Everyone was assembled in the courtyard of the guild hall before the sun was up.

Kaen glanced at the group of six and felt himself struggling to say something that would inspire them, knowing what they were about to attempt.

“I won’t make a speech. You’re here because I trust you with my life. We have a dangerous job. You six know what we are about to do. Do you have any questions?”

Each of them shook his or her head, no expression showing on any of their faces, as the light orbs cast shadows behind them.

“Good. Let’s finish getting loaded and get out of here before dawn.”

It had taken them only twenty minutes to load all the explosive casks onto both dragons' backs. Without Glynnis coming, Pammon had a few extra barrels on him, but the weight was not an issue with his size now.

These three are nervous.

Nodding, Kaen helped the last one get strapped in, took his seat behind Pammon, and hooked himself in.

That is why they are with me. Frederick and Phillip are experienced riders, and someone has promised me not to complain about three people riding on her this entire trip.

Hearing Kaen talking about her, Amaranth turned and looked at him.

I made that promise to Pammon, not to you.

And yet, would you prefer me to have him ask you or have me tell you to do this?

Frederick and Phillip didn’t react when the green dragon shook her head and pulled it up quickly. Both were clipped in and the mage, Audrey, was cinched between them.

I will take that as a no.

Pammor thrummed slightly yet said nothing, knowing the threat of what Kaen was implying.

“Everyone ready?”

Phillip held up his thumb, and Kaen felt a double tap on his shoulder from behind Hagrid.

“I still can’t believe I’m on a damn dragon. Holy ogre balls… Elnidith failed to describe how high up I am.”

Kaen couldn’t help but chuckle and nod as he patted Pammon’s neck. “She did tell me you had earned this, so enjoy.”

A grunt came after that comment, and he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing Hadrig felt he had earned.

As the sun rose above the mountains, they were as high up as possible in the sky, making their way toward the caves inside the mountain to the south.

You realize that once you go inside, I cannot help.

We have gone over this dozens of times. You need to be outside with the casks until it is time to bring them in. If something happens, you need to wait. I have a team I can trust, just like I trust you.

The bond didn’t hide the frustration coming from Pammon, but he didn’t bother to complain again.

Glancing down at the land beneath them, he felt sad. In many places, the woods were burnt to ash. Entire forests were gone, having been stripped clean or burnt by the fires of the orcs, goblins, or Pammon when they came out to attack.

One day soon, you can help rebuild it.

Kaen nodded, seeing the burnt area Minoosh was at off to the east.

Every town located on this side of the bowl was gone. Sections of the wall were constantly being rebuilt, and with this small break between the attacks, Kaen could see only a few small parties of orcs in the land beneath them.

Over there is a group we will need to remember. I count at least a hundred.

Using Pammon’s vision, Kaen saw the group of orcs and goblins to the east, moving along a burnt section of trees, staying close to the edge as they traveled.

Where are they headed?

I cannot tell, and it has been a week since I have been out here. They might be building in the caves along the east and west, but the last time we scouted the outside walls of the mountains, no new openings were found.

That lake does provide a barrier.

And orcs never take a bath.

Chuckling as Pammon made a joke, he focused on the line of mountains they were flying toward.

Tell me I’m not being an eggling.

Pammon remained silent, and Kaen could feel the thoughts running through his friend.

We cannot keep fighting on every side. The rumor of Stioks attacking the wood elves a few weeks ago requires us to act. If he has decided to stop sitting at home, growing old, we must act now while we can.

Scratching the scale on his friend's neck, Kaen nodded.

He felt Hagrid shifting behind him as the dwarf leaned his head against Kaen’s back.

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Looking over his shoulder, he saw the three riders with him, each leaning forward and hiding underneath the cloaks they had developed.

At least they aren’t freezing too much.

We shall see when we land just how frozen they are.

The sun was on the far side of the mountains, less than two hours before it would disappear behind their massive stone wall.

“We need to move!” Kaen ordered as the seven of them ran toward the cave where the goblins and orcs that had been guarding the entrance lay dead.

Stay up high. Let me know if any large packs come toward us.

Pammon said nothing in reply, but Kaen could tell he was still frustrated at being unable to help with this next part.

The truth was that Pammon had grown so large that it required some adjustments to the new house they had built and to the cave entrance for both of the female dragons.

He was certain that his dragon had grown larger than Tharnok, but it was hard to say without seeing them side by side.

Not wanting to risk upsetting his friend again, Kaen ignored his desire to know how strong his dragon had become.

As they ran toward the cave entrance, Kaen kept his bow out, an arrow ready in case they spotted another enemy.

“Stay low!” Phillip called out behind him as the others moved to catch up with him.

Herb had complained about him bringing these two with him, but Kaen trusted them with his life. Over the last few years, they had spent a lot of time training and working together. Their commitment to him and their chosen path had actually made them more famous than he was in some ways.

