Thanos: Forging of Man
Date: 2017-01-17 00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Fantasy
Description: With his parents dead, Jedek has decided to learn the ways of the bhari and magic. Having narrowly survived the brutal assassination attempt that claimed the lives of his family, Jedek, the heir to the throne of Gratu and Sovereign over the five kingdoms is on the run. Hidden deep in the wilds along with his wife Kenna, and his protector and mentor Ahnon, Jedek must learn the skills needed to become King. The Overlord, a grotesque orc trying to attain the power of the Gods, continues to gain strength in the North. Undaunted by his failure to capture Jedek, he grows his army of wicked creatures
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing

THANOS

FORGING OF MAN

BOOK 2

THOMAS A WATSON

Copyright © JANUARY 30, 2017

THOMAS A WATSON

A-POC PRESS, LLC

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Edited by Sabrina Jean

Fast Track Editing

Cover Art by CHRISTIAN BENTULAN
www.coverbychristian.com

This book is a work of fiction. People places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

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Map of Thanos

Hello to my fans!

Thank you so much for reading my work. Thanos is my dream world and to me the closest to my heart. Fantasy was my first love and I always wanted to write a story on a world I made and low and behold, here it is.

I’m sorry it has taken so long for the next installment but momma (in case you don’t know, that is Tina, my wife) won’t let daddy (me) put out the next book until the first one pays for the next one. The second book of Thanos has been completed for the most part, since the first one was released.

Thanos to me is a world everyone has dreamed of at one time. Mankind isn’t dominant and worries just about staying alive.

One question I’ve received a few times is about the three horns, think triceratops. I don’t know how many books this series will be but I know how it will end. As you know, my books are long but I’m not sure how many Tina will break down or how many it will take to get to the end.

I truly hope you enjoy reading Thanos as much as I do writing it. Again, thank you to all those who have helped me get here.

Without my wife and family I can truly say, I would still be a nurse. But with their strength and support I’m doing something I never dreamed possible.

And to my beta readers, proofreaders, and last but not least my blurb assistant Cora. You all Rock!

Chapter 1

It had been a month after the night Ahnon started giving them keck tea and they had both celebrated their birthdays with free time. Today, they were with Ahnon in the forge. Kenna was punching a burlap bag filled with sand that was hanging at the far end of the forge. Leaning against the bag, Jedek was holding it steady as she kept repeating a series of strikes. Ahnon was at the forge, feeding it burning rock and iron. The water wheel was pumping the bellows and there was a foot of snow outside, yet they were sweating inside even with the doors and windows wide open.

Ahnon was making iron ingots, getting ready to start making weapons. Almost throwing a fit, Jedek wanted to start with the adamant but Ahnon refused wanting to get used to the forge again. Pulling the crucible out of the forge, Ahnon poured off the slag then poured the metal into stone molds to make bars and rods. Setting the crucible down, he shoveled in more burning rock and loaded the pot before setting it back in the forge.

Glancing over at the kids, he walked over to Kenna. “Don’t use just your arm,” he told her. “Use your body with every punch, chop and kick,” he said, motioning for her to go again. She started on the bag again with better form and control as Ahnon looked at the hourglass to see that her time was almost up. As the last of the sand fell, Jedek flipped it over and Kenna held the bag as he started assaulting the bag. Seeing that Jedek was doing satisfactorily, Ahnon moved to the other end of the shop and pulled a table to the front wall, putting a wooden target on the back wall. Then he laid out a hundred throwing knives.

Ahnon picked one up and twirled it between his fingers not really liking it; the balance was just a little off. He had bought it with a lot of other weapons till they could make their own. When the sand ran out, the kids came over with sweat pouring off them. “Drink some water and eat,” Ahnon said, pointing at the food and water behind them.

As they picked up the food and glasses of water, they turned around waiting for the next lesson. “You will throw from here at that target, no closer,” he told them. “Hold the knife like this,” he said showing them. “And throw like this,” he said, moving slowly before throwing the knife fast, hitting the small red circle. “Do it just like that,” he said walking back to the forge and began to pour more bars of iron.

The front wall was stacked with iron bars and rods. In their time in the forge, Ahnon had also made hundreds of jars and other glassware over the last month, showing the kids the basics of the forge in between training tasks. He set the crucible to the side and covered the forge. It was early, but today was special. Taking off his leather apron and clear glasses that he wore when working with the forge, he hung the apron on a hook by the door.

When the sand ran out, they gathered all the knives, putting them on the table and grabbing the hour glass. Seeing Ahnon by the door, they ran over. “What’s next?” Kenna asked smiling.

“It’s time to go inside,” Ahnon said, stepping out in the snow.

“It’s only noon,” she told him, looking up at the cloudy sky.

“I know, but it’s the sixth day,” he said.

Frustrated, Jedek kicked the snow, “I can still keep going,” he complained.

With a proud smile, Ahnon laughed as he stopped in the snow. “I know you can, both of you, but today is special,” Ahnon told them.

They looked at each other, “What is today?” Jedek asked.

“Eve of Divine Tribute,” Ahnon said.

“No way,” Jedek gasped, wondering where the time went.

“Yes, it is. You two may read and do whatever, but no magic. I have to cook,” he said, stepping out from the building only to be attacked by Minos as he knocked all of them down and then bounced out into the snow. Shaking his head and sending snow everywhere, Ahnon looked at Jedek. “Your dog,” he said and looked at the now massive Minos.

Truth be told, Ahnon wanted Minos to sleep outside, but Jedek had thrown a temper tantrum like Ahnon had never seen before. So Minos got to sleep and stay inside. It wasn’t easy at first, since Minos was now the size of a large pony and still had some growing to do. Minos wouldn’t mean to, but he would break things as he just moved around the house from his girth.

Letting out a laugh, Jedek jumped up and grabbed a handful of snow. “You’re going to get it now,” he said, throwing a snowball at Minos who caught it in his mouth.

Cocking his head to one side, Minos looked at Jedek. “Oh good, you want to play,” he said then charged Jedek, knocking him down and running him over.

“Kenna, make sure they don’t kill each other,” Ahnon said, getting up to head inside.

Brushing the snow off, Kenna got up and followed him inside, “It’s his dog,” she replied with attitude, closing the door. Throwing her cloak on the rack by the door, she headed down to the cellar mumbling to herself. Watching her walk down the stairs, Ahnon grinned as he started supper. Walking back up, Kenna had two books in her arms and without looking, Ahnon knew both were books on the animals of Thanos. Whenever Kenna got the chance to read on her own, she always grabbed books on animals or fairies.

Jedek and Minos came in later and Jedek dried off Minos with a blanket, then moved over to the table. “Kenna, you could’ve played with us,” he told her as he was sitting down.

Never looking up, she replied, “He’s your dog, so you can play with him.”

Dropping down in a chair, Jedek shrugged his shoulders as Ahnon set down plates of food. When they finished eating and cleared the table, the two sat down to read as Ahnon walked over, carrying an armload of paper wrapped bundles. Setting them on the table, he divided them up between the two. Then, he went back for more as Kenna and Jedek just stared at the packages.

When Ahnon was finished, each had bundles stacked around them, “Ahnon, we aren’t supposed to get presents till tomorrow,” Jedek told him, looking at the presents.

“No Jedek. You will open them tonight because we have training tomorrow,” Ahnon told him. “We can only take the rest of today off.”

With a hurt expression, Kenna moaned, “Ahnon, we didn’t get you anything.”

A grin split his face, “Yes, you have. More than you will ever know,” Ahnon assured her.

The two tore into the presents and found many different types of clothes and four pairs of soft lace up boots. Several of the presents were books but to their surprise, the pages were blank. Kenna looked up at Ahnon. “Ahnon, there are no words,” she pointed out.

“You have to fill them, Kenna,” he told her chuckling. “The hardbound books will be for you to write down what you have learned. One for magic, one for hand to hand, and so on. The soft leather books are like your daily log to put into the others,” Ahnon pointed out.

Giving a cry of joy, Jedek held up two hunter outfits. “Ahnon, you made me two hunter outfits?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ahnon replied as Kenna opened a present to find a satchel like Ahnon’s.

Letting out a gasp and hugging it to her chest, “Ahnon, is it like yours?” she asked hopefully.

Laughing at her delight, “Yes Kenna. It can store like mine and so does the backpack,” he told her and Kenna hugged the satchel tighter.

They continued to open up presents as Ahnon walked over to give Talon and Minos a joint of deer meat each. Minos went to chew on his present when all of a sudden, he spun around and looked at the door letting out a soft growl. “What is it, Minos?” Jedek asked, looking at the door.

“Relax, you know them,” Ahnon said, walking to the door and throwing it open. Outside stood the leprechauns, Shamus and Gwen, “Come on in and Happy Eve of Tribute,” he told them as they walked in.

“We don’t mean to interrupt, but we brought you more of that outcrop of rock you were digging on,” Shamus told him as Ahnon closed the door.

“Thank you,” Ahnon told the leprechauns as Talon picked up his meat and jumped up to the loft railing. Jedek and Kenna just stared at Ahnon with his casual attitude with the leprechauns, since he’d wet his pants the last time he was around them a month ago. “I have a gift for each of you as well,” Ahnon said, walking over to his bed and pulling out two boxes. Grinning as he walked back over, Ahnon handed the boxes to the two stunned leprechauns.

They took the boxes and Shamus looked up at Ahnon, “We didn’t want anything in return,” he told Ahnon.

“This isn’t in return. It’s a present from us to you. We’re friends,” Ahnon said, sitting down at the table. Gwen opened her box and sighed.

“Oh me goodness,” she said, setting the box down and pulling out a small green dress with black boots. “It’s beautiful,” she told him.

“My lady, we are grateful you like it,” Ahnon replied as Shamus held up a small green suit with black boots.

Shamus ran his hand over the suit with a dreamy expression, “I never felt anything this soft,” he admitted.

“That is Nazar silk. It is the finest on Thanos,” Ahnon told him as the air around Gwen became bright for a split second, blinding them. When everyone could see again, they found Gwen standing in her new dress and twirling around like a little girl.

“It’s wonderful!” she exclaimed as Shamus suddenly disappeared then reappeared wearing his green suit. Gwen looked over at him smiling. “You look dashing, Shamus,” she told him smiling.

“Me darling, you take me breath away,” Shamus told her as Kenna moved over to Gwen.

“Gwen, may I do your hair?” Kenna asked, already moving toward a brush and comb.

“Really?” Gwen asked, astounded as Kenna walked over holding the brush and comb.

Kenna nodded as she started working on Gwen’s thick red hair that was going everywhere. “Yes, a lady of station in a dress has to have her hair done,” Kenna told her as she went to work. In no time, Gwen’s hair was brushed down and except for the wart on her nose, she looked somewhat- not quite cute. Then, Kenna moved over to Shamus and brushed his beard and hair down. When she finished, she stepped back and looked at the two, “My, you two look so regal,” she told them smiling.

They hugged her and then Gwen looked at Ahnon. “We just wanted to show you that you and yours be friends by bringing you that ugly rock you were after, but you showed us so much more,” she told him, walking over and hugging him.

“My lady, you look quite charming. Not saying the burlap bag hid your regal quality, but the world needs to see you as we do,” Ahnon told her as Shamus walked over and grabbed her hand.

“Ahnon and kids, you will always be considered family to the exiles,” Shamus told them. “When you want some rocks, not gold mind you, just let us know,” he said and Gwen spun on him with fire in her eyes.

“Shamus, if they want some gold they may have it at any time. Do I be makin’ myself clear?” she told him with fire seeming to leap from her eyes.

Shamus held up his hands. “If that is what you decide,” he got out quickly.

Relaxing back in his chair, Ahnon chuckled, “We have no desire for gold, my lords,” Ahnon assured them, taking them by surprise. Kenna wanted to object, but kept her mouth shut.

Shamus pulled out a chair for his wife and then climbed up in one with his short legs sticking straight out, “What may we do to help you in this quest you be on?” he asked.

The kids moved over to the other side of the table and sat down as Ahnon thought. Smiling, “Just the rocks and stuff you saw in the bins at the shop. Information on what’s going on around us and to persuade other humans to stay away from us,” he suggested.

With an amused huff, Gwen waved her hand at him. “That won’t be nothing, you three don’t dig so well,” she said then added, “We won’t be fighting the witch to the east, she be quite powerful.”

“No. Ava and her family are allowed here, but not the others with them. They are starting a place of learning,” Ahnon told her.

“That be easy to do,” Shamus said, nodding his head.

Hoping he wasn’t being rude, Jedek leaned over the table. “How fast can you move, just out of curiosity?” he asked them. Shamus and Gwen both looked at him, not understanding the question. Jedek thought for a second and then asked, “How fast can you get to Ava and Delmuth’s farm?” The leprechauns looked at each other and then at Ahnon.

“What is he asking?” Gwen asked Ahnon.

“We have a present for them. How long for you to get it to them?” Ahnon explained. Jedek looked at him, not having meant that at all.

Giving Shamus a nod, Gwen jumped out of her chair. “Give it to us, we be back shortly,” she said holding out her hands. Ahnon handed her a wrapped gift as Shamus jumped out of his chair to stand beside her. Then suddenly, the two just disappeared.

With a grin, Ahnon just shook his head and looked over at Jedek. “Jedek, they can do things we can only dream of and many things we can’t dream of,” Ahnon told him, getting up to make some more tea.

“It’s the sixth day, Ahnon. Aren’t we going to sleep tonight?” Kenna asked.

“This is just regular tea,” Ahnon said, walking back to the table and passing out tea cups. The three sat drinking tea as Kenna and Jedek finished opening presents, when the leprechauns suddenly appeared beside the table and Shamus was holding a different package.

Jedek and Kenna both jumped back, falling to the floor. Minos let out a yelp and ran over, trying to crawl under Jedek’s bed but only knocking it over. “Your hound is a wee bit skittish,” Shamus said, holding out the present to Ahnon. “Ava said this be for you,” he told Ahnon.

“Thank you,” Ahnon said taking the present.

Shamus looked at Gwen. “Let’s let them get back to celebrating,” he told her.

With a big smile, Gwen nodded and looked at Ahnon. “Just call for us outside and we will be here. It might take a day or so, but we will come,” she said, following Shamus to the door. Reaching up, Shamus stood on his toes and pushed the slide bar in the middle of the doors out of the way. Turning away to hide his smile, Jedek thought Shamus looked like a small child opening the door.

He turned to the three, “Thank you for the gifts, friends,” he said, opening the door as Gwen walked out and then he followed. So it became known, after that day on Thanos and any future world, any leprechaun that was ever seen, was seen in a green suit or dress.

Putting the gift on the table, Ahnon opened the package to find dozens of bags and jars. “Oh boy,” Ahnon said, laying out the bags and jars.

Letting out a groan, Kenna shook her head. “Let me guess, spell components?” she asked.

“No, elixir elements. Some are the same as components but not many,” Ahnon corrected, “and these are very rare ones at that,” he told her.

Letting out a huff, Kenna frowned. “Someone we just met got you a present and we didn’t,” she mumbled.

Jumping up, “Kenna, that’s enough,” he snapped, walking over. “I want you two to put up your stuff and get some sleep. Training tomorrow,” Ahnon told her, giving her a hug. “I told you, I have a family and that’s the best present I could ever have,” he added before letting her go.

Jedek walked over carrying one of the bhari outfits in his hands and hugged Ahnon. “You always have been,” he told Ahnon. Letting Ahnon go, Jedek looked up at him, “Every outfit you gave us is in pairs,” he pointed out.

“Yes, so you can have stuff to put in your packs if we have to leave fast,” Ahnon told Jedek as he started to pick up the paper wrappings and throw them into the fireplace.

Jedek and Kenna helped and then started hanging stuff around their beds with the hooks on the walls. Kenna turned around, “Ahnon, how did you know the leprechauns would be here today?” she asked.

“Didn’t know they would be here today,” Ahnon admitted. “I made those the day after we met them. I knew they would drop by sooner or later to show their friendship, and I wanted to do the same,” Ahnon told her.

“How much adamant do you think they brought?” Jedek asked.

Shaking his head, Ahnon shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know, let’s go take a look,” he said, walking to the door.

They walked outside and didn’t see any adamant around, so Ahnon led them through the snow to the forge and stopped in his tracks. Every bin on the side of the building was full again. He had almost emptied the fire rock, iron, and had put a dent in all the others. Now they were all full, and off to the side was another bin just as large as the bigger bins of fire rock and iron. It was full of adamant and Ahnon couldn’t talk, all he could manage was a strangled, “Ahh-ugh.”

“Ahnon, that’s tons!” Jedek yelled out, looking at the pile.

“Let’s give the leprechauns some more stuff,” Kenna mumbled, looking at the ugly grayish white rock pile.

“Oh my word,” Ahnon mumbled, walking over slowly to the bin. He stopped at the bin and ran his hands over the pile, “We’re going to need more fire rock,” he told them, finally grinning.

“The fire rock bin is full,” Kenna pointed out.

Ahnon shook his head, “We need three times that to work this much adamant,” he told her and then looked down at them. “Now, this is a gift we are going to cherish,” he said.

“I guess we are going to get several swords now?” Jedek asked grinning.

“Oh you can believe it,” Ahnon replied then grabbed both by the shoulders. “Let’s get some sleep,” he said, leading them back to the cottage.

The next morning, Ahnon woke the two and moved to start breakfast. When the two sat at the table, Ahnon walked over joining them and setting down the plates of food. “By the front door, you will find two notice boards. One will have the spells for the day and what to wear. The next will be the classes for the day. At night, I will put up what will be done during the night,” he told them.

The two looked at the slate boards and saw just one spell written in white chalk, “light.” Then, they were to wear just hunter pants and shirt with half the day playing chess. Jedek shook his head, “Playing chess?” he asked.

“Yes, it teaches strategy,” Ahnon told Jedek as he shoveled food into his mouth. “Any warrior who doesn’t know chess, won’t ever become an old warrior.”

Feeling disappointed, Kenna shook her head, sending thick curly locks everywhere. “Ahnon, we can do light in our sleep,” she informed him.

“I know, but today you do it without components,” he answered, getting both of their undivided attentions.

“Really?” Jedek shouted.

With a regretful face, Ahnon nodded his head. “Yes, it’s time,” Ahnon said, draining a glass of cider.

It was an hour later and the three were outside in the snow. Jedek demanded to go first and Ahnon agreed, moving beside him and putting his hand on Jedek’s amulet. “Remember, just like I told you. Keep your mind focused on how you have always done it,” Ahnon told him, feeling bad about intruding in Jedek’s mind by using the amulet. “Without components, it’s much easier to get in trouble, so I will ‘watch’ from your mind.”

Nodding and thankful that Ahnon was ‘watching’ through using the amulet, Jedek took a deep breath and held out his hand, keeping his mind focused. “Mollis tepius lux lucis,” he commanded. Jedek felt the magic course through his body like never before. Feeling his eyes close, he could actually feel his energy leach out of his body as he focused on the ball of light. Opening his eyes, he saw a small ball of light hovering above his hand. “Whoa,” he said as his legs buckled under him.

Ahnon caught him before Jedek hit the ground and picked him up, “You did it, Jedek,” Ahnon said proudly in a low voice.

Feeling lightheaded and dizzy, Jedek started panting as the fatigue hit him like a charging horse. “I feel like I ran two days with the vest,” he admitted, trying to get his eyes to focus.

“Wait till tomorrow,” Ahnon told him, carrying Jedek over to the outdoor table and sitting him down. He walked back to Kenna to find her trembling, “It’s the same, Kenna, but without components,” Ahnon assured her.

“But it took me so long to do it the first time,” she said with a worried face.

Feeling the apprehension building in Kenna, Ahnon spun her around and stepped up behind her. “That was doubt, Kenna, that kept you from doing it in the first place,” Ahnon reminded her. “You know how it feels. Concentrate on that and do the spell,” he said, placing his hand on her amulet. Feeling a little guilty, Ahnon pushed his thoughts of certainty in Kenna’s ability into her mind.

Hearing the certainty in his voice and his touch on her amulet, Kenna did as he told her, feeling the rush of magic draining her body like never before. Opening her eyes, she found a ball of light in front of her, “Now that’s fairy hair,” she slurred out as her eyes rolled back and she fainted.

Yanking his hand off her amulet, Ahnon grabbed her before she fell down into the snow. Picking her small frame up easily, Ahnon carried her into the cottage and laid her in the bed. Going back outside, he found Jedek trying to stand up. “Don’t rush it, Jedek. You pushed your body hard today,” Ahnon told him, walking over and getting ready to catch Jedek again. Waving his hand at Kenna’s ball of light, Ahnon made it disappear.

“No Ahnon. I want to try and walk back to the house,” Jedek told him with determination. Watching Jedek grit his teeth, Ahnon stepped back smiling.

“Very well,” Ahnon said, feeling proud of Jedek.

It took monumental effort to pick up his feet out of the snow. Halfway to the door, he looked at Ahnon. “The house moved further away,” Jedek said in a serious tone.

“I’m not going to argue that,” Ahnon said, putting his hand out to steady Jedek as he swayed on his feet. “You understand to push yourself in training now, to know what to expect from your body in combat.”

Giving up on lifting his feet out of the snow, Jedek just dragged them as he started moving toward the door with Ahnon’s hand on his shoulder. “Is Kenna going to be alright?” he asked.

“Yes, she will be waking up soon if she’s not already up,” Ahnon assured him.

“Why didn’t I pass out?” Jedek asked, looking at the door and swearing it had moved further away since he’d started.

“You have been using magic longer and are just a little bit stronger than Kenna,” Ahnon told him.

“You said physical strength didn’t matter in magic,” Jedek replied, still giving up on picking his feet up and just dragging them through the snow.

Feeling bad about pushing his thoughts of certainty in Kenna’s mind, Ahnon shook his head. “That’s not what I’m saying, Jedek. You know how much to put into the magic. Kenna put too much in,” Ahnon said. Jedek just nodded his head but didn’t understand, and thinking was not on his agenda for now.

With Ahnon holding Jedek steady as he dragged his feet through the snow, Jedek finally made it inside and to the table. Since Kenna wasn’t awake yet, Ahnon started playing chess with Jedek who was starting to feel much better by the second game. Ahnon won the first game in twelve moves.

With his mind starting to feel sharper but his body still drained, Jedek looked up at Ahnon. “How many spells can you do without components?” he asked.

“All except fly,” Ahnon replied, taking a pawn.

Letting out a gasp, Jedek’s eyes tried to jump out of his head. “You know like a thousand spells,” he mumbled.

Ahnon looked up at Jedek to see the color was returning to his face. “Yes, and I practice every day,” Ahnon replied. “Jedek, I have thousands of other spells I haven’t even tried yet,” Ahnon admitted, looking back at the chessboard.

Shaking his head, “I saw my dad’s spell book and it only had like a hundred spells,” Jedek said.

“That’s all most wizards ever want to learn. Remember, the price for not getting the spell right could kill you. That is a pretty big deterrent to trying spells just to try them,” Ahnon reminded him.

“But not even Theobald knew as many spells as you,” Jedek said, moving his castle out.

Grabbing his knight, Ahnon blocked him. “I studied with more wizards and traded some spells with others. Then, I also developed my own spells,” Ahnon told him.

“You made spells?” Jedek asked, forgetting his move.

“Yes, that’s what wizards do, Jedek. If you want to figure out a way to do something, you have to come up with the spell. Knowing what each component can do and then work it out with the language of magic,” Ahnon told him.

“What’s one you made?” he asked.

“Flash dash,” Ahnon told him and Jedek just looked at him bewildered. “When I run so fast that it’s hard for others to see me,” Ahnon told him and Jedek smiled, remembering all the times Ahnon had used that spell.

“I like that one,” Jedek admitted. “Michi knows it,” he added thinking about it.

Watching Jedek move his castle, Ahnon nodded his head. “Yes, because I taught it to him,” he said.

Jedek smiled, “It’s a lot better than magic feet,” he noted.

“That’s why I developed it. I wanted to move faster than a horse,” Ahnon told Jedek as he moved his knight out. “If someone is chasing you with a horse, it seems like a smart idea to run faster.”

“What’s the spell you use to move stuff without touching it?” Jedek asked as Ahnon took his rook.

“Will over matter,” Ahnon replied as Jedek took a pawn. Ahnon nodded at the move, “You and Kenna will learn both this week,” Ahnon told him, bringing out his other knight.

A grin split his face as Jedek took the knight. “Can we make some spells?” he asked. “You just need an idea, right?”

Shaking his head, Ahnon took Jedek’s queen, “Pay attention to the board. That was a trap you fell for easily. You need to protect the queen unless you sacrifice her for the other queen,” Ahnon sighed. “Yes, you need an idea and Kenna already has an idea for one,” Ahnon told him.

Seeing his queen on the table in front of Ahnon, Jedek looked down at the board. “What spell has she thought of?” he asked grimacing, glancing over at his queen.

“Putting the gargoyle sight spell on a pair of spectacles,” Ahnon told him.

With a startle, Jedek looked up. “You think it will work?” he asked, feeling a little envious.

Leaning back in his chair as Jedek moved a pawn, “Oh after thinking about it and studying the spell, I’m sure it will, but we may have to tweak it a bit to get it right,” Ahnon admitted. “This afternoon we will give it a try, if Kenna is feeling up to it,” Ahnon told him. Ahnon won the game in four more moves.

That afternoon the three sat in the workshop, making the glasses Kenna thought of.

Chapter 2

It was a few weeks later and almost spring as Ahnon waited outside for Kenna and Jedek, watching the two suns rise over the mountains. Over the winter, Ahnon had pushed them hard and it showed. Both of them now knew fifty spells, two different hand to hand techniques, how to separate elements for spells, and knew most of the two languages of magic. They were still using practice swords in training, but they were getting better. The weighted suits still were scorned by both of them but unknown to either, the suits now weighed more than the wearer. Through the winter, the two had started practicing with a long and short bow and they could at least hit a target now; granted it was a three foot circle. All in all, Ahnon was very proud of them.

The two stepped out behind him as he continued to watch the suns. There were only a few patches of snow scattered about now as they looked out over the meadow. “Ahnon, we’re ready,” Jedek informed him.

Ahnon turned around to see both dressed as hunters. “You two ready for today?” he asked.

“As much as I can be,” Jedek answered honestly as Ahnon smiled, turning back to watch the second sun clear the mountains.

“I am, as long as I’m not wearing that ton of extra weight,” Kenna mumbled.

Looking away from the horizon, Ahnon smiled at her. “I know how you feel, Kenna. I hated that damn thing with a passion that was almost holy.”

Stopping in her tracks, Kenna looked at him in shock. “You had to wear one as well?” she asked.

Chuckling as he shook his head, “Kenna, I had to wear one every day for two years, including bed and to bathe. Then, at the whim of the teacher for the day for the next ten years,” Ahnon informed her. “I’m not making this up as I go along, you know,” Ahnon told her with a sigh. “I am changing the way and how we train to maximize our time and speed up the process.”

Tilting her head back till she could see Ahnon’s face without the brim of the hat blocking her view, Kenna smiled at him. “Well, I can’t argue much. I have muscles now,” she said proudly.

Holding his black wide brimmed hat at his side, Jedek grinned at her. “We know, Kenna. You show us every night,” he said. “Just don’t get as big as those Amazon warriors,” he added in a pleading voice.

Grabbing her waist, Kenna adjusted her sword. “No, I want to get as muscular as that priestess,” she informed him.

“Just don’t cut your hair,” Jedek mumbled, walking over to Ahnon while putting on his hat. Kenna smiled at him as she tied her hair back and walked over to stand beside them.

“What are we doing today?” she asked.

“Checking out the valley to the north and gathering spell components,” Ahnon told her and she let out a sigh. “You will be using ‘flash dash’ so keep up,” Ahnon told them as he tightened his equipment up.

“Oh yeah!” Jedek shouted.

“Aren’t we ever going to the south?” Kenna asked, pulling out a spell pouch.

“One day, but not today,” Ahnon told her. “Remember, you can only run as long as normal, but just much faster. We will be running on the river but if you start to get tired, get off. I really don’t feel like swimming today in a roaring river of ice water,” Ahnon said and then cast his spell.

As Ahnon looked down at them, Kenna smiled at him. “That’s why we run so much with those stupid vests, so we can run further,” she concluded.

“That’s part of it. Remember, your magic is only an extension of you, not separate from you,” Ahnon said as they both cast their spells. Talon hopped out of the door and Minos ran out of the barn over to them. “Talon, keep a watch out and Minos,” Ahnon said when he trotted over, “try and keep up.”

Minos started panting, “Oh play, I win,” he said with a grin.

“Not today,” Ahnon told him. “Kenna, close the door,” Ahnon told her. Kenna turned around. She was just going to trot over to close the door but with the spell in effect, she blurred and slammed face first into the door frame. Kenna bounced back three feet from the house, landing on her back. Jedek attempted to rush over but shot past her, hitting the wall beside the door and bounced off it to land on top of Kenna.

Grinning, Ahnon walked over to the two and looked down. “Remember, it increases fast movement, so please move slow until you get the hang of it,” he said, walking over and closing the door. Minos leaned down, licking both of their faces.

Groaning at the huge tongue that covered his face, Jedek pushed Minos away and shook his head to clear the cobwebs. Lifting his legs, Jedek tried to throw his feet up to flip up off the ground. Granted, he had done it a thousand times but not with flash dash. When Jedek threw his feet up, his body followed doing a complete flip, and he landed on his face. “You know, this is harder than it looks,” he concluded with his face in the dirt.

“For only the second time you have used the spell, you’re doing pretty well,” Ahnon informed him. “But remember, unless you end it, the spell is with you for ten hours.”

Kenna slowly stood up and shook her head to stop the world from spinning, but did it too fast. That made her dizzy and Kenna slumped back down to her knees. “Whoa,” she declared.

“All movements you do fast, Kenna,” Ahnon said walking away. “Just be glad you weren’t at full speed. You’d probably be dead,” Ahnon said, stopping to wait on them. Watching them struggle to stand, Ahnon didn’t tell them that he had used a spell to slow both down before hitting the house. He was certain it wouldn’t have killed them, but it would’ve put them out for the rest of the day with broken bones.

Knowing Ahnon had cast a spell to slow them, Talon hopped over to Kenna, grabbed her by the lapel of her coat with his beak and picked her up. Not trying to hide his displeasure, Talon was a little upset that Ahnon hadn’t completely stopped them from hitting the wall. Kenna looked up at him and rubbed his massive head, “Thank you,” she told him, forcing a smile.

“Long feathers, don’t be discouraged. When Ahnon first did this spell, he hit a tree, breaking his face and arm. I had to carry him home and he still didn’t wake for a day,” Talon informed her.

“Talon, that’s enough,” Ahnon snapped, turning around and looking down the rise.

“I told you that you were running too fast and you needed to get used to the speed,” Talon reminded him.

“Believe me, I know, you remind me often,” Ahnon said as the kids moved over to him slowly. “Concentrate on a slow jog and stay behind me,” Ahnon said, then shot down the hill and across the meadow much faster than a horse.

They both took a deep breath and followed, soon catching up but letting Ahnon lead the way. The other time they had used the spell, snow had covered the ground and they couldn’t really run, but now it seemed they were flying across the ground. Keeping her breathing in a rhythm, Kenna looked over at Jedek to see a grin on his face. “I kinda feel like a real wizard now,” she told him.

“Yes, I have to agree,” he said, jumping a rock and almost flying into a tree that sprouted out at an angle over the trail they were on. Suddenly, Jedek felt something push him down and he passed under the tree. “How did I miss that tree?” he gasped, stumbling before getting his feet back under him.

With a grin, Ahnon led them on a jog for an hour. Then, he moved toward the river and broke into a dead run. Dust flew up into the air till he hit the water and started running upstream. Leaning forward, Kenna and Jedek followed. The world around them just flashed by as they jumped over rocks and small waterfalls, still following Ahnon. Jedek wanted to yell out in joy, but he was gasping for air at this pace with his surcoat flapping in the wind like a cape behind him.

Hearing the heavy breathing behind him, Ahnon ran off the river and stopped at the bank. The two followed, skidding to a halt beside him and leaving grooves in the dirt many times longer than they were tall. They both bent over putting their hands on their knees, gasping for air. “Now that was fairy hair,” Jedek said panting. Standing up, he looked behind them and didn’t see Minos. “We lost Minos,” he informed them.

“He’s coming, but it’ll be a few hours till he gets here,” Ahnon said.

Trying to control her breathing with her hands still on her knees, Kenna looked up at Ahnon. “How far have we gone?” she asked.

“About thirty leagues,” Ahnon answered.

Shocked, Kenna jerked her head up and did a complete back flip, landing on her face. “That is getting old,” she said with her face in the dirt. Slowly getting up, she looked at Ahnon who had a smile on his face. Ignoring the smile, “Ahnon, we haven’t even been gone an hour,” she told him.

“Very good on keeping track of time, Kenna,” Ahnon told her.

“In seven minutes, we’ll have been gone an hour,” Jedek said, straightening up.

“Look at you two,” Ahnon said laughing.

Grinning at the praise from Ahnon, Jedek looked over at Kenna seeing she was okay wiping dirt off her sweat soaked face. “Ahnon, we can tell you how many grains of sand are in each hourglass,” Jedek informed him.

Out of curiosity, Ahnon asked, “How many in the hourglass in the smithy?”

“One hundred forty-seven thousand, eight hundred and twelve,” Kenna replied immediately then spit dirt out of her mouth.

“Well, you are farther than I was in training there. It took me almost two years to follow time in my mind that accurately,” Ahnon told them as he took a drink of water, then passed the flask to Jedek.

Grabbing the flask, Jedek took a drink and passed it to Kenna. Kenna took the flask, but was still staring at Ahnon. “Kenna, yes, we are going fast and you have to get used to it. You must learn to close distance and create distance with your advisory to win a battle,” Ahnon told her. “Movement is your greatest ally in any battle.”

Turning the flask up, Kenna took a drink, never taking her eyes off him. “I now understand what you meant that every spell can kill you. If we hit something going that fast, it can kill us I’m sure,” she said, handing the water flask back.

“You better believe it, Kenna,” Ahnon said, walking to the river and refilling the flask. “I have broken many bones with this spell. When I taught the spell to Michi, we were running along a road in Racor at a much faster pace. As you have figured out, the faster you go the shorter your reaction time is to avoid something. Well, Michi ran into a wagon. He killed both giant woolly oxen and the wagon basically exploded, I think we found like two intact wheels. If I wouldn’t have been there, he would have died as well and still almost did,” Ahnon told them sitting down.

They both stared at him in shock. “You may have noticed we were moving fast, but not as fast as I normally do. Can you tell me why?” he asked, tucking the flask away inside his long coat.

They both thought about it, looking at each other and then back to Ahnon. “You used the same spell?” Jedek asked and Ahnon nodded his head.

Jedek looked at Kenna as he thought about it, then seeing her smile, it hit him. “You used double and half!” they both cried out.

Slapping his thigh, Ahnon laughed. “Yes, every morning after exercises I do double and half,” he told them.

“Every morning?” Jedek asked and Ahnon nodded. “But you had me do one on you at Velham before we left,” Jedek told him.

“What time was it when we left?” Ahnon asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Morning,” Jedek said and a light came on.

Sucking in a breath, Kenna smiled. “Your spell had ended, double and half only lasts a day,” she said, feeling proud of her studies.

“Yes, with double and half you can move faster than people can follow you with their eyes,” Ahnon told them, using his staff to stand up. “When I start training you to run through a forest, you will understand better,” he told them, walking to the tree line.

“We aren’t doing that today, are we?” Kenna asked a little worried.

“No, today we are looking for more spell components and having a test on what plants you have learned,” he told her, making Kenna sigh with relief. She leaned to jog over to Ahnon, then remembered the spell and slowly walked after him. Feeling rambunctious, Jedek threw caution to the wind, out of the corner of her eye, Kenna saw him blur and then stop beside Ahnon, falling in to step with him.

Not liking to be outdone, Kenna took a breath and tried it, slamming into Jedek and knocking both of them to the ground. Jedek picked himself up and looked at Kenna, “You may be little, but that felt like a mastodon hit me,” he told her.

“Sorry,” she said, standing up and feeling bad.

“Don’t be,” he said, smiling at her picking grass out of her hair.

They followed Ahnon through the forest as he pointed out plants and trees for them to identify. Because it was still the end of winter it was very hard, not many plants had green leaves to identify. They both pulled out their books, making sketches and notes as they followed Ahnon.

Jedek stopped, “Ahnon, how come when I break into a run with flash dash I suddenly feel real heavy, but it doesn’t last long?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” Ahnon admitted, turning around. “I think it’s because your blood leaves your head and has to catch up,” he offered.

“Okay, why?” Kenna asked.

Twirling his sword staff in his hand, Ahnon shrugged his shoulder. “Magic,” Ahnon said, turning back around. They looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and followed still making notes. Ahnon stopped by a boulder and pulled out a leather bag. He grabbed some blue moss off of the boulder, filling the bag.

“That’s zenter,” Kenna told him. “It’s used in healing spells,” she added.

“Very good, Kenna,” Ahnon said, tying the full bag off. “Now fill your bags, but don’t take it all,” Ahnon told them. When they had filled their bags, they turned around and saw Ahnon looking up a really tall tree. “Oglat,” Ahnon told them.

“Well, let’s leave him alone,” Jedek whispered, putting his hand on a throwing knife.

Looking up the tree, Ahnon shook his head. “I really want some of his poison. I’m out,” Ahnon told him.

With trepidation, Jedek looked up in the tree and spotted movement close to the top near a large group of branches, and then saw a globe of white light sail toward the movement. Suddenly, he saw gray fur falling toward them and Jedek took several steps back, pulling out the throwing knife. Halfway down, the oglat’s fall quickly slowed. Jedek looked over at Ahnon, seeing him guide the fall with his hand. “Have to admit, will of matter comes in handy,” Jedek mumbled, putting the throwing knife up.

“I know the oglat likes it,” Kenna told him as Ahnon reached out, holding the oglat by the nape of the neck. He walked over and laid the oglat on a large rock and took out a small jar. Using the flat back of a knife, Ahnon ran it down the ugly pink tail. They watched amazed as Ahnon scraped the knife on the lip of the jar to see a thick white gel run down the side of the jar. When the jar was a quarter full, Ahnon put a lid on it and put it in his pack.

Digging further in his pack, he pulled out a large chunk of jerky and then grabbed the oglat, heading back over to the tree. “What are you doing?” Kenna asked.

“Putting him back and giving him some food for the service,” Ahnon told her as he started floating up the tree. When Ahnon reached the top of the tree, he floated back quickly. “Oh, it has a mate up here,” he called down. Jedek and Kenna looked at each other then back at Ahnon as he threw the oglat into the nest at the top of the tree. They heard a high-pitched growl, but then they saw Ahnon throw the meat in and the growling stopped.

“No!” Ahnon yelled. “That’s for him. He is the one that helped me, not you,” he said, pointing into the nest and sending another globe of light in. Ahnon floated further back and the kids heard a very loud scream from the nest. “Hey, I gave you some food for it!” Ahnon shouted and the scream stopped. From the bottom of the tree, the kids could hear the oglat tearing into the meat.

Never taking her eyes from the nest, Kenna grabbed Jedek’s arm. “If that thing comes down here, I’m killing it,” she informed him. “Please don’t think bad of me.”

With his throwing knife back in his hand, Jedek scoffed. “If it moves out of that nest, I’m killing it,” he told her, not caring if Kenna thought bad of him as Ahnon floated back down.

“Man, those things have a temper,” Ahnon said, settling back down on the ground.

“Well, you put a bind on him,” Jedek said with a small shudder.

“I really didn’t want to kill it unless I had to,” Ahnon told Jedek, grabbing his pack. “They just came out of hibernation and most animals are a bit touchy at that time,” he said, walking away and pulling his small pack on.

Moving slowly so she wouldn’t crash, Kenna followed him, but didn’t take her eyes off the tree until they were a good distance away. “Well, look at it from his perspective. You wake up and look outside and someone zaps you, then scrapes your ugly tail. When they are done, they throw you back in your house. I mean, he has a right to be a little mad,” she pointed out.

“What would you have me do then?” Ahnon asked stopping.

“Oh, I would’ve just killed the thing for the poison. But to be honest, I really don’t want to be near it. I’ve read on the oglat and I have to admit, it scares me. That kind of pain just isn’t right. There hasn’t been a recorded case of the pain ever ending,” she told him.

Not liking that reasoning from Kenna, Ahnon took off walking again. “Kenna, think about it this way. If an animal attacks it, they will always remember to leave it and others like it alone,” he told her. “It’s not evil and if you leave it alone, you have nothing to fear from it.”

“Does anything hunt it?” Jedek asked.

“Oh yes, everything has a predator,” Ahnon told him.

“What on Thanos would want to risk it?” Jedek asked.

Clearing her throat, Kenna answered. “Well, cankles are immune to the poison and griffons, along with a few other animals hunt it, but kill it fast and leaving the tail. It’s like a delicacy to them.”

“I would just eat a rat,” Jedek said as they continued through the forest. Ahnon continued the lessons and the kids kept making notes till noon when they sat down for lunch. Minos finally caught up to them.

Panting hard, Minos just collapsed down beside them, “That isn’t fair, running on the wind,” he grumbled as Kenna moved over to him and rubbed his head.

“Hey, Minos, we won,” she told him and Minos let out a groan. Kenna gave him a piece of meat and he quit whining.

They finished eating and continued following Ahnon into the forest. Suddenly, Ahnon came to a stop in front of them and the two moved up to him, stopping on each side of him. The sunlight was streaming through the canopy to the forest floor, making an almost perfect circle in front of them. In the circle of sunlight was a thick layer of deep green grass. Right in the middle of the circle was a beautiful deep black lily about two feet tall.

Reaching out, Kenna let out a gasp before stepping forward and Ahnon threw his arm out to block her. “Don’t,” he told her.

“Ahnon, I haven’t read about a dangerous black lily, and I’ve read all the flower books,” she told him.

Keeping his arm across her body, Ahnon looked down at her. “That doesn’t mean anything, Kenna. Just that no one has seen it,” he told her. “Besides, you haven’t read all the flower books, just the ones I have here.”

“Well, let’s look at it,” she pleaded.

Closing his eyes, Ahnon shook his head. “Kenna, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you,” he told her.

“Ahnon, it’s a beautiful flower,” she told him.

“Yes, it is and they are usually the most deadly,” he said. Kenna stomped her foot, looking at him. “Kenna, look at the area like a warrior,” he told her. Kenna narrowed her eyes then did as he told her. “How much green grass have we seen today?” Ahnon asked.

Thinking about it, Kenna’s temper quickly subsided as Jedek answered, “None.”

“There are a few saplings in that area, but they are dead,” Ahnon pointed out.

“It’s still winter and they just haven’t woke up yet,” Kenna told him.

Starting to not like the lily, Jedek shook his head. “No, I can tell they are dead from here,” he told her, and quietly Kenna agreed.

As Ahnon moved his arm from blocking her, Kenna just stared at the lily. “So, we are just going to leave it and not study it?” she asked.

“No. You two are going to stay here with Minos as I move forward,” Ahnon told her and pulled on his mask. Seeing him do that, the kids did the same as he moved forward into the circle of sunlight. The grass was so green and lush that Ahnon made no noise moving over to the lily. They saw him shake his head, looking at the flower.

Looking like a harbinger of death, shrouded in his black hunter’s outfit, Ahnon turned around to them. “Tell Minos to stay there and not to move near here, it’s deadly,” he told them. “Then, I want both of you to move very slowly up to me.”

Making sure his mask was seated tight, Jedek commanded Minos to stay then they crept up to Ahnon. When they were beside him, Ahnon pointed at the area around the lily. “See the dead insects and animals,” he showed them.

They both looked down at the pile of insects, mice and a squirrel at the base of the lily. “Ahnon-,” Jedek said, wanting to leave the flower alone.

“Watch what I do and don’t move any closer, I really don’t want you to knock me into it,” he told them, putting on his dark colored glasses. Carefully, Ahnon moved closer and knelt next to the lily, studying it. He had to admit, it was beyond beautiful, almost breathtaking. Reaching down, he pulled out a six-inch needle from the top of his boot.

Gently, he rubbed the needle inside the lily, getting a little pollen on it. Looking around on the ground, Ahnon saw a giant beetle the size of his hand crawling through the grass. Lowering the needle over the beetle, he quickly jabbed it in the beetle. Jedek and Kenna heard the small screech from the beetle and watched it suddenly go stiff.

“I don’t like bugs either, Ahnon, but you didn’t have to stab it,” Kenna told him.

Not liking how fast the beetle had died, Ahnon never looked back at her. “I barely broke the skin Kenna. That was only the pollen, as you can guess, it’s poisonous,” he told her as he shoved the needle all the way in the ground. Reaching down to his boot, he pulled another long needle out. This one he gently stuck in the stem of the lily and pulled it back out. The kids gasped, seeing a small red stream of what looked like watery blood coming from the pin hole.

Looking around again, Ahnon spotted a small mouse and leaned over. Kenna and Jedek watched as Ahnon quickly flicked his wrist, sticking the mouse in the tip of his ear with the needle. The mouse just stopped moving and rolled on its side. “Holy troll dung,” Jedek said, taking a step back.

Shoving the needle into the ground, Ahnon nodded his head. “Yeah, that pretty much sums it up,” he agreed, standing up and walking back to them. “Jedek, get the large jar out of your pack,” Ahnon told him, setting his sword staff down.

Taking his pack off, “Why did you bury the needles?” Jedek asked.

“Didn’t want to risk ever getting stuck by them,” Ahnon answered.

“You’re taking some of it?” Kenna yelled, finding that hard to believe.

“Oh absolutely, I want to study this one,” he told her as Jedek handed him the jar. Ahnon grabbed a pair of wooden tongs and a knife. Cutting the lily at the base of the stem, he eased it into the jar and then quickly put the lid back on.

As Ahnon put the jar in his pack, Kenna moved over to him. “Ahnon, what is that smell? It smells like something died,” she asked.

Grabbing his sword staff, Ahnon lifted his head and sniffed through the mask. “Yes, it does,” he said, standing up and putting his pack on. Turning his head, Ahnon traced the smell and followed it.

Looking around the forest, Jedek moved over to him. “For a second, I thought it was the flower,” he told Ahnon.

“Well, so did I and it was really getting me worried,” Ahnon admitted. They moved through the forest for twenty minutes with the smell getting stronger. The closer they got to the smell, the more of the black lilies they saw. Always one in an area of lush green grass. Through the trees, they saw a large field ahead and started moving slower. Before they reached the field, they passed the bones of a massive three-horn. That in itself was enough to worry Ahnon but the skeleton was torn apart, letting him know something had eaten it.

Twenty paces before they entered the field, Ahnon came to a stop and gasped. The field was lush green with the black lilies everywhere, spaced far apart along with the bodies of animals and bones of others. In a quick glance, Ahnon spotted three-horns, deer, negtro stag, elk, and a rock ape. Ahnon turned around and started moving away from the field.

“Kids, stay behind me. We are going to jog away from here,” Ahnon told them. “Don’t take your mask off till we get home and I tell you. Don’t touch any skin what-so-ever,” he added as he broke into a jog.

As the kids broke into a jog, they heard Talon in their mind, “I’m glad you turned around. I haven’t seen anything come out of that field alive.”

“You could’ve warned us,” Ahnon sent back to Talon, making Jedek glad they were now included in their conversations of thought.

“Well, you headed toward it like you wanted to see it. How was I supposed to know?” Talon replied back.

“Oh, like I would want to enter a field of toxic flowers,” Ahnon screamed in their mind.

“It’s not like you haven’t done more idiotic things,” Talon snapped back.

They passed the spot of the first flower and Ahnon looked over his shoulder, “Kids, keep up and let’s kick up some dirt. Minos, let’s race home!” he shouted and broke into a run. Minos, still sitting in the same spot, took off after them.

Pumping his arms, Jedek dropped behind Kenna as she got directly behind Ahnon and both leaned forward. Fear gave them the energy and motivation to keep up with Ahnon as they reached the river and headed downstream. They were halfway home when Ahnon slowed the pace back to a jog and Jedek was really wanting to yank his mask off so he could breathe. Kenna just hoped a jog was fast enough to keep them from sinking into the freezing water.

“Jedek, keep your mind on the task and control your breathing. If you pull your mask off, you stand a good chance of dying. We are covered in that lily’s pollen!” Ahnon shouted over his shoulder and in Jedek’s mind. It took them almost an hour to reach the cottage and Ahnon stopped by the stream flowing past the cottage down the rise to the river.

Steam was rising off the hot water in the cool mountain air. To Jedek’s shock, Ahnon just walked into the water; clothes, pack, gear and all. Ahnon turned around to look at them, “Get in,” he told them as he went under the water, leaving his hat floating on the surface.

Kenna didn’t need to be told twice as she just jumped in. Jedek eased into the hot water and went under. When he broke the surface Ahnon was washing his hat off. Jedek spotted his hat going downstream and jumped at it, grabbing his and Kenna’s hats. Holding his hat under the water, Jedek handed Kenna hers.

When Ahnon took his mask off, Jedek did too. “Why did we just jump in with our clothes and stuff on?” he asked, trying to get water out of his ear.

“To get the pollen off of us and anything else that cursed lily puts in the air,” Ahnon replied, walking out of the stream and heading toward the house. A large shadow passed over them as Talon swooped down and landed by the well as Jedek and Kenna climbed out of the water. They broke into a run, shot past Ahnon and almost ran into Talon before they skidded to a stop.

“That really takes getting used to,” Kenna said as she started stripping off wet clothes.

Ahnon stopped beside her and did the same followed by Jedek. “Talon, how many more fields are like that around here?” Ahnon asked, pulling his boots off.

“None close, but there is another further north but over a hundred leagues, and another to the northwest twice that distance,” Talon told him.

“What do you know about those flowers?” Ahnon asked.

“Nothing,” Talon said as he started to preen his feathers.

Leaving his wet pants on, Ahnon closed his eyes. “Talon, then tell me. What you do know?” Ahnon said slowly.

Talon looked up at him and cocked his head to the side, “You have no right to be mad at me,” Talon said. Ahnon just glared at him, “Don’t look at me like that, I saw that field before winter and noticed several dead deer in it and thought it was going to be an easy meal. Then, I spotted a mangmyr walking into the field and it just fell over dead. I stayed up high and over the day saw a deer run in and the same happened,” Talon told him.

“Something is eating there. I passed a three-horn skeleton that was torn apart,” Ahnon told him.

“Oh something is eating there but only at night, and it has a big appetite,” Talon informed him.

“Have any idea what it is?” Kenna asked, seeing Ahnon starting to count, knowing he was getting mad.

Rotating only his head, Talon turned to her and lowered his head to her, “No, Long Feathers. I was going to find out, but there is a golden griffon around here and they have very poor attitudes. I hate killing griffons because you have to kill a lot of them before they stop,” Talon told her.

“You’ve killed griffons?” Kenna shouted, stepping back.

Shocked at the outburst, Talon lifted his head and straightened up. “Well, yes. When one attacks, I have no choice but to kill it. I tried to talk one out of it, but he just wouldn’t stop,” he told her.

“Kenna, another time,” Ahnon snapped. “Talon, what else can you tell me?”

“There is a herd of hippogriffs to the south, several Pegasus to the east-,” Talon stopped as Ahnon held up his hand.

“About the field. I don’t care if you saw a unicorn,” Ahnon snapped.

“Well, I did spot a unicorn to the north,” Talon told him, stretching out his wings.

“I saw a unicorn on the way to Gratu,” Kenna shouted, jumping up and down.

“Field!” Ahnon shouted, making everyone jump. But for Kenna and Jedek, they flew back twenty paces, landing hard on their backs.

“Ahnon, you don’t have to be rude,” Talon told him. “I have not seen any animal go into those fields and leave them. The one to the northwest is double the size of the field you spotted. I watched a human enter that field, but only made it one step,” Talon told him.

“Any chance you could’ve missed a field close by?” Ahnon asked him.

“Not likely,” Talon snapped back.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Ahnon bent down and started to collect his clothes. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, but I led the kids there and that was stupid on my part,” Ahnon apologized. “Anything else you think I need to know?” he asked.

“Yes. There are two dragons living just to the south of us,” Talon told him.

Rolling his wet clothes in a bundle, Ahnon stood up heading to the door. “Probably a mating pair,” he said.

Talon hopped after him, “Not likely, they are both male and young, by dragon standards,” Talon said, following him inside. They hung up their wet clothes around the cottage and Ahnon started the night lessons early.

It was well past midnight and Ahnon was at the table with them, making notes and drawings of the lily in his plant book. Kenna and Jedek were studying math and watching Ahnon. Jedek cleared his throat to get Ahnon’s attention.

“Ahnon, how come no one has ever noticed that flower before?” he asked.

With a long face, Ahnon looked up. “My guess, we are the first to see it and live,” Ahnon told him gravely.

Kenna stopped writing and put down her flowing well. “Ahnon, the only reason we’re alive is because you put on your mask and we copied you,” she enlightened him.

“That makes us lucky then, doesn’t it?” Ahnon said going back to work.

Having been with Ahnon all his life, Jedek didn’t believe in luck anymore and thought about that for a minute. “No, not really,” he said. “You knew something wasn’t right and took precautions,” he clarified.

Very proud of the reasoning, Ahnon looked up with surprise and then smiled. “Well, look who analyzed the facts,” he said chuckling. Kenna elbowed Jedek smiling, then looked at Ahnon.

“If it’s so deadly, why isn’t it everywhere?” she asked.

Shaking his head, Ahnon put down his flowing well. “Kenna, I know just as much as you do about it. How am I supposed to answer that?” he asked.

Kenna blushed, “I mean, compared to other plants?” she said.

Shrugging his shoulders, “I don’t have anything to compare it to, that’s the problem,” he told her. “This flower lures both herbivore and carnivore. It somehow makes beautiful green grass grow around it while killing other plants. That draws in the grass eaters to kill them and then a carnivore comes along, smelling a free meal and dies with it,” he told her.

“I’m keeping my mask on from now on outside,” Jedek said, laying his head on the table.

“That’s a thought,” Ahnon agreed with him.

“Since we found it, can we name it?” Kenna asked.

“Sure, but I wouldn’t name it with something you like,” Ahnon told her. Kenna looked at him stunned. “Think about it, Kenna. Do you really want something you like to be associated with a flower that kills everything around it?” he asked.

“That’s a good point,” she said, falling back in her chair.

Jedek slapped the table, “That’s it,” he snapped, “death lily!”

Kenna smiled, “I like that,” she said.

Ahnon smiled, “Then that’s what we will record it as,” he said, picking up his writing tool. Then he wrote ‘Death Lily’ across the top of the page with the colored drawing of the lily. “Death lily,” he said, setting his flowing inkwell back down.

Jedek smiled at that. “Ahnon, what are we doing tomorrow and please don’t say going for more death lilies?” he asked.

“No. Tomorrow, we are heading north to find a yew ash to make you two some real bows,” he told them.

“Hey, we are getting pretty good,” Kenna informed him.

“Exactly and it’s time to move to a real bow,” he told her.

Chapter 3

When the first sun crested over the horizon Ahnon gathered the equipment they would need, then the three left heading north. Watching the second sun start to peek over the mountains, Jedek was walking beside Kenna with Ahnon leading the way. Jedek looked around as they walked, watching the animals run through the forest.

Feeling perky, Kenna looked over at Jedek and smiled. “I’m still not used to this sleeping every sixth day,” she told him as he watched a group of stags run through the forest.

“Hey, I like that keck tea,” Jedek told her.

“Oh I like it, but it feels weird just to study all night and then practice all day,” she told him smiling.

Jedek patted her shoulder and fought the urge to run his gloved fingers through her hair. “Well, you have to admit, we are learning a lot,” he pointed out.

Smiling at the pat, Kenna nodded. “That’s for sure. Sometimes I think my head is going to blow up with all the stuff we’re learning,” she admitted.

Suddenly, a thought hit Jedek. “Ahnon, in the bhari academy, did you have to stay awake for six days?” he asked. Ahnon said something but Jedek didn’t hear it, so he ran up beside him with Kenna. “What?” he asked.

“No. The standard was three days, and we could only have keck for the first two,” Ahnon repeated.

Jedek stumbled in his step. “Man, that had to be tough,” he said.

“Yes, it was, but it let you know how far you could push your body,” Ahnon told him.

Thinking about it, Kenna nodded in wonder and then asked, “Ahnon, why aren’t we running?”

Ducking down, Ahnon pushed some branches out of his way. “You two have to carry a tree back,” he told her.

“A whole tree?!” Kenna shouted.

“Yes, the whole tree. We will use all of it,” Ahnon told her, laughing at her reaction.

“Why not just get what we need?” Jedek asked.

Holding the branches so they wouldn’t swing back and hit the kids, Ahnon looked down at Jedek as they walked through. “Jedek, don’t ever waste. If you can use it, do it. Yew ash is rare but the tree we want will also be very old, making it even rarer,” Ahnon told him, letting the limbs go and walking on.

“What’s so special about yew ash? There are ash trees everywhere around here,” Kenna asked.

“Yew ash grows very slowly,” Ahnon told her and pointed over at a tree. The trunk rose straight out of the ground for six feet, then erupted in branches. “That is a young yew ash. It’s around three hundred years old,” Ahnon told her. “The one we will want, the trunk will be close to eight feet tall,” Ahnon informed her.

“How old will that one be?” she asked.

“Around a thousand,” Ahnon told her. “For a yew ash to live that long is rare due to nature, but they do,” Ahnon added.

Looking at the tree, Kenna thought about that. “And we are going to cut it down after living that long?” she asked, feeling bad about it.

“Yes, it serves a purpose and like the other trees we cut down, we will replant the seeds so it can regrow,” Ahnon told her.

“I like that,” Jedek said.

Feeling immense pride, Ahnon reached out putting his hand on each of their shoulders. With his staff in his left hand, Ahnon tapped Jedek on the side of the head. Loving the gesture of Ahnon’s love and care for them, Jedek winced but didn’t say anything. “If you just take and don’t replenish there will be an end, but to not take and use is just as bad,” Ahnon told them.

“I don’t understand,” Jedek said after thinking about it.

“If we don’t cut down a few trees, the underbrush doesn’t get light and new trees can’t grow,” Ahnon told him.

Jedek nodded at the answer as Kenna asked, “You learned that in the academy?”

Stopping as he laughed, “Not really, but they do teach to live in harmony. It was from Esta, that I learned that from,” Ahnon said then started off again. As they walked, Ahnon started pointing out plants and asking for the name. The kids were averaging six out of seven which made Ahnon happy with their progress. Since they all had the double and half spell on they moved at a much faster pace, even though they were walking.

It was close to noon and Ahnon was answering questions when he noticed a funny shaped tree. Feeling his heart skip a beat, Ahnon paused in his step but didn’t stop. He looked around and noticed several other funny shaped trees. “Ahnon, there are a lot of trees here that are hollow,” Kenna said, looking around them at many trees with an opening hollow at the bottom and a buzzing noise in the background.

Ahnon’s eye’s darted around but he appeared calm. “Yes, it’s normal,” he told her.

Feeling that something was not right, Jedek looked around them. “The forest here it-,” he paused thinking, “is beautiful and uniform,” he said, looking at the bushes around them. Hearing a buzzing noise Jedek looked around, but didn’t see anything causing it. The grass around the trees was just starting to turn green and there were even some flowers budding. He looked up at Ahnon and saw Ahnon’s eyes darting around. “Should we be worried?” he asked.

Barely shaking his head, Ahnon never broke stride. “No, but don’t hurt anything,” he said, making Jedek nervous.

Kenna grabbed Ahnon’s hand and tried to stop but Ahnon pulled her, making her keep up. “Ahnon, what’s that buzzing? It doesn’t sound like lecka wasp but it sounds similar,” she told him.

“Fairies,” Ahnon told her in a low voice.

In wondrous joy, Kenna gasped smiling and spun her head around, looking for them. “Ahnon, I can’t see them,” she whispered desperately.

“You can’t, till they want you to,” Ahnon replied, keeping a steady pace and wanting to get out of there. Jedek could sense the tension in Ahnon and it was making him nervous. Unconsciously, he moved his hand to his sword, “Jedek, don’t put your hand there,” Ahnon told him and Jedek dropped his hand to his side.

“Are we going to be okay?” Jedek asked more than a little worried.

“Don’t know yet,” Ahnon answered truthfully.

“Are they that dangerous?” Jedek asked, looking around and hearing the buzzing now all around them. He kept feeling wind on his cheeks like a bird flew by, but saw nothing.

“Jedek, just because we can’t see them doesn’t mean they can’t see and hear us. Don’t be rude,” Ahnon said with steel in his voice.

Out of nowhere, a small flash of light blinked in front of them. With his hands on the kids’ shoulders Ahnon froze, forcing them to stop. He squeezed their shoulders, letting them know to stay still. Hovering barely an arm’s reach in front of Ahnon was a small female human-like creature. Then, Jedek realized she was hovering and was using the wings on her back to do it.

Kenna gasped. The small figure was no taller than six inches and appeared fragile yet beautiful. “A fairy,” Kenna said in a dreamy voice. The fairy had dark red flowing hair and had a leaf wrapped around her, forming a crude dress with a blade of grass tied around her waist like a belt. Kenna tried to move closer, but Ahnon held her in place. “Ahnon, it’s a fairy,” she said, pointing at the fairy.

“Yes, it is, Kenna,” Ahnon told her, never taking his eyes off the beautiful fairy. He bowed his head to the fairy, taking his eyes off for a second, “We mean you no harm and are just passing through,” Ahnon told her.

“You are bringing axes and saws into our land with a whole valley of trees,” the fairy said sternly. Jedek was shocked at the little voice but could hear it just fine and like the fairy, even the voice was beautiful.

“I was under the impression that your tribe was to the south and we have avoided that area on purpose for that reason. We will not hurt any trees in your home area,” Ahnon told her.

“So, you have come to cut down trees?” the little fairy said, crossing her arms.

“Just one and we are going to replant its seeds. Please don’t be mad,” Kenna almost shouted. “And please don’t go away,” she begged.

The fairy smiled at her and flew over in front of Kenna. “You are wise, young one,” she said smiling. Kenna sighed, looking at the little fairy leaning her head to the side. Kenna could feel the air from the wings brushing across her face. Looking in the fairy’s face, Kenna noticed she had deep green eyes and her tiny ears were pointed. Unable to talk in words, Kenna started mumbling. The fairy smiled at her and flew closer, brushing her hand across Kenna’s cheek.

Faster than Ahnon could follow with his eyes, the fairy darted a foot in front of his face. “Your young one knows some of the laws of the Fae,” the fairy said, tilting her head forward in a slight bow to Ahnon in respect. Kenna tried to reach out and touch the fairy, but Ahnon grabbed her hand and put it back down.

“I am trying to teach them correctly,” Ahnon replied as the fairy darted to Jedek, hovering in front of him.

“What kind of tree are you after?” she asked Jedek.

“An old yew tree,” Jedek replied, mesmerized by the beauty of the fairy. Ahnon groaned on the inside, but kept his face and body relaxed, as the fairy darted back over to him. She pointed her hand at him, touching the tip of his nose.

“A yew ash? I guess you want to sell it,” she snapped and he could see the air around her turning red.

Forcing himself to keep calm, Ahnon cleared his throat. “Hardly, my lady. We are going to make the young ones bows worthy to use. Every piece of the tree will be put to use. We will find a yew tree close to the end of its life cycle and cut it down. From the branches, we will replant its seeds so it may live on,” he told her with a bead of sweat running down his forehead. Looking at the fairy that close to him, Ahnon’s eyes looked crossed.

The fairy flew back a foot in shock at the answer and the aura of red disappeared from around her. “Astonishing,” she said, looking at Ahnon. With her mouth hanging open, Kenna tried to reach out again to touch the fairy, only to have Ahnon push her hand back down.

“Use what nature provides, but replace it so nature can continue,” Ahnon recited the witchcraft lore.

The air around the fairy glowed a faint white, “Truly amazing,” she said, then noticed Ahnon push Kenna’s hand down yet again. “What does she want?” the fairy asked, looking at Kenna.

Not really wanting to answer, Ahnon sighed. “She wants to touch you, to see if you’re real,” Ahnon replied, hoping he didn’t make her mad.

“Really?” the fairy asked, hovering back in disbelief.

Praying a fight wasn’t coming, Ahnon nodded his head. “Yes, my lady,” he admitted, hoping for the best.

The fairy darted over to Kenna, “Hold out your hand, little one,” the fairy told her. Kenna shook her wrist out of Ahnon’s grasp, yanked off her glove and held up her palm. The fairy hovered over and landed on her palm. “See? I’m real,” the fairy told her.

Tears of joy slid out of Kenna’s eyes. “You’re so beautiful,” Kenna whispered as the fairy’s clear wings laid down on her back.

The fairy looked up at Ahnon, “I like her,” she told Ahnon, then looked back at Kenna. “Thank you,” the fairy paused not knowing her name. Kenna just smiled spellbound, staring at the fairy in her hand.

Ahnon smiled at the look on Kenna’s face. “My lady, her name is Kenna,” Ahnon said. “He is Jedek and I’m Ahnon,” he said, motioning to each of them. The fairy walked around on Kenna’s hand, looking up at Ahnon.

She curtsied to Kenna, then to Ahnon and Jedek, “I’m Rosea,” she said.

“I’m delighted,” Ahnon said, bowing back.

“This is so fairy hair,” Kenna said, looking at Rosea. Rosea reached up, touching her own hair and looked at Ahnon.

He shrugged his shoulders. “The kids say that meaning it’s the best thing ever,” Ahnon told her.

With a wide smile on her face, Rosea’s wings sprang up. “I can speak for us all, that we are honored,” she told Ahnon. Rosea flew off Kenna’s hand, up to her face, and kissed her cheek. “I have never met humans like you before,” Rosea said, coming to a hover in front of them again.

“You have met many humans?” Ahnon asked, starting to relax.

Shrugging her little shoulders, “A few and most are terrified or want to capture us,” Rosea told him.

Not able to help it, Ahnon chuckled at the thought of a human against a fairy. “Capture a fairy,” he said. “Not doubting you, but are you sure?” he asked.

“Quite sure,” Rosea said, crossing her arms over her chest.

That stunned Ahnon to the core and he dropped his hands off the kids’ shoulders. “I’m sorry for doubting you but let me assure you, that is not our goal and if we see any human or other creature of Thanos attempting it, we will bury them in this valley with or without your permission,” Ahnon told her and then bowed deeply to Rosea, sealing the vow.

Rosea jumped back in the air with the vow. “Rosea,” Jedek said. “We swear, if anything human or not, tries to hurt you or your tribe's woods, they will not see the suns rise another day,” he promised and Kenna nodded in agreement. Jedek just wondered how humans could capture what they couldn’t see and why they would want to.

“My, such vows from such young ones,” Rosea said, looking at Jedek and Kenna. She looked up at Ahnon. “I know of such a yew ash that you seek, follow me,” she said and flew off at a slow pace. Ahnon grabbed Kenna as she was about to break into a run.

“Don’t run,” he told her, guiding her into a walk. “We are in their village and there are some on the ground,” he told her. With wide eyes, Kenna looked down at the ground gasping. “They don’t want you to see them, Kenna,” Ahnon told her, leading her by the shoulder to follow Rosea.

“I don’t want to step on one!” Kenna cried out in a screech.

“Then don’t run,” Ahnon told her. Kenna looked around and could see the grass moving like something was there.

“Are you sure? If I step on one I’m going to die of grief, right here and now!” Kenna moaned as she started to tip toe through the area, wishing she could levitate.

Seeing the worry, Rosea flew back to Kenna. “Don’t worry, they will move out of the way. But Ahnon is right, don’t run. There are children,” she told Kenna.

“Baby fairies!” Kenna screeched, looking down at the ground and stopping. “Please move so I don’t step on you, pretty please,” Kenna moaned and was about to ask Ahnon to make her hover.

Suddenly, Rosea flew over to Kenna’s face. “They are moving, don’t worry,” she assured Kenna, seeing that Kenna was very distraught.

“I’m staying right here till you tell me they’ve made me a path so I don’t accidentally hurt one. I’ve wanted to see fairies my whole life and if I hurt one I would die, especially a baby,” Kenna predicted with an anxious face. From the anxiety he felt from Kenna, Ahnon was starting to believe her.

Rosea turned around facing the area in front of Kenna and waved her hand across her body. “See? They made us a path,” she told Kenna. Kenna stood petrified, as did Ahnon and Jedek. The area was packed with fairies, way more than one could count in several days. They could see small infants being held, children fairies running on the ground and jumping into the air, flying a short distance, landing, and then doing it again.

In total bliss, Kenna saw a group fly up to her face and unlike Rosea, these fairies had butterfly wings and were half the size of Rosea. Looking over at Ahnon, Kenna saw him staring at a group of boy fairies holding spears off to the side. The one thing that stood out was they were all beautiful. Only a few of the adult fairies had clothes or leaves tied around them. Kenna noticed the rest weren’t wearing anything, making Jedek blush deep red.

Rosea waved her hand and the scene disappeared, but Kenna could still hear the buzzing and see the grass moving. “See, Kenna, you won’t hurt any as long as you move slowly,” Rosea told Kenna, hoping that Kenna would calm down.

Slowly, Kenna nodded then Rosea flew off, leading them away from the area. Jedek looked over at Ahnon, saying a silent prayer to all the gods that they didn’t step on one, “That’s a fairy village? More like a city,” he asked.

Ahnon shrugged his shoulders, “I’ve been close to one before and the only reason I knew it was there was that Esta, the witch who taught me, told me. One of the fairies did that for me so I could see it,” Ahnon admitted. “The one I saw was nowhere near this big,” he said, looking around. This fairy community covered many acres and that was only what they could see from the spot they were standing in.

Feeling enlightened, Kenna grabbed Ahnon’s hand. “The ones with butterfly wings, were they fairy kids?” she asked.

“You’ve studied fairies,” Ahnon said.

Wanting a straight answer for once, Kenna almost stomped her foot then thought better of it, since they were still in the village. “Ahnon, you have over thirty books on fairies and I’ve only read two,” she pouted.

Giving her a smile, Ahnon looked up to make sure they were still following Rosea. “The ones with butterfly wings were nixies. They help the fairies take care of the forest. I was told each group of nixies takes care of a specific plant and you could tell by the wings. Since I’ve seen fewer nixes than fairies, I can’t say for sure,” Ahnon told her.

Hearing the discussion, Rosea flew back closer to them and turned around, flying backward. “You know a lot of fairies,” she said, looking at Ahnon.

“I’ve only read what others have found out,” Ahnon told her.

Thinking for a second, Rosea smiled at him. “What is our mortal enemy?” she asked.

“Hobgoblin,” he answered.

“I hate hobgoblins,” Kenna snapped, then looked up at Ahnon. “What is that?” she asked in a whisper.

Putting a hand on Kenna’s shoulder Ahnon chuckled. “You remember the goblin with the humans who attacked us?” he asked. Kenna nodded her head as a shiver ran through her body, remembering the green goblin. “A hobgoblin looks a lot like him, but only a foot or two tall,” he told her.

“Why do they want to hurt the fairies?” Jedek asked.

Shrugging his shoulders with a blank face, “I don’t know,” Ahnon told him. “I’ve only spoken to one hobgoblin,” he admitted.

Flying in front of them at a slow pace, Rosea stopped and spun around, “You spoke to one of the evil spawn?” she demanded.

Letting out a sigh, Ahnon nodded his head. “Yes, the little demon tried to hurt Talon when he was still in his egg,” he told her.

Furrowing her little brow, “Talon?” Rosea asked.

“My ahus̆-roc,” he informed her.

“He’s yours,” Rosea asked with her face lighting up. “We’ve seen him flying around and were overjoyed to finally see one in this valley again,” she said, still flying backward and leading them through the tribe’s area.

“He’s my familiar,” Ahnon admitted smiling.

“A very noble one at that,” Rosea said turning back around. “I’m glad we didn’t hurt you then,” she said, leading them out of the area.

Ahnon sighed with relief as Jedek asked, “What did you do to the hobgoblin?”

“He was Talon’s first meal,” Ahnon answered with a grin.

Seeing the grass still moving, Kenna looked around. “There is a whole other world around us that we can’t even see,” she said.

“That’s right Kenna. We were honored today for a Fae to allow us to see their world, even if only for a few minutes,” Ahnon told her.

“Rosea, thank you so much, that was worth everything,” Kenna called out to her.

Rosea spun around and flew beside Kenna, “You are very welcome, Kenna. It was my pleasure,” she told her.

“I want to be as pretty as the fairies,” Kenna said looking down.

Rosea flew over and landed on her shoulder. Moving Kenna’s hair out of the way, she sat down on Kenna’s shoulder. “You are very beautiful, Kenna. We have been watching all of you since you came into the valley. Many in the tribe have said that,” Rosea told her.

Realizing fairies have been close, Kenna let out a gasp. “You’ve been watching?” she asked but didn’t turn her head, afraid Rosea would leave.

“Yes, but only in passing. We wanted to know what you were doing. Especially after you seemed to befriend some of the exiled ones,” Rosea told her.

“Rosea, believe me, Gwen and Shamus didn’t start out as friends. Ahnon convinced them we weren’t after their gold,” Kenna assured her.

“Well, after some of our scouts and nixies told the queen that the exiled ones kept visiting you and filling those bins with certain kinds of rocks, we started watching closer. None have ever heard of that happening before,” Rosea told her.

“It’s kind of like they are our friends now, but we won’t be if that makes you mad,” Kenna offered.

Patting Kenna’s cheek, Rosea let out a laugh and it was the prettiest sound they had ever heard. “No, Kenna. We would never want that, but leprechauns were banished for wanting to take from the land. We were worried they would show you how to get the gold and then take it from you,” Rosea told her.

“Gold is that important to them?” Jedek asked, eavesdropping on the conversation.

“Oh, yes! To them, it is everything. The queen told me she has never heard of any leprechaun befriending a human just for friendship,” Rosea said with a hint of suspicion.

“Well, I trapped them in their own etiquette,” Ahnon told her.

“Ew, that was smart,” Rosea replied impressed. “Then we started to see them running around the mountains dressed in green,” she said, clearly confused.

Kenna let out a laugh. “Well, they came over on Eve of Divine Tribute. Ahnon said they were trying to get out of debt, but he offered them clothes as gifts. They really liked them and have come back several times just to talk,” Kenna told her.

“Well, I can tell you that we haven’t seen a leprechaun that doesn’t have on an outfit like them since,” Rosea said with a small sigh. “It’s not much further,” she said, flying off Kenna’s shoulder making Kenna sad. Rosea stopped and pointed over a small rise, “There is an ancient yew tree over that rise,” she said, flying back to Kenna and sitting back on her shoulder.

Hardly feeling any weight, Kenna beamed with a smile as Rosea sat back on her shoulder. Ahnon looked down at Kenna’s hand holding his. ‘Yeah, I bet she can wrap a fairy around her pinkie’ he thought, following Rosea’s direction as Kenna and Rosea talked.

When they crested the hill, Ahnon spotted the yew tree sitting on top of a small rise in a glade. Its trunk was an easy twenty feet tall, “Wow,” was all Ahnon could say, freezing in his tracks.

Confused, Rosea flew off Kenna’s shoulder and over to Ahnon. “What? You said ancient, and we are having trouble getting him to revive each spring,” she told him, pointing at the massive yew tree.

Taking his eyes off the massive tree, Ahnon looked at the small fairy. “No, it’s just that I’ve never seen one that big,” he admitted. “The largest I’ve seen had a trunk nine feet tall. I’ve heard of ten, but,” he added, looking back at the tree.

“Well, there are bigger ones around, but they are still growing strong,” Rosea told him, narrowing her eyes with suspicion.

“Oh, this one is perfect, if it’s having trouble coming back each spring,” Ahnon told her, walking past her and heading to the tree.

Pleased with his response, Rosea smiled watching him as Jedek trotted to catch up to Ahnon. “You’re coming too, aren’t you?” Kenna asked with pleading eyes.

Clearly excited, Rosea flew over and landed back on her shoulder. “Yes, if you don’t mind, Kenna,” she told her. Kenna ran after the two, glancing out of the corner of her eye to make sure Rosea wasn’t going to fall off. To her shock, Rosea was barely moving on her shoulder as she ran seemingly stuck in place.

They all stopped at the tree and looked up. The straight trunk was only twenty feet tall, but the branches reached up another fifty and spread wide, shading the better part of an acre. Rosea flew off Kenna’s shoulder and put her tiny hand on the bark, “Your purpose is here, old friend,” she said.

Jedek could almost feel the tree sigh with relief. He shook the thought from his mind and looked over at Ahnon who was taking off his axe. Ahnon walked over, “You will live long,” he said, putting his hand on the trunk.

“Ahnon, how can it live long if we chop it down?” Jedek asked confused.

“Wood lives until decay,” he answered, looking at the massive diameter.

Jedek took a step back, “We burned some trees,” he whispered.

“Yes, and replanted, they served a purpose,” Ahnon said, taking off his surcoat, mask, and hat. Jedek copied him but Kenna stood still, not wanting to move, afraid Rosea would fly away. Slowly, Jedek walked around the trunk and confirmed it was massive. Not even Ahnon could reach a quarter of the way around it. Ahnon raised back the axe and started swinging, taking a deep bite out of the tree just a few inches above the ground. “Step back,” he told them.

Very relieved, Jedek grinned. He was scared they were going to use nothing but axes to chop down the tree. Kneeling down beside the tree, Ahnon pointed at the bite missing from the wood and slowly moved his hand. Along the trunk a thin cut appeared, following Ahnon’s hand. “Cutting hand,” Jedek mumbled the name of the spell.

When the cut reached the other side of the tree, it fell toward the cut Ahnon had made with the axe, crashing to the ground. “Grab your axe and make a cut at every branch at the base of the main trunk. Then, you can chop it off with magic,” Ahnon told them.

