Chapter: 5

The Kings of the Past

As night approaches and the stars appearing in the sky, Kron and Petrie and the two hatchlings were walking through the grassland as the sunset's light began to disappear. With the hatchlings walking in a shamed matter, Kron then stops all the sudden. "Petrie" said Kron, but sternly. Petrie flies forward and lands in front of Kron, but with his trepidation showing. "Yes, sire?" said Petrie.

"Take Neera home. I've got to teach my son a lesson" said Kron sternly. As he heard this, Aladar crouches lower in the grass as if to hide. He knows what is going to happen next. Petrie then flies back to the hatchlings. "Come, Neera. Aladar..." said Petrie as he turns to Aladar and places his wing on his shoulders, gives a heavy sigh, and then a reassuring pat. "Good luck" said Petrie and then he and Neera left.

"Aladar!" said Kron calling to Aladar, very sternly, and not looking at him. Aladar slowly turns and walks towards his father. Aladar steps into a depression. Looking down he sees that his front foot fits inside just the footprint of his father's front feet. A very tense moment for Aladar. It comes across that his father could easily do much, much more than discipline Aladar. It also comes across that Aladar has some rather big shoes to fill, so to speak, and is only now realizing his true position. Aladar is harshly reminded of how small and young he is compared to his father. He looks up and, quite courageously, continues to come forward. Kron thinks silently for a few moments, not looking at his son. Then, finally, he turns to him. "Aladar, I'm very disappointed in you" said Kron.

"I know" said Aladar quietly and sadly.

"You could have been killed. You deliberately disobeyed me. And what's worse, you put Neera in danger!" said Kron continuing.

"I was just trying to be brave like you" said Aladar bordering on crying as voice cracks.

"I'm only brave when I have to be. Aladar... being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble" said Kron being more calm.

"But you're not scared of anything" said Aladar.

"I was today" said Kron.

"You were?" said Aladar being disbelieving.

"Yes... I thought I might lose you" said Kron as he bends down closer to his son.

"Oh. I guess even kings get scared, huh?" said Aladar lightening up slightly.

"Mm-hmm" said Kron.

"But you know what?" whispered Aladar conspiratorially.

"What?" whispered Kron.

"I think those raptors were even scareder" said Aladar. Kron gently laughed and said "'Cause nobody messes with your dad. Come here, you". Then he playfully tackles Aladar to the ground. They both of them began to tussle playfully for a brief while. "Oh, come here..." said Aladar as he chases his father and leaps at him. "Gotcha!" said Aladar. Then it ended with Kron lying down and Aladar on his back. "Dad?" said Aladar.

"Hmm?" said Kron.

"We're pals, right?" asked Aladar.

"Right" said Kron with a gentle laugh.

"And we'll always be together, right?" asked Aladar.

"Aladar... Let me tell you something that my father told me... Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars" said Kron.

"Really?" said Aladar looking up at the stars in awe.

"Yes... So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you ... And so will I" said Kron.