Eternal Beasts

A Cautious Welcome

- So what do we do now, my rider? - Allanahn asked, his words becoming clearer and more understandable over the bond with each passing moment, his emotions also more steady now that the bond was settling in after the initial blizzard of sensation and memory.

- I'm not sure, my beautiful boy, - Kalannar replied, running her fingers through his throat feathers. - We've had no training, no gear, no saddle ... -

- Pardon the interruption, - a third voice suddenly inserted itself into the conversation, a powerful male voice that resonated with magic and authority. - I don't wish to intrude, but I felt that I should return to this uncertain situation and make myself known. -

- No intrusion at all, master, - Allanahn replied, both his voice and his emotions carrying a great deal of respect and deference. - My rider Kalannar and I were just trying to understand our place in all of this. -

- Ah. Perhaps I can help. Hello, Kalannar, my name is Jared. -

- Jared, - Kalannar replied carefully. - How is it that I can hear you inside my head? -

Jared dryly chuckled.

- Well, technically you are hearing me over the bond, - he replied with a smile in his voice. - It's Allanahn that's hearing me inside his head. And that's because I am the Lord of Griffons and I'm gifted by the Maker with the power to commune with Eternal Beasts. -

The Lord of Griffons!!

- I, I am honored, my lord, - Kalannar hastily said, feeling a flush of excitement go through her body. - Thank you so much for choosing me to be a rider! Allanahn is so perfect and wonderful and ... -

- Ooops, let me stop you right there, Kalannar, - Jared interrupted to say. - I didn't choose you. Allanahn did. He saw the potential in you, the Light in your soul, which called to him. It was his decision to make you his rider because he saw all the great things you two will do together. -

Kalannar let go of a shaky breath and looked up at her gray and silver Eternal Beast. And found him looking down at her, affection and trust from him washing across the bond and over her.

"My beautiful boy!" she said softly, touching his cheek tenderly. "Thank you!"

- Of course, my Kalannar, - Allanahn replied. - Thank you for accepting! -

- And now that you are a bonded pair, we need to get some things sorted out for you, - Jared came back to say. - First, congratulations on becoming the first vahndim rider ever in the history of the griffon wings. It's a testament to your courage and your spirit, Kalannar. And welcome. -

- Thank you, my lord, - Kalannar replied, the gravity of the situation settling over her.

The first of her people to ever be a griffon rider!! Who could've imagined that? Out of the filth of the cholim, a griffon rider would arise. A force for good and the Light.

- Before you get overwhelmed by your calling, I don't think you'll be the only vahndim in our ranks for long, Kalannar, - Jared stepped in to say as if he was sensing her thoughts. - So you won't have to carry that burden by yourself. -

The griffon lord paused for a moment.

- But we will have to be careful for a short time here, - he said, his tone thoughtful. - We need the other lightling races to put aside their misconceptions before they'll fully accept the vahndim-vadu as one of them. Until then, unfortunately, you'll have to be careful. Not every tuathan, nomad, nysim-vadu, and denai will be as accepting as the ones here have been. -

- I understand, my lord, - Kalannar replied. - We've already had some trouble with that. We will take all necessary precautions to avoid any further conflicts. -