Taking her pack off, Kenna moved over with Jedek and started chopping. Not wanting Rosea to leave, Kenna kept talking to her, just making small talk. To Ahnon, Kenna was working on another wrap for her little finger. As they chopped off the branches, Jedek was surprised to see how most ran straight for yards. No sooner than they would chop a branch off, Ahnon would pull it out of the way. He would take his axe, knocking  all the small branches off the main ones and even these were straight.

Not knowing what Ahnon was doing, Jedek went back to work, listening to Kenna and Rosea talk. It only took them a little more than an hour. Jedek knew just how long an hour was thanks to the hourglasses at home. He stood up stretching his back and saw Ahnon had two massive piles of straight branches stacked together and was tying ropes around each pile.

When he finished, Ahnon bent down to pick up several nuts from the tree. He held out his hand about chest high with his palm to the ground looking at the ground. Jedek and Kenna watched as Ahnon lowered his hand and a small circle of earth was pushed down. Dropping two of the nuts in the hole, Ahnon did it three more times, then walked to each hole and poured in some water from the water skin. Reaching in his pouch, he put a pinch of powder in each hole, then held out his hand with his fingers extended and then closed them in a fist.

Jedek grinned, watching the holes close up. Rosea flew off Kenna’s shoulder and hovered over one of the closed holes. Watching the grass under Rosea wave from her beating wings as she held out her hand, Jedek watched a small sprout ease out of the dirt. Then she moved to the others, making a sprout appear in the dirt. “Your offspring, great tree,” Rosea said smiling, then flew over to Ahnon.

“I have to say, I’m truly impressed by you and yours,” she told him.

Thankful he had pleased Rosea, Ahnon lowered his head. “Thank you, Rosea, for showing us a tree worthy of selecting,” he replied.

In a panic, Kenna ran over to stand beside Ahnon. “Rosea, you will come and visit?” she more begged than asked. “I mean like, I can see you when you visit,” Kenna added quickly with an anxious expression.

Wearing a big smile, Rosea flew over and moved a long blonde curl off of Kenna’s face. “I would be honored to visit you, Kenna,” she told her. Jedek was watching Ahnon out of the corner of his eye and noticed he was smiling at Kenna, but Ahnon’s breathing had become rapid. Rosea eased away from Kenna and hovered in front of Ahnon. “You don’t mind, do you?” she asked.

“Of course not, anytime you want. You and yours will always be welcome at our home,” Ahnon replied.

Clearly excited, Rosea clapped her tiny hands. “We will be over soon then,” she said. Ahnon kept the smile, but Jedek could almost see the color drain from his face. “Bye,” Rosea said and shot off back into the forest.

Reaching in his bag, Ahnon threw dust at the log and the two stacked piles of branches, speaking magic. Then he looked at Kenna and Jedek, hitting each with a pinch of powder, “We have to hurry,” Ahnon said, moving over to the log and lifting it up to sit it on his shoulder. Jedek felt the ‘Agile dash’ rush his system when the powder hit his chest.

In shock, Kenna looked at the stack of branches. “They are kind of big,” she pointed out. “One pile wouldn’t fit in the wagon.”

“Kenna, just pick one up and come on, we don’t have much time,” Ahnon snapped, making Kenna run over to the closest stack. She hit the stack forgetting what Ahnon had cast on her, pole vaulting end over end. “Troll buggers!” she screamed, coming to a stop and landing on her back. She flipped up off her back, landed on her feet, and moved over to the pile.

Taking a deep breath, Jedek moved over and tightened up his muscles as he lifted. The pile flew up in the air, astonishing Jedek. He was sure if he wouldn’t have held on tight the stack would’ve flown miles. It didn’t weigh anything, but was still bulky. If anyone would have walked up at that moment as Kenna picked up the other stack, they probably would’ve died.

Watching them, Ahnon had the massive twenty-foot trunk on his shoulder, that should’ve weighed more than the massive wagon did filled with iron rock. Jedek and Kenna had stacks of limbs on their shoulders and each should have weighed half as much as the trunk. “We are heading to the river and running home full speed, but please be careful,” Ahnon begged.

“What is it Ahnon?” Jedek asked, but Ahnon just blurred away. “Snot!” Jedek shouted and followed. Running was bad enough, but carrying a bundle of branches that could have filled the back of a wagon several times over was a challenge. They may not have weighed anything but they took up space and grabbed every limb and bush that they passed.

Pushing his legs hard, Jedek stuck close to Ahnon, watching him maneuver the trunk through the forest and again, Ahnon impressed him. When they reached the river, Ahnon turned south and turned on the speed. Jedek’s hat flew off and the cinch was choking him as the hat flopped in the wind behind his head.

Behind Jedek, Kenna was having trouble holding onto the stack as the wind tried to rip it from her grasp. Seeing Ahnon jump, Kenna looked down to see the small waterfall. Jumping up, she reached over with her other hand, grabbing the stack of branches so they wouldn’t fly away. Before she hit the water she started running and shot down the river, bringing up the rear.

It seemed like they had only been running for a few minutes when they saw Ahnon fly off the river and noticed the small rise. They followed and were soon standing beside Ahnon in front of the cottage. Ahnon threw the log over to the side of the house, “Put the stacks there,” he said and shot inside.

With the stacks put up, they followed him. Inside, Ahnon was just a blur moving around the stove and house. “Ahnon, what is it?” Jedek asked and Ahnon stopped in front of him.

“You two, help get this place clean, then straighten up in the yard,” he said and blurred away. Afraid to ask, the two blurred cleaning the house. Talon watched from his perch as the three blurred around cleaning in a frenzy.  Minos just stayed frozen in one place because Jedek ran over him once when he moved.

When the house and yard were clean, Ahnon rushed them in the shower one at a time as he laid out clean clothes. Even though Kenna was a lady, he put out britches, a tunic, and new boots. When the kids finished dressing they stood frozen beside Minos, watching Ahnon fly around the cottage and in and out the front doors. Hearing the shower start, they both ran outside to see the outside table set with food.

Moving over, they saw meat, fish, and vegetables but also, nuts and berries in bowls spread across the table. It looked like Ahnon was throwing a banquet. They looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Feeling the wind blow by them, they looked back at the table to see a bottle of wine and a pitcher of tea and water. “I hope that’s not keck,” Kenna said, looking at the pitcher of tea.

“I won’t sleep for a year,” Jedek anticipated. Suddenly, Jedek felt a brush running through his hair, then his mouth propped open and a mouth brush ran across his teeth. Before he could even say anything or move, Ahnon was finished. Turning to look at Kenna, Jedek saw her hair almost floating and her mouth popped open, then closed. What astonished Jedek was that he never saw Ahnon, just a blur around her.

Spitting out the mouth paste, Kenna looked at Jedek with a slightly worried expression. “I don’t like this,” she informed him.

“He has to have a good reason,” Jedek replied and Ahnon suddenly appeared in front of them.

“They will be here soon. Now, remember to mind your manners and only speak when spoken to,” Ahnon told them, smoothing down his tunic. Talon hopped out the door and jumped up on the hitching rail for the horses. Minos poked his head out. Not seeing a blur moving around, he ran over and lay down beside Jedek.

Kenna stomped her foot, “Who?” she shouted.

Startled from the outburst Ahnon jumped back in shock, almost falling down ten feet away. “The fairies,” he said, slowly like she was crazy. Kenna’s face lost all expression upon hearing that.

“Ahnon, are you sure?” Jedek asked.

Visibly worried, Ahnon blurred over to them. “You were there, Jedek, ‘We will be over soon’,” Ahnon said.

Hearing that, Jedek smiled. “Well, I like the idea of fairies coming to visit,” he admitted.

With a small scowl, Ahnon looked at him. “I do too, but I want us to make a good impression. Esta said they came to visit her, but never when I was there. We always went to them,” Ahnon told him as he straightened Jedek’s clothes. Then he looked down at Minos, “We should’ve washed the dog,” he said.

“Dog? Where?” Minos said, sitting up on his haunches.

Jedek reached out his arm and petted Minos. “He’s fine, Ahnon,” he said. “Why do fairies bother you so much?” Jedek asked.

“You have to ask?” Ahnon almost shouted.

Blinking his eyes rapidly, Jedek made a funny face not understanding. “Well, yes, I do,” he said.

“Jedek, you have seen how powerful they are. Did you hear Rosea say magic words to let us see her world or to make the trees grow?” he asked.

“Well, no,” Jedek admitted.

“Fae don’t have to. They think it to make it happen. Dragons can only do that with a few spells,” Ahnon informed him.

Jedek stumbled back, “Whoa!” he shouted.

“Exactly,” Ahnon said, moving over and standing between them. Then, he turned them to face north.

Not liking the fact that something worried Ahnon, Kenna looked up at him. “If they are so powerful, why do they worry about hobgoblins?” she asked.

Ahnon shook his head. “Kenna, no matter how powerful they are or anything else, they can still be gotten,” he told her. “Hobgoblins move fast and fairies get tired,” he said, looking down at her.

“They’re so pretty,” she whined.

“Kenna, that doesn’t mean much to many creatures, even humans,” he told her before looking back up.

“Why?” she asked.

“Later Kenna,” Ahnon said, looking off to the north.

“The little light people are coming,” Talon said behind them.

Jedek looked up Ahnon, “He can see them?” he asked.

“Yes, and I’m sure Minos can as well, but I don’t know why. Most domesticated animals can’t,” Ahnon said, pulling the two closer to his sides. Jedek looked to the north and noticed several lights coming through the trees below the rise that the cottage was sitting on.

There were over a dozen lights now moving up the rise. All of them were white, but each had a different hue around it. The one in the center was the biggest and had a gold hue. Beside it was another with a red hue and it suddenly sped up, coming closer. When the light stopped, Jedek saw it was Rosea.

Hovering, she stopped and brushed her red hair back with a smile looking around. “You were expecting us?” she asked.

“Yes,” Ahnon said, taking his eyes off her as the larger light got closer. The kids heard Ahnon suck in his breath through his teeth.

The kids looked up at him and suddenly got worried, noticing Ahnon was very pale. Looking back, they saw the golden light stop beside Rosea. As the light faded away, it left a fairy twice as big as Rosea. She had long golden blonde hair stirring in the air as her wings beat, making it look like the long golden hair was floating around her in a halo. Like Rosea, she had a leaf tied around her with a blade of grass, just a bigger leaf.

Unable to help it, Kenna dropped down to her knees on seeing the beautiful fairy. She thought Rosea was beautiful but this new big fairy, at twelve inches, just took her breath away. If she would have noticed, Jedek dropped down on the other side of Ahnon, mesmerized by the large fairy as well. Even Ahnon had lost the power of speech looking at the beautiful fairy.

Lowering her hover, Rosea flew over to Kenna. “May I introduce Queen Orrla,” she said, waving her hand back to the big fairy.

Queen Orrla flew over gracefully, stopping beside Rosea. Ahnon had traveled the world many times and had never seen anything so breathtaking in his life. Forgetting how to speak, Ahnon just fell down to his knees. Queen Orrla laughed at them and glided down, reaching a hand out to touch Ahnon’s cheek. “We are not that formal among the Fae,” she told him smiling.

“I’m Ahnon,” he got out as he stood back up and introduced the kids while helping them up. Seeing a small hand reach up, Ahnon grabbed Kenna’s hand pulling it back down as she reached to touch Orrla. “Kenna, please,” Ahnon whispered.

“Ahnon,” Kenna whined as if that explained everything, but never took her eyes off Orrla.

Orrla let out a soft laugh and floated over to Kenna. Kenna’s hair moved in the wind from Orrla’s wings. “Hold out your hand, Kenna. I’m real,” Orrla told her. Kenna lifted up her hand and Orrla landed in her palm. As Orrla’s wings folded down to her back, they noticed her wings had a golden hue where Rosea’s were clear. Standing in Kenna’s palm, Orrla looked over at Jedek and Ahnon.

“Rosea has told me much about you. I’m glad you accepted to let us visit,” she said, looking at Ahnon.

“Any of you can stop by anytime,” Ahnon told her, not wanting to blink.

“That’s very kind of you, Ahnon,” Orrla told him. Her voice was gentle but firm coming from such a little form and like Rosea, they had no trouble hearing her. Orrla looked over at the table, “Did we interrupt your supper?” she asked startled.

“Waited on you,” Ahnon stuttered out, following her every move across Kenna’s hand.

With a smile, Orrla raised her wings and flew over to Ahnon. “We are doubly grateful then that you prepared a meal to welcome us,” she said, floating down to his hand. Reaching over, he felt her minuscule hand grab his and guide him over to the table.

“I hope you like it,” Ahnon said finally taking his eyes off her and looking down at the table. Unable to resist, he locked Orrla back in his gaze.

Rosea guided Kenna and Jedek to the table and then, as they sat down, a dozen other fairies landed on the table. They were all pretty, even the males but compared to their queen, they didn’t hold a candle. Orrla moved beside Ahnon, “You have been around fairies before,” she said, looking at the table.

“None even come close to you,” Ahnon told her. Jedek was sitting beside Ahnon looking at Orrla and saw her blush at Ahnon’s comment.

Covering her mouth, Orrla let out a girlish giggle and cut her eyes at Ahnon. “You are such a teaser,” she told him.

Very slowly Ahnon shook his head, never taking his eyes off her though. “Orrla, I can honestly say, I have never seen beauty like yours before,” he told her.

Orrla floated over to him and kissed his cheek. Ahnon wanted to fall down, but Kenna spoke up. “I’m married to Jedek and if he doesn’t say you’re the prettiest thing ever, I’ll break his legs,” Kenna told Orrla, still gawking at her.

Not liking that, Jedek turned to look at Kenna. “Kenna, you’re still-,” he stopped as she held up her hand in his face.

“Don’t lie Jedek, or I’ll break your legs,” she told him, not looking away from Orrla. “Ahnon can fix them after I do it,” she confided.

Jedek smiled and leaned over to Kenna. “Your hair is still prettier,” he whispered.

Finally taking her eyes off Orrla, Kenna looked at Jedek smiling with a blush. “Thank you,” she said and they both turned to stare at Orrla.

“Ahnon, we have watched you with Jedek and Kenna,” Orrla said, making Jedek happy that she hadn’t referred to them as kids. “It seems you are training them to be warriors like we have never seen,” Orrla told him.

Blinking his burning dry eyes rapidly, Ahnon took his gaze off Orrla and picked up the bottle of wine, pouring a glass. “You would be correct, Queen Orrla. I’m training them like the bhari,” he told her and then drained the glass. Seeing Ahnon drain the glass of wine, Jedek’s jaw hit his chest. Never in his life had Jedek seen Ahnon drink wine, ale, mead or spirits.

“Please, just call me Orrla. Some of my scouts have seen bhari before and it doesn’t seem the same,” Orrla told him as she settled down on the table and walked over to grab a berry, taking a nibble. The berry was no bigger than Kenna’s fingernail, but looked like a large melon in Orrla’s tiny hands.

“I’m teaching them how to be better,” Ahnon replied, filling his glass back up. Orrla looked up at Ahnon smiling. Seeing her still standing, Ahnon reached over and grabbed a cup, turning it down and motioning to the bottom of the cup.

Still smiling, Orrla floated up and sat down on the upside-down cup. “We have watched you and the magic you use so blatantly. Could that not be very dangerous to them?” she said, taking another bite of the berry.

“I’m sorry if my use of magic concerns you,” Ahnon told her before draining his glass again.

Suddenly Orrla flew up, looking into Ahnon’s eyes. “I didn’t mean that to be rude. Please forgive me if that’s the way you took it,” she told him with pleading eyes. When Ahnon saw her shoot off the cup at him, he really thought she was going to pop him one.

“That is not how I took it, Orrla,” Ahnon lied. Suddenly, Ahnon felt like Kenna; he didn’t want them to leave. More to the point, he didn’t want Orrla to leave.

Giving Ahnon a giggle, Orrla floated back to the cup and sat down. “What I meant, was we have never seen any human use magic like you do,” she said. “Well, except one,” she added after thinking about it.

“May I ask who?” Ahnon inquired, filling his glass back up. Hearing Ahnon’s words slightly slur, Jedek stared at the wine bottle, now half empty, wondering how to get it off the table.

Setting the berry beside her on the cup, Orrla shook her head, making her long hair bounce around her shoulders. “It would be rude to introduce him if he wasn’t here,” she told Ahnon.

Ahnon picked up his glass. “It’s not like you have to fear a human wizard,” he said, tilting his head back and draining the glass.

“Ahnon, you are more than powerful enough to fight a fairy, many, in fact,” Orrla told him. Ahnon gagged on the last swallow hearing that. He dropped his glass and started coughing, trying to get the wine out of his lungs. Orrla flew off the table and pointed at Ahnon, sending a small ball of light into his chest. Suddenly Ahnon stopped coughing and looked at her as he took deep breaths.

“Want to say that again?” Ahnon asked, wiping tears from his eyes.

With a gentle expression, Orrla smiled warmly at Ahnon. “Ahnon, you use spells like most people draw breath. You are right, fairies are powerful, but I think you got this fear of us from other wizards who should be afraid of us,” Orrla told him. “I was told by my scouts that you have a true elven yew bow with a dragon rib formed to the limbs,” she told him. Ahnon nodded his head agreeing but not wanting to talk, for some reason he was having trouble focusing his vision on Orrla.

“You fought that dragon, didn’t you?” she asked but the tone she used indicated, Orrla already knew the answer and again Ahnon nodded, making Orrla weave in his vision. “Did you take an army?” she asked. This time he barely shook his head no, so Orrla would stay still, “Don’t other wizards fear dragons?” she asked.

“Of course they do, but I distracted him with magic as I chopped and stabbed at his weak spots,” Ahnon told her.

Tilting her head to the side, Orrla grinned. “That brings up the other thing. No human we have ever seen that uses magic like you do trains to be a warrior,” she told him.

“One supports the other,” he said, shrugging his shoulders and reached for the bottle of wine, only to see that it was gone. He looked around the table, but didn’t see it. Turning around, he looked at Talon. “Did you take the wine?” he asked with a slur.

“No, the last time I drank some, I flew into a mountain,” Talon answered. Ahnon looked back at Orrla who was still grinning at him.

“Will you tell us of your tale and how you came to this cottage?” she asked.

Nodding slowly, Ahnon turned around and looked at the cottage, then back to Orrla, “Yes, I will. But who built this and how long has it been here?” he asked.

“It has been here a long time. What time frame are humans using now?” she asked.

“When all the seasons go through a complete cycle is one year with spring starting the New Year off,” he told her.

Thinking in those terms, Orrla sat and thought for some time, then looked up at him. “Then I would say it was built three to four hundred years ago. I could still be off by fifty or so years,” she told him.

With the wine in his body, Ahnon just let shock spread across his face. “Who built it then?” he asked, not really wanting to know.

“A witch and a wizard hired a bunch of dwarves to build it,” she answered.

Ahnon grinned at her, “Do you know them?” he asked.

“Of them, I think,” Orrla said. “They didn’t want to talk to us,” she told him.

“Let me guess, that is the wizard you were referring to earlier?” he asked.

Orrla nodded, “Yes, but you are much nicer. He was an ass.”

Liking the fact he was nicer, Ahnon laughed at her dislike of the other wizard. “What do you know of them?” he asked.

“I’m not sure, but I would say they are Wicca and Wizan Magi,” Orrla said, shrugging her shoulders.

Suddenly, Ahnon stopped laughing and grunted like someone had stabbed him. “That’s impossible! They’re just a legend,” he gasped.

“You asked and that’s what I think,” Orrla told him.

“Who is that?” Jedek asked. Slowly turning his head, Ahnon looked at Jedek and Jedek could see he was shaken.

“The first witch and wizard. That’s where witch and wizard come from, their first names. Magic comes from their last name, Magi,” he said, then turned to look at Orrla. “They would have to be over ten thousand years old,” he pointed out.

“I’m not going to argue, but you asked and I gave you my answer,” Orrla replied.

Not knowing what else to do Ahnon bowed his head. “I’m sorry if I have offended you,” he apologized.

“Offend me!” Orrla cried out laughing. All the other fairies joined her laughing as Ahnon shook his head, trying to clear the fog over his brain. He replayed the conversation, making sure they weren’t laughing at him because he didn’t want Orrla to think less of him. It sure wasn’t that he would’ve done something about it. Seeing Ahnon’s look, Orrla quit laughing but kept the grin.

“Ahnon, I myself have doubted my own answer and so have the others,” she said, waving her hand over to the other fairies at the table. “I’m basing my answer on our legends and history,” she told him.

Stalling for time, Ahnon looked down at the table trying to get his brain to think, then looked for the wine bottle again and saw it hadn’t reappeared. “Humans can’t live that long. Elves only live for a few thousand years and they are the longest lived of the humanoids,” he mumbled.

“I have said the same,” Orrla said. “Now, will you tell us how you came here?” she asked, picking up her knees to put her feet on top of the cup and rested her chin on her knees. Taking a deep breath, Ahnon started his tale. Jedek was disappointed that Ahnon left out most of his training years. As the second sun set, the fairies moved some firewood beside the table and started a fire. Ahnon watched them closely and knew the fire was more for them than the fairies.

When he finished his story several hours later, all the fairies were sitting down looking up at him. Well, Rosea wasn’t, she was sitting on Kenna’s shoulder. Orrla stood up and flew up to Ahnon’s face, “We are honored that you shared your tale with us,” she told him. “You have brought much honor to your teachers and family with your actions. Your actions speak of incredible honor and devotion. Know we are your friends and I grant each of you the ‘Sight of Fae’,” she said, raising her hands.

Suddenly all around them, fairies flew through the air and Ahnon almost jumped back, seeing the ground was covered with fairies sitting down and looking up at him. Kenna let out a gasp and held out her hand as a nixie landed in her palm. The little girl nixie had red butterfly wings with white dots along the edge that slowly flapped as she tiptoed across Kenna’s hand.

Orrla floated to his side, “You may come to our hollow at any time,” she told him.

With such an honor bestowed, Ahnon bowed his head to her. “Our home is yours,” he told her.

Orrla flew over and kissed his cheek, then flew to Jedek and Kenna doing the same and then hovered over the table. “Let us know how we can help you in your task.” she said, floating up. “We will see you soon,” she said and flew off slowly. Suddenly, the air was filled with glowing lights as the fairies and nixies followed their queen home.

Putting his hands on the table, Ahnon stood up, watching them leave. Rosea flew off Kenna’s shoulder and hovered in front of her, “I’ll come back soon,” she said, kissing Kenna on the nose and shot off into the night sky.

“This was the best day ever,” Kenna said, waving bye to the fairies.

“Yes, it was pretty good,” Ahnon admitted. “And I’ve seen a lot of them.”

Jedek watched the fairies leave, then looked at Ahnon, “Fairy queens don’t usually do that, do they?” he asked.

Still in shock, Ahnon shook his head. “I’ve only heard of it twice,” he admitted.

“Then this was a blessing,” Jedek said, looking back over the field.

“I have to say, I agree,” Ahnon said. “Come on, let’s get inside and get some sleep. A lot has happened for one day,” he said as Jedek accidentally kicked the bottle of wine over that had been sitting on the ground.

Hearing the clink of glass, Ahnon looked down at the bottle and then up at Jedek. Jedek grinned, “I’m sorry, but you were getting weird,” he informed Ahnon.

Shaking his head agreeing, “Yes, I was,” he said, leading the two inside. “Talon and Minos, eat the rest of the food,” Ahnon said, walking inside.

The last thing Ahnon heard was, “Touch the deer and I’ll eat you,” Talon said to Minos.

Chapter 4

Jedek opened his eyes and was shocked to see Ahnon still asleep across from him. Jedek sat up in bed not ever truly remembering waking up before Ahnon, or for that matter, Ahnon truly sleeping. Slowly getting out of bed, he crept over to Kenna and shook her awake gently. When she opened her eyes, Jedek held a finger to his lips for her to be quiet. Kenna sat up and Jedek pointed at Ahnon.

Like Jedek, Kenna was shocked to see Ahnon asleep. It seemed to mess with the natural order of things. Kenna looked back at Jedek and he motioned with his hands for them to go fix breakfast before Ahnon woke up. Kenna smiled at the idea and got out of bed to surprise Ahnon.

“You two are that eager to start?” Ahnon asked them with his eyes closed.

Jedek stomped his foot. “Ahnon, we were going to fix you breakfast,” he moaned.

Letting out a chuckle, Ahnon sat up. “By all means,” he told them.

“It was going to be a surprise,” Kenna snapped.

“Well it is, and thank you,” Ahnon said, getting up and walking over to hug them, making them feel better.

Letting them go, Ahnon went to milk the cow and gather eggs as Kenna and Jedek started the bacon, bread, and tea. They didn’t burn the eggs too bad after Ahnon brought them in. When Ahnon sipped his tea, his eyes widened and seemed like to have fallen out of his head. Blinking his eyes to force them back inside his head, he put his cup down. “How many scoops did you put in the tea?” he asked, feeling his hair grow and he hadn’t felt that in a long time.

“One,” Kenna answered, taking a sip. She stopped and slowly put her cup down. She slowly looked around, “I’m vibrating in my chair,” she announced to them.

“I can outrun anyone now, without agile dash,” Jedek predicted, feeling the keck rush his system.

“Which spoon?” Ahnon asked, trying to get his body in check.

“This one,” Kenna held up a really big spoon.

“Kenna, that is the stirring spoon,” Ahnon told her and reached over and picked up a tiny spoon, four times smaller. “This is the measuring spoon,” he told her.

“Sorry,” she said smiling.

“It’s fine, but only one sip,” Ahnon said, standing up and suddenly feeling like he wanted to challenge Jedek to a race. He walked over to the door and wrote the lessons and spells for the day on the slates beside the door.

Jedek stood up, taking his plates over to the sink, “Glad I didn’t drain my cup,” he mumbled. Kenna joined him and then walked over looking at the day’s agenda as Ahnon walked out.

They walked out to see Ahnon holding up two Shepherd slings. They each took one as Ahnon pulled another out of his pocket. He led them over to the two piles of rocks and the kids both groaned, on the inside. “Watch,” Ahnon said picking up a rock, putting it in the sling, and then grabbing the other end. He twirled the sling around and pointed at Kenna’s target while letting the rock fly, smacking the bucket dead center.

He made them both do it several times and corrected their form. When they had the form but not the aim, Ahnon stepped back. “One hour,” he said, pulling out an hourglass before walking away. They each picked up a rock, faced their targets back to back and let the rocks fly. Neither was even close. Sighing, they each grabbed another rock and looked up at the second tree on the side of the mountain feeling that they were going to be saying ‘hi’ soon.

As the kids continued, Ahnon moved over to the far side of the cottage away from the barn and forge building. There were several cleared acres here and he studied the area. Then he started walking around, holding out his hand and forcing a hole into the ground. Unlike the holes he had buried the yew tree nuts in, these went deep.

When their hour was over, the kids gathered their rocks and walked over to Ahnon. They stopped and watched him make another hole. “That is so neat,” Jedek said with Kenna nodding in agreement. Jedek looked around them and noticed a lot of holes around them. At first, he thought they were evenly spaced but looking closer, he noticed they weren’t and looked totally at random.

Ahnon stopped after he’d made another hole and looked at them. “What was the spell for today?” he asked.

“Will of matter,” they replied in unison.

“See that pile of logs we cut before winter?” he asked, pointing at one of the two piles of logs and they nodded. That pile was small logs that Jedek could almost wrap both hands around and were only about ten feet tall. “Put a log in each hole,” Ahnon told them as he walked away.

They sighed and reached back into their bags in unison. Jedek went first, saying the spell and lifting a log off the pile. It floated to a hole and dropped in. When the log dropped in, it left only two feet above ground. Jedek looked at Kenna and she just shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what this was about. Kenna cast her spell and dropped her log in a hole, but hers stuck out five feet.

Ahnon watched them from the side of the house as they continued to move logs. He was relieved when they started moving more than one at a time. Seeing they were continuing, he went around the cottage to the stream. Steam was still rising off the water in the cool air. The water was running down a steep rocky slope before crashing into the pool at the bottom.

He and the kids had traced it down to the hot spring not far away. The water there was boiling out of the rocks, but it cooled down a lot by the time it reached the falls beside the forge. It was still hot enough to make your skin red, but that was how Ahnon liked it and now, truth be told, so did the kids. Picturing what he wanted in his mind, Ahnon went to work.

Before their hour was up, Ahnon walked back around the cottage. He found both covered in sweat as they filled the last six holes. Jedek wiped his brow, looking at the small forest of logs sticking out of the ground. None of them were the same height or spaced evenly. Some were only a foot above the ground while others were as tall as him, sticking out of the ground. Jedek couldn’t even think what the forest of posts could be used for. They had counted and knew they were looking at two hundred and seven logs in an area the size of the cottage floor.

Feeling Ahnon walking up, they turned around to look at him. “I’m glad you started picking up more than one at a time, otherwise you would’ve dropped,” he told them. Kenna wanted to say something but held her tongue.

Feeling weak, Jedek panted while looking at Ahnon. “Can you tell us what this is for?” he asked not sure about the answer.

Raising his eyebrows, Ahnon shook his head. “Not yet, but you will come to really not like this area,  it’s called a pole field,” Ahnon promised and started walking away. “Let’s go,” he said, leading them to the barn and handing them their bows. Next, he moved their targets for their bows, two straw stuffed scarecrows. Setting the targets out in the field right at the edge of the rise Ahnon looked at them, “Don’t lose your arrows,” he said, walking away.

With mouths hanging open, Kenna and Jedek looked at the targets and then the field down the rise going all the way to the river. “I hate that second tree,” Kenna said, picking up her bow and grabbing an arrow.

“I would chop it down, but Ahnon would probably pick one on the other side of the mountain to run to,” Jedek said, pulling back his bow. Much to their surprise they each only missed a few times but when they did they miss, it was by a lot. They watched as Talon swooped down out of the sky and picked up their arrows from the field below the rise. Flying over, he dropped the arrows down beside them.

“I really love Talon,” Kenna said, looking up at him soaring in a slow circle.

“Get your vest and bands on,” they heard behind them.

They took off, putting their bows in the cottage. Walking over to where his vest was hanging, Jedek took it off the wall and dropped it on the floor. “You hate that second tree like I hate these things,” he said, lying down on top of the vest and grunting to put it on. Rolling over on his hands, Jedek struggled to stand up.

Grabbing the vest, Kenna struggled into hers feeling like the world was on her shoulders. “I swear these things have gotten heavier,” she informed him as the weight drove her to her knees.

“How?” Jedek asked, putting his leg bands on as Kenna struggled to stand back up.

“I don’t know, but they have,” Kenna snapped, fighting not to drop to her knees again.

For the first time, Jedek thought about cheating as he tied on the wrist straps and his hands fell to his side. Falling to his knees from the weight, Jedek stripped the vest and bands off. Reaching back, he cast double and half almost making Kenna faint but did make her crumple to her knees again from the weight. Jedek looked at her. “What? It’s on the list,” he informed her.

“He didn’t tell us we could use it,” Kenna pointed out.

“He didn’t tell us to move more than one log either,” Jedek told her. Kenna grinned, stripping off her vest and bands. She cast her spell as Jedek put his stuff back on. It was still heavy, but she could at least move now. Kenna tied her bands on and looked at Jedek.

“It’s not as bad,” she told him.

“Let’s go,” Jedek said, trotting to the door slowly. When they got outside they saw Ahnon standing by Minos, petting him.

“Next lesson, touch Minos,” Ahnon said, walking away.

Raising his eyebrows, Jedek smiled. “This is going to be easy,” he said, glancing at Kenna. “Come here, Minos,” he called and Minos came over but stopped short. “Here Minos,” Jedek commanded.

With his tongue hanging out, Minos lowered his head to the ground. “Chase,” he said and bounded away.

Letting out a huff, Kenna looked at Jedek. “I’m going to kill your dog,” she told him politely.

“Not before I do,” Jedek informed her as he chased after Minos. For an hour they chased Minos, never coming close. As they chased Minos, Ahnon walked among the logs they’d dropped into the ground and tightened the ground around them so they were rigid. Well, rigid in the ground. Some of the tops wiggled as his palm wrapped around the flat end. He walked around to the back of the cottage and continued on his project, hearing words coming out of the kids’ mouths that shouldn’t have been.

At the end of the hour, he found both lying down on the ground with Minos jumping around them wanting to play some more. “No fun. Chase,” Minos said, teasing them as he got close. Ahnon smiled and held out his hands to his sides and made two big holes. Then, he pointed at the pile of large logs and floated two over before dropping them in the holes. These logs were many feet around and stuck out of the ground six feet.

Leaving the kids panting on the ground, he walked over to the forge and came back carrying two wooden bastard swords. “Come here,” he said. Kenna and Jedek struggled to stand up, now both thankful for the spell they’d used. “Watch. This is a training pell,” Ahnon told them and started hitting one of the logs with the wooden sword.  At first, they thought he was just hitting the log at random but soon realized he was using a pattern.

After ten minutes, he handed a sword to each of them, “Do that,” Ahnon said and walked away. Jedek almost dropped the wooden sword, not expecting the weight.

“How can wood weigh this much?” Jedek asked, looking at the wooden sword.

Kenna just stared at hers in the dirt, she had already dropped it. “I have no idea, but if I have to fight with a sword this heavy I’m in trouble,” she told him, picking it up with a grunt.

Even though the bastard sword was really made for one hand they had to use both hands just to lift it. Grunting as they lifted the swords, the two started slashing and hacking at their log in the same pattern that Ahnon used, though not as fast or as graceful. They had continued straight for half an hour and stopped when they realized Rosea was hovering over to the side watching them. “What did the logs do to make you so mad?” she asked, flying over to Kenna. Kenna concentrated on breathing, afraid to answer for fear of passing out.

When she had oxygen in her body, “Training,” she said, gasping for more air.

“Oh, I see,” Rosea said, flying off and coming back with a water skin. “Drink,” she told them. Kenna grabbed the skin and took a gulp. Then, Rosea pulled it way from her. “Slow or you will get sick,” Rosea warned her.

Kenna wanted to say something but couldn’t pause her breathing long enough and just passed the water to Jedek. He took a swallow while looking at Rosea. “Just visiting?” he panted.

Looking at the two as she smiled, Rosea shrugged her shoulders. “No, just seeing what you’re doing,” she told him. “You know, your wooden swords would be lighter if they weren’t filled with lead,” she said, flying down to his sword.

“You’re kidding,” Jedek said, dropping his sword and sending up a puff of dust.

“It looks really heavy,” Rosea said then flew over to Kenna’s.

Kenna saw Rosea looking at her sword. “Rosea, what’s in these vests?” she asked.

Rosea flew over looking at the vest, then up at Kenna. “Lead pellets,” she told Kenna. Kenna wanted to throw up her hands, but they weighed too much with the wrist bands tied to her forearms. Rosea floated around her and then looked up at Kenna, “That vest and bands on your arms and legs weigh more than you do by at least double,” she informed Kenna.

In total shock, Jedek dropped down to his knees. “Double and half and they still weigh more than us,” he panted.

“Dung heap, I’m just glad we used the spell,” Kenna said, dropping down and then collapsing on her back.

Shaking her head, Rosea flew over to Kenna and hovered over her face. “Aren’t you supposed to be beating up the logs?” she asked.

“Yes Rosea. It’s called a ‘pell’, but my hair is even tired,” Kenna told her, making Rosea laugh. Rosea floated to the ground and to Kenna’s astonishment, Rosea picked her up off the ground standing her up.

“If it is training time, then you must train,” Rosea said, flying over to Jedek and helping him up. The two groaned and continued attacking the logs.

Watching the scene, Ahnon stepped away from the corner of the cottage smiling. He had help, training the kids. For the next two days, the kids attacked the logs or ‘pell’, using different wooden swords on the two logs, and practiced using the slings and their bows. At night, they studied as Ahnon worked on how to split the yew tree. Much to their delight, Rosea never left and stayed with them. One afternoon, Rosea sat watching Ahnon very carefully draw U shapes on the outer edge of the yew tree all the way around the end, then drew circles in the center on the end of the yew log that Rosea had shown them. Standing over the log at different angles, Ahnon would then swing at it with his hand like he wanted to chop it. Then, Ahnon would shake his head and chop in the air at the log from a different direction.

“What are you doing?” Rosea asked, tired of trying to figure it out.

“Trying to figure out the best way to split it into blanks. I don’t want to waste any of it,” Ahnon told her, pointing at his drawings at the end.

“You want the log split lengthwise in those shapes you have drawn on the end?” she asked, flying over and hovering beside him.

“Yes, the U shapes along the outer ring are bow blanks. The bows need the hard and soft wood on the edges and the circles are for staffs and spears,” Ahnon said as Rosea lowered herself down to the log. She pointed at the log and it collapsed into pieces in the shapes Ahnon had drawn.

“Like that?” she asked, looking back at him. Stumbling back Ahnon’s jaw was hanging open almost touching his chest. Kenna and Jedek were at the table outside reading, but had stopped to watch. Like Ahnon, they were blown away.

“How did you do that?” Ahnon finally asked, picking up some of the perfectly cut pieces.

“I just told it what to do,” Rosea said shrugging her shoulders. With a somewhat fearful glance, Ahnon picked up an armload of blanks and carried them to the forge. After several trips, only two bow blanks were left. Picking them up, Ahnon sat down at the table. These he started to shape one with a rough cloth and a small blade.

Watching him closely, Rosea flew over and looked at his bow hanging on the wall outside, then flew back over to him. “You want it to look like yours, right?” she asked, pointing at his bow.

“Yes,” Ahnon said, looking up and at his bow and then he returned to the task. Suddenly, he was in a blizzard of sawdust. Looking down at his lap was a perfect copy of his bow. It only needed heat treatment and oil before adding the dragon rib. Ahnon looked up with his face covered in sawdust, “Thank you, Rosea,” he told her, setting the bow on the table. Rosea smiled as he picked the other one up.

Knowing what Rosea was going to do, Ahnon held up his hand as she pointed at it. “I need this one smaller. It’s for Kenna,” he told Rosea, marking the length. Nodding, Rosea smiled and pointed at the blank, filling the air with dust. When the dust cleared Ahnon was holding a shorter version of his bow.

“I’ll get the dust up,” Rosea said, flying down to the ground.

Kenna jumped up from the table. “Rosea, we use the dust to make paper,” she told her and pointed at a wooden barrel at the side of the cottage.

“Oh, I have to see how you do that,” Rosea said waving her hands and the sawdust lifted off the ground forming a ball and she led it to the barrel.

“How long was each bow supposed to take, Neeji?” Jedek asked, addressing him as father-teacher for the first time.

Ahnon froze hearing that and looked at Jedek who watched Rosea with interest, herding the dust into the barrel, “A month for each bow,” he said smiling.

When the sawdust dropped in the barrel, Kenna smiled as Rosea closed the barrel. “Well, Neeji. You have to admit, she comes in handy,” Kenna said turning around and starting to write in her journal.

“Yes, she does,” Ahnon said, picking up the bows and feeling pride in his chest.

Feeling included in the group now, Rosea flew back over grinning. “Okay. What next?” she asked.

Looking at Jedek and Kenna, Ahnon just smiled. “It’s night and like always, it is study time,” he told Rosea, carrying the bows to the cottage.

When Ahnon left, Rosea floated in a lazy circle around the two. Jedek was drawing a picture of the death lily in Kenna’s book as she wrote down what they had learned so far. Jedek had a true talent for drawing and Kenna’s penmanship was excellent. Ahnon didn’t mind letting them help each other out. They were married, after all. Many times at the academy, Ahnon had wished he would’ve had someone draw for him. In the end it didn’t matter, they both still practiced their weaknesses.

Ahnon walked back over to the table to see Rosea floating over Jedek’s shoulder and watching him. “You must really like the gargoyle lily,” Rosea told him while staring at the drawing. It was exquisite in detail.

Jedek stopped and looked over his shoulder. “The what?” he asked.

“The gargoyle lily,” she told him, floating down to the page. “How you got close enough to it get this detail is remarkable,” she said almost afraid to get closer to the page.

“We called it ‘the death lily’,” Jedek informed her, proud of the name.

Not getting closer to the drawing, Rosea hovered over the middle of the table and looked up at him. “That’s an appropriate name for it all right,” she told him.

“Rosea, does that flower hurt fairies?” Ahnon asked, noticing how she was looking at the drawing.

Looking up, Rosea flew over to him. “Not really, but it does make us feel- not well,” she told him, giving Ahnon a shock.

“Do any other plants make fairies feel-- not well?” he asked.

“Only a few, but it is the worst,” she told him, giving Ahnon some relief.

Kenna put down her quill. “Rosea, why do the fairies call it the gargoyle lily?” she asked.

Rosea zipped over to her and hovered in front of her face. “They are the only thing we know of that are immune to it. They come down on some nights and eat the animals that have strayed near them,” she told her.

As his eyes grew wide Ahnon snapped his fingers. “That’s why sometimes when you touch a gargoyle you die- from the pollen,” he shouted, more to himself than anyone else.

“I wondered why you gave the gargoyles a bath before we chopped them up,” Kenna said, stretching her arms over her head.

“Chopped them up?” Rosea asked with shock.

“Long story and you had to be there,” Kenna told her, looking over at Ahnon.

Moving over to the table, Ahnon took a seat. “That explains a lot. At least I know why now,” he said and then looked at Kenna. “I have always been taught to never touch a gargoyle until its skin has been doused with water, like I taught you,” he told her.

Drumming her fingers on the table, Kenna narrowed her eyes while looking at Ahnon and thinking. This was coming close to getting Ahnon worried. “Could the death lily be the reason why so much of the gargoyle can be used in components?” she finally asked.

Shrugging his shoulders, “I have no idea, but I’m glad we have an intermediary if it is,” Ahnon told her. Ahnon stood up, “Come on, let’s go inside. It’s time to continue learning elven,” he told them.

Excited, Rosea helped them gather their stuff and headed inside with them. For the rest of the night, Ahnon taught them the elven alphabet. When the first sun crested the horizon Ahnon fixed breakfast, and the keck tea. He wasn’t in the mood for a repeat of yesterday. Even though he’d never admitted it out loud, Ahnon had really wanted to challenge Jedek to that foot race.

As the two ate, with Rosea taking little nibbles and sitting on Kenna’s shoulder, Ahnon wrote out the spells and lessons for the day. When he went outside Jedek looked at the board and grinned. “Now we’re talking,” he said.

Kenna looked over to see the second spell, fire darts. “We’ve done it before,” she told him.

“Yeah, but this means practice,” he said, getting up and running for the door. Minos, seeing him running for the door, jumped up and followed. When Jedek opened the door, Minos bowled him over. Jedek, who was now outside and prone on the ground, looked up shaking his head. “Minos, do that again and I shave your fur off!” Jedek shouted as he got up.

With a regal strut, Kenna walked past him with Rosea still on her shoulder. “Your dog is an idiot,” she told him.

“An idiot that’s almost as big as a horse,” Jedek mumbled making sure his limbs still worked. Looking up, Jedek saw Minos running full bore for Kenna, knowing he was about to do the same to her. Just as Jedek was about to say something, a small light shot from Kenna’s shoulder hitting Minos in the snout. Fear gripped Jedek, first thinking Kenna had hurt Minos but he stared at Minos. Then, he saw that Minos was frozen in mid-stride floating above the ground and not moving.

Out from under Kenna’s hair, Rosea flew off Kenna’s shoulder and over to Minos, hovering at the end of his snout. “Minos, you just heard Jedek threaten to shave you for doing that to him. What do you think he would do if you did that to little Kenna?” Rosea asked and then touched Minos on the nose.

Released from the magic, Minos dropped down to his feet and shook his head, never taking his eyes off the fairy. “Want to play,” he told Rosea.

With a gentle smile, Rosea flew over and scratched behind his ear making his back leg thump the ground. “Maybe later, but it’s time for them to learn,” she said and then flew back to Kenna. Minos didn’t see her fly off and leaned over more for some magic scratching. He kept leaning until he fell over on his side. Lifting up his head, he looked around for Rosea and saw her settling back on Kenna’s shoulder.

“That was funny,” Jedek said, walking by him and smiling.

Minos jumped up. “Not fair,” he huffed and trotted after Jedek.

They all joined Ahnon at the rise overlooking the field to the river. He pointed at a huge boulder in the middle of the field fifty paces away. “That’s your target,” he said as a dozen darts flew from his hand. Streaking across the distance, the darts hit the boulder and shattered, covering it with fire. The wet grass around the boulder smoked but didn’t catch fire. As the smoke drifted away, the fire on the boulder died out.

“Jedek,” Ahnon said, lowering his hand. Jedek stepped up, grabbed his components and raised his hand, saying the spell. He pictured in his mind the darts leaping from above his hand and hitting the rock. When the last word left his lips, darts shot from his hand hitting the boulder just like Ahnon’s had. “Very good, Jedek,” Ahnon said, patting his back. “Kenna,” he said, looking at her. Kenna walked over and did just like Jedek, hitting the boulder with her flaming darts.

Watching their minds, Ahnon made them take turns and then turned around. “One hour and Rosea, please don’t let them burn down the forest,” he said, walking off and heading behind the cottage. Rosea nodded as the two kept taking turns.

At the side of the cottage, Ahnon was working on his latest project when he heard Kenna scream at the same time that he felt fear and pain from his amulet. In a blur, he was standing beside Kenna before she finished yelling his name.

On the ground yelling, Jedek was cradling his right hand but not too tight. It was burnt from the elbow to his fingertips. Ahnon held out his hand as a rope of green misty light left his palm and wrapped around Jedek’s arm and he stopped screaming. Reaching down, Ahnon scooped him up and blurred back to the cottage with Jedek still groaning in his arms.

Kenna and Rosea took off after him, but Ahnon was already inside before they’d even moved. When they did reach the cottage, Ahnon was kneeling by Jedek’s bed. Curled up on the bed, Jedek was gritting and breathing through his teeth, fighting the pain. “I’m sorry, Ahnon. I can’t ignore it,” he grunted out.

With a small bag beside him, Ahnon was crushing leaves and berries in a small stone bowl never stopping as he answered, “You can’t ignore pain, Jedek.” Jedek’s head started to tremble as he turned to Ahnon. “Pain serves a purpose, but you can give into it letting it rule you or continue on,” Ahnon told him as he reached down, pulling a bottle out of a bag beside him.

“You’re doing great. You aren’t folding with the pain and if needed, you could go on,” Ahnon told him as he poured a gray liquid into the stone bowl causing Rosea to let a gasp. Kenna watched the gray liquid fill the bowl, then turn a deep purple. Ahnon put the bottle down and stirred the liquid as Kenna watched it turn to a light almost glowing purple.

Finished stirring the mixture, Ahnon leaned over and put the bowl to Jedek’s lips. “Drink this and it’ll be okay. I’m warning you, it doesn’t taste good but you will drink it,” Ahnon told him, then tilted the bowl up. Watching Jedek’s face, Kenna knew it must taste awful no matter how pretty purple it was.

When the bowl was emptied, Jedek forgot about his arm just fighting to keep his tongue from jumping out of his mouth. Then out of nowhere, his body went numb. Opening his eyes, Jedek found the world moving in ways it shouldn’t be in his vision. Looking at Ahnon, he saw three of Ahnon and tried to blink his eyes to only see one. Ahnon pushed his head back and said something, but it didn’t sound like words to Jedek. When his head hit the pillow, Jedek closed his eyes and started snoring softly.

“Wow, that-,” Kenna said, moving over to the other side of the bed and started rubbing Jedek’s forehead. “That stuff works fast,” she said kneeling down.

Putting the stone bowl down, Ahnon raised his hand to the table causing a chair to slide across the floor before stopping beside him. Sitting down in the chair, Ahnon pulled a large bowl out of his bag beside him. Kenna watched as he started pouring powders, leaves, berries, moss, and several things that she had no idea what they were. Ahnon picked up another pestle and started grinding.

“He’s going to be alright, isn’t he?” Kenna asked with a worried voice.

“He’ll be fine Kenna,” Ahnon assured her as he kept grinding. Rosea flew over and watched him in wonder.

Still very worried, Kenna brushed the hair out of Jedek’s face. “He just lifted up his hand and it caught on fire,” she told Ahnon.

“He pictured the flame coming out of his hand and not around it,” Ahnon told her, still grinding.

Hearing the casual tone, Kenna looked up in shock. “You’re taking this in a very calm manner,” she snapped, wanting more of a reaction.

With a sad face, Ahnon stopped grinding and looked up at her. Kenna felt bad seeing the worry in his eyes for her words. “Kenna, you both asked me to teach you and I am. I can guarantee you this will not be the last or the worst time that one of you gets hurt training,” he told her and started grinding again.

Hearing that, it hit Kenna just how dangerous what they were doing was. “I’m sorry, Ahnon,” she apologized.

“Nothing to apologize for,” Ahnon told her, setting the pestle down and started grabbing bottles out of his bag to pour a little of some and a lot of others. “If you weren’t worried or scared, now then I would be concerned,” he said, picking up a spoon and starting to stir. Kenna watched with Rosea as Ahnon stirred the bowl, but it was a real thick paste.

In what seemed like forever to Kenna but was only a few minutes, Ahnon stopped stirring and started smearing the paste over Jedek’s burnt forearm. When all the burnt skin was covered, Ahnon put down the bowl and lifted up Jedek’s arm. He held it there as Kenna watched the paste harden. She could not only see it harden, but could hear it cracking as it hardened. When Ahnon put Jedek’s arm down it looked like it was covered in a gray stone.

Satisfied with his work, Ahnon stood up and put his stuff back in his bag. “Kenna, lets continue training,” Ahnon told her, walking toward the door.

Rosea flew over to Ahnon. “The witch who taught you was very good,” she said, tilting her head to pay homage to his teacher.

“Yes, she was,” Ahnon agreed, turning around still waiting on Kenna.

Reluctantly Kenna stood up and kissed Jedek’s forehead before walking over to Ahnon. “It doesn’t seem right to train without him,” she told Ahnon.

“You will have to teach him what you learn today, as he will when you get hurt,” Ahnon told her opening the door to find Minos standing there and waiting.

“Is he good?” Minos whined with worry.

“He is fine, Minos,” Ahnon said as Minos pushed past him.

Minos came in, looking over at Jedek. “His paw was burnt,” he told Ahnon.

“His paw will be fine when the suns come up tomorrow,” Ahnon said as Talon hopped in, pushing Minos out of the way.

“Told you,” Talon said, hopping over to Jedek. He leaned over and looked at the stone-covered hand, even tapping it with his beak. “Went all out, didn’t you?” Talon said rotating his head to look over his back at Ahnon.

“They won’t be scarred much if I can help it,” Ahnon said, walking out. “Minos, don’t lick his paw or it will hurt him,” Ahnon told him. Minos and Talon stayed with Jedek as Kenna and Rosea followed Ahnon out. Unfortunately, Ahnon was correct. This was only the first of many cuts, burns, broken bones, and other magical injuries to come. And this was only their training.

Chapter 5

The next morning, Kenna sat at Jedek’s bedside as Ahnon fixed breakfast. Jedek suddenly opened his eyes, feeling like he’d slept for a year. He turned to see Kenna looking at him. “How long did I sleep?” he asked and then looked down at his arm.

“All day yesterday and last night,” Kenna told him as he lifted up his stone-covered arm. It was very heavy and he grunted as he held it up.

“How long does this have to stay on?” he asked, a little worried about his arm.

“We will take it off when I have the eggs ready!” Ahnon yelled from the other side of the cottage at the stove forty paces away.

Moving off Kenna’s shoulder Rosea floated over to Jedek. “Don’t ever make that mistake again,” she told him, pointing her finger at him.

“Sorry,” Jedek said sitting up. “I knew my mistake as soon as I said the words and before the pain started,” he told her, moving his legs off the bed.

Setting a plate of eggs on the table, “Come here, Jedek,” Ahnon told him, walking over to the sink. Jedek headed over to Ahnon with everyone following. Standing at the sink, Ahnon had the water on and put Jedek’s stone wrapping under it.  They watched it melt away as Ahnon went to the table sat down and started eating.

In awe, Kenna’s jaw almost hit her chest when the stone wrapping melted away. Jedek’s arm looked like it always had, except without the light hair on his forearm. The hair stopped right where the stone wrapping had been. Jedek held up his hand and wiggled his fingers, smiling with relief. “Thank you Ahnon,” he called out, grabbing a towel and drying his arm off.

“It doesn’t have any hair,” Kenna said as they walked over to the table.

“I don’t care,” Jedek told her, sitting down.

Swallowing a mouthful, Ahnon chuckled. “It will grow back,” he said. “You can’t have everything,” he added. When they finished, they headed out to start the day.

It was midmorning and Ahnon was at the forge with the kids at the other end, throwing knives at targets. Ahnon was pouring arrow heads when Minos busted through the door, causing Ahnon to spill some of the molten metal on the floor. “Damn the abyss, Minos!” he shouted.

“Sorry,” Minos said, looking at the flowing metal. It scared him. “Someone is coming,” he said and then bounded out.

Kenna and Jedek stopped throwing and looked at Ahnon. “Delmuth and Ava aren’t coming for two more days,” Jedek said.

“I know,” Ahnon said, finishing pouring steel into the molds. When they were all full, he put the cistern down and took off his apron, grabbing his staff.

Seeing that, the kids put down their knives and grabbed their swords. Rosea flew over to Ahnon, “You are going to see who it is before you do battle, right?” she asked.

Shocked at Rosea, Ahnon stopped but kept looking out the door. “Of course Rosea. I’m not attacking anyone who isn’t a threat,” he snapped and then walked out.

When Ahnon was gone, Rosea looked over at Kenna. “I made him mad, didn’t I?” she asked.

Adjusting her sword on her belt, Kenna nodded. “Yeah, but it’s okay,” she assured her. “Ahnon says, ‘only a fool looks for a fight, but only an idiot goes out of his way to avoid one’,” she told Rosea.

Cocking her head to one side, Rosea thought about that as she floated over and sat on Kenna’s shoulder. “Sounds human, but very good advice,” she concluded. Kenna smiled, hearing Rosea as they ran outside. They found Ahnon standing in front of the cottage, looking at the tree line past all the logs they had put into the ground. There were now over four hundred but the last ones were very tall and unlike the first group, the next group was set in an orderly fashion. They moved over to stand beside Ahnon and both still fought the urge to ask about the logs.

Trying not to worry, Kenna looked up at Ahnon. “Why hasn’t Talon said anything?” she asked.

“He killed a deer and is eating,” Ahnon told her.

“This is kind of important,” she pointed out.

Seemingly very relaxed, Ahnon shook his head. “Not really. Before he killed the deer, he said a dwarf was close,” he told her.

“Really?” Kenna said, clapping her hands and looking at the tree line. Jedek looked up at Ahnon. He had never heard Talon say something about a dwarf.

As Kenna started bouncing on her toes, Ahnon closed his eyes at her excitement. “Kenna, please don’t run up and touch him,” he told her.

“Of course not,” she replied shocked. “I’ll wait till we’re introduced,” she informed him.

Giving up, Ahnon just shook his head as he opened his eyes, praying Kenna wouldn’t offend the dwarf. Suddenly, Rosea shot off Kenna’s shoulder. “Kheet!” she yelled, flying toward the tree line.

“Seems Rosea knows him,” Jedek said relieved, but still watching Ahnon. When Rosea had shouted the name, Ahnon visibly relaxed more with his hands resting on his staff. Not knowing what he wanted to ask, Jedek turned to the tree line.

They watched the trees and saw a figure step out into the sunlight and head toward them. Jedek and Kenna studied the figure as it came closer. It wasn’t much taller than they were, but had a broad body. Not fat, but thick. Just the way the dwarf moved they could tell he was very strong. He had a dark brown beard that ran to his waist. What they thought was a staff he was using to walk with was actually a tall axe with one curved blade.

The top of the long axe just reached above the dwarf’s head and they could see another one across his back. Rosea was floating along beside him as the dwarf stopped in front of the three. Rosea looked at them, smiling. “Everyone, this is Kheet,” she said, pointing at Kheet. Kheet gave them a smile as Rosea introduced each of them.

When she’d finished she looked at Kheet. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I haven’t been ‘here’ in over a hundred years,” Kheet told her, taking off a metal helm and wiping the sweat off his brow. Letting out a small gasp, Kenna was stunned by the hair that fell out almost as long as the beard. She was sure Kheet had more hair on his head than she did. Thinking about it, she was certain he had more on his face than she had on her head.

Rosea gave off a blush and hovered over in front of Kheet. “I didn’t mean it to be rude,” she told him, looking down.

Kheet gave a hearty laugh. “I know, little Rosea,” he said. “I heard someone was starting a master school close to here and was looking for teachers, so I decided to see what it was about,” he told her. “Well, I ran into some fairy scouts yesterday and they told me someone had moved into the grand cottage,” he finished.

“Grand cottage?” Jedek asked.

Tucking his helm under his arm, Kheet looked at him and smiled. Jedek noticed he had a scar on his forehead that skipped the eye and ended on his cheek. “Cottages aren’t this big. I’ve been in several mansions that weren’t this big,” Kheet replied.

“Did you help build it?” Ahnon asked, but was thinking Kheet looked a little young for that.

“No, but my dad did. I came here twice just waiting till someone started the forge up,” Kheet told him.

“Why didn’t you?” Kenna asked, inching closer to Kheet.

“It’s not my cottage,” Kheet told her.

Kenna stopped getting closer, only because Ahnon grabbed her shoulder. “Well, it’s not ours either. Well it wasn’t, but it is now,” she said, wanting Ahnon to let go.

“No, my dad told me along with the others, that the ones who paid to have it built said it would stand empty till the ones it was meant for came along,” he told her. “Now, my dad told me they were magi, so the dwarfs let it be. I bet even the elves left it alone,” he made a face with the last statement.

Hearing the dislike about elves Kenna took a step back, making Ahnon feel better but only from shock. “You don’t like elves?” she asked with a sad look on her face.

Kheet looked down at her face. A smile parted his lips. “Don’t hold much against them, but they think too much of themselves in my opinion,” he told her.

Giving a sigh of relief, Kenna stepped forward holding out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Kheet,” she said as Ahnon let her go.

Kheet took her hand and Kenna was shocked that her hand was swallowed by his. He was barely taller than her but he was much more massive. “Kenna, the pleasure is mine,” he told her, shaking her hand.

With a small smile Kenna blushed at him and then reached out, touching his beard. “Oh, it’s so soft and beautiful,” she said with a grin.

Taken back at first, Kheet smiled at her compliment. “Thank you, little one, and I must say your hair is the prettiest thing I think I have ever seen,” he replied smiling.

Letting out a squeal, Kenna launched herself at him with her arms open, but they didn’t even wrap around the front of Kheet. “Thank you so much,” she told him, giving him a hug. Kheet smiled, rubbing her hair and looking down at her.

“One day her little finger is going to get full from those she wraps around them,” Ahnon mumbled quietly.

“What?” Jedek said, looking over at him.

“Nothing,” Ahnon told him. “Kheet, what can we do for you?” Ahnon asked him as Kheet continued rubbing Kenna’s head.

“Oh, I just wanted to see the forge going. It’s still one of the best setups I’ve ever seen outside a dwarven shop,” Kheet told him.

“Well, master blacksmith, why don’t you eat with us and then we can go to the forge,” Ahnon offered, moving over to the table.

“I don’t want to be a burden,” Kheet said.

Letting out a gasp, Kenna let go of Kheet and grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the table. Well, she pulled and he followed. “You have to stay and eat with us,” she told him. “You can sit by me,” she offered as Ahnon shook his head still smiling.

“Well, I guess I have to then,” Kheet told her, smiling and pulling out her chair for her.

“There’s another one wrapped,” Ahnon mumbled, laughing silently. “I’ll go and get the food,” Ahnon said before heading inside.

Taking off his pack, Kheet sat it and his gear down and then sat down beside Kenna who leaned her head over on his shoulder. Jedek grinned at her. “Kheet, how long have you been on the road?” Jedek asked.

“For a good while,” Kheet said as Rosea poured several glasses of water. “Rosea, don’t you have any ale?” he asked.

“The kids are in training,” Rosea told him.

Taken back by the statement, Kheet looked at both of them. “Aren’t you two just a little young to start? I mean, by human standards?” he asked.

“Nope,” Kenna said, still leaning her head on his shoulder.

Ahnon brought out platters of meat, cheese, and bread, setting them on the table and then he put a tankard in front of Kheet. Before it hit the table, Kheet sniffed the air and said, “Ale.”

Jedek looked at Ahnon as he sat down, “Where did you get that?” he asked.

“Made it, just like I do everything else,” Ahnon told him.

Still holding Kheet’s arm, Kenna lifted her head off his shoulder. “Hey, we are learning how to make stuff also,” she told him.

Lifting his hands up, “Yes, you are,” he told her, grinning.

“You don’t drink it, so why make it?” Jedek asked.

Ahnon passed out plates as Rosea zipped down and grabbed a hunk of cheese. “I bought the wine because elves and Fae like it. I don’t really have the grapes or berries to make it yet. Ale can be made easily but doesn’t store long, and dwarfs and most humans like it so to be a good host, I always keep some handy. Just like some of the honey we gathered is turning into mead,” he told Jedek.

Licking his lips, Kheet lifted the tankard up taking a gulp. When he sat it back on the table they could see the ale on his beard. “That’s pretty good,” he admitted, then looked at Ahnon. “You made this?” he asked and Ahnon nodded. “If you don’t drink it, what do you do with it when it goes bad?” he asked.

“Throw it out,” Ahnon told him as he shoved food in his mouth.

“That’s a shame,” Kheet said as he started eating. “How did you know I was a master?” Kheet asked.

Looking up, Ahnon stopped eating and emptied his mouth. “You’re traveling the world,” he answered.

“Ah, but I could be just a mercenary,” Kheet said, then shoved a chunk of meat in his mouth.

Nodding his head, Ahnon chuckled. “I don’t doubt you could,” he said and Kheet stopped chewing, watching him. “Your weapons are beyond quality work, so I know you either made them or bought them. The way you treat them, I know you made them. Your walking axe is perfect as is your two headed battle axe on your back,” Ahnon said and then took a drink of water. “You carry a war hammer on your belt that has seen use, but you have a blacksmith hammer on the side of your pack. If my hearing isn’t too far off, I heard the ring of blacksmith tools rattling in your pack,” he finished.

With his mouth hanging open, Kheet just stared oogle-eyed at Ahnon as Rosea flew up to his face. “He’s Sho-ka,” she whispered. Kheet looked at her, then at Ahnon and each kid. Ahnon sighed. He didn’t want to advertise the fact.

“My apologies,” Kheet said.

Ahnon drew his eyebrows together. “For what?” he asked.

“For taking you as a learning blacksmith,” Kheet told him.

“Hey, he’s great as a blacksmith,” Jedek said standing up and Ahnon put his hand on Jedek’s shoulder, forcing him back to his seat.

“That’s a compliment from a dwarf, Jedek,” Ahnon told him.

Not buying that, Jedek leaned back in his chair. “I’ve seen blacksmiths working at the castle, Neeji, and you do much better work,” he said, crossing his arms and making Ahnon smile. “Maybe not as good as sewing, but real close,” he added, making Kheet do a double take of Ahnon.

Liking the praise, Ahnon just shrugged his shoulders and grinned. Rosea zipped over to stop right at the end of Ahnon’s nose. “You can sew?” she asked with awe.

Finally letting go of Kheet’s arm, Kenna laughed. “He puts royal seamstresses to shame,” she said giggling.

Hovering at the end of Ahnon’s nose, Rosea got a dreamy look on her face. Ahnon really couldn’t see it because she was so close to his face. “Can you make me a dress?” she asked in a pleading voice.

“I would be honored, but could you move back some? When you’re this close I have to look cross-eyed at you and it hurts if I do it too long,” Ahnon told her. “Jedek, dwarfs apprentice for fifty years, then practice for around a hundred before the guild they belong to will let them practice out in the world,” he told Jedek as Rosea floated back, then floated back to his face and kissed the end of his nose. Letting out a giggle, she flew around the table and then landed on Kenna’s shoulder.

Seeing her reaction and her leaf with the blade of grass tied around her waist, Jedek asked, “Fairies wear clothes?”

“Yes, Jedek,” she said, waving a hand at him. “We wear leaves because they’re everywhere and the clothes we have are rough, heavy, and ugly. Not like what you wear,” she told him as she wrapped some of Kenna’s hair around her.

“You could just make it,” he suggested with a flip of his wrist.

Rosea poked her head out of Kenna’s hair. “How do you think we got the clothes we have?” she asked.

“No. I mean, with magic,” he clarified.

“Like I said, how do you think we got the clothes we have?” she asked.

Ahnon leaned over to Jedek, “They mostly see soldiers, gold hunters, farmers, and other simple folks. Most fairies wear wool or coarse cotton,” Ahnon whispered.

“I can hear you,” Rosea said from under Kenna’s hair.

With envy, Jedek watched the long curls over Kenna’s left shoulder moving with Rosea under them. “I wish I could do that,” he mumbled, causing Ahnon to spit his water out. Luckily, Ahnon had been looking at Minos and not at the table. Well, not lucky for Minos as he got a nose full of water.

“What’s funny?” Kenna asked.

“Nothing,” Jedek said and looked up. “Took you that long to eat a deer?” he asked.

Following Ahnon’s gaze, Kheet looked up and gasped. “I saw that bird swoop down and pick up a deer! We need to get inside,” he said, getting up and grabbing his walking axe.

Kenna grabbed his arm. “Don’t worry. It’s only Talon,” she told him, pulling him back to his chair.

Unsure, Kheet looked up as Talon circled lower but he sat back down. Talon landed beside the table, sending grass in the air and making Minos sneeze. “Tell the dwarf I will not hurt him,” he said, hopping over to Ahnon.

“He says he won’t hurt you,” Kenna told Kheet as she laid her head back on his shoulder.

Kheet looked at Talon with something close to an awe-filled fear. “An ahus̆-roc,” he said. “I didn’t think there were any more,” he said, picking up the tankard and draining it.

Seeing most of the food gone, Ahnon stood up. “Kheet, would you like to see the forge now?” he asked and Kheet nodded, standing up but still staring at Talon.

“You can talk to it?” Kheet asked as Kenna lifted his arm to put it over her shoulder. He looked down at her and pulled her close, fighting the urge to pick her up and carry her.

“Yes, as well as my students,” Ahnon told him.

“Talon likes me,” Kenna told him.

Jedek snorted, “I want to meet something you want to like you that doesn’t.”

“It doesn’t exist,” Ahnon said, walking to the side of the forge and showing Kheet the stock.

Holding Kheet’s arm on her shoulders Kenna looked over at them. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked with more than a little iron in her voice. Kheet froze and Kenna walked out from under his arm.

“Nothing,” Jedek mumbled.

Almost trembling, Kheet raised his hand, pointing. “That’s adamant,” he said in a voice close to reverence.

“Yes, we found some in the fall,” Ahnon told him, hoping the kids wouldn’t say anything about the leprechauns. He was told long ago that dwarves and leprechauns didn’t get along.

With a shuffling gait, Kheet walked over to the full bin and reached over rubbing the rough ugly rocks with almost a holy adoration. “This is several tons,” he said, turning around and looking at Ahnon.

Ahnon nodded, “Yeah, and I’ve only worked with small amounts before and had to mix it with steel, so I’m glad I have some to practice with.”

“You can’t ‘practice’ on adamant!” Kheet shouted making everyone jump.

“Ah, yes, I can. How else am I going to make us weapons?” Ahnon told him, forgetting how dwarfs were when it came to minerals.

Shaking his head, Kheet thought about that as he turned to look at the bin. He turned to look back at Ahnon. “I’ll help you,” he offered.

“You were going to Delmuth and Ava’s,” Jedek said.

“What?” Kheet asked, turning around.

“We helped the people who are setting up the trade school and learning center,” Ahnon told him, making Kheet’s opinion of them increase more, if that were possible.

With a longing, Kheet looked back at the adamant. “Will you accept me helping you?” he asked.

Chuckling, Ahnon held out his hand. “We would be honored for your assistance,” Ahnon told him as Kheet shook his hand. “You’ve worked with adamant before?” he asked.

“Oh yes, I’ve made an axe and a sword for a dwarf king north of here,” Kheet told him.

This was news to Jedek. “There is more than one dwarf king?” he asked.

Finally looking away from the adamant, Kheet laughed, “Oh yes, quite a few, but not as many as human kings. Sometimes I think a human sees a field and appoints himself king.”

Walking over to Jedek, Ahnon put a hand on his shoulder. “You have a dwarf king on Gratu, they are in the northern mountains. It’s a small kingdom around a few hundred thousand,” he told Jedek. “In the south, creatures are led by their own. In the north, it’s whoever rules the harshest,” Ahnon finished, stepping over to Kheet.

Motioning with his chin, “You only have enough fire rock for maybe two swords,” Kheet told Ahnon.

Caught off guard, Ahnon stepped back. “That’s several tons of fire rock,” he told Kheet.

“I can see that, but it takes a whole ton for just one sword, twice that for a hammer. I’m not sure on armor, but my teacher told me about the same as a hammer,” Kheet told him.

Shrugging his shoulders, “Well, let’s build some more bins and they will be filled in a few days,” Ahnon told him.

Kheet went and grabbed a pick off the wall. “Tell me where the fire rock is at and I’ll start breaking it up,” he said, turning around.

“You won’t have to, trust me,” Ahnon said walking over to grab some lumber. Kheet looked at Ahnon with doubt, but hung the pick back up and followed him. As they built more bins, the kids kept training.

When the suns started setting, they all headed for the cottage but Kheet broke away, grabbing his pack by the table. “I’ll sleep under the trees. Wake me when you’re ready to finish the other bins tomorrow,” he told them.

Kenna ran over to Kheet and grabbed his arm. “We have an extra bed, you can sleep inside. Besides, we haven’t eaten supper,” she told him.

Not sure how to respond, Kheet looked at Ahnon. “Trust me, just listen to her or you’ll feel bad and still end up sleeping inside,” Ahnon told Kheet with a straight face. Kheet chuckled and let Kenna pull him to the cottage. When he walked inside Kenna led him over to the fourth bed.

“This one is yours now,” she told him.

Giving Kenna a big hug, Kheet put his stuff on the bed as Kenna ran over to help with supper. Taking off his coat, Kheet moved over to see if he could help. As he watched the three he could tell they had a system so he just watched, not getting in the way. Rosea just flew around helping. Minos came over and stood by Kheet. Kheet reached up to rub Minos’s back and he had to reach above his head to do it. The three had supper ready in very little time.

When supper was over, Kheet was expecting them to get ready for bed but was surprised to see the kids run down to the cellar and come back carrying books. They spread out on the table as Ahnon moved over to the board and continued elven. Kheet was about to go sit by the fire but was soon caught up in the lesson, even though it was elven history.

Several hours later, Ahnon stopped and the kids started reading as Ahnon went down to the cellar and came back carrying two boxes. He sat them on the table and started pulling out weird shaped disks. Kheet looked over and sucked in a breath upon seeing the disks.

“What are those?” Kenna asked.

“Dragon scales,” Ahnon told her, making stacks across the table.

Jedek chuckled. “You keep the weirdest stuff,” he told Ahnon. Reaching down, Ahnon threw one and it landed in front of Jedek on his book. Jedek reached out, picked it up and was shocked, it had almost no weight. It was almost as big as his hand and thicker than his sword but weighed next to nothing. “It’s so light,” Jedek said amazed.

“Let me see,” Kenna said, reaching over as Jedek handed it to her. Kenna too was amazed, feeling the scale. She looked at it closely and swore it changed different shades of black depending on how the light hit it. Sometimes it was black with a red hue, but turning it a different way, the hue changed to blue but the base stayed black.

Jedek looked up at Ahnon. “Yeah, it’s neat, but is it a spell component?” he asked.

Reaching in the box, Ahnon tossed another one to him. “Take out your dagger and try to stab it,” Ahnon told him, going back to making stacks. Jedek grinned and took out his dagger. His first attempt was a light stab, but his dagger just slid off. Taken back, he stabbed hard the next time but got the same result. The next time, he jumped up in the air, bringing the dagger down on the center of the scale. The scale shot off the table landing on the floor.

Feeling good about his accomplishment, Jedek smiled looking up at Ahnon who was still stacking scales. “You just knocked it off the table,” Ahnon told him. Not believing him, Jedek walked over and picked up the scale, looking at.

“Troll dung,” he said, seeing that he hadn’t even scratched it. He held up his dagger, looking for an answer. “Oh man,” he groaned, noticing the tip was broken off.

“That’s dragon scale,” Ahnon said looking up.

“What are you going to do with those?” Kenna asked, pointing at the piles of scales.

“Make you two a scale shirt,” he told her.

Sitting up straight on hearing that, “You can do that?” she asked. Ahnon walked over to his bed and opened up his trunk and walked back over carrying what they thought was a plate mail shirt. When he got closer, they saw it was made of dragon scales.

Handing it to Kenna, “Yes, but it’s a lot of work,” he told her. She looked at the shirt and the scales were overlapping each other. Looking on the inside of the shirt, she noticed each scale had a hole on all four sides.

Kenna looked up, “How did you make the holes?” she asked.

Raising his eyebrows, “That took some work and a lot of time,” he told her. “I finally figured out that if you leave them in a kiln for three days at maximum temperature you can punch a hole in them. It still takes some force, but it’s possible,” he informed her.

“Three days?” Jedek asked, sitting back down.

Nodding his head, “Yes and since the kiln is fed from the forge and Kheet is about to fire it up for days on end, I’m going to go ahead and use it,” he said, sitting down.

Running her hands over the scales one last time, Kenna passed the shirt to Jedek. When she let it go, he actually lifted the shirt up expecting more weight, a lot more. “Why in the abyss don’t you wear this all the time?” Jedek asked.

“It may be light and strong, but it doesn’t let the body breathe at all. If you don’t drink water, a lot of water, you will lose several pounds in a day,” Ahnon told them.

“So?” Kenna said, wanting a better explanation.

“Kenna, I fought a battle in that shirt and almost died from dehydration,” he told her.

“And you want us to wear one?” she shouted, not wanting one so bad now.

“Yes, I double-layered that one putting too many scales on it and if you notice, the sleeves only have a small gap under the arm. On yours, I’ll use one layer and only the outside of your arm will have scales. I’ll also leave more of an area under your arm for your body to breathe,” he said as Jedek handed him the shirt.

Kheet reached over and Ahnon handed it to him. Examining it, Kheet looked up at Ahnon grinning. “You designed it like a dragon’s skin,” he said.

“Well, yeah. What else did I have to go by?” Ahnon replied.

Nodding with an impressed expression, Kheet handed it back. “Oh, I would’ve done the same,” he said laughing but then stopped, looking at the scales on the table and then the shirt. They were all the same color, meaning they came from one dragon. His eyes got big. “You killed that dragon?” he more stated than asked.

“Well, he didn’t just give them to me,” Ahnon replied.

Looking at the table, Kheet picked up a scale. “I thought you just went into caverns where some sleep and picked up sheds,” he said with awe. “How many warriors did you have with you?” he asked.

“Talon was there,” Ahnon told him.

“You made me wait outside,” Talon chimed in from his perch. “Your exact words were, ‘Get out or I will pull your tail feather out’,” he said fluffing his feathers.

Glancing up, “I didn’t want you to get hurt,” Ahnon grumbled.

Kenna looked up at Talon. “We understand, Talon,” she said.

Letting out a growl, Ahnon jumped up. “Don’t you start!” he snapped at Kenna.

“We wanted to help on those last negtro stags,” she popped off as he sat back down.

Leaning back in his chair, Ahnon crossed his arms. “You aren’t ready,” he told her.

Hoping to cut Kenna off, Jedek reached over and put a hand on her as Rosea flew over, landing on her shoulder and telling her it would be alright. “If he stays true to form, you never will be,” Talon mumbled.

“Talon, that’s enough!” Ahnon shouted. Talon just wiggled his head side to side before closing his eyes.

“By yourself!” Kheet bellowed, startling everyone. Kheet didn’t know what Talon had been saying, but he could deduce what was said from their replies.

Ahnon looked at him, “Well, he wasn’t going to go and let me get some friends.”

“You could’ve killed it as it slept and not tried to talk to it,” Talon mumbled overhead. Ahnon looked up at the loft, seeing Talon perched on the railing with his eyes closed.

“Talon, it was a dragon. Not a troll, an orc, or a giant. You just don’t walk in and kill one in its sleep without giving them a chance to leave,” Ahnon growled.

“You woke it up!” Kheet shouted, staring at Ahnon. Feeling weak in the knees, Kheet collapsed back in his chair. “Ahnon, I fought a dragon in Calkran and I was with thirty mounted knights and a hundred foot soldiers. When it was over, there were only twenty-three of us left alive,” he said.

“You don’t attack a dragon unless you can do it in their lair or hurt their wings so they can’t fly. I say, you’re lucky to be alive and to have killed a dragon like that,” Ahnon told him.

“Oh, we didn’t kill it, but we made it leave,” Kheet told him.

Jedek pointed at the scales on the table, “If their hide is that tough, how do you kill one?” he asked.

Ahnon closed his eyes and held out his hand. Giving a startle, Kheet watched as a book flew up from the cellar and landed in Ahnon’s hand. He fought a shiver that wanted to run down his spine as Ahnon opened the book up. “Like I said, the scales don’t cover everywhere. Like under the arms and legs, at the base of the jaw and base of the wings. Then of course, you can hit them in the mouth, eyes and nostrils,” he told him, pointing at a picture in the book.

“You aim for the holes of their nose?” Kenna asked, not sure she would ever be that good with a bow.

“Kenna, on a full-grown dragon, I could put both my fists in its nostril and still have some room around it,” he told her. She flipped the page and saw a picture with a dragon drawn over two pages. Down beside it was a drawing of a man for comparison. The man looked really insignificant next to the dragon.

