The sun was setting, alighting the evening sky with brilliant yet cooling colors. Exhausted from a long day of fixing everyone's problems, Tiberius felt relief when he saw the familiar thicket that he called home. Waiting at the entrance was Norman, who happened to be batting at a rock absentmindedly. Upon seeing his father walking up the path though, the cub abandoned his game and raced to greet him.

"How was your day Daddy?" Norman squeaked, hopping up and down as he tried to climb up his father's leg. Helping him up with his wing, Tiberius yawned, "Tiring. I thought I would never make it home." With his son resting comfortably between his shoulders, the large griffin entered the thicket den. Making his way over to the nest of moss and feathers, he asked, "How about you Norman? Anything new with you?"

"No, just been stuck here all day," Norman mumbled. He sounded disappointed. Glancing over his shoulder, Tiberius saw the crestfallen look on his face. It hurt him to see the cub like that. Sitting down in the nest so Norman could slide off his back, the griffin scratched behind his ear before pulling out a small branch of blackberries he had gathered on the way home. "Here," he murmured, "I found these." Gasping with delight, Norman pounced on the branch. He wasted no time at all to start eating. "Thank you Daddy," he purred while happily munching away on the blackberries.

Laying down beside the young cub, Tiberius watched in silence. He found himself getting lost in his thoughts. Looking around the den, he noted that there wasn't much to look at. There were only walls of thickets and soft sandy floors. It was a safe haven but there wasn't much to do here for a young cub like Norman. The poor thing was probably bored out of his mind. Glancing outside at the rising moon, Tiberius sighed. He hoped he was making the right choice. Clearing his throat, he spoke softly, "Norman."

"Yeah Dad?" Norman responded, lifting his head. His beak was covered in berry juice. Flicking his striped tail in amusement, Tiberius continued, "You're getting your wish. Tomorrow morning, you're starting school." His eyes widening in shock, Norman found his tongue and spoke, "Really?" Nodding his head, Tiberius answered, "Really really. In fact, I'll take you there myself."

"Thank you Dad! Thank you thank you thank you!" Norman exclaimed. The cub launched himself at the larger griffin, catching him off guard. Rolling over onto his side, Tiberius laughed as Norman walked all over him. Catching the cub in his talons, he playfully ruffled the feathers on his son's head. Nuzzling the young cub, he purred, "You're welcome little guy."

"I'm gonna learn so much stuff I'll be smarter than you!" Norman boasted, puffing his feathery chest out pridefully. Snickering, Tiberius rolled over onto his back as he remarked, "I bet you will. You're going to be smarter, stronger and faster than me one day, you'll see." Norman wagged his tail, the biggest smile on his face as he rubbed his head under his father's jaw. Gazing at the night sky outside their den, the cub sighed and mumbled, "I wish Mommy could come with us tomorrow morning too."

Freezing for a moment, Tiberius looked at his son. Wrapping his wings around the both of them, the older griffin murmured, "Me too Norman. But she'll be with us, right here." He gently placed his taloned forepaw on his son's chest, right over his heart. The cub, finding comfort in knowing that, smiled quietly and hugged his dad. Sighing softly, Tiberius hugged him back. Watching silently as Norman slowly drifted off to sleep, the griffin glanced outside. "Don't worry, I'm keeping my promise," he whispered in a hushed voice, closing his eyes before he too fell asleep.