Your smirk makes you look diabolical. Perhaps you should have told Ava no when she asked you to shave.

Kaen felt his chin and the skin that was now not protected. Why Ava had wanted him to shave it a few days ago didn’t make sense, but Kaen simply said yes and cut it off. The wind against it felt weird, but he didn’t care about that.

Hess seemed to enjoy making fun of my baby face. Regardless, we are about to witness something fun.

Pammon thrummed as they watched the two sides gather and finish getting into position.

Phillip and Frederick were on the Kaen’s left, each with command of ten students of their choice.

Across the field were one hundred seasoned guards, along with a very special commander. King Aldric was in his gold armor, wearing a flowing cape and holding a shield and wooden sword. He would serve as the ogre for the match, directing and leading his troops against the outnumbered students. His troops' weapons were wooden clubs, spears, swords, and axes, while each of Phillip and Frederick’s squad had spears, shields, and swords.

“This is going to be fun,” Hess said as the two sides got ready. “How did you come up with this?”

“I tried to imagine something you would do to make me get better, and this was about as awful of what I could come up with,” replied Kaen as he motioned to the judge across the field.

The woman ran back to the edge of the field and, once on the boundary, pulled out a horn and blew on it three times. The last blast was long, and the moment it ended, Aldric’s team began shouting and charging.

“They're not moving,” Hess said, pointing out the obvious. “Defending? Against ten to one? That’s a bad decision!”

Kaen said nothing, simply watching as the group of students, none older than seventeen, moved to a wedge position as the last thirty yards between them lessened.

The students held their position as the grown men thundered toward them. When the shout came from both boys, they surged in unison, aiming for the middle of the group coming at them. With the army only two deep, the wedge could easily push through them, and only a few yards past them was Aldric.

“This is going to hurt,” Kaen said, chuckling as he saw Aldric react.

With movement that only came from drills and practice, the men shifted based on Aldric's call. The lines barely separated while troops shuffled into position, suddenly becoming four soldiers deep.

A small falter came, the lines collided as the tip ran into the now thicker part, and the sides collapsed upon them.

Frederick was right behind the tip and bent down, holding his shield over his head while Phillip ran and jumped up on it. This gave him a boost and thrust that propelled him over the men who were still running forward.

“Hairy dwarf balls, Kaen!” exclaimed Hess.

It was a brave and ballsy move for sure, but as Phillip came down on the ground and prepared to roll, Aldric was already there, catching him mid-roll with his shield.

Like running into a wall, Phillip stopped immediately, not getting up from the collision.

A horn blew, and both sides stopped fighting at once. Healers ran out onto the field and started checking the fighters. Even though they wore padded armor and helmets, injuries would occur, and there was no time to wait for one to recover.

Pammon had started thrumming once Aldric put Phillip into the ground and was still laughing.

Part of me wishes their dragons were here right now to have seen that. Foros would be anxious.

Which is why they are still at the course. They need to complete it before they can come here.

We may not see them here then for a week. It is still hard on their bodies.

Kaen said nothing but nodded, moving down the steps of the small tower he had built to oversee the battles.

He moved with a purpose toward Phillip and motioned to Frederick to join him. Aldric stood by, saying something as a healer attended to the downed dragon rider.

“What went wrong?” Kaen called out. “Why didn’t you win?”

Frederick motioned at the group of warriors with Aldric. “We are outnumbered ten to one.”

Shaking his head, Kaen finally arrived where Phillip was and snorted as he looked down at the rider.

“That’s not the reason. Phillip, you figured it out yet?”

Groaning, Phillip took Aldric's hand and shook his head. “No, but I now know not to do that against the King or an ogre. You made it look so simple.”

Aldric laughed at those words and saw Kaen roll his eyes.

“I’m also much stronger, faster, and more experienced than you,” Kaen reminded him. “I need a better reason. If not, you can try again.”

Both boys looked at the other, and each finally gave in to not knowing the answer.

“King Aldric, do you know what they did wrong?”

Smirking, the King glanced at both boys and then at Kaen. “Do you want me to give them the answer or just making sure I know?”

“Don’t give them the answer yet, but I want Phillip and Frederick to know that it isn’t some secret I’m holding on to.”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Wait, King Aldric already knows the answer after one fight?” Phillip asked.

“I knew before we ever fought,” replied the King. Remember, I’m older than Kaen and have had to learn battle strategy all my life. Now, get set again. There's nothing like a bit of fun and bashing each other's brains in.”

“Especially when there is a healer,’ Frederick pointed out.

Kaen and Aldric laughed and nodded, each moving back to their positions.

“Again!” Kaen shouted as he walked toward his lookout tower where Hess was waiting.

Laughter and some cheers from both sides came as they moved to get back into position.

How long till they figure it out?

Glancing up at Pammon, Kaen shrugged.

I hope sooner than later.

Stretching and groaning, Kaen walked across the field toward the carnage before him.

Over forty of Aldric’s men were dead, and all of the students and both Phillip and Frederick were down as well. The horn sounded, and everyone who was not dead took a knee, gladly waiting on the water brought to them by some of the younger students.

Looking at the crowd of students who had cheered as they watched the last two skirmishes, Kaen’s heart broke.

