Star Dust

Chapter 7 ~ Gryphon

 My names Gryphon and I'm an abused farm hand in a remote location working for minimum wage on a livestock farm where large animals love me and I love them. All except our animals that are used as prey for the more pricey livestock, they fear for their lives and who could blame them. 

 Had to go out to market today to sell our weekly produce of Gaulk milk, Kantish eggs and Twif meat. The poor Twif was a close friend of mine, I had tried limiting its food supply to have it live a little longer before I was ordered to kill him. Sadly the farm is very poor and could not afford to house it any longer so the farmers killed the poor creature ignoring me entirely as usual. Now I'm stuck selling my only friend at the market to some other alien who won't care for the poor Twif's story. 

 The market bustles will life, a place away from the farm, but I need more, a change of any kind. It's with that thought that I bump into a couple of humans who fall to the ground with me, they scramble to help me get the fresh produce back into my pack. Odd behavior for a couple of humans who would have run especially in these parts of the market. 

 With many apologies all around the female goes on "I am so sorry" with a downward glance she says shyly "here" extending a hand "my name is Mystery and this is Dylan" she gestures to the male beside her when I am up on my feet. Dylan looks to be my age but the girl as her name describes is a mystery, as far as humans go. But these two are different, beneath the folds of their hoods their flesh pokes out and i briefly catch each of the multiple different colours, regular humans are usually one solid pigment, this pair try to hide an array of bruises beneath darkened foldes of their hoods.

 Almost bursting Mystery says "you don't like this place do you" her strange multicolour eyes shining, "we are going on a little quest across the galaxy and wouldn't mind some company". As surprised as I am, the thought is appealing but I have to stifle a smile and say calmly "so what if I am, a trip away would only make an angry boss and no pay" Dylan jumps in "you could change all of that by going with us," his smile genuine as it turns quiet and sly "you could discover what powers you have, Mystery said that we would fall upon an elemental" a brief pause "assuming that it is you." 

 After a moment's pause Mystery continues for him "it is not because of your wings that we think this, you hold strong powers within you that are raw and undeveloped" holding up a hand right up at her face I practically shout "I don't want your folk lore and lies" the shocked pair stare, a surprise in itself and I walk away quickly to complete my task.

. . .

 Walking back to the farm lonely and wondering was refusing the deal a wise decision? The farm is still a few miles away so I puzzle out how they knew I had wings, the wretched Gueri farmers said to hide my wings and when I refused they beat me into submission. All this as a precaution to their own wants and needs, their only excuse "It's bad for business."

 The wind has picked up so I pull my cloak higher up the cover the lower portion of face to avoid dirt and other junk littering the dark dusty brown dirt taking flight in the wind. My cloak is ripped from my body exposing wings and bare arms and legs that are lashed by the dirt and trash stinging on impact with my beaten flesh. 

 From out behind a rock I can see the two travelers from the market, springing from behind the rock, the girl who I now see to be only seventeen has a hand to her ear and the other outstretched in my direction. The boy about the same age as Mystery has his arm on her back guiding her to me and as they approach less debris rips at my flesh and wings that are freely fluttering in the maelstrom of wind. Her hands relax and arms fall to her sides exhausted she leans against the boy who awkwardly supports some of the extra weight. 

 Almost within arms reach, in only a couple steps I make a life changing decision, three more limps, two, one. Swinging out my arm I catch the boy on his head with my newly extended claws, the blow was so hard that blood started to pool on his brow. The deep crimson liquid a glaze on my reddened knuckles. He crouches and presumes a stance that leaves him close to the ground, an easy target, for my foot. 

 Mystery stands to the side viewing, the boy tenses up and swings his legs up and just misses my chin, Mystery shouts "get closer to the ground" followed by "stay loose but keep your arms raised and ready". Dylan ignores her as if what she was saying wasn't for him ... NO! I am Not listening to that bitch besides she's only yelling at the boy, right, yet he makes no move to do what she is insisting.

 Dylan lunges and Mystery screeches "Dylan don't, that will alter our paths, and all of this would have been for nothing" he drops and stands ready to defend himself again. Now he listens to her? What's so important about a path. A memory of my mother comes to me in this instant.

 I'm in a small cave looking into a pool, there in the clear water the reflection of a beautiful woman stares back at me, her beautiful wings gold and white, nearer the bottom the feathers were riddled with dark brownish gold specks. Mother was beautiful with dark hair pale skin, and rages that did nothing to staunch her beauty. 

 Our wings are exposed to the cool night air and the heat of the nearby fire that burns bright inside the ring of stone that we had gathered earlier. A creature resembling an earth animal called a rabbit hangs over the fire cooking by a stick. Mother starts to hum and I sing along while she brushes my hair with her delicate long fingers. 

 "...Destiny is a path you take, full of darkness and light, we will meet again my darling, when our paths collide" finished with the song and my hair she goes to check to could be rabbit. 

 "Do you know want the song means my bird" she asks me with such emotion, I stop to consider what to say "our paths could be separate but there is a chance we could meet again". I gaze up at my mother expectantly for her praise. 

 She doesn't look down at me so I continue sad that I had not gotten the answer right the first time "that destiny can be good or bad?" she turns the rabbit. 

 Whispering she says "you are right about these things but there is a hidden message in the song that I want to hear from my bird" thinking harder than I have in a long time I come to a conclusion "I'm not sure mommy" disappointed my head droops and tears run freely down reddened cheeks. 

 Mother wraps her long arms around my tiny body and gives a little squeeze of comfort "the hidden message sweetie is that destiny has laid paths in front of you and you must decide which to take. Some times it throws its self at you and continues to" confused I look up " mommy which should I take?" she smiles " I'm sorry bird that is your decision, to choose your own path, even if it leads you away from me". Tears are in both of our eyes as we hug in the dim light the fire gives us in the small cave. 

Then the memory is gone .