by Ben Alderson
Emaline stood beside us and kept her attention on the council. For a moment, she looked at us both then glanced down to our entwined. Her sudden smile was warm and honest as she looked back at each of us.
Her brown skin glowed with the golden blood that flowed beneath it. Her hair was slicked down, raven and short. Unlike myself, Emaline had her weapon of choice with her. Should I have brought something? She stood tall, a trident in her left hand. It was a bronze color with four pointed forks, each thin and sharp, the sun glinting off their points.
"Now it makes sense," she said before looking back at the council. I wanted to ask her what she meant, but her warm smile explained.
"Silver suits you, Zacriah Trovirin," Queen Kathine commented on my appearance.
To show respect, I’d requested an Alorian soldiers uniform when I woke, which I regretted the moment I changed into it. The overlapping silver breastplate was heavy and stiff and the sharp cut sleeves where too long on my arms. Fitting ivory colored trousers were hidden beneath the thick skirt that wrapped around my middle.
Emaline was dressed the same, but Hadrian was still in Niraen colors as he had been yesterday. He had his hood up, covering his head and ears and the hue of blue flame that still coursed beneath his skin. His golden eyes pierced through the shadow the hood cast across his face.
Queen Kathine stood and addressed the three of us, the crowd watching. She invoked the presence of the Goddess Dalibael as she had yesterday and gave a brief explanation of why we are all here once again.
"The council and I have decided to present the three Dragori with the same gifts. We hope they aid their journey and create a speedy return." She moved around the desk and stood before it. She gestured to the three Alorian soldiers that stood waiting with arms full at her side.
“My first gift, may it help the speed of their journey,” Queen Kathine’s voice boomed. "Three of our finest griffins. Each griffin has recently passed their training in the aviary and is ready to enter the world as companions to our Dragori. May they become fine riders.”
Queen Kathine nodded, and the first guard placed the silver whistle in his mouth. I could feel him blow air into it but heard no noise. Then, in tandem, three griffins descended from the skies and landed before us all. The crowd erupted in claps and cheers. Queen Kathine beamed at the reaction. "One for each of you."
They were all the same size. It was their coloring that set them apart. One was amber with white splotches down its feather spine. I knew it was mine, for it didn’t stop looking at me. The other was midnight black with yellowed talons and a sharp beak. The last was speckled black and white, like the fur of a snow leopard.
“Each has been prepared for the journey. Please step forward and greet your companions.”
We moved in unison towards the creatures with our hands raised in greeting. Taking slow steps, we reached out and ran our palms down their beaks. Mine chirped in pleasure, and his tail twitched. I turned to Hadrian who greeted his griffin, but he did not mirror my excitement. He had picked the black one and seemed to pay it no mind. I raised a brow at him as he caught my eye contact, but he just shook his head and ignored the griffin.
The moment I looked away, the crowd roared with laughter. I saw them point towards Hadrian, and I quickly looked back. Hadrian was sprawled on the floor, his griffin making what only could be a laughing noise. His talons hit the ground as he danced above the fallen prince.
"He pushed me!" Hadrian stood back up. The soldiers around him offered to help him, but he swatted their attempts away. “Can I request another?”
No one responded to his question.
Queen Kathine was giggling into her sleeve, which she stifled when she caught a glimpse at Hadrian's angered face. "Now you are each introduced, I would like to offer you another gift.” She waved her hand and the second soldier stepped forward. In his hands was a rolled parchment. It was stained and the length of my arm, tied in a white ribbon.
It was given to Emaline, who bowed in thanks.
“This is a map scribed by Penna, Stargazer himself. It will show you Eldnol in all its glory and help you navigate. I give this to you, Emaline Sowdin, Dragori of water and ocean, for it is you who know these lands the best. I trust you will use your knowledge to help guide your fellow travelers.”
Emaline thanked Queen Kathine but paid no mind to the contents of the map. She placed it, still rolled, under her arm.
"And finally."
