W.R.E.N.

Another day

Zia stayed for dinner. We went to the Wry to eat. Shea greeted us as Greyson pulled out more plates. We talked about nothing important. The feeling of being with those I treasured above all else filled me with a peace I didn't know I missed. I laughed as Shea finished telling a tale about how Greyson tried to help with the hatching. He nearly dropped a baby dragon over the cliff. I smirked. My father, Greyson, I never noticed it too much before, how they were always close together.

We left the Wry as the moon filled the heavens. I breathed in the crisp air. Tanwen was tired leaning heavily against my leg as I half carried her. We saw two figures up ahead. They looked to be talking. Both turned when Tanwen's boot scuffed the dirt.

"There you are!" Fauner cried out.

"It's about time." Cordgi smirked. I swung Tanwen into my arms then.

"You two staying in the palace tonight?" I asked the fire knight as I nodded to their dorms.

"Yes. Um, Zyn.." Fauner rubbed at his lip. I smiled.

"Thank you. She told me you helped with the monies." I said. He had up his hand.

"It was the least I could do. You were there for her before I found her." There was a look in his eye, one that showed he wasn't entirely happy about it, but glad that she had someone.

"Maybe you're not as bad as I thought." I muttered turning to head to my room.

"Oh, ho what's this?" Fauner cried. "That is high praise coming from you." He chuckled. I rolled my eyes.

"Then again, maybe you are." We all laughed as Fauner fell into step beside me. We walked to the water knights dorm.

"Zyn?" He whispered. I glanced around. I had been watching the stars. Now I saw that Cordgi and Zia were almost to the doors. Fauner had been drifting back, I had kept pace with him absent-mindedly.

"What is it?" I asked shifting the slight weight in my arms. His hand rested against my shoulder.

"Never change. Promise me you will always be there for her." His smile was missing something.

"If you need anything..." I began.

"I need you to." He paused looking back to where the fire dragon was now looking at us. "I'm sure you already are, just, uh keep her safe no matter what." He whispered. I frowned.

"Is the new lieutenant in danger?" I asked.

"I, I don't know. It may just be first assignment jitters." He tried to laugh. I looked him in the eye. It was dark and I couldn't see clearly, but something told me it was more than that.

"Look after yourself." I told him. "Zia your rider is a fool." I called louder. Fauner chuckled. He got the point. Why would I change? Zia came back to wrap her arms through his. She grinned at me.

"Yeah. I know but what can you do, he gets me." She was smiling openly.

"Will we be able to see you before you leave?" I asked.

"We have to leave early tomorrow. If there's time I will send Zia to say good bye to Tanwen." Fauner offered. I nodded. Cordgi held the door for me as the fire pair walked away.

"How was you're night?" I asked him. He looked away from me.

"Good." He muttered.

"Why didn't you come with us?" I asked. He shrugged. I frowned. I didn't understand his silence. I left him to his thoughts as we walked the hall towards our room. Neffy was waiting for us as we came around the last bend. He glanced between us and walked up to Cordgi.