It has started… where is that man?

Neither Glynnis nor Amaranth have seen him. The dwarves and wood elves started fighting a little while ago.

You’re not telling me something… it’s just as bad there, isn’t it?

Telling you and distracting you isn’t my goal. We have different objectives, and we must trust the others with theirs. Now, focus; we need to find him.

Kaen continued to search the sky as Pammon soared over the capital city of Luthaelia.

Kaen had used Pammon’s eyes to look at the land below for the briefest amount of time, and his heart broke. Stioks had ravaged his own people, and there was filth and destruction wherever they looked.

Scorched ground that could only come from a dragon marked random places in the countryside. Entire homes and lines of structures were eradicated and melted to ash.

This man has enslaved his own people to the orcs. I have seen a few places where orcs are herding people like cattle into buildings.

The good news is the number of orcs is less. Imagine if I had not been foolish and attacked. There could easily be thirty thousand more here.

Scanning the sky, Kaen didn’t believe Stioks would be in the massive black castle positioned in the middle of the land.

Pammon’s head turned upward, and he looked in every direction for a moment.

We need to fly down, and I want to grab a few trees. Perhaps if we knock gently, he will answer.

We are about thirty minutes from his castle if you feel it is safe. I am ready here.

Pammon grunted and angled himself toward the ground. As they flew lower, Kaen flexed his fingers around the grip of his bow.

I’ll save my shot until I’m confident I cannot miss.

Pammon said nothing as he continued his dive toward the earth. It came at them quickly as the bronze dragon did not want to waste time and put himself or Kaen at risk.

That tree is larger than I expected, yet you do not seem bothered by its weight.

Pammon grunted and looked back at Kaen as he continued to climb upward into the sky.

This tree weighs more than you believe, but I will be fine. That welp will fall to me or you. If they appear, letting this tree fall will only take a moment.

Whenever Kaen thought he understood Pammon’s strength, he was reminded that there was nothing like his dragon. None of the council would probably pick a fight against him, even without the ability he had to command. Every year, climbing up into his saddle took longer as Pammon’s neck rested easily at about thirty feet when sitting.

The number of people has not increased. There are some outside, but I wonder how many are still alive. Even if you look at the walls with my eyes, you will see that most of the defenses he built are gone.

Did he take his own defense for the army? Why would he do that?

Perhaps he bet we would assist there and wanted a chance to strike us down. The few weapons on the wall have no one manning them either.

Kaen looked around. They were only a few minutes away from being in position to drop the tree right onto the top of the castle.

Would he really want to force us to come inside? That might be the better play, as it reduces your size and maneuverability and limits our actions to the ground.

It would also limit your use of the bow; we both know how he feels about that.

Unable to help it, Kaen grunted at how this was happening. The battle he had imagined and played out in his mind multiple times was not going as he had hoped. Running through a castle, he didn’t know provided too many opportunities to fall into a trap or suffer some spell.

After you drop that tree, get me close enough that I can also do some damage. If Stioks won’t come out at first, I will do what I can to force him to show his face.

Pammon snorted, and Kaen could hear the slight strain in his breath. No matter how large Pammon was, flying for twenty minutes with that massive tree in his back claws was taxing his strength.

In just a few more moments, I will be ready.

A section of the stone castle fell, crashing into the ground below and sending up a cloud of dust.

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Pammon began to circle, roaring as loudly as possible.

One minute passed, then two, yet no sign of Stioks or his dragon came from below.

Now it is my turn.

Arrow after arrow infused with his power fell upon the castle, taking out massive amounts of stone that fell to the ground.

I see people fleeing the castle. Where is this man and his dragon?! Why won’t they come and face us?

Kaen was overwhelmed by Pammon’s hatred for Stioks. Learning how the man had treated Pammon’s mother had not helped at all and had only ignited the fire within.

Let me keep firing. I will bring the castle down upon him if he won't come out.

Kaen released a basket, untying the rope that held it, and watched as it fell into the ruins beneath them.

Three hundred arrows… that castle is no more and yet nothing… can he still be hiding somewhere?

I have watched the sky in every direction, and there is no way they can sneak up on us. Let me land, and we shall make one of those who fled the castle tell us what they know.

Do you want me to torture someone?

If you cannot ask in a way that will get them to answer, I am certain I can help loosen their tongues.