Realizing the size of a dragon when he saw the human drawn for comparison, “It’s that big and can fly?” Jedek asked having a hard time believing it.

“Yes,” Ahnon told him. Jedek looked up, wanting more. “Jedek, they do use magic. That’s where humans got double and half from,” Ahnon said and then pointed at the picture. “Even with that spell if they were made like man, they couldn’t fly, at least not with wings. You remember the skeleton of the mastodon that was at the castle?” Ahnon asked and Jedek nodded his head.

“That leg bone you tried to climb was taller than me and I could barely wrap my arms around it. It weighed close to a ton,” Ahnon said, then pointed to the dragon’s back leg in the picture. “A dragon has a bone that big here and I weigh more than that bone does. Now, a bird’s bones are delicate, but dragon bones aren’t made like them or ours and they are all muscle, no fat. Their bones are nearly impossible to break,” he told Jedek.

Kenna took a breath to ask a question, but Ahnon held up his hand. “Your break is over and it’s math time,” he told her. “We will cover creatures later, but you can read the books downstairs on your time till then,” he said.

Stomping her foot, “Ahnon, I thought there were only thirty books on creatures and animals, but I found two more rows of books on animals down there,” Kenna whined.

Ahnon sat back down. “Wait till Talon brings the rest of my books from my citadel,” he told her.

Letting out a groan, Kenna picked up her quill and started doing math. Kheet leaned over watching her and Jedek, mesmerized. He could count and add some, but not like that. Once again, he got caught up in the lesson.

Chapter 6

The next morning after breakfast, Kheet walked over to the forge where he and Ahnon had built two bins and almost fainted. They were both full of fire rock. He looked over at the other two they were working on, but there was nothing in them. When Ahnon walked over, he pointed at the bins. “Told you,” Ahnon said, hearing an explosion behind him.

Kheet dropped down to the ground. “What was that?” he yelled.

“Kenna and Jedek practicing a spell,” Ahnon told him, walking over and grabbing a board.

Pushing off the ground, Kheet stood up and brushed the dirt off. “You three lead an exciting life,” he said, joining Ahnon.

The last bin was completed before the first hour was done. Following Ahnon, Kheet walked over to the kids where he saw Kenna holding a blue glowing sphere. She threw the sphere and it sailed over the rise, then flew straight to a boulder. When it hit, the ground shook as it exploded, covering the boulder in a bluish green film. “What’s it do? Knock them down and cover them with slime?” Kheet asked.

“No, the ‘slime’ paralyzes whatever it touches for days,” Ahnon replied. He stopped beside the two who were both panting. “Come on, both of you only did ten,” he pointed out.

“Can’t we use some gargoyle blood?” Jedek asked panting.

“Not yet,” Ahnon said. “You have to know how a spell works without it first and how much it drains you,” he told him. Jedek nodded as Ahnon handed both of them wooden battle axes. “Watch,” he said and started swinging at the pell. Kheet was taken back by Ahnon’s skill as he used every part of the ax as a weapon like one was supposed to do.

When Ahnon finished, the kids moved over and started copying him. Again, Kheet was impressed as they copied him perfectly, though slower because the things weighed a lot. “You are going to teach them more?” Kheet asked, watching them.

“Of course. They are only learning weapon weights and distance now,” Ahnon told him, seeing Jedek make a mistake.

Before Ahnon said anything, “Hold on, Jedek!” Kheet shouted and walked over to him, showing him what he had just done wrong. Ahnon watched Kheet, impressed as he twirled the wooden axe through the air and not showing he felt the extra weight from the lead inside of the wood. Kheet handed the axe back and the two started again. “Hope you don’t mind,” Kheet said, walking back over to stand by him.

“Not at all,” Ahnon replied. “Since a dwarf taught me axe and nothing uses an axe better than a dwarf,” Ahnon said smiling. “Tell you what, you mind watching them while I finish my project?”

“Love to,” Kheet said, smiling as he watched Jedek and Kenna. It was lunch when Ahnon came back from the side of the house, seeing the young warriors using staffs against the pell. Heading inside, he grabbed food and drinks and brought them to the table outside.

Seeing food, the two stopped drenched in sweat. Kheet followed their gaze and spotted the food. They walked over to the table and sat down. Jedek and Kenna drained their glasses and when they put them down, Rosea refilled them. “Your students are very good,” Kheet said, raising his tankard with ale.

Jedek and Kenna both beamed at hearing that. “Yes, I’m very proud of their progress,” Ahnon said. Rosea stopped filling Jedek’s glass and looked over at the rise. Feeling tension in the air, Ahnon looked at her. Then Minos let out a soft growl and Ahnon stood up, grabbing his staff.

Kheet reached over and pulled his axe off his back as he stood up. “What is it?” he asked.

“Don’t know, but when a fairy and a bocha hound give you a warning, it’s wise to listen,” Ahnon said in a low voice.

“If it’s bad, Talon will tell us,” Kenna said, shoving a chunk of cheese in her mouth.

“He doesn’t see everything,” Ahnon said, walking around the table. Kenna emptied her mouth as Jedek jumped up and they both joined Ahnon and Kheet. “Rosea, do you know what it is?” Ahnon asked.

Staring over the rise, Rosea flew over, hovering at his shoulder. “No, but several birds said trouble was coming,” she told Ahnon.

“Well, let’s hope trouble doesn’t want to stay,” Ahnon said, walking over to the rise. The others followed him and stopped with him on the rise. They watched the field below when suddenly several dozen small forms ran out of the woods heading toward them. “Oh, this is orc dung,” Ahnon said, looking at the forms and slumping his shoulders.

Letting out a small sigh, Rosea shook her head, “I’m surprised it took this long for them to find us.”

“What are little kids doing out here?” Kenna shouted, pointing at the running forms.

Taking a deep breath, Ahnon shook his head. “Those aren’t kids. Those are kobolds,” he said groaning.

“Kobolds?” Jedek asked.

“Small humanoids, but most refer to them as ‘pests’. They look like human kids, but aren’t,” he said as the group ran at them.

“Are they dangerous?” Jedek asked a little worried.

“Yes and no. They get into everything. Like small kids, they pick up anything,” he said, leaning on his staff and Kheet put his axe up.

“Want me to run them off?” Kheet asked.

Shaking his head, Ahnon looked at him, “No, that will just drive their curiosity up and they will sneak back, making our life difficult,” he told him.

“Why didn’t Talon see them before they made the field?” Kenna asked, looking up at Talon circling and looking like he was getting ready to dive.

“If kobolds don’t want to be seen, it is very hard for anything to spot them,” Ahnon said as the group ran up the rise. The group stopped in front of them and without thinking, Ahnon instinctively reached over and grabbed Kenna. “Can we help you?” he asked.

Mesmerized, Kenna stared at the group in wonder. They looked like small kids by their faces, but none were over three and a half feet tall. Their bodies were very slender, making them look even smaller. When Ahnon spoke, they all looked to the one in the front of the group. He was the tallest, at three and a half feet, with black hair that reached his shoulders and like the others, he had a smile from ear to ear. Kenna reached up and tried to pull Ahnon’s hand off her shoulder. She wanted to go over and pick one up, treating it like her old dolls.

“We heard some kids were here and we wanted to play,” the leader said and the others nodded with excitement.

“Who are you, first?” Ahnon asked.

“I’m Bryce and this is my group, we call ourselves the ‘cave clan’,” he said proudly.

Ahnon introduced his group, except Rosea. None of the kobolds had looked at her, so Ahnon knew they couldn’t see her. “The ‘kids’ are training,” he said when he finished introductions. Jedek and Kenna both cringed when Ahnon said ‘kids’. As one, the entire group of kobolds’ smiles fell off hearing that.

Very distraught, Bryce stepped forward with a grimace. “Come on, just a little while. Do you know how boring it is around here?” he asked.

“And dangerous,” Ahnon said, making Bryce scoff. “I’ve never seen kobolds this far from a town or settlement before,” Ahnon said, wanting to know what they were doing this far in the wild.

“We were in a town awhile back, but they got mad at us so we left,” Bryce said with the others nodding.

Feeling exhausted, Ahnon closed his eyes. “Yes, that happens sometimes,” he said. “First, I want to tell each of you, we are wizards and the stuff here is protected, so don’t take anything home to study. You could get hurt,” Ahnon warned them. At the mention of ‘wizard’ the group’s eyes lit up.

“Wow, really?” Bryce asked.

“Yes, so don’t,” Ahnon said nodding and hoping he was getting through, but wasn’t holding his breath. “We are eating and you are welcome to join us,” Ahnon said, walking back over to the table. The kobolds let out a cheer and ran past him to the table. Seeing all the kids running to the table, Minos started bouncing around with excitement.

Everyone sat and ate with the kobolds just chatting away. No sooner than Ahnon let her go, Kenna ran over and picked up the smallest one. Holding the kobold at arm’s length, Kenna twirled the tiny girl around in the air. When the others saw that they all wanted a turn and Kenna was only too happy. When they all had been spun around by Kenna, they all crowded around her when she sat down. Every once in a while, Ahnon would see one shake their hand like it hurt as the group stood around Kenna. Ahnon grinned, knowing those with hurt hands had reached in her spell pouches.

When the food was gone, Ahnon stood up. “Cave clan over there,” he said, pointing at the end of the table. Disheartened, the group moved over with everyone frowning. “Kenna and Jedek, stand up. Keep your spell pouches on, but take everything else that you can off,” he told them. They both laid out their swords, daggers, and coats, leaving only shirt, pants and boots on. “Lesson change for today,” Ahnon said grinning.

“No time limit, but the lesson only ends when you catch one. Cave clan, when you get caught, you have to sit down at the table,” Ahnon told them, then pointed at the group of kobolds. “Starting now,” he said. The kobolds let out a cheer. They were going to play! Kenna and Jedek took a step toward them and the group was suddenly, gone. They both paused at how quickly they’d moved. It wasn’t as fast as agile dash, but they could still move fast.

Looking around, Kenna and Jedek spotted kobolds everywhere and took off in pursuit. The kobolds let out laughs of joy as the game began. Minos was still beside the table bouncing. “Oh, play,” he moaned.

With a grin, Ahnon looked at him. “What are you doing here? Go catch one for them,” he said.

Minos threw back his head letting out a howl stopping everyone. “I catch all the little kids!” he howled and then took off.

Grabbing a chair Ahnon sat back down beside Kheet, watching the game. Jedek and Kenna both had double and half on and could run almost as fast as a horse, but couldn’t get close to the kobolds. Poor Minos could run faster than a horse, but couldn’t turn worth a crap. Seeing Minos go end over end as he tried to turn with a kobold, Ahnon was reminded of him chasing rabbits.

Not able to help it, Kheet laughed while watching the game. “How long before they catch one?” he asked.

“Oh, they won’t,” Ahnon told him. “Kobolds can turn faster than a rabbit, run faster than a horse, and bounce higher than a deer.”

It only took an hour before Jedek came to a stop and pulled out a pouch, more than a little irritated at not being able to catch one. He cast agile dash and spotted a kobold on the other side of the yard. Jedek blurred, heading right at it. The kobold could see him with ease and took off running. Just as Jedek got close, the kobold darted to the right. Jedek tried to follow the ninety degree turn but found out what Minos felt like as he went end over end. Kenna cast her spell and charged one only to have it run at her and jump over her.

Seeing the next level the game had gone to, Kheet hit the ground laughing still watching the game. It was two hours in when Jedek and Kenna both came over to get some water and started to plan their attacks. Working together, they actually touched several, but still weren’t able to catch one.

Talon landed beside Ahnon, “Do I need to help?” he asked.

“No, Talon. Let them figure it out,” Ahnon told him.

It was late afternoon when Jedek and Kenna stumbled over to the table panting. They were soaked in sweat with red faces. “How can they move that fast without magic?” Jedek asked.

“Jedek, look how big they are and think of the dangers around them. Running is an art form to a kobold and those that can’t, don’t last long,” he told him.

Looking up, Kenna paused her panting. “All they can do is run?” she asked and then started panting again.

Shaking his head, “I didn’t say that, but if you ever see a kobold that’s mad at you take out a sling, hide really fast,” he told her.

The kobolds started teasing Jedek and Kenna as they tried to catch their breath. Jedek grabbed the water skin and drained it, then looked at Ahnon. “Can you catch one?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ahnon replied without a doubt.

“With only your double and half, and without agile dash?” Kenna asked.

“It would take me a few minutes, but yes,” he said as the kobolds started running past the two, teasing them.

Kenna and Jedek both stood up from leaning on the table. “Prove it,” they said in unison.

Slowly, Ahnon stood up smiling and took off his gear to lay it on the table. “Cave clan, stay away from me!” he yelled, seeing Minos going end over end again. The Cave clan let out a cheer as Ahnon jumped over the table.

He spotted one and headed for her, it was the first little girl Kenna had picked up. Seeing she was his target, she let out a squeal and took off. Ahnon stayed with her, closing the distance when she suddenly turned hard to the left. Unlike anyone else, Ahnon didn’t try to turn, he dove at her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. He held her tight as they rolled on the ground. When they stopped, Ahnon jumped up still holding the girl and the entire group stopped in shock.

In a dead run, Minos was chasing one when it suddenly stopped to look at Ahnon carry the girl to the table. Seeing he was about to run right over the kobold, Minos jumped into the air not wanting to hurt it. If he would’ve kept that course, it would have been alright. But Minos tried to turn in midair and once again, went end over end.

It took Ahnon almost an hour to catch the entire clan, but he did. Bryce was the last and saw how Ahnon was catching them. Instead of trying to turn, he tried to jump back over Ahnon. Ahnon just jumped up and Bryce flew right into his arms. As he carried Bryce over to the table, everyone was staring at him with wide eyes.

“I can’t believe he did it,” Jedek said, leaning over and whispering to Kenna.

Disgusted, Kenna looked at Jedek. “I just wanted him to catch one of the little dung heaps,” she whispered back, making him snicker.

Sitting Bryce at the table, Ahnon looked at the two. “What did you do wrong?” he asked. Kenna and Jedek looked at each other, then back to Ahnon and shrugged their shoulders. “You played to their strength and not yours. You have a longer reach and you have weight. When they turn, they have to slow slightly and I leapt at them to bring them to my reach,” he said sitting down.

With his tongue hanging out, Minos staggered over, looking at the table and panting hard, “Little kids run too fast,” he said with his tongue seeming to long even with his massive body. He didn’t lay or sit down. From a standing position, Minos fell over onto his side, actually shaking the ground.

Barely breathing hard, Ahnon stood up looking at the kobolds. “We are glad you are neighbors, but you can’t come over tomorrow because they have to train. Maybe the day after,” Ahnon told them and they smiled at that. “Now, when you come back, I want you to each bring two fish with you as long as your forearm and I’ll cook them for you,” Ahnon offered.

The kobolds all jumped up cheering and hugged everyone bye, Kenna twice for each one. Ahnon watched them walk away, ‘I don’t think even Kenna could wrap a kobold around her finger’, he thought as the group suddenly took off running.

Kenna laid her head on the table. “What’s for supper?” she asked.

“I’ll cook up some deer steaks real fast. Then, you two need to get some sleep,” Ahnon said, heading to the house.

“It’s not the sixth day,” Jedek shouted after him.

Stopping, Ahnon turned around. “Both of you could use it,” he said, pointing at Kenna. She was snoring softly with her head on the table. Ahnon headed inside and quickly fried some deer steaks. When the door opened, he saw Jedek come in followed by Kheet carrying a sleeping Kenna.

Jedek walked over. “He wouldn’t let me wake her up,” he said as Ahnon put the steaks on a platter. “What’s your hurry?” he asked.

“I figure one or two of the kobolds will be here shortly,” Ahnon said, washing his hands.

“Why?” Jedek asked as Ahnon headed to the door.

“Several are getting sick,” he told Jedek.

Letting out a gasp, “You didn’t?” Jedek accused.

Opening the door, Ahnon looked at him. “You may enjoy your stuff being taken, but I don’t,” he told Jedek.

“What do they do with it?” Jedek asked.

“They put it in a pile with other stuff they ‘come across’,” he said as he closed the door. He walked over to the table and sat down to wait. It was only half an hour later when Ahnon spotted a little form running across the field headed for the rise. When it stopped, he saw it was the tiny girl that he’d caught first.

“Ahnon, you have to come, the others are sick,” she said, running over and grabbing his hand.

Standing up, Ahnon tried not to smile. “Lead the way,” he said and the tiny girl took off. Following her, Ahnon noticed she was running faster than when he’d chased her. They ran for a half an hour stopping at a very narrow ravine which the girl headed right into. Ahnon followed, but it was a tight fit in places.

“What’s your name?” Ahnon asked, trying to keep pace with her.

“Chole,” she responded, never looking back. Up ahead, he spotted the opening to a cave.

“Never would’ve found this,” he said, following her inside. When he reached the main chamber, he saw the others curled up on the ground. Each was moaning and crying while holding their stomach. He knelt by the first one. “Take out what you came across at the cottage and give it back to me,” Ahnon told him.

The kobold took out a fork and handed it to Ahnon. When Ahnon’s hand touched the fork, the kobold quit moaning as the pain suddenly left.  Standing up, Ahnon noticed some paintings, tapestries, and pictures hanging on the cave wall. Suddenly, Ahnon had a sneaking feeling who took the stuff from the cottage before they’d found it, and realized this clan had been here a long time. Stepping over, he went to the next one and the same thing happened. When they turned over what they’d come across and gave it back, the pain stopped.

Continuing around, he noticed other things here that he knew didn’t come from the cottage, but he had no idea where. The last kobold he stopped at was Bryce, who was moaning the loudest. When Bryce handed over a button off Kenna’s shirt, his pain didn’t stop. He dug in his pockets and pulled out a small knife. Never seeing it before, Ahnon figured it belonged to Kheet. Taking the knife from Bryce, the pain still didn’t stop.

It took several more items before the pain suddenly stopped. Ahnon smiled at him and stood up, noticing the others were looking at him. “I warned you, so don’t blame me,” he said, walking to the entrance. “Just a word of advice, the next time is much worse and the next time, you might not live. The magic protecting our stuff is powerful, but for the safety of others,” he warned as he left the group.

When Ahnon reached the cottage, he found Jedek asleep sitting at the table with his head half on his plate. Kheet was sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace snoring loudly and Kenna was still in her bed, where Kheet had put her, with Rosea asleep beside her on the pillow. Talon was on his perch and Minos was still lying on the ground outside.

Ahnon put the stuff on the table and grabbed a steak. Since his project was finished, he went down to the cellar and brought back a bolt of silk cloth and made some tiny dresses.

Chapter 7

Kenna was the first one awake and when she opened her eyes she spotted Rosea lying next to her on the pillow. Startled at first, Kenna sat up fast. Seeing who it was she reached down and pulled up the blanket, covering Rosea’s legs up. Getting out of bed, she saw Jedek asleep in his bed next to hers curled up in a ball with his blanket on the floor.

Giving a chuckle, Kenna picked the blanket up, covered him up, and then walked over to the table. Ahnon was sitting in a chair asleep but on the table, were several dozen simple dresses in many different colors. Hearing a loud roaring behind her, Kenna turned to see Kheet asleep in a chair. Smiling, she went to start breakfast. The others woke up shortly, after hearing pots and pans rattling.

When Rosea saw all the tiny dresses, she freaked. Ahnon picked up one, handing it to her. “This one is yours,” he told her. Rosea took it from his hand and flew around the table hugging it, then landed on the table. Without a second thought, she took off her leaf and put on the little dress. Jedek turned around so fast that his chair fell over with him in it. The dress was a pale red, much lighter than her hair, and barely reached her knees. It had no back, so it didn’t impede her wings.

“I love this,” she cried out in a tiny voice they all heard filled with joy. Jumping up, she flew over to Ahnon and hugged his cheek.

Shocked at the dress style, Kenna looked at  Rosea wearing her new dress. “Ahnon, it’s above the knees, way above the knees and she doesn’t have any shoes,” she said putting bread in the oven.

With a frown, Rosea looked over at her. “I really only wear shoes when I have to and I was thinking the dress was a bit too long,” she told Kenna. Kenna just shrugged, watching Rosea pull the hem of her dress up a little further.

Reaching down, Ahnon picked up a small light gray dress. “This one is for Orrla and you can give the others out,” Ahnon told her and then pointed at the bolt of silk. “Take that as well, so the others can have some soft cloth,” he told her.

Rosea flew down and waved her hand at the dresses and the bolt of silk making them disappear. She flew around to everyone giving them each a kiss on the cheek and flew over to the door. Jedek jumped out of his chair and ran over to open the door. Swooping over, Rosea kissed him again and shot out the door. Closing the door, he went back to the table to join the others for breakfast.

When they finished eating, everyone headed outside to find Minos still lying in the same spot, sound asleep. Ahnon set the kids to training as Kheet went to get the forge ready and found the other two bins full of fire rock.

It was midmorning when Minos jumped up and took off running over the rise barking. Kheet came out of the forge to join Ahnon and the kids at the rise. A few minutes later, they saw three wagons enter the field and heading up to the cottage. Minos was running around trying to get the woolly oxen to play, but they ignored him.

Kenna leaned over, putting her weight on Ahnon’s side. “I can’t believe bocha hounds even exist with the way they act,” she said, watching Minos.

“He is not a typical bocha, Kenna. Most are very regal, disciplined, and obedient. Those that want to play are trained not to,” Ahnon told her, putting his arm around her shoulders.

Getting angry, Jedek stomped his foot. “Minos is a good dog and is a great friend!” he shouted.

Kenna looked over at him, smiling. “Never said he wasn’t, but I don’t think he has a serious bone in his body. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings,” she told him.

A flush crept up on Jedek’s cheeks. “You didn’t hurt my feelings, Kenna and sometimes I think the same,” Jedek told her and looked back over the field. “But to be honest, I really don’t want to change him. He reminds me to be carefree sometimes, and without a little fun, life kind of stinks,” Jedek admitted.

With a soft smile, Kenna pulled away from Ahnon and went over and stood beside Jedek, putting her head on his shoulder. “Yes, he does that very well,” Kenna said as Rosea streaked over to stop in front of them.

“Oh, everyone loved the dresses and the cloth, Ahnon,” she said smiling. They watched as Rosea was turning around in place slowly as she hovered in front of them, showing off her dress.

Ahnon tilted his head to her. “I’m glad I could do something for our friends,” he told her with a small smile.

“Orrla said she was going to come by later,” Rosea said, moving over and landing on Kenna’s shoulder. Everyone smiled hearing that as they watched the three wagons slowly roll toward them. “That woman sitting with the man in the first land boat with round feet is a pretty strong witch. Why are they going so slow?” Rosea asked.

“They’re called wagons,” Kenna said, taking her head off Jedek’s shoulder. “And I guess she wants to,” she concluded. “Rosea, can she see you?” Kenna asked wondering.

“No, why?” Rosea asked.

“You knew she was a powerful witch, I thought you knew her,” Kenna said.

“No, the scouts reported them many seasons ago and I went to have a look myself,” Rosea said.

“Her name is Ava and the man beside her is Delmuth, her husband,” Kenna told her.

The three wagons rolled over the stone bridge and up the rise, stopping beside the group. Ahnon saw it was only Delmuth and his family that delivered the supplies. Delmuth jumped down and reached back to help Ava down. Their kids ran over to the group and froze on seeing Kheet.

“This is a friend. His name is Kheet,” Kenna said, walking over and grabbing Kheet’s hand to hold it.

The kids smiled and ran over introducing themselves as Rosea shot off Kenna’s shoulder to examine the wagons. She zoomed around giving out little cries on seeing new stuff. Ava turned to the buzzing, but didn’t see anything. Turning back to Ahnon, “I hear you have befriended a fairy,” she said.

With a look that spoke volumes, Ahnon shrugged his shoulders. “Not by choice. We found them totally by accident and they didn’t put a beat down on us,” he told her.

Delmuth came over and wrapped his arms around Ahnon, hugging him tight and giving Ahnon more than a little shock. “Ahnon, you can’t believe how good everything is going,” he said, releasing Ahnon. “We worked the whole winter to get the area ready and about a month ago, the craftsmen started showing up. We have five blacksmiths and over twenty other craftsmen. The livestock and hounds arrived weeks ago, and we received our first orders two weeks ago,” he said, beaming with pride.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Ahnon said, grinning at his excitement. “You have a wall up?” he asked, making sure they were going to follow the contract.

Delmuth waved him off. “That was the first thing we built. It encloses one hundred acres like we agreed. Granted it’s built out of logs, but we had to start somewhere,” he said, then turned around walking over to his wagon and came back carrying a satchel. He pulled out two scrolls, handing them to Ahnon.

“Those are from the kings of Racor and Fantshu. Kings, mind you,” he said grinning. “Acknowledging we have the right to one hundred leagues in every direction of the school,” he told Ahnon.

“Well, it’s official now,” Ahnon said, handing back the scrolls and never opening them.

Very carefully, Delmuth put them back in the satchel. “Since we are technically in both kingdoms, they agreed on a five percent tax to each,” he said.

Curling his upper lip, Ahnon grunted. “Yes, we can’t forget to let the kings pick our pockets,” he replied.

With a laugh, Ava moved over to Ahnon and kissed his cheek. “You should know kings demand their tribute,” she said as Delmuth dug in the satchel, pulling out another scroll.

“This is from Count Regan for you,” he said, handing the scroll over.

Breaking the seal, Ahnon read the scroll, snorting several times and groaning others. When he finished, he read it again. Kenna and Jedek watched him, wanting to read it and not really wanting to play with the other kids. After reading it again, he handed it to the kids and looked up at Ava and Delmuth.

“Regan is setting up a commerce area in the small village that’s just outside the hundred leagues,” he told them.

Somewhat shocked, Delmuth looked at Ava and then at Ahnon. “It’s not really a village. It has a store and an inn,” he said.

“For now, but it’s at the start of the river and he figures we are on to something here, so he wants to cash in,” Ahnon told him.

“Sounds all right to me,” Ava said.

“Oh, there’s more,” Ahnon said. “You have to bring in fifty men at arms. You two have been granted titles in both kingdoms. That’s why you got the five percent from the kings. Nobility has to keep its share of the royal army,” Ahnon told her.

Ava stiffened. “Titles?” she gasped.

“Yes, don’t ask me how Regan did it, but the papers will be here by the end of summer,” Ahnon told her. “The man really knows how to cover the board in his favor,” Ahnon informed her.

“What in the abyss did you do for the man for him to do all this?” Delmuth shouted, worrying about the count now.

With an air of indifference, Ahnon shrugged his shoulders. “Saved his family from getting killed by kidnappers,” he said nonchalantly.

Relief flooded Delmuth. “That is a debt a man can never repay,” he said, feeling better.

“It doesn’t matter. Ahnon trusts Regan, so shall we,” Ava said, narrowing her eyes at Delmuth.

Knowing he’d gone too far, Delmuth stepped back from her. “I’m sorry, Ava, but we got a break and I was worried,” he admitted.

She reached up and rubbed his cheek. “That’s all right,” she told him, then turned back to Ahnon. “Can you enlighten us as to why we passed a group of kobold running through the river and trying to catch fish with their hands? They saw us, but didn’t stop and come over. And we had kids with us?” she asked, arching her brow.

“Were they catching any?” Ahnon asked curiously.

Tossing the satchel in the wagon, Delmuth scoffed. “With as much noise as they were making, you’ll be lucky if there is a fish left in the river,” he said. Ahnon told them of the encounter as Delmuth told his kids to start unloading the wagons. Jedek and Kenna joined in, running to the first wagon and took the tarp off.

They stood rooted to the ground, looking inside confused. The wagon was full of rope and nets like fishermen used. Jedek picked one up to confirm it. “We spear fish or shoot them with a bow. Why did he get this?” Kenna asked confused.

Shaking his head, “I have no idea,” Jedek admitted and started pulling out the bundles. The group unloaded the wagons and Ahnon fixed lunch when they were done. Ava and Delmuth’s family joined them before heading back home.

Ahnon got the two back to training as Kheet walked over. “That’s convenient, having supplies delivered,” he said.

“Saves me time,” Ahnon said, watching the kids.

“Well, I’m going to back to work as well,” Kheet said, heading to the forge.

Just before the first sun touched the mountain peaks, Ahnon took the kids out hunting. But this time, they were doing the hunting under the four moons of Thanos, and Minos was very irritated that he couldn’t go. Kenna got a negtro stag and Jedek shot a cave bear when it came to collect Kenna’s stag. Even though he wouldn’t admit it, Jedek almost took off running at the sight of the gigantic bear. Seeing the gigantic bear charging, Jedek was certain he could outrun it with agile dash. When Ahnon motioned for him to shoot, Jedek fought the urge to ask if he was insane.

Staring at the bear as it got closer, Jedek was sure if Kenna stood on his shoulders beside the bear, she still wouldn’t be able to see across its back when the bear was on all fours. When his first arrow made the bear mad, Jedek fought the urge to start using magic as he pulled back the bow. The second arrow hit the bear between the eyes.

Unlike when Ahnon did that, this only enraged the bear. When the bear charged, Jedek leapt up in the trees. He had to jump out of the first one when the bear knocked it down, and it was a really big tree. Shooting his sixth arrow into the bear in the top of his third tree, Jedek looked straight out in front of him, seeing Ahnon casually floating above the bear, watching Jedek grab another arrow. Looking back at the bear, Jedek shivered as he pulled back his bow releasing another arrow. The arrow sank into the bear’s neck. Letting out a roar, the bear started to claw huge chunks of wood out of the massive trunk and push the tree harder.

“It’s not afraid of my arrows,” Jedek screamed, reaching back and pulling another one out as the tree shook when the bear hit it really hard, taking a bigger chunk of wood out and it wasn’t a small tree. It was several paces around. He’d learned after his second tree; stay really high in really big trees.

Casually floating in the air, Ahnon looked down at the bear as it stood up and started to push the tree with its forepaws. Seeing the bear standing, Ahnon was sure it was near thirty feet tall. “Make sure you stay in tall trees,” Ahnon offered politely as Jedek released his next arrow.

The arrow hit the bear in the neck again making it let out a roar that Jedek was sure made his hair blow back. “That’s all the advice you have?” Jedek asked, feeling the tree start to lean and hearing the wood crack. He started looking for another one to jump to.

“It has offered you the shot to end it a hundred times,” Ahnon said as Jedek jumped out of the tree sailing forty paces through the air and landing in another tree. Loving magic more as he turned in the tree, Jedek looked down making was sure he was still fifty feet off the ground, but the bear saw him jump and ran over, still standing up. Once again, it started pushing the tree and Jedek didn’t feel he was that high anymore as Ahnon floated over hovering above the bear in front of Jedek.

“The only thing it has offered me is its mouth, trying to eat me!” Jedek shouted, pulling out an arrow. He looked up at Ahnon with a scowl on his face to only find Ahnon smiling at him. Realizing what he said, Jedek suddenly grinned back and looked down at the bear while pulling back his bow. Taking careful aim, Jedek controlled his breathing and when the bear opened its mouth to roar, he released.

Sailing across the short distance, the arrow passed into the bear’s mouth, striking at the base of the skull. Jedek watched as the giant just crumpled to the ground. After staring at the bear for a minute making sure it was dead, Jedek looked back up to Ahnon. “You could’ve told me that earlier,” he said.

“I didn’t tell you anything. You figured it out on your own. Fight your adversary on your ground using their weakness. You did excellent by staying in big, tall trees,” Ahnon said, floating to the ground. It took them all night to clean the game but at dawn, they had enough meat for a little while. As the kids continued training, Ahnon prepared the hides and meat with Kheet helping.

The next evening, Ahnon showed them his latest project at the side of the house at the base of the hill where the stream ran down. Twenty paces from the stream, they saw a rock-lined pool dug into the ground. Ahnon had diverted a small portion of the stream to run into the pool. “We have a shower. Why do we need a bathtub?” Jedek asked.

“It’s for soaking, Jedek, to relax the body,” Ahnon told Jedek as he took off his coat. “Your training is about to get much tougher and you will need it, trust me,” Ahnon said, stripping down to his loincloth and wading into the pool.

Jedek saw Kenna taking off her clothes and put a hand on her arm. “Please leave your chemise and loincloth on,” he begged.

Kenna stomped her foot. “Ahnon doesn’t have on a shirt,” she snapped.

“You’re a girl and my wife, so please?” Jedek begged.

Not wanting to argue, Kenna gave a sigh. “Okay,” she whined, but held a little smile.

When she was in her chemise and loincloth, she stepped into the pool to find it had steps. She let out a gasp, not at the steps, but the water was some kind of hot. Gritting her teeth, she eased in and moved to the side, sitting on a ledge Ahnon had built in the pool. With only her head above the water, Kenna sighed.

“This feels great,” she said, closing her eyes as Jedek waded in. The water was hot, but after seeing Kenna just walk in, Jedek wasn’t about to - not - get in. Kheet just stared at the three.

“You three spend more time bathing and soaking than anyone I know,” he grunted.

“Kheet, since you are a friend, I’m going to admit something. When humans work hard, our joints start to hurt a lot. This makes them feel so much better,” Ahnon told him.

Surprised, Kheet raised his eyebrows hearing that, but still walked away. A week passed with the two training hard and Kheet working on getting the forge ready. As they trained, Kenna and Jedek watched Ahnon work with the ropes and nets around the tall poles that were stuck in the ground. He connected the tops of some logs to each other with rope. Then, others that had a log connecting them like an arch, Ahnon would string ropes hanging down. Then, he hung ropes from the trees in the forest next to the field of logs.

It wasn’t until Jedek watched Ahnon put the nets under the tallest of the logs sticking out of the ground that he started getting an idea. When he watched Ahnon jump from the top of one log to another, thirty feet up, Jedek groaned.

Kenna looked at him, “What?” she asked.

“It’s an obstacle course,” Jedek told her.

Kenna looked back at the forest of logs sticking out of the ground. “Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yes, there was one close to the military barracks at the castle,” Jedek told her.

Feeling light headed, Kenna flung her hair back. “Jedek, I saw that when we played in the dirt and those logs were nowhere near that far from the ground,” she told him.

“That’s what the nets are for,” Jedek said, pointing at the nets hanging ten feet off the ground.

With her mouth hanging open with the realization that Jedek was right, “Ahnon knows how to fix broken bones, doesn’t he?” she asked, feeling she would find out soon enough.

“Yes. When I was seven, he fixed my arm when I broke it,” Jedek told her, shaking his head.

That evening, they sat at the table studying and as usual, Kheet was beside them reading a book. Kheet looked over at Ahnon. “Ahnon, I’m almost ready, so you need to find your three ironwood staffs,” he said and then went back to reading.

Realizing something, Kenna looked over at Kheet. “Kheet, how can you stay awake so long without keck?” she asked.

“I can stay awake a long time like most dwarfs,” he told her without looking up from his book.

Letting out a sigh, Kenna looked down at Rosea who was sitting at the edge of Kenna’s book, reading with her. Rosea looked up, “I only sleep because you do,” she said and then went back to reading.

“I’m jealous,” Kenna mumbled. Ahnon looked over at her. Holding her hand over a cup of keck tea, Kenna moved her fingertip in a slow circle. Six inches below her fingertip a spoon was stirring the tea, following her finger above it. He nodded, feeling proud of both of them. He was pushing them hard, but it was paying off.

The next morning, after casting spells, the three headed south dressed as hunters. Ahnon didn’t have his face mask on, but Kenna and Jedek did. Kenna and Jedek followed Ahnon at a steady run, not the blinding speed they had used before. Brimming with excitement, Kenna watched the world drift by as she outran a deer that thought they were chasing it.

“Better be glad we have meat,” Kenna said as she jumped a log. Today, Ahnon had them running through the forest which was scary but fun, having to dodge and weave through the trees. Ahnon would jump and kick off a tree up in the air and then kick off another, bouncing from tree to tree and not touching the ground for a mile.

That took them a few times to get the hang of. Both slammed into a tree a couple of times, getting the wind knocked out of them, a busted bone here and there, and Kenna busted her lip and nose. Ahnon kept a steady pace and could hear laughs and giggles coming from behind him as the kids became comfortable and started playing as they ran. Talon had told him there was a big stand of ironwood twenty leagues to the south and that was their destination.

Reaching the grove of ironwood, Ahnon suddenly stopped and the kids shot past him. They didn’t stop, instead they just ran and bounced off trees in a wide circle till they came back to him. When they stopped Ahnon couldn’t see their faces, but knew they were smiling. “Let’s find our new staffs,” he said, walking through the forest.

Following Ahnon, Kenna and Jedek looked around the forest and noticed the trees here were spaced much further apart than they were closer to home. They both walked over to a massive tree, almost as big around as the cottage. Looking up, they were sure it was hundreds of feet tall.

“That one is too big,” Ahnon called out to them.

In awe, Jedek turned around. “Ahnon, you see how big this thing is?” he asked.

“Oh, it’s big, but wait till you see the jungle in central Fantshu. The trees there are measured in miles, not feet,” Ahnon told him. Kenna spun around on hearing that.

“Miles?” she shouted.

“Oh yeah,” Ahnon told her. “On some of the tree branches over a mile up, other trees grow on them. There are towns and cities in them as well, miles off the ground,” he said.

“Oh, I so have to see that,” she said, walking over to him.

Letting out a laugh, Ahnon walked around, looking for young ironwoods. It didn’t take long and they found a small stand of saplings. Finding three that were perfect, he looked at the two. “Okay, we have to go and get some firewood,” he told them.

“There are branches around here,” Jedek said, pointing.

“It’s ironwood and doesn’t burn very well,” Ahnon said, then blurred away. The two shot off after him. They found some driftwood near the river a league away and carried it back in several trips. Ahnon stacked the wood around the base of one of the sapling, then motioned for the kids to do the same. When the three trees had a pile of wood around them, Ahnon made the kids use flint to start the fire.

“I can do this with magic,” Jedek grumbled.

“Well, you need to keep up all skills and making fire is one of the most important,” Ahnon said as his fire roared around the tree. He pulled off his pack and pulled out sandwiches. The three sat eating and watching their fires. Slowly, the bark started to turn red and Ahnon pulled a saw off his pack. Seeing that, Kenna and Jedek grabbed their saws and moved to their trees.

As Jedek started sawing, he found it made the worst sound he ever heard as the metal blade screeched against the ironwood bark. Not suprising, Ahnon’s tree fell first, followed by Jedek’s. They looked over at Kenna who was halfway through hers. She was throwing her weight behind each stroke and sweat was dripping out from under her wide brimmed hat. Jedek moved over to help, only to be yelled at. “I can do it!” she yelled at him. Both Ahnon and Jedek backed away as she continued.

When she finished, the bark had lost its last bit of red glow as Kenna stood up and pushed it over. “Told you I could,” she said as the sapling crashed down. Ahnon walked over to her tree and threw down some more firewood ten feet up from the cut. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“We aren’t carrying the whole tree back. We only need the bottom six feet,” he told her, making Kenna slump her shoulders.

They started the fires and then sat back down with Kenna and Jedek pulling out their journals. Kenna opened hers up and looked up at Ahnon. “Neeji, when is Kheet going to bathe?” she asked.

Not able to help it, Ahnon started laughing at the question. Jedek looked at him, not seeing what was so funny. “It’s not funny, Neeji, I really do like him, but he stinks,” Jedek said, making Ahnon laugh more.

When he could, Ahnon looked at them. “He will when he wants to. Most dwarfs only bathe once or twice a year,” he told them.

Finding that hard to believe, Kenna shook her head. “I could never survive that,” she said and started writing in her journal.

They sat there letting the trees heat up when Kenna suddenly jumped up and grabbed her bow. Reaching over her back, she pulled out an arrow, nocking it. As she was reaching for her arrow, Jedek jumped up and grabbed his bow.

Ahnon looked at the two in shock. “What’s got you two so riled up?” he asked.

Neither answered as Kenna and Jedek looked around and Ahnon could tell they were sniffing the air under their mask. He reached up to put his on. “Something is near us and I smell metal with it,” Kenna told him as she and Jedek both looked south.

The mask was barely on his face when the smell hit Ahnon like a wall. He stood up, holding out his hand as his staff flew up to it. He looked south feeling the wind lightly brush his face filling his mask with the smell. “Minotaur,” Ahnon told them.

“He’s running and getting close. I smell his sweat,” Jedek said.

Very proud of them, Ahnon turned to the two, nodding his approval. He looked up in the trees, then back at the two. “Get in that tree there and cover me with your bows,” he said, pointing at a tree that was beside them. It had a limb about twenty feet off the ground.

“Can’t we stay?” Jedek asked.

“You are, but up in that tree,” Ahnon told him and Jedek kicked the ground. “Remember the bear, attack with your strength,” Ahnon said and Jedek jumped up, catching the limb and pulling himself up. Kenna ran toward one tree jumping up and kicking off it, then bouncing back to another kicking off it before landing beside Jedek.

“Show off,” Jedek told her, getting his bow ready.

They watched Ahnon casually walk over and throw more wood on the fires, then step away from them. Kenna leaned over to Jedek. “I love the way he never worries,” she whispered.

“He does, but only for us,” Jedek corrected her, hearing something running toward them. He turned and spotted a large figure running through the trees, heading for Ahnon. As it got closer, it started to slow down and they got a good look as it stopped ten paces from Ahnon.

Both gave a shiver knowing Ahnon was a big man but barely came to the beast’s chest, and it was twice as broad as Ahnon. What really grabbed their attention was the massive bull head on a human-like body with horns several feet long on each side. It had human-like hands, but they had inch long claws at the end of each finger. It was barefoot and like the body, the feet were big. But like the hands, they had a long claw on each toe. It was wearing a flap of leather wrapped around its waist with brown fur covering the body. What shocked Jedek, it stopped before reaching Ahnon without him telling it to.

With his hands resting on the top of his staff, Ahnon stood relaxed, looking at the Minotaur. This seemed to amuse the Minotaur as it let out a snort. Then, Jedek saw the handle to an axe sticking out over its shoulder off his back with a large satchel on each hip. “What are you doing here, hunter?” the Minotaur asked in a deep cruel voice. The voice startled Jedek, sounding almost hollow, but the eyes were more terrifying. They were black like a cow’s, but he could see intelligence in them.

“Whatever I want to,” Ahnon replied casually.

The Minotaur let out a laugh. “Your overconfidence will be your undoing,” he chuckled.

With a scoff, Ahnon brushed his hand at the Minotaur. “Please, if you think I haven’t killed a walking cow, then you are truly stupid,” Ahnon told him.

The Minotaur’s lip peeled back revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth. “I will enjoy roasting you slowly,” he said, then reached over his shoulder and pulled a massive double headed battle axe.

“My suggestion is for you to run along before you get hurt,” Ahnon told him, still totally relaxed.

“Why? My supper is right here,” the Minotaur said.

From behind him, Ahnon heard thwack-thwack from two bows, firing at almost the same time. Hearing the noise, the Minotaur moved to look up, but never made it. Ahnon shook his head as two arrows hit the Minotaur in the eyes and the broadheads stuck out the back of the head under the horns.

The Minotaur never twitched, dying instantly on its feet and then slowly the body started tilting back. Like a giant tree, it wavered in the air before it finally crashed down, shaking the ground. Ahnon slowly turned around and looked up at Jedek and Kenna still holding their bows. “What?” Kenna asked and Ahnon just kept looking at them. “He wouldn’t shut up,” Kenna told Ahnon, shrugging her shoulders.

Fighting not to laugh, Jedek was glad he had on his mask because he was grinning as he jumped down, followed by Kenna. They walked over to Ahnon who was still watching them, but hadn’t said anything. Jedek walked by Ahnon, “We had a bet to see who could hit it in the eye,” Jedek told Ahnon. “Guess we both win,” he said, passing him.

They walked over and stopped beside the massive form with both fighting off a shiver. Kenna looked back at Ahnon. “Can we touch a Minotaur?” she called out.

Ahnon swung his staff up, catching it in his left hand. “Well, you two threw out the arrows. You tell me,” he said, walking over.

Kenna stomped her foot. “We have to see what it's carrying, but I’m not touching it till you say it’s safe,” she snapped.

Stopping beside her, “Except for the stink, it’s okay,” Ahnon said.

The two bent down and took the two satchels off the body and a dagger off its waist. They found a lot of gross items, but some useful ones as well. Jedek pulled out a large coin purse and opened it, letting out a gasp. Kenna reached over and looked inside. “Half that’s mine,” she said going back to her satchel. Ahnon chuckled and walked back to the trees and threw more logs on.

Hearing Ahnon walk away, Kenna leaned over to Jedek. “You think Ahnon would be mad if I took the head and mounted it over the fireplace?” she asked.

Shocked that she would even think about mounting the Minotaur’s head, Jedek jumped back, falling over on his side. “What?” he asked.

“I’ve seen deer and stag heads done that way, but they are just stupid animals. This would be neat,” she said.

Almost panting that Kenna would suggest that, Jedek just stared under the hat not able to see anything of Kenna with her dark spectacles and mask on. But from the sound of her voice, he knew she was smiling and being serious. “You want to put this nasty thing in the cottage to look at every night?” he asked.

Still filled with adrenalin, Kenna dropped her hands to her legs and leaned down on her knees. “Well, yes. We kicked its butt,” she told him.

Jedek thought about that for a second and had to agree that he liked that thought. “We aren’t taking the head home!” Ahnon shouted at them.

“Why not, damn it!” Kenna turned around screaming at Ahnon. Ahnon jumped back when Rosea suddenly zoomed over between them.

“There you are,” she said, looking around.

“You’re making that cave bear into a rug that’s going to cover half the floor and I can’t have the Minotaur head?” she screamed, jumping up and down.

Shocked at the torrent, Rosea flew backward. “Whoa, what did I miss?” she asked, then looked down beside Kenna. “A Minotaur!” she cried out.

“Not now, Rosea,” Kenna shouted and looked at Ahnon, waiting for an answer.

“Kenna, come here,” Ahnon told her, pointing to the ground in front of him. Kenna walked over to look up at Ahnon and Rosea watched the small black clad figure, thinking Kenna looked like an offspring harbinger of death standing in front of her parent of death. Kenna stopped and looked up at Ahnon.

“You don’t take a head of a warrior you killed in combat home for display. An animal that you admire is totally different,” Ahnon told her.

“I’m taking the horns then,” she grumbled.

“That’s fine,” Ahnon told the bloodthirsty little princess.

Walking past Ahnon, Kenna reached down and picked up her saw. “Fine,” she said, walking back to the Minotaur.

“We still have to work on our staffs,” Ahnon called after her.

“You two finish yours. I’ll finish mine later and follow you home,” she said, kneeling down beside the Minotaur’s head. Realizing each horn was longer and bigger around than her leg, Kenna brought the saw up and started working on one horn.

Jedek stood up, picking up the two satchels and then grabbed the axe handle. Even with being twice as strong, he grunted to pick the axe up. “My word, this thing weighs more than I do with the vest,” he said, walking over to Ahnon and dropping the axe and satchels. He moved over to his stuff and grabbed his saw and went back to help Kenna.

He knelt down and started to work on the other horn. “I can do it,” she snapped at him.

“I know, but I want to help,” Jedek said as he started to saw.

Kenna looked up at him. “Thank you,” she said in a normal voice.

Not pausing his sawing, “It only seems fair, your arrow hit first. Is anything on a Minotaur a component?” Jedek asked her and she shook her head.

“Not that I’ve read,” she told him.

Rosea floated over to Ahnon as he took his mask off, revealing a smile. “They killed a Minotaur?” she asked.

“Yes, they did,” Ahnon said, bending over and grabbing his saw. He walked over to his tree and pulled it out of the fire.

“What are you doing?” Rosea asked, flying slowly beside him.

“Getting our new staffs,” Ahnon told her. Rosea looked at the staff Ahnon put down to grab his saw, then at the sapling.

“Why did you try to burn it first? Ironwood doesn’t burn well,” she asked.

Feeling very tired, Ahnon looked up while taking off his hat. “You have to heat up the bark to cut it or you ruin it,” he told her.

Lowering herself closer, Rosea could feel the heat from the bark of the sapling. “Where are you going to cut it at?” Rosea asked as Ahnon drew the saw across the bark, leaving a mark.

“Right there,” he said, looking over at her. Rosea flew in front of him and pointed at the sapling with her finger, then moved her finger. Ahnon watched stunned as the mark he made become a razor thin cut and the top fell off.

“Like that?” Rosea asked.

Shaking his head in disbelief, “Yes, Rosea, like that,” he said, grabbing the six foot section and moving back to the fire.

“What are you doing now?” she asked, still following hovering behind him.

Stopping, he turned around, “It still has branches that need to come off to leave only the trunk, so I can make a staff out of it,” he told her, pointing to the little branches over the base. Rosea flew to the sapling and pointed at each branch and they fell off one at a time. When they were all off, she flew closer and put her hand on the bare spot the limb had left exposing the wood. Ahnon almost dropped the sapling as he watched sap fill the hole and turn to smooth ironwood bark.

When she finished, she looked up at him. “Like that?” she asked.

Nodding, flabbergasted at what he saw, “Yes, just like that,” Ahnon answered.

Rosea clapped, making her bounce as she hovered beside him. “Show me where on the other two,” she said, flinging her red hair back.

In no time, Ahnon had three, six-foot-long ironwood staffs that were perfect. He gathered the stuff taken from the Minotaur and looked over to see Kenna and Jedek stand up, each carrying a horn that was over three feet long. Kenna nodded at him as she tied the horns to her pack.

When they had their packs on Ahnon tossed each their staff. “We are going to the river and running up it, heading home. Try and keep up,” he said, vanishing in a cloud of leaves and a thunderclap that almost knocked them over. Ahnon never blurred, he just disappeared.

“My word!” Kenna shouted and took off toward the river, hoping Ahnon went that way.

They tried to run full speed but after almost hitting several trees, they slowed down. When they reached the river, they found Ahnon waiting on them. Then, he disappeared. They came to a stop and looked up river, seeing the water shoot up in the air as Ahnon ran up the river. In the time it took them to blink, he was out of sight.

Kenna and Jedek took off running with everything they had, but couldn’t reach that speed. Rosea had no trouble zooming off. Gritting their teeth and pushing hard, Kenna and Jedek ran with everything they had when Rosea suddenly appeared beside them. “He’s there,” she told them.

“Tell him we are coming!” Jedek shouted and Rosea shot forward.

In a few seconds, she flew back. “He says move faster,” she told them, flying backwards in front of them. Kenna knew they were going the fastest they ever had with the world flying by.

“You’re flying back to the cottage and back to us?” she shouted in wonder.

“Yes, it’s not that far,” Rosea said, almost making Kenna stumble with shock.

It only took them a half an hour to get home, but they were tired. Reaching the table outside, they both sat down in chairs, looking across the table at Ahnon. “How on Thanos did you move that fast?” Kenna asked out of breath.

Ahnon smiled. “You can’t figure it out?” he asked.

Slowly, Kenna took off her hat, throwing it on the table, then pulled off the mask and glasses feeling like she could breathe better now. “Can’t you tell me? Just once without me thinking?” she asked.

“Picture yourself in your mind running faster,” he told her with a smile.

“Sometimes you make me sick,” she said, struggling to stand up. “I’m taking the rest of the day off,” she announced, then took the horns off her pack. Standing back up, she set her chin high and headed to the forge. Rosea took off after Kenna, landing on her shoulder.

Ahnon stood up and picked up the Minotaur’s axe and twirled it around in his hands. “Nice,” he said, then headed inside. Jedek shook his head at the ease Ahnon had twirled the massive axe and gathered what Ahnon left. When Jedek walked in, he saw Ahnon putting the axe over the mantle of the fireplace. Jedek grinned. She will like that, he thought.

Jedek grabbed a few books and sat down at the table until Ahnon put a chess board down. The two played several games till Kenna and Kheet came inside. Rosea shot off Kenna’s shoulder over to Ahnon. “Look what they made!” she exclaimed.

They looked over and saw Kenna holding a board with the horns mounted at a right angle off the board. Kenna walked over beside her bed with Kheet following. Kheet ‘helped’ her nail the board to the stone wall, then Kenna hung her hat on one horn and her coat on the other.

“Nice,” Ahnon said as Kenna turned around. Kenna gave him a smile and then noticed Jedek pointing at the fireplace. She looked over and saw the massive axe mounted on the wall.

Letting out a squeal, she ran over to Ahnon wrapping her arms around his neck, “Thank you, Ahnon!” she cried out.

“Kenna, what would you have done if I wanted to put the heads of all those lecka wasps I killed in the cottage?” he asked. A shiver ran up Kenna’s spine making her body tremble as she jumped back from him.

“I’d be sleeping outside,” she said as a shiver ran down her spine this time.

“It’s the same thing,” he told her.

Feeling she had let Ahnon down, Kenna cast her eyes down. “Okay, I’m sorry. You’re right,” she mumbled.

Grabbing her in a big hug, Ahnon picked her up. “Kenna, you did well today, just like every day. You have nothing to prove,” he told her. Kenna wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing him tight.

Ahnon sat her down as Kheet walked over. “I missed them taking out a Minotaur? That’s not right,” he informed Ahnon.

“I wasn’t going to ask it to come here so you could watch,” Ahnon told him, heading toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Jedek asked.

“To soak. That much running has my knees hurting,” Ahnon said, walking out.

Biting his lower lip as he stroked his beard, Kheet turned around. “It works that well?” he asked.

Nodding her head, Kenna jumped up. “You have no idea,” she told him with an awed sigh. “My arms are killing me from sawing those horns off,” she said, running for the door with Jedek following.

They found Ahnon already in the pool with only his head above the water. The two stripped off their pants and shirts and then eased in. Kenna was about to pull off her chemise only to have Jedek give her a scowl, so she left it on. Sitting there soaking, the three looked up to see Kheet walk over, taking off his shirt.

With her eyes growing wide, Kenna fought not to gasp. Kheet’s chest had so much hair, it looked like fur. When he stripped down to his loincloth, she saw the only place Kheet wasn’t hairy were the bottoms of his feet, palms, and around his eyes.

Sticking his foot in, Kheet took a sharp breath but didn’t pull it out, seeing the kids in the hot water. Ever so slowly he eased in and sat down, feeling the water relaxing him. “By the great forger, this is great,” he mumbled.

“Told you,” Kenna said smiling, then lowered her head under the water. She popped back up and pushed her hair back.

Kheet looked at Ahnon and Jedek and noticed their heads were wet, so he went under water and came up. Pushing his hair back he had to admit, that felt pretty good. Looking up, Kheet spotted Rosea flying over them.

“Is the water okay?” she asked.

“Can you get wet?” Kenna asked.

Rosea floated down to the surface of the water, sending ripples out in a circle around her as her wings buzzed in the air. “Why wouldn’t I be able to?” she asked.

Giving a shy smile, “Ah, your wings?” Kenna said. “I thought that’s why you never got in.”

Rosea laughed. “Oh, they’re kind of tough,” she said, lowering her body up to her knees in the water. “Ew, that feels good,” she said and shot over to the side. Taking off her dress, she flew back over and dove into the water. Popping up, Rosea swam over to Kenna and sat on her shoulder, resting her head on the wall. With a deep blush, Jedek started looking up at the sky.

Chapter 8

The next morning, they all followed Kheet to the forge. When Ahnon walked in, he was amazed at the changes Kheet had made. Kheet walked over to the forge and threw in some logs, then set them ablaze. Ahnon ran over to the kiln and put in the dragon scales before it got hot.

Looking over at the kids, Ahnon pointed to the back wall and they ran over and started throwing knives. Pleased with their form, Ahnon turned around to see Kheet dumping a cart that he had made, full of fire rock, into the forge. Reaching over, Kheet pulled the lever to start the bellows. Feeling giddy with excitement, Ahnon took the cart and refilled it. When he brought it back, he noticed the kids were over at the punching bag.

Kheet walked over to him. “You might as well take them and get started outside. It’s going to take some time to get the forge hot,” he told Ahnon.

Nodding, Ahnon grabbed the kids, leading them outside. “I can’t wait to see a sword made of adamant,” Jedek said with excitement.

“Me too,” Ahnon said, leading them to the obstacle course. Stopping, Ahnon pointed at the table. “Put those on,” he said. The kids looked at the table to see two padded gambesons and two leather helmets. They ran over and put them on, feeling like it was hard to move. When they came back, he threw each of them a staff and grabbed one for himself. From the top of the rise, the kobolds ran over carrying fish. Not even sighing, Ahnon held up his hand. “Put the fish on the table and sit down,” he told the group. After the first time the kobolds had brought fish over, Ahnon had learned to tell them they had to always bring fish, and that kept them away for days on end.

He walked over to the field of hundreds of short posts in the ground as the little kobolds sat in a line, watching from the edge. Jumping up, Ahnon landed on a post and stepped over to another one. Then, with seemingly little effort, he ran around the forest of posts, each of different heights and spacing. “This is going to stink,” Jedek said with Kenna nodding. Seeing the ends wobble as Ahnon ran around, Kenna took a deep breath.

“I can feel the bruises already,” Kenna mumbled.

Ahnon stopped in the middle of the forest of posts. “Come and knock me off,” he said, crossing his arms.

Rosea flew over. “Don’t concentrate hard on the ends of the post,” she told them and flew over, landing on one of the larger logs on the obstacle course. For the next hour, the two just tried to stay on the posts as they ‘walked’. Neither of them got close to Ahnon.

Ahnon ran over the tops of the posts and jumped off. “Come over here and take your gear off,” he told them.

“You really expected us to get to you the first time?” Jedek asked, feeling he’d disappointed Ahnon.

With a blank stare, Ahnon just looked at him. “You two are thinking too much. You know where the posts are, trust your memory and body. This is to teach balance and movement,” he said. Ahnon walked over to the kobolds and talked to them. When he’d finished, they all stood up cheering and jumped on the end of a post and ran around on the ends, jumping from post to post and never looking down. The way they bounced from post to post with no effort made Jedek sick.

With an expression that spoke volumes, Kenna looked at Jedek. “I’m getting to where I really don’t like them,” she confided.

“Let’s tie them up and throw them in a hole,” Jedek offered. Kenna laughed as Ahnon called the kobolds over to him, then all of them got down, except two. “Here we go,” Jedek mumbled as the two jumped from post to post till they were in the middle.

Ahnon walked over to the kids. “Go get them,” he said, pointing at the two little figures standing on the posts. Kenna and Jedek jumped up on the post and hesitated with each step. Kenna fell just as she reached the center, landing on her face. Getting up, she spit out a mouthful of dirt and blood and then walked back to the edge, cursing. Ahnon was getting ready to say something about her language, but Kenna stopped, spinning around. Pulling out a piece of leather, she tied her hair up and climbed back up. The words coming out of her mouth again made Ahnon want to find a bar of soap.

When Jedek fell, he landed on a post beside him, hitting it with his chest and feeling like he broke some ribs. Rubbing his chest, Jedek walked to the edge and climbed back on. When Kenna fell the next time, Ahnon had to stop her or she would’ve landed on another post with her face.

Panting hard, Kenna walked over and hugged Ahnon. “Thank you,” she said, then climbed back on.

When Kenna was back on the post forest, Rosea flew over to Ahnon. “Can I do that too?” she asked.

Ahnon looked at her. “Rosea, they have to have a little pain with failure, but I don’t want them to get hurt badly,” he told her.

“So, can I help?” she asked with a pleading look and Ahnon nodded.

Turning back, Ahnon looked at the two kobolds running around, teasing Jedek and Kenna. “You two, off. Two more Cave clan, up!” he yelled out. Two more jumped up and hopped from one post to another. When an hour was up, Ahnon called Jedek and Kenna to get off and get a drink. To his surprise, the two didn’t jump down, they walked over on the posts and jumped off.

Kenna grabbed the skin, taking a long drink. Jedek waited his turn, “Ahnon, what is the rest of the course?” he asked as Kenna handed him the skin.

“Watch,” Ahnon said. He jumped up and ran over an arch made out of the logs. They watched him hang from a ladder that was hanging between two posts and reach with each hand grabbing the rungs hanging off and ‘walking across’ thirty feet up. When he dropped down, he landed on a log laid on its side nailed to the top of two logs shoved in the ground far below.

Running across the log he jumped up, coming to twenty tall logs in a perfect line standing twenty feet up and ran across the top of them. They watched as the logs weaved back and forth when he left them. “I don’t like running on the shorter version of those,” Kenna mumbled. They watched him swing from ropes, run on more logs, then down stairs made out of the tops of logs leading to the ground. He walked over to them not even breathing hard.

“How long do we have to master it?” Jedek asked.

“This is a lesson and we don’t go forward till it’s done,” Ahnon answered. “For now, just run on the tops of the forest posts,” he said. Jedek nodded and jumped on the small forest of posts. Two of the kobolds jumped up and joined them. Rosea saved Jedek from eating a post and Ahnon saved Kenna from landing on the top of her head. This was not to say the two didn’t get bumps, bruises, and cuts. Kenna was limping from a bruise when she landed on her thigh on the top of a post. At lunch, Ahnon cleaned the fish and cooked them up.

The kobolds gathered around the table, telling the kids they were doing well. Kenna and Jedek smiled at them, really wanting to beat them to death. Ahnon brought out the fish and took some to Kheet. Walking in, he found Kheet pulling out a glob of red metal. “It’s already red?” he asked.

“You can’t touch adamant till its white, almost a liquid,” Kheet said, dropping the glob back in. Ahnon handed over the plate and walked back out.

He saw Jedek and Kenna rubbing the bumps and bruises as he walked by the table. Reaching down, Ahnon grabbed a quarter staff and jumped up on the forest of posts. He started twirling the staff and jumping from post to post, doing kicks and swinging the staff around. The entire table became silent as they watched Ahnon practice with the staff.

The kobolds all stood up and walked over to the edge of the post forest spellbound, watching Ahnon. When Kenna stood up, she hit the ground as her leg gave out from the bruise on her thigh. Tensing up against the pain, Jedek had to hold his chest to stand up and help her off the ground. Together they wobbled over, using each other for support to watch with the kobolds. They had no idea how long Ahnon stayed on, but it was a long time. Suddenly he flipped over, extending his staff and catching the end of it on the top of a post, pole-vaulting off way over their heads, twisting in the air and landing easily on his toes.

The kobolds jumped up clapping as Ahnon walked over to them. “Let’s take a break from the course,” he said, holding out their slings. They grabbed them, wanting to shout with joy, and followed Ahnon over to the piles of stones. When the kobolds saw the kids holding slings, they all pulled out one and followed.

Ahnon told everyone to stop at the pile of rocks and walked over to the rise and stacked five rocks on top of each other. “I don’t think I could even balance the rocks on each other,” Kenna said with Jedek nodding as Ahnon walked back.

“Bryce, knock off the top rock without making the others fall,” Ahnon said.

Dismayed, Bryce dropped his shoulders, “That’s it?” he asked, shocking the kids.

Ahnon nodded and Bryce picked up a rock, placing it in his sling and twirled it around. With a flick of his wrist, Bryce let the rock sail. They watched the top rock sail off and the other four remain standing. Bryce turned around, wanting a challenge. With a small grin, Ahnon picked up a rock and opened his hand, letting the rock float up and over Bryce’s head. It sailed out over the rise to the boulder in the field, settling on it.

Rosea flew over and sat on Kenna’s shoulder. “I feel sorry for that boulder sometimes,” she admitted.

“Are you kidding?” Bryce shouted, looking at the boulder a hundred paces away.

Reaching in his pouch, Ahnon took out his sling and grabbed a rock and sent it sailing. They didn’t see it hit the rock Ahnon put on top, but they saw two rocks fly off. “Never doubt,” Ahnon said, looking at Bryce as he floated another rock out to the boulder. “Cave clan, your target is the rock on the boulder. Jedek and Kenna, your target is the next rock in the stack,” Ahnon said, walking away.

Nobody hit their target and the kobolds were mad when Ahnon called the session to a stop, but cheered when he pointed to the course. When the suns set, the kobolds told everyone bye as Jedek and Kenna supported each other just to stand. They both had so many bruises now, it hurt just to think.

The two followed Ahnon to the pool and stripped. Ahnon looked at the bruises over their bodies, knowing they hurt. He helped them into the water and then joined them. When they finished the two felt better, but still hurt as they followed Ahnon inside. When he sat them down at the table, he walked over to his bed and grabbed his bag of medicines.

Sitting down at the table, Ahnon opened his bags. He made some paste and rubbed it on their bruises and cuts, then made them drink something a troll would spit out, but it made them feel better. As Ahnon started supper, he heard the first ring out of the forge. “It took all day for the metal to melt?” Jedek asked opening his books and starting to make notes.

“Undoubtedly,” Ahnon said, fixing some food.

“Ahnon, how come other wizards let you look at their spells?” Kenna asked.

“Why do you ask?” Ahnon inquired, trying to hide a grin.

“You always say ‘protect your spells’, so how did you look at theirs?” she asked.

“Sometimes I will trade and others wanted to share knowledge or gloat. Some, I just stole,” he admitted.

“Stole?” Kenna asked, not believing him.

“Well, you see how much you write for each spell. Components, how to picture it, how to direct it, dangers along with everything else, it takes a few pages. Unlike when I teach you a spell, I let you see in my mind how it works. But wizards don’t do that because when they open their mind, it’s dangerous and they can be hurt or killed,” Ahnon said, setting down plates of food. “Most wizards will let you read their spell books, knowing you can’t remember even a tenth of what is in them, but I have an edge,” he said, walking over to his bed.

He walked back carrying a gold flowing inkwell. Pulling out a piece of paper, Ahnon stood the inkwell up on its tip and it stayed upright after he let it go. He grabbed a book and started reading. They watched as the inkwell sailed over the page, writing words Ahnon was reading. When he looked up, it stopped.

“You have the best toys,” Jedek said grinning.

Truly amazed, Kenna shook her head. “That’s smart. Not nice, but smart,” she said. Ahnon carried a plate out to Kheet and when he came back, they started the lessons.

For two days and nights Kheet stayed in the forge, hammering the metal. On the third morning, they went out to see the progress. When they walked in, they found Kheet running a white-hot blade across a grinding wheel. After each pass, Kheet would hold it up look at the edge, then repeat it. Somehow, Kheet knew when it was time to put the metal back in the forge.

Watching in complete awe, Ahnon was caught up in the process, forgetting to tell the two to start, so they watched with him. After running the blade across the grinding wheel several more times, Kheet stood up. “It’s ready,” he said, walking over to a tub of water. He dropped it in, sending out a cloud of steam.

“I thought you weren’t supposed to do that with white-hot metal?” Jedek asked.

“Apparently, the rules change for adamant,” Ahnon said, thankful for Kheet. He would have made a bunch of mistakes. When Kheet pulled out the metal, it was solid black. “Now, we just have to polish,” Ahnon said grinning.

“Why?” Kheet asked turning around and suddenly slamming the blade on the stone wall of the forge with a loud slap. As the blade let out a ring from the slap, they all watched as the black cracked and fell away like old skin. Underneath was shiny bright metal. “Adamant is shiny on its own,” Kheet said, walking over and holding out the blade. Ahnon looked at the blade with longing but didn’t want to touch it, yet.

“Your sword will be ready by this afternoon,” Kheet told him, turning around and walking back to the work tables.

Kenna and Jedek both almost fainted when Ahnon pouted, stomping his foot while looking at Kheet. Undeterred by the pouting, Kheet led them outside and for the first time, they got to see an impatient Ahnon. It was something they didn’t like at all. Ahnon would push them through each lesson very fast like it would speed up the hour. They never even stopped for lunch. Ahnon just gave them both a hunk of meat and cheese as they hacked away at the pell with wooden swords.

At mid-afternoon, Jedek and Kenna could barely feel their arms and the forest of posts they ran on had once again, given them new bumps and bruises. Each night, Ahnon would treat them and by dawn they would be gone, only to be replaced with new ones.

When Kheet walked out of the forge carrying the staff, Ahnon let out a loud yell and ran over to him. Kenna looked at Jedek grinning. “It’s reassuring to see him anxious,” she said wobbling over.

“Hey, you didn’t have to grow up with him telling you on Eve of Tribute to go to sleep,” Jedek told her. “I swear, those were the longest nights ever,” Jedek admitted.

Kenna giggled. “Karme sat up all night with me,” she said and then stopped giggling, missing her.

Feeling her sorrow, Jedek reached over and put his hand on her shoulder. “They will pay,” he promised as they stopped behind Ahnon. He still hadn’t touched the five-foot-long staff. Ahnon was standing like a statue, gaping at it in Kheet’s hand.

“You can take it now, Ahnon,” Kheet told him. Slowly Ahnon reached out, taking the new staff out of Kheet’s hand. Jedek noticed it was a little longer than Ahnon’s old staff, but otherwise identical. Ahnon wrapped his right hand around the end of the staff and pulled. Until Ahnon pulled the end, one couldn’t see a break in the staff to reveal a sword inside. With a childish delight, he slowly pulled out the blade.

When the blade was all the way out, Kenna and Jedek sucked in a breath. They had never seen a blade that shiny, it seemed to radiate light instead of reflecting it. It was then, they noticed a hilt on the sword that hadn’t been there until Ahnon pulled the sword out. “It’s so light,” Ahnon mumbled.

“Half as light as your other one, but a hundred times stronger,” Kheet told him smiling. “You can mix steel and adamant, but you lose a lot of strength.”

Ahnon moved away from them and started to twirl the blade through the air slowly at first, then began picking up speed. Jedek dropped his wooden sword as Ahnon started dancing around, spinning the sword through the air with one hand and the scabbard staff in the other. The speed with which Ahnon was doing it made Jedek nervous. Stopping his routine suddenly, Ahnon looked at the blade with a smile ear to ear.

Turning around, he walked over to the firewood pile. Picking up a piece of firewood that needed to be split, he tossed it up in the air and as it fell, swung the sword at it. Jedek had thought Ahnon had missed, never hearing the sword hit the wood and the firewood was in one piece till it hit the ground. At a loss for words, Jedek stared at the small log cut in half on the ground.

“Wow,” Kenna said, looking at the two pieces rolling around on the ground. The piece of firewood was bigger around than her thigh. Sitting on Kenna’s shoulder, Rosea nodded in agreement.

Radiating joy, Ahnon smiled, walking over to Kheet. “I’m indebted to you, friend,” he told him.

Kheet waved him off. “No, you and the little ones accepted me here as one of you, so no debt is incurred,” Kheet told him. “I’ll start on the others tomorrow. I’m a little tired,” Kheet admitted.

“We made a fresh keg of ale and will get supper ready soon,” Ahnon told him, sheathing the sword slowly and they watched as the hilt folded down on the staff, disappearing. “I just have to prep the dragon scales,” he said, moving to the door of the forge.

Kheet stuck out a hand, putting it on Ahnon’s chest and stopping him. “I already did that. I had to find something to do as I reheated the metal,” Kheet told him.

Ahnon laughed. “Kheet, you are a true craftsman,” he told him, putting an arm around Kheet’s shoulder. Guiding Kheet to the house, Kheet stopped and looked up at Ahnon.

“If you don’t mind, I want to sit in the pool for a little while,” Kheet told him, walking out from under his arm.

Nodding in understanding, Ahnon laughed. “Whatever you wish, but if you want to feel the warmth better, shower first to open up the pores of the skin. The heat seeps in better,” Ahnon told him heading inside.

“Ah, bathing makes you stink like perfume,” Kheet grumbled.

“If you use regular human soap, yes. But the soap we make smells like the forest so others can’t smell us, but it still opens the pores,” Kenna told him, picking up Jedek’s practice sword and handing it back.

Kheet took a step back hearing that. “We don’t want to stink like perfume either, but it covers our scent nicely,” Jedek told him, taking the wooden sword from Kenna. “But the soap does open up the skin to let the heat in better,” he said, walking past Kheet with Kenna following.

Stroking his beard, Kheet looked at Ahnon standing at the doors looking back at Kheet and he just nodded, then followed Jedek and Kenna. “Well, I can try it,” Kheet mumbled.

Kheet showered, scrubbing down and feeling great as the hot water poured over him. When he’d finished, he wrapped a towel around himself and headed to the pool. When Kheet walked out, “Jedek, go with him and make sure he doesn’t fall asleep and drown,” Ahnon said, starting supper.

Grinning, Jedek took off after Kheet as Ahnon and Kenna worked on supper. Wiping her hands on a towel, Kenna walked over to Kheet’s clothes hanging over a chair, wanting to wash them real bad. “Leave them be. He has to come to the conclusion on his own. ‘Stubborn as a dwarf’ is a proverb for a reason,” Ahnon told her. Kenna let out a sigh and helped Ahnon.

When Kenna started setting the table she looked up to see Ahnon holding his old staff, standing in front of the fireplace. “You have served me well, old friend,” Ahnon said, looking at the staff. Stepping up to the fireplace, Ahnon set the staff on two pegs that were driven into the mantle, resting the staff on them. Giving the staff a pat, Ahnon went back to cooking.

Walking over to the fireplace Kenna smiled, looking up at the staff. “I bet you could tell some stories,” she said to herself, then continued helping Ahnon. Rosea set out the glasses and then landed back on Kenna’s shoulder. When the food hit the table, Jedek and Kheet walked in.

Kheet looked up grinning. “Everyone was right, it does feel better,” he said, walking over to his clothes.

“He fell asleep twice and I had to wake him up,” Jedek said, walking over to his bed and carrying his clothes. Pulling up a blanket and hanging it on a string, Jedek dressed behind his makeshift blind.

Ahnon, Kenna, and Rosea turned to Kheet who was holding up his clothes with a frown on his face. “I need to wash them, but I only have one outfit,” Kheet said turning around.

Letting out a squeal, Kenna clapped her hands and ran over to her bed. When Kenna passed under the hanging blanket, Jedek let out a scream, sounding a lot like a little girl. Even Rosea commented on it. “Get over it Jedek!” Kenna shouted and ran back out with an armload of stuff. She stopped at the table and looked at Ahnon. “He’s such a prude,” she said.

“I heard that!” Jedek shouted, ripping the blanket down.

Kenna giggled and trotted over to Kheet. She sat down a new pair of boots with several new pants, shirts, socks, loincloths and other clothes. “We helped Ahnon make you some extra clothes,” she said with a smile. “We were going to give them to you tomorrow before you started back in the forge.”

Stunned at the gifts, Kheet walked over looking at the new garments. Some were made out of negtro leather and others were made from a thick cloth that was soft but tough. When he touched the silk shirts, he smiled at the touch. Then, he picked up the boots. They weren’t like the tie-up boots Ahnon and the kids wore. The boots were pull ups with a thick hard sole like his. Kheet turned around smiling. “Thank you,” he said, picking up an outfit and walking over to the shower area to change.

When he stepped out he looked like a different dwarf, standing with his shoulders thrown back. “These boots feel like they mold to my feet,” he said, stomping his feet.

Grabbing a chair, Ahnon smiled. “Glad you like them,” he said, sitting down. Kheet walked over, dropping down in his chair and immediately grabbed the tankard by his plate and drained it.

Setting down the tankard, Kheet smacked his lips. “My word, is that good,” he said. Rosea flew over, pouring him some more.

“I helped Ahnon with the ale and mead,” she said and then flew back over, sitting down beside Kenna’s plate.

Kheet picked up his fork. “I’m going to start on the other swords tomorrow,” he said. Ahnon looked up at him in alarm. Kheet shook his head, “I can do multiple at one time because I have to wait a long time each time I take one out to reheat it,” he said. “Never had that problem before because nobody has ever had that much adamant,” he admitted. Not about to argue, Ahnon nodded and the group started to eat.

****

Spring slowly gave way to summer and Jedek and Kenna’s training started getting much tougher. They were now sparring each other and Ahnon with wooden swords. Sometimes, even Kheet would spar with them. The suns wouldn’t even top the horizon when their day started. They would shoot a hundred arrows a day, then throw that many blades. When the kobolds stopped by about every third day, they would use their slings. Before supper every night, Ahnon would have them spar hand to hand with him or Kheet. This was when they learned just how strong a dwarf was. Kheet could literally break a log with his grip.

True to his word, Kheet had the other swords completed three days after Ahnon’s. Now, each had a staff and a katana made of adamant. Kenna didn’t want to tell anyone, but she really loved her swords, they were so light she had no trouble handling them. Kenna and Jedek sat and watched Ahnon weave strands of hair from Jedek’s mom and dad along with Karme, Theobald and Akene’s on the handle of each of their katanas.

It was several weeks after Kheet had given them the swords that Ahnon let them train with real swords. The kids liked it because they were a lot lighter than the wooden training swords they’d used. For a couple of hours each day, they would attack the pell and when they finished, Rosea would fly over and repair the post.

Ahnon had given them new bows just like his, complete with a dragon rib attached to the limbs and a string made of troll hair. The two looked at the bows grinning. “Where did you get the bone and hair?” Kenna asked.

“I had extra from when I took mine,” Ahnon told her. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t pull the bows back unless they cast double and half. Even then it was a struggle but in a month, they could shoot the bows fifty times in a day.

As the training continued, Ahnon kept making them do new exercises, making them stronger. Kheet and Rosea watched as the muscles rippled under the skin of the two each day as they climbed into the pool. Not to say they didn’t have injuries to add to the list. Kenna broke her right leg on the course, twice, and almost hit herself with a bolt of lightning. Rosea pulled her back just before it hit, but it still put several burns on her and took half her hair off.

Needless to say, this affected Jedek much more than Kenna. When her hair was back two days later, Jedek gave a sigh of relief. Like their physical and magic training, the study became much more intense. When Talon returned one day carrying two large bundles of tiny books, they both gave a cheer and hugged him.

It was midsummer and the morning after the sixth day and everyone had woken up and moved over to the table. Jedek had really thought about not sleeping on the sixth night just because he felt like a rock ape beat him up the next morning. Kheet looked up at Ahnon, taking a piece of bread. “Ahnon, would you mind if I made me an axe with some adamant?” he asked.

“Kheet, you can make whatever you want to,” Ahnon told him in shock.

