Lys and Mira walked back home as the sun climbed higher, painting the village in warm morning light. The heavy pouch of coins felt real in Lys’s hand, solid, promising, and a little scary too for some reason. Mira stayed close beside him the whole way, occasionally glancing at the pouch like she still couldn’t believe it was real.

  When they reached their hut, the door was already open. Elara was standing just inside, waiting for them. She had a worried look on her face, but the moment she saw them, her shoulders relaxed, and a relieved smile spread across her lips.

  “You’re back,” she said softly, stepping forward.

  Mira rushed to her first and wrapped her arms around her mother in a tight hug. “We’re home, Mom. Everything went fine.”

  Elara hugged her back, stroking Mira’s hair gently. “I was starting to worry. You were gone longer than I expected.”

  Mira said to Lys, “Good thing we didn't wait to have breakfast then. Mom would be worried sick by then.”

  Elara pulled back a little and looked at Lys. “How did the deal go, honey?”

  Mira answered before Lys could. “Heh hee. It went perfectly! The merchant lady was really impressed with the pelts. She paid right away and even signed some papers with Sara as a witness.”

  Lys smiled and stepped closer. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the leather pouch. It was heavier than it looked. He held it out to Elara.

  “Here, Mom. This is for us.”

  Elara took the pouch. The moment she felt the weight, her eyes widened. She opened it just a little and peeked inside. The glint of gold coins caught the morning light.

  Seeing so much gold in one place made her breath stuck in her lungs. “Lys… this… this is…”

  She poured a few coins into her palm. They shone brightly, as real gold should. Her hands started to tremble.

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  “So much gold… in one place…” she whispered, voice cracking a little. “Is this really from our pelts? Did they scam you? If not, then how can four wolf skins be worth this much? I cleaned them myself… they were just normal pelts…”

  Lys shook his head gently, his voice calm and reassuring. “They weren’t normal, Mom. Those were Freki wolf pelts.”

  The word “Freki” hit Elara like a shock. She gasped, eyes going wide. The coins nearly slipped from her hand.

  “Freki?!” she repeated, stunned. “You mean… the dangerous ones from the deep forest? The ones with magical properties?”

  Mira looked between them, confused. “Freki? What’s that? I’ve never heard of it.”

  Elara turned to her daughter, still holding the gold tightly. “Freki wolves are the rarest and most dangerous kind in these woods. Their fur isn’t normal; it has natural resistance to fire and cold. Nobles and rich merchants in the capital pay a fortune for even one pelt. So, I never imagined… Lys, are you sure they were Freki?”

  Lys nodded, keeping his voice steady. “I’m sure, Mom. That’s why they were so big and strong. And that’s why Madam Vesper paid so much, too. She didn’t scam me, don’t worry.”

  Elara stared at the pouch in her hands, completely speechless for a moment. Mira leaned in closer, eyes wide with disbelief.

  “So… we’re rich now?” Mira asked quietly, almost afraid to say it out loud.

  Lys smiled softly. He gently placed the rest of the pouch into Elara’s hands. “Not rich yet, but this is a good start. Take some coins, Mom, and buy whatever we need after the market opens. Don’t be tight with it. We earned this.”

  Elara’s eyes glistened. She looked at the gold, then at Lys, then back at the gold. She couldnt found the right word to say now, completely speechless.

  “I… I don’t know what to say. This is more money than I’ve seen in my entire life.”

  Mira was still staring at the pouch like it might disappear if she blinked. “Mom… we can finally eat meat every day. And maybe get new blankets…” Her happiness was clearly shown on her face.

  Elara pulled both of them into a sudden, tight hug. “My brave boy… my good children… thank you.”

  Lys hugged them back, feeling a warm glow in his chest. Seeing both of them this happy with just this also made his heart warm, making him desire to make them happier and stronger.

  Elara finally pulled away, wiping her eyes quickly. “You both must be tired. Go rest a little more. I’ll make something nice for breakfast with the money we have left from before.”

  Lys shook his head with a small smile. “I’m okay. But I think I’ll lie down for a bit.”

  He walked over to his mat and lay down, closing his eyes. The last thing he saw before drifting off was Elara and Mira still standing together, staring at the pouch of gold in pure amazement, two women who had struggled for so long, now holding the promise of a better life in their hands.

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