We all watched the third soldier step forward. The object in his hands was small. It was given to Queen Kathine who whispered her thanks. She took steps towards Hadrian, whose face was still speckled with embarrassment from his fall. I almost laughed just seeing his serious expression.
Queen Kathine opened her hand and presented the gift to Hadrian. “I give this to you, Prince Hadrian of Thessolina, as promised. This represents my truth that during your absence I will search for your father. I understand how important family is, and it pains me to see you in this dark grasp of worry.”
The tears that wet my lashes surprised me. Although we stood around watching, the conversation between them both was very personal. Hadrian released a breath and bowed his head. “I appreciate your words, I accept them.” With that, he plucked the object from her hands, and I noticed it was a frosted flower bud. I almost confused the glittering texture for a diamond until Hadrian held it up before him for the crowd to see, then slipped it into his breastplate.
"It is custom in Eldnol for promises to have a physical representation," Emaline whispered next to me. Could she sense my confusion? "A bud captured in ice is a royal symbol for truth. It is the greatest gift the Queen could give."
Queen Kathine gave him a smile and turned to us all.
“Head for Thalas Temple, seek the coven of Dalibael and ask for their guidance.” Her voice was loud once more, washing over us all. “May the Goddess watch over you.”
“May the Goddess guide you,” the city responded.
We each bowed.
It was time to leave. I only hoped we succeeded before Hadrian finally cracked. Each time I looked upon his blue hue, I pictured the destruction that waited.
SAYING GOODBYE TO Nyah was not difficult because I knew she would be following close by. I tried to question how she would, but she tapped her freckled finger to her nose and winked. She faded into the crowd and allowed the council to wish us luck. Penna was the only member who seemed lackluster in his farewell.
We each mounted our griffins, Hadrian seeming reluctant to climb his, and waved our goodbyes the crowd. It was more of a performance than the beginning of a journey.
As the wind rushed into my ears, a calm settling of relief washed over me.
Emaline stayed ahead of us from the moment we launched into the Eldnol skies. The view above the town morphed from blue to grey, and as the sun set later that day, it was blushed with pinks and purples.
For the first half of the day's journey, my mind was occupied with the view. Once we left Kandilin town and flew over the forest it was hidden within, all we could see were hills. Beneath us opened to incredible views for as far as I could see. Like a vein, the main riverway was below us, and we didn’t deviate from its course. It reflected the sun’s light as if it was glass, interrupted only by ships and small vessels of trade.
I loved watching the shadows we created on the land far below.
We ebbed through clouds and created a scene beneath us. It was hard to make out the smaller details, but I was sure we passed over an Alorian or two. I could only imagine their shock when our large shadows moved over them. At one point, I raised my hand to wave, but the wind was too harsh that high up, so I kept my body closer together.
The plan was to fly until sundown. I would have thought we would stop during the day, but we didn’t. Emaline just kept up her flight and burst ahead.
I had opted to call my griffin Jerk. I laughed as I tried the name, and Jerk cooed back. It was a perfect name. The entire day so far, Jerk would break his c
alm flight by flicking his head up and down and sending me shifting over his back. Yes, Jerk was the perfect name.
Hadrian flew beside me most of the day. His griffin was faster than mine, which meant Hadrian had to struggle to slow its pace to stay beside me. It was impossible to talk with the rushing wind between us, and each time Hadrian looked at me, his eyes were wet with tears from the winds force. Whereas I was unbothered by it. I had not felt this close to my element before, not in the protective hold of the air that kept us aloft.
Jerk surprised me when his course suddenly changed. I opened my mouth in surprise as my stomach flipped, only to be rewarded with a mouthful of wind. I squinted and watched Jerk follow Emaline and her griffin who descended to the ground. Landing was still my least favorite part of flying a griffin. That had not changed.
I clamped my eyes shut as Jerk excitedly shot towards the ground. The last thing I saw was Jerk deviate from the route and fly towards the open expanse of river. I only opened my eyes after I heard the loud splash of water and felt my feet become wet.
