"I..I..." Flynn stuttered as he fumbled with the strap of his duffle bag as it slipped off his shoulder, "I just thought it might..." Before he could finish Ca punched him in the arm, shouted a challenge and disappeared around down the corridor at speed. "Be fun..." he finished to himself, trying his best to ignore his burning cheeks. Keen to distract himself Flynn turned on his heel and ran to the nearest staircase. He took the steps two at a time down to the bottom and then took a sharp left out into the entrance hall. It was crowded with petitioners waiting for their chance to see the king and his family. He swore under his breath - she was going to beat him.

"CAL!" Denahi enthused when his newest friend appeared in the sunshine. He jumped to his feet and bounded over to her. The husky threw himself enthusiastically against her legs, his tail wagging madly. "Did Flynn find you?" he asked, as he danced around her in a circle, "are you coming to the beach? I LOVE the beach! Do you swim? Does Buddy?" Finally he sat down and gazed up at her with his tongue lolling out of the corner of his mouth. "Where IS Flynn?"

As if on cue Flynn emerged from the double oak doors. When he spotted Cal he held his hands up in surrender.
"I have no idea what a caddy crop is..." he began as he moved out of the shade of the castle into the sunlight, "but I am not growing one." He smiled at her as he adjusted his bag again, "I will however surrender an extra slice of cake when we get where we're going - deal?" Renn had been baking obsessively since her return from...wherever it was she had gone, so there was plenty to go around.
"Do I get cake, Flynn?" asked Denahi, tilting his head to one side and perking his ears endearingly. Flynn sighed.
"If you're good."
"I'm always good!" the husky insisted, "aren't I, Cal?"

Flynn rolled his eyes.
"Don't start," he cautioned his familiar with a mock-stern look. He looked over at Cal and then cast his eyes around the courtyard.
"No Buddy?" he asked, listening out for the sound of hooves on paving stones. Flynn's small smile became a grin as he pictured Buddy making his way through the gardens, churning up the lawns, and being glared at by all the gardeners. He knew them all personally now; after one had turned out to be a kidnapper, Arthur had insisted Flynn and the other Captains interviewed them all. "I'm sure we can spare some cake for him too."