The following two weeks passed as Kaen spent most of his time carving rock from the caves near the one Pammon and the other two dragons lived in.

Frederick and Phillip were constant companions, each earning their new homes by the sweat of their brow.

Teams had assisted in the hauling off of rock and stone while Hess spent more hours than he had initially intended overseeing part of the process.

“Looks like we are almost done,” Kaen stated as he stood back and looked at the cavern they had carved out of the solid rock in the mountain. “You should be good for a while before we might need to modify the amount of space in here.”

Frederick had a grin that wouldn’t go away as the last bit of stone they had broke free was taken to the massive opening at the edge of the mountain and pushed over.

“It’s finally happening,” he replied, his voice giddy with excitement. “How soon do we think till the eggs might hatch?”

“Hopefully, within two more weeks. Glynnis will be bringing hers here in a few days, and from that moment on, you must be here at all times. I’ll have food and water brought for you and Hess will come to get some training in. For now, grab that broom and finish sweeping. I need to go check on Phillip’s cave.”

Frederick nodded and moved toward the broom leaning against a stone wall they had carved out, more excited to sweep than Kaen could ever imagine was possible.

“Looks like you’re about ready to move in,” Kaen called out as he finished climbing the stairs that led into Phillip’s new home. “What do you think?”

Standing there without his shirt on and a thin layer of sweat, Phillip didn’t look like the scrawny kid he had met on the street so long ago. Scars covered a few parts of his dense, muscle-filled body.

“They will have the bed up here in a few hours,” Phillip replied, setting down a chest he had been moving to one of the sides. “I still can’t believe it… a dragon.”

Kaen could see how his eyes lit up, wonder in them at the thought of a dream long since hoped for and never believed would actually occur.

“I’ll remind you about that when your dragon craps in the cave for the first time. It’s a smell… well, just know it’s something you’ll never forget.”

Phillip laughed and shook his head. “I have smelled enough when I’ve visited the farms. Tell me it can't be worse than that.”

Chuckling, Kaen started to nod and grinned. “It’s worse… way worse.”

Groaning, Phillip moved to where his shirt was and put it on before moving to where Kaen stood with the pickaxe he had acquired from Hess.

“That thing is so insane. I watched you clear stone like it was nothing. Everyone commented that pickaxe must be magical because you destroyed every bit of the mountain you touched.”

Shaking his head, Kaen smiled as he hefted the pickaxe up and ran his hand over the massive head on it. “I wish it was, but it’s just a different breed. They don’t make them like this anymore… kind of like Hess.”

Phillip roared with laughter and nodded. “That man is something for sure. I can’t imagine having grown up under him with two arms. It’s hard enough to fight him when he only has one.”

“He might argue against that statement,” Kaen replied as he rested the pickaxe against the floor. “Every time we talk about you two, there is nothing but praise. Once again, I’ll say this. You both have exceeded every hope I have ever had for you, and I’m looking forward to this next journey with you both.”

Phillip smiled, but Kaen could see it was forced.

“What’s wrong?”

Sighing, Phillip shrugged. “What you told us about that fight with Stioks… to hear he is that strong… it’s a bit intimidating, to say the least.”

“And what is your fear?”

Phillip momentarily looked at the stone floor before returning to Kaen. “That I’ll fail and something bad will happen because of it.”

Kaen started to laugh, ignoring the confused look on Phillip’s face.

“Listen, son,” Kaen said, winking as he did. That word meant something important was coming, as Kaen only used it a few times. “Let me speak about failure… you’ve seen me fail repeatedly, and yet the only thing I regret more than anything is that I didn’t act as I should have because I was afraid I would fail. Always do what you know is right, and don’t worry about what happens from there. We can only control what we do.”

Phillip nodded and, after taking a deep breath, let it out. “I appreciate the advice, Uncle Kaen.”

Both laughed, and Kaen waved as he walked toward the edge of the cavern, looking out over the city and watching the bronze dragon he knew was almost to him.

“Good luck, and tomorrow, I look forward to seeing you with your egg.”

Kaen moved to the edge of the cave and rested the pickaxe against the wall before running and jumping off the cliff, landing on his feet on Pammon’s massive back.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

You’re just showing off now…

Yet we both know you can’t fit in his opening. Only Amaranth and Glynnis can.

A small thrum came from Pammon as he flapped his wings, waiting for Kaen to move to his new saddle.

Tell me, are you certain about the next few days?

There are things to do, and time is never guaranteed. As much as I would love to wait and see what happens here, there is no time.

Kaen clipped himself in, and as he patted Pammon’s neck, he let out a groan he had held back from a minute ago.

I just told Phillip about the need to act and do what you knew was required. Shouldn’t I take my own advice?

I’m not saying you are wrong; I'm just making sure you are aware of the problems it might cause. Amaranth said –

I know what she said, and I will be fine. Between her and Lord Hurem, I have no doubts they will find a cure.

Pammon snorted and continued toward Bren’s training yard.

“Kaen!”

His little red-headed sister ran toward him, wrapping his leg with her arms.

“My gosh, what are they feeding you? Ogre steaks? How did you get so strong?”

