Eternal Beasts

Chapter 31: A Final Goodbye

Seth watched thoughtfully as Kalannar passed some final instructions on to her healers, now all standing in various positions around the gray and silver griffon, every one of them gently stroking his feathers as they listened. The vahndim leader herself was leaning back against Allanahn's great fore shoulder as she animatedly spoke, her eyes almost glowing above her mask, they were so filled with joy. For his part, Allanahn divided his attention between watching his kin climb out of the Library's depths and bowing his head to lightly rub against his new rider.

"This casts a different light on things, doesn't it," Jeremiah said as he joined Seth in watching the vahndim interacting with Kalannar's griffon.

Behind the two leaders, Timothy was holding a portal open to let the rest of the griffons exit the Library and begin their short journey to the hidden aerie somewhere on Sliabh Teamhrach. Waiting nearby were the Tara Hill survivors, most now able to walk, thanks in great part to Kalannar's healers. They helped those that couldn't yet, including the surviving Sky Guard and Taran defenders that had been brought out of stasis nearly dead.

Skilled and powerful, the vahndim healers had brought them all back, stabilizing, healing, and granting strength to the badly wounded. Until here they were, ready to leave their impromptu shelter and step out into an uncertain world.

"It does indeed," Seth, after a thoughtful pause, agreed. He looked over an equally thoughtful Jeremiah.

"The vahndim, a blend of filthy cholim and captured nysim-vadu, not corrupt nysim-suru like we originally thought, feel the Light as we do. So much so, in some cases, they can actually bond a Light-bound Eternal Beast like a griffon." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"Because a bonding is now obviously based on the rider's spirit, not necessarily their race, I think Bithra's wish will come true. Lightlings of every race will be called as riders."

Jeremiah slowly nodded even as he turned to watch Bithra walk out through the portal beside the gold and bronze female griffon that had approached them first.

"I think Bithra wishes she would be called as a rider right now!" he pointed out and Seth chuckled softly as he also turned and watched the two pass through the portal close together, the last of the griffons to leave the Library's confines.

"When Jared told the griffon Bithra and I had helped him in the past, which was why we carried his scent with us, the griffon said we were now her good friends," the pathfinder said. "I'd say she's taken with your War Leader Bithra just a little bit."

"Going by the look on Bits' face, I'd say it's completely mutual," Jeremiah said with a smile.

Then they were sobering as Javelin and Aerindal approached with the survivors finally getting the chance to go through Timothy's portal.

"War Leader," the Sky Guard captain said with first a solemn nod to Jeremiah, then to Seth. "Pathfinder. Our people are beginning their exit."

"Which brings into question the part we'll play in the approaching war," Javelin smoothly took up the thread to say. "While our six thousand won't make much of a difference in terms of numbers, we bring trained craftspeople, and tradespeople that will be invaluable to protecting and repairing any defenses they are assigned to. And a full cohort of tenth rank wizards to extend your combat capabilities."

"And the Sky Guard under my command, along with the Taran defenders that survived the battle, will be a significant force once they have finished healing and adapting to their various challenges," Aerindal indicated. He paused, his expression considering.

"We just need to know where the alliance wants us to go!"

"Does a king still sit on a throne in any of the surviving stone cities?" Javelin asked.