And so, the two youngdies set off on horseback toward Victory Pass.


    They had be fast friends. When Selene first arrived at the Pathfinders Guild, she was shy about eating too much, but Elise kept filling her bowl with food.


    Selene had said that she was used to hard times, and now every day felt like a sweet dream.


    Elise hadughed and replied, "Well then, let''s make sure this dreamsts a lifetime."


    Their journey was slow, with no rush to reach their destination. They took their time, stopping to enjoy the local food and customs at each ce they passed through. They even attended a few weddings,ughing and having fun along the way.


    By the time they reached Victory Pass, it was the middle of winter, and snow was falling heavily.


    Elise went to visit her great-grandfather first. Though Dominic''s hair and beard were white, he was still full of energy. When Elise bowed respectfully before him, he smiled, his face lighting up with joy.


    "You''ve made me wait so long! I knew you wereing, but you made me wait until the cold of winter arrived," he teased.


    As Elise shared all the details of her journey, Dominic gave her a thumbs-up, smiling as he said, "That''s right! You should see more of the world. I''ve been stuck in Victory Pass for so many years; there are many ces I''ve never been to. But I don''t regret it. I can never get enough of this ce."


    "Of course, Victory Pass is where you''ve spent so many years. It''s like home to you," Elise agreed.


    "Yes." Dominic nodded, stroking his beard.


    This ce was where he intended to die, and where his bones would be buried when he passed.


    He gently patted Elise''s head, his voice full of affection as he said, "Since you''ve traveled so much, you must see all of Victory Pass too."


    "That''s certain," she replied with a firm nod. "I will walk every inch ofnd in Victory Pass. It''s the ce you''ve protected all your life."


    Dominic smiled with satisfaction. He was old now, with most of his life already behind him, but if he had aplished just one thing in this life, then he could say he had been useful.


    To wee Elise and Selene, Cindy hosted a family dinner. Victory Pass was no longer the cold, deste ce it once was. Now, there was good wine and fine meats, as well as steaming hot dishes that warmed everyone''s hearts.


    Later that evening, Elise''sing-of-age gifts were all delivered to her room, and she thanked everyone one by one.


    Watching her, Cindy sighed and said, "You''re as well-behaved as your mother was. It''s been so long since I''ve seen her."


    Elise knew how much Cindy loved Carissa, treating her almost like her own daughter. Seeing her now made Elise think of her mother.


    "Mom said that when she''s free, she''lle to Victory Pass to visit you and Great-grandpa," she said softly.


    "As long as she remembers us in her heart, that''s enough. I wouldn''t want her to have to travel back and forth. After all, she has so many duties to attend to," Cindy replied with a gentle smile.


    She pulled Elise closer and softly asked, "Tell me, does your father treat your mother well?"


    Elise thought for a moment before answering: wouldn''t call him exceptional: ording to Aunt Lulu, managing even a month''s worth of dinners with Mom each year is some kind of miracle. But bad? Not at all. The moment Mom walks into a room, his eyes lock onto her and follow her wherever she goes."


    Cindy thought about how Cecil was now ruling directly, and that Rafael should have more free time. But little did she know, he was still as busy as ever.


    Cindy sighed. "Your father truly leads a hard life."


    Elise nodded in agreement. "Even when I returned from Meadow Ridge, I saw that Aunt Lulu and Uncle Jacob had more time than Dad did. He always has endless official duties to attend to."


    "Does your motherin about him?" Cindy asked.


    Eliseughed softly. "How could shein? Nowadays, in addition to being themander of the Mystic Army, she sometimes helps train soldiers at the barracks. She''s just as busy as he is, if not more so."


    Cindy nodded. "No wonder you haven''t had a brother or sister all these years."


    "Mom says it''s all about fate," Elise replied proudly. "She says I am the greatest blessing they could ever have."


    Cindy tapped her gently on the nose. "That''s right. You were not easy toe by.


    It took many years of marriage before they had you."


    Elise believed that having her was enough. In time, she would take a husband into the family-someone who would care for her parents in their old age.