Esme giggled as she played with her two newborn girls. Even though they’d just been born, their personalities were already coming through. The two were opposites. One was quiet and reserved but looked at the world as if it already had things figured out.

The other one cried out more often and only quieted when Munro held her. It wasn’t hard to see that she’d changed. Becoming a mother had changed her. Living at the edge of life and death in the tower had changed her. Crow’s trajectory had changed her.

Even now, she never understood why she was so angry and hateful toward him. Part of it was her husband’s influence, but thinking about it now, she knew she’d been in the wrong. Crow was a better person than her, and she accepted that during Yuletide when he forgave her.

She never told him how much his actions had impacted her, but she was never the same. He had every reason to hate her, but because of his love and care for her big sister, Crow put aside his pride.

The debt only grew when she learned what he’d done for Munro. Munro entered the house while Esme was distracted and watched his wife and children. He didn’t know his current thoughts were mirroring his wife’s.

Using her knuckle, Esme nuzzled it against the quiet baby’s cheek. “I’ve decided you’ll be called Morrigan, and it’s an important name and legacy I’m giving you, little one. Your namesake is similar to a man your father and I owe a great deal. And you, my little noise maker, with your fiery red hair—you’ll be called Macha. You are like my big sis. I only hope your heart is as big as hers.”

“Are you sure?” Munro asked, startling Esme, who turned to see her husband smiling at her.

“Mmm,” Esme nodded. Morrigan translated to raven or crow, so he knew why she chose such a name. In the legends of the gods and goddesses, Macha was one of Morrigan’s sisters, and it was equally fitting.

“I like these names,” Munro said with a distant look in his eyes.

“Your father made his choice. He’d be glad to see you leading the Duncan clan in a positive direction. Under your guidance, its gained prestige and influence. Even the Druid Council values your opinion. You can’t blame this on him.”

“I don’t blame Crow. Those elders back then were shameless and fools. Oiche is better off without them. They dared squabble over nothing. We’ve experienced the tower and saw that this place barely has the resources of the lowest floors of the tower. It was stupid to plot against the people here. The direction Oiche has taken is for the best. It builds the foundation for all Druids and greatly enhances our presence within the tower.”

“But…?”

“But…” Munro sighed. “I still wish he could have lived to see this day. My father’s heart was focused in the right direction, but his pettiness led to his demise. Seeing my two little girls, I sort of understand his way of thinking.”

“Crow?”

“Yes. That guy never puts insignificant details in his eye. His goal was always higher, and because of that, he could ignore the minor offenses and injustices for the bigger picture. I know he wants the Druid Order to retake what once belonged to them, but his ambition has a higher goal—something I’m not even sure about.”

“You want to join him?” Esme asked. Seeing her husband motivated made her happy. When they first entered the tower, his outlook and goals were weak. She loved Munro, but seeing him struggle during those early days, she felt pain and heartache. After he returned from Wistman’s Woods, the Munro Duncan that left her wasn’t the same that returned. It could be said he entered a boy and returned a man. He was driven by desires and found true meaning in his life.

“No. I want to help him achieve one of his goals. My ambitions aren’t as lofty as his, but I’d like to see our people reclaim our place in the upper realms. I’d like to stand beside him when we punish those who betrayed us.”

“Do you hear your daddy, little ones?” Esme chuckled softly so as not to scare them. “An ordinary man has dreams but lacks the ability to achieve them. A great man will stop at nothing to see a dream become a reality. In the future, when you choose your husband, be sure to remember that. And… you better not fall for that bastard Crow, or I’ll disown you both.”

“You know they can’t understand you, right?” Munro chuckled and kissed Esme on the forehead. Leaning over, he kissed both his children on their chubby cheeks.

“They don’t need to understand it now. I’ll be sure to tell them every day. A person alone cannot create a legend. I’ll be there with you as you achieve yours, and our children will have the role model you never did.”

“Seems I’m not the only one who changed after all these years. Have you heard from your sister?”

“I have. A letter came today, and she is doing well. Crow finally caught up to them, and she seemed excited. They’ve entered the Stone Shield floors, and their people are powerful. She said they’ll keep pushing on, but Crow wants to take a few years once they reach an academy to his liking. Something about its necessary to focus on Scholarly Talents if they want to push past the Soul trials of the upper floors.”

“Is that true?” Munro asked.

“I don’t have faith in many things, but if he said it, it’s probably not wrong. However, it’s probably not about the talent as much as it expands his understanding of the world and the Truths that govern it. Don’t let his path overshadow yours,” Esme said and recovered her hand from Macha to cup Munro’s face. “Cultivating the Soul is all about intent. If your intent is strong enough, then none of the Soul trials will stop you.”

“Where did you learn all this?” Munro chuckled.

“False Dawn Academy. There are a lot of old masters hiding within its halls, and they give many lectures to both the awakened and unawakened. Father Oak truly gave his people a great blessing with the creation of this academy.”

“I agree,” Munro nodded. “Now, let the nurse take care of the children. It’s about time we had some adult time.”

Esme giggled as she leaned into his kiss, her hand pressed against his chest. Even if she never entered the tower again, she’d be content with the warmth of her household. But for Munro’s ambition, she was willing to walk that path alongside him.