeding Alistair. Sparks lay curled nearby in the crib, her small hand twitching in sleep, while Zara, Cross, and Ox snuggled peacefully under their shared blanket.

Footsteps echoed faintly from the hallway. Lera glanced up to see Mira peering into the room, her doll clutched tightly to her chest.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Lera asked softly.

"I couldn't sleep," Mira whispered, stepping closer. "It's too quiet."

"Come here." Lera patted the stool beside her. Mira shuffled over, climbing onto the seat and curling up against her side.

After a moment, Mira looked up at her. "Can I help with the babies?"

Lera smiled warmly. "Of course. Here." She handed Mira a small bottle and gestured to Sparks. "Hold it steady, just like this."

Mira took the bottle with care, her small hands trembling slightly as she leaned over the crib. Sparks stirred, blinking up at her before latching onto the bottle. A delighted giggle escaped Mira as Sparks drank, her tiny fingers brushing against Mira's.

"She likes you," Lera said with a smile.

"I like her too," Mira replied, her voice soft with wonder.

Once the babies were settled again, Lera stood, taking Mira's hand. "Let's go see what Greaves and the others are up to. I think they're still in the kitchen."

Lera led Mira down the hallway, the soft murmur of voices growing louder as they approached the kitchen. When they stepped inside, the warm glow of lanterns lit the space, and the smell of tea lingered in the air. Greaves was leaning against the counter, sipping from a mug while Sam worked on polishing a few tools spread across the table. Darnel was seated nearby, lazily stirring his tea with a look of mock boredom.

"Anything exciting happening in here?" Lera asked as she guided Mira to a chair.

"Only the thrilling tale of Darnel's heroic battle against boredom," Sam said, not looking up from his work. "You're just in time for the riveting conclusion."

Darnel smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Hey, don't act like I'm not the best company you've had all week."

"Company isn't the same as help," Greaves said dryly, setting his mug down. "Some of us have been working."

Sam grinned as he placed the last tool in its pouch. "I fixed the table and chairs. That's worth more than sitting around stirring tea."

"And now they're sturdier than ever," Greaves added, nodding approvingly.

Darnel gave an exaggerated shrug. "Fine. Next time the kids destroy your furniture, I'll just stand here and watch."

"You'd do that anyway," Sam muttered, earning a chuckle from Greaves.

Mira looked up at Darnel with wide eyes. "You don't like fixing things?"

Darnel laughed, ruffling her hair gently. "I like fixing things I'm good at. Tables and chairs aren't on that list."

Lera joined them at the table, smiling as she poured herself a cup of tea. "Well, whatever the arrangement, thank you for helping. Both of you."

Sam waved her off. "It's nothing. The blacksmith gave me the day off for this, so I guess you could say I'm on borrowed time."

"And I'm here because someone thought the apprentice couldn't handle a short walk on his own," Darnel added, winking. "Babysitting duty at its finest."

Greaves chuckled, shaking his head. "At least the table's fixed, the kids are settled, and we have tea to keep us awake."

"And no squirrels in sight," Sam quipped, earning a glare from Darnel.

The sound of laughter filled the room as the group settled into an easy rhythm. Lera sipped her tea, watching the warmth and camaraderie unfold around her.

A knock at the door cut through the orphanage, startling everyone. The warmth of camaraderie in the kitchen was replaced with a tense silence. Cross stirred in his crib, his whimpers growing louder with each passing second, turning into sharp cries that filled the room. Sparks twitched beside him, her small body squirming restlessly as though sensing the unease in the air. Ox let out a low gurgle, his chubby fists waving, while Zara whimpered softly, her golden eyes fluttering open briefly before closing again.

Lera rushed to the crib, her heart pounding. She placed a calming hand on Cross's chest, whispering soothing words, but his cries only grew more frantic. Sparks whimpered, her tiny hands twitching, and Ox let out a startled cry, his face scrunching with distress.

"What's wrong with them?" Sam asked, his gaze darting from the door to the crib.

Greaves moved to the window, pulling the curtain back just enough to peer outside. His brow furrowed as he scanned the darkness. "No torches. Whoever it is, they came in the dark."

Darnel stood, his easygoing demeanor replaced by the sharp focus of a seasoned guard. "Stay here," he instructed, his voice low and commanding. He approached the door, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Who's there?"

