Newkirk's eyes widened. "No!" he said as snorts of laughter escaped him.
"Aye" Jaspert laughed with him, "I never quite thought about the consequences though"
"I bet you didn't." Newkirk said, still laughing uncontrollably.
Dylan looked at his family in confusion. Oh, he knew long ago that his family was barking odd! His aunt was enough proof for that wasn't she? But looking at his family laughing away for no barking reason, he wondered whether they were more cracked in the attic than he suspected!
Meanwhile, Newkirk who had finally managed to stop laughing looked around him.
"So where's the poor boy? For his sake I hope he looks like a man!"
At this Deryn could not help but snort.
"Over there" Deryn pointed to where a thin blonde boy of about sixteen stood, talking to the boy in front of him and glancing occasionally at his odd family.
"Barking spiders Deryn! He looks exactly like you used to!"
"I know! This is going to be great!" Deryn said laughing.
Dylan Sharp turned away from his family and looked at the soldier in front of him. The man, who could only be a few years older than him smiled at him.
"Hey mate, joining the army?"
What a stupid question, Dylan thought.
"Aye" was all he said.
"I will need your name then mate."
"Dylan. Dylan Sharp at your service"
The soldier dropped the pen he was holding.
"Come again?"
What a dummkopf! Dylan thought. "Dylan Sharp. It's quite an easy name actually" he said, rolling his eyes.
"Looks like he told the soldier his name" Deryn chortled.
Bovril, their old Loris chuckled. "Mr. Sharp" he said happy that he could use that phrase once more.