Chapter 7: Commander's Conflict

Outside the great city's walls, far from its powerful shadow and towering spires was a secluded spot of land. Here, a brown spot among the tapestry of greens, gryphons and their riders could train to their heart's content. It was an assortment of obstacle courses, pillars, walls and hoops laid about to test agility and strength. Dummies of thick wood were weathered with years of rigorous assaults by talon and beak. They had places to lift weights, pull carts, practice one's spells and hunting skills on specially marked goats; the creatures were never slain and had long ago forgotten their fear of a gryphon's talons snatching them up into the air. The lodgings here were simple and plain, more than enough for a team of gryphons and the humanoids that rode them, out back was a spa where hours of dutiful training could be swept away in sinfully warm waters.

Today the area was littered with numerous feathered felines, dozens of different colored feathers as they chirped, grunted and worked through the pain in their muscles. It was here that Skywing could be found.

Wing Commander of several teams of gryphons, the white and black catbird was pouncing between pillars the size of tree trunks. Only for moments at a time did his tiger paws grace the worn wood, before his powerful hinds propelled him towards his next target. It was a rigorous test of strength and endurance to carry on in this manner, especially without aid from his white wings with black feathers. With practiced ease and pale blue eyes filled with determination, he never slowed as the path of pillars ever rose.

Bit by bit the landing spots for each pillar dwindled, till all that was allowed for him was hardly enough for a solitary toe. He pressed through as he flared his wings, eyeing the next obstacle before him. It came in the shape of dominating rings, suspended high off the short grass below. Skywing gave a keening cry as he pounded his wings, propelling himself forward with dizzying speed.

The rings were large enough for a gryphon to fit through, but that wasn't counting their wings. The commander tucked his wings close to his body at the last moment, spinning as he passed through, grazing his frame. He emerged and righted himself with a deep breath, swiftly pounding against the air to gain elevation, ready for the second ring that faced him down. That too he passed through with a smile upon his beak, not even touching the wood this time.

Heart pounding in his chest, the thrill of flight coursing through him, this is where the commander felt at home. Here Skywing could let loose, hone his body to be the perfect weapon for Lumara to employ. To long had he been on the ground for today and the day before, forced to endure hours of debriefing after his encounter with the Emerald Lady.

His superiors had been most curious with his dealing with the dragoness, Skywing never being one for lies or deception told them everything she'd said. That he would be required to go to a spot in the countryside at a given time, the exact spot and what he would be delivering would be given to him by an agent within the city. His heart had darkened over such thoughts, that someone within these walls held not loyalty to his king and country, but instead to the whims of that scaled tyrant.

Down below, the gryphon was graced with several chirps from others of his kin below, several humans raising their fists to join their partners. He evidently was on course to be setting a record, that fact should have filled him with pride, he always valued passing one's limits and ever practicing, it had been a fundamental aspect of his teaching, but now his thoughts dwelled upon Arcturus, regret lingering within his belly.

He'd been so close on the mountain, if he had stopped to have a conversation with the man instead of leaping at him in surprise, perhaps things would have been different. The knight he once knew would be with him, instead of being held by the nefarious claws of that dreadful dragon that had kidnapped him from the belly of the RLA Indomitous.

The reminder of that made his blood boil, working with that mercenary Garroth, who had the audacity to refer to Arcturus as a friend. In their journey to the Forest of Despair, the man had slain numerous civilians in his pursuit of the red beast. He didn't seem to care whom got in his way, man, woman or child as long as he got his prize, the dragon. Skywing had cursed the mercs name during his debriefing, demanding some form of punishment for such a dishonorable act.

“But they were cultists of the dragoness." One of the higher ups had said. “One whom doesn't seem to have our best interest at hearts."

He hadn't been able to refute that, but it shouldn't have mattered. His exit from that room had been filled with shaking his head in dismay and lashing his tail so hard against the wall it had hurt. The hunt for this dragon would continue without the gryphon's aid, all thoughts of returning Arcturus forgotten, Garroth was going to put him to the sword next time he encountered him.

