Realms of Magic: The Realm of the Gryphons

Chapters

Prologue: Part 1
Prologue: Part 2
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 3
Chapter 14

Prologue: Part 1

The breeze was slight, carrying many things with it. The first was a tinge of warmth, and given the south easterly direction of its gusts, Kathranis understood completely why. There were plenty of deserts to the south, and even if there weren’t, the chilly, sunless northlands of Thay could always stand to be warmed up a hair. If the breeze wasn’t doing it for them, Kathranis imagined he would order his little troop of elves to start a fire. As it was, the breeze brought enough warmth for the elf to wrap his cloak looser around his body as he stared through the branches of the tree he was relaxing in.

It was a rare moment of calm, the kind of moment that got scarcer and scarcer with every day. War was always a nasty affair, especially when it involved humans, and doubly so when it involved dark magics. While he didn’t hate the younger race, Kathranis was smart enough to recognize the world ending problems the short-lived creatures always seemed to cause. They were far more intelligent than their orcish counterparts, but every bit as strong and fast breeding. The result was a race that could out cast the best elvish wizards, with none of the consequences that came with such a profession. If a human wizard blew himself up, they had to wait a mere two decades before another could begin fixing their work, if that. If an elf wizard died, it may be centuries before someone was brave enough to take up their mantle, with each day spend locked away in some dark, cold, lifeless tower studying away to become a new master. Kathranis shuddered at the thought. An elf’s place was out and about, among the trees. As a ranger, Kathranis had mentally promised himself that he would never be trapped by society. No stone walls, no mountains of books. He was a wanderer, he was alive!

Kathranis sighed and looked down to his small troop below. No more than fifty of his kin accompanied him in his travels, and most wouldn’t last much longer with his style of living. Warriors and spellcasters all, most were far too young to be traveling, hell, if Kathranis was being honest with himself, even he was too young, but what choice did they have? Their home had been eradicated by hordes of enemies uncountable and unnamable, such was their number, and while most of the refugees had found sanctuary in the other elven stronghold of Evermeet, some had still desired more. Besides, every moon-elf knew that the sun-elves were stuck up pricks who would never let their paler counterparts rise in their ranks. They would have been second class citizens until they were bred out in a few millennia, and that was a fate that Kathranis saw no interest in.

Kathranis closed his eyes and sighed again, leaning against the trunk of the tree at his back. He smirked lightly and gave a small prayer of thanks to Sylvanus for the continued safety of his elves. Their band had left the rest of the refugees as soon as the gates of Evermeet had come within sight, much to the disappointment of the two remaining elders. They had begged and pleaded with Kathranis for him to stay, but Kathranis had refused, and as the named Blademaster, the remaining warriors had largely followed him away. All of them were too young to have started families, so they stayed with their friends, laying the groundwork for the bonds that would eventually produce more moon elf children. Not for him though. Like he had in many ways, Kathranis had remained aloof from such things. He was too focused on the thrill of life to concern himself with a romantic relationship, though he actively encouraged his elves to grow closer to one another. If any of them found it within themselves to reproduce, he would make sure his traveling band of mercenaries made its way to their “home”. Once he had secured their safety, Kathranis would leave again. It would be healthier for them to be in a stable environment, and such a thing was simply not possible around him.

‘How uncharacteristically thoughtful of you,” Secil said in Kathranis’ mind.

The feline familiar lazed his way down the branches of the tree, flopping to a stop just before Kathranis’ outstretched legs. Kathranis smiled as he stared at the black cat, so graceful even when he didn’t put in any effort.

“Perhaps I am finally growing up,” Kathranis replied. “The elders gave me the title Blademaster because I was the best fighter, yet I can’t help but feel like there is more to the position than being able to make sound strategic calls. I have done my best to become practiced at diplomacy, but maybe there is more?”

Secil huffed and stretched his little cat legs into the air.

‘If you actually got a formal training, you would know how much of an understatement that is. Don’t you ever read?’

Kathranis rolled his eyes and looked away, scratching at his chin.

“Not books, no. I read nature Secil, you know this better than anyone. I am a ranger of Sylvanus, and while she has many rangers, I believe I excel in her service. I love nature, I love being in nature. It is the only thing I find I love more than fighting!”

Secil matched Kathranis’ eye roll.

‘You’re an elf Kathranis, you are going to be alive for a very long time. Studying up just a little wouldn’t be such a bad thing, and that’s coming from a panther. Either way, you’re right, there is more to being a Blademaster. Diplomacy is part of it, and I think Tatiana has helped you in a good way with that, but you also need to know when to stop fighting. The Blademaster is supposed to be a caretaker for his people, since it is assumed that the best warrior has the intelligence to pick his battles.’

“Hey!” Kathranis protested. “I am intelligent enough to pick my own battles! We haven’t lost an elf yet!”

Secil gave him a deadpan look.

‘Perhaps, but I was referring to this little war as a whole. Do you honestly think the Zulkirs are going to win?’

Kathranis sighed.

“I don’t know, but what else are we to do? An army of the undead will only grow in time. Once the Zulkirs lose, then who’s next? Waterdeep? Neverwinter? Gods forbid Evermeet. Even the sun-elves couldn’t stand against an endless army, mythal or no. This is a fight we have to aid in, it’s our duty.”

Secil rolled over.

‘It’s your duty as a follower of Sylvanus, but what about everyone else? Most of your elves are Selunites, with the only exceptions being Fordred and Luieustriel. While I’m sure Luieustriel would agree with your little quest, the rest may need to go back to Evermeet. They are only at risk here.’

Kathranis stared into the leaves of the tree, pondering the cat’s words. Was he being selfish by keeping his kin with him? They were an amazing fighting unit, hardened by years of battle before the fall of Myth Drannor, but was it right to keep them aloof from the rest of their people?

Kathranis turned his mind outward, focusing once more on the wind. While it was a wonderful warm breeze, it had also begun carrying the slightest tint of decay. Szass Tam. Secil perked up as his nose started twitching. The cat hissed and scooted closer to Kathranis.

‘Maybe you’re right for now Kathranis. I hate the smell of walking corpses.’

“Walking being the key word,” Kathranis said as he slipped from his perch.

With the grace of a dancer, Kathranis spun and slid down the tree, landing lightly at the base where Huron and Fordred were waiting silently. Kathranis’ older brother crossed his arms.

“Is it time to move on?” Huron asked.

Kathranis nodded, letting his normally playful demeanor vanish as his commanding voice spoke clearly.

“It is. Tam is on the march again. We need to find and warn Tatiana. Her troops were camping in the pass, and this is the only route for hundreds of miles that crosses the mountains.”

Huron nodded and began giving out orders. Kathranis couldn’t help but feel absolute love for the older elf. Despite the fact that he was elder to Kathranis by well over a decade, Huron had been the first to congratulate him once the elders had finished applying his full body protective tattoos. The effort had taken three weeks as spell after spell were woven into the thick black lines drawn over much of Kathranis’ body. Spells ranging from those of minor protection, to absolute resistance to mind magic, all of it to make Kathranis a dependable leader. Each second had been excruciatingly painful as well, and the entire time Kathranis was tortured by the notion that his older brother would resent him for his superior position. All of the worry flew out the window when the man had embraced him with tears of pride, calling for immediate celebration. Ever since, Huron had been Kathranis’ right hand elf, with the older elf taking over command of their troupe when Kathranis was away on some errand for Tatiana. Huron was strong, confident, and an exceptional fighter, second only to Kathranis. Even though it was supposed to be the opposite, Kathranis often found himself looking up to his older brother for confidence. He loved Huron more than anything, and they were inseparable.

Kathranis couldn’t help but sigh as Fordred struggled into his gear. The warrior slipped behind the fledgling wizard and began wordlessly tightening straps. Kathranis could feel shame ooze from the elf, but Kathranis wasn’t angry with him, couldn’t be angry with him. They were just so very different. Fordred was only a hundred years old, a boy by elvish standards, yet when Kathranis put out a call for fighters, he had volunteered without hesitation. It was some foolish notion that he needed to practice combat magic in actual combat, but Kathranis hadn’t said no. They needed a spellcaster, and it wasn’t like Fordred was bad at magic, he was just bad at everything else. His studies gave no time to his physical fitness, and Kathranis had to personally teach the wizard handcant. In time, Kathranis was sure that Fordred would become a masterful wizard, but he was everything Kathranis despised about magic studies. He neglected so much of living to become more powerful, and while Kathranis knew from personal experience that Fordred wasn’t by any means power mad or ambitious, Kathranis wished he would branch out more. When he broke out of his shell, Fordred was genuinely fun to be around, but so often the elf isolated himself, reading away with his tomes. It made Kathranis concerned, but that would be for later.

Fordred rolled his shoulder and sighed. Kathranis dipped around him and met the younger elf’s eyes.

“Is something wrong?”

Fordred sighed again.

“Yes Blademaster, but I’ll cope. You have always been too kind to me, I will not press you further.”

Kathranis looked the elf up and down, and his eyes locked on the bulging bag strapped to Fordred’s back.

“It’s your books, isn’t it? Tatiana gave you more, and now your weight is too much?”

Fodred sighed a third time and looked way.

“Yes Blademaster. I’m sorry, I just… I asked her to teach me a featherweight enchantment, so that I could make my bag lighter so I could keep up, but I haven’t gotten it to stick yet.”

Kathranis slid off his bag and passed it to the wizard. He only carried the bare essentials in it, a few cantrip regents, food, water, bandages. His cloak as well when it was warm, but in the cold of the mountains, Kathranis wore the thick cloth around his shoulders. His bag was substantially lighter than Fordred’s, and Kathranis could feel it as he slid the wizard’s bag on his shoulders. Still, it wasn’t an unbearable weight, and he smiled widely as he slid his bag over Fordred’s shoulders.

“There,” Kathranis said. “Carry my bag until we see Tatiana again, then ask her to enchant your bag until you learn the enchantment for yourself.”

Fordred looked ashamed, but grateful as he seemed to rock in place. Kathranis rolled his eyes, then dragged the smaller elf into a hug, which the wizard gladly returned. Pulling away, Kathranis winked at him.

“We’re almost brothers Fordred, and we’re elves. Unlike those stingy humans, physical contact isn’t outlawed. If you need comfort, simply ask, I will never say no, no matter my personal preferences on touching.”

Fordred’s face curled in a small smile and he looked away.

“Thank you Blademaster. I’ll keep that in mind in the future.”

Kathranis gave him another wink before turning around to check on the rest of the elves. It took them no time to pack up their gear, and all were waiting for him silently, their eyes watchful from beneath their hoods. To ensure they weren’t found by Tam’s undead, Kathranis used handcant, making the motions wide so that everyone could see his speech easily.

“Move quickly, but with caution. We know the undead are close, but not how close. Lauidele, Gaelin, go ahead to Tatiana’s camp, then see where the undead are in relation to it. We may need to arrive prepared for battle. Secil will follow you, and relay to me what you see.”

Kathranis’ familiar groaned loudly in his mind, but he bounded after the elves without further complaint as they disappeared into the trees.

“As for the rest of us,” Kathranis canted, “we shall make for the ridgeline above the camp. Move swiftly, but do not exhaust yourselves. Battle may yet be joined this day, and I do not wish to lose someone because they are short on breath.”

A silent chuckle went out amongst the elves as more than a few eyes locked onto Fordred. The wizard flushed red and looked away in shame, but Huron clapped him on the shoulder with a wide grin and gave him a bone crushing hug. Kathranis smiled at the sight. They weren’t a perfect group, but gods did he love each and every member of his troop.

Giving a silent salute, Kathranis took off at a fast jog. One hand drifted to his sword belt to keep his scimitars from slapping against his thighs, while the other went to his bow, ready to slip the aged wood from his shoulders should he need it. The range would be helpful if their group came upon an undead patrol. While he wasn’t the most accurate elf, he had the greatest utility with his arrows, as was the blessing of Sylvanus. Kathranis just prayed that he wouldn’t need to invoke his goddess’s name too much.

Everyone kept up with his pace easily, and Kathranis was proud to find Fordred finally doing so without overly straining himself. The weight of his bag was heavy on Kathranis’ back, but maybe the temporary arrangement would be to everyone’s benefit until the young wizard figured out his enchantment. Before he could give Fordred a compliment however, a foul stench touched Kathranis’ nose, and he held up a hand to slow the elves to a stop. Decay hung heavy in the air, and as Secil’s first mental signals reached Kathranis, he already knew what was happening. The attack had already begun.

They were near the clearing that lead to the ridgeline overlooking the army’s camp, so with one hand in the air, Kathranis conveyed his orders via handcant. Huron and half a dozen archers peeled off to Kathranis’ left, while the rest tightened in a circle around the blademaster. Once everyone was prepared, Kathranis motioned for them to move, and they did so with complete silence. Not even the fallen leaves crunched as they stepped lightly.

As they moved closer to the clearing, the sound of the breeze whistling through the branches became overpowered with the sound of battle. Steel rang against steel, and against wood. Shouts cried out above that, all mixed with a low undercurrent of groaning; both of the flesh of the dead, and the dead themselves. Kathranis told his elves to spread out across the ridgeline while he sprinted to the edge, abandoning caution. He needed information, and based on the images Secil was sending him, the cat was too far behind the undead battle line.

As his feet touched the edge of the ridge, Kathranis cursed aloud, his face twisting in a hard scowl at the scene below him. They were too late.

The bustling camp of tens of thousands of happy, living people was gone. Instead, the living and the dead fought between the rows of destroyed tents. Though he prayed that the civilian camp followers had evacuated before the dead arrived, he could tell from some of the bodies that were beginning to rise that that was not the case. The armies of the Zulkirs had been caught with their pants down, both figuratively, and literally. Some of the live humans fought with no more than their trousers and tent stakes, but fight they did. Kathranis commended their bravery as he tasked his elves with a raised hand. On the left most portion of the ridge, Huron sent a brief fire signal into the air, indicating that the army was already in a state of retreat. Kathranis had Fordred send back a reply to regroup their forces. Then he told his archers to get to work. A Selunite cleric named Zilyana began whispering prayers over the quivers of his elves, and then those arrows began descending, ending the undead to a point that they could never rise again. Another of his scouts; Kellam, directed their shots, locating parts of the field where turning the fight would matter. No matter how many arrows they fired, Kathranis knew that some of the humans just couldn’t be saved, and he did his best to avoid watching as they were ripped apart.

A wizard in red robes suddenly appeared over the battlefield, and a nasty looking spell of roiling black splashed down into a trio of armored humans. Their skin seemed to vanish, and the bones turned around, quickly setting upon a woman that had been cowering in the remains of the tent they were protecting. Kathranis’ eyes flicked to the wizard as the woman shrieked. His bow left his shoulder, and he pulled back an arrow, whispering a short prayer before he sent it flying into the air. With stunning accuracy, it embedded itself firmly in the wizard’s cackling throat, and before his hands could wave to cast a healing spell, the man burst into flames. As his levitation spell failed, Kathranis felt grim satisfaction swell in his chest at the thought that the man would never be raised. Kathranis hated few things, but necromancers made the list, and he made that known.

“Target the wizards!” Kathranis replied. “Sanctified or fire arrows only, I want them to die and stay that way!”

His elves nodded grimly, and as two more necromancers appeared in the air above the undead, they went down in a hail of death, their corpses adding nothing to the writhing forces below. Kathranis re-shouldered his bow, watching the battlefield carefully. It had been a hard lesson to learn, but Kathranis knew to watch more often than fight. When things got close, he would get his chance to strike, but until then, his eyes were his best weapon, and he crept along the ridgeline, directing Fordred’s spells to their maximum efficiency.

While he worked, Huron sprinted up with his group in tow. Kathranis gave him a slight greeting with a free hand, then gave out orders.

“Form up the warriors, take them along the edge of the battle line and thin the dead. Mostly though, get the living out, and make sure no elf gets left behind. As little risk as possible.”

Huron nodded, then canted to the rest of the elves. Most shouldered their bows and fell in beside him, drawing their swords and shields as they prepared for intimate contact. Zilyana led the group in a fast prayer, then they disappeared in a flash of purple as Fordred teleported them to where Kathranis directed. Only when a small group of zombies appeared beside him did the elf realize his mistake, and Fordred cried out in alarm as he fumbled for the dagger at his waist. Kathranis didn’t let the sudden appearance of the undead phase him, and he leaped forward, chased by two arrows from the remaining archers at his back. Both arrows arrived before he did, cutting down two of the zombies in a flash of starlit smite. The remaining undead belonged to Kathranis as his scimitars flashed free from their sheathes.

The combat skills of a century of war kicked in with ease as his enchanted swords bit deep into one zombie’s throat. It decapitated the creature with the swing, and Kathranis moved past it without fear as the dead creature dropped. The swords were enchanted, and had been in his family for millennia. For whatever magical reason, they had skipped over all fourteen of his older siblings, waiting dormant for Kathranis’ skilled hands. With his extensive combat training, decades of practice, and their enchanted edges, Kathranis was unmatched in combat prowess, and it showed as he spun about like a whirlwind.

Spinning on the ball of his foot, Kathranis swept the legs out from a zombie while cutting the arm from another. As the first zombie fell, Kathranis planted his foot on its stomach for balance and propelled himself towards another of the undead creatures. His swords plunged deep into the grey flesh of the unholy creature, and it growled at him as he yanked both blades back. One of the enchanted blades caught on the creature’s ribcage, and while the beast died, Kathranis was left unbalanced as his blade came free. Ensuring that he wouldn’t stumble, Kathranis reversed the grip on his scimitars and used his backward momentum to stab another undead soldier through its stomach. The magical light left the creatures eyes, and Kathranis let its dead weight drag him backward. He followed the drop into a backward roll, letting his blades slide easily free.

Before he could move to finish off the rest of the wretched creatures, Kathranis was forced to cover his eyes with his cloak as brilliant orange threatened to scorch his pupils. Fodred panted heavily as his fireball caused the rest of the zombies to drop, and combined with the magic of Kathranis’ swords, none of the bodies would rise again. The young elf smiled at Kathranis, who felt a flash of irritation.

“What in the Nine Hells was that?” Kathranis yelled at Fordred.

The wizard doubled over as he recovered from his magical exertions.

“T- The teleportation spell isn't perfect. If… if the space you're sending something to isn’t empty, it brings whatever’s there, back.”

Kathranis scowled at him.

“And why did you cast that spell if you knew that would happen?”

Fordred cringed under Kathranis’ glare.

“I… only just learned it. It’s more powerful than my other teleportation spell, and less risky and magic consuming! I just… forgot about that effect.”

Kathranis shook his head and sheathed one of his scimitars. He couldn’t really be mad that the young elf was trying new magic. Maybe a little bit due to the timing, but Fordred was genuinely trying to improve.

“Can you at least keep casting now?” Kathranis asked.

Fordred nodded and a timid smile creeped across his face.

“I can, I still have enough mana for a dozen or so more spells, as opposed to my usual two.”

Kathranis sighed and shook his head again.

“Then I can’t be angry with you. Just give me a warning the next time you try that, alright? Take the archers to Huron and tell him to push toward the rear. Assist him as best you can. I will follow shortly.”

Fordred nodded, and he moved closer to the remaining elves. His hands glowed as he carved a rune in the air, then with another flash of light, they were gone, leaving Kathranis alone on the ridgeline. Kathranis continued surveying the battlefield for a moment, waiting in silence as he felt Secil grow closer.

‘Once we gather enough men, we will need to withdraw to the pass, bottleneck the dead there,” Kathranis thought. ‘If we can cause enough casualties with few loses, coupled with the prayers of the priests, we should be safe enough to regroup and strike back.’

“You should know by now that nowhere is safe from me child,” an elderly voice said aloud.

Kathranis whirled on his heel, drawing an arrow taut on his bow string as he aimed at the lich. The arrow flew, straight and true, but vanished as it impacted some unseen shield around Szass Tam. The gray-haired lich smiled broadly. Kathranis sent an order to Secil to direct the scouts back to the main group of elves for retreat. He wouldn’t let them be captured on his account. Tam cocked his head and smiled a toothy grin.

“A shame, I am more than willing to offer your little band an option for surrender.” He shrugged and clasped his hands behind his back. “But perhaps you wish for a different method of joining my army. Let us talk about that however, Kathranis Shadowsong.”

Kathranis had seen the trick before, knew that even the runes carved into his skin weren’t powerful enough to prevent the lich from seeing his surface thoughts. Tam couldn’t affect his mental state in any way, but see the little things? Sure, especially with Kathranis’ connection to Secil. Tam seemed to not care overly much about that however, and he instead smiled warmly, spreading his pale, skinny arms wide.

“Come now Master Shadowsong, there is no need for such hate and anger toward me, we want for the same thing after all! Balance! A restoration to the world’s natural state! You’ve been a pain in my side these past months, but I believe that is only because you are so young by elvish standards. Your few years have not yet wizened you to the ways of the world, but that is why you are here yes? To learn? To explore?”

Kathranis slipped his bow back over his shoulders, and slowly drew his scimitars.

“I am here to kill you, and all like you. Undeath is a plague on this earth, and I would sooner be a slave in each of the nine hells before I joined with a creature like you.”

Tam clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“My boy, that won’t do at all! I am being more than generous; I am forgiving your sins against me after all! Consider my offer; your elves join my forces, and they shall each live like kings! There every want will be cared for, and once we have eradicated the Zulkirs, I shall restore Thay to its natural order. No more will the forests be cut away to feed the needs of a living civilization, no more will the soil be poisoned by the blood and flesh of the dying and the sickly. War will not be an issue in my kingdom, all will live in peace!”

“All will be thralls!” Kathranis spat back as he circled the lich. “Do you think I have not noticed the work of your wizards? The sky is perpetually gray, the air is always cold, yet neither rain, nor snow falls. The greenery of Thay is dying, just like its people! While they are disrespectful of the earth in their own right, at least the living Thayans see a need for the trees, see value in the grass, and the plants. Poison the soil with blood? Better a hundred wars be fought with blood, than be polluted with your foul magics! You think I have not noticed your citadels? Do you think that unholy project of yours will be a secret for much longer? What will the Lords of Waterdeep think of your attempt to end the world?”

Tam sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“Ah, so my reports about spies were correct then. It just goes to show that the living are far too easily corruptible. My undead however, the perfect soldiers! Loyal to a fault, and never ending in their task.”

Tam shrugged.

“It matters not, you will understand soon enough elf. Be still, that I may resurrect you cleanly. I would not wish to waist that mind, or those stunning swords of yours on some simple creature, like a zombie, or skeleton.”

Kathranis lurched forward in reply, closing the last few feet between them with long strides. Crossing his swords in an ‘X’, Kathranis sliced at the lich’s throat. From thin air, an onyx colored staff capped with a skull appeared in Tam’s hands, blocking the blades easily. The lich rolled his bright blue eyes at Kathranis, and he smiled broadly.

“You are making a mistake elf, but I am a merciful god. Bow, and I’ll spare your troop. You will be a lich, like me! My second in all things, immortal for all time. Think of all the good you can do for nature when you have eternal life and unlimited magic!”

Kathranis drilled his forehead into the lich’s. It wasn’t his best attack, nor an effective one, as the undead creature took it without issue.

“I’ll die fighting first monster. Do us both a favor and stay down when I kill you,” Kathranis spat.

Tam shrugged.

“So be it.”

Faster than Kathranis could follow, the staff pushed his swords back and swung its skullcap back down toward Kathranis’ head. Ducking, Kathranis tried to stab his swords upwards through the lich’s stomach, only to have the staff again knock them out of line. Kathranis cried out in pain when the staff cracked into his hand, causing him to drop a sword. He hopped back lightly to gain breathing room, and flexed his hand, which thankfully, was not broken. Kathranis growled and waded back in with his scimitar flashing, waiting patiently for the staff. As it came around to hit him again, Kathranis caught it in his open palm and used it to yank Tam forward. Kathranis cocked his head back, and with all of his strength, slammed it down onto the lich’s nose with a satisfying crunch.

Disoriented by the force of the hit, Kathranis stumbled backwards, catching himself long enough to pick up his fallen sword. He then did his best to stop his vision from swimming as his eyes locked onto the lich.

‘He’s got a hard head,’ Kathranis thought with a smirk.

The lich was clutching at his face, or rather something on it. For a moment, Kathranis felt simple satisfaction for causing damage to the damned creature, then he had to avoid gagging as he realized that Tam’s face was sloughing off. The lich glared at him with hateful eyes as he dispelled the illusion. A powerful stench of decay hit Kathranis like a wave, threating to send him retching to his knees as he beheld the true unholy glory of an ages old lich.

Without his disguise, Szass Tam was little more than a skeleton. A few short, stringy hairs hung of his bald, white plate. His blue eyes had become mere burning pinpricks in large, black sockets. The red robe that had seemed to fit him perfectly now hung loose off his gaunt frame like a moldy set of drapes. His skin, where it existed, was pulled taut, and was bleached as white as his bones. The entire sight left nothing to the imagination for what was underneath.

Swallowing roughly, Kathranis twirled his scimitars and bit down on the rising bile in his gut. It wouldn’t be easy, but he could kill a lich. He hoped.

Tam pointed his staff at Kathranis and shouted.

“You dare challenge me elf? When I’m through with you, your fetid, blasted corpse won’t even be fit for use! I am Szass Tam! Conquer of worlds! I have leveled cities with a single hand and enslaved the lords of hell with the other! You, some lowly elf, would dare stand against me?”

Kathranis saw Secil creeping up behind the lich from the corner of his eye, but he didn’t look that way, instead, he circled around the other side of Tam.

“I would,” the elf replied, keeping as calm as possible, “because if not me, then someone else would. A human likely, they do so love trouble. If you’re asking me, I think someone more common than an elvish blademaster deserves to ruin you. Maybe a bard, now that would be funny.”

Tam growled at Kathranis, and the staff twirled in his grip. Why he wasn’t casting spells, Kathranis didn’t know, but he didn’t see a reason to give the lich a fighting chance. Secil, grown to his full size, waited in complete stillness for Kathranis’ order. Kathranis took a deep breath as he stood off against the lich, then without thought, he attacked again, once more lurching forward to close the distance between them. This time things went differently however, as Secil pounced on the lich with a mighty howl.

Tam clawed at the panther on his back as the immense black cat carved great furrows in the lich’s red robes. Kathranis dipped around the lich as he spun in his attempts to dislodge the great cat. Kathranis did little more than irritate the magic user, stabbing lightly with his scimitars, poking small holes in his frail flesh. He didn’t know if he was hurting the lich or not, but Tam seemed to grow angrier as his bony hands latched firmly into Secils’ coat, wrenching the cat off his back with unnatural strength, before summarily slamming him into Kathranis.

The elf took the hit with as much grace as he could manage, but even then, he only barely managed to stay on his feet as he struggled not to impale his familiar on his scimitars. Secil gave him a thankful mew before hopping back to his paws, and growling at Tam, who grinned like a demon at the pair.

“A cute trick elf, but I am a god compared to you. Do you think such trivialities concern me? Foolish welp, I’m not even here! You fight a mere double, yet you cannot best me!”

Kathranis scowled at that, but he didn’t let it shake him. If the lich was telling the truth, he was fairly sure he could win the fight, then help his brethren escape. If he was lying, then the lich was probably bluffing, and Secil had done some damage. Either way, Kathranis intended to do his best to kill the nasty creature before him. In his left ear, Kathranis heard a strange cry rise above the battlefield, and his left eye caught odd blue flashes, but he paid them no mind. He needed to kill the lich, and doing so would require all of his focus.

Secil began moving away from Kathranis, only to whine and freeze in place as Tam’s staff began glowing. Kathranis tried to move forward to help his familiar, only to feel lightning bolts of pain race up his legs. Tam cackled madly as the glow, and so the pain, intensified.

“Stupid child, you will be nothing more than another dust speck on my shoulder.”

His rotted face twisted unnaturally to the side, and his smile seemed to get wider.

“Now do us both a favor, and die!”

The staff twirled in his grasp, and a deep purple glow emanated from the eye sockets of the skullcap. The cries from the battlefield reached an ungodly pitch, and Kathranis moved his eyes that way, spotting in horror a massive wall of blue, wild magic. Tam didn’t notice as he completed his spell, didn’t notice the wild magic that was upon them in less than a heartbeat.

“DIE!” Tam shouted with glee.

As the twisting bolt of dark purple energy spiraled toward Kathranis, the blue magic seemed to slow time, and Kathranis swore he could count each second that passed as the magic raced for his chest. Secil shouted in blind panic in his mind, and Kathranis couldn’t help but share the sentiment as both magics arrived at his chest at the same time. They mingled in a blistering display of color, and as pain lanced up his spine, Kathranis felt his vision swim into a pool of black.

Prologue: Part 2

In a land of magic and harmony, all seemed well. Ponies played and built during the sunny day, while at night they rested away. To most, this brought balance and beauty to the realm, keeping things in a state of peace that had not been seen for centuries.

Gone was the eternal strife between the pony tribes, gone was the old faction lines that kept them divided and weak. Under the guidance of their beloved diarchs, the ponies thrived, expanding their borders to finally come into contact with new neighbors.

Talk of conflict rose in several minds, but the ponies had learned from their bloodied past, and the word war was not so welcome. Treaties, trade, and friendship spread outward, with the ponies making peace with every nation in their grasp. They bared their teeth only when necessary, and when that occurred, all the world trembled as the pony armies marched. For the nations of the world, only one show of force was needed, and once the warlords were finished with the Crystal Empire, none questioned the prowess of the peace toting ponies.

But at the heart of the Equestrian homeland one paced, her mind alight with irritation. Long had she been ignored, despite her pleas. Unheard her grievances turned from irritation and neglect into the fledgling flames of hatred and resentment. Unseen by all, lines were drawn anew, with new tribes forming from the ashes of the old. Powers consolidate in the dark, all alight in the mind of the pacing mare. Her mind awash with thoughts of conflict, of revenge, she paced.

The room around her was lavish, as was befitting her position. The stone walls were covered top to bottom in only the finest things, but if she noticed, she didn’t care. Of note on her walls and her desk was the lack of notes. She knew why of course; there could be no evidence of treachery, no sign, no matter how small, of her intentions. All had to go perfectly if she had a shadow of a hope of success. In truth, she could only think;

“Too few, too few,” she whispered. “Too few will stand with Thine. We need more, more to counter her infernal followers.”