So many parents had stopped telling their children they could be like Kaen the Dragon Rider but instead could be like these two boys. Children and adults would come up to them everywhere they went and shake their hands.

A memory of a horrible fight on the walls flashed through his mind.

Both boys had held back a break between an area Elnidith was trying to fill with anything she could as the orc horde pressed against it.

Phillip and Frederick had both brought their roaming band of students to set up a half circle and led the defense that held back the horde. For over two hours, they stopped over two thousand orcs, bodies piling so high that the orcs had to drag them away to try and press their attack.

Finally Glynnis had been able to come and dispatch the group outside the wall, giving them a chance to run carts into the middle of the opening.

From that moment, both boys had earned a greater reputation than anyone else. That moment had pressured the adventurer guild to allow them to test early.

“Clear!”

Kaen nodded and activated his night vision, seeing farther into the cave than the others could.

“You six, follow after a minute. I’ll go ahead and remember,” Kaen glanced back at the four under Phillip’s command. Stay quiet. Noise is our weakest link here.”

Everyone nodded, and Kaen took off down the cave, hugging the wall and watching where he stepped.

His ability to see had improved over the last few years as he spent more time practicing the spell. Unlike the previous time he had ventured into a cave and risked not being able to see more than twenty yards, seeing down all but the longest sections of the cave tunnels was easy.

A few goblins had been hidden in cracks along the walls, and his arrows found each one in the eye.

Grumbling to himself as he continued in silence, he was still stuck at a thirty-nine. It hadn’t mattered what he had done. Nothing seemed to raise it.

Hess’s admission that it took almost a lifetime of practice and training to get above a forty had barely eased the pain of what he felt.

Focus. I can feel your mind wandering.

You’re right. Just wondering why I can–

I know, but stop that. It doesn’t matter. What matters is being safe so that we can get home to our children and mates.

It took a lot of effort not to laugh, but every time Pammon called Ava his mate, something inside him was tickled by it.

I’ll make sure to mention that to my mate the next time I see her.

Pammon’s laughter felt better than he could remember as it came through their bond. The last few years had been hard on him as well.

Coming around a bend, Kaen saw the area he was expecting. There was a massive black liquid wall shimmering in the cave's darkness. This time, instead of a few goblins being the protectors, two-tier two ogres stood a few years from the entrance, looking bored and half asleep on their feet.

Moving behind the bend, he drew a second arrow and prepared for his attack.

[ Twin Shot ]

Kaen felt his lifestone burning as his energy flowed into the tip of his arrows. When they were glowing red, he moved from around the corner, unleashing both shots, which sunk into each of their eye sockets. An explosion took place, and both of their heads were gone in just a moment.

Without waiting, he moved toward the beasts the second he had let go of the arrows and already drawn another.

Two shrieks sounded out as they fell, and Kaen saw movement on the sides. Goblins began to move toward the portal, and his first arrow dropped the one on the right.

Just a yard before it reached the black surface, the second arrow impaled the last goblin in the throat. It stumbled forward, hands clutching at it, and moved through the black shimmering surface.

Dwarf balls… this is going to suck.

Without hesitation, Kaen put the bow over his shoulder and drew his sword, his shield already on his left arm, running to the portal.

Coming through it, he found the goblin dead on the ground, and it appeared no other goblins or orcs were nearby.

Picking up the corpse, he stepped back through the shimmering side. Looking out over the open area where the sounds of an army echoed off the stone walls. The glow of the fires created an eerie glow inside the massive cavern.

What?!

Nothing. I was worried for a moment, but everything is fine. Prepare to land. I’ll send the others back to you quickly so we can start bringing the casks.

A grumble came through their bond, yet he could feel Pammon starting to descend.

The light of their light stones had told Kaen when they were about to be near him, and he waited by the wall, just in case something came through.

“Everything went as planned?”

Nodding at Phillip, Kaen motioned at the four corpses he had stacked up on one side. “They decided to use bigger guards, but the smaller one still almost got away.”

Both boys grinned for a moment and nodded. They were often underestimated for their size and age, but each knew that was a mistake.

“You just got here. We need to finish our plan. Return to the entrance. Drop the light orbs you have at intervals. Get those casks here as quickly as you can.”

Kaen held his hand up to stop everyone.

“Audrey, Gretel, and Rorick, you are with me.”

Hagrid cursed under his breath and took off after the two boys, who started jogging back toward the entrance.

After they were out of sight, Kaen turned and looked at the three with him.

“You have the hardest part coming up. Once they return with all the casks, we need to get them inside and detonate them. Everything will fall upon you to keep us alive until that happens.”

No one flinched, but he could see their reactions. It was enough pressure to stand beside someone in a fight and know you were responsible for that person’s life. Being told you were responsible for the only dragon rider alive was well beyond that.