Dusk almost dropped the basket of ingredients he was carrying.
"Stop it, Little Dusk! What are you doing? Didn't you sleep last night?" Elara scolded gently, her brows knitting in worry.
Dusk
Age: 12
Profession: Assistant Cook at the Cathedral
From: Lightrest City
Currently Living in: Ram City
Favourite Food: Warm Milk
"I'm sorry," Dusk murmured. "I didn't sleep well last night because of a nightmare."
Elara's expression softened immediately.
"Well, poor fellow... go and pray to the Radiant God, then rest for a bit in the prayer hall. I'll call you after an hour," she said kindly.
Elara
Age: It's not polite to reveal a lady's age.
Profession: Chief Cook at the Cathedral of Ram City
Favourite Food: Cake
---
"Good morning, Dusk. Why do you look like that?!" Richard asked with concern as he entered the kitchen.
"Yesterday... nightmare. Couldn't sleep," Dusk replied with drooping eyelids. "Granny Elara gave permission to nap for a little."
Richard
Age: 20
Profession: Knight Apprentice
Favourite Food: Steak
"Alright, take a quick nap over there. Don't worry, no one will disturb you," Richard said, patting the boy's head. He glanced around. "Also, where's your sister?"
"She stayed home today. I'll bring her tomorrow," Dusk said, yawning softly.
---
At Dusk's Home
"Don't touch me! Don't scratch my feathers! I am an owl! Nooo—!" Hoot shrieked dramatically.
The talking owl had a neat bandage on its leg, but that didn't stop it from complaining.
Hoot
Age: Unknown
Race: Owl
Profession: Lock's Pet
Favourite Food: Rodents
Specialty: Can Talk
"Hahaha!" Dawn's laughter echoed through the small house as she continued playing with the flustered bird.
Dawn
Age: 9
Race: Therianthrope (Bunny Girl)
Profession: None
Favourite Food: Yet to be revealed
"My my... just play with her a little," Lock said, adjusting his monocle while reading through a stack of old books. "She's your saviour, after all."
Lock
Age: 22
Profession: Unknown / Mysterious Sorcerer
Favourite Food: Beggar's Chicken
These were some of the books and items they had found along with the treasure.
A knock came at the door.
Dawn looked up. Her brother had always warned her never to open the door for strangers. "Who is it?" she asked cautiously.
"It's Woofy," came the familiar voice from outside.
Dawn glanced back. Lock nodded once and snapped his fingers. Both he and Hoot vanished instantly.
Her red eyes sparkled. Magic! She couldn't help but grin. She opened the door, feeling confident that if anything happened, Lock would protect her.
"Oh... my brother told me to give this to you." She handed over a small cloth bundle containing ten fins.
Woofy looked like he'd been smacked recently — a faint palm print marked his cheek.
"Are you hurt?" Dawn asked with concern, tilting her head.
Woofy felt his heart skip. The last time he saw her had been at night. Only now, in daylight, did he realize how cute she was. His heart thumped faster.
Woofy
Age: 13
Race: Therianthrope (Half Wolf-kin)
Profession: Works under Seid — does miscellaneous jobs
Favourite Food: Cream Bun
Specialty: Excellent Hearing
"I got punished by Seid after I sold that ginseng. He was mad because I went alone at night," Woofy said, rubbing his neck awkwardly. Then he leaned closer and whispered, "Don't worry. I never said a word about your brother."
Dawn smiled — a bright, pure smile that made Woofy freeze where he stood.
At the tender age of thirteen, the young boy had found his first love.
Bang.
The door shut. Dawn turned around and ran back inside.
"Show me more magic!" she said excitedly.
Comically, the little girl's first love wasn't a boy — it was magic.
"I will, I will," Lock chuckled, reappearing beside her in a shimmer of light. "But first, you have tuition this afternoon, right? Let's buy some chicken for lunch."
"Hoot hoot! I want a rodent!" the owl hooted from his perch.
"You hunt it yourself," Lock said mercilessly.
Hoot looked pitifully at his injured leg. "I'm fine with chicken..." he muttered.
---
Afternoon — Hester's Tuition Room
Hester looked at Dusk, who was fast asleep at his desk. The other children were giggling behind their slates.
Hester sighed. "He didn't sleep well last night, did he?"
Dawn shook her head, confused.
"Well... let him rest. But just for today," Hester said, smiling faintly. "Come here, Dawn. You'll have to teach your brother what we learned after you go home, alright?"
Hester
Age: 40+
Race: Therianthrope (Deerfolk)
Profession: Letter Writer (Scribe) / Tutor
Favourite Food: Bread and Beans
Dawn nodded eagerly. She liked the way Hester spoke — calm, gentle, and patient. Though she was the youngest in class, she had already memorized the entire number chart. The other kids watched her in awe.
---
Evening — On the Way Home
As Dusk and Dawn walked down the cobbled street, they saw two men arguing loudly outside a shop.
"Come on! At least two thales. One of my boys almost got hurt getting this!" Seid barked.
Seid
Age: 30+
Profession: Local Gang Member — arranges jobs for slum kids, takes a commission
Favourite Food: Boar Meat
"One thale. No more," Muk said flatly, crossing his arms.
Muk
Age: 100+
Race: Dwarf
Profession: Restaurant Owner (His place looks more like a pub)
Favourite Food: Beer (though it's technically a drink)
"Hey, Dusk! Dawn!" Seid waved, breaking off his argument for a moment. The kids waved back politely.
"Ahh, Dusk! Come by for some milk later!" Muk called after them with a laugh.
"You know them?" Seid asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You also know them?" Muk retorted, exhaling through his beard. "Alright... one thale and ten fins. That's my final offer."
"Deal!" Seid grinned, shaking his hand.
---
When Dusk and Dawn finally reached home, the little house felt warm again.
"Hoot!" Dawn shouted happily.
The owl swooped down and landed on her shoulder, fluffing its feathers proudly.
Dawn laughed, spinning in a circle.
"Welcome home," Lock said, looking up from his desk. He was scribbling something on a note — faint glimmers of light danced around his quill.
Dusk and Dawn smiled in unison.
"We're back," they said together.
The evening sun poured through the window, painting the quiet room in gold.
For the first time in a while, everything felt peaceful.
"Mr. Lock I want to learn Magic..." Dusk unexpectedly said.
Dawn's eyes also shone.
"Hoot?" The Owl titled it's head.
┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉
Author Here:
Landlady: Why am I not in this chapter?
Author: Well… because you're not a named character.
Landlady: Tsk…