Rise of the Last Dragon Rider - Chapter 066 - Home (Patreon)

Kaen sat there in amazement as all three dragons had yet to let Flight Burst expire.

Pammon had been cheerful that morning as they took off, acting as if nothing was wrong, but the hair on the back of Kaen’s neck stood straight, making him worry about Pammon’s promise.

Are you sure the three of you don’t need to stop? I don’t want you to push yourself too hard.

A slight thrum came from Pammon as he continued to streak across the sky.

We are all fine, and you are right.  Getting home sooner rather than later is important.  Glynnis and Amaranth both told me that they could match me in stamina.

Kaen coughed, trying not to see the humor in that last part of Pammon’s statement.

Hours had passed, and finally, Pammon slowed down.

[ Flight Burst Expired ]

Glancing behind him, Kaen saw Glynnis and Amaranth had dropped out at the same time Pammon had.  The look on their faces seemed different. Kaen realized what it was.

Anticipation.

Keeping the groan he wanted to express to himself, Kaen looked at the landscape below them and realized where they were.

You three made fantastic time!  We should be home well before sunset.

Kaen could feel Pammon breathing deep, trying to regain strength after that prolonged stretch of flight burst.  They had never used it that long before, yet it seemed so much easier on Pammon’s body now.  He had noticeably grown in size since eating Tharnok.  The dragon he had consumed on the island had also helped him to grow and sustained Pammon as they flew across the ocean.

I hadn’t realized it till just now just how much you have grown.  I know it has been a while, but have you checked your stats lately?

Pammon grumbled, and Kaen saw him shake his head.

I have not, but it is not time.  I can still feel the power I gained from Tharnok and the others in me.  After they are fully absorbed, I will then let you know.

Kaen nodded, feeling Pammon’s frustration at that question.

Why does that bother you so much when I ask about your stats?  I know you joked about how Hess and I always teased about who was bigger, yet there must be something about why you dislike it so much.

Let me ask you a question, and then I will respond.  Why do my numbers matter?

That’s an easy one.  It helps me to track how you are growing.

Does my size not do that for you?  After today, is there any doubt how much I have grown and how much stronger I must be to have maintained my skill for so long?

Kaen realized what Pammon was saying and felt a twinge of guilt in his chest.

Do you feel I am insulting you when I ask that question?

Pammon thrummed for a moment and then stopped.

How would you feel if I asked you what your stats or skills were every time we finished a fight?  Would you eventually begin to wonder if I thought you were weak or unskilled?  Perhaps you might doubt that I trusted you to be up to the task before us.

Pammon… I’m sorry. I never realized.

Kaen cut himself off, only now understanding why every time he had asked that question, Pammon had groaned and given in. Something was different about him now, and Kaen could feel it through their connection.

You never have to tell me your stats again, and I have never doubted that you were strong enough.  I am alive only because of your strength and you, and I hope you know how grateful I am for that.

Pammon said nothing. The only sound was the wind rushing against them as Pammon beat his wings steadily.

You are fine, Pammon finally replied, a hint of embarrassment coming through as he spoke. For a moment, I was frustrated with that question.  I know why you asked it, but it bothered me enough to finally voice it.  After all we just went through and overcame, and as much as I have grown, that part of me who is still less than five years old felt perhaps I still wasn’t good enough.

Pammon, I–

Wait.  Let me finish.  The day we risked everything and attacked Stioks and Juthom, you did not ask me for my stats.  You trusted me to be strong enough.  Just like I trusted you to be strong enough to attack him.  Trust me now when I say this.

Pammon turned his neck and looked back at Kaen, his golden eyes locked on to Kaen’s brown eyes.

No dragon will ever be stronger than me one on one soon. The power coming through you is as powerful as the strength I grant you.  I have felt it since you came to claim whatever skill you gained when you faced down the council.  I know you are probably considering checking your own stats, but I would tell you to wait.  Stop relying on numbers to measure your value and worth.  See the things you have accomplished and the power you possess.

You took on two dragons by yourself, simultaneously killing those who enslaved them.  When was that a possibility?  You could not have done this two years ago, but now you can.

You have given everything to gain this power.  You were willing to sacrifice your love for Ava.  The only thing you would not offer is me, and I know that.  That truth is the greatest strength I have held to since the day you made that commitment before we left with Elies.

Stop letting the measure of the rest of the world define you.  You are a dragon rider and, if the Tharnok and Elies were correct, a King.  Aldric does not let those beneath him define who he is.  He rules by the values he holds dear.  You must do the same.

Pammon paused momentarily, shifting his neck slightly before focusing on Kaen again.

You are the only man I know who has willingly thrown away power and admitted the difficulty of that decision.  We both know what those bracelets were worth.  I know what men would have done to own just one, let alone four.

That is why I felt you the day you came close to my egg.  The first day your presence came near me, I could feel a soul that desired one thing.  Hope.  In the midst of kingdoms that fight over petty things, you choose to hope for peace and for families to be allowed to grow old together.  That has not been tainted by the lure of power.  More power than has ever been given to a man in over a thousand years.

So when I say this, believe me, that it is true.

Pammon stretched his neck as far as possible to get his head closer to Kaen, ignoring how it affected his ability to fly.

I will always be strong enough for whatever you need me to do.

Kaen reached out with his hand, stretching his body as he put his fingers against the tip of Pammon’s snout.

Forgive me, my friend.  I will never doubt your strength.  Thank you for putting up with me and my eggling questions.

Pammon snorted, unable to hold back from Kaen's last words, sending a small shower of mucus at Kaen, who just closed his eyes and let it cover him.

I’m sorry, Pammon apologized as he pulled his head back some.  I had not meant to do that.

Kaen laughed, wiping the mucus from his face with his hand.

Don’t worry.  I deserved it for many things.

Pammon thrummed, turning his head forward and focused on the task at hand.

We should be home soon.  I wonder how the three of us showing up will be received.

Ava! We are almost home.

Mrs. Marshell yelped and jumped in surprise as Pammon’s voice filled her head.

She dropped the cup sitting on her knee as she watched Sulenda read a story to Callie.  The young girl enjoyed the picture book Hess had made for her with a dragon that was supposed to be Pammon.

Every page turn had brought out the same two words, ‘Pammon! Kaen!’ as Sulenda nodded and smiled.

“You ok?” Hess asked, seeing the drink spilled on the floor and the flushed color on her cheeks.

Pammon? Is that you?

Unless there is another dragon you have the ability to talk with, then yes, it must be me. We are just outside the mountains to the west.  We should be home in no more than an hour.

Her hands began to tremble as she lifted them to her open mouth.

“They’re home… Kaen and Pammon are home.”

Tears began to run down her face as Hess bolted from his chair, and Sulenda sat Callie on the couch with her book.

“They’re in town?” Hess asked, moving close to Ava, who was struggling to react.

She shook her head and took a deep breath, calming herself.

For so many weeks, the fears had been overwhelming.  It had been one thing when Kaen was in Roccanari, but knowing he and Pammon were attempting to fly across the ocean was hard to comprehend.

Now, with Pammon in her head and telling her they were home, all of those fears were gone, and she was bursting with excitement.

“They are on the other side of the mountains,” she whispered.  “They should be here in an hour Pammon said.”

Hess grunted, and his face contorted.  Excited that Kaen and Pammon had returned and yet bothered that he could not hear Pammon speak.

“Where are they going to go?  Surely not in town?” Sulenda asked as she started to smooth off her outfit, sending small crumbs from Callie’s snack onto the floor.

“Let me ask!”

Pammon.  Where are you going to land?

She felt laughter coming through their bond.  It was weird and yet comforting.  The closer he got, the stronger it became.

We will land at our house.  Do we need to come pick you up, or should I expect Hess and the rest to join you?

Ava giggled and then, realizing what she had done, coughed to clear her throat and stopped.

You can tell where Hess and I are?

I can.  Tell me what you want me to do, but I must warn you that we have company, and they cannot land in town with me.

Why can't they… Dragons!  There are more dragons?!

Hess and Sulenda watched as Ava’s mouth fell open.

“This is what it was like watching Kaen and Pammon when I had no clue what was going on,” Sulenda whispered as she elbowed Hess in his side. “You best not know what is being said.”

Hess waved his one hand and gave a shrug.

“Pammon is too far away for me to hear.”

Ava was oblivious to the other two as she focused on Pammon and his words.

Two females are flying with us.  They would prefer to not come to town.  Tell me what to do so I can tell Kaen and the others the plan.

Ava felt a sense of awe coming over her.  Knowing that Pammon and Kaen were home was one thing, but hearing that two more dragons were with them filled her with a hope she had not had in a while.

Give me a second.  Let me talk to Sulenda and Hess!

As she prepared to talk to people staring down at her, Pammon added one last thing.

Tell Callie I’m coming too.

Oh, that is just mean, Ava replied. You know what that would do to Hess and Sulenda after all this time.

Exactly.

Ava chuckled and shook her head.

Focusing her attention, she looked up at Sulenda and Hess, who were looking at her, waiting for more information.

Glancing at Callie, who was still looking at her book and saying ‘Pammon’ repeatedly, she chuckled and motioned for the two adults to come closer.

“Pammon has two dragons with him,” she whispered, ensuring Callie had not heard her speak.  “Pammon said he will come and pick me up but that they want to head to our home.  The other two won’t land in town for obvious reasons.”

She saw Sulenda and Hess look at each other, their faces stretching as their mouth and eyes went wide.

“Two drag–”

Sulenda elbowed Hess as he started to shout, silencing him as he rubbed where she had hit him.

“Two?”

Ava nodded, shrugging her shoulders and then looking at Callie.

“The one wanted me to tell her he was back, but we all know what will happen if I do that.”

Sulenda growled, frowning at that comment as she nodded. “Let’s say you did and not.  I want to sleep sometime tonight.”

Hess, on the other hand, began to move.

“Hess Brumland, where do you think you are going?”

Grinning, he turned around, pausing from the handle on the door he was reaching for.  “Why, my love, Ava cannot walk to Bren’s place by herself.  She will need someone to keep her safe.”

Sulenda rolled her eyes and shook her head.  “You are going to owe me big for this.”

Winking at his wife, he opened the door and motioned with his head to the room outside it.  “Coming Ava?  I’m sure you might want to tell a certain someone where we will meet them.”

Laughing, Ava leaned over and gave Sulenda a hug.

“Sorry,” she whispered as she squeezed and then took off to join Hess.

Sulenda sighed and just smiled.  She knew what it was like when the love of your life returned from a mission you were not confident they would.  She couldn’t fault the girl at all.