Onyx hands landed into a patch of warm sand, signaling the finish line of this particular course. He'd tried to be gentle and graceful upon his landing, but instead he'd kicked up a tidal wave of earth, spraying a gryphoness that had been waiting for him.

“That was your best time sir!" Coughed and wheezed the female as her pink feathered withers and flanks were absolutely coated with dirt.

Talonheart, the healer of his team of gryphon riders. Though she didn't look it with her pink feathers and fur along her flank, or the chocolate hearts that born adorned her forehead and rump, she was more than a match for whatever enemy the team would face.

“Was it Talonheart?" Skywing blinked, folding his wings as he trotted his way towards her.

“By a whole five seconds! I knew if anyone could outdo themselves it would be you sir!" She opened her crème-colored beak into a smile, brushing her hand against her chocolate feathered chest. “Though your landings could certainly use some work, you positively buried me!"

She was always a beacon of optimism for the team, always there to offer a kind wing and uplifting speech about friendship and teamwork. Others in the military had written her off as annoying to the point of madness, but her skills surpassed others of her ilk. She was the teams healer, a cleric of the god of death Hades. She used her knowledge of the divine arts to seal wounds, shield them from harm and ensure that Skywing and the others survived to strike again. Though she was a ball of happiness and wonder, he knew from experience that one shouldn't be too easily fooled, when she got angry, it was more than enough to make anyone cower before her flaring chocolate and crème wings.

Talonheart followed upon the commander's hinds as he wheeled about, “But I don't rather mind it, though its going take ages to preen, I imagine I'll come out of it looking far prettier than I started! Oh, and since we're off duty presently, I can go get my nails done along with getting my big fluffy tail combed, oh delightful." Talonheart giggled and wiggled her haunches, her rose eyes practically sparkling at the thought, “Night on the town, get ready, all the males are going to go nuts."

He ignored her prattle, only five seconds? Skywing glared at the starting zone, where a black feathered gryphon had already gotten ready, lowering himself to the platform's floor and swaying his haunches. Within his hinds he knew he could be faster, had to be faster, until his muscles sought to tear themselves apart. If he had any hope of going up against this red scaled ruffian, he'd have to be in tip top shape, stronger than he'd ever been.

“Arcturus." he said softly, picturing the dragon's smug snout, curled into a wicked smirk. His blood began to boil at the thought, how could he just be here, following orders while his friend needed him?

“Is something the matter Skywing?" Talonheart padded to his side, “You look more lost than a summer bug in winter. Aren't you going to do your happy dance? The one with the cute back and forth with your tail?"

His reply was a furrowed brow and indignant squawk.

“Alright, no happy dance." Her ears stitched to her head. She looked around, scanning the area before raising a wing and whispering, “Is it because you're embarrassed? If so, I always found your dance very inspiring!"

Today was not a good fit for the sweet bubbling down her beak, but he lacked the conviction to snap and send her away, he knew she could sense something was wrong and was trying to uplift his spirits. He needed something else to vent all this gathering frustration out, before it emerged in a storm he'd come to regret. Salvation came with the sound of clinking steel, his attention flicked to the weightlifters.

Among the blocks of steel that were being used, were several gryphons that were an example of raw strength. They and their humanoid riders were overflowing with muscles, some even having arms the size of their heads. Grunts and groans were ever frequent to the air as man and catbird were tested in numerous reps. Among these sweaty soldiers, Skywing found his members, a teal and crème gryphon and his muscle-bound partner.

The gryphon was Frostbeak, his name earned for his calm in the face of sudden death. He was precision made manifest, never missing a blow with his skilled talons. Though he could engage in melee, the gryphon was best at keeping his distance. There he could bombard his foes with explosive mana crystals he kept upon his belt, or bring to bear his specially made energy crossbow, far more deadly than the ones humans could carry. His feathers were mostly crème, varying shades as they went from his hind paws to his lion like front paws, hinting at his owl gryphon bloodline. He was currently upon his hinds, tiger-like tail flicking away as he spotted for the human before him.

