Child of the Gryphon

by David Lugsden

  ‘But you thought you went unnoticed when you were monitoring me,’ Gabriel said.

  ‘But this time I was completely hidden,’ persisted Pixell. ‘Not that it mattered – Hookbeak didn’t look back towards where I was hiding once. The only time he turned his attention away from the door was when he moved to the side to open it!’

  ‘Maybe he smelt you,’ Seth said.

  ‘I’ll give you “smelt me,” you rotten little blighter!’ Pixell said incensed as he sat up in bed, waving his tiny fist.

  ‘I’m being serious!’ Seth said defensively. ‘I didn’t mean it as an insult. The Reptilian sense of smell is pretty good right?’

  ‘Yes it is, Seth,’ Timpani agreed, ‘but that doesn’t explain how they were able to detect Pixell. We fairies and pixies are scentless to all but our own kind.’

  ‘And anyway,’ Pixell added, ‘I was attacked from behind.’

  ‘What!’ the others said in shock as they spun back to face him.

  ‘That’s what I was trying to tell you,’ Pixell said. ‘I was watching Hookbeak the entire time and only left my hiding place when I saw just who he was opening the gate for. I was about to go for help when something hit me from behind. The next thing I knew I was sailing through the air and then everything went black. I guess I collided with the wall or something.’

  ‘Well at least there has been no permanent damage done,’ Omari comforted him.

  ‘Only to my pride! I let you down again, Omari. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Nonsense, Pixell. No apology necessary. Do not feel ashamed of what has transpired. You have a great many valuable assets, unfortunately one of them is not eyes in the back of your head!’ Omari chortled. He turned to the other bedside visitors, ‘Now I think it best that we leave Pixell and Timpani in peace, for him to rest and for them to spend some quality time together.’

  As the group left the hospital wing, Omari looked deep in thought. He and Tolero walked ahead and spoke gravely as they made their back towards the Suburban Caverns. As they neared, he turned back to Gabriel and his friends, his entire demeanour having suddenly lifted.

  ‘Well, what a hectic few days, nay, weeks, it has been! Thank Gaia all of that seems to be behind us now. What say we celebrate with a round of Mrs Fedsome’s delicious homemade caramel colas? My treat, of course!’

  The sextet headed off to Artisan Plaza for their beverages, but all the while a disturbing thought hung over them. If what Pixell had said was true, that he had indeed been assaulted from behind, then that meant one of only two equally grim possibilities: either one or more of the Reptilians had already breached Sanctuary prior to the rest being let in, or, even more disturbing, there really was a traitor in their midst. More troubling still was the fact that if the latter was indeed true, then currently, they had no way to detect who that traitor was.

  ***

  The mass evacuation on Saturday night had reduced the numbers of Sanctuary residents to little more than a third. Although most had begun to filter back over the following few days as word spread that Sanctuary was safe again, some residents remained apprehensive to return.

  Immediately following the Harvest Festival, Gabriel, Seth and Tamera had informed Omari of how Gabriel had overheard Bysonn scheming with (who everyone thought was) Hookbeak. The Council had called forth Bysonn to explain his actions and they had since been deliberating on an appropriate course of action. Gabriel and his friends had heard nothing more on the subject. As the issue involved his grandson, Omari had declared that he could not in good conscience hope to be impartial in terms of making a decision. Judgement therefore, had left been left in the hands of the other three Council members.

  Nevertheless, on Wednesday morning Wingtail Academy reopened as planned. As the students disembarked the boat, their form teachers met them at the doors to the school and quickly hurried them off to the Assembly Hall. Much to everyone’s dismay, Grandmaster Bysonn had called for another impromptu assembly.

  As the students traipsed begrudgingly into the Assembly Hall and to their seats, rumours were rife as to the subject of this meeting.

  ‘Maybe the school is being closed until Christmas!’

  ‘Perhaps some of the teachers haven’t returned yet!’

