THE MIRRORBORN’S QUIET HUNT
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Silvenna’s mirrorborn had become a ghost in Thornmere.
Every dawn it left the hidden corner of the old fountain where it hid through the night — a silver silhouette dissolving into sunlight, becoming just another reflection on shop windows, puddles, polished shields, kettles, even spoons.
Unseen.
Unremarkable.
Every day it watched the town… and every night it whispered its findings back into Silvenna’s cracked looking-glass.
Today, though, it had a mission:
Observe.
Listen.
And begin the unraveling.
Elyra & Sereth’s First Walk with Varno
The estates’ doors opened just after breakfast, and Thornmere’s crisp spring air brushed over the young family.
Sereth stepped out first — tired, but radiant — Varno bundled in a makeshift sling across her chest, the newborn’s tiny silver-flecked eyes blinking up at the sky.
Elyra followed close, protective, a hand on Sereth’s back, the other occasionally reaching to steady the bobbing sling.
Elyra:
“He likes the breeze… look, he’s kicking.”
Sereth (soft laugh):
“Because he knows his mum and sister are showing him the world.”
Varno gurgled and grabbed a lock of Sereth’s hair.
The sight softened hearts across the street.
People waved.
Friends approached.
Thornmere’s bustle wrapped around them like a warm blanket.
They reached the market.
Fruit sellers. Leatherworkers. Spice traders. The smell of warm bread. The ordinary peace of a town once terrified, now healing.
But not everyone watching was a friend.
From a reflection in a kettle hanging above a food stall…
two silver eyes blinked.
The mirrorborn slipped from pot to puddle, puddle to windowpane, windowpane to polished shield.
Always near.
Always listening.
Planting the Rumor
It chose a merchant — a talkative one, gullible, jumpy.
The mirrorborn stepped out of the man’s reflection just long enough for a whisper, a shape, the faint suggestion of a face with cracked-glass skin.
Voice like scraping crystal:
“They’re coming… glass monsters… hunting the girl… and her boy…”
The merchant screamed and fell backwards, knocking over a crate of apples.
Elyra spun, instincts alert.
Sereth shifted Varno protectively against her chest.
Sereth:
“Sir, are you alright?”
Merchant (shaking):
“I–I saw something—no—someone—said there’s glass creatures round the estate—huntin’ a girl an’ her… her… boyfriend!”
Elyra’s cheeks went crimson.
Elyra:
“W-what— that’s— that’s not— he’s not— I mean he is— but—”
Sereth placed a steadying hand on her daughter’s shoulder, though her own eyes sharpened with a ranger’s suspicion.
Sereth:
“Who told you this?”
Merchant:
“N-no one I know! A shape— in the glass— behind me— whisperin’ warnings! Said they were after someone with eyes like mirrors.”
Sereth instinctively stepped in front of Elyra.
Elyra:
“Mum—”
Sereth:
“Hush.”
She pressed.
Sereth:
“What did it look like?”
Merchant (gulping):
“Like… like a person made o’ broken mirror shards… glitt’rin… starin’ right into me.”
Elyra and Sereth exchanged a silent look.
Elyra:
“Mirrorborn.”
The merchant gasped and backed away as though the word itself were cursed.
The rumour began to spill across the market in seconds — whispers blooming like spores.
“Glass monsters…”
“Hunting the girl…”
“Hunting the boy…”
“…from the estate…”
Elyra folded her arms tightly.
Elyra:
“Well. That’s… not great.”
Sereth tightened her hold on Varno, shielding him instinctively as if she could sense the danger reaching for her child.
Sereth:
“We’re going back. Now.”
Elyra:
“Agreed.”
Varno, unaware of the rising fear, yawned cutely.
But Sereth’s expression had shifted.
Her ranger instincts were awake.
Her mother instincts were roaring.
Elyra walked beside her, jaw clenched, one hand ready to draw a blade the moment reality cracked.
The Mirrorborn Follows
It clung to their reflections the whole way back.
In puddles.
