"Brother.. I'm sorry."

"For what?" I questioned Sabin densely.

"For Father.. Mother.. Everything.." He replied with a crack in his voice, "They were so disappointed in me.."

"What are you talking about, Sabin?" I asked, even more confused.

He rolled on to his back and gazed at the stars through our tent's top as his broad chest heaved up and down rapidly. I could only lay there dumbfounded as I saw tears well up in his eyes for the first time since our father's passing.

"He wanted to crown me. The night I left.. He was furious when I declined to become an adventurer. That must have been what killed him. The grief of losing mother and my glory in the span of a few months."

I could only lay there in silence as I took in all he had said. I had never heard of this. The kindly brute's tears flowed freely now as I tried to come up with the proper words. I could only think to try and comfort him as I placed my arm around his shoulder.

"Sabin.. Father couldn't have been more proud of you when you left." His tears stopped slightly as he turned his head towards me in confusion, "You were following your heart and doing what you felt you were destined to. I explained that to him the day before he.."

"I never knew.. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. The desk job and the women were thanks enough." We both had a good chuckle as we stared up at the rising moon. We sighed in content as we lay there with our thoughts: mine of which were on our father, "Do you think he's up there? Somewhere?"

"Who? Father? I don't know.."

"I always like to think he's looking down on us. Watching over us." I explained as I examined the heavens.

Sabin snickered, "Let's hope he hasn't been watching you around the ladies, Edgar!"

I was seconds from snapping back at him before I heard his loud snoring. He certainly could be an oaf but I was glad his mind was at ease. I just wished I could get some sleep. Just before I settled into my sleeping bag and covered my ears with as many pillows as I could find I thought to say, "Good night, dad."