Kaen and Pammon swept over the desert area, scouring the land for the Kobolds they could see still moving in groups of hundreds and even up to a thousand.

It would appear they have fractured off from the large army they once had. We may have done more damage than we believed.

Nodding, Kaen mulled over the possible implications that might mean as they finished their second day of scouting.

Are there still at least fifteen thousand of them? None of the groups was more than two thousand at best. It also appears they are moving to different areas and breaking up into smaller groups. Do you believe they feel they won or lost?

Pammon thrummed as he considered Kaen’s words.

I have no doubt that we won that battle. They lost a significant part of their forces, and now it appears they are headed home. You saw that none of them were near where we fought.

Yes, but if they are like this and the orcs are weakened as much as we both believe they are, what is the chance that either could be a threat in the coming months? I can’t imagine the Kobolds making that kind of trek, knowing they would have to come through the pass of Ebonmount. That would be a slaughter for them.

If they choose to try and come through the swamps, I’m not sure how their bodies would handle those changes. And if all the caves are sealed up from the swamp side, they would be trapped on the southern end of the mountains. That would then require an army not prepared for the marshes and swamps to cross all the way to the southeast side of the bowl and then head north into Luthaelia. That march alone would cost them countless troops.

Kaen felt Pammon’s agreement with his assessment. As his dragon shifted slightly to the south, Kaen’s mind wandered to Ava and the twins she was carrying.

How easily your mind wanders. What will you do if we are in battle and it does that?

Scratching Pammon’s neck, Kaen couldn’t help but smile at the talking Pammon was giving him.

I’ll try to be better and not think about my wife and children. I’m pretty confident you didn’t do the same thing yesterday.

I did think of my children and my mates, but that was not while we were discussing something. You changed your thoughts while we were talking about armies. I was simply flying.

The wind carried the laughter away, but Kaen knew Pammon had won that battle.

You are correct. I was just considering how the upcoming battle would impact everything. If we can wait until after our children are born, Ava will ask her mother and Sulenda to watch them.

Pammon snorted, and Kaen knew how he felt about that decision.

How hard have we become? Both of us are willing to go to war with our mates, knowing what may befall either of them.

There was nothing he could do but frown. Their options were limited. Soon, they would have to fight while they had an advantage. Waiting any longer would have given Stioks time to prepare for another attack and his dragon time to grow.

Then let us head back home. We have all the information we need for now, and there are many more things to do before we are ready to bring your children and their riders here for the next lesson in war.

Pammon immediately changed directions without waiting, preparing to head back to Ebonmount.

Through their bond, Kaen felt Pammon's excitement. He couldn’t wait to watch his children fight the Kobolds.

A grin appeared as Kaen imagined what the Kobolds they would fight would think, seeing a silver and red dragon coming at them while two young men tore through their ranks.

“It’s unbelievable,” Aldric exclaimed as he waited for Kaen to finish reading the report he had given him. “Those two boys… Dragon Riders have managed to spur on that entire mining operation, and if we can keep even half of the ore they have procured in this last week coming in, we should be able to outfit most of the army with at least a decent weapon.”

“And those trees your group brought for our workers have already been moved to the mills,” added Herb. “If I wanted your head to be any bigger, I would say you are a masterful leader and planner.”

Kaen groaned as he finished reading the numbers on Aldric’s paper. “That is impressive. Almost a ton of ore… how?”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“That vein you found turned out to run for almost ten yards and was at least three feet wide in some sections. The entire company began working in shifts once they found it. Rumor has it there were a lot of bets on if it would ever end.”

Aldric chuckled, and Herb was grinning like a guy who had just gotten his first kiss.

“Well, they have one more week of mining, and then I need to shift their training again. Their bodies should be ready for what comes next. After that, I got a month of solid training before we leave to pick a fight with the Kobolds.”

“You’re certain that is still the best choice?”

Kaen nodded at Herb as he held the report out for Aldric to take back. “How many actual fights are your adventurers getting into now with orcs and ogres?”

“Not enough that if your two showed up, it would provide any real training,” Herb admitted. “And even with you there, do you really want to toss them up against ogres?”

