THE PRINCESS OF ÉLEVÉ

Sam and the WOOs

Sam, with the mischievous WOOs in tow, had headed for a distant part of the huge sprawling city, high on a lookout point. He picked this spot where he could survey much of the outer city. Two passageways entering the lookout plateau were distinct. The small one had a rim of scraggly thickets, and the larger one had moss from some source of water. The WOOs called them Scraggly and Mossy. Sam entered first from Mossy, followed slowly by the two WOOs.

The WOOs were breathing heavily, but Sam was not breathing hard at all. "You two are out of shape." They turned away and could not look him in the eye.

Sam looked around in a circle and then faced toward the land below. It had once been green, lush and fertile, with a river slicing through its center. Now the landscape was bleak and ravaged, and the river dried up. A few scattered boulders perched on the bald hillsides. Most of the vegetation had been destroyed except for a very few patches of grass. A few scraggly bushes and tiny trees hanging on to life looked like large distorted scarecrows.

Small groups of people were scattered across the valley, moving slowly. They stood out against the low hills as they herded the few sheep still left, looking for any grazing space or other food they could find. The thin clouds gave the lighting a gray look. The scene had a surreal aspect.

"It looks as if there aren't many people or animals left after all," Sam observed. "I only see a few of them scattered below in Green River Valley."

The WOOswhined in unison.

"We don't see how

We truly fear

We can help out now

Oh learned old seer."

"You certainly can," he turned to WOOWON, "round up those people there." Sam pointed down with one hand. He then turned to WOOTU. "Look for others in the other direction. Then bring them together in the valley. Hurry." With that he pointed with his staff toward the center of the vast Green River Valley.

The WOOs whimpered together.

"What is this here?

This land of fear?"

"We are in the outer regions of the great city," Sam tried to be patient but he had little sympathy for whining elves. "Stop your whimpering. The people are scared, and don't know what to do. They need leadership. You can help by telling them what to do and where to go."

The WOOs grew quiet and answered simply.

"We'll do what you ask

Though it's no small task."

"Now, fly!" Sam waved his hand and urged them on. "Come back quickly, and use your wands to speed them up. I'll see if I can find the Head Gryphon." The WOOs went in separate directions to perform their tasks. WOOWON left through Mossy and WOOTU by Scraggly. As they were leaving, Sam whistled very loudly. Soon a large odd creature flew in silently and swiftly from the sky above him. As it settled gently down in front, it slowly folded its wings to its side.

"That was quick indeed, oh Greatest of the Gryphons."

The Gryphon looked somewhat like a flying horse or lion. It was a huge creature with large powerful gray and black wings. Its hind legs and hooves looked like those of a horse, while its front legs and paws, with sharp claws, looked like those of a lion or bird of prey. The head looked like that of a condor with a very big sharp hooked beak.

The hair of the hind legs was smooth and dark and blended in gradually with the thicker tawny hair of the front part. A small mane similar to a lion's encircled its white neck. Its black piercing eyes destroyed the courage of the bravest men.