Feeling bad for even asking, Kheet leaned back in his chair. “Well, I’ve seen the list of stuff you’re making for the kids and I was just wondering,” he said.

Shaking his head, “Ah, you’re making it,” Ahnon corrected. “You won’t let me do much in the forge, except help carry fire rock.”

Shrugging his shoulders, “Well, you leave out some important steps trying to speed up the process,” Kheet told him. “What I mean is, you found the adamant,” he finally said.

Shaking his head, “Are you part of us or not?” Ahnon asked, setting down his cup of tea.

Like he had been slapped, Kheet jumped back from the question. “Of course I am, I see these two as my own bobbins and you as a companion and friend,” he snapped back.

“Then it is your adamant as well, as is everything else here,” Ahnon told him, picking up his cup. “If you think otherwise, ask Jedek and Kenna.”

Kheet smiled as Kenna came over and climbed up in his lap. “I love you, Kheet,” she said, hugging him. Tears welled up in Kheet’s eyes as he hugged Kenna and rubbed her hair.

Pushing his chair back, Jedek got up, walked over and stood beside Kheet. “I love you too, Kheet. You’re a great friend. We see you as part of our family,” he told Kheet.

Fighting not to cry, Kheet reached out and pulled Jedek down to his chest, squeezing him tight. “You two will only have the best,” he said with tears rolling down his cheeks into his beard. “I will always stand with you. If Thanos stops turning and the two suns go out, I’ll still be at your side. None shall ever cause harm to these two unless it steps over my body,” he said, looking at Ahnon. He kissed the top of Kenna’s head, then let Jedek go and stood up, carrying Kenna back to her chair. “I’m going to get started,” he said, wiping his eyes and walking out.

Rosea just sat, watching the show of emotions from Kheet, and dwarves rarely showed emotion. “That was incredible,” she said, flying over and hovering in front of Ahnon.

“Yes, it was,” he told her. Rosea flew back over and landed on Kenna’s shoulder as the three finished eating.

Kenna took a sip of her tea as Rosea watched. “Is keck tea that good?” she asked.

“I have to admit, I really like it,” Kenna admitted.

Flipping her hair off her shoulder, Rosea looked at Ahnon. “I want some,” she said.

“I don’t know how keck would affect a fairy and I wouldn’t recommend it,” Ahnon said, looking at her.

Not worried, Rosea waved a hand at him and flew off Kenna’s shoulder and hovered over the table. “I’m a fairy, so I’m not concerned,” she told Ahnon, then looked back at Kenna. She floated over to Kenna, seeing a drop of tea on her chin. Reaching out, Rosea took the drop, holding it in her hand. The drop of tea looked like Rosea was holding a large blackberry. Before Ahnon could say anything, she slurped it up.

“Rosea,” Ahnon said when she’d finished as a white aura started to form around her.

Kenna was looking at Rosea and would swear Rosea was oscillating as she hovered over the table. “Uh oh,” Kenna said. One second Rosea was hovering over the table then next, she was gone and the cottage was filled with a stiff breeze.

“Don’t move!” Ahnon shouted with his hair blowing in the wind. Jedek and Kenna sat frozen, but slowly moved their eyes around. They watched the cottage become spotless before their eyes, but couldn’t even see Rosea blur as she did it.

“She’s cleaning,” Kenna said, barely moving her mouth.

“Yeah, but she’s moving really fast,” Jedek pointed out.

“Don’t move from your spots,” Ahnon said as his hair suddenly stood up.

Seeing Ahnon’s hair form a halo, Jedek gasped. “What’s wrong, Ahnon?” he asked.

“Don’t move. She’s brushing my hair,” he said as his hair fell down. Then, Kenna’s hair stood up as Rosea brushed it, followed by Jedek’s. When Jedek’s hair fell down, they heard a crash by the door and looked over very slowly to see a perfect outlined hole of a fairy through the left door.

“That door is three inches thick,” Kenna said.

“Let’s pray she doesn’t fly through the stone walls,” Ahnon said as another crash sounded, leaving another perfect outlined hole of a fairy in the right door. The wind returned to the cottage and the three sat motionless as the wind ripped around them.

Suddenly, Rosea appeared over the table. “DoyoulikewhatIdid-,” she continued speaking at an incredible rate sounding like gibberish to them. Then, she disappeared with another crash. They looked at the door, but only saw two outlines. Then, Kenna pointed at one of the shutters over a window. A perfect outline of a fairy was through the wood, but also the pane of glass.

“How fast do you have to move to do that to glass without breaking it?” Jedek asked.

“I don’t want to know,” Ahnon said, hearing the wind outside the cottage. “I’m going to the door. Stay here,” he said, getting up slowly.

“I’m coming with you,” Kenna said, getting up. Ahnon looked at her. “What? If she flies through me, I want to be near you so you can fix it,” she told him. Not able to argue that, Ahnon let both of them follow him.

Slowly, Ahnon opened the door and stepped outside, pulling the kids with him. He stepped to the side of the door and backed up to the stone wall. The wind was whipping around the cottage and then they all noticed the grass covering the area around the cottage was getting shorter and greener. When the entire area was green and the grass looked like a lush thick carpet, the wind moved over to the logs they had cut down a few days ago.

They needed the logs for more bookshelves and other projects. In shock, they watched the logs fall into planks then, seemingly stack themselves. When all the logs were gone, Rosea suddenly appeared in front of them, speaking gibberish really fast.

“Smile,” Ahnon said and all three forced a nervous smile with their backs pressed against the wall and Rosea disappeared.

“Look at the garden,” Kenna mumbled. They looked at the garden they had planted and watched the plants shoot from the ground and sprout out and then the wind disappeared. Kenna was about to ask where Rosea went when she heard Kheet let out a startled yell.

They all whipped their heads to look at the forge building, seeing dust bellow out the doors and windows. “I hope he’s okay,” Jedek said, worried about Kheet then heard him yelling, making them relax as much as they could. Ahnon looked at the yard in front of the cottage and like the cottage, it was immaculate. “Ahnon, how far is the place where we get the fire rock?” Jedek asked.

“About six leagues,” he said. “Why?” he asked.

“Look at the fire rock bins,” Jedek said. Slowly, Ahnon and Kenna turned to look and watched as the bin levels rose as the wind ripped across the top of the rise. “I think she’s bringing back one piece at a time,” Jedek said as the bin was filling rapidly.

“Yep,” Ahnon said as the bins filled all the way up. Hearing Minos’ yelp from the barn, they looked over to see him standing by the livestock fence. Spellbound, they watched him get wet, lathered up, then rinsed and dried off in mere seconds.

“Poor Minos,” Jedek said as Minos stood like a statue. “See? He is smart when he needs to be,” Jedek said, then saw Kheet slowly walk out of the forge building. Seeing the three standing by the cottage with their backs to the wall, he slowly moved toward them as the wind continued ripping across the rise.

As he neared them, they saw his beard and hair were braided in tight braids, looking very nice. “What in the world happened to Rosea?” he asked upon reaching them.

“She took a sip of keck,” Kenna said, barely moving her lips.

Hearing that, Kheet’s shoulders slumped and he moved over to stand with them, putting his back against the stone wall. “How long do you think it will last?” he said, barely moving his mouth.

“I have no idea,” Ahnon admitted and Rosea appeared in front of them, speaking gibberish. “Smile,” Ahnon said and they all forced smiles while looking at Rosea and then she shot off. From the barn, they watched Minos low crawl on his belly across the yard very slowly. Any other time that would have been hilarious, but not today.

When Minos reached them, he looked up. “Dragonfly girl has gone crazy,” he told them.

“Don’t make her mad,” Ahnon said in a whisper. Minos let out a whine, lying his ears flat and looking around. The four stood like statues pressing their backs against the stone wall, hearing loud noises around the cottage and off in the distance. Nobody even made a guess what Rosea was doing.

It was an hour later that Talon landed in front of them. “What is going on here?” he asked.

“Talon, fly away. Rosea is acting weird,” Kenna told him.

Folding his wings down, Talon looked around. “Yes, she is moving very fast and it’s hard to see her,” he said, then suddenly threw out his wings. Rosea was floating in front of him. “Don’t you dare touch my feathers!” Talon warned her and Rosea gibbered at him. “I clean my own feathers,” he told her, folding his wings back and Rosea again disappeared.

Talon looked at them. “She is tiring, so don’t move,” he said and then flew away.

“Never crossed my mind,” Ahnon admitted when suddenly, beside them in front of the doors, dirt started flying in the air. They watched a four-foot-wide and a foot-deep trench seemingly dig itself, leading away from the door and then circle around the cottage leading to the pool. Then, where it turned to the pool, it started digging itself to the forge and barn.

“What is she doing?” Kenna asked.

“Don’t care as long as it makes her tired,” Ahnon mumbled. When the trench reached the forge and barn, they watched as stones started to fill it. What scared them were the stones were cut into blocks fitting together neatly.

Very impressed, Kheet nodded in approval. “She’s pretty good,” he admitted.

“Yeah, but she’s flying the rocks here and cutting them as she flies,” Ahnon said, pointing at the rain of rock chips falling over the yard.

“Oh, boy,” Kenna said, leaning closer to Ahnon. “Now I understand why fairies scare you,” she admitted. The four sat huddled together watching the trench turn into a nice stone walkway. When that was done, they watched the firewood racks fill up and then started hearing noise from the side of the cottage. They just stayed put with their backs against the wall. It was late afternoon when they saw a light come over the rise and stop in front of them. As the light left, they saw Orrla.

They all sighed with relief. “What is going on here?” she asked.

“Rosea drank some keck,” Ahnon told her.

Orrla gave them a startled look. “Oh dear,” she said and turned around. “Rosea, stop please,” she said, looking back and forth like she could see her. “Rosea, I mean it, stop!” Orrla yelled and Rosea appeared in front of her, speaking gibberish.

Setting her chin, Orrla held up her hand and Rosea stopped talking. “You need to rest,” Orrla told her and the gibberish started. Raising her other hand, Orrla shook her head when the gibberish stopped. “I don’t care how close you are to finishing, you are stopping,” Orrla said and Rosea disappeared but this time, a thunder clap sounded over the rise.

Looking like she was very tired, Orrla lowered her head, shaking it. “Rosea, last warning,” she said as she looked up and the wind kept racing across the yard. Orrla raised both hands up. “Stop!” she yelled and thunder roared in the clear blue sky. The four saw Rosea frozen at the side of the cottage with a huge block of stone over her head.

“I warned you,” Orrla said, flying over to Rosea. Pointing at the block, Orrla floated it off Rosea’s hands, setting it on the ground. Flying over, Orrla picked up Rosea in her arms and the others could really see she was twice as big as Rosea’s six inches. With Rosea in her arms, Orrla flew over to the door and spotted the two fairy outlined holes.

“I’ll fix those,” she said, looking at Ahnon.

“Don’t. I kind of like them,” Ahnon told her, making her smile. Walking over, Ahnon opened the door and Orrla flew in, carrying Rosea. She laid her on Kenna’s pillow and stroked her face with her hand.

“Sleep, Rosea, and it will be better,” she said and Rosea closed her eyes and started snoring softly. Orrla flew over to Ahnon. “I will make Rosea return with me,” she told him.

Feeling panic building about not having Rosea around, Kenna took a breath to start, but never had the chance. “Whoa, Orrla! We’ll just hide the keck. We really like having Rosea around here,” Ahnon told her, holding out his hand and blocking Rosea from Orrla’s sight. “She is a great help in teaching Jedek and Kenna and we really like her, she’s part of our family. You just can’t make her leave,” he finished almost in a whine.

Hovering in front of Ahnon, Orrla tilted her head to him. “You are all very kind and I must admit, Rosea really enjoys it here. She comes back to the hollow, telling us all what she has learned and taught,” Orrla told him. Then she pointed at her dress, “Thank you for this and the others. We really love them,” she told Ahnon.

“So, can Rosea stay?” Ahnon asked in a pleading voice.

With a broad smile, Orrla let out a silvery laugh. “Yes, as long as she wishes, but I’m making a royal decree that no fairy is allowed to touch keck,” she said and then flew over to the table, landing on the surface.

“Would you like to eat with us?” Ahnon asked as Talon hopped through the front door.

“I would love to,” Orrla told Ahnon, then looked over at Talon. “Talon, thank you for coming to get me,” she told him.

Talon lowered his head, then hopped up to his perch. “Thank you for coming, I didn’t want to hurt the little one, but I’m the only one who preens my feathers,” he announced, making Orrla laugh again.

Chapter 9

Over the next few days they walked around amazed at all little Rosea had done but nobody spoke of it, since Rosea didn’t really remember much. When Orrla had stopped her, Rosea was almost finished doubling the size of the pool. The pool was lined with perfectly cut marble stone blocks. Since the pool was dry, Kheet finished it the next day.

To everyone’s surprise, Orrla stayed with them as well and strangely, to Kenna and Jedek, she stayed close to Ahnon. Orrla in her pale gray dress would sit on his shoulder like a jewel with her golden blonde hair compared to Ahnon’s deep black hair. Like Rosea, Orrla helped in the teaching and like Rosea, Orrla learned as well.

It didn’t take long and Kheet finished his axe and it was beautiful. Looking at it, no one could believe that a dwarf could even wield it, but it was light and strong. Kheet would laugh as he swung at a tree, bringing it down with one or two hits.

Several weeks after the ‘keck experience’, everyone was sitting down for supper when Minos jumped up and looked at the door. They all looked at him as he let out a growl. “It’s only the kobolds,” Talon called down from his perch.

“They are scared,” Minos growled as his hackles raised and the sound of small fists pounding started on the door.

Slowly heading for the door, Kheet looked at Ahnon and he nodded. Moving quickly over, Kheet opened the door and kobolds poured in, but they could see that it wasn’t even half of them. The smallest girl, Chole, ran over to Ahnon with tears on her face. “Ahnon, goblins and orcs attacked us. They took Bryce and some of the others!” she cried out.

Everyone jumped up, yelling. “Shut up!” Ahnon shouted and quiet settled over the cottage. He looked down at Chole. “Now, what happened?” he asked.

“They attacked us just before the first sunset. We all fought, but there were too many. They grabbed several of us and Bryce attacked them but was caught too. The orcs kept yelling they were going to cook them tonight!” Chole cried out.

“Orcs and goblins? Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes, and I could smell troll on them!” she told him.

Ahnon sucked air in through his teeth and looked at Kenna and Jedek. “Get your hunter gear now!” he told them. They jumped up, running for their stuff. He looked at Orrla and Rosea. “Get to the hollow and get the fairies ready to defend it,” he told them. They both looked at him, startled. “If orcs and goblins are together that means numbers, and hobgoblins will be with them,” he told them.

They both flew to the door as Kheet opened it up, letting them out. Ahnon looked down and only counted ten kobolds, there used to be over two dozen. “You will stay here. Get your slings ready and get on the roof. If they come, take them out and if they continue, leave,” he said and then looked at Kheet.

“I’m coming with you,” Kheet announced.

“Someone has to stay and protect them. Kenna and Jedek have to stay with me,” Ahnon told him. Looking away, Kheet started thinking of an argument. “If they attack in numbers, just leave and let them have the cottage. We can rebuild it,” Ahnon said.

Whipping his eyes back to Ahnon, Kheet’s face turned five different colors. “Run and let them have our home?!” he shouted. “Have you lost your mind?” he asked.

“We can replace stuff, not lives,” Ahnon told him.

Kheet scoffed. “If you think I’m going to run from orcs and goblins, you have another thing coming,” Kheet told him. “Every dwarf alive would call me a coward,” he mumbled.

“I know dwarfs have bad blood with goblins, but I really need you around,” Ahnon said as the kids ran over already dressed as hunters.

Kheet put on the harness that held his axe on his back. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said, picking up his axe. “You just make sure those two stay safe, along with yourself,” he told Ahnon.

Nodding his head, Ahnon turned to look up at Talon. “Don’t start,” he snapped. “You will stay here and help Kheet with Minos. You know as well as I, they will attack. If it is in numbers, I want you to get them out of here,” Ahnon told him.

Talon hopped down with what could only be an irritated look, and for a raptor, that was scary. “Run? I think not,” he said, fluffing his feathers.

“Talon,” Ahnon grumbled.

“You go and get the small ones before they are cooked. Besides, the dog is too stupid to run away,” Talon said, hopping to the door.

“I’m not stupid,” Minos said, following him out.

“Minos, you’d better be careful,” Jedek shouted.

Giving up, Ahnon shook his head. “Take your quiver, all your throwing knives and stars, and put them on the table fast,” he said, walking over to his trunk. Kenna and Jedek did what he said and watched him walk over, carrying what they’d just laid on the table. They looked at him with a questionable stare.

“You two are to keep all your gear on: gloves, masks, everything. No exposed skin, period. If something tears or you cut yourself, let me know fast,” he said and flicked his wrist, moving what they’d laid on the table to the side. He laid down the new supplies. “Everything here is poisoned,” he told them. “Like I poison my own.”

Feeling his pulse quicken, Jedek held up his hands, looking at his gloves. “Hope these gloves are as good as you claim,” he said, then moved over to put his throwing weapons over his body and then picked up the quiver, slinging it over his back. Kenna did the same and they both put on their masks as Ahnon walked over to them.

“Don’t put your glasses on,” he told them. “We are using our ‘K’ glasses,” he said grinning and Jedek elbowed Kenna.

Under her mask, Kenna was grinning as Ahnon put his mask on. “Let’s go,” Ahnon said, holding out his hand to have his staff fly to it. Not as flamboyant with magic, Kenna and Jedek just picked theirs up and they followed him out the door. It was dark outside, but the sky was clear and the stars lit up the night. Ahnon put on his ‘K’ glasses and once again was amazed as it suddenly looked like daylight to him.

Kenna and Jedek did the same, looking around in wonder. “Kenna, you have fairy hair ideas,” Jedek said, seeing bats fly overhead.

Ahnon moved over to them. “Remember, at dawn we lose double and half,” he said, casting agile dash on them.

“We can do this,” Jedek told him with attitude.

“I know, but we are going to battle, boy,” Ahnon snapped.

Startled to say the least, Jedek jumped back. “Neeji, I’m sorry,” he cried out.

“Jedek, harden your heart and do what I say or we will all die tonight,” Ahnon told him and turned around.

“Yes, Neeji,” Jedek said, following him.

“Kheet, if it gets bad, run and have Talon call us,” Ahnon said and blurred down the rise to the river.

“You kids be safe,” Kheet said as they blurred after Ahnon. He watched them disappear because like elves, dwarfs could see in the dark. Turning around, he saw Talon hop over to him. “They will be alright, won’t they?” Kheet asked, finally able to talk to Talon and Minos.

Talon looked over the river. “If the kids listen, they will be fine. If the kids get hurt, we will know because Ahnon will level parts of the mountain range,” Talon said.

“You think they are going to attack us?” Kheet asked.

“Of that I’m sure,” Talon told him. “We have faced this a few times. Goblins and orcs will start at the head of a valley and move down securing food,” he said as Minos walked over.

“Danger coming,” Minos said ending in a growl.

Building a plan, Kheet looked around, but didn’t see anything for a few minutes. “Minos, I want you to hide on the mountain and attack them from the back. I want you to kill the archers. You know, archers? The ones that shoot arrows?” Kheet asked, acting like he was shooting a bow.

“Ew, yes,” Minos said panting.

“Kill them fast, no playing,” Kheet snapped and Minos quit panting. “Talon, you and I will take out the orcs, they will be in charge and you kobolds, kill anything except us with your slings,” Kheet said, twirling his axe around.

Talon leaned down to Kheet. “You be careful. Ahnon and the kids really like you,” Talon told him, filling Kheet with pride. Leaning back up, Talon looked over at Minos. “If you act stupid, I will throw you down a mountain,” he warned Minos as he jumped up and flew away.

Minos looked up into the sky, following him. “You be safe too, big rooster,” Minos called out. Ready for battle, Kheet patted Minos on the back and Minos took off.

Ahnon led the two across the river to the kobolds cave. Before they even got close, everyone could smell the blood in the air. When they reached the area Ahnon stopped, looking around and listening for anything. Not hearing anything, he moved forward, holding his staff in his left hand close to his body. Without being told, Kenna readied a spell to attack as she followed Ahnon and Jedek, readied a shield spell bringing up the rear.

They found dead goblins lying around the area and noticed that each one had a hole right between the eyes. “Man, they are good with those slings,” Jedek said, passing a body and heading into the cave. They stepped over an orc and then found the bodies of several kobolds. “If they are after food, why did they leave these?” Jedek asked, sickened by his question but wanting to know.

Slowly Ahnon turned around hesitant to answer. “They burn them alive or eat them raw,” Ahnon replied. “They like for their food to know that they are eating it,” he finished.

Anger flooded Jedek’s body as Kenna stepped up to Ahnon. “All right, let’s kill something,” she demanded.

“Judging by the tracks outside, it was over thirty,” Ahnon told her, heading back out.

Feeling anger replace his fear, Jedek smiled under the mask. “We have a big fireplace mantle for more trophies,” he said.

“Pay attention to all your senses and stay close,” Ahnon said when they reached the outside. Following the trail, Ahnon broke into a steady run, covering the ground fast. Jedek and Kenna both looked down and could make out the trail as they followed Ahnon. When the trail started following the river, Ahnon picked up speed as he and the kids blurred down the river.

Moving off the river, Ahnon eased his pace up, coming to slow stop. Jedek figured they had run for over an hour as he moved closer to Ahnon. “Neeji, are they that fast?” he asked in a whisper. “We couldn’t have been more than two hours behind from the time of the attack and we do run fast. Shouldn’t we have caught up to them?” he asked.

Not looking at Jedek, “Very good, you are correct but yes, they do move fast, but listen,” Ahnon whispered. Jedek tilted his head and off in the distance he could hear grunting and growling. “That’s them and they are nearing their camp,” Ahnon told him. “We don’t have much time,” Ahnon said, trotting off.

They fell in behind him, following Ahnon into the forest. He moved without making a sound, which was more than the kids could say, snapping twigs and brushing limbs. With all the noise the goblins and orcs were making, Ahnon wasn’t worried too much about the noise Kenna and Jedek were making. Ahnon stopped and turned around, pulling the two close. “They have stopped. I know where they are,” he said, getting on a knee.

“You know where they are?” Kenna asked amazed.

Shocked she doubted him, Ahnon looked up. “Yes, we’ve been there,” he told her. She looked around and then back at Ahnon. “Remember where we got the iron ore?” he asked and she nodded. “Right behind that outcropping is a large depression forming a bowl. That’s where they are,” he told her.

Wanting to bow to Ahnon in respect, Kenna looked at him in shock and because her glasses were clear, he could see her eyes. “Hey, I used the bathroom there,” Jedek said, remembering the bowl.

“You have this valley memorized that well?” Kenna asked.

“It’s an advantage I’m not going to give an enemy,” Ahnon said, using his staff to draw in the dirt, laying out his plan. “You two will cover me from here at the top of the bowl with your bows. When you hear them yell, start shooting. But I can smell trolls and you kill them first, if I don’t,” Ahnon said, looking up. “I mean it. They are fast, strong, very big, have a poor attitude and are very dangerous. I’m telling both of you, I’m not in the mood to fight trolls. If something happens to me, you are to run home and get whoever’s alive and then head to Delmuth and Ava’s,” he told them.

“How many?” Jedek asked and Ahnon listened for several minutes.

“I’m guessing, but I’m saying sixty,” he said.

Jedek shrugged his shoulders. “Well, we have twenty arrows each, so that’s twenty apiece,” he said, making Ahnon grin.

“Keep your head level. I’m leading you to your spot,” Ahnon said, moving away. They were amazed that Ahnon could move without making a sound. It didn’t take long to reach the lip of the bowl. Looking into it, Kenna and Jedek started getting butterflies in their stomachs. There were a lot of goblins running around and they saw orcs for the first time, having only seen them in books. The books paled in comparison. They were dark green, almost as tall as the Minotaur but with bulging muscles everywhere and two tusks jutting out from their lower jaw.

Watching the group in the bowl, they saw what at first they thought were tall massive mossy tree stumps, but were actually very hairy creatures. Leaves and small limbs were stuck in their long fur as they towered over the group in the bowl. Jedek was very mad at the books for not describing the troll better. There were two of them standing side by side. Each had a massive club that looked taller than Ahnon. Remembering the Minotaur, Jedek guessed the trolls were five to six feet taller and much more massive.

It was Kenna who pointed out the small creatures running around between the goblins and orcs. They looked about a foot and a half tall and a lot like tiny goblins, just uglier. Ahnon leaned close. “Hobgoblins,” he whispered lightly. “Change in plan, there are more than I thought,” he whispered. “Get your bows ready and count to twenty and shoot the trolls. Then, start on the orcs and then goblins,” he said, watching them. “Just because the hobgoblins are small, don’t underestimate them. They are dangerous and fast. The claw on the thumb contains poison, so don’t let them get close.”

Kenna looked back down and spotted Bryce tied up with two more kobolds. Then, she spotted a colt with a kid on it. She pointed at it and Ahnon nodded, leaning closer. “That’s a centaur kid. They are getting ready to eat him first, that’s why we are attacking now,” he said, waiting for questions. Seeing the two ready their bows, Ahnon eased into the bowl.

Carefully Kenna nocked an arrow and leaned over to Jedek. “I love you, Jedek,” she whispered softly.

“I love you too, but I get to kill one of the trolls,” he replied nonchalantly, lifting his bow up. Kenna looked at him with disappointment. “One’s mine,” he repeated softly.

“Spoilsport, but I’m shooting the one that’s closer. He’s bigger,” she whispered.

Controlling his breathing, Jedek nodded and started counting, pulling his bow back and concentrating on the neck of his troll. It was the only place without hair he saw besides the face. Ahnon said troll hair was tough so he wasn’t taking any chances. “Twenty,” he said in a soft voice and released his arrow, followed a split second later by Kenna.

Both arrows streaked across the bowl. Jedek hit his in the neck and Kenna hit hers in the temple. Jedek didn’t know if it was the shots or the poison, but both trolls just fell back like trees, shaking the ground when they hit. The entire bowl became silent, seeing the two trolls fall and trap some hobgoblins and an orc under them. But Jedek and Kenna had already pulled back their bows and released again. This time, two orcs fell with arrows in their throats and all the creatures turned to look at the lip that Jedek and Kenna were on.

They didn’t enjoy their discovery long as Ahnon ran right at the group, pulling out his staff sword. He sliced two goblins in half before the others even noticed him. When they turned to the shouts, Jedek and Kenna released two more arrows, dropping two more orcs.

With the element of surprise gone now, half of the group attacked Ahnon as the others charged the lip of the bowl. Kenna and Jedek both released two more arrows at two orcs but at the last moment they moved, causing the arrows to hit the orcs’ shoulders. The orcs laughed, reaching up and pulling out the arrows. They suddenly became rigid and fell over.

“I like poison,” Kenna said, shooting another orc in the belly and Jedek hit one in the leg, neither orc moved more than a step.

In a rhythm now, Jedek reached over, pulling out another arrow. “Yes, poison is definitely an equalizer,” he said, shooting the last orc he saw. He saw the goblins charging them and held up his hand while reciting the spell. As the last word left his lips, Jedek extended his fingers pointing at the closest goblin twenty paces away. Hundreds of flaming darts shot from his hand, hitting the lead goblin in the chest. Moving his hand back and forth, Jedek gave the goblin’s friends some flaming darts. As the last dart left his hand, he didn’t expect the goblins to still be charging with the first bunch down on the ground screaming as they burned, but they were. He reached over and started pulling out arrows, shooting targets as fast as he could.

Like a force of nature, Ahnon moved into the group, loving his sword. It just passed through each body he swung at, and even through two swords as they swung back at him. Seeing the goblins charge him trying to overwhelm him, Ahnon bent down and jumped up. As he did, Ahnon saw flaming darts rain down from the lip the kids where on. Feeling that they were okay and hovering twenty feet over the group, Ahnon reached down and started throwing knives as fast as he could. When he was out, Ahnon dropped back down and started swinging his sword again.

Jedek and Kenna kept up the rain of arrows till Jedek reached back for another arrow and he couldn’t find one. “I’m out,” he said, dropping his bow and still saw a bunch of targets.

“Me too,” Kenna said, dropping hers. When the goblins saw the two drop their bows, they cried out in rage and charged them. Kenna reached down and flipped her wrist, burying a blade in one. It wasn’t a deadly hit, till you factored in the poison.

“On your right!” Jedek yelled and Kenna turned to see two goblins charging her. She ducked under a sword swing aimed for her neck. Rolling forward, she jumped up spinning around and throwing two knives, hitting both in the back as they ran for Jedek. Jedek heard the bodies’ crash behind him but didn’t turn, as he had four charging him from the side and too many to count running up the lip.

Fear gave him speed he’d never had before as his hand blurred while throwing blades out, killing the four running at him on the lip. Then, he went after the ones in the front rank running up the bowl till he reached down, not finding any more throwing knives or stars. Glancing over at Kenna, Jedek spotted a goblin charging her from behind.

Knowing he was too far away to even blur to help, he looked down to see a knife sticking out of a goblin. “Elu,” Jedek said, pointing his finger at the knife, lifting the knife out and up and acting like he was throwing. The knife leapt out of the body and followed his arm hitting the goblin in one of its yellow eyes, knocking it into a complete flip.

Hearing movement behind him, Jedek pulled his staff sword spinning around as he extended his arm, cutting a goblin in half. He kicked the body away while blocking a sword from his right, then hit that goblin with his staff before he cut its arm off. Kicking it away, Jedek turned around to see Kenna unleash a dozen green darts, hitting the last ones that were running up at them.

Kenna reached down, pulling up a throwing star. “Kenna, when you throw it use ‘will of matter’, that’s how Ahnon is so good!” he shouted. Hearing Jedek, “Elu,” Kenna spoke as she threw the star at a target she knew was too far, but it still hit in the eye.

“Oh, it’s so a celebration now!” she yelled, ducking a sword swing and ripping her staff sword out, cutting her attacker in half. Pulling out a throwing knife she flipped her wrist, burying it in a goblin’s forehead. Not seeing any more around her, she looked over at Jedek to see him stab the last one on his side. Looking at the far lip, she spotted two little hobgoblins running up the lip. She pulled out two knives and using the secret, she threw them hard. They sailed over the bowl hitting both in the back. The hobgoblins let out squeals as they rolled down to the bottom of the bowl.

Not feeling afraid and loving it, Kenna saw Ahnon still fighting some and turned to Jedek. “Let’s go help him,” she offered.

“This is great! Let’s go,” Jedek said, charging down into the bowl with his sword out. Kenna followed, jumping over the prisoners they were after, but it was a fun time. Heading over to help Ahnon, she saw an orc crawl out from under one of the dead trolls.

“How did you get there?” Kenna asked, stopping and looking down at the orc. The orc let out a roar as Kenna reached down, not feeling any more knives but felt the mini stars. “You’re rude. Stay,” she said, flipping her wrist.

Jedek stopped as the tiny stars flew past him, hitting the orc in the chest and face. He watched the orc casually brush them off, grinning with a wicked grin as it lifted a massive sword. Then, like it had been told to, the orc dropped his sword and started screaming. Falling to the ground, it started clawing its face and chest. “You know, the pink tail really scares me,” Jedek said and then took off, leaving the orc screaming.

Bouncing on her toes, Kenna followed, killing several hobgoblins that were hiding. Noticing several leaving with a goblin, she raised her hand and it filled with a ball of fire. “You didn’t say bye!” she yelled, throwing it. Hearing her yell, the group stopped and turned only to see the ball of fire as it exploded, covering them with fire.

Not able to help it, Ahnon chuckled at her as he ran a goblin through. Seeing three charging him, Ahnon lifted his hand and three green balls shot from his palm hitting each in the chest. The balls exploded, covering them in a green slime that dissolved them. “Hey, you’re green, you should like that!” Kenna shouted at the screaming figures as she and Jedek walked over. Ahnon just shook his head.

“Mocking your enemy when they are suffering is bad form,” he told her.

Kenna shrugged her shoulders, looking at Ahnon. “I don’t care! They were going to eat my friends and already killed some,” she told him. Giving up, Ahnon started looking around for those playing dead. It was then that Kenna noticed the mass of bodies around him. “You killed more than your twenty, damn it to the abyss!” she screamed.

“Kenna, another group charged over the lip. Where did you think those that came at you from the side came from?!” he asked, shouting back.

“You could’ve run over to us, letting us have some!” she snapped.

Not sure how to respond like a teacher, Ahnon started counting and Jedek knew Ahnon was getting mad, but he didn’t care. “Ahnon, she has a point,” he said.

Stopping his counting, Ahnon turned to Jedek. “Kenna, cut the prisoners loose and start collecting all the throwing knives and arrows you can. Leave the mini stars,” he told her, hearing the orc still screaming, but he was still looking at Jedek. He held out his sword. “Jedek, walk around and stick this in every dead body here,” he told him.

“I have a sword,” Jedek popped back.

“Mine’s poisoned and the next one that disrespects me, I swear to you, I’m pulling off my belt and will spank your bottom till it bleeds,” he warned, making both jump back. Trying to remain calm thinking he could’ve handled that better, Ahnon held out his sword.

“Yes Neeji,” they called out together. Jedek ran over, wiping blood off his sword before he sheathed it back in his staff and took Ahnon’s. Walking around, he just started stabbing, finding several that were only playing dead. But Jedek fixed that fast.

Not rushing, Kenna casually walked past the screaming orc. “Will you shut up, you big baby!” she yelled, pointing a finger and shooting a glob of light, hitting it in the arm. The orc froze as the bind took effect. “You’re all big and bad till the oglat poison hits,” she mumbled, walking over to the prisoners.

Bryce was smiling at her and she could see muddy streaks on his face from crying. “Kenna, thank you for coming after us,” he said.

Kenna knelt down. “You thought we wouldn’t?” she asked, cutting the ropes off him.

Rubbing his wrist, Bryce sat up. “Well, I’ve never heard of any species risking their life to rescue a kobold. Nobody seems to like us,” he told her.

She looked at him shocked, but he didn’t see it with the shadow from her hat over her eyes and glasses. In fact, her mask and outfit were kind of freaking him out. “Bryce, you and your clan are our friends. If someone messes with you, they mess with us,” she told him, making him smile.

“Are the others okay?” he asked and Kenna suddenly stood up.

“Ahnon, we have to run home and check on the others!” she yelled.

Turning around Kenna saw Ahnon was standing on one of the troll's chest. “If you would’ve been in control of your emotions, you would have heard Talon say they were already hit but are okay,” he snapped, pulling out a knife and kneeling down on the troll.

Kenna just mumbled some really unpleasant words, cutting the others loose and stopped at the young centaur. She could see he was young by his human face and if that was an indicator, she was guessing about seven or eight. “I’m a friend, okay? So don’t run off because more are around,” she said, hoping he understood common as she pointed at the dead goblin next to him. The young centaur nodded with tears running down his face. Kenna cut him loose and hugged him tight. “You will be alright. We’ll get you home,” she told him and the young centaur started crying, hugging her back.

Hearing crying, Ahnon looked up to see the young centaur hugging Kenna. “She only has two pinkies. They have to get filled up at some point,” he said, turning back around and starting on the trolls. Kenna led them over by the small fire, telling them to wait.

She left them and started on her task finishing rather fast, as did Jedek. They both walked over to Ahnon. He was starting to skin one of the trolls. “Jedek, how many?” Ahnon asked, not stopping.

“Sixty-three goblins, fourteen orcs, twenty-one hobgoblins and two trolls,” Jedek told him, then looked at the orc Kenna put a bind on. “Sorry, fifteen orcs,” he corrected.

“Kill him Kenna, and start collecting weapons and pouches from the area. Find a bed roll and place them on it,” Ahnon said as Kenna skipped over to the orc. “Just kill it, don’t torment it anymore,” he snapped and she stopped skipping. “Jedek, start skinning the other one,” he said, nodding at the other troll.

With little effort, Jedek jumped up on the body and went to work. “Shouldn’t one of us stay on watch?” Jedek asked.

“Talon is around,” Ahnon told him.

Jedek looked up. “Ahnon, no offense, but some things can get by Talon,” he informed Ahnon.

Stopping his work, Ahnon looked over at Jedek, narrowing his eyes and not understanding why the kids were acting so rebellious. “There are a lot more coming and we don’t have long, so get to work,” he told Jedek in a flat voice. Jedek grumbled, but got to work.

“We can come back later, Ahnon,” Jedek said, trying to get through the hair to the skin.

“Jedek, if their companions don’t eat them, other carnivores will,” Ahnon said, looking up to see Jedek digging through the hair. Standing up, Ahnon jumped off his troll and landed on the chest of the other troll. He knelt down and showed Jedek to start at the neck, then jumped back to his. “Don’t go anywhere near the mouth,” Ahnon warned, going back to work.

The freed prisoners watched in shock as the two skinned the trolls. When Kenna filled two tarps up with packs and weapons, she went over to help. They rolled the bodies over and stripped the rest of the hide off. Then, pulling the massive skins to the side, they rolled them up and tied leather around them. Jedek tried to pick one up struggling with the weight.

“That rump sniffer is heavy,” he said, dropping the hide.

Filled with confidence she had never felt before, Kenna reached back to her spell pouch. “I’ll take care of that,” she said, reaching forward and Ahnon caught her hand.

“Don’t use ‘weightless’ on a troll,” he warned. Kenna just looked up at him. “What are the elements for the spell?” he asked.

“Desial, gratum, and fuhtac,” she said stunned. “Gratum is troll bone,” she mumbled.

“It might have exploded,” he said, picking up one of the rolled-up hides. “Roll them back over. We need the heart, kidneys, and as much bone as we can get,” he said, throwing the hide beside the pile Kenna had made.

Kenna and Jedek held out their hands, flipping them and the skinned bodies of the trolls flipped over, shaking the ground. The two climbed onto the chest and started hacking with their swords opening the chest up. Ahnon reached over to the pile of weapons, pulling out a large mace and walking over to the head of Kenna’s troll and started beating its face.

It wasn’t long before Kenna and Jedek were tossing organs out of the chest and climbing inside disappearing from sight. When Kenna pulled out a massive heart with both hands and Ahnon broke the jaw, the centaur and the kobolds all started throwing up. The three didn’t pay them any attention and continued. Jedek and Kenna had skinned so many animals now, they didn’t get sick.

Climbing out of the troll's chest, Jedek stopped as he sat several organs on the troll’s belly. He watched Ahnon take out a pair of tongs and pull the teeth out of the broken jaw. Looking closer, Jedek saw the teeth were bigger than his hand, narrow but wide like a triangle, and the edges were transparent. Ahnon was holding the teeth with the tongs like they were alive as he sat them on the ground and walked around them.

Looking off, Ahnon ran back to the pile of stuff and came back with a metal box. Dumping out the coins, he filled it with dirt. Then carefully, he placed the teeth in the dirt. Picking up the mace, Ahnon went to work on Jedek’s troll.

It was only an hour and a half after the battle when the three climbed off the trolls. “Talon is mad that we aren’t leaving,” Kenna said, throwing large bones in a pile on top of a tarp.

“He’ll get over it,” Ahnon said, dropping down some more bones.

Jedek dropped more and looked up, seeing Talon circling them. “Don’t make him mad, Neeji,” he said.

“Kenna, shrink the pile of weapons and make them light. You carry them and the metal box full of teeth,” he said. She clapped and ran over to the pile. “Jedek, you are carrying one of the hides, I’ll carry the other and the tarp of bones,” Ahnon said, folding the tarp over the bones. He grabbed the sides and grunted as he picked it up. Dropping it back down to the ground, Ahnon looked at the tarp, stepping back to figure out how to get it home.

Out of nowhere, Talon swooped down and grabbed the tarp with his talons, lifting it out of the bowl and barely clearing the tree tops. “That’s too heavy for you to carry!” Ahnon shouted after him.

“Shut up, you don’t have long. They are close,” Talon snapped in their minds and then let out a screeching call.

Worried but thankful for Talon’s help, Ahnon picked up the rolled-up hide, throwing it over his shoulder and then helped Jedek with his. “Jedek, carry one of the Kobolds and Kenna, you carry the other two. I’ll carry the young centaur,” he said, picking him up.

“We can run!” Bryce yelled as Kenna picked him up.

“Bryce, I’m not in the mood, so shut it,” Ahnon snapped.

Pulling him close, Kenna leaned to Bryce’s ear. “We are leaving a lot behind that he wants, so don’t push him,” she whispered and Bryce nodded, wrapping his arms around her neck.

Ahnon started up the side of the bowl and started running and Jedek and Kenna followed. With the weight they were carrying, they couldn’t blur and could barely outrun the deer that jumped out ahead of them. The young centaur wrapped his arms around Ahnon’s neck, holding on as they bounced over the river. “I like running over the water better!” Jedek yelled out and not far behind them, he heard loud roars.

“Thank you for letting them know where we are!” Ahnon shouted back, getting more roars and barks.

“You didn’t say they were that close,” Jedek snapped in a lowered tone.

“Why do you think we left?” Ahnon asked and Jedek couldn’t think of a reply. Ahnon stopped and they came over to him. He pulled out a small bottle filled with glowing green liquid. Kenna and Jedek smiled, each pulling one out of their pouches. They all turned them up together and put the empty bottles back.

“I wish all potions tasted like that,” Jedek said, feeling the energy hit him like a shock.

“The next time I see the Grand Mage of Nazar, I’ll ask him,” Ahnon said, turning around and pulling out a handful of foot spikes. He threw them on the trail they had made and turned around, taking off at almost a blur. Kenna and Jedek followed, hearing the roars getting real close.

They had only been running for a few minutes when they heard the screams of pain behind them. “Neeji, do you poison foot spikes?” Kenna asked.

“Yes,” he said, jumping a downed tree.

Hearing the roars and barks behind them picking up in tempo, but didn’t seem to be getting closer. “I don’t think they liked that,” Kenna told Ahnon.

“This from the bloodthirsty princess,” Ahnon said.

“What?” Kenna yelled.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Bloodthirsty queen,” Ahnon corrected as Kenna started mumbling. They pulled away from their pursuers, soon reaching the field below the rise of the cabin. When they crested the hill, they saw Kheet talking to a centaur with Orrla beside him. Ahnon slowed down, stopping beside Kheet and set down the young centaur.

“Son!” the centaur talking to Kheet yelled out and moved over, picking him up. The young centaur returned the hug as Kheet looked up at Ahnon.

“This is Cymbiir, the chief of the centaur tribe here,” Kheet said, motioning to the centaur hugging the young one.

Nodding his head, Ahnon looked around to see the kobolds running over to Bryce as Kenna put him down. Looking around the yard, he saw dozens of goblin bodies and orcs. “Had a little trouble?” he asked, dropping the rest of his load as did the kids.

Kheet scoffed. “Please, with that big bird, those little squirts with their slings, and that dog? I barely got to get in the action,” he told Ahnon. Shaking his head, Ahnon didn’t believe him, seeing Kheet covered in black blood.

“Where are Minos and Talon?” Ahnon asked.

“Talon flew over just a little while ago and dropped off a tarp full of bones and stuff. I figured that’s yours,” Kheet said. “Minos is chasing a mangmyr and Talon said he was going to help,” Kheet said, leaning on his axe.

Reaching up, Ahnon took his hat and mask off. “A mangmyr?” he asked and Kheet nodded. “Minos does realize it’s twice his size, doesn’t he?” Ahnon asked.

“Well, he killed two ‘playing’ with them,” Kheet said, pointing. Ahnon looked to where he was pointing. Sprawled across the ground, just at the crest of the rise were two massive canine bodies. “Yes, he killed them by himself,” Kheet said, answering the question in Ahnon’s mind.

Giving a chuckle, Ahnon turned around. “Well, I guess he isn’t so stupid,” he told Kheet.

“Well, don’t go jumping to conclusions,” Kheet said as the kids walked over. “He took out the archers that were down in the field and the mangmyrs attacked him. Ahnon, I’m not lying, he yelled out ‘Play!’ and started fighting them. When another mangmyr charged the hill heading for a kobold, Minos caught it and hamstrung it, then killed the one of two that was trying to hamstring him.

“Then, right in the middle of the battle, he comes to me with a goblin he had chewed up pretty good, but it was still alive,” Kheet said as he closed his eyes. “I’m fighting two orcs and he casually asks if he can keep the goblin for a chew toy,” Kheet said, lowering his head.

With his face contorting, Ahnon fought the urge to not laugh as Kheet continued. “I yelled, ‘no’ and Minos whined, just biting the head off the goblin and charged back into battle. Then, he brought me another one and asked if he could keep that one,” Kheet said, opening his eyes. “Ahnon, I’m not going to lie. I was pretty hot by then and started yelling,” Kheet admitted, feeling bad.

“So, he killed the one he hamstrung, one that went after the kobolds and one in the field, then went to chase the other one?” Ahnon asked, wanting to put his mask on so he could laugh.

Kheet gave him a flat stare. “No, Talon killed that one, Minos wanted to keep it for a big chew toy,” he told Ahnon. “Ahnon, Minos has no sense of danger. Those mangmyrs are twice his size and he just charged right at them, giving me a heart attack!” Kheet yelled. “Minos may be part mangmyr but he’s only part, those canines could’ve killed him!”

“I’ll talk to him,” Jedek offered, feeling proud of Minos.

Slowly, Kheet turned and looked to Jedek. “Tried to hide a goblin under the wood pile so he could chew on it later, but the kobolds found it,” Kheet informed him.

Losing his battle to not laugh, Ahnon gave a hiccup snort, stopping his chuckle. Kenna grabbed Kheet’s arm. “They didn’t get hurt when they found it, did they?” she asked, worried.

“Kenna, that goblin couldn’t have scratched his nose if he wanted to. Minos had already used him for a chew toy,” Kheet told her.

Ahnon looked away, wiping tears off his face as Orrla flew over. “You didn’t get hurt, did you?” she asked the kids, but was looking at Ahnon.

Annoyed, Kenna stomped her foot. “No, and Ahnon took more than his share!” she spat out.

Not in the mood to laugh anymore, Ahnon spun on her. “Kenna, I still have my belt,” he warned. Kenna stepped behind Jedek and he just promptly moved out of the way.

Without warning, Orrla flew over to Kenna. “Kenna, that was very rude to disrespect your teacher like that,” Orrla told her.

Feeling ashamed, Kenna looked down. “I’m sorry, Neeji,” she said in a pouty voice.

Feeling bad, “It’s okay, Kenna,” Ahnon told her, feeling like he was being wrapped around a little finger. Shaking it off, Ahnon looked at Orrla. “How did the fairies come out?” he asked.

“Oh, we were fine, thanks to you sending Rosea and me to warn them,” Orrla said, floating over and landing on his shoulder. “A large hobgoblin group was going to attack us, but we caught them before they reached the hollow,” she said, leaning her head to rest on Ahnon’s face.

Not far to the north they suddenly heard howls and roars, then the sounds of a battle. “Your fairies are fighting goblins and orcs now?” Ahnon asked.

Lifting her head off Ahnon, Orrla gave a small laugh. “No,” she said. “It’s not that we can’t, but that’s the gargoyles attacking them,” she told him.

Cymbiir, the centaur chief, trotted over to Ahnon. “I’m indebted to you for saving my son,” he said, rubbing his son’s hair. “A hunting party was attacked and I led some warriors out to assist and this one tried to follow,” he said, looking down. “It was not for some time till we noticed he was gone,” Cymbiir told him.

“You have a good son who will grow up to be a strong warrior, Cymbiir,” Ahnon told him. “When we hit the camp, he never hid or yelled. When we escaped, he listened and followed orders, not endangering us and letting us continue our attack. Your son will grow into a great warrior,” Ahnon said.

Cymbiir smiled at the complement and his son puffed out his chest. “That I’m glad to hear, but punishment is still in order,” he said, looking back down at his son. The little centaur dropped his shoulders, looking down at the ground.

From the river, they heard the sound of galloping hooves. They all looked down the rise and over the field to see a herd of centaur charging across. Kenna gasped as they all ran up the rise and stopped around them. “Kenna, control your urges. Centaurs are very proud,” Ahnon mumbled as the sounds of battle to the north suddenly stopped.

Kheet laughed, pointing over the trees. “Guess the gargoyles won that round,” he said, laughing.

Over the tree tops, they saw several dozen large winged figures gliding. When they reached the field, the group landed and ran up the rise. Orrla flew off Ahnon’s shoulder and stopped in front of the biggest one.

Jedek was glad the mask hid the shock on his face as he leaned his head back, looking up at the massive creature. Now he knew why Ahnon called the three he had fought ‘juveniles’. “Gantar, did you suffer any losses?” Orrla asked.

The gargoyle laughed with a deep rumble. “It was barely worth chasing them down,” he said in an ominous voice that seemed to echo in his massive chest.

Orrla tilted her head to him. “Well, thank you for taking the trouble,” she replied.

Folding his wings tight to his back, Gantar bowed his head to Orrla. “They attacked us and our friends, Mother Queen. Their death was imminent. That’s really the only thing they seemed good at was dying, because fighting is not a strength for them,” he told her. She flew over and kissed his forehead, then flew back to Ahnon.

“Ahnon, this is Gantar. He is the king of the gargoyles in this area,” she told him, smiling. Ahnon bowed to the massive figure.

“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance,” Ahnon said, straightening up.

Gantar turned to look at Kenna and Jedek and then back at Ahnon with his white glowing eyes. “The glasses you wear seem to have a familiar aura to them,” he said.

“Yes, three juvenile males attacked us before winter and I claimed bounty over them,” Ahnon replied. Jedek tensed, expecting trouble.

Gantar grinned, exposing the bottom of two tusks jutting up from his lower jaw. “Yes, we had trouble with them as well. I’m sorry for the trouble they caused you,” he said with sincerity.

Relaxing his stance, Ahnon chuckled. “They caused me no trouble. I tried to get them to leave but they refused, so I had to take steps,” he said, making Gantar’s grin widen.

“Yes, we have watched you with much interest. None have seen a human warrior like you before, hunter or otherwise,” he told Ahnon. Jedek and Kenna just looked back and forth as the two talked, knowing they were testing each other.

“I’m one of a kind, your majesty,” Ahnon said smiling and rested his hands on his staff.

All of a sudden Gantar threw back his head, letting out a bellowing laugh and the other gargoyles joined in with him. Jedek and Kenna just stayed still. Pulling out a water skin and rinsing his hands off, Gantar strolled over to stand in front of Ahnon as he slowly stopped laughing. “We are proud to call you friend,” he said, extending a massive hand to Ahnon.

Shocked, Jedek watched as Ahnon reached out and placed his hand in the hand. Ahnon wouldn’t even be able to wrap his hand around one claw tipped finger, but acted like he clasped the hand. “It is we who are proud to have you and yours as friends,” he said, taking his hand out of the massive gray hand.

Orrla looked up. “She’s coming,” she said. Jedek and Kenna looked up with everyone else. A dozen winged forms circled them and then landed in front of the cottage. Kenna’s knees started to get wobbly as the pegasi folded their wings and trotted over. Quickly Ahnon stepped over and put a hand on Kenna's shoulder as she let out a moan.

The pegasi were all solid colors of white, black, or brown and one silver, who seemed to be the stallion. Taking a step forward, Kenna felt Ahnon pull her back, gripping her shoulder harder. She reached out with her hands grasping at the air. “Kenna, quit it,” Ahnon leaned down and whispered.

Jedek didn’t think she’d heard Ahnon because she leaned forward, still grasping the air and reaching out to the pegasi. Shaking his head, Jedek knew this wasn’t going to end well. Holding Kenna’s shoulder tight, Ahnon looked at Orrla. “Who’s coming?” he asked.

“The forest guardian of this range,” she said, flying over hovering beside him.

The color left Ahnon’s face. “Are you kidding?” he asked and Jedek wanted to ask a hundred questions, but stayed silent.

“No, here she comes,” Orrla said, pointing at the top of the mountain behind the cottage. Ahnon looked up with the others, except Kenna who was still grasping at the pegasi.

They saw a creature galloping in the air, but didn’t have wings. Each time a foot extended down, a ripple of gold light radiated outward as it galloped toward them. Jedek sucked in a breath. “A unicorn,” he said in a hushed voice. It was pure white and had a flowing white mane. The tail only had hair at the very end with the rest slender and waving through the air.

It ‘landed’ in front of the forge and walked gracefully over to them and Jedek looked to see that it had gold cloven hooves with feathering hair over the hooves. The single horn protruding from its head was gold like the hooves. Unable to resist, Jedek knelt as it approached. Very impressed, Orrla smiled at him as almost everyone else did the same.

Trying to pull Kenna down, Ahnon was about to kneel when Kenna noticed everyone going to their knees. She turned and spotted the unicorn and her hands dropped to her sides, making Ahnon relax and try to pull her down. Kenna reached up, pulling off her hat and mask and dropping them to the ground. Her mouth was moving, but nothing came out.

“UNICORN!” Kenna screamed at the top of her lungs and lunged toward the stopped unicorn.

Caught off guard, Ahnon grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back as she reached out with both hands, grabbing for the unicorn. “Kenna, stop it,” Ahnon growled, wrapping both arms around her and rolling to the ground.

“It’s-- a-- UNICORN!” she stuttered ending in a scream, hurting many ears while fighting Ahnon’s grasp. Reaching up, Ahnon put a hand over her mouth.

Giving a wince as Kenna drove an elbow in his stomach trying to get away, Ahnon looked up at the unicorn. “I’m sorry, your majesty,” he apologized to the unicorn as it walked over to him. She looked down as Ahnon fought to control Kenna. Jedek watched mesmerized as the unicorn smiled.

“I have watched you since you came into my range and I have to say you are truly exceptional,” she said in a gentle, soothing voice.

Still struggling, Kenna started kicking Ahnon’s legs and continued elbowing with one arm, but was still reaching out and grasping at the unicorn with the other. “I’m sorry for her reaction,” Ahnon apologized, wrapping his legs around Kenna’s. “Kenna, that hurts, stop it,” he whispered harshly.

Everyone had stood up by now and Kheet moved over to Jedek. “Aren’t you going to help him?” he asked, looking at Ahnon fighting Kenna. Ahnon had to take his hand off her mouth to grab the arm that was driving elbows into his ribs.

“No,” Jedek said, looking away from the unicorn to see Ahnon fighting to control Kenna. “They have to work this out for themselves,” he said, looking back at the unicorn.

Ahnon looked back at the unicorn. “She’s a little high strung,” he said, smiling at the unicorn.

“Yes, we have watched Kenna tame many,” the unicorn said, laughing.

Hearing that, Kenna suddenly stopped fighting Ahnon. “She knows my name,” she said dumbfounded.

The unicorn looked at her, smiling. “Yes, Kenna. We know all of you,” she told her.

“UNICORN!” Kenna screamed, renewing her fight to get free as Ahnon slapped his hand back over her mouth. It seemed to Ahnon like Kenna had ten arms and legs as they wiggled and kicked at him. Finally, Ahnon was able to catch her legs, wrapping his around them, holding one arm down and keeping his hand over her mouth. Undeterred, Kenna had one arm free as she extended it, grasping at the unicorn with muffled screams coming from her covered mouth.

“I do apologize,” Ahnon said, looking up with sweat beading on his forehead.

The unicorn shook her head. “Go ahead and release her,” she told Ahnon. Ahnon’s eye’s widened in shock. “Ahnon, I’ve fought dragons and things much worse. A young human child that wants to touch me won’t hurt me. We have to talk and as you should know by now, Kenna is going to win in the end,” she said, lifting her head.

Closing his eyes, Ahnon let go. Kenna seemed to levitate up and sprang at the unicorn, wrapping her arms around it and hugging it. Snuggling her face into the mane, Kenna smiled in bliss. The unicorn turned her head, nuzzling Kenna gently. “I’m real, child,” the unicorn said and then looked back as Ahnon stood up. “I’m known as Meria,” she told Ahnon as he got off the ground.

“Your majesty,” Ahnon said, bowing and wiping the sweat off his face.

“Let us dispense with the pleasantries, Ahnon,” she said with Kenna still hugging her.

“So soft,” Kenna mumbled with closed eyes.

Meria turned to Orrla who flew over. “Told you,” Orrla said to Meria.

“Yes, and I expected no less from her,” Meria said, looking down at Kenna. Lifting her head back up, “Ahnon, I welcome you to my range. You have shown great qualities and I’m not disappointed in my decision to let you come,” she told him.

“Decision?” Ahnon asked.

“I was asked long ago if you could stay here,” Meria told him.

“By who?” Ahnon asked, irritated.

“They will tell you when or if they want, but for me to do it would be discourteous,” Meria told him.

“Of course,” Ahnon said, but didn’t like it.

Liking Ahnon’s response, Meria smiled at him. “You have lived by the laws taking only what you need and using what you can, so you may always call this your home,” Meria said.

Bowing his head, “Thank you,” he replied at the offer.

“I just want to say there are two dragons that live in my range. We all protect them and I ask you to do the same,” she told him.

Shocked to say the least, Ahnon took a step back. “Protect dragons? Are they that old?” he asked curiously.

“Hardly,” Meria told him. “They are young. Their mother was killed when they were barely fifty. Luckily, they escaped but they fell in with a band of kobolds, living with them for centuries. The area they were in was ravaged by a war killing the small tribe. I think that’s why they stayed here, the band of kobolds that you know,” she told him. “I have asked them not to live with the kobolds because they cause too much mischief, but they do play with them,” she said and looked back at Kenna.

“Are you okay, Kenna? I don’t feel you breathing,” Meria asked.

“So fluffy,” Kenna mumbled, rubbing her cheek on the fur with the mane over her head.

Relaxing, Ahnon smiled and looked over at the herd of pegasi and thought they looked dejected. From the corner of his eye, he caught movement. Turning his head, he saw Talon land beside the group and hop over to Jedek. Talon lowered his head, putting his beak at the end of Jedek’s nose. “Your dog needs to be punished!” he snapped.

Jedek took a step back. “I’ll beat him as soon as he returns,” Jedek promised, looking at the massive beak in his face.

Liking that, Talon straightened up and hopped over to Ahnon. Talon inclined his head to Meria. “That dog has no sense. When he’s fighting, all he keeps saying is ‘Play?’ and then attacks. He was trying to drag an orc back for a chew toy,” Talon said, looking at Ahnon.

Ahnon shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve heard,” he said.

Talon ruffled his feathers out. “Ahnon, he attacked a male manticore,” Talon snapped. “Airborne threats are mine,” Talon huffed and hopped away.

Jedek looked at Kheet with a confused look. “The male manticore has wings. All manticores have a body like a lion and a tail like a scorpion,” Kheet told him.

Feeling tired, Ahnon looked back at Meria. “There are still several parties of orcs and goblins around,” he told her.

“Yes, and they are defiling my range,” Meria said with a frown.

Gantar and Cymbiir stepped closer. “Do you know where?” Cymbiir asked with a grin.

Using his staff, Ahnon drew a rough outline of the valley. “We are here,” he said, making a spot. Then, he made four ‘X’s’ to the north and west. “They are here, or were when Talon told me,” he said.

With a big grin, Cymbiir looked at Gantar. “You take the one closest and we will take the other three,” he offered and Gantar frowned. “It will be dawn before long,” Cymbiir explained.

Nodding his head, Gantar looked at the sky. “Thank you and we take your offer,” he said smiling. The centaurs followed Cymbiir off and the gargoyles followed Gantar, all leaving at very fast runs.

“Hey, what about us?” Ahnon asked, but only dust hung in the air.

“Ahnon, will the humans to the east stay there or will they move closer?” Meria asked.

“No. The terms of the arrangement are they can never move west for any reason and can only live inside that hundred-acre fence,” he told her.

“What about others?” she asked.

Ahnon shook his head. “No, with the exception of a few buildings to sleep in on the road, no one is allowed within a hundred leagues of there,” he answered.

Not saying anything, Meria looked at him for a long time. “They will follow these rules?” she finally asked.

“They do or they have to leave. Even if I have to make them,” he told her.

Smiling, Meria nodded. “Then they can stay as long as they abide by the laws,” she told him.

“Meria, they are setting up a kind of school and will need to take a little more than what’s needed to teach, so they can teach others to live by the laws,” he told her.

She lifted her head up, astonished. “Really? What an intriguing idea,” she said.

For the first time, Kenna looked up at Meria. “Saw a unicorn on my way to Gratu, but it was on a bluff far away. I always wanted to see one up close,” she said and buried her face back into the mane.

Looking down at Kenna, Meria let out a light laugh. “That was me, Kenna. I wanted to feel your spirit,” she told her.

Kenna jerked her head out from under the mane. “Huh?” she asked.

“You will understand in time,” Meria told her. “Please go and see the pegasi. They will be greatly hurt if you don’t make a fuss over them as well,” Meria told her in a low voice.

Reluctantly, Kenna leaned over and kissed her muzzle, then skipped over to the pegasi. Ahnon could see them sighing with relief as Kenna started hugging and kissing them. “Meria, you know they were looking for us, right?” Ahnon asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Will any make it back north to tell?” he asked.

“No, the elves are killing orcs and their followers in droves after they burnt two cities to the north. In the world of humans, it is the same. The five kingdoms are assaulting anything of the three. They have not invaded, but the boat people seem to be taking great pleasure in sinking every boat of the three kingdoms of the north,” she told him.

“You know why, don’t you?” Ahnon asked.

“Of course,” she said with a grin. “I answered your question, now I want to ask you one,” she said with Ahnon nodding. “Why are you teaching them and not returning them to their kingdom?” she asked, watching him closely.

Ahnon stared at her for a few minutes. “Because they asked me to,” he told her and Meria just looked at him. “I want a future king to know what war is and not take it lightly. If you have to fight, do it and get it over with. No mercy, just end it. He will know what the soldier feels doing his king's bidding,” Ahnon offered.

Liking the sound of that, Meria thought about what he had said. “You are wise for a human,” she told him. “Humans are so strange, they can be egocentric or self-sacrificing and it varies in each of you,” she said. “I like your answer,” she concluded. “I must go but if needed, Orrla can reach me,” she said, turning around and smiling at Orrla.

Meria trotted over to Kenna, letting Kenna hug her bye. Then, Meria started galloping and rising up in the air, going over the barn and then heading over the mountain. When she was gone, “Bryce, come here please!” Ahnon yelled. Bryce ran over to him, looking up at his face, the top of his head barely reached Ahnon’s belt.

“I have an offer. Can your clan keep following the rules I set for you?” Ahnon asked.

“Oh yes, Ahnon. We love coming here and we always check our pockets before leaving, so we don’t make you mad and not let us come back,” he said smiling.

Looking down into the childish face, Ahnon felt sorry for their loss. “If you can live by those rules, you and your clan may stay with us in the loft of the cottage,” Ahnon offered and Kheet started coughing.

With his mouth hanging open, Bryce stood awe-struck, not able to speak. Never had any being offered to let kobolds live with them. It was usually the other way around, running the kobolds off. Leaping at Ahnon, Bryce wrapped his arms around one of his legs. “We will live by the rules, I promise!” he yelled out and then ran over, telling the others.

The small group started jumping up and down, cheering. “You have gone insane,” Kheet told him. “I think you got hit on the head,” he concluded.

With a long face, Ahnon turned around, not replying but looking at the body of an orc. In its massive hand was a flag bearing the standard of the three kingdoms, three circles intertwined in a triangle with a massive orc fist around them. “That’s a war standard,” Ahnon told him. “It means the Overlord has taken over the ruling of the three kingdoms,” he said, walking off.

Chapter 10

It took all the next day to clear the bodies from the area. They made a huge fire beside the river because nobody was in the mood to dig. They laid the fallen kobolds to rest in the cave they’d lived in and Ahnon sealed it up. Then, it was back to training the next day.

It was just after dawn and Ahnon had the kids out in the field below the rise the cottage was sitting on. “You two are fixing to learn stealth,” he told them, taking out his sling. Kenna and Jedek looked at each other, getting anxious.

“You will try to cross this field, starting at that tree line and reaching that tree line,” he said pointing at the north, then the tree line on the south side of the field. “Make a noise and you start over,” he said, turning around. “And visit the second tree with the vest gear for each time you start over,” he added, walking to the south tree line.

He gathered several handfuls of small rocks as he walked away to the south tree line. Then, Ahnon turned around and took out a blindfold putting it on. “Get to the north line!” he shouted.

Jedek and Kenna turned, running for the north tree line. “You don’t think he’s going to hurt us, do you?” Kenna asked.

“Not permanently,” Jedek assured her. Kenna gave him a startled look as they reached the trees.

“I hope he doesn’t take it personal that I bit him trying to touch Meria,” Kenna said, turning around.

“You left a bruise on his hand, Kenna,” Jedek replied. Kenna sighed, lowering her head and then lifted it back up.

“Well, we should at least be able to get halfway, he’s over two hundred paces away,” Kenna offered.

With no false hopes, Jedek shook his head. “I’m sure he can hear us now,” he reminded her, giving her a startle. “And yes, he can hit us as well,” he added, making Kenna’s eyes widen.

Kenna swallowed hard. “Good luck,” she said and Jedek smiled at her.

“You too,” he said and they moved away from each other.

Relaxing his body, Ahnon put a small pebble in his sling and controlled his breathing as the two slowly entered the field. Kenna was placing her foot down on her fourth step when she saw Ahnon’s arm whipped toward her. In a flash, a small pebble crashed into her ankle, Kenna grunted, falling down and grabbing her ankle.

“Kenna,” Jedek said, looking over at her rolling in the grass and suddenly feeling a sharp stinging in his chest as a pebble popped him, sending him to his knees. “Crap,” he said, rubbing his chest and a sharp pain hit his wrist rubbing his chest as another pebble hit him.

Getting the idea if he stayed more would come, Jedek jumped up and walked back to the tree line, hearing Kenna let out a small yelp and also jump up. Jedek noticed she was rubbing her bottom walking back to the tree line, making him grin. The two turned around and started again moving slower this time. They each moved over twenty steps this time before a pebble crashed into them, sending them down to the ground. Like before, if they didn’t get up quickly, more came.

It was an hour later and both of them were covered in sweat, slowly moving across the field. Like them, Ahnon too was soaked in sweat as he listened for sounds. Hearing a sound to his right, Ahnon flicked the sling sending a pebble toward it. Not hearing a grunt or even his pebble hit, Ahnon lifted up his blindfold.

Kenna had seen the flick of the sling when she’d stepped on a small leaf and closed her eyes, but didn’t feel the sting of the pebble. Opening her eyes, she saw Ahnon lift his blindfold up, looking around and then put it back down. Freezing, Kenna smiled, not believing he’d missed and she was getting a second chance so she continued forward.

Lowering his blindfold, Ahnon knew something fishy was going on but continued the lesson, listening for sounds. Hearing grass crunch to his left, Ahnon flicked his sling sending out a pebble and felt a breeze brush his face. Not hearing a grunt or his pebble hit, Ahnon ripped off his blindfold. “Rosea and Orrla, quit it right now!” he yelled.

The two streaked out of the tree line behind the kids, stopping in front of Ahnon. “Ahnon, this is a little barbaric,” Orrla told him, dropping a pebble at his feet.

“You can’t do this to the kids,” Rosea told him, holding out a pebble in her hand.

“Rosea, I guess you want an orc to chop Kenna’s head off and put it on a pike because she made a noise?” Ahnon snapped, causing Rosea to drop the pebble in shock. He looked at Orrla. “Jedek is a king. What tortures do you think they would put him through if he was caught because he made noise?” he asked her.

Orrla spun around. “Kenna and Jedek, get back to the tree line now!” she yelled scaring everyone, including Ahnon. He never would’ve believed such a loud voice could come from something so small.

“You better run faster than that!” Rosea yelled flying to the ground and putting a pebble in Ahnon’s sling, then picked up two more. She kept one and gave one to Orrla as she landed on Ahnon’s left shoulder, then Rosea sat on his right.

Letting out a sigh when the kids were back at the tree line, Ahnon lowered his blindfold, taking a deep breath. As he slowly let it out, he heard both kids cry out. Lifting his blindfold with a finger, he looked across the field to see both getting up off the ground holding their chests. He cocked his head, looking at Rosea.

“Kenna’s heart is beating much too loudly,” she told him and he cocked his head to Orrla.

“Jedek’s sweating too much and it’s hitting the grass making way too much noise,” Orrla told him.

“Ladies, please,” Ahnon cried out. “If our enemies can hear that, I’ll surrender,” he informed them. “How about you two stay with them, telling them how to move through the grass without making a sound,” he offered.

“Okay,” Rosea said, shooting off his shoulder and heading to Kenna. Orrla floated off his shoulder.

“I didn’t hit him that hard,” she told him.

“Hey, I didn’t say anything. Besides, he was owed one that you caught,” Ahnon told her as she flew over to Jedek. He was fixing to lower his blindfold when he saw the kobolds running down the rise. Closing his eyes, Ahnon started mumbling as they stopped around him. When he’d finished his mumbling rant Ahnon looked at them, telling them the game and the rules.

They all ran across the field to play. When the lesson started, the kobolds were shocked when a rock hit them. Bryce was the first and looked up. “There’s no way he heard me,” he said as another rock hit his chest, making him scurry back to the tree line.

Kenna and Jedek, with the fairies help, made it to the center of the field twice before they were hit. Not surprising, the kobolds were the first to make it across without getting hit. To keep it fun, they started sneaking back across. It was in the fourth hour that Kenna and Jedek made it across, soaked in sweat.

When Ahnon told them to go back and do it again they both wanted to drop to their knees, but the two fairies pulled them across the field. At noon, the two had made it across three times without getting hit, but felt drained as they walked over to Ahnon. Orrla flew over, landing on Ahnon’s shoulder and Ahnon was shocked to see Rosea on Jedek’s shoulder, talking to him.

The group gathered around Ahnon when he looked up seeing a shadow fly over him. Ahnon’s jaw dropped as two dragons landed in front of him, shaking the ground. The kobolds let out cheers, running to them. Flabbergasted, Ahnon watched as the dragons bounced around playing with the small kobolds, making the ground shake under his feet.

Watching the dragons bounce around, Kenna and Jedek both moved behind Ahnon, looking out across the field. The dragons were enormous, not doing the pictures they had seen justice, but moved very fast and agile for any size of animal. Their bat-like wings could shade an acre and they spanned almost halfway across the field, but they still bounced around with agility. They both were covered in black scales on their backs with white scales on their bellies. The scales on their backs were black, but each glimmered different colors. One of the dragon’s scales sparkled a blue while the other shimmered purple.

Suddenly, the dragons stopped playing with the kobolds and looked over at Ahnon, making his stomach drop. They bounced over with their necks bobbing up and down, shaking the ground when they landed. Stopping in front of Ahnon, they tilted their heads to the side, looking at Ahnon and almost panting.

“Can we play too?” one asked in a voice that didn’t fit a dragon.

Reaching around behind him, Ahnon grabbed Kenna, pulling her to his front. Feeling Ahnon pull her, Kenna latched onto his waist, not wanting to move. The dragons looked beautiful, but they were big with mouths full of teeth and paws with long claws over a foot long.

Prying her arms off of his waist, Ahnon shoved Kenna in front of him, putting both hands on her shoulders. “We’re training,” Ahnon told them and Kenna tried to get back behind him. The dragons frowned, looking at each other and lowered their heads. Ahnon had the sudden feeling he had just kicked a puppy. “If you want, you can help,” he offered.

Both of the dragon’s heads lifted up with smiles exposing rows of teeth. Giving up on backing around Ahnon, Kenna dropped down to her hands and knees, backing between Ahnon’s legs on seeing the teeth and not the smiles. Reaching down, Ahnon pulled her up, standing her in front of him.

“Let me behind you!” she begged.

“Kenna, wrap them around your finger,” Ahnon told her, pushing her forward.

“They won’t fit,” she said, backing up, dropping down and crawling backward between his legs.

Ahnon reached around, pulling Jedek out from behind him. “Jedek, help her,” Ahnon commanded.

“Me?” Jedek shouted as Orrla flew off Ahnon’s shoulder laughing.

“Ahnon, let me introduce Gilan,” she said, pointing at the one glittering blue. “And Huryk,” she said, pointing at the purple glittering one.

The dragons bowed their heads and then Gilan stretched his neck over, sniffing Jedek. “Ew, I smell something,” he said grinning. On reflex, Ahnon pulled a spell packet out as Jedek gulped and reached into his pouch, pulling out an apple.

Gilan’s long forked tongue hung out as he panted, looking at the apple. Jedek smiled and tossed it up with Gilan catching the apple, which looked really little going in his maw. Swallowing the apple, Gilan lifted his head up licking his lips. “That was good,” he announced.

Huryk looked at Gilan and his face fell into a frown. Jedek reached into his pouch, pulling out another apple. “Here, Huryk,” he said, tossing it up in the air. Opening his massive maw, Huryk struck his lower jaw out, gulping the apple and making Ahnon shiver.

“Oh yes, Gilan, they are good,” Huryk said, lowering his head to Jedek. “Thank you,” he said, then stuck out his tongue and licked Jedek on the face. Fighting a shiver, Ahnon had to admit, Jedek took it well because if a dragon had licked his face like that, Ahnon was sure he would have fallen over dead, but not before crying like a child.

Jedek just stood with a smile, covered in dragon spit. “You’re welcome,” he said, wiping his face with his shirt.

Orrla flew over and sat back on Ahnon’s shoulder. “We have been working on their manners,” she told him softly.

With his face cleaned off, Jedek slowly moved closer, reaching out his hand and touching Huryk on the neck. Jedek smiled and started rubbing the smooth scales, noticing they felt really warm. Rubbing with longer strokes, he noticed Huryk lowering his head and giving off a muffled purring sound. Jedek started using his other hand and Huryk lowered his head, guiding Jedek’s hand to the back of his head under the mane that ran down the crest of his neck.

When Jedek reached the back of Huryk’s skull behind his ear, Huryk closed his eyes grinning with the muffled purring getting louder. Out of nowhere, there was a loud thumping and the ground was shaking under their feet. Ahnon looked at the source of the sound to see Huryk’s right back leg thumping the ground rapidly. “Yeah!” Huryk moaned as Jedek scratched the magic spot.

Not able to resist, Ahnon started chuckling, watching the dragon push his head back toward Jedek. The only problem was the head was much bigger than Jedek, knocking him down. Suddenly, the thumping stopped and Huryk looked back, seeing that he’d knocked Jedek down. “Oh, I’m sorry. Don’t be mad. Please?” he said with his gold eyes looking down.

Laughing, Jedek stood up. “It’s all right,” Jedek assured him and continued to rub his hand all over the young dragon’s body. When he reached the belly, Ahnon noticed Huryk holding a chuckle in and took a step back. He got ready to pull Jedek back as the chuckle stopped when Jedek started to rub the wings. The look on Jedek’s face was pure wonder as he knelt down, inspecting the back feet.

Seeing Jedek wanted to look at his feet, Huryk lifted oneup off the ground. Jedek walked under it looking at it, then stepped between the toes to look at the claws coming off the three toes. Just watching Jedek, a shiver ran down Ahnon’s back.

Not liking he wasn’t getting attention, Gilan bounced over. “Hey, you can look at my foot. It’s bigger anyway,” he told Jedek, holding it up.

“No it’s not,” Huryk shouted. “I’m older, so I’m bigger,” he snapped.

“You just got out of the egg first,” Gilan shouted.

“Hey!” Jedek shouted from under them, making them both look down. “I want to look at both of you!” he shouted with joy on his face. “You’re dragons!” he told them. “I’ve read about you my whole life,” he said, jumping up in the air.

Gilan looked at Huryk. “He’s read about us?” he asked.

“Must be magic,” Huryk replied as Jedek continued his examination. When Jedek opened Gilan’s mouth and stuck his head and chest inside to see the teeth, Ahnon hit the ground. The only one who knew it was Orrla, since she was on his shoulder, and she helped him up.

Ahnon thanked her as she sat back on his shoulder. “I want to invite them to lunch, but how much will they eat?” he asked her.

“They were fed two days ago,” she told him. “So, they won’t eat much,” she informed him.

“Fed?” Ahnon asked, watching Jedek climb up Gilan’s back.

Orrla looked at him with a sad face. “They don’t hunt very well, so everyone pitches in to help feed them. They like deer, rabbits and of course, apples,” she told him.

Feeling numb, Ahnon noticed Kenna beside Huryk looking at him, but Huryk was only interested in Jedek looking at him. “Weird,” Ahnon said encompassing a lot.

Finally, Kenna walked over with a grumpy face. “They are supposed to do that for me,” she snapped, kicking the ground.

“Hey, I tried to get you out there,” Ahnon told her.

Almost glaring, she looked up at him. “If you wouldn’t have been pushing me so much, I might have,” she popped back, shaking her head and sending her hair everywhere. She took a deep breath to continue.

Ahnon held up his hand. “Talk to the hand,” he told her and she just sat down on the ground as Jedek continued with the dragons. The kobolds went out and joined him studying the dragons which the dragons totally loved.

Half an hour later, Kheet and Minos appeared at the top of the rise. Seeing the two dragons near the group, Minos started barking and running down the slope. Gilan and Huryk lifted their heads as the kobolds grabbed Jedek and pulled him back to Ahnon. The two dragons started barking back at Minos and ran over to him. The ground shook as the two dragons ran. Knowing he had no chance, Minos tried to bluff, baring his teeth and continued to bark as the two dragons barked back, bouncing around Minos in a circle.

With the ground shaking under his paws and the two dragons barking at him, Minos tucked his tail between his legs, lowering his head. The two continued barking and hopping in a circle, thinking Minos was playing a game. Wanting them to stop, Minos laid down and rolled on his back, surrendering.

Thinking of running away, Ahnon shook his head and started to rub his temples. “I need a vacation,” he said.

Kenna looked up at him. “What’s a vacation?” she asked.

“Something I’ll never get,” he told her and started counting.

Jedek was fixing to run out and stop them when a shadow streaked over the field. The dragons looked up to see Talon and screamed. Hearing the scream, Ahnon stumbled back. “It sounded- human,” he mumbled. The dragons extended their wings, folding them over their heads and trying to ‘hide’ as they laid down in the field.