In window glass.
In Varno’s tiny eye for a flicker.
In the polished buckle on Sereth’s belt.
It memorized the sling.
The weave of Varno’s blanket.
The exact pattern of Elyra’s boots.
The house entry code of footsteps and routines.
It whispered everything to Silvenna when they passed the old well:
Silvenna’s voice rippled through the reflection:
“Are they afraid?”
Mirrorborn (fractured whisper):
“Yessss…”
Silvenna:
“Good. Keep tightening the noose.”
The mirrorborn dissolved into a ripple and slithered after them.
Returning to the Estate
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
When the estate’s doors closed behind them, both Elyra and Sereth exhaled the breath they hadn’t realized they were holding.
Elyra:
“Okay. That wasn’t just a rumor. That was surveillance.”
Sereth:
“And deliberate. Someone wants the town scared and watching us.”
Elyra:
“Mum… the mirrorborn knows about Tavian.”
Sereth:
“…and it knows about Varno.”
Varno squeaked.
Sereth hugged him tighter, eyes turning cold.
Sereth:
“Let’s tell everyone. Now.”
Elyra nodded, face serious.
The two of them marched deeper into the estate — the mother, the daughter, and the newborn — unaware of the soft ripple in the family portrait frame behind them…
…where the mirrorborn watched still, unblinking, waiting for its next order.
THE EVENING OF TRUTH AND TERROR
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The estate was on high alert by sundown.
Doors barred.
Curtains drawn.
Kaer patrolling the hallways with a blade already out.
Garruk sharpening his axe in a rhythm that made the floorboards vibrate.
Pancake pacing back and forth muttering:
“Find mirror-shiny sneaky thing… bonk it… bonk it hard.”
When Tavian arrived at the front gate, he didn’t even get to knock.
Laz opened the door a fraction, one glowing tiefling eye peering out.
Laz:
“…Password.”
Tavian blinked.
Tavian:
“Um… I didn’t know there was a—”
Vex shoved Laz aside so forcefully he slid.
Vex:
“Tavian. Get in. NOW.”
They yanked him inside and slammed the door.
Instantly, the interrogation began.
Garruk loomed over Tavian like a mountain preparing to fall.
Garruk:
“ARE YOU YOU?”
Tavian:
“Y-y-yes?”
Kaer:
“Prove it.”
Tavian:
“Uh… how?”
Vex snapped her fingers.
Vex:
“Personal questions. Rapid fire. No hesitation. Go!”
Laz pointed dramatically.
Laz:
“Favorite pastry?”
Tavian:
“Cinnamon twist?”
Garruk:
“WRONG.”
Tavian panicked.
Tavian:
“I— I meant— I like all pastries— equally— in a democratic system—”
Elyra’s voice cut through the chaos from the landing upstairs.
Elyra:
“Tavian. What did you call me the first time you saw me walk without the circlet?”
He turned scarlet instantly.
Tavian:
“…beautiful.”
Elyra stepped into view.
That was enough.
She rushed down and wrapped her arms around him — but even then, Sereth placed a hand to Elyra’s shoulder.
Sereth (serious):
“One more. Tavian—what did Elyra throw at the twins the night of the smooching?”
Tavian:
“A dagger. The middle one. The one with the black leather hilt.”
Everyone relaxed.
Kaer sheathed his sword.
Garruk nodded, satisfied.
Pancake hopped onto Tavian’s shoulder and patted his cheek.
Pancake:
“He real.”
Only then did Elaris step forward — pale, exhausted, worried… but composed.
Elaris:
“Tavian. Sit.”
Tavian sat so fast he nearly missed the chair.
Tavian:
“Sir… is Elyra alright? Is the baby alright? Are you—”
Elaris raised a hand.
Elaris:
“We’re safe enough. For now. But you need to hear this very carefully.”
Tavian leaned in, breath held.
Elaris:
“You and Elyra are in danger.”
The room quieted.
Even the hearth seemed to dim.
Tavian:
“…What?”
