Morning at the keep began with warm chatter and a hearty breakfast. The children, still adjusting to their new life, huddled together around Rasp, who hovered protectively over their table, clicking with amusement as Pirate tried to sneak an extra piece of bread. Meanwhile, [[Ellette|Ellette]] and [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] conducted their usual perimeter sweep. Once again, they found strange tracks and claw-like markings near the keep's boundaries—fresh but elusive. “No sign of anything unusual from the workers,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] said, crouching to study the tracks. “Yet something’s here,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] replied, her brow furrowed. “We’ll keep our guard up.” With the kids ready and packed into the cart, the party journeyed back to Alexandria. The children were quiet, their nervous energy palpable, but [[Ellette|Ellette]] reassured them with a calm voice. Arriving in Alexandria, the group quickly set to work introducing the children to the townsfolk. The kids clung together at first but gradually warmed up, especially with locals like Evette and Spick doting on them. At the guild hall, Erza, the grizzled guild leader, listened to the party's story with an amused smile. “You’ve taken on quite the responsibility,” she said. “You’ll want Jess for this. Seamstress, just past the Lucky Gryphon.” The party made their way to the little shop Erza mentioned. Inside, the smell of fabric and lavender greeted them, along with the chirping of a caged bird. A half-orc woman in a red and yellow polka-dot dress flitted around the room, her glasses slipping down her nose as she muttered to herself. “Oh no, oh dear, uh uh uh—” “Jess?” [[Ellette|Ellette]] interrupted. The woman jumped, clutching her heart. “Yes! Oh, yes, I’m Jess. Can I help you?” The party explained the situation, and Jess’s eyes softened. “Clothes for the children? Of course. Come here, darlings, let me measure you.” The children lined up nervously, but Jess’s kind demeanour and promise of sweets for good behaviour soon won them over. Pirate spoke up. “Can I have a signature hat?" [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] nudged Pirate Pirate a little embarrassed "Please?” Jess chuckled. “Of course, darling.” After ensuring Jess had all the measurements, the party continued to other shops. They purchased toys, books, and small trinkets to help the children feel at home. Quincy, ever generous, gifted them wooden toy weapons, earning cheers from the kids. By the time they returned to the keep, the workers had packed up for the day. Progress was evident most of the repairs were complete, with only a week of work left. That evening, after ushering the children to dinner and bed, [[Ellette|Ellette]] and [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] decided to act on their suspicions. “This time, we’re going to find whatever’s been leaving those tracks,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] said, crossbow at the ready. [[Ellette|Ellette]] nodded, her expression grim. They scoured the grounds, eventually finding more tracks—this time leading _into_ the keep itself. They called the rest of the party, and together they began a methodical search. Hours passed with no sign of an intruder. Frustrated and on edge, they gathered in the main hall to regroup. “We’ve checked everywhere,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] grumbled. “If something’s here, it’s hiding well.” Before anyone could respond, a shadow moved. A cloaked figure dove from the rafters, their gleaming blade slicing through the air toward [[Ellette|Ellette]]. She barely managed to sidestep, the blade skimming her arm. “Ambush!” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] shouted, firing his crossbow as the rest of the party readied their weapons. The intruder was a blur of motion, their blade flashing as they struck again and again. Sordia Vignti fought back, but the figure moved with almost supernatural speed, deflecting their blows with ease. “Stay together!” [[Ellette|Ellette]] shouted, ducking a swing and countering with her own daggers. She recognised the blade the intruder was using. The fight raged on, with the party struggling to keep up. Just as it seemed they were outmatched, [[Ellette|Ellette]] landed a lucky strike. Her blade tore through the figure’s hood, revealing their face. A young blue-skinned elf with short, choppy hair glared back at her, breathing heavily. Her blade in full, The Moonblade, family Heirloom [[Ellette|Ellette]] froze, her weapon lowering slightly. “Nissa?” The room fell silent, the tension hanging thick in the air. “Who’s this?” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] asked, his weapon still at the ready. [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s voice was barely above a whisper. “She’s... my sister.” [[Chapter 37. Shattered Bonds]]