A shadow, standing tall in the corner, rolled his shoulders.

“Respectfully Warlord-“

“Thou are not to call me that!” she snapped, stopping her march. “We shall take thou’s head and mount it on a pike if thou continue with that ancient foppery! Have We not earned thine respect? Is Our orders not to be followed?”

The shadow’s eyes flicked down and he sighed.

“Apologies Lady, I meant no offense. I only wished to convey your most accurate title for our talk. If you wish my true opinion, I would prefer to call you by your true title.”

The mare sighed and resumed her pacing, clasping her hands behind her back.

“Apology accepted, but nay, We cannot have that. Not yet. Our spells can only hide so much, and thou know the spies that hide in these walls. We rout them out like the rats they are, yet they always return. So they stay. At least now We control what they hear.”

The shadow nodded.

“Then again my apologies my Lady, for I have failed to keep your quarters private.”

The mare waved a hand of dismissal.

“We care not for thou’s apologies. What We care about is the numbers. We have not enough.”

The shadow’s eyes flickered toward the window.

“I disagree Lady. The minotaurs from the east and the southlands are joined to our cause, as well as a number of dragons that we-“

“Bought,” the mare hissed. “They do not back Our cause, they line their pockets. Should Our enemy learn of our plan, We are lost. She has plenty coin to buy them back, and what then? We have the power to intimidate, but not for all, especially not for the more powerful chieftains and dragons. We must find more devoted allies instead of this mercenary rabble.”

The shadow on the wall sighed and rubbed at his forehead.

“My people are with your Lady, are we not enough? You have seen their ability; they are easily double that of their infernal counterparts!”

The mare smiled faintly.

“And We truly appreciate their devotion. Thou have done well in their training, and We commend you that.”

The shadow puffed up with pride, his furry chest poking through his armor and into the moonlight. The mare didn’t stop her pacing.

“But the ability to kill two is not enough,” she growled. “They need to kill a hundred to make the numbers match. She has the rabble on her side, has them brainwashed to her ways. The lies about the inability to grow food under MY….”

She closed her eyes and took a breath, mentally cursing herself for both her lapse in speech, as well as her near lapse in tongue. She slowly exhaled, then opened her eyes and continued pacing.

“We need more. It is a simple fact.”

The shadow scratched at his muzzle.

“I don’t know what to say then my Lady. The Diamond Dogs are ours by fear, and the minotaurs by coin. The only other creatures we have easy access to are the changelings.”

The mare growled again.

“We would see Our moon ground to dust before We make deals with those feckless wretches.”

She paused again, and stomped her foot into the carpeted floor.

“There must be someone else! We have to-“

A mighty crack of thunder rocked the room, and the shadow was thrown from his place in the dark. Even the powerful alicorn stumbled, leaning against the stone walls for balance. Almost as soon as the shaking started, it stopped, and the shadow bolted to his feet and to the window.

“What was that?” he whispered. “Are we under attack?”

The mare shook her head and stood up straight, her wings fluttering slightly as she recovered her balance. Her horn sparked slightly as she made her way across the room. Joining the shadow at the window, she looked to the sky, unable to hold back a slight look of awe at the sheer power displayed between the stars. Blue light flickered and flashed, splitting the sky with roiling coils of magic. Her awestruck look quickly turned to grin as she bowed her head, accepting the obvious sign of divine approval.

“It ‘twas not an attack, but a gift. Watch Our form while We investigate.”

Not waiting for a word of affirmation, she lit her horn and sent her consciousness away, taking to the sky to analyze the blue lights. As she approached them, she felt her immaterial form become enwrapped in a blanket of love and motherly affection, and so she closed her non-existent eyes, savoring the sensation.

Hello mother, she thought.

It was such a sensation she found missing in her mortal life, but the very presence of Harmony herself, it was a sign. Sighing with her non-existent lungs, the mare opened her eyes and looked at the lights she found herself immersed in. Their magic flowed north, and to the east, so without hesitation, she followed.

She did not feel time as she traveled, but she knew the lights led her a great distance. Flat plains and lonely mountains gave way to massive forests of pine, out shadowed by massive chains of grey rock topped with icy snow. As she passed overhead, she looked to the valleys that laid nestled between the mountains, and she noticed the familiar orange glow of civilization. A sizeable village sat amongst pristine fields of wheat, with small pens filled with cattle and pigs nestled tightly against the sturdy wooden huts.

She took her flight lower, wishing for a closer look. As the ground loomed close, she arrested her descent, and she cast about for signs of the inhabitants. She felt a twitch of irritation when she realized that most of them were sleeping, yet another species caught within the lie of the sun’s light, but she dismissed her irritation as a troupe of young creatures emerged from the woods. Moving herself their way, she realized that she was within the nation of the gryphons.

Tall, and built stronger than both pegasi and unicorns, she had met more than a few on the battlefield. The winged creatures were not to be trifled with, and unlike the Diamond Dogs or the minotaurs, their loyalty, once bought, was firm. She had already recruited a troupe or two of the creatures, but if she could be backed by a nation…

The young group looked and pointed to the sky, gasping audibly as they beheld the lights. Their voices raised, and they set off to the village, which came alive with activity. She smiled in satisfaction as more gryphon’s left their homes to look to the night sky, and wished only that direct intervention from the Goddess wasn’t necessary to draw their eyes to her creative beauty, but she could lament later. She had a purpose.

She took higher to the sky, following the lights again at a much faster pace. The ground blurred before her as she traveled deeper into gryphon territory, but eventually she found what she was looking for, and she slowed her pace as she beheld what could only be described as a magical maelstrom.

Blue light coiled and whipped between massive spiraling clouds of onyx. Lightning ripped apart the sky, offering hazards to anything flying nearby, but she was more than safe in her amorphous form. The mare studied the maelstrom, trying to decipher its purpose, but more importantly, its source. She could easily recognize the blue lights leading into the roiling clouds as the Goddesses magic, but the rest was foreign, and new.

She jolted as a body fell through her. Glancing down, the mare found a human dressed in strange robes, his eyes closed with apparent sleep. A blue beam diverted from the maelstrom above, and it slipped under the human, drifting him slowly toward the ground. She followed, watching his featherlike fall, taking the time to analyze the strange markings on the creature. Tattoos written in a strange tongue marked the human’s bald head, and useless little objects threatened to spill from the many pockets of his robes. The mare looked over each, trying to remember her alchemy lessons, but ultimately, she didn’t recognize the ingredients. Perhaps it was merely trash the human had picked up, but she knew Harmony wouldn’t waste her time with human trash. This was clearly something else, something important.

She had no time to ponder on the strangeness as another world-shaking peal of thunder cracked the air, sending lightning across the sky. She glanced up to find more bodies falling from the sky. Blue beams reached out by the dozen, guiding the bodies to safety on the ground below. The mare flew among them, noticing more strange bald humans, as well as many decorated with mighty armor and wicked looking weapons. She wanted to learn more, needed to learn more, but the strain from maintaining a non-physical form so far from her body was draining her focus fast. She would need to make an expedition of some kind, to visit the maelstrom in person.

Using the last of her energy, she rocketed to the ground, memorizing the landscape as best she could. A few things were vaguely familiar, and after a few moments, she was satisfied that she could find the place again, could even locate it on a map. She let her magic fade into the air, and her mind drifted up and into a blue beam, which wrapped her in warmth and escorted her home.

The mare opened her eyes and let out a breath. Her hands clasped behind her back, and she smiled at the blue storm of magic above her castle.

“Very interesting,” she said cryptically.

The shadow frowned slightly at her, then looked to the sky.

“Is it something that work in our favor?”

The mare shrugged.

“Perhaps. Tell Us, doth thou still have the work Our scouts did in the gryphon lands?”

“Gryphonia?” the shadow asked. “Yes, we still have the maps they made, but said yourself that any diplomatic expedition was pointless, that they would never even consider-“

“We are aware of Our past views,” the mare snapped. “But perhaps if thou used thine’s eyes, thou would notice that things have changed.”

She looked to the sky, letting her anger cool in an instant. Now wasn’t the time for anger, now was the time for preparation, for manuvering. She did always enjoy a good game of chess, and from what she had seen, the game had given her new opponents, had perhaps even changed the game altogether. It was a challenge, a rite of passage, and she hadn’t been found lacking yet.

“Send word to Our sister,” she said. “We must make preparations. She should be pleased that We are leaving this place for once.”

The shadow gave her a bow, then flapped away, leaving her in darkness and silence. The mare grinned at the sky, and her teeth sharpened slightly as thoughts of conquest and vengeance filled her mind.

Chapter 1

Kathranis floated in nothing, his entire body writhing in agony. Even though he felt his throat vibrating, he couldn’t hear his screams, almost as if his ears had ceased working, yet at the same time a low buzz seemed to echo all around him. He tried to open his eyes, only to be blinded by a brilliant white light. Regretting his decision, Kathranis tried to scrunch his eyes closed, and when that didn’t keep the blinding white out, he did his best to cover his burning eyes with his arms. The motion brought out another wave of pain as every muscle in his body clenched and unclenched. Arcs of energy raced up his arms, drawing forth another unheard scream of agony.

As more and more pain coursed through his body, a soft noise began piercing through the buzzing in his ears. Time passed at a snail’s pace, yet the noise slowly crescendoed in Kathranis’ ear, and he recognized it as a song, a very familiar one. The song, as it built, clearly formed into Kathranis’ morning prayer to Sylvanus, but it was strange to listen to from the other side. A distinctly female voice sang it, and the words were just slightly changed, almost as his goddess was replying. She only rarely spoke directly to him, and then it was only the shortest of statements, usually to ensure he stayed on the right path. This was different however, it was almost as if she was trying to make their connection closer, but why did it feel like he was being pulled away from her power?

Kathranis listened carefully as the song reached its peak, then everything stopped, and a small pop echoed in his ears. The pain, the blinding light and the buzzing all vanished, leaving only the sensation of floating and the song, which began to decline. Kathranis felt completely at peace for a moment, and he let out a breath of relief, only to have it driven from his lungs as he slammed spine first into a tree.

Kathranis hit the dirt with a grunt. His limbs twitched as true feeling filtered back into them, and Kathranis simply took long breaths as he tried to get a bearing on his senses. He started with the least physically demanding, his spiritual connection to Sylvanus. Whispering a short prayer, Kathranis asked for the smallest of boons, the growth of a single dandelion. A warm feeling passed through his body regardless as his goddess softened the pain that hammered away in his head, while also causing the yellow flower to grow in front of his eyes. Kathranis sent her a word of thanks before groaning as he pushed himself up to his hands and knees.

‘You look as bad as I feel,’ Secil said as he limped up beside Kathranis.

The now normal sized cat plopped down with a huff next to Kathranis. With cat close to Kathranis’ ear, the elf could hear a faint wheezing, and he mentally asked the cat if he was alright.

‘I didn’t like that. It hurt, and my magic hurt, and I never want to do that again.’

Kathranis nodded and rolled over, flopping on his back again.

“Agreed.”

Above the pair stretched a tall canopy of redwood trees, doing their best to block out a clear blue sky with their branches. Bird song rang out in the air, which held an edge of cold to it. It was warmer than the ridgeline had been, but Kathranis could tell that the nighttime would not be so forgiving. He let out a long breath of air as he rubbed at his face. Taking a moment to ensure that he wasn’t crippled in any way, Kathranis sat up, flipping his legs around so that he could lean against the tree he had slammed into.

He inspected each part of his body in detail, checking for wounds of any kind. The only thing he found was a small cut on his hand that healed before his eyes as Sylvanus’ healing magic ran its course. Next, he checked his gear, starting with his armor, then checking through his weapons; two daggers, two swords, a quiver of arrows, and his bow, and upon finding everything where it was supposed to be, Kathranis pushed himself slowly up the tree. His vision swam for a moment, but with his hand on the tree, his sense of balance returned quickly, and though he felt a bit tired, Kathranis was whole. Whatever spell Tam had cast, it hadn’t killed him, just moved him.

Secil let out a grunt as Kathranis looked about and stretched. The trees stretched as far as the eye could see in all direction, and the air lacked the normal smells of civilization. No cooking fires, no piles of garbage and feces. It was clean, quiet, a paradise for Kathranis, if he had the faintest where he, or any of his brethren were. He was alone, that much was clear, had only he been teleported? Kathranis had no idea, and he knew of only one way to find out. First however, he needed to make sure he was ready to travel.

Kathranis slid the bag from his shoulders and easily flipped over the flap to reveal books. Books. Kathranis stared at them blankly for a moment, then it clicked in his mind where he had gotten a bag full of books from. The elf threw his head back and let out a loud groan as he stared at the bricks of paper.

“What in the nine hells am I going to do with a bag of books?” Kathranis asked the treetops.

Secil snorted.

‘You could try learning a few spells.’

Kathranis gave the cat a look, which provoked another snort.

‘Don’t look at me like that. Most blademasters were bladesingers, and while you have a few useful spells from Sylvanus, those are borne of her, not you. You need to balance out the warrior. Tatiana helped a lot to make you a capable diplomat, but in combat, you’re just a fighter. I don’t think it’s a huge leap to think that you could learn a few cantrips.’

Kathranis shook his head and grumbled under his breath, but he merely closed the bag of books and re-slung it over his shoulder. He looked to the sky again and found the sun, checking its angle to find north.

“Come on, we need to find some shelter before nightfall. The air has a bite to it, and I do not wish to be exposed when it sets.

Secil matched his grumble and rolled over. Standing up, the cat deftly climbed up Kathranis’ body to rest on the elf’s shoulders. With his gear and familiar secure, Kathranis set off to their east. Most of the living lands of Thay were toward its coasts, so logically, he would hit water, and therefore people at some point. With people would come information, and then Kathranis could set to work on figuring out what had happened. His short-term goal in mind, Kathranis quickened his step, determined to cover a few miles before dark.

*****

Steel rang against stone as Kathranis’ dagger struck the stone again and again. The pile of tinder below the blade gave no hint of smoking as he struck the dagger again, sending showers of sparks onto what should have been an easy to start fire. Kathranis mentally cursed himself for becoming complacent and dependent on his flint. At least Fordred had the easier method and if he was alone, he would be able to figure out how to start a fire.

‘Or if he was as smart as everyone thinks he is, he could just use a fire spell,’ Secil noted.

The black cat watched Kathranis’ struggles with bored eyes, his ears twitching with each strike of the steel and stone. Kathranis put a bit more muscle into his next attempt, and he grinned as he was rewarded with the smallest of embers on a leaf. Cupping his hands around the orange godsend, Kathranis lightly blew the heat onto other dry bits of leaf and tinder. As more if it caught fire, Kathranis began the process of feeding it larger and larger pieces of wood until a healthy blaze warmed the small cave the pair had found. It was no more than a dozen or so feet deep, but with a tall overhang, it made perfect shelter, especially given the wideness of the opening. Kathranis had also searched the entire cave for signs of animal life, ensuring that he wasn’t trespassing on some innocent bear’s sleeping grounds. When he found nothing but cave dust and a single dripping stalactite, Kathranis had claimed it as their temporary home, at least until morning.

As the fire reached an appropriate size, Kathranis stepped away, using his cloak and the bag of books to make a pillow against one of the cave walls. Secil perked his head up and growled at Kathranis.

‘Aren’t you going to get us some food?’

Kathranis chuckled at the cat as he closed his eyes.

“I’ll hunt for something in the morning. We were blessed to find this cave and I am loathe to leave it. Besides, what happened to the mighty hunter? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how to hunt your own prey?”

Secil gave him a deadpan look.

‘You well know that feeding me was a part of this whole familiar deal. I protect you in battle and give you someone to talk to, you feed me, groom me, and keep me happy. It’s just how it works.’

Kathranis smiled widely.

“Fear not then Secil, because you will get plenty of grooming and feeding with the dawn. Now, are you going to sit over there where its cold, or are you going to come next to me?”

The cat growled but rose, moving over to plop down next to Kathranis. The cat rested his head on his paws and closed his eyes, scooting a bit closer to Kathranis as a cold gust of wind filtered into the cave. Kathranis rested his hand behind the cat’s ears, scratching away, which made his familiar relax fully. Kathranis smiled again as Secil began to purr softly as he fell asleep, and Kathranis quickly joined him, falling into Reverie.

It felt like only a moment before a piercing, human-like shriek woke them from their rest. Kathranis was on his feet in an instant, with his hands drifting instantly to the hilts of his scimitars. The fire had burned low, and though a chill had not quite crept into the air, it was cold enough that Kathranis decided to focus his vision to see heat patterns rather than light. The air outside the cave was nearly black, and only using the senses of his familiar would he be able to navigate the night. Another shriek tore through the silent air, and as his ears attuned to the sound, Kathranis drew his bow and left the cave at a sprint.

As he followed the continued shrieks, Kathranis noted Secil’s large, loping beside him. With a single motion of his hand, the panther sprinted ahead, scouting the source of the shrieking. Kathranis slowed his sprint to a jog, ensuring that should a fight come, he would be prepared. Through the trees, Kathranis spotted a tight group of heat signatures, as well as a light of some kind. He stopped for a moment, waiting for Secil to give him an accurate report of the situation. His familiar didn’t disappoint as he allowed Kathranis to see through his eyes.

The panther was above the light source, likely remaining unseen in a tree, but it allowed Kathranis the perfect view to get a full grasp of the source of the shrieking, or rather, yelling. A group of nine humans had trapped strange, tall creatures. Secil stared at the creatures, giving Kathranis a better look. Though they were humanoid, each was covered in fur, and each creature had wings, similar in shape to a gryphon’s. Their hair was non-existent, and was instead replaced with a plate of feathers. The largest one, a tall creature in silvery armor, clutched at a gut wound as he tried to ward off the humans. The second tallest, what looked like a male, was the source of the shrieks, what Kathranis imagined were supposed to be warnings, or war cries. The third and smallest, a creature Kathranis suspected was female, stood at the back, doing her best to retie a broken bow string. The humans laughed at the creatures, and Secil’s head turned, giving Kathranis a better look at his soon to be opponents.

The humans were odd as well, and in truth, they reminded Kathranis of wild goblins more than civilized people. Most of them were dressed in scant rags, covering only their essential areas. They carried wooden spears and shoddily made axes of stone. Instead of Common, they spoke in some sort of garbled orcish tongue, so strange that Kathranis almost didn’t identify it. Either way, their intention was clear as the circle began to close.

Kathranis cut his connection with Secil, telling the cat to wait for his attack. Kathranis then crept through the brush, nocking an arrow as he moved in silence. He doubted the humans were paying attention either way, but surprise would win him the day without issue. Getting to the edge of the firelight, he spotted Secil’s position in the trees by the glint of his eyes. The armored griffon growled and tried to swing his sword, but collapsed for the effort. The humans, sensing weakness, let out a cheer and began moving forward.

The arrow left his bow without a thought, killing the rearmost human without a sound. Secil loud out a loud howl as he plummeted from the trees, pouncing on the human closest to the feathery creatures. The humans froze in panic and began to turn away, only to find an elf with shining swords charging their backs. Kathranis knocked the first human’s spear out of line, then quickly killed him with a slash to the throat. Kathranis used the falling body as a weapon, shoving it at two of the retreating humans. They caught their dead fellow, but dropped their weapons in the process. It was simplicity to cut their throats.

One of the humans, backed into a corner as Secil snapped the neck of his prey, roared at Kathranis and charged him with his axe raised. Kathranis waited calmly for the strike to descend, then dipped around it, punching the man in the throat. The human’s eyes bugged out, and he clutched at his collapsed windpipe. Kathranis didn’t let him suffer though, and he quickly plunged a scimitar into the man’s heart, ending his weak gasps for air.

Secil let out another howl, sending the remaining humans into a panic. Tears of terror streaked down their faces as they dropped their weapons and ran, their cries splitting the air. Secil moved to pursue, but Kathranis waved him down. If they were some sort of tribe, they had already lost six warriors. Balance dictated that they didn’t need to lose them all. Kathranis sheathed his scimitars and looked the feathery creatures, only to find a gleaming sword pointed at his nose.

Kathranis blinked at the feathery creature as it glared daggers at him. The elf put on his best smile and held his hands in the air.

“There’s no need for that friend, I’m here to help.”

The creature snorted.

“After what you weird humans have pulled, do you really expect me to believe that? On your knees, I won’t ask twice.”

‘Neither will I,’ Secil growled in Kathranis’ mind.

The bloodstained panther crept into the feathery creature’s peripheral, just enough so that the creature knew he was there. The sword wavered for a moment, and the creature’s eyes flicked away from Kathranis for a split second. A split second was all he needed. Kathranis dipped around the sword tip, clasping one hand on the hilt, while the other pushed the creature way. The feathery creature squawked as the blade disappeared from his grip, and he fell flat on his rump. Secil tensed up to pounce, but Kathranis waved him down. The elf offered a hand to the feathery creature.

“Now, I don’t know of these “weird humans” you speak of, but I assure you, I mean you no harm.” He flashed another smile. “I wouldn’t have intervened on your behalf otherwise.”

The feathery creature scowled at him, but one of the other ones, the female creature, looked at him with wide eyes.

“Can you help our guard? I think he’s dying.”

Kathranis dropped the other creature’s sword and moved around him, kneeling next to the female creature. The injured creature, on closer inspection, was clearly older than the other two. If Kathranis had to guess, he would put the creature nearly twenty years the other two’s elder. The creature had a spear shaft imbedded deep between two plates of thick, steel armor. Blood seeped thinly from the wound, but a glance at the creature, and a quick check for its pulse told him that it was indeed dying. Taking a deep breath to steady his hands, Kathranis grasped the spear shaft firmly, before quickly ripping it free, causing a river of blood to flow free from the wound. With a single fluid motion, Kathranis whipped the knife from his boot and cut off a lock of his hair, then took the holy symbol from his neck. He pressed the hair into the creature’s wound, then began whispering a prayer for a minor healing spell. If he could seal the interior damage, he could nurse the creature back to health with poultices and herbs. It would take time, but Kathranis knew how to be patient when it came to healing others.

Instead of the small spell he asked for, an incredibly powerful healing spell flowed down his arms and through his hands, sealing the wound completely. Kathranis blinked in surprise as his holy symbol glowed a bright green over the wound, before fading back to its regular state. He didn’t question the gift Sylvanus had given him however, and he sent her an additional prayer of thanks as he pulled back from the armored creature. With its wound healed, it began to stir, and the female smiled widely at Kathranis. He studied her with a glance. Unlike the two males, who had brown fur and white head feathers, she had golden coloration from top to bottom. Even her eyes were flecked with gold, and Kathranis couldn’t help but return her smile as he opened his mouth to introduce himself.

He shouldn’t have looked away from the armored creature.

Perhaps it was the surprise of coming back from the brink of death, or the fact that when he had been stabbed, he had been fighting humans, but the creature took one look at Kathranis and lashed out with a fist, catching the elf clean in the jaw. Kathranis staggered back from the force of the blow, and he was completely unprepared when another followed. A fist slammed into his jaw again, causing him to instinctively bring his arms up to protect his face. A third fist planted itself in his ribs, and when his arms drifted down, the fourth slammed into his cheek.

He needed distance, needed time to think. Kathranis leaped backward, and Secil ran interference for him, yowling at the creature as he rose to his full height. The creature drew steel, but with a second to breathe and focus, so did Kathranis, drawing both of his scimitars. Secil retreated to the elf’s side, while the smaller male creature picked up his sword and stood with the armored one. The two pairs faced off against each other, waiting for the other to act. Kathranis had half a mind to vanish into the trees, but he had no idea how functional the wings on the creatures’ backs were. Going into the treetops might serve to give them an advantage, something Kathranis couldn’t allow. The armored one was incredibly fast, faster than Kathranis, which was a rarity by itself. With his superior height, and the look of the armor the creature was wearing, Kathranis wasn’t actually confident he could beat him in a duel, let alone if he was fending off two more.

The female creature came to his aid however, and she spread her arms wide before Secil and Kathranis.

“Zefuris, that is enough. Are you really going to try to fight the creature that just saved your life? Without this human, you would have bled to death! Shame on you!”

The armored creature glared at Kathranis over the female creature’s shoulder.

“Princess come away from the human. You have seen what they can do, and it does not bode well to find one this far away from their camp.”

“I’m not a human,” Kathranis said. “I’m an elf, and if I wanted to harm any of you, I would have done so. Why are you treating me like some kind of enemy?”

The smaller male creature scowled at him.

“You are an enemy. All humans are enemies to peace, and stability, especially now that they have found the intelligence to be little more than tribal animals.”

The female creature took a step toward him, puffing out her wings in what Kathranis imagined was an intimidating manner.

“He already said he wasn’t a human Valan! He’s different! Why would he help us otherwise?”

The armored one sighed.

“Princess, he likely thinks he can use us for a ransom of some kind. No doubt his fellows are waiting in ambush for when we let our guards down.”

“Then why didn’t they ambush us when you were still down?” the female shot back. “Why would he heal you at all? He could have let you bleed out without a thought, yet here this not-a-human is, helping us in our hour of need! It gives truth to the rumors of a different tribe of humans that live in the forests and who know peace.”

The sounds of curious woodland creatures began reaching Kathranis’ ears. Wolves were fast approaching, likely drawn by the scent of blood. They needed to leave, to let the animals distract themselves on the corpses of the humans. Kathranis patted Secil and waved him toward the woods.

‘Ward them away, but do not fight. They can have their prize once we are gone from this place,’ Kathranis said mentally.

The panther bolted into the trees without question, and while the male creatures flinched at the great cat’s rapid departure, the female either didn’t notice, or didn’t care. What she did seem happy about was Kathranis’ sheathing his scimitars and spreading his hands again.

“Please, we do not need to fight. I have a camp not far from here, you can rest there for the night, then perhaps we can talk in the morning?”

The female smiled at him again, but her turned head distracted her enough for the armored creature to grab her wrist and drag her back, while the smaller male advanced with his sword flashing.

“I know not what game you are playing human, but we will not be deceived. I will take pleasure in killing you, and freeing the world of your venomous words, and murderous swords.”

Kathranis lowered his hands, but didn’t draw his scimitars yet. The female smacked the chest of the armored creature.

“Zefuris, let me go! Quit thinking with your sword, this human can help us!”

Zefuris shook his head silently and took a step back.

“Come along my prince, let us leave this place. You can keep your life human, but know that if our blades ever cross, you will die.”

The smaller male looked back at the guard and growled.

“No, we end this now. We cannot let these animals simply roam about our lands! We must deal with him, now!”

Kathranis used the moment of argument to slip backward, easily departing the torchlight. Once in the shadows, he scaled a tree, moving fast and silent as the smaller male let out a panicked squawk. Kathranis climbed high, finding the smallest branch that could bear his weight, then crept out on it, staring down at the creatures with a frown. He didn’t know why, but he had a fascination with them. Clearly, they did not live in the forest, they blundered about too much, and were far too loud, but they were also clearly at home with their weapons. Even the female was wearing a previously unnoticed dagger on her hip. Their clothes weren’t dissimilar to the usual human hunting garb, and a quick scan around the clearing found a dropped quiver, as well as a shattered long bow. Hunters, which meant they had to be coming from somewhere, perhaps a town? If he tailed them, he could learn more, and even perhaps find a place to start his search. He just hoped that other members of their species were not nearly so aggressive on first contact.

‘They need to leave,’ Secil called. ‘The wolves fear me, but there are larger creatures afoot, and they hunt in pairs. I cannot drive them away.’

Kathranis frowned. The creatures were arguing in some strange, birdlike language. It was a series of rapid caws and chirps, something that he imagined only they could speak. Still, the general nature of their argument was clear, they were debating what they were going to do to wait out the night. The more time they wasted, the more danger they put themselves in. He couldn’t well follow them to their town if they died, and Kathranis doubted that another intervention would be better received. No, he needed to get them back to the cave he and Secil had found. The elf thought for a moment, then slipped into an adjacent tree.

‘Come to the winged creatures, try to lure them to the cave. I will drive away these beasts you speak of.’

*****

Secil, still in his panther form, jogged into the torchlight. For a moment, they seemed to be focused on their argument, so Secil huffed, then growled loudly to attract their attention. The two males whirled on him, and the younger of the two jabbed a talon at him.

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

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

Secil snorted with mild frustration. He had made it clear he wanted them to follow.

‘Mortals,’ he thought with contempt. ‘They have thicker heads than Kathranis sometimes.’

Unfortunately, their apparent lack of ability to follow directions made his job more difficult. Growling softly, Secil again approached the creatures. When Zefuris waved his sword at the cat, no doubt in a feeble attempt to ward him away, a plan hatched in Secil’s mind. He crept inside the range of the sword and waited for the creature to swing. Ducking under the sweep of the steel blade, Secil pounced on the creature’s clawed hand and nipped the creature until he dropped the sword. Secil then caught the handle in his mouth and dragged it towards the trees. The cat smiled to himself.

‘Even a boneheaded moron could understand now!’

Zefuris called out as he pursued Secil to the edge of the torchlight, but he again stopped, looking back toward his still charges once more. Secil paused and looked back, growling softly as the feathery creature hesitated. Though Zefuris looked angry that his sword had been stolen, he didn’t move beyond a certain point in the clearing. When Secil didn’t move any closer, the creature sighed and turned away again. Secil huffed in frustration, and spat the sword hilt out. He looked to the smaller creatures with narrowed eyes. He could do things the hard way…

Secil slipped into the shadows and moved with all of the skill and grace an alpha predator could, keeping his eyes on Zefuris as the armored creature moved to reclaim his sword. If Secil was capable of grinning, he would have laughed as the other male followed the armored one in trying to peer into the dark. That left the smallest, the female, exposed. Secil set his paws just right, then took a deep breath; he needed to strike perfectly to accomplish his task.

Like an arrow, Secil flew through the air, pouncing on the female. His claws stayed in their sheathes however, and he did his best to grab her scruff gently with his teeth. The two males let out loud cries of alarm, but as fast as they were, Secil was faster. He wasn’t some cumbersome bipedal elf; he was a panther! A magically enhanced one at that! He sprinted to the edge of the clearing, gaining ground quickly as he made for the cave.

