They scouted for half a day, flying high above the land at the edge of the clouds, knowing this was the safest spot to travel while also being able to look for Stioks and Juthom.

Everyone and everything is dead… we haven’t seen a single person alive…

The pain in Pammon’s tone barely compared to the rage his friend felt at that truth. It was hard enough for Kaen to keep his own emotions in check. He was angry. Angry at himself for believing Stioks could be trusted and angry at what that man and his dragon had done.

We need to get home. If no one has reported this yet, we need to.

As they circled around, Kaen struggled to comprehend how he was going to fight someone so powerful that they could do this. The amount of magic Stioks must have boggled his mind. He had a few tricks with his bow, but when it was gone, the fight in the skies was not in his or Pammon’s favor.

Why would a man and a dragon do something like this? Isn’t this a waste of so much land and food? How much more will he make look like this?

Kaen tried to consider what he might tell Glynnis. It had been hard to describe to them how bad Stioks had been. Neither one of them had really seen anything the man had done, and the orcs they fought were just creatures bent on destruction. No matter how hard of a fight it had been, they weren’t Stioks.

Both female dragons considered those words meaningless even when others told stories around them. They had lived in a land with dragons over five hundred years old. They had seen what power and destruction was truly like. Every dragon knew that death was a possibility if you tried to go outside your area and encroach upon another's land or food.

All those times I tried to tell you about this man and his dragon, and you thought it was nothing, this is only the start. I promise you that. He will do this to the entire land you have flown over if he is not put down.

Kaen felt Glynnis moving up next to them, moving from out of the back position in their formation. Pammon turned his head and watched the yellow dragon as she pulled close and gazed at the two of them.

Forgive me. I did not realize just how demented he was. This makes what Tharnok did look like nothing, and now… now I will help you no matter what.

Pammon nodded and turned back to scan the ground and skies.

Do not take this wrong, but get back into position and keep a lookout, Glynnis. We must be cautious here. Kaen and I both know the power of a well-executed attack when one is distracted.

The yellow dragon said nothing, moved back into her part of the formation, and began keeping watch, as Pammon had asked.

Grateful for the rest and food since they had flown nonstop, they returned to Ebonmount. They had no desire to take any more risks, so they didn’t stop for the night. If they were caught on the ground, all three of them knew it would mean death for at least one of them.

When the mountains came into view, all three sighed in relief, knowing that they would need to rethink how they traveled and stopped every time they left the bowl.

Do you think Juthom and Stioks worry about us like we do about them?

I’m not sure, but I doubt either of them are fools. I would expect they rarely stop, either. Juthom most likely feeds himself before they fly and, as such, wouldn’t need to worry about food as much as we do.

Pammon was right. The war had less impact on Stioks’s kingdom. Some had tried trading only to find out the hard way, that only brought death and worse.

Let’s visit Ava and Amaranth first. You both need to rest, and I need to see her. After that, we can seek out the others and discuss what needs to be done.

Kaen felt his heart skip a beat as he saw Ava standing beside Amaranth, waiting for them to land. As he climbed down from Pammon, Kaen saw her running toward him, an actual smile on her face.

Something is different about her…

Yes… I sense it, too.

“You better stop talking about me and hurry up and get over here,” Ava shouted as Kaen climbed down the last few scales before dropping to the ground.

He raced toward her as she approached him. Ava barreled into Kaen, throwing her arms around him and squeezing tight.

“I’ve missed you, my love,” she whispered into his chest.

“I’ve missed you as well,” Kaen replied, using a hand to lift her chin up and kiss her. You seem in good spirits. Did your mother cause that?”

Ava groaned and shook her head before motioning to the other side of the cave.

Kaen only saw the head motion as Pammon was kind enough to keep an eye on Ava while he moved near Amaranth.

“Pammon, if you would…”

Kaen felt his dragon’s gaze shift across the room. Over at a table, his mother-in-law was reading a book and ignoring the two of them.

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“She seems happy,” Kaen said, his voice low and slow.

“Stop that. Mother is fine and giving us a little privacy before she comes over. Now stop worrying about my mother and tell me what happened while you two were gone.”

Rolling his neck and finally getting it to pop, Kaen grabbed her hand and began to walk toward Lady Hurem. “How about I tell both of you at once? That way, I don’t have to worry about repeating myself.”

Ava chuckled and nodded. “You have learned a lot in our years of marriage.”

After kissing her on the forehead, Kaen walked toward the table with his wife on his arm, thankful to be home and have a moment to relax.

The two women sat stunned at the news of Roccnari, neither saying anything as Kaen described the horror of what they found.

“Pammon was ready to go and seek out Stioks and Juthom, but thankfully, I convinced him that until I can see, now is not the time. I’m left with little choice, though. Sooner than later, we must take the fight to him.”

Lady Hurem’s expression never changed as she considered what Kaen had told them. Ava was wrestling with controlling her temper and grief.

