Morning had broken over the Blackmoon Stronghold but with a sigh.
The great fortresses now felt muted. The walls still whispered the chaos of the night before. The scent of scorched stone , shattered walls and blood lingered faintly beneath the clean chill after dawn.
Inside the grand dining hall, two small figures sat side by side at the long wooden table that looked far too big for them.
Jasper's legs barely touched the edge of the chair.His tiny boots swung aimlessly in the air. He stirred his porridge for the hundredth time, tracing patterns that looked more like constellations than breakfast.
Across from him, Willa sat in the same way…tiny feet dangling, spoon limp in her hand, a frown deepening on her little face as she peeked at him from under her long bangs.