Seeing his chance, Minos jumped up and shot over to Jedek, cowering behind him. Jedek looked down at him, “Now you know what those three-horns feel like,” Jedek said, pointing a finger at Minos.

With his large body behind Jedek, Minos looked up in terror. “Big lizards don’t scare,” he informed Jedek. Talon flew off and Gilan lifted his wing, peeking out. Not seeing Talon, both dragons slid on their bellies across the field to the group. When they were ten paces from the group, they let out a cry and threw their wings out back over their heads.

Flaring out his wings, Talon landed beside Ahnon, tucking in his wings and looking at the dragons. He turned to Ahnon. “You see why I couldn’t talk to them now?” he asked.

Shocked, Ahnon looked at the massive dragons and could see them trembling. “What in the abyss did you do to them?” Ahnon asked.

Talon hopped back from him. “Nothing. They do this every time I try to talk to them. They tried to outrun me the first time but as I flew around them, they landed. Now when they see me, they do this,” he said, lifting his wing to motion to them.

Softening his expression, Ahnon walked over and hugged Talon. “I’m sorry I yelled at my big boy,” he said like talking to a baby.

Groaning, Talon looked up. “I’m going to regurgitate,” he said.

“That’s okay, daddy will make something to make your tummy  feel better,” Ahnon told him, rubbing his chest.

Talon looked at Kenna. “Some days it’s not worth getting off the perch,” he told her.

Reaching up and rubbing Talon’s beak, “Fly around to see if any goblins are near,” Ahnon told Talon.

“With pleasure,” Talon said, jumping into the air and flapping away.

Jedek walked over to the dragons and lifted Huryk’s wing so he could see his face. “Talon is gone, but you don’t have to be scared of him,” Jedek told him.

“They can kill dragons, momma told us,” he said, moving his wing back to cover his face. It took some time, but Jedek convinced them that Talon was a friend. When Orrla confirmed it, they both sighed with relief. When they noticed Minos cowering behind Jedek, the dragons jumped up off the ground and started barking and bouncing up and down again.

Minos lost all cool, dropping down and rolling on his back whimpering. Fighting to keep standing with the ground shaking, Jedek waved his arms yelling and they both stopped barking. Gilan did continue to bounce till Jedek asked him to stop. “You are scaring Minos,” he told them, pointing at Minos.

The dragons looked at each other and then at Jedek. “He started it,” Gilan told him.

Jedek closed his eyes. “Yes, he did and he’s sorry. He thought you were hurting me,” Jedek fibbed a little.

“We would never do that!” Huryk exclaimed, lifting his head up shocked at the thought.

“He didn’t know and was protecting me,” Jedek replied. “He’s my friend, just like you and I didn’t like Talon scaring you, did I?” he asked, walking over and petting both dragons.

The dragons lowered their necks till their heads were right beside Minos cowering on the ground. “We wouldn’t hurt Jedek,” Huryk said to Minos.

“Oh! Lizard eat,” Minos whined.

Huryk lifted his head and looked down on the ground. “Lizard? Where?” he asked.

Snaking his head over, Gilan leaned closer to Minos. “Come, let’s play,” he said.

Suddenly, Minos stopped shaking and flipped over on his feet. “Play!” he said, panting. Gilan laughed and backed up as Minos chased him.

“Oh crap,” Ahnon said.

“I’m sure they will play fine,” Orrla told him.

“Whatever,” Ahnon said, waving his hands through the air and heading for the cottage. The ground shook as the three played with the kobolds and kids yelling encouragement. “Let’s eat!” Ahnon yelled, walking up the rise. Looking up he saw Kheet frozen, looking out across the field.

“Kheet, you okay?” Ahnon asked. Kheet just lifted his arm and pointed. “Yeah, the dragons. They act like kids, but they’re fine,” Ahnon told him.

“Uhh,” Kheet went, still pointing.

“It’s fine,” Ahnon told him, grabbing Kheet’s shoulders and spinning him around to guide him to the cottage. Leading Kheet back, Ahnon noticed food on the table outside. “Wow, you fixed it already,” Ahnon cried out.

“Uh,” Kheet said, looking behind them as the ground shook and two dragons topped the rise, chasing Minos.

“Yes, they take some getting used to,” Ahnon said, helping Kheet sit down. Orrla laughed on his shoulder.

“Kheet is a little taken back,” she told him.

“So was I,” he told her, turning around and seeing the dragons jump up and down, knowing this could get out of hand fast. “Hey!” Ahnon yelled and the three stopped. “Up here near the house, no playing,” he said, putting his hands on his hips.

The three looked down disappointed. “It’s time to eat and we have apples for you two,” Ahnon said and they immediately brightened up. The group sat down to eat as everyone took turns throwing apples to the dragons.

When they finished, Ahnon asked the dragons to watch as Jedek and Kenna went through the course. They dropped down on their bottoms, sitting up and oohing and ahhing as the two went over the course for the rest of the day.

Before the suns set, the two dragons told everyone bye and licked Jedek several times. Yes, it irritated Kenna some. The group waved as the two flew off. Kheet was still sitting at the table mumbling about dragons. They led him to the pool as everyone jumped in.

Classes started after supper and the little kobolds again sat around listening, getting interested in the lessons. Ahnon watched them and smiled as Kenna read to everyone about different plants. Bryce leaned over, looking at the book. “The picture was on the other page. How do you know all that?” he asked.

Kenna held the book over to him. “I’m reading it,” she told him.

“Like with letters and stuff?” he asked, confused.

Wondering how to answer, Kenna looked up to Ahnon to explain. Ahnon looked on his shoulder at Orrla. “You and Rosea know common, could you two start?” he asked.

“Yes, but Rosea only learned reading with you recently,” Orrla told him. Ahnon looked at her in shock. “Ahnon, reading is not really required for fairies,” she told him.

Thinking better of it, Ahnon stopped what he was going to say for another time. “So, you will?” he asked.

“I told you we would,” Orrla said, flying off his shoulder and turned around. “You are really something,” she told him smiling and flew closer, kissing his cheek. Ahnon fought off his blush as she turned around. “Okay kobolds, over there,” she said, pointing by the fireplace. They moved over, sitting down on the massive bear rug as Orrla and Rosea started.

The kobolds didn’t learn fast at first, but they did learn. When the concept hit them that the words represented something, they became excited and became eager students. With Orrla and Rosea teaching them, Ahnon concentrated on the kids with Kheet moving between the groups.

It was getting close to dawn as Ahnon stood up stretching. The kobolds were assigned chores and Ahnon was sure it was the first time in recorded history that it had happened. Granted, they were simple like gather eggs and milk, but they would still do them. Especially after the kobolds saw Kenna and Jedek doing chores around the cottage.

Not wanting to interrupt anyone’s lesson, Ahnon grabbed the egg basket and milk bucket. He walked over to the door smiling as everyone was engrossed in their task. Opening the doors, he was greeted with a huge grinning dragon’s face filling the doorway right in front of him. Yeah-, Ahnon lost all cool. “AHHHHH!” he screamed, throwing the bucket and basket in the air, then flew several feet off the floor backward through the air and hitting the wall on the other side of the cottage, letting out a bloodcurdling scream the whole time. Still screaming and pinned to the wall several feet off the floor, one hand was clutching his chest as Ahnon pointed at the door.

Startled, Talon fell backward off his perch landing on the loft floor at hearing Ahnon scream and Minos took off, trying to crawl under Jedek’s bed. Since he was three times its size, the bed just broke with Minos trying to hide under the pieces. The kobolds thought it was the end of the world hearing Ahnon scream and joined him. They all screamed, diving under chairs and tables. Having never heard Ahnon scream, Kenna and Jedek yelled, never looking at the door to see what demon of the unholy void was coming as they ran to the wall beside their bed, grabbing their staffs and pulling out the swords. Kheet screamed in a bellow as he looked at the door. Seeing it filled with a dragon’s head with an open mouth grin and lots of teeth, he dove for the fireplace, reaching for a weapon and came up holding the ash shovel. Rosea and Orrla shot over to the corner as the head squeezed through the door.

“What?” Gilan asked, looking around.

“What’s going on in there? Let me see,” they heard Huryk ask outside. All screamed out, Ahnon was frozen two feet off the floor and stuck to the wall with his hand still clutched over his chest, breathing hard and fast while looking at Gilan.

Gilan tilted his head, knocking over a chair. “How did you get stuck on the wall off the floor?” he asked, looking at Ahnon.

“Oh, come on, let me see!” Huryk shouted and pulled Gilan out of the doorway and shoved his head in.

Seeing Ahnon stuck on the wall off the floor, Huryk grinned. “That’s neat, can you show us how to do that?” he asked.

Finally realizing what had happened, Orrla flew over and looked at Ahnon who was pale, drenched in sweat and panting, pointing at the door. She spun around. “What are you doing?” she shouted.

Huryk tried to lift his head up but his neck hit the top of the door frame. When he tried to pull back his head, he got stuck. Rotating his eyes up at Orrla, he said, “Uh-oh.”

“Oh no, you didn’t get stuck,” she said, raising her little hand and making Huryk’s head pop out of the door. She zipped outside and everyone heard the torrent spill out of her mouth. Even Kheet blushed hearing some of the words.

Ahnon suddenly slid down the wall, crashing to the floor still holding his chest and panting hard. Talon hopped down from the loft and looked at Ahnon. Seeing the look of terror on Ahnon’s face, Talon turned to the door. “We eat dragon tonight,” he vowed, hopping to the door.

Knowing Talon meant it, Jedek ran over, throwing out his arms and stopping in front of Talon. “Talon, they didn’t mean it. Don’t hurt them, they’re my friends!” he shouted with a pleading look on his face.

Stopping, Talon looked down at Jedek, then rotated his head to look back at the catatonic Ahnon. Turning his head around, he opened his wings, wrapping them around Jedek. Pulling him to his chest, Talon looked down at the pleading face. “I will not hurt them, Jedek,” Talon promised. “Just tell them not to do that anymore,” he said. “I broke two of the little beds by my perch when I fell,” he told Jedek.

“I’ll fix them, Talon, I promise,” Jedek said, hugging him and burying his face in the soft chest feathers.

“I have never seen him scared,” Talon admitted, lifting his head up and looking back at Ahnon. “I don’t think I want to see it again. It upsets the natural order of things,” he said, folding his wings back to uncover Jedek as Rosea shot out the door. “The blond fairy likes him,” Talon said, motioning to Ahnon. “So you’d better plead your case, so she doesn’t hurt them. Forest Guardian or not,” Talon told him.

Tilting his head back, Jedek looked up smiling. “Thank you, Talon,” he said, then ran out the door. Talon looked over at Minos trying to stay under the pieces of Jedek’s broken bed. Shaking his head, Talon hopped out the door.

Hearing Orrla still ranting outside, Kenna ran over to Ahnon, dropping her sword as she knelt down beside him. “Ahnon, are you all right?” she asked and Ahnon was still staring at the empty door, gasping for air. Kenna could hear Jedek outside arguing with Orrla. She grabbed Ahnon’s chin and turned his face to look at her. “Ahnon, it was just Gilan,” she told him.

“I liked him. Why did he do that to me?” Ahnon asked, moving his eyes back to the door.

Kenna sighed with relief at hearing him talk. “He didn’t mean to. I think they were just waiting till we went out, so they could be near us,” she told him.

Slowly and with Kenna’s help, Ahnon stood up and the kobolds came out. Ahnon looked down at Kenna. “I’ve never felt that before,” he admitted as a shiver ran through his body.

“Afraid?” she asked, amazed.

“Abject terror,” Ahnon corrected. “I don’t ever want to feel it again,” he told her, walking over to the table and sitting down. He turned to the fireplace to see Kheet frozen, holding the tiny ash shovel out in front of him and ready to do battle. “Kheet, drop the shovel and grab that keg of ale,” Ahnon said, laying his head on the table.

Happy that Ahnon was at least talking now, Kenna looked at Kheet and saw he wasn’t moving to do anything. Walking over, Kenna pried the shovel from his hand and led him to the table, sitting him down. Going to the kitchen area, Kenna raised her hand at the keg and stopped. Thinking about it, she grabbed two tankards and filled them. Carrying them over to the table, she sat them down in front of Ahnon and Kheet.

They both snatched up the tankards, draining them and slamming them on the table. “More,” Ahnon said.

“Ahnon, we have to train,” she told him. Thinking of changing the rules for a second, Ahnon sighed, nodding his head.

As a shiver racked his body, “I hate dragons, they scare me,” Kheet admitted.

“Don’t ever show it to them,” Ahnon told him, standing up. Kheet nodded and stood up with him. “But if they ever do that again, we apologize to Meria,” Ahnon told him. Satisfied with that, Kheet nodded and started to straighten up the cottage.

Taking a deep breath, Ahnon stepped outside to see Jedek standing between Orrla and the dragons, with the dragons cowering behind Jedek. Seeing Ahnon come outside, Jedek sighed with relief. Seeing the look on Jedek’s face, Orrla spun around. “Ahnon!” she yelled, flying over to him. “Are you okay?” she asked worriedly.

Reaching up, Ahnon stroked the side of her tiny face with his fingertips. “Yes, thank you for asking," he told her. “They didn’t mean it,” he said, looking over at the dragons. “And if they come over in the morning again, they have to wait out here by the well and not the front door,” Ahnon told them.

“Sorry,” Huryk mumbled.

“You didn’t know so it’s alright, but I can’t take that again,” Ahnon said, turning around and walking to the barn as Bryce and Chole came out carrying the egg and milk buckets.

“Ahnon, it’s our turn!” they yelled together. Raising his hands in surrender, Ahnon headed back inside. Coming to a stop, Ahnon saw Kenna was setting the table for breakfast.

“Kenna, set up outside, I really don’t want them trying to come inside,” he told her walking over to the stove, putting water on for keck tea. Seeing kobolds running around, he put on more for regular tea. Remembering Rosea, Ahnon didn’t want to see a wired-up kobold zipping around.

As he fixed breakfast, everyone suddenly ran outside. Ahnon set just three cups of keck and a pitcher of tea on the platter. When the food was ready, he carried it out. Stepping outside, Ahnon stopped when he saw two ‘tall’ people talking to Kheet and then noticed they were elves, a male and female.

Both were slender like all elves and attractive. The male though slender, had a muscular build with wide shoulders and long black hair pulled back and tied in a tassel. The female was gorgeous with platinum blonde hair that reached her waist. When she looked at him, Ahnon caught his breath at seeing that she had deep blue eyes. He had never seen blue eyes on an elf before. Thinking back, he could remember a few green, but all the other elves had brown eyes of different shades.

Setting the platter on the table, Ahnon heard the male elf speak. “We heard screams, so we came to investigate and spotted the dragons laying down behind the boy,” he said, looking at Kheet. “We have been orc hunting for the last week.”

With his hands on his hips, Kheet leaned back on his heels. “Hah! Just like an elf to miss the fight. We killed several parties a few days ago,” he told them, grinning.

The male elf grinned as well. “We have killed a dozen parties over the last six days,” he told Kheet, wiping the grin off his face.

Not wanting Kheet to anger the elves, Ahnon walked over and extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Ahnon,” he greeted them.

“I’m Rolim,” the male replied, extending his hand and shaking Ahnon’s.

The female reached her hand over. “I’m Eloen,” she told him and Ahnon tilted his head to her, shaking her hand. They both had bows in their hands and short swords on their waist while wearing buckskin and high lace up boots. Eloen shifted the small pack on her back, noticing Ahnon was studying them.

“The screams were just a misunderstanding,” Ahnon told them, but wasn’t smiling.

Knowing there was more to the story but not wanting to press, Rolim just nodded. “Seeing a fairy queen and hearing screams, we were somewhat worried. If a fairy queen was having trouble, then we were going to offer our assistance,” he replied.

Dropping his hands off his waist, Kheet scoffed. “Like I couldn’t handle it,” he mumbled, heading to the table.

Ahnon waved to the table. “Please, join us,” he offered.

Turning her head slowly, Eloen looked at Kheet. “I’m sure some here don’t like the company of elves,” she said with a sorrowful look.

Throwing his hands up, Ahnon blew a raspberry. “Don’t mind Kheet, he’s only had one tankard of ale. He’s not tolerable till he gets to number three,” he told them, making them laugh.

Grabbing Eloen’s hand, Rolim bowed his head. “We would be grateful,” he said and then looked at the dragons, sitting up straight beside the well. Jedek was tossing apples up one at a time to each of them, letting them snatch them out of the air.

Ahnon followed his gaze, seeing the dragons were twice as tall as the cottage. Shaking his head, “Don’t worry about them unless you steal their apples,” Ahnon said, walking over to the table and Orrla flew over to settle on his shoulder.

The elves sat down as the food was passed out. Seeing one of the kobolds grab a cup of tea, Ahnon dove over the table to take it away from her. Putting it in front of Kenna, Ahnon set out some goblets and filled them with tea out of the pitcher. “You said you’re ‘orc hunting’?” Ahnon asked, pouring each a goblet of tea. Jedek walked over and sat down beside Kenna as she started passing out food.

Picking up a goblet, Eloen took a sip pleasantly surprised. “Yes. We rested for a week and then started the hunt again six days ago,” she told him, frowning when Kenna put slabs of meat on her plate.

Reaching over, Ahnon took most of it only leaving a small portion and then pushed the fruit bowl over with the bread. “Why the sudden desire to kill orcs?” he asked as they both started in on the fruit bowl.

Grabbing his fork, Rolim looked up. “At the end of winter they started raiding into Elvendom, wiping out a town and seriously hurting two others,” he replied.

“That’s gutsy, even for an orc,” Kheet acknowledged.

Eloen looked at Kheet. “We received word that the dwarf kingdom of D’tho was under attack and we left with an attack force to help, but we were too late,” she said, looking down. “The orcs destroyed it,” she told him.

Grabbing the table hard, Kheet sucked in a deep breath and his face changed to a deep red. Rolim reached over, laying a hand on Eloen’s arm. “We caught up to them, but it was a very large army. We harassed them, whittling down their numbers to half till they retreated,” he said, looking over at Kheet.

“How big was the army?” Ahnon asked.

“We were putting the number at a million,” Eloen told him. Ahnon raised his eyebrows at that. “That’s when we got word of the other attacks and headed off. But these were just bands of several hundred and they were just moving south,” she continued.

“What of the five kingdoms?” Kenna asked, not having heard what Meria had said.

“Oh, they are attacking everywhere and the navy of Gratu has totally destroyed the navy of the three,” Eloen replied.

“Not only that, I don’t think there is a coastal city in all the three kingdoms that hasn’t been burnt to the ground. Now that they have to move everything over land, they are just staying in place,” Rolim added.

“So, the five haven’t invaded?” Ahnon asked.

Rolim shook his head. “Not that we have heard, but we haven’t talked to anyone in several weeks,” he admitted.

Thinking that didn’t sound right, Jedek looked up at Ahnon. “Why haven’t they invaded?” he asked.

Ahnon thought about it. “I’m not sure, but it’s not a decision to take lightly, Jedek. Man for man, the allegiance is just as strong as the three but when you throw in the orcs and goblins, we get outnumbered five to one,” he said, still thinking.

Clearly angry, Jedek slapped the table. “What about the independent kingdoms? Calkran. They just wear armor practicing war for fun? And Spree and Azonia, all they do is train for war. What about them?” he demanded.

“They are not of the allegiance and even with them, you are only at four to one,” Ahnon told him. Jedek let out a sigh, looking down at the table. “Jedek, there has not been an invasion of north or south for over a thousand years for a reason,” Ahnon let him know.

“You’ve said that you have fought at the borders,” Kenna said.

“Kenna, those were just skirmishes of only a few thousand, maybe up to tens of thousands. We are talking about several armies of tens of millions fighting in an invasion,” he educated her. Hearing the numbers, Kenna gulped.

“So, what is the allegiance doing?” Jedek asked.

“My guess, is starve them,” Ahnon said, making Jedek give him a confused look. “Jedek, with kingdoms that big, they’d have to move food by ship and Gratu owns the blue, remember?” Ahnon said, raising his eyebrows. “Multar sits across an ocean, remember?” Ahnon helped.

“They can be cut off and stopped from using the rivers,” Jedek said, grinning. “Now, they can’t get food from the other kingdoms,” he said, finally understanding. Rolim and Eloen watched the exchange closely and then continued eating.

“So, we won’t invade?” Kenna asked.

“Not unless we have to or they spot a weakness,” Ahnon said, shoving food in his mouth. Swallowing his mouthful, he looked at the elves. “So, what do the orcs do when they get to the south?” he asked.

“Die,” Rolim replied, taking a drink of tea.

With an evil grin, Kheet leaned over to Ahnon. “Just to set the record straight, I like these elves. But don’t let other dwarves know that,” he whispered and then went back to eating.

Fighting not to smile, “Well, what do they look like they are doing before they die?” Ahnon asked.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think they were looking for something. They move to an area and search it, then move on. They don’t destroy everything, just small isolated places,” Rolim stated.

Grabbing his tankard, Kheet cleared his throat. “How long till these parties are gone?” he asked.

“A few more weeks,” Eloen replied, making Kheet cough as he took a drink of ale. “Two other dwarf kingdoms are marching through the Iron Mountain range, wiping them out,” she told him, smiling.

“You can tell whoever you want,” Kheet said to Ahnon. Ahnon just stared at Jedek, who stared back.

“We stay till we’re finished and stick with the plan,” Jedek said with determination. Nodding her head, Kenna reached over and squeezed his hand, smiling at him.

“Yes, we will,” Ahnon assured him.

When breakfast was finished, Ahnon told the kids to start. They ran into the house before coming back with their bows. Heading over to the rise, they started hitting the targets set up in the field. The dragons and kobolds joined them as did Rosea, sitting on Kenna’s shoulder. The elves stayed at the table with Ahnon, Kheet, and Orrla. Rolim looked around, then back at the kids and then looked at Eloen.

“I know,” she said, even though he never spoke. “You are training the kids to be warriors, but why?” she asked, looking at Ahnon.

“They need it,” he answered.

Rolim leaned over the table. “We found a bowl formed between two ravines to the north. It looked like a full band, over a hundred. Your tracks along with the kids were there,” he said seriously.

“You can’t be a warrior without going to war,” Ahnon replied, leaning back.

Letting out a sigh, Eloen looked up, smiling. “He has his mother’s eyes,” she told Ahnon.

“And her temper,” Ahnon added, looking back at her.

“Yes, we know, Ahnon and have, since we saw them and heard your name. I met the queen before Jedek was born,” Eloen told him. “We heard what happened at the palace in Velham,” she admitted.

“What did you hear?” he asked, leaning over the table.

“Well, besides the king and queen getting killed and the escape of the two wards? We know a whole wing was blown up and destroyed right before the assassins tried to leave,” she said, making Ahnon wince.

“A whole wing?” he asked.

“I was told what wasn’t blown away was melted stone,” she answered.

“Ew, my nephew isn’t going to like that,” Ahnon mumbled.

“That was you, I take it?” Rolim asked and Ahnon shamefully squinted his eyes, reluctantly nodding.

Not able to help it, Eloen smiled. “Well, some admiral rallied the sailors in port and stormed the castle. It was said they saved the last few bhari still fighting, along with the castle guardian, sho-tem-ka. The kytensa snuck in using cargo ships. Then tried to escape using fast ships, but the admiral already had the word out and sunk them in the bay,” she told him.

“Well, I know of at least four that made it out,” Ahnon said, crossing his arms.

Rolim closed his eyes. “So it’s true the traitors are still alive?” he asked.

“Better believe it and they are the founders of the kytensa,” Ahnon told him.

Color drained from her face as Eloen jumped in her chair. “I hadn’t heard that,” she admitted.

“Well, it’s something Nazar doesn’t like to be let known,” he told her.

“That isn’t good,” Rolim mumbled.

Setting his tankard down, Kheet leaned over to Ahnon. “I thought he was smarter,” he whispered.

“Noble dwarf, she is the brains,” said Rolim, nodding to Eloen and smiling.

“Good hearing,” Kheet mumbled and Ahnon wanted to tell him that the kids at the rise probably heard him.

Ahnon stood up. “Well, friends, what are your plans now?” he asked.

“We are going to find a place in the forest to rest for a few days and then continue the hunt,” Eloen said, standing up.

“Well, you can stay here till you start again,” Ahnon offered.

The two elves looked around at the two dragons jumping up and down, clapping their hands, and flapping their wings about something. Then they looked at the kobolds, standing around Kenna and Jedek with Minos behind them.  Turning to Ahnon, they looked at the fairy queen on his shoulder and the dwarf at his side, and as a shadow fell over the table, they looked up to see Talon.

“You have quite the collection here. I’ve never seen nor heard of this many of Thanos’ different species living together in harmony,” Rolim observed and Ahnon nodded.

He looked out of the corner of his eye at Orrla. “You didn’t tell me that elves could see the Fae,” he said.

Orrla shrugged her shoulders. “They are the first race,” she said as if that answered everything.

Eloen smiled. “We would be delighted to join you till we hunt again,” she said.

With a very serious expression, Kheet stood up and leaned over the table. “Don’t go telling other dwarves that I’m living in the same house with a bunch of kobolds,” he said in a low voice.

“Only if you do the same, by not telling the elves,” Rolim said, grinning.

Chapter 11

With the elves staying with them, the large cottage started getting crowded. Ahnon thought the only saving grace was that the dragons left every day at sunset, returning just before the first sun crested the horizon. Orrla had told him that they were afraid of the dark and Ahnon had a real hard time believing that.

The elves joined in on the training and helped with the lessons at night, since the kids were still learning about elves. Who better to teach it? They could almost carry on a conversation in elven, but still faltered.

It was on the second day when Ahnon was standing out with the kids and shooting bows, that the kids learned why to fear an elf with a bow. Rolim and Eloen were hitting targets that the others couldn’t even see. But to the elves dismay, Ahnon was hanging with them, and then came the moving targets. The kobolds started throwing up clay plates, so the others could hit them.

“Throw up two at the same time,” Ahnon called out.

“There’s no way,” Rolim mumbled.

Bouncing with excitement, Bryce grabbed two plates as Ahnon turned his bow sideways, laying two arrows on the string. Bryce threw up both targets and Ahnon lifted the bow, launching the arrows and hitting both targets. “I’ve only seen a handful of elves that can do that,” Rolim claimed in shock.

“Throw up three, Bryce!” Ahnon yelled and Rolim dropped his bow. Again, Ahnon took out two arrows and Bryce threw up the three targets. Ahnon shot the two arrows, then reached back and grabbed another arrow, launching it at the last target and hitting it right before it landed on the ground.

In a tantrum, Rolim started walking around and swearing, sending Kheet into a laughing fit. He stopped and looked at Ahnon. “You’re using magic!” he claimed.

“Only on one arrow,” Ahnon admitted, sending him into another cussing fit. He looked at Eloen. “I think your husband is upset,” he told her.

Seeming to enjoy it, she looked at Ahnon, smiling. “It’s comforting to see him humbled every once and a while,” she confessed.

That evening, the elves followed the sounds of laughter to find the rest of the group in the pool with steam rolling off the water. “True civilization!” Eloen exclaimed.

Rolim was just staring at Kheet in bewilderment. “What?” Kheet asked. “It’s good for the joints,” Kheet informed him.

“It makes sense now,” Rolim said, nodding in comprehension.

“Huh?” Kheet asked.

“I can smell a dwarf from five leagues, but I can’t smell you. You smell like them, the trees,” Rolim informed him. “So, you have found the secret of the bath to open the pores?” Rolim asked.

“It’s a shower,” Kheet corrected, liking the fact that the elf couldn’t smell him.

Eloen looked at the water with yearning. “May we?” she asked with longing.

“Well, of course,” Ahnon told her.

Leaning back relaxing, Kenna nodded. “You are here, so what is ours is yours,” she said, making the elves smile as they undressed. Orrla swam around with Rosea and then moved over, climbing up on Ahnon’s shoulder. Rosea moved over to a small shallow area that Kheet had put in when he’d finished what she had started.

Relaxing, Ahnon was watching Rosea stretch out as the others chatted. Suddenly, the chatter stopped and Ahnon looked up to see the elves walk in. Nude. Jedek dropped under the water, but since it was crystal clear that didn’t help and he let out a yelp under water.

Rolim and Eloen moved over to sit beside Ahnon and Kheet. Orrla looked over at Eloen. “This is great,” she told her.

“Oh, yes. The hot spas are the best,” Eloen agreed as did Kenna. The fairies didn’t wear anything in the pool, neither did most of the kobolds. Kenna had grown up not wearing anything in the baths like Ahnon. They wore the clothing for Jedek, who was currently a bright red. Chuckling, Ahnon turned to Kheet. He was sitting back with a relaxed grin on his face, looking at Eloen.

The group soaked for an hour, talking and relaxing. Then, Eloen and Rolim announced they were doing supper and climbed out.

“You have to love elves,” Kheet said, grinning when they left.

It was Ahnon who was shocked when he saw platters of meat on the table upon walking inside. “We do eat meat,” Eloen told him. When supper was done, classes started.

It was a week later, in the morning when Ahnon woke up sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace. He looked over and saw Rolim sitting in a chair beside him with Eloen in his lap. Feeling something move in his lap, Ahnon looked down to see Orrla waking up. Reaching down, he caressed her leg and then looked at the two elves. “Looks like you are ready to leave,” he said, seeing their packs by the fireplace.

“Yes,” Rolim said, looking at Eloen. “But we want to talk to you,” he told Ahnon.

Finishing a stretch, Orrla flew off Ahnon’s lap and up to his shoulder. “Well, talk,” Ahnon said, stretching.

“We wanted to ask if we can stay.” Eloen stated.

Ahnon shook his head. “If you remember, we already told you that you could,” he told them.

Both of them smiled with relief. “We want to build a little shelter in a tree beside the training course,” Rolim told him.

“That’s kind of far away,” Ahnon pointed out.

“Oh, we will spend most of our time in here, but it’s some place we can go,” Eloen pointed out.

“A husband and wife should have that,” Ahnon agreed.

Turning around, Rolim looked over at the corner of the cottage. “To be precise, we aren’t the only married couple,” he said.

“They may be married, but they haven’t taken the vow of consort,” Ahnon told him, feeling a sense of dread he had never experienced before. Not liking the feeling, Ahnon pushed it away.

Rolim laughed. “We elves may age slower, but Eloen and I married at the equivalent age of them,” he confided in Ahnon.

“Whoa,” Ahnon said, shocked. “Your parents let you?” he asked, making Eloen laugh.

“No, we are what you call rebels and other elves refer to as ‘lesctonsha’,” she told him.

“Wild free ones,” Ahnon translated. “That explains a lot,” he mumbled.

“So, would you mind us building a little shelter in one of the trees?” Rolim asked.

Clearly excited, Orrla flew off Ahnon’s shoulder. “Why not in front of the house? That way, you are close,” she asked.

Rolim looked at Eloen and then at Orrla. “There is no tree in front of the house,” he pointed out.

“If you will build a shelter there, it will be,” she told him. Both of them smiled at Orrla, nodding in agreement. She looked at Ahnon. “Time to wake everyone up,” she told him, smiling. “You going to start the food?” she asked.

“Of course-,” he said and then paused. “Will you make sure the dragons aren’t at the door?” he asked her shamefully.

“They better not be,” she said with a dark look, flying over and looking out the fairy shape hole in one of the doors to confirm it.

They walked around waking everyone and then Ahnon cracked open the door, peeking out into the dawning light. He saw the two dragons over by the well, waiting. Feeling better, Ahnon walked out and they jumped up, clapping.

“We don’t like the sixth night,” Gilan declared.

Ahnon stretched out his arms, working out the kinks. “Well, guys, I’m sorry. We have to sleep sometime,” he told them. Walking over, Ahnon sat down at the table and they moved closer. He could see by the way they were grinning that they wanted him to talk.

“What?” he asked, giving a chuckle.

“Are you going to teach them more magic today?” Huryk asked with wonder.

“Every day,” Ahnon told him and both sat up, clapping their hands. “You know, you two are dragons and can use magic also,” he reminded them.

They both looked at him in astonishment. “We do know spells,” Gilan said proudly. “Two.”

Hearing that, Ahnon pushed back in his chair. “Two?” Ahnon asked, stunned.

With golden eyes glowing bright, Huryk held out his massive paw and a ball of light appeared over his hand. “Light,” he said. Then, he leaned closer to Ahnon. “I like that one, it’s scary at night,” he told Ahnon.

“I’m sorry for doubting you, Orrla,” Ahnon muttered as Gilan smiled, leaning over.

“The other is a secret spell so dragons can fly,” he told Ahnon.

“It makes you twice as strong and only weigh half as much,” Ahnon told them. Both dragons jumped back, hearing him say the secret spell. “That’s it? No other spells?” he asked.

They both looked at each other. “Well, that’s all that momma taught us before-,” Huryk stopped and a huge tear rolled out of his eye, splashing on the ground and soaking Ahnon’s foot.

“Did you ever ask another dragon to teach you?” Ahnon asked quickly.

Wiping their eyes, they both nodded. “Yeah, but they’re mean,” Gilan told him. “They just want to sit and look at the stuff they have,” he informed Ahnon.

“Do you know how to read?” Ahnon asked.

“Like dragons can read!” Gilan shouted, laughing. Seeing Ahnon not laughing, he stopped.

“They can and I had a dragon teach me a language,” he informed them and they both hopped back. “If Meria says it’s okay, would you like us to teach you?” he asked, totally not expecting the response.

They both started jumping up and down and clapping their hands, shaking the ground so hard that Ahnon fell out of his chair. The entire time saying, “Oh please, oh please, oh please-,” repeatedly.

“Stop!” Ahnon yelled and they stopped and Orrla shot out of the cottage, flying over to Ahnon. Seeing him on the ground, she looked up at the dragons with daggers in her eyes.

They both held up their paws. “We didn’t do it,” they said in unison.

“Orrla, it’s okay,” Ahnon told her, getting up. She floated down to him. “I need you to ask Meria if we can teach them magic,” he told her.

“What?” she asked, stumped.

“To see if we can teach them magic,” he repeated. “And I will need your help,” he told her.

“Ahnon, I don’t do magic like you. I just do it,” she stuttered out.

“No, I will teach them, but they are going to learn to read first. But before that, I’m teaching them reduction. I’m not having seventy-foot-long dragons touch my books,” he told her. “You can see what they are thinking and compare it to what I’m thinking. This way, they will get it right,” he said. “I trust you to look into my mind.”

Orrla just stared at him, nodding her head. “I will. But are you sure about this?” she asked.

“Orrla, they are dragons. To not teach them would be a crime against nature,” he told her.

With a warm smile, Orrla flew over and kissed his cheek. “You are truly great,” she told him.

“No, just a man,” he told her. The others came out, wanting to know about the Thanos quake. Orrla grabbed Rosea and the two flew off. “You could have waited a little,” Ahnon called out, watching them fly off.

He went inside and found several cooking, so he grabbed dishes and headed outside to set the table. We need another table, he thought, looking at all the place settings. As the food was brought out, Orrla and Rosea returned with several nixies. “Where do we want the tree?” Orrla asked.

Glancing over, Ahnon looked up at them, seeing the stark contrast in size. Rosea was half the size of Orrla and the nixies were half the size of Rosea. It seemed weird when the tallest was just twelve inches. Getting up from the table, the group walked around the yard and agreed on a spot out in the front, just back from the rise. Orrla rushed them all back as the nixies went to the dirt.

Their little butterfly wings beat furiously as they dug down. When they were several feet down, Orrla asked them to stop as Rosea flew down and dropped some nuts in the hole. Then, the nixies covered them up. They all watched as the nixies started flying in a slow circle around the freshly turned dirt. Orrla and Rosea both hovered over the nixies, then held out their hands.

Everyone held their breath as a small sprout broke through the soil and kept growing. In seconds, it was three feet tall and then, it started getting bigger around as it continued upwards. The ground started to shake as the roots dove down into the soil. Ahnon’s jaw dropped as the tree passed ten feet, then twenty, and the canopy started flowing outward.

Hearing a crash behind him, Ahnon turned to see Kheet had dropped his tankard as his mouth hung open and his head tilted back, watching the tree grow. Turning around, Ahnon gave a startle to see the tree over fifty feet, but was slowing down its height, but not its girth.

Without warning, the ground stopped shaking and the tree stopped growing as leaves erupted from the branches. Jedek stood mesmerized by the twenty foot girth of the trunk. Looking up, he had no idea how tall it was, but it was tall. Glancing back at the cottage, Jedek was almost positive it would shade part of the house almost a hundred paces away.

“It’s beautiful,” Kenna said, walking over to the fairies. Then, she moved over to the nixies and started talking to them as Rosea landed on her shoulder. The nixes were very shy at first, but it only took Kenna a few minutes to wrap them around her little finger.

With her customary smile, Orrla flew over to Ahnon. “Meria said it would be wonderful if you could teach them magic,” she told him as she landed on his shoulder.

Stopping at the table, Ahnon froze before he picked up his tea. “You asked already?” he said, not really wanting an answer.

“Didn’t you want me to?” Orrla asked as Ahnon sat down at the table, grabbing his keck tea.

“Yes, but you just flew off to get the nixies,” Ahnon said, draining the glass and wiping the cup out, just in case.

Orrla let out her small laugh. “No, Rosea went for the nixies, I flew to Meria,” she corrected. Ahnon knew better than ask how far she flew.

“She didn’t offer to help, did she?” Ahnon asked hopefully.

Orrla flew off his shoulder and hovered in front of him. “Ahnon, all Fae creatures don’t do magic like others. We just do it,” she told him.

Jealousy hit Ahnon like a wall. “That’s so deceitful,” he mumbled.

Flying over to Ahnon, Orrla kissed his cheek. “You’re still better,” she told him, making Ahnon smile. Feeling the ground shake, Ahnon started looking around for the dragons. When he found them, he let out a sigh and put his head on the table.

Taking a deep breath, Ahnon yelled, “Kenna, you aren’t supposed to play fetch with dragons!”

With an innocent expression, Kenna turned around while taking a stick out of Gilan’s mouth. “We’re playing,” she whined to him.

Lifting his head off the table, Ahnon turned around and looked at her. “Kenna, they are dragons. Please show a little respect to the species. Remember, they are referred to as the first on Thanos,” he begged.

“They are really very good, Ahnon,” Kenna said, throwing the stick and Huryk took off after it, shaking the ground so much that Ahnon’s plate vibrated across the table. The small tribe of kobolds wasn’t helping as they cheered the dragons to run faster.

Unsure how to proceed or if he even should, Ahnon looked at Orrla for help and she just shrugged her shoulders as Huryk brought the stick back. “Kenna and Jedek, come here and Bryce, bring your group as well!” Ahnon shouted. Both dragons sighed as the group ran over to Ahnon and they followed, even though they hadn’t been asked. They wanted to play, too.

“Kenna, Jedek, you will work on the training course today,” Ahnon said and the kobolds sighed with disappointment. “Bryce, your group will, one at a time, chase them over the course. Kenna and Jedek, if they touch you before you reach the end, you have to start over. You must make three runs without being tagged by a kobold.” Hearing they could play, the kobolds started cheering as Kenna and Jedek looked at Ahnon in horror.

“Ahnon, you’re kidding, right? It takes us an hour to run the entire course,” Kenna reminded him.

“Rosea, get the five minute timer glass and the kobold can chase after giving them a head start,” Ahnon said and looked at the dragons. Both looked remorseful, looking at the maze of logs in the ground and ropes in the air. “Huryk, Gilan, you two are coming with me to learn two spells before I teach you anything else,” Ahnon said, getting up. He had to grab the table when the two started jumping in the air and shaking the ground.

Fighting to stand up, Jedek yelled for the two to stop as Kenna moved over to Ahnon. “Ahnon, I’m sorry I didn’t stop playing fetch,” she said with a pleading face and looked up at the hillside to the second tree. Now a very well-worn path up the mountain side led to it. ‘I’m cutting the vile thing down’ she thought.

Ahnon smiled at her. “It’s not punishment, Kenna. If it was, I would be sending the elves after you,” he told her. Both the kids looked at him in disbelief. “Watch,” Ahnon told them. “Rolim, would you mind showing them what I’m talking about?” he asked.

Laying his bow on the table, Rolim trotted over to the course and jumped up on the section of the post forest. Never seeming to pay attention to whether the post was a foot or six feet off the ground, Rolim seemed to just float across them, then jumped over and began climbing up the ropes to get to the high section. One rope was tied between two posts twenty feet up and Rolim ‘ran’ across it like they normally did on the ground. The line of slender posts twenty feet up that they would have to jump from one to the other as they wobbled, he just bounced across with no effort.

In awe, Kenna and Jedek both watched with mouths hanging open as Rolim swung from rope to rope and continued the course. They could both run the course at around the hour mark, but Rolim was standing back in front of them in much less than half that. “Are you part squirrel?” Jedek shouted.

Rolim laughed as Eloen moved over to him. “That was awfully slow,” she told him and Kenna almost dropped to her knees at hearing that. Jedek did stumble back as Rolim quit laughing and Eloen wrapped a blindfold around her eyes and ran the course faster than Rolim had.

Panting from just watching, Kenna looked over to Ahnon. “We’ll take the kobolds chasing us,” she announced, hoping there wasn’t a tree on the other side of the summit for a ‘third tree’.

Ahnon left with the dragons and Orrla as the kids started. The fishing nets once again were worth their weight in gold as far as Jedek was concerned. For the first two hours, the kobolds never got near them. The kids fell off because they were moving too fast. As the two rested, the others raced around the course. The elves won all races, hands down.

Rolim and Eloen instructed them how to ‘feel’ around them and trust what they know. After that, the kobolds actually touched them a few times before they’d fall off the course. Rosea did save Jedek once when he hit the net so hard that he bounced out and would’ve landed face first, but Rosea flipped him in the air so he landed on his back.

Staggering away from the course, Jedek had never been so glad for lunch in his life. Not because he was hungry, but because he was tired of falling on the fishing net or getting tagged. Neither of them had made it halfway through the course with this new challenge. He looked over at Kenna as she just dropped down beside him at the table. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, but was still soaked in sweat and her face was flushed. Over her right eye was a cut she’d gotten from bouncing off the net, again, and hitting the ground with her face. Rosea didn’t think that landing would’ve caused real injury.

“I tried to catch you when you fell, but I was too late,” Jedek told her.

Weary to her core, Kenna leaned her head over, laying it on his shoulder. “Thank you for trying,” she replied, huffing. Jedek patted her head, not having the heart to tell her to get off of him because he was hot and huffing as well.

Everyone except Ahnon and the dragons were at the table outside as Jedek looked around. He looked up and spotted Ahnon walking over the rise and coming toward them. Suddenly, Jedek let out a scream and pushed back from the table, crashing to the ground because he’d forgotten to stand up first.

The group turned around to see Ahnon with the two dragons following him. Several more gasps were heard on seeing the dragons just a foot taller than Ahnon. Huryk and Gilan were both skipping behind Ahnon with smiles. Kheet picked up his tankard and drained it. “A dragon should never smile. It always looks scary. Their size makes no difference,” he mumbled.

Huffing in anger, Jedek reached up and pulled himself up off the ground. “What in the dark Nylash abyss did you do to my dragons?!” he screamed.

Stunned, Ahnon froze when he heard Jedek’s vile swear and both the dragons quit jumping up and down. “Excuse me?” Ahnon asked.

“You heard me! What in the abyss did you do to my dragons?” he repeated, complete with scream. Planting his staff in front of him, Ahnon rested both his hands on the top. Kenna cringed, seeing Ahnon’s face, but was too tired to even try to stop Jedek.

“Jedek, you owe me four trips to the ‘second tree’ for that. With full weighted outfit,” Ahnon informed him.

“I don’t care! What did you do to my dragons?” he bellowed, shocking everyone. “You insult and make fun of my bocha hound and now, you shrink my dragons?! You don’t do anything to Kenna’s friends!”

Stepping around Ahnon, Huryk moved over to the table. “Jedek, he didn’t do anything. We did it ourselves,” he announced proudly.

Blinking his eyes, Jedek shook his head, looking up at Huryk, just a little taller than even he was now. “You’re-,” Jedek paused, not wanting to say it. “You’re little now!” he finally yelled.

Not sure he understood, Huryk looked back to Gilan who just shrugged his shoulders and flared out his wings. Turning back around, Huryk clasped his hands in front of him. “Ahnon said we couldn’t learn how to read unless we were a size that could come inside. He said we can learn magic with you now and stay some nights with you,” Huryk told Jedek.

Feeling cheated, Jedek locked Ahnon with a glare. “Can you undo it?” he asked in a normal voice.

“They did it, I didn’t. And yes, they can,” Ahnon told him. Looking back at the two dragons, now much smaller, Jedek felt embittered. “After your trips, you and Kenna need to start on the common alphabet with them,” Ahnon told him, sitting down at the table.

Slowly, Kenna pulled Jedek down into his chair before more trips became involved. For a brief second, Kenna was tempted to ask for the whipping post instead but changed her mind fast. “Jedek, it’s not that bad. They can go back to normal,” Kenna said, grabbing her plate and then draining a glass of water. Turning his head slowly, Jedek looked at her with a scowl as he sat down.

After lunch, Jedek put on his vest, leg and arm bands as did Kenna and ran up to the second tree. The kobolds now ran with them thinking it was a game and now the dragons did also, which did little to improve Jedek’s mood. Returning from their first trip, Jedek looked at Ahnon who was reading a book. “How much does this weigh now?” he asked, motioning to his vest.

“Just under four times your body weight,” Ahnon replied not looking up from his book and Kenna fell back on her butt.

Not even replying, Jedek grabbed the bucket out of the well and dumped it over his head. Reaching down, he lifted Kenna up and they took off for the second tree. This time, the dragons flew around them as they ran and the kobolds wouldn’t quit doing cartwheels going up the mountain.

Shaking his head, Kheet stood up from the table while watching the kids run up the mountain. “They have heart,” he admitted. “Ahnon, I’m finished with my axes and half your list. Before starting on the rest, I wanted to ask if I could make the elves adamant blades?” he asked.

Letting out a gasp, Rolim jumped up. “Adamant?!” he yelled.

Thankful that the leprechauns still filled the bins but didn’t let anyone see them, Ahnon looked at Kheet, smiling. “Yes, Kheet. That’s an excellent idea. They help us by joining our family, we help them right back,” he told Kheet.

Leaning over, Eloen grabbed Ahnon’s hand. “Ahnon, you don’t need to do that. Adamant is too valuable and rare,” she told him.

Ahnon and Kheet both laughed. “Eloen, you wouldn’t even believe how much we have,” Kheet told her.

“Only the royal families have adamant blades,” Rolim said, falling down into his chair. “We can never repay you for that.”

After talking with Orrla, Ahnon found out leprechauns were very shy and reclusive. Looking at the elves, Ahnon smiled. “Good, because if you tried, I would become agitated.” Kheet left, heading to the forge as the kids finished their last run. They moved one of the marking boards outside to the table and brought each dragon a stack of paper. Setting down the paper, they handed each a quill and an inkwell.

Not wanting to admit it, Ahnon was a little unhinged to see the two dragons sitting at the table on benches, copying what the two were teaching. Even though they were smaller, it seemed unnatural. If that wasn’t bad enough, the kobolds were sitting with them and doing the same. Shaking his head, Ahnon left the class.

Before the first sun set, Ahnon started bringing out supper as the class moved their study items inside. They sat back down at the table, with the dragons getting into an argument with the kobolds because they could sit at the table now. But with them at the table, there was no room for the kobolds. Getting tired of the yelling, Ahnon pointed at the lumber pile, sending up a shower of sawdust.

When the dust cleared, there was another table sitting there, complete with benches. Ahnon held out his hand and it all rose in the air, floating over to him. He placed the new table at the end of the old one. The kobolds let out a cheer and piled onto the new one.

Coming out of the cottage, Kheet walked up beside him. “What was all the shouting about?” he asked.

“If you don’t know, I’m not telling,” Ahnon replied. “I’m not in the mood.” Kheet snorted, trying not to laugh as he sat down.

Huryk and Gilan sat, quizzing each other as Rolim fixed plates for everyone. Ahnon felt Talon coming and looked up into the sky to see him gliding in. He looked around, but didn’t see Minos and looked at Jedek to ask him where Minos was, but stopped. Afraid Jedek might pop off again, Ahnon decided to wait.

Flaring his wings out, Talon landed and hopped over to Ahnon. “The stupid dog was trying to fight a giant,” Talon informed him, causing Jedek to drop his plate as Rolim was handing it to him. Ahnon just snapped his head up, looking at Talon in shock. “I can feel your thoughts,” he reminded Ahnon.

“I know that. What do you mean, ‘trying to fight a giant’?” Ahnon asked and the table became quiet.

“Just what I said. The mutt came across a giant in a valley to the north of us and ran up to it, wanting to play. The giant took several swings at him with a nice sized club, but that mongrel is faster than he looks. When the giant realized that he couldn’t hit him with his club, he started throwing rocks. Well, small boulders,” Talon corrected. “One hit the hound and for the first time, I got to see the mutt mad. He charged the giant and started to fight him. Really fight him.” With his mouth moving but nothing coming out, Jedek was at a loss for words as he just dropped to his seat.

“How big was the giant?” Ahnon asked.

Kenna jumped up. “Who cares? Minos is in trouble!” she yelled.

“It makes a lot of difference. Hill giants are bigger, but not as smart as mountain giants,” Ahnon told her.

Offended, Talon ruffled his feathers, looking at Kenna. “You think I wouldn’t protect the stupid dog?” he asked with a hurt and exasperated tone. Kenna sighed and sat down, smiling at Talon.

“Talon, how tall?” Ahnon asked again, wanting Talon off her little finger.

Turning around, Talon motioned to the rope strung between two poles thirty feet up. “His head would touch that,” he told Ahnon.

“Hill giant,” Ahnon said.

“Where’s Minos?” Jedek asked, finding his voice.

“He’s coming. He should be here soon,” Talon said as Ahnon threw him a piece of meat.

Timidly, Jedek looked at Talon with a worried look. “Is he hurt?” he asked.

“One of his front claws is sore from the rock but other than that, he is fine,” Talon replied and Jedek let out a sigh of relief. “He should’ve left him alone like I told him.” Jedek didn’t care as long as Minos was safe.

“Should we be expecting company from this giant?” Ahnon asked, looking down to the river.

Offended again, Talon puffed his chest out. “Not unless he is immune to my poison!” he snapped harshly.

Burying his face in his hands, Ahnon declared, “I need a vacation.”

Wanting to help, Bryce stood up on the bench. “I thought you could never have one?” he asked.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t need one,” Ahnon told him. “You had to kill it?” Ahnon asked Talon.

Wondering where this doubt came from, Talon reared his head back at the question. “Unless you wanted the dog to die,” Talon told him.

“You did great, Talon!” Jedek yelled, looking at Ahnon with an aggravated expression.

“Jedek, they usually travel in packs,” Ahnon told him. “One isn’t bad, but I’ve seen groups of a hundred and I just left.”

Talon shook his head so fast, his beak rattled. “No. For some reason, this one was traveling with an ogre and yes, he’s dead as well,” Talon enlightened him.

“Thank you Talon, for protecting Minos,” Ahnon said, closing his eyes and thinking that he might need to sleep tonight.

“Welcome. And you have company coming,” Talon told him as Jedek shouted, pointing down by the river as Minos ran toward them with a limp.

“Company?” Ahnon asked, opening his eyes.

“He said he knows you and the kids, and his kind don’t lie,” Talon informed him. Ahnon jumped up as did the others. “If I would’ve thought he was a danger, he would be lying beside the giant and ogre.” Talon looked off to the west. “Here he comes,” he said. Everyone turned to see what was coming, except Jedek. He was running to check on Minos, meeting him on the rise.

Orrla took a sharp breath. “Griffon,” she said in awe.

When it was close enough that Ahnon could see it was a griffon, he heard a bloodcurdling scream. “DESGEOFF!” Ahnon spun around, holding a fireball in his hand as his heart tried to beat out of his chest. Crying out in joy, Kenna ran over the table, jumping between the dragons and hit the ground running.

“Desgeoff!” Kenna yelled again and the griffon dove right at her. Rolim grabbed his bow as the dragons spun around to attack.

“Don’t even think about it,” Ahnon warned everyone. “If he doesn’t kill you, she will. Of that you can be sure,” Ahnon said, moving away from the table. Orrla hovered in front of him as the others moved over beside him.

“What is that she is calling him?” Eloen asked as the griffon landed, running at Kenna.

“His name,” Ahnon replied.

With a vice like grip, Kheet grabbed his arm. “Griffons don’t tell other species their names,” he said in a quivering voice.

“Kenna is her own species, the rules don’t apply to her,” Ahnon replied in a flat voice as Kenna ran at Desgeoff with her arms open. The griffon picked her up with his talons, holding her up in the air and spinning her around with his wings flared out. Then, he brought her to his chest to hug her and Kenna returned the hug.

“Oh, Desgeoff! I was so worried about you!” Kenna called out, burying her face in his feathers.

“I was wrought with anxiety when I heard!” he shouted.

Like he was hold a doll, Desgeoff spun around, holding Kenna up as Ahnon shook his head, watching the two and then heard a crash beside him. Looking down, Ahnon spied Kheet lying at his feet, passed out. “Yeah, I did that the first time as well,” Ahnon said, looking back up.

As Desgeoff pulled her to his chest again, Kenna suddenly lifted her head, pushing away from Desgeoff. “Oh, Desgeoff, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” she cried out, pushing away from him.

In shock, Desgeoff looked at her and then looked around to see if something was attacking them as he sat her on the ground. “What? What is it, Long Feathers?” he begged.

Stepping back, Kenna bowed, then curtsied to him. “I’m glad to see you again, my friend. I hope all is well with you, majestic griffon,” she said, looking up.

“Oh, Kenna! I’m so sorry! I forgot my manners!” Desgeoff shouted out, bowing down to Kenna and flaring out his wings. “Long Feathers, I am fine and hope you are the same,” he said, holding the bow. When he looked up, Kenna ran at him, wrapping her arms around his neck again. Desgeoff picked her back up and stood up on his hind legs, pulling her into his chest again.

Watching the spectacle with indifference, Ahnon heard two more crashes and looked down to see Rolim and Eloen passed out at his feet. “Oh, she can treat two dragons like lap dogs and nobody finds that peculiar and shocking. But let her wrap a griffon around her finger and the shock just spreads,” Ahnon complained, looking up. Orrla was still hovering in front of him, but he noticed her wings would stop flapping for a second and she would drop down a few inches. Then they would start beating again, lifting her back up.

Holding out his hand, Ahnon put it under her and when her feet touched it, she just sat down in his palm. “Ahnon-,” she said, pointing at the sight, not able to make sense of it.

“Orrla, all I can say is- ‘Kenna’,” he told her, lifting his hand up and setting Orrla on his shoulder. Looking around, Ahnon saw all the kobolds standing with their mouths open. The dragons were just sitting on the ground doing the same. Alarmed, Ahnon started looking around for Rosea and saw her lying on the ground. He walked over and picked her up, holding her in his hand. The entire time, Orrla was just mumbling.

Coming over the rise, Jedek walked over and bowed to Desgeoff, but Minos wasn’t getting anywhere near him. “Majestic griffon, I’m glad to see you again,” Jedek told him, holding the bow.

Desgeoff looked down at Jedek and inclined his head. “Mate of Long Feathers, I’m glad you two are in good health,” he replied and Jedek stood up. Desgeoff slid Kenna around, putting her on his back as he sat down on all fours again. “When we heard of the attack, we flew to Multar and killed many of their soldiers and wyverns. Then, we were requested back to Nazar as the northern army was marched out,” he told them.

Leaing forward, Kenna squeezed his neck tighter. “Thank you for getting those bad people for me,” she told him.

“When this is over, I’m taking another flight up there to show them that you leave Long Feathers alone,” Desgeoff said, turning just his head around to look at Kenna hugging him. Reaching down with his massive beak, he started preening her hair.

Hearing the tone from Desgeoff, Ahnon walked over. “Kenna, may I see you for a second?” he asked. Desgeoff looked at him with what could only be called annoyance. Ahnon had a passed-out fairy in one hand, another mumbling on his shoulder, a dwarf and two elves passed out at his feet, Ahnon really didn’t care if Desgeoff was annoyed. To an outsider, it would appear close to hilarious, but Desgeoff could detect something not to laugh about.

“I’m making my acquaintance and it seems you have become rude,” Desgeoff warned.

Not wanting to hurt Desgeoff because he would have to tie up Kenna but he was getting there and Ahnon held up his hand, the one not holding Rosea. “First, I’m not in the mood today. Second, I’m training these two how to become warriors and they are pushing my limits of patience,” Ahnon replied coldly.

“Warriors?” Desgeoff asked, shocked.

“I’m sure you can see why. They must be able to fight,” Ahnon replied.

Clearly understanding, Desgeoff bowed his head to Ahnon. “I’m sorry for my rudeness. I myself have found my temper gone when teaching the hatchlings,” he replied.

“You weren’t being rude, I was. But I’m getting distraught with the young ones. They must listen because they could get hurt or worse in battle. They asked to become warriors and I vowed to teach them,” Ahnon told him as Rosea sat up in his hands. She looked up and saw Kenna sitting on the back of the griffon and fell back down on Ahnon’s palm.

Desgeoff turned just his head one hundred and eighty degrees around, looking at Kenna. Grimacing with make believe pain, Ahnon rolled his neck between his shoulders seeing that. That move hurt his own neck. “Long Feathers, you must listen,” he told her and picked her up by the back of her shirt, putting her on the ground. “I think I would molt if something happened to you.”

When she was on the ground, Kenna looked at Ahnon with a glare in her eyes and stomped her foot at him. Not paying her any attention, Ahnon turned around and walked away. “Kenna, come with me,” he said over his shoulder. Not liking it but doing it, Kenna followed. When they were at the side of the cottage, Ahnon turned around. “Kenna, you must be careful with what you say to Desgeoff. He controls lots of griffons and could lead them into war in their own right,” he told her.

Shock hit Kenna with those words, like Ahnon had thrown cold water on her. “I thought we were at war with the three kingdoms?” she snapped, putting her hands on her hip.

“We are, but the griffons aren’t. You don’t need to encourage them,” he told her.

Stomping her foot at him again, “They are my friends and if they want to help, they can. I will run up and down to the stupid second tree a thousand times, but we can use them,” she informed him.

“Kenna, if you do that, you’ll get them killed,” he warned.

“Yeah, like the three kingdoms can hurt them,” Kenna scoffed.

Trying to remain calm, Ahnon closed his eyes. “Kenna, I’m going to tell you something you have asked about many times. Just a thousand years ago, ahus̆-roc were everywhere, many bhari had one as a familiar. It was kind of a standard. Today, Talon is the only ahus̆-roc I know of that is a familiar and I’ve only seen two others since he’s hatched. You have seen how smart they are and how well they fight. The three kingdoms associated them to the bhari and put a bounty of ten gold crowns on any ahus̆-roc. In just a few hundred years, their numbers plummeted,” Ahnon told her.  “They fought side by side with the bhari, and the entire species paid the price. If you allow the griffons to do the same, it may be their death sentence,” he warned.

Feeling weak, Kenna gasped and fright filled her face. “Ahnon, when you say bounty-,” she couldn’t finish.

“Yes, hunters tracked them down one by one. Remember, many hunters are in it for the money. They don’t care if the animal isn’t hurting anyone, like those that bring back bodies for wizards. For several hundred years, there was a war amongst hunters. Hunters that killed the ahus̆-roc were known as eradicators and became the targets of other hunters. What did the three kingdoms do? Raised the bounty on the ahus̆-roc and offered a bounty on hunters that interfered,” he educated her.

Tears ran down Kenna’s cheeks and Ahnon reached out, wiping them off. “Kenna, you should know by now that any opponent can be overcome with time and numbers. I’m not saying that’s what will happen, but we shouldn’t risk it. Nazar has a troop of airborne warriors that ride griffons, but if Desgeoff just starts up and attacking-,” Ahnon left it open.

Feeling ashamed, Kenna looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry, Ahnon,” she mumbled.

“Nothing to be sorry for, my queen, just thought you should know,” he said, pulling her to him with his empty hand.

“He’s right, Kenna,” Orrla said from his shoulder.

Ahnon cut his eyes, looking down at her. “You can talk now?” he asked.

Ignoring him, “There aren’t many ahus̆-roc left and all true witches and Fae are sworn to die to protect them. I’m not sure by your years, but even we fairies killed two of the eradicators here in this valley,” Orrla told Kenna as Rosea sat up in Ahnon’s hand.

Shaking her head slowly Rosea heard Kenna sniffle and turned looking for her. “Kenna, what’s wrong?” she asked.

“Another time, Rosea,” Orrla told her. Rosea flew over and sat on Kenna’s shoulder.

Dragging her forearm under her nose, Kenna looked up at him. “How can I ask him not to do it and not sound mean?” she asked.

Giving her a smile, “Ask him not to attack without you, so you can be with him,” Ahnon told her. Kenna smiled and ran off to Desgeoff.

As Kenna ran off, Orrla flew off his shoulder and hovered in front of his face. “That wasn’t your fault. You weren’t even born then,” she told Ahnon.

“It could’ve been stopped. The five kingdoms could have offered bounties on the eradicators, but didn’t. I didn’t want Talon to be my familiar and fight with me. When a soldier of the three kingdoms sees that, it just reaffirms the bounty,” Ahnon said, looking over at Talon who was staring at Kenna and Desgeoff. “He doesn’t listen and he wouldn’t leave.”

Orrla flew back and landed on his shoulder. “There is still ahus̆-roc here and we are bound by the forest guardian to protect them until their numbers come back,” she told him.

Hearing that, Ahnon felt better as he walked back to the front of the house to see the three fainting victims sitting at the table. They were still watching Kenna and Desgeoff, but at least not passing out now. When Ahnon walked over, he heard Desgeoff, “If that is your request I will abide by it, but you will ride me into battle.”

“Well, who else would I ride? You are the bravest and best,” Kenna replied and Ahnon heard a trilling in Desgeoff’s chest.

Giving a bow, Ahnon stopped beside the two. “Desgeoff, may I ask a favor? It will be fraught with danger, but will benefit us more than you know,” Ahnon asked.

With an air of prominence, Desgeoff sat down on his haunches. “Danger? How many dragons will I have to fight and kill?” he asked, cocking his head at Ahnon. Hearing two thumps behind him, Ahnon turned around to see both dragons had passed out.

Feeling emotionally depleted, Ahnon turned back around. “Hopefully none, but I need you to fly to Gratu and fly Michi here so we can talk with him. I can’t trust letters and you know as well as I do that the kingdom is being watched. I don’t care what kind of war is going on,” Ahnon told him.

Nodding in agreement, “Yes, it is being watched. I know that for certain from the dispatches,” Desgeoff told him.

“Can you get Michi and bring him here while being certain that you aren’t followed?” Ahnon asked.

“Of course, what do you think I am? A hippogriff?” Desgeoff accused.

Unable to resist, Ahnon smiled. “No, great griffon. I would never accuse you of that,” Ahnon told him. “How long for you to get him here?” he asked.

Thinking about it for some time, Desgeoff finally answered, “If you don’t need him fast, I’ll need fifteen suns rising to get him here and I’m positive we won’t be followed.”

“Fifteen days then,” Ahnon said, bowing his head.

“Days?” Desgeoff asked.

“Suns rising,” Ahnon corrected, and he nodded in understanding.

Giving them some room, Ahnon walked back to the table. Kenna and Desgeoff hugged and talked some more before he flew off. Jedek walked over to her and led her to the table. Wearing a grin from ear to ear, Kenna sat down. “Is Michi coming here to help train us?” she asked.

“No, he has his duty, but I need to talk to him face-to-face. Writing letters takes too long and there is too much traveling back and forth. The risk of us being found would become certain,” he told her.

“I know you are my sho-ka, but I miss him, Ahnon,” Kenna said as the memories of those that had fallen washed over her. Unable to stop it, tears poured from her eyes. Jedek wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.

“So do I, Kenna, but if we are found before we finish, then those that sacrificed everything will have been in vain,” he said.

Chapter 12

Training continued, as did the lessons for the dragons as they waited on Michi. On the third morning, Ahnon came out to see two male elves talking to Rolim and Eloen. Not wanting to intrude, he started setting the table. Hearing goodbyes, Ahnon looked up to see the two males run down the rise, heading to the river.

Rolim and Eloen were walking over to him and Ahnon noticed Eloen carrying something in her arms that was furry and moving. When they stopped beside him, Ahnon looked down and moved Eloen’s hand to see the big ball of fur. Giving a remorseful sigh, Ahnon closed his eyes and shook his head. The fur was tan with faint black stripes and the head seemed too big for the body. The head had a feline shape but a long snout, and even though it was still a baby, there were two canine teeth extending past the bottom jaw.

“Tell me, what you are doing with an Ilar tiger?” Ahnon asked.

Preparing for an argument, Eloen lifted the cat up and it was just less than two feet long. “It’s pack was killed by trolls and those scouts found it. Since it’s not completely weaned they were taking it back to raise it, but we told them we would take care of it,” she told Ahnon.

“We?” Ahnon asked, looking at her with a scowl.

“Well, just one of us,” Eloen corrected narrowing her eyes.

Letting out a moan, Ahnon just dropped to his knees. “She has everything wrapped around her little finger now, and you want to give her another victim?” he whined.

Not able to argue that, Rolim looked down at Ahnon. “Kenna feels left out because she doesn’t have an animal companion as a familiar. Both you and Jedek do,” he told Ahnon.

Shrugging his shoulders knowing they were right, Ahnon stood up and reached over to rub the tiger’s head. “Ilar’s actually make good familiars. They have very little of that feline independence,” he said.

“We know, Ahnon. Elves have run with Ilars for eons,” Eloen said, smiling. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why Ahnon gave in so easy but she stopped.

Pointing at the house, “Well, go give it to her,” he told Eloen.

Handing the baby tiger over to Ahnon, “No, you give it to her,” Eloen said.

Taking the cub before it dropped, Ahnon headed into the house. Kenna was at the writing board writing words when he walked in. Writing a sentence in chalk for the dragons to read back, she turned around on hearing the door and smiled at Ahnon. When her eyes lowered, she froze. The cub looked out from Ahnon’s arms at all the creatures in the house. Seeing the two dragons, he let out a long hiss. “Don’t do that,” Ahnon said, tapping its nose and then looked up at Kenna.

With her body going numb, Kenna dropped the chalk on the floor and slowly walked over to Ahnon. “Ahnon, it’s so cute,” she said with a dreamy expression.

“What is it, Kenna?” he asked, smiling. Kenna had been determined to read every book he had on animals and so far, was making good progress.

“It’s an Ilar tiger. They are pack hunters and very smart. Full grown, they are the size of a pony. Unlike most of the felines, they have a short bob tail and hunt in packs. Full grown, the canines grow out to a foot long,” she recited, reaching out and petting the cub. “It’s a boy,” she told him.

The cub started licking her fingers and then reached out, grabbing her hand with his paws. He started chewing on the ends of her fingers. “Get the bucket of milk, so I can show you how to feed him,” Ahnon said, sitting down. Knocking over two kobolds, Kenna took off like a bolt of lightning.

With a book in his hands, Kheet was sitting in front of the fireplace, looking at Ahnon. “You couldn’t get her a hawk or a fox?” he asked. “The dog already eats more than all of us put together. Then the two dragons, they may be smaller but their appetite isn’t.”

“Just have to hunt more,” Ahnon replied as Kenna sat down the bucket. Pouring some milk into a bottle, Ahnon covered the end with a rag and fashioned a nipple. The cub made a mess, but drank twice as much as he spilled. Handing the cub over, “It’s your responsibility now,” Ahnon told her.

Reaching out, Kenna had misty eyes as she took the cub. “I’m going to call you Chenta,” she said, holding up the tiger. Chenta let out a rough ‘meow’ and then curled up on Kenna’s lap.

To Ahnon’s surprise, it took Kenna almost an hour before the cub was listening to her. All he could say was- milk, sleep, and mama- but Kenna talked to him like he had a full repertoire for his vocabulary.

Minos didn’t like Chenta and had no problem telling everyone. Moving over to Kenna, Talon just looked at the cub, then at Minos, “At least it will be able to catch a rabbit,” he said and hopped up to the loft railing.

The first problem came that night when Chenta lunged at Rosea. Kenna saw it and threw out her spell, catching the cub and letting him dangle in midair. When Rosea heard something behind her, she turned to see Chenta suspended in the air behind her. Chenta didn’t know what was going on, but he knew he didn’t like it.

“Bad kitty,” Rosea said, pointing at Chenta and making him flinch. Ahnon just sighed as Kenna walked over and grabbed him out of the air and told him much more than that.

When Kenna sat back down, Ahnon pulled a box up to the table. He took out a small metal rod and the weirdest glasses anyone had ever seen. Putting them on, the lenses extended into cones a foot away from his face and had small dials all down the length of the cone. Ahnon flipped the cones away from his face and pulled out a piece of metal, setting it on the table.

Putting his finger on the metal, he fused it with the table and then he picked up a small metal rod and hammer. Flipping the glasses down, Ahnon looked toward the metal and started turning dials. Satisfied, he held the metal rod over the metal plate and started tapping it with the hammer. By now, everyone was watching him and Kheet got out of his chair and stood behind Ahnon to watch him.

Sitting beside Ahnon, Jedek watched in wonder. The metal rod was six inches over the metal plate, but when Ahnon tapped the rod with the hammer, Jedek felt the table thump. “Ahnon, how are you hitting the metal with the rod so far away?” he asked.

“It’s not far away, you just can’t see the tip,” Ahnon told him and started tapping the rod faster.

Kheet leaned over his shoulder. “It’s a dwarven jeweler chisel, Jedek,” Kheet answered and Jedek moved over to see better. “Ahnon, why are you burring up the surface?” Kheet asked.

Startled at the question, Ahnon stopped suddenly and turned around. He could see the tiny pores in Kheet’s skin like they were large craters. Reaching up, Ahnon flipped up the glasses. “You can see that?” he asked Kheet in wonder.

“Yes, you can’t?” he replied.

“With these I can,” Ahnon said, tapping the glasses.

“What are they, Ahnon?” Kenna asked, carrying Chenta over.

“Miniscule glasses or mini glasses,” he told her while taking them off.

Wanting to see them, Jedek held out his hand and Ahnon handed them over. Even though he grabbed them with both hands, Jedek almost dropped them because they were so heavy. “Are they magic?” he asked, putting them on.

“No, they are mechanical, but the lenses are made with magic,” Ahnon told him.

Holding his hand in front of the glasses, Jedek didn’t see anything. Ahnon pulled him over, setting him in his lap. He grabbed Jedek’s hand and started moving away from the glasses. “Wait,” Jedek said. He didn’t know what he was looking at but it was cool. “What are those little blocks?” he asked.

“What you are made of,” Ahnon told him. “If you want to know more, go get the book. That is a lesson for later.”

Putting his hands on Jedek’s head, Ahnon turned it to the table and directed his gaze to the piece of metal. After a few attempts and some dial turning, Jedek saw the metal, or what he thought was metal. Half of it was bare, smooth, and flat. The other half was little burrs of metal curled up in neat rows with each row facing a different direction.

Jedek took the glasses off and handed them to Kenna, warning her that they were heavy. “Why are you burring the metal?” Kheet asked again.

Reaching across the table, Ahnon picked up a glove that had a piece of metal covering the palm and small oval metal disks on each fingertip. He walked over to the wall and threw the palm side to the wall and the glove stuck. Kheet narrowed his eyes at the glove and then his eyes got real wide. “That’s how bhari can climb walls without magic,” Ahnon said, grinning.

“How did you, or they, figure that out?” Kheet asked.

“There is a snake in Fantshu that can crawl across and upside down on smooth surfaces. When you look at his belly it has tons of small hairs,” Ahnon told him. Not asking or ashamed, Kheet sat down in Ahnon’s spot and picked up the jeweler chisel and started tapping. He was going much faster than Ahnon was.

Jedek reached over and took the glasses from a kobold and looked at what Kheet was doing. With the glasses on, the chisel he couldn’t see with his eyes looked like a massive steel rod. Kheet was making little curling burrs like Ahnon was but his were much closer and uniform. When he started the next row, the angle of the burr changed slightly.

Not needing the glasses to know what Kheet was doing, Ahnon just shook his head. “Now I know why dwarfs are such good craftsman. You can see on a scale humans have to make tools to see on,” he mumbled. The group watched Kheet work eight pieces of metal, then twenty smaller pieces.

Stopping Jedek and Kenna from watching, Ahnon had them start on Huryk and Gilan’s lesson. The dragons learned at a pace even Ahnon was jealous of. Barely a week into their lessons and they could read and write common. Now, they were learning elven.

Study continued through the night and as the first sun came up, Ahnon started breakfast. Smelling bacon, Chenta came over and tried to climb Ahnon’s leg to see where the smell was coming from. Thankful for his negtro pants, Ahnon looked down at the animal climbing him. “Excuse me, do I look like a tree?” he asked, looking at Chenta.

“Meow,” Chenta replied, but didn’t get off his leg.

Pausing the lesson, Kenna ran over and pulled Chenta off. “Bad kitty,” she said, carrying him back over to the table.

“Guys, time to move the class outside,” Ahnon called out.

Feeling like the world was on his shoulders, Ahnon turned around to cook. Orrla flew over and sat on his shoulder. “Ahnon, do you mind if I make an observation?” she asked.

Freezing as shock hit him, “Ah, am I burning the eggs?” he asked, looking down.

“No,” Orrla laughed.

“Um, well, okay then,” Ahnon told her.

“I have never seen so many different races together like I do here,” she told him.

Wondering where this was going, Ahnon raised his eyebrows thinking about that. “Well, you do have a point, Orrla,” he admitted.

“You know, I’ve seen two or three races together before but not this many, and no one is mad or jealous of each other,” she told him as the kobolds took off to do chores. “I’ve never dreamed that anyone could live with kobolds.”

Nodding his head after thinking about it, “Well, I have to agree with you,” Ahnon admitted.

“I think you are a great leader,” Orrla told him.

Somewhat startled, he looked at her sitting on his shoulder. “Orrla, I’m not a leader. I just told everyone they could stay. I love the help teaching Jedek and Kenna. When I trained, I went among the elves, dwarves, and many other races. I was around fairies, but never like this and the dragons? Well, I like the kids being around them. The kobolds are trying on the patience, but that is a plus for everyone,” Ahnon told her and he secretly told his self everyday.

Orrla flew off his shoulder and hovered in front of him. “That’s what I mean. You hold no prejudices to any. You learned from all and respect them,” she told him.

“Orrla, there are a few creatures on Thanos that I will not let get near me or my kids,” he said. The others had stopped and were listening quietly to the conversation. Most did feel a little guilty, but still listened. When Ahnon referred to them as ‘his’ kids, Jedek and Kenna beamed with smiles.

“Ahnon, you know what I mean. If you let a mangmyr near them, I would become vexed with you,” Orrla admitted. “No, you learned magic and witchcraft. You know how to fight in more forms than I knew existed and you can sew. You learn from any, but never look down on them. Even those wanting to attack you, you give them a chance to stop,” she explained.

“Uh,” Ahnon stuttered, not knowing what she was getting at or how he should respond.

Letting out a silvery laugh, “Ahnon, you see all as equal,” Orrla told him.

Confused, Ahnon took a step back. “Well, I thought we all were,” he said.

“We are,” Orrla told him. She pointed at the bacon, turning the pieces over. “Very few do that, be it elf, dwarf, human, dragon, and even many Fae. Humans, I’m sorry to say, are the worst but the others aren’t much better. Humans do it out of fear. Elves, dwarves, and dragons do it because they think they are superior. Fae, because we’ve seen the wars that have been fought,” Orrla explained. Looking back down, Orrla pointed at the food and it floated off the stove and onto plates.

Not sure how to respond, Ahnon thought for a second. “So, you like that?” Ahnon asked timidly.

Orrla flew over and kissed the tip of his nose. “Yes, I’ve heard of it, but have never seen it,” she said, flying off. Ahnon turned to watch her fly off and saw everyone looking at him.

“What?” he asked, shocked and looking at all the faces looking at him.

“She’s right,” Eloen said, smiling. “Even I fall under old prejudices,” she admitted.

Starting to feel embarrassed, Ahnon held up his hands. “Hey, don’t think I’m some kind of saint. Let a group of Aztans come near me and I’ll show you a slaughter on a scale that will make all of you cringe,” Ahnon informed her.

With a grin, Rolim stood up and walked over to Ahnon. “No, my friend. They are your enemies, but I bet even you have offered some a chance to run away before you joined battle with them,” he said. “You judge all the same. You truly intrigue us and that’s why we wanted to stay. You are teaching this to your young and expect them to follow your lead,” he explained.

Leaning back in his chair, Kheet let out a laugh. “Listen to the elf, Ahnon. Yes, I wanted to work in the forge, but you and those kids took me in without a second thought. Not that I needed it, but you offered friendship and family. I’m not a fool. You could’ve made those weapons,” Kheet told him. “You would’ve wasted a lot of adamant before getting it right,” Kheet added in a low voice, looking off.

Ahnon stared around the room. “I’m just sho-ka Ahnon, trying to make sure my sires have the best. I’ve never known family till them. They stand beside me and expect nothing. Yes, I’m teaching them, but we just sit and talk sometimes and they like me, just for me,” Ahnon explained and the kids ran over to him, wrapping their arms around him.

“Neeji, we love you,” they said in unison.

“See what I mean?” Ahnon said, hugging the two.

Letting out a sigh, Eloen smiled. “Well, if that’s just being more ‘Ahnon’, we all need to do that,” she said.

Rubbing the kids’ heads as they hugged him, Ahnon shook his head. “Fellows, are you guys trying to make me cry? Because you’re getting close to doing it,” Ahnon asked.

