The first light of dawn crept into the small kitchen, golden rays filtering through the window, casting warm hues over the rustic wooden table. Cade stirred in his sleep, the sweet scent of early morning mingling with the smoke from last night's pipe, reminding him of the solace he had found under the stars. He sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and glanced at the small clock hanging on the wall.
"Time to get to work," he muttered under his breath, a smile creeping onto his lips as he thought of Lyrica's bright smile and the way her laughter filled the house with a warmth he cherished.
Cade rose and made his way to the kitchen, the familiar creaks of the floor guiding him through the well-worn path. He set a pot of water to boil and pulled out flour, eggs, and whatever else he could find to make a hearty breakfast. An ordinary morning, yet each moment spent in this simple routine felt like a gift, a reminder of the life he had fought so hard to protect.
As he began mixing the ingredients for pancakes, he could hear the soft rustle of Lyrica stirring awake from her room—her soft yawn followed by the patter of small feet making their way toward the kitchen. He flipped his focus toward her, grinning as he anticipated their morning together.
"Good morning, sleepyhead!" Cade called, his voice bright as he turned to face his daughter, who had just entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes with one hand while clutching a stuffed bear with the other.
"Good morning, Dad!" she replied, her smile illuminating the room. "What are we having?"
"Pancakes, with extra syrup!" he announced, the joyful anticipation bubbling in his chest as he poured the batter onto the sizzling pan. "Just like you like them."
Moments later, the two enjoyed their breakfast, laughter filling the home as they exchanged silly stories. It was a perfect morning, a momentary escape from the weight of their realities.
But the peace of the morning was abruptly interrupted by a firm knock on the door, echoing through the house like a harbinger of disruption. Cade exchanged a wary glance with Lyrica, her excitement quickly turning to confusion.
"Who could that be?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"I'm not sure," Cade replied, straightening his posture and drying his hands on a towel. A flicker of foreboding ran through him as he approached the door, instinctively gripping the handle tighter. Opening it revealed a knight clad in polished armor, bearing the emblem of a nearby human kingdom—a symbol Cade associated with greed and tyranny.
"Greetings, good sir!" the knight proclaimed, his voice loud and authoritative. "I am Sir Alden, a representative of King Erigut. I come to promote our king within the upcoming council elections."
Cade felt a weight settle in his stomach at the mention of King Erigut. The man was known for his insatiable greed, a ruler who cared little for the people of his kingdom and even less for the council's higher ideals. "What do you want?" Cade asked, his tone cautious.
"Allow me to present King Erigut's vision for our realm!" Sir Alden continued, unfazed by Cade's demeanor. "He believes it is time for a new era—one where the strong lead through power and wealth! Backing our king means securing a brighter future filled with unshakeable loyalty. Our esteemed court has great plans for the council, ensuring a voice for our mighty humans over lesser races, the fine details of which—"
Cade cut him off, his heart racing with indignation. "Is that what you call it? A voice for the weak? You speak of loyalty, but your king's footsteps echo with oppression. He speaks of power, yet walks the path of tyranny. Advocating slavery for magical beings and minor races—no good can come from such policies."
Lyrica stood quietly behind him, eyes darting from Cade to the knight, sensing the tension in the air. She tugged at her father's sleeves lightly, unsure of the gravity of the conversation but aware of the shift in his tone.
Alden's face hardened, irritation flickering behind his composed facade. "Perhaps the council requires change, but it does not require the voices of misguided souls like you. King Erigut is willing to buy the respect he deserves, and perhaps I should remind you that respect often includes... consequences for defiance."
Cade stepped forward, the protective instincts surging within him. "I won't allow your king's greed to taint our peaceful council. You may have riches and power, but you do not possess the trust of the people."
"And you believe you can sway the tides?" Alden retorted, crossing his arms defiantly. "This is bigger than you. Know your place before speaking against the authority of your betters." The knight's eyes glinted with thinly veiled threats, reminding Cade that there would be fallout for opposing King Erigut.
"There is a good reason every heart beats in defiance of tyranny," Cade replied firmly. "If you truly wish to promote your king, you would do well to consider the people you claim to protect."
With that, the knight's expression hardened further. "You will feel the repercussions of defiance, Kingslayer. Mark my words."
Alden turned sharply, marching away. The door clicked shut behind him, echoing through the small kitchen. Silence fell, heavy and thick, as Cade exhaled sharply, feeling the tension drain from his body as he turned back to Lyrica.
"Daddy, what was that all about?" she asked, her eyes round with concern.
"It's nothing to worry about, Lyrica," he assured her, kneeling to her level. "Just a reminder that some folks in power will do anything to get what they want, even if it means hurting those who are weaker." He wanted to shield her from the weight of the world, the shadows that hovered around.
"Does that mean they can hurt us too?" she asked softly, her innocence cutting through the air like a knife.
Cade pulled her into a gentle embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around her. "Not as long as I'm around. We stay strong together, and we always stand for what is right."
As he tucked her back into the kitchen, Cade couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air, a weight quickly replaced by the determination to oppose the malevolence that threatened their lives and peace. The morning might have started innocently, but with every breath he took, Cade knew it was a day that could mark the beginning of a fight that would test every fiber of their existence once more.