"If I truly intended to keep you away from danger completely, I wouldn't have handed you one of the most important roles in the clan."
She nodded slightly, finally agreeing.
"Yes... Yes, that was rather surprising."
"I'm trusting you with the lives of the clan's combat forces. That alone should tell you I don't see you as weak."
Her grip around my hands loosened slightly after that.
"But right now," I added, "the settlement still needs someone reliable here while the others are outside leveling up. Especially with the barrier activating for the first time."
Zarah stared at me quietly for another moment before narrowing her eyes again.
"You really know how to make things sound reasonable."
"Because they are reasonable."
I held both her hands gently.
"So just for today," I said, "stay here and keep things under control for me."
Zarah stayed quiet for a few seconds, clearly thinking about it before finally answering.
"Fine."
