The dragons were seen in the sky. It was time to put his plan in motion. Thorn wiped a tear from his eye. His dad and brother were watching the dragons.
Thorn quietly called, "Papa!" and his dad immediately turned his attention to him.
"Papa," he said, "I want to ask King Kalmar something." his explanation brought tears to his father's eyes.
"I understand you," Biggin O'Sally said to his youngest son, "And I love Leeli too. It's just that, well, I'll miss you. And the Hollowsfolk-"
"Will have to understand," said Thorn. "The dragons are landing."
He turned, as though to go and meet the dragons, then saw his father not following.
"Aren't you coming?" he said, hoping for his father to give an affirmative.
"I'm Hollish since birth, Thorn." said Biggin. "If you do this, you have to do it on your own. I can't hold your hand forever. Me and Kelvey-"
Kelvey and I, Thorn thought.
"We belong in the Hollows!" His father shouted over the wind, "But you have a choice! Talk to King Kalmar, see what he says, but you will always know you were born and raised in the Green Hollows, sang the anthem at your school assemblies, and have the blood of the first Keeper."
"This is in my blood, too, Papa!" Thorn said. "And Kelvey's, too. Great-grandma was an Annieran."
"Yes," His Papa said. "But not me. Good luck, my son."
Thorn turned away to hide his tears. His father walked over, away from him, toward his older brother.
"King Kamar's back," he told himself. "Everything will be all right now."
An Annieran woman walked by him and noticed his tears.
"Oh, poor you." she said. Then she gasped.
"Thorn," she said. "Thorn O'Sally."
"I'm your family." she said. "Your mother's side."
Thorn shook his head.
"It's true." she said. "It's Aunt Laika. What's wrong, Thorn?"
Thorn explained, drawn by something about her to trust her.
"Oh, Thorn," she said softly. "I'm so sorry. That hurts," she touched her heart, "That hurts right here. I'm an Annieran now, you know." she said, "And I know you haven't seen me in a while. I can explain"
Laika Ramirez hadn't seen her family for years, but that wasn't her choice. Clovenfast had its share of odd creatures, but Laika was one of the oddest. Half bat, half bomnubble, all crazy. Laika was called Mother Mogarty and had an obsession with feet, and she had decided not to remember. But she had agreed to come with King Kalmar. She had been turned back and had gotten her memory back. And now she remembered everything, with her nephew waiting to talk to King Kalmar beside her.
The dragons landed with a thump and Thorn looked up. He wrapped his arms briefly around her and ran to talk to Kalmar without looking back.