Frostbeak's rider was a man without exception, his skin close to bursting with the amount of muscle he brought to bear. He had gone bald over his thirty years, leaving only a blond mustache that seemed wider than his head. His blue eyes shimmered in the light, narrowed with determination as he pushed himself. This was Powerfeather, raised by gryphon. Until recently he had been named Alex, that was until proving himself in the field, facing down a towering troll with nerves of steel. For that he had taken on the naming convention that Gryphons in the military bore, one that served to remind them all that those that flew out to greet war, never came home quite the same. Around his neck he wore a necklace, adorned with the orange feather belonging to his gryphon mother. The man strived to better his physique, considering it a matter of honor to uphold; he was always the first to train and would do so until he was ordered to stop. The man had also picked up the habit of flexing with his gryphon to show off the peak of human and gryphon physique, even claiming such an awe-inspiring sight could heal wounds. He was currently grunted and strained, veins pulsating as he pounded out a series of repetitions, the barbell touching his chest for fleeting moments.

“You got this Powerfeather." Ice talon squawked, tracing the rise and fall of Powerfeather's repetitions. “Seduce me through your reps."

“This weight will not best me!" Powerfeather grunted, his face red from the effort, sweat gathering on his brow as he held the barbell at his chiseled chest. “Grah." The man's trembled, clearly at his limit.

“Don't you dare quit on me now sweety." Frostbeak cooed, his crown feathers raising, “I want to see you conquer this, will you let me down?"

“NEVER!" Powerfeather roared, his veins seemingly bursting from his flesh, “I do this for you, my love!"

With herculean effort the human rose the barbell off his chest, bringing to a rest far above his head. He laughed and hooted as Frostbeak helped him rack the weight, swiftly grabbing the gryphon's head and pulling him into a beak on lips kiss.

“I knew you could do it." Frostbeak rumbled, drawing a talon across the man's neck.

It was then that Skywing padded his way over, clearing his throat, drawing both male's attention.

“Sir!" Powerfeather rose, cheeks flushing as he pulled his hands away from his husband's cheeks. “I didn't see you there."

“The kiss was regulation commander, no tongue." Frostbeak bowed his head, ears splayed.

Skywing chuckled at the display, if their relationship never got in the way of orders, there was no rule against it. “At ease, you need not stop your flirting displays for me."

“Ah, wonderful. That's why I always loved him as commander." Powerfeather chuckled, smooching his husband's onyx beak. “Right smart head on his shoulders."

These two might not have been the most serious of those within his wing but were both more than capable. The only trouble he had was to ensure that some of their more vigorous bonding didn't interfere with the wing's cohesion.

“Thinking of pumping some iron to blow off some steam?" Frostbeak chirped, patting his husband's gleaming muscles, the gryphon himself spread his wings before entering a pose to show off his mighty fore talons, “You know how the saying goes commander, a healthy body is a healthy mind!"

The gryphon padded his way over with a nod, the boys getting out of his way as he slipped onto the specially made bench, wings spread wide. The air soon filled with the clinking of metal plates as the duo loaded up his standard amount, ten percent over his bodyweight. His tail flicked when they'd finally finished, Frostbeak taking up his position of spotter.

“Can't believe they took us off the hunt." Powerfeather grimaced as Skywing began his set, “They think that dastardly mercenary will get the job done?" He crossed his arms, “Nay I say!"

Grunting, the gryphon lowered the weight to his white feathery chest, the strain hardly anything against him. He pressed it upwards then brought it back down, repeating the process with a series of focused chirps.

“By all rights, we should be the ones going after him." Frostbeak grunted with distain, “You worked with him didn't you sir?"

“He did?" Talonheart cocked her head from her position, laid down upon her belly to watch the men work. “You never mention that sir."

Didn't he? Skywing felt his insides churn, there had been a day where that would never have happened. Talk always turned to Arcturus, Selina or their boy, now they were almost strangers to them; that fact made it even worse, splaying the commander's ears. He decided to bury down those unsavory feelings deep down as he focused on finishing his set. “That I did." He grunted, racking the dumbbell.

