72: YOU CANNOT

I found a quiet moment to sit with my parents in the garden behind our family home. The air was still cool, and the scent of blooming flowers provided a soothing contrast to the battles we had just faced.

My father began the conversation. "Ava, we’ve heard stories about what’s been happening in the woods. The bandits have used them to launch attacks on unsuspecting travelers and nearby villages. You’ve done a great service by clearing them out."

I nodded, appreciating his acknowledgment. "It was a tough battle, but we knew it was necessary. The woods were a hiding place for too many threats."

My mother, her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and concern, took my hand. "We’re so proud of you, Ava. But you must be cautious. Nashville has always been a place of hidden dangers, and not just from the bandits."

I looked at her, sensing there was more she wanted to say. "What do you mean, Mother?"

She sighed, glancing at my father before continuing. "Maria. She’s always been a cunning and a