Eternal Beasts

Soothing Ruffled Feathers

Caught up close, the griffon could only blink in surprise before the ball bounced off her beak, the impact making the small group, including Seth, collectively hold its breath. Instead of falling to the ground like a ball would, the light came to a halt half a meter from the griffon's face.

Which was where the griffon let it stay when it suddenly spoke to her.

"Hello, I'm Jared," Jared's low, masculine voice rumbled, instantly eliciting what sounded like a peep from the powerful creature. And words that Seth, much to his astonishment, could hear in his mind!

- Master! - she exclaimed in a warm, strong contralto, relief naked in her mental voice. - Where are you?? My brothers and sisters and I awoke in this strange place without you. Or our riders. -

The griffon hesitated.

- I'm scared, master, - she said in a whisper, her eyes half closing.

"I know, and I'm sorry," Jared replied, genuine regret in his voice. "I very much wanted to be there for you and your siblings when you awoke. But dangerous matters have taken me far from you all. So, until I return, I need all of you to be strong for me. Can you do that for me, my brave, beautiful girl?"

- Yes, master, - the griffon replied, Seth watching her unconsciously pull herself out of the indrawn posture she had adopted to stand proudly.

- I will be strong for you. We all will! -

"I know you will," Jared said with confidence. "You are all so very amazing, smart, and courageous. I am blessed by the Maker to be allowed to guide you in the coming years to the greatest part of your potential. Although, in truth, I think I will learn more from you, than you will from me!"

- Thank you, master, - the griffon replied then, hesitantly, said: - When will you return? -

"Not as soon as I would like, my brave girl," Jared replied. "First I must help the MuulHaden retrieve an important relic. Then I have to rescue your eldest sister Samantha from the Harbingers. But I hope to see you all in two weeks."

- Two weeks, - the griffon repeated and Seth got the impression that while she wasn't happy that Jared wouldn't be coming right away, the time she would have to wait was manageable.

- You promise? -

"I wish I could, sweetheart," Jared replied. "But I will do my best to see you all in two weeks. In the meantime, Lady Sionid, the Daughter of the Storm Shattered Seas, and Princess Nikeera of the House of the Evening Star are helping me find riders for you and your siblings. The first ones will be ready to call you all very soon."

Jared paused slightly.

"While you wait for the call, I want you to guide your siblings to the hidden aerie on Sliabh Teamhrach. Do you know where it is?"

- Yes, master, - the griffon replied. - Lord Kurtis made sure we knew its location before we went to sleep. -

"Good. There I want you, as the eldest, to make sure your siblings can all hunt, forage, and find water for themselves, and be able to avoid capture by Harbinger forces. Commander Kalannar, the elf there with camouflage-dyed leather talking to her healers; do you see her?"

- Yes, master, - the griffon replied, turning her head to look at Kalannar giving instructions to her healers.

"Good. She is a friend and she and her vahndim-vadu are working to secure the valley, so you need not fear them. Nor do you need to fear the thaumaturge that is cleansing the Srath of any remaining darkness."

Again Jared paused, as if consulting something.

"The Lucht Taistil also are friends, like Seth who is standing the closest to you." And Seth watched as the griffon turned from the ball of light to look at him directly. Hastily he pasted on a smile.