“And what was he like? You know, before he got snatched by the dragon?" Frostbeak asked, ruffling his feathers.

“Or before that other one burned his family." Powerfeather grimaced, “Horrible way to go."

The gryphon sighed as he watched the clouds drift by, picturing his days before that terrible night with Dreadflame, before the business with Emerald Lady. When things had seemed peaceful, a family to go home to, he was their gryphon they were his flight, even if the word was never spoken. “He was an honest man, one of the most honest you'd seen." Skywing laughed, remembering the fresh-faced knight training in the academy, he'd been one of the most skilled recruits, no surprise given his lineage. “On his first day of training he chastised me for laying upon a desk, insisting that I was disrespecting it somehow." The gryphon sighed as his team snickered at how uptight the man sounded, “He proved himself on numerous occasions, in time however he'd loosened up and before I knew it, we were friends. I can honestly say he was my greatest friend."

“Then why do you think he's helping that dragon?" Powerfeather added another weight with a clink, “Think with how noble a man you say he is, assisting that devilish beast would be abhorrent!"

“Even more reason for us to go after him." Frostbeak rolled his eyes, “I bet it's something top secret."

“You always say that." The man grabbed his husband's beak, “Conspiracy this, conspiracy that, are you going to give a rest?"

“Never." The gryphon replied, nibbling the man's mustache, only to get a playful smack in return.

“Beak off the mustache my love, it's the last bit of hair I have!"

“And what a fun bit it is." The gryphon swished his tail, taking another halfhearted attempt of snatching it in his onyx beak, “Like a wiggling worm, sit still so that I might catch it."

“Never! You'll have to wrestle me for it."

“That sounds like fun." The gryphon swished his tail, eyes widening as he wiggled his haunches, the sign of a coming pounce.

“Focus on the weights for gods sakes, you can get to your wrestling later." Skywing squawked in alarm, putting an end to whatever what he was sure to be salacious behavior to an end. “This isn't some preener in Whitedell, go find a room."

“Are you sure commander, I do like watching them wrestle." Talonheart chirped, thumping her fluffy tail against the grass, “Ooooo, that's what we should go see tonight, I believe there are professional Minotaur wrestlers in the city!"

“Wrestling like that is fake." Frostbeak rolled his eyes, his ears splaying as he placed the final weight, “You ever figure that out when they lose to a team of halflings?"

“They're just better wrestlers is all." Talonheart averted her gaze, ears pinned to her neck out of embarrassment. “Like Minotaur would ever take a dive in a fight, it would be against their code of honor!"

Skywing steeled himself as he began his next set, Frostbeak once more taking his position to spot him. Muscles could feel the strain, lightning up with heat as he continued, it still wasn't enough to push down the sting of being denied the ability to chase after Arcturus. “They had every right to take me off the mission." Skywing panted as he racked the weight. “I…lost my composure during the debriefing."

There was a collected gasp from his squad, “You, lose your composure? I don't believe that for a moment." Powerfeather crossed his arms, “Why, you're the prime example of nobility, calm in the face of danger, even the other two of our group pales in comparison to you! Surely you jest."

“I don't jest, not in this." Sighed the gryphon.

“What was said?"

“It doesn't dare be repeated." His ears splayed. He didn't dare say the words again, recalling the vile spite that was Garroth's testimony of their time in the forest of despair. The mercenary had painted the image of Arcturus as too far gone, not under the magical sway of the dragon, but actively helping him against the kingdom. With a growl the man had downright accused Arcturus of being a traitor. Skywing had none of that, launching himself up from the table, cursing the mercenaries name in no uncertain terms. By it's end he had been panting, lines had been drawn upon the floor from his claws, all eyes had been upon him. Too emotionally attached they'd said, biased, concern over his ability to do what was required to protect the kingdom.

“But the fools don't know what they're doing." He hissed, “More weight."

“Are you sure?" Frostbeak cocked his head, eyeing the panting gryphon, “You're already at one hundred fifty percent sir."