The knowledge that many of them might die weighs heavily upon your mind. Since the founding of this school, you knew it would happen. When the first child died defending the walls, her death spurred the defenders on. It lit a fire in their hearts, and that day, news of her taking down four orcs before dying spread along the wall like a blaze.

Would you deny every warrior a chance to see someone so brave risking their life for the same thing you claim to defend?

The lump in his throat grew, and Kaen knew that Pammon was right. It didn’t make the truth easier, but so many of the children had told him before that they were fighting to protect their parents or siblings. They all shared the same goal and purpose.

I just thought, what if my children were in that group? As a parent, could I stand by and let them sacrifice themselves?

What about my children?

Pammon’s question was like a knife pierced his heart. Kaen immediately wrestled with the knowledge that he had not considered that as he should have.

Pammon, I’m sorry… I… I never asked.

Kaen had turned to look at his dragon. Both of them held the other's gaze, ignoring the spectacle behind Kaen.

I know. It would be a lie if I did not mention that at one point. It hurt in a way that was hard to describe. While they were eggs, it bothered me that we naturally assumed they would fight. There was no doubt in my mind that they should have a rider, and yet…

Pammon paused, moving from where he had been resting and coming close to Kaen. He lowered his head, gazing down at his rider, snout a few yards away.

Kaen could feel the breath of his dragon each time he breathed out. The pain that was no longer able to be hidden was there for him to feel as if it was his own.

It is different now that I feel for them, as I know you will feel for your children. I push them to become strong because I want… no, I need them to survive. There is no telling how their death might impact me. Having witnessed how it hurt you and Ava when you lost your first one… I’m scared.

Kaen reached out with his hand and blinked multiple times as his dragon bore his heart to him. Pammon put the tip of his jaw into Kaen’s hand and closed his eyes, breathing deeply and slowly letting it out.

You know I am scared as well. I have acted foolishly because I let fear control me. Yet, at no point did I ever ask you how my fearsome dragon felt… for that, I am sorry. What can I do to make this right?

Pammon shifted his head so that his gold eye could take in Kaen after he opened it.

Win. We finish this once and for all. No matter what happens, we create a place where your children and I can live without the fear we have now.

Nodding, Kaen moved up and did his best to try to hug Pammon’s massive jaw.

No matter what, we will kill Stioks and end the threat he presents.

Even if it means our own lives.

Kaen wanted to respond in agreement, yet his voice failed him. He had almost died once to Stioks, and the truth was the fear of it happening again still gave him nightmares.

Even if it means our own lives. We will do what we must for our family.

Pammon nodded and nudged Kaen with his jaw, pushing him back a few steps.

Good, now turn around. Everyone is watching us.

Shock filled Kaen’s face as he remembered where he was and, turning on his heel, saw that Pammon was right. Everyone was watching the two of them.

Taking a deep breath, Kaen smiled and moved to stand closer to the two armies and all of the students.

“Alright, listen up!” Kaen shouted, making sure everyone was watching. “Take a knee or sit on the ground, I need a few moments, and I know most of you are exhausted.”

A sigh of relief came as soldiers and students promptly knelt or sat down on the field, which had been torn up by today's fighting.

“You all did exceptionally well today. Know that each of you appeared to improve, and part of this practice isn’t just for Patrick and Frederick to become better fighters but for all of you to excel as warriors. Follow your leaders, trust their wisdom, and see how you might help your brother or sister grow.”

Kaen motioned to one of the students from Frederick’s squad. She rose and moved quickly to where Kaen waited for her.

“Angela here is only sixteen, but I’m sure if you ask any of the guards that came with King Aldric today, she doesn’t fight like a sixteen-year-old should,” Kaen said as he put a hand on her shoulder, keeping her face turned toward the crowd.

Some nods and cheers came from the guards, causing her to smile.

“However, even as good as she is now, she can become better. If you watch her, you will notice she takes in everything. She rarely repeats the same mistake twice. Today, she got better between each fight because the men across from her didn’t hesitate to attack. They didn’t see a sixteen-year-old girl; instead, they saw a warrior with a spear and a sword ready to end their lives.”

Kaen gave her a nod, and she quickly moved back to her group, smiling and receiving a few slaps on the back and shoulder.

“Now listen when I say this next part and bear mind to it.”

The noise died down, and for a moment, the only sound was the wind gently blowing across the field.

“We are training like this because a day will come when the fight doesn’t end at the blowing of a trumpet. A battle will take place where the only way it ends is when one side is completely killed or fled the battleground. So train to be the side that wins. Train to be the side that gets to come home and celebrate with their friends and family that peace will finally happen, and we can go back to living with those we love!”

Kaen’s last words were so loud it almost surprised him.

Aldric didn’t wait a moment when he knew Kaen had finished his speech.

“For the peace of Ebonmount!” he cried.

As one, every person jumped to their feet and cried out the same thing.

“For the peace of Ebonmount!”

“For the peace of Ebonmount!”

“For the peace of Ebonmount!”

It would appear Stioks and his armies should be afraid.

Kaen smiled, cheering with those gathered.

The day is coming when his body will either lie on the ground with my sword through his chest or with him in your stomach.

Pammon thrummed loudly, causing the crowd to roar and cheer again.

Perhaps we should make a bet on who wins.