Kaen read the reports Herb had given him as he waited in the courtyard of the guild hall.

Grumbling, he scanned the lines, seeing the information and data that worried him.

“Is that number really possible?”

Herb nodded slowly, pointing at a map on the small table. “If you follow this line and based on the data Tioanoe sent, I am afraid it is true. Her people are being driven back, and no end is in sight. Unless you and Pammon or one of the other two help, I do not see how they can win.”

You seem to forget every day is a battle. There will always be a problem that arises, and as the commander, you must make a decision.

Turning, Kaen stared into those gold eyes of his dragon and nodded.

What do you recommend we do? You know what our plan is for tomorrow. Can we really spare Glynnis?

The real question is, can we not afford to let her help Tioanoe’s people? If they fall and that army continues to grow, then we will find another enemy coming at us. Can we defend from three or four sides at once?

Scratching his trimmed beard, Kaen grunted in agreement. Pammon was right; he had been a different dragon since they returned from their trip three years ago.

Tell me, who should go with her? I would prefer not to send Phillip or Frederick since both are essential parts of this next assault.

I would send one of Herb’s people with her. Three would actually be best. Have Herb send two mages and a ranger. Those three can create a lot of havoc and damage from the sky while limiting their risk.

Glancing at the map again, Kaen nodded, knowing Pammon was right.

“Pammon says you need to have two mages and one ranger go with Glynnis and help them. He will talk with her, but I expect she will gladly assist as always when Pammon asks.”

Pulling out a notebook, Herb nodded in agreement as he wrote down a few things.

“I know the ones I recommend. Let me see where they are and summon them. Would tomorrow work for leaving?”

Nodding, Kaen glanced at the preparations for tomorrow.

“There is no time to waste. Every day is a chance for someone to catch wind of this plan and prevent its success.”

You know I do not like being a pack mule. What about my egg?

Pammon snorted and shook his head at Glynnis, curled around a silver egg.

Fifty yards away, Amaranth was doing the same thing with a bronze egg, watching the two of them.

Kaen has people here who will guard the eggs and–

A small roar cut him off as Glynnis raised her head and shook it.

They cannot protect it for that long! Do you–

Pammon growled. Rarely had he growled like this, but in these moments, it was the only way to remind either of them who he was.

Lowering her snout some, Glynnis stopped talking and waited for what she knew would come next.

Instead, Pammon took a deep breath, moved toward her, and put his snout against her neck. She trilled from his gentle touch and gently returned the gesture to the bottom of his.

Ava will personally be here while we are gone. Do not doubt that she will make sure no one bothers me about what is precious to me.

Amaranth snorted and shifted as she watched the two of them in their embrace.

Will you treat me the same as you have her? Last time, I was not given that kindness when I spoke out like that.

Pammon thrummed, moved to where Amaranth waited, and gave her the same gentle touch.

Glynnis’s silver eyes glared at her competition for Pammon’s attention.

His massive frame and size dwarfed the green dragon, even though she had grown quite a bit in the last few years.

When do we leave? Glynnis asked, smiling as Pammon moved back and turned to face her.

Tomorrow.

Moving back toward the cave entrance that Aldric had his workers create for the two of them and their eggs, Pammon snorted before he leaped into the air off the cliff.

Promise me that neither of you will fight about this. Each of you knows that I feel for both of you. Do not drag me into these games you both play. There is no time for that right now.

Turning his neck so he could look at both of them at once, he gave a toothy grin.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

And we all know those eggs are at least a month or two away from hatching.

Both females flinched at his words, and neither spoke as they looked at each other, wondering if one of them had told him that information.

Rest and eat. Tomorrow will be the start of a long ordeal for all of us.

Kaen could feel Pammon's frustration oozing off him long before he could see him coming to the courtyard where he was training students.

“You two ready?” he asked, watching Phillip and Frederick prepare to attack him.

They nodded and said nothing, moving to surround him from both sides, shields, and weapons ready.

The two boys before him looked nothing like a sixteen-year-old should. Each was chiseled muscle from years spent doing nothing but preparing for battle. The time on the walls had transformed them from boys who learned about combat to young men who didn’t flinch when it came. Each already carried a bronze token around their neck.

A year ago, they had taken the test during a lull, their accomplishments on the wall breaking a tradition and rule held fast for as long as most could remember.

As they came at him, neither saying a word, attacking in unison, Kaen couldn’t help but smile.

Students and teachers stood by, watching the exchange of swords between the three of them. The pace was fast, as both boys didn’t just use their weapons; instead, everything about them was a weapon. They used their shield, tossed out kicks and charges, and even threw dirt from the ground when they got up from being knocked down, always pressing at Kaen.