  ‘Perhaps Bysonn hasn’t returned yet!’

  ‘No, can’t be – Bysonn called this assembly!’

  ‘What if he’s quit through stress?’

  Gabriel, Seth, Sattan and Tamera kept their suspicions to themselves.

  The teachers took up positions around the edge of the hall as was the usual practice and hushed the students in preparation for the arrival of the Grandmaster. As the last of the students settled into their seats, the gathering fell silent. Bysonn marched into the Hall and along the central aisle towards the podium and the great doors were closed behind him. Rather curiously, there was something different about his gait. Gabriel thought it lacked some of his usual pomposity, his arrogant swagger appeared somewhat deflated.

  Bysonn stepped up to the podium and stared out across the sea of heads. Even from his position, seated far from the front of the Hall, Gabriel noticed that something was wrong. The muscles of Bysonn’s jaw flexed as his teeth ground tightly together. His breath puffed slowly out of his wide nostrils, not through irritation as had been witnessed in the past, but with dejection.

  ‘Silence!’ he ordered despondently. ‘I shall make this brief. Over the weekend there have been several... developments. As you are all aware, during the festivities of Saturday evening, our most formidable foes, the Reptilians, gained inexplicable and unprecedented access to our beloved home.’

  ‘Inexplicable, my tail!’ Seth uttered quietly.

  Tamera shushed him swiftly.

  Bysonn continued, ‘Fortunately, through the noble actions of the Council guards, the intruders were ejected from our borders. Not before, however, enemy prisoners were taken.’

  ‘And what about your noble actions?’ Sattan whispered to Gabriel.

  Gabriel urged him to hush.

  After a brief pause and more teeth grinding, Bysonn added, ‘Through interrogation of these prisoners, the true extent of their scheming has finally been determined and appropriate action has been taken forthwith. However neither you nor I are privy to any further information on the subject.’

  There was a smattering of clapping scattered across the assembled students.

  Bysonn’s hands wrung the podium. ‘Furthermore, through the many efforts of Mr Archimedes Flattail and Sanctuary’s medical team, there have also been additional benefits brought about from our captives’ imprisonment. For many, many years our top scientists have tried desperately to discover a cure for the toxic venom prevalent in many of our enemies. Although we have in the past been able temper the poison, its acidic nature has, for centuries, almost always proven to be eventually fatal for its victims.

  ‘However, in gathering samples from one of our venomous captives, an anti-toxin has been formulated. Our scientists, as it turns out, have been on the verge of finalising such a substance for years – all they were missing was one key ingredient: a sample of the venom itself.’

  A few more sparse claps echoed from the crowd, but for most their attention was beginning to wane.

  ‘And so,’ Bysonn said, suddenly louder, ‘It gives me great pleasure to welcome back into our midst... Master Tigris!’

  The doors at the rear of the hall flung open and Horatio Tigris strode in, albeit with a slight limp, but looking remarkably well, considering.

  The Hall exploded in riotous applause and cheers of ‘Welcome back!’ ‘We missed you!’ and ‘Yay for Master Tigris!’ from both students and teachers alike. For some time Bysonn remained silent, choosing not to share in the delight of Tigris’ return.

  After several minutes the Grandmaster spoke up. ‘Yes, yes, we are all thrilled about Master Tigris re-joining our ranks,’ he sneered.

  ‘I bet he’s not!’ Seth whispered again.

  The applause of the crowd fina
lly ebbed and turned its attention back to Bysonn at the front of the hall.

  The Grandmaster’s head hung low. For several minutes all he could do was take long, deep breaths.

  ‘Is he OK?’ Tamera asked.

  ‘Who cares?’ Sattan said.

  ‘He must be absolutely stomached that all his best laid plans collapsed,’ Seth said.

  ‘Gutted,’ Gabriel corrected.

  ‘Whatever.’

