Back in her apartment, her father sat on the arm of a chair in her living space. She was serving tea, and her black eyes met his in question more than once. There was something he wanted to say, but was waiting, thinking of the right words maybe.<br/><br/>"I want you to come home. Give up your position here, and return to the life you are supposed to be living. You have been successful, and proven your point. You are an able leader and fighter, but you are needed at home."<br/><br/>She cringed. He could force her, if he wished. He could command her to return to the job that the demons and gods had made for her family. But he was asking. "I can't father. Please. I have a life here. I want to stay. I...gave my oath." It was rare with their breed to give their oath to protect, or fight for someone not in the family. But once given, it was until they were freed of the obligation by word and blood or by death.<br/><br/>The tall man sighed, "So be it." He sipped his tea, before looking back down at her kneeling on the floor at his feet. She had been soft when it came to family, but her hard shell had been in place with strangers. He feared for her heart in the duty she had made for herself. If that dragon followed through with the threat he felt, he was going to break his only daughter's spirit. But there wasn't anything he could do to stop what would be. His marriage had been started similarly, and it had taken a century to heal the damage.<br/><br/>He wouldn't voice his vision of her beneath the dragon in the same position at his feet as she was now. She would fight all the harder, and it might be better to see how it played out. He would be there when she needed him most, should the dragon go beyond his limit of tolerance.<br/><br/>"You did well in keeping your skills. Tell me what you felt before the end?"<br/><br/>She thought about it, sipping her tea. "I felt a pull. It was only a moment, but I am sure I felt heavy, like I couldn't shift."<br/><br/>He nodded and looked at her, "I did as well. Curious."