Thirty Knights stood in full armor before the obsidian obelisk in the courtyard of the Knights’ Compound. More Knights were arrayed behind them, standing in silent tribute to the fallen. A solitary mage in her black robes waited beside the monument.

Dathan watched as Mythra Landon, current Knight Commander, stepped up to the mage, handing over the hilt of a sword. The mage took the hilt, bowed, then turned to the obelisk. Holding the hilt in one hand, she placed the other palm flat against a blank spot on the stone.

Spellwork swirled to life at the mage’s feet, the blue light shining against the mirror-like surface of the obelisk. Closing her eyes, she leaned in with a whisper of “Avery”. The hilt in her hand melted, flowing through the air and beneath the hand on the stone.

The spellwork winked out and the mage stepped back, revealing the metal of the hilt embedded in the stone, filling in the carving of the name of the fallen Knight, joining those who had died in service over the centuries.

The mage bowed to the assembled Knights, who saluted, fist to heart, then she took her leave.

Mythra turned to face the assembly, his face solemn. “Every day is a gift, for us and for those we protect. We fight for that gift, so that others may live in peace. Knight Avery gave his all, for which he will always be remembered. May the One watch over him in the next life.”

The sound of ringing steel echoed through the courtyard as the Knight Commander drew a sword, followed by twenty-nine other Knights. Points rose into the air, gleaming darkling in the reflected light of the obelisk. Sepllwork along the base of the monument lit up, lines of energy shooting from the top of the stone to connect each blade.

The light pulsed, growing brighter with each moment. One by one, the names on the obelisk ignited until every name gleamed with the same pulsing brightness.

As one, the assembled Knights chanted, “They shall be remembered.”

Slowly the lights faded away, swords were sheathed, and the quiet of the courtyard broken by the booted feet walking away. Dathan stood by his wife until nearly every other Knight had left before the two moved to follow Mythra back to the main keep of the compound.

Upon entering the keep, Dathan’s eyes were drawn as always to the hanging banners of the Houses, the House of Tadrianus still the newest banner. The blue background with its crossed blades wrapped in roses and thorns still took his breath away, though at least he’d learned not to stop and stare each time. He did flash a smile at Dreama, earning one in return.

After a few minutes, they reached the Knight Commander’s office and stepped inside. Mythra moved to his seat, unbuckling and resting the blades and belt on the desk before sitting with a sigh.

“I’ve read your report, several times actually. Elementals, ambushes, totems, and a dead Knight. Why do you never bring me good news, Lord Tadrianus?”

Dathan shook his head. “You didn’t give me my position and responsibilities to chase rainbows. I’m a combat leader. Besides, it’s not always bad news.” He offered the Commander a crooked grin. “Just usually.”

Mythra grunted and nodded before turning to Dreama. “It’s your fault I have to deal with him, you know. I wouldn’t have this jumped up swordsman from the southern plains if you hadn’t made such an impression on him. My life was much less complicated before you two met.”

Dreama raised an eyebrow, her expression cool, though there was a warmth in those gorgeous green eyes. “With all due respect, I disagree. Before Dathan put a stop to things, you had to officiate over nearly weekly duels, all fought over my honor, whether I wanted them or not.”

Dathan was always impressed by the way she managed to talk so level headed about those days.

The Commander frowned before turning back to Dathan. “The report and your initial debrief gave me your concerns. With a day to think over things, is there anything else that might have come to you? I’m having a meeting of the City Council in a couple days.”

A frown crossed Dathan’s lips before he shook his head. “I stand by my original assessment. There has been some kind of fundamental shift in the Wastes, some new power. A new horde either is or will be forming and it is only a matter of time before an attack. We need to discover where they are gathering and what resources they have to bring to bear.”

Mythra nodded. “I figured as much. Alright you two, get out of here. Go home, see your kids. You have the next week off patrol. Oh, and Dathan, the Anatala want to talk to you. Something about a rail system.”

Dathan and Dreama saluted then headed for home, their hands seeking each other as they walked through the city.

***

The Tadrianus estate was on the western edge of the city, nestled against the side of the valley. Ten foot walls surrounded the property, designed to be manned if needed. The reinforced gates stood open as Dathan and Dreama stepped through.