Elaris continued, voice low but steady — a man trying very hard not to terrify a boy he liked.
Elaris:
“There is a mirrorborn inside Thornmere. Possibly inside these walls. It's been watching Elyra. Watching Sereth. Watching Varno. Watching you.”
Tavian’s stomach dropped.
Tavian:
“M-me? Why me? I’m… I’m just—”
Elyra sat beside him and took his hand.
Elyra:
“Tavian… you’re not ‘just’ anything.”
He swallowed hard.
Elaris pressed on.
Elaris:
“They know about your relationship. They know you stay here often. They watched the way you protected her during her paralysis. They watched the two of you walking together. They likely know your morning habits, your routes home. They know your face. They know your family’s faces.”
Tavian’s breath cut.
Tavian:
“My… my parents?”
Sereth nodded grimly.
Sereth:
“We think they may try to use them to lure you… or Elyra.”
Tavian’s hands shook.
Elyra leaned closer, eyes full of fierce determination.
Elyra:
“Tavian—listen to me. Nobody is going to hurt them. Or you. Not while we’re here.”
He felt himself shake anyway.
Tavian:
“What do I do?”
Elaris drew a deep breath — choosing his words like a man who hated the weight of them.
Elaris:
“You may want to invite your family here.”
Tavian stared at him.
Tavian:
“You want… my parents… inside the estate?”
Elaris:
“I want them safe.”
Kaer:
“And out of whatever trap Silvenna is setting.”
Garruk:
“If mirrorborn go after them, boy— they won’t stand a chance alone.”
Vex crossed her arms.
Vex:
“We can protect them.”
Laz nodded.
Laz:
“And we will.”
Pancake, perched on Tavian’s knee, added:
Pancake:
“We protect. We boop. We smite. Family safe.”
Tavian looked around the room.
All those faces.
All that strength.
All that trust.
He exhaled shakily.
Tavian:
“…Okay. I’ll bring them.”
Elyra squeezed his hand, a quiet promise in her eyes.
Elyra:
“We’ll keep them safe, Tavian. I promise.”
But deep in the glass pane of the far window…
…a ripple of silver watched.
Listened.
And slid away into the night.
THE ARRIVAL OF TAVIAN`S FAMILY
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The front gates of the Aurelthane estate swung open just past noon.
Two figures stepped inside the courtyard, blinking up at the sprawling home with awe, their hands clasped tightly together.
Tavian’s parents were not warriors.
Not mages.
Not nobles.
Just two humble, soft-spoken people who looked like they had spent their entire lives working honestly and loving deeply.
His mother—small, round-cheeked, warm-eyed—took in the gardens with a gasp.
Tavian’s Mother:
“Oh… stars above. Tavian wasn’t exaggerating.”
His father—broad-shouldered, gentle-eyed, a carpenter’s hands—rested a comforting hand on her back.
Tavian’s Father:
“Easy now, love. It’s just a house.”
She elbowed him playfully.
Tavian’s Mother:
“It’s bigger than our entire street, Dalen.”
Before they could take two more steps—
The estate doors burst open.
Elyra ran out first.
She nearly collided with them in her enthusiasm.
Elyra:
“Mara! Dalen! You’re here!”
Tavian’s mother brightened instantly and swept Elyra into a tight, motherly hug.
Mara:
“Oh sweetheart, look at you! Walking and glowing and— oh my goodness your braid is beautiful today!”
Elyra blushed immediately.
Tavian, trailing behind her, looked like a man preparing to die of embarrassment.
Tavian:
“Mum, please—”
Mara was already cupping Elyra’s face.
Mara:
“My son’s letters did not do you justice, darling.”
Tavian made a strangled noise.
Tavian:
“MUUUM—”
Dalen placed a steadying hand on Tavian’s shoulder.
Dalen:
“Sorry, son. She’s excited.”
Tavian:
“She’s exposing all of my secrets.”
Dalen:
“That too.”
Elyra laughed softly— but when she turned, her breath caught.
