Kaen infused his arrow with power and sent it flying down into the tunnel.

The explosion shook the rocks he was standing on as he hopped down as quickly as possible.

“You three ready?” Kaen asked as he looked at them, each wondering what had taken him so long.

They nodded, and Frederick moved to the front, holding up the one light stone they had left.

We are on our way.

It’s about time. Amaranth has been pestering me this whole time. Apparently, I have been acting like a mother hen she says, with how I have been worrying about you.

Chuckling, Kaen followed behind as the four of them jogged through the cave.

Pammon was outside when they reached the exit, the sun's light spilling through the massive entrance.

Running forward, Kaen hugged his dragon, who trilled slightly for a moment before stopping when he saw Amaranth staring at him.

High above them was the sun, already past the midday point.

“That long?” Frederick asked out loud, shielding his eyes from the brightness.

Any movement along the swamp?

None. I sent Amaranth out to scout a little, and she saw nothing but the occasional animal. She wasn’t happy when I made her return without hunting. I tried to warn her about the birds, but…

Kaen nodded, scratching his friend's neck for a moment longer before facing the others.

“I know it’s been a long time. If you need to use the restroom, do it now. I want to fly all the way back to Ebonmount before we land.”

The men nodded, each seeking a place for a little moment of privacy.

Amaranth, we will need to use Flight Burst to reach the capital quickly. Is that going to be a problem?

The green dragon huffed, expelling a massive breath out her nose as she glared at Kaen.

Why would it be a problem? I haven’t been the one waddling around all night, anxious at your return.

Kaen thumped Pammon’s neck as his dragon groaned.

I will remind you of those words in the coming weeks when you complain that I do not show you as much favor as Glynnis.

The green dragon moved closer to Pammon, who turned and matched her gaze as she puffed out her chest.

Kaen moved back, taking in the difference between them as Pammon had now reached a state where he was almost twice her size.

Would you hold that over me?

Pammon leaned down and put his snout close to hers.

He breathed on her and slowly touched the tip of his nose against her.

Whatever was conveyed between them was no longer something Kaen was given access to.

Based on Amaranth's reaction and how she and Pammon intertwined their necks a moment later, things appeared well between them.

How bad was it?

Flying over the destroyed forest, Pammon had waited at least a while before asking the question Kaen knew was on his mind.

Things went bad. We were lucky to survive the initial blast that sealed the side we came in. There were still thousands of orcs and goblins in there. As attacks have stopped, something must be happening on their side, yet it looks like they have trapped one of their most potent ogres in the cave.

Listening and thinking, Pammon continued to speed across the sky, occasionally checking on Amaranth, who was still behind them.

They had dug out of those caves multiple times when we destroyed some of them two years ago. Why stop? Why bury their own?

Kaen didn’t have an answer, and knowing Pammon was just as confused bothered him more.

What would it take for a kingdom to do that to its own people? If Aldric decided he needed to cut off everyone outside by bringing down the wall in the pass…

Something horrible is coming?

Kaen nodded, the dread both he and Pammon shared flowing between them.

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Do you finally believe the time of peace is over?

Knowing how often Pammon had told him this truth, and he had ignored it, Kaen gave up his notion that peace could be obtained other than by taking out Stioks.

Yes. We need to see Aldric.

“I don’t think I ever remember being so tired,” Aldric declared as he stifled a yawn. “Parenthood isn’t easy. I had heard it was difficult, but experiencing it now… it is harder than I imagined.”

Chuckling, Kaen nodded as he sipped the diluted warm wine the king’s men brought for them.

“I still can’t believe you finally remarried and had a child.”

Aldric gave a slight grin and shrugged. “I blame you. This whole ‘living’ and enjoying those moments of peace is what brought this on.”

Setting his cup down, Kaen remembered the wedding and how it had brought joy to the kingdom during its first year of fighting the orcs. News of his new wife's pregnancy rallied the people during those hard times, and now, a prince gave hope for another king like the one they had known.

“We need to talk about what I found and how bad things will be. Herb should be here soon, but I must talk to you about something else.”

Aldric set his cup down on the table and leaned against it. The eight-foot-long table was in the room they had used to track troop movements for the last few years. Every wall was covered in maps copied from ones Kaen had made.

Wall sections under repair, those defended and one with straw men on them to help look like real guards, decorated the room.

“Stioks has broken the truce, and now I feel like I must go and face him.”

The King’s face usually never flinched no matter what news was told to him, but his left eye twitched a few times. “You’re serious about this. I can see it in your eyes.”

