The past few days were a mixture between relaxing and stressful. Doryu and Alaois had time to rest after the journey to and from Oxgarde, but it wasn't as often as they would've liked. Whenever they weren't in their hut, they were battle planning with Adrazar, N'bushe, Urbali, and İzzet. His studies were put on hold once he returned to Fethprist. Kiragi was lucky enough to continue some of his studies once the royals saw Rorvim, but he was often practicing his swordsmanship to prepare for battle. Doryu would most of the time sneak away to practice with Kiragi while Alaois dealt with Rorvim.

Danuška decided to join the four in Na Forais Traenála and observe the two friends with their swordplay. Both wielded a regular sword and an iron shield. None talked to each other aside from chuckles. They expressed their emotions with smiles or scowls. Kiragi was the one who smiled the most as he was the victor in most of the matches. Rorvim expressed her concerns by invading Doryu's mind, making him lose balance and often make what would be fatal mistakes.

"Rorvim!" Kiragi shouted. "How many times must I tell you to relax? Me and Doryu are just practicing, but if you keep on doing that, someone will get hurt."

That's what I've been trying to tell her, Alaois snarled. Doryu grinned before turning to the purple dragon.

"I promise I won't hurt your Rider, as he won't hurt me." Kiragi regained the starting position as he twisted his sword handle in his palm.

"Don't think I have a choice. Alaois and your father would go ballistic if I so much as scratch ya." Doryu laughed before returning to the same stance as Kiragi. He then sprung from his feet, aiming his sword for the Frukink's elbow. Kiragi dodged to the side and lifted his shield above his head to avoid Doryu's counterattack. Kiragi saw an opening, but Doryu rolled to the side before he could do anything. Dirt smudged his face as he lifted himself from the ground. Kiragi didn't take any time off; he darted towards the Rider, leaving Doryu no time to get to his feet. Instead, he covered his body with his shield. With his sword in his hand, he took the opportunity to strike at Kiragi, and he did. He struck the blue Frukink in the ankle, creating a gash that slowly dripped blood.

Rorvim sprinted to her Rider's side and grabbed Doryu's arm in her jaw. Locking his arm in, she began to growl and deepen her teeth in his skin. He screamed in pain, and Alaois quickly aided his side. With his paw, he swatted the dragonet away. A threatening snarl escaped his maw, his wings dropping as he stood in front of Doryu. Danuška stood behind Rorvim, her size clearly making the dragon shutter in fear.

You better watch yourself, Alaois huffed. The dragon looked over his shoulder to see Kiragi tended to Doryu's wound, then healing his own. Seeing his Rider safe, he made his way to Rorvim.

Alaois, be nice. She's still learning. Alaois didn't answer. His tail lashed furiously, and a subtle growl hummed in his throat. He lowered his head to where his snout was directly in front of Rorvim's tiny body. Doryu thought he would attack, but the dragon just huffed out a puff of smoke from his nostrils and walked away. Relieved, Doryu turned to Kiragi.

"Sorry I hurt your leg," he apologized.

"And I'm sorry about Rorvim," Kiragi laughed with a shrug. "All is well. It wasn't nothing magic healing wouldn't fix. Rorvim just has to come to terms with that. Not everyone I talk to is a danger, and we're allies in this war. She'll come around in due time." The two looked in the direction of Danuška, who leaped into the sky, Rorvim following close behind. Alaois sat on the ground and watched as his mentor and the dragonet hovered in the sky making purring like sounds. Nothing could be heard from Rorvim, but Danuška made loud chirps that the three could hear below.

"What are they doing?" Kiragi asked. Alaois, once again, didn't answer and just stared at the sight of the two. Rorvim began circling around Danuška multiple times before returning to the three in Na Forais Traenála.

It is done, Danuška mentioned as she folded her wings against her side.

"What is done?" Doryu asked.

It is custom for female dragons to adopt female hatchlings when they are born without parents. When the hatching is able to fly, the tradition happens in the sky with the two dragons making similar noises, forming a mother-daughter like relationship. Dragons do this so the hatchling is able to reach adulthood, as male hatchlings can take care of themselves for the most part when they are able to fly. Rorvim bounced towards Kiragi, who kneeled down and rubbed her head.

