Realms of Magic

Kathranis stalked silently through the woods, carrying his bow with an arrow at the ready. Secil had told him of wolves, yet Kathranis had found only paw prints and soiled dirt. Every few minutes a faint howl would echo on the wind, but the forest was otherwise quiet. Kathranis paused as he came upon a rather large game trail. Inspecting the prints, he found that though most of the imprints were for wolves, one set was much larger than the rest, and in a very different  shape. They also led in a different direction than any of the other tracks.

A branch snapped behind him. Kathranis spun around and pulled the bowstring to his cheek. He waited for several tense moments, and when nothing appeared, he relaxed. Kathranis replaced his arrow in its quiver and crouched down to inspect the game trail more thoroughly. As he knelt in the dirt, a loud thunderclap echoed overhead. Kathranis gazed up as lightning flashed across the sky, followed immediately by another peal of thunder. Kathranis drew his cloak over his head as the first rain drops began to pour down. Unbeknownst to the elven ranger,  the bushes behind him rustled almost silently, concealing a large creature whose growls mixed with the rumbling thunder.

Secil, still in his panther form, jogged into the torchlight and growled at the griffons. He then sat and waited as they reacted. The griffon that was getting a claw bound cried out in alarm first.

“It’s the human’s cat! Zefuris, kill it!”

The armored griffon, Zefuris, Secil assumed, drew his sword and approached the panther. Secil calmly sat and waited as the griffon approached. Once he drew close, Secil moved back a few feet and again sat down. Zefuris stopped and looked back at the other two griffons. He looked back and forth between Secil and the griffons a few times before he turned around and took up a guard position closer to the griffons.

Secil snorted with mild frustration. He had made it as clear as day that he wanted them to follow. ‘They have thicker heads than Kathranis at sometimes’ he thought. Growling softly, Secil again approached the griffons. When Zefuris waved his sword at the cat, a plan hatched in Secil’s mind. He crept inside the range of the sword and waited for the griffon to swing. Ducking under the sweep of the glistening blade, Secil pounced on the griffon’s claw and nipped the griffon until he dropped the sword. Secil then caught the handle in his mouth and dragged it towards the trees.

Zefuris called out as Secil sprinted to the edge of the tree line and looked back. Even though the griffon looked angry that his sword was gone, he still didn’t move beyond a certain point in the clearing. Secil snorted again and dropped the sword. Secil looked to the other two griffons. They both seemed smaller, maybe if he could...

Secil trotted into the shadows and circled around the clearing until he was closer to the smaller pair of griffons. He crouched down and waited for the one called Zefuris to go to retrieve his sword. As Zefuris cautiously reached the blade, Secil lopped out and sat down silently next to the smallest of the griffons, a female by the smell of it.

So quite was he, the griffons didn’t notice he was beside them until Zefuris gave a cry. The two griffons panicked and quite literally jumped out of their feathers. Secil merely sat and idly watched their feathers float through the air as the pair calmed down.

Once the female realized that Secil wasn’t trying to kill them, she approached slowly. Once again, Secil took to studying the griffon. She was just a little smaller than Secil himself, who, standing on two legs, was several feet taller than Kathranis. She also seemed to be lighter than the other two; her wings were smaller and looked more graceful. As he studied the griffon a new plan formed in his mind, and if cats could smile, Secil would have done so.

With claws sheathed, he pounced on the griffon, laying her flat with his sleek, but well muscled body. He then grabbed her by the scruff of the neck with his teeth and did his best to sprint towards the edge of the clearing. Both of the other griffons shouted and gave chase. Normally, Secil could have left the griffons in the dust, but with the extra weight in his jaws, and the body tripping up his front paws, he was only barely keeping ahead.

What surprised him the most was the lack of resistance from his chosen captive. The she- griffon hadn't even yelped when he had snatched her, and it was starting to become worrying. Had he hit her too hard? The trees parted ahead and Secil jogged the final stretch to the cave. He lightly placed his captive on the ground and moved a few paces away. The griffon remained still for a heartbeat before getting to her feet and turning around. Before she spoke, the other two griffons came crashing through the trees. They both quickly spotted Secil and the smaller of the two charged him.

“Die monster!” the griffon shouted.

Secil flattened his ears and growled, but before he could attack the female griffon stopped the charging one.

“No Valan! He’s not trying to hurt us!”

Valan stopped in his tracks and stared at her then at Secil.

“Did you hit your head Aquila? That thing just dragged you through the forest after almost mauling you! Of course it’s trying to hurt us!”

Aquila looked over shoulder at Secil and shook her head.

“Valan, you can be such a drama queen. No, I think it was trying to… lead us here?”

Secil sat up straight and inclined his head toward the mouth of the cave. Aquila turned around fully and sat on her haunches in front of Secil.

“You understand me?” she asked.

Secil nodded and growled softly moitioning again with his head towards the cave. Aquila looked towards the cave.

“Zefuris, what’s inside of there?”

Secil watched calmly as the solder griffon peeked his head around the cave entrance. The soldier relaxed when he saw the contents.