“More, I'll tell you when I'm finished."

The others exchanged concerned looks, “You don't usually get like this Commander, perhaps a break?" Powerfeather clasped Skywing on the withers with a smile, “A rousing game of gryphon ball perhaps?"

“I said, more weight." Squawked the commander, eyes steeled.

Talonheart shook her head with a concerned chirp, ears splayed, “He's just concerned about the mission is all. Don't worry sir, Garroth will have that nasty dragon rounded up faster than two shakes of a gryphon's tail. Hey, I bet he even brings your buddy Arcturus back as well!"

“Like hell he will. Do you know what sort of man that Garroth is?" Skywing snapped to her, fire simmering below his feathers. “That man killed men, woman and children to get at that dragon. The ones who hired him wrote it off as a nonconcern, that they were just cultists. That monster wearing human flesh has only one goal, his prize at the end of the road. If Arcturus even gets in his way, he's going to kill him." The words caught in his throat cracked his voice, he'd already accepted Arcturus was dead twice in the last few months, he didn't need a third. “Arcturus…my friend, is being held against his will by that red scaled menace, forced into whatever nefarious scheme resting between those horns. You expect me to sit here, unconcerned with his fate, leaving it in the hands of a madman?"

“I doubt he's a madman sir, the higher ups trust him." Laughed Talonheart nervously.

Skywing looked to his talons, remembering their time on the mountain. His heart darkened, as he'd leaped out at Arcturus, not realizing it was him. If he had been more vigilant, observant, faster, perhaps he could have stopped the fall that nearly claimed him. That day when he'd been told, a pit had formed in his gut, that his best friend was dead once more. To his surprise the gods had decided to spare Arcturus, in the form of the dragon. “Whatever that dragon needs him for must be important. I saw the crash site of the fall; nothing could have walked away from that intact."

“So, the dragon caught him and shielded him with his body?" Powerfeather crossed his arms, “Why would the monster do that?"

“That's what I intend to find out." Whatever it was it couldn't be good, but Arcturus was clearly so valuable to the beast that he would risk his very life to keep him safe. What did he have on the man that earned his compliance, was it simply on threat of death? The gryphon shook his head and pounded out the next series of reps, his muscles screaming from the effort as he squawked out his fury. Tiger like hinds quivering, his limbs sore, Skywing finally racked the weight with a tired, soft chirp.

“I hope you don't take this the wrong way commander. But I believe you're putting too much faith in this Arcturus person, no matter the relation with him. Clearly the man is a traitor, you didn't know him as well as you- “

In a flash Skywing was upon the man, hand wrapped around his jaw. Talons softly dug into flesh, held in check by a precise man. Narrowed eyes were filled with hate as he glared into the man's own, “Powerfeather, until there is solid evidence of that horrible slander, I shall not have such filth uttered in my presence, do I make myself clear?"

“Crystal sir." Coughed the man, unable to free himself from the commander's grasp.

“And if you so much as utter that vile falsehood again in my presence, I shall transfer you and your husband so fast that your heads will spin."

The mood was ruined, that much was certain, the married couple not voicing their disapproval but certainly showing it with their combined gazes. Skywing rid himself of their presence, marching off in a huff. Though he'd worn down his body, the ire contained within remained strong. His feathers bristled with fire.

Arcturus, a traitor? Unthinkable, yet everyone kept insisting upon it. Had they forgotten his years of service, the sweat, blood and tears that were shed for this kingdom? Ears stitched themselves to his head, even the soothing sky gazing did little to quell the uneasy palpitations of his heart. That wasn't the only thing of this search that troubled him, it was that he might lose Arcturus again.

“As thrilling and powerful that display was sir, I can't help but feel a more def approach could have sufficed." Talonheart cantered with a swish of her fluffy brown tail, ears perked, “Don't worry though, I attended a speech by a gryphon a few weeks back on how to improve morale, we'll have their spirits and your personal skills up to snuff in no time!"

“Must you always do this?" He sighed, drooping his head as she practically bounced upon her pink hinds, “Be so cheery in the face of everything?"