Jerk had landed in the river. He clicked with pleasure as he waded slowly through the water, dipping his beak in for a refreshment.
“Excuse me!” I said, patting Jerk’s neck and pointing to the muddy riverside where Hadrian stood waving beside his griffin. “Mind dropping me off before you go for a swim?" Being around water caused my stomach to turn. I still could not swim, and Jerk was one more frantic movement from throwing me off.
As if Jerk understood my comment, he flicked his head back and coated me with water before swimming to the shore. His wings glided through water, his feathered tail shifting to keep us going in the right direction. Hadrian’s laughter carried across the river to me. But I couldn’t see Emaline. By the time I reached the shore and Hadrian extended a hand for me to climb off Jerk, I saw the outline of her griffin in the distance. But still, she was not to be seen.
“Where is Emaline?”
Hadrian’s hand gripped tightly on mine, and with a hard pull, I jumped the gap from Jerk to the muddy ground. “She does not seem to be in a talking mood.”
“I don’t blame her,” I replied, squinting in his direction. “It was clear from the moment we met her she wanted nothing to do with the Druid and us. And now she’s been dragged in again. If I were in her position, I would be upset.”
The entire journey Emaline hadn’t turned back to see if we’d been following, nor paid us any attention. It’s not like I attempted to talk to her either. I was overly aware I didn’t want to annoy her any more than she already was.
“Did you see where she went?” I asked, trying to catch a glimpse of her.
“By the time I landed, she was already walking off. I am sure she will come back. She left her sack with her griffin.” Hadrian pointed out. "And talking about griffins, I think I would rather fly myself than have one. Mine does not seem to like me very much."
"They can join the list of people and creatures that have it out for you." I tried to make light of the situation, but it fell flat.
"You are not wrong, Petal. As long as your name is nowhere on that list, then I do not care."
"We will have to see," I replied, looking to see the lump of Emaline's sack still strapped to her griffin's side. "Fa once told me an adventure would either make or break a couple."
"Good thing I do not count this as an adventure." He wrapped his arm around me, and we left Jerk to his swim.
“We need to try with her if we want this to work.” Hadrian knew I was talking about Emaline again. “She is the best fighter out of the three of us, and her magick is powerful. You might not remember it, but I do. She destroyed the golden cage with her water. We need her.”
“I can only try so much,” Hadrian said. “If she is unwilling to befriend us, then what can we do?”
"Try, try and try again." I stroked Hadrian's griffin as we reached it. "There will be a reason behind the way she is feeling. We just need to find out what it is, and if we can help."
"Since I am the Boy of Fire and Prince of Destruction, as Penna called me, how about I offer to make the fire tonight?" Hadrian said, fumbling in his sack.
I laughed. “Penna was right about something."
"Please, enlighten me to what that strange man has said that makes him right..."
"You are so dangerous." I pulled in closer to him, whispering, my lips close to his.
"Just you wait and see," Hadrian said.
I planted a quick kiss on his lips. "Have you ever considered just how dangerous I might be?"
"About as dangerous as a blunt dagger," Hadrian replied.
Flirting with Hadrian was as exhausting as sparring with him. He never gave up on his quick-witted replies.
Opting to change the conversation, I looked around again for any sign of Nyah.
“Nyah was supposed to follow us, but I haven’t seen any sign of her,” I said.
My mind had passed to Nyah many times since leaving. When we were about to leave Kandilin, she was pulled aside by Nesta. The last I saw of her as we took to the skies, she was in deep conversation.
“She is the most persistent person I know,” Hadrian said, rubbing his hands down my arms, “She will turn up when the time is right.”
He was right, but I couldn’t shake the feeling we wouldn’t be seeing her for a long while.
“Look…” Hadrian nodded his head to Emaline who walked out from the patch of towering pine trees.