“They did fine in the cave, but part of a war is being surrounded and fighting against large numbers,” Kaen replied. “There may be a chance they cannot be on their dragons during the battle. Riding from the safety of a dragon is one thing, but being on the front line and leading an army is totally different.”

Aldric nodded as he placed the mining report back on his stack of papers. “Not many get that kind of training because war is usually the only way it happens. What is your plan?”

Kaen began to laugh and shook his head.

Both men groaned and smirked.

“If I shared that, someone might let it slip, and I don’t want that to happen,” Kaen said. “Just ensure what I asked for is there in three weeks.”

Aldric’s smirk had grown into a full smile as the King believed he had figured out what Kaen intended to do. “Would it be ok if I came on that day?”

“By all means, it would be a great thing,” Kaen replied, and then his eyes went a little wider. “I may have something even better for you in the coming days after that.”

Aldric saw the gleam in Kaen’s eyes and shrugged. “Always here to help when I can.”

Nodding, Kaen turned to Herb. “Make sure the healers are there also. I’m going to need some help with that day.”

Sighing, Herb bobbed his head, less excited about Kaen's plan.

“Alright, I need to head back to my wife. If you two will excuse me.”

Both men nodded, and after shaking hands, Kaen went to where Pammon had just landed, noticing the smile his dragon was sporting.

You are being devious, but I like that new idea. Aldric should be a fine addition to that training.

Those two boys are going to either love it or hate me. Either way, they will be the best warriors I can imagine this kingdom has seen in a long time.

Not counting you, of course.

Kaen groaned. Pammon’s sarcasm was evident from the tone of his voice in his head.

Exactly. Now, let’s head home. I need to go love on my wife a little.

Thrumming, Pammon took off into the air, still smiling about the devious nature of his rider.

“Why are you always leaving me?” Ava asked, frustration dripping from her voice. “Don’t you care about me and the babies?”

Kaen’s eyes glanced around the cave where all three dragons were watching him.

“Of course I care, my love, why would you–”

“Because you’re always going and leaving me here!” she exclaimed. “I miss you! It isn’t easy, and my mother… oh dear spirits, my mother, keeps trying to come here and help pass the time. Every day, it’s something else she wants to talk about. And then Amaranth wouldn’t take me where I wanted to go! She said she needed to help you! So I was left here with Glynnis!”

Ava continued to talk, her voice raising and lowering faster than Kaen could almost keep track of.

What am I missing?!

Amaranth’s eyes were now yellow and glaring at him.

Your wife has been like this for the last few days. All of a sudden, her mood changes, and I cannot keep up with it. It wears me out just –

“Are you ignoring me?” Ava asked, getting between Kaen and Amaranth, standing on her toes. “What is Amaranth telling you?!”

“She said you have been a little stressed lately with how much I have been gone, and I need to take you with me on some of the things I am doing. I’m sorry, my love,” Kaen replied, slowly putting his arms around her and drawing her close.

Ava nodded against his chest and started to cry for a moment before forcing herself to stop.

“I’m sorry,” she groaned. “I’m all over the place. One moment, I’m fine; the next, I feel like I need to throw or break something!”

“Don’t apologize to me, my love. I didn’t want to bother you with riding non-stop for a week, but perhaps I should have at least asked. Don’t worry, I’ll be here for the next month or so. I would love for you to spend any time you want together.”

Squeezing him tightly, Ava nodded. “Thank you. I love you.”

Kaen kissed her forehead and smiled.

That was well done. I remember when Amaranth and Glynnis were like that for a time. They were not as easy to comfort as Ava is.

Perhaps it is because I only have to keep one woman happy.

Pammon’s thrum echoed through the cave, and Ava’s head snapped quickly at Pammon, glaring at the dragon.

“Why is Pammon laughing?” she asked, a hint of anger noticeable in her voice.

“He mentioned that it surprised him that I was smart enough to know all you want is to be with me. Usually, I act like an eggling.”

Ava snorted and then gave a curt nod, glaring at Pammon once more before turning back to Kaen and smiling. “He’s right, you know. Usually, I have to be specific about what you need to do.”

Not saying a word, Kaen simply nodded and smiled.

You owe me…

She might not breathe fire, but for a moment, I feared a little for my safety.

It took Kaen a lot of willpower to keep from laughing. It appeared the next few months would be even more of an adventure.