W.R.E.N.

A day alone

The morning fog was slowly lifting as I surveyed the kingdom I presided over. At least, on days like this, I felt like the king of my world. It was early morning. I had spent the day in the woods alone. Cordgi had been asleep when I left. I had told Neffy

'How long will you be gone?' He asked.

'I'll be back by nightfall.' I told him. He acknowledged this and I went on my way. I was happy to see that Neffy was so much more easy going now that their bond was made permanent. The dragon still hovered around Cordgi like a dark guardian angel, but it had only been two days. I smirked as I walked the familiar path to the wry.

Shea was sipping coffee next to the morning fire. Greyson was kneeling beside him. I sank to the stump that had always been mine. A tin cup of dark thick liquid was held out to me.

"You know the coffee they have up at the school isn't so sludge like!" I muttered. Shea went to jerk the cup away. I barely managed to snag it out of his hands.

"Then eat there!" He hissed. I laughed taking a big drink of the brew.

"Nothing says home like your horrible cooking." I grinned over at him. He rolled his eyes.

"You taking off?" He asked eyeing my pack.

"Yeah. Just for the day." I told him.

"Alone?" He inquired. I smirked.

"No, just waiting for her to come back from her morning hunt." Shea nodded.

"You know, you were born for this." He gestured to my new clothing, boots and general knight attire.

"What, dressing better than you?" I chuckled.

"Zyn, from the day I first saw you, I knew you wouldn't stay in the Wry long. You gave me sixteen years. Honestly, they have been the best of my life." He turned his head to flash a smile at Greyson. I so wanted to ask, but realized, it didn't matter. I reached over to place a hand on my dad's leg.

"No matter where I am in this world, the Wry will always be in me." Shea turned back to me quickly, a startled look on his face. I drained the cup. "You raised me, gave me a home, I will never forget where I came from." I told him.

"I love you, son." Shea muttered.

"Love you too, dad! Can we have a sentimental moment? Should we hug now?" I teased lightly. He slapped my hand away.

"Insensitive jerk." He mocked me.

"You will be back for the bonding days." Quinn announced her presence by nearly giving me a heart attack. She smirked when I jumped. I smiled.

"I wouldn't miss them. I get to hang out with the dragons." The smile left my face when she told me, not this year.

"You're a knight Zyn, you need to be presented as one." I frowned. I had heard about this. The knights and their dragons being presented to the king and his royal guard. Or more accurately his royal representative.

"This year the king will actually be coming, and bringing his son. A boy of thirteen who hasn't bonded yet." Po informed us.

"But, I ... Shea needs..."

"This is part of your duty. Besides, Zia will be in attendance." Po informed me.

"Fine, whatever!" I grumbled glaring into the fire. Then a thought struck me. I grinned. "The boy hasn't bonded, daddy dearest will be bringing him around to find his dragon then?" Shea's eyes shone as he looked up at me. I saw the quick evil smirk on Greyson's lips before he hid his mouth with his cup.

"What a tragedy it would be if one of your dragons became the little prince's Nuare?" Quinn folded her arms looking down at me.

"Indeed." I smiled.