Normally, Secil could have left any creature in the dust with the speed his sleek, well-muscled body gave him, but he intentionally held back, always just barely keeping in the sight line of the male creatures. It took him a bit of time, especially when he had to avoid a scouting pack of wolves, but he led the trio of feathered creatures to the cave. Before he could be proud with himself, Secil thought about his chosen captive. The she-creature hadn’t made a sound since he had grabbed her, had he hit her too hard? It would sabotage Kathranis’ plan, and while Secil didn’t particularly care about anyone other than his master, he knew that the elf needed to find his kin. It was the only way he wouldn’t lose his mind to worry.

Secil put on an extra burst of speed as the trees parted before him. Sprinting into the edge of the clearing, he lightly placed his captive on the ground, giving her a few careful sniffs. One eye cracked open for a brief second, then closed again as Secil sniffed her face. When the she-creature didn’t respond further, Secil snorted into her ear, making sure it was good and wet. She recoiled and squealed, shoving his chest lightly. Satisfied that he hadn’t damaged her, and with the males finally catching up, Secil moved away from the she-creature, sitting calmly just outside the cave entrance. The she-creature sat up and gave him an odd look as the two males came crashing through the trees

“There’s the beast!” the smaller male called, pointing the tip of his sword at Secil.

The cat watched impassively as the feathery creatures began approaching him with clearly malicious intent, but then the she-creature was on her feet. She put herself between them with her arms outstretched.

“Wait! It isn’t trying to hurt us!”

Zefuris stopped dead in his tracks, while the other male tried to scoot around the she-creature. When the female moved with him, the male stopped and scowled at her.

“Did you hit your head Aquila? That thing attacked you, then snatched you up like it was going to eat you! Of course it’s trying to hurt us!”

The she-creature; Aquila, looked over her shoulder at Secil, who stared impassively back.

“It’s fine Valan, I think… were you trying to lead us here?”

Secil blinked at her, then nodded slowly, making sure the movement was exaggerated for the she-creature. Aquila smiled widely. She turned around fully and crouched directly in front of Secil.

“You can understand me?”

Secil nodded again, keeping his eyes on the males. Zefuris looked nervous at Aquila’s close proximity to Secil, but the small one; Valan, looked like he still wanted a fight. While Secil had no doubt in his mind that he could take the feathery creature, he knew Kathranis wouldn’t want that. Secil snorted mentally.

‘Great, the elf’s foolishness is rubbing off after all this time,’ the panther thought to himself.

Secil huffed externally, and nodded his head toward the cave entrance. Aquila looked in the direction he gestured with a curious expression on her face.

“Zefuris, what’s in there?”

The armored creature sheathed his sword and advanced on the cave entrance. He poked his head inside and looked around for a moment before shrugging.

“Nothing really; just a burnt-out fire and a bag. I can check it for food I suppose, or maybe something to relight the-…hey!”

Secil bounded off the armored creature, leaping clear over the fire pit to slam down on top of the bag. He spun around and growled loudly as all three creatures made their way to the entrance of the cave and stared at him. He didn’t care about the risk he was taking of driving them away, the books were dangerous in the right hands. The creatures were clearly intelligent, and if any of them had capability for magic, then the so-far useless tomes would be of immense use in either capturing or killing Kathranis. That, Secil would not allow, plan be damned.

Aquila entered the dark cave first, ignoring the protests of Valan and Zefuris. Secil scooted back as she approached, keeping his body tight against the bag. His growls became deeper and more feral as she reached out a taloned hand. Just as he bared his teeth and pulled back his neck in preparation of a strike, she simply laid her hand on his head, stroking his ears lightly. Though he didn’t relax fully, and he certainly didn’t let her anywhere near the bag, Secil stopped growling, going so far as to lightly nuzzle her hand as she found the sweet spot behind his ears. If she thought he was going to roll over like some kind of dog however, the creature had another thing coming.

She didn’t try anything though, and instead, Aquila merely settled against his body, laying her head on his spine. The feathery creature was incredibly warm, and when she did nothing else, Secil felt comfortable enough to express his satisfaction at her scratches. Even Kathranis, the expert he was, couldn’t quite dig in enough to make the scratches truly satisfying, but this creature, Aquila, she was a master. He let out a deep purr, relaxing just a bit more as she continued to scratch.

Secil kept one eye cracked as the pair of males settled on the other side of the burnt-out fire. Zefuris pulled flint and steel from a pouch on his belt, while Valan glared daggers at Secil, his eyes frequently flicking toward the panther’s belly. Before Secil could make moves to deter the creature, Aquila spoke up.

“I don’t see a lot of wood in here, Valan, could you go get more? We don’t need a big fire, but this burnt out stuff won’t last very long.”

The young male snorted.

“And leave you alone with this beast? I think not. We need to see what’s in that bag it seems so keen to protect. I, for one, say we should kill the beast and then take the-…”

Valan let out a yelp as Zefuris slapped the back of his head.

“The cat could kill you before you could draw your sword, now listen to your sister and get firewood. She seems to have pacified the beast enough, and this is clearly its cave. If it’s willing to share, I’m willing to leave the bag alone. Now get going before you piss it off.”

Valan whirled on the elder creature and snarled.

“How dare you strike me? How dare you give me orders? I am a prince damnit! I could have your head for this!”

Zefuris looked up calmly.

“Yes my lord, you could, but then you would be at the mercy of the “beast”. While your sister has been intelligent and made friends with the cat, you keep running your stupid mouth, and if I’m irritated at you, I can guarantee that the cat is sizing you up for dinner. Now do as your told, or you walk home alone.”

Valan withered under the threat, and he grumbled something as he got to his feet and trudged out of the cave. Secil followed the young male with his eyes until the creature was completely obscured by darkness, then he settled back down, closing his eyes to enjoy the scratches of Aquila, and to wait for the return of Kathranis.

Chapter 2

Kathranis frowned from beneath his hood as the rain came down. It had started shortly after he left Secil to take care of the feathery creatures. The elf paused for a moment as he stared at the sky. What were the creatures? They were human enough, but there were key differences, and it left Kathranis at a loss. He hadn’t traveled much, but he had heard stories of creatures all over the realms, yet none that were nearly human, save for fur and wings. It was puzzling for certain.

Kathranis snorted and got himself back on track, namely the large set of footprints he had been following. The creatures Secil had mentioned must have been massive, as their paws easily dwarfed the panther’s. The wolves, upon finding the abandoned human corpses, quickly ate their fill and disappeared, leaving Kathranis alone with the mystery beasts. He had managed to identify that there were three of them before the rain began muddying the tracks, but Kathranis was fairly certain he could find and either tame, or drive away the creatures. As long as they didn’t move their scavenging route any closer to the cave, things would work out. Kathranis would leave the beasts to their business, then set to work getting information from the feathery creatures.

A branch snapped behind him, and Kathranis whirled on his heel, his bow drawn and nocked. When nothing appeared to challenge him, Kathranis crept forward, staying on his toes as he tried to avoid leaving footprints in the mud. Perhaps he had been a bit arrogant. This was clearly not the average Faêrun forest, he needed to ensure that he wasn’t currently the prey. Unfortunately for him, the rain and the darkness were an effective combo for numbing his senses. The thought to retreat to the trees popped into his mind, but Kathranis elected to ignore it. He wanted an open area, especially since any beasts that were residing in the forest would likely benefit from being among the trees. Kathranis had range on his side, and no matter the opponent, he didn’t intend to lose it.

He waited for a few precious moments, doing his best to ignore the patter of the rainfall all around him. His eyes scanned the dark, looking for any signs of movement. When he found nothing, he focused his eyes so that they would detect heat. That too netted nothing, so Kathranis let his eyes see color again. He was alone. Relaxing his bowstring, Kathranis put the arrow back in its quiver. Perhaps it was his recent teleportation that was putting him on edge. Whatever beasts Secil had noticed were likely gone now that the carrion was eaten.

Kathranis slid his bow over his shoulder and let out a long sigh, relaxing his mind and body with the exhale. He needed to be calm, focused. Paranoia helped no one, especially not in the middle of the night in a rainstorm. A flash of lightning split the sky, followed swiftly by a clap of thunder. Kathranis smiled and looked to the sky, sending a silent prayer of gratitude to Sylvanus. Surprisingly, she replied, and alarm seemed to ring in his ears as a large form loomed behind him.

Kathranis acted on pure instinct as he leapt forward, ducking into a roll. His hands found their way to his scimitars, and the blades flashed as the massive beast roared at him. Kathranis had no doubt in his mind what the creature was. Though a bit different than the beasts he had seen before, the massive manticore before him was distinct in the darkness. It roared again, and the power of its voice seemed to stop the rain for a moment.

Kathranis didn’t let it stop him as he moved with the lightning, lashing out with his scimitars silently. The first blade caught only air as the creature moved backward from his sudden attack, but the second bit deep into the manticore’s outstretched paw. The beast howled in his face, momentarily stopping the rain again with the force of its roar. Kathranis took it in stride, dipping under another swipe aimed at his head. The beast was quick for its size, but ultimately, the muddy ground was doing far more to slow the heavy creature than it was to trap Kathranis’ light steps.

He weaved his way backward, occasionally lashing out to attack the creature and keep it at arm’s length. His cuts didn’t do much to harm the creature, but the attacks clearly stung, and the beast let him know by bellowing every time a flashing blade scarred its fur covered flesh. Despite its quickness however, the beast was a hair slower and more than a bit duller than Kathranis was, and these advantages allowed him to constantly stay away from the manticore’s dangerous claws. Until the second manticore thudded to the muddy ground.

Kathranis’ hair clung to his face as he glanced back at the beast. It had no doubt tried to stay silent while its partner boxed him into a corner, but a fight attracted all beasts, and the manticore knew he would make an entertaining meal. Kathranis flashed a smile as he slipped under a swipe from the new manticore’s paws, managing to put them both on one side of him.

“Now boys,” he said with a nervous laugh, “I know some fine corpses just through those trees that will put up no fight if you’re truly hungry.”

The beasts both growled and began inching forward. They each picked a direction and moved around Kathranis’ sides, licking their lips as their glowing eyes sized him up. Kathranis sighed and twirled his scimitars.

“I was afraid you would say that. I will try to make your deaths painless. That is the most mercy I can afford for now I’m afraid.”

The manticores stopped when they were on opposite sides of Kathranis, perfectly situated so that he had to look at one or the other. His peripherals simply didn’t see enough in the dark. Kathranis took a breath and sent a quick prayer to Sylvanus. His goddess sent back a flow of energy, and after a word of thanks, Kathranis braced himself.

The manticore to his left let out a spin chilling roar as the one to his right charged.

*****

Secil huffed as rain pattered down onto his head. The fire was a cheery blaze now, and it was far more inviting than the pouring rain and clapping thunder outside the safety of the cave, but he felt that he should wait for Kathranis outside. It had been hours, and the elf hadn’t returned, and he was out of distance for their psychic link, so Secil couldn’t readily check on him. It worried the cat that Kathranis would take so long. The ranger should have taken minutes to deter most creatures, whether through his normal feats of skill, or from aid from their shared goddess. Sylvanus had always smiled on her champion; it was why she had gifted Secil the ability to transform and talk to the elf after all. So why was tonight any different? Kathranis hadn’t likely even thought about the ramifications of their wild teleportation, but Secil’s mind was alight. The feathery creatures behind him were indicative that they were far away from their normal wandering grounds, but perhaps they were farther than they had initially thought. It was a strange thought, and he was certainly no expert on the realms of the arcane, but Secil couldn’t help but think that they were no longer in Faêrun at all, but were instead somewhere new. Though Kathranis would no doubt take the news about losing his remaining brethren with some difficulty, Secil knew they could get through it together. They always had.

The panther huffed again as he continued to await his master’s return. To distract himself from the creeping passage of time, he watched his puffs of breath filter into the air, one of the few things still visible in the cold, wet darkness. The rain was effective in muting even his senses, so Secil could do nothing but wait and see. He perked his ears forward as he listened to a crackle in the bushes. His head poked up, and he opened his mouth, searching for a glimpse of Kathranis’ scent. He couldn’t hide is disappointment when it turned out to be nothing more than a ground squirrel. With a sigh, he laid his head back down on his paws and continued staring into the forest.

He was so intent on keeping his senses tuned forward that he jumped in surprise when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Secil spun on his heels and growled loudly, only to be faced by the female creature, Aquila. She regarded him with a largely neutral expression, but Secil could taste just a hint of nervousness in her scent. He mentally smiled as he let his guard fall a bit. Even if it would benefit Kathranis to act docile, he was glad he could still provoke a reaction of fear. He was a predator after all, and what was a predator to be but feared?

Secil stared down the feathery creature for a moment, waiting for her to speak. When Aquila remained still and silent, Secil huffed and turned his back on her, laying back down in the cold mud. As an after-thought, he flicked his tail toward the cave, snorting in a dismissive manner.

He remained still until, out of nowhere, the feathery creature decided to snuggle against him. Secil leaped to his feet again, and once more he growled at her. Aquila regarded him with a smile and sat up from where Secil had let her fall into the mud.

“It’s alright,” she said softly, “I just wanted to encourage you to come back to the cave. I don’t know who you watch for, but you will catch your death if you are left out here alone.”

Secil huffed again. Of course she would believe that, but what did she know? He was a mighty hunter, waiting only because his greatest friend was alone in the dark of a storm. If Kathranis fell ill and died, so would he. If he was able to detect even the slightest hint that something was amiss, Secil would wait in a thousand storms to do so.

The panther arched his back and hissed at the she-creature, and she recoiled, taking a step back. Secil used his increased size and continued to hiss and growl as he forced her back toward the cave. Once they were in sight of the two males, Secil stopped hissing. With a loud final growl, he nodded toward the cave entrance and then turned around, moving back to his watching position.

As he settled back into the mud, Secil’s ears perked up with the sound of someone sprinting at him. They moved far too quickly, and he had no time to react as the she-creature tackled him. Her wings flapped as they rolled around in the dirt, and Secil had to mentally tell himself to not attack the creature. His claws had to remain in their sheathes, and his teeth had to remain unused.

All of it meant that it was essentially a wrestling match, and in the time it took him to realize that, Aquila already had the upper paw. She pinned him to the ground with her strong arms and settled on top of him, smiling into his head fur. Secil’s tail lashed back and forth in the mud as he let out a deep growl. The she-creature snorted in reply, and her taloned fingers scratched under his chin.

“No need for that, we’re still friends. I’m just afraid that I refuse to take no for an answer, and I have enough muscle to back it up. You’re coming inside with me to get dry.”

Secil tried to wiggle free, but she had a very good hold on him, and he couldn’t get an inch of room. He hissed in Aquila’s face, and to his surprise, she responded in kind, letting out a deep growl that frankly reminded him of his first encounter with Kathranis.

The elf, a mere boy then, had wandered too far into the forests, and more importantly, he had wandered into Secil’s hunting grounds. Alone. The panther had followed the small elven child for an hour, taking the time to ensure that there wasn’t a nearby search party looking for him. When he found nobody, Secil did what nature bid him, and he had hunted. The boy made it easy. He was loud, clumsy, and almost completely defenseless. The only thing that had made Secil hesitate was the leaf hanging around the boy’s neck, but even followers of Sylvanus weren’t safe from the hunt, so he had ignored his trepidation in favor of the easy meal.

Until the boy met his pounce head on, wrestling for control. Secil was easily able to win their brawl, but the boy had continued to hiss and fight even when pinned down. It was then that they had truly connected, and a moment of divine intervention had made them master and familiar. It had been an interesting day, but luckily, Kathranis had matured into a fine hunting partner, and they had become great friends.

The memory brought him to now, where the gryphon was trying to impart the same lesson again, and Secil desperately hoped that a different forest goddess wouldn’t take the opportunity to make him another master. It simply wouldn’t look good to owe his life to two different civilized creatures. He’d become some kind of lazy house cat. Then the world would truly end.

Fate was in his favor, and Secil felt a familiar connection just before Kathranis spoke.

“You’re quite lucky,” the elf said as he slipped into the edge of the campfire’s light. “Secil isn’t usually this restrained with new people. He could take your head off if he wanted to.”

Aquila was off the panther in a second, and he joined her in standing, trying to not look ashamed at being pinned. A wayward glance in the she-creature’s direction found her blushing despite the cold and rain. Her look of embarrassment made Secil huff in shame, and he stared at his muddy paws, trying to avoid the smile that no doubt decorated his master’s face. His ears flattened as he heard a low chuckle.

“No need for being embarrassed you two, it is good that you have found some common ground while I was dealing with our collective enemies.”

Secil looked up to watch the elf limp forward, dragging his left foot in the mud. Kathranis hissed in pain, clutching at something on his stomach. Secil sniffed the air, quickly tasting blood. He popped to his feet and moved forward, sniffing hard at Kathranis’ hand. The rain washed it away quickly, but there was red seeping through the elf’s fingers, and Secil could see a deep pain in Kathranis’ eyes.

“No need for worry,” Kathranis said, putting on a pained smile. Secil noticed blood on his teeth as he continued to speak. “It only hurts a little. Come, let’s go warm ourselves by the fire.”

The elf took a step forward, then with a pained groan, he collapsed into the mud. Secil let out a yowl of alarm, sniffing hard against Kathranis’ face. He felt a bit feverish, and even the dark could not disguise the fact that he was paler than usual. Secil bit his collar, and began to drag the elf toward the cave, but a hand stroked his head, bringing him to a stop. Aquila gave him a small smile.

“Allow me.”

Secil froze for a moment, then released his grip. Aquila grunted as she lifted the elf like a sack of potatoes, but she was able to carry him far easier than Secil was, and she kept him out of the mud. They both moved quickly back into the cave, with Secil’s eyes locked onto Kathranis’ comatose form. The two male-creatures looked up with alarm as they entered, but the elder one relaxed, while Valan barked out a laugh.

“Look what the cat dragged in! Literally!”

Secil’s nostrils flared with anger and he hissed at the winged creature, approaching him menacingly. Zefuris’ hand drifted to his sword, but before he could draw it, Aquila snapped at them.

“Enough! I will not have either of you antagonizing these kind souls. They have done nothing but come to our aid, and you throw it back into their faces with every breath.”

She pointed to the cave entrance with a taloned finger.

“Either shut up, help me, or get out. You can go make friends with the manticores if it suits your fancy.”

A flash of lightning was followed immediately by a loud crack of thunder, making everyone wince back from the cave entrance. Both of the male creatures exchanged a glance, then fell silent, closing in on themselves. Valan tried to throw a glare at Secil, but the panther puffed up further and growled, daring him to say anything. The creature withered under his threatening presence, and with a mutter, he fell quiet.

Content with the cowed appearance of the young creature, Secil turned his attention to his unconscious master. Kathranis slumped limply against the cave wall as Aquila laid him down. The panther recognized a familiar motion as she made to tear at her tunic, but with a hiss and a swipe at her hand, she stopped and gave him a confused glance. Secil nodded toward the back and grunted, padding over. The cover of the pack provided him no issue, but his paws were not suited to sorting through the bag for the bandages Fordred kept inside. Since he was their only magic user, the young elf had fancied himself a healer, and while his spells usually fell short, his knowledge on the alchemical had not. Secil only needed to find the elfsdraught soaked bandages and everything would be fine…

With a frustrated huff, Secil seized the bottom of the bag in his teeth and upended it, vigorously shaking his head to empty it. All of the books fell into the dirt first, followed by blank scrolls and eagle feathers. An ink well dropped onto the cover of one, splattering open. Secil slapped it away from the books, then promptly ignored it as the bandages fell out in a roll. He dropped the bag in the spreading pool of ink and hopped onto the roll of bandages, quickly securing them in his teeth. He proudly trotted over to Aquila and laid the bandages in her hands. The she-creature giggled and pet his head, something Secil rewarded with a purr. He didn’t let her hand overstay its welcome however, she had a job to do.

Secil moved from beneath her wonderful scratching fingers and nodded toward Kathranis. Aquila winked at him.

“Alright Mr. Bossy, no need for panicking, your friend will be fine.”

She turned and lifted one of Kathranis’ arms, pointing at a lightly bleeding hole in his armor.

“You see how dark that wound is? It’s a manticore sting, and manticore venom typically paralyzes its victims. In some cases, however, it can cause the victim to fall asleep. It’s nothing that can’t be fixed by removing the stinger and binding the wound.”

Secil watched with rapt attention as she began pealing back sections of Kathranis’ clothing. The creature only took off what was absolutely necessary to bind Kathranis’ wounds. Most were simple, and she wrapped them with bandages, but the one she claimed was a stinger looked particularly nasty. Aquila pulled out a small dagger from a sheathe on her waist. She made a big show of letting Secil see it, and she explained in depth what she was going to do with it. Secil sniffed over the knife for any traces of poison, and upon finding nothing, he gave her a huff of permission.

Kathranis let out a pained groan when Aquila carefully plunged the knife into the stinger wound. After a moment of contemplation, Secil decided his best role would be to comfort the elf, so he shrank to his house cat size and settled on Kathranis’ legs. He swiped out with a paw and managed to snag one of the elf’s hands, and he guided it to rest on his head. Kathranis’ fingers began moving, scratching away lightly as Aquila grimaced and wiggled the knife blade around, slowly pushing out the stinger. Secil watched it all carefully, and though Kathranis groaned again, Aquila managed to get the stinger out, quickly dropping it and the knife to the cave floor. The wound oozed green and red, and Aquila continuously wiped the filth away as she readied the bandages.

The she-creature shook her head in disgust and looked over her shoulder.

“Zefuris, I need you to hold him up while I wrap the wound. It’s going to get dirty if I do it alone.”

“Why are we helping this thing at all?” Valan said. “Its beast kidnapped you! If you want my opinion, we should kill both and leave them in the rain with the other animals.”

Before Secil could turn on the young-creature, Zefuris towered over him, casting him in shadow.

“Lord, I will only say this one more time; do not question your sister. She is your elder, and is far more intelligent and wise than you. You will remain quiet for the rest of this trip, or I swear to you that when we get home, I will tell your father about all of the little harlots you’ve left in your wake. Let’s see if your father is still willing to follow ascension tradition, hm?”

Valan stared at the larger creature with his mouth agape.

“Y-you can’t threaten me like this,” he protested weakly. “I am first in line to be king.”

“I can do as I wish,” Zefuris replied. “I have been a guard for your father all my life, and even now I would smile if he told me to put my head on a chopping block. He knows my loyalty to him is absolute, and he knows that my council is wise. If I tell him that his unmarried daughter will make a better ruler, he will listen. Just because it hasn’t happened in centuries, doesn’t mean there can’t be an unmarried gryphon queen.” He sneered and crouched, still casting a shadow over Valan’s face. “So please, do complain to your father. You can speak in one ear, I will speak in the other, let’s truly test who he listens to more.”

Valan’s mouth snapped shut, and he glared at the floor. Zefuris stared him down for a moment more, then straightened and looked to Aquila. He gave her a slight bow.

“Apologies Princess, let me help.”

Secil felt Kathranis shift, and he glanced up to find one eye cracked open. A faint smile spread on the elf’s face and he glanced toward Aquila.

“A princess huh?”

He coughed, and the stinger wound’s flow increased, taking on a darker red color. If Kathranis noticed, he didn’t voice his concern as he leaned back against the cave wall.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been patched up by a princess before.”

Aquila looked hesitant for a moment, then seemed to mentally shake herself.

“Yes,” she said lightly. “I am a princess, and as a princess, I have the right to order you to lean forward so that I can finish binding your wounds.”

She stuck her nose in the air, and Kathranis couldn’t suppress a chuckle as she glanced down at him, as if she was checking that her words were going to work. Kathranis began to give her a small bow, but it applied pressure on his wounds, and his face twisted as he let out a small gasp of pain.

“Ah,” he said, taking a long breath to recover his composure. “I apologize, but I don’t think bowing is a good idea right now Princess.”

Aquila rolled her eyes and smiled.

“I will let it slide this once since your pet led us to this shelter of yours, but I expect a proper bow and introduction once I have finished treating your injuries. Zefuris, please help our new friend stand.”

Kathranis glanced up to find a very tall… His thoughts began to confuddle themselves as he was pulled to his feet. He looked to Aquila as she rose into a crouch and got in close, wrapping her arms around his chest so that she could properly wrap the bandages over his abdomen wound. Kathranis couldn’t help but stare at her face as she frowned in concentration.

Despite being very birdlike, Aquila’s face had an almost elvish nature to it. She had sharp cheekbones that framed a smiling yellow beak, as well as proper human-esque eye sockets that added shadow to her beautiful eyes. Said eyes were a brilliant green, and they seemed alive with intelligence and kindness. Light, golden feathers filled out her face, and acted as her hair, with some longer feathers hanging down over her eyes. They led down her neck, ending at the neckline of the muddy tunic she was wearing. Kathranis’ eyes followed a burst of motion in his peripheral, and it brought his attention to the significant pair of wings on her back. Though they were folded, the pair of golden wings were simply massive. The tips of her alula rested evenly with the tops of her scalp, and the tips of her wings draped nearly to the ground, ending only centimeters away from the heel of the boots she wore.

Kathranis felt a hand on his cheek, and his eyes drifted back up to find Aquila grinning at him playfully.

“See something you like?” she teased.

He couldn’t tell if it was a blush, or the oncoming signs of a fever, but Kathranis’ face flushed red and he chuckled lightly.

“My apologies Princess, I did not mean to stare. I’ve just never seen a creature like you before, and I must say, you are quite beautiful.”

His mind immediately realized its mistake, and he sputtered as he tried to find words to mend his speech, but Aquila laughed aloud. She pulled his bandages tight, then began to make another wrap.

“I see we have found quite the flatterer.” She shook her head with amusement and met his eyes again. “With such kind words, I’m sure you have a name?”

“Kathranis Shadowsong,” he answered. “And I didn’t mean my words in that way…”

Aquila tilted her head and raised an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving her face. Kathranis quickly realized his second mistake, and tried to correct it.

“That’s not to say you aren’t beautiful in that way!” he added. “I was merely saying that you are beautiful, like… like…”

Secil snorted and rubbed against his feet as Kathranis tried to figure how to tell the birdlike creature that she looked like a beautiful bird without offending her.

‘Quit making a fool of yourself and just close your mouth. The more you speak, the deeper the hole you are digging.’

Kathranis listened to his familiar, and shut his mouth, flushing redder as he looked away from Aquila’s amused expression.

“Apologies,” he mumbled. “I believe the manticore venom is getting the better of my tongue.”

Aquila giggled and tied off his bandage, then began poking the wound lightly, checking for seepage.

“It is no problem Shadowsong. I accept your compliment for what it is, and I thank you for your kind words.”

She clicked her tongue, then stood up from her crouch.

“Zefuris, please seat him again. I believe my work is done for now. Rest will be the best medicine we can offer until we reach Stonetalon Peak.”

“Stonetalon Peak?” Kathranis echoed as Zefuris laid him down against the cave wall.

The large creature gave him a look he couldn’t quite decipher through the haze of his injuries, but he didn’t trouble himself overmuch with it. As Secil shifted back into his panther form and settled in Kathranis’ lap, the elf asked;

“Is that the nearest town? I have recently arrived in these lands, and was hoping to begin to search for information on my family.”

Valan snorted and crossed his arms, but he remained silent as Zefuris fixed him with another glare. Aquila tapped the guard on his shoulder guard and motioned toward his previous sitting spot. She smiled at Kathranis as she stuck her hands into the rain, rinsing them off.

“It’s a bit larger than a town, but it is the nearest city, yes. Did your family move toward the north?”

She withdrew her hands, and as she flicked the water off, Kathranis noticed that they were not nearly as elf-like as her face was. Her fingers, while still thin and light compared to her two companions, were a bit more gnarled, and looked tougher. They were a light-yellow color, and each finger ended with a sharp tip, much like a bird’s talon. Kathranis was faintly curious if the claws extended further, but his thoughts were drawn away as Aquila finished drying her hands on her tunic and took a seat next to Valan. Without looking, the younger male leaned forward, allowing Aquila to drape a wing around his back. She hugged him, and since she was the taller of the two, she laid her head atop his, still smiling at Kathranis.

The elf cleared his throat, and after a moment of thought, he answered her question.

“In truth, I do not know,” he replied. “My family and I got separated during the battle, and when that spell went off…”

He frowned. His eyes drifted across each of the mystery creatures, then toward the dark storm outside. It didn’t rain in Thay, ever. It was just more evidence that the spell had taken them somewhere far away, somewhere that hadn’t been explored, not even by the ancient elves. That was cause for a bit of concern. His eyes drifted back to meet Aquila’s, and Kathranis couldn’t help but feel glad he had Secil watching his back. His hand drifted to the cat’s head, and scratched softly between his furry ears. The panther grunted in satisfaction, then shifted up so that he was laying across Kathranis’ entire body. The panther mentally gave him a goodnight, then closed his eyes and rested his head against Kathranis’ shoulder. The elf smiled and scratched his familiar’s back.

“If I am being entirely truthful,” he said, looking back to Aquila. “I don’t know where I am, precisely. I have no idea if my family made the trip with me, or if they are still battling the undead. Tell me, what land are in?”

Aquila blinked at him.

“Gryphonia,” she said simply, “But what is an undead?”

Kathranis frowned at her in reply.

“You don’t know what the undead are? The great scourge of the world? Zombies, wraiths, bog lanterns, banshees?”

He paused when he saw no sort of recognition in her eyes. He glanced toward the males to find that they held no recognition of his words either. Kathranis snorted in disbelief and looked back to Aquila.

“You truly have no knowledge about the necromantic arts?”

That caused them all to recoil. Zefuris got to his feet, and before Kathranis could blink, he had a sword at his throat.

“Silence,” the gryphon spat. “Necromancy, and any mention of it is prohibited by law.”

Kathranis raised his available hand in the air and smiled, trying to keep the air light.

“Hold friend, I oppose the necromantic arts as much as any ranger, but to defeat something you must have knowledge of it. I cannot burn a zombie if I don’t know about its weakness to fire.”

