I blinked, wincing at how bright the daylight was. The last thing I remember was some demonic creature bearing down on me in the middle of a sand filled arena, deep underground. As the memory began to fill me with fear, I heard a gentle chuckle from nearby and felt safety sweep over me. If dad is nearby and laughing? That means I’m definitely safe.

I shut my eyes and lay where I was, not giving away that I was actually awake. I listened to the wind rustling the leaves in the trees, and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my body. I heard hoofbeats, and then two thumps that could only be dad and Cal lying down nearby.

“Are you okay, Ti? You know this wasn’t your fault, right?”

Dad sighed. “I know, I know. I was so scared of bringing her on this quest, and when she fell? My heart almost stopped.”

“She’s okay though.” I heard the grass rustle as Cal must have moved closer to comfort dad.

“She is. I’ll feel better once she’s awake though.”

A long, comfortable silence fell. I may have dozed a tiny bit, because the next thing I heard was dad, clearly answering a question.

“You know, I would. Honestly. Did you see her in there? Beyond incredible. Scared me senseless, but incredible nonetheless. It would be stupid to deny that she’s clearly made for adventuring, to keep her from doing it.”

“You’re not wrong,” Cal replied.

“I’m just so proud of you both. I hope you know that, and I hope she does too"

Again, Cal gave no reply, and the silence lengthened until I heard both of their breathing relax into the deep breaths of slumber.

Dad’s proud of me, I thought to myself, and couldn’t help the contented smile that stole across my face at the thought. I decided there was no harm in lying there a little longer, dozing under the warm summer sun.