I wasted no time in walking over to her. She was fiddling with her pack when I came up behind her. My footsteps were heavy on purpose; I wanted her to know I was coming.
“Such lovely views,” I said, opting to start with a broad topic.
“If you like water and wood.” Her reply was short.
“I’m sorry you had to come. I know it wasn’t something you wanted to do…”
Emaline turned. “You are wrong. I would do anything to protect those I love, and if it means escorting you both, then I will.”
"Escorting?" Hadrian’s muffled laugh made us both look at him.
"Sorry, did I say escorting? I meant protecting," Emaline said.
Her comment was a jab at the two times she’d had to save us, but I smiled it off and extended my hand. She was right after all.
“I haven’t really had the chance to thank you for, well, saving us.”
Emaline just stared at my hand but didn’t reach for it. “Well, don’t. I am sure there will be more opportunities for me to do it. Save your thanks for the next time.”
“I shall.” This conversation was going nowhere.
“If you wouldn’t mind getting your griffin from the river and preparing it, I would like to get back in the skies.” She unfolded the map before her. “We still have a while to go before I am happy stopping for the night.”
“Absolutely.” I nodded and turned to leave, but not before taking a glimpse at the map Penna had produced for the journey. It seemed rushed as if a child drew it.
“And there I was thinking we were setting up camp here...” Hadrian scoffed.
I raised a brow. “Wishful thinking?”
“I suppose,” he replied.
I pressed my fingers into my mouth and whistled. The noise penetrated the landscape and caught Jerk’s attention. He made a shrill cry, jumped into the air and flew towards me.
I had to stumble out of the way as Jerk came in for the clumsiest of landings.
There was a low chuckle that came from Emaline’s direction, but I paid it no mind as I tried to calm Jerk.
“Shh,” I cooed, grasping the reins and pulling him towards me. “You’re making me look a fool.”
Jerk just yanked and pulled until he finally settled when Hadrian pulled some dried meat from his pocket. With a short throw, Jerk plucked the meat from the air and chewed merrily on it.
“Trust me to have the one that chooses not to listen,” I said, my arms ached from wrestling him.
“Just like his rider, food is the way to its heart,”
Hadrian replied.
*
WE WERE UP in the air once again. Emaline lead on her griffin, leaving Hadrian and me struggling to keep up her pace. We flew on until the skies winked with stars and day light spilled away from us.
From this height, we watched the night come to life and spread over us the moment the sun passed behind the landscape. With the night came the chill in the air. I was finally thankful for the many layers that we’d packed as it was the only thing that kept me warm.
Hadrian didn’t seem bothered by the cold breeze, which I put down to the Heartfire that intensified beneath his skin. He even took the position in front of me, which helped with keeping the direction as he glowed like a wry-light.
My eyes were heavy. I tried to fight the sleep but soon gave in. I was shocked back awake as my stomach flipped. We were heading back for the ground once again. About time, I thought.
In my tired daze, it was hard to see where we’d landed, but I could hear the gentle rush of water close by and the rustle of leaves. I was too tired to work out my surroundings, Jerk dropped to the ground, resting his head across his front legs. The poor beast was exhausted from the flight. Just another example of his young age.
A spark of fire shot out from beside me and crashed into the pile of dried logs and sticks Hadrian had fetched from the surrounding forest. The blue flame roared, coating the pile of wood, which instantly warmed the space. Thanks to the new light, I noticed that Emaline was sat opposite me, her eyes alight by the flames.
I gave her a smile, and she just held my gaze for a moment then directed her attention back to the piece of bread she chewed. For as long as I remembered, I always preferred the company of women. There was no particular reason why, nor was I bothered to work it out. It just the way I was. My burning urge to befriend Emaline was hard to ignore.
Hadrian was untying a large pot from the side of his griffin. I noticed a small bag of vegetables that he also picked out. Moving over to the fire, he placed the pot atop the fire and emptied the vegetables into it. He emptied the water pouch he carried into the pot and waited for it to bubble.