“I said be quiet,” Zefuris growled, pressing the blade tip harder against Kathranis’ throat.

Kathranis let his smile drop, and his fingers curled, slipping into the small sheathe under his wrist.

“Friend, I suggest you relax,” Kathranis said slowly. “There is no reason to be hostile with me. I have been nothing but your ally.”

“We know nothing about you human,” the creature spat in reply. “And if you have any knowledge of the evil arts, then you must be silenced.”

Secil’s eyes flicked open, and his tail subtly shifted so that he would be able to easily spin and attack the armored creature. Before Kathranis could shift his hand down to his sword hilt however, Aquila spoke.

“Zefuris, enough. Shadowsong means no harm with his words, and I think there is more at play than dark magic. Please, sit, relax.”

Zefuris cast an eye back.

“Princess, I must respectfully-“

“Don’t force me to give you an order,” she added with a sigh. “I appreciate your concern, and your actions to act to our defense, but Shadowsong has done nothing to show that he practices the dark magics. He is not polluted with shadow; his eyes shine like any gryphon’s. Now sit down and sheathe your sword. Please.”

Zefuris’ eyes flicked back to Kathranis, who stared back, his fingers still resting against the sheathe of his hidden knife. The creature growled, then withdrew his sword.

“Do not speak about the dark magics again.”

Kathranis nodded and relaxed his hand. Zefuris moved back around the fire, then sat down, sheathing his sword as he leaned against the cave wall. With a final glare at Kathranis, he closed his eyes. Kathranis replaced his hand on Secil’s back. The panther purred in his ear, closing his eyes once more as he feigned sleep. Kathranis could tell from the frequent flicks of his ears, however, that the cat was awake and alert, more than prepared to fight if the creatures decided to become hostile once more.

The thought brought Kathranis to a question that had been bothering him for most of the night, so he looked to Aquila with a cautious smile.

“I apologize, and will refrain from speaking about the “dark magics” for now, but it is important context, and I think your culture may be thinking of something different than my use of the word.”

Aquila nodded and smiled in agreement.

“Perhaps, but let’s talk about that kind of subject in warmer places. Learning about dark magic in our classes gave me the shivers.”

Kathranis spread his hands.

“Then in the interest of changing the subject, you mentioned that this is Gryphonia, does that make you all gryphons?”

Valan snorted dismissively.

“What else would we be? We hardly look like ponies.”

Aquila punched him in the gut without breaking eye contact with Kathranis.

“That it does,” she answered Kathranis as her brother coughed and sputtered. “And what would you be? Most humans I’ve seen aren’t so eloquent and well-dressed.”

“Or so well armed,” Zefuris added, cracking open one of his eyes.

“Then you have not met the right humans,” Kathranis said. “Have you ever visited Waterdeep? It is quite the mix of characters, from the lowest gutter rats, to the classiest nobles and their ornate swords.”

Aquila leaned forward slightly.

“So you are a human then? From this Waterdeep?”

Kathranis laughed aloud as Secil chuckled in his mind.

“No no no,” he said. “I am a moon elf from…” His smile faded slightly. “Well, the where isn’t so important anymore, but I am an elf, not a human.”

He motioned to his ears.

“Most can tell by the long tips of my ears, though if you had studied elvish magic, you could recognize that some of my tattoos are in the elvish tongue. The dialect of my homeland specifically.”

He turned his head so that his neck was completely visible in the fire light. Pulling his collar down, Kathranis saw Aquila’s eyes light up with interest as the series of runes carved into his skin lit up slightly. Their blue light quickly passed over his body, covering him with mild protection from the heat of a sun that wasn’t there. Kathranis let his hand fall back onto Secil’s back, and the glow ceased.

“What was that?” Aquila asked in awe.

Kathranis smiled.

“A gift from some time ago, but I’m afraid the story is too long, and the night is too short. We should all rest.”

Aquila pouted, but Zefuris grunted in agreement.

“Indeed. We have many miles to travel tomorrow. My prince, my princess, you should rest. I shall take the first watch.”

Kathranis scoffed and waved a hand.

“There is no need. As long as Secil remains as a panther, no creature will dare approach, and his senses will pick up anything brave enough to try. I promise you; we are all quite safe.”

The gryphon scowled at him and rose anyway.

“I will take first watch.”

He strode to the cave entrance, sitting just inside with his sword drawn on his lap. Kathranis watched him calmly for a moment, then shrugged and smiled at Aquila again.

“So be it I suppose. I wish you all good dreams and a restful slumber. I am sure we will have much to discuss in the morning.”

Kathranis closed his eyes and leaned back against the cave wall, letting the unfamiliar sensation of actual sleep take him. As his consciousness washed away, Kathranis heard a light series of whispers, and he vaguely wondered what his new “friends” were talking about.

*****

Secil’s ears flicked as he listened to Kathranis fall asleep. The elf was far more battered than he had let on, and Secil knew that he would likely sleep through the night. The “gryphons” however…

Aquila actually began to close her eyes, but her brother shifted, slipping out from under her wing. The she-gryphon frowned, and shot a glare at Valan.

“What are you doing? Shadowsong is right, we need to sleep.”

Valan scoffed.

“I’ve stayed up for an entire night before. We just have a good opportunity to finally understand what the cat was guarding.”

Secil followed his hand as it motioned to the pile of books he had left in the dirt. His eyes then flicked back to the gryphon, who hadn’t seemed to notice his alertness. Valan began to move around the fire, but Aquila grabbed hold of his wrist and dragged him back.

“Absolutely not,” she hissed. “If it weren’t for these two, we would have been either killed by the humans, or dragging Zefuris home in a storm. They have proven to be fast friends, and I know for a fact that we are taught not to disrespect our friends by prying into their private business!”

Valan yanked his hand away from her and scowled.

“Then you’re naïve. Why do you think Dad has spies Aquila, for decoration?”

“For spying on our enemies,” she replied. “For finding threats to our kingdom and our people. They are most certainly not for tearing through the belongings of the people who aid us.”

Secil remained still as Zefuris cleared his throat, drawing Aquila’s ire.

“Respectfully Princess, I think we should at least look. This “elf” creature was talking of the dark magics.”

“He said he fought necromancy!” Aquila protested.

“As anyone who had forbidden knowledge would lie to save their skin,” Zefuris said evenly. “He knows more than he has so far let on, and those books may be poison, sitting idle, but ready to destroy Stonetalon Peak from the inside. We should at least check to see if-“

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” Aquila squawked, rising to her feet.

She grabbed Valan’s arm again, then shoved the smaller gryphon toward Zefuris. The larger gryphon caught the smaller one, then both cringed as Aquila puffed out her wings and towered over them.

“You both listen to me, and listen well. We will not spit in the face of the man who rescued us, and from now going forward, you will treat both of our saviors with the utmost respect. No more muttering under your breath, no more calling them beasts,” She growled and got in Valan’s face. “And no more talk of going behind their backs. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but it stops now. You are the crown prince, act like it.”

Secil restrained a snort of amusement as the smaller gryphon nodded, clearly terrified. Aquila’s eyes flicked to Zefuris, who looked more composed. Secil wasn’t fooled however, he could smell the gryphon’s fear, and apparently, so could Aquila.

“Give me that,” she said, snatching the sword from his hands. “Both of you sit here for a moment, and don’t do anything.”

She moved around the fire, and Secil tensed as she picked up a book. Instead of flipping the cover open, however, she instead set down the sword and also picked up the discarded bag. Aquila moved fast, replacing all of the books, even going so far as to try and brush off the remaining wet ink. Once she was finished, she closed the top of the bag, then moved toward Kathranis. Secil tensed up again, but Aquila crouched so that their eyes met, and she smiled sweetly at him.

“Thank you for not attacking those two idiots,” she whispered. “And don’t worry, you and Shadowsong have nothing to worry about while traveling with us. Could you tell him that we’ll escort you to Stonetalon Peak and then assist in his search for his family?”

Secil nodded slowly, then pointedly looked to the bag in her grasp. Aquila followed his eyes and chuckled.

“I suppose that’s fair.”

She motioned for him to rise, and Secil did so. Kathranis grunted, and his face twisted into a frown as his hand absently swiped about in search of the warmth Secil was providing him. Aquila giggled and placed the bag in the elf’s lap. She then plopped down beside Kathranis and gently prodded the elf to lean forward. Once his back was off the wall, she slid her wing behind him, much like she had with Valan, then let him lean back once more. She laid the sword at her side, but before she directed Secil to lay back down, the panther rose and settled so that his rump was pressed against Kathranis’ chest, while his head rested in her lap. He sniffed at one of her talons, then met her eyes, silently asking her for something that would make his night.

Aquila giggled and began scratching his head, and Secil let out a loud purr, settling down quickly. He kept one eye open as Aquila looked to her two gryphon companions.

“As for you two, you may move into the cave, because I’ll be taking first watch. If I hear a peep out of either of you, my father will hear of it.”

Secil heard a snort of disgust from the she-gryphon.

“I mean really Zefuris, Valan I can almost expect this behavior from, but you? It hurts to think that this is how you act when I’m not watching. It is unbecoming of a royal guard.”

Secil’s eye flicked to the larger gryphon, who seemed to wither at the scolding. His head lowered in shame as he spoke.

“I apologize fully Princess, and I lay myself at your mercy. I was only trying to ensure that you, and your father’s kingdom were safe.”

“I understand that,” she replied softly. “But we are gryphons. We do not violate our principles just because of suspicion. Doing so sacrifices our honor, and you of all gryphons should know that. I would rather watch my kingdom burn with its honor intact then to see it safe and corrupted with weakness and cowardice. I will accept your apology only if you act like my guard should, and like you used to. I don’t know when Zefuris, but lately you’ve been acting in a strange manner. I don’t like it, and I won’t stand for it.”

Her hand momentarily stopped its scratches as she waved toward the cave corner he had originally been resting at.

“Go to sleep. Think hard about what I’ve said. You need to be a rock of morals for my brother, and I won’t let you teach him wrong.”

Her eye flicked to her brother.

“As for you Valan, say nothing at all for the rest of the night. You’re in big trouble, and father will hear of this. Sleep alone or cuddle up with Zefuris, I don’t care, but you will learn to be better, no matter how much it hurts.”

Zefuris mumbled something else, but Secil didn’t care what it was. His ears were being scratched, his master was in safe enough company, and he was warm and dry. He looked lazily to the pair of male gryphons, who, while looking awkward about the situation, did unfurl their wings to huddle together in the corner. The sight was more than enough to justify taking a long, happy, catnap. Aquila was clearly a friend, and she had the other two under her control. Secil rolled onto his side, and nuzzled into Aquila’s wing. As he drifted to sleep, Secil sent a silent prayer to his goddess, thanking her for the blessing of good luck.

Chapter 4

The hours of walking passed largely in silence. Zefuris eventually moved ahead of Valan, acting as a point guard for their little party. That left Kathranis beside Secil and Aquila, who moved cheerfully through the woods. Her emerald eyes seemed to always look outward, and her mouth never turned down in a frown. It reminded Kathranis of a few of his elves, and he was extremely glad for the company. While he and Secil made an excellent team, being alone with the cat for long stretches of time made him quieter, and less energetic.

With his new companions however, Kathranis felt alive and happy despite the circumstances. Aquila’s light steps and energetic demeanor left him feeling hopeful for the future. Something told him that she was right, that they would be able to find information on his fellow elves once they reached Stonetalon Peak. Thinking of the gryphoness, Kathranis cast a sideward glance at her. He hadn’t really noticed before, and had assumed that they were larger because he was hunched over due to his gut wound, but walking among the trio of gryphons, he finally understood that they were much taller. Zefuris was easily a head and a half taller than he was, while Valan was perhaps just a half taller. Aquila was a full head taller, and her clothes did nothing to hide the rippling muscles beneath her fur. Kathranis briefly wondered if all gryphons were so physically powerful.

He cleared his throat, drawing her happy eyes to him.

“So Princess, what is your home like? Where I came from, gryphons were beasts, not people.”

She tilted her head and gave him a sly smile.

“Is that so? And what were these beasts used for?”

Kathranis matched her smile and shook his head.

“Not what you think,” he replied. “Some peoples found a way to domesticate some gryphons, and used them as war mounts, but mostly they remained feral and wild. They are fearsome to deal with, and are best avoided if possible.”

Aquila giggled.

“I could say the same of many of my people, save for the part about being war mounts. Tell me Shadowsong, are you looking for a history lesson, or just the notes?”

“I have always enjoyed a good tale,” Kathranis replied, “and besides, I am over a century old! What may be history for you is simply another year of life for me.”

He looked to the treetops as he awaited her reply. After a moment or two of silence, he looked down to find her staring at him with her mouth slightly agape.

“Did I say something wrong?” Kathranis asked.

Aquila snorted.

“You’re over one-hundred years old? You think that’s normal?”

Kathranis shrugged and his smile returned.

“It is for elves. We are a very long-lived people. If one is careful, an elf can live for thousands of years. Usually the wizards are the ones that survive that long, but still, I’ve got at least five or six more centuries in me.”

‘If you manage to keep from getting yourself killed,’ Secil said.

Kathranis shot a glare at the panther, but Aquila let out a long sigh of wonder.

“Wow,” she said. “To live that long, the adventures you could have. Only the Equestrian warlords can live that long, and well, they aren’t exactly wandering about in the forest.”

Kathranis tilted his head.

“Equestrian warlords?”

“A pair of ponies from the southeast,” Aquila explained. “Very powerful magic users, and fast fliers, leading a nation that is similar in speed and magical power. We gryphons are much tougher though, and in a one on one fight,” she punched her palm and cracked her knuckles, “we’re much stronger.”

“Are these Equestrian’s friendly?”

Aquila met his eyes and shrugged.

“The regular ones are, but the pegasi are arrogant as can be, and the unicorns have a stick firmly rammed up their…”

Zefuris cleared his throat loudly. Aquila rolled her eyes, and amended her cut off words.

“They’re stuck up, and don’t like dealing with species they deem “magically inferior”.”

“Like gryphons?” Kathranis asked.

Aquila frowned and nodded.

“Yes, but also minotaurs, zebras, diamond dogs, just about anyone who isn’t a pony. I’m sure you’ll fit that criteria once you meet one.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“Probably, but one of my younger family members is quite the wizard. I’m sure he has a trick or two they haven’t seen. Who knows?” He smiled faintly, then looked toward Zefuris and asked; “So, humans, where do they fit in the pecking order? I couldn’t help but notice some disdain for them, yet you were ambushed by a group of them.”

Kathranis could feel anger radiating from the large gryphon, and his speech was short as he spoke.

“They are barely intelligent cowards with no sense of honor or culture. Humans roam every speck of wilderness and build nothing for themselves. They are parasites that target the weak and leech off the underbelly of better races.” He looked at the ground. “I was arrogant and didn’t see one of them hiding in the trees. The wretch stabbed me, and then his friends crawled from their holes to ambush the unprepared Prince and Princess.”

Aquila sighed and rubbed at her forehead.

“That was stupid of all of us. To let them corner us like that. My first experience with real combat and I cower like some little hatchling. Stupid.”

Kathranis frowned and placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

“Don’t beat yourself up Princess, everyone freezes at least once.”

He grinned and spread his hands. Secil weaved his way closer to the elf, rubbing against his hip as he continued to speak.

“My first time was against wretched little goblins," Kathranis said, looking down and scratching his familiar’s head. “Secil here had to rescue me from the sneaky little stabbers, and it took nearly a month to get back into fighting shape. It isn’t cowardice until you run twice.”

Aquila smiled at him, and Kathranis nearly tripped as she suddenly moved closer, wrapping a wing around his body. She squeezed him tight in a hug.

“Thank you Shadowsong,” she said. “Believe it or not, that makes me feel heaps better coming from you.”

Kathranis blushed lightly as she nuzzled his hair, and Secil’s smug smile didn’t help any. Aquila pulled back from the hug, and grinned at him, a grin that lessened slightly when she saw his flustered state.

“What is wrong Shadowsong? You are flush.”

Kathranis cleared his throat and looked toward the trees.

“It’s nothing Princess. We elves are just a bit… less physical than other races. Not out of any sense of coldness, just…”

He frowned at his small lie. Technically, most elves were very comfortable with physical affection, he just wasn’t. Spending years alone in the forest with just Secil had separated him from a few elvish cultural traditions, and while he did his best to get comfortable with his adopted family and their constant touching, he still often remained a bit aloof. Kathranis shook his head to clear his thoughts.

“It’s nothing. Apologies for drawing attention to it.”

Aquila grinned and threw her wing around his shoulder again.

“Well then Shadowsong, I suppose you can consider this the start of your education about Stonetalon Peak. We gryphons are second only to the ponies in love of physical contact, and you are going to get a lot of hugs from people you don’t know.”

Kathranis tried to suppress a second blush as she hugged him to her chest, and to his luck, Valan helped with a derisive snort. Aquila eyed her brother evenly.

“Not a word Valan, or I’ll make you help me desensitize our new friend to physical contact.”

The younger gryphon threw up his hands as if to say, ‘I didn’t say anything’. Aquila stared at her brother’s back for a moment more, then smiled down at Kathranis.

“So Shadowsong, what are the humans like where you are from? You mentioned a human city; Waterdeep was it?”

“Yes, I visited it once during my travels.” His face curled in a mild scowl. “The people were relatively kind, but I did not much like the city itself. Too much stone, not enough trees. Fordred loved it there though. He was like a child with his first bow, wildly running about trying to sweep through every shop for regents and tomes.”

Kathranis rolled his shoulder.

“Books that I’m carrying actually. I only wish that I had curbed his buyer’s enthusiasm before he had created such a leaden pack.”

“A word to the wise then,” Aquila said, “keep Fordred away from Equestria. The ponies do so love their tomes.”

They shared a chuckle, then fell into a comfortable silence for a long while. Kathranis tried to move away from the gryphoness, to put his usual comfortable space between them, but each time he nearly escaped her wing, she would step just a bit closer, ensuring that he was always walking comfortably within her feathers. After the third failed attempt, he stopped trying, and he could almost feel the satisfaction in Aquila’s movements as she kept him close. It certainly didn’t help his situation that he did like being close to the gryphoness. What fur poked through her clothes was incredibly soft, as were her golden feathers. The experience was overall pleasant, and if her stated mission to desensitize him to physical contact was true, it was already working.

Deciding that talk would best distract him from the uncomfortable comfortability he found himself in, Kathranis looked out into the woods again.

“I vaguely remember you all mentioning newly intelligent humans when we first met. What did you mean by that?”

Zefuris cast a hard glance back.

“Why do you care? You already said that you are not related to humans.”

Kathranis shrugged.

“It is just curiosity. I arrived in this place by a mis-fired teleportation spell, and if these “intelligent” humans of yours arrived at a similar time, then perhaps my family was brought along as well.”

“Well,” Aquila said slowly, “when were you teleported here?”

Kathranis could tell that the pair of male gryphons were listening intently to his words. Fortunately, he knew he had nothing to hide.

“Yesterday,” Kathranis said. “some time after mid-day. I hit a tree.”

Secil yowled out a laugh, earning him another glare from Kathranis. Zefuris looked to Aquila with one eye.

“Then respectfully,” he said. “I don’t believe you need to know about the intelligent humans until we are in Stonetalon Peak. They arrived well over a month ago.”

Kathranis looked up to Aquila, who bit her lip.

“I think I have to agree with Zefuris,” she said with a sigh. “It’s not that I don’t trust you Shadowsong, but the intelligent humans have caused some trouble, and were it not for your actions in helping us, you would have been pursued and killed with some prejudice.”

Her wing tightened around his shoulder, and Kathranis found his cheek resting on her shoulder.

“As it is, you will need to stay close to one of us from now on,” she continued. “We passed by a border marker a quarter mile ago, and we are in a patrolled zone. If any of our guards catch you alone in the open, we won’t be able to protect you, and while clearly a capable fighter, you won’t survive against ten well-trained gryphons.”

Kathranis wanted to voice playful protest, but he could tell by Aquila’s tone that now wasn’t the time. He glanced toward the sky, which seemed a bit more intimidating with its sharp blue and occasional wisps of white.

“And if we are separated,” he said, “what should I do? Return this way until I am out of your territory?”

Zefuris shook his head as he continued staring forward.

“No, all you’ll do is wander toward the changeling lands. Even if you moved south, you would wander into pony lands, and they would also be wary of an intelligent, human looking creature. While a gryphon would slay you, a pony is more likely to cut out your tongue and enslave you.”

“A fate best avoided,” Kathranis said with distaste. “So what then? Was this all a clever way to tell me I am a prisoner?”

He felt Aquila tense up, but when he glanced at her face, he didn’t see an offended look, but rather a panicked one. It brought a small comfort to him that she hadn’t even considered that he was now a de-facto prisoner. Her eyes flicked wildly around.

“Maybe we can paint our clan marking on your face,” Aquila said. “Valan, go find some berries!”

Before the younger gryphon could protest, his sister snapped her fingers.

“No, I know what to do!”

She reached beneath her tunic and began drawing out a golden chain, when Zefuris seemed to appear before her, grabbing her wrist tightly. It gave Kathranis pause at how fast the older gryphon moved, and he wondered briefly how he would fair if he encountered one of their patrols all by himself.

“That isn’t wise Princess,” Zefuris said calmly, “and while I can understand, and even agree with most of the calls you’ve made yesterday and today, this I will not abide.”

Aquila began to protest, but Zefuris held up a taloned hand.

“Please, I will give him my clan emblem. I know for a fact that your father has told you time and again to never let your emblems off your person.”

Aquila froze in thought for a moment, then sighed and let her hand drop.

“Of course, thank you for reminding me. I just don’t want a person that I’ve taken responsibility of to come to harm because I was too stupid to think this all the way through.”

Zefuris sighed, and his eyes softened as he brushed her cheek.

“It’s alright Princess, you’re still learning. It will take you at least another few years to get as quick at these things as you want, you just need to keep practicing is all. It’s just like-“

“Sword fighting,” Aquila cut in with a smile. “Yes Zefuris, I’m aware. I haven’t forgotten anything you taught me. I just… got excited is all.”

Zefuris chuckled.

“You’ll learn to temper your excitement Princess, just give it time.”

His gaze hardened as he glanced at Kathranis, who felt like he was intruding on the moment by remaining so close. Aquila’s wing had not lessened its grip on his shoulder however, so he was stuck as Zefuris reached beneath his armor.

“I do not know of your customs, nor do I particularly care Shadowsong,” Zefuris said. “Listen well to my words, because if you shame me while you wear my emblem, not even the kind words of Princess Aquila will save you, am I clear?”

Kathranis stared in shock at him for a moment, then felt a tick of irritation float across his mind. Aquila’s wing seemed to slip away as Kathranis butted chests with the much taller creature.

“I am many things Zefuris,” Kathranis said evenly, “and one of them is not disrespectful. You could learn something from me.”

Anger flashed across Zefuris’ face, but the knife that appeared in Kathranis’ hand cooled his temper as it brushed aside his neck feathers. Kathranis held the gryphon’s gaze as he spoke.

“Listen well to my words,” Kathranis continued. “I am a patient sort of elf, but I have also been spilling blood since before you were suckling on your mother’s teat. I have been nothing but kind and understanding of your suspicions, but even my patience has its end. I saved your life, and I can just as easily end it.”

Secil growled loudly as he paced behind the large gryphon, but Zefuris’ eyes never shifted from Kathranis’.

“If you want me to be your enemy, then let’s end it right here,” Kathranis said. “But if not, then cease your aggression toward me. It’s bullheaded and pointless.”

Kathranis tilted his head slightly and let his knife slip back up his sleeve and into its sheathe.

“Are we going to have further issues, or would you like to finish this with swords?”

Zefuris held his stare for a moment more, then a small grin broke out on his face.

“I suppose we won’t have any further issues Shadowsong, and I offer my apologies if I was rude. I don’t like anyone I can’t read, and I certainly don’t like someone that acts as nice as you do.”

Kathranis grinned and took a step back.

“I’m afraid what you see with me is what you get. I’ve found that a smile helps make more friends than a scowl, and the more friends you have, the less enemies you have to worry about trying to slit your throat.”

“A sensible policy,” Aquila said.

Her wings fluttered as she stood by Zefuris, and Kathranis could have sworn he saw a dagger in her hand as she patted the small of the larger gryphon’s back. If Zefuris was being held at knifepoint, he didn’t react, and he finished withdrawing a golden chain from beneath his armor. On it hung a medallion with an odd transcription on it that Kathranis couldn’t read. Zefuris passed the medallion to Kathranis.

“Wear this,” he said, “and keep it safe. That’s my clan emblem, and any gryphon that sees it will know that you’re my guest and my responsibility.”

Kathranis turned the medallion over in his hands, looking for any obvious signs of foul play, but when he found none, he shrugged and slid it over his neck. The medallion was a bit heavy and put his weight off slightly, but he imagined it wouldn’t take too long to adjust to the extra weight. Kathranis spread his hands and looked to Zefuris and Aquila as Secil trotted over to sniff at the medallion.

“Like this?” the elf asked.

Aquila flashed a smile and grabbed Zefuris’ arm.

“Perfect Shadowsong. If you’ll excuse me, I need to relieve myself.”

Zefuris shot her a look as she dragged him toward the trees.

“You don’t need me to go with you Prin-“

Aquila growled at him, and the larger gryphon fell silent as she yanked him into the trees. Kathranis faintly heard the sound of the gryphons talking in their bird-like language, but decided not to even bother trying to discern what they were saying. Instead he stroked at Secil’s ears and looked toward Valan, who was glaring hard at him. Kathranis met the young gryphon’s glare with an even gaze.

“Anything I could help you with Prince?”

Valan snorted and looked away.

“Yeah, do us all a favor and get lost. You might have Aquila fooled, and she might keep Zefuris on a leash, but I’m not letting my guard down around you. My father taught me to follow my gut, and my gut says you’re the enemy.”

“Then your gut is stupid,” Aquila said cheerfully as she skipped out from the trees.

As she moved toward Kathranis, the elf spared a glance toward Zefuris, who looked fairly ruffled. He refused to look in Kathranis’ direction, especially once Aquila was scratching at Secil’s back, and instead glared at Valan.

“Nobody holds my leash,” he hissed.

Valan shrugged.

“I’m just saying what I see.”

“Then see less,” Zefuris spat, swatting the gryphon’s head.

Valan began to protest, but a shove forward shut him up. Aquila smiled at Kathranis as she threw her wing around his shoulders once more. Her arm quickly followed, and she hugged him to her chest as they set off again.

“I think you look good with a clan emblem,” Aquila said with a wink. “Perhaps if we become good enough friends, my father can grant you an honorary title. That’s in the future, however. What I want to know is,” she poked a finger at Kathranis’ hair. “Why do you have prissy hair like a pony stallion?”

Kathranis let out a loud laugh as they walked further into the woods.

Chapter 5

Darkness began to fall as Kathranis and the trio of gryphons descended from the forested hills they had been walking along.

“We’re close,” Zefuris announced, breaking the silence that had settled between them. “It’s only a few miles to the outer wall.”

Kathranis couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. They had only stopped once for a brief meal, and while he had enjoyed trading questions with Aquila, he wasn’t used to the constant march the gryphons seemed to easily keep. His elvish regiment moved in fast sprints, always out and ahead of the Thayan army, keeping their own pace, and stopping frequently to relax and rest. It helped them remain loose if a fight came, which it often did, but Kathranis supposed the gryphons didn’t have such concerns.

As the sun had set, cold had crept in, and while his fur lined cloak had helped ward away the cold initially, it was beginning to seep into his very core as his every breath sent a cloud of fog into the air. Aquila had drifted away from him when their conversation had lapsed, but she seemed to notice his susceptibility to the cold, so she embraced him with her wings once more, stopping just short of hugging him to her chest. The warm, fuzzy protection from the chilled air was more than enough to overcome his trepidation of intimate contact.

Following Zefuris, they walked through a pair of bent pine trees and onto a well-worn path. Valan let out a loud sigh of relief.

“Finally, now we can make some real progress.”

“If you’re about to suggest we leave Shadowsong behind with directions to the city,” Aquila said lightly, “you’re mistaken. I gave my word to escort him to the city, and I will do so.”

“I will then stay with the elf as well,” Zefuris said. “Princess Aquila is my responsibility, as is Shadowsong as long as he wears my clan emblem. My lord, if you wish to fly ahead, be my guest. You will do so alone.”

Valan rolled his eyes and huffed.

“Fine, I’ll stay with the slow human, only because I don’t want to be yelled at all by myself.”

Despite his outward flippancy, Kathranis managed to catch a look of nervousness in the young gryphon’s eyes as he looked about. One of his taloned hands drifted to the sword on his hip, and he looked to the sky.

“Isn’t it a bit odd that we haven’t seen any patrols?” Valan whispered to Zefuris.

The armored gryphon frowned, then looked to the sky himself.

“We’ve probably just missed them all, our timing has just been off. Let’s keep moving.”

None of the gryphons looked like they believed Zefuris’ words, and Kathranis noticed Valan and Zefuris inch their swords out of their sheathes. The elf looked to Secil, who gave him a short nod, then disappeared into the dark without a word said between them. Despite his complaints, the great cat truly enjoyed scouting ahead. It was the only way he could still act like the mighty predator he used to be.

Walking along the road did help their pace marginally, and after a while, Kathranis noticed something in the dim light. Before he could voice his observation, however, Zefuris held up a hand to stop them. The gryphon’s eyes narrowed as he dropped into a crouch, scanning the woods around them.

“Something isn’t right,” he whispered. “Can anyone else feel that?”

Valan nodded, his normal flippancy absent as he scanned the road ahead.

“My fur is standing on end. Do you think it’s an ambush? Who would be stupid enough to try this close to the walls?”

Zefuris shrugged.

“I know not, but we don’t have many options to avoid it.”

“We also do not have enough information,” Kathranis said. “I will take a look, see if there is anything that can clue us in to who our ambushers are. If we can identify the size of their group, we may be able to fight our way out.”

A flicker of distrust flickered across Zefuris’ gaze, but the gryphon let out a loud sigh, followed by a nod.