They all laughed. “No Ahnon,” Kheet said. “We like being around you and being together,” he confided.

The kids let him go and Ahnon led them outside with everyone else. He didn’t trust himself to speak, not sure what emotion he was feeling. Thinking about that, Ahnon realized since he had entered this valley he was experiencing more emotions than he thought were possible. When everyone sat down to eat he looked around the table, seeing all the different species as Orrla sat down on his shoulder. “One thing I was taught that stays at the forefront of my mind is, ‘Never judge others by someone else’s actions. If you don’t like them, that’s fine, but it better be because of ‘them’,” he said.

Everyone thought about what Ahnon said as they started eating. Jedek looked up at Ahnon. “Ahnon, what creature on Thanos scares you the most?” he asked.

“Lightbender,” Ahnon answered immediately. Jedek and Kenna raised eyebrows at that answer, never having heard of it. They were expecting one of the many magical creatures they had heard of. Several around the table nodded in agreement. Doing a double take, Jedek was shocked to see even Orrla agreeing.

“Lightbender?” Jedek asked.

“Yes, it’s a creature from the crystal mountains, but I’ve found them everywhere. Thankfully, not in large numbers,” Ahnon told him.

“Is it an evil creature?” Kenna asked.

Not answering right away, Ahnon looked up, thinking. “Kenna, they’re not true evil, but I would call them evil nevertheless. It attacks anything. It attacks even if it’s not hungry and doesn’t eat most of what it kills,” Ahnon told her.

“What in the abyss is it?” Kenna asked.

“No one is really sure,” Kheet told her as Ahnon opened his mouth.

“What do you mean? If you all have heard of it, why don’t you know what it is?” Kenna asked, looking around.

Rolim took a drink. “You can’t see them, Kenna. I’ve been on two expeditions to try to hunt them with other elves. We had warriors and wizards on both. Four of us survived the first and only Eloen and I survived the second,” he told her.

Not liking that, Kenna stared at him in shock. “So, no one knows anything about them?” she asked.

Ahnon cleared his throat. “No, I know a lot about them,” he told her. They all turned to look at Ahnon at the head of the table.

“How do you know so much?” Rolim asked.

“Killed three of them,” Ahnon admitted as most mouths dropped open.

Jedek looked around the table at the shocked faces and then noticed even Orrla and Rosea were shocked. He turned back to Ahnon. “Well, what is a lightbender?” he asked.

“Carnivore. Smaller than a horse, but almost twice as wide and built kind of like a large cat. It runs on all fours, but can stand and fight on two legs. It has a long tail that can throw crystal spikes at you from a really long way off and its paws have three big long claws,” he said. “I have drawings.”

In total shock, Rolim slowly stood up blubbering. Eloen put her hand on his shoulder, forcing him to sit back down. “You are sure?” she asked.

“Yes,” Ahnon replied, seeing a thousand questions on her face.

“How did you see it if others can’t?” Jedek asked.

“After I skinned it,” Ahnon answered.

Jedek shook his head. “No, I mean to kill it?” he asked.

“Never saw the damn things until I killed them,” Ahnon admitted.

Orrla flew off his shoulder and hovered in front of him. “Ahnon, lightbenders have leveled entire Fae villages. They can see us, but we can’t see them. When I was young, I visited another Fae kingdom and the village I was in was attacked. Even our magic didn’t work to make them visible. Please tell us,” she begged.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Orrla,” Ahnon said as Kenna came over and crawled in his lap.

“Ahnon, I’m not saying you’re not the best warrior in the world, but if Fae are worried about lightbenders this much, how did you hunt them down? You said you trained for two years as a hunter. Did they teach you hunting at the bhari academy?” Kenna asked.

“Two years?!” Kheet and Rolim shouted together. Jedek and Kenna jumped at the outburst, the others did as well.

“What? Is that a long time?” Jedek asked, looking at them but they just looked back at him in shock.

“No Jedek. Hunters usually apprentice for a decade or more,” Ahnon told him.

Slowly, Orrla flew up and turned to the table. “Everyone,” she said, looking at them with a smile. “Shut up!” she barked dropping the smile and then turned to Ahnon. “Will you please tell me?” she asked.

“My master was Broken Claw. He was the best that I’d heard of and finally took me as apprentice. We traveled Thanos collecting bounties. I can’t begin to tell you all he taught me. He was a wizard, but a pretty fair warrior as well. It was the end of my second year when he took a contract to kill a lightbender. Only we didn’t know it was a lightbender. The king of Honch himself sent for Broken Claw. Kenna, not your father, it was your grandfather, and it was a long time ago.”

“A creature had wiped out the village of Hadem, killing several thousand over the course of two weeks,” Ahnon said and Kenna gasped in his lap.

“The beast of Hadem,” she said with a shudder.

“Yes, Kenna,” he said, patting her. “Like I said, we didn’t know it was a lightbender till after the contract was taken. When we found out, Broken Claw thought he was going to be the first to collect on a lightbender. Lightbenders don’t usually stay in a place very long and needless to say, are very hard to track, so hunters don’t usually get the chance to take a contract on them. But in Hadem, the killings continued, with the king even sending in troops, thinking it was an attack from the kingdoms of the north. He lost four thousand troops by the time we got there and that’s when we found out what we were up against.”

Grabbing his cup of keck, Ahnon took a sip. “I’m not going to lie. I asked Broken Claw to back out and call it even. He wouldn’t hear of it. We were seventeen apprentices and I was the newest with Broken Claw, so I can see why he felt so optimistic.”

“When we got to the area and saw the carnage, Broken Claw looked around and then turned to us. ‘We can take it,’ he stated confidently. I wasn’t so sure, but be damned if I was leaving them. The king sent in five hundred soldiers with us and we got hit the first night. At dawn, there were only half the soldiers and us left. You would just see a man get ripped apart in front of you and nothing was there. Let me tell you, that is very unsettling. I started throwing magic like I had no limit, but never hit anything.”

“The next morning, a group of soldiers took off. Hadem sits on top of a lone low mountain. We watched them get wiped out when they reached the bottom. Knowing we weren’t leaving, we started setting traps all around us. It was over the next few days that we learned, the lightbender was a ‘they’ not an ‘it’, and ‘they’ can think and communicate.”

“A trap would get sprung and someone would go and check, but just because you couldn’t see something didn’t mean there wasn’t something there. To my knowledge, none were trapped. They would throw the traps and wait till we checked, taking out those that came.”

“One of the other apprentices was also a good wizard and tried to fly out. He shot up and flew a few hundred paces and let out a scream before falling to the ground. Very carefully, we checked on him and found several holes through his chest. Let me tell you, I was starting to get worried because I knew I had things to do later in life, but couldn’t see myself getting out of there. In the next attack, I watched another apprentice throw up a shield and get ripped apart inside his shield. I now know, that when he threw up the shield the lightbender was already inside with him, but didn’t then.”

“Five days in and it was only me, one other apprentice, and Broken Claw. I was thinking I was about to die when I sat down with the group and I got an inspiration. Neeji would tell me, ‘Never trust one sense in a battle. If you rely on one, then you have lost.’ So, I took off my hunter garb only leaving my mask on and put a blindfold on. Broken Claw thought I had given up and the other two left me, climbing up in trees.”

“I sat down in a field with my bow and staff and waited. It only took an hour and I heard one creeping up on me. It didn’t come from behind, but right in front of me. I heard its breathing and felt its breath. Grabbing my staff, I lashed out with my staff sword and felt like I’d hit rock but heard a roar as I rolled away. I threw several knives but it sounded like I was hitting rock, and the thing never roared with the hits.”

“You can hear them moving, but must be concentrating on your hearing and pushing your thoughts out. When you hear them, it sounds like crystals softly rubbing. When it would attack, I would hit it with my staff sword and that made it roar. By this time, I was backed into some trees, using them for cover and tracking it with my hearing but now, I had a smell I had never smelled before in my mask. I had smelled it during the battle, but had just blown it off. They literally smelled like crystals with a hint of salt. Still blindfolded, I felt my blade and found it was wet but with what felt like sand in the liquid. Not hearing the thing close, I lifted my blindfold and saw bluish-black blood on my blade with very small pieces of crystals.”

“I lowered my blindfold and concentrated on my sense of smell and almost died when another one snuck up downwind of me. It brushing up against a tree is the only reason I’m here. I hit that one several times and heard it move away and make a fast motion. When you heard that at the academy you moved, because that meant someone had thrown something at you. I dropped and heard impacts hitting the tree behind me.”

“Now I think this really made it mad because it charged me, roaring, I stayed still and lifted up my sword and charged it. I drove the tip of my sword where I heard the roaring coming from and had the living breath knocked out of my body as it hit and swatted me in the side with its paw,” Ahnon said and raised his shirt. “These are the three claw marks from it’s right front paw it hit me with,” he said, pointing at his left side. Even with the other scars, three stood above the rest.

“I heard it crash down and thrash about making all kinds of noise, but I was just trying to breathe as I drank an elixir. When I finished my elixir, it was still and I moved over, lifting my blindfold to see half my sword floating in the air a few feet off the ground. I walked over to pull it, and realized I pulled it out of something when my ‘whole blade’ came out and half was covered in blood. Not even caring, I lowered my blindfold and dropped a knife to mark the spot and moved away, sitting back down.”

“I knew there was at least one more, but soon found out there were at least ten more. Two attacked me next, and after I beat them off and sat back down, I remembered Neeji telling me, ‘Once a warrior realizes he needs all his senses, he needs none. You will feel and know where your enemy attacks’. I calmed my breathing and ‘felt’ one moving close and charged it. I must have startled it because I only hit it once and it ran off.”

“That is how I fought them for the rest of the day and night. At dawn, I heard a scream up high and figured I was alone then, but didn’t care as I pulled another elixir out and drank it, since I hadn’t had food or water in two days. They started attacking me from a distance, but I learned from that attack. Feeling that they were just going to wait me to death, I took off the blindfold and pulled out my bow.”

“When they saw the blindfold come off, they attacked. I really didn’t use my eyes, but I started slinging arrows when I heard a roar or ‘felt’ where a head was. The mouth was the only weakness I’d found, so I aimed for it. I realized later that my staff sword did hurt because it was part adamant. That is when I started using magic and hit several and found that magic did hurt them, especially lightening. You just have to hit them. I might have killed more, but I know I killed two because I found their bodies.”

“By dawn I couldn’t ‘feel’ or hear them, and went looking for Broken Claw. He was still alive, but barely. I used my last potion and his on him, then carried him over to the first one I’d killed. Sitting him beside a tree, I threw dirt on it and we saw the size and general outline. I offered to take him to a healer, but he said no and wanted me to continue. So, I went and got my stuff and after a few minutes, I figured out how to skin it. When he saw the skinned animal, he smiled and waved me over beside him,”

“When I knelt beside him, he told me, ‘You are a hunter, Dark Talon’ and gave me my seal. ‘Before you leave here, find out what you can about them,’ he told me and breathed his last breath. I buried him with the body of that one. I skinned the other and removed its skull. I found out that they eat crystal and it somehow enters their fur and you see ‘through’ them. They do leave tracks but believe it or not, they look like a large stag track. Somehow they fold their three claws back and walk on them. I don’t know why that group was so large and why they tried to wipe out an area, but I’ve never heard of it since,” Ahnon said, finishing his tale. The table was staring at him with wide eyes. Gilan and Huryk were holding each other and shaking.

Kenna shook her head. “The skull at the Palace of the Hadem killer is a lightbender?” she asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, but without the hide,” he told her.

“It’s atrocious!” she shouted.

“Where’s the hide?” Jedek asked.

“One is in my pack and the other is at my citadel. I’m studying it,” Ahnon told him.

“You didn’t give the king the fur?” Kheet asked.

“Are you crazy? Not after that. The contract stated, ‘The skull of the killer’, so that’s what he got,” Ahnon snapped. “To honor my teacher, I let everyone know the contract was closed under Broken Claw.”

“Are there lightbenders around here?” Jedek asked nervously.

“Oh, I’m sure, but they are still very uncommon,” Ahnon said and Rolim nodded his head.

“You said you killed three?” Orrla said, just sitting on the table and staring in awe at Ahnon.

“Yes. As I was studying with Esta of the moors, a man came and asked her to help because his village was being attacked. We went and found it was a lightbender and she was going to leave. I stopped her and told her I would kill it. I did and gave the body to her, since she did take me on as an apprentice,” Ahnon told her.

Orrla flew off the table. “You studied with Esta?” she asked in awe.

“Yes, you know her?” Ahnon asked.

“Yes, of her, as does everyone,” Orrla said with wide eyes, “Wicca Esta Magi.”

Chapter 13

On the fifteenth day, Desgeoff reappeared as the group finished lunch. They watched Desgeoff slowly lower to the field and he landed under the new massive oak tree where Eloen and Rolim were building a small house with everyone’s help. Kenna and Jedek ran over as Michi jumped off Desgeoff.

Almost crying, Michi ran at them, catching both in the air and hugging them tight. “Sires, it is so good to see you safe!” he shouted with joy as Ahnon walked over.

Ahnon hugged Michi with Kenna and Jedek. “My friend, I’m so glad you are well,” he said, letting them go. The kids let go and Jedek moved over beside Ahnon and Kenna held Michi’s hand.

“When I got your letter, it took everything I had to not come and try to find you,” Michi admitted.

“I know, Michi, but how are things at Gratu?” Ahnon asked, leading him to the table outside. Michi froze on seeing two dragons that were just bigger than he was, but he could tell they weren’t hatchlings. Then, he noticed the kobolds, Kheet, and the elves.

“Quite the gathering you have here,” he said in a shocked voice.

“You have no idea,” Ahnon told him as he sat down. Orrla was on his shoulder, but Michi never looked at her as she studied him.

Hearing how Ahnon talked to Michi and his expression just seeing Michi, Orrla leaned to Ahnon’s ear. “You really love and trust this man.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Yes, Michi is the one person besides my kids here that I classify as family. I see him as a brother and when I brought him into the royal family, that’s how I had the papers drawn up. He is the only human I have ever truly trusted and you could say loved, until my kids,” Ahnon said. Michi looked at Ahnon in shock. He couldn’t hear Orrla, but he’d heard Ahnon’s reply.

With deep respect, Michi bowed his head. “I don’t know what brought the statement out, Ahnon, but that is how I have always seen you,” Michi told him humbly. When Michi looked up, he saw Orrla sitting on Ahnon’s shoulder and he gasped and slowly pointed. “F-f-fair-fairy,” he stuttered.

“A fairy queen. This is Orrla,” Ahnon said as Rosea flew in front of Michi’s face.

“I’m Rosea and Kenna’s my best friend,” she told Michi, smiling.

“If you are part of Ahnon’s family, then I grant you the gift of fae sight,” Orrla told Michi. Michi gasped and bowed his head to the little queen, dropping to one knee.

“My lady, I humbly thank you for a gift I do not deserve and if I can do anything for you, please let me know,” Michi replied.

“Oh, I like him,” Orrla said, flying off Ahnon’s shoulder as Michi lifted his head. Orrla kissed his cheek and flew back to Ahnon’s shoulder.

Standing up, Michi looked at Ahnon. “Here I thought you three were living in a cave, training,” he said, looking around. “How did you do this?” he asked, waving his hand around.

“In time,” Ahnon said. “What of Gratu?” he asked again.

“Well, after the attack, Admiral Gither mobilized the fleet and called up the merchant fleet. I agreed, Jedek, so don’t get mad at him. The council of five generals are running Gratu now,” Michi said. “The fleet started total war on the seas. Inside of six months, there was no navy of the three. Nazar sent me a hundred bhari and I replaced the ones lost in battle. I moved two garrisons inside the castle walls and we are rebuilding,” Michi said.

“How long till the rebuilding is done?” Jedek asked as Ahnon cringed.

“Next year,” Michi replied. “The west wing is taking the longest. All four floors were totally destroyed,” Michi answered and Ahnon sucked in a breath.

“Totally?” Ahnon asked.

Turning to Ahnon, Michi smiled. “I knew that was you. Only Ahnon can destroy on that scale,” he chuckled. “Yes, what wasn’t blown away was melted. I’ve been told they found pieces a league away,” Michi replied.

“I take it they weren’t happy about that?” Ahnon asked.

“No, everyone loved it! There was a whole kytensa regiment on the lower floor,” Michi told him. “What exactly did you use?” he asked.

“Remember those dragon balls I was working on?” Ahnon asked and Michi’s eyes went wide. “It was one of them,” Ahnon told him.

“Just one?” Michi stuttered.

“Didn’t have the energy to use the other two,” Ahnon said. “How goes the war?” he asked.

“Neither the allegiance or the three have invaded, but border clashes are raging everywhere. Nazar has sent four army groups into Honch to help and offered to send some to Azonia and Ocnus, but they declined. Octin tried to invade Spree and stirred up a hornet’s nest,” Michi told him. “Rancor has launched raids into Multar. The horse people are just having a party. The knights of Calkran have lined up on their border with Multar. I think they are hoping Multar will invade, they are feeling left out,” Michi continued.

“Who in their right mind would want to invade Spree? All they do is train for war.” Jedek asked.

Michi shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t know what they were thinking, but Gratu sunk the fleet that brought the troops and the warriors of Spree had a slaughter. It’s been reported that they killed over two million troops on the beaches,” Michi said.

“Have you heard any news as to why they attacked the castle?” Ahnon asked.

“They wanted Jedek, so they could get the Rod of Virtue,” Michi answered.

Ahnon jumped back. “You’re sure?” he shouted.

“Yes, we captured several alive and I asked real nice,” Michi said with an evil grin.

“You made a kytensa talk?” Ahnon asked, shocked.

“No, nine,” Michi answered coldly.

Grabbing his glass, Ahnon took a drink of tea. “What do you know of the Rod?” Ahnon asked.

“Just from the children songs I sang as a kid,” Michi replied. “When the first sovereign raised it, he could level armies.”

Eloen leaned over and grabbed Ahnon’s hand. “It’s a sword made during the second age by the most powerful elven wizards,” she told him.

Wanting more, Ahnon looked at her. “Well, where is it?” he asked.

“No one knows. After the battle of Leviathan Isle, it was said the children of the sovereign hid it, thinking it had killed their father,” Rolim answered.

“So, it could be anywhere on Thanos?” Ahnon asked and they nodded.

Michi put his arm around Kenna and grabbed Ahnon’s hand. “Ahnon, let me be sho-ka to Kenna again?” he pleaded.

“I’m sorry, Michi, she has one,” Ahnon said, making the color drain from Michi’s face. “Me,” Ahnon told him. Michi’s jaw hit his chest and his arm slid off Kenna as he gaped at Ahnon. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. They agreed and I accepted,” Ahnon said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“A sho-ka that has two sires is the chosen,” Michi mumbled in shock.

Rolling his eyes, Ahnon shook his head. “No, the verse is ‘A sho-ka that has served his duty will take two freely,” Ahnon said.

“What?” Jedek and Kenna asked.

Slowly turning from Michi, Ahnon looked at them. “There is a written legend, when a sho-ka that has served his sire and his duty is done, he will take two at the same time freely. Those sires will lead Thanos into peace,” he told them.

“What legend?” Jedek asked.

“An ancient elven legend,” Eloen answered. “It was written in the first age.”

“What age are we in now?” Kenna asked with curiosity.

“The one hundred and ninth age,” Rolim answered. “Each age lasts for five thousand years. The first was the dawn of elves on Thanos,” he explained. “The passage that Ahnon is referring to says: a new race will come forth and of this race will be a kingdom that will devote the first born of the ruling family, willing or unwilling to be protectors of other ruling families. In time, a protector that has served his duty will freely take two. These mates will have the power to lead Thanos into a lasting peace.”

Hearing that, an idea started to form in Jedek’s mind as the others talked till supper and Ahnon passed over a satchel to Michi. “Michi, I need these taken back and delivered,” he said. Michi didn’t reach for the bag.

“Ahnon, I beg you, please let me stay. The castle is in order, the tem guard is holding it. I’m not needed there. Let me stay and help,” he appealed.

“Michi, we need someone who can keep us informed there,” Ahnon said and Jedek turned to look at Ahnon. Since he had been with Ahnon his entire life, Jedek knew Ahnon wasn’t telling Michi no. He was making sure Michi was asking to stay.

Jerking his thumb over his shoulder, Michi pointed behind him at Desgeoff. “He has offered to relay messages. If anything on Thanos can hurt him, I don’t stand a chance,” Michi told him. “The soul of the House is here. I’m the sho-tem-ka. I will return if you command it, but at least give me a chance,” he begged.

Afraid to offer help, Kenna and Jedek were both looking at Ahnon with pleading faces. Ahnon closed his eyes. “If something happens to the palace while you’re gone, I’m going to be distraught,” Ahnon said.

With a relief washing over him, Michi laughed. “Not likely. There are over a million troops inside the walls now and will be, until the king and queen return,” he said.

“Well then, my brother, welcome to your new home,” Ahnon said as the kids stood up, cheering. Ahnon handed the bag to Desgeoff. “Will you deliver these to the Emperor of Nazar and please don’t tell him where we are. Spies could find us and attack the little ones,” Ahnon said.

With an air of indifference, Desgeoff grabbed some bags off his back and dropped them to the ground and took the one from Ahnon. “No one will know where you are. I don’t have to tell him anything,” Desgeoff said. Kenna ran over and loved on him.

Trying not to grin, Ahnon pointed to the bags that Desgeoff had dropped to the ground. “Yours?” he asked Michi.

“Yes, I was going to beg really hard and if you said I could stay, I wanted to make sure I had everything,” Michi said, walking over and hugging Ahnon.

After supper Desgeoff flew off and to the kid’s surprise, Michi wasn’t teaching. He was learning with them.

With Michi there, the weeks seemed to fly by even faster. It was the end of summer and Ahnon had sat and thought often about what Orrla had told him and finally come to the conclusion that Esta was just a witch who had taken that name. Every time Ahnon would tell her that, Orrla would just say, “No witch would ever take her name.”

The suns were just rising over the mountain as the group sat at the tables outside eating. The kids had woken up from sixth night feeling apprehensive. Today, Ahnon had set up a test for them with the centaurs’ help. They were going to sneak into the centaur camp and ‘steal’ a flag. To their relief, Michi was going to be taking the test with them.

When the kobolds were told that they couldn’t help, Ahnon had to come up with a test for them. They had to go to Delmuth’s, sneak in, not be seen, and come back with ‘only a sack of apples’. Out of kindness, Ahnon did warn Delmuth and Ava of the task.

“Are you going to be with them?” Rolim asked, looking around the table.

“No, but I’ll be around,” Ahnon answered.

Taking a deep breath, Kenna looked up from feeding Chenta. “Will you at least tell us where the centaur camp is?” she asked pleadingly.

“For the seventh time, no. You must find your target,” Ahnon told her, smiling.

“How about which direction it’s in?” Jedek asked.

Nodding his head at that question, “Yes, to the northwest,” Ahnon answered.

Wanting to get started, Jedek stood up, dressed in a bhari outfit. It was a light gray silk with small black strips. He pulled out his hunter mask, tied it on and pulled a gray hood on, tying it tight so only his eyes were seen. Like Ahnon, they wore their hunter mask with their outfits. Kenna stood up, copying him. Trying to remain calm, Jedek looked at Kenna and they nodded at each other. Then they looked at Michi who stood up, putting on a mask as well. He was just starting to learn about the hunter life.

“How long do we have?” Jedek asked.

“Till tomorrow morning,” Ahnon replied.

“See you then,” Kenna said, spinning around and blurring off with a gust of wind, followed by Jedek.

“You would think they would wait for me,” Michi said and vanished in a puff of wind.

Rolling his head, Ahnon turned to Talon who was perched on the hitching rail in front of the cottage. “Don’t let them out of your sight for any reason. Watch for threats coming from the outside,” he told Talon.

Extending his wings and stretching, “No harm will come to them,” Talon promised, springing into the air and flying off.

Not asking or taking no for an answer, Rolim and Eloen stood up, slinging their bows on their backs. “If you go after them, you better not let any of them see you. That includes Michi,” Ahnon warned.

They both turned to Ahnon in what could only be described as bewilderment. “You don’t think we can hide from two kids and a man?” Rolim asked, sounding somewhat offended.

“Michi is good,” Ahnon warned.

“We shall see,” Rolim said as he turned and followed his wife off over the rise.

Wishing he didn’t have work to do in the forge, Kheet stood up. “You see? That is what troubles me about elves. They are way too sure of themselves,” he said really wishing he could go.

With a grin, Ahnon picked up his staff and stood up. “Well, I have to say, those two are better than most,” Ahnon admitted.

“What? You don’t think Michi will see them?” Kheet asked. He had met a few bhari in his years and with the exception of Ahnon, Michi was the best.

“Oh no, he will,” Ahnon said and took off his surcoat, revealing a bhari outfit underneath. “You need help with the suits of armor?” Ahnon asked a grinning Kheet.

“No, you’ll get in my way,” Kheet said, smiling and watching Ahnon pull on the rest of his bhari outfit. Ahnon grabbed his staff and vanished in a puff of wind.

Kheet looked at Orrla who was staring off after Ahnon. “You’re not going with him?” he asked, shocked.

“Of course,” she said and vanished, leaving Kheet laughing.

“Don’t think the kids will be in any danger then,” he said before heading to the forge.

With only Minos and Chenta staying behind, Kheet worked through the day and night. Seeing light come through the window, he set down his equipment and headed to the house to start some food for the others before they returned. Stepping outside he froze, seeing Ahnon sitting at the table.

Watching Minos and Chenta play in the yard, he walked over. “Ahnon, how long have you been here?” he asked when he’d reached the table. The table was already loaded with food.

Leaning back in the chair with Orrla on his shoulder, Ahnon looked up from the book they were reading. “About an hour,” Ahnon said, taking a sip of tea.

Grabbing the tankard of ale at his spot, Kheet sat down. “Well, how did the kids do?” he asked.

“They never even got close. The centaurs showed them just how good they are,” Ahnon told him.

Never taking her eyes off the book Ahnon was reading as she read also, “We need to talk about the kids’ language,” Orrla said, making both of them grin. “Rosea knows better.”

“You didn’t expect them to get the flag, did you?” Kheet asked, putting down his mug of ale.

Returning his gaze to the book, Ahnon shook his head. “No, but Michi needed to see that just because he’s bhari, he isn’t at the top of the stack,” Ahnon told him. “The bhari train to fight and stealth against humans, but he needs to learn a lot more.”

“They didn’t get hurt, did they?” Kheet asked anxiously.

“Only their pride,” Ahnon said, smiling as a gust of wind blew across them and Kenna, Jedek, and Michi were standing by the table.

They all took off their head coverings and masks and sat down. With her sweat soaked hair plastered to her head, Kenna looked over at Ahnon. “Those centaurs are good!” she exclaimed as Rosea flew off her shoulder. “You didn’t say the gargoyles would be there,” she accused. “I almost wet my pants when one dropped down out of the sky.”

Trying not to laugh, Ahnon set down his book and Orrla flew off his shoulder to float plates over to the kids and Michi. “Always be ready for anything,” he said, standing up and filling their glasses with tea. “Rosea, thank you for not helping.”

“Sorry,” Rosea mumbled, looking down at the table nervously. “I watched my mouth, Orrla.”

With the plates out, Orrla flew up to Rosea. “I warned you not to help, and you know better than to talk like that, so stop pouting,” Orrla said. “Next time you disobey, you and I will move off to discuss it.”

Shaking his head, Michi looked up at him as Rosea flew back to land on Kenna’s shoulder. “Ahnon, they spotted me every time I moved anywhere near them,” he said.

“Of course,. They live here and know the forest. Told you they could shoot a bow just as good as an elf,” Ahnon said, sitting down.

Almost ashamed, Michi looked at Ahnon with wide eyes. “You saw that?” he asked.

“He meant to hit the tree beside you,” Ahnon said, standing up and walking over to Michi. He pointed at Michi’s sleeve that had a hole in the fabric. “He was letting you know that he saw you and you didn’t back off, so he warned you again harder with the next shot,” Ahnon said.

“Where were you?” Jedek asked.

“Close,” Ahnon said, smiling.

Rosea flew off Kenna’s shoulder. “I didn’t see you,” she told Ahnon.

“I know and I must say, you were ‘not’ helping them rather well, Rosea,” Ahnon said with a sigh, sitting back down.

When Ahnon was seated, Orrla landed on his shoulder. “Ahnon stopped me from spanking you on the spot, Rosea,” Orrla said, taking a bite from a berry.

The three started eating. “Ahnon, those elves are good. I spotted Rolim when I was trying to creep past a gargoyle and he was just smiling at me,” Michi said with a mouthful.

“Eloen scared the crap out of me,” Kenna muffled with a mouthful. “I was about to try and just dart in really fast and get the flag, but she stopped me and told me a centaur was watching the route I was going to take,” she finished after she swallowed.

They sat and ate and then turned, hearing the treetops rustling. With agile grace, Rolim and Eloen jumped out of the tree line and ran over. Both had smiles as they sat down. “Even though you three didn’t get the flag, that was superb tactics,” Rolim said, grabbing a glass of water.

“Michi, you are one of the best bhari I’ve ever seen,” Eloen added, filling Michi with pride. “We’ve never been spotted by a human before, except Ahnon, of course,” she told him.

“Ahnon can steal a person’s shadow and they wouldn’t know it for a day,” Michi replied, sending the group into a round of laughter. The sound of galloping hooves made the group stand up as Talon swooped in and landed beside the table.

“It’s the centaur king, Cymbiir,” Talon said and Ahnon threw him a chunk of meat.

The others remained standing as Cymbiir came galloping over the rise with several other centaurs. They stopped away from the table and Cymbiir walked over. “Well played!” he said, smiling.

The group bowed their heads to him. “Cymbiir, your warriors are very good. I’ve never been spotted going after something,” Rolim said with a frown.

“Well, I’m sorry about shooting an arrow into your quiver, but you wouldn’t take the hint that I’d spotted you going for the flag,” Cymbiir told him.

Dropping into her chair, Eloen started laughing and Rolim scowled at her. “That was great! Rolim was seething when he came back. He said, ‘The horse tried to part my hair with an arrow’,” she howled, sending the table into hysterics.

Cymbiir looked at the group. “So, which one of you got the flag?” he asked. Everyone stopped laughing and looked at him in shock.

“What?” Jedek asked.

“It’s gone, who got it?” Cymbiir asked. The group looked at each other in wonder.

Casually, Ahnon reached in his shirt and pulled out the flag, laying it on the table. “I did,” Ahnon said.

“You weren’t even there!” Cymbiir shouted.

Laughing, “Oh yes I was, and I braided some of the hairs on your tail,” Ahnon told him between chuckles.

Looking back, Cymbiir twitched his tail up and at the very bottom were three braids. “Whoa,” he said as all four legs stumbled in shock.

“You used magic, damn it!” Kenna shouted.

Smirking, Ahnon shook his head. “No, Kenna. Centaurs can feel magic from quite a distance away. They are warriors of the forest for a reason,” he told her and she became pale.

“Why didn’t you tell us that?” she mumbled. “That’s why they always spotted us,” she said, looking at Jedek.

With a serious expression, Eloen leaned over the table. “Kenna, we didn’t use magic and the centaurs spotted us,” she told Kenna.

Glad he didn’t have to bring it up, Ahnon cleared his throat. “Eloen, I thought you and Rolim were just going to keep an eye on them. Why were you trying to get the flag?” he asked.

A slow blush crept up on her cheeks and Eloen looked down. “We were going to get it for them,” she said shyly.

“Wait, how did you know?” Rolim asked.

“Saw you,” Ahnon replied. Rolim knew better than to argue, the proof from Ahnon was there  on the table.

“How can you move so stealthily?” Rolim asked.

“Lots of practice,” Ahnon told him. “I did try to warn you to let the kids do it,” he added.

“No, you didn’t,” Rolim snapped.

“Yes, I did. I left each of you a note,” Ahnon said.

“We never saw a note,” Eloen said, looking at Rolim.

Letting out a content sigh, Ahnon looked at them with a sincere smile. “Check your pockets,” he told them. They both started checking pockets and each pulled out a folded scrap of paper. Looking at the paper they saw, ‘Quit trying to help the kids’ written in elven. The scrap of paper fell out of Eloen’s fingers. Rolim’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as he fainted, crashing to the ground.

Roaring laughter erupted from Kheet as he started slapping the table. The group looked at him with varying forms of dislike. Sitting on Ahnon’s shoulder, Orrla joined in with a lively chuckle. “Told you that would startle them, Ahnon,” she said.

Staring at Ahnon in reverence, Michi and Jedek went and helped Rolim up and back into his chair, then sat back down. Cymbiir walked over to Ahnon. “You are truly a great warrior,” he said, bowing his head.

Standing up, Ahnon bowed his head back and handed the flag back to him. “Thank you. Keep it, for the next time,” Ahnon told him.

“Ahnon, may I ask, what was the point in this exercise?” Michi asked.

“Michi, you and the kids needed to see that magic can’t help all the time. The reason I took the flag is because a small young warrior always asks me, ‘Well, can you do it?’. I need her to understand. I’m not going to ask any of you to do something I can’t,” Ahnon told him and Kenna blushed as Ahnon sat back down.

“I don’t always say that,” she mumbled.

“More than you think,” Ahnon told her. The group sat quietly, not really hungry. The exception was Kheet. He was now on the ground laughing and holding his sides.

“Someone needs to ask the dwarf to stop,” Rolim said, shaking his head. This only made Kheet change colors as he laughed.

Feeling like he and Kenna didn’t know anything and would never be warriors, Jedek looked at Ahnon. “So, this means we train harder on stealth now?” he asked.

“In time, but you start a new stage today,” Ahnon said, standing up.

“Witchcraft?” Kenna asked with excitement.

“No, etiquette,” Ahnon replied. The three looked at him in shock. “What? A true warrior must be able to move in all circles. You can never give the enemy an advantage. If you are sitting at the bargaining table with them and appear unschooled and uncivilized, how can you expect him to accept your demands?” Ahnon asked.

“So, we have to learn how to be snotty?” Jedek asked, feeling very confused.

Glancing over at Jedek, Ahnon laughed. “No, but if that’s the way you want to look at it, that’s fine. Your enemy must see you close to perfect in all areas,” he explained. “We are having a ball here in three weeks. Cymbiir, I would like your tribe to attend, as well as the gargoyles,” Ahnon told him.

With a worried look, “Ah, Ahnon? Gargoyles don’t know any form of etiquette,” Cymbiir told him.

“They will do fine and I’m not about to have a party and not invite them,” Ahnon said and looked at Orrla on his shoulder. “Your fairies will help, won’t they?” he asked.

“Of course, but we don’t have fine clothes, except what you made us,” she said, smiling at the thought of a party.

“That will be taken care off,” Ahnon said, standing up.

Chapter 14

The group moved inside and to change, then moved back outside where Ahnon started the instruction. Michi and the kids were shocked, seeing Kheet and the elves helping Ahnon teach. As the kids practiced just walking, with Kenna’s hand resting lightly on Jedek’s, Ahnon started setting the table. Michi was walking with Eloen, just like Jedek and Kenna.

When they moved to the table to eat, they saw it was covered with a cloth and set with elegant plates and gold utensils. The benches were gone and chairs were at each place, and each spot had a plate with utensils set on both sides of it. There were several different kinds of knives, forks, and spoons, all different sizes. “Didn’t know they came in different sizes to eat with,” Jedek said.

“Jedek, at the palace you saw this, but only used one,” Ahnon said as they each stood behind a plate.

Jedek shrugged his shoulders. “I just thought the object was to get the food from the plate to your mouth,” he admitted, making the others laugh.

“Not at a formal gathering. The object is to win. Prove that you can follow all the rules of etiquette,” Ahnon said, picking up a straight stick as long as his arm and as big around as his finger.

After learning how to sit down, Jedek learned what the stick was for when he didn’t pull out Kenna’s chair. Ahnon popped him on the arm and it wasn’t lightly. When Kenna snickered, she got one too. Then, they learned how to laugh ‘properly’.

Staring at his utensils, Michi’s head was swimming with all the rules of the table. When he picked up the wrong spoon to eat soup with, Ahnon popped his shoulder. Kheet got popped when he burped too loud. Rolim liked it, but laughed ‘properly’ so he didn’t get popped.

It was supper time when they finally finished lunch. Ahnon sat a book on everyone’s head including his own, and had them walk in a circle as he reset the table. When the suns dipped below the mountains, the kobolds returned with the dragons. Each was carrying a sack of apples. “I said one bag,” Ahnon said, looking at the group.

“Yes, one each,” Bryce said, smiling. Letting out a groan, Ahnon saw that even the two shrunk-down dragons had a bag. He shook his head and the group moved inside and continued. And for the first time in the history of Thanos, kobolds and dragons learned the art of etiquette.

The dragons were just a little taller than Ahnon but their necks were much longer, so it was harder to keep a book balanced. The kobolds were soon bored, but the stick in Ahnon’s hand brought back their attention very effectively.

After midnight, they practiced eating again and Ahnon broke his stick on the dragons. When he’d repaired it, the lessons continued. Orrla sat on Ahnon’s shoulder calling out infractions and if Ahnon didn’t pop them, she did. Rosea gasped when Orrla popped her for eating out of turn. Everyone soon learned, Orrla hit harder than Ahnon.

When the suns rose the next day, Ahnon stopped everyone and started measuring them. Michi saw what he was doing and started helping. Kenna ran to her bed, took off her clothes, and put on her chemise. The fact she had just stripped in front of everyone to put it on was lost on her. She only did it so Jedek wouldn’t say anything. Well, he said something when she came back. When she gave him the ‘look’, he shut his mouth. Ahnon was secretly hoping Jedek was learning not to upset Kenna. Because when Kenna was upset, she had no problem unleashing on everyone.

When Michi moved to Eloen, she stripped down as Michi was getting ready. When he turned around, Michi caught his breath. “Oh my,” he said, trying to keep his eyes from bulging out of his head.

“You want me to wear a shirt like Kenna?” Eloen asked.

Swallowing dryly and glancing at Eloen’s nude body, “No, this is fine, but it’s going to be tight,” Michi told her.

“I like my clothes tight,” Eloen said, holding out her arms. With a sweaty brow, Michi started taking measurements. Ahnon looked at Orrla on his shoulder. “My lady, I need to fit you,” he said.

Letting out a girlish cry, Orrla flew off his shoulder and hovered in front of him, beaming. “You really mean it?” she asked.

Shocked that Orrla had thought otherwise, Ahnon stumbled back. “Of course! The dresses I made for the fairies are just plain summer dresses. You are part of this family and I was hoping you would like to, um, you know, go to this ball with me,” he told her, stammering and Orrla started bouncing in the air. “I just need you to be a little bigger.” Ahnon confided.

“How much bigger?” Orrla asked with a beaming smile as Ahnon turned back, measuring Kheet.

“Human size would be best, but as big as you want to be,” Ahnon said, making an adjustment on Kheet’s measurement. “If you don’t want to, it’s okay.”

Holding his arms out, Kheet looked at Ahnon. “I’m making Jedek’s and Kenna’s crowns,” he told Ahnon. Ahnon gave him a look that spoke volumes. “Ahnon, they are royalty and will have them and if we need to go outside and discuss this, then let’s go,” Kheet challenged, cracking his knuckles.

Raising his hands, “You’re right, my friend,” Ahnon said.

“How’s this, Ahnon?” Orrla said behind him. Ahnon saw Kheet’s eyes almost bulge out of his head and Ahnon spun around.

Standing in front of him, with her head at his shoulder, was Orrla, naked and without wings. Ahnon’s measuring cloth slid out of his hands, hitting the ground. No one noticed as they were all looking as well. Jedek only looked for a second and whirled his eyes away.

“Whoa,” Ahnon said, dropping to his knees. Swallowing several times to wet his dry throat, “Where are your wings?” he croaked out.

Orrla looked over her shoulder. “I thought you didn’t want them?” she said.

“I-,” Ahnon rasped and reached back, pulling out an elixir and drained it without making one face. “I love them and the dress, I wanted to fit perfectly,” he said. Orrla smiled and her wings materialized out of the air on her naked body.

“You don’t have to kneel to me anymore, Ahnon,” she said, looking down at him.

Struggling to his feet, Ahnon fought not to blush. “Couldn’t help it,” he said as she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Picking up his measuring cloth, Ahnon started taking measurements. When he’d finished, Orrla blurred to her regular twelve inches tall and hovered in front of Ahnon, wearing the gray dress he’d made for her.

“Me next!” Ahnon heard behind him. Turning around, he saw a naked Rosea standing in front of Michi.

Prying his gaze away, Ahnon looked Kheet in the eyes. “Today is one of my most memorable days,” he told Kheet.

“I think it should be a holiday every year to remind us,” Kheet said, staring at Rosea as Eloen dressed.

Ahnon nodded his head in agreement, then stood and strolled over to the sink and stuck his head under the cold faucet. With his head soaked, Ahnon pulled his head out and slung water everywhere before getting back to work. Ahnon had Eloen, Rolim, and Kheet take everyone outside and start on dancing. Orrla sent for musicians from the fairies and some soft music could be heard outside as Ahnon and Michi went to work. When Michi wasn’t sewing, he was learning with the kids.

Over the next few weeks, the group learned and everyone got new clothes. Ahnon had to threaten the kobolds several times when they tried to ‘alter’ the clothes he and Michi had made for them. Several fairies had watched them and went back to the village, starting to ‘make’ outfits for the tribe.

Sitting at the table and eating ceremoniously, the week before the ball, Jedek glanced to the head of the table and saw Ahnon looking around at everyone. Nobody was talking and if someone didn’t start soon, the dreaded stick would be brought out.

“Michi, may I ask why you haven’t moved your family to Gratu?” Jedek asked, placing his napkin gently in his lap.

Sitting up in his chair, Michi looked from the utensils over to Jedek. “It would be bad form, sire,” Michi said. “My first duty is to your house.”

Reaching over and grabbing the crystal goblet, Kenna took a sip and then set it down gently. “Michi, family is everything,” she said.

“Yes, sire. I honor my family by doing my duty,” Michi said as a fairy placed a bowl of soup in front of him. Hoping he was picking up the soup spoon, Michi glanced toward the head of the table and sighed in relief, not seeing Ahnon grab the stick.

Down the table, a kobold used the wrong spoon and Orrla shot off Ahnon’s shoulder as the stick floated up. As a ‘whack’ sounded out, Jedek swallowed, reaching for his spoon. “But Michi, you’ve never really spent any time with your family,” Jedek said as Orrla flew past to land back on Ahnon’s shoulder.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Jedek turned to look at Michi. “I have spent time with them, sire,” Michi said, then timidly sipped soup off his spoon.

“Don’t hold the spoon so tight, Michi,” Ahnon said and Michi startled, almost dropping his spoon. “Your knuckles are white because you’re gripping your spoon so tight. That shows that you are nervous.”

Picking up her napkin, Kenna dabbed the corners of her mouth and then put the napkin back in her lap. “Michi, please refrain from using ‘sire’. You are family,” Kenna said, holding her head up regally. “I don’t want to use Ahnon’s stick, but I will.”

Turning his head, Michi smiled and tilted his head to Kenna and Jedek. “I will try, Kenna, but I may slip at times, so please forgive me,” Michi said.

Reaching out and picking up his wine glass, Rolim took a sip. “From what I’ve gathered from Kenna and Jedek, Michi, I’m surprised you have kids,” Rolim said, setting his wine glass back down.

“I had to put in ten years of service at the palace when I first graduated from the academy,” Michi answered as a fairy put a wine glass down in front of him.

“How did you meet your wife?” Kenna asked.

Cutting his eyes toward Ahnon, Michi found Ahnon watching him. Gently picking up the wine glass, Michi acted like he took a sip and placed it back down. “Very good, Michi,” Ahnon called out, nodding. “That time, it looked like you actually drank some. Never be rude to your host, always try everything.”

Dabbing his mouth with his napkin, Michi nodded at Ahnon and then turned his gaze to Kenna. “I met my wife on the day I married her,” Michi said and Kenna gasped. Luckily, Kenna covered her mouth, avoiding the stick. “My family had to maneuver and give up much to arrange it, but the marriage elevated our status. My family was common farmers and her family was merchants. I married her three days after graduating from the academy. That in itself elevated my family, and I think that’s the only reason my wife stopped her protest.”

Leaning over the table, “What?” Jedek snapped and a ‘whack’ sounded out and Jedek grabbed his hand where Ahnon had popped him. “Sorry,” Jedek mumbled, rubbing his hand.

“Jedek, my wife’s family is the closest commoners can ever be, without being in the royal family,” Michi said, trying to relax and continue sipping his soup. “The royal family is huge, but there is only one in Nazar. The first emperor took the throne seven thousand years ago, and those in the royal family can all trace their lineage back to him. Now, only the second born son will inherit the crown, but the others take over other areas in the kingdom.”

Nodding, Jedek quit rubbing his hand and picked his wine glass up, faking a sip and putting it back down. “Just how many kids does Tilbus have?” Jedek asked and then glanced at Ahnon. “Do I have to use his title when I talk about him?”

“If he’s not present, no,” Ahnon answered as Orrla shot off his shoulder and everyone froze till she flew past them. Stopping at Gilan, Orrla popped him with the stick since Gilan was using his tongue to lap the wine out of his glass.

When Orrla landed back on Ahnon’s shoulder, Ahnon turned to Jedek. “You may dispense with titles when the other party agrees. I haven’t enforced that because I don’t want everyone here to address you and Kenna as King and Queen of Gratu. But in our defense, both of you have told everyone not to,” Ahnon said, then cut his eyes to Orrla.

Lifting her chin up, “I told you to stop calling me Queen, so stop it,” Orrla said. “I didn’t hit you that hard with the stick.”

“So, how many kids does Tilbus have?” Jedek asked, picking his soup spoon back up.

“Four daughters and five sons,” Ahnon answered as fairies flew to the table, picking up the bowls.

Watching a fairy fly off with his bowl, Jedek turned to Ahnon. “So of the five sons, only the second born will be crowned Emperor of Nazar?” Jedek asked as a fairy flew another plate over, setting it in front of him.

“Jedek, the first born is never counted,” Ahnon said. “Tilbus has six sons, but only those born after the first are ever counted.”

Hoping he was grabbing the correct utensil, Jedek nodded. “What happens if an Emperor only has one son?” he asked and saw Kenna pick up a flat knife to use on her food. When she didn’t get popped, Jedek picked the same flat knife up.

“Then his line dies out and the next living relative assumes the throne,” Ahnon said, smiling as Jedek took a bite. “Before you ask, no. I can never become Emperor of Nazar. I’m sho-ka. Jedek, at last count there were some sixty thousand members of the royal family. Granted, most are distant, but they are still members.”

Wiping her mouth, “Just how many people are in Nazar?” Kenna asked.

Picking his glass up and taking a drink, “The last census was ten years ago and the count was just over four billion,” Ahnon said and Kenna dropped her napkin, letting out a gasp.

Seeing Ahnon’s hand flash out, Jedek cringed as Kenna got popped with the stick. “Never show shock, but always cover your mouth,” Ahnon said, putting the stick down.

“That’s a lot of people,” Rosea said, sitting beside Kenna. Unlike Orrla, Rosea was human-size and sitting at the table.

“It’s the most populated kingdom of the south,” Michi said.

Feeling sick, Jedek leaned back in his chair. “And the three kingdoms can muster more people than that,” he mumbled.

“Yes Jedek. That’s why all-out war needs to be avoided,” Ahnon said, not grabbing the stick.

“If I may,” Rolim said, clearing his throat softly and looking at Michi. “How many kids do you have, Michi?”

“Seven. Four boys and three girls,” Michi said proudly.

Continuing his meal, Rolim nodded. “I don’t mean to pry, but when do you see them?” Rolim asked.

Closing his eyes, Michi groaned softly but correctly as Ahnon narrowed his eyes, looking at Michi and then turned to Rolim. “He doesn’t and can’t now, since he’s sho-tem-ka,” Ahnon snapped and grabbed the stick and popped his own hand.

Putting his utensils down, Rolim leaned back in his chair. “I’m sorry, but I don’t follow you,” he said.

“Rolim,” Michi said, wiping his mouth. “Sho-ka can have no family ties. Their first duty is to the crown and that duty is to protect. Since I was married when I was made a sho ka, which has only happened one other time, my first-born son became the head of the household. When he marries, his first-born son will become sho-ka. I have brought much honor to my family,” Michi said with a wide smile.

“Nylash’s abyss you did!” Ahnon snapped, grabbing the stick and popping his own hand again.

Not turning to Ahnon, Michi kept looking at Rolim. “My wife is now viewed in the kingdom like a wife who has lost her husband,” Michi said.

“Give me that stick,” Kenna said, reaching over to grab it and popping her own hand. Then, she turned to Michi. “Your wife can remarry someone?” Kenna cried out, handing the stick back to Ahnon.

Nodding slightly, “If she wanted to,” Michi said and Kenna’s eyes narrowed. “Relax Kenna. We are members of the royal family. She has vowed to never remarry to honor that sacrifice. Our kids are princes and princesses. I, along with my wife, would do everything again the same way. Honor is everything in Nazar.”

Jumping up, Jedek reached over, grabbing the stick and popped his leg several times rather hard. Tossing the stick back to Ahnon, Jedek turned to Michi. “You willingly gave up your family for this?” Jedek asked and Michi nodded proudly.

Sitting back down, Jedek turned to Ahnon. “And you had a problem with Kenna and I learning how to fight? With what Michi gave up?” Jedek asked, shaking his head.

“Jedek, I have other reasons about you and Kenna becoming warriors, but that wasn’t a decision I can make for either of you. In Michi’s case, as a Nazaran, I understand why he did what he did. As Ahnon, I don’t,” Ahnon said, setting his utensils down.

“Can I ask your reason?” Kenna asked as the fairies flew around the table, taking the plates away and bringing in the next course.

Taking a deep breath, “I want you two to always run from battle and let me fight for you,” Ahnon said in a low voice. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Pushing her chair back, Kenna stood up and walked over to Ahnon. “I’ll pop myself,” Kenna said and hugged Ahnon.

Orrla watched Kenna hug Ahnon and shook her head. “Anyone pops you for that, and I’ll turn them into a frog,” Orrla said, wiping a tear from her eye.

“Don’t worry about us, Ahnon,” Kenna said, leaning back but keeping her arms around his neck as Jedek came over to stand with them.

“I can’t help it,” Ahnon sighed. “Just the thought of either of you getting hurt kills my soul.”

Wrapping an arm around Ahnon’s neck, Jedek hugged him tight. “Ahnon, I hate to tell you this, but it’s the same for Kenna and me. That’s why we acted so bad when fighting the orcs and goblins. We don’t want you getting hurt,” Jedek said and Ahnon wrapped his arms around both of them.

“We have the weirdest family ever,” he chuckled, looking down the table.

Reaching to the table, Eloen picked up her wine glass and raised it in the air. “I’ll toast to that,” she said. Everyone reached out, grabbing their glasses and holding them high.

“To our family,” Eloen sang out.

“Hear, hear,” everyone shouted out.

When the meal was done, Ahnon stood up and glanced at Orrla on his shoulder. “Um, I-, ah,” Ahnon stuttered. “Can I practice dancing with you?” he asked timidly.

Shooting off Ahnon’s shoulder, Orrla shimmered into a bright light and stood in front of him, human-size and wearing the gray dress. “I would really like that,” Orrla smiled as the fairies brought out musical instruments.

Two days before the party, the one break that everyone had was going out to hunt for the supplies for the party. This was the first time that Jedek and Kenna got to hunt on their own. Talon was still above them. The fairies and nixies prepared the field below the cottage. The grass was trimmed and forced to grow until it looked like a short, soft green carpet. A large area was cleared off and stones were brought in and smoothed out for a dance floor. Next to the dance floor, Ahnon ‘made’ tables of varying height.

The day before the party, the entire group started cooking. When they finished that night, food was everywhere in the cottage. Ahnon caught the dragons eating one of the apple pies and broke his stick several times, until they stopped trying to eat the pies.

That night, they prepared the tables and soaked in the pool. The whole group went inside and took a nap to wake around noon and start getting ready. Kenna was standing in her dress looking every bit the queen she was and getting ready when Kheet walked over and sat her down in a chair.

She turned to see his hair was brushed down and braided. His beard was also brushed and had two braids on each side. Dressed in a dark doublet trimmed in silver, Kheet looked rather noble. “Little queen, let me do your hair,” he said, grabbing a brush. With thick fingers, Kheet started brushing and arranging her long blonde hair. Everyone stopped and watched, amazed that Kheet’s thick hands could move with so much dexterity, arranging the long curls. When he was finished, Kheet reached around and pulled out a crystal crown with a rainbow of jewels on the crest.

Kenna gasped, seeing the crown in the mirror. “A queen must have a crown,” Kheet told her, setting the crown on her head. Clearing his throat to keep his voice from breaking, Kheet turned around to see Jedek staring at Kenna. Well, her hair. He really liked her hair. “Jedek, a king must have a crown,” Kheet said, pulling out a silver crown encrusted with a small outline of gold and jewels.

Holding the crown up, Kheet walked over and put the crown on his head. Jedek reached out and hugged him. “Thank you, my friend,” Jedek said.

Letting Jedek go, Kheet wiped his eyes. “Some dust in here,” he said and moved to the door.

Patting Kheet on the back, Jedek walked over to Kenna to see her wiping her eyes. “Dust getting in your eyes too?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, standing up.

Ahnon walked over to Orrla who was beyond stunning. She was wearing a pale gold dress trimmed in white. “My lady,” Ahnon said, kneeling down and lifted up the edge of her dress. He grabbed one of her tiny bare feet and slipped on a silver-colored sandal that laced up her leg. When he put the other one on, he stood back up and reached behind his back. “You heard the dwarf,” he said, pulling out a small crystal crown and setting it on her head.

“Oh, Ahnon,” she gasped, looking at the sandals and then looking in the mirror. Her wings went from laying on her back to upright in excitement. “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted.

“Say nothing, my lady,” Ahnon said with a bow and moved over to Rosea, who was wearing a pale red dress. He lifted up her dress and put some sandals like Orrla’s on her bare feet.

“Thank you, Ahnon,” she said, smiling.

“You are very welcome,” Ahnon said and looked up at Talon on his perch.

“You try to put something on me and I’ll bite you today,” Talon warned casually.

Holding up his hands, Ahnon shook his head. “Thought never crossed my mind, my friend,” Ahnon said laughing. Looking around, he saw the kobolds were dressed. Fidgeting, but dressed. Ahnon continued to check everyone. Looking at the dragons next, Ahnon fought not to smile. Gilan and Huryk had started crying when Michi and Ahnon hadn’t made them some clothes to wear to the party. It took some doing, but they’d finally managed a type of ‘surcoat’ for each one.

Looking out the window, Ahnon saw the first sun touching the horizon. “Shall we?” he said.

Gracefully, Orrla walked over to Ahnon who was dressed in a pale black doublet, looking dashing. “Love to,” she told him. With her wings laid down on her back like a cape, she held her forearm level with the ground. “Will you escort me?” she asked.

Bowing extravagantly, Ahnon straightened up and then put his arm under hers so it was resting on his and flipped his hand, opening the door. He led her out the door. Kenna put her arm on Jedek’s and walked to the door and they stopped by Kheet. “Master Kheet, would you please accompany us?” Kenna asked, holding her other arm level with the floor.

With a broad grin, Kheet bowed. “It would be my honor,” he said and put his arm under Kenna’s and they walked out. The kobolds paired up to walk out the door, as did the dragons. Rosea moved over by Michi.

“Michi, I know you’re still married in your heart, but will you escort me?” she asked with a shy smile.

Michi bowed. “Madam, it would be my greatest pleasure,” he replied and stood up, holding out his arm. Rosea placed her arm on his and walked out with him.

The group walked down the rise in a line and fairies and nixies buzzed around them as the suns set. Huge glass globes were on the tables and hovering in the air. As it got darker, the small insects inside the globes started giving off a glow, filling the area with light. Around the tables and field were elevated bowls with logs and coal. As the group neared, each one leapt to life, filling the air with heat.

As the group neared the tables, Cymbiir walked out of the tree line with several other centaurs. Like them, they were walking side by side in pairs. The centaurs were appointed in very fine armor chest plates. This is what the centaurs considered ‘dressing up’. Several other elves arrived, walking side by side and dressed regally.

A gust of wind blew off the river leaving Ava and Delmuth standing on the bank. She was wearing a dark green dress and Delmuth was dressed in a fine blue doublet. Trying to remain calm, Delmuth escorted her to the group. His eyes betrayed his shock at seeing the centaurs, elves, and the fairies that allowed him to see them, but his body remained rigid.

As they had practiced, Ahnon and the others met each one and greeted them to the party. When the suns disappeared, a group of large forms glided over the treetops and began landing in the field. As they landed in pairs, small tremors shook the ground when they set down. To Delmuth’s credit, at least he didn’t pass out as the eight gargoyles walked over. The gargoyles wore simple clothes, but their bodies were scrubbed clean showing their gray skin.

It didn’t take much guessing to which table the gargoyles were led to, it was tall with massive stools. Ahnon and Michi could walk under it and not have to duck their heads. The centaurs were led to a table that was tall but didn’t have chairs, and the others were led to the regular tables.

Fairies and nixies brought down the food and as it was laid on the table, Ahnon grabbed a fork and lightly tapped his glass. “Everyone, I want to welcome you to our home as we celebrate just being alive and together. We will face another winter, but it will end. Thank you for coming,” he said and sat down as the food was served.

Almost sweating in the cool night air, Delmuth carefully laid his napkin in his lap and turned to Ava. “I truly thought you had slipped, Ava. I never would’ve dreamed that we would be having a formal dinner out here,” he said as a nixie filled his glass with wine and another set down a bowl of soup.

“I told you and don’t embarrass me,” she told him.

Alarm spread across his face. “You didn’t bring that stick, did you?” Delmuth asked.

Ava laughed softly, ‘properly’. “Its close,” she assured him.

“You got hit with a stick also?” Jedek asked, looking at the spoons and hoping he was picking up the right one.

“Yes. So I take it, you did as well?” Delmuth replied.

“More than a few times,” Jedek said, looking to Kenna and seeing that she was using the same spoon he was.

“That is how I was taught,” Ava said.

“Esta was rather ruthless with that stick teaching etiquette, wasn’t she?” Ahnon asked.

“I wanted to break that stick,” Ava admitted.

Nodding slightly, Ahnon gave a soft chuckle and smiled. “I did,” he said and the smile fell off. “She got a bigger one,” he told Ava.

“You studied with Esta?” Orrla asked, looking at Ava.

“Yes,” Ava said, looking at Orrla and noticed the ‘cape’ were real wings. She looked at Orrla and her eyes got huge as she noticed the small crown on her head.

“You do know, Esta would be popping you with that stick,” Ahnon said calmly.

Ignoring Ahnon, “You’re a fairy queen,” Ava told Orrla.

“Yes,” Orrla said, inclining her head to Ava.

Ava reached over and drained her glass of wine, shocking Delmuth. “If I’d done that, you would’ve popped me,” he accused.

“Button up your mouth,” Ava snapped and looked at Orrla. “My apologies,” she told Orrla.

Orrla gave a light chuckle. “Don’t know for what,” Orrla told her. “But you studied with ‘Esta of the moors’ like Ahnon?” Orrla asked.

“She called herself, ‘Esta of the hill’ when I studied under her, but others knew her as ‘Esta of the moors’,” Ava answered. Orrla looked at Ahnon and raised an eyebrow at him.

Ahnon looked at Ava. “Orrla thinks Esta is Wicca Magi,” he told her.

Not able to help it, Ava grinned at the lavish claim. “What?” she asked.

Picking her wine glass up, Orrla looked at her. “Her full name was Wicca Esta Magi,” she told Ava.

“I never heard that,” Ava said, sitting back.

Slightly tilting her head to Ava, Orrla took a sip of wine. “Well, you should read the legends then,” she told Ava and looked at Ahnon, “You as well.”

“That’s impossible,” Ava said.

Nodding his head, “I said the same thing,” Ahnon said.

“I really think I would’ve known if I was studying under the most powerful witch ever,” Ava said, more to herself.

“Well, I’ve seen you use magic and you’re good,” Orrla said and that brought a smile to Ava’s face.

“Thank you,” she said.

“I’m just saying,” Orrla said and looked at Ahnon. “You use witchcraft with ease and then in the next instance, use wizard craft. It doesn’t matter which you use to do magic,” Orrla stated.

“Humans don’t live that long,” Ahnon said. “Not even elves live that long,” he added.

“You live as long as the need is in you,” Orrla told him.

Ahnon held up his hand. “Orrla, I do not doubt you and I hope I’m not offending you. But like Ava, I think I would’ve known,” he said.

“Unless she didn’t want you to,” Orrla said and that shocked Ahnon.

“Neeji,” Jedek said and Michi smiled, hearing the address for the first time. “How did you find Esta to study under her?” he asked.

Getting comfortable in his chair, Ahnon leaned back. “Didn’t really. I was looking for a place for my citadel and came across her. She saw me use magic and told me I could do it easier with witchcraft,” he told Jedek.

“Could you?” Orrla asked. Ahnon looked at her with a furrowed brow. “Use witchcraft easier than wizard craft to do magic?” she clarified.

Giving a slight shrug, Ahnon shook his head. “I couldn’t. Some things I can do easier with witchcraft and others, with wizard craft,” he answered.

“Like what?” Kenna asked.

Ahnon reached down and lifted his hand, pointing at her glass, “Elu,” he said and her glass flew to his hand. “Like will of matter,” he said and filled her glass. Then opened his hand and the glass floated back to where it’d been sitting. “In witchcraft, it’s called unity of essence,” he said. When Ahnon had cast the first spell, they’d felt the warmth of magic brush their skin. But they didn’t feel that when the glass was sent back.

“To me, it’s more trouble casting the spell,” Ahnon told her. “In witchcraft, you channel the power of Thanos to use magic. Unlike wizard craft, you don’t have to say the words, only think them. That’s one reason that witchcraft scares me so much,” he said. “Both follow the laws of nature, but witchcraft is much harsher if you break those laws, messing up your spell.”

“What’s another reason it scares you?” Jedek asked.

“With wizard craft, you channel through you to the components to create magic. With witchcraft, you channel the power of Thanos through you to create magic,” he told him.

“So, witchcraft is more powerful? I mean, it uses the power of Thanos,” Jedek said.

Giving a sigh, Ahnon shook his head. “No, even in wizard craft you channel Thanos, but not as raw,” he tried to explain.

Michi leaned over the table and Ahnon wanted to reach for a stick. “Ahnon, do any of the kytensa use witchcraft?” he asked.

“Of course,” he said and Michi sat back up, seeing the look in Ahnon’s eyes. “They also have witches in their armies, just like the alliance does. Michi, don’t let Kenna’s way of thinking intrude on you. There is good and evil in all. I’ve met and fought some very dark witches. I know you’ve heard Orrla mention witches. The witches that Orrla is referring to are those that follow the God Amaris. The same god of the Fae, but not all witches follow Amaris. Some follow Nylash and others follow Octerin while others follow no one. It depends on the morality of the witch, if they are evil,” Ahnon admitted. Kenna looked at Ahnon, narrowing her eyes but kept her mouth shut.

Picking up his glass and taking a drink, “I will say this; those witches that follow Amaris always follow the rules of nature, no matter their own morality. Everyone knows, Amaris is a kind god, but has a vengeful streak. But I’ve found a few that follow her that I wouldn’t classify just like Amaris, mainly good with a little bad. They were mainly bad.”

“They won’t stay that way if Amaris finds them,” Ava said.

Orrla reached over, putting her hand on Ahnon’s. “You really don’t think Esta is Wicca Magi?” she asked.

Looking off, Ahnon thought about it hard before answering. “I’m not saying she couldn’t be, but I doubt it. I’m bhari and I did search around, but her house didn’t offer much. I would expect someone who had been around that long to have more stuff,” Ahnon admitted.

Not thinking about the stick, Michi started laughing. “Ahnon, the same could be said about all the houses you keep spread over Thanos. The only one besides here that gives a clue to who you are is your citadel,” he said.

Somewhat shocked, Ahnon looked down at the table. “Didn’t think about that,” he mumbled. He looked back at Orrla and held her hand. “Well, I have to say, I’m starting to agree with you,” Ahnon told her, smiling. Orrla smiled back at him. “I just want to let you know, I’m not only agreeing with you because you’re beautiful,” he confided.

With a blush creeping up her neck into her face, Orrla pulled her hand away and covered her face. “My face feels warm,” she gasped, feeling her face and neck.

“You’re blushing,” Kenna said, smiling.

Shifting in her chair, Orrla looked at Kenna in alarm. “I don’t blush,” she stated.

“Well, you’re doing a good job of it,” Kheet said, smiling as he picked up a tankard of ale.

The group ate and fairies started playing music as the group stood up. Jedek came over to Ahnon. “Can we touch the gargoyles?” he asked.

“Yes. Orrla said that whenever they come around friends, they wash off the death lily pollen,” Ahnon said, leading Orrla to the dance area.

The dance started and even the massive gargoyles moved gracefully around the floor. Granted, they caused a few to miss a step, afraid they were going to get stepped on. Watching the centaurs dance, Jedek was so happy that he only had two feet to worry about. As the party continued, the music started getting livelier and faster paced.

Soon everyone was pounding feet and twirling around in dwarf stomping dances. Laughter filled the air as one and all had fun. The two dragons danced with everyone and this made Ahnon laugh, watching them control their neck, tail, and wings. Watching a dragon clap his hands and stomp his foot with the drum beat as the other shuffled around on the floor tickled him.

Just before dawn, the gargoyles were the first to leave and everyone else followed. Ahnon led the group back to the cottage. As the suns came up, they all laid down to sleep, except Ahnon. He went down into the cellar and started another project. One just for him.

Chapter 15

The group slept through the day and most of the next night. When they woke up, Orrla, who was back to her original size, was the first to notice that Ahnon wasn’t there. Somewhat panicked, she was heading for the door when he came up from the cellar.

Orrla flew over to him. “Where were you?” she asked.

“In the cellar. I’m working on something,” he told her, smiling and heading to the stove. Kobolds ran for the egg basket and milk bucket. Kheet ran over and stopped the three separate fights between the kobolds. They all moved about without being asked and started getting breakfast ready.

“We need to get the field cleaned,” Jedek announced.

Talon hopped off his perch, landing on the floor and bounced toward the door with his talons clicking on the stone floor. “It’s cleaned. Just the tables are down there,” he said, stopping at the door.

“Thank you, Talon,” Jedek said.

“I only helped with the food, along with Minos and Chenta,” he admitted. “The fairies and nixies cleaned up.”

“Orrla, will you tell them ‘thank you’ for me?” Ahnon asked.

“Yes, but you can do it as well,” she told him as she sat on Ahnon’s shoulder. She would point at the food and lift it off the stove as Ahnon put more on.

“I will, but it doesn’t seem right,” Ahnon said.

Still feeling festive, Jedek moved over and blew Kenna a kiss. “Thank you, that was great,” he said, turning around to pick up Kenna and twirling around the room, holding her off the floor. Kenna let out a long giggle till Chenta ran over and started clawing at Jedek’s shirt.

“Chenta, stop that!” Kenna snapped. Chenta was now the size of a large dog, reaching to Ahnon’s thighs and his saber teeth were poking well past his lower jaw.

“Thought he was hurting you,” Chenta announced.

Shaking his head, Jedek looked at Kenna. “And you said my dog was stupid,” he said and Chenta sneered at him. “Keep on, kitty, and I’ll show you a surprise,” Jedek warned and Kenna lightly slapped his arm.

“Jedek, be nice,” she said.

Talon hopped from the door over to Chenta and lowered his head, looking directly at Chenta. Chenta, seeing the massive beak coming at him, curled into a ball. “Cat, act like that again and I take you flying. I will see if cats always land on their feet,” Talon warned.

Curled into a ball, Chenta looked up. “Meow,” he said, wanting the big bird to leave him alone.

Standing up, Talon hopped over to the door. “I’m going to see what’s about,” he said and leaped outside and flew away.

“Don’t ever argue with Talon,” Kheet laughed, grabbing platters of food and heading outside.

As they all sat down, Jedek looked at Ahnon. “What are we doing today?” he asked, not seeing anything written on the boards.

Leaning back in his chair, Ahnon sat for a minute, thinking. “Let’s have today off,” he offered.

They all looked at him. “What are you working on?” Michi asked, more than a little worried.

“Something for me,” Ahnon said.

“Oh, another sword or spell?” Michi asked.

Very contently, Ahnon shook his head. “No, its only purpose is to remind me to be thankful and that I have family and friends. To remind me of now. I know I won’t forget, but I just want something tangible,” Ahnon said.

Slyly, Kenna looked at Jedek and smiled. Jedek nodded his head. “That sounds great, we want to work on something,” he announced. Soon, everyone wanted to work on something. “Kheet, can you help Kenna and I get started?” Jedek asked.

“I would love to,” he said, standing up.

Pushing his plate away, Ahnon stood up and looked at Orrla. “I don’t want you to see it yet,” Ahnon told her.

“Well, I can take a hint,” she said, flying off his shoulder. She spun around smiling, “I do get to see it though, right?” she asked.

“Yes, you’re going to help me put it up before the others see it,” Ahnon said, walking inside.

Clasping her hands and watching Ahnon walk away, Orrla turned and saw Kheet with Jedek and Kenna, with Rosea on Kenna’s shoulder, heading to the forge. She flew over to listen to them talking. When they walked in, Kheet started up the forge as Jedek and Kenna brought over handfuls of metal. Orrla noticed it was silver and gold.

Jedek and Kenna ‘helped’ Kheet set up to melt the metal, even though they really just got in his way. Soon, Kheet was pouring the silver and gold into flat wide pieces. They watched him cool them and use his hands to bend them. Then, on one end of each, he chiseled a hinge and put a pin. When he was done, it was a circle that could open and close. The side was two inches wide as he sat it on a bench and Jedek and Kenna moved over to a table and started arranging components.

Watching the two arrange components and looking in their spellbooks, Orrla was starting to get worried as Kheet went to work with a small chisel and the molten gold. Just before noon, Gilan came in with lunch, bringing food but nobody ate. At midafternoon, Kheet stood up, holding what he was working on. Orrla flew over and caught her breath. On one side was a perfect engraving of Jedek and Kenna’s upper bodies, standing side by side and smiling. On the other side, were Jedek and Kenna with Ahnon between them, an arm over each one’s shoulder. Like the other side, the engraving was exquisite. All the engravings were outlined in gold to show the relief by adding depth to the engraving.

Just to convince herself, Orrla touched it to make sure the engraving was flat. It looked so lifelike. Kheet handed over the object. “Is this what you were thinking?” he asked.

In shock, Jedek and Kenna stared in wonder at the wide cuff. “Wow,” Kenna said. “This is going to be the best wrist cuff ever,” she predicted and Rosea agreed.

Happy the kids were pleased, Kheet hugged both of them. “I’m going to soak,” he said and walked out.

“What are the components for?” Orrla asked with some apprehension.

With uncertainty on his face, Jedek came over. “We want to infuse how much we love Ahnon in the wrist cuff,” he told her.

“How?” Orrla asked. The only infusion she had heard of wasn’t good, according to Ahnon.

“We’re not sure,” Jedek admitted. “We were thinking of making a happiness potion and trying that,” he said.

Orrla let out a laugh. “You don’t have to do that,” she told them. They looked at her confused. “Hold it in your hands and think of how much you love him and concentrate on the wrist cuff,” she told them.

“That’s it?” Kenna asked, shocked.

Orrla flew up, looking them in the face. “Well, yes. You two are wizards already, so you can project your thoughts,” she told her.

Relieved, Kenna looked at Jedek smiling. They held hands facing each other and each held a side of the wide bracelet. With both of them smiling, they closed their eyes. “I love you, Ahnon,” they said and Rosea touched Kenna’s face and the metal in their hands started glowing. “We will always be with you,” they said together as Rosea closed her eyes, keeping her hand on Kenna’s face.

Orrla flew down to the cuff the kids were holding and reached out, touching each of their hands as she closed her eyes, concentrating with the kids. The forge filled with a bright blinding white light, but those inside had their eyes closed. “You are our family, Ahnon,” Jedek said with content.

“You will live to see true happiness,” Kenna said as the white light turned blue and subsided.

They all opened their eyes and looked down at the metal and nothing was different. It wasn’t even warm. “Are you sure, Orrla?” Jedek asked worriedly.

Hovering between them and taking her hands off theirs, Orrla held her hand over the metal. “I can feel your love in it,” she told them truthfully. She looked up at them and almost told them about the massive power she felt in the cuff, but didn’t. Down in the basement, Ahnon felt a little weird, but then he felt at peace as he continued to work on the finishing touches of his project.

When the suns neared the horizon, the group started supper and as they sat down to eat, Ahnon called Orrla inside, but wouldn’t let anyone else in. The others were almost finished eating when Ahnon came out with Orrla on his shoulder and she was absolutely beaming with joy.

“What did you do, Ahnon?” Kenna asked, looking at Orrla.

Rosea flew over to Orrla. “What has you so happy?” she asked.

“You have to see it to believe it,” Orrla said, smiling.

Dying of curiosity, Jedek stood up. “I want to see it,” he announced. Not in his entire life had Jedek ever known Ahnon to do anything for himself.

With a broad smile, Ahnon turned around, heading back to the house. “Well, come on then,” he said and Orrla flew off his shoulder.

“Everyone hold hands first,” she said and the group moved over and held hands. “Now, close your eyes. I’m going to lead you into the house. Don’t open your eyes till I tell you,” she said and guided them inside.

Pushing the doors open, Ahnon walked in to find Talon just staring. “How did you get in?” Ahnon asked, but Talon didn’t answer as he stared above the fireplace.

When the group was in and next to Talon, “Open your eyes,” Orrla said. Everyone opened their eyes and saw the fireplace, but noticed something above it. Looking up, each one froze in wonder.

A massive painting, almost life-size, hung over the fireplace. The picture showed Ahnon in front of the cottage and was standing between Jedek and Kenna with an arm around each one. On Kenna’s shoulder was Rosea and Orrla was sitting on Ahnon’s. Michi was standing beside Ahnon with a hand on each kid’s shoulder. Laying in front of Jedek was Minos, and Chenta was laying in front of Kenna. Kheet was standing next to Ahnon with a hand on Jedek’s shoulder. Rolim and Eloen were standing next to Kenna, holding hands. The kobolds were standing around them. Gilan and Huryk were on each end. Then, above the group with his wings extended was Talon as he watched over them.

“Ahnon, it’s breathtaking,” Michi said with a tear on his cheek.

Understanding better than most, Jedek turned to Ahnon and wrapped his arms around him. “It was just for you. You wanted a painting that showed ‘you’ as part of the family,” Jedek said, squeezing Ahnon. “You finally see! You’re part of a family.”

Very impressed with the painting, Kheet nodded. “Yes, it’s beautiful,” he said. “I’m almost that big in real life,” he added, sitting down and staring at the painting once again, impressed by Ahnon’s talents.

Ahnon moved over to Talon who was still staring up at the painting. “You have been with me over half my life. Watching over me, no matter what I did,” Ahnon said, putting his hand on the massive raptor.

Slowly, Talon swiveled his head and looked at Ahnon with soft eyes. “I love you too, Ahnon,” he said, unfurling his wings and wrapping them around Ahnon.

Unable to wait any longer, Jedek grabbed Kenna’s hand and pulled her over to Ahnon. “Ahnon, we made something for you,” Jedek said.

Talon let him go as Ahnon turned to look at them. Jedek and Kenna were holding out something. Taking it, he saw it was a wrist cuff. When he saw the side, he stumbled back and dropped down on the floor. Almost panting, Ahnon looked at the engraving of the two and turned and looked at the engraving of him with them. The others came over and looked at it as he turned it around in his hands.

Ahnon reached up and pulled the kids down to him, hugging both of them. “It’s the best gift ever,” he told them.

“Well, put it on,” Kenna said with her face buried in his chest. Ahnon let her go and tried to open the cuff along the hinge, but it wouldn’t budge. “Here,” Kenna said and popped it open and slid it on his left wrist before closing it.

Looking down, Ahnon saw himself with the kids. “I want to see you two,” he said and tried to take it off but like before, he couldn’t open it.

“Ahnon, quit playing,” Jedek said and opened it up and turned it around, putting it back on. Smiling, Ahnon looked at the engraving.

“Thank you,” he said with tears running down his face as he studied the engraving. Kheet came over and looked down at the cuff. Suddenly, he reached down and grabbed Ahnon’s arm and lifted it closer to his face.

“Kenna, Jedek, how did you color the engravings?” he asked.

“What?” they said together and looked down. The engravings were now colored with colors like Ahnon’s painting.

“We didn’t do that,” Jedek said. Ahnon pulled his hand away from Kheet and once again, tried to take the cuff off. “Ahnon, would you quit doing that?” Jedek said, pushing his hands away and taking the cuff off.

“I was trying to take it off,” Ahnon said, holding out the cuff in the palm of his hand. Staring at the cuff, Ahnon reached back and sprinkled some powder on it. The cuff gave off a soft blue glow. He looked up at Jedek and then to Kenna. “How did you put magic in this?” he asked.

“We held it and thought of you,” Kenna said, smiling.

Not about to offer that she helped, Orrla floated over. “What do you feel from the metal?” she asked.

Taking a deep breath and clearing his mind, Ahnon held his hand over the cuff and closed his eyes. He opened them to look at Kenna and Jedek, “Love,” he said, reaching over and hugging the kids. Kenna put the cuff back on because it wouldn’t open for Ahnon and he didn’t care.

The group sat down in the room and stared up at the painting, and Ahnon stared at the cuff on his wrist.

