“You look tired,” Aldric said with a chuckle. “Not in a bad way, just one I recognize. I’m assuming you have been playing with the talk of the town.”

Kaen nodded and groaned as he sat in his chair, watching Herb and Aldric grin like fools.

“Aldric is right. Every person in town is gobbling up any tidbits of information that leaks out. When you returned, it was a frenzy of excitement.”

“See, that’s funny,” replied Kaen, “because all I can think of right now is how the next thirty days will go. Those two are going to eat a ton, and right now, the only place to get food is on the other side of the mountains. Pammon, Amaranth, and Glynnis will get tired of playing the role of food delivery.”

“How much food are they going to eat?” Aldric asked as he shifted in his chair, and his foot started to tap against the floor.

“You remember how much Pammon ate before the war?” Kaen asked, smirking the entire time.

“I do… please tell me they both won’t eat like that.”

“Not at first, but there will come a time when both of them will easily eat four or five deer daily. You already have three dragons forging for themselves. The distance they will have to travel will make things harder, but hopefully, I can help with some of that tomorrow.”

Aldric raised an eyebrow, and Kaen heard Herb’s chair scrape across the floor.

“How do you plan on doing that?”

Smiling, Kaen gave a slight shrug and picked up his cup, draining it in one go.

Rolling his eyes, Herb waited until Kaen set his cup down. “So what news did you promise we would want to hear?”

“Let me start at the beginning,” Kaen said with a slight sigh. It may take a while, but I promise it’s worth it.”

Herb and Aldric sat in their chairs, staring at each other as Kaen stood up and stretched.

“I would have thought both of you would be jumping for joy at that news,” Kaen said once he sat back down. “The dwarves and wood elves are ready to fight when the time is right. What else is there?”

Herb shook his head and grunted. “He doesn’t realize, does he?”

Chuckling, Aldric smiled and shook his head as well. “Kaen, do you know that no human has ever been accepted as you have by the wood elves or dwarves, and to hear what you can now do with the forest… it’s a bit too much to comprehend.”

Kaen frowned. Both men had gone quiet again after their brief comments.

“Why does any of that matter? We are united against one threat, except for the kingdom of Golden Edge, but I don’t think anyone expected any less.”

“Kaen, I would have to ask my historians to check, but I do not believe that at any time during the history of our lands, a man has united the races as you have,” Herb replied. “Then, when you consider what you are as a dragon rider… it’s a bit overwhelming.”

Standing up, Aldric turned and stared across the courtyard as he clasped his hands behind his back. He stood there humming a tune for a moment before turning around. He gazed at Kaen, lips drawn tight for a moment. “Kaen, if I was a weak man, I would be concerned for my throne. Everything about you is drawing power to you, putting every kingdom in a difficult position. If you fall, we are lost. There is no way we can defeat Stioks. We have known that for a while now. Without you to lead us and be at the front of the line, we would fold in a moment.

“If you win this fight as we hope, many might call for you to become king of Ebonmount or of Luthaelia. That would –”

“But I wouldn’t want that!” Kaen protested.

Aldric nodded as he closed his eyes for a moment and let out a deep breath. “I know that, but just because we both feel that way doesn’t mean the people will understand. This then puts us in a difficult position on how to progress. Do you stay here? Where could you and the other dragons go? How would the people respond if you left?”

The King paused and watched as Kaen considered each of those questions. Aldric could see Kaen realizing some of those problems and the lack of easy solutions.

“Then you have the dwarves. It may not seem like a power play, but they have given you something no man has ever been granted. A place in the mountain. Imagine if a dragon rider takes up residence there. Especially one whose dragon has two females that are laying eggs… what kind of power shift could take place there? In one moment, I am torn between an act of what I believe was meant to be sincere and not political, yet I cannot help but see the potential problems it might cause.”

“I had enough problems with the adventurers guild when you were no longer to be one,” Herb said as Aldric paused again. “You can only imagine the possible issues that may arise soon as Phillip and Frederick are no longer allowed to be part of the guild. Will they vote to change the rules? How will that impact ranks and positions of power? Imagine being a lowly bronze adventurer and knowing you’ll never match the power of you and your two newest riders.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Kaen’s mouth opened, but he said nothing, caught off guard by the line of thinking the other two men were considering.

“I know it is a lot and probably upsets you, but as a king, I must always look at all the angles regarding political power. You know you are free to go anytime, and I will never attempt to do what the others did, but that doesn’t mean I can be blind to what may occur.”

“Even if I don’t want to be a part of any of those things?” Kaen asked, already knowing the answer.

“Thus lies the true problem with dragon riders,” answered Aldric. “Now you know why there was a separate group that they belonged to. No king could ever use their power for his own purpose lest the land suffer. When the dragon riders became corrupt, pursuing power as men often do, the kingdoms suffered under it. As you can see, many will fear another time like that.”