Sighing, Kaen nodded.

Very well, let’s see what we can learn.

“Don’t kill us!”

“We’re not like him!”

Kaen frowned as the pack of about twelve people cowered beneath Pammon. They had tried to split up and run in different directions, but Pammon had herded them together better than most sheepdogs keep their flocks.

“Silence!” Kaen shouted, holding up both hands to show they were empty.

A few wimpers came from the group, but no one said a word as Pammon lowered his head. Each moved their eyes between the massive bronze dragon before them and the dragon rider on his neck.

“Where is Stioks?! Where has he gone?!”

“We don’t know!” one of the men shouted back. “He left yesterday with his dragon Taerar!”

“What do you mean he left? Which direction?!”

The man shook as Kaen yelled, the fear of his master and the things he must have endured noticeably by the smell of urine that Pammon had commented on as he landed.

“South! Yesterday afternoon! That’s all we know! Spare us, please!”

“Spare us!”

“Mercy!”

Their cries angered and hurt at the same moment. What Pammon and he had seen since they flew into the heart of this land was a sign of the monster Stioks really was. At one point, this kingdom had been flourishing, it had been said. Food, gold, art, and more came from here, and the people had thrived. Now, it looked as bad as the place Tioanoe had fled. A mere fragment of a shell of its former self.

Where could he have gone? He wasn’t at the battle with Amaranth and them unless he was hiding and waiting to strike.

Are you expecting me to have an answer? Could he have gone to the orc castle to take it over or bring more troops? Can he be waiting in ambush to attack my wife and son? Or would he have possibly flown south before changing directions and heading north to help against the dwarves?

Kaen cursed and saw how the people reacted, realizing he had said it louder than he had planned.

“You are free to go. We mean you no harm. Our goal is to kill Stioks and free the land from his grip.”

The people all lifted their heads and stared at Kaen momentarily.

“Are… do you really mean that, sir? We were told all dragon riders were worse than him.”

“Believe what you will, but unlike him, I will not sell your children to orcs and goblins. Once the battle is over, we will come back to try to free you from them.”

A few began to cry, holding their clenched hands in the air as they thanked them.

“We need to go. Is there anything else you can think of that might help us find Stioks?”

They looked at each other, and Kaen could tell they could not help.

“Very well. Be safe!”

Pammon turned and leaped into the air.

This has cost us almost half a day.

Ask Amaranth and Glynnis if they have any news.

It will take time due to the distance, but I will ask. I’m sure they would have cried out if one of them saw him at all.

Rubbing his eyes with his gloved hands, Kaen felt lost.

I guess I'll fly in the middle of both armies. We shall see who can give us the most information and then perhaps go and help. That is the only thing I can do unless you have a better solution.

Pammon flapped his wings as he gained altitude and adjusted his angle slightly between both armies.

He knew we were coming, and he prepared. His armies are fighting, and his home is left defenseless without him here. If we are to–

Thats it!

Kaen’s shout cut off Pammon’s words, and as his dragon read Kaen’s thoughts, both of their hearts sank.

It is the only thing I can think of, and you know it is true.

Then we must hurry. I will tell both Glynnis and Amaranth.

Kaen’s heart broke when he realized what he could only imagine was happening right now. If Pammon told Amaranth, Ava would not stay.

Don’t… don’t tell Amaranth or Glynnis… please.

But–

You know I’m right, even though you don’t want to admit it. If Stioks has gone to Ebonmount and Ava believes that, she will convince Amaranth to take her. She may even persuade Foros and Phillip to come. Together, those two would be no match for Stioks.

We both would lose more than we can imagine.

Pammon’s heart and mind were reeling from the pain that Kaen was experiencing.

Your children…

Fly… as fast as you can. I will give you every ounce of power that I have.

Pammon felt Kaen’s lifestone roar to life. Those few moments in their life together, it had burned like this and yet none of those previous times felt like now.

[ Flight Burst ]

Pammon lurched forward with a speed and intensity that neither had experienced before. Not even the day they saved Hess could compare to the angst both felt at the belief that Stioks would do to their home what they had done to his.

How… long… can you… burn like that…

Pammon struggled to speak as his body and core were flooded with Kaen's power.

Leaning against his dragon, Kaen pressed his gloved hands against Pammon’s scales, willing himself to be drained completely.

Until I pass out… fly, my friend.