Nodding slowly, Kaen stood up and moved to a map that showed the mountains with all the caves.

“This cave is sealed on both sides. We sealed the inside portion, but someone sealed the other side. I haven’t checked, but it would appear that this explains why the number of orcs attacking has decreased over the last few months. There is no reason why the orc king would just abandon this fight after so long.”

Bobbing his head, Aldric tapped his finger against the table. “You think they are regrouping… since Stioks has attacked the elves, you believe things may start again.”

Kaen knew his eyes answered that statement as Aldric read him. Moving to a map on the wall, he pointed at a section far to the southeast. “Somewhere out here is the orc king. I need to go find him and destroy the threat before it regroups. It will be easier than attacking Stioks first. If I can take out this threat, it will make what comes after easier.”

The sound of Aldric’s chair scraping against the stone floor seemed louder than usual as the man moved to stand next to the map Kaen was looking at. “It seems like a gamble. We have no idea how far that place could be, and there is no telling what might be out there number-wise. Would you risk being gone that long and flying out there alone?”

“Do you have a better idea?” Kaen asked, watching Aldric as the man studied the map.

Shaking his head, the older man frowned, scratching a chin with the slightest amount of stubble. As he watched, Kaen realized that Aldric looked thinner than he had a few weeks ago. Not wearing his armor made it evident to his keen eyesight.

“You’ve lost weight.”

Aldric’s eyebrows raised slightly before he nodded in reply. “People are starving out there in the kingdom. I cannot continue to hide in my walls and eat while they don’t. We have already cut rations inside the castle. The food plots we are trying to grow inside the mountain are taking longer than we had hoped. Even with the envoy King Bosgreth sent to assist, we are months away from hoping to have enough food for everyone.” Pointing at the table where the map of the kingdom's defenses were, Aldric sighed. “I’m just grateful the dragons have been willing to eat the orcs and goblins, as we both know there are not enough animals to continue feeding them as one might desire. Soon, we will run out of food if something doesn’t change.”

“The war of attrition,” Kaen muttered, remembering what Elnidith had warned him of over six months ago. “We are starving, and they know it.”

Returning to his chair, Aldric plopped down, picked up his cup, and took a slow drink. “War is ugly, and this one has gone on longer than we had hoped. If the elves and dwarves hadn’t helped as they have, we would have been done half a year ago.”

“Which is why I need to attack the orcs and their army. If I can end their ability to keep up this assault, we can start the process of getting back on our feet.”

“And Ava? Have you told her about this plan yet?”

Frowning as he shook his head, Kaen returned to his seat and sat down. “She wouldn’t like it, but I know she will see the wisdom in it. Besides, she is still months away before the baby's birth, and I would prefer to have things wrapped up before then.”

Unable to hold back, Aldric started to laugh, his voice echoing off the walls as he showed a rare moment of joy. “Kaen,” he said after wiping a tear away, “I hope for your sake things happen as you dream they might. I am afraid whatever child you have will be worse than you ever were.”

Are you sure he is awake?

Why would you ask me that question? You know I can tell. He is inside the main room.

I know it just feels weird knowing you can tell that about Hess. When we get close, let him know I’m coming.

I’m grateful you finally acted as you should have a while ago. It is time to stop beating yourself up for the mistakes of the past and move forward. No one can force me to do anything if I have learned anything over these last few years.

Smiling, Kaen glanced down at the sleeping town. The moon was out, and light orbs glowed dimly in the streets as people rested.

For years, sleep had been a rare commodity. The horde attacked at all hours of the night. Their vision allowed them better success at night, and it meant everyone was up, ready to defend.

Children grew up without parents, which burned his heart more than Kaen wanted to admit. So many lives had been lost. So many families had been broken.

Let it go. You have saved more than most could have imagined. Together, we have done all that we could.

Kaen nodded, blinking back the tears that he felt forming.

So many new children had joined his academy because they had no family to return to. All those years of planning had provided a home for children growing up as he had- no parents.

In the rare moments, he got to visit, their statements of being just like him tore his heart to pieces.

He was done pouting and defending.

Tomorrow, he would be the one to bring the fight to his enemies.

Hess says he is ready for you. He also said to make sure you do not wake up Callie or Sulenda, which will make you suffer.

Patting Pammon’s neck, Kaen grinned, the anger he had a moment ago gone.

That girl is just like both her parents.

Yes… yes, she is, and that is a scary thing.