The first thing Kael noticed was the sound.
Soft footsteps. Controlled breathing. The faint hum of mana instruments layered beneath whispered conversation.
He could not see clearly yet the light bled into shadow, shapes lacked edges, but he could feel the room.
It was crowded.
And every presence inside carried weight.
Kael tried to move.
Nothing happened.
His body refused him too weak, too small. Panic flickered for the briefest moment before something deeper smothered it. He tried to speak.
No voice came out.
Then,
He saw them.
Not one.
Many.
"Vital signs are stable."
Chief Physician Halden Crowe stood beside the cradle, his silver-rimmed monocle glowing faintly as it scanned lines of translucent runes hovering above Kael's small body. His hands moved with practised ease, adjusting instruments both magical and technological.
"Heart rhythm is strong. Mana channels… unusually orderly for a newborn."
He paused.
"…Very orderly."
Duke Alaric Raven stood at the foot of the cradle, arms crossed, posture straight as a blade. His silver eyes never left Kael.
"Is that a problem?" Alaric asked.
Halden hesitated only for half a breath. "No, my lord. Just… uncommon."
"Meaning?"
"It means," Halden said carefully, "your son is not leaking mana the way infants usually do. He's… holding it."
The room grew quieter.
Duchess Seraphina Raven sat beside the cradle, one hand resting lightly on its edge. Her expression was serene, but her sharp grey eyes missed nothing.
"He's conserving," she said.
Halden nodded. "Yes, my lady"
A voice cut in lazily.
"Well, that's rude."
Everyone turned.
Leaning against the doorway, hands in his coat pockets, stood Caelan Raven—Alaric's younger brother. His dark hair was slightly messy, smile easy, posture relaxed in a way that suggested he had never once taken danger seriously in his life.
Which, unfortunately, was a lie.
"Most babies scream," Caelan continued. "Some cry. Some pee on the doctor. This one's just… judging us."
Halden coughed. "My lord, I assure you—"
Kael's eyes shifted.
They landed on Caelan.
And stopped.
Caelan blinked. "…Huh."
Seraphina glanced sideways. "What?"
"I think," Caelan said slowly, leaning forward, "your son just decided I'm interesting."
A beat.
Then Kael's tiny fingers twitched.
Caelan laughed. "Oh no. I've been chosen."
Alaric didn't look amused. "Don't encourage him."
A small figure pushed closer to the cradle.
"Move," a young girl said firmly.
No one stopped her.
Aurelia Raven, seven years old, heir of House Ravens, stood on her toes to peer inside. Her black hair was tied neatly back, her uniform immaculate, posture drilled into perfection, until she saw Kael's face.
Her eyes softened.
"…He's small," she whispered.
Seraphina smiled. "You were too."
Aurelia frowned. "I was not that small."
She leaned closer. Kael's unfocused gaze wandered—then settled on her.
Aurelia froze.
"…Why is he looking at me like that?"
Caelan grinned. "Because you're scary."
"I am not," Aurelia snapped.
"You stabbed a training dummy seventeen times yesterday," Caelan replied. "In the face."
"That dummy insulted Mother," Aurelia said seriously.
Kael made a faint sound.
Not a cry.
A breathy little noise.
Aurelia gasped. "He made a sound!"
Halden adjusted his monocle. "Reflex response. Healthy."
Aurelia smiled, careful and bright. "I'm your sister," she said softly. "I'll protect you."
Alaric cleared his throat.
Aurelia straightened immediately. "-By training harder than everyone else."
Seraphina laughed quietly.
The doors opened again.
Slow. Measured.
Lord Alfred Raven entered first, leaning on his cane; his silver eyes were sharp and filled with warmth and amusement. Beside him walked Lady Helena Raven, her presence gentle and motherly enough to deceive the unwise.
"Well," Darius said, peering into the cradle, "that's him?"
Vespera smiled. "He's quiet."
Kael's gaze shifted.
He met her eyes.
Vespera stilled, and she smiled with warmth
"…Oh," she murmured. "He's listening."
Darius barked a laugh. "Of course he is."
Behind them came Seraphina's parents.
Lord Aurelius Valencrest observed Kael like a puzzle worth solving.
Lady Mirielle Valencrest ignored analysis entirely and brushed Kael's cheek.
"He's cute," Mirielle said. "Good."
Seraphina exhaled, tension easing from her shoulders.
Then it happened.
Not sound.
Not light.
A pressure brushed the room.
Every contracted beast beneath Ravenhold reacted as one.
Alfred's smile faded. "That wasn't external."
Alaric's hand moved near his sword, and his eyes started scanning
Caelan tilted his head. "…Did anyone else feel like something just peeked in?"
Halden swallowed. "My lord… the readings spiked for less than a second. Then vanished."
Aurelia grabbed Seraphina's sleeve. "Mother?"
Seraphina placed a hand over her daughter's. "It's fine."
Kael felt it.
Something vast.
Something ancient.
It did not threaten.
It acknowledged.
Then withdrew.
Silence followed.
Caelan broke it first. "So," he said lightly, "no crying, no screaming, ancient horrors saying hello-"
He grinned at Kael.
"Welcome to the family, kid."
Kael's fingers curled weakly.
Around Caelan's finger.
Caelan blinked.
Then laughed, genuinely. "Oh. Oh no. He likes me."
Alaric sighed. "We're doomed."
Seraphina leaned down, voice soft. "You're safe here."
Kael did not understand the words.
But he understood the truth behind them.
These people were sharp. Dangerous. Monstrous.
And they were his.
As the lights dimmed and the physician gave final instructions, the Ravens remained gathered, watchful, warm, unyielding.
Far beyond Ravenhold, the world moved loudly toward heroes and legends.
Here, in the quiet shadow of a watchful house,
A raven opened its eyes.