“Nothin, just a mostly burnt out fire and a bag. I guess we can check it for some food.”

Secil’s pupils dilated and he leapt towards the cave entrance. He bounded off of Zefuris and dove into the cave, landing on top of Kathranis's travel bag. He circled around the bag and did his best to cover it with his body. Secil growled softly as the three griffons entered the cave. While the two males tried to stay as far away as possible, Aquila sat close to Secil. She made no move towards the bag, and Secil, though wary, made no attempt to provoke any attack.

"I will go gather firewood." Zefuris announced "I won't be long, so you two stay put." There was no request in his voice, making clear that it was an order.

Secil snorted and laid his head in his paws, already impatient with Kathranis.

He better be back soon, Secil thought, or I'm going to eat the stupid one.

The fire crackled softly, easily more inviting than the pouring rain and thunder outside the safety of the cave. While Zefuris had gathered wood, Secil had moved out of the cave and had taken to staring into the woods. Now as the rain poured down, he still sat, waiting his master's return. Secil's fur was matted close to his body and he could see his breath in puffs in the cold night air.

He perked his ears forward as he listened to a crackle in the bushes. Secil couldn't hide his disappointment when it turned out to be only a ground squirrel. He resumed his watch.

So intent on watching forward, he nearly jumped in surprise when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He spun around and growled loudly, only to be faced with Aquila. He calmed immediately and turned back to his vigil.

"I might seem crazy for doing this, but I can tell you are not some mere house pet." Aquila said

Secil looked over his shoulder and snorted with contempt. Really, Secil thought, I wouldn't have noticed. She continued, unaware of the cat's thoughts.

"I don't know what you are watching for cat, but it will not come this night, not in this weather. Come in where it is warm, I wouldn't want our savior to freeze out here."

Secil sighed and wished he had the ability to speak in any manner of language. Instead he flicked his tail in the direction of the cave and snorted again, hoping the general message got across.

Instead the griffon sat beside him and leaned against him. Secil recoiled and stepped away. He growled and gestured sharply with his head towards the entrance of the cave.  He then sat back down and resumed his vigil of the forest. She moved again and sat beside him. Secil snorted in agitation, but didn't move again. Instead he went back to staring into the woods. He mentally cursed the rain for mucking up any trails he could potentially follow. If only he could track Kathranis's scent, then he could help the ranger in whatever trouble he was involved in.

Instead he was stuck guarding three griffons, one of whom who was trying to engage him in a one sided conversation.

"There's just something about you. It's obvious that you understand every word I say, and yet you can do nothing beyond what any animal can do. You seem... Limited by your form. Why is that? What happened to make you such different in such a way?"

Both jumped as someone answered from behind them.

"He is intelligent for no other reason than he's just that magnificent of an animal. He can understand us because he is my familiar and it would seem rather pointless to have him if I couldn't speak with him.

They spun around, and Secil almost yowled with happiness to see Kathranis standing behind them. The cat bounded forward and rubbed heavily into Kath’s side. To his surprise, the ranger tried to dodge the sign of affection. Secil gazed at the ranger in confusion, and only then did he see why the ranger had moved.

The ranger clutched at a heavily bleeding wound in his left shoulder and was limping with his right leg. Score marks ran up and down his armor, a few scratches bled on his face, and several large spines stuck out of his left leg. Kathranis grinned weakly.

“It’s alright Secil, the beasts were just a little rougher than expected. Just… a couple of scratches.”

He gestured with his head towards the mouth of the cave.

“Come on, let’s get warm.”

The ranger took one step before collapsing to the ground, his blood mixing with the rainwater. Secil loped to his side and grabbed Kathranis by the collar of his armor, dragging him inside. The younger of the male griffons laughed as the panther entered.

“Look what the cat dragged in, literally!”

Secil growled and took a menacing step towards the griffon. Aquila was right behind him though, so she was quick to interrupt the two. She tossed down Kath's bow and quiver, both of which were splashed in blood.

“Valan, be quiet! The human is clearly hurt and needs help.”

“Help?!?” the griffon spit, “It attacked us! And its mangy beast tried to steal you away! Let it die for all I care!”

Secil ignored the pair’s bickering and began rifling through Kath’s bag with his teeth. While they had traveled together, Fordred had also been the makeshift medic for the company of elves, so he should have…

Secil grabbed the flask in his teeth and trotted over to Kath’s still form. Setting the bottle down, Secil licked Kath’s face roughly, trying his best to wake the ranger. Mentally he shouted at the ranger.

GET UP! GET UP! GET UP!

Kathranis groaned and clutched at his head.

“Ruth la cat, you don’t need to shout.”

Secil nudged the flask towards Kath.

Drink up; this will make you feel better. He mentally prodded.

Kathranis took the flask gingerly in one hand and took a small gulp from it. He shouted with pain as a large snap echoed through the cave.

“By the gods, cat! You could’ve warned me that it was elf draught!”

The ranger winced as he sat up, still clutching at his bleeding shoulder. Kath almost laughed at the expressions of the three griffons sitting across the fire from him. Instead he patted Secil’s damp fur. Secil, still not satisfied Kathranis wasn’t going to die immediately, pulled a roll of bandages from his pack and placed it in Kath’s lap. Kath smirked and looked at Secil.

