Freeforce: The Gryphon Saga

by L. E. Horn

  Young males? Lianndra wondered. Then the ones with only crests must be females.

  She worried they’d followed her scent trail, but if so, hoped it wouldn’t lead them straight to the cliffs and the rebel camp. Lianndra bent slowly to lay the grass stems on the soil at her feet before raising her empty hands in the universal signal for surrender.

  Lianndra debated whether to show them the amulet, but decided any movement to fetch it from her felted pocket might be misconstrued. Her gesture of surrender, however, seemed to work. One Gryphon handed an abused laser rifle to her comrade before pacing forward. Pulling a short rope from the leather container strapped to her torso, she bound Lianndra’s hands but seemed unsure how to handle her tail. She settled for strapping it to one of Lianndra’s legs before picking her up. The Gryphon slung the Healer across the back of another scout.

  A male, Lianndra thought, as he possessed a mane of deep blue, a bulkier build, and a brighter body color than the others. With their thick fur and feathers, it was difficult to see any other features that verified her assumption.

  As soon as they’d secured her, the Gryphon headed back the way they came. They increased their pace, flying over the dusty ground. Lianndra bounced uncomfortably, stretched belly down across the broad back.

  From this position, she couldn’t tell which direction the Gryphon headed, and they soon traveled far away from the rebel base. Lianndra tried not to think of what might be in store for her if she couldn’t connect with the small Gryphon. Drake had hoped to send out a scouting party once the rebel group settled in the cliffs. He’d no idea how close they had come to running straight into a Gryphon patrol. If the rebels had marched for one more day in the grasslands, the Gryphon might have run right into them.

  The prone position was intolerable. Lianndra jounced along, yearning to ride astride. Her breasts and belly hurt, she would end up bruised from stem to stern.

  Lianndra had headed out on her quest for food late in the day. As darkness closed in, the group slowed to a jarring trot. The gait undid her. She lost her last meal, keeping it clear of her mount’s side only by sheer force of will. The male Gryphon seemed to take pity on her and moved into a collected version of their gallop, which was smoother but possessed a rolling sensation reminiscent of the ocean. Just when she thought she would lose it again, the entire group settled to a walk before coming to an uneasy halt. They drew their weapons. Something was up.

  How close are we to the jungle and the Fang units?

  Two stood on their hind legs to survey the grasses, and then came down to hiss a warning. The entire group launched into a gallop. These were not the distance-covering, slower strides of an endurance runner, but the rapid gait of a sprinter.

  The proximity of at least one Fang unit became obvious when the grasses behind them ignited with laser fire. Strapped face down, Lianndra fought panic. She might be safe as long as the Gryphon remained so, but she felt vulnerable tied like this.

  Hours of bouncing on the Gryphon’s back shifted the rope binding her, loosening it in some places, tightening it in others. As they flew over the ground with laser fire raining down, she worked to free her tail. The tightest knots bound her hands to her feet around the Gryphon’s belly. Her tail snaked free easily, so she slid it up her side, tilting her body to allow it access to the knife she’d concealed at her hip.

  She had to time this with care if she wanted to avoid a dangerous fall from the charging alien. Lianndra got a good grip on the Gryphon’s fur with her fingers and toes, wrapping her body tightly around the alien’s heaving barrel. Then she braced her tail against her legs and sliced through the rope.

  If the Gryphon felt the sudden loosening of the bindings, he was too busy running and returning fire to do anything about it. Lianndra dropped the knife and used her tail to grip his leather backpack, giving her a pivot point to swing her legs astride him. He must have felt her legs close around his barrel because he sprang into the air and gave a small, startled buck before resuming his all-out run. At that moment, the female Gryphon next to him ignited with laser fire, she fell with a scream in a cloud of dust and smoke.

  With her hands still bound together, Lianndra lost her grip as the body beneath her skidded to a halt. She clung with desperation until all his forward momentum disappeared, and then let go, rolling to absorb most of the impact. Her Dancer training kicked in as she continued the roll to an upright stance before running back to where the Gryphon had disappeared into the smoke.