She ran the length of her body against him, fur against fur as she gave a pleased warble, “Of course! As the one in charge of sticking us back together, I'm responsible for emotional wounds as well as physical ones! Boy, you're a nerves are a whole mess of tangled string that if I were more playful would be entertaining for hours."

He shifted his haunches, reset his wings, he supposed she was right, everything had been so tense since Arcturus had vanished after the red beast.

“So, I order you to relax sir, unwind and control yourself around others. Unless you want to snap like a horse's back sir." Talonheart chirped, planting her haunches with all to pleased look on her beak.

“And if I refuse?" He cocked his head.

Her eye twitched at the suggestion, a flash of fire spreading about her usually kind, pink eyes. There was a tempest raging beneath those pools, waiting to be unleashed as she reset her wings. The cleric massaged her symbol of Hades around her neck with a nervous laugh, “Do we really need another incident like that one sir? I'd rather not have to tie you up and drag you to relax."

He wasn't sure if she was being serious, as he remembered her chasing down Frostbeak and his husband when they insulted her favorite band. “What did you have in mind?" Skywing sighed, planting himself onto his haunches and ruffling his chest feathers.

“There's gryph ball I heard; I think we have enough two leggers around for two teams." She mused, tapping her beak, “Then there is sunbathing, always a treat, go for a gentle flight, oh there's a steam nearby if you fancy a swim." She rattled off a few more ideas before curling with a knowing gleam in her eye, “or we could always, you know." She wiggled her haunches and gestured with her neck.

Skywing coughed, “Talonheart, there is a time and place." He averted his gaze at her display with an embarrassed chirp, “Fraternization between a superior and his subordinate is frowned upon! Now, you're a handsome gryphoness I'll give you that, I'm sure if you look around there will be a male or female that will be willing to satisfy your urges."

There was a moment of silence that passed between the pair, the awkwardness you could cut with a knife. Talonheart's ears splayed as she averted her gaze with a weakened squawk, “I meant that we could go to the hot springs sir."

He blinked, his own ears mirroring hers at his mistake. “Apologies, I thought you meant something else!"

“That's ok sir." She shrugged off the awkwardness and began to saunter, gesturing to him to follow with a wing, “But if you're looking for that sort of thing. I know a wonderful guy at this special preener in Entis. Oh! When we get Arcturus back, you can look all the prettier for him! Not as pretty as myself, mind you, but well enough!"

The commander rolled his eyes and let her prattle on, evidently already starting to plan their reunion. He wanted to criticize her, insisting that she was being too optimistic as was her nature, but his beak remained snapped shut. Honestly, the future that she spoke of sounded rather sweet, and by the gods he hoped that it would be true.

** * * * * * * *

Located at the edge of the field was a makeshift building of stone, its walls bearing the sign of magical creation, thin rectangles running down its pale grey surface. The roof was flat and lightly sloped, of a pleasing brown meant for reclining, at this moment a dozen or so gryphons were taking advantage of that fact, a collage of multicolored feathers spread out to soak in the sun's glorious rays with their two-legged riders. Out front was a garden bursting with various flowers and plants, vibrant in color and filling the air with an earthy, pleasant scent to send shivers down one's spine.

On the side closest to the dragon-neck mountains was where the focus was drawn, a series of shimmering pools, each nestled amidst rocky formations and lush greenery. The crystal-clear waters range in hue from pale blue to deep turquoise, their surfaces adorned with delicate ripples. Above the surface, the steam flickered and curled like a snake, trying to seduce gryphon or two legger alike to enter and be wrapped in its sinful embrace.

Gryphons of various colors were scattered across these pools, feathers fluffing in dazzling displays. Some were lounging on heated rock beds, their eyes closed in bliss as they let the warmth seep into their muscles. Others were gracefully in the shallower areas, heads held high as they engaged in lively conversation, some in tweetish others in common, all laced with delight.