Because suddenly—
the Crimson Dice were lined up like a receiving squadron.
Kaer had attempted a polite stance.
Garruk was holding two axes but trying very hard to look friendly.
Arden looked genuinely serene and angelic.
Vex and Laz had innocently sweet smiles, which was alarming.
Pancake stood atop a table with a teacup, looking like a cosmic butler.
Sereth stood just behind them with Varno in her arms, swaddled and content.
Elaris stood beside her, posture excellent but expression panicked.
Elaris (under his breath):
“Be normal. Be normal. Wolves have better social etiquette than us. Just— be normal.”
Arden gave him a pat on the back.
Arden:
“You’re overthinking this.”
Elaris:
“I always overthink when I’m meeting the parents of the boy who is smooching my daughter.”
Arden:
“…Fair.”
The moment Tavian’s parents fully stepped into view, every member of the Dice tried to look non-threatening.
It did not work.
At all.
But—
Mara and Dalen disarmed them in an instant.
Mara clasped her hands with delight.
Mara:
“Oh my! Are all of you Elyra’s family too? Look at this! Such a big, wonderful household!”
Garruk blinked like he had just been handed a puppy.
Garruk:
“…Family?”
Kaer coughed.
Kaer:
“Well— I suppose— yes— in a sense—”
Vex:
“We love her tremendously.”
Laz:
“And make sure she never gets bored.”
Pancake:
“I am uncle.”
Mara:
“Oh my goodness who’s this little creature?”
Pancake bowed.
Pancake:
“I am Pancake. Cosmic weasel. Very powerful. Very fluffy.”
Mara:
“You’re ADORABLE.”
She scooped him up.
Pancake melted instantly.
Pancake:
“I permit this.”
Dalen approached Sereth next, eyes softening at the sight of Varno.
Dalen:
“And this must be the new little one we heard about.”
Sereth smiled, warm and tired and glowing.
Sereth:
“This is Varno.”
Mara peered over with tears already forming.
Mara:
“This is the sweetest baby I’ve ever seen.”
Elaris hadn’t breathed in a full thirty seconds.
Then Mara turned to him—
Mara:
“You must be Elyra’s father.”
Elaris:
“I— yes— I am— I apologise in advance for anything my daughter, my wife, my party members, or my weasel may have done or said.”
Mara laughed so brightly it felt like sunlight.
Mara:
“You’re lovely.”
Elaris short-circuited.
Sereth smirked knowingly.
Garruk whispered to Kaer:
Garruk:
“They too powerful.”
Kaer:
“The parents are high-level NPCs.”
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THE BABY WARD — VARNO’S PROTECTION
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Meanwhile, in the east wing of the estate, a quiet storm of preparation was in motion.
Arden, Laz, and Elaris worked over a protective array drawn in glowing gold and pale necrotic green.
Arden:
“These wards will mask Varno from all scrying.”
Elaris:
“And divert any mirrorborn illusions. If Silvenna tries to locate him magically… she’ll find nothing.”
Vex was braiding shimmering silver cords infused with anti-glass magic.
Vex:
“These’ll tangle up any mirrorborn that tries to mimic the baby or Sereth.”
Kaer hammered a rune-bound frame onto Varno’s temporary cradle.
Kaer:
“If a mirrorborn comes near this room, the frame will shatter. Loudly.”
Garruk paced the door.
Garruk:
“I will watch here. No monster passes.”
Pancake hopped up on a stack of pillows beside Varno’s sling.
Pancake:
“I guard baby. Baby safe with Pancake.”
Sereth peeked in from the doorway, relieved.
Sereth:
“Thank you. All of you.”
Elaris kissed her forehead.
Elaris:
“We’ll protect him. Always.”
Varno cooed softly.
The light around him pulsed faintly—
warm, protective, ancient.
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THE MIRRORBORN’S SHADOW
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Unseen in the rafters…
A ripple of gleaming silver watched.
Listened.
And slid silently deeper into the estate.
Plotting.
Waiting.
Choosing its moment.
