by LJ Davies
The putrid stench of decay seared my nostrils as the foul bodies reanimated, their mouths and eyes bulging with the same baleful fire.
I stumbled, eventually freeing myself from the mud’s grip, only to see more green fire spark from my legs. I looked back in horror to see four white stumps fused with the cursed earth, embers of balefire streaming from my joints in place of blood. I couldn't move away from the claws and talons rising from the ground like grasping hooks, dragging me deeper. I could hear more of the lifeless bodies stumbling towards me, hundreds upon hundreds.
Go, defend yourself!
*
The world exploded in a blinding light when I was launched screaming into consciousness. Blurred images spun in my head and my horrified eyes shot straight to my paws.
"Still there... still there," I panted, pressing each of the limbs into the moss under me. "They're still there."
It took me a few moments to realise I was still in the griffin cave, not some stormy nightmare. I lowered my head, pressing it against the moss as a haggard breath slipped from my nostrils. My mouth felt dry, filled with an awful acidic taste, while my scales ached like they were crawling with biting ants.
I coughed again, trying to clear my throat as my blurred vision scoured the chamber, it looked exactly the same. I couldn't bring myself to look in Boltock’s direction, in fact, I didn’t have the strength to turn that far. Instead, I glanced at my wounded leg to see my mauled limb was wrapped in white cloth, stained in some places by small sanguine patches. It felt better, though I hadn’t done anything to stimulate a painful response, nor did I care to try.
A noise from the other side of the room drew my attention and I partially closed my eyes to create the illusion of sleep. Leaving myself just enough space to peek, I saw Boltock laying on the stone table. Through my hazy vision I could make out the rise and fall of his chest as he took in a breath, my heart flooding with relief. I redirected my attention down to the base of the bed to see Risha curled up in a tight ball. I was struck with a stark reminder of her tragic past as I refused to let myself feel glad that my mistake hadn’t cost her the only family she had left.
She was so still, the gentle rise and fall of her chest the only giveaway that she was any more alive than her brother. Whatever trust she had in me would undoubtedly be gone, and I couldn't deny that I deserved it.
She's been so kind to me and what did I do? Almost get her brother killed before I tell her the truth.
I turned away; the only other movement came from the flickering fire within the stone brazier. All I could do was lie there, as time dragged on, waiting for someone else to enter.
Boredom soon caused my mind to wander, and with little to focus on, my attention lingered on the ceiling. The firelight's dance lapped the smooth grey surface, creating a mesmerizing pattern as my eyes grew heavy. Whether I liked it or not, I faded in and out of consciousness as seconds felt like they were stretched into hours.
I didn't know how long I'd been lucidly drifting in and out of sleep when an unexpected noise snapped me back from the edge of unconsciousness. Thankfully, I recognised the white griffiness rummaging through supplies on the table. I kept my head pressed against the moss, pretending to sleep, while waiting for her to make the first move.
You really think you're going to get answers like this? My mind asked, but I shrugged off the idea. Well, forgive me if I'm not in the mood for conversation.
I quietly shuffled into a position where I could observe her. Squinting, I watched her pluck a vial from the table and make her way over to Boltock. From then on, all I could see was the back of her head as she peered down at him, occasionally raising one of her front talons to assist with whatever action her beak was performing.
As she worked my gaze drifted down, fixing on Risha curled up at the base of the table. With my emotions churning, all I could do was stare, trying to think of anything I could say to make things right.
"Good to see you're awake," someone chirped abruptly, and I looked up to see the griffinesse’s feathered face peering down at me.
By the spirits, how can I be so oblivious! No wonder I almost got them all killed!
I ducked my head away from the featherwing in shame, but before saying anything further she glanced between Risha and I, chuckling to herself.
What's so funny?
My puzzled expression made her return an equally confused look – or at least the best look of confusion she could muster with a beak. Before she sighed and moved her attention down to my bandaged leg. My eyes remained locked in mid-air for a moment as I tried to comprehend what she might have been trying to imply, when a sudden prick in my side interrupted my thoughts.
"Ouch!"
"Did that hurt?" she asked as she withdrew one of her talons.
I swallowed, clearing my dry throat as best I could as she tapped me again. Only this time there was hardly a sting.
"No," I admitted, looking over myself like my body was that of a stranger.
She looked equally confused, returning her eyes to the bandage and studying the bloody rag for a few seconds. All the while, I couldn't help fearing the worst.
Surely losing feeling in my whole leg is not a good sign. My nurse chose the simple way to find out, grasping the top of the bandage in her beak, she gently pulled it away.
The shock on her face was immediate and my heart almost jumped into my mouth. She pulled away, the bandage still in her beak as I shuffled over to get a clear look. I'd seen people with horrific diseases and injuries back in the village. The results were usually awful in appearance and odour.
Does anyone know if that can happen to a dragon? I thought in a panic. It bit my leg, where my scales are thinner!
I closed my eyes, horrific possibilities of amputation spinning in my mind before I finally dared peek. My sight slowly came into focus, and just like my carer, I was overcome with astonishment. My leg was clean and free of infection, scars, or any sign of injury.
