The smell of spiced bread and sizzling eggs filled the Kael kitchen. Morning light spilled across the long wooden table, where the entire family was already seated — except Karn, who strolled in last, hair slightly messy.
Elara didn't even glance up from the pan before launching her attack."You were out late again."
Karn froze mid-step. "Morning to you too, Mom.""Don't morning me. I heard you sneak in past midnight. And your boots were wet."
"Yeah, because—" Karn glanced at his siblings, who were now grinning like vultures. "—because the roof leaks. Obviously."
Aryn, the older sibling, leaned back in their chair with a smirk. "Right. The roof was chasing you across the city?"Karn shot him a look. "The only thing chasing me is the sound of your failed sword practice."
"Hey!" Aryn tossed a bread crust at him. "At least I train every day.""Yeah, and yet, you still move like a cow on ice."
Lyra, the youngest, giggled so hard she almost spilled her milk. "He's right! Aryn does that little 'slip-slap' thing when he runs." She demonstrated, stomping her feet awkwardly.
Aryn glared at her. "Don't you have dolls to play with?"Lyra puffed her cheeks. "Don't you have basic balance to learn?"
Varin, their father, calmly sipped his tea, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Ah, family harmony in the morning. Nothing like the sound of my children verbally stabbing each other."
Elara finally turned around, slapping a plate of eggs in front of Karn with dramatic force. "Eat. You need your strength."
Karn raised an eyebrow. "For what? Dodging more parental interrogations?"She narrowed her eyes. "For living. Don't think I won't drag the truth out of you, boy."
Aryn smirked. "Yeah, Karn, tell us. Were you out meeting some mysterious girl?"Karn deadpanned. "Yeah, her name's 'None of Your Business.' Lovely hair, beautiful eyes — doesn't whine like you."
Lyra gasped. "Oooo, Karn's got a secret girlfriend!"Karn pointed at her with his fork. "If I did, you'd be the last to know, snitch."
The table erupted in laughter, except for Elara, who was still watching Karn with the suspicious intensity of a hawk.
Truth was, Karn barely heard half the teasing. His mind kept drifting back to the rooftops, the masked pursuers, the way they melted into the smoke. He could still feel that faint presence, like eyes watching from a great distance.
"Karn." His mother's voice snapped him out of it."Yeah?""You were staring into space like your father does when he pretends to be listening to me."Varin coughed into his tea. "I do listen—""No, you don't," Elara shot back.
Karn smirked. "Maybe I'm just thinking about how to finally beat Aryn in a spar."Aryn snorted. "Dream on.""Please," Karn said, leaning back. "I've seen brooms with better form."
Lyra nearly fell off her chair laughing again. "You two are so dumb."Karn pointed at her. "Careful, little one. You're next on the roast list.""Oh yeah? Roast me, I dare you."Karn grinned. "You're like a kitten — all fluff, no threat, and constantly knocking things over for attention."
Lyra gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "How dare you."
By the time breakfast ended, the Kael kitchen was filled with laughter, mock outrage, and enough playful insults to fuel an entire day of sibling grudges.
Only Elara's eyes stayed sharp, watching Karn as he left the table. She knew her son — and she knew that whatever happened last night, he wasn't ready to talk about it.
Yet.