“I wish we would poison him or burn him down or something!” Ava shouted, slamming the small wooden table and causing all three of the cups on the table to knock over and spill. “I’m sorry,” she gasped, her mood shifting again. “I’ll go get a cloth.”

Before Kaen could say anything, Ava was on her feet and moving to the other side of the cave where the cabinets and chests were stored with things.

“Is she okay?” Kaen whispered once he knew Ava was far enough away from him by the sound of her footsteps on the floor.

“She is better and will continue to get better. It is not always easy for a mother to return to normal after going through what she did. Speaking from experience,” Lady Hurem put her hand softly on Kaen’s forearm, “It took me a few months before my husband would admit I was mostly back to normal. Occasionally, a newborn baby or something else might get to me for a day, but in time it passed. When Ava was born, I got over every part of it, and yet… seeing her go through it… memories I had forgotten, and pain that once hurt so bad came back instantly.”

“How can I help her?” Kaen asked, putting his hand on top of his mother-in-laws.

She chuckled and smiled, well aware that he couldn’t see it. “You are a good man, and I am glad you are acting the way you should. Be there. Love her, and don’t press her to be normal. Let her take the pace she needs and gently remind her that you will always love her as she is.”

Leaning over, she spoke quietly as Ava hurried back toward them with a few towels. “And don’t patronize her. That is probably one of the greatest pieces of advice I can give.”

“I’m sorry,” Ava gasped, slightly out of breath from running. “Let me clean it up.”

She started moving the towel around the table, moving cups, and saying sorry as she raised Kaen’s arms.

“Kaen was telling me how tired he was and how much he could use a nap. Would you two be ok if I could get a ride back to my house and let you two nap?”

Rarely did Kaen have to bite his lip to keep from smiling, but at this moment, he did, knowing full well that what she had just said was a lie, even if it was what he wanted.

“Oh, I can ask Amaranth to take your mother. She would be happy to do that for me.”

Choking for a second, Kaen turned his head and listened for an answer. “I’m sorry. Did you say Amaranth would do that for you, and she would be happy about it?”

Ava chuckled and moved to where her husband was and slid her arms around him before kissing him on the neck. “There are a few things that happened while you were gone. I’ll tell you later.”

Amaranth moved toward the cave entrance as if he had asked her himself.

I shall take Lady Hurem back to her estate and will see if I can find something for myself and the other two to eat. Do you both require anything?

Kaen knew if his eyes weren’t bandaged they would be bulging at the statement and question Amaranth had just said.

I am fine, but thank you…

He heard Amaranth's huff, and then Kaen saw through Pammon’s eyes as Ava and her mom walked over to where the green dragon was.

Closing his connection to all but Pammon, he felt his dragon reacting before he even asked a question.

It is not my place to say, but just know your wife will have something to tell you.

Why can’t you tell me? Why keep it a secret?

Something came through their bond, and Kaen couldn’t understand the feeling. It was like remorse and frustration all mixed together.

Does your mate ever require you to not tell another person something because it is not your place to tell it?

You know she does…

And now you know why I cannot tell you anymore.

Grunting, Kaen shook his head and moved toward the part of the cavern with a bed.

Sitting on the edge, he began removing his boots and sliding out of his dragon armor. As his arm came up, his improved sense of smell told him precisely what he didn’t want to know.

“Dear spirits, I smell…” he muttered to himself.

Getting up from the bed, he moved toward the cave wall and began to walk with his hand on the edge of it.

Do you want my help?

No… I need to do this on my own.

If you were about to trip over something, should I say so?

His foot hovering in mid-air, Kaen cocked his head and then lowered it back down, slowly shuffling with both his feet. After about a yard and not hitting anything, he turned to where he knew Pammon was. A low thrum echoed through the cave, and Kaen lifted his hand, giving Pammon the middle finger.

Frustrated, he stormed along the wall until, about twelve steps in, his foot caught a few bags stacked along the back of the wall and tripped, falling onto the cold hard floor.

I tried to warn you…

Coughing and trying to keep from laughing, Kaen rolled over to his knees and stood up.

You did… is there anything else in my way until I reach the water spiquet?

No… you are fine now, but just stay along the wall. I don’t want you tripping over my tail.

Ignoring his dragon, Kaen shuffled until he found the wall again and, after a bit, made it to the water. He heard Ava’s soft footsteps coming, and he smiled.

“He said you weren’t using his eyes,” she complained.

“I’m not. I could hear you coming even if you tried to be sneaky.”

“That’s no fun… I wanted to scare you!”

“And watch me fall over again?”

She laughed and came up, wrapping her arms around his bare chest. As she pulled close, she let out an ewwwww before taking a step back. “You smell like the backside of a horse… would you like some help washing?”

“I would be honored if you helped me, my love.”

Kaen climbed into the small tub as Ava turned on the water, finding he right temperature for him.

“I didn’t know I’d have to take of you so soon,” Ava joked.

Kaen laughed, nodding as he let his wife take care of him, forgetting for a moment the conversation they had just minutes ago.