The Greythorns

A New Heir

A peaceful night indeed, and Ari had now found a child. Ari woke up, still slightly tired but willed himself awake. He put on a soft and fluffy blue robe, and went over to the kitchen. The chef was inside, idle, and waiting to cook again.

"In about an hour, can we start breakfast please?", Ari requested.
The chef nodded and quickly began to work his magic into the kitchen. He wandered into a nearby hallway, with a window, and he peered through it to see the clock tower. Around 9.

Ari went over to the maid's quarters and told them to wake Nuebiko in half an hour, if he wasn't already awake. Without a second look, Ari walked out of the room, and went back to his own bedroom. He quickly changed into a different outfit, white and light gray in color.

Ari wondered about what to ask the child. Surely, he would have some answers, but he remembered, he wouldn't speak last time. He concluded maybe feeding him would make him a little more comfortable to speak. If he wasn't comfortable already.

Ari made his way down to the dining hall, and seated himself in the same spot he had sat before. After patiently waiting for a few minutes, Nuebiko came downstairs with the company of the maids from last night. Ari greeted him with a warm smile. Ari was met with a simple short smile, before quickly returning to a blank slate. Nuebiko proceeded to where he had sat last time, not sure what to do.

Ari started conversation.

"Good morning, ahm... After breakfast I need to ask you a few questions... Is that alright?", Ari asked, as softly as possible. Nuebiko shyly nodded in response.

"Great.", Ari said, satisfied. A few seconds later, breakfast was served, and Nuebiko did the same thing he had done last night. His little... Inspections. Ari looks over, and grins a bit. He would say something, but he wouldn't push it right about now, not if he isn't exactly comfortable yet.

After a wonderful breakfast, the two walked into a room with a grand fireplace, and grand chairs around a center table. Nuebiko had a seat in a silver painted chair, and Ari sat in the other silver chair across from him. Questions came immediately.

"Ok. I'm going to ask you some questions, and I need you to answer truthfully okay?" Ari explains. Nuebiko nods, and seems ready to talk.

"Alright. Do you know where your parents are? Or do you have no parents?", Ari asks as softly as he can.

"I don't think I have any parents... If I did, I don't think I remember them." Nuebiko says.

"Okay... Um... How did you get here?", Ari asks.

"I don't think I intentionally came here. I honestly don't remember alot. I remember traces of it... I remember feeling like I was falling from the sky, and came to a thud. I didn't feel so too afterwards. I looked up and I saw some kind of Vortex... And after that I just... Wandered for a few weeks. I didn't know what to do or where to go... And then you found me." Nuebiko softly smiles.

Ari softly smiles in return. "Ok... Um... Wow. Huh. That's interesting... Ok, you've given me alot to think about. That's all of my questions for right now... Thank you." Ari said. "Uh, you can go out into the courtyard, there is a swing on the tree, if you want to entertain yourself for a while. The enterance is right by the kitchen, you can't miss it." Ari says, dismissively.

Nuebiko nodded and follows his directions. Ari is left in the room. He thinks about what he said.

It seems that Nuebiko doesn't have a home, let alone any parents. And he can't recall anything. Ari couldn't help but feel a little sad for the boy. He wonders about the vortex. Meaning he must have came from somewhere else, but couldn't figure out a logical solution for it. Its very odd. But, Ari took this as an opportunity.

After some more contemplation, Ari stepped out to the courtyard, to find Nuebiko with a new friend. A small, fluffy, white, little dragon. The little dragon pops around the courtyard often, and seems to have made quick friends with Nuebiko. Ari chuckles at the prospect.

Nuebiko sees Ari and turns over to him.

"I see you've made a new friend." Ari says. The dragon perks its ears and flies around the yard. "He comes here often. I find it he likes it here. Heh. So, I've been doing some thinking, and I reached a conclusion. And for this to happen I need your okay.", Ari explains.

Nuebiko nods.

"I was thinking about taking you in. As a... Uh... A son.", Ari proposed. "If that's okay with you of course."

Nuebiko stared incredulously. He was shocked, and out of words. "Y-y-yes...", he sputtered. He didn't know what to say.

"Great. Well, uh... Welcome Home, Nuebiko." Ari said warmly.

-------------------11 Years Later------------------

It didn't take long for Nuebiko to get to know his new surroundings when he first had arrived.

The bond between Ari and Nuebiko had grew find of each other, and very close. And even the little dragon that wasn't small anymore had made its way into the family as well.

Another typical day in the kingdom. Breakfast, battle training, strolls, and feeding Skaarf (Nuebiko's Dragon).

After Nuebiko fed Skaarf, word had come down from the Royal Guard about sightings of deadly mages and other netherworld creatures in parts of Asaro. Ari quickly took action.

"I have to go down there, I have to help.", Ari says.

"It's too dangerous, Dad. You can't risk it.", Nuebiko explains, worry taking the tone in his voice.

"I'll be fine. And I'll tell you something. If anything happens to me down there, I died fighting for my kingdom. And you," Ari placed a fist on Nuebiko's chest, "Will be my heir."

Nuebiko's eyes widened, but that still didn't change the worried expression on his face. But, he knew his father, and is adamant about his actions. There wasn't any use trying to stop him.

"Fine." Nuebiko sighed. "Just be careful okay?"

"Of course." Ari hugs him, and heads off to the armory to gather his weapons.

Nuebiko stands in the middle of the hallway, and watches him walk away.

"Your father will do fine.", Rosamine reassured him. Rosamine was the Head of the Royal Guard, and did well in battle. She spars with Ari often, so she has to know what she's talking about.

Later the following night Ari hadn't returned. He hadn't come back. Nuebiko had cried that night, but he had to accept his new fate. He had to guide the kingdom.

He had to become King. And more importantly, he had to avenge his father's death.