“Agreed. We shall remain back. My Prince, My Princess, let us retreat to-“

“I’m going with Shadowsong,” Valan cut in.

Kathranis felt Aquila’s wings tighten around him.

“And why is that?” she hissed.

Valan shot her a glare.

“I don’t need to explain myself to you.” His gaze softened. “But, I recognize that I need the experience. You seem Tartarus bent on keeping this human around, and I would be an idiot if I didn’t see that he has some uses, this being among them.”

Kathranis flashed a smile.

“If that was your way of complimenting me, I’ll accept it, though your wording could use some work.”

Valan’s glare made a return and focused in full force on Kathranis. Aquila giggled softly in the elf’s ear.

“If you have no issue taking my brother with you, be safe. I want both of you back.”

Her warmth withdrew, and Kathranis had to suppress a shudder as the cold night air sucked away any comfort he had. Kathranis rolled his shoulders and loosened his swords in their sheathes. He nodded to Valan, and the pair set off at a crouch. As the sun continued to set, Kathranis allowed his eyes to shift into detecting heat, and he scanned the trees, asking Secil for the occasional update on their situation. The panther reported no would-be ambushers, but that he still couldn’t shake the feeling that they were out there.

As Kathranis and his gryphon companion moved along the road, a wagon came into view. Kathranis held up his hand, and to his surprise, Valan immediately stopped moving, crouching lower to the ground. His wings fluttered out, spreading out to make him blend better in the darkness. If they weren’t in the middle of the woods at risk of ambush, Kathranis imagined he would have asked the gryphon all about how he used his wings to blend in with his surroundings, but as things were, he needed to focus.

Eyeing the wagon in the dim light, Kathranis tapped Valan’s shoulder, waiting for the gryphon’s shining eyes to meet his before he spoke.

“I’ll take a look, you stay here and run back to Aquila and Zefuris if something happens.”

The usually look of defiance, and even outright hatred creeped into Valan’s eyes, as the gryphon sneered at him.

“Looking to disguise the evidence your human friends left behind are you?”

Kathranis let out a small sigh and looked to the trees.

“If you distrust me that much, then you go investigate, and I’ll stay back in case you trigger the ambush.”

“Not a chance wretch,” Valan hissed. “I’m not going to crawl up there only to get shot in the back with one of your arrows. Don’t think I forgot that bow on your back.”

Kathranis rolled his eyes.

“Fine then, what would you suggest we do Prince?”

“We go forward together,” Valan said. “Once we’re done looking around, we go back to Aquila and Zefuris together. It’s simple, and allows me to keep an eye on you.”

“At the cost of another set of eyes not looking at our surroundings,” Kathranis responded.

He quelled his irritation and let out a small huff.

“It doesn’t matter. If you wish to follow, then follow. Just know that you are putting yourself in at unnecessary risk.”

He moved forward, just barely catching the gryphon’s whispered reply.

“It’ll be worth it if I catch you in the act.”

Kathranis decided to ignore the overly suspicious gryphon and focused on the wagon as he moved closer. It was unremarkable in the darkness, but as he approached Kathranis felt his boots squelch in a large, sticky puddle. He glanced down, taking care not to kneel in the warm liquid. He dipped his fingers in the puddle, then raised them to his nose, taking a careful sniff. The metallic scent was easy enough to identify, and Kathranis’ mouth curled in disgust as he wiped his fingers off on his cloak.

“Blood,” he whispered to Valan, who was standing slightly back of Kathranis’ stopped form.

The gryphon sniffed at the air, his sharp eyes looking around.

“How fresh?”

Kathranis shrugged and took a few more careful steps forward.

“Still warm, still wet. Can’t have been more than an hour or two.”

He peaked into the wagon, then under it. Though he found more blood, as well as a broken arrow or two, he found no other signs of violence, nor of the cargo the wagon had been carrying. No dropped weapons, no tatters of clothing, and most importantly, no bodies. Not even a stray finger was left in the pools of blood. Whatever had been on the wagon was missing without a trace as well.

“It definitely wasn’t animals,” Kathranis whispered.

Valan looked down into the empty wagon.

“Not humans either. They are too stupid to make a fight without something being left behind.”

His eyes flicked to Kathranis.

“Usually at least.”

The elf sent a mental message to Secil, and the cat again reported nothing, only adding the note that there were also no animals nearby. Something had scared them off. He glanced back to Valan.

“Humans where I am from could pull something like this off, but not often, and not with this level of precision. It’s too clean, almost as if we stumbled upon it while they were still hiding it.”

“And who do you think they is?” Valan asked. “Friends of yours?”

Kathranis felt a twinge of irritation, but ignored it.

“I don’t know who would go to this level of care to erase an ambush, but I do know that I would rather we didn’t find out. Come, let’s go back to the others.”

As he turned to walk back in the direction they had come, a flicker of heat appeared in Kathranis’ peripheral. He looked in the direction to find the small mote of orange increasing in size. As it steadily overwhelmed his vision, Kathranis realized what he was staring at.

“Get down!” he shouted, tackling Valan away from the wagon.

The fireball exploded before he could full cover the gryphon with his cloak, and he far underestimated how much force was packed into the ball of flaming energy. The explosion sent Kathranis flying through the air, chased by the burning remains of the wagon. The elf rolled to his feet, quickly casting about for Valan. The gryphon held his head with one hand as a second fireball spiraled through the dark above them. It exploded against the trunk of a wide tree, driving the pair to the ground. As he began to push to his feet again, Kathranis heard a loud crack, and looked up to find a massive branch falling.

He rolled away, mostly avoiding the branch. The edge of his cloak caught under one of the lighter offshoots of the branch, but with a firm yank, Kathranis was able to free the garment. He mentally called out to Secil as smoke filled the air.

‘What do you see?’ he asked.

‘I can’t!’ the cat replied in a mild panic. ‘I don’t even know where those spells came from!’

Kathranis spat.

‘Keep looking. Even the most talented wizards leave a trace.’

Squinting his eyes against the smoke, Kathranis tried to maintain his focus to keep his eyes seeing heat. The flames licking at the tree and the branch made it more difficult, but he knew that looking for an invisible wizard in the dark with his normal vision was nearly impossible. Cloaking spells had been perfected since before he was born, but most wizards didn’t think about hiding their body heat. Before he could begin to search the trees for the visible difference of body heat however, a weak cough reached his ears, followed swiftly by a whimper. Kathranis let his eyes shift back to his normal vision as he looked toward the source of the sounds.

Pinned beneath a section of branch that wasn’t yet on fire, Valan clawed helplessly at a shard of wood embedded in his leg. The gryphon managed to see Kathranis through the haze of smoke, and he reached out a hand.

“Please, help me.”

Kathranis’ mind worked at a mile a minute. He moved before his plan was fully thought out, but he didn’t have time to waste. Taking the cloak from his shoulders, Kathranis rolled it into a ball, then snatched his waterskin from his belt. He emptied the water onto his cloak, doing his best to ensure that it was soaked completely. He then tied the damp cloth around what little of the branch wasn’t burning, buying him precious time to get Valan free.

Kathranis dropped his bow, quiver, and bag to the ground, then slid under the branch. He frowned as he regarded the branch impaling Valan’s leg, and after a moment, he gave an understanding look to the gryphon.

“Apologies my friend, but this is going to hurt quite a bit.”

Valan’s beak opened, no doubt to ask what he meant, but Kathranis acted before he could speak. With his fist curled as tightly as possible, Kathranis struck the branch. Valan cried out in pain the punch jolted his leg, but Kathranis didn’t flinch as he pulled back to strike again. On the third punch Kathranis felt the wood begin to crack, and on the fourth he felt flames beginning to lick at his back. Fire flickered in Valan’s eyes, and the gryphon squawked in alarm.

“Hurry up, the fire’s getting closer!”

Kathranis huffed as he dealt another punch to the branch.

“Give me a moment,” he gasped as smoke clogged the air. “I’m not exactly a dwarf. I don’t punch trees for enjoyment.”

The joke was lost on the gryphon, who whimpered as the leaves around them began to char. Kathranis grit his teeth as he reared back and struck with all the force he could muster, ignoring the splitting of his knuckles. The branch shattered, and though Valan let out another pained howl, he was free. He scrambled free of the branch, then rolled to his knees and offered his hand to Kathranis. The elf felt an increase in pressure on his back, but Valan seized his wrist and yanked him forward. Kathranis fell beside the gryphon, and looked back in time to see another massive branch crash down where they had been. His cloak was aflame, burning easily between the two branches.

“That was my favorite cloak,” he said with a small grin, glancing at Valan.

The gryphon snorted in disbelief as he stared back.

“We almost died, and you’re worried about a cloak?”

Kathranis groaned and rolled to his knees, sitting up to take a look at the gryphon’s leg.

“Only the living get to complain good Prince. I have you to thank for that privilege.” He chuckled as he withdrew his holy symbol from beneath his armor. “Besides, that cloak was probably older than you are.”

“I’ll get you a new one,” Valan grunted. “And um…. Thanks. For saving me that is.”

The gryphon looked mildly embarrassed, but Kathranis could only grin as he pressed his hands against Valan’s bleeding leg.

“It is no issue good Prince.” He gave Valan a wink. “As long as you buy me a new cloak, I think I would consider us even.”

Valan gave a pained smile in return.

“Fair enough I guess.”

Kathranis began to pray to receive healing magic, only for a small warning to tickle the back of his mind.

It came too slow.

Kathranis felt a hand grip his throat, and he found himself flying through the air, away from the heat of the fire. He slammed into a tree, his ribs cracking as he impacted. He could barely feel the breath in his longs as he fell to the ground, and a series of ragged coughs left his throat as he tried to find his breath. An invisible foot kicked him in the gut, sending him back into the tree. Another kick swiftly followed into his ribs. Kathranis tried to curl up to protect his core, but an invisible hand grabbed his throat again and lifted him into the air. The meaty hand tightened around his windpipe, and already deprived of air, Kathranis found his vision swimming.

He choked as the invisible hand lifted him into the air and pinned him against the tree. The firelight flickered, and Kathranis could just faintly see the outline of a body as smoke parted around it. He could just tell the person was smiling as he slowly strangled Kathranis, and as soon as the half-orc spoke, Kathranis knew who it was.

“Gotta say elf, di’ no’ think ya’d go out with a whimper. Figured ya fer a fightin’ type. Wizard! Let down yer spell so ‘e can see who killed ‘im.”

Kathranis tried to pry Galdug’s fingers apart as the half-orc’s ugly grin came slowly into view. One of Tatiana’s “allies”, Galdug had always been a pain in Kathranis’ side. Legends were told about the best fighters amongst the armies of the Red Wizards, and Kathranis and Galdug always came up in competition. Kathranis could secure kills in a number of ways, erasing undead targets from miles away with carefully measured out, enchanted bowshots, or up close with his enchanted swords. Galdug was far more brute force in his strategy. With legs like tree trunks, and arms that matched, he could have strangled a grizzly bear. Throwing him into battle left him hacking undead into such small pieces that not even the most talented necromancers could raise them. In a war where the dead were given new life as the enemy, Tatiana had no choice but to keep any and all allies, so Kathranis and Galdug had crossed paths more than once as favored warriors of the Red Wizard. More than once Galdug had called for contests to prove how he was a better warrior, and each time Kathranis won, leaving the half-orc insulted and angry. To say they didn’t work well together was an understatement, and though he couldn’t prove it, Kathranis knew that half-orc had tried to kill him once.

As Galdug’s fingers tightened on his neck, Kathranis upped the tally to twice. Kathranis wrapped his legs around Galdug’s now visible arm and tried to pull himself free, but the half-orc merely laughed.

“Not gonna work this time elf. Learned that trick I did.”

Instead of prying his fingers open, Kathranis felt Galdug’s grip tighten, and he let out a strained gasp as what little air had been in his lungs was forced out. The elf felt his air move in a breeze, then realized that he was the one moving as Galdug slammed him into the tree. The first hit hurt, and the second put stars in his vision. Galdug laughed in his piggish way as he slammed Kathranis to the ground, then stomped his ribs again.

“Gods damned, I missed this!”

The hand disappeared from Kathranis’ throat, but before he could roll away, it reappeared, slamming into his jaw. Kathranis could feel his teeth loosen with the blow, and Gladug let out another laugh.

“Not so tough without yer pet, is ya elf?”

His smug laughter changed to a yelp of pain as something warm and wet pattered against Kathranis’ cheek. He opened his eyes to see Valan standing over his body with his talons dripping with blood, while Galdug pawed at his face.

“Stupid bird hit my eye!”

“I’ll take the other one too,” Valan snarled, fluffing out his wings. “I don’t know what kind of roach you are, but if you don’t leave Gryphonia territory immediately, you’ll be sorry.”

Kathranis uncurled from his protective ball and grabbed Valan’s ankle. The gryphon glanced down and shifted in place.

“Don’t worry Shadowsong. You saved my neck; honor demands I save yours.”

“Galdug’s too strong for you,” Kathranis whispered through his battered throat. “Run, leave me. I’ll be fine.”

Valan rolled his eyes and snorted.

“Please, this brute looks slower than a hatchling. He’s no threat.”

Galdug’s hands dropped from his face and to the twin hatchets on his belt. Kathranis grimaced at the ugly sight of the half-orc’s bloodied face and destroyed eye.

“Ah’ll show you who’s a threat, rat!”

Galdug roared and rushed Valan, who dropped into a crouch, ready to meet him. The half-orc never got close.

Secil dropped from the trees with a howl and began raking long furrows in Galdug’s back, causing the half-orc to screech and thrash about in pain. He struggled to get the panther off his back, but Secil wasn’t one to be so easily dislodged, and he continued ripping and tearing at the half-orc’s back. Kathranis gritted his teeth, and with a moan, as well as Valan’s assistance, he got to his feet. He rubbed at his ribs.

“Thank you,” he said to Valan, “but you need to run. Secil and I will keep Galdug and whatever friends he has with him distracted. Trust me, whatever beating is in store for me is nothing compared to what you will receive if he catches you.”

Valan’s eyes flashed with outrage.

“I will not run like some coward, especially not on the orders of a human.”

Kathranis let his anger flash up in response.

“But you would do well to listen to the elf who has fought more battles than you have feathers. It is not cowardice to use that piece of meat behind your eyes, and I will follow shortly. We are pissing away the time that Secil is buying us by arguing. Go, run!”

He was too slow. Galdug finally managed to catch a hold of Secil’s pelt, and he ripped the panther from his back. Kathranis managed to slip under the panther’s body as Galdug flung Secil at him and Valan. While the gryphon went down under the furry black missile, Kathranis’ swords sang free from their sheathes and he moved forward, advancing on the bleeding half-orc. Galdug snarled and drew one of his hatchets, twirling it in his hand.

“That’s right elf, come and get a piece.”

Kathranis cast an eye back to Valan, who shoved Secil off him. The gryphon got to his feet and drew his sword, stalking forward to stand at Kathranis’ side.

“Bring it pig-man,” Valan spat. “I think those ugly teeth of yours will make nice trophies.”

Galdug snarled at the gryphon.

“Big talk bird brain.” His eye flicked to Kathranis. “Gotta put our little fight on hold elf, I got me some chicken to cook.”

Kathranis began stalking around the half-orc’s blind side.

“I’m not here for an honor fight Galdug. Stand down and I’ll let you live. Fight, and we’ll kill you.”

Galdug grinned at him.

“That so? Guess I better get some friends of me own then.”

Magic flashed from the treetops, and Kathranis hopped backward, narrowly avoiding a green beam aimed for his head. The beam splashed on the ground, then began to sizzle and hiss, melting away the leaves. He didn’t have any time to trace the arc of the spell however, as shouts rose in the air, heralding the arrival of dozens of well-armed humans. The steel of their swords glittered in the firelight, and Galdug barked out a short laugh as the humans charged past him.

“Leave the bird to me boys! Kill the elf and ‘is pet!”

Kathranis took a deep breath, locking eyes with the closest human. The man looked old, with a healthy, yet greying beard. Most telling was the way he carried his sword, keeping the grip the perfect balance between firm and loose. The combat posture was familiar, it was a common human way to swordfight, but though the human was a competent, well-seasoned warrior, he was no elf bladesinger. Kathranis parried the human’s opening swing, then used his other scimitar to chop into the human’s neck. The enchanted steel left a wide, gaping hole, and the human collapsed with a sputter, his sword falling from his limp fingers.

The second human came a second later, and Kathranis had no time to read his face, had no time to predict his movements. Instead, he watched the human’s broadsword, slipping under the first wild swing. He parried an attack from a third human, then stabbed at the second one’s belly. The probing attack met resistance, giving Kathranis all the knowledge he needed. The second human reversed his swing, trying to take Kathranis’ head off, but the elf easily slid under the attack, and he caught the human’s dominant arm under his armpit. His scimitar bit into the human’s wrist, severing the hand, then Kathranis planted a boot on the human’s chest, using it as a spring board to jump away from a fourth human, who tried to stab his ribs with a spear.

Kathranis landed a few feet back from his previous position, and he took a second-deep breath, tasting the air in his throat. The fire spread smoke in the air, making it dangerous to take further deep breaths. Already his lungs were irritated, and a cough at the wrong moment could spell his doom. As it was, there would be no singing in his battle momentum. He would just have to keep the tempo in his head.

The human’s rushed forward again with war cries, and Kathranis met them with silence, sending Secil a mental order as he dipped around the spearman’s jab to cut the man’s throat.

‘Try to scare as many as you can,’ Kathranis commanded. ‘If they run and tell further reinforcements that this fight is pointless, it will make it easier to escape.’

‘The wizard is still here,’ Secil replied. The cat let out a yowl as he pounced on an ax wielding human, ripping the man to shreds. ‘We can’t run if he’s tracking us.’

Kathranis took a dangerous moment to glance up into the trees.

‘I’ll see if I can draw him out. Until then, fight on.’

Secil grunted his affirmation, the howled a warning.

‘Kathranis!’

The elf realized his mistake as a blade bit into his cheek. Though he had managed to prevent the blade from taking his head, a long, painful scar marred the tattoos on his face. Kathranis gritted his teeth and slashed down with both of his scimitars, embedding both blades threw the human’s shoulders and into his chest. The enchanted steel didn’t stick as he ripped them free to face another on-rush of foes. He glanced toward Valan to find the gryphon being beaten by Galdug. The half-orc laughed aloud as he rained blows on the gryphon held in his fist. If Valan had still been awake, he would have been in great pain. One eye was swollen shut, and his beak sat agape, dripping blood toward the ground. Kathranis growled and parried a swing aimed toward his chest, retaliating with a cut to the human’s eyes. The man screamed and fell back, replaced instantly by a half-orc. Smaller, and less skilled than Galdug, Kathranis had little problem slipping past the half-orc’s guard, and he left two deep cuts in the beast’s belly, sending him howling to the ground.

More enemies came forward however, and though he kept ahead of their attacks, Kathranis could already feel himself tiring. There was no break between engagements, and there were more than enough humans to drag their wounded away while keeping him engaged. Kathranis avoided another jabbing spear, and spun around the human, reversing his swords and his momentum to plunge both blades into the soft meat under the human’s ribs. Pulling the blades free, Kathranis parried a dagger stabbed at his belly, then slapped away another aimed for his neck. He drew one of his arms closer to his body and began a short series of jabs at his opponent, while his other arm remained wide, coming in for a hard cut. The human he was fighting didn’t put enough strength into blocking the longer cut, and while jolted, it still raked across his side, opening his guts to the air.

The human fell with a shriek, and Kathranis took a step back, trying to catch his breath.

“Ya idiots! Do ‘im like this!”

Galdug plowed into his side like a bull, tackling him to the ground, and wrenching the air from his lungs. The half-orc’s stench caused Kathranis to gag, but it was the least of his concerns as Galdug pinned him to the ground and raised a fist.

Like a wraith, Secil appeared again, howling as he dug into Galdug’s back. The half-orc roared in pain, and renewed his attempts to remove the panther from his back. The distraction gave Kathranis the opportunity to pull a knife from his hip, and he plunged the blade into Galdug’s throat. The action only seemed to enrage the half-orc further, and he ignored Secil for long enough to headbutt the elf, stunning him. Galdug got to his feet and wrenched Secil from his back, ignoring the meat and blood the cat took with him. Secil hissed at Galdug and tried to wriggle free of the half-orc’s iron grip, but the half-orc merely growled at the panther.

“Gettin’ real tired of ya cat.”

Keeping one hand on Secil’s neck, Galdug wrapped the other around the cat’s tail. Kathranis tried to sit up to stab at Galdug’s leg, but the half-orc stomped his head into the dirt.

“You’ll get yers in a second elf,” Galdug growled. “Let me take care of this pest first.”

Even through his daze, Kathranis could see what was about to happen. He reached out a hand to Secil, who yowled and writhed, fighting to get free.

‘Secil!’

A trace of fear entered the cat’s eyes as Galdug lifted him high in the air. Before he could bring the cat smashing down however, and arrow seemed to sprout from Galdug’s arm. The half-orc howled, and instead of slamming Secil, he settled for throwing the cat against a tree. Kathranis heard a sickening crunch, but let out a sigh of relief when he felt Secil’s mind still settled within his. The cat was in pain, but very much alive. Knowing his familiar was safe enough, Kathranis focused on the hail of arrows that began raining from the trees.

The arrows flew like silent daggers, embedding themselves into every piece of meat available. Galdug roared upward as another arrow pierced his shoulder. Kathranis vaguely recognized the fletching on the arrow, and he smiled as elves, his elves, focused their fire on targets they could kill. The humans scrambled for cover as arrows took them apart piecemeal. Even though humans began carpeting the forest floor however, more started pouring into the clearing, with some bearing shields that helped absorb the arrow fire.

Kathranis closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and counted to three. His head began to clear, and when he opened his eyes, he had a plan of action in mind. Incapacitate Galdug, grab Secil, find Valan, and withdraw. Hopefully his hidden kin would see him and retreat as well. With Galdug sufficiently distracted, Kathranis was able to slip his legs free of the half-orc, bunch them up toward his chest, then slam his heels into Galdug’s chest. The half-orc staggered away under the force of the attack, and Kathranis rolled to his feet, snatching up his swords with him.

Galdug glared hate at Kathranis as the elf rolled his shoulders, more than prepared for a second round. A third arrow stuck in Galdug’s back, and for the first time, Kathranis noticed that the pain of his wounds was beginning to overwhelm the half-orc’s anger. Galdug growled and took a step back, jabbing a fat finger at Kathranis.

“Yer not gonna be so lucky next time elf. Next time we fight, we’re gonna finish.”

Kathranis flourished his swords.

“If you weren’t a coward, we would finish things now.”

Galdug growled louder, but he grabbed a human and shoved him at Kathranis, then turned on his heel and fled. The human stumbled at Kathranis with wide eyes, and with his sword so limp in his hands, Kathranis felt sorry for the man. He stopped the man’s stumble with one hand, then slammed the pommel of his sword into the man’s forehead with the other, knocking him out cold.

Kathranis pushed the human aside, and readied himself to fight the more able combatants. A pair of humans approached him, one bearing a wicked looking battle-axe, while the other wielded a short sword and a shield. The one with the shield screamed a war cry and charged forward, leading with his shield. Kathranis let on his swords slip behind his back while spreading his feet. He held his other sword up in a fencing pose, ready to deflect the upcoming hit.

The swordsman tried to bash Kathranis, but the elf took a step back, poking at the man’s chest with his leading arm. He had to immediately withdraw the attack as the axe-man tried to cleave his shoulder. Dancing back, Kathranis sheathed his rear scimitar and drew a knife from behind his back, keeping the blade in waiting. Again, he waited as the swordsman tried to bash him with his shield, and when he tried again to poke the man’s chest, the axe-man lunged forward. Kathranis suppressed a hiss of pain as the man’s ax glanced his thigh, cutting easily through the leather armor. The elf still danced backward however, but this time he let his dagger fly. The blade tore into the axe-man’s throat, and he fell with a gurgle. The swordsman rushed at Kathranis, headless of his friend’s death. Instead of dipping backward, this time the elf avoided his shield bash by slipping to the man’s left. Kathranis’ scimitar slipped under the man’s chest plate, opening his guts. Spinning around, Kathranis plunged a second blade into the back of the man’s neck, ending his suffering.

He was given no rest as more humans began their attack, and with so many of them flooding the clearing, he couldn’t check on Secil, or Valan. The elf gritted his teeth and prepared to meet them, only for Huron to drop to the ground before him. His older brother flashed him a grin, then loosed an arrow into the throat of one of the approaching humans. The bow dropped to the ground as fast as the arrow was loosed, and Huron drew his sword, parrying away an axe aimed at his chest, then plunged his dagger into the man’s neck. Huron shoved the body away, but before Kathranis could say anything, more elves dropped from the trees.

Luieustriel landed on the shoulders of a half-orc, quickly slashing his throat before leaping off his shoulders to her next opponent. One of the larger elves; Riven, slammed into a pair of sword wielding humans, cracking the skull of one open with his mace, while overbalancing the second, sending him to the ground. The large elf pounced on the fallen man, bashing his head in with his usual savagery. Kathranis parried a swing aimed at his eyes, but before he could deliver a strike of any kind, an arrow tore through the man’s throat, sending him lifeless to the ground. Kathranis glanced toward the source of the arrow to find Gaelin, who offered him a small nod before he resumed firing into the mass of bodies. Light flashed, causing Kathranis to look up to find Fordred dueling a red wizard. The treetops exploded with the fury of their spells, sending debris raining down as the pair sought to overpower their foe. Unlike normal, Fordred looked quite comfortable as his hands wove runes in the air, sending shards of ice spiraling toward the red wizard.

Kathranis felt a burst of energy, and he focused downward. After an instant of watching, he dove into the fray, slapping aside the knives of a halfling. After a few clashes of their blades, the halfing turned tail and sprinted into the dark, and with the abundance of available opponents, Kathranis let him. He picked out a human at random and attacked, leading with his scimitars.

The fighting continued as more bodies flung themselves into the fray, and after slaying his seventh opponent, Kathranis began to tire. He batted aside a spear aimed toward Huron’s back, and took the spearman’s hands, sending him screaming to the ground. Blood sprayed Kathranis’ face, and he winced as it threatened to clog his nose with its iron stench. A sword lanced toward his neck, and Kathranis slipped around the blade, taking the throat of the swordsman. He fell without a sound, joining the bodies that were beginning to get in the way of Kathranis’ footwork. Doding away from another sword, Kathranis slipped back, trying to find a winged body amongst what had become writhing battlefield.

It took him less than a second to find Valan’s still body, and with his location in mind, Kathranis began cutting his way to the gryphon. Blood spilled and more and more screams filled the air as thunder and fire split the sky overhead. Kathranis couldn’t spare a glance at anything other than the fighters before him. He parried a knife, then a sword, then locked blades with an axe, all in the same right-handed stroke. Kathranis headbutted the axe-man in frustration, then blocked another knife strike with his left hand. With the axe-man staggering back, their blades came un-locked, so Kathranis used the free hand to stab to swordsman before he could attack again. The knife wielder took an arrow to his neck, and the axe-man engaged Riven, leaving Kathranis free to finish his journey. The elf broke through the fighters to kneel beside Valan’s body, and keeping an eye up, Kathranis checked the gryphon’s pulse. He let out a sigh of relief when he found the gryphon’s heartbeat, and he sprang back to his feet to fend off more humans.

Yet more war cries filled the air, and more humans rushed into the clearing. In the darkness, Kathranis couldn’t get an accurate count, but it was clear that he and his brethren were far outnumbered, and no matter their combat prowess, the elves were beginning to tire. A glance at his fellows found minor wounds on all of them. Huron sported a small nick on his neck, while Riven had a large cut across his brow. Gaelin’s quiver was empty, and one of his eyes had swollen shut. The elves were slowly being back into a corner around their leader. As Huron sliced open a human’s arm, he glanced at Kathranis, and spoke, his voice at a shout.

“We’ve got to go brother. We can’t keep this up all night.”

Kathranis nodded in agreement as he cut a spear shaft in two.

“We can slip into the shadows, but we need to take him with us,” he said, nodding at Valan.

Huron scowled and ran his opponent through.

“Gryphons are heavy. I’m not sure we can carry him.”

Kathranis opened two cuts on a man’s chest, while Huron swept the legs out from another. Their exchange disappeared under the pressure the humans began applying. In ones or twos, the elves could keep them well back, and could even exact a heavy toll, but they quickly began grouping up in threes and fours. One his elves, a scout named Lauidele, let out a shriek of pain as a spear pierced her hip. Riven let out a roar and pounced on the human responsible, but he was quickly swarmed by others. Only a roar from Secil brought the large elf relief. The panther limped forward, his hind leg twisted as he lashed out with his front paws. Even wounded, the panther was something to be feared, and Riven managed to withdraw to the defensive circle the elves found themselves in. Kathranis grimaced as a blade glanced his cheek, nearly taking his right eye.

“Hold together!” he shouted, hacking down the swordsman. “We can win, just fight together!”

His words were drowned out by another loud war cry. Kathranis felt his shoulders sag at the high-pitched screech, and he briefly wondered how many humans could possibly be rushing to what started as a simple skirmish. To his surprise, however, the humans weren’t the ones who were reinforced.

Gryphons, glad in glistening steel armor, descended by the dozen, ripping the humans apart with ease. Crossbow bolts the size of an arm struck down several humans closest to the elves. Whatever coherence the human battle line had descended into madness as they scrambled to escape the vengeful gryphons. The wizard that was still dueling Fordred was struck with a hale of crossbow bolts, ripping the life from him, and sending him to the ground with a wet plop. On the ground, gryphon’s armed with swords, spears, and armored talons tore through the humans, showing no mercy as they cut them down in droves.

Fordred descended from the treetops as the battle turned into a rout, with many of the gryphons setting off into the dark to catch the humans-turned-prey. He landed next to Huron, giving the elf a small bow, before his eyes widened at the sight of Kathranis. The scimitar wielding elf smiled at the wizard and gave him a wink.

