Casseth’s shoulders dipped slightly, a relieved breath escaping his lips. The outcome from his news had been the complete opposite of what he had expected. No matter what Cas had thought was going to happen, though, he knew it had to come out sooner or later. The fear of his dad finding out from someone else had prompted him to tell Kilian himself. He lowered his shirt as he looked down at the pack that held his orbs.

Kilian’s gaze followed Casseth’s, the smile on his face widening. “That’s right. I had forgotten the real reason you came down here.” Kilian let his hand drop from Cas’ shoulder. “Has it really been that long already? It seems just like yesterday that you were handing over your first set of orbs.” The years had traveled by quick. Life for the two of them had evened out quickly once they had moved to and settled down in Eowyn. Casseth had made friends and Kilian had met someone he cared deeply for. “What ones have you picked?”

Casseth was glad for the subject change, no longer wishing to discuss the Pit and his contributions to the bloodshed in that arena. He moved the pack to his lap, lifting the flap and staring down at the glistening peisio and kianrdri orbs on top. “Kiandri and peisio first.” Cas said as he lifted them up and out of his pack. “Both earned with Lithian on the shore outside of town here. You remember?”

Kilian nodded as his memories surged to the front of his mind. He hadn’t been there for the fight but he had seen the aftermath. Lithian had helped Casseth home, his leg having been injured. As he had looked the injury over, Kilian had been surprised by the degree with which it had already been healed. Lithian, it seemed, had a knack for healing. That much was now obvious with as many scrapes as Casseth had been into. “What are the other three?”

Casseth hesitated after reaching into the bag. The last three orbs were dibai. He knew his father’s feelings towards diabi. After Cas and Lith’s trip to Soudul, they had talked more about Kilian’s family and what had happened. He also knew that these particular orbs would bring back memories of that trip as well. He pulled the three, dark orbs out and handed them over to his father. “Diabi. Again, earned with the help of Lithian. Diabis attacked our ship as we sailed into the port on Soudul.”

Kilian took the orbs from Casseth, thumbing over the surface of them. It pleased a part, deep inside of him, to see the soul orbs of a diabi dragon. Still, to this day, he loathed the dragons of his homeland and what they had done to his family. It had been the first, of many, rips that had occurred inside the Fedele household. That incident was shoved to the back of his mind as the other memory, fighting for attention, barreled through. Casseth on the ground over Lith, protecting his friend with the last bit of strength he had left. Kilian’s blade sinking into his own father’s flesh. Nekane, his cousin’s, voice breaking through the haze that had taken him over.

Those few days had been rough on the oblivionite warrior. He had feared for both his son and Lithian’s life. Had never expected, in his wildest of dreams, that he would have had to kill his own flesh and blood. His own father. He had been left with no other choice. When it came down to it, Kilian had chosen his son, like any father would have and should have done. He shoved that day aside. It wasn’t as important as the here and now. His son was grown. Well on his way to adulthood and Kilian was a very proud parent. It was a shame, however, that his mother and sister weren’t here to share the moment. Kilian forced himself not to frown, not to feel the guilt and pain of the loss of his other child, of his former mate. That, too, was in the past. Difficult as it may still be, both Casseth and him had moved on.

Kilian sat all five orbs carefully onto the table in front of them. He eyed each and every one of them. They gleamed in the light that filtered through their windows and looked almost alive. Dragon orbs were the closest Kilian would have of ever having any kind of soul.

Casseth spoke up, the words whispered as he did so. “I’m sorry for all the worry I’ve caused you…”

Kilian cut him off, shaking his head in response. “That’s what fathers do, Casseth. We worry. No amount of you being careful is going to change that. You could be my age and I’d still worry for you. I’m extremely proud of the man you’re becoming.” He glanced up from the orbs. “Never be sorry for who you are Casseth. Be proud of every single part of you. Just as I am.” Kilian pulled Casseth in for a tight hug, savoring the feeling of his only son in his arms. It seemed as if it had just been yesterday when he’d been born. Yet here he was, turning in his second set of orbs and on the edge of adulthood.

As Casseth pulled away from the hug, Kilian gripped his forearms. “So about the Pit.”

Casseth winced, glancing away. “I can quit, if you really want me to. I know it’s dangerous.”

“No, I don’t think you need to do that. Just let me know when matches are. Worry as I might, each time you would walk into that arena, I want to see you fight.” Kilian grinned as he gave Casseth’s arms a squeeze and let go. “And,” Kilian began again just as Casseth opened his mouth. “You’ll let me help you train, won’t you?”

Cas blinked in surprised, complete shock overtaking him at his father’s words. He wanted to help him train? It was an offer that Casseth couldn’t refuse. Not in a million years. “I’d love that.” Cas said as a grin broke out over his face.