Kaen stared at the spot on the tree where he had bled and fed the forest the night before.

That spot looks different, doesn’t it?

Nodding and not answering Pammon, Kaen ran his hand along the area and felt his skin rise up in goosebumps, every hair on his arm standing up.

“What is it?” Ava asked after he shuddered upon touching it.

“I’m not sure, but it's like… like I can feel part of me inside the tree right here,” Kaen responded, slowly pulling his hand away.

“Five days, I need five days,” Sedel said, smiling as she watched Kaen and Ava from a few feet away. “Do not show up before then, or I will send you off for a few more.”

Nodding, Kaen smiled and looked at Ava as she gently elbowed him in the side.

“If he tries, I’ll make sure to stop him. Sometimes, he acts like a child who can’t contain themselves,” Ava replied.

Sedel motioned to the people who were working around the village. “This place is alive again because of you and your dragon. We will never forget that the forest and our lives will always be connected to you.”

She bowed and then clapped her hands. Two servants came forward, each with a small wooden box. They gave one each to Kaen and Ava.

“Do not open those yet, but once you return to Ebonmount, talk with the king and find two places within his border where he will allow you to plant those seeds. Once you plant them, do with them what you did here. It will create a connection through the earth to us. If ever the forest is in such peril as before, you will be able to sense it through your connection with those.”

Kaen looked at the smooth, dark brown box that was barely bigger than the palm of his hand. He wanted to open it, curious about what was inside, but he resisted, instead bowing to Sedel. “We are honored by this gift.”

“Queleth was right when he told me you were different,” Sedel replied, a slight smirk on her lips. “He knew I was furious about how you beat me back then, but you still showed honor and grace. Those are not traits most humans or dragon riders have been known for. Combined with your youth… Just remember, we need five days to craft this bow. Until then, may your journey be successful.”

Tell me, is everything going to be like this?

Kaen chewed on his lip as he looked at the forest below.

I’m not certain, but we have both talked many times about fate. You and I do not believe our lives are scripted out for us, yet when things like that happen… it is hard not to wonder why.

Your wife agrees with us but even she has been struggling to deal with everything that seems to keep coming against us. Are we strong enough to weather all these storms, or will we eventually break from the constant beating?

Kaen chuckled, rolling his eyes even though no one could see his expression.

If you talk like that, you have been having out with Aldric or Bren way too much. That sounds like something one of them might say.

It was what Bren said a few years back, and I now understand it better. How many times have we endured impossible storms and yet risen above them? Sure, we come away bruised, battered, and beaten, but still, we are stronger on the other side. Look at Hess. Even though he lost an arm and is weaker physically, his mind and will are stronger than ever. I’m not sure he would be the family man he is today if he had both arms.

Scratching his beard, Kaen knew the truth of that statement. Hess had some dark moments, but his will and outlook on life changed once he rose above them. That man lived as if every day was a blessing, and it had taken a while for Kaen to understand that.

My question is, when is the next storm coming?

Probably in a week. The clouds are forming already.

Groaning, Kaen ignored Pammon’s joke and looked east, seeing the clouds Pammon had just pointed out.

Soon enough, winter will be here.

It had taken effort for Pammon to fly slow and take his time as he carried Ava and Kaen toward Tanulivar.

The land beneath them was bleak as most of the forest had been cleared miles from the farms that still operated.

Only the dwarves needed to manage the fields were out there, protected by a small company of warriors in case an attack came.

Rows of orc and goblin corpses could be seen lined up a few hundred yards from the tree line. A reminder to all those who came that theirs would die as well.

Ava says she never realized how sad this place looked.

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I’m afraid of what it might look like on the inside. It does not appear there are many dwarves living outside anymore. I can see a few fields that have not been used in a year.

War is an awful thing. Primarily when it serves no purpose but to remove an obstacle in the way of tyranny.

Groaning, Kaen punched Pammon’s neck gently.

That was Aldric from two years ago. I’ll never forget that line.

Thrumming, Pammon made his way toward the landing area they used on their last visit.

Once I drop you two off and we get unloaded, I must find something to eat. The few animals I see would probably get us both in trouble if I consumed them.

Through Pammon’s eyes, Kaen could see the land as his dragon did. Fields that had once had hundreds of sheep or cows now only had a few dozen. The walls that surrounded them looked in worse shape than he remembered.

“Dragon Rider Kaen!” the short dwarf shouted, approaching him and Ava as they climbed off Pammon. “We were not expecting you!”

“I had not decided to come until a few days ago!” replied Kaen. “How many dwarves do you have with you?”

Kaen recognized Brabrel, Elnidith’s second in command when she was here before she left for Ebonmount. He had aged, and a few silver hairs were noticeable in his beard.

“Maybe eight total. Do you need help with those packs?” Brabrel asked as he looked at the bundles tied on Pammon’s back.

“I do. Dragon scales. Black dragon scales, in fact.”