“You worry too much cat, it’s just a scratch. It’ll be fine by morning. While the draught specifically mends bones, it does help clot blood a little.”

Secil snorted and pawed the roll closer to Kath’s stomach.

I'm sure those spikes in your leg are just a scratch too, right? What about the limp?

"I get it, it's a little worse than a scratch, but I'll be fine, don't worry."

Aquila giggled.

“I guess he’s not taking no for an answer.”

She’s right, I’m not. Clean it up or you’ll get an infection. Her name is Aquila by the way. The armored one is Zefuris and the small male is…

“Valan.” Kathranis finished with a mumble.

“What did you say?” the young griffon demanded.

Kathranis smirked again.

“Nothing you need worry about. Just the ramblings of a mad fool.”

Kathranis grunted as he sat up fully and removed his hand from his wounds. With his right hand, he grabbed his water skin and began lightly pouring the cool water into the cuts. Once they were semi-clean, Kathranis stuck one end of the bandages in the blood of his cuts and began wrapping the wound as tightly as he could manage with one hand. After making a few loose wrap-a-rounds, his hand was slapped away from the bandages.

The female griffon, Aquila, Secil had said, kneeled beside him with an irritated light in her eyes.

“You’re doing this all wrong! Just look at those wrappings!”

She quickly removed the bloodied cloth and started again, wrapping the wound tightly. As his skin met the cloth of his undershirt, she used her claws to cut away strips, leaving the area bare to the bandages. While she moved up his shoulder blade, she gestured at the straps of his armor.

“That needs to come off if you want this wrapped properly.”

Kathranis pulled the knife from his boot, causing the griffon to back away. He gave her a confused look as he wiggled the tip under the buckle of his armor, causing the left half to fall away. He then brought it to the opposite buckle and undid it in the same manner. The leather breast piece didn’t fall away as he expected though. Instead, Kathranis slipped his knife back into its sheathe and pealed the piece of armor away from his chest.

He groaned at the pain as the armor pulled back to reveal an expanding patch of blood in his shirt. Shaking his head, Kathranis attempted to reach for the role of bandages, only to have it pulled away. Aquila shook her head.

“We will have to cut away your covering before finishing your bandages.”

As Kathranis opened his mouth to protest, Valan butted in.

“Have you lost your mind sister? Wasting bandages on a dangerous human that is clearly alive only by miracles. Let it die!”

The young griffon was cut from his rant by a clawed hand meeting his face. Zefuris glared fiercely at Valan.

“Still your tongue! I will not have you insulting your older sister in such a way! If you are too ignorant to see the signs, then fine! Be blind! But leave your sister to her tasks! She would make a far better ruler than you purely because she is more intelligent and has clear foresight!”

The griffon pushed close in to Valan.

“And please, tell your father I struck you. It would do me great pleasure for him to find out.” he hissed.

Valan quickly shut his beak and turned away from Zefuris. Aquila continued wrapping Kath’s shoulder. The ranger tried his best to stare blankly at the ceiling as Secil began removing the spines in his leg.

What were you fighting that did all of this?

"I don't know," Kathranis replied aloud, "they had the tail of a scorpion, but the head of a lion. It was unlike anything I've ever encountered. They were fast too, almost like they were flying from tree to tree."

"It sounds like you fought a manticore, Aquila said, "you are very lucky to be alive."

Kathranis grimaced as Secil pulled a particularly large spine from his leg.

"Ah, actually, there were two of them, that I could see at least."

Aquila's eyes widened, and she momentarily stopped bandaging his stomach.

"You fought off two manticores?"

Kathranis nodded.

"One of them pounced on me from behind, if it wasn't for my quiver, it would have killed me there and then. When it bit down however, it broke the fletchings from many of my arrows, and the damn thing sure didn't enjoy having a dozen shafts of splintered woods in its mouth."

"And the other?" Aquila asked, resuming her bandaging.

Kathranis did his best to shrug. "It stayed in the trees. That's how I got these damn spines in my, ow!" Kathranis yelped as Secil yanked the last spine from his leg. Finished with his stomach, Aquila moved on to Kathranis's leg, wrapping the seeping wounds tightly.

Kathranis flexed his right leg, surprised that the break had already been completely healed. He leaned his head back against the cavern wall a sighed, trying to relax. Aquila tied off the bandages on his leg.

"There, all finished. Now, lets have a look at those cuts on your face."

Kathranis shook his head.

“Get some rest, I'll clean them in the morning."

Aquila looked ready to protest, but seemed to think better of it and nodded. Placing the remaining bandages next to his pack, she sat next to a dozing Valan, and Zefuris.

Kathranis scooted himself closer to the entrance of the cave, sitting just far enough inside to avoid being rained on. Secil said nothing, content to lay next to Kathranis. Kathranis drew one of his swords from its sheathe, and laid it gently across his lap. Kathranis closed his eyes and did his best to ignore his throbbing wounds, slipping quickly into Reverie.