A pair of stable hands and a member of the Warriors Guild were exercising in the courtyard, working their way across the family crest embedded in the stone yard. Dathan waved to the men, who paused long enough to return the greeting before returning to their practice.

Entering the main keep, they were greeted by Lilith. The Panthra smiled at the two of them. “Welcome home. The cubs are all together in the den, reading those dreadful adventure novels. The Antala representative said they would return this afternoon.”

Dathan returned the smile and reached out to give her a hug. She oofed and pushed him away. “Not while armored, boy! Go change then see to your children.”

Dreama chuckled as Dathan affected a hurt look, though he did head to the armory.

Once in the armory, Dathan headed to one of the empty armor stands, intricate spellwork adorning its surface. He placed both hands on the shoulders of the stand, chanting softly. A moment later he placed his hands on his breastplate.

There was a rush of air as the armor vanished, leaving him in his under tunic and pants, the armor reappearing on the stand. With a grin, Dathan turned to watch Dreama complete the same ritual. Once her armor was racked, he pulled her into his arms for a kiss.

After a few moments they separated, Dathan gazing into Dreama’s green eyes. “Have I told you lately how beautiful you are, my lady?”

Dreama smiled and leaned in, nipping softly at his chin. “Not yet today. I was beginning to think you’d gone blind. It’s not like you to let so much time go by before trying to seduce me.”

Dathan tilted his head to nuzzle into her curls. “Well, we can’t have that, not can we?” He leaned in further to kiss the side of her neck before drawing back. “We will return to this lady, lady love.”

“Mmm, tease.” Dreama swatted at him and sashayed from the room, Dathan eagerly following.

At the entrance to the den they paused to watch the kids. The twins were curled up together on the sofa, each with a book in their hands and a serious expression on their faces. The mage globes in the room really brought out the coppery highlights in their dark hair.

Seated in one of the overly large chairs was Lilith’s eldest, the young warrior filling the seat. His younger sister was curled up at his feet, failing to look like she was reading.

It took a few moments for any of the children to notice them. Mathias was the first, looking up then calmly closing his book and nudging his sister. Mikayla glared at him before noticing where his gaze was. Her squeal alerted the two Panthras.

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“Daddy! Mommy!” Mikayla sprang from the sofa, her book tumbling to the floor. Launching herself across the room, she impacted her mother in the chest, wrapping her arms around Dreama’s neck and engaging in a kissing contest.

Mathias stood, retrieved his sister’s book, placed it with his own on the side table, before sedately crossing the room to stand before Dathan and Dreama. “Hello Father. Mother. Welcome home.” He bowed slightly.

Dathan returned the bow with a nod of his hed. “I see you have kept the household safe. Well done, Mathias.”

The two maintained a serious pose for a few more moments, before Dathan cracked, sweeping his son into a hug as exuberant as that shared by Dreama and Mikayla.

Once proper greetings were out of the way, with Mikayla still clinging to her mother, Dathan thanked the two Panthras for helping with the twins, dismissing them for the day from duties.

Smiling as Lilith’s cubs left the room, Dathan turned to his hanging daughter. “You know, Mikayla, that it is very difficult to swing a sword with your arms trapped like that.”

The reaction was instant. Little feet thumped to the floor and swiftly pattered away. Dathan chuckled as he looked over at a smiling Dreama. “I don’t know where she gets her love for swords from. At least this one has a bit more diverse interests, don’t you?” He poked Mathias in the side.

The boy squirmed before freeing himself, drawing up to his inconsiderable height. “I’m not this one. I will be Archmage Knight Mathias one day, the world’s greatest spellsword.”

“Of course you will!” Dreama leaned over to kiss the top of his head. “Did you want to practice with your sister or the magister today?”

Mathias pursed his lips in thought for a moment, reminding Dathan of Dreama’s thoughtful look. “The magister please, Momma.”

Dreama nodded. “Very well. He should be working in the cavern with the crew this time of day. Tell him we would like you to be able to watch and assist.”

The boy waited only long enough to hug each parent before vanishing through the doorway.

