"Dad, stop! I wanna go back! Please Dad, I wanna go back to school!" Norman cried. The cub was still trying to free himself from his father's grasp. Unfazed by his son's attempts, Tiberius muttered through his clenched beak, "Norman, settle down. You're not going back, not until you're older. God, am I the only one with any sense to keep children away from the Fence? It's like everyone purposely tries disobeying me-"

"Leonard was telling us to stay away from the Fence! He wasn't doing anything wrong! If anything, he was warning us!" Norman protested angrily. Up ahead, he could see the thicket den. Padding up the sandy path that led up to their home, Tiberius entered the den and then went down one of the tunnels inside to a smaller den, the one his son usually slept in. Setting the cub down in the moss nest, the griffin stated, "He could have easily done that without taking you all there."

"Then we could've accidentally stumbled upon the sight ourselves!" Norman fired back. Glaring at his father, the youngster continued, "Don't you think it would be better for us to see the sight so we know to stay away from it in the future?" Frowning, Tiberius growled, "I am not arguing with you about this right now. You're not going to school until another year or so." His small talons digging into the ground, Norman shouted, "You can't do that!"

"Young man, I don't know where this attitude came from but it better be gone now. I can make arrangements for you to never go back to school at all," Tiberius snarled. Flicking his ear, the griffin turned around and exited out of the smaller den. Not done with the argument yet, Norman raced after him and cried, "You can't keep me here forever!"

"Norman, get inside your den now. I told you I am not arguing about this. I have stuff to do," Tiberius hissed before muttering, "Like finding a replacement for Leonard." His ears pinned against his head, Norman head butted his dad in the leg as he yelled, "How can you say that?! How can you do this?! This isn't fair!" Turning to face his son, the griffin replied curtly, "I told you life isn't fair. And I'm doing this because I'm your father and I'm trying to keep you safe!"

"No, you're scared! You're scared of the world!" Norman retorted. He took a swing but fell and rolled over onto his back. Standing over the young griffin cub, Tiberius rumbled, "I am not scared of the world. But I am scared for your safety." A deep scowl on his face, Norman spat, "It doesn't seem like the other dads are scared about the safety of their kids."

"I'm not their father Norman, I'm yours!" Tiberius fired back. His striped tail lashing angrily, he turned to leave the den. He was officially done with this whole argument. But not Norman. Oh no, he was far from it. Scrambling to his feet, the cub glared at the older griffin as he shouted boldly, "I wish you weren't mine!"

Dead silence followed those words. Frozen in his tracks, Tiberius wasn't moving a muscle at first. It felt like someone just punched him right in the gut. When he finally came to, he turned around. Norman stood there in a defiant stance, his eyes full of anger. The griffin could feel the same emotion inside of him right now. It made his blood boil. The silence in the den, thankfully, was finally broken when a small voice piped up, "Excuse me your majesty-"

"WHAT?!" Tiberius snapped, whirling around. Squealing in terror as he hid behind a rock, the chipmunk Peanut peered out as he squeaked, "I'm so sorry if this is a bad time but it seems like Bearded Dragon and Turkey are bickering over by Ricky's burial site. I tried to stop them but they won't listen to me." Casting a glance at Norman, Tiberius sighed heavily and muttered, "I'll be there." Turning to his son, the griffin murmured, "Norman, stay here. I'll be back."

"I won't be here when you get back!" Norman hissed. Anger flashing in his eyes, Tiberius retorted, "Fine! Maybe while you're out you can lose the attitude and learn some respect for your father! And don't come back until you do!" Giving the older griffin his back, the cub scoffed, "I won't ever come back cuz I hate you." Stalking out of the den, Tiberius snarled, "At this rate, I don't care what you think of me kid."

"Is everything okay sir?" Peanut nervously asked. Huffing, Tiberius grumbled, "Just take me to Bearded Dragon and Turkey already." The griffin allowed the chipmunk to take the lead. But before they got too far away, he looked back over his shoulder. Norman was still sitting with his back turned in the thicket den. A great sadness washing over him, Tiberius continued following Peanut with a heavy heart. In the meantime, Norman sat alone in the den, nearly on the verge of tears. Forcing himself not to cry, he felt an idea brewing in his head. Plan in mind, he headed out, leaving the den.