Greetings would have to be saved however, as with the humans shattered and most of their number dead on the ground, the gryphons looked to the loose ring of elves gathered around the fallen body of a gryphon. The silver clad saviors eyed the group with an aggressively appraising eye, watching each and every move the elves made carefully. After a moment, Kathranis resisted the urge to slap himself in the face. Of course they were nervous! Valan, Zefuris, and Aquila had thought him a human, why wouldn’t the rest of the elves be viewed as such?

He sheathed his scimitars and stepped forward of the elvish defensive arc, holding his hands up.

“Hold friends, my kin and I are not your enemies.” He motioned back to Valan’s body. “In fact, it was Prince Valan and I who accidentally sprung this ambush that the rest of my kin saved us from. The Prince and I owe them our lives.”

The tallest of the gryphons stepped forward. In the blink of an eye he was holding his sword tip to Kathranis’ throat, staring at the elf with smoldering eyes from beneath his helmet.

“And why should I believe you human filth? How do I know that you’re not just trying to save your worthless hide by capitalizing on the corpse of some random gryphon?”

Kathranis kept his smile wide.

“That’s possible friend, but very unlikely. Why would I fight these humans if that were the case?”

“To save your worthless band of rats from utter destruction,” a crossbow wielding gryphon spat.

He leveled the weapon at Huron, who responded by readying a dagger. More gryphons raised their weapons, as did the elves. A readied fireball sat in Fordred’s palm, and he let its light brighten, casting the clearing in steep shadows. Kathranis still didn’t drop his smile, and he put a hand back toward his elves.

“Hold all!” he called. “There is no need for pointless bloodshed. I can promise, as soon as we help Prince Valan up and mend the wounds he’s suffered, we can have this sorted out.”

He motioned into the trees.

“In fact, if you go in that direction, you should find Princess Aquila as well. She and her guard should back up my story.”

The gryphon pressed the tip of his sword into Kathranis’ throat.

“Do you really think a quick tongue and cursory knowledge about famous gryphons will save you rat?” the gryphon hissed. “I ought to take your head just for daring to speak their names in your defense.”

Secil seemed to appear beside the gryphon, his tail lashing back and forth as he hissed and growled. The gryphons tensed up, and a stray talon pulled a trigger. A crossbow bolt lanced into the tree beside Riven’s head, and Kathranis saw Fordred tense in preparation of launching his fireball. Kathranis did his best to fix the young elf with a sideways glare as he shouted;

“I said hold damn you!”

His mind raced for a solution. The gryphons clearly didn’t like humans, and with their similarities, his elves counted. His words weren’t going to stop battle for much longer, and even if they weren’t exhausted, Kathranis imagined his band would lose any engagement with the well-armed gryphons. Zefuris had been fast, and if he was any indication of gryphon fighting prowess, Kathranis didn’t want to fight them while his elves were all still battered and tired.

Like a gift from his goddess, Kathranis remembered something important. He saw the gryphons began easing their fingers onto the triggers of their crossbows, but they all froze as he remembered the words Zefuris had said, and he bellowed them as loud as he could.

“I carry the clan emblem of Zefuris, and I am his responsibility!”

The air seemed to freeze, and the gryphon holding the sword to his threat stared at him carefully. His golden eyes flicked down for a moment, then met Kathranis’ eyes again.

“You have no proof,” the gryphon said evenly.

“I do,” Kathranis responded. “It just got covered in the fighting. I can feel the medallion’s weight around my neck. I swear this is not a trap.”

The gryphon continued staring at him for a few long moments, then took a step back.

“You have ten seconds. If you do not offer proof of yours words, we will slay you all.”

Kathranis nodded.

“Of course, just a moment.”

He slid his fingers under the collar of his armor and found the chain that held Zefuris’ clan emblem. Pulling the chain over his head, Kathranis found the emblem, glistening with blood, and stuck to his armor by mud and gore. Kathranis pulled it away and held it in the air, grimacing slightly at the sight. He looked to the gryphon.

“You wouldn’t happen to have a clean cloth would you? I imagine I was supposed to keep this clean.”

A dark form flared its wings as it landed beside the sword-gryphon. Despite the face covering helmet the gryphon wore, Kathranis still recognized the brown eyes of Zefuris as he fluttered his wings and stood up straight.

“Yes, you were,” the gryphon said. “But I’ll forgive your transgression as long as the Prince is still alive.”

Kathranis smiled and lowered his arm.

“He is, I checked myself.”

Zefuris grunted and turned to the sword-gryphon.

“Hello brother.”

The gryphon bowed his head.

“Brother. I must express my surprise at lending a clan emblem to a human, but I’m sure you had good reason.”

“Reason I don’t need to explain to my younger,” Zefuris snapped. “Now go observe the clean up operation.” He looked up to the other gryphons and snarled. “And what are you lot doing? Put those damn things down before you shoot the Princess’s allies!”

He jabbed a talon at one of the gryphons.

“You, go fetch the Princess and the healers. Prince Valan needs his wounds treated.”

The gryphon flapped hard and disappeared above the trees, while the rest of the gryphons began peeling off into the dark, no doubt to go in pursuit of the fleeing humans. Kathranis tried to ignore the occasional scream he heard from deeper in the forest. With his people dealt with, Zefuris turned toward Kathranis with a sigh.

“Apologies Shadowsong, we shall discuss all of this in a better place. May I see the Prince?”

Kathranis nodded and smiled. He began to raise a hand to place on the gryphon’s back, but found Zefuris’ filthy clan emblem in his fingers. He winced as a spot of blood dripped off the medallion.

“Ah,” he said. “Would you like this back?”

Zefuris snorted and shook his head.

“Keep it for now.” He drew a cloth from his sword belt and gave it to Kathranis, who immediately set to cleaning the medallion. “I don’t want the savior of my Prince to end up stabbed by some blood hungry gryphon.”

Kathranis smiled toward his brethren, motioning for them to sheathe their weapons.

“It’s alright everyone,” he said. “Zefuris is a friend.”

He began to walk toward Valan, only to collapse as his leg gave out. Kathranis saw stars as his head slammed into the ground. He rolled onto his back, and looked toward his rebelling limb to find the wound on his thigh blackened, and oozing a strange green goo. For some reason, he fixated on the wounded, briefly trying to clutch at it as he vaguely heard shouts of alarm. Kathranis felt hands on his arms as his mind began to shut down.

He closed his eyes for only a moment, and his stomach flipped and rebelled, threatening to spill its contents into the… sky? Kathranis could barely hold his eyes open, but he felt a frigid night wind on his face. A glance down found only darkness below him, and a glance up found a trio of leather armored gryphons flapping hard. He recognized only one, who looked back to smile at him.

“It’s going to be alright Shadowsong,” Aquila shouted above the wind. “We’re going to get you all fixed up, okay? Just stay with us.”

Kathranis opened his mouth to respond, only for a cough to rack his chest. Blood sprayed from his lips and fell into the darkness below. Kathranis found himself joining it as his eyes slipped closed.

Chapter 6

Kathranis slammed the hilt of his sword into an orc’s head, then spun on his heel to kick another one in the chest. The crunch of bone echoed in his thoughts as the bulky orc fell back, clutching at his shattered nose. Kathranis was given no time to breathe, however, as another opponent rushed mindlessly to take the orc’s place. Kathranis winced as he batted aside an elvish sword, wielded by a maiden that looked half his age. Her eyes were glazed over and vacant, and her war cries were mindless as she slashed at him.

Kathranis batted aside another attack, then used his off-hand blade to slash her wrist. The sword dropped from the maiden’s hand, but her attack didn’t stop, didn’t even slow. She lunged at him with her arms outstretched. Kathranis slipped away from the pin, slapping her arms with the flats of his swords. No amount of pain seemed to deter the elf, not when his slaps turned to punches, and not when those punches turned to deep cuts on non-essential body parts.

It hurt Kathranis’ heart to cut her down, but he had to be elsewhere, assisting in the evacuation of the city. He couldn’t waste time on one woman, no matter how much he wanted to. As she lunged at him again, Kathranis made it quick, taking the head from her shoulders. Her body collapsed to the ground, and twitched as blood poured from her many wounds. A pool formed around the body, but Kathranis ignored it as a call went up.

“Fall back! We cannot hold them here!”

As the voice spoke, a flood of orcs, goblins, and even a few elves sprinted headlong around the corner of a burning building. As soon as they spotted Kathranis, they screeched in an ungodly racket, and they ran at him. Kathranis turned on his heel and fled after his retreating brethren, but for some reason, as fast as he ran, his elvish brothers and sisters only seemed to get farther away, while his pursuers, especially the haunted looking elves, got ever closer.

Eventually, Kathranis was forced to turn and fight, but this time, there was no hesitation. His blades flashed again and again until they were so covered with blood that they stopped reflecting the firelight. His arms grew heavy, though he could scarcely tell if that was because of exhaustion, or the sheer weight of the blood that coated his swords.

He managed to break away from a trio of elves that reached for him with clawing talons for hands, and he spat a curse as he turned and fled once more. Again, the mind-controlled creatures stayed on his heels, but this time, Kathranis managed to gain a bit of distance.

As he passed through an intersection, Kathranis spotted a small girl crying in the center of the cobblestone. Why she was there, instead of with the rest of the evacuees, he didn’t know, but he didn’t have time to play a guessing game. Kathranis quickly altered his direction, and sprinted toward the tiny elf, sheathing one sword as he ran.

She continued to cry, but didn’t shy away from him as he came to a stop and crouched down, offering a warm smile and a bloodied hand.

“Come now little one, we must be away from this place, it isn’t safe.”

“I can’t find my mommy!” the small child wailed.

Kathranis was grimly aware of the chances that the girl’s parents were still alive, but he could do nothing but offer comfort and the slightest trace of hope.

“I’ll help you find them once we’re safe,” he said, glancing back to the approaching elves.

The girl looked at him with tear filled eyes. A hint of fear flashed through her face and she started to back away. Kathranis removed his helmet and tried to widen his smile.

“It’s alright little one, I won’t hurt you, but if we don’t move, people that can hurt you will come.”

The girl sniffled and began to reach out her hand, but a noise caught Kathranis’ attention. He spun around to find three figures rapidly approaching. Two of the beings were crazed elves, their throats shrieking with an ungodly noise, while a bulbous-headed creature, no doubt their new master, seemed to grin at him with it’s tentacled face.

Kathranis snatched up his discarded helmet and threw it at the first elf, then drew a knife and prepared to throw it at the second. The second elf tackled him and began to wrap his hands around Kathranis’ throat. The first elf, momentarily stunned by the helmet, joined in, pinning Kathranis’ sword arm. As he tried to stab at the strangling elf, Kathranis caught a glimpse of the little girl running away.

Kathranis’ knife scraped against the strangling elf’s arm, but on his second swing, it plunged into the elf’s ribs. The strangling elf howled in pain and fell back, giving Kathranis a free hand and a fresh breath. He swung his fist into the pinning elf’s face, breaking his nose with a loud crunch. As the pinning elf fell away, Kathranis tried to roll to his feet, only to let out a shout of pain as a knife blade plunged into his thigh.

The strangling elf made his return with a shout of rage as he crawled up Kathranis’ body, again wrapping his hands around Kathranis’ throat. This time, however, he was not content to simply strangle Kathranis, and instead the elf slammed Kathranis’ head into the flagstones.

Kathranis saw stars, both from the concussion, as well as his increasingly short breath. He managed to blink his way to clarity, and he saw only hate in the eyes of the elf tearing the breath from his lungs. Kathranis felt tears in his eyes as he ever so gently placed his hands on either side of the strangling elf’s. Then he began to apply pressure, slowly twisting the elf’s neck. The whole while, Kathranis did his best to whisper apologies, and to give his forgiveness to his controlled brethren. If the other elf heard him, he didn’t know, but all pressure disappeared from Kathranis’ neck as, with a sudden twist, a loud snap echoed in his ears.

The elf dropped to the side, and Kathranis managed to roll over in time to see the mind flayer scoop up the little girl. Before he could make any move to stop the creature, before he could even speak, a tentacle plunged into the girl’s head, rendering her lifeless as the mind flayer sucked her brains out.

Kathranis shut his eyes, couldn’t bear to watch. He got to his feet shakily, scooping up his fallen sword with one hand, while drawing the other in his off-hand. Kathranis stalked blindly toward the brain eating monster, and he vaguely heard it shriek, launching a psychic attack against the elf. The white-noise meant to scramble his thoughts and open him up to intrusion was brushed away by the wards painted over Kathranis’ skin, freshly tattooed mere days ago by the last Archmage of the besieged city. The elder elf was long dead, but his craft lived on in Kathranis’ flesh, and the young elf began to sing as his blades removed the mind flayer’s head from his body.

The tattoos hidden beneath his chainmail began to glow as he sang a song of grief, of heartbreak. He had sung the song many times in the past days as he watched his brothers and sisters fall under the relentless assault of their enemies. Just like every other time, spells began to flow forth, spilling their power into the air. Kathranis sheathed his blades and crouched down, gently scooping up the dead girl. A fireball incinerated a trio of goblins that had been sneaking in the shadows of a still-standing home, while a bolt of frost lanced through the elf Kathranis had left alive with a broken nose. Just before the spell of silence settled, Kathranis vaguely heard someone calling his name, then he heard nothing. A small bubble formed around him, and an arrow ricocheted off it, spiraling to the ground.

Kathranis felt a clap of thunder as a lightning bolt split the sky. Rain began to fall, mingling with his tears as he cradled the little girl in his arms. Water mixed with sweat and blood, pooling between the flagstones of the street.

A shadow fell over Kathranis as he cried. A voice filled to the brim with contempt snorted at his back.

“I expected more from your breed human. Your kin show some prowess, but you seem just as emotionally weak as the rest of the lower races. How pathetic.”

Kathranis felt the tears on his cheeks start to dry as rage filled his mind. How dare anyone mock his grief? How dare they judge him, not knowing what his people had suffered? He began to see red, but he carefully set the girl down, brushing her blonde hair to cover the hole in her head.

With a feral war cry, Kathranis drew and threw one of his daggers in one smooth turning motion. The blade disappeared into a wall of shadow, but he couldn’t track it farther than that. A bolt of dark blue energy lanced out at him, blowing him backward before he could dodge. Kathranis heard an ugly crunch in his leg as he landed awkwardly, but he didn’t let the injury deter him.

Kathranis drew his swords and stood off against the creature, favoring his unbroken leg. Mired in shadow, he couldn’t get a good look at the creature, only that it stood on two legs, was at least a head taller than he was and had green snake-like eyes. As it grinned at him, Kathranis also noticed razor sharp teeth.

“You truly are pathetic if you believe your puny knives can hurt me human. I am a goddess!”

Kathranis took a deep breath, then, gritting his teeth, he charged forward. He did his best to compensate for his lame leg, but closing the distance between himself and the shadowy figure was slow, and painful. Surprisingly, the figure let him close in, only lashing out when he had properly set his feet to strike.

A long twisted black blade scraped against his scimitars. Kathranis winced as sparks danced on his face, but the burst of light gave him the faintest of glimpses at the figure. It had an odd face, almost horse like, but the muzzle was shorter, and much smoother, while the eyes faced forward. The only thing about the surface of the creature that Kathranis knew for sure was that the creature was black, but whether he was looking at its skin, fur, or armor, he couldn’t tell.

Kathranis shoved his weight to the left, causing the blade lock to break, and with his shorter swords, he was able to offer a light jab at the creature’s belly. The tip of his scimitar scratched against something hard, and the creature’s eyes blazed with fury.

“I don’t think so weakling.”

The longsword came around toward his neck, and Kathranis was forced to duck, just in time for a black fist to slam into his jaw. Kathranis’ head snapped back, but before he could fall, a hand grabbed the collar of his armor and yanked him forward. He closed his eyes and prepared for a headbutt, only to be thrown for a whirl when a warm pair of lips pressed against his.

Kathranis opened his eyes to find the figure pressing herself up against him. A firm hand held the back of his head, while the other traced circles on his chest. Despite being so close, he still couldn’t tell what exactly the creature looked like.

The creature pulled away and smiled at him.

“Hmm, not terrible, but you have plenty of room for improvement if you are to be my servant.” She shrugged and looked him up and down with hungry eyes. “At least you aren’t nearly as feeble as I thought.”

Kathranis blinked stupidly at her, then managed to dredge up enough mental power to draw a knife from his belt. The hand on his chest grabbed his wrist before he could plunge the blade into the creature, and she chuckled.

“Yes, not terrible at all. Some cunning, a fair bit of combat prowess, not bad. Not bad at all little human.”

She touched a hand to Kathranis’ forehead, and smiled.

“Sleep mortal. I think I can find use for you after all.”

A wall of black swamped Kathranis’ vision, and the elf felt all of his pain fade into nothingness. He quickly followed.

Then he was somewhere else.

Kathranis slowly awakened, the fog of a dreamless sleep clinging fresh to his mind. As he blinked gunk from his eyes, he tried to remember… something. He didn’t know what, but he felt as if something had happened, something significant.

Then like it had never been there, the sensation vanished. Kathranis stared at the dark ceiling with a small frown on his face. He felt something chewing on one of his toes, and glanced down to find Secil gnawing on his foot.

‘What are you doing?’ Kathranis called mentally.

‘Making sure you were actually awake,’ Secil replied cheerfully as he nibbled. ‘I felt you beginning to stir, but I wasn’t entirely sure if this was another fluke or not. I am quite glad to find it not so.’

Kathranis snorted.

‘I’m glad you care. How long was I out?’

‘A few days,’ Secil said. ‘You’ve been here the entire time.’

‘Here being?’

‘The castle in Stonepeak or whatever. I wasn’t really paying attention.’

“Glad to know a few days hasn’t changed your laziness,” Kathranis muttered.

He began to sit up, only to gasp as pain raced up his leg. Kathranis propped himself up on his elbows and looked down to find his left leg wrapped in a thick bandage, with a pair of splints running from his ankle to his crotch. The elf looked to Secil.

“What’s all this?” Kathranis asked.

The cat settled on Kathranis’ good leg and began licking his front paw.

‘A couple things actually,’ Secil said. ‘A bit of polluted magic from that axe that nicked your thigh mixed with some of the magic in your tattoos and then a bit of our psychic link.’

He extended one of his hind legs, showing a similar splint.

‘Unlike where I would die if you did, your bones broke because my leg was already broken.’

He nodded toward Kathranis’ leg.

‘Some gryphon clerics and pony mages gave it all a once over. Once they purged the dark magic from your wound, your tattoo healed, and the loop between us ended. We should both be fully mobile in a week or so.’

Kathranis grunted and flopped back onto his pillow. With his senses largely free of his sleeping state, Kathranis looked around at his surroundings. He was lying in a long room filled with empty beds on one side, while tall windows let moonlight stream in from outside on the opposite wall. Humanoid forms lay quietly in some of the beds, their chests rising and falling with the rhythm of someone asleep. Kathranis made a mental note to stop speaking to Secil aloud.

‘In case you were wondering,’ Secil thought with a yawn, ‘your brother has your weapons and armor. They were in bad shape when we got here, and he took them for repairs. The elvish way, if that matters to you.’

Kathranis shrugged.

‘Only because my kin know how to repair my things the right way. I’m sure the gryphons have capable armorsmiths if push comes to shove.’ He sighed and rubbed his face. ‘Now, you mentioned pony mages? Who, or what are they?’

‘Gryphons without the beaks and with magic,’ Secil replied. ‘Some have horns, some have wings, and I saw one without either. I don’t know why they’re here. I haven’t been able to do much spying with this stupid leg.’

The cat growled and he clawed at the bed.

‘When I get my paws on that orc I’m going to tear his eyes out and then I’m going to eat them. He’s lucky he didn’t ruin my leg permanently, or nothing would stop me from tracking him down and tearing out his smelly, ugly, wretched half breed throat.’

Kathranis grunted in agreement to the cat’s words. The remnants of whatever he had been experiencing when he had still been asleep clung to his mind, and though they too tried to fade, Kathranis didn’t let them. His mind was working hard to come to a realization, but he couldn’t quite figure out what that realization was.

‘Are you alright?’ Secil asked.

Kathranis blinked and found the cat sitting on his chest, staring at him with his glowing cat eyes. Kathranis stared at the cat for a moment, then reached out a hand, scratching at Secil’s ears. The cat purred and settled onto Kathranis’ chest, while the elf went back to staring at the ceiling. After a few more moments of thought, he finally realized what he had been in before he had woken up, and that fact confused him even more.

‘I… I think I had a nightmare,’ Kathranis said mentally.

Secil’s purring dimmed slightly.

‘You don’t have nightmares. Was it the old one? With Huron getting shot?’

Kathranis shook his head.

‘No, this was something new, but…’ His brow furrowed. ‘The strangest part is that I can’t remember what happened.’

Secil sighed and his purrs returned in full force.

‘Then I wouldn’t worry Kathranis. Fordred ran a test on your tattoos, and everything is still working. Nobody can look in your mind. Maybe it’s just some left over magic from your wound, or maybe it was just because you got hurt, who knows? If it happens again, then worry, otherwise, sleep it off. See how you feel in the morning.’

Kathranis continued staring at the ceiling for a few more moments, then sighed and nodded.

‘That sounds like a good idea, and you’re probably right. It can’t have been that bad if I can’t remember what it was about.’

‘Exactly,’ Secil purred. ‘Now rest up. I can already feel in my bones that tomorrow is going to be busy, so you’re going to want more sleep. I know I do.’

Kathranis snorted.

‘Of course you do. Good night Secil.’

Chapter 7

When Kathranis awoke again, beams of sunlight had replaced the moonlight in streaming through the windows opposite his bed. Letting out a yawn, Kathranis spotted Secil already napping in one of the pools of sunlight, the cat seemingly happy as he rested with his head on his paws. Before Kathranis could begin to sit up and analyze his surroundings better in the morning light, the pair of oaken doors at the end of the ward opened, revealing Aquila, and Huron.

The she-gryphon’s face immediately lit up, and she flapped forward.

“He’s awake!”

Faster than he could track, the gryphon appeared at his bed side, and before he could say anything, she sat him up in a bone crushing hug. Kathranis found his face buried in the fur around Aquila’s neck, and she purred as she hugged him.

“Oh this is perfect,” she cooed. “I was so worried when we saw the explosion, but then Zefuris led me away, and we didn’t know what happened.”

She pulled back from the hug and sat on the edge of his bed. Her emerald eyes twinkled, smiling at him just as much as her beak was.

“But you survived! Zefuris told me that you single-handedly fought off dozens of humans. Is that true?”

Kathranis finally managed to restart his brain, and he smiled.

“Perhaps over the course of the battle, but not all at once.”

He motioned to Huron.

“And had my brother not come in with my other brethren, it would not have mattered how well I fought. It was hardly a victory I won alone.”

Aquila sighed and drooped slightly.

“Ah. The truth is always less impressive than the legends.”

Her grin made a return and she winked.

“But most people don’t need to know that. Especially not tonight.”

Kathranis tilted his head.

“Tonight? What’s tonight?”

“The celebration for Prince Valan’s noble savior of course,” Aquila said with a giggle. “You should hear the rumors about the castle these days.”

“They speak of a seven-foot-tall elf, with six arms that wield eight blades,” Huron said, crouching beside Aquila. “He apparently spits fire, and conjures arrows from the sky to smite his enemies. He cannot be injured, and does not know the meaning of the word fear!”

Kathranis put a scowl on his face.

“That sounds like one of those silly songs you write brother. Complete nonsense all of it.”

Huron matched his expression and crossed his arms.

“Perhaps, but not all of us are so lucky as to be given their songs magically, now are we?”

The two glared at each other for a moment, then they smiled together. Huron held the back of Kathranis’ neck, while Kathranis did the same in return. They gently butted foreheads, closing their eyes as they sat in silence, merely basking in the other’s presence.

“I’m so glad I found you,” Kathranis whispered. “I held tight hope, but there was always a bit of doubt that I had lost you forever.”

Huron chuckled and pulled away.

“The same could be said for you brother. What took you so long to find us?”

Kathranis tilted his head in question.

“What do you mean? I only arrived here a few days ago, not counting my unexpected rest. I found Princess Aquila before I could fall into Reverie the first night. She and her brother were kind enough to escort me here, before we got ambushed.”

He looked to the gryphon.

“Secil told me I had been out for a few days, was it longer?”

She seemed to shrink before his eyes.

“No, he told the truth… but I haven’t been wholly honest with you.”

She fidgeted, staring at her hands. Kathranis spared a glance toward Huron, then looked back to Aquila.

“Princess, I’m not going to be angry if that is what you’re afraid of. Unless Huron has something tragic to tell me about our kin, then all is well. Today should be a day of celebration.”

Aquila sighed and met his gaze.

“I’m sorry Shadowsong, but… I may have known about your kin, but I said nothing.”

Kathranis frowned slightly.

“How so? You all seemed to determine I was a human when we first met. If you knew of elves, why did you act so surprised when I spoke of them?”

“I didn’t know of elves,” Aquila protested. “And I didn’t know I was lying, I swear it!” She sighed again and looked away. “But we had heard rumor of an off-shoot of humans living in the woods away from the rest of them. When you spoke of staying in the cave, I should have been smart enough to make the connection, but I didn’t and instead forced you on a journey that you didn’t need to come on. I diverted your path, and for that, I apologize. I would understand if you wanted to forsake my offer for friendship because of this.”

Kathranis stared at the fidgeting gryphon for a moment, then threw his head back as he let out a loud laugh. Aquila blushed slightly, and she looked to Huron, who only grinned and shook his head.

“What’s so funny?”

“D-did you really believe that I would be angry at you for something so trivial?” Kathranis said, “You forgot a bit of hearsay, and suddenly you’ve told me a great lie?”

The elf motioned to his brother.

“Your “lie” caused me to find my kin anyway! What have I to be angry about?”

Aquila blushed harder as he continued to laugh, and when he didn’t stop, she slugged his arm.

“Fine, I’ve got nothing to be sorry about,” she squawked. “Now quit laughing or I break the other leg!”

Kathranis continued to chuckle as he rubbed his arm.

“Apologies Princess, it’s just quite funny. I wouldn’t be a very good Blademaster if I threw away potential friends over a simple misunderstanding.”

Huron’s grin diminished slightly.

“Ah, that… brings about some unfortunate news then brother.”

Kathranis looked questioningly to the elder elf, who stared at his feet.

“What’s wrong Huron?”

The elf sighed and sat on the bed next to Kathranis’.

“I think it best we start the story at the beginning. You say you have been in this realm for a few days? Well, our troop has been here for just shy of a month, and… we had to make decisions without you.”

The last of Kathranis’ mirth died away, and he wriggled himself to an upright position. Aquila, sensing the sudden change of mood, got to her feet.

“I’ll go see about your crutches. Huron, tell the guard when you two are ready to leave.”

Huron grunted in acknowledgement, continuing to stare at the floor until Aquila left the healing ward. Kathranis watched his brother carefully for a few long moments, and when he didn’t speak, Kathranis poked at him.

“Well?” he asked. “Please tell me you are worrying over something as trivial as Princess Aquila was.”

Huron sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

“I think this is best ripped off like a bandage.”

He rolled up the sleeve on his left arm and Kathranis blinked in surprise at the very basic spell tattoo he saw. He looked to his own arm to find the very same tattoo, still as pronounced as the day he had received it. Kathranis looked up to Huron’s face to find the elf near to tears. Kathranis smiled lightly and reached for his brother’s wrist.

“Huron, it’s alright, you didn’t…”

“I should have known!” the elf spat. “I should have waited!”

He forced his sleeve down and looked away.

“I gave you a measly two weeks to turn up, then took it upon myself to put it to a vote. It wasn’t unanimous then, and it still isn’t. Some of our elves wanted to wait, but I thought it best to move on in the greater interest, and in doing so I wrote off not only my little brother, but my Blademaster. I usurped your power, and I used Fordred to begin making my claim legitimate.”

Kathranis winced as he tried to sit up further.

“Huron, it’s alright, I don’t mind at all!”

“That isn’t the point,” Huron said, turning back around. Tears streaked down his cheeks. “I thought you were dead,” he whispered, “and then I spat on your memory by stealing away your position. It’s shameful, and it’s wrong.”

He stared at his arm.

“I should take the limb as punishment, but fortunately, I have enough honor left to realize that deciding my punishment is your privilege.”

He got on his knees, and, looking down, offered Kathranis his arm.

“Do with me as you see fit brother. I have no words of protest, only those of regret.”

Kathranis did his best not to sigh with exasperation. To him, the display was overdramatic and frankly, very silly. He would never sacrifice a single member of his elvish troupe, especially not over a little misunderstanding. But to Huron and some of the other older elves? It would be spitting on the memory of their people to even suggest such. It was yet another reason Kathranis had been so confused when the Archmage had chosen him to be Blademaster, but that was the past, and he had duties to uphold, no matter his personal thoughts.

Kathranis clasped his brother’s forearm, causing him to look up. He met Huron’s teary eyes with a smile.

“I forgive you brother, you made a decision you thought was right, and ultimately, you never came even close to usurping me.”

He nodded toward Huron’s arm.

“That is the only tattoo you have gotten so far, yes?”

Huron nodded slowly.

“Yes. Fordred has to learn all the spells first, and it’s taken him some time.”

“Then we have nothing to worry about brother,” Kathranis said. “Your punishment is thus; you will not refer to me as anything other than Blademaster for the next three days. That will make it clear to everyone who is still in charge, alright?”

A smile flickered on Huron’s face and he nodded.

“Of course Blademaster. I respect your judgement and accept my punishment.”

Kathranis gave a short nod and motioned for the elf to rise.

“Well, since it’s been a month brother, what has happened in my absence? Hopefully no deaths?”

Huron got to his feet, and a dark scowl appeared on his face. Before he could speak, Aquila poked her head in the room, non-verbally asking permission. Kathranis smiled and waved her on.

“Come Princess, I am fairly certain you have the run of the place; this being your home and such.”

Aquila gave a little flap as she moved across the room, a pair of crutches in her hands. Kathranis noted a lithe white-feathered form follow her in, but he decided instead to follow the cheery looking princess.

“That may be,” she said, “but you’re the special guest here. Dad would kill me if I barged in on you and somehow offended you.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“I think it is nigh impossible to offend me Princess. I have quite the toughened skin.”