Callie laughed and growled as she squeezed tighter and squealed when Kaen reached down and tickled her sides.

“Not fair!” she exclaimed during one of her attempts at speaking.

Laughing, Kaen grabbed and lifted her and hugged her before setting her back down on the inn's floor.

Looking around the room, Kaen frowned for a moment. Only a few patrons were there, and most were taking their time, enjoying the rare drink anyone got to experience anymore.

“Don’t look like that,” Eltina informed him. “I don’t need another sad face in this place.”

Smiling, Kaen moved to Eltina and held out his arms.

“Yer dumber than you look if you think I’m about to hug you,” she stated as she crossed her arms and shook her head. “No way I will have people running their lips about me and you… imagine how that would tarnish my reputation.”

Laughing, Kaen feinted at coming in for a hug as Eltina dodged backward and produced a rag, ready to pop him with it.

“How I’ve missed your wit and gentle soul,” Kaen said as he sat down at the bar.

“About as much as I’ve missed your loose tongue and the way it attempted to seduce every woman that walked through those doors.”

Chuckling, Kaen shook his head and ran his hand along the top of the bar. “Perhaps I should climb on top of the bar again. See if I can’t liven this place up a little.”

“Yer just saying that cuz there aren’t that many people here to buy a round for. Besides, I ain't got enough drink to hand out when I know Sulenda won’t make you pay.”

“How bad is it?”

Picking at her teeth with a finger, Eltina shrugged. “We’re doing better than most. Multiple inns have shut down because…”

“No food, alcohol, or a reason to celebrate?”

Nodding slowly, Eltina moved around the bar and climbed up on her raised area. “Want a drink?”

“You know what I want, and we both know there isn’t a glass of milk to be had anymore. Last time I checked, it cost more than a cask of beer.”

Snorting, Eltina nodded, pulled a mug out, and filled it with a watered-down drink. “Once a week, we have a full house. Your mother-in-law makes that happen.” Kaen saw the wetness around the crabby bartender’s eyes, and she sniffed and used her rag to wipe them. “She’s an amazing woman… buying food like that and giving it away here, all so I can make a few copper off the drinks we sell.”

Nodding, Kaen rotated his mug a few times before lifting the drink to his lips. It had taken years, but he could finally manage to drink some alcohol without any problem of getting drunk. Now, with that ability, there wasn’t any decent stuff to enjoy.

“I’m blessed. Just as I know you are.”

Eltina nodded and wiped a few cups out, letting Kaen enjoy his drink.

The back door swung open, and laughter and giggling made both of them look at the sight of Hess and Callie wrestling and tickling as they came toward the bar.

“Can’t say I ever expected to see that side of that bastard,” Eltina whispered. “Still… I guess I should be glad he’s here. I’m unsure how Sulenda would be doing if it weren’t for you and him.”

Kaen stood up on his stool and reached across the bar, gently squeezing Eltina’s arm before sitting down. “As I’ve told a few special people and dragons lately, you’re family. Glad we can help.”

Grunting, Eltina smirked and then moved off her block to check on the half-dozen patrons.

“Kaen! I brought Dad!”

Callie’s cheer was one thing Kaen couldn’t fight against. The way she could light up a room and dispel the frustration he felt was hard to believe sometimes.

“Well, hopefully, you didn’t need to carry him. He’s getting old and is awfully heavy.”

Laughing, Callie rolled her eyes and ran back to the room where Sulenda was most likely working on the stacks of papers for her inn and the school.

“Move to a booth?” Hess asked as he motioned to one with his head.

“Our usual?”

Smiling as he nodded, Hess didn’t wait for Kaen, moving to the booth they had sat in the first time they came.

“Only one arrow… that’s all we can find so far. It’s been two weeks, and the weather is going to be getting bad. Soon, I’ll have to-”

“Stop searching,” Kaen said, cutting his dad off. “One will have to do for now, and I’ll make the most out of it. Besides, I got a plan when I visited the dwarves after the wood elves.”

Hess grunted but nodded. “Sorry about the bow…”

“Don’t be. It has done more than I could have imagined for a lifetime. The fact that it broke from that height proves it wasn’t as indestructible as I thought. I’m sure Hoste will understand.”

“Or he will haunt me until the day I die. Regardless, the caves are done?”

“Both are dug out, and Frederick is sweeping out his as we speak. Phillips will be done with all his furniture before the evening. Frederick should be finished completely by tomorrow. Then they will move the eggs.”

Letting out a low whistle, Hess leaned against the back of the booth. “How long till they hatch?”

“That is the question everyone is asking,” Kaen replied. “Maybe two weeks. You’re still good to train them in their caves until the eggs hatch?”

“Gladly. I’m just thankful that Glynnis or Amaranth will take me there. I’m not sure I want to climb those stairs every day. Doing it four times was bad enough.”

Laughing, Kaen nodded and slid his drink across the table to Hess. “Go ahead. Mom keeps you on a tight leash so you don’t drink all the profits.”

Smiling, Hess nodded and picked up the cup, draining it completely.

“I’ve missed this. Can’t tell you how much I look forward to when this happens again.”

“Soon… soon, Dad. We’ll make it the way it was.”