Talonheart was seated beside him in the shallower pools, feathers gently spread and fluttering as the gryphoness enjoyed the warmth around her. She sighed with a faint chirp. There were times that she was infuriating to no end and her optimism was foolish, but Skywing was grateful for her. When he'd first heard of Arcturus disappearing with the dragon, possible dead, she had been the one to pull him out of his darkest fears.

He sighed, ivory feathers wings dipping in to sample the dominating warmth. It might not have come from a natural source, but his bones didn't care.

“There we are, nice and relaxed." The pink gryphoness sighed, “Just how it's supposed to be."

“With no thanks to your nagging, yes." Skywing replied with a playful chirp.

“Oh, you like it mister, I know so." She gave a pleased trill, ruffling her chest feathers.

For a time, he merely let himself drift into the pleasing flickers of the water, his ears enchanted with the joyous speech of his kin, pride filling him over the bond on display between two leggers and gryphons. It was easy to forget Garroth and his obsession, or Arcturus' getting between him and the dragon, all that remained in this moment was the sense that things would work out.

“So, if you don't mind me asking, why did you never take a rider?" Talonheart finally asked.

“Why haven't you?" His eyes opened with suspicion.

“Please, no rider could handle all this gryphon." She grabbed her chest feathers, ruffling them with her hands, “They wouldn't know what to do."

“Or you'd drive them crazy."

“Crazy good." Talonheart rolled her eyes. “But you avoided the question. Frostbeak and Powerfeather seem like a good enough fit, not to mention the other gryphon and human. Where are they anyway?"

Skywing chortled at mention of them, “Probably ran off to flirt with the ladies, wouldn't be surprised if you found them at the preeners this very moment." That's when his heart sank, brought back to her original question, memories played in his mind of the youthful paladin he'd met, taken under his wing, and went to war together. He gave a weakened warble, “Things just never worked out. You think there will always be enough time, that things were obvious and didn't need saying, but that doesn't seem to be the case."

“There is always time." She gave a nod, “Especially for questions. It might just take some effort is all."

He whimpered, getting a hug on the shoulder from her wing. It was dripping wet, but it was appreciated nonetheless. They nuzzled against one other, feather on feather, their emotions expressed in a series of collected chirps.

“What would I do without you here to mend this foolish gryphon's heart?"

“Be less stylish." She beamed, before peering pass him. Eyes were locked upon a fellow gryphon and human now landing at the edge of the hot spring. Talonheart's gaze narrowed, a serious aura overtaking her, “Looks like we have company sir."

“How do you know they're for us?" He snapped with an amused trill; ears perked. She was right, this duo had their attention locked upon him, both leather and chainmail wearing gryphons had begun to march right towards him with purpose. “Good to see you lads, come to enjoy the heat?" He waved as they drew near, making sure his voice was brassy and welcoming.

“Skywing?" The human woman asked, blue eyes steeled.

“It is I." He rose from the waters, cursing the brief wave of cold that found him. He shared with Talonheart a knowing look, her chest swelling in pride at having been right. Had these people come this way to tell him they'd changed their minds, that he was being put back on the case? The gryphon commander nearly bounced on his paws at the thought but maintained his composure with a chirp. “What need have you from me?"

The gryphon bowed her head out of respect, spreading wide her white and golden feathers, “We are to take you to Inquisitor Suntail right away without delay. She expects to have words with you."

Ears pinned, heart sank, an inquisitor? If he had gotten their attention, things could not be good. He would have denied this if it was even a choice, when one of their ranks called upon you, that answer must be met. The commander brandished a gryphon smile to hide his unease, “Well go on, take me to this bird, I'm sure she's a charming woman."

“Be prepared to be surprised."

 * * * * * * * * *


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If you want to get a sneak peak on comics that I'm having done, reading my writing before I post it here, or want to see WIPS of commissioned works or just feel like supporting my work, my patreon can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=371744

Want to say hey and tweet at me? Twitter can be found here (come now, we know it's not X) : https://twitter.com/UNSCforces
Not your coolness? My bluesky is here: https://bsky.app/profile/lordofthesky.bsky.social