Who would’ve thought gathering friends would cause so much work? Kyn wiped the sweat from his brow and gazed out over the field. Pavilions and even temporary wooden structures were laid out in neat rows with paths intersecting. He hadn’t yet tuned out the roar of the ocean.

“Raya, how are you?” Ben’hyamene called out as he approached, a broad smile on his tan face. “Ardyn wanted to let you know the first guests have arrived.”

Kyn took a deep breath. This was always when he felt the weight of his position as coordinator. Would those invited find the place to their liking.

“Well, let’s greet them. Do you know who they are?”

Ben’hyamene shook his head. “Some of them look like they belong, but others…” After a short pause, he said, “I just hope they all get along.”

Wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers, Kyn followed his best-friend down the grassy lane toward the mountains, but instead of following the path to the end of the encampment like they would for the youngling challenge, they turned toward the ocean.

“Where are we going?” Kyn asked.

“Ardyn said, they just appeared out of nowhere on the sand.”

Kyn tried to grapple with that thought. Out of nowhere? Then again, the letter he’d received had been out of thin air.

When they came to the beach, he saw a mismatched group of people mingling about. There was a tall woman who looked as if she belonged with the El’Shad’n except her clothes were… How could he describe them? They clung to her form almost like a tunic and trousers, but snug–very snug. She seemed to be gazing about taking in the scene. Beside her, a woman in light trousers and a bright yellow coat held a man’s arm. He adjusted a strange dark blue hat on his head and pulled down a thick dark blue vest. He had several things attached to his belt, and the way he he glanced about said he was in control.

“Welcome,” Kyn said, stepping forward. “Welcome to the 2025 Silmaril Awards.”

“Silmaril Awards?” The tall woman asked as she turned from admiring the ocean view. “As in Tolkein?”

Kyn glanced to Ben’hyamene who mentally said, I don’t know.

With a deep breath, Kyn started to speak, but the man with the hat replied instead, “That was what Tiger Lilly’s note said. We were runners up for the friend award.”

The tall woman beamed. “Friend, huh?”

A short, dark young man pushed through the group, or rather, the group gave him space. On second inspection, he wasn’t dark skinned like Ben’hyamene but was moreso dirty! His hair stood on end. “Runners up?” He looked about. “Where’s the fightin’ then? I’ll prove it to ya, thet I’m the best one.” He put up his fists, grinning and displaying a missing tooth.

“Uh, we’re not here for a challenge,” Kyn said, trying to take control of the group. “We still have several days before everyone shows up and the awards are given. Please, accept our hospitality.”

The tall woman nodded. “Thank you, but if I’m to be here for any length of time, I’ll need more clothes. Do you have a shopping center nearby? Maybe a town?”

Releasing a breath he didn’t even know he was holding, Kyn said, “Ben’hyamene here can show you to merchants row. I don’t know how many will have clothes, but any shopping will be done there.”

“I appreciate it,” she said, striding forward. “Ben’hyamene, nice to meet you. I’m Tanvi.”

“Uncle Kyn,” Ardyn said, joining them. “I have the housing arrangements lined out. Want me to show them around?”

“We’d appreciate that.” The man adjusted his blue cap again. “Be careful of the ground, Tiger Lilly.” He pointed to an uneven spot.

Tiger Lilly walked daintily in shoes that Kyn tried not to shake his head at. They had pointy heels and her toes poked out through them.

He started to suggest she visit merchants row, when the remaining person joined him. “I thought this was gonna show who the best friend is,” the lad said, looking a little lost, his bluster gone. “I don’t even see Pantherbane here.”

Kyn placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “I’m sure all who’re supposed to be here will arrive soon. Maybe he was called to one of the other celebrations.”

That brightened the lad’s demeanor. “Celebrations? Is there gonna be wrestlin’? I’m one a the best in the Feechie Fen.”

“You come from a fen?” Kyn asked. “I have many friends who live in a fen called the Carr. They’ll be arriving with their dragons later this week.”

“Do they fight?”

Kyn laughed. “You seem to like to fight. Maybe I’ll have to invite you back for the youngling challenge. You could help some of the dragon rider younglings learn a thing or two.”

The young man spat on his hand and held it out to Kyn. “Name’s Dobro Turtlebane. I’d like that.”

“Nice to make your acquaintance, Dobro.”

“Yer supposed to shake it.” Dobro thrust his hand closer to Kyn.

Trying not to grimace, Kyn placed his hand in Dobro’s. The young man squeezed until Kyn was certain his bones would break.

“Well, yer one tough one fer a civilizer,” Dobro said with his crooked smile. “I bet you’d make a good Feechiefolk.”

Right then there was the sound of wind and a clap, almost like thunder. Dobro dove for the ground, but Kyn turned to face it. Flying through the air was…

Kyn blinked trying to believe what his eyes were telling him. The head was like a dog, but it was long, and was that someone on the creature’s back? With a beating of wings, that sent Dobro running and crying, Wylen landed beside Kyn.

Get on. It will be best to meet them in the air.

Without a backward glance, Kyn mounted. He needed to direct his newest guests to their place. But no one had told him he’d have a dog the size of an ancient dragon! At least he had a large plain for everyone.