"What if she does have parents? They could be hidden." The gray dragon shook her head.

Hardly possible. Her parents were both bonded dragons, many of whom were killed during the battle with Bokon. If not, they went mad and killed themselves because they lost their Rider. Danuška began to walk forward, the two dragons and their Riders moving out of the way. No, I doubt Rorvim or Alaois have any parents alive.

Doryu climbed onto the back of Alaois before Kiragi and strapped himself in. The Frukink sat behind him, one of his scaly hands resting on his shoulder. Rorvim playfully growled at Alaois as she stood next to him; she waved her wings as she jumped. The green dragon then responded by barring his teeth, but Rorvim didn't back off.

She keeps coming back like a gnat. Doryu patted Alaois's shoulder.

She'll mature. You weren't any better, climbing on my head and all.

Ha! And you are just as bad as me, Alaois huffed before pushing his body into the air. Rorvim copied his stance and replicated his takeoff. Alaois shook his head and grumbled as he flapped his wings once more to catch up with Danuška.

~

"Yenmon would like to see you, Doryu." Alaois walked towards the launchpad on their hut as Doryu settled his saddle on his back.

"Would you like to come, Kiragi?" he asked as he strapped the metal binds together. The Frukink smiled and nodded before jumping onto the back of Alaois. Rorvim joined the three on the platform, her talons gripping to the edge. As she looked over, she released a squeaky roar. All the citizens below stopped and cheered for the young dragon. Satisfied, she pranced to Alaois's side and wiggled her tail.

You may be 'better' at...whatever that is, but I can fly the best. Alaois sneezed before crouching down, tapping his talons on the wood, then leaping off the platform and immediately climbing upward. With the gloves on his hands, Doryu gripped tightly onto the metal bars of the saddle, basically laying down in an awkward position. When Alaois reached the treetops, he fell backwards to where he was upside down before spiraling down with his wings outstretched. He then immediately shifted his wings so he could do a quick turn to the left, where he ducked under a bridge. With a flap, he began to gain altitude again with his wings tucked against his sides. Once he was again above the treetops, he unfolded his wings and hovered as he waited for Rorvim.

"That was...something else," Kiragi mumbled as he held his hand to his head.

"It was unnecessary," Doryu corrected.

You gotta teach me that, Alaois! Rorvim hollowered as she made her way to the dragon.

When you're bigger. We can join lessons with Danuška together. Alaois seemed more happy than he was the day prior.

Glad you're getting along with Rorvim now.

She's manageable. Doryu rolled his eyes sarcastically and smiled. Alaois then continued the quick journey to Yenmon's hut. Rorvim decided to join Kiragi and Doryu on the back of Alaois as well, for she couldn't fly as fast.

Yenmon waited for them outside his forge waving his hand. As Alaois landed, Kiragi quickly leaped off his back and embraced Yenmon, where he too did the same.

"So glad you're home, my brother." As Rorvim jumped off Alaois's back, she trotted her way towards the two Frukink's and released a tiny howl. Doryu remained in the saddle, smiling at the two as he patted Alaois's scales. The dragon arched his head over and lightly touched Doryu's forehead, humming. "How's the saddle Doryu?"

"Works well. Both Alaois and I love the improvements you've made. How can I repay you?" Yenmon waved his hand as he and Kiragi separated.

"Any friend of Kiragi is a friend of mine, especially if they're a Rider. No, you don't owe me anything, and you won't ever need to owe me anything." The white Frukink smiled as he waved his talons to the two as he walked into his forge. "Come in."

To the right inside the hut, an armor stand stood decorated with green armor. The shoulderpads resembled that of scales. The boots on the bottom of the armor stand were black leather, and the pants were black leather as well, and contained the same scale-like padding. On the top was a helmet with two sides of the leather covering the cheeks, and another one running down the nose. From the top to where the neck would be, it looked like the back of a dragon's neck. Leaning on the armor stand was a long, thin sword that was the same color as Alaois.