As Ahnon fixed breakfast the next morning, Orrla flew off his shoulder and darted to the door. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a fairy fly through the fairy hole in the door. Seeing it was a male fairy holding a spear, Ahnon set the pan off the stove and followed Orrla.

“Mother,” the male fairy said, bowing in the air as he hovered.

“Yes, Jenk?” Orrla said, inclining her head toward him as Ahnon moved up beside her.

“Merth has asked for an audience, mother,” Jenk told her as he came out of his bow.

Letting out a small laugh, “What does Merth want?” Orrla asked.

“He has not told me or the others, mother,” Jenk replied and looked toward Ahnon with an unfriendly look. Orrla lowered her head thinking and didn’t notice the look.

“Can you make a guess?” Orrla asked, looking up.

Nodding his head, “Yes, Mother Queen. They were hit by hobgoblins last season and had their food stores destroyed. I think they want to move further down the valley to set up closer to us,” Jenk replied.

Giving the male fairy a small grin, Ahnon turned to Orrla. “If you don’t mind, who is Merth?” he asked.

“None of your business, human,” Jenk snapped. Shock hit Orrla, then a red aura started to form around her.

Suddenly, Ahnon stepped between Jenk and Orrla. “Orrla, breathe,” Ahnon said over his shoulder, then turned to Jenk. “Just a word of caution, I’m not scared of male fairies and never have been. Females, different story. You disrespect Orrla again and I will be forced to come up with an apology for beating you down.”

Jenk snorted, “Human, you don’t worry me.”

A smile spread across Ahnon’s face and suddenly, Jenk was in a small shimmering sphere. Jenk stabbed at the sphere with his spear and then pointed at it. The sphere glowed for a second, but then stopped. “You can’t break out, Jenk, and I can keep it forever. Like I said, male fairies don’t frighten me in the least. That was very rude. Now, apologize to Orrla,” Ahnon commanded.

Jenk looked past Ahnon and fell down on one knee, “Mother Queen, please forgive me.”

Smiling, Ahnon turned around to see a dark red sphere emanating from Orrla. The look on her face truly frightened him, making Ahnon step to the side and giving her a clear path to Jenk. “Orrla, he is one of your subjects. Please forgive him,” Ahnon begged.

Slowly Orrla closed her eyes, breathing through pursed lips and the red sphere slowly dissipated.  “Jenk, you have been over my army for a long time and this is the only reason I will forget this, but it will only be once,” she said as she opened her eyes.

“Mother Queen, I’m truly sorry,” Jenk said, still bowing on one knee. Orrla flew over and tapped the orb shield, making it go away. Falling several inches, Jenk held his bow as his wings started beating, holding him up in the air.

Tilting her head toward Jenk, Orrla rotated in the air to face Ahnon. “Merth is the pixie king in my kingdom.”

Raising his eyebrows in wonder, Ahnon nodded, “Whoa, a pixie? Never met one.”

Giving Ahnon a smile, she flew over to sit on his shoulder. “When will Merth arrive?”

“Any time you wish, mother. But his group will not reach here for another few hours. He is flying with his warriors, covering his people as they move down the valley,” Jenk said still looking down.

At the table, Kenna was practically vibrating, listening to the conversation. Orrla flew off Ahnon’s shoulder, “Would you mind if Merth stopped here to address me?”

“Ah, no this is as much your home as it is mine. I don’t know what I would do without you. You don’t ask for anything here from anyone, including me. Someone doesn’t do what you ask, they will when I’m done,” Ahnon told her. Orrla smiled and Jenk snapped his head up in shock.

He flew beside Orrla and knelt down beside her, facing Ahnon. “My apologies, Ahnon. I didn’t think you would show the Mother Queen the respect she deserved. I now see that I was mistaken.”

“No harm done,” Ahnon said.

“Jenk, inform Merth to come here and talk,” Orrla told him. Jenk bowed to her and flew out the fairy hole in the door. “I’m sorry about that, Ahnon,” Orrla said, landing back on his shoulder.

“Hey, don’t be,” Ahnon told her, heading back to the stove. “I’m the same way about you. If someone that can see you doesn’t show you respect, I’ll break their legs.”

Letting out a silvery laugh as Ahnon picked up the skillet, Orrla shook her head as Kenna ran over. “Ahnon, what do pixies look like?” she asked, smiling.

“Tiny humanoids,” he said, laying out some bacon.

Stomping her foot, “That’s not helpful,” she informed him.

“Kenna, I only know what I’ve read about them. I’ve never seen one. I’ve found traces of them, but have never seen them,” Ahnon told her as shock spread across her face.

“Something’s coming here that you’ve never seen?” she asked shocked.

“Yes, they are coming to see Orrla, not me,” Ahnon told her, taking the bacon out. “Kenna, there is much on Thanos that I haven’t seen.”

Shaking her head, “For some reason, that scares me,” Kenna mumbled, walking away.

Looking at the stove, Orrla pointed at the eggs and they floated off the counter and cracked above the pan. “What have you read about pixies, Ahnon?”

“They are small. Some writings say four inches and others say ten. They appear humanoid. No reports of magic. They live in large groups, hunt for food, and are warriors for the fairy queen of their area,” he told her.

Impressed, Orrla nodded her head, “Pretty good information on pixies. I’m surprised humans could get that much information about them. They don’t like being seen by other races.”

“It was elven books that I found that in,” Ahnon told her.

“Makes sense, elves can spot them,” Orrla said.

Giving a curt snort, Rolim walked over, grabbing plates as he said, “We only catch glimpses of them if they don’t want to be seen.”

As Rolim carried the plates outside, Michi came over, “They aren’t a threat, are they?”

Ahnon scoffed, “Orrla’s here so, no.”

“But what if she wasn’t?” Michi asked.

Picking up the pan, Ahnon scraped out the eggs, “They aren’t but their warriors ride lecka wasps, so they can be a problem.”

Letting out a yelp, Kenna jumped up and pulled out her staff sword. “You tell them if their bugs even look at me wrong, I start blowing stuff up!”

Hearing Kenna, Orrla let out a gasp. “Don’t worry about her, Orrla,” Ahnon said, putting his pan in the sink. “Kenna really doesn’t like bugs.”

“Don’t worry, Kenna. They will keep the lecka under control,” Orrla told her as Ahnon walked past her.

When Ahnon walked out the door, Kenna turned to Jedek. “If those bugs even twitch wrong, it’s fight time,” she vowed.

Sitting on Kenna’s shoulder, Rosea leaned over, putting her head on Kenna’s cheek and trying to comfort her as Jedek walked over and hugged Kenna. “If they do, I’ll join you,” he promised.

Sheathing her sword back in the staff, Kenna walked out with Jedek. Chenta, seeing them leave, bounced out the door after them. They found everyone sitting down and took their seats as food was passed around.

As they finished, Kenna heard a far off buzzing coming up the rise. Refusing to turn around, she calmed her breathing and closed her eyes, fighting to remain calm. Feeling Kenna’s fear, Ahnon had a shiver run up his spine as he turned to see a swarm of lecka wasps come over the rise. Letting out a long breath through pursed lips, Ahnon stood up and turned toward the swarm.

Out in front was a massive queen lecka with the rest behind her. Struggling to remain calm from Kenna’s fear as it coursed through him, Ahnon smiled as the swarm came closer. It was then he noticed tiny riders on the lecka. The group stopped and the queen lecka flew forward and stopped four paces away from Ahnon. On her back was a male figure not much taller than Rosea, but much thicker with muscle.

The tiny man raised his hand holding a bow with reins held in the other. Waving back, Orrla flew off Ahnon’s shoulder as Ahnon fought the urge to pull out his sword and chop the wasps to pieces. “Merth, so good to see you,” Orrla said, inclining her head.

Wanting Kenna to calm down, Ahnon touched the medallion embedded under his skin. “Kenna, breathe. I’m here,” Ahnon said in her mind, but didn’t feel the anxiety decrease from Kenna. “Kenna, if you don’t calm down, I will start chopping bugs up and I won’t be able to stop it. It’s scaring you and I will have to act,” Ahnon pleaded in her mind and slowly, the desire for Ahnon to chop up bugs left.

“Mother Queen,” Merth said in a tiny voice. Unlike the fairies, you had to listen hard to hear it. “Thank you for seeing me unannounced,” he said, looking at Ahnon and then around the table. “I see you have expanded your kingdom.”

“No, Merth. These are friends,” Orrla laughed.

The desire to chop up bugs was gone, but apprehension still filled him as Ahnon saw Merth’s tiny eyebrows rise in shock, “If they are your friends, then they are ours as well.”

“That’s quite gracious of you, Merth,” Orrla responded. “What brings you here?” she asked, waving him over to the table. Trying to send reassurance to Kenna in his mind, Ahnon moved to the table and sat down.

Giving the queen lecka a small kick, Merth flew over to the table. Those at the table handled it well, except the kobolds who took off running for the cottage. Landing the queen on the table, Merth climbed off the four-foot-long wasp and looked really small. He reached up to take the skull of a large rat off his head, wiping his brow and then patted the wasp as it laid its wings down.

With wide bulging eyes, Kenna started to hyperventilate while staring at the queen lecka wasp at arm’s reach, standing in the middle of the table. Not once did she look at Merth. Hearing Kenna puffing through pursed lips, Jedek reached over with a trembling hand and patted her leg, trying to reassure her as her fear vibrated out of his amulet.

Closing his eyes, Ahnon tried to block out the anxiety the kids were feeling. Feeling Kenna about to panic, “Kenna, I’m here. There is no reason to worry,” he mumbled, looking over at her.

“It’s a big freaking bug right in front of me,” she said in a low whimper.

“Show no weakness,” Jedek mumbled to her.

Merth looked from Ahnon to Kenna. “You have no reason to fear Shika,” he said, patting the wasp again.

Slowly, Kenna forced a smile, never taking her eyes off the wasp. Orrla flew over and landed on the table, walking over to Merth. “She will be fine. What can I do for you?” she asked, looking over at a pale Kenna puffing away.

“Mother Queen, we were attacked by hobgoblins in the spring. They destroyed our winter food supply, livestock, and crops. I need your permission to move my tribe,” he said, lowering his head.

Taking his eyes off Kenna, Ahnon studied the tiny man, trying to block Kenna’s fear from washing over him. Merth was wearing leather pants, leather boots, and a fur shirt. Looking at the fur, Ahnon knew it came from a weasel. At his waist was a small one handed sword and across his back was a quiver of tiny arrows. Merth’s hair was brown, long, and very dirty. Seeing his face, Ahnon thought it looked a lot like an elf’s face, complete with pointed ears.

“You don’t have to ask to move, Merth,” Orrla told him.

“Sorry, Mother Queen, but yes I do. I want to move to this valley and prepare for winter then next year, move further south,” he told her.

“No, you don’t have to ask. If you want, you can go to my village,” Orrla replied.

Walking back to the wasp, Merth hung his bow on his saddle, “Mother Queen, some of your subjects don’t like the Hellgeth so close.”

“Hellgeth?” Ahnon mumbled.

Letting out a small gasp, Orrla looked up at him. “Merth’s people,” she said and Ahnon nodded. “Merth, I give you permission to set up there, so it’s of no concern.”

“Mother Queen, I don’t want to create bad feelings toward my people,” he said, bowing his head.

Swearing he was vibrating in his chair, Ahnon cleared his throat. “Merth, on the other side of the river is a nice clearing you could use,” he offered. Kenna sucked in a breath loudly and her eyes got even bigger at hearing that causing Ahnon’s heart to skip a beat.

Shocked, Merth looked up at Ahnon, “You would offer us a spot so close when one of your young is about ready to bolt?”

Taking a second to get the fear under control that Kenna was sending him, Ahnon reached over and picked up his cup of keck. “She needs to control her fear and it would be no problem. If it would make you more comfortable, you can stay here. I would’ve offered that first, but you seem to want to stay away from others,” Ahnon said, putting his cup down.

A smile split Merth’s face. “Remarkable!” he exclaimed.

“I only ask you to not let any of your animals attack those here,” Ahnon added, glancing at the massive wasp.

Letting out a small laugh, “You have nothing to fear,” Merth assured him. “My tribe is still half a day away, but I will look at this place to see if we can stay there.”

Blocking the curse words from Kenna’s mind, Ahnon tilted his head. “My pleasure and if you need anything, let us know,” Ahnon said.

Turning to Orrla, Merth knelt. “They truly are friends of the Fae,” he said. “Mother Queen, if I may go see this place?”

“Let me know, Merth,” she said, flying back up to Ahnon’s shoulder.

With practiced ease, Merth climbed on the wasp and put the small rat skull back on. Kicking the wasp, it opened up its wings and flew straight up. Giving a wave, Merth flew over Ahnon’s head, heading down the rise and the swarm of warriors followed him.

When they were gone, Ahnon looked at Kenna who was soaked in sweat and staring at the spot the wasp had been standing on. “Kenna, you can relax now,” Ahnon told her.

“The wasps are going to be real close,” she whispered, google-eyed and staring at the spot.

“Yes, they are. If they stay. You must get rid of this fear. You had me ready to run,” Ahnon admitted.

“Legs won’t work is the only reason I’m still here,” Kenna admitted in a whimper, still staring at the table.

“We will work on that,” Ahnon assured her. Kenna’s eyes rolled to the back of her head as she fainted. Jedek caught her before she slid out of the chair and hit the ground. “I take it, they don’t like being called pixies?” Ahnon asked Orrla as he walked over to Kenna.

“Not really,” Orrla admitted, flying off Ahnon’s shoulder and over to Kenna.

As Kenna slowly opened her eyes, Jedek looked up at Ahnon. “You know how she feels about bugs, and you offered to let some move in real close,” he grumbled.

“Saves the trouble of finding some for her to get over this fear,” Ahnon said, pulling Kenna up to the table. “There are too many dangerous bugs and things on Thanos that look like bugs for her to keep this fear. If she would’ve had to fight those lecka today alone, she would’ve died,” Ahnon informed him.

“I would’ve fought them,” Jedek said, putting an arm around her.

“What if we weren’t here, Jedek? What if we’re fighting something else and an arachne attacks her? Jedek, if she doesn’t overcome this fear, it stands a good chance to get her killed,” Ahnon told him as he looked over Kenna.

Shaking her head, Kenna looked over at Jedek. “I agreed to fight with you, I’ll do it,” she said as a shiver ran down her spine.

“That is true bravery,” Eloen said with a smile, “and true love.”

A blush crept up Jedek’s face as he looked down at Kenna. “You don’t have to, we can go back to Gratu,” he offered.

Shaking her head, “No, I will do this. Bugs could attack us there as well.”

Patting both on the back, Ahnon then headed back to his seat, “Willing to face your worst fear and willing to sacrifice honor for another is the highest calling. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you two.”

Grabbing a glass of water off the table, Kenna drained it, “Don’t be disappointed if it takes me a while.”

“It took me four months to overcome my fear,” Ahnon admitted with a snort.

Whipping his head around so fast that he almost fell down, Jedek shouted, “What in Thanos were you afraid of?” One part of him really didn’t want to know and the other did, so he could avoid it at all cost.

“Swimming,” Ahnon told him.

Blinking rapidly, thinking he’d heard wrong, “Huh?” Jedek stuttered.

“Well, not really swimming, but things in the water that could get me,” Ahnon admitted.

Closing his eyes, Jedek shook his head, “Well, thanks a lot for giving me something to be terrified about. I never thought about something in the water to kill me.”

Refilling Kenna’s glass, Michi shook his head. “That is a very bad assessment of your surroundings, sire. Sorry. Jedek. There are dangers in the water that man has never seen. Not saying the dangers out of water are less perilous but in water, most of our senses mean nothing.”

“Great. I’ll never be able to swim again,” Jedek mumbled and then looked over at Ahnon. “How did you overcome that fear?”

Shrugging his shoulders, “Neeji threw me in every lake, pond, river, and stream we came close to for a year.”

“Ah, Ahnon,” Kenna stuttered, “I’ve read that most bodies of water in Nazar hold predators that eat large game.”

Looking away as he nodded, “Yes they do, and I fought most of them before I was your age.”

Closing her eyes, Kenna tried to regain a state of calmness, “How do I get rid of this fear of bugs then?”

Leaning back in his chair, Ahnon locked her in his gaze. “You have to face it. I’m not saying what you are afraid of isn’t dangerous, but you can’t let it lock you up in panic. I still fear what’s in the waters when I swim, but I don’t let it paralyze me in panic. If that happens, you are already dead. The worse thing is for your enemy to find out what you fear because that gives them the battle.”

Taking a deep breath, Kenna stood up, “I vowed to become a warrior like you, so I’m prepared to do what it takes.”

“I know, Kenna and if you think back, I’ve already started on you facing your fears. It will just take a little more time,” Ahnon assured her.

Looking over her shoulder at the rise to make sure the wasps were gone, Kenna sighed with relief at not seeing them. “I don’t think any of you realize how terrified I was,” she admitted.

With a roaring laugh, Ahnon started slapping his thigh. “Kenna, the fear you were feeling, I could feel, remember? Your fear compels me to act. I almost passed out for you. It took everything I could muster to not chop up that big bug on the table.”

With a shy look, Jedek looked up at her. “You almost made me have to change pants,” he admitted.

“Well, I do,” Kenna stated and walked toward the cottage.

Watching Kenna walk away, Ahnon smiled and then glanced at his shoulder, “Orrla, are pixies related to fairies?”

“No, they are a species like others. Fairies formed alliances with them very early in the history of Thanos. Most Hellgeth follow Amaris like the Fae do. They are very warlike. Even though they are small, they should be feared as warriors. Since fairies tend to the forest and nature, they help by protecting us and the forest. They are a valuable ally,” she told him.

Michi leaned over the table, “Then why was Merth hesitant to set up near your village?”

“Many of my fairies don’t like the lecka. They are very dangerous to us. They have killed some of my subjects before,” she told him.

“Do their lecka wasps hurt them also?” Michi asked.

Shaking her head, “Let me be clear, the wasp and other animals the He-, sorry, pixies use have never harmed a fairy. Now, I’ve seen some of their own hurt when they were training them. It is wild lecka that my people fear.”

Seeing Kenna walk out in new pants, Ahnon stood up, “We can discuss pixies at another time, now is the time for training.” Pulling out three strips of cloth, he waved them over, “Today, you start learning how to function without sight.”

Letting out a groan, Jedek looked up the mountain at the second tree and the well-worn and wider dirt path to it. “Yea,” he said with no enthusiasm.

Chapter 16

Adjusting her hat, Kenna looked around with a sigh. “What’s wrong?” Jedek asked, walking up beside her.

“I don’t like winter,” Kenna said, letting her staff slide through her hand till the tip rested on the ground. “The world just seems so void during winter.”

Looking around at the changing leaves, “Well, winter is still a few weeks away,” Jedek said.

Lifting her staff up, “I know, I still don’t like it,” Kenna said and started walking along.

“Is that the reason for the melancholy or is it because we have to see the pixies?” Jedek asked, pulling out his hunter’s mask and putting it on to hide his grin.

“I can’t believe Ahnon asked us to check on them,” Kenna almost growled, trying not to shiver.

Moving his staff to his right hand, Jedek reached over and held Kenna’s hand. “I’m here with you,” Jedek said.

“I can’t believe Rosea stayed at the cabin just because Ahnon was making her another cake,” Kenna huffed. “Even Orrla threw a fit.”

Looking around as they walked, Jedek nodded. “You know, Ahnon is really spoiling Rosea.”

“You think?” Kenna snorted, trying not to laugh. “Orrla tells Rosea no and Ahnon gives in and does whatever Rosea asks. I really thought the last time, Orrla was going to pop Ahnon for making Rosea more dresses last month. Now how many days in a row has Ahnon made Rosea a cake? Like six?”

“Sure there’s not a little jealousy there?” Jedek asked, trying not to laugh.

Glancing over and seeing Jedek had his mask on, “You know I can still tell when you’re grinning?” Kenna asked, trying to keep a grumpy face but was slowly losing the battle. A grin split her face as she looked ahead.

“I guess some of it is jealousy.” Kenna looked around, not seeing Chenta and gave a soft whistle.

“I hope you don’t mind because I don’t think Rosea has ever been spoiled,” Jedek said.

Giving a sigh, Kenna nodded. “She’s only told me her father died when she was little and after that, I stopped asking,” Kenna mumbled. “I think Ahnon needs to spoil Rosea more,” she concluded.

Jedek turned and saw Minos and Chenta walking toward them. “Minos, be good. We’re going to see Merth,” Jedek said and Minos stopped.

“Don’t like bugs,” Minos said.

“Your dog can be quite intelligent at times,” Kenna nodded as Chenta came over to walk beside her.

Hearing the buzz of lecka wasp, Jedek stopped as one flew out of tree across the small field that they were crossing. “How sure is Orrla that no wild lecka come near a pixie village?” Jedek asked, letting Kenna’s hand go.

“Don’t really care because if it doesn’t stop soon, I’ll level this entire valley,” Kenna said, fighting her fear but losing.

The lecka stopped a good twenty paces away and they saw a tiny rider. Jedek waved at the rider and the wasp flew over. “They could ride eagles, hawks, or butterflies but no, they fly lecka wasps,” Kenna grumbled and Jedek felt the terror rising inside Kenna as the lecka stopped in front of them.

“Can I help you?” the tiny rider shouted over the hum of the wings and they barely heard him.

“Just checking if Merth needed anything?” Jedek said, tilting his head.

“I’ll let the king know, but we are setting up and this area is full of game,” the tiny rider shouted.

“Just tell Merth if he needs anything, we will do what we can,” Jedek said and the rider bowed his head and yanked the reins, leading the wasp away from them.

When the wasp was gone, Jedek turned to Kenna. “Kenna, we have to work on that. I almost killed that pixie and the wasp,” Jedek said, breathing hard.

“Sorry,” Kenna breathed out. Trying to relax, Jedek looked down, seeing Kenna put a spell pouch away.

Knowing that pouch was for lightening, Jedek shook his head. “Come on, we have to find another bee hive, so Ahnon can get some honey,” Jedek said.

Letting out a long breath, “You know, I used to be scared of honey bees but after what we’ve faced, I’ll play with them now,” Kenna said.

Glancing back at Minos, “Minos, show us where that beehive is at,” Jedek said and Minos trotted past him, thankful the wasp was gone.

Halfway across the field, Minos broke into a fast run. “Ready?” Jedek said, glancing over at Kenna as she put on her mask.

“Please, after running at the speeds we have, this is nothing to follow Minos,” Kenna said and took off. Chenta took off after her.

Nodding, “True, but at this speed if I slam into a tree, I don’t wake up the next day wondering what happened,” Jedek said, taking off and soon catching up to Kenna.

They ran side by side through the woods with Minos leading the way. “I still can’t believe Ahnon’s letting us go,” Kenna said, glancing over at Jedek.

“Talon isn’t far,” Jedek said. “He’s let us hunt alone.”

“Jedek, we were barely out of sight of the cabin,” Kenna chuckled as they jumped over a log.

“I know, but a part of me likes knowing Ahnon is there,” Jedek said as they followed Minos. To Minos, this was a dead run. To Jedek and Kenna now, this didn’t even rate as a jog.

The suns rose over the valley as the two followed Minos south for three hours, passing the stand of Ironwoods on the other side of the river where they’d killed the minotaur.  Glancing back, Kenna saw Chenta keeping up, but was starting to pant hard.

“Jedek, can you ask Minos how much further? Chenta is getting tired,” Kenna said and then jumped up, turning around in the air, landing, and running backwards. “I’m finding out how much further, Chenta,” she said and Chenta didn’t answer.

Envious of how easily Kenna could run backwards, Jedek sped up to move beside Minos. “How much further?” Jedek asked.

“Not much,” Minos panted hard.

Knowing how Ahnon did it with Talon, Jedek took a deep breath. Probing into Minos’s mind, Jedek snorted. “Minos, that’s a long way. Stop for a minute,” Jedek said.

Slowing down, Minos moved to the river and dunked his snout in the water, lapping it up as Kenna and Chenta ran up. Like Minos, Chenta started lapping up water.

“That was so neat,” Kenna said, pulling out a water skin. “How did you figure it out?”

Shrugging, “I just tried it like Ahnon does with Talon and it worked,” Jedek said as she passed him the water skin.

As Jedek took the water skin, Kenna looked over at Chenta. Copying Jedek, Kenna saw Chenta look up and turn to look at her. “When I try with Chenta, it feels like a hundred ideas,” Kenna said.

“Well, Chenta is still young,” Jedek said, lowering the water skin.

“He needs to grow up so I can do that,” Kenna said, taking the water skin back.

After resting, they took off following Minos for another two hours. When Minos stopped, they were looking over a small lake with large trees around them. Walking over to a lone dead tree, Jedek looked up at a swarm of bees near a knothole.

“Minos, Chenta, head home. I don’t want you to get stung,” Jedek said and Minos challenged Chenta to race and bounced away as Jedek thought how to get the honey out without getting stung.

Moving closer to the dead tree, Jedek took off his hat and put his ear to the trunk and could feel the tree vibrating. Stepping back, Jedek turned to Kenna. “That tree has a very big hive,” Jedek said and Kenna gave a shiver.

“What are you doing here?” they heard behind them and spun around yanking out their swords. They saw a small woman wearing a moss like dress staring at them.

“Looking for honey,” Jedek said, keeping his sword low. “May we ask what you are doing here?”

“Whatever I please,” she smiled. Looking at the woman hard, Jedek though she looked young, but couldn’t believe it, because he felt power. Her face looked elvish but her ears looked human, yet didn’t. Her skin had a bluish hue and she wasn’t any taller than Kenna and was physically smaller. The brown hair on her head was filthy, yet the demure young woman was quite pretty.

“We are sorry for intruding,” Jedek said and the woman giggled.

“It’s no bother,” she said smiling. “You may put your swords up.”

With a forced smile and trying to remain civil, “If you don’t mind, we’ll keep them out,” Jedek said.

“You must be new apprentices because a hunter should know weapons like that won’t harm me,” the woman smiled and Jedek fought not to shiver. He could tell that whatever this woman was, she wasn’t worried in the least about them.

Standing beside Jedek, Kenna gave a scoff, “Beg to differ. Everything bleeds and that means it can die.”

“Oh, you must be very good,” the woman said, walking closer and Kenna lowered her blade some.

“You really don’t want to tempt me,” Kenna growled.

“Why shouldn’t I? He is a lovely specimen. Care to battle me for him?” the woman said, nodding toward Jedek. Shocking Jedek, Kenna calmly sheathed her sword back in the staff.

Raising her eyebrows and tensing her lips, “Oh I know you didn’t,” Kenna huffed.

All of a sudden, a white ball hit the woman in the chest, blowing her back into a massive tree trunk. The massive tree shook as the woman hit it and bounced off, landing face first on the ground. With leaves raining down on the sprawled-out woman, “Bring it, cow!” Kenna yelled and blurred.

Lifting her head up slowly, the woman never saw Kenna’s foot meet her jaw. Flinging back through the air, the woman smacked into the same tree harder this time, shaking out more leaves to rain down. Wanting to help but somewhat scared to get in Kenna’s way, Jedek watched Kenna leap up as the woman’s body started to fall off the tree.

Meeting the woman as she fell down, Kenna drove her knee into the woman’s gut and brought her elbow down on the woman’s back. Jedek cringed, hearing bones crack twenty paces away. Falling with the body, Kenna swiveled in the air and grabbed the woman by the head.

As she landed, Kenna held the woman’s head, yanking it over her shoulder and body slamming her hard on the ground. Feeling the impact through his boots, Jedek looked in shock to see the woman actually sunk several inches into the dirt. “He’s mine. You still want to fight me for him!?” Kenna screeched.

The woman’s arm swung out, hitting Kenna’s legs and sweeping them from under her. Throwing out her hand before she hit the ground, Kenna sprang away to land on her feet. The woman slowly stood as her body popped, realigning itself as the broken bones healed. “Little girl, you will die slow,” the woman said and was hit by a concussive force.

Hitting the same tree, this time the woman’s body hit with such force that the massive trunk gave a snap and slowly fell over with the woman embedded in the trunk. “Watch what you say to my wife,” Jedek said, twirling his blade and moving toward the tree getting another spell ready.

“Jedek, this cow is mine,” Kenna said, stepping up beside him and blocking his path.

A thunderclap boomed, knocking them down just as Jedek thought they should’ve just run while they’d had the chance. Shaking his head, Jedek felt a hand grab him and turned to fight.

“It’s me, Jedek,” he heard Ahnon say and Jedek felt relief wash over him.

Letting Ahnon pull him up, Jedek looked over at the tree and saw the woman clawing her body out of the trunk. “Ahnon, she’s not human,” Jedek said, readying a spell.

“Nymph,” Ahnon said, helping Kenna up. Shaking her head, Kenna started to move toward the nymph. “Kenna, let me handle this.”

Looking back at Ahnon, “Oh no, this mangy cow will die today, and it will be by my hand,” Kenna growled.

Reaching out, Ahnon pushed both behind him. “Oh, troll snot,” Ahnon mumbled, seeing the woman lift her torso from the tree trunk and start working on getting her legs out. Holding his arms out, Ahnon looked around before stopping at the lake, keeping the kids behind him.

“If you’re not going to kill her, I am!” Kenna shouted, raising her hand at the woman. Before Ahnon could stop her, lightning shot from Kenna’s hand, hitting the woman in the chest.

The woman screamed as her body jerked and she fell back into the impression in the trunk she’d just clawed her torso out of with smoke pouring off her body. When Kenna saw the nymph twitch, “Oh, you want more?” Kenna said, readying another spell.

“Kenna, stop,” Ahnon said and Jedek looked up and saw that Ahnon wasn’t even looking at the nymph. Seeing Ahnon looking at the lake, Jedek turned to see two heads in the water getting closer. As he watched, two more nymphs walked out of the lake. One had red hair and the other had a greenish blonde.

“I hate to say this, but maybe we should just call it even,” Jedek said, seeing the two nymphs smiling coldly.

“Won’t work,” Ahnon said with a sigh. “Tylana,” Ahnon said as the two approached and Jedek gave a startle.

“Why, Ahnon. Who would ever think we would meet again?” the redheaded nymph said.

“Small world,” Ahnon shrugged.

“There you are,” Orrla said, popping out of the air in front of Ahnon. “You could at least tell me you’re leaving.”

“Not now Orrla,” Ahnon said, looking past her as he reached up and brushed Orrla behind him.

Finally seeing the nymphs, Orrla was about to speak when she heard movement and saw another nymph crawling out of the tree trunk. Turning to the kids, “Nymphs don’t make good playmates,” Orrla said, shaking her head.

“I’m not playing with that one. I’m going to take her apart piece by piece,” Kenna glared at the nymph as it dropped to the ground from the tree trunk and slowly stood up. Again, her body popped and twisted as it righted itself back to normal. “I like the fact she doesn’t break easy,” Kenna grinned. “This is going to be fun.”

“Kenna,” Orrla said, holding up her hand. “Rosea has already vexed me today, so don’t you start.”

“So Ahnon, will you come willingly this time, so your friends don’t get hurt? I’ve studied your kind since our last meeting,” Tylana asked grinning.

“Oh, you know them?” Orrla said, looking at Ahnon, but Jedek could see Orrla’s face darken.

Never looking away from Tylana, “You could say that. Last time we met, I killed a few of her sisters when she wouldn’t let me leave in peace,” Ahnon said.

Relief washed over Orrla as she flew around Ahnon and looked at Tylana. “You may leave. These are my subjects,” Orrla said with a flick of her wrist.

“Fae, you don’t scare me,” Tylana laughed, lifting a necklace up and they saw long items dangling from it. “We were once the same, so your power means nothing to me.”

Letting out a gasp, Jedek’s eyes grew wide when he realized the ‘items’ were clear fairy wings, hanging off the necklace. “Tylana, is it?” Orrla asked with her smile fading away. “They are mine, so back off.”

“No, fairy queen. I told Ahnon the next time we met, he was mine until the day he died,” Tylana laughed.

They were all blown back as an explosion erupted in front of them. Before they hit the ground, Jedek felt Ahnon grab his body and pull him close. Then, he felt Kenna next to him as they were pulled to Ahnon’s chest. They hit hard and Jedek saw it was Ahnon who hit the ground hard, shielding them. After the impact, Jedek opened his eyes to see Ahnon sliding along the forest floor with himself and Kenna on Ahnon’s chest.

Coming to a stop, Jedek turned and didn’t see the two nymphs. Looking around in a panic, Jedek jumped when one landed ten feet away, bouncing off the ground. Before he could do anything, a red light hit the nymph hard, driving the body into the ground. The concussive force from the hit knocked Jedek and Kenna off Ahnon’s chest.

Jumping up, Jedek saw a deep hole where the nymph was laying and a red orb shot out of the hole. Barely able to follow the orb with his eyes, Jedek saw Tylana slowly stand up as the orb hit her in the chest.

Tylana screamed as the orb hit and Jedek watched Tylana lift straight up, shooting up into the sky. Stumbling over, Jedek grabbed Kenna and Ahnon. “We need to move!” he shouted as they both stood up, shaking their heads. Glancing up, Jedek saw Tylana was barely a speck in the sky, but was now getting bigger. Knowing what that meant, Jedek reached out.

“Come on,” Jedek said, grabbing both and pulling them. Leading them to a large tree, Jedek glanced up and saw the speck coming back down really fast. Grabbing Ahnon and Kenna, Jedek pushed them behind the tree trunk as an explosion shook the ground.

As leaves and rocks blew past them, they leaned against the trunk to keep standing as the ground shook violently. Slowly the ground stopped shaking and Jedek peeked around the trunk and his jaw fell open, seeing a massive crater in the clearing.

A red orb rose from the crater and Jedek turned to see the other nymph with greenish blonde hair crawl out of the hole that Orrla had driven her in to. “I would’ve just stayed down there,” Jedek said as the orb shot over, hitting the nymph in the face and throwing her across the clearing to slam her into a tree, uprooting it.

“I’m here, mangy cow!” Kenna screamed, yanking her sword out and disappearing.

Wiping his head, Jedek saw the first nymph stand up only to lose a leg. As the nymph fell, Kenna skidded to a halt, turning around and raising her hand. A white glob shot from Kenna’s hand, hitting the nymph as she fell.

When the nymph screamed, Jedek gave a startle, knowing Kenna had cast bind. It seemed Kenna didn’t care that the bind didn’t hold as she blurred again. “Ahnon, we have to help,” Jedek said, turning to find Ahnon watching Kenna before turning to follow the orb around Orrla.

“I ain’t getting between either of them,” Ahnon cried out. “What in the abyss vexed them so much?”

Turning back to Kenna, Jedek gave a shiver, watching the nymph get hit by a burning ball and burst into flame. Using her arms and one leg, the burning nymph tried to crawl away as Kenna blurred.

Seeing something burning fly at him, Jedek ripped his sword out to knock it out of the air. It landed in front of him and Jedek looked down at a burning arm. Seeing the leaves around the arm catching fire, Jedek stomped them out and looked over to see Kenna blur past the burning figure again and another burning arm flew into the lake.

Hearing something hit the ground, Jedek turned to see Tylana’s head roll to a stop. “Ahnon, they aren’t vexed, they are pissed off,” Jedek said and heard a scream and turned to see Kenna standing over the burning nymph, driving her sword in her chest. Yanking the sword out, Kenna twirled it in the air over her head and swiped it down, cutting the scream off.

Turning around, Jedek saw the last nymph slowly stand up at the lip of the massive crater as the red orb slowly flew over. Overhead, Jedek saw dark clouds forming in the sky, spinning in a circle. “Okay, fairies scare me,” Jedek mumbled as the sky rapidly filled with dark swirling clouds and the wind picked up, blowing his hat off. With his hat held around his neck with the cinch and flapping in the wind, Jedek’s mouth fell open.

Like it happened in slow motion, Jedek saw a massive lightning bolt, bigger than he could even imagine, descend down on the last nymph. He watched her body explode into dust.

Blinking in disbelief, Jedek turned to see Kenna pick up the burning head. “I didn’t know negtro leather was fireproof,” Jedek mumbled.

“It isn’t for long,” Ahnon said behind him, watching Kenna throw the head up in the air. As it fell, Kenna pulled out a throwing knife and spun around twice before throwing the knife. The knife met the head, knocking it back and pinning it against a tree trunk.

Turning back, they saw Orrla slowly fly over as the red aura slowly dissipated around her.  “I can’t believe you even knew them,” she said, looking at Ahnon.

“Tylana used to have six sisters,” Ahnon told her. “No matter how hard I tried, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. After killing three, I was finally able to fly away.”

“No for what?” Jedek asked as Kenna walked over, sheathing her sword.

“Mates, that’s how nymphs reproduce,” Ahnon said, watching Orrla smooth her hair down. “What vexed you? I could’ve handled them.”

Lifting her chin, “I didn’t like the way she looked at you and one had already irritated Kenna,” Orrla said.

Looking over at the severed head that wasn’t burning anymore but impaled to the tree, “Kenna let the nymph know she wasn’t happy,” Jedek said.

Stopping at the tree, Kenna looked over at the smoking head. “Look who’s leaving with him, cow,” Kenna huffed.

Holding her head high, Orrla zoomed over to Kenna, smiling. “Very good, Kenna. You let them know. They are ours,” Orrla said.

With her upper lip pulled back in a sneer, Kenna turned to Orrla and nodded. “You got that right. Nobody will take them.”

“Hello? You know, Jedek and I can fight,” Ahnon said. “We wouldn’t go off with nymphs.”

Orrla flew over, landing on Ahnon’s shoulder and holding her head high. “They talked too much,” she said.

“Ahnon, can we get the honey and go home?” Jedek sighed, walking over and hugging Kenna.

Looking around, “Where’s it at?” Ahnon asked.

Glancing around, Jedek pointed to the other side of the crater, at the dead tree trunk laying on the ground. Holding out his hand, Ahnon guided the log off the ground. “I let you out of my sight for one day,” Ahnon moaned.

Pushing away from Jedek, Kenna pointed at the lake. “They started it,” she snapped.

“When did you study nymphs and learn that you had to dismember them to kill them?” Ahnon asked.

“Never studied them. I just wanted her to hurt for irritating me. You don’t tell me you’re taking my husband. I couldn’t do anything the first time someone came for him, but I sure can now,” Kenna said, bobbling her head.

With the log floating behind him, Ahnon walked away from the lake. “Note to self, don’t irritate a woman,” Ahnon said.

Leaning her head on Ahnon’s cheek, “That’s good advice,” Orrla said.

Halfway back to the cottage, they met Michi but didn’t stop and told him to just follow. When they were at the cottage, Michi looked from Kenna to Orrla. It didn’t take a genius to figure out they were still vexed.

“Um, I heard explosions. What happened?” Michi asked hesitantly.

Whipping her head around, Kenna looked over at Michi with a glare. It took everything Michi had not to take off. “A nymph wanted my husband, so I made her pay,” she growled through her teeth.

Slowly, Michi turned to Ahnon. “And you let Kenna fight a nymph?” Michi asked.

“Let?” Ahnon gasped. “Michi, it was Tylana, the nymph I told you about and she wasn’t happy about me leaving after killing three of her sisters.”

Looking over at Kenna, about to tell her she shouldn’t have fought a nymph, Michi’s words stopped on the tip of his tongue at seeing the scowl on her face. “What spell was she using to call lightning down from the heavens?” Michi asked, turning back to Ahnon.

“Oh, that was Orrla,” Ahnon said with his face pointed at Michi, but Ahnon was cutting his eyes to his shoulder, glancing at Orrla.

Following Ahnon’s gaze, Michi gave a startle when his eyes met Orrla’s. “You don’t tell me that you’re taking one of my tribe,” Orrla said, glaring at Michi.

Bowing his head, “Are there any left? If so, I’ll handle them,” Michi said, lifting his head up.

“Orrla, can I come out?!” Rosea yelled from inside the cottage.

“I can’t believe you made her stand in the corner,” Ahnon huffed, turning away to look at the cottage.

Darting off Ahnon’s shoulder, Orrla hovered in front of his face. “She wasn’t standing,” Orrla snapped.

Throwing up his hands, “I know! Rosea was hovering and is probably tired now,” Ahnon cried out.

Crossing her arms, Orrla glared at Ahnon till he turned to face her. “Ahnon, under no circumstances are you to make her another cake,” Orrla said sternly.

“Forever?!” Ahnon wailed. “That would break her heart!”

“I can fix it,” Orrla said with a sigh. “Fine, you can make her another cake, but it will be after winter.”

Turning to the others for help, Ahnon didn’t see any coming. “Oh, all right,” he mumbled. “Can Rosea please leave the corner?”

Spinning in her hover, Orrla faced the cottage. “Rosea, you may come outside but I warn you, I’m not in the mood for anymore whining,” Orrla said in a tense voice.

Zipping out of the house, Rosea stopped at the group. “What happened?” she asked with a big childish grin, looking at Kenna.

“I’ll tell you later,” Kenna said, moving over and wrapping one arm around Jedek.

“Where’s Kheet and the others?” Ahnon asked.

Zooming over to Ahnon, “Oh, they all took off following Michi after they heard the explosions,” Rosea said.

Closing his eyes, Ahnon relaxed as Michi moved over to Kenna and Jedek. “Kenna, Jedek, nymphs are powerful. Why didn’t you just come back to us?” Michi asked.

“Michi,” Jedek sighed. “One wanted to take me and Kenna didn’t like that. I wanted to help, but she was throwing powerful spells and I didn’t want to interfere.”

Opening his eyes, Ahnon looked around at the group. “Talon says everyone is on the way back and should be here soon,” Ahnon said and stepped to the side to walk past Orrla, heading to the cottage.

Suddenly, Ahnon stopped as Orrla appeared in front of him. “Are you angry that I intervened with that mangy-,” Orrla stopped as she trembled with rage. “Cow!” she yelled and a red aura started building around her.

“Whoa,” Rosea mumbled and flew over between Ahnon and Orrla. “Who made you madder than me?” Rosea asked in awe.

Taking a few deep breaths, the red aura slowly faded as Orrla shifted her gaze to Rosea. “It took some doing, but nymphs vexed me,” Orrla said. “Now, if you please. Move,” Orrla said and like a hand grabbed her, Rosea was pushed to the side and Orrla looked up at Ahnon.

Putting his hands on his hips, Ahnon returned Orrla’s hard gaze. “Yes, I am,” he popped off. “You could’ve gotten hurt, just like Kenna!”

Raising her hover till she was even with Ahnon’s face, Orrla opened her mouth to speak and Ahnon held up his hand. “Don’t,” he snapped, shocking everyone. “Just thinking about you getting hurt makes me feel bad. You realize I almost went to your aid as Kenna was chopping that nymph up?” Ahnon said with wide eyes.

Clearing his throat, Jedek stepped up beside Ahnon. “Ahnon, in your defense, I think Kenna would’ve attacked you if you’d tried to stop her,” Jedek said in a low voice.

Turning to Jedek, Ahnon nodded. “Yeah, I heard her screaming that in my mind,” Ahnon told him and then turned back to Orrla. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact you are at my side defending Jedek and Kenna, but I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Slowly, Orrla nodded and then moved over, landing on Ahnon’s shoulder. “We will talk about this later,” she said.

As relief washed over him, Ahnon reached up with his right hand to rest it on his chest and then rubbed his fingertips, caressing Orrla’s legs. “I want to sit down,” Ahnon said, then headed into the cottage.

Following everyone in, Jedek closed the doors. “Ahnon, what did that nymph mean she used to be a Fae?” Jedek asked as Ahnon sat down in his chair in front of the fireplace.

“Nymphs used to be imps that left Amaris’s Fae and joined Nylash in the last battle of the gods. That is why they are called nymphs,” Ahnon said as Jedek sat down beside Kenna in a chair.

“Okay, I’m lost,” Kenna said. “I’ve never studied any of the gods, except Dextury.”

Getting up, Ahnon moved over to the slate board, grabbing a piece of chalk. He drew a four-pointed diamond on the board. At the top, he wrote Octerin and at the bottom, he wrote Nylash. On the right, he wrote Amaris and then on the left, he wrote Lynor. Above the labeled diamond, Ahnon wrote Dextury and Asta.

“Dextury and Asta are the parents of the four gods of Thanos,” Ahnon said, moving his hand around the diamond. “According to teachings I’ve read, this is how the four gods of Thanos are. Octerin is a male that embodies good only,” Ahnon said, moving his finger to the right.

“Amaris is his sister. She is mostly good, but has a little bad in her,” Ahnon said.

“And she’s over the Fae?” Jedek asked, blurting in.

Nodding, “Yes, but each god has followers,” Ahnon said. “Octerin has many followers. In Calkran, he’s the main god and many non-humanoids follow him, like Valkyries. Now, they try to follow his morality but they aren’t gods, so they aren’t all goodie-goodies.”

Understanding, Jedek nodded when Ahnon turned to look at him. “Like you said, the Fae follow Amaris, but so do many witches and others,” Ahnon said and moved his hand to the bottom. “Nylash is bad, according to teachings, but I would lean more toward evil from what I’ve read. Now, in the last battle of the gods, some-,” Ahnon paused, glancing down at Orrla. “Beings of Thanos changed alliances to the gods. Some imps left Amaris and started following Nylash, and they are now known as nymphs.”

Slowly, Kenna raised her hand and Ahnon nodded. “What are imps?” she asked timidly. “I haven’t read on them.”

“Imps are Fae but unlike fairies, brownies, sprites, and other Fae. Humans can see them without being granted the sight of Fae,” Ahnon said and Kenna’s face brightened up.

“What do they look like?” Kenna gasped in excitement.

Shrugging his shoulders, “From what I’ve read, they really look like human kids. Not like the kobolds, they really look like human kids,” Ahnon said. “For all I know, I’ve seen one but didn’t know it.”

“Oh, I’m sure you have,” Orrla said in a soft voice as Ahnon caressed her legs. “They stay near humans.”

“Are they magical?” Jedek asked.

Rosea flew off Kenna’s shoulder. “Very,” Rosea said, hovering in front of Jedek. “Unlike the rest of the Fae taking care of Thanos, they don’t. That’s why they don’t have the cloak of Fae over them.”

“Getting off topic,” Ahnon said, moving his hand around the diamond. “I’m explaining the gods. It’s my fault that you don’t know this, Jedek, because I wouldn’t let any of the priests instruct you when you were younger.”

“All they did was yell,” Jedek said, shrugging.

“Yes, like Honch, Gratu follows Dextury, the father of the four gods of Thanos,” Ahnon said, pointing at the last name. “Now, Nylash’s sister is Lynor. She is mostly bad but not entirely, like Amaris isn’t entirely good. The four moons of Thanos are said to represent the four gods and the two suns represent their parents.”

“You don’t follow any of them, do you?” Orrla asked from his shoulder.

“Nope,” Ahnon said, putting the chalk down. “I believe in myself and my friends. That’s why I have locks of the king and queen, Theobald and Karme’s hair woven in mine, Jedek’s, and Kenna’s katanas. I don’t believe in the power of the gods. I’ll get my own vengeance. They will be with us in this quest as they are with us now.”

Hearing the edge in his voice, Orrla just leaned her head on his cheek and Ahnon started caressing her legs again. “Now, that is what I’ve learned of the gods,” Ahnon said. “It’s time to get back to training.”

Chapter 17

It was the middle of spring as Michi, Kenna, Jedek, Kheet, Rolim, and Eloen followed Ahnon to Ava’s and Delmuth’s. Orrla was on his shoulder and Rosea rode on Kenna’s shoulder. Talon soared overhead as Minos and Chenta ran around them.

Through the whole winter, training had never stopped, not even when they’d had to dig their way out of the cottage after a terrible snowstorm. Remembering the look on Jedek’s face, as he watched the elves walk on top of the snow that he was plowing through and up to Jedek’s waist, would be one Ahnon would never forget.

Pushing his memories away, Ahnon looked back at the group and chuckled. It looked like four hunters were being accompanied by a dwarf and two elves. Throw in Talon, Minos, and Chenta, and the group looked rather intimidating. Chenta was the size of a donkey now and moved with a stealth that made even Ahnon jealous. Minos was full grown, with his back reaching Ahnon’s chin, and still slept inside.

They had left the kobolds and dragons at the cottage, which hadn’t gone over very well. Kenna finally told them that they had to protect the cottage till everyone got back and that worked. Just mentioning that something ‘might be’ attacking the cottage sent the kobolds into a rage. Everyone soon found out and realized that a kobold in a rage was a bad thing to be avoided at all cost and nothing to smile about.

Using his walking axe like a staff, Kheet walked up beside Ahnon. “You realize the house may be destroyed when we get back,” he stated.

“Not likely,” Ahnon said.

“I have my fairies keeping an eye on them, as well as Merth,” Orrla said from Ahnon’s shoulder, causing Kheet to laugh. The pixies decided to stay permanently in the valley when spring had arrived and everyone had to admit, they really liked the arrangement.

The rat and mouse population in the valley had plummeted, since they were the main game the pixies hunted. The food stores at the cottage never had a single rodent in them for the entire winter. Needless to say, Kenna still didn’t like to visit the pixies.

Adjusting his mask, Jedek looked behind him to see Rolim and Eloen walking and holding hands. He turned around to watch Kenna walking in front of him with her staff in her left hand. Moving up beside her, he moved his staff to his right hand and grasped her hand in his left. She turned to him and smiled, but he didn’t see it since she was wearing her mask. Even if she hadn’t been, the wide brim of her hat cast a shadow over her face.

He didn’t need to see it. Jedek could feel she was smiling, just like he was. They walked hand in hand, following Ahnon. When they crested the hill overlooking the valley where Ava and Delmuth lived, Ahnon froze.

The once heavy forested valley was now a massive meadow. A massive wall was at the end of the valley covering a hundred acres. The trees were cut away from the valley floor and crops were planted. He could see small groups tending horses, cattle, and massive wooly oxen. There were several orchards also. Ahnon knew the orchard trees shouldn’t be as tall as they were and recognized Ava had a hand in that. A very nice road led through the valley to the massive fence.

“They’ve been busy,” Jedek said beside him.

Nodding at the sight, Ahnon looked down to see Jedek holding Kenna’s hand. “Yes, they have,” he said, smiling under his mask.

Letting out a sigh, “Do we have to act rude again?” Kenna asked.

Looking back at the valley, Ahnon scoffed. “Ah no, I own half of this,” he said, taking off and walking down toward the road.

As they walked down the road, the people working stopped and stared at them. A man came over, riding a horse. “Stop!” he commanded arrogantly. He had a bow in his hand and a nice sword on his hip. “State your business,” he said, holding his chin high.

Coming to a stop, Ahnon looked up and planted his staff in front of him. “Who says so?” he asked.

“I do. Sergeant of the guard,” the man replied.

“Well then, make yourself useful and go tell Ava and Delmuth that they have visitors,” Ahnon said, picking up his staff and moving toward the wall.

The sergeant moved his horse in front of him, blocking Ahnon’s path. Kheet let out a low whistle. “I haven’t been told of visitors and it is Duchess Ava and Duke Delmuth!” the sergeant barked. Minos let out a low growl. “Control your bocha. We have over fifty here, so he doesn’t scare me,” the sergeant said, dropping his hand to his sword.

Seething with anger, Jedek stepped forward. “Sergeant, a word of caution. Don’t push your luck,” he warned.

The sergeant raised his hand, laughing and a group of riders came galloping over to stop beside the sergeant. “You will leave now,” he commanded.

“Sorry, sergeant,” Jedek said as he threw a handful of dust at the horse’s feet and Kenna threw a handful at the group. The sergeant and his horse were suddenly several feet off the ground, inside a globe of shimmering air. The group behind him was trapped in a dome of shimmering air on the ground. The men were worried, but the horses were terrified. The sergeant was having trouble staying on his horse and finally calmed him down. Looking down at Jedek, the sergeant was clearly mad.

“You can’t do this to me!” he shouted.

Lifting his chin high, Jedek reached back and took Kenna’s hand, laughing. “Yes I can,” he said. “The good news is the shield only lasts five hours, sergeant. The bad news, is you only have three hours of air,” Jedek said and walked past him casually.

As Jedek and Kenna walked around the shield she’d thrown over the other guards, Ahnon stopped by the sergeant. “You’re lucky they took care of it. I was taking you for a rowboat ride,” he said, walking past as Michi stopped.

“I was bringing sacks and rocks,” Michi told the sergeant.

Not even trying to hide their amusment, Kheet and the elves were laughing as they walked down into the valley, heading to the walled off area. When they stepped through the gate, they all stopped. People and buildings were everywhere. At first glance it looked packed, then they saw the buildings were laid out in neat orderly rows. Ahnon looked at where Ava and Delmuth’s house used to sit and noticed a nice two-story cottage. It was smaller than theirs, but still a nice size cottage.

Hoping someone was home and it was Ava and Delmuth’s house, Ahnon led the way to the new cottage and every person that saw them gave the group of hunters and guests a wide path. When Ahnon was almost at the house, he saw a man with long red hair on the porch talking with some others. “Delmuth!” he hollered out.

Delmuth turned to the muffled shout. “Ahnon!” he yelled out, waving. As Delmuth ran over, Ahnon took off his mask as did the others. “We weren’t expecting you till next week,” he said, wrapping Ahnon in a hug. The people around them stopped, watching Delmuth walk around and hug each one.

Looking around, “Where’s Ava?” Kenna asked.

“Oh, she stays out to make sure everything and everyone is working. She makes sure the people aren’t mean to the animals they are training, as well as checking the crops,” he said, stepping back.

“Well, what do you do?” Jedek asked.

“Oh, I do the same, but I let her deal with the animals and plants, you know,” he said, smiling.

Ahnon looked over and saw a man teaching a group of men the basic sword. “You’re teaching your army full-time?” he asked.

Following Ahnon’s gaze, Delmuth turned to see what Ahnon was talking about. “No, that is one of the sword masters. We have several warriors here to teach,” Delmuth told him.

Letting out a gasp, Kheet saw the forge and took off almost in a run as Ahnon turned to look at Delmuth. “Expanded some?” Ahnon said.

“No, I added that when we started. People need to know how to fight, if they are to survive,” Delmuth told him.

“That is very good,” Ahnon said. “Show us around?” he asked.

“Of course,” Delmuth said.

He led them around and showed them a seamstress class, a cordwainer or shoemaker class, a baker class, a woodworker class, a leather working class, a weaver class, a gardening class, a jeweler class, a carpenter class, a stonemason class, and the over four dozen other classes. With his head spinning, Ahnon was pleasantly impressed as was Orrla, sitting on his shoulder.

As they sat and watched a group of men training horses, Michi came over to Delmuth. “So, do the warriors learn only one fighting style?” he asked.

“No, they learn short sword, two handed sword, staff, bow, and wrestling,” Delmuth said. “If you come to learn, you will learn all of them. Our graduates are recruited into armies as officers,” Delmuth told him.

“Delmuth, how do you pay for this? I know Ahnon gave you some money, but this is a lot!” Kenna asked.

Walking over, Delmuth laughed and put an arm around her. “They pay to come and learn,” he told her.

Stumbling as she walked, “They have to pay?” Kenna asked.

“Yes, it is the same in the real world. One has to pay during an apprenticeship but here, you learn faster than an apprentice and that saves them huge sums of money,” Delmuth answered.

“What if they can’t pay?” she asked.

“Well, we let one in each class this year that couldn’t pay the fee for the area they wanted. They have to work around here to pay their way,” he told her.

Kenna sighed, “I’m glad. I didn’t want people with no money to not be able to learn.”

“Kenna, I’m the same way. Remember how you found us?” Delmuth told her, smiling. “Ah, here comes me lovely wife,” Delmuth said, holding out his arms as Ava walked up.

She hugged Delmuth and looked at Ahnon. “Why are the guards trapped in a force and an orb shield?” she asked.

“Oh crap! I forgot about them,” Jedek said about to run off and Ahnon stopped him.

“They irritated us,” Ahnon told her and looked down at Jedek. “You don’t have to look at your shield to make it stop,” he told Jedek. Jedek smiled and waved his hand as did Kenna. “They still had air,” Ahnon told him, grinning.

“My admiration, Kenna and Jedek. I couldn’t break them,” Ava told them. “You came early,” she said, looking back at Ahnon.

“Yes, it’s time to start teaching them how to fight from a horse,” Ahnon said.

Throwing his arms open, Delmuth laughed. “Well, my friend, we have some of the finest Calvary horses here from Racor. Some of the best War horses from Calkran and some of the fastest horses from Fantshu. What kind do you want?” he asked.

“War and Calvary,” Ahnon said, pulling out a pouch.

Seeing that, the smile fell off Delmuth’s face and he stepped back. “If you think you can pay for them, think again. This is half yours. You gave my family something I’d never dreamed of,” Delmuth told him, almost scowling.

“Delmuth, the horses still cost,” Ahnon said.

“Ahnon, if you want, we can pay you back. You wouldn’t believe the money we are making. As the students work while learning their trade, we sell what they make. At a discount, of course. Count Regan is sending us horses just as fast as we are selling them trained. Our horse trainers are starting a breeding program that should show promise in a few years,” Delmuth told him. “If you want, we can take it out of your share,” he offered, but nobody believed him.

Ahnon just stared at him in wonder. “There is no way you’ve made that much money,” he said.

“We can fill up a dozen bags like the ones you gave us right now. It would’ve been more, but we just laid out a bunch of money to bring in some falcons and trainers, along with more supplies,” Delmuth told him.

“Now I know why Regan wanted in on this,” Ahnon mumbled.

Happy to see Ahnon put his money pouch up, Delmuth led them over to the blacksmith area to see a whole acre covered with men beating on metal. When Jedek spotted Kheet talking to another dwarf, he pointed. “Yes, he is the senior master blacksmith, Flatren. The human blacksmiths thought they were good till he showed up,” Delmuth said, leading them over.

Flatren walked over with Kheet. They saw one of his eyes was white and his hair and beard were singed. “Kheet speaks highly of you,” Flatren said, extending his hand.

Tilting his head as he reached out, Ahnon shook his hand and the others moved over and did the same. Ahnon walked around the forge and noticed a lot of metal, and some of it wasn’t found close. “Delmuth, where do you get the metal?” he asked.

“We have it brought in. There are a few deposits that the masters go out to and show the students, but Ava figured if we used up what we had here, we would upset the ones from the forest,” Delmuth told him. “Besides, the iron here is good quality, but they are bringing in much superior stuff.”

Again, very impressed, Ahnon liked that and knew the forest master would as well. Delmuth led them back to their house as food was served. When everyone had eaten, they headed over to the stables. When Minos spotted the bocha hounds, he bounded over in excitement, stopping next to a man who was standing in front of four hounds. The hounds looked at Minos like he was defective and turned back to the trainer.

Seeing Minos staring at the other bocha hounds, Jedek walked over and watched the trainer for a minute and then came back with Minos. “I like Minos better,” he said, reaching up and scratching Minos’s back.

As only a feline could, Chenta looked over at the hounds and snorted. “Those are stupid,” he said, walking over to Kenna.

When they stopped at the stables, “These are all the horses?” Kenna asked. There were about fifty, but she was expecting more.

“No, Kenna. These are trained and ready. We have over a thousand out in the valley still getting trained,” Ava told her.

“Wow,” Kenna said as she walked in the corral, almost making the trainers pass out. They were expecting the horses to at least act skittish, but they all moved over to Kenna as she talked to them. As the trainers watched flabbergasted, Ahnon shook his head as Kenna moved through the herd, picking out which ones would get wrapped around her finger.

After she picked a nice lean stallion and a massive War horse, the others moved over. The elves only picked one apiece, both were lean Calvary horses. Kheet picked a short massive War horse. Ahnon thought it was just above a draft pony. After Jedek and Ahnon had picked their horses, Michi asked Ahnon to pick out his horses for him.

When they were done, Ava led them over to a building and they followed her inside to find a leather shop. Ava talked to a man and he came over, looking at each person and then called some students over. He pulled out some measuring cloth and went to each person. When they were done, Ava led them back outside.

“What was that about?” Ahnon asked.

“They are building each of you saddles, after the master measured you. Riding and war saddles,” she told him.

Finding that hard to believe Ahnon scoffed. “You can’t make a saddle to measurements,” he said.

“There you are wrong, Ahnon,” Ava told him. “I hated riding till they made me a saddle.”

Ignoring Ahnon, Kenna walked over and grabbed Ava’s arm. “Are you joking?” she asked with hope on her face.

With a broad joyful smile, “No Kenna, you will love it,” Ava told her.

“When will they be ready?” Kenna asked with an exalted expression.

“Tomorrow,” Ava told her with a smile.

“Ah, we were about to leave,” Ahnon said and Kenna spun around, almost flinging Rosea off her shoulder.

“Oh no, we’re not!” she snapped. “We are waiting on those saddles,” Kenna informed him, narrowing her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Ahnon was about to say something when Orrla leaned toward his ear. “Don’t, she’s serious. It’s not worth the headache she is going to give you and the rest of us,” she told him.

Thinking about it, Ahnon nodded his head. “You’re right,” he said. “Kenna, we will wait for the saddles,” Ahnon said and walked off. “We’ll make camp in the woods,” he called back.

“Ahnon!” Ava shouted.

Letting out a sigh, Orrla shook her head. “You made another one livid,” she informed him.

“You will stay here with us. Is that clear? We have more than enough room in the house. I wanted a small house, but Delmuth wanted that monstrosity. I’m sure if I hadn’t stopped him, that cottage would be bigger than yours. You may go and pick out your rooms upstairs,” she told him with a hard voice.

Delmuth moved over by Ahnon. “He will, precious, he just didn’t want to impose. You know we have a lot of kids,” he offered, trying to get her off of Ahnon’s back.

“Only one has a room upstairs,” she growled at Delmuth.

“Ahnon didn’t know that,” Delmuth said, pulling Ahnon back behind him and blocking Ahnon from her gaze.

Ava gasped. “Oh, Ahnon, I’m sorry,” she said.

“It’s all right, Ava. I should’ve found out,” Ahnon said, hoping the witch wasn’t about to unleash on him. Delmuth pulled Ahnon away and everyone followed, except Kenna. She stayed with Ava. In the end, this was quite satisfactory with Ahnon.

The group left their stuff in Delmuth’s house, then went and found Kenna. They found her and Ava in a building where women and men were sewing general clothes. “Now, I like this,” Michi said, walking around and looking at the regular clothes.

“Michi, it’s the same thing,” Ahnon said, holding up a pair of woolen pants.

“Ahnon, I’ve only sewed fine clothes. I wish you would’ve let me watch you sew this hunter’s outfit,” he said, motioning to his body.

Ahnon shook his head and found Kenna putting on a long-hooded cloak. “You have a surcoat that long on right now,” Ahnon told her.

“I know, but the man said this one doesn’t get soaked,” she told him.

“Neither does your outfit, negtro leather,” he said.

“Ahnon, this one is so much lighter,” Kenna said, pulling the cloak closed. Finding that hard to believe Ahnon walked over and felt the material.

“Huh, pretty good,” he said and had to agree it was light and the weave was tight enough to stop water. When they left, Kenna had a cloak, as did everyone else. “You want to go to the dress school?” Ahnon asked.

“Already been, and you and Michi could make them all cry,” Kenna told him. Ahnon smiled and turned around to look at Michi. He found Michi carrying the cloak like Kenna’s and several bolts of cloth.

“Don’t say anything,” Orrla warned him.

“I’m not,” Ahnon said when Ava led them to the shoemaker building. Everyone, including Ahnon, walked out with at least one new pair of boots. Delmuth led them to the armory. Walking in, Ahnon was impressed with the array of weapons.

They left and nobody asked to take anything, which seemed to hurt Delmuth’s feelings. “Ahnon, those were great weapons,” he said.

“They were the best I’ve seen made on a large scale,” Ahnon offered.

“I know your sword is better, but I think you would be happy to take one of those swords into combat,” Delmuth told him.

Shaking his head, “No, I wouldn’t,” Ahnon told him while watching a group of men shooting bows.

“Ahnon, your sword is just metal. These are great weapons!” Delmuth declared.

Ahnon stopped and looked at Delmuth. “Take out your sword,” Ahnon told him.

Filled with pride, Delmuth smiled and stepped back, pulling out his sword. Ahnon pulled the sword from his staff and swung, hitting the flat of Delmuth’s blade to send out a loud ringing clang before snapping Delmuth’s sword in half. Ahnon twirled his sword around and put it back in his staff. With his mouth hanging open, Delmuth was staring at the half a sword he was holding.

“My swords are better,” Ahnon told him though not offering to mention they were made of adamant. “Like I said, for what you have going they are great, but a warrior must have faith in their weapon. I have that in mine,” he explained.

Bending down, Delmuth picked up the broken piece. “Never seen someone break a blade on purpose,” he said, shaking his head.

“Go to Flatren and ask him to make you a sword. Not for an army, but for one man: for war. Then, you will see,” Ahnon said as they continued walking around.

That night after supper, they went upstairs to their two rooms and went to sleep. Kenna and Jedek had trouble falling asleep on ‘real’ beds. After they woke and ate, Ava led them outside to their horses. Looking at the riding saddle, Ahnon didn’t know how the saddle felt, but it was definitely the best made one he’d ever had.

After he climbed on his horse and sat in the saddle, he looked down at his feet in the stirrups. Ahnon climbed down and walked over to Ava. “I’m sorry. You were right,” he told her and grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. Ava smiled as Ahnon walked over to Kenna. “Kenna, I’m glad you wanted to wait for the saddle,” he said and patted her leg.

Spinning around, Ahnon walked back to his War horse, a massive black horse, and climbed on. “It’s that comfortable?” Orrla asked from his shoulder.

“Yes. I have to say, it is,” Ahnon told her and wheeled his horse around, leading his other horse behind him. The others fell in behind him. When they went through the gate, Delmuth was waiting with the sergeant.

“I thinks he has something he wants to tell you,” Delmuth said, motioning to the sergeant.

“I’m sorry for my behavior yesterday,” he said, looking down.

With indifference, Ahnon waved at him. “No problem,” Ahnon said. “Delmuth, till I see you again,” Ahnon said, reaching over and shaking Delmuth’s hand. Paying the sergeant no mind, Ahnon kicked his horse and led the others through the gate.

When Jedek passed the sergeant, “I’m not sorry and if you ever disrespect Neeji again, I will fill the shield with water,” he warned. Ahnon busted out laughing at hearing that and was having trouble staying on his horse. The only reason he stayed in the saddle was Orrla ‘helped’ him.

They were a league away before Ahnon quit laughing. “What was so funny about that?” Orrla asked.

Wiping tears away, “I’m sorry, Orrla. I can’t tell you right now,” Ahnon chuckled.

“One day you must, I’ve never seen you laugh like that,” she told him.

“You should’ve seen the first time,” Jedek said behind her.

Reaching down, Ahnon put on his mask and glasses, “I really don’t want to laugh that hard again.”

Flying off his shoulder, Orrla hovered in front of Ahnon. “I would like to see that,” she told him  with a smile.

Chapter 18

When the group returned home, to a very happy group of kobolds and dragons, they all agreed the saddles were great. They were so great, Ahnon took his inside and took it apart to see how they’d made it.

The next morning, the group came outside to find obstacles in the field below the cottage. Ahnon jumped on his light horse and sped off, weaving in and out of posts and jumping barriers. When he came back, he jumped off. “One hour,” he said, leading his horse over to the hitch and tying it off.

They all tried to copy Ahnon, but nobody did it. Ahnon told them to feed and water their horses and moved over to the field of posts. When the others joined him, Ahnon grabbed a quarter staff and jumped on the post. “Kenna, Jedek, Michi, come and knock me off,” he challenged as he put on a blindfold.

With a valiant flare, Michi pole vaulted onto a post, bounced over and started attacking. Ahnon defended and started to attack. Bouncing around on the post tops, Michi kept changing his angle of attack as Jedek and Kenna jumped up on the post and bounded over. They could now run on the posts, and even caught kobolds that they chased on the field of posts.

They each moved to a point around Ahnon and all of them attacked simultaneously. Ahnon beat them back and flipped over Michi and hit him in the back, sending him to the ground. Orrla did make Michi miss a post with his face. Kenna ran from one post to another and setting her pole on a post top, she pole vaulted over Ahnon. Landing on two posts, she spun around and actually hit Ahnon on the arm, making him wobble.

The shock of actually hitting Ahnon for the first time, ever, stunned her as she stared in wonder at her accomplishment. When Ahnon popped her in the legs with his staff, it brought the conclusion to her achievement as she crashed to the ground.

Jedek had watched what she’d done and was still gawking when Ahnon thrust his staff out, catching him in the stomach and sending him to the ground. He slowly stood up to see Kenna stand up, wiping blood off her mouth. Beaming with pride, Kenna looked at Jedek and smiled. “I hit him!” she screamed.

Ahnon laughed and lifted his blindfold. “Yes, you did. But look who got knocked off,” he said.

“Who cares? I hit you!” she yelled and started dancing around.

Ahnon laughed at her and walked over to the side as the three came over, with Michi and Jedek congratulating her. “How did she do it, Neeji?” Jedek asked and Kenna became quiet.

“I lost her. She wasn’t breathing when she flipped over me. I thought she was going to the right, but when I heard her land in front of me, I knew she had me. If she would’ve hit me again, I would’ve fallen off,” Ahnon admitted.

“Michi was doing that,” Jedek said.

“No, he was breathing in a rhythm and he was easy to follow,” Ahnon replied. Ahnon turned to Rolim and Eloen. “Eloen, you think you can take Rolim blindfolded?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, putting on a blindfold.

Grabbing a staff, Rolim chuckled. “I don’t think so, my butterfly,” he said, jumping on the post. Eloen jumped as the two moved to the center.

“Rolim better not hurt her,” Kenna said.

Reaching in his pocket, “I have a gold crown on Eloen,” Ahnon said, holding it up.

Seeing Rolim flip over Eloen and she didn’t turn around, “I’ll take it,” Jedek said.

Rolim swung at Eloen and she dropped down and spun around, swinging out with her staff and catching Rolim on the legs to knock them off the posts he was standing on. Rosea saved him from eating one of the posts. Eloen flipped from one post to another till she reached the side and jumped off.

She took off her blindfold as Jedek handed over a gold crown to Ahnon. “How did you know?” Jedek asked.

“Remember the first time she ran the course?” Ahnon said, pointing at the forest of posts and Jedek nodded. “She did it blindfolded having never studied it or run it before. I never would’ve tried that,” Ahnon told him.

Dropping the blindfold, Eloen helped Rolim as he walked over. “When I was a child, I was struck by a disease that left me blind for several decades. When a healer restored my sight, I could still ‘feel’ the world around me,” she explained. “He still likes to challenge that,” she said, motioning to Rolim.

“One day, I will take you,” he said, smiling.

“You already took me, but you may win one day,” Eloen said, kissing him.

“Let’s eat,” Ahnon said, heading to the house.

Still high from her accomplishment, Kenna untied her hair and let it down, which made Jedek smile. “That was so fairy hair, Kenna,” Jedek told her.

Her face lit up. “Thank you, Jedek,” she told him and pulled him down, giving him a kiss. Suddenly Jedek’s ears felt like they were on fire when she let him go. Stumbling back, Kenna stared at Jedek and blinked her eyes. “Whoa, what was that?” she said, reaching out and grabbing the table to steady herself.

“Did you do magic on me?” Jedek asked, shaking his head to try to clear his vision.

“No, did you?” she asked.

“No,” Jedek said, reaching out and rubbing Kenna’s hair. With a flushed face, Kenna moved over to stand next to him as Rosea flew over.

“Kenna, that was a great hit,” she said.

“Thank you, Rosea,” Kenna said, reaching out and taking Jedek’s hand. Rosea landed on her shoulder as they helped set up for lunch. After lunch, Ahnon pulled out the padded vests and wooden swords. Everyone put one on and drew numbers. They had learned last season, when Kheet had an axe to stay away from him. Far away and running from Kheet wasn’t seen as cowardice. Not to anyone’s surprise, Michi was the first to win against Ahnon, and then Kheet did. Rolim finally took Ahnon but Eloen couldn’t along with Jedek and Kenna. As the suns set they ate and headed to the soaking pool.

They found the dragons waiting in the cottage for the lessons. The kobolds just ran around everywhere, along with Minos and Chenta. The learning stayed constant, with changes made every few days to what they struggled with.

After a night of study, Jedek helped Ahnon with breakfast. Carrying a platter of food out, Jedek stopped at the door and found Kenna staring out over the rise. Putting the platter down, he walked over about to ask what she was looking at and froze.

Ten ropes, strung the two hundred paces across the meadow from treetops, crossed over the field below. Turning to the tree where Rolim and Eloen’s house was being built, he saw a rope tied to the base before it crossed the meadow below and ran all the way to the other side of the river. The rope from the tree ran under the ropes that were crossing the meadow. “Where in the abyss did Ahnon get that much rope?” Jedek cried out. Looking at the rope, Jedek saw he could barely wrap his hand around it.

“I made it,” Rosea said proudly from Kenna’s shoulder.

Turning to look at Rosea, “Okay, what for?” Jedek asked.

Shrugging her shoulders, “I don’t know,” Rosea admitted. “Ahnon gave me a drawing and asked if I could get some fairies to hang the rope from the trees.”

Staring at the ropes crossing the field below, Kenna shook her head. “Those ropes are really high up,” she mumbled.

Grabbing her hand, Jedek pulled her to the table. “He’ll tell us what they’re for. Let’s eat,” Jedek said.

“Jedek, there aren’t any nets under them,” Kenna cried out as he pulled her to the table.

“Yeah, I noticed,” Jedek mumbled.

As they sat down to eat, both were quiet as everyone at the table chatted away. When breakfast was done, Ahnon stood up and headed for the cottage. Coming back out, Ahnon was carrying a large chest. “Next lesson,” he said, walking past the table and heading for Rolim and Eloen’s tree.

Slowly standing up, Kenna took a deep breath. “I was just getting good on the obstacle course,” she moaned.

Walking over and putting his arm around her shoulders, Michi led her away from the table. “That is why a new course is needed,” Michi told her. “Don’t be surprised when more is added to the original course.”

Giving a groan, Jedek followed them as Ahnon set the chest down and opened it. “Weapons for today,” he said, pulling out rapiers and tossing them to Kenna and Jedek.

Catching the rapier, Jedek huffed. “I really don’t like the rapier. It limits my attacks,” he said, buckling the rapier to his waist.

“Very good, Jedek,” Michi said, catching a rapier Ahnon tossed him. “But this is the weapon gentry use, so you must know it.”

Holding her chin up, “If a gentry pulls a rapier on me, I’ll use my staff sword,” Kenna declared proudly.

Eloen and Rolim caught their rapiers, chuckling at Kenna. “Many others than gentry use the rapier,” Eloen said, buckling her rapier on. “Many elves use the rapier.”

When Ahnon passed out small rapiers to the kobolds, Jedek fought off a shiver. “Ahnon, they just started learning swords, are you sure?” Jedek asked as the kobolds started jumping around and buckling their swords on.

“None of these have been sharpened,” Kheet said, buckling on his rapier and Kenna did a doubletake.

Tying her hair up as she walked over to Kheet, “I thought you weren’t going to learn rapier?” she said, stopping in front of Kheet.

“If my bobbins learn this, so will I,” Kheet said and lifted one foot up to point at it. “That’s why I’m wearing boots like yours.”

Glancing down, Kenna saw his hard-soled pull-on boots were gone and Kheet was wearing the tall boots like theirs that laced up on the outside of the leg. “Wow,” Kenna said, dropping her arms stunned at the sight.

“Michi, since you’ve done this before, let’s go,” Ahnon said, heading for rope tied to the tree. Jumping on, he ran on it till he reached the first rope that crossed the meadow. Leaping up, Ahnon landed on the first rope that crossed perpendicular, strung from the treetops across the meadow.

“How did they get the ropes that tight?” Kenna said, seeing that the rope moved very little as Ahnon had landed.

Pulling on his gloves, Michi headed to the tree as Orrla flew over and landed on Kheet’s shoulder. “Put them up when they are wet and let them dry,” Michi said, jumping up on the rope and running out to the same rope that Ahnon climbed on.

Ahnon and Michi pulled out their rapiers and saluted each other, then started fencing a hundred feet over the meadow on the rope. Feeling apprehensive, Jedek tried to calm his breathing as Eloen moved up beside him and put her arm across his shoulders.

“It is the same as fencing on the ground, Jedek. You just have to remember that you only have one line of attack,” Eloen told him softly.

Scoffing, he watched Michi drive Ahnon back and the ring of steel rang out. “That’s easy for you to say,” Jedek mumbled as Ahnon stepped off the rope and fell. Reaching out, Ahnon grabbed the rope as he swung his body up.

Swinging under Michi, Ahnon’s body arced up and he caught the rope with his hand while rotating his body and setting his feet on the rope. Standing up behind Michi, Ahnon advanced toward Michi as Michi jumped up, spinning around and landing to face the other direction, fending off Ahnon’s attack.

“I don’t even want to know how long those two had to stay on tightropes to learn how to be that good,” Jedek mumbled in awe as the two attacked each other.

“Ahnon told me they had to spend half a year on ropes like that,” Orrla said from Kheet’s shoulder. “Their instructors even made them learn to sleep on the ropes.”

“Can we use magic?” Kenna asked hopefully, watching Michi nimbly run backwards, then charge Ahnon and flip over him.

“Only when you fall,” Orrla said and then flew off, hovering in front of Jedek and Kenna. “I’m to tell you, Rosea and I are only allowed to slow each of you down if you fall. You must stop your own fall.”

Leaning over to Kenna’s ear, Rosea whispered, “That is the one part I didn’t like.”

Fighting to remain calm, Jedek and Kenna nodded and Orrla held up her hand. “There’s more,” she said and both fought not to pass out. “If one of the others who don’t know magic fall, you must use magic on them to stop it as you continue to fight.”

“Is he insane?!” Jedek screamed. “He can’t trust us with their lives like that!”

Walking over, Kheet grabbed Jedek’s shoulder. “It’s not Ahnon who asked for that,” Kheet said. “We did, because we trust you.”