"Traveler," a gruff voice replied. "Lost in the woods. Saw your lights and thought I'd ask for shelter."

Cross let out another piercing cry, his tiny body writhing as his voice filled the room. Sparks began to stir, her small frame quivering under the blanket. Even Ox, usually content and unbothered, let out a distressed gurgle, his fists flailing.

"Something's wrong," Greaves muttered, his expression tense.

Darnel nodded, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Step back from the door," he called. "I'm opening it."

As soon as Darnel cracked the door open, it was slammed inward with brutal force, knocking him back. Eleven men burst into the room, their weapons gleaming in the flickering lantern light. The scarred leader sneered, his voice sharp and commanding. "Take the kids! Kill anyone who gets in the way!"

Chaos erupted. Greaves grabbed a staff leaning against the wall, muttering a quick incantation. The air around him shimmered, and a pulse of energy surged outward, knocking two slavers off balance. "Lera, the children!" he shouted.

Lera darted to the crib, scooping up Mira as Sparks began to cry. Ox let out a loud wail, his arms flailing wildly. Zara remained frozen, her small body trembling under the blanket.

Two slavers broke from the chaos, rushing toward the crib. One reached into the blanket for Cross, but as his hand neared, Alistair's mark glowed fiercely. A shield of golden light materialized around the crib, forcing the man back with a cry of pain as his hand burned.

"What the—?" the second slaver snarled, stepping back.

Alistair released a piercing cry that reverberated through the room, filling the adults with a sudden surge of strength. Their movements became faster, sharper, and more focused. Emboldened, Greaves swung his staff with precision, knocking another slaver to the ground.

Near the crib, two slavers reached for Sparks. One grabbed at her blanket, but her mark flared to life. An electric dome crackled outward, shocking both men and sending them collapsing to the floor in convulsions.

The sharp sound of electricity jolted the older orphans awake. Tomas stumbled into the room, clutching a wooden toy, his eyes wide with fear. "What's going on?" he cried.

Ellie followed close behind, grabbing a fire poker from the hearth. "Are we being attacked?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Stay back!" Greaves commanded, swinging his staff at another attacker. The wood connected with the man's head, sending him sprawling.

Sam grabbed a mallet from the counter, swinging it with surprising force at a slaver. The impact drove the man back, his weapon clattering to the ground. "Get away from them!" Sam roared.

Ox let out a deafening war cry—a sound so primal and fierce it froze several slavers in their tracks. Darnel took advantage of the moment, driving his sword into one man's chest. Greaves knocked another unconscious with a precise strike of his staff.

Tomas, emboldened by the chaos, jabbed his toy at a slaver, shouting, "Stay away!" Ellie swung her fire poker with surprising accuracy, striking a man's knee and sending him crashing to the ground.

Zara, startled by the chaos and injuries around her, let out a soft cry. Her mark glowed faintly, and a soothing aura spread through the room. The wounds on Lera's and Greaves's arms began to heal, the pain fading as Zara's magic worked its quiet miracle.

The scarred leader snarled, his gaze darting to the crib where Alistair's shield continued to glow. "Pull back!" he bellowed. "We regroup outside!"

He lunged for the door, but the shield shifted to block his escape, glowing brighter than before. The leader cursed, realizing he was trapped.

Darnel stepped forward, his sword resting lightly on the man's shoulder. "Surrender," he growled, his tone cold and final.

The leader hesitated, then dropped his weapon. "Fine," he spat. "You've got me."

The remaining conscious slavers followed suit, their faces pale with fear as they dropped their weapons. The room fell silent save for the soft cries of the children. Lera knelt beside the crib, her hands trembling as she checked on Sparks and Alistair. Their marks dimmed, and the shield dissolved into the air.

Greaves placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, his voice calm but firm. "They're safe. It's over."

Darnel gestured toward the defeated slavers. "Tie them up," he ordered. "We need answers."

Lera nodded, cradling Sparks and Alistair as Greaves and Sam began binding the slavers with rope. Tomas and Ellie helped, their hands shaking but determined. The older orphans gathered the younger ones, whispering words of comfort and reassurance.

Greaves stood, his jaw tight as he looked at the scarred leader. "You're going to tell us who sent you," he said. "And why."

The leader glared at him but said nothing, his defiance clear.

Darnel stepped closer, his blade glinting in the faint light. "You'll talk," he said. "One way or another."