  Finally Bysonn began to speak up again. ‘There is... That is to say... I have...’ Bysonn faltered. ‘For over four decades I have been Grandmaster of Wingtail Academy. This school in one way, shape or form has been my life for longer than I can remember, whether it was as a student, teacher or even Grandmaster. During my time here I have had my detractors, just as I have had my supporters. Some may not have agreed with the way I have always done things but I have always defended my actions and always will do. Everything I do and have done has always been for the good of the students, the school and for Sanctuary itself. I have devoted my life to my cause.

  ‘In the light of recent events, I have begun to feel my age. It has always been my guiding philosophy and principle that I will only continue to do what I do as long as I can do so to the best of my abilities. I realise now that that time has passed. The Council of Elders have been duly notified of my decision. Effective immediately, I am relinquishing my post as Grandmaster of Wingtail Academy.’

  A collective gasp was taken by the assembled masses. This was followed by a stunned silence.

  ‘On a personal note,’ Bysonn added, almost devoid of emotion, ‘I will also be leaving Sanctuary with no intention of ever returning. Until such a time as an effective and appropriate replacement can be found, Master Octus will be your acting Grandmaster. I ask that everyone treat him with the respect he so deserves after his many years of service here. Goodbye.’

  Without another word, Bysonn stepped down from the podium. With a solemn nod to each of the teachers, he marched out of the Hall, his head held high, the all-too-familiar arrogance, though somewhat forced, once again present in his step.

  Master Octus sidled his way to the front of the Hall. He clambered out of the pool and up to the podium. His face registered the same shock that everyone else in the room was currently experiencing.

  For several moments he struggled for words. ‘Perhaps we should break until after lunch,’ Master Octus finally managed. ‘It has been a rather eventful morning and your teachers and I have much to discuss.’

  The rest of the day flew past in a blur. The student body was abuzz with discussion of the morning’s announcement. Rumours were rife. Some believed Bysonn had been fired. Others that he had been exiled.

  Gabriel didn’t care one way or another.

  Since Gabriel’s arrival at Wingtail Academy, Bysonn had set out to make his life a misery. And now he was gone. As far as Gabriel saw it, justice had been served. Although not primarily responsible for allowing the Reptilians access to Sanctuary (after all he had been present in the Theatre of Life at the time), his underhanded scheming and plotting had defied Omari and the Council. Nevertheless the question remained: who had attacked Pixell? Regardless, Gabriel felt as if the weight of a building had suddenly been lifted from his shoulders.

  Gabriel tucked heartily into a freshly baked portion of blueberry shortbread and slurped loudly from an ice-cold glass of carrot juice. He looked across the table at Seth and Tamera, they shifted their gaze from each other and smiled back. Over the last few days they had been gazing fondly at one another and holding hands a lot. Initially it had been a shock to Gabriel to have seen his friends so close with one another after all the bickering, but now he was happy for them. For some strange reason, however, they were yet to admit they were actually going out with another. It’s their choice, Gabriel thought to himself. He decided not to press the issue.

  He glanced around the room. Sattan who had been sitting with the three friends only moments ago was now once again fawning over Willow. Gabriel chuckled to himself at his own rather apt choice of words. Victor and Root had been tormenting Aures until he had tripped and poured hot beetroot soup over them both. Rostrum and Brutum were in the midst of an arm-wrestling match. Other students were scattered across the dining room delighting in the departure of Bysonn.

  And then there was Marina.

  In the days following the Harvest Festival the pair of them had grown closer still. So close in fact that they were now officially a couple. Gabriel was enchanted by his new girlfriend. As he gazed adoringly at her, Marina caught his eye and gazed lovingly back. Finn who was currently sat with his back to Gabriel had been warned off any further interfering by his sister. Marina was perhaps the most amazing person he had ever met, Gabriel thought, but at the same time not a person one wanted to cross.

