The Land Where Dragons Rule: Chapter 2: Best Friends

The next day, Treon opened his eyes to see light streaming from his window. He yawned, stretching his body, which seemed to be an exact replica of his father’s, only he was six years old, and Daios was thirty-four.1

He also woke up to find Sear sleeping next to him. He jumped out of the bed, screaming. Startling his parents, they both got out of bed, and ran out to see why he was blaring.2

“Treon, what’s going on?” Daios said, clothed in a pair of black boxers.3

Treon was pointing to Sear, shuddering. Sear just looked at him, not completely awake. “He was in my bed! Who is he?”4

Daios sighed. “That’s, uh…” He scratched his head. “He’s your new brother.”5

Treon just stared at his father, a tear of misunderstanding and alarm rolling down his cheek.6

“I’m going back to bed.” Luki said, turning around and walking towards the back room.7

“He’s your new brother.” Daios said, kneeling and grabbing both of Treon’s furry arms. “See, we just got him yesterday, and we haven’t got a bed for him, so he’ll have to sleep in here for a while.”8

“I don’t want a new brother, though.” 9

“I know, but he’s going to have to stay with us for quite a while. Think of it as a long-term sleepover.”10

“I don’t feel like having a sleep-over. He looks funny.”11

“Don’t worry, I’m sure you two will have fun.” With that, he stood up and left the room. Treon sighed and put his hands on his hips. He faced Sear, who had just woken up.12

“Hi.” Sear squeaked softly.13

“What’s your name? Mine’s Treon.” Treon sat next to Sear on the bed.14

“It’s Sear.”15

They talked to each other for the rest of the morning about various subjects, like why Sear had no feathers or fur and how gross girls were. Then Luki came in and asked them if they wanted waffles. Treon naturally agreed, but Sear didn’t know what to say. 16

He had never had a waffle before.17

“Come and try one.” Luki said, heading towards the kitchen. They both followed her, frolicking the whole way.18

“You’ll love mom’s waffles. They’re the best in the whole wide world!”19

“What are waffles?” Sear said, a quizzical look on his face.20

“You’re kidding?” Treon said as he jumped onto a chair in the dining room. “You’ve never had a waffle?”21

Sear jumped onto a chair beside Treon. “No.”22

“You’ll like them.”23

After about five minutes, Luki put some waffles on plates in front of each of them. She also put a plate of peanut butter and milk server with syrup in it in the middle of the table.24

Treon took two of them and helped himself to the condiments, spreading and pouring them all over his waffles. Sear, however, didn’t quite know what to do. He picked it up with his hands when Treon stopped him.25

“You hafta’ do it like this.” He took a fork and a knife and cut the waffles he had into four pieces each. “See?” He pointed to the knife and fork on Sear’s side of the table.26

Reluctantly, Sear picked them up and cut the waffles. Then, with some hesitation, he put a piece in his mouth. He chewed it, slowly. It tasted pretty good. He took another bite. And another. It wasn’t long until he only had one bite left. He quickly shoved it into his mouth and tasted the flavor. He swallowed. “That’s a really good waffle.” He said, licking his lips.27

Treon giggled. “You’ve never had a waffle before!” He started laughing. Sear soon joined him.28

“So, what do you think?” Daios said as he put some cargo pants on his furred legs.29

“Well,” stated Luki. “He is kind of… Socially inexperienced.”30

“But we can teach him all that.” He zipped a sweater over his bare, plumed chest. “I’m going to the store.” He went over to Luki and rubbed his beak against her cheek. “Want to keep him?”31

Luki rubbed Daios’ forehead with her hands. “Yes.”32

And that was how Sear’s life started with the Gryphon’s.33