Close Encounters of the Magical Kind

by Jeffrey M. Poole

  “You control the fire?” the first griffin asked.

  In response, the fireball jetted over to Steve and smoothly separated itself into three smaller spheres. Steve called the fireballs over to his hands and then proceeded to juggle the three flaming balls, all the while grinning up at the griffin. He ended his pyrotechnical demonstration by tossing the three fireballs back into the air and ordering his jhorun to merge the three back into the one. The newly reformed fireball returned to its position in the sky and blazed even brighter than it did before.

  “Very well,” the first griffin conceded. “Your identity has been confirmed. We know who you are. What do you want, fire thrower? Why do you travel with a zweigelan?”

  “Dirgath and Tirgath are here to introduce me to a member of your flock. I’m here to talk with Ceraeon. Can you tell me where he is?”

  “Ceraeon is our Prime,” the second griffin stated. “He is not to be disturbed.”

  “It’s imperative that I do,” Steve argued. “It’s a matter of life and death. Well, mostly death. Loryss is already dead so… Look, we don’t need to get into that right now. I know it’s late but can you go get him for me? He’ll want to hear this.”

  “I do not know if he’ll wish to speak with you,” the first griffin said, ruffling his wings.

  “How do you know that name?” the second griffin suspiciously asked. It tucked its wings and landed in the clearing less than ten feet from where he was standing. “That’s a name I haven’t heard in a few months.”

  “What name?” the first griffin inquired, landing beside his companion.

  “Loryss.”

  “Wasn’t that the name of the Prime’s mate?” the first griffin asked, completely ignoring Steve and the two wyverian heads that were observing them. “Isn’t she the one who died under mysterious circumstances?”

  “Aye. It has never set well with the Prime. He wanted answers and found none.”

  “I have answers,” Steve interjected, startling both griffins. “I know what has happened to her. That’s why I’m here. I need to let Ceraeon know.”

  “Go get the Prime,” the second griffin told the first. “The human is correct. He would want to know.”

  The first griffin took to the air and disappeared. The second griffin looked up at the hovering fireball, squawked once, and eyed Steve speculatively. The griffin opened its beak to ask another question when Steve cut him off.

  “What’s your name? I’m Steve. In case you’re wondering, that’s Tirgath and Dirgath over there.”

  The griffin bowed, “I am Pholus. How do you know Loryss?”

  “It’s a long story,” Steve admitted with a smile. “I just don’t have time to tell it. I’ve been given a message and it’s imperative that I pass it on to Ceraeon. Once that’s taken care of then we can get out of your hair and get back to… well, to where I need to be.”

  “And where’s that?” Pholus asked.

  “You’re asking the wrong guy. I’m terrible with directions. The only thing I can tell you it’s thataway,” Steve said, pointing off to the right.

  “The other direction, it is,” Dirgath murmured, without opening his eyes.

  Steve shrugged, “Of course it is. See what I mean? That’s why they’re here. Without my wyverian friends over there, leading the way, I’d be totally lost.”

  Several minutes of awkward silence passed. Steve glanced back at the zweigelan and noticed, with dismay, the two-headed dragon was snoring. He saw a flat-ish stone nearby and decided to sit down.

  “Nice place you got here,” Steve amiably said, flashing a smile at the griffin. “So what do you like to do for fun?”

  Pholus’ response was flat and emotionless.

  “That is my concern, human.”

  “Mm-hmm. Roger that. Awkward silence it is. How does that sound?”

  Ten minutes later nearly a dozen griffins were standing before them. One, larger than the rest and carrying his head high in the air, approached Steve and inclined his head. Steve nodded back.

  “Fire Thrower. You are known to us.”

  “That’s just great,” Steve muttered under his breath.

  “What was that?” the Prime demanded. “Do you offer us insult?”

  Steve held up his hands in the friendliest manner he could think of.

  “No, sorry. No insult intended. I really don’t mean anyone harm yet it seems like all I’m remembered for is the guy attacked a group of griffins several years ago. It was just a big misunderstanding.”