“That is why Golden Shore treats dragons as they do,” Herb interjected. “Knowing they can limit the number who make it safely to our shore helps to ensure they do not have to worry about a dragon or his rider causing problems in their kingdom. The last time I heard from my spies in the capital, none seemed concerned about Stioks at all. There was more concern about you and the females with you.”

“Don’t worry about these things, though,” Aldric said. “This is something I will deal with, and make sure to keep you informed. Just know that if rumblings happen, we will need to act quickly and make sure that we are on the same page.”

Grunting, Kaen nodded and saw that Aldric seemed a little more relaxed after voicing his concerns.

“Should I worry about anything else?” Kaen asked as he looked between both men.

“Nothing that you cannot handle,” Herb said with a chuckle. “You will have to deal with the excitement of the people in the city and wanting to see the new dragons. We are doing our best from both the adventurer side as well with Aldric’s help to release information slowly. One, we want to prevent possible problems from those who are already infatuated with dragons and limit knowledge that will get back to Stioks.”

“Herb is right. You handle the dragon stuff. We will deal with the rest. Besides, it sounds like you have enough problems with food coming up for the next few weeks.”

Sighing, Kaen nodded. “I might wish we could trade. Anything else?”

Aldric shook his head, and Herb did the same.

“Then, if you don’t mind, Pammon is almost here, and I need to head back to my growing family. I’ll be here tomorrow evening. Bring your family, and I will bring mine.”

Both men nodded, each with a raised eyebrow as they saw Kaen grinning.

“Tomorrow, I take it will be a surprise?” Herb asked.

“You have no idea,” Kaen replied as he stood up and walked toward the other end of the massive courtyard.

From that end was Pammon and his massive body, his bronze scales reflected in the fading sun.

Their words are valid, and you know it. We need to consider what to do after we win this war.

You say that like the solution is simple. Can you imagine living elsewhere? What about Callie, Hess, and Sulenda? Can we take Foros and Tazorath with us?

Finding a place where we can be free to live as we should while also being able to help the people of this land will be challenging. You must remember that wherever we go, we go as a family.

You seem… softer since meeting your children.

Pammon’s emotions betrayed him, leaving no chance of denying it.

I wasn’t certain how I would feel, but once I saw those two, I could sense a part of me in them. The moment we touched was impossible to describe. It was far greater than any joy I ever felt when Callie would touch and play with me, only outdone by the bond I have with you.

I can only imagine…

Soon. Soon, you will hold your children, and then we shall see who is more emotional about their children.

Kaen laughed and scratched Pammon’s neck as they flew to where the other four dragons were waiting.

Just remember. You’ll have to help teach them what it means not to be an eggling…

Thrumming, Pammon turned back and looked at Kaen. He smiled, showing his teeth.

Why do you think I’m finally going to understand how it was when I was an eggling?

You don’t remember how much trouble you gave me, do you? The constant begging to eat, not wanting to crap where I told you to, chasing after rabbits and other animals… and then the chicken…

That foul beast is surely dead by now… my only sorrow is some orc probably ended its life instead of me.

Kaen and Pammon laughed as they descended to where their growing family waited.

“Are you sure you’re okay with staying here tonight?”

Ava nodded and smiled, taking her small blanket and snuggled down against Pammon. “I couldn’t think of a better place to spend our first night back.”

Grinning, Kaen settled in down next to her.

Pammon lay in the middle, with Glynnis and Amaranth, each on his side. Between them were Foros and Tazorath, each with their rider.

“It seems weird to have five dragons all snuggled together, but I am certain I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Kaen said as he lifted his arm and let Ava settle in against him.

“I can’t wait until our two can join us for a night like this,” Ava whispered, closing her eyes and laying her head against Kaen’s side. “Imagine a child in each of our arms.”

That would be difficult to imagine… two children whining about being hungry and crapping everywhere.

Kaen started to laugh, and Ava looked up at him.

“Sorry, Pammon said he can’t wait to deal with the crap our children have.”

Pammon lifted his head to look at Kaen and Ava, his golden eyes almost glowing in the dim light of the few fires near them. A snort came, sending a little mucus that missed both of them completely but still made them jump.

“Pammon,” Ava said, her eyes narrowed and her voice sounding a lot like her mother's. Please don’t do that. Just ask Amaranth. Nothing is worse than upsetting a woman.”

Amaranth and Glynnis both started to thrum, and Pammon groaned, lying his head back on the ground.

What have we gotten ourselves into?

Kaen coughed, trying to keep from laughing and getting in trouble again.

Something I know we both wouldn’t trade for the world.