Their speed was exceptional, and their fighting skills were even more so. Both had over a twenty in their sword and shield skills. Each was dangerous in their own way, but combined, the two had taken down many of their teachers.

Oohs and awes, along with cheers and shouts, rang out almost as frequently as the sound of wood on wood did.

Kaen was always moving, always dodging and parrying blows and sending out the occasional attack to watch them respond accordingly. He was well beyond their level, and his speed allowed him to see everything coming, but it was no fun if they had no chance.

“Remember to take it easy on them,” Hess, his dad, and his trainer had told him before this started.

Kaen could see the man smiling at this exchange from the corner of his eye.

He gave the boys an opening, leaving himself vulnerable for just a second, each closed in like hounds on a rabbit. Frederick came in high, requiring Kaen to focus on the sword, making a straight line for his head, while Phillip came in low, the sword angling for his leg that he had left unprotected.

The crowd cheered when Phillip’s sword barely touched Kaen’s thigh before he pulled it to safety.

Neither boy smiled. Only a tiny turn of their lips displayed any emotion at all.

Both knew he had given them a chance, and they wouldn’t squander it.

Their attacks came even faster now, pushing him and slamming into him, and as they got close, Kaen saw when they unleashed their abilities.

Phillip's shield bashed, the force of it requiring Kaen to use his shield or suffer a broken weapon. As Kaen maneuvered to block the attack, Frederick activated his flurry skill, and his sword became a blur, five thrusts coming in rapid succession.

The actual strikes would be impossible to see for everyone but Kaen and a few rare people. His sword moved with the speed that he had, deflecting each of them except the last.

As Frederick drove in, the final strike from his skill coming, Kaen dropped his sword, grabbing for the boy’s hand to take it from him.

From the corner of his eye, Kaen saw Patrick’s skill activate.

The same flurry skill sent those attacks at his hip and leg.

Grinning, Kaen stopped Frederick's attack, blocked two of Phillip's three strikes, and let the other three hit.

“Winner!”

The crowd of students and others cheered loudly as both boys immediately jumped back, creating space from their mentor. Each now smiled at the knowledge that they had managed a rare feat.

“Well done, boys!” Headmaster Finn proclaimed as he moved toward the three of them, clapping his hands. “Well done indeed!”

Giving a slight bow toward both boys, Kaen winked, and each of them dropped their sword and shield and gave him a salute before coming to shake the hand Kaen was holding out.

“Nice work, you two! Awe-inspiring use of the skills.”

“You let us win,” Frederick said after shaking Kaen’s hand. “We both know you could have stopped that.”

Laughing, Kaen motioned to the crowd, which was still clapping, and their headmaster, who was almost upon them.

“That might be true,” Kaen replied, bringing both boys under an arm, “but I’m not most people. Your combination would work against most people, so take pride in that.”

Each nodded and grinned.

When Finn got close, he shook both boy's hands and couldn’t stop smiling at them.

“You two have grown so much! I cannot believe the men you two are becoming!”

Looking at Kaen, he gave a slight bow. “Thank you again for allowing me to participate in this!”

Clasping the man on the shoulder, Kaen squeezed and shook his head. “You are due the honor of all this. It has been your gentle hand each day keeping these boys and girls on the path.”

The older man seemed to blush as his cheeks turned red from Kaen's praise.

“Well, ignoring all this, we must let these two celebrate with their fellow students before you wisk them off tonight.”

“Promise me they will return,” Finn whispered as he and Kaen stood side by side, watching the cluster of others congratulate the pair.

Not dropping the smile he wore, Kaen grunted. “That is a promise I can never make, and you know it. How many did we lose on the walls?”

Sighing, Finn bobbed his head slowly. “Too many… will this end it?”

Kaen stood there, unsure how to answer, as he felt Pammon’s eyes upon him.

“I pray it does. We need a break.”

Lying in bed, Kaen stroked his wife’s cheek as she rested her head against him.

“When I’m old and fat, are you still going to love me?” she asked, gently running her nails across his skin.

“Maybe… I mean, you’re already– Ow!”

He winced slightly as she pinched his nipple between her fingernails and lifted her head up to look at him as he squinted from the slight pain.

“Kaen Marshell, I would be cautious with the next words that come out of your mouth, or I might be the first to cut something off you.”

A cough came, and the grip she had only hurt more as he nodded.

“As I was going to say,” Kaen replied, clearing his throat before continuing, “I will always love you, and you will never be old or fat.”

Ava rolled her eyes and grunted, letting go of the piece of flesh she was holding on to, and laid her head back onto him. “At least you still have a little bit of sense left in you. Remember to use that in the coming days.”

Nodding, Kaen pulled her closer and held her.

The next few days were going to be no fun at all.