"This was the other job King Adrazar ordered me to do, and the same thing will be done with Kiragi." The blue Frukink puffed out his chest as he admired the armor he'd be wearing. "And of course it would be Rorvim's colors to signify your bond as Rider and dragon.

"Now you've seen those hybrid armor where half of it is leather, and the other is steel. Well, I've found a way to fuse them together to where it is leather, but it is as strong as steel. This way, it won't rip easily like leather and can protect you from many blows like steel. I call it 'Dagereite'." Yenmon then pointed to a room in the back. "Try it on. See how it fits." Excited, Doryu ran to the back room and pulled off his clothes before trying on the armor. He slipped on the helmet for a split second before taking it off; telling Yenmon that it fit would be enough for he didn't like things being on his face.

He quickly showed Kiragi and Yenmon his armor, both of which were excited and thrilled on how well it fit and that he'd be well protected, before racing out the door to show Alaois.

Now you won't have to worry about me, he joked. Alaois rested the tip of his snout to Doryu's forehead again.

I always worry about you, he muttered. For now and always. Doryu gave in to Alaois's makeshift hug and scratched the underside of his jaw.

As will I with you.

~

Alaois and Doryu sat on the Royal Pavilion listening to Urbali's speech about the upcoming battle. Kiragi and Rorvim joined the two on their left while Danuška and İzzet sat to their right. He hadn't spoken to his father much since he returned to Fethprist, and he felt guilty.

"My scouts have reported Bokon leading a charge towards Fethprist with both Shahzad and Valdhoadior. His troops are massive, much larger than our own. The Frukink Döyüş Qüvvələri wouldn't stand a chance, which is where Doryu, Alaois, Danuška, and İzzet come to play." Alaois stiffened his stance when his name was called. "We have to get Bokon out of the way. İzzet and Danuška will lead the front charge to rid the Lord. Alaois and Doryu will stay hidden near the back. As soon as the sight of Valdhoadior comes, they'll take off and stop the dragon from destroying more of our troops.

"No Royals, aside from King Adrazar, will participate in the battle, and nor will Kiragi." Urbali saw the frustration in the blue Frukink's face, but he backed up his reasoning. "Kiragi may be a Rider and could be useful in the fight, but he will not throw himself around without a grown dragon who can look over him, because Alaois and Danuška won't be able to. So once Rorvim is able to fight and fly, Kiragi, you're out."

It's okay, Kiragi. Trust me, I'd gladly have you in my place instead. Kiragi smiled as he leaned back into his chair.

"İzzet, are you positive that Bokon is no longer able to conduct magic?"

"I haven't seen him cast any spells, but I would proceed with caution. Even if he isn't able to, Shahzad can. And that doesn't count any magicians in the battle."

"Come up here and explain what you know of your nephew," Urbali suggested, waving his hand. İzzet groaned as he pulled himself off his chair. He held his hands behind his back as he walked into the middle of the Royal Pavillion.

"Bokon had Shahzad study everything about being a Rider since he was young. He has never seemed to disappoint Bokon, driving him to appoint Shahzad the leader of the Royal Guard. He has an army under his control, and Valdhoadior to help him. He is more experienced in magic than Doryu, and he can use weapons without hesitation.

"And now, Valdhoadior. From Doryu and Alaois, he is a wyvern. Now, you may ask: what is a wyvern? They are still dragons, but they lack front legs. Instead, their massive wings act as front limps, helping them walk. With this being said, they have larger and powerful hind legs. They are able to easily dig into the scales of a dragon. They are just as agile as a dragon that has four limbs, but they are much slower on land. And they too have the ability to breathe fire."

But Valdhoadior will obtain his fire much later than Alaois, for he was born much later. This will give us an advantage in battle, for now, Alaois should be acquiring his. All eyes on the pavilion then glanced at Alaois and cheered. They all said something along the lines of 'Emerald Scales will win!', but Doryu couldn't hear a specific chant. Alaois, pleased, delivered a small bellow to satisfy the Frukink council, which only drove the cheers louder.

~