His smile dimmed slightly as he looked toward Huron’s scowl, which for some reason was directed at Aquila.

“I must have a hard heart when it comes to my position,” he finished. “Now, I had asked about deaths?”

Huron nodded slowly.

“There was one. Erran. She got caught in the open pursuing game and guards of gryphon nature ran her down and ripped her apart.”

Aquila stood tall in the face of the angry elf.

“They must have had good reason, likely she attacked them, and then-“

“They even continued when she threw down her bow and tried to surrender,” Huron spat. “And before you ask, I was the one who witnessed it. They gave no mercy, it is why I gave none in return.”

Aquila’s beak clacked shut and she looked toward Kathranis.

“I’m sure we can talk about… such matters later. Dad wants you cleaned up and presentable.”

The gryphon behind her stepped forward, loudly clearing her throat.

“What Princess Aquila meant to say is that King Terran formally extends his humblest invitation to attend a celebration and feast in your honor Master Shadowsong. We are to escort you to your new quarters so that you may have the opportunity to clean and take stock of your belongings, as well as check in on your companions.”

She glared at Aquila.

“Right Princess?”

The gryphon scoffed.

“That’s essentially what I said. Shadowsong and I are already friends anyways, we don’t need that diplomatic pomp.”

She grinned and looked to Kathranis, who shrugged and smiled at the armored gryphon.

“I do prefer frank speech to diplomatic talk.” He laughed. “Better to cross swords than words, I always say!”

The armored gryphon sighed aloud, while Secil sighed in Kathranis’ mind.

‘I don’t even know why I try.’

“I don’t even know why I try.”

While Kathranis chuckled, Aquila nudged the gryphon.

“Come on D, lighten up! This isn’t some prissy pony or stuck up dragon! This is Shadowsong! If we threw a pair of wings at him, he’d basically be a gryphon!”

Aquila threw an arm around the armored gryphon’s shoulder and smiled at Kathranis.

“Shadowsong, meet Dranidal, my bestfriend, bodyguard, and etiquette tutor.”

The armored gryphon offered a hand to Kathranis.

“Dranidal Brightwing, Master Shadowsong, at your service.”

Kathranis clasped her forearm and grinned.

“Kathranis Shadowsong.”

He nodded toward Aquila.

“If she’s like this all the time, I can’t believe you teach her anything.”

Dranidal smiled as Aquila squawked in indignation.

“She is stubborn, but she has a wise head on her shoulders. Decision making comes easy to my Princess,” she set a small glower over the gryphon, “but the finer points of etiquette elude her.”

Aquila huffed and crossed her arms, looking away.

“Well perhaps I was mistaken. I apparently have no friends here, only critics.”

Secil let out a pitiful meow, and Kathranis regarded the cat with an exasperated look as he over-exaggerated his limp. Aquila smiled at the cat and scooped him up, hugging him gently while she scratched his head.

“Make that one friend.” She shot a playful glare at Kathranis. “At least he has manners.”

The elf rolled his eyes and looked to Dranidal.

“We, of course, accept the king’s offer. Am I to be the only elf in attendance?”

The gryphon shook her head.

“That is left to your discretion, but if you would allow me to, I would recommend you bring your second and third with you.”

Kathranis gave a side-long glance to Huron.

“Unless you protest, you’re still my second, and Fordred is still my third.”

Huron gave him a slight bow.

“Of course Blademaster. Shall I go alert him to prepare for a social gathering?”

“That won’t be necessary Huron,” Dranidal said. “My orders, upon your acceptance, were to assist Princess Aquila in making sure you were prepared. We will both personally escort you to your temporary quarters, where my sister awaits with bathing supplies and your cleaned equipment and clothing.”

Huron frowned and scanned the armored gryphon up and down.

“Have we met?”

Dranidal smiled innocently at him.

“If you’re asking how I know your name, it is because I am good at my job. I wouldn’t be a very good bodyguard to Princess Aquila if I didn’t know every little detail about potential threats.”

Huron sputtered.

“I’m not a threat!”

Aquila giggled and set Secil down.

“I think we all know that’s not true. Dad always says there are two types of people, those who are threats, and those who are inactive threats. You fall into the latter category,”

“Currently,” Dranidal finished. “It’s my job to make sure you never become active.”

She looked to Kathranis.

“And as a note, since you mentioned your enjoyment of frankness, you are being watched, always. No matter how hard you try, no matter what magics you use, nothing will stop that. King Terran has ruled his kingdom well for nearly a century, and he has done that by staying informed on everyone, friend and enemy alike. I hope it does not offend you or turn you away, but you are being, and will continue being watched. Likely permanently.”

“Even if we left?” Kathranis asked.

Dranidal nodded silently. Aquila rolled her eyes and moved to Kathranis’ bedside with the crutches.

“I wouldn’t worry Shadowsong, Dad keeps tabs on me too,” she nodded toward Dranidal. “She’s been spying on me since I was seven.”

She offered Kathranis a hand, which he accepted. Together they managed to rotate his legs out of the bed.

“Seems a bit young for a spy,” he said as Aquila offered him the crutches.

Dranidal shrugged.

“It pays to be good early in life.”

Kathranis gritted his teeth, and with a gentle push from Huron, and Aquila checking his balance, he managed to stand up on the crutches. Secil frowned as a wave of pain flowed between them.

‘Perhaps you should ask Lady Sylvanus for more healing magic, she seemed most generous before.’

Kathranis frowned as he found his balance and took a first hesitant step.

‘I have taken too much from her already,’ he replied. ‘I’ll be fine.’

Stamping down the pain from his mending leg, Kathranis flashed a smile at Aquila.

“So Princess, I believe you were escorting me to a bath?”

She giggled and threw an arm around his shoulders.

“Indeed Shadowsong. I think it’s quite obvious to all that you reek.”

Dranidal sighed and shook her head, falling in just behind Aquila, while Huron took up the rear.

The gryphons led them through many winding sonte hallways and past dozens of wood and steel doorways. With his mind distracted by pain, they passed in a blur, and after a while, Kathranis stopped trying to map them. He briefly wondered if they were intentionally being confused, but dismissed it. He already considered Aquila a friend, she wouldn’t….

‘Quit thinking like yourself,’ Secil growled. ‘Blademaster Shadowsong needs to be suspicious. I like Aquila as well, but she could be our enemy.’

Kathranis frowned back at the limping cat.

‘She had every opportunity to harm us.’

‘Before she knew you had warriors at your side,’ Secil countered. ‘and before she knew you were an elite warrior yourself. Even if her intentions are true, we’re dealing with a lot more than one gryphon now. Buck up cub, you have to be a little less friendly.’

Kathranis suppressed a sigh and continued limping forward. He felt the hand shift from his shoulders to around his waist, and he looked to his side to find brilliant green eyes shining back. Aquila flashed a smile, and Kathranis returned it. He would be watchful alright, but not of Aquila. Not heavily at least.

Kathranis was tired by the time they arrived at the elvish quarters. He was definitely more accustomed to his new crutches, but his leg hurt, and he was tired, more so than he thought he would be. He attempted to maintain a steely demeanor, but no amount of focus could erase the sweat soaking his tunic, nor his heavy breaths. Aquila kept a firm grip on him, making sure his balance remained, and a glance back found Huron cradling Secil, who was panting softly.

Dranidal opened the door for them, and limping forward, Kathranis beheld most of his brethren. Their armor laid out in various states of cleanliness and repair on over a dozen beds. A very were in Reverie, but most were crowded around a table where Fordred and Riven were playing a card game. The larger elf’s brow was furrowed in furious concentration, staring hard at the cards. He was mirrored by Fordred, who would occasionally glance up at his opponent. A single bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, and Kathranis heard a light gulp from him.

Riven growled and set down a card.

“Lanthandar’s light banishes your zombie horde. That frees the way for my footman to attack your lich.”

He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. Fordred continued staring at the cards for a long moment, then he smiled.

“You’re getting better Riven, but you still use brute force instead of thinking about what lies in wait.”

He flipped a card and grinned.

“My lich was holding the Amulet of Raise Dead. My zombies return and attack your footman’s back.”

He removed the card and sat back in his chair.

“And that kills your last warrior, I win.”

A series of loud groans and mild cheers filled the room as coin began changing hands. Huron chuckled and set Secil on a bed, then slipped through the crowd of elves, none of which seemed to notice their leader standing in their midst. Fordred stuck an open palm out to Riven.

“Come on, pay up. You wanted double or nothing, and you lost.”

Huron crouched beside Riven and whispered in his ear as he reached down to his belt. The large elf’s dark eyes flicked up to Kathranis, and he grunted loudly.

“Blademaster Shadowsong is here.”

The room fell instantly quiet as the elves all stopped and turned to look at the injured elf. Fordred’s jaw dropped, erasing his smug look as he stared at Kathranis. The tattooed elf grinned and gave them all a nod.

“Hello friends, I’m glad to see that most of your survived to-…”

With the sound of a clattering chair, and then scattering cards, Fordred leaped the table and across the room to hug Kathranis tightly. He let out a slight grunt of pain as Fordred squeezed him, closing his eyes and grinning as he hugged away. Aquila slipped away with Dranidal, leaving Kathranis to be supported by the small wizard,

“It’s so good to see you awake Blademaster,” he gushed. “We were so worried when we heard of your wounding!”

He pulled back and rubbed at his eyes as his goofy smile remained wide. Kathranis smiled at him and snorted.

“Come now Fordred, you act like you haven’t seen me in a century.”

The elf chuckled.

“Well you certainly smell like it’s been that long since you had a bath. Did you roll in dwarf shit on your way here?”

Kathranis blinked in shock at his words, and he looked to Huron.

“D-did he just make a crass joke without a stutter?”

The elder elf smiled.

“And came up with it all by himself. A month may not be long to elves Blademaster, but little Fordred has done some growing since you vanished.”

The wizard flushed slightly and coughed into a fist.

“Ahem, well,” he started. “I just wanted to learn more skills so that Blademaster Shadowsong didn’t have to look after me as much, that’s all.”

Kathranis snorted.

“More like you had no books to bury your nose in, so you were forced to socialize.”

The elves all chuckled, and Fordred flushed further.

“That… may be true,” he admitted.

Kathranis limped forward and clapped him on the shoulder.

“Well I think it did you good. If it makes you feel any better, I believe I still have your books.”

Fordred’s eyes lit up, but before he could ask where, Aquila answered the question.

“They’re back here,” the gryphon called across the room. The elves moved to the sides of the room, allowing Kathranis to see her wave. He limped forward, nudging Fordred with his elbow as he moved.

“You’re my third Fordred. Time to take a bath; we’ve got a party to attend.”

The wizard smiled and fell in step beside Kathranis, while Huron brought up their rear. His elves were cheerful as he passed through, though he could tell they were disappointed that he was leaving so soon. He gave them smiles and kind words of assurance that not only would he return, but that they would have their own celebration of a kind.

He approached the doors and limped inside to find Aquila, Dranidal, and a third gryphon that looked identical to the latter, save for her larger build, all dressed in the outfits of human maids. The trio each stood in front of a doorway that led to a filled tub of hot water. Huron raised an eyebrow, while Fordred blushed slightly. Kathranis merely blinked in mild confusion.

“What’s all this?”

Aquila chuckled, while Dranidal smiled and gave a slight bow.

“Your bathes are ready Master Shadowsong. As we said before, we are under orders to see you properly cleaned, and the best way to do that is to conduct the bathes ourselves.”

The third gryphon’s eyes lit up as she looked Fordred up and down.

“I call the small one. He looks like he could be fun, if you catch my drift”

Fordred flushed heavier, looking far more like Kathranis remembered him. Easily embarrassed, a bit nervous and twitchy. Kathranis continued looking confused as his eyes met Aquila’s. The princess giggled again.

“Deyenidal is my other bodyguard, and she’s one of my fighting coaches. She’s Dranidal’s sister, and yes, she’s openly hitting on your friend.”

She swatted the larger gryphon, who didn’t even seem to register the hit as she continued ogling Fordred. The wizard continued blushing and looking anywhere but her eyes, causing her beak to break out into a grin. Aquila chuckled and rolled her eyes.

“I swear you horny featherhead; you don’t even know his name.”

Deyenidal chuckled.

“I know everything I need to.”

She crossed her arms and looked to Kathranis.

“But we’re ready to go when you are Master Shadowsong. Lose the clothes, we’ve already got fresh ones.”

Dranidal sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“You are the reason Princess Aquila can’t focus on her lessons.”

Clearing her throat and standing up straight, she flashed a smile at Kathranis.

“If you would disrobe Master Shadowsong, we could be started with your cleansing. My sister and I are experts in all forms of gryphon bathing and preening techniques, and we have passed our lessons to Princess Aquila as well. Trust me when I say you are in capable hands.”

Kathranis smiled lightly, trying not to look flustered as he thought of a way to deny the “gift”.

“While my brothers and I appreciate the offer…”

“No,” Huron said. “We are more than capable of bathing ourselves. Years on the road hasn’t dulled our memories of proper hygiene yet.”

“Yes,” Kathranis said, “that.”

Deyenidal raised an eyebrow, while Dranidal’s smile faded slightly. Aquila giggled anyway.

“I’m afraid you don’t have much of a choice in the matter. It’s custom, and Dad would flay my tail if I disregarded proper diplomatic custom.”

“You can tell him that we aren’t offended, and that we gave you explicit permission to ignore it,” Kathranis said, spreading his hands. “Now if you three kind ladies would simply leave us to bathe.”

Aquila snorted and flicked Deyenidal with her wing. The large gryphon snorted and stepped forward.

“Master Shadowsong, I say this with a great deal of respect, ‘cause I saw what you can get up to,” she stood in front of him and cracked her knuckles. “I’ve been trained since I could walk to kick the shit out of anything my King and Princess command me to. Don’t make me beat up a cripple over a bath.”

Kathranis could feel a tad of force behind the threat, but he also knew that it was merely bluster. If he showed up to a party in his honor covered in bruises, there would be questions, and he was under no obligations to lie. He grinned and met her eyes.

“I think this cripple could make it difficult for you.”

Her bluff called, she diminished slightly, but her eyes flicked to Fordred, then back to Kathranis.

“Please? I can make it worth the little one’s time.”

Huron sucked in air, and his reluctance turned to acceptance in an instant. A fresh opportunity for Fordred’s first courting, a right of passage for all elves, one that he had failed to accomplish, largely because there were no elves left available. If someone was willing to engage him, and especially given that that person was from a new nation Kathranis was considering allying with… It was a good opportunity.

Kathranis cast a glance to Fordred, who was sneaking glances up at the Amazonian gryphon. He looked nervous enough to shake all the way to the Nine Hells and back, but he definitely had some interest hidden in his thin body. Kathranis let out a slight sigh and met Deyenidal’s eyes.

“You’d better help him out of his shell the rest of the way.”

Her eyes lit up and she purred as she grabbed Fordred by the collar of his well-worn robes. She dragged him back to her door, then slammed it closed behind them. Aquila sighed and rolled her eyes again.

“I should have seen it coming. She’s always had a thing for the smaller males.”

Dranidal moved forward next, and she offered Huron a slight bow.

“If you will follow me.”

The elder elf cast a glance to Kathranis, flicking his eyes down. Kathranis glanced down to find lightning fast handcant.

Separated for information. Keep wary.

He mentally sighed at his brother’s suspicions, but he canted back an ok signal. The door closed behind his brother, leaving Kathranis alone with Aquila. He looked to the gryphoness, only to find her scooping him off his feet. His crutches fell to the wayside as she carried the elf to his bath. He gave her a light glare.

“I’m not helpless you know.”

Aquila chuckled and closed the door behind them with her foot.

“Maybe, but Dad always says to disarm your allies so you can see their true colors. What’s more disarming than to be carried around by a princess who’s about to bathe you?”

She sighed as she sat him down in a chair, where she helped him remove his breaches, then his tunic.

“Unfortunately, we can’t have a fun bath. This is strictly business.”

Kathranis tilted his head in confusion as she began wrapping a cloth bag over his cast.

“A “fun bath”?”

“A trip to the royal bathhouse?” she said, questioning as if he knew what she was talking about, tilting her head slightly. “I usually have it to myself and my guards, but occasionally I host a noble or two.”

When she noticed Kathranis’ continuing look of confusion, she clicked her tongue.

“Might need to get you a tutor Shadowsong. You’re being thrown into high society tonight, and while it’s a bit tamer on the politicking, you’re going to have to be quick on your feet. There’s a lot of stuff about gryphon society you don’t know, and well, the bath can only last so long.”

She flashed him a grin as she offered a hand.

“So Shadowsong, what do you want to know first?”

Chapter 8

Contrary to his doubts and worries, the bath had been quite nice. Aquila had been respectful at every turn, and as Dranidal had said, she really did know what she was doing. Her talons dug in at just the right spot on each and every muscle to loosen it, turning the scrubbing into a full body massage. In his private areas, Aquila let Kathranis take control without comment, even going so far as to look away to preserve his privacy, though she did jokingly ask for a peek.

Even better, he had learned so much in the short bath. Huron’s worries about secret telling were for naught, as Aquila spent the entire time answering Kathranis’ questions. Bathes, he learned, were largely a social event for gryphons, a time for sharing news, stories, or for just enjoying one another’s company. They could be shared with family, friends, allies, and even enemies that were negotiating. Aquila had assured him that he fell into one of the former categories, though she was forced to mention that her personal opinion of him tainted her choice. It was up to King Terran to make the ultimate decision on whether he was friend, ally, or foe.

Regardless of that fact, she was free to share information, and share she did. Thanks to the bath and the accommodating gryphoness, Kathranis could count cursory information about gryphon history, Gryphonia geography, and the inner workings of the royal court amongst his vast store of knowledge.

He was the first done with his bath, and after retrieving his crutches and his newly cleaned and mended clothes and armor, Aquila left him to dress. His leather armor shined, and felt more comfortable than ever, almost like it had been remade anew, while still carrying the softening effects of age. Most of the armor slid on easily, with the one difficulty being his boots. Kathranis didn’t even try to slide a boot on his bad leg. Though the leather had the ability to stretch, he didn’t want to risk tearing apart his boots on the splints bracing his leg. Instead, Kathranis slid on one booth and opted to leave the other in the bathroom for the time being. The last thing he put on his was his sword belt, and he balanced awkwardly on a crutch to draw a scimitar. The blade shined brilliantly in the candlelight, and he looked down it to find the blade as sharp as ever. It was like he had cleaned it himself, no doubt the work of his ever-considerate brother.

Satisfied that his equipment was in good shape, Kathranis re-sheathed his blades and propped open the door so that he could limp out. He made his way to the door leading to the wider elven barracks, and decided to await his brother there. Holding a slight smile on his face, Kathranis looked to the ceiling, thinking of little as he stood in place.

It wasn’t overly long before Huron came out of his bath, followed quickly by Dranidal. The gryphoness offered a slight bow to Kathranis, then left the bathroom. Huron decided to lean against the wall next to Kathranis, crossing his arms, and frowning softly. Kathranis smiled at him, taking note that his brother was also wearing cleaner, mended armor.

“Have a good bath?”

Huron snorted, but his frown broke slightly.

“I could have done better alone… but it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve borne.”

He let out a sigh and looked to the third door, which was still closed.

“It was odd, Dranidal barely spoke, asked nothing of me. When I voiced some concern about privacy, she addressed it without complaint or issue; save for the fact that she would be involved in bathing me.”

He scratched the back of his head.

“I feel as if there was more at play than a mere bath, and yet… nothing happened. It was merely that, a bath.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“Well, while you were busy giving our kind hosts the silent treatment, I learned a few things about them, and evidently, baths are a cultural thing. They share them, primarily amongst friends and family, but sometimes amongst political guests.”

He drummed his fingers along the top of his crutches.

“My guess is that this is all a show; not to manipulate us of course, but to see if we are such. If we are friend, family, or ally, and if the lattermost, how strong we might be, how prideful.”

Huron’s frown made a return.

“And how would you say we’ve measured up?”

Kathranis shrugged.

“I think we’ve made it difficult to take a full measure. Between myself and Princess Aquila we have shifted roles a number of times. When I met her, I acted as savior and a bit of a wiseman, as well as a pseudo bodyguard. I told her about our realm, and I was the one to silently learn from her, and her companion’s reactions.”

“But,” he continued, “as soon as the ambush concluded, the roles shifted. I was injured, carried away to be healed by gryphon physicians, to be a guest in a gryphon house, and with me I brought the family I had told them I had lost. Suddenly, they can look back on my past words, looking for new insights.”

He chuckled and tapped his leg.

“And now I find myself temporarily crippled, and out of my natural environment. No matter how loud pride asks to be heard, we can’t ignore that we are totally at the mercy of the gryphons. It would take supreme effort to leave, to fight our way free if we so decided.” He met his brother’s eyes. “Our current status as honored guests lies solely at the feet of Princess Aquila and Prince Valan. Had they lied and told their father I was their enemy, that I had put them in danger, or gods forgive, tried to kill them myself, we would be in cells, if not dead.”

“And are you comfortable with that fact?” Huron asked. “Are you comfortable knowing that we no longer have far away allies? I agree with your assessment that we are in a new world Blademaster, but while that offers new opportunities, that comes with many caveats as well. I don’t need to remind you that the gryphons already killed an elf.”

Kathranis sighed and looked to the floor.

“No, you don’t. Erran’s death is…” he let out another sigh. “I wish to feel more hurt over her death, but in truth, I can only say that her death is regrettable. Traveling with Princess Aquila for even such a short time showed me that their society, their world is fresh, better. It is not so obviously marred by the use of dark magics like ours was. Though they may have enemies and corruptive influences we have not yet seen, those pale in comparison to the powers that took our home, that still likely act even now to rend Faerun asunder.” He snorted and shrugged. “If nothing else, I wish to learn more about the gryphons, to see if we should ally with them. The woods outside their territory would make a lovely place to create a village, and perhaps by settling down near a civilization, our people could begin to grow again.”

Huron’s eyebrow raised.

“A bit odd going from saying the loss of one of ours is an inconvenience, to talking about our people making children. Even odder that my warrior brother is talking about settling down.”

Kathranis let out a third sigh and closed his eyes.

“I grieve the loss of all life Huron, but death is nature. We all die. My only wish for Erran is that her death had come later in her life, and without such pointlessness. I only hope that we all die for a good reason, but fate is not ever so kind.”

Huron let out a sigh of his own and placed a hand on Kathranis’ shoulder.

“I apologize Blademaster.”

Kathranis shrugged and straightened.

“There is no need brother; you are right. It is hypocritical to say that I value life and then just as quickly disregard a death because I see benefit in ignoring it. Did she at least receive her proper rites?”

Huron nodded.

“She did. The only luck we had was that she had nobody close. Erran was the last living member of her house.”

Kathranis felt a twinge of pain.

“She was supposed to be a member of our house. I thought everyone accepted that.”

Huron removed his hand and re-crossed his arms.

“Everyone understood the sentiment in your offer Blademaster, but you knew that not everyone had accepted it in their hearts. Would you like to know who still hasn’t?”

Kathranis shook his head.

“No. I will still consider all my family. I offered them a place in our house not because of power, or preserving our line, but because I didn’t want to see their families die. I wanted them to merge with us, that we may keep a careful catalogue of it all.”

He sighed ran his thumb against his forefinger.

“But if it is their wish to remain alone, then that is their wish. I am their Blademaster, not their king. I can only do what I think is best. Whether they choose to follow me is reliant on their own thoughts. I just wish I wasn’t responsible for seeing dozens of ancient houses fall during my time.”

“Blademaster, you well know that that isn’t your fault.”

“Then who’s fault is it?” Kathranis spat, shooting a glare at Huron. “Who is responsible for all these deaths? Shall I assign it to the hundreds of battles we’ve lost, or the thousands enemies we’ve fought, or perhaps should I lay the blame where it belongs?”

His anger immediately cooled, and he let out a long breath, rubbing at his face as he broke eye contact with Huron.

“Apologies brother, my wounds bring out the worst in me, as does this dark talk.” He let out a small sigh. “Whatever the cause however, you should not be the target of my internal anger. The blame is mine, and mine alone. I have made, and continue to make the choices; therefore it is I who must bear the weight of the consequences. It is the way.”

Huron made a surprising move of physical affection and gave Kathranis a slight hug, something the younger elf appreciated in a way that didn’t need to be said. His gratitude was as apparent as any words he could have spoken.

“But it is not one you have to bear alone Blademaster,” Huron whispered. “We all know you never wanted this position. We all know that you don’t like making these kinds of decisions, that you spend far too much time thinking about what is the “right” thing, rather than being the aloof, tree-hugging elf we all know and love. I speak this way with you, not to throw you into self-doubt, but to bring these thoughts to light, that we might work through them. I, as well as all of our kin, follow you with absolute trust in your decisions.”

He pulled away and flashed a smile.

“Besides, you should have seen Riven’s face when we saw you. I thought he was about to cry tears of joy.”

Kathranis could see the effort his older brother was making to lift his suddenly sour mood, and thankfully, it worked like a charm. He smiled lightly as he bought into the subject shift.

“Really, Riven? He hates me!”

Huron snorted and waved a hand.

“He hates that you’re a better fighter than him. He loves the fact that you’re a great deal wiser than he is.”

Kathranis scoffed.

“There is nothing that elf “loves” about me. Appreciates maybe, probably respects, but loves? I wouldn’t believe it if the Lady herself descended from the Eternal Grove to whisper it in my ear.”

Huron chuckled.

“Whatever you say Blademaster, but do know it is he that pushed for immediate attack. We had to restrain him to ensure we had the proper element of surprise.”

Kathranis was given no time to process the baffling information, as Fordred’s door finally opened. Huron continued to chuckle, and Kathranis couldn’t help but smile widely as Deyenidal led the thin elf out. Despite his face being the color of a tomato, Fordred’s lips were turned up in a giddy grin, and he remained beneath Deyenidal’s wings as she walked him to the other two elves. Huron shot Kathranis a glance.

“If this was all it took to thrust him into adulthood, we should have come here earlier Blademaster.”

Kathranis said nothing in reply, merely smiled at Fordred, who refused to meet his eyes. Kathranis looked to Deyenidal.

“I trust the bath went well.”

The gryphoness purred and wrapped her arms around Fordred’s chest, hugging the wizard tighter.

“I may not be a lady Blademaster, but I still don’t kiss and tell.”

She grinned.

“That being said…”

She spun around and planted a firm kiss on Fordred’s lips. Kathranis blinked in surprise when the elf held his ground against the gryphon, offering just as much force in return. The kiss lasted only a moment, and when the pair separated, Deyenidal grinned broadly, running her hands down Fordred’s shoulder length hair.

“We will be bathing together again Master Fordred. I’ll come fetch you.”

The words were statement of fact, not question, not that Fordred seemed to mind. The wizard blushed and nodded.

“O-of course. I can’t wait.”

Deyenidal’s eyes lit up at the words, and she finally released him, turning him about to face the other two elves. Fordred managed to flush redder as he beheld Kathranis and Huron’s amused expressions. The wizard cleared his throat and fiddled with his newly cleaned and mended robes. Deyenidal placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at Kathranis.

“If you fine gentlegryphs will follow me.”

Kathranis motioned to the door, silently giving her the lead. Deyenidal led the way with Fordred tailing behind her. Huron waited until Kathranis had pushed himself to his feet, then took up a rear position behind the limping elf. As they made their way back through the elf common area, his kin met them with smiles. Pausing again, Kathranis addressed them as a group.

“Unfortunately, we shall need to postpone official greetings and reuniting until later, as Huron, Fordred and I are attending a diplomatic dinner. Rest assured, however, that we will take the time to sit down, and let everyone speak.”

Disappointed looks filtered through the eyes of his elves, but they still remained relatively cheerful. Some looked to Fordred, and began making light jokes at the young elf’s expense, while others moved closer to Kathranis, getting in quick greetings before they left. Through the commotion, Kathranis spotted Secil dozing in Luiestriel’s arms. The elf maiden, lounging on a small bed, offered him a slight smile and a small wave. Kathranis returned it in kind, and sent a mental message to Secil.

‘Comfortable?’

The cat purred.

‘Well I’m certainly not going to a party on a broken paw.’

Secil’s splinted leg twitched and he mewed pitifully up at Luiestriel, who cooed softly in reply and rubbed his back. Kathranis snorted, and rolled his eyes at his familiar’s antics, but he supposed the cat had a point. He’d just look pitiful limping about like his temporarily lame master. Kathranis gave the cat a short mental acknowledgement.

As his elves pulled away, Kathranis once again fell in behind Fordred and Deyenidal. The tall gryphon led them out of the elvish barracks and into the castle halls. As they passed through the maze of stone halls, Kathranis glanced at the occasional decoration. While most were simply paintings, or sculptures, the banners that seemed to hang in every corridor caught his eye. The banner was a simple white, with red streaks cutting it in two. In the center was the strange part, however. Kathranis had seen many banners, from dwarves, humans, and even elves. They had a myriad of crests; mystical creatures, mythical weapons, or the symbols representing a god or goddess. Never had he seen a simple mountain shaded by clouds.

He nearly stumbled when Deyenidal stopped at a tall pair of doors. The gryphoness paid him no mind, instead whispering something to Fordred. Kathranis took the opportunity to properly recover his footing, and as Huron moved past him to lean against the wall, Kathranis looked up at another mountain banner above the doors. He wondered briefly what it meant, what a simple mountain could symbolize. Perhaps sturdiness of character, or the rock-hard foundation of industry. Or perhaps it was far simpler, merely an indication of where the gryphon capital sat.

Kathranis turned slightly as he heard an amused snort. Aquila grinned at him, her attire completely changed. Gone was the simple black and white maid outfit, replaced by a flowing blue dress that settled at her feet, or rather her paws. Kathranis frowned slightly when he realized that the gryphoness indeed had hind-paws like a lion. The fact should have been obvious, but her large, human-esque traveling boots had driven the notion from his mind.

Aquila cleared her throat again, drawing his eyes up to her grinning beak.

“My, you just can’t keep your eyes off me, can you?” she teased.

Kathranis flashed a grin.

“I can’t help but be interested by all the new, strange things I see.”

Huron groaned and facepalmed, while Aquila’s grin widened.

“Strange am I? That’s an odd way to describe a princess.”

Kathranis quickly realized his misstep, and his mouth flapped as he tried to think of something better to say. Aquila laughed aloud and looked to Deyenidal.

“Go get dressed D. Something classy; no armor. Dad’s orders.”

The large gryphoness bowed.

“Of course Princess.”

Moving away from Fordred, she looked back and gave the wizard a wink.

“See you later my new friend.”

Fordred gave her a small wave, remaining speechless as Deyenidal walked away.

Aquila’s laughter trailed off, but she didn’t stop smiling at the elves.

“Good to see that we’ve already taken one of your number as ours. Sampling the local culture are you Fordred?”

The wizard blushed and looked toward the wall. Grasping at the chance to direct attention away from his blunder, Kathranis spoke up.

“Don’t mock him too much,” he said. “He’s only recently come of age, and an event like tonight as been a long time coming.”

“Of age?” Aquila asked.

Huron cleared his throat.

“Elves typically form their first bonds when they enter their nineties,” he explained. “Due to… certain circumstances, Fordred never really got the chance, and wizards are usually late bloomers anyway.”

He flashed a grin at the skinny elf.

“But that seems to have changed, and I wish our youngest brother well in his newfound relationship.”

Kathranis nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. May you find happiness Fordred.”

The wizard’s blush finally began to subside, and he offered the pair a slight bow. Aquila tilted her head and looked to Kathranis.

“You mentioned that you were over a hundred years old; does that mean you have found a love already?”

Huron snickered, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Kathranis, who tried to maintain an even smile.

“Yes and no Princess,” Kathranis replied. “As a ranger of the Lady Sylvanus, I have devoted my first love to her.”

“Which is to say he cheated,” Huron piped up.

Kathranis shot a scowl at his brother, while Aquila glanced at the elder elf with a smile.

“Meaning?”

Huron grinned at Kathranis.

“Meaning that while technically; yes, he has knowledge and experienced sexual acts, he did them with his goddess, not with a mortal being, like you and I. According to some whispers, such shouldn’t count. What proof do we have after all?”

Kathranis rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.

“I already said I would tell the story, but you lot won’t listen. There’s a reason I sleep alone with Secil these days.”

Huron snorted.

“Because you can’t admit the truth!”

“I tell the truth, and even if I didn’t, my first love is better than your tale of that Luskan whore who gave you fleas!”

Huron’s smile dropped and he coughed loudly as he suddenly took great interest in the wall.

“That never happened.”

It was Kathranis’ turn to grin.

“Don’t be so bashful brother of mine. Since you seem to be so keen on speaking to the princess of our past romances, do tell of the number of times you have bedded less than savory individuals.”

Aquila let out a laugh, interrupting the brothers’ bickering.

“Enough gentlemen, enough. There is no need to air anyone’s dirty laundry tonight.”

She grinned slyly at Kathranis, and winked.

“For what it’s worth Shadowsong, I believe you.”

The elf groaned and ran a hand down his face.

“I name you liar Princess,” he said. “You don’t believe a thing I’ve said.”

Aquila chuckled, her eyes flashing with a hungry gleam.

“Perhaps, perhaps not. Only time will tell the truth.”

She looked to the pair of doors.

“As it stands, we are late enough to be fashionable, so if you gentlegryphs wouldn’t mind waiting a few moments, I will alert the ballroom guards of your arrival.”

“Ballroom?” Huron echoed. “I thought we were attending a dinner.”

Aquila smiled at the elf and opened one of the doors just enough for her to slip through.

“It’s something like that,” she replied cryptically. “A moment.”

The door slipped closed behind her, leaving the three elves standing in silence. After a moment, Huron cast an eye back to Kathranis.

“Did you really need to mention that Liana was a whore?”

“Did you really need to bring my first mating into question?” Kathranis countered.

The pair of elves glared at each other for a long moment, then both snorted and smiled, slowly easing into comfortable laughter. Huron wiped a tear from his eye and leaned against a wall.

“I’m kind of serious about the evidence though. I believe your words, but where’s the proof? Mine was in, as you said, the fleas I brought back.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Kathranis asked. “Ask my lady Sylvanus to provide a painting of the act?”

Huron closed his eyes and chuckled at his own expense.

“Maybe you can ask her if she has some fleas you can borrow.”

The trio of elves laughed again, only slightly dimming in volume when the doors opened once more to reveal Aquila’ feathery plumage. The gryphon, likely assuming their conversation had stayed on topic, put on a faux scowl.

“Do I need to call one of my old instructors on the three of you? I swear, you’re nothing but a flock of fledglings.”

Kathranis managed to bring his laughter under control first, but his smile didn’t diminish as he offered an over-exaggerated bow.

“Apologies Princess. It is merely our way.”

“Especially now that Fordred can finally pitch in,” Huron noted.

While the elf wizard shot him a series of insults in handcant, Aquila rolled her eyes and moved partway through the doorway, her tone teasing as she spoke.

“Since you want to play childish, we have some gryphon court ground rules to cover.”

Kathranis’ smile finally slipped away as he listened with rapt attention. Fordred and Huron followed suit moments later, knowing well how important first impressions were. The first time they had met with the Thayans, they had almost ended up crow food due to unintended insults. In a land without elven strongholds, such an event couldn’t even be risked.

“I would advise not eating too much at one time,” Aquila started. “Many diplomats that visit tend to fill themselves on the first course and manage to offend the cooks. Unfortunately, those featherheads are a prideful bunch, and usually don’t take it well.”

“What do you mean they “don’t take it well”?” Kathranis asked.

Aquila snorted.

“Before I was born, Dad says the cooks ended up serving a disrespectful guest for the next meal. While I don’t necessary believe they did all that, but there was one time where I saw a tail amongst the dishes served for some minotaur dignitaries, and one of them was missing that night. The next time I saw him, he claimed that he had lost the tail in battle, but I’m pretty sure the only fight he had was with the chefs.” She shrugged. “Could be wrong though.”

“Noted,” Kathranis said.

“Next, there’s a lot of royalty from all over, I’d suggest either trying to drift a lot, or stay in one place so that they can come to you,” Aquila continued. “You three will be the talk of the party, especially you Shadowsong.”

Kathranis noticed Huron give him a slight frown. The elder elf looked to Aquila in question.

“Which Shadowsong do you mean?”

Aquila pointed to Kathranis.

“Your clan leader.”

She stopped, as if she had explained the obvious. When all three elves regarded her with blank stares, she sighed and rubbed her eyes.

“Right, right, apologies. Here I am explaining gryphon politics, and I forgot that you don’t know anything about gryphons.”

Straightening, she said;

“I don’t really have time to go over everything in full detail, but for gryphons, we’re all organized by family, and I assume the same is for elves, since your names are similar.”

She placed a hand on her chest.

“Normally, as first-born, I would be next in line, but Valan is the first borne son. Because of that I currently, and will, as long as he’s alive and not banished, go by my first name. I am merely Princess Aquila. For gryphons, my clan emblem tells them who I belong to, and for non-gryphons, what they don’t know doesn’t matter unless they’re really important.”

She motioned to Kathranis.

“Since Shadowsong was the first elf I met, and since you all call him by the title Blademaster, I assumed that he was your clan leader, and as such, he is referred to by clan first, like my father.”

“You mentioned being female as a reason you would not inherit the use of your clan name,” Fordred said, “why is that? What if the first-born son dies?”

Aquila shrugged.

“Then, as long as Mom and Dad don’t have another son, the crown is passed to my husband, and he receives the clan name and the crown, though I’ll hold a lot more power if that happens. The reason is steeped in gryphon history. For those who don’t care about the history of it, it is merely the way.”

She gave Kathranis a curious look.

“Is it not the same with elves?”

Kathranis smiled.

“I’m afraid that question is just as mired in history Princess; suffice to say that the title of Blademaster is not passed down a familial line. Whomever is deemed worthy takes the title, and a Blademaster can be removed at any time.”

He flashed a grin to Huron and Fordred.

“Apparently I have enough charisma to get my kin to believe I am still worthy of the position despite my flaws.”

Huron rolled his eyes in exasperation.

“I’m not Riven, Blademaster. I am older than you, not wiser.”

Kathranis spread his hands.

“But with age comes wisdom! Is that not so Fordred?”

The wizard put his hands up.

“Don’t drag me into this. I’m the youngest elf here. I’m just glad that the elders didn’t decide to do something foolish like make me Archmage.”

“An Archmage who can barely control his fireballs, now that I’d like to see,” Huron said with a smile.

Fordred stuck his tongue out at the elder elf, while Kathranis looked to Aquila.

“But to answer the question, it is entirely possible to have a female Blademaster of any family, as long as they are in good standing with the High Council. I was merely chosen because of my skill and the fact that our familial blades chose me. It made the appointment seem more divinely chosen, and so it was seen as destiny.”

Aquila’s eyes flicked down to the pair of scimitars.

“Chose?” she echoed.

“Now that I’m jealous of,” Huron said. “The youngest of seventeen sons, yet Kathranis is the one who gets the enchanted blades? It just isn’t fair.”

“I would say blame Lady Sylvanus, but she has been most kind to me, and the blades were yet another gift,” Kathranis countered, spreading his hands. “Besides, you know good and well I’m a much better two-handed fighter than you are.”

Huron nodded.

“True, but had the familial blades been a longsword and a dagger…” He stared wistfully to the ceiling. “Ah, if only.”

Kathranis rolled his eyes, letting them rest on Aquila, who grinned back, likely a result of the continued banter. Meeting her eyes, the elf felt a bit of heat flush to his face, but he didn’t really know why. No doubt it was simply embarrassment at being so openly childish in front of a new friend and hopeful ally, but what was he to do? He felt happy with his brother at his side again, even if they had only been separated for mere days.

Kathranis cleared his throat, causing Huron and Fordred to quit their chatter and become a bit more serious.

“I believe we are ready Princess. We can pick up this conversation together some other time.”

Aquila’s eyes flashed with amusement.

“What an awfully bold move Shadowsong, asking a princess on a date like that. Are you trying to be taken by a strong gryphoness like Fordred?”

Kathranis flashed a smile.

“While I wouldn’t object to the pleasant company Princess, I believe business must come first. If tonight was any indication, you would make a most wonderful teacher.”

Aquila’s smile dipped slightly.

“Ah, yes. Teaching.” Her smile made a return, and her eyes flashed again, this time with a hint of anger, as well as something else, something more predatory. “Very well Shadowsong, we shall have another educational session. More than one, so that I can properly cover all topics of course.”

“I think that would be lovely Princess,” Kathranis said, offering her a slight bow.

He felt a beam of satisfaction lance through his mind. Perhaps he had made a slight faux pax in suggesting that her mention of date was anything but business, but his words seemed to satisfy the gryphoness. He was glad to keep her friendship, and she could teach him so much! A cynical part of his mind also noted that having a princess as an official ally could open many doors for his people, but he let that thought slide away. Even if it wasn’t beneficial, he would still want to be friends with Aquila. She was enjoyable to be around, and he hoped that he could learn more about her and her people. They seemed like an interesting bunch, and thoughts of settling nearby were already springing to mind once more.

Unnoticed by Kathranis, Fordred leaned over to Huron, his voice at a whisper, and his eyes flicking between Aquila and the crippled elf.

“He can’t possibly be that oblivious.”

Huron snorted.

“Then you don’t know my brother. This could be his way of playing to our strengths, but I’ve seen him with ladies before, and he doesn’t do hints. If only Princess Aquila was as blatant as Deyenidal was with you, then perhaps we would have evidence of Kathranis’ first mating.” He shrugged. “But I won’t interfere. Perhaps Kathranis is actually trying to play the game, perhaps not. Either or, it is his business. Let’s leave it there, shall we?”

Fordred nodded in agreement as Aquila, still offering Kathranis a mostly smile, partly glare expression, opened the doors wider.

“Well then gentlegryphs, let’s get started, shall we?”

She walked down a short set of stairs, motioning with her tail for them to follow. Bracing himself on his crutches, Kathranis centered himself in the entryway, and with Huron and Fordred on his flanks, they carefully made their way into the room and down a short set of stairs. As they did so, a gryphon in steel armor, bearing a shield with Aquila’s clan symbol, loudly bellowed;

“Now presenting Kathranis Shadowsong, Blademaster of the elves; Huron Shadowsong, Captain of the Elven Guard, and Fordred Nightgazer, Master Wizard of the elves!”

A loud round of applause filled the air, and it took less than a moment for Kathranis to realize that there were far more than gryphons in the ballroom. While the avian creatures did account for at least half of the people in the room, there were many others, with a rainbow-colored array of different species. The rustic hues of the gryphons clashed with vibrant blues and purples of slightly taller creatures, some of whom bore wings as well, while others had horns, or nothing at all. The creatures were spread between a spacious ballroom floor, lit by a massive chandelier, while to the side of the room sat a long row of tables decorated with food. Some of the people without additional appendages were simply massive, towering over the rest of the beings in the room. Their fur was white, and they bore thick black stripes, something made easy to see by their almost complete lack of dress. Kathranis faintly wondered if they were this world’s version of wood elves. Massive, powerful looking, wood elves.

Luckily, Kathranis had some years of experience in a political setting, and as such, was easily able to maintain an even look as he slowly moved down the stairs. He took each step carefully, for while it did make him look slightly weaker to move slow, falling would be catastrophic to whatever reputation they had so far developed. Erasing a reputation for being clumsy and falling flat on one’s face was not an easy task, and it was one best avoided.

Kathranis managed to conquer the stairs without great issue, just as the applause tapered off. Glancing back as he set his feet on the ballroom floor, Kathranis flashed a quick question in handcant.

Who gave them those titles? he asked. Blademaster they had perhaps overheard, but the rest?

Huron moved a step forward, staying at Kathranis’ side for just a moment, his eyes scanning through the crowd. Kathranis noted that they were definitely on the smaller side of the peoples in the party.

“I know not,” Huron whispered, his mouth barely moving as he spoke, “but it doesn’t matter. We can always correct them later, and besides,” he flashed a smile, “I do quite like having a title.”

Kathranis rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to slap the back of his brother’s head. Such playfulness would have to wait until they were in a private setting. Too many eyes were watching, and though he had no issues demonstrating his love for his kin, he didn’t want to be seen as, Aquila had said, a “flock of fledgelings”.

Huron peeled away, moving toward the food table, while Fordred took up a position on Kathranis’ other side.

“Well I don’t like being called Master Wizard, it’s too much pressure to be the best.”

Kathranis placed a hand on the younger elf’s shoulder.

“A reputation you will live up to in time. As Huron said, we will fix these titles later, but perhaps in fifty years or so, we could create a new position to befit upon the wizard that saved my life.”

Fordred blushed.

“Please, it was Riven and Huron’s plan.”

“Yet here I stand, not vaporized by your spells,” Kathranis replied. “You did well, and you’ll continue to do so as long as you keep practicing.” He nodded toward the milling crowd of people. “Now go to work. I know you practice a few cantrips because they impress the magically uninclined. Make us look good Master Wizard.”

Fordred scoffed and rolled his eyes, but he still had a slight grin as he too peeled away, moving closer to a quartet of musicians.

Kathranis moved to the side of the stairs, as to not be in the way of any other potential partygoers, then took a moment to merely breathe and watch. His brown eyes scanned the room, taking everything in, his mind on fire with trying to process all that he was seeing. The non-gryphon creatures had an odd facial structure, almost reminiscent of a horse. They had defined muzzles, much smaller than those of their otherworldly counterparts, and their ears stood above their colorful manes, but it was there that the similarities ended. Their eyes were human-esque, if a bit larger than normal, and while most had resumed their conversations, some looked his way, and he noticed a brilliant intelligence in their colorful eyes. Below the neck, they were far more human-like, with the standard male and female features obscured by either armor, or fancy clothing.

Before he could finish his inspection, Aquila caught his eye. The gryphoness approached quickly; her paws silent as she re-appeared at his side. Kathranis couldn’t quite remember when she had vanished, a credit to her silent steps. Behind her trailed a male gryphon with brown headfeathers that matched her in height. In build however, the gryphoness was far superior. The trailing gryphon looked almost too skinny, and his nervous, hunched posture did nothing to help as he followed quietly behind Aquila.

Aquila flashed Kathranis a smile, drawing his attention away from the spindly gryphon.

“I have to say, that is the largest reaction I have ever seen from this crowd. You elves apparently know how to stir up a room.”

“What can I say?” Kathranis said, matching her smile. “Baseless rumors have apparently made us men of legend.”

Aquila snorted and slugged his shoulder, drawing a silent hiss from the elf.

“Don’t be so humble here,” she playfully cautioned. “While this is definitely one of the better crowds, you’re still in a room full of prideful prudes, and you’re the hot new meat on the market. I won’t pretend to educate you on this, but sell yourself well Shadowsong. You’re looking at most, if not all the important players in the world.”

Kathranis scoffed, sparing a glance toward the skinny gryphon. His eyes darted between Kathranis, Aquila, and something on the dance floor. What, Kathranis didn’t know, nor did he let it interrupt the conversation.

“Please,” the elf said, “I apparently have a Captain of the Guard and a Master Wizard to sell my people for me. Why be politically savvy when I have them?”

Aquila rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

“Great, now you sound like my brother, passing off responsibility. Do try to live to your legend Prince-Hero.”

Kathranis’ smile fell slightly.

“Prince-Hero?” he echoed. “But I wasn’t the one who truly saved Prince Valan. That victory lies at the hands of your people. My elves and I merely bought time.”

Aquila’s smile returned.

“Don’t tell anyone here that Shadowsong. You’re the legendary new Prince-Hero who drove away the human menace all by your lonesome. You fell three enemies with one swing of your sword and lift whole trees with the other.” She placed a hand to her forehead and pretended to swoon. “And not to mention your valiant acts in saving the Princess and her loyal guard! Oh the heroics! The pony poets shall write many a sage of the hero Shadowsong!”

Kathranis regarded the gryphoness with a frown.

“Why I do I have the feeling that you spread the rumors that caused the latter legend.”

Aquila dropped her façade and winked.

“The poets work hard Shadowsong, but I work harder. Have to make sure you get rewarded for your service to the crown.”

A serious look entered her eyes.

“Because we are grateful. That can’t be understated enough Shadowsong. My brother and I owe you our lives, and despite all of the posturing and showy crap, we are deeply in your debt. No matter the outcomes of tonight, we will see that debt payed in full.”

“How is Prince Valan?” Kathranis asked, seeking to get away from the conversation of personal debts. He liked having people indebted to him as much as he liked being indebted to others, which is to say not at all. Perhaps he could argue that the debt was paid by the medical care he had already received. That was easily enough to settle saving one member of the royal family.

“He’s here actually,” Aquila said, looking over her shoulder. “Why don’t you go grab something to eat, and I’ll drive him to you. If nothing else, he needs to be thankful in person.”

Kathranis snorted.

“Don’t bully the boy, I just want to place eyes on him to make sure he’s alright. The last time I saw him he was unconscious after brawling with one of the strongest warriors I have ever had the pleasure of dueling. I don’t envy any who have been struck by Galdug the Orc.”

“Don’t tell him that,” Aquila said. “It’ll go to his head, and he’ll be even more prideful than he already is.”

Kathranis placed a hand over his heart.

“You have my word that I won’t puff up your brother’s arrogance. I merely want to ensure that he’s alright.”

“Such a softy,” Aquila replied. “Keep talking like that Shadowsong, and I’ll have Dad make you Valan’s nursemaid.”

Their conversation fell into a comfortable lull, with Aquila smiling brightly at Kathranis, while the elf looked around the bustling ballroom. His eyes couldn’t help but be drawn back to the still silent gryphon behind Aquila. The gryphon looked desperately toward the dance floor, and Kathranis leaned back slightly to see a gryphoness almost his physical opposite, with visible musculature showing through her white ballgown. She was dancing with a gryphon that looked like he could have been her grandfather. The gryphoness shot the skinny gryphon pleading eyes, but he merely shrugged, either unable, or unwilling to move away from his current position. Curiosity got the better of Kathranis, and he cleared his throat lightly, drawing the skinny gryphon’s eyes. Ignoring the audible gulp the fellow gave, Kathranis smiled and extended his hand.

“Kathranis Shadowsong, Blademaster of the elves.”

The gryphon looked to Aquila as if asking for permission to speak. The gryphoness held a hand to her forehead and sighed, her wing waving him on. The gryphon limply grabbed Kathranis forearm, giving it a single shake before withdrawing.

“Jerrald of Clan Shrieking Wind. I’m honored to be in your presence Bl-“

“Yes, yes, we all know each other’s titles Jerrald,” Aquila huffed. “Can we please stop this dumb charade? Go dance with Yulthi like you said you would!”

Jerrald rubbed his hands together, glancing over his shoulder even as he shook his head.

“But, tonight I was supposed to….”

Aquila turned toward the gryphon and grabbed his shoulders, giving him a firm shake.

“Jerrald, you are a good friend, but you aren’t right for me. You know that, I know that. Heck, Dad knows that, but he’s just trying to keep your dad in good graces! I’m begging you, show some spine for once, go dance with Yulthi, and then stand up to your dad and tell him that you want to court her! She won’t be available for much longer, and unless your dad wants his clan to pass to his half-brother, he’s going to deal with whoever gives you an egg! Go!”

Jerrald bobbed his head, slowly at first, then delight filled energy seemed to fill him.

“R-right. Right!” His wings fluttered nervously, but he mustered the strength to pull away from Aquila’s grip. “I’ll do exactly that! I’m the fastest gryphon in my family, and Yulthi is super tough. Our hatchlings would be perfect!”

He began to stride away, but turned on his heel to give Aquila a quick hug, a motion that caused her irritation to fade, replaced by something akin to motherly pride.

“Thanks Princess!” he crowed. “I hope I can bring my new nestmate to our bath on Fifthsday!”

Aquila giggled and gave him a few pats on his hugging arm.

“Go get her you silly goose, before some slow-minded slug takes her.”

Jerrald nodded again and flapped off, quickly making his way across the room to the gryphoness in the white dress. Kathranis and Aquila watched as he asked her to dance, and she loudly accepted. Kathranis leaned on his crutches and smiled.

“Ah, young love. It’s always nice to see such growth.” He glanced at Aquila. “But why was he following you? He changed completely when you mentioned that Yuthri maiden.”

Aquila sighed and crossed her arms as she watched the couple spin around each other, their wings flitting and flicking with joy.

“I’m a Princess, Shadowsong, and I’m not young. Valan’s already beginning to court, and I’ve been courting for nearly five years now. Dad’s throwing any gryphon he can find at me; young, old, friend, enemy, doesn’t matter. He wants a marriage, and he wants a backup in case something happens to Valan.” She cast an eye his way. “Like what happened less than a week ago.”

Kathranis frowned, looking back to the dancing couple.

“That’s… unfortunate. I can’t say I’ve ever been a fan of arranged marriages. Marriage should be something done for love, to bind two souls together. Politics should rarely, if ever, be involved.”

Aquila shrugged.

“It’s the way, unfortunately.” Her eyes settled on him again, though this time they were joined by a smile. “But the courting pool has recently seen some fresh life, so perhaps there’s hope yet for a successful love based, and political marriage.”

Kathranis, oblivious to her hidden meaning, turned and grinned at her.

“Well I’m glad you have such an optimistic view of it Princess. I wish you well in whatever pursuit you so choose.”

Aquila’s eyes flashed with a hungry light, but it quickly vanished under simple humor. She flicked his nose with her tail.

“I’m going to go track down my brother so he can do some groveling. It’ll be good to smack his spirit down a little.”

She walked away even as Kathranis began to protest, forcing the elf to raise his voice.

“Just tell him I want to make sure he’s okay! He’s young, young people make dumb decisions!”

Aquila raised a hand in acknowledgment, then vanished quickly amongst the crowd, leaving Kathranis alone once more. The elf stood in place for a moment more, then decided to make his way toward the spread of food. He had already been hungry when he had fallen unconscious, and he hadn’t yet eaten since he had woken up. Joining the dance floor was far out of the question, and he wasn’t one for ballroom dancing anyway, so food sounded inviting enough.

Limping his way to the table, Kathranis found it vaguely strange when nobody attempted to talk to him. When he got close to any of the well-dressed creatures, they merely parted, staying well away from him. The motion made him want to frown. Was it the exaggerated reputation he had already earned? Or was it more than that? Aquila had mentioned that the humans of her world were less than people, and now Thayans had further tarnished human reputation; in what way, he couldn’t yet tell. They had attacked him though. Perhaps that had just been Galdug’s doing, but…

Kathranis found himself scowling at a plate of food, a sample of every dish, as Aquila had recommended, but he found that his thoughts had driven away his hunger, had turned his stomach to a point that eating wasn’t even a question. He briefly wished Secil had decided to join him, he could have used the panther’s playful words.

“We see that thou art enjoying the party,” a voice said from behind him.

Kathranis did his best to turn, but with his crutches, as well as his plate of food, doing so fully was impossible without making a fool of himself. The tall blue horse-like creature seemed to sense his plight immediately, and a smile spread on her muzzle.

“Please Blademaster, allow us to assist.”

Her horn charged with a blue glow that broadcasted power, despite the pure simplicity and ease of her motion. The plate in his hand levitated into the air, suspending itself right beside him. Doing his best not to stare, he flashed a smile at the blue creature.

“My thanks fair Lady. I’m afraid I still haven’t quite gotten used to limping around yet.”

“And we hope thou never do,” the creature said, her voice soft, yet carrying the same power as her magic. “If thy reputation is anything like we have heard, then we would prefer thou fit and able, not trapped in a diminished state.”

Her emerald green gaze flicked down to his leg, then back up to meet his eyes.

“Thine injury, how was it suffered?”

Kathranis let out a small snort, his smile not dimming.

“I may not be an expert on polite society, but I believe asking about a person’s body on first meeting is considered frowned upon.”

The creature chuckled.

“Perhaps, but we believe it is far more impolite to not ask a Lady’s name and title, no?”

Kathranis blinked stupidly for a moment, then his smile fell into a slight gasp as he realized the depth of his error.

“My deepest apologies Lady, I meant no offense. I-“

The creature covered her muzzle with a hand and giggled loudly.

“There is no need for apologies Blademaster Shadowsong,” she said, her eyes shining as brightly with mirth as her smile. “We are afraid that we had the upper hoof on this dialogue before either of us spoke. Thou never stood a chance.”

She motioned to a far wall, where a few tables covered with white cloth sat largely empty.

“Come, thou hast passed our test, and we wish to take proper gauge of thee.”

Her arm slid underneath his, and before he truly realized what was happening, she was escorting him across the room. Whispers immediately followed in their wake, but Kathranis couldn’t care about them, was too flustered at the tall creature holding his arm. Trying to salvage anything from his shocked state, Kathranis managed to keep enough dignity in his tone to ask;

“What is your name Lady?”

The blue creature smiled down at him.

“Princess Luna of Equestria, though some around here still know us as Warlord Luna, Subjugator of the Everfree. We prefer Princess, or Princess Luna, however.”

Kathranis cleared his throat, trying to think how best to phrase his second awkward question.

“With all due respect Princess…” he sighed. There was no pretty way to say it, so he just had to swallow the pill of his pride and sound the fool. “What precisely are you?”

Luna’s teeth flashed as her smile widened, and she let out a laugh. It was nothing like a laugh Kathranis typically associated with those who thought themselves high and mighty. Those were typically filled with haughtiness, the laughter false, and even discomforting. No, Luna’s laugh was lighter, and held genuine mirth, as if he had told a great joke.

“Blademaster, I must say, as far as first impressions go, we think that thy are a person worth getting to know.”

Blue magic surrounded a chair at the nearest table, and Kathranis’ plate of food set down on the white linen tabletop. As she helped him sit down, Luna spoke.

“To answer thy question, we are an alicorn, but our people are the ponies. Our spies tell us that thy humans have creatures of vaguely similar facial figure, though of significantly less power and intelligence. Is this true?”

Kathranis managed to use his good leg to subtly prod out a second chair for the princess, and he offered it with a smile and hand gesture. Luna snorted and took a seat, sitting up with perfect posture, eagerly awaiting his answer.

“It is,” Kathranis admitted truthfully. “Horses is the generic term, but they come in many different breeds and subspecies.” His eyes flicked up to the sharp horn on her head. “And while much rarer, we do have unicorns as well, or rather we did. I highly doubt any made the trip with us.”

“Fascinating,” Luna whispered, tapping her fingers on the table. “Note that to call a pony a “whorse” is a great insult. We recommend using the word with care.” She waved her hand as if the cultural insight was an unimportant after thought. “But these horses of thy’s, what are they like? Are they truly mere beasts, or are they more akin to the wild things that we call humans here?”

Kathranis looked to his plate of food, prodding and picking through it occasionally as his eyes glazed over in thought.

“Well, I think that question depends on who you ask. My brother, or any number of my kin may answer that, yes, a horse is merely a slightly more intelligent beast of burden. They show signs of awareness, signs that they do more than run and eat. Most would say that they are to be treated with respect, almost like a pet dog, but they are ultimately animals, and should be treated as such.”

Kathranis’ left hand drifted to his leaf charm.

“My thoughts on the matter are slightly different. All live is precious, and all life can speak, has wants, needs, dreams, simple they may be. It is merely a difference in language that divides us into animals and higher-beings.”

A grin touched his face.

“I should have brought my familiar, Secil. Fordred, the elf introduced as a “Master Wizard”, believes the cat merely that, a cat. He is, of course, more than such, but without definite proof, most dismiss his intelligent behavior out of hand.”

Kathranis straightened in his seat and let out a small sigh, covering it with a smile.

“Apologies Princess. I’m rambling.”

Luna snorted, her eyes meeting his in rapt attention.

“We don’t recall asking thee to stop,” she said. “Please, we wish to hear more exotic opinions. Thy world is fascinating, and we make a study of the fascinating. What is the magic like in thy world? Where is thy magical focus? Doth thou worship Harmony, or is there a different goddess in thy plane? Where do the stars fit into thy world?”

Kathranis held up his hands and laughed.

“Hold Princess, not so many questions. I am but one elf.”

He looked out into the party