Dathan sighed dramatically as he looked to where children had been just moments before. “I don’t remember having that much energy for my studies.”

“Because you’re such an old man now, is it?” Dreama hip checked him as she sauntered from the room, no doubt heading to oversee Mikayla’s practice.

Dathan chuckled to himself and followed his son’s path deeper into the keep. A wide stone stairway led into the valley wall, eventually opening into a massive natural cavern. Mage globes floated through the area, catching light on numerous crystal and gemstone deposits scattered throughout.

Almost a dozen Anthala worked in the cavern, harvesting the gems and crystals and shaping the surroundings according to a plan Dathan had worked out with them when they were first hired.

“This place has certainly grown since I was last down here.” Looking around, he finally spotted the mage and Mathias at the far end of the cavern, heads together. As he neared, Dathan caught the tail end of a conversation.

“... about convincing the stones to do as you ask. You have to listen to the stone, get to know it. Once you do…” The mage trailed off as he pushed against the cavern wall, seeming to force the stone back and away, opening a path and a chamber big enough to accommodate two adult humans.

Mathias watched the mage, his expression series. Leaning with both hands on the stone, he looked to the mage for another moment before switching to the wall. The boy was silent as he stared at the wall.

The mage moved to stand beside Dathan, the two watching Mathias. There were several moments of silence, a range of emotions crossing the boy’s face, though he always returned to the serious expression.

Suddenly, Mathias’s hands sank slightly into the stone. Both he and the mage shouted in surprise, the boy turning to beam at his father. Dathan grinned and walked over to the wall, tracing the outline of the hand prints. “We should leave these here, to commemorate the event. What do you think?”

Mathias nodded quickly, his smile threatening to split his face. “I felt it, Papa! I felt the stone listening to me, like it understood me but still wanted to be stubborn about it.”

“Amazing, son, amazing.” Dathan moved to give Mathias a hug. Turning to the mage, he thanked the man, then disentangled himself from his son.

“I’ve got to check on your sister before taking care of some work. Keep up the hard work and I’ll see you at dinner, unless you finish earlier.” The look he got from Mathias put that chance to rest. Chuckling as he walked away, he made a mental note to send someone to fetch Mathias in time to clean up for dinner.

The sound of wood clacking together greeted Dathan as he exited the keep. Dreama and Mikayla were exchanging strikes, the little girl struggling to not lose her practice swords with each block. Sweat mattered her curls to her forehead where they escaped her ponytail and a wife grin adorned her face.

Dathan walked a wide path around the practice to the watching stablehands, asking about the practice session, about the warmounts and general supply situation, all while keeping an eye on his girls, a gentle smile on his lips.

Mikayla suddenly turned and charged Dathan with a yell, her two practice swords held high. Dathan grinned and stepped into the attack, turning sideways so the swinging swords passed to the front and back of him. His daughter rebounded against his leg only to be snatched up into a hug.

“You know, sneak attacks work better when you don’t announce them. Now, surrender!”

“Never!”

“Then you leave me no choice…”

Mikayla’s eyes widened in realization a half moment before she tried to squirm away from the ticklish assault, losing her grip on the swords as she tried to push away, giggles filling the air.

After almost a minute of enduring the onslaught she finally surrendered. “Yield. I yield!” Her squeals grew in pitch for a moment before Dathan set her down. She took a few moments to catch her breath before ducking down to grab one of her practice swords and hitting her father in the back of the leg.

“Ha ha! I tricked you! You are vanquished.”

Gather grabbed at the wound with one hand, leaning over his daughter and slowly falling to the ground. “Alas, I am slain.”

“Daddy, no!” Mikayla tried to move but was trapped beneath her father. “No fair. Move!”

“Can’t. I’ve been vanquished.”

“Mommy! Help!”

“Dathan, dear, do be a good corpse and let our daughter go.”

“Will you nurse me back to life?”

“We’ll see. Time for Mikayla to get back to her exercises.”

Dathan brushed himself off as he stood off to one side, watching his daughter go through several sword forms and strengthening exercises. After a while he finally convinced himself to take care of paperwork.