  She found him standing with the injured Gryphon—the laser had torn open one of the female’s powerful hind legs. The male Gryphon tried to help the smaller female, but the hind limbs were an important part of Gryphon mobility. She hobbled painfully forward.

  Laser fire ignited the surrounding grass as the other three Gryphon returned to help. Lianndra pushed her way past their furry torsos until she stood beside the injured one.

  One Gryphon hissed at her and moved to push her away, but another put out an arm to block her fellow scout. Lianndra looked into violet eyes. The Gryphon cocked her head before moving back to give Lianndra more room.

  Lianndra saw recognition in the large eyes. She’s seen Healers before. She knows what I am. Lianndra held out her bound hands. The big Gryphon hesitated only a second before pulling a knife to slice her bonds, and the Healer immediately put her hands on the injured alien. The poor Gryphon panted in pain but twisted her torso around to watch Lianndra work. Supported by two of her fellows, she stood with the limp leg dragging in the dirt. If they stayed with her, they would be killed or captured unless Lianndra acted—and fast.

  In the darkness, she slid her hands along the rump until her fingers touched the smoking hole in the hind leg. Laser wounds burned the flesh. The wounds bled less, but the intense heat damaged tissue more extensively. Lianndra tried to ignore the fire blazing around them as well as the shouts of a Fang slave unit moving closer. Every shadow could be a Fang soldier wielding the bulk of a long-range laser. She gave herself a mental shake, putting herself within the wound. There couldn’t be a less ideal situation in which to heal.

  The lasers howled and whined back and forth around them as she focused on the big muscles. She sloughed the cells damaged by the laser’s heat before calling on the undamaged ones to help fill in the gaps. Lianndra didn’t have time to repair the nerve endings but reconnected the more important deeper ones. If the Gryphon’s skin remained numb over this section, it would be a small price to pay.

  She closed the skin, trusting the resealed blood vessels and lymph to carry away the cellular debris on their own.

  Lianndra had barely finished when a Gryphon grabbed her and slung her astride the big female leader. They headed off again at full speed. Lianndra clung to the heavy spikes along the Gryphon’s torso, wrapping her legs around the furry barrel and leaning against the pack. The pack helped to stabilize her as she wrapped her tail around it, although she wished she had her skrin to tie herself down. She’d left it with her gear in the cave.

  Chaos dominated the next few moments as they ducked and dove through a living hell of burning grass and exploding bushes. Lianndra clung to the spikes in front of her. Whatever served as a backbone for the aliens was more elastic than a horse’s, which meant it flexed substantially beneath her as the Gryphon moved. Powerful muscles heaved and bunched as they maneuvered. It was all Lianndra could do to hang on.

  It’s more like riding a lion than a horse.

  In the end, the Gryphon’s speed and knowledge of the terrain won them their freedom. Safe from the Fang lasers, the Gryphon slowed to weave a twisting path through the grass clumps, hoping to confuse any pursuit. They descended a steep decline and entered a fast-flowing creek, working their way upstream at their equivalent of a brisk trot. Their clawed feet easily handled the mossy rocks rolling beneath them.

  Lianndra had no idea how far they’d come. She only hoped the Fang unit didn’t head toward the rebel’s makeshift camp. The poorly armed rebels couldn’t stand ag
ainst that kind of firepower. The rebellion would be over before it had even begun.

  She tried not to think of Michael, who—at just past the crisis stage—could relapse without expert care. Although an excellent Healer, Hannah likely couldn’t make the changes allowing Lianndra to feed Michael. She only hoped he could eat and drink on his own.

  Either way, she could do nothing about it now and might never be able to again if she didn’t form a bond with these Gryphon. She seemed off to a decent start because they hadn’t replaced the rope bindings.

  This could be the start of a relationship, she thought. For the rebellion to succeed, we need to form a working partnership with the Gryphon. The human rebellion won’t survive long without it.