The dwarf’s eyes became wider than a saucer as he looked at Kaen and then at the bundles. Joy and hope began to appear on the dwarf’s face.

“Stioks?”

Kaen shook his head, seeing Brabrel scowl at learning the man was still alive.

“It’s a long story, one best told inside and out of the cold. Also, this is my wife, Ava. Ava, this is Brabrel, the guardian of the house.”

“Protector,” Brabrel shot back. “Tis a pleasure to meet you Miss Ava. Please come inside and out of this wind and cold. If you want to sleep here tonight, I can offer a small snack and perhaps have something else to eat.”

“I would prefer that,” Kaen answered as he went with Ava and Brabrel toward the two-story building. “Let’s get this unloaded, and then I can pester you about what has happened here since last time.”

Brabrel groaned as he heard Kaen’s words, tugging his beard slightly. “I’ll need some ale if we are talking like that.”

Kaen watched Ava sit by the fire in her chair, a small blanket draped over her legs as she sipped on a mug of dwarven ale.

“She’s a good-looking one, even if she doesn’t have a beard,” Brabrel teased. “Should I ask how in the world you managed to marry her?”

“We don’t have enough time for that—years of planning and trickery. Besides, since it’s just you and me, I need to know the status of your kingdom. Both of us know that Bosgreth always holds back when he and I talk.”

Taking a swig from his tankard, Brabrel nodded as he wiped the foam from his beard. “Aye, we both know that. What can I say… life isn’t all that great. Dwarves were meant to live in the mountains. Never coming out or feeling the sun on your face, hold some fresh dirt up to your nose. That isn’t living. It’s a wonder the people haven’t revolted sometimes.”

“How are the other dwarves? Still staying strong?”

Brabrel scratched his head as he scrunched his weathered nose. “We are a strong race. A little ale and some coins make most happy. The food we eat doesn’t taste the same. What is growing in the mountains makes an awful drink. The bread doesn’t taste much better. Even the animals are having a hard time dealing with the changes. The only ones that have done well are those damn goats.”

Kaen pointed at the table where some dried jerky was still lying on it. “Goat meat?”

“Goat meat!” exclaimed Brabrel. “I’m glad I can have some meat, but after a few years of just goat meat, I’m saying I would do a few crazy things to taste beef or mutton again. And the price of a chicken… you can almost buy a piece of land. Those things are worth more than men now, I reckon.”

A small snort came from Ava, who was trying not to eavesdrop.

“It’s okay, lass. You can laugh. That is the one things we still have even when things get tough. We laugh and sing songs.”

“How long since the last time the orcs came? Kaen asked, picking up a piece of the jerky and trying it again.

“In force or at all?”

“Both.”

Brabrel set his tankard on the table and leaned back in his chair. Closing his eyes, he put his hand behind his head and tapped a foot on the floor for a few seconds.

“Two weeks ago a small raiding party came through. About one hundred. Killed over half before they ran away. Seems like a waste on their part. Especially since it was mainly goblins and a few orcs.”

Opening his eyes, Brabrel looked at Kaen. “Since a full attack? Over two years. Seemed like a waste to me. They easily lost twenty thousand plus. They never made it past the first section of the bridge. Upset a lot of the engineers hoping to show off the breakaway points and drop an army into the ravine.”

“So why are you all still in there?”

Snorting, Brabrel glanced around the room and then sat up straight. “You know why. Until the day Stioks is dead, I doubt we will ever come from outside those walls again.”

“Can I ask a question?”

Brabrel smiled and looked at Ava. “Ask anything you want, ma’am.”

“What do the dwarves want? Do they want to stay in the mountain, or do they want to come outside?”

“No one knows for certain. Some want to stay safe, especially those with younger children. A few are upset they missed the chance to travel to Ebonmount, live outside, and work there. Many, however, have heard how bad things are in your area and are grateful they don’t have to deal with that fear. And then there is the news of Roccnari…”

Kaen watched as Brabrel swished his tongue around in his mouth. Suddenly, the dwarf leaned over and spat on the ground.

“A whole nation… gone…” Brabrel said, looking at Ava. “That is why most don’t mind hiding behind the wall and stone. No one wants to imagine that happening here. So if you ask a dwarf now what they want to do, almost every single one will say live in the mountain.”

“But why are you out here then?”

Tapping the table with his stubby fingers, Brabrel sighed. “Honestly… I’m a bit of a dreamer. Elnidith caused that problem. She gave me a vision of a different world. That means I understand death could come every day. I might wake up and trip, breaking my neck and dying next to my bed. I could die in the field, tripping in a hole. An orc or ogre might get lucky and bash my head in. Even better, a dragon might swoop down and eat me. Since I learned these things, I haven’t wanted to live in a mountain. I want to fight and free my people so we can again be free.”

Nodding, Ava smiled and then looked back at the fire. “Now I know why Kaen likes you. You two are a lot alike.”