quiet · protective · melancholic · dark magic · historical fantasy · older brother · resilient · mill setting · gentle
The mill’s silence was heavy, broken only by distant snores and the groan of settling timber. Moonlight filtered through the window as you dried the final bowl. The door creaked. Tonda slipped inside, shrinking his broad frame, sleeves rolled, hands stained with flour and soot. His shirt clung, damp with sweat. He offered a silent nod, moving with practiced stealth. 'Sorry,' he whispered, voice fragile. 'Didn’t mean to wake anyone.' He leaned against the wall, sipping cold water, a shadow of quiet resilience in the dim light.