  “I was referring to your remarkable jhorun,” the Prime clarified. “What is this about harming a griffin?”

  “It happened years ago. I’ve since apologized. Humans and griffins have become friends. It’s old news. Now, are you Ceraeon?”

  The Prime nodded, “That is my name, aye.”

  “You obviously remember Loryss, right?”

  The Prime squawked with surprise.

  “Of course I remember her. She was my former mate. We never knew any humans. How is it you know of her?”

  Steve looked at the Prime’s entourage and swallowed nervously.

  “Can I speak with you alone? In private? I’ll tell you how I know her but this has got to be for your ears only.”

  “It’s a trap, Sire,” one griffin insisted. “I trust this not. Allow us to remain by your side.”

  “What do you think he’s going to do?” Ceraeon demanded, turning to his companions. “What could he possibly do that he couldn’t have done before? He’s the Fire Thrower. If he wanted to cause us harm then he would have done so by now.”

  Steve nodded, “That’s true. And no, I wouldn’t, by the way.”

  “I will speak to you in private. Leave us.”

  All but the Prime took to the air and disappeared into the night. Ceraeon looked over at Dirgath and Tirgath, shrugged, and then turned back to Steve. He cocked his head and waited, silently, for Steve to begin.

  “I’ve met Loryss,” Steve began, walking over to his zweigelan friend and leaning companionably against him. Tirgath and Dirgath continued to snooze away.

  “When?” Ceraeon demanded. “Where?”

  “Believe it or not, this was just a few hours ago.”

  “Impossible,” the griffin scoffed. “She died months ago.”

  “Exactly. I, er, met her on, uhh… hoo-boy. I met her on Ranal.”

  As Steve had expected, the Prime’s eyes opened wide and he squawked angrily.

  “What you speak of is impossible. No human has ever set foot on Ranal. Only those –”

  “…that feel the Pull will be able to make their Final Journey,” Steve finished for him, trying unsuccessfully to keep the exasperation from his voice. “I know. Look, I’m sorry. It’s probably a taboo subject, and I know humans aren’t allowed up there. No one knows that better than I do at the moment. Usol is not one to be messed with. Now, with that being said, we had to go there to get some plant so we could help our friends.”

  The Prime continued to regard him as though he had sprouted feathers.

  “The only way we could complete our mission,” Steve continued, “was to enlist the aid of the griffins that were up there. We announced we needed a favor, which resulted in a fight with every griffin that heard me make that announcement. Loryss won.”

  “She would,” the Prime clucked to himself. “She has always been a tenacious one. It’s what I admired about her. Wait. She wanted a favor from you? What was it, if I may ask?”

  Steve nodded, “You may. It’s why I’m here. She says she was poisoned.”

  Ceraeon shook his head, “Not possible. Never has there been any examples of such a heinous crime being committed by a griffin. Ever. Only humans are capable of such a thing.”

  “These are her words, buddy, not mine. She seems to think that she was poisoned and wanted to warn you about it.”

  “Did she say who she suspected?” Ceraeon asked.

  Steve’s memory banks drew a blank. What the blazes was the name of Lo
ryss’ rival? He groaned. He couldn’t remember. But wait. Wasn’t there something about her wings?

  “Damned if I can remember her name but I do remember her saying something about a griffiness who had wings of black and blood red feathers.”

  “Hemera,” Ceraeon whispered dangerously. “You accuse the one who will be my mate of murdering my former mate?”

  “I’m sorry, pal,” Steve apologized. “I’m just relaying Loryss’ suspicions. She said that you deserved a better mate than that of a female who was willing to kill to get what she wanted.”

  “Did she say whether or not she knew how she was poisoned?” Ceraeon wanted to know.

  Steve nodded, “Yes. Something about eating a couple of spiny coneflower pods. She said she woke up and found them at the nest. She thought you had brought them. Knowing you’d never hurt her, she ate them.”

  “Without realizing what they were,” Ceraeon groaned. The Prime glanced upwards at the night sky and squawked three times. He looked back at Steve. “Those are serious accusations.”