"I've, I've... never seen anything like this, nothing can heal that fast," she stuttered pressing a talon to her chest. "Your kind are renowned for being able to recover from otherwise life-threatening injuries, for being resilient to most diseases, but nothing like this!" she continued, pacing over to the table to check some scraps of parchment.
"Skies above, it's really only been a day," she whispered to herself.
I've completely healed from a life-threatening injury in hours – how's that possible?
The closest thing I could call an answer was from my experience back in the city. When I first arrived Risha had been quite shocked by my recovery. Prior to that, I'd not suffered anything more than scrapes and bruises. Before I could think too hard; I caught her shaking the bandage from her beak. Her scaly forelimb still pressed to her downy breast, she opened her beak to speak, only to be interrupted.
"General Storm Claw requests your presence in the main hall!" The pair of us redirected our attention to a griffin standing at the entrance.
"Bring any of the leatherwings that can stand," he added, his voice as stern as his rigid posture as he pointed a claw at Risha, then me.
The griffiness nodded, giving a bow while clearly trying to keep her excitement contained. His message delivered and understood, the soldier gave a wing-salute and disappeared.
"We’d better get up there and see what they want. It's not wise to keep the master of the Talon Guard waiting," she advised, moving over to wake Risha.
I raised myself from the bed, instantly tensing my muscles. I felt stiff, which I put down to lying down for so long. Even so, the pain and sickness I'd felt previously had vanished, and my once injured leg was supporting my weight like nothing had happened.
The fact that it was now perfectly fine, and not through any actions of griffin care, scared me more than it relieved me. Since I’d had no luck with any of my other questions, I dismissed any thought of seeking an explanation right now.
Do my unique traits include accelerated healing? No matt
er what I thought, the idea only served to increase the feeling that I was losing more of myself to this supposed legend the Elders spoke off.
No, just ignore what they said. I'm still me, I'm the dragon I know, not some freak!
As much as I dismissed that idea, I still had one more fear to tame. I looked at Risha to see the griffiness gently nudging her.
Spirits help me, I hope I can at least have her forgiveness.
The blue dragoness remained unresponsive as I moved closer. Every step on my healed leg felt alien, like the flesh that had so miraculously re-grown was no longer part of me.
Urgh, focus on the more pressing matter, not yourself.
"I'll wake her," I told the griffiness as I approached.
"Maybe that would be best, I'll wait at the entrance," she replied, making her way towards the stairs.
Like a puppet master had cut my strings I slumped down beside Risha. I knew she was pretending to sleep, just as I'd done. I also knew she didn’t want to leave her brother, especially not because of some griffin’s orders. Nevertheless, I continued to lower myself, to a point where I was almost lying down, gently nudging her side with my muzzle.
She remained motionless; I nudged her again, still with no response. I drew back, my emotions falling apart, and not even my magical healing could fix them as I finally spoke.
"I know I have no right to say this…"
Every painful word dripped with guilt, as I forced every ounce of my heart and soul into them.
"I know why you don't leave him, and I know the only reason this happened is because of... Because of me." I paused, taking another deep breath. "I know it's my fault... And I'm sorry."
The ball of blue scales began to shift, and I jumped to my paws as her head emerged from beneath her draped wing. Her shimmering eyes wandered for a moment, staring intently into space before eventually turning to me. The glistening lines of recent tears coated her cheeks, and her spinal sail looked almost deflated.
"Your fault?" she whispered.
I shied away, waiting for the scolding I knew I deserved. At least until I realised her response was actually a question.
"No, it's mine," she whimpered. "I was the one who chose to come – and he followed me."
Really? Am I really hearing this?
Part of me insisted that I should be grateful of the opportunity to escape from something so severe and yet all I could do was lower my head in shame.
How can she blame herself for this? If not for me she'd be safe and happy back in Dardien without a care in the world.
Either way, I tried to manage a smile, as she always did for me.
"It doesn't matter whose fault it is, he's fine now," I assured her softly.
How can I just let it drop that easily? I know this is my fault, she can't protect me from that.
She raised her head, and through a fresh veil of tears she managed a weak smile.
"Well, now you're up," the griffiness’s voice interrupted more urgently. "I'd recommend we get moving."
We turned to face her waiting at the base of the stairs. She had her orders and was eager to follow them.
Wow, they don't mess around here when it comes to respect.
"We should go and see what all this is about," I proposed, looking back at Risha.
She glanced at her brother, and for a moment I feared she wouldn’t be willing to leave him, before she finally nodded. At that I moved to the door, ignoring the odd sensation in my leg as I climbed the steps with Risha close behind. Our nurse stepped aside, letting the two of us pass.
A gust of cold air greeted me at the top and after the restless hours it had offered, I was more than happy to get out of the cave.
"Just keep going forward, across the stairway to the western keep," the featherwing called out.
It was evening, and the last of the sunlight was disappearing over the horizon, casting brilliant, golden energy over the towering mountain peaks. Gazing out at the valley bathed in radiant orange from the open walkway, I could really see why this was the city of the Northern Sun.