  All in all, life was good. For the first time ever he actually got a kick out of school, he had a close-knit group of friends and above all a beautiful girlfriend! In the past few months he had lost a lot and involuntarily sacrificed much in order to get to where he now was. Even now, passing thoughts of his former life caused a painful knot in his stomach, yet he was once again enjoying life. The future was stretched out in front of him and looked brighter than he could ever have imagined.

  ***

  At the same time, a lone figure strolled through the streets of Artisan Plaza in quiet reflection. Since the events of the Harvest Festival, the people all around him had quickly resumed the tedium of their daily routines, oblivious to the danger that remained. Yes, the prophecies were ancient, but that didn’t make them any less relevant. It baffled him, how in the minds of so many the importance and even knowledge of the prophecies has seemingly faded into insignificance.

  In the process of one evening, months of planning had been decimated. Despite his warnings to Bysonn, it had been he, himself, who had grossly underestimated the capabilities of the boy – a mistake he vowed he would not make again. Closer observation of him was needed, however with the exile of Bysonn that would be much more problematic. That was a particularly difficult pill to swallow: he had cultivated a very beneficial working relationship with the Grandmaster over years and years but now that was kaput.

  Curse that boy!

  Again and again the boy had managed to slip through the cracks like an insufferable, resilient cockroach. Again and again, attempts on his life had been foiled.

  He let out an embittered sigh.

  At least his involvement had not been uncovered – despite having to intervene to deal with that bothersome fairy. He had not planned for a second guard to be posted on the gate, and that oversight could have cost him dearly. He needed time to take stock of all that had transpired and how his plans had been thwarted. He needed time to reassess his strategy. The Reptilian forces were decimated: Kalladon was lost and with Archaius imprisoned, he had no way of contacting the remnants of their group. Perhaps a brute force attack was not the best way to rid the Colony of the boy... perhaps a subtler approach was needed...

  The figure walked onwards to the Suburban Caverns in silent contemplation.

  ***

  In the deepest reaches of Sanctuary, Archimedes Flattail continued to oversee the repairs and modifications going on in the Forbidden Mine. For centuries nobody had ventured into the grim depths where he now stood. Even Flattail himself, who prided himself on knowing virtually every inch of Sanctuary as well as he did his own living room, had never explored it. And to the best of his knowledge neither had anyone else. At least none that he was aware of.

  Until the night of Harvest Festival that was.

  The boy had reported back on the events that had unfolded in the mine and the news had been received less than favourably. It had been widely assumed that the underworld was permanently sealed off. Clearly, that had not been the case.

  Legend foretold of the horrors that lurked deep down in the depths of the Earth. Of those that knew what dwelt there, it terrified them just how close to the truth the ancient legends
actually were.

  Flattail was not one of them.

  The legends alone were enough to send him into violent fits of the shivers.

  He continued to hurry his crew on. In the past few days they had worked feverishly at strengthening and improving upon the ancient seals. When they had first entered the mine the putrid stench pouring up from below had made many of the workforce feel quite ill. The ventilation shaft had since been sealed up – permanently this time – and they would soon create a controlled explosion within the upper reaches of the tunnel leading to it, to further ensure that the horrors of the deep Earth would stay exactly there.

  But more than the vile stink, more than the toxic air that had filtered upwards to fill the cave, when they had first entered the mine there was one other thing that had unnerved Archimedes Flattail more than anything else.

  It had been the distant, yet unmistakeable and terrifying sound of gurgling, guttural laughter.

  ###

  About The Author

  David Lugsden

  Originally from south Manchester, David Lugsden has lived and worked in England, Japan and Singapore. He has climbed Mount Fuji, scuba-dived on the Great Barrier Reef and cuddled up with pandas and tigers during his travels in Asia. A lifelong fan of science fiction, comic books and the natural world, David now lives in Cheshire, England with his wife and two eternally-hungry cats. Although David has been reading and writing stories since childhood, Child of the Gryphon is his debut novel.

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  Child of the Gryphon

  Teenager Gabriel Millar has lived his whole life believing he is distinctly average: average friends, average family, average student.