  Steve shrugged helplessly, “I know they are. I wish I had better news than that for you, but that was our promise to Loryss. She helped us in exchange for us warning you.”

  Two griffins landed nearby.

  “Bring Hemera here at once,” Ceraeon ordered.

  Both griffins nodded and launched themselves up into the air. The Prime watched the griffins disappear before he dropped his head and eyed Steve once more. After a few moments Ceraeon squawked angrily.

  “I should have known. Loryss was getting her strength back. She was getting better. I checked on her before I left the following morning and she was fine. I return several hours later to find her dead. I knew something wasn’t right.”

  “So you believe me?” Steve asked.

  “I found the remnants of a seedpod not long after Loryss’ death. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. I disposed of it and never mentioned it to anyone. Hemera is one of the healers. She is very familiar with local pontal and its location. She would know where to find those accursed pods.”

  “But how do you know if she’s ultimately responsible?” Steve asked. “We would need proof.”

  “We will allow Hemera to provide us with proof.”

  “How?” Steve asked.

  “Watch and learn, human.”

  Ten minutes later the two griffins were back, escorting a third. Steve had let the large chaser dim as he and the Prime had been talking. Now that Loryss’ suspected killer had arrived Steve wanted to see for himself what the color of her wings was. Half a dozen additional fireballs flared into existence, scattered throughout the small glade.

  Steve’s eyes narrowed. He had caught a glimpse of the third griffin’s wings just as they were folded flat. Black and red. In fact, black and dark red. This had to be the griffiness Loryss had warned them about. That meant this was Loryss’ murderer. He inadvertently clenched his fists, igniting both of them. They were flicked out as soon as he noticed.

  “What is the meaning of this, Ceraeon?” the female griffin demanded. “Why do you summon me at this hour?”

  Ceraeon extended a wing and pointed at Steve.

  “This human has leveled some serious accusations at you.”

  Steve snorted with surprise. This wasn’t what he had expected. He glanced over at Hemera and was surprised to see her start to advance on him.

  “I will not allow a human, any human, to cast dispersions at me,” the female griffin snapped. “Prepare to defend yourself!”

  Steve ignited both hands just as two wyverian heads lifted themselves off the grass-covered floor. Both Tirgath and Dirgath growled a warning, causing the griffiness to immediately cease her advance. Steve gave the silver zweigelan a friendly pat and continued to eye Loryss’ killer. He decided to leave his hands ignited.

  “What is a dragon doing here?” Hemera screeched. “What treachery is this?”

  “There is no treachery,” Ceraeon contradicted. “The dragon is the human’s companion.”

  “We prefer to think of the human as our companion,” Tirgath softly snorted.

  Steve grinned and knocked a fist against the zweigelan’s front talons. Tirgath turned to look at Steve with confusion written all over his face.

  “It’s a fist bump,” Steve explained. “It’s what friends do to signify their willingness to back each other up. You two have my back and I have yours.”

  Both wyverian heads nodded.

  “Why have you sent for me?” Hemera asked again.

  “Would you care to explain to me why you placed spiny coneflower pods into my own personal nest several months ago?”

  Steve might not have spoken – or understood – the griffin language but even he could tell that the noise Hemera made must’ve been the equivalent of an expletive. Ceraeon’s mouth opened with surprise. One of the other griffins let out a tremulous squawk.

  “Impossible,” Hemera whispered, shocked. “There were no witnesses, except perhaps…”

  “Loryss?” Steve casually asked.

  “Aye, no one except… Ceraeon, let me explain.”

  “What is there to explain?” the Prime raged. “You coveted her position as my mate. You therefore took it upon yourself to remove her from my side. You knew that, as Prime, I would need a mate. You made yourself available the moment the flock learned of Loryss’ passing. I should have seen this coming.”

  “She didn’t deserve you!” Hemera screeched. Her wings extended and she took a threatening step towards Ceraeon, which resulted in every griffin present leaping to their Prime’s defense. “I am a better match for you. I will serve you better! I still can, if you will allow me.”