Quickly making my way down the corridor, I shifted my head as a strong gust of wind battered the castle's flanks and my attention was inevitably drawn to a very familiar mural upon the opposite wall: two stars, one white the other dark.
Why does it feel like I should know what it means?
"Are you coming?" Risha called. It took me a moment to realize that, in my stupor, both she and the griffiness had overtaken me.
"By the skies, they could sure use some air elementals up here," my sapphire friend commented as I dashed to catch up.
Passing through the keep's central stairway, we entered another corridor identical to the first.
"Yeah, I can't say I'm a fan of the open design," I retorted with a ruffle of my wings.
Easy for griffins to put up with the cold, they have thick fur and feathers! I inwardly grumbled as the bitter chill ate away at my scales.
Looking to my right I saw a new mural of several golden griffins arranged in tiers, all stood in the same stern pose, bordering the edges of a battlefield. Centred above them was something else that looked out of place, just like the stars in the opposite corridor's mural.
There appeared to be some kind of sphere, a cloak of fire rising from its edges and curled up within its core was the unmistakable shape of a dragon. Like a winged snake, its four legs were pressed against its serpent-like underside, its scales as black as the circle in which they were imprisoned. As if the painting was bait on a line, I felt an impulse to stop and stare.
No, wait, what did I say? Stop buying into this legend nonsense!
I ripped my eyes away from their fixation, averting my gaze from the wall until I was safely at the far end of the walkway. Not wishing to attract any unnecessary attention as I entered the next chamber, I abruptly cancelled my hurried approach beside Risha.
"Looks like our featherwing friend already went through," she observed, glancing up at the arch. "By the skies, I'd loved to have come here under better circumstances."
"Don't worry, if they have any problems, I'll just explain why where here," I attempted to reassure her.
Yeah, because I totally have all the experience and know exactly what to say.
I cautiously stepped through the arch into a larger semi-circular chamber. Sleek, wooden walls draped in tapestries were barely visible in the dim light, while what little illumination there was came from two stone braziers either side of me. All that was visible above were the decorative wooden rafters, from which banners embroidered with the sigil of a griffin talon hung.
The floor consisted of a smooth, grey stone, similar in appearance to that of the healing cave. I was barely able to make out a split running down its centre, forming what looked like a thin line of runic symbols. My eyes followed the markings until they reached three stone steps upon which sat a large wooden throne. Resembling the furniture made for Tarwin’s father, it appeared to have been crafted from a moulded tree stump but differed slightly from those humans used. Its seating area was spread out, making it look more like a lounger intended for something…
My eyes ceased studying the object as they fell upon the figure perched nobly upon it. The griffin's only distinguishable feature was the sheen of firelight reflected in his sharp eyes and the shimmer of his obsidian-black talons. Another figure emerged beside the throne, and I recognised him as the armoured griffin from the clearing.
If I had to guess, I'd say that's General Storm Claw. His steely metal armour was dulled by the gloom as was that of several other armoured guards I'd failed to notice in my peripheral vision.
"King Halfbeak," the general announced, stomping a talon. "May I present the leatherwings my wing discovered in the border forest."
I remained perfectly still, feeling like an ant before a hungry bird as a huge pair of black-feathered wings sprung out from the throne, sending the braziers into a fiery frenzy. The disturbed light crossed the King's features revealing his feathe
rs were coal-black, as was the fur covering his haunches.
He was undoubtedly larger and more distinguishable than any other griffin I'd seen. Most striking of all, was that his right eye was missing, pale and white, part of a great scar that cut through his face and down into his black beak.
Halfbeak? Literally, but it makes sense.
His sharp talons tapped menacingly on the floor, an air of regal authority emanating from him like the warmth of the sun. Meanwhile, all I could do was glance to the white griffiness standing by the entrance, my eyes wandering round to find Risha at my side. I felt like melting under the King's glare, but she showed no sign of intimidation.
See, if she's not scared, why should I be? The King's booming voice immediately put that new-found confidence to the test as he spoke.
"So, the rumours are true, you are the one the ancient legends speak of?"
As much as I wanted to speak up and ask the burning questions, I didn't know what to say. Under his stern gaze I felt like doing nothing more than sinking into the floor and disappearing. His eyes were like steel daggers, his stoic face like stone. Yet swallowing my fear I hesitantly opened my mouth to speak, when an equally stern voice interrupted.
"What do you mean, ‘the one'? What legends?"
Risha swept in between the King and I, immediately filling me with an overwhelming combination of relief and gratitude.
"What do you know that our Elders don’t?" she continued.
I peered around my friend, daring to meet Halfbeak's eye, until my attention was distracted by the shifting of metal-clad talons. Storm Claw broke from his statue-like stance with a grunt, taking a step towards us.
"No, General," Halfbeak instructed, stretching out a wing. "It is perfectly reasonable for our leatherwing friends here to be on edge. We owe them answers."
"Yes, your highness," the subordinate growled, stepping back into his frozen stance with a disapproving scowl.
It was then that I discovered I'd edged as close to Risha's side as I dared, without even realising it. Meanwhile, she'd not stepped so much as a paw out of place.
Yeah, she's way better at dealing with grumpy featherwings than I am.
