Journey of the Horn

Chapter 13

I looked around me for Connall as I ran after the Oxen, even if I had lost my only friend in this place. I still had to eat. I ran for another five minutes or so, but then a figure came barreling down towards the Oxen....It was Connall. I skid to a stop in both shock and ah, I knew baby griffons learned how to fly quickly like a horse learns how to walk. But I didn't think it would be that quickly. He rammed into the Oxen with the speed of a diving Peregrine Falcon, the Oxen fell to the ground. It tried to get up but couldn't, the blow had shattered its shoulder and hip. Along with the added weight of Connall perched on top of it looking at me as if waiting for me to finish off his prey. It was rendered almost immobile. I couldn't help but smile both at his sass, but also his ability. He was only a few days old, yet he just took down a full grown bull Oxen. " Alright boy I'm coming I'm coming." I say as I charge through the snow towards them with a dagger in hand.

" Grazas gran irmán, o seu don non vai para o lixo. A súa morte debe permitir que e familia para vivir na súa honra." I whisper as I snap the Oxen's neck while simultaneously stabbing its heart. My people respect the mountains and forest, we know that they have a delicate balance all their own. So we show great respect toward them and the creatures we hunt in them. What I say is a thank you, for the life they have given up in order for me to live my own, saying to them that their death will not be in vain. Even though now I am never sure whether I will die in a moment or live for another eternity. I butchered the Oxen for later but through a piece of the belly to Connall. "One day, one day little brother you are going to be one of the best griffons that ever lived. I wanted you to know that, Aneirin knows I may never be able to say it again." He looks at me with his head cocked, like he both understands but at the same time doesn't. Like a baby first learning to speak, They understand what you're saying in words but not what it all means. I just reach up and scratch behind his ear making him lean into my hand like a cat. "We best be moving on, I'm sure the Ursas are already trying to find the source of the smell." I pick up my pack and start to walk again toward the mountain with Connall close behind.

It soon started to get dark. The days in the mountains are usually pretty brief, sometimes even turning into a Polar Night. Meaning the sun never rises. Those are the days where lanterns, candles, and Chinese lanterns line the streets and alleys of the village and castle. Where the fireplace is always lit except in the wee hours of the morning. I wish I was home, in front of that fireplace with all my siblings. Where I knew they were safe, Where I knew none of us were out for the others head. I wish we were with Mama, she always had her ways of making things seem right with the world. Hell I even miss Alpine always plopping down in my lap like the big baby he is. Ever since he was little he always said I was the best seat, that never went away as he grew. I wish I were home. I heard yelling and the clashing of swords in the distance. I pricked my ears up as I looked up from the ground like a startled deer. "Stay Connall." I order as I draw my own sword walking as quietly as the snow would allow. I peer over a cluster of bushes at the top of a small dirt cliff, to see two of my brothers going at it. They all had fresh wounds everywhere along their bodies. I didn't know what to do. Should I stay put and risk them going for so long I won't have time to find shelter? Or should I intervene and blow my cover?

I sat and thought for what seemed like an eternity but in reality was only a few moments. I decided it wasn't worth the risk to stay hidden. I could fight off my brothers, but I couldn't fight off the frigid cold of the mountain night. I drew my bow and aimed for the nape of one of my brother's hooves. I knew that shot wouldn't kill him, but it would slow him down long enough for me to get away. I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes and slowly opened them again. You can not be frantic when shooting a bow, you will surely miss and could end up hurting yourself in the process if you are. I let the arrow go and felt the fletchings graze my cheek as it shot passed my face. I watched it cut through the air like a barracuda through water. I closed my eyes as I heard it cut through the air making a soft wizzing sound. But I jolted them open once I heard the scream of my brother as he fell to the ground with the arrow in his hoof, and before my other brother had the chance to claim his life. I took another arrow and did the same to him. He fell more with a groan than a scream. I then whistled to Connall and he came running like a hound to its master. We made our way down to the small clearing from the ledge where we sat. I walked down the middle towards them with a slight edge with Connall right behind me, I stopped only to pull the arrows out of my brother's ankles. I knew that even with them out, they would not be able to follow. I looked in their eyes, and when I did I saw both disbelief and fear. Like they had just seen a ghost. "Fight with your brains and wits, not your brawn."

They both continued to look at me as if I didn't belong there. Even more surprised that I had given my opponents advice. I couldn't see them as my competition, to me they would always be my brothers. I hadn't thought of them as anything else. I may think that I am the only one fit to rule, but no matter what they would be my brothers and I will support them. Although I may think the decisions they have made are wrong, I will always be there to bale them out. At least as long as I am able to. I gave them both a nod of the head, but they weren't looking at me any more but rather Connall. It is believed that the griffon is the most sacred of all the creatures of Endalashia, that is including ourselves. The fact he had chosen me is one of the best honors that can be given. It is believed the Great Griffon sent the griffons down to defend all of Endalashia from destruction and mayhem, but even guardians can't protect everything. They looked at Connall then at me like they couldn't believe I had even seen a griffon, let alone made friends with one. I looked at them, wishing I could hug them. But it wouldn't be the same as before, I now longed for the days of the past like a hawk does the open sky. But now, I was in a lonely cage in a lonely tower. Even though the tower itself was surrounded by people, I was still alone within its cold stone walls. Hoping one day to see the light again, but that day was so far off it wasn't even a speck in the pitch black of Roshfire. These people, these men I once knew as happy and carefree. Were now nothing but shells of what they once were, shells that would gladly shed the blood of their kin for a fancy piece of symbolic jewelry. All for power, and power for none.