Belford's Heart

Chapter 9: Obelisk

Grimbo and Thunderfoot laid beside each other, their breaths echoing one another as they slept. They rode through the night to create as much space between them and Barker as they could. Grifford wandered the woods around them, always one for an early start. Belford and Evelyn warmed a leaf of food for breakfast as they watched from their place. Belford had found an overhanging root with a space enough even for him to stand.

As they began their breakfast, Belford realized they had not spoken a word to each other all night. Belford could tell that Evelyn was still not happy with him, and he could not blame her. He wished that he could go back to deny the free ale from the man, but the ale was only partly to blame. As they worked through the tender elk and well-seasoned potatoes, he turned to speak.

"If I ever act the way I did last night, you may call Grifford to tear my head off," Belford said. "I am not certain I know a way to apologize that would be enough."

"This was not meant to be easy," Evelyn said, her eyes unmoving from her food as she continued with a further bite. "But I need you to be more careful."

"I will be," Belford said. "No standing still, and no more ale. I promise that I will not fail you again."

Evelyn smiled, finally meeting his eyes again as she swallowed another bite. "I can't expect you to be perfect, no more than I expect myself to be. Who could blame you with a woman hanging off your arm like Maren was."

Belford felt heat rush to his face. "Well, Forest certainly couldn't take his eyes away from you, either."

"And am I forbidden from speaking to men other than you?" She questioned with a laugh. "Perhaps you should be forbidden as well."

"Well, no. Of course not, I-" He stammered. "I mean, perhaps we should both keep away from speaking to any man of Thelos."

She nodded. "That may be a good compromise." She finished her meal, tossing her leaf to the ground. "Don't beat yourself down about it, Belford. Everyone in the world has likely had too much to drink once in their life."

"How is it that you can possess such wisdom?" Belford asked. "You've been walking the lands below for as long as I have. Perhaps I am as dull as the man said."

"Belford, I was raised for nearly all my life by Maligwa," she said. "She is a shard of creation, after all. Granted, I was only told stories about the world. While it has been helpful in speaking to people, the world is much different than I expected."

"It is most certainly different than I expected." Belford took a moment to peer up to the thinning forest around them, then to Grifford who curiously wandered the area around them and their horses who were taking a well-earned sleep. "And it is more beautiful than I ever could have imagined."

"I couldn't agree more," Evelyn said, scanning the forest before landing her gaze upon the approaching Grifford. He had a mouthful of Glassblossom petals hanging from his mouth. "Especially with this cutie traveling with us."

"Where did you find all of that, buddy?" Belford stood to embrace Grifford as he accepted scratches from Evelyn. "Do you like the petals down here?" Grifford huffed in agreement, shaking his head side to side as he quickly chewed and swallowed his current find. Belford's head rested on Grifford's body as he wrapped the griffon as much as his arms would allow. Grifford nuzzled his beak on Belford's shoulder. "It is great to have you with us, Grifford." Belford raised his glance toward Evelyn. "How did you get him to answer the call?"

"While the mead and ale had you speaking sweetly with Maren, I had a pit in my stomach that I could not explain. The same feeling I had when we entered Tharum's chamber." She gave Grifford a loving look. "This energy within me, whatever it is that makes my eyes glow, came to me when I called him. He must have flown faster than any griffon ever has."