Neru ("Ru") was tired from helping his father load the fishing nets. He returns to his favorite daydream, of riding a Bronze dragon, named Nerith, fighting Thread. His daydream is cut short, by a boy named Flamel teasing him, calling him the "wannabe dragonrider", and referring to his twin sister Nian as "Ninny". Neru lived in a small seahold, Hold Lado, on Ista Island. He was commonly called "Ru", which he didn't mind, but he took exception to the nickname Ninny for his sister, with whom he was very close. Flamel and Neru bicker again as soon as they arrive at the Harper's hall.