Elara awoke with a start to a series of loud bangs and crashes emanating from outside her room.
She burrowed deeper under her covers, hoping the noises would cease. But they didn't.
Instead, they intensified, punctuated by Kendrick's grunts and the scrape of furniture. Frustration and curiosity finally won out.
She threw off the covers, the morning light already painting the room in soft hues.
Exiting her room, she found Kendrick wrestling with a large, ornate table in the yard. Dawn painted the sky in shades of pink and orange.
"Dad? What in Lunarith's name are you doing?" Elara questioned.
Kendrick grunts with effort as he moves the table, then replied "Just… moving… things…"
"Moving things? What things? "Elara once again confused.
Kendrick then moved the table outside, "It's… time… for… new… stuff…"
Elara peered outside, her eyes widening in disbelief. New furniture – couches, tables, chairs – all gleaming and pristine, stood in neat rows where the old ones had been.
"Did you… get a Job or something? Because this is impossible! You're always inside the house!"
Kendrick sets the table down with a thud, "Let's just say… things… have…changed…"
Kendrick then dramatically posses, his hand clenched to a fist then placed in his chest as he placed his foot on a log, "Back then in my prime, I was a knight. A highly decorated knight, I might add. My retirement package… well, let's just say it includes some rather… substantial… rewards. For my dedication… my service… to the Kingdom!"
Elara stared at him, a mixture of confusion and amusement on her face. She couldn't help but laugh.
"You were a knight? Seriously?"
"Seriously. And these are some of the spoils of war… or, you know, peace. Peaceful retirement spoils." He replied
"Well, I'll be… Okay, I'll help you!"
Kendrick smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes.
Together, they worked, moving the old furniture to the side and carefully placing the new pieces inside.
It was hard work, but the transformation of their home was exciting.
"Wow… it's… amazing, Dad. You really outdid yourself." Complimenting Kendrick.
"It's nothing compared to slaying dragons and demons, but I'll take it."
After they finished, they collapsed onto one of the new, plush couches.
"Where's Lila? It's almost dusk, and she hasn't come by today." Kendrick asked curiously.
"I don't know. Maybe she's busy with chores. Or maybe she just needed a break." She replied
Kendrick nodded in understanding.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the exhaustion of the day catching up to them.
Before they knew it, they had both drifted off to sleep.
Kendrick awoke to find Elara nestled in his arms. He smiled, a tender expression softening his features.
He hugged her tightly, the warmth of the embrace comforting and protective.
The next morning, Elara decided to practice her magic again.
It had been a while since she had truly focused on it. Kendrick watched from a distance as she went through the basics, reciting the light spell he had taught her.
As elara Mastered casting the spell, she noticed that the orbs would follow her when she walked, then thought if they would follow her hand.
Elara then Slowly moved her hand trying to make the orbs follow her, but they wouldn't, Elara then kept trying till her impatient got the better of her.
Elara let out a frustrating grunt, "I can't get the orbs to follow my hand! They only seem to follow my body. It's so frustrating!"
As she let out her anger, one of the orbs then exploded on her face, After that small explosion Elara's hair in front was now unorganized.
Kendrick holds his laugh at the event he just witnessed, he thought it was funny and cute.
Elara then inhaled her face showing how she's already pissed by it but tried to calm down and exhaled.
She needed to control her emotions as her powers right now seemed to be tied to it.
Kendrick the approached her asking if she was alright.
Elara nonchalantly replied Kendrick with a yes.
"Yes, Dad... I'm very much fine"
Kendrick then chuckled and asked Elara what he could do to help her in her situation right now.
Elara then asked if Kendrick heard his friend cast any spell in making the light orbs move at the caster's will.
Kendrick then thought for a while the shaked his head "Sorry kiddo, my minds old now I don't think I can remember."
Elara then sighed, "It's so hard to practice without someone who knows magic"
Kendrick placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're full of magic, Elara. You just need to find your way. Don't give up."
Elara smiled, renewed determination in her eyes. She went back to practicing, her focus unwavering.
Kendrick then went back inside and sat back at the couch, When suddenly, He felt a wave of tiredness wash over him. He closed his eyes, intending to rest for just a moment.
As he slept, a small ball of light, similar to Elara's orbs, began to circle him, its movements playful and erratic.
Kendrick was not awaked by this occurrence, Instead he snored, loudly.
Elara, feeling defeated after another hour of practice, went inside.
She saw the little light figure and then she shouted, "Hey!"
The figure stopped, seemingly staring at her. It was similar to her orbs, but smaller, more… mischievous.
"What are you?" Elara questioning it as she squinted her eyes,
The little light figure zipped away quickly.
Curiosity piqued, Elara decided to chase it. She closed the doors and windows, determined to catch it.
The chase was on, a comical game of cat and mouse. In her focused state, she didn't notice the trail of destruction she was leaving behind.
Kendrick slept soundly through the chaos.
Elara, close to catching the light figure, was suddenly hit by a gust of wind, sending her sprawling against the wall.
"Ouch! What was that?"
The light figure seemed to giggle before escaping through the chimney.
"Dang it! I forgot about the chimney!"
She stood up, surveying the damage. The house was a disaster.
Just as she was about to start cleaning, Kendrick awoke. His eyes, still blurry with sleep, slowly focused.
He saw the shambles inside the house and spotted elara awkwardly smiling and waving at him, and his eyes widened.
Kendrick then turned to Elara, "Elara… what… happened?"
Elara, standing awkwardly amidst the chaos, waved her hand sheepishly. "Hehe… good morning, Dad!"