Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1611

Chapter 1611

The sunlight filtered gently through the branches, and beneath the thick leaves, a pair of small legs swung back and forth in the air. The peaceful sight was enough to make anyone smile.

The girl's given name, the one recorded in the family registry, was Elizabeth Sanford. But later, she was given the nickname Elise. It was said that her mother thought she talked too much and chose the nickname to quiet her down.

However, Elise thought the nickname quite useless and not very pretty. The meaning of "Elise" was to be silent, but if one had a mouth and never used it except to eat, what then? Wouldn't she grow into a great fat pig if eating was the only thing she did?

"My dear lady, there you are! You had me searching high and low." Lulu stood beneath the tree, looking up with both fondness and exasperation. "Come down now. His Highness and Her Grace are asking for you."

"Aunt Lulu, what do they want with me?" came a bright, lazy voice from above, as content as a cat in the sun.

"Her Grace is going to Meadow Ridge and says she'd like to bring you along. Do you wish to go?"

At that, Elise's face lit up. "Truly? Then, let's go at once!"

She slid down the tree trunk without delay. Perched on either shoulder were two white cats named Blackbird and Whitefang, though neither name quite suited their soft white coats. They had come to her the year before, and Elise treasured them dearly. She had also trained them to be perfectly well-behaved.

up as their daughter came bounding in. The two cats stayed perfectly still on her

called, "Mom!",

around you like that—aren't you hot?" Carissa asked with a smile, taking out her handkerchief to dab

them at the sound of Carissa's voice. Their amber eyes blinked, and they straightened at

and comfortable," Elise said cheerfully, linking arms with her mother and pressing her cheek fondly against her.

affectionate behavior with amusement, though he made an effort to keep a stern face. "Your mother's mentor has agreed to let you stay at Meadow Ridge and learn martial arts. You must treat

"Truly? I promise I won't mess around. I'll train hard with

study martial arts. But

your warning," said Carissa, though there was a smile on her face as she gently tapped her daughter's small nose. "If you make Sage Adrian unhappy, or if Sage Everett or your seniors comptain, I'll come

about me? Not likely! I was young and silly back then, but now I'm already seven years old. How could I still

rolled his

she truly did, she wouldn't have been turned away from Meadow Ridge more than

was too quiet lately—perhaps a noisy child might do some good. Truthfully, he had always hoped to bring

the day, even Carissa had been scolded often by him. But in the end,

talent for martial arts—perhaps even more than either of her parents. If she trained diligently

took Elise to Meadow Ridge. The two white cats, of course,