Feeling lightheaded, Kenna stumbled back. “Kheet, you could get hurt!” she cried out.

Letting Jedek go, Kheet looked at Kenna with a smile. “If I do, then I’m sure you did everything you could,” he said without doubt.

Hearing a curse, they turned to see Michi fall off the rope and come to a stop halfway to the ground. Looking up at Ahnon, Michi slowly drifted down to the ground. When he landed, he sheathed his rapier and ran back up the rise toward them.

“Let’s do this,” Jedek said, gritting his teeth.

Jedek and Kenna started off fencing with Eloen and Rolim. It wasn’t long in the lesson that both almost asked to fence Ahnon and Michi, after finding out just how good elves were with the rapier.

Through the morning, they found out that when someone fell, they only fell at half speed. Kenna and Jedek had to catch them before they touched the ground. They didn’t catch everyone, but nobody was mad when they hit the ground. Not even Kheet when he broke his arm.

***

It was the morning of the sixth day and Ahnon woke up before the others and headed outside. He found Rolim and Eloen sitting beside their tree, looking at the ropes still strung over the meadow. He walked over. “Morning,” he said as Eloen handed over a cup of tea. “Thank you,” he said, taking a sip.

“Ahnon, I must say, you are an excellent teacher. I’m learning something new every day,” Rolim said as Ahnon sat down beside them.

“Well, I learned a lot out on Thanos,” Ahnon said, watching the first sun break the horizon and rubbing the metal cuff on his left wrist with affection.

“How much longer do you think the kids will have to study?” Eloen asked. Looking at the horizon, Ahnon didn’t answer and just watched the sky.

Eloen was wondering if Ahnon had heard her and was about to ask again when he spoke. “They will be good warriors in another year and could graduate the academy in the year after that. If you want the answer from my heart, never. I don’t want them to fight,” he said, watching the first sunrise over the mountains and then looking down at the cuff. He ran his finger over the engraving of the two looking back at him and smiled.

“You can’t hold on to them forever,” Eloen told him.

“Oh, I know. But I can hope,” Ahnon said.

“When do you think they will be ready?” she asked.

Taking a deep breath, “Two years,” Ahnon told her.

“Well, the state of war has almost passed, Ahnon. So then, you can take them home and they will be warriors, but won’t have to fight,” Rolim told him.

“That’s not what I saw,” Ahnon mumbled. “They will fight and I don’t know why,” he told Rolim.

Not understanding, Rolim looked at Eloen and she shrugged her shoulders. “Well, Ahnon, I know you will be with them and if you will let us, Eloen and I will be there also,” Rolim offered.

“I would be honored,” Ahnon said, looking at them and raising his cup.

Stretching with a yawn, Michi walked out of the cottage, saw them and headed over. Dropping down to sit beside Ahnon, Michi glanced over at him. “Ahnon, can we ask the dragons to sleep outside?” he asked.

“Why?” Ahnon asked, turning to look at Michi.

“Kheet’s snoring is bad enough, but those two can shake the house,” Michi claimed, making Ahnon laugh.

“No, Michi. They’re afraid of the dark,” Ahnon told him as Orrla flew out one of the windows and headed over.

Flying in front of Ahnon, she landed on Ahnon’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” she asked, looking at Ahnon.

“Ah, you were sleeping really good,” Ahnon told her.

Getting comfortable on his shoulder, Orrla shook her head. “Well, you should’ve woken me up,” she told him.

“I covered you up, so you could continue sleeping,” Ahnon explained.

Reaching up, Ahnon rested his hand on his chest caressing Orrla’s legs with his fingertips softly making her smile. “Well, thank you,” she told him as Kheet came out, followed by everyone else, except Kenna and Jedek. “Those two must be tired,” she said, leaning her head on Ahnon’s face.

Kheet came over, sitting down and rubbing his arm where it had broken but Ahnon had mended it that night. “Ahnon, I wish I would’ve had you around in my youth. You’re better than any dwarven healer I’ve heard about.”

“I have Esta to thank for that,” Ahnon said and they talked as the second sun broke the horizon.

“AHNON!” Jedek screamed. The group looked back to the cottage as an explosion of air knocked them flat. They sat up and Ahnon was gone. Orrla flew off the ground, heading to the cottage with everyone following.

Just as Jedek finished his yell and one of the doors flew off, landing on the floor and Ahnon was beside him. “What?” Ahnon shouted, looking around for the attacker with a green glowing ball in his hand.

“Kenna’s hurt,” Jedek told him.

Not seeing an attacker, the ball vanished in his hand as Ahnon looked for Kenna. He saw Kenna was sitting in a chair at the table with her legs pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs, pulling them close. “Kenna, what’s wrong?” Ahnon asked, dropping down beside her.

“It hurts,” she said, rocking back and forth and grunting.

Moving beside her, Ahnon started feeling over her body as the others came running in with a variety of weapons out and bloodlust in their eyes. “Where does it hurt, Kenna?” Ahnon asked, feeling her head.

“My stomach,” she told him.

“Ahnon, she said she was bleeding,” Jedek said in a panic.

Almost dropping his battle axe, Kheet raised his eyebrows. “This is where I leave,” he said and ushered the kobolds and dragons outside.

“Jedek, she’s not bleeding. I gave her an elixir for her cut and bruises before she went to sleep. Besides, she didn’t get hit that hard yesterday,” Ahnon said.

“Ahnon, she said she was bleeding, but wouldn’t tell me where!” Jedek shouted in alarm.

“No, she’s not ble-,” Ahnon stopped as he stared at Jedek and slowly turned to Kenna. “Oh-,” Ahnon said and fell back on his bottom.

“I’m going to die, aren’t I?” Kenna cried out with tears on her face.

“No, you’re-,” Ahnon started and stopped, looking at Kenna. In a panic, he jumped up and looked from Kenna to Jedek. “Well, it’s just-,” Ahnon said and waved his hands about, “you know.”

“Ahnon, make her better,” Jedek begged, trying not to cry. Eloen moved toward the table, but Michi stopped her.

Almost panicking, Ahnon looked at Jedek and turned, holding out his hand for his medicine pack. It flew across the room, landing in his hand. Setting it on the table, Ahnon started pulling out stuff as he concentrated on his breathing. “Now-,” he said, looking at Jedek and stopped. Grabbing a bottle, he poured some in a bowl and then looked at Kenna. “See this is-,” he started and looked back in his bag, grabbing some powders and putting them in the bowl.

Looking back at Jedek, “When a girl-,” Ahnon said and looked at Kenna. “It’s like-,” he stuttered and started stirring the bowl. “You have to know this,” he said, looking at Jedek.

“What in the abyss are you talking about?!” Jedek shouted.

Taking a deep breath, Ahnon looked down at the bowl. “Okay, you are a boy,” he said, looking at Jedek and then back at Kenna. “He’s a boy,” Ahnon said, pointing at Jedek.

“I know that, Ahnon! I married him!” Kenna shouted.

“Exactly,” Ahnon said, smiling, “Don’t you see?” he asked, praying they understood.

“See what?” Jedek asked.

“Here, drink this,” Ahnon said, forcing Kenna’s head back and pouring the liquid in her mouth. When the vile liquid hit her tongue, Kenna wanted to gasp, but Ahnon forced her mouth closed. In seconds, her stomach quit hurting and she lowered her legs to the floor.

With sweat beading on his face, Ahnon set the bowl down and looked at Kenna. “You’re a girl,” Ahnon informed her.

“Have you been drinking?” Kenna asked, studying Ahnon’s face.

“No, but you’re girl and-,” Ahnon said and turned to looked at Jedek, “he’s a boy.”

Wanting answers, Jedek slammed his fist into the table. “Ahnon! We know I’m a boy and she’s a girl!” Jedek shouted. “When she’s hurting like that it makes me feel bad, so what’s wrong with Kenna? Make it go away!”

Orrla flew over in front of Ahnon. “Sit,” she said, pointing at the table beside Kenna. Thankful that someone had a plan, Ahnon sat down. Orrla landed facing him. “Just tell them,” she said and flew up to his shoulder.

Almost trembling, Ahnon took a deep breath, then another breath and started talking. It didn’t take long before both Jedek and Kenna’s mouths were hanging open. The others sat down at the other end of the table. When his throat would get dry, Orrla would fly over and bring him back a drink of water. They sat and listened to Ahnon for over two hours.

When Jedek asked the first question, Ahnon stood up without answering and walked over to the ale barrel, pouring a mug and drained it, then poured another. Carrying it back to the table, he sat down and answered questions, drinking three more mugs.

He sat there staring from one to the other for half an hour after the last question. “Do you understand?” he asked, saying a prayer to any god that they both understood. They both nodded at him. “Good, we take today off and will never speak of it again. I want no written record that today happened,” he declared. “I’m going back to bed,” he announced and drained his mug.

As he stood up, his head started swimming. “I never started drinking till I had kids,” he said, stumbling over to his bed.

“It will be better when you wake up,” Orrla promised, flying off his shoulder and helping him to bed.

It wasn’t long till the room was filled with Ahnon’s deep breathing. Eloen looked at Michi. “I could’ve helped him,” she told Michi.

“No, that was for their father-teacher,” he told her, smiling. “He is a great man and we can’t take that away from him. In years to come, he will be glad he did that,” Michi assured Eloen.

Darting off Ahnon’s bed, Orrla flew over to Michi. “I knew you’ve seen how good he is,” she said, kissing Michi’s cheek.

“I’ve always known,” Michi said and turned to look at the kids. “Is there anything else you want to ask?” he directed at Kenna and Jedek and they shook their heads in unison. A look of total overwhelming shock was on their faces.

“Have anything to say?” Rosea asked, flying over to Kenna.

“That was so gross,” she informed everyone.

Feeling someone driving a spike in his brain, Ahnon struggled to open his eyes. As they slowly opened, he saw Orrla hovering over him. “Sleep well?” she asked, smiling.

“Don’t know. Someone is driving a spike into my head,” Ahnon said, sitting up. Raising her hand, Orrla flew over and touched his head and the pain ceased.  Smiling, Ahnon stared at her, “Thank you, I don’t know if I would‘ve taken the time to take an elixir.”

Looking out the window, Ahnon noticed it was dark. Looking around the cottage, he saw everyone studying. Jedek looked up from the book he was reading. “Never seen you sleep that long.”

“How long did I sleep?” Ahnon asked, throwing his legs off his cot.

“It will be dawn in an hour,” Kenna said, reading a book and making notes in one of her journals.

Getting up off the cot Ahnon walked over to the table, stepping over several kobolds who were laying on the floor and reading. Looking over Kenna’s shoulder, Ahnon saw she was reading another book on animals and making notes. Rubbing the top of her head, he looked over at Jedek and couldn’t tell what he was reading. “What are you studying?”

Giving a slight shrug, Jedek looked up smiling, “Nothing really, just something I wanted to figure out.”

Chuckling as he headed to the stove, “Need any help? I have been around most of Thanos,” Ahnon asked, pulling out pans as Orrla flew over, landing on his shoulder.

Glancing at Ahnon and seeing he was occupied fixing breakfast, Kenna looked over at Jedek, shaking her head. Jedek just smiled at her. “No, Ahnon. I want to see if I can figure it out myself and then get you to look over it to see if I’m right,” he told Ahnon.

Thinking about that, Ahnon stopped his work as he prepared breakfast. “Whoa, that’s a good idea,” he admitted. “Kenna, you help Jedek and that way we can see if both of you can come to the conclusion.”

“I’m already helping him,” Kenna smiled and went back to her book.

Several kobolds grabbed the egg basket and milk bucket, running outside as Ahnon started cooking. Hearing movement behind him, Ahnon looked over his shoulder to see the dragons watching him. “Yes?” he asked.

“Why do you always cook your meat?” Gilan asked.

“It tastes better and isn’t covered in blood,” Ahnon answered as Orrla pointed at the bacon, lifting them out of the pan.

Huryk snaked his head around as Ahnon put more bacon in the pan. “I do say it does taste better, but it takes longer,” he noted, smelling the bacon as it cooked.

Reaching over, Ahnon pushed Huryk’s head back. “Nothing good is fast or quick.”

Pulling his head back, Huryk looked at Gilan in confusion. “You already cooked some meat, you can use your ‘mimic’ and create more,” he noted with Gilan nodding in agreement.

“It doesn’t taste the same,” Ahnon said as Orrla floated the next pan of bacon out. After Ahnon refilled the pan, he looked at the stack of bacon and spoke. Another plate appeared beside the one Orrla was filling up with the beacon from the stove. Ahnon picked up two pieces he’d cooked and threw them over his shoulder. The dragons snatched them out of the air.

“Umm,” Gilan said, licking his lips as Ahnon reached down to grab two pieces from the plate that appeared. Throwing them over his shoulder, the dragons again snatched them out of the air.

They both made faces as they swallowed them. “The only thing I taste is the burnt grease,” Huryk noted as he stuck out his tongue and wiped it off with his hands.

“Exactly. Nothing I have found in nature can be duplicated with magic or witchcraft. I do admit, ‘mirror image’ the witchcraft spell like ‘mimic’ does a little better,” Ahnon admitted.

Pointing at the finished bacon, Orrla floated it out of the pan. “So you have tried it on many things?” she asked as the bacon set down on the plate. Seeing the plate Ahnon had conjured, Orrla waved her hand and it disappeared.  “Gilan, light the stove,” Orrla said.

Opening the door to the stove, he threw in several logs and lowered his head smiling. Opening his mouth, Gilan took a deep breath and let out a humf. A ball of fire leapt from his mouth, engulfing the wood. Closing the door, Gilan watched Orrla float over the loaves of dough, putting them in the oven.

“Yes, Orrla, I’ve tried it on most everything. The first thing most wizards try it on is gold. It looks like gold, but it’s really just gold-colored lead. It is very easy to tell the difference,” Ahnon told her, filling the pan back up.

Behind them, Jedek leaned over the table. “See? I told you it wasn’t gold,” he whispered to Kenna.

“Well, it looked like it,” Kenna snapped back in a whisper.

Flying off Ahnon’s shoulder, Orrla pointed at the plate of bacon, moving it over. “Why do you think that is?”

“One can’t duplicate nature perfectly,” Ahnon told her. “Trust me, my mimic spells are much better than most. I can eat the food I conjure up and it will sustain me, but I would rather eat tree bark.”

Out of curiosity, Orrla pointed beside the plate of bacon and another appeared just like it. Seeing that, Ahnon reached down and took a piece. Chewing it up, he made a funny face. “No, it tastes bland.”

Shocked, Orrla flew down and took a bite and spit it out. “My word! If you call that bland, I don’t want to know what tastes bad.”

“You don’t even want to know what most of my elixirs and potions taste like,” Ahnon told her as he put anther pan on the stove, warming it up.

As the kobolds brought the eggs in, Orrla pointed at them. The eggs, one by one, flew out of the basket and hovered over another pan, cracking and dumping the egg into the pan. The shells flew over to a barrel in the corner. Getting out of his chair, Kheet grabbed the milk bucket and dumped it in the pitcher. Rolim and Eloen came over, preparing the fruits and nuts.

The dragons ran over to grab stacks of plates and carried them outside to the table. Kheet grabbed the water and tea pitchers in one hand and the milk and his ale pitcher in the other, carrying them outside. When the eggs were done, Ahnon and Orrla carried out the food.

As Ahnon walked out, Kenna looked at Jedek. “Are you crazy? Working on the location of the rods now?”

“No, Ahnon will find out sooner or later,” Jedek said, standing up.

“I agree with you that when Orrla is near him he can’t hear us talk through the amulets, but you are pushing it,” she told him, standing up.

Walking around the table, Jedek held out his hand, taking Kenna’s hand. “No, we will have to tell him what we are doing sooner or later.”

“I know that, but if we can find something to go after, he will be much more willing to back us,” Kenna said as Jedek led her to the door.

With a gentle smile on his face, “No matter what we do, Ahnon will back us,” Jedek told her. “We are doing this so we have a chance for all of us to survive what we do.”

“Well, Desgeoff is bringing more scrolls on his next mission,” Kenna said.

Jedek chuckled, “I don’t even want to know how he is getting the books and scrolls that we are asking for.”

“Hey, he’s Desgeoff. Nobody tells him ‘no’ more than once,” Kenna said she looked at the training boards, seeing the lesson plan as they stepped outside. “You noticed the lesson, right?” she asked as they headed to the table.

“Yeah, but since we wore those blindfolds for two months straight, I’m feeling optimistic,” he told her.

“Chasing kobolds over the course blindfolded should never make one feel optimistic,” Kenna said, sitting down.

“Humph, better them than the elves. I can’t hear them move, no matter how hard I try,” Jedek informed her.

Hearing that, Eloen smiled as she fixed Kenna’s plate. “Listen for the garments we wear moving and not our feet,” she hinted.

Not amused, Jedek looked up, “Easy for you to say, you’re an elf.”

Eloen laughed as she set down Kenna’s plate. Reaching over, Ahnon set the keck down. “Don’t feel bad, Jedek. It took me several months to learn to hear an elf move,” Ahnon told him. “When I teach Michi to make them bhari outfits, you won’t even hear their garments.”

Grabbing a piece of Kenna’s bacon, Jedek looked over at Ahnon, “It’s been half a year and I still can’t hear them, so that doesn’t fill me with enthusiasm.”

“Well, I was in Aztan and got caught one night camping by some dark elves. Until that fight, I had never truly been able to track an elf by sound. When death is the reward for failure, the motivation factor goes way up,” Ahnon told him.

As he was drinking his tea, Rolim coughed on hearing that. “You fought dark elves at night and survived? You didn’t, like, fly away?”

“Couldn’t fly away. I was being hunted by the kytensa, so I had to be careful with my magic,” Ahnon said, cutting off a slice of bread. “If a wizard is within a league or two of you and you use magic, he can find you rather fast.”

“What did you do that time, try to kill the overlord?” Kenna asked, shoving food in her mouth.

Shaking his head, “No, I was training with the kytensa and about to get my red sash, but my cover got blown and they found out I was from Nazar. Getting the red sash is equivalent to a sho-ka. You have to study, but most study only other fighting forms and like sho-ka, all red sashes can do magic. I left before they arrested me. I just didn’t think it would’ve been a fair trial, and I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed the questioning,” Ahnon told her.

“How did your cover get blown?” Jedek asked.

“The man’s place I took, his family came for the event and saw me in the market the day before I was going to get my sash. They ran and tattled to the kytensa headmaster. Luckily, I had a communication stone in his office and heard them,” Ahnon said.

“What did you do with the man whose place you took?” Jedek asked.

“Oh, I killed him. Couldn’t have him show up with me in training,” Ahnon replied. Jedek jumped back in shock. “What? I couldn’t just tie him up for seven to ten years.” Shaking his head, Jedek just stared at Ahnon in wonder.

“Ahnon,” Michi called out. “Don’t the kytensa start training with kids around ten like the bhari?” he asked.

“No,” Ahnon said, grabbing his glass. “The youngest I ever saw was seventeen. Most that come are already accomplished warriors in one of the three armies. I met one that was forty when he started training.”

Flying off Ahnon’s shoulder, Orrla spun around. “So the kytensa start training later in life?” she asked and Ahnon nodded. “Who is better then, the bhari or kytensa?”

“Depends on the situation,” Ahnon told her. “The bhari don’t train to fight in large groups, but the kytensa do. When bhari assassinate someone, it usually involves one or two. The kytensa send one section, twenty.”

Just hovering in front of Ahnon, Orrla thought about what he’d said. Finally she looked up, “So the bhari are more deadly one on one and the kytensa are more deadly in groups?”

“Not really, till you factor in that more kytensa know magic than bhari,” Ahnon told her.

“Can a warrior that doesn’t know magic beat one that does?” Orrla asked.

Nodding his head, “Yes, it happens all the time. In a fight, magic is only a weapon like a sword.” Orrla stared at him, unconvinced.

“Orrla, don’t fairies get killed by hobgoblins and other animals?” Orrla darted back at the question and her eyes grew wide, seeing what Ahnon was saying. “See? It doesn’t matter if you know magic, if your opponent is ready for it or catches you off guard. Never let pride in a form of study convince you that you don’t need to learn other areas.”

Slowly, Orrla floated down to the table. When her feet touched the table, her wings laid down. “Now I understand why you are teaching in such a broad spectrum. You can’t prepare for everything, but the more you know, the better off your chances are in battle. If you only study one area to perfection, you think with a fixed mindset.”

“Very good,” Ahnon told her, reaching out and caressing her cheek with his fingertips.  Jedek and Kenna softly groaned, thinking of all they didn’t know but needed to.

Feeling like Jedek and Kenna, Michi slumped his shoulders and looked toward Ahnon. “Ahnon, if I may ask, how many years did you study till you became confident of victory in your outcome in battle?”

Caught off guard, Ahnon raised his eyebrows, “Well, to be honest, I still don’t know enough and I doubt I ever will.”

Finding that hard to believe, Michi laughed, “Ahnon, I’ve fought many battles with you and you always know you are going to win. Now, that group of orcs that came at us in Honch did have me worried, but not you.”

“No, Michi. I always think I’m going to win. I don’t know. Confidence in one’s abilities is totally different. I’m confident in what I know and if you doubt that, the battle is already lost. You just haven’t died yet,” Ahnon told him.

Kenna leaned over the table, “Okay, so how long did it take you till you became confident in your abilities?”

“I don’t understand,” Ahnon told her.

Thinking about it for a minute, Kenna asked, “Like flaming darts, how long before you became confident to use them in battle?”

“The day I learned it,” Ahnon answered. Kenna dropped her head on the table, moaning. “Kenna, if you know it, feel confident to use it. Don’t question what you know that you can do. Question what you can’t and figure it out. Yes, one time I may use a spell and it may kill me, but it won’t be because I didn’t feel confident in the spell. It will be because I didn’t do what I know.”

“That makes no sense,” Kenna moaned.

“Kenna, you know the mini stars are coated with oglat poison and have used them very effectively. You know how many to grab at one time to maintain control of them. But if you let one slip brushing your arm, is that because you didn’t feel confident in your abilities?” Ahnon asked.

“That would just be a stupid mistake,” Kenna moaned with her head on the table.

“You could say that or you could say, you weren’t relying on what you know,” Ahnon told her.

Lifting her head up, Kenna looked at Ahnon, “I’m never going to be able to show the confidence you do in a fight, then. I don’t trust what I know.”

“Yes, you do, or you wouldn’t still be training,” Ahnon replied.

“You aren’t scared when you fight,” Kenna snapped.

“Oh, yes I am,” Ahnon corrected.

Jedek threw out his hands, “Yes, but it’s for us.”

Not able to help it, Ahnon started to chuckle, which really irritated them. “I’m not going to deny that I’m worried about you two when we fight. But I’m still worried about death, only a fool isn’t. Even before I became your sho-ka, I was frightened of death when I fought, but accepted the fact that if I died, it wasn’t going to be because I didn’t do what I know. Now, am I scared to die? No. It’s a part of life. Death scares me because I don’t know if I would still feel what I have now.”

“I don’t understand,” Kenna moaned.

“In time, you will,” Ahnon assured her. “Now is the time to learn to trust what you know. Let’s get started.”

Groaning, they stood up and started the day. They did feel better when even Michi fell off the course chasing kobolds blindfolded. They didn’t see it because they were blindfolded, but they sure heard his mouth when he fell.

Chapter 19

It was the end of fall when Ahnon led the group outside to the tables one morning. On the tables were sets of plate armor. Michi groaned upon seeing it. “We have to wear that?” Kenna asked.

“Yes, and fight in it,” Ahnon told them.

Somewhat disappointed, Jedek looked at the armor. “It’s kind of plain. The armor at the palace had all kinds of designs on it,” he said.

“Yours will as well, this is training armor,” Ahnon told him and went over and helped them get it on. When everyone had their armor on, everyone was shocked to see Ahnon put on armor. “Ready?” he asked, putting his helmet on.

“To do what?” Jedek asked. Smiling, Ahnon ran over to the forest of posts and ran over them, then to the obstacle course. The three watched with mouths hanging open as Ahnon ran the course in full armor. Jedek looked up at Michi, “Will the nets hold with us in full armor?”

With a worried expression, Michi shook his head, “I don’t know.”

Kenna looked up at him, “What the crap are you worried about? You’ve never fallen off before, unless you were chasing kobolds blindfolded.”

“I’ve never worn a full set of armor before,” Michi admitted as Ahnon trotted over to them, finished with the course.

Taking off his helmet, Ahnon still had his smile, “Your first run will be without your helmet. All the rest will be with it.”

“Very well,” Michi said, setting his helmet down and took off. Kenna and Jedek set theirs down and followed.

Ahnon turned around to see Rolim and Eloen walking over and wearing elven armor that Kheet had made for them. They each had a breastplate with a shoulder guard over their sword arm. Then, arm and leg guards.  “Nice,” Ahnon said.

“Only royalty is allowed to wear armor,” Rolim told him, feeling uncomfortable.

Ahnon laughed, “Well, you’re fighting with royalty.”

They both nodded and heard a curse and looked up to see Kenna falling off the obstacle course and bounce really high after hitting the nets. “Orrla,” Ahnon said, wondering where Kenna learned those words as Orrla threw out her tiny hand, halting Kenna a foot off the ground before she hit and slowly lowering her to the ground. “Thank you,” Ahnon said as she flew over, landing on his shoulder and trying to get comfortable.

Out of habit, Ahnon reached up with his right hand and stroked her legs. Orrla smiled, “You’re welcome and I don’t like armor.”

“Me either, but they have to know it and any that come with us, do as well. Fighting in full armor is tiring and unless you practice like you train, it is a hindrance,” Ahnon said as Jedek fell and hit the nets. Fortunately, he just kept bouncing on the nets, but then had the chore of climbing off.

“You do realize that Kenna was cursing in elven, dwarven, and common when she fell,” Orrla pointed out, clearly impressed.

“Yes, and I was just wondering where she’d heard it. I haven’t even heard some of those words,” Ahnon admitted.

“Eloen, Kheet, and the kobolds,” Orrla informed him. Standing beside them, Rolim looked at Eloen who was blushing. Reaching over, Rolim patted her hand and smiled.

Thinking about it, Ahnon shrugged his shoulders, making Orrla slide closer to his head. “Well, as long as she uses them in proper context,” he said.

“Proper context?” Orrla asked shocked. “I don’t think you can physically do any of those things to someone and keep them alive at the same time.”

“I mean, if she is making a mistake and is mad,” Ahnon clarified.

Orrla thought about that and just let it lie as Michi came to the end, running down the pole steps when he lost his footing. “That’s going to hurt,” Ahnon said, lifting his hand and stopping Michi before he faceplanted.

“Will you let me by?” Kheet said behind them. Ahnon and the elves turned to see Kheet in dwarven armor with his helm on. Kheet put down his weapons and hopped up on the forest of posts and ran across the tops to reach the obstacle course, and even though he wasn’t as graceful, he was very surefooted. When he swung from rope to rope, he did it with one hand.

When Kheet had finished and stopped in front of them, Ahnon smiled, “Very nice.”

“Told you I could do it in armor with no problem,” Kheet said as the kids and Michi came over to join them.

“One hour,” Ahnon said, turning over an hourglass.

The group ran the course, along with the kobolds and dragons. The dragons cheated because when they slipped, they just flew and moved on. Of course, no one had seen a kobold fall yet, even though Kenna and Jedek tried to make them trip several times by using magic. Jedek and Kenna had come to the conclusion; elves never fell down unless you knocked them down.

When the group was done, they moved over to see Ahnon on his horse with a lance. Lowering his visor and kicking his horse, Ahnon charged across the yard, dropping the tip of his lance and holding it level. The others saw a pole with a T piece and a shield on one end and a weighted ball on the other.

A solid ‘whack’ sounded through the air as Ahnon’s lance hit the shield and he rode through. The swinging ball missed him as he rode past. He turned around and charged back to the other side of the yard and they saw three circles hanging off the ground at slightly different heights and out of alignment.

Charging the circles, Ahnon moved the tip of the lance up, down and left, right, spearing the three circles. Pulling his horse to a stop, Orrla floated off Ahnon’s shoulder and slid the rings off, hanging them back up. Landing back on Ahnon’s shoulder, Orrla lifted up his visor as he trotted over.

“We have to learn how to joust?” Jedek asked, smiling with excitement.

“Yes, most armies attack with heavy cavalry, though. Not this much armor,” Ahnon said, holding out his hand and letting go of the lance. It floated to the ground as he jumped off his horse. “Who’s first?”

“Do we all have to do this?” Michi asked almost in a whine, shocking Jedek and Kenna.

“If you are going with us, you do,” Ahnon told him. “Yes, Michi, you’ve been taught how to combat this attack, but you’ve never done this attack. There’re literally hundreds of ways to fight it, you know only a few. This way, you know how to do it and fight it. Also if we have to, we can pick up a lance and joust.”

“Ah, Ahnon, I’m kind of short on one end to be jousting,” Kheet told him.

Snorting, “Kheet, as strong as you are, you will have no trouble,” Ahnon assured him. “Come over here and let me show you how to sit in the saddle,” Ahnon said and the group moved over. After two hours of listening to Ahnon, they ate and Jedek threw a tantrum to go first.

After getting situated on his horse, Jedek kicked the horse to charge the jousting dummy. His lance hit the shield, spinning the target and Jedek leaned back after the impact, just as the weighted ball swung around, hitting him hard in the side and sweeping him out of the saddle. Everyone cringed at the metal-crunching impact.

“Why does the jousting dummy hit back?” Kenna asked, wanting to run over and help Jedek.

“It’s called a quintain. It hits back to teach you not to lean back after impact and ride through your target to unhorse your opponent or run him through,” Ahnon told her, seeing Jedek get up and shake his head. Stumbling for a second, Jedek picked up his lance and climbed back on his horse, not an easy feat.

Jedek moved back and charged the quintain again, leaning forward and hitting the shield hard and the ball sailed past him as he rode on and charged the three rings. Moving the lance back and forth, Jedek managed to spear two. He was about to charge them again when Ahnon called him over. “Your horse is tired. Let him catch his breath as the others go.”

The others followed and everyone was unhorsed at least once by the quintain. Ahnon did have to repair it once, after Kheet hit the shield so hard with his lance that the wooden shield shattered. As the suns went down, the group was starting to get the hang of jousting with everyone getting the three rings. When the horses were put up, they headed inside to study. They were learning dwarven now, and Kheet was astounded when both Eloen and Rolim spoke and wrote perfect dwarven.

Kheet was teaching the night’s lesson when one of the kobolds went to get some tea for the group and Chenta tackled him. Even though Chenta was playing, the kobold didn’t like looking up to see saber teeth over him. Now that Chenta was the size of a pony, when he swiped with his paws it hurt, even without claws.

“Chenta!” Kenna yelled. Hearing the yell, Chenta laid down on his belly beside the kobold as Kenna came over, helping the kobold up. “What is the matter with you?”

“Bored,” Chenta said, looking down.

“You do that again and I’ll shave your fur off,” Kenna warned, looking at him with daggers in her eyes.

“Sorry,” he meowed.

“Go sit in the corner till I tell you to leave it, and don’t make me tell you more than once!” she snapped. With his head down, Chenta slinked across the floor to the closest corner. Sitting in his chair, Ahnon watched the interaction with indifference. Rolim and Eloen were shocked that Chenta acted like he was told, going and sitting in the corner.

“Jedek, don’t ever make her mad at you or get into an argument,” Rolim warned. “You will lose.”

“Yeah, I’ve already learned that,” Jedek told him, not even looking over while copying what Kheet had written on the board.

Moving back to the table, Kenna sat down huffing, “Chenta is a good pet, but sometimes I wish he was a girl. I’m sure they are smarter.” Rosea nodded in agreement.

“Does Chenta always do what you tell him?” Eloen asked.

Returning his eyes to the book he was reading, Ahnon started laughing, “I want to meet something that doesn’t do what she tells it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kenna asked coldly.

“Kenna, you’re so loveable. I really think if something didn’t do what you told it to, we would all fight to see who was going to give it a thrashing,” Ahnon said, looking over at her.

Shaking her head and smiling at Ahnon, Kenna walked over to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, I think.”

The next morning, Ahnon led Michi, Kenna, and Jedek down to the river. It was cold with the approach of winter as they stopped beside the river. “Today, you start witchcraft and then we will continue fighting in armor,” Ahnon told them. Kenna and Jedek started jumping and Michi became pale.

Ahnon closed his eyes and lifted his hand, pointing at the water. “Neeya dru,” he said and a tube of water shot straight up out of the river. Ahnon moved his hand, guiding the tube to the other bank and snaking it up through the trees. Ahnon closed his hand into a fist and the water crashed to the ground.

“You can do anything with witchcraft that you can do with wizard craft, but controlling the elements is much easier with witchcraft: earth, wind, water, and fire.” Ahnon explained how to focus and guide the will. When everyone said they understood, Jedek stepped up to go first.

Feeling very confident, he held out his hand and closed his eyes, feeling the world around him as he slowed his breathing. Focusing his mind on what he wanted to do, “Neeya dru,” he said. His body jolted as Jedek felt the power of Thanos hit him. A tube of water didn’t rise up, the entire river rose and shot up in the air, way up in the air, leaving the river bed downstream dry.

“That’s not good,” Ahnon said, looking up at the tower of water getting higher and shooting straight up into the sky as he tossed powder at their feet, throwing up a shield.

Sweat instantly soaked Jedek’s clothes as his legs started to tremble as the power around him was more than his body could control, and he started thinking about how tired he was. Closing his eyes and reciting a spell, Ahnon reached over and grabbed Jedek, forcefully breaking his concentration. The others watched the river of water start to fall as Ahnon’s shield formed over them. The wall of water came crashing down for several seconds, knocking down trees and sending several boulders into the river.

Collapsing on his back, Jedek gasped for air, seeing the water rush over the shield. “Ahnon, I really love you,” he said, looking over at Ahnon. The others looked outside the shield to see they were underwater, but the water was receding quickly.

“I predict now, I don’t have to tell you witchcraft can kill you just as easily as wizard craft,” Ahnon said, watching the water flow back into the river bed. Ahnon watched Jedek blinking his eyes and his skin started to get pale.

Slowly turning, Kenna faced Jedek. He was pale, panting, and soaked in sweat like he had been dunked in water. “You okay?” she asked timidly. Jedek slowly nodded. “Ahnon, what happened?” Kenna asked.

“Jedek didn’t limit the power he pulled in. If I wouldn’t have broken his concentration, he would’ve died. Just like wizard craft, you must have a detailed mental picture of how you want the magic to work around you, not just ‘raise the water in the air’,” Ahnon said, walking over and handing Jedek a vial of blue, almost glowing, liquid. Without asking what it was, Jedek took the vial and drank it, making several faces in disgust. Michi moved over to help Jedek stand.

“Ahnon, can I just stay with wizard craft?” Michi asked.

“Sorry, Michi, but you must learn this,” Ahnon said, turning to Kenna, “Your turn.”

Letting out a sigh, “Alright,” Kenna said, turning to the river.

“You really want to get the fear out of your mind, Kenna. Unlike wizardry, you can still perform a spell with doubt using witchcraft, usually with deadly results for you,” Ahnon warned. Nodding her head, Kenna took a deep breath and held out her hand and spread her fingers wide.

A ribbon of water no bigger than a finger rose from the river, snaking towards them. Ahnon smiled when Kenna opened her eyes, gasping, “Wow, I did it.”

“Very good, Kenna,” Ahnon said when she closed her hand and the ribbon of water splashed down. Michi, like Kenna, set a very fine picture in his head, bringing out a small ribbon of water. Clapping both on the back for a good job, Ahnon moved over to Jedek, “Try it again, Jedek.”

This time, Jedek did it with a very limited picture in his mind as a ribbon of water rose out of the river. When Jedek closed his hand, sending the water splashing back down, he looked at Ahnon, “When I did that the first time, I swear it felt like I was about to explode.”

“You were about to lose your mind in the water. Jedek, you lifted a whole river out of its banks, sending it up the gods only know how high,” Ahnon told him.

The color drained out of Jedek’s face. “I bet it was the highest thing on Thanos for a second,” Kenna said, walking over and grabbing Jedek’s hand.

“Not by a long shot,” Ahnon told her. “The highest thing on Thanos is Mt. Olton in Nazar. People say that’s where the gods live, but we will never know because nobody’s been to the top.”

“What do you mean, nobody’s been to the top?” Jedek asked, shocked that something was higher than the river he’d just shot into the air.

As Ahnon dropped the shield, Michi faced Jedek, “It’s so high up, there’s no air to breathe. I tried after I graduated from the academy. If what the professors at Nazar University said was right, I made it a third of the way up at six miles. I could see the city of Ha’ Tor two hundred leagues away.”

“Nothing’s that tall,” Kenna declared.

Ahnon laughed, “Kenna, when the suns travel across the sky, the shadow of Mt. Olton extends out five hundred miles.”

“We’re wizards and learning witchcraft, we can make it to the top,” Jedek said. For some reason, the idea of man not reaching the top of the mountain bothered him.

“Maybe, but why?” Ahnon asked. “The only reason Michi’s alive is because he flew down. He was coughing up blood and almost frozen. That mountain has claimed many lives, including wizards and witches who have tried to reach the top.”

“We can fly to the top,” Kenna offered.

“How do you think Michi made it six miles up?” Ahnon asked. “The higher you fly, the thinner the air gets making it really hard to breathe, not to mention colder. I can assure you, passing out when you’re flying is deadly.”

A thousand ideas started running thru Jedek’s mind, trying to solve the problem. “There has to be a way,” he said.

“Jedek, there are a thousand mountains in this range that a man has never been to the top of,” Ahnon said, walking away through the mud.

“Are they taller than Mt. Olton?” he asked.

“No,” Ahnon said, sinking to his ankles.

“Then why bother?” Jedek replied, following.

Stopping in the mud, Ahnon turned around to face Jedek, “Jedek, do you want to be a warrior or a mountain climber?”

“A warrior,” Jedek told him instantly.

“Then forget about Mt. Olton,” Ahnon said, turning back around.

“It’s the same thing, Ahnon. We can beat something that nobody’s been able to beat,” Jedek told him.

Ahnon froze. “Whoa, never thought about it like that.”

“Ahnon, that’s why there are so many bodies on the slopes of Mt. Olton, people want to beat it,” Michi told him.

“That’s why you tried?” Ahnon asked.

“Of course,” Michi said, sinking past his ankles in the mud.

Nodding his head, “Maybe one day,” Ahnon said as he headed back to the cottage.

When Orrla saw them walking across the field below the cottage, she flew down to Ahnon. “What happened? We saw the river go straight up,” she told him, flying backwards just ahead of Ahnon. The others smiled at seeing the worry on her face.

“Jedek got a little carried away with his witchcraft,” Ahnon said, trying to shake the mud off that had accumulated on his boots.

Orrla flew over to Jedek, “You must be more careful.”

“It was my first time and I didn’t limit what I was trying to do,” Jedek admitted.

“I’m glad Ahnon was with you. The thought of you getting hurt makes me feel sad,” Orrla told him.

Jedek smiled, “Thank you, Orrla. That’s one reason why I like to have Ahnon around, too.” Orrla laughed, kissed his cheek and flew over to Ahnon’s shoulder. As they walked across the muddy field, the kobolds came running over the rise carrying baskets. The group set down the baskets and started picking stuff up to throw in them. The group of kobolds laughed as they moved the baskets around, throwing more stuff in.

As the group got closer, they saw it was fish that the kobolds were throwing into the baskets. Ahnon shook his head as they passed the happy group and saw Minos and Chenta run down the rise, passing them. They turned to watch as Minos and Chenta ran past the kobolds and started walking around, eating the fish on the ground.

Looking around, they noticed there were a lot of fish lying in the field. Letting out a sigh, Ahnon headed for the cottage. The ground was soaked all the way to the base of the rise. “Well, Jedek, you didn’t get the house,” Ahnon said.

Orrla patted Ahnon’s cheek, “I had to tell the water not to hit the house.”

“It was up that high?” Kenna asked.

“Yes. Just for a little while, the cottage looked like it was next to a lake,” Orrla said. “When I saw the river go up in the air, I started taking steps so the cottage would be alright.”

“Ahnon, I think witchcraft is more powerful,” Kenna said.

Giving a groan, Ahnon stopped on the crest of the rise. “Kenna, give me one of your light packets.” Reluctantly, Kenna handed it over. “No, it’s not. I was hoping Jedek would treat witchcraft like wizard craft, limit the power you put in it,” Ahnon said. “If I unleash this light spell with the same amount of energy Jedek just used, I could incinerate this entire valley. It’s wizard craft, not witchcraft. They are equal because both are magic. Both are the shovel you learned with magic. If you want an analogy, wizard craft is you digging the hole with the shovel. Witchcraft is you using a shovel with a shorter handle to dig the hole. They both require the same amount of energy and do the same thing. Witchcraft only moves you closer to the power of Thanos, which is why it’s so easy to lose your mind, getting caught up in the power.”

Feeling her mouth turn dry, Kenna nodded with a fearful look. “Can I have my light packet back?”

Giving her a smile, Ahnon handed it back. “Did you notice anything after you did your spell?”

“Water wasn’t over the shield,” Kenna offered.

“Thankfully,” Ahnon said and looked at Michi and Jedek. “Did either of you?”

“Water wasn’t over the shield,” Michi said.

Ahnon shook his head, “What do you feel, if someone around you uses magic?”

“Warmth on my skin,” Jedek replied.

“Yes, and can you tell where the magic came from?” Ahnon asked.

“Oh, yes. It’s like when you walk past a fire,” Jedek said.

Nodding his head, “Right. Did anyone notice anything different with witchcraft?” he asked.

The three looked at each other. “Water was only over the shield once,” Jedek offered.

Shaking his head, Ahnon raised his hand toward the meadow below. The three ducked and moved out of the way. They turned to see water floating up off the ground, forming a huge sphere over the field. “What do you feel?” Ahnon asked as the sphere kept getting bigger as the water leached out of the ground.

“Hey, my skin’s tingling,” Kenna said, rubbing her arms.

“All of it?” Ahnon asked, breaking out in a sweat.

“No, just the part of me facing you,” Kenna said.

Jedek watched the sphere getting bigger. “It’s like wizard craft with the heat. The part of you facing the magic is what tingles.”

“Thank you,” Ahnon said and raised his other hand, opening his palm toward the now massive sphere of water. The kobolds looked up, noticing the ground was suddenly dry and spotted the huge sphere of water over the field. Letting out screams of terror, they ran for the cottage.

Letting out a long breath, Ahnon moved his hands and the sphere rose up, heading toward the river. When the sphere reached the river, Ahnon closed his hands and the sphere dropped. They felt the ground shake and then the sound of the crash reached them, shaking their insides.

Feeling woozy, Ahnon bent over and tried to catch his breath as Orrla flew off his shoulder and flew down till she was looking up at him. “I could’ve done that for you,” she told him.

“I was teaching,” Ahnon said as the sweat from his face rained down on Orrla.

“I think you were carrying that a little far,” she said, shaking her head. The three were looking at Ahnon and noticed his legs were shaking.

“Are you okay, Neeji?” Jedek asked, walking over and putting his hand on Ahnon’s back.

Wanting to stand up but feeling really lightheaded, “Just need a minute,” Ahnon said.

Getting worried, Kenna came over. “What did you make Jedek drink after he did his spell?”

“Elixir of Life,” Ahnon said, slowly standing up.

Letting out a gasp, Orrla’s wings stopped beating when she heard that and she fell toward the ground. Ahnon’s hand flashed out, gently catching her and he stumbled after he had Orrla in his hand. She was just gawking at him with very wide eyes, sitting in the palm of his hand.

“Orrla, what’s wrong?” Kenna asked. Looking up at Ahnon with shock and wide eyes, Orrla didn’t respond. Kenna looked at Jedek and he shrugged his shoulders, not knowing. Turning around, Kenna faced Michi and he had the same shock on his face while looking at Ahnon. “If someone doesn’t tell me what’s going on, I’m going to get vexed and it will make all the others ones seem tame,” Kenna warned.

Either not hearing or ignoring Kenna, Michi stumbled to Ahnon and grabbed his shoulder. “He really needed it?”

“Yes,” Ahnon said. “Michi, what happens if you drink the elixir and don’t need it?”

Michi’s hand slid off Ahnon’s shoulder as he dropped to his knees. “I didn’t see it,” he mumbled.

“You’ve never done witchcraft before either,” Ahnon told him.

“Hey!” Kenna shouted. Ahnon slowly turned his head to look at her. “I’m not kidding, I’m vexing here.”

“It’s done,” Ahnon said. “I really need to sit down.” As he turned around, Ahnon stumbled and Orrla shot out of his hand and pointed at Ahnon. Ahnon floated off the ground and glided through the air over to the table with Orrla beside him.

Throwing her hands on her hips. “Michi, talk,” Kenna commanded in a growling voice.

“Jedek was dying,” Michi stuttered, “and I didn’t know.” The words hit Jedek like a mastodon, causing him to stumble back and fall on his back, again.

Cold dread filled her being as her hands fell off her hips and the anger left her body. “Huh?” Kenna moaned.

Michi looked up at her, “Jedek was dying.”

“Wha-, no yo-, are you-,” Kenna stuttered as tears sprang to her eyes.

“He drank the elixir after Ahnon did the spell and is still alive, so he was dying. If you drink the elixir and aren’t dying, you will,” Michi told her. Kenna spun around and flew at Jedek, diving on him and wrapping her arms around him, wailing. Pushing off the ground, Michi stood up and picked the two up in his arms. This wouldn’t have been possible without double and half for all involved. Kenna and Jedek were not the little kids he had watched grow up, they were now young adults with muscle.

Seeing Michi carrying both kids, Rosea flew over asking a hundred questions, but Michi just kept walking. Rosea pointed at Michi and floated him over to the table. When Rosea put him down, Michi sat Jedek in a chair with Kenna in his lap. Kenna had her face buried in Jedek’s chest crying and Jedek was just staring straight ahead, not looking at anything. Seeing something was wrong from the window of the forge, Kheet ran over to the table. Rolim and Eloen were taking care of the horses in the barn and saw Kheet running across the yard. They both bolted out, following Kheet.

Chenta came over, not liking Kenna sitting in Jedek’s lap again. He swatted at Jedek, hitting his arm. Thankfully, for Chenta, he didn’t use claws. Kenna felt Jedek move with the hit and lifted her head to see Chenta lowering his paw. “CHENTA!” Kenna screamed. Chenta jumped, hearing the scream and fell over. He lifted his head up to see Kenna climb out of Jedek’s lap with fire in her eyes.

“You ever do that again and I’ll skin you alive,” Kenna growled, dropping her hand to her sword. Chenta bowed down as she came over and stood over him. “That goes for any in this pack. But you even look at Jedek wrong, and I’ll turn you into a rug to wipe my feet on. He’s mine, so get over it.”

Looking up with a remorseful face, “Meow,” Chenta tried.

“Lay down on your belly!” Kenna yelled. Chenta’s front and back legs shot out and his belly hit the ground. With his body sprawled out, Chenta laid his chin on the ground. “Stay there till I tell you to get up,” Kenna said coldly as she turned around.

Kheet, Rolim, and Eloen stopped, seeing Kenna chastise Chenta. Kheet ran over to Kenna, “What happened, little bobbin?”

As the anger left, Kenna looked up at him as tears again filled her eyes. “Jedek was dying.”

As his body went numb, Kheet stumbled back, hitting the table. Looking back, he picked up a spoon and turned around with malice dripping off his face, “Who attacked you? Their entire line will be buried.”

“Yikes,” Ahnon chuckled. “I’ve heard some threats before, but seeing a dwarf holding a spoon and threatening to wipe out a bloodline, I think I would just fall down in shock and die.”

“Who or what tried to hurt Jedek? I don’t care if you killed it, it has friends and family,” Kheet grumbled.

Feeling exhausted, Ahnon shook his head as Kenna crawled back in Jedek’s lap as he sat catatonic. “Nothing attacked us,” Ahnon assured him.

“Why did you try to send the river to the suns, then?” Kheet asked, relaxing but not putting the spoon down yet.

Almost struggling to lift his arm, Ahnon pointed at Jedek, “That was him.”

The spoon fell from Kheet’s hand. “The great forger,” Kheet said, dropping down in a chair.

Finally, Jedek shook his head and looked at Ahnon. “Ahnon, are you sure? I was really weak, but I’ve felt weaker before.”

“Yes, you tried to control too much power too fast. You felt weak, your vision was getting cloudy and it was getting tiresome to breathe. Your life force was being leached out into the river,” Ahnon told him.

Michi looked over at Ahnon. “Where did you get another vile of ‘Elixir of Life’?”

“Made it,” Ahnon told him.

“Another one?” Orrla asked.

“Yeah, when I was teaching Michi ‘flash dash’, he ran into a wagon. There wasn’t much left of the wagon or oxen. Luckily, the man who’d been driving it was walking beside it, stretching his legs,” Ahnon said.

“You know how to make ‘Elixir of Life?” Michi asked, stunned.

“Michi, if I didn’t know how, then I couldn’t have made it,” Ahnon pointed out the obvious.

Feeling stupid, Michi looked down, “Yeah, but who taught you?”

“Esta,” Ahnon told him.

“Bet not many can do that?” Orrla said, looking at Ahnon.

Rolim and Eloen sat down. “I’ve heard of one elven witch that could make it,” Eloen told her.

Feeling an ache in her chest, Kenna looked up while wiping her eyes, “It would really kill you if you weren’t dying?”

“Yes,” Ahnon told her. “One must use the spell with the Elixir of Life. It let’s one who drinks it use your life force to save them. That’s why I’m so tired, I didn’t expect Jedek to unleash that much power.” Kenna crawled out of Jedek’s lap, across the table, and into Ahnon’s lap.

“Thank you,” she murmured, curling up in his lap.

Running his hand down her hair, “I warned you two about this, but we can’t stop now. You’re way too undisciplined and it’s not your fault. This is actually the most dangerous time in your training. Not just with your magic, but even your fighting. Now is the time to learn discipline and self-restraint.”

“What’s in the elixir and how do we make it?” Kenna asked.

“Kenna, you just learned potions two months ago, and cast your first spell in witchcraft. You can’t even think about making Elixir of Life for decades,” Ahnon told her.

“Okay,” she mumbled and lifted her head up. “You have any more?”

A smile split Ahnon’s face as he chuckled, “You’d better believe it.”

“Why didn’t you use one when we were on the beach?” Kenna asked.

“I wasn’t dying when I woke up. Besides, neither of you could do the spell to bond your life force to me. But, if I had used it, I would’ve died. You two fixed me up pretty good,” Ahnon told her.

Kenna shook her head, “You have at least fifty elixirs and double that in potions in your pack. I don’t even think you remember what they are.”

“On that you’d be wrong,” Ahnon told her.

“Ahnon,” Michi said. “Will you teach that to us when we are ready?”

“Yes, but you will come to learn, elixirs are harder to make than potions. The Elixir of Life is the hardest. You have to keep it at a rolling simmer for almost a year, and it’s really easy to mess up. The spell part is actually easy but as you can see, it wears you down,” Ahnon told him.

“If I can save one of my family, I don’t care,” Jedek said.

“Why do you think I have it?” Ahnon said.

Kissing Ahnon on the cheek, Kenna got out of his lap and walked over to Chenta, still sprawled out like he had been rolled over by a boulder. “Chenta, up,” Kenna snapped. Chenta sat up, but was looking down. “Chenta, you’d better be nicer to our pack. I love you, but you try to hurt Jedek again, and you will never have to worry about anything because I will kill you. You don’t treat your pack like that,” Kenna said, reaching over and petting his head.

“Feel bad, sorry,” Chenta said, not looking up.

“You didn’t do it to me,” Kenna told him. “Talon is overhead and he would’ve just snatched you up if that would’ve been me. You’re lucky the dragons didn’t see you, they love Jedek and have learned a lot of spells.”

“What of Minos?” Chenta asked.

Raising her eyebrows, Kenna scratched under Chenta’s chin. “That’s why you stayed here for your punishment. Minos is crouched down at the edge of the rise. I can tell by how his ears are laid back, he’s not happy.”

Jedek stood up on hearing that and Ahnon started laughing with the others. Jedek looked over and saw Minos crouched down with his eyes locked on Chenta. “Yikes, he’s mad,” Jedek noted.

“Don’t be hard on him, Jedek,” Kenna said, taking her hand away from Chenta. Getting up, Chenta walked over and rubbed against Jedek’s chest, purring.

“Sorry, no do again,” he purred.

Reaching out, Jedek scratched behind Chenta’s ears, “I hope that means everyone in our ‘pack’.”

“It does,” Chenta purred.

“Minos!” Jedek called out. Coming over the rise slowly, Minos crouchwalked toward them and Jedek did notice Minos’ ears were laid back, but his teeth were also bared. Minos was now full grown and really big and his teeth were measured in inches.

Impressed, Kheet shook his head, “A bocha hound can look real scary if they want to.”

“Minos, quit that!” Jedek snapped and Minos stood up from his crouchwalk to a regular walk and trotted over to Jedek. His always playful face still had a hard look on it, which really seemed to upset the natural order of things. When Minos stopped in front of Jedek, he was glaring at Chenta. Chenta let out a submissive ‘meow’ as he moved behind Jedek and Kenna.

Reaching out with both hands, Jedek grabbed Minos’ head and turned it to him. With his head held up, Minos could now see over the top of Jedek’s head, he was so big. Lowering his head, Minos looked in Jedek’s eyes, “Bad kitty.”

Jedek wrapped his arms around Minos. “It’s taken care of, so don’t be mean to Chenta.” Minos moved over, putting his massive head on Jedek’s shoulder. “Thank you, Minos.”

“Won’t use kitty as chew toy,” Minos promised.

“Go play,” Jedek said, stepping back. Minos spun around, taking off as the kobolds gave chase.

Kenna looked back at Chenta. “Go play, but be nice.”

“Will,” Chenta said, bouncing away.

Moving back to the table, Jedek looked around, “Where are Gilan and Huryk?”

“Learning how to blow fire with better control,” Orrla said, still hovering in front of Ahnon who had his eyes almost closed, but was smiling.

“Aw, I wanted to see them practice,” Jedek said and then stopped just as he was about to stomp his foot. “I thought we were teaching them magic, so how are they doing it?”

With his eyes barely cracked, “I thought dragons fire was a magic spell also and the times they’ve done it, they were just doing magic without knowing it,” Ahnon told him. “I thought it was a spell they could just do, turns out it’s part of them. They have an organ in them that lets them do it.”

“I want to watch,” Jedek said as Orrla flew over.

“No,” she said in a firm voice. “They are on the other side of the valley practicing for a reason. We don’t want the house or us burned down. You’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

“I’ll stay far back,” Jedek offered.

“Huryk spit a stream of fire up in the air this morning that could have hit the river from here,” Orrla told Jedek as she crossed her arms.

Jedek turned his head, looking over his shoulder toward the river. He couldn’t see it, but it was close to a mile away, “That’s a pretty good distance.”

“I have some fairies there with them that are putting the fires out now as they practice,” Orrla told him.

Jedek nodded. “Did they just want to try today?”

“No, Gilan sneezed after you went to the river this morning and sent up a fireball in the cottage. Luckily, Rosea was able and fast enough to contain it without burning down the cottage,” Orrla told him. “Neither of them have had fire come out when they weren’t trying before, so I told them to figure it out and then come back.”

“All right,” Jedek said in a pouty voice.

“You, Michi, and Kenna, get your bows and I want a hundred arrows shot,” Orrla told Jedek, stunning both Jedek and Kenna. “You will find your new targets behind you, leaning against the house.”

They turned and both gasped. The ‘targets’ were sections of cut-off logs, none of them bigger than their faces. “Are you serious?” Kenna asked.

“Yes,” Orrla told them. “Set the target at the rise and start at twenty-five paces with ten arrows. Then move back another twenty-five paces, shooting another ten. Continue that till you reach a hundred, and finish out your hundred arrows. Eloen, Rolim, go with them and help.”

Gripping the armrest of his chair, Ahnon slowly stood up, “That’s not what I had planned for them to work on.”

Orrla moved so fast over in front of Ahnon, she just appeared. “You are going to lay down right now!” she informed him.

“I’ll be fine,” Ahnon said, reaching for his spell pouch.

“You pull out an elixir or potion and I’ll put you to sleep,” Orrla told him as she raised her little hand. “I’ve watched you closely over these two years or whatever you call them. Your little ‘display’,” she said, flinging her hair back, “cost you much. I can hear your heart beating rapidly and your speech is slow as is your movement. You are having trouble focusing your sight and thoughts. I know you’re tired and you will take a nap or I will make you.”

Hearing the little queen, Ahnon’s eyes sprang open, “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I will not let you hurt yourself just because you’re being stubborn. Now, your choice: go get in the bed, or I will put you to sleep and put you there,” Orrla told him with her little hand still raised. More than a little scared, Ahnon’s shoulders dropped as he turned around, heading for the house.

Lowering her hand, Orrla let out a sigh of relief when Ahnon walked inside. “Holy cow,” Jedek said amazed. “I’ve never seen anyone- ‘make’ -Ahnon do anything.”

With obvious worry on her face, Orrla flew over to Jedek. “He can beat me and all my fairies, but he doesn’t think so. I really don’t care. He’s tired and needs sleep,” she told Jedek.

Jedek smiled and reached out with his fingertips, brushing Orrla’s face. “I’ve been with Ahnon my whole life and I can tell you this,” Jedek’s smile broke into a grin, “He really likes you, Orrla.”

A blush crept up her face as she smiled. “I have to say, I really like him as well,” she admitted. “He won’t wake up till tomorrow morning. Go train. I have to stay near him, so he will sleep,” she said, flying off.

Kenna turned her head, looking at Rosea on her shoulder. “Does she really have to be close to make sure Ahnon sleeps?”

“Only for her own peace of mind,” Rosea said, smiling and watching Orrla fly into the cottage.

Chapter 20

It was the end of their fourth winter and the snow was still piled high outside as Ahnon opened the door, leading everyone inside. The kobolds flew past everyone to the empty cold fireplace and started throwing wood in as the dragons skipped over to the fireplace. The others were knocking snow off and hanging up cloaks and surcoats.

Behind them, they heard, ‘ka-whooooooosh’. They all spun around, pulling weapons or readying spells to see Gilan leaned over, sending a stream of fire onto the logs the kobolds had thrown in the fireplace. Heat blasted out of the fireplace, filling the cottage with warmth.

Ahnon shook his head, looking at the fireplace. What had been a stack of logs, was now just a pile of coals as the kobolds threw more wood in. “They’re using the dragons like flint,” Ahnon announced.

With quivering lips, Kenna moved over to the fire with a wet Chenta, “I don’t care, it feels warm.”

“We have been practicing for months to ignore the weather,” Ahnon said as Orrla settled down on his shoulder. Reflexively now, Ahnon reached up with his right hand resting on his chest, stroking Orrla’s legs with his fingertip.

Jedek brought over a towel, handing it to Kenna as she turned to look at Ahnon. “Training is over, I can be cold now.”

“What are you training for then?” Ahnon asked.

Drying her hair, she leaned over. “So we can kick someone’s butt,” she informed him. “I just sat motionless for six hours.”

“I saw you move,” Ahnon told her.

Snapping her head up and throwing wet hair everywhere, “I shivered twice, Ahnon,” she snapped.

“That’s movement,” he said, sitting down.

Drying her hair, Kenna looked over at Jedek. “Didn’t you shiver?”

“Ah, no,” Jedek said. “I wanted to, but the kobolds were nervous and slinging rocks at anything that moved.”

Kenna looked at Ahnon and stomped her foot. “I tried, Ahnon. I really did,” she whined.

Ahnon smiled and held out his arms and Kenna came over and climbed in his lap, “I know you did, I was only playing with you. You did very well,” he told her, moving the wet hair out of his face. Orrla flew off Ahnon’s shoulder and pointed at Kenna’s hair. Holding Kenna in his lap, Ahnon was stunned, watching Kenna’s hair dry out from the top down.

When Kenna’s hair was dry, Orrla flew back to Ahnon’s shoulder. “That’s better,” she said, reaching over and rubbing Kenna’s hair.

Slowly, Kenna turned her head and looked up at Rosea hovering beside her. “Can you do that?” she asked.

“Yes,” Rosea told her.

“Well, why haven’t you?” Kenna asked shocked.

Rosea flew over, shrugging her little shoulders, “You seemed to like drying your hair.”

“If it wasn’t for Jedek, I would chop this stuff off. I have to keep it tied up or braided all the time. It takes hours for my hair to dry,” she said, getting out of Ahnon’s lap.

“That’s true, but you seem to like it when Jedek sits and brushes it out after you dry it with a towel,” Rosea told Kenna, flying over and sitting on her shoulder.

Fighting not to blush, Kenna froze and looked at Jedek with a small smile, “Well, yes, there is that.” Jedek sat down in a chair and Rosea flew over to Kenna’s bed, bringing back a brush as Kenna sat down on the bearskin rug on the floor between Jedek’s legs. Taking the brush, Jedek smiled while brushing out Kenna’s hair.

Getting out of his chair, Ahnon smiled at the two as he headed for the door. Opening the door, Ahnon held it open as Talon hopped in, carrying a satchel in his beak. Talon dropped the satchel and hopped over by the fire and held out his wings, so they would dry. “Kenna’s griffon said he was followed to the edge of Rancor,” Talon announced.

“He wasn’t hurt, was he?” she asked in a worried tone.

Rotating his head, Talon folded his wings and looked down at her, “He had a dozen griffons with him. Not even I will fight that many.”

“Was he hurt?” Kenna asked again.

“No,” Talon sighed. “He flew the messages there and waited for me, then headed back to find out where the wyvern came from.”

“You see anything?” Ahnon asked.

“No, I met them several hundred leagues from here,” Talon replied.

“What were you doing, going that far away?” Ahnon asked.

Talon shook his head, “Don’t start. I’m keeping an eye out.”

“Did Desgeoff say anything?” Ahnon asked.

“Yes,” Talon said, extending his wings again to dry them out. “He told me not to eat wyvern, it is very nasty.”

Shaking his head, Ahnon walked over to grab the satchel and sat down, “About what’s going on?”

“No, other than the manticore was tasty,” Talon said.

Not responding, Ahnon sat and read dispatches.  When he was done, he stood up and walked to the fireplace and turned to face everyone. “The alliance heads have been called together,” he announced, “this summer in Nepon.”

“Are we going?” Michi asked.

Ahnon looked at Jedek and Kenna. “I know you two have been working on a plan. I haven’t asked, but will you please let us in on it?”

Sitting between Jedek’s legs, Kenna tilted her head back. “I told you he would know,” she said, looking at Jedek. “You tell him.”

Jedek took a deep breath, “We want to find the rod of virtue and if we can’t, go to the overlord and kill him.”

The whole room became quiet and Ahnon stood motionless. “You want to find something when we don’t even know if it exists, or go and kill the overlord?” he asked with a blank expression.

Nodding contently, Jedek looked up, “Yes.”

Clearly shocked, Ahnon sat down on the ledge of the fireplace. “Why not just send some bhari to kill the overlord? I know a few.”

Jedek shook his head. “No, I want him, and more importantly the others to know, that I don’t have to have an army or assassins to kill you. I can do it myself, then gather my armies and decimate your lands.”

Moving to a chair, Michi let out a soft whistle as Ahnon studied Jedek’s face. “A king commands armies, not sneaking into his adversary’s castle to gut him,” Ahnon said.

“My father fought in several battles,” Jedek said as he continued to brush Kenna’s hair.

“A king can fight with his army, but doesn’t become an assassin,” Ahnon told him.

Pausing the brush, Jedek looked up, “He does if he wants them afraid. They will know that Kenna and I will come after them first, then slaughter their leaderless armies. I won’t need assassins, I can do it myself.”

“Jedek,” Ahnon said, raising his hand. “Think about how much danger you are placing yourself in. If you get caught or I should say ‘we’, we will be killed. Then look who has a leaderless army. Contrary to your belief, I’m not invincible by any means. I almost died in Gratu and you’re talking about attacking castles guarded by tens of thousands and then getting away through armies of millions.”

“It’s dangerous, but so is war when they send kytensa after the royal families,” Jedek told him.

“Alright, I’ll give you that, but you don’t have an heir to your thrown yet. If something happens, who will you leave in charge?” Ahnon asked.

“My father has a sister,” Jedek replied.

Giving a snort, Ahnon leaned back, resting against the wall. “Thalla is crazy,” he said.

Jedek looked up from Kenna’s hair. “Father said she was a witch.”

“Oh, she is,” Ahnon said. “But she’s still crazy.”

“I take it, you’ve met her then?” Jedek asked.

“Yes, that’s why I know she’s crazy,” Ahnon told him.

Undeterred, Jedek started brushing Kenna’s hair again and spoke, “Gratu law states the sovereign cannot rule solely, they must be married. The marriage must be approved by two of the alliance.”

“Since when did you start reading laws?” Ahnon asked.

“When I found them in your books,” Jedek smiled.

Taking a deep breath, Ahnon let it out as he looked up, “Okay so let’s say Thalla gets married to some poor soul and leads the kingdom,” Ahnon paused with a shiver. “That just gives me the creeps. But okay, Gratu has a ruler. I can tell you, if we die, Gratu will invade with or without the alliance. You really want that kind of bloodshed?”

Never looking up, Jedek just kept brushing, “Until the three realize that we won’t bow down, there will always be bloodshed. You know and I know they never will. They either have to be eliminated, have something great to fear or be beaten so badly, their own people revolt.”

Not moving his head, Ahnon cut his eyes to Michi wanting help. Michi nodded his head. “He has put some thought into this.”

“Thanks, Michi,” Ahnon replied dryly. Moving his eyes back to Jedek, “Okay, so let us, for arguments sake, say I can go along with that. What about the rod of virtue? For all we know, it could be in this valley or even in this house and we would never know.”

With a smile, Kenna looked at Ahnon. Ahnon fought the feeling of being wrapped around a little finger. “The first sovereign Ba’lor, had five kids. Three boys and two girls.”

“Wait, how do you know this?” Ahnon asked.

Still holding the smile, Kenna closed her eyes, holding out her hand. A thick book flew up from the basement, settling in her hand. “This is the royal lineage of the alliance,” she said, putting the book down. “After hearing Rolim and Eloen confirm the rod was real, Jedek and I started digging through your books. I’m not going to lie. I had Talon ask Desgeoff to bring me a few.”

Narrowing his eyes, Ahnon looked over at Talon. “What? You love books,” Talon said, then sprang up to his perch in the loft.

“So, you think you know the rod is real?” Ahnon asked as Kenna closed her eyes again and another book came up.

Kenna set down a very old leatherbound book and looked at Ahnon. “This is the memoirs of Takan’, the emperor of Nazar at the time of the first sovereign. He writes about the war and the rod that was given to Ba’lor by the elves. It is a sword and he even drew a picture of it. He confirms after the battle of Leviathan Isle, four of Ba’lor’s kids took the rod and hid it, not because they thought it killed their father, but because it was so powerful. They were scared that the eldest, who was to be king, would use it to conquer everyone. From what we’ve gathered, their fears were well-founded.”

“You found out most of this in my books?” Ahnon asked shocked.

Kenna nodded, “Yes, except for this one and another one.”

“I really have to read my books,” Ahnon said impressed.

“You couldn’t read all the books you have if you had five thousand years,” Talon huffed above him. “You see a book, you just buy it, borrow it and don’t return it, or steal it.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Ahnon said, smiling at the kids.

“Neeji, we’ve seen the names in a lot of the books,” Jedek confessed.

Getting away from how his book collection got so big, Ahnon cleared his throat. “Okay, so the bad child of Ba’lor-.”

“Lu’ton,” Kenna interrupted.

“So, this Lu’ton was a bad kid and the others hid this sword from him,” Ahnon stated. “I’m sure Lu’ton looked for it just when it was lost. What makes you have a hope that we can find it?”

Kenna smiled. “Lu’ton married off his siblings. A brother married a Spree princess the other, an Amazonian princess. His sisters were married to princes in Calkran and Nazar. Now, before you ask, Desgeoff said he couldn’t find memoirs of any of them. But, the prince who married the Spree princess, Gazka, he became king of Spree. On a statue of Gazka, over his tomb it says, ‘My part of the secret is displayed for all to see. With my brother and sisters, it will stay hidden. If ever needed again, it can be found’.” Again, Kenna closed her eyes, making another book come up. She opened it up and turned it toward Ahnon. Ahnon saw that it was a painting of a statue.

“This is the statue. Above the engraving is a sword and at the statue’s feet is a rod,” she told him, pointing out the stuff on the picture.

A grin split Ahnon’s face, “So, you think if we go to all these places, we can find out the location of the sword?”

“Unless you have a better idea,” Kenna shot back.

“I like that better than running to Aztan and shoving a sword in the overlord,” Ahnon admitted with relief. “Been there before and didn’t really like it.”

Kicking his boots off, Kheet shifted in his chair. “Ahnon, have you ever seen the overlord?”

“Yes, when I killed the king of Aztan’s sons, he was at his castle,” Ahnon said.

“The Aztan king isn’t the overlord?” Kenna asked.

Ahnon shook his head. “You need to do more research. No, the overlord has a palace in the dark mountains. Each of the three kingdoms has its own king, but the overlord is the boss.”

“Well, what’s he like?” Kenna asked.

“First, the ‘he’ is an orc and a really freaky big one. Second, he’s like all orcs, mean and loves being mean,” Ahnon told them.

“You didn’t try to kill him?” Jedek asked.

“No, I had a plan and was following it, when he showed up. Never break with your plan. If you do, just leave and start over,” Ahnon advised him.

“Smart,” Kheet admitted. “So Jedek and Kenna, how do you know the overlord doesn’t already have the rod of oppression?”

Kenna climbed up, sitting beside Jedek. “We don’t,” she said. “But from what we’ve read, if he had it, he would be using it. Its magic is really powerful.”

Ahnon looked at Michi and they chuckled. “What?” Jedek asked.

“There isn’t a rod of oppression, not really,” Michi said.

Eloen stood up, “What do you mean? It’s talked about in many elven legends.”

Seeing anger building in Eloen’s eyes, Ahnon held up his hand to attempt to stop Eloen’s temper. “It’s the same thing,” he told her. “The rod of virtue is the rod of oppression. It only matters who is holding it, is what the sword is.”

“What?” Kenna shouted.

“There is no magic that will serve only good or only bad. There is only magic. Remember, Michi said what he knew of the rods were from kid songs?” Ahnon asked and Kenna nodded. “One of those songs is the ‘Iron of Might’. I can’t tell you the exact verse word for word, but one says, ‘the just rod will serve a bully in unjust ways of might and only when the bully king is dead can the rod come to aid a new champion or tyrant. The rod of iron is neither kind nor harsh, only the hand that wields it decides the path: like any other rod, the heart guides the hand and the hand guides the rod’.”

“That’s from an elven poem,” Eloen said, sitting back down.

Michi walked over and poured a mug of tea, “I learned it as a kid in a song.”

Very pleased with his and Kenna’s studies, Jedek smiled, “So, Ahnon, you’re willing to bet there is no true ‘rod of oppression’? They are both the same thing? And you’re basing that off of kid songs?”

“Yes, I’m willing to bet and even if I’m wrong, anyone can use the rod of oppression. Just like anyone can use the rod of virtue. Magic is magic. An evil wizard can create a weapon and do mean things, but if a good man kills him and takes the weapon, he can use it for good. Jedek, it’s just like a sword. Someone can take your sword and kill families with it or defend families with it. It is the one who holds the weapon who decides how it’s used,” Ahnon said.

“So you mean, any magical weapon can be used by anyone?” Jedek asked confused.

“Yes, as long as a curse is not on it,” Ahnon said and saw Jedek’s eyes get big. “A curse can be either good or bad. Just like I can lace the handle of my sword with a poison that when someone touches it, they die.”

“Then, a curse is like a trap?” Kenna asked.

“Basically, yes,” Ahnon said.

“In one of the Emperor’s passages, he said something like, ‘it will be bad when the sovereign dies for the next to pick it up,” Kenna asked.

“I don’t know about that, but I do know of magical items that only serve one master. And won’t serve another till he dies,” Ahnon said.

“Like what?” Kheet asked with curiosity.

“Seeing stones for one,” Ahnon said.

Jedek stood up and waved at Ahnon. “Back on track here. So, even you believe the sword is real?”

“Jedek, it very well could be, but it’s a magical sword. Just what in the abyss can it do?” Ahnon asked.

Rasing her eyebrows, Kenna held up the emperor’s memoirs, “He said ‘Ba’lor raised up his sword and lightning rained down on the field killing hundreds of thousands of goblins and orcs before our cavalry took the field’.”

“Oh my, that is worth having,” Ahnon replied shocked.

“So, you’re going to let us try?” Jedek asked.

Putting his hands on his knees, Ahnon stood up and walked over to kneel in front of Kenna and Jedek. “You are my king and queen. If you asked for the overlord’s head to be delivered gift- wrapped, I would be walking out the door now. I just don’t want you to throw away your lives. Mine, I really don’t care about. I’ve been happier these last few years than ever before. If you want to do this, we will do this. If you tell me that you will not be king and queen and want to live in a rat-infested cave, I will be with you. It is your choice, not mine.”

Barely shaking her head, Kenna looked at Jedek with a scowl. Jedek had a smile and was holding his hand out. “You need to get the smile off your face,” Kenna warned, digging in her pocket. “Here!” she said, slapping his palm. Jedek held up the gold crown and smiled.

“Told you he would say that,” Jedek smirked, cutting his eyes at Kenna. He turned to Ahnon who was very confused. “We’ll tell you later about this,” Jedek said, putting the gold in his pocket. “Ahnon, we are alive because we have listened to you. We know who we are, but you are our advisor. Do you think either of these are good ideas or should we think about it some more?”

Ahnon smiled, “To be honest, if you just go back to Velham, I’m hiring out bhari to start killing on a grand scale. Either idea has merit, but I say let’s go to Calkran and see if we can find a clue to where the sword is at. If we find one, we know those four wanted it found.”

Jedek and Kenna smiled. “When do you think we will be good enough to leave?” Jedek asked.

“When the snow breaks,” Ahnon told them.

The smile fell off their faces. “What?” they asked together.

“You two already know more than I did when I graduated from the academy. You both are fine warriors and wizards. Your witchcraft needs some work, but you are doing real well. If you’re asking me when you’re ready to leave, I’m saying when the snows melt. If you’re asking me when I want to leave, I say never, but for purely selfish reasons,” Ahnon told them.

They both hugged him and sat back in their chair. “Ahnon, we want you and Michi to do something for us,” Kenna asked and Michi jumped up, ready to kill legions of orcs.

“What can we do?” Michi asked.

“Show us how to plan this out like you do on one of your missions,” Kenna asked.

Michi looked at Ahnon, “Prolong campaign or short assassin run?”

“I’m thinking campaign and we can head to Nazar for the gathering in the summer,” Ahnon said.

“Spies will surely be there,” Michi said.

“By the gods, I hope so. If we can catch one and find out what they know about the rods, that would be great,” Ahnon said.

Michi nodded, “Yes, but we’ll risk them following us.”

“If they can hide from Talon, they’ve earned the right to follow us,” Ahnon replied.

“So, plan. Then destroy them after committing them to memory,” Michi offered.

“No, in case we have to come back and plan another strategy,” Ahnon said.

Giving a huff, Kheet stood up, “The bobbins wear their dragon scale armor at all times while we move or attack. This is nonnegotiable.”

“That stuff is hot,” Jedek said. All three of them held up their hands to him.

Michi nodded, “Yes, Kheet, that is a good idea.”

“I have a few more things to make, but should be done by the end of the week,” Kheet said.

“The snows won’t be gone for three weeks,” Rolim said, standing up.

Building a plan in his head, Ahnon nodded, “We can be ready to leave by then. We will have the extra supplies for Kheet, Rolim, and Eloen in our packs. I want all our armor and weapons.”

Kheet smiled, “You mean I get one of those boxes you have and make it small, then big later?”

“Yes,” Ahnon chuckled. “Along with a backpack and satchel like ours.”

“I need ten days then,” Kheet said.

Ahnon turned to the kobolds and dragons. “Can we count on you to guard the cottage?”

“Ah, we want to come,” Bryce whined.

Ahnon walked over, putting his hand on Bryce’s shoulder, “And we would like you to come. But if we leave the cottage undefended, someone will burn it down.”

All the kobolds and dragons looked around the cottage and then at the painting above the fireplace. “No they won’t,” Bryce vowed.

“We will burn them,” Huryk chuckled.

“The pixies, centaurs, and gargoyles will be near. You know where they live if something happens. Now you have to keep the chores going and training,” Ahnon told them which made them smile. Then, he looked at the dragons, “You must keep on your studies and read to the kobolds every night.”

“When will you be back?” Gilan asked.

“As soon as we can, so you have to keep the house ready for our return,” Ahnon told him.

“We will, but please hurry back,” Gilan told him.

Ahnon smiled at them. “We will write letters to you, letting you know how we are doing. If something happens, get to Ava. She will be able to get in touch with us.”

Bryce grabbed Ahnon’s arm, pulling him to the table, “All of you need to plan, we’ll fix supper.”

Kenna turned around, holding out her hands and several books floated up from the basement. Jedek ran over, grabbing stacks of paper and started passing out sheets to everyone. They started making packing lists when Ahnon heard, “Ahem,” from his shoulder.

He looked down on his shoulder at Orrla. “Yes?”

She looked at him with her arms crossed. “You know Rosea and I are coming, right?”

Resting his hand on his chest, Ahnon caressed her legs. “I was really hoping but you are a queen, so it’s not like I can tell you one way or the other. I was seriously thinking about pouting until you agreed to come,” he said as Orrla kissed his cheek. Throwing up her hands, Rosea flew around cheering.

End of Book Two

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Table of Contents

- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20