Jahree entered the barracks after his shift, feeling the weight of fatigue settle into his bones. The familiar scent of leather and steel greeted him. It felt almost like home now, even though he’d never thought a soldier’s quarters could evoke such comfort. As he stepped inside, Kritalla’s voice cut through the haze of exhaustion. “Where have you been?” he demanded, looking up from his card game with Tercala. Tercala had been spending a lot of his free time there since Jahree had been drugged, and Jahree wondered if it had something to do with that. Jahree paused, catching the sharpness in his tone. “I just got off. Needed a moment to breathe.” He shrugged, avoiding his gaze. Kritalla squinted as if weighing his words. “You never came out yesterday,” he pointed out, dealing another hand to Tercala. Jahree caught Tercala’s sideways glance. One brow lifted in curiosity. “I fell asleep in Lanni’s room.” Jahree hesitated, reluctant to explain why he was there to Lanni’s uncle and grandfather. A moment of silence hung between them, thick and uncomfortable, before Kritalla’s expression turned hard. “And what were you doing in her bed?” He asked, frowning. Jahree froze. A flash of memory ignited in his mind—Trean’s anger, how his eyes had darkened when he discovered that Jahree had spent the night with his daughter. He pushed the thought away, but not quickly enough. “Leave him be, or Lanni will roast you,” Tercala interjected, a hint of amusement in his voice as he shuffled his cards. Tercala wasn’t one to make light of things often, but when he did, it was his way of reassuring you. Kritalla glanced at Tercala, his expression softening, then turned back to Jahree. “I’m sorry. I was teasing. Congratulations.” Before he could react, Tercala stood, wrapping Jahree in a hug. The gesture surprised him, but not as much as the warmth in the man’s embrace. “Welcome to the family.” “Yes, welcome.” Kritalla’s arms followed, enveloping him in a brief but firm embrace. “I hope you can handle us.” He grinned. Jahree hadn’t thought much of Tercala’s hug. Dragons were known for their physical gestures, but Ertonians like Kritalla were usually more reserved. For him to hug Jahree, even for a moment, signified something. “I never thought I’d be related to a Tamerian, but at least you’re a decent Tamerian,” Kritalla added with a slight chuckle. “Isn’t Raylee Tamerian?” Tercala asked, absently placing a card on the table as he returned to his seat. “Not really. She was born there, but her parents came from somewhere else. There are no dragons native to Tameria.” “Is she from Torthoc?” Jahree asked, his curiosity piqued. He had heard Lanni mention Raylee before but hadn’t thought to ask about her origins. Kritalla shrugged. “She doesn’t know. But I doubt it. I’m not sure there were dragons here that long ago.” Jahree frowned, the historian in him piqued. “What do you mean there weren’t dragons?” “The Ertonians brought the dragons here,” Kritalla explained, his voice adopting a lecturing tone. “This world is a refuge. When we were searching for a new homeland, we found several races struggling due to their magic. We offered them a place here. Sometimes, entire populations came, some fleeing environmental issues, like on Earth, or escaping persecution, like Lertan. Of course, this was long before I was born, even before Morina’s time. The Tamerians are likely the first group without mages.” “Their mages were already here,” Tercala added, tossing a knowing look Jahree’s way. “They call themselves Ertonians.” Jahree’s brow furrowed, a question forming on his lips. “Is that why we came here? Because of persecution?” He shook his head, frustrated. “My parents never told me we were leaving for that reason.” Kritalla softened, reaching out to pat his shoulder. “Maybe. Raylee set it up, after all. We can ask her when she reports in next.” “I’ll talk to the prince-general and ask him to have her scry Lanni,” Tercala offered, inclining his head slightly. Jahree nodded. “Thanks.” Tercala gave him a stern look. “You’re family now. I know Papa Tey taught you to care for family.” “Yes, sir,” Jahree replied, an involuntary grin spreading across his face. Papa Tey’s words had been ingrained in him, alongside those of Sai—about loyalty and kin. Kritalla chuckled, shaking his head. “If only more of the men had that enthusiasm.” “Agreed,” Tercala smirked, returning his attention to his cards. “Now go get some sleep. Lanni doesn’t tire easily; she’ll wear you out.” Jahree’s cheeks flushed at the remark, and he mumbled a hasty goodnight, retreating to his quarters. His mind was still whirling with the morning’s conversation, but he felt like he belonged for the first time in a long while. He wasn’t just passing through anymore. He had a place and people who expected him to stay. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands