“You know when your mother ran away with me, it caused quite a stir,” Faolan said, “but we got over it when your grandmother realized that she wanted her daughter to be happy.”

Freya realized that she was hearing a new side of her father. Growing up, her family had always been very close-knit. The home felt welcoming, so she was surprised to hear Old Gran had objected to her father at all.

“You know that your mother gave up her claim to be one of the gentry when she married a simple Corporal,” he said. “She could have married a Lord instead.”

Freya nodded, wondering if she should pry for more information.

“But Grandpaw also, he was a fighter? Old Gran married him?” she said.

“Ah but he is a special case because he had to give up his claims to his heritage when he signed up for the… wait hold on, he never told you this?”

Freya's tears were all gone. In their place, she watched her father, incredulous.

“What? He never told me about when he was my age, just that he made some choices and then he came back to farm with Old Gran,” Freya said.

“I don’t know if I should tell you this, then. It’s not my story to tell,” he said, sighing.

“Tell me, tell me!” she said, insistent.

Her irises opened up like saucers to break down his defenses via adorableness.

“You’re an adult now you should know this. When Old Gran was your age, the druids came to her to induct her into the order. Your grandmother was strong willed. She spent a long time attempting to become a druid, passing their challenges… but in the end, she didn’t have enough talent to become a full druid. After a few years she returned. Your grandfather, he didn’t have the ability to join the druids. He wanted to do something and since each druid usually has a ranger—a protector—he trained to fight with them.”

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Freya watched as her father’s whiskers turned over.

“He was and still is to be one of the best mice I’d ever met with a sword. He taught me things while I was still a Soldier that made me the envy of the rest of the creatures in my company. Unfortunately for him, in order to join the rangers, you have to dedicate yourself and give up… well, everything. The druids also have to do something similar but the circle provides for both of them.”

Freya sat in rapt attention.

“Grandpaw was a swordmaster?” she gulped.

“He was a legend,” he said. “Though he may never admit it, he spent a long time with the rangers, bonding with your grandmother. When she was told that she would not be able to perform, she was offered a choice to leave the circle and she took it. As a mercy, they released your grandfather as well. He was destitute, but her Lord father took them in.”

“Mother never tried to join the druids?” Freya asked.

“She was called and tried but it seems she was weaker than her mother and that sometimes happens. You, however…”

Freya suddenly felt uncomfortably warm as she considered what it would be like if she was told that she had to throw away everything and become a druid. She probably wouldn’t like it much.

She was interrupted by a ringing sound as someone came in the door. She didn’t turn to look as a pair of paws grabbed her from behind in a full-body hug.

“How’s my little girl?” her mother said.

She hasn’t seen my eyes, so she doesn’t know that I’ve been crying. I should excuse myself to go freshen up and… and…

Freya sighed because her mother would find out.

“Excuse me, I need to go use the washroom really quick then we can go,” Freya scurried off, making sure not to turn back.”

Dipping her paws into the basin, Freya considered the sacrifice. On the walls, paintings of Soldiers ran from the ground to the ceiling, her father had told her, to always honor those. But there were so many ways to honor those creatures. Freya would have to find her way.