Mythara

∑ Brogan ∑

Rye led me out of the cave and unto a large, flat rock. It was on top of the cave, using two bent over trees as supports so as to not fall over. All around us were orange, brown leaves falling from the trees that were starting to go bare. The sun was setting behind a range of mountains to the west, its last rays barely peeking over them.

I braced myself against one of the trees as a cold breeze that whipped past me, ruggling my brown hair.

Rye made a series of low growls.

Suddenly, the earth shook below me as a huge bird swooped down and landed on the flat rock with a thud. I stumbled backwards as a gust of wind from its wings hit me like a thunderbolt.

It looked almost like an eagle, except that its body was of a lions. Muscles rippled under the furry flesh when it landed. Pure white wings extended out of its brawny shoulders. They were feathered and silky, like angels. It's claws were deadly sharp and clicked against the hard rock. Its beak was brown with gold flecks and a thin, jagged, red line running along the side to the tip of the beak. Its head was feathered and also pure white, like its wings. The top of all four of its legs were white but slowly merged into a dark brown color before becoming balck. Its tail had a silver barb at connected to its tip. The creature gently folded its wings and glared ferociously at me with its bright blue eyes.

Rye tactophrened me, This is your Ewynne.

Huh?  What's an Ewynne?

Rye sighed, exasperated. You must catch up on your studies of Mythara. An Ewynne is your soul animal, paired up with you when you are young. You can tactophren only your Ewynne and your family's Ewynnes.

Oh! So I can tactoophren it?

Better than that, it can read your thoughts since the day you were born.

WHAT?!

The creature made a small huffing noise.

Uh, so...hi?

It didn't answer.

Um, what's your name?

Still no answer.

Please just talk! I tactophrened, exasperated.

Suddenly, a flow of thoughts erupted into my brain like a spray of fireworks across the sky, seemingly filling it all up. The creature's voice was silky yet humorous.

Oh, sure! I can talk if I want to but if you want me to talk I will keep on talking and talking and talking and I won't stop so it might best if you didn't want me to talk! But whatever, you already asked me so sure, I'll talk! Only if you want me to though, because otherwise i will keep on talking and talking and talk-

"Stop!" I cried, out loud.

The corners of the creature's beak where some soft flesh was curled up into a smug smile.

I sighed, frustrated.

Please! You're my.....whatcha call it, Ewynne! I might as well get to know you!

Look inside your brain, little boy, for you already know me.

Huh?

Try to think up my name. You know it; you've known it since the day you were born.

I glanced suspiciously at the creature before squeezing my eyes shut.

Who is this creature? What is its name?

Ahem! Its voice thundered into my brain with surprising ferocity.

My concentration shattered and my eyes snapped open.

I am not an it! I am a she!

Sorry! I focused on figuring out her name once more.

And, without warning, I knew everything about this creature. Information flooded into my brain like water flooding into a drain pipe.

Gryphon, Tanwyn....Tanwyn?..... That's your name! But Gryphon? Is that what you are?

Ask yourself! I'm not giving you the answer! The gryphon's eyes glittered mischievously.

You are. I paused, searching my mind for more information. You can change shape!

Rarely, only if I have to. It is not a...pleasant... thing to do.

Oh...oh. I said, though having no clue what she was talking about. Erm, so now what?

I need to return to your sister.

But what about me? I tactophrened, panicked.

Your sister says she is going to find the homeland of the Mythara. You are to wait for her tomorrow by the shed. She will be taking you and Tanwyn.

Oh...but where is she now?

That I cannot tell you.

But.........!

No. I am sorry, but my duties are done and I must hunt for I have no eaten in many days.

And he left.

I turned to Tanwyn.

So, I guess we get to know each other now...

The glare she gave me made me wish I hadn't said that.

What was I going to do with her?