The Warmth of the Hearth

The breeze provides a cool comfort for Thora as she proceeds to do the dishes in the makeshift sink her father set up a few years ago. The wind feels soft as it hits her skin, the pale moonlight shining above her. She hears someone approach her from behind, footsteps that made no effort to remain hidden.

“Human, mother has brought more dishes for you to wash.” Kein speaks, his deep voice soothing. In his arms, he carries plates from dinner that were given to him by Thora’s mother.

Thora doesn’t respond, proceeding to do her work. She doesn’t look back, but she knows that Kein knows why he has been ignored and thus took joy in ignoring him more. After a moment of silence, Kein begins to speak again. “T-Thora, dishes for you to wash.”

Thora finally acknowledges his presence with a smile, her cheeky demeanor aiming to annoy Kein furthermore. “That wasn’t so hard, was it? A name for you, and a name for me.” She takes the dishes from Kein and adds them to her load. “You go see if father needs help, I’ll be fine.” With this, Kein turns around to look for Thora’s dad in the woods.

Kein walks in silence, following the powerful trail of manna that could only belong to one person. “Father, do you require assistance?” He speaks as he enters the clearing that the old man was working in.

Unlike when he was around Thora, Thorin Loft does not require the assistance of his cane. He seemed well, upright and active unlike the façade he put up when Thora was around. Thorin spots Kein, a bright smile on his face. “Ah Kein! Would you be a good lad and carry these logs for me back to the shack?” He points to the pile of chopped wood with his axe. “That’s probably all for tonight, I’ll accompany you in a bit.” He puts his axe down and proceeds to pick up his cane and walks towards the young man. “Shall we?”

They walk towards the direction of the shack, with Thorin telling stories of the things he did when he was younger along the way. Kein enjoyed listening to his tales. It made him feel normal, human. He opens his mouth to ask a question, silencing Thorin as he speaks. “Father, why do you hide your powers from Thora?” Kein pauses, and continues after a brief moment. “Both you and mother have a powerful manna surrounding you, the same way Thora does. Why do you choose to remain hidden?”

Thorin continues to walk, his smile never leaving his face. “Power is not everything Kein, there are more beautiful things that make our short lives meaningful. Unlike you, our time is limited. We wish to keep Thora safe, from the past that me and my family has done.” He stops in his tracks, causing Kein to abruptly stop as well. Thorin looks at him, seriousness in his eyes despite his uncanny smile. “Like Thora, I believe in you Kein. When I pass, I trust that you will take care of her for me.” He ruffles Kein’s hair, an act that catches Kein off guard.

They prepare to move once again when a distant explosion can be heard from the direction of the shack. Thorin sprints and Kein follows, dropping the logs and leaving them behind. Kein senses a tremendous amount of manna from the ruckus, a violent storm of red and orange. He speaks to Thorin, a few inches in front of him. “Father, it seems to be descendants of Agni. I sense around two to four people.”

Thorin grimaces, knowing what the cause of the explosion was, or rather who caused it. He picks up speed, using his wind to lift himself up in the air. Kein does a similar action, using his own mist to boost himself beside Thorin. They arrive at the cliff overlooking the shack, and they spot a fiery glow below them. Thorin scans the area, looking for any sign of his wife and daughter.

Kein’s eyes fall on the various clumps of manna that surround the small house. Four. He sees Thorin attempt to shout behind him, probably to call out for Tiana and Thora and Kein immediately covers his mouth. Thorin is taken aback and Kein calmly explains. “They have not found them yet, calling out would do us no good.” He points towards the mini bunker that he and Thorin had set up a few years ago. “There.”

Thorin nods, now silent as they figure out a way to bypass the mages that were surrounding them. He feels an intense guilt overwhelming him and he decides that explaining would be the best course of action. “Kein, I am sure you know that we are no ordinary Feebles, that we are no Feebles at all. However, there is nothing ordinary about my family of mages as well.” Kein looks at him, the same unreadable expression is plastered on his face. He proceeds. “Those mages belong to House Blaise, a family of Agni mages that handle the security of Ezicion, or at least the safety of the Royalties. I have seen the acts of the Kings and Queens that they have all chosen to turn a blind eye to, and I have evidence. We know too much, that is why we have gone into hiding.”

Kein nods, understanding what Thorin meant. He has seen the cruel ways those with authority have abused this kind of power, as he has been used as a tool by some. A family is what he found in the name Thora has given him. A family he has learned to cherish. “I am no demon. By the name I have been given, I swear to protect those who are dear to me.” He pauses, looking at Thorin. “Leave everything to me, father.”