  Ceraeon’s head slowly pivoted until he was looking straight at Steve.

  “If you don’t mind, human, we will take our leave of you. I do believe that I do not require your assistance any further. I thank you for bringing this to my attention.”

  “Don’t thank me,” Steve told the Prime. “Thank Loryss. In her words, you deserve someone better.”

  “I will honor her always,” Ceraeon promised as he bowed before Steve.

  Steve nodded and gave the zweigelan a nudge.

  “Are you guys up? It’s time to go.”

  “It’s about time,” Tirgath grumped. “Want to listen to more trivial griffin matters, I do not.”

  “I concur,” Dirgath agreed.

  Thirty minutes later they were nearing the western coast of Lentari. Steve let out an exclamation of surprise. Since when did the western coast of Lentari have its own nightlight? He could see a bright golden glow that must have been visible for miles in all directions. Steve grunted. It had to be the Fae’s island. Was that the tree that was giving off that glow? Did that mean Mikal had worked his magic on it?

  As they neared the coast they could indeed see that one island was giving off a healthy golden glow. It was so bright that they were able to use it as a navigational beacon and easily return to the Fae’s island. As expected, the glow, Steve noticed, was coming from the Tree. Every square inch of the huge evergreen looked to be coated in solid gold. It was also fully covered by thick, luxurious foliage from its lowest branches all the way to the highest top, which – by his estimate – had to be at least several thousand feet off the ground.

  The zweigelan set him down in the same clearing where Sarah had awoken only a few days ago. Steve gave the friendly two-headed dragon another fist bump, which Dirgath tried to clumsily replicate. After a few unsuccessful attempts the zweigelan let out twin grunts and launched themselves back into the air.

  Steve turned to study the clearing where Sarah had originally been brought and whistled with amazement. Had it only been two days? So much had happened in that time that he quite literally lost track of which day it was. This excursion had started off with the simple, but laughable, purpose of enjoying a few quiet days together in Lentari. Thus far, he and Sarah have had anything but that.

  A firefly buzzed by his nose. Steve abse
ntmindedly brushed a hand over his face. The blasted bug had been so close that he was briefly surprised that it hadn’t done a visual inspection of his nasal cavities. He snorted. What an unpleasant prospect that would have been.

  The bug dove by him again. Steve scowled. He took a swing, certain he was looking much like King Kong attacking encroaching airplanes. The bug flew off. He looked around the clearing and was surprised to see fireflies everywhere. They were dancing through the trees; they were hovering just above the ground; there were even some fireflies that were being chased by hordes of others.

  Odd. He didn’t remember seeing any of the glowing bugs before. They must have only come out at night.

  He felt a slight tingling sensation on his arm. A quick check confirmed one of the bugs had landed on him. He’d be damned if he was going to let himself be bitten. Of all the infernal luck! He prepared to flick the offending insect off his arm when he paused. Since when do bugs stand up on two legs? He brought his arm up for a closer look and waited for his eyes to adjust to the bright light exuding from the small bug. The white light was so bright, and so pure, that it almost appeared blue.

  A tiny glowing human form was waving excitedly at him. Steve brought his arm closer still, as it to double check what his eyes were telling him. His eyebrows lifted.

  It was a faerie!

  Steve kept his arm as immobile as he could and silently watched the spectacle before him. The faeries were not only back but they were also flying! Clearly Mikal and his jhorun had properly resuscitated that gold tentacle thing and enabled it to finish doing its job on the Tree. So where was Sarah now? Back at the Tree?

  He eyed the faerie that had touched down on his arm. He noticed the faerie was female and also saw that she was now sitting on his arm. The tiny faerie was swinging her legs, as though she was sitting on a log. He saw her point to another group of lights and watched as two other faeries, one male and one female, joined her on his arm. He might not have been able to hear what they were saying but he knew they were talking about him due to the constant looks he was receiving. Thankfully they smiled at him every time any of them looked his way.

  He shrugged. Fine. If they wanted a free ride, so be it. He had to find Sarah.