I sit on my father's lap as he retells the story of how Blytas Bedlam outwitted the greedy mage for a third night in a row. We all insisted he read it to us again even though he was reluctant to do so. Eventually, we pleaded and begged enough where he finally took the worn, leather bound book off the shelf and turned to the story.

   We listened attentively, enraptured by every word as though we were hearing it for the very first time.

   Feria sat crossed leg on the floor, right in front of the warming fire, maman sat at the table, listening in as she worked, Erinna leaned on Feria's shoulder, her little pink mouth always slightly open and her eyes in awe, and I sat in my father's lap reading along with my eyes though some words were foreign to me; but when Papa got to them, he would say them with ease and I would try to remember how they were pronounced.

    None of us fell asleep or drooped one eye. Papa always knew how to keep our attention; he'd entertained. Slowly but surely, the story would wan like the fire crackling to an end. Papa would always slam the book with finality, hoist me off his lap, spinning me around till I was dizzy, then pull in Feria and Erinna- though Erinna would rather sit out- dancing us to our room where we'd plop down on our bed, all dizzy and worn, giggling all the way. Maman would abandon her needle and quilt work to occupy the door way, smiling on as papa tucked us in securely. It was always the same order: Feria on the right, me in the middle, and Erinna on the left end. Sometimes Erinna would scoot too close to me and I would try to push her back, but she would curl up and stick close to my chest. I didn't mind on wintery nights.

    "Read us another one," Erinna whined, though already yawning and closing her sleep-laden eyes.

    Papa chuckled. He had a deep, thundering chuckle that seemed to echo even after he finished. He smoothed the hair from her face and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. He went right down the line, a soft kiss on each forehead, then maman came in and whispered a sweet prayer in each of our ears- her honeyed voice as clear and delicate as a glass figurine. Sometimes we'd recite it along with her, our tiny voices in hushed reverence.

   "Blessed with health, blessed with family, blessed with friends, work, and food, we know the Fates are gracious and we give them this due prayer."

   Finally, they would wish their final goodnights and the curtain would fall in place, their shadows replaced by the flickering firelight that crept under the curtain.

   "Are you still awake?" It would almost be like a jest to see who would ask it first. We'd whisper, mindful of our parents just outside.

   A minute of silence would settle until one of us would answer back, quieter than the one who asked, "Yes."

   "What was your favorite part of the story?" Feria whispered that night.

   Erinna was already slipping away but still replied, not very good at our keeping-quiet game.

   "I told you. The bear part."

   "Where he fights the bear?"

   "Mhm."

   Her face looked angelic in the pale moonlight beams that managed to slip under our window curtains. They cast shadows across her face, but in a peaceful manner.

   "Blytas doesn't fight the bear in that story." Feria frowns.

   But Erinna was fast asleep, leaving me and Feria to chatter quietly between ourselves.

   "What was your favorite part?" She asked me.

   No hesitation. "Where he tricked the wicked dragon into giving him a ride."

   "Really? Why?"

   I shrugged, not fully knowing myself.

   "I wanna meet a dragon one day. A nice one, not a mean one like Blytas did."

   "Well if you do come across a mean, wicked dragon, do you know what you do?"

   "What?" I faced her, my eyes wide with curiosity.

    She lowered her voice till I was barely able to hear it.

   "Well, you gotta find his weakness and every dragon has this weakness."

    I held my breath as she suspended the moment, glancing around like she had a secret to tell.

   "Why you...tickle him!"

    She tickled me, making me squeal in delight and surprise. I tried tickling her back where I knew her to be sensitive. We were both unmindful of our volume and space- I bumped against Erinna who continued sleeping peacefully. We continued our charade until our father's voice came through from the other room.

   "Girls."

    We pulled away from each other, but the smiles remained on our faces as did our giggles. We both responded in unison.

    "Yes, papa?"

    "No foolishness. Get your rest."

    "Yes, papa."

    We said no more but giggled on until the same weariness that had gripped Erinna washed over us.

    I dreamt every night of Blytas' gallant adventures and ones of mine own.