  The Gryphon traveled on into the night, settling into their ground-devouring pace. Lianndra marveled at their endurance. Who knew how many miles they’d traveled since they last rested? Even with the extra weight she carried, the female Gryphon she rode seemed inexhaustible. As the night sky lightened with the approaching dawn, Lianndra got a closer look at the breastplate so cleverly reflecting their surroundings. With some surprise, she recognized the long serrated scales of the Vloxx.

  Not handmade, but hand skinned, she thought. She fingered a sharp scale as they rolled along, thinking of Michael.

  Lianndra lost track of time and came back to reality when the spike beneath her hand grew so hot it forced her to let it go. She realized heat radiated from all the spikes along the neck and shoulders. With a quick glance, Lianndra noticed the other Gryphon’s spikes were fully erect, allowing the moving air to carry the heat away. As they crossed a creek, their claws turned the water into steam. Lianndra recognized the spikes and their claws as part of their cooling mechanism. The long tails possessed shorter spikes performing a similar role. She felt their heat as the tails slowly waved from side to side in rhythm with their movement. In the blackness of the night, they almost glowed.

  Certainly, they didn’t seem to perspire to keep cool. The body beneath her radiated warmth, but it should drip sweat after this activity. Must be an adaptation to the grasslands’ drier climate, Lianndra thought. It meant they could go long distances without a drink.

  Their sudden deceleration took Lianndra by surprise. She appreciated the way her Gryphon flattened her spikes and braced her torso to cushion Lianndra’s body. If only some of my horses had been as understanding. She remembered more than a few unplanned equine dismounts. Lianndra almost gave the feathered torso a pat of appreciation but stopped just in time, lest it be considered rude.

  The Gryphon walked between tall rocky cliffs, observing as if they were expecting something. With the slower pace, the heat coming off the spikes threatened to become uncomfortable for Lianndra. She pushed back, bracing herself against the pack.

  A voice hailed them from the deepest cliff shadows, and when the leader replied, a large Gryphon trotted forward. Bulging muscles, big bones, a thick mane of feathers, plus a heavier structure to the neck and head identified this one as male. The darkness muted his color but with her enhanced night vision, Lianndra made out the stripes and spots of his coat. He looked at her in surprise.

  After a swift exchange of information, he turned to look beyond them, and Lianndra knew the scouts had told him about the Fang unit they’d encountered. The guard nodded and whirled to canter into the darkness. The scouts continued, increasing their pace again.

  They passed several other checkpoints, each staffed by a large male Gryphon. Lianndra imagined an army of Gryphon bearing down on them. If the army included the big males, it would be pure hell in motion.

  They moved into a valley and the vegetation changed again, the tall tufted grasses giving way to shorter, lusher species covering more ground. The trees grew larger, but the terrain remained more open without the dense undergrowth of the jungle. Obviously, the valley had access to more water than the grasslands.

  A good spot for a permanent outpost, Lianndra thought.

  The group split up. The two male scouts cantered off into the darkness while the rest continued at their slower pace. Watching the males leave, Lianndra wondered if they were young or belonged to a different subspecies from the big guys since they didn’t have their bulky build.

  Her thoughts jumped to her fate now that they approached the Gryphon home base. Lianndra didn’t know whether to be flattered or frightened they hadn’t blindfolded her.

  She swallowed before reaching into the pocket just below her collarbone, popping the little amulet free and slipping its cord around her wrist. I’m betting a lot on one little figurine.

  Dawn broke as they emerged into the heart of the valley, and Lianndra caught her breath at what the sun’s rays revealed. She’d expected a traditional army-style camp, which in her experience to date seemed to survive species boundaries. She couldn’t be further from the truth. The valley trees appeared as broad as the jungle ones were tall. Smaller plants similar to the epiphytes of Earth covered the shaggy trunks and enormous spreading branches. Strange, fuzzy vines clambered over it, obscuring and softening the outlines.

  Most amazing were the structures created from living plants. Woven saplings formed buildings on the valley floor, their walls painted with the natural vivid green of new and old leaves. Over time, the saplings grew to massive trees forming the walls and ceilings. Banked earth runways led to caves carved into the rock, and ramps made of interwoven, living branches, plants, or roots scaled the rocky valley walls. Campfires burned within the caves. In places it looked as if smaller, younger braided vines created privacy screens across cave entrances and hanging seats under the trees. The green leafy structures blended with their natural surroundings, their outlines almost impossible to trace in the early morning light.

  The Gryphon were everywhere, both the full-sized versions and the smaller ones. Many stopped to stare at her with wide eyes and their feathers erect. Their multicolored coats of feathery fur sported stripes, spots, and swirls with no two exactly alike. The valley filled with the low murmur of Gryphon voices speaking in their native tongue. It sounded like a series of musical notes, full of trills and whistles.

  The most impressive buildings appeared in the more open, central area. At the heart of the valley rose an enormous hall created by woven pieces of polished wood. Closer inspection revealed ancient trees framed the building—so cleverly interwoven they appeared as one solid surface. Plants thicker around than Lianndra’s body formed arched entryways. The massive circumferences spoke to age, a state of permanence reminiscent of the architecture of Earth’s most ancient cities.

  The smaller entrances to the building featured intricately woven curtain-like vines. Lianndra saw Gryphon touching them, which caused the vines to jerk aside and reveal openings. The large main entrance had two ornately carved doors that swung open as they approached. Two big male Gryphon paced forward to stand guard at either side. The building appeared open for business.

  It didn’t surprise Lianndra that her Gryphon escorts brought her toward this large structure. A short distance from it, her mount halted, and she took it as a cue to dismount. She slid down the furry side only to discover her legs couldn’t bear any weight. A well-placed Gryphon limb supported her until she got a good grip on one of the pack straps. Another female paced forward to assist. Her legs were on fire as the feeling slowly returned. Supported by Gryphon, Lianndra wobbled into the heart of the Gryphon colony.

  Her first reaction: complete awe. Life and light filled the hall. Small native creatures flitted through the network of branches overhead. The woven offshoots let light in at regular intervals. Once her eyes dropped from the heavens to focus on the corridor, she noticed something else.

  Everywhere she looked, small Gryphon paced, or stood, or sat. They carried platters of food, tended to the living structure around them, and gathered in small groups. Many stopped to stare.

  A raised area dominated the far end of the hall. Lianndra realized it once was the trunk of a truly giant tree, carved down and levele
d before time polished it to a brilliant sheen. As they approached, a group of the small Gryphon stepped onto it from an archway behind.

  Lianndra frowned in confusion. The children seemed perfect miniature Gryphon. Much like the small Gryphon captive she met, they carried themselves with a dignity foreign to the young. She scrutinized them. Most immature creatures had heads and extremities larger in relation to their bodies. The little Gryphon’s proportions were not those of children.

  Lianndra thought back to the two times she’d seen the smaller Gryphon—in the Pit and in the jungle. Then she remembered the prisoner’s poise and her ability to speak perfect English.

  She mentally smacked herself, feeling foolish. Size meant nothing. These Gryphon weren’t children any more than the bulky males were elders. They’re the adults of another race of Gryphon. Judging by the number of them within the hall, they filled important roles within the Gryphon culture.

  Her prospects for forming a bond with them suddenly seemed more promising. If she told them about the captive small Gryphon and the healing she’d done, perhaps they would understand she meant no harm.

  The full-sized Gryphon on each side of her dropped their crests, crossed their arms, folded their forelegs, and bowed to the smaller Gryphon on the raised platform. She needed no further confirmation—the little Gryphon occupied an important place in the overall hierarchy.

  As the larger Gryphon straightened, Lianndra approached with hesitation. I don’t want to offend anyone with improper protocol! Lianndra stopped in front of them and slowly extended her arm. The amulet dangled from her wrist.

  She heard a hiss of surprise. A small pale-blue Gryphon paced forward, her hands rising to untie a colorful band of fabric from around her neck. The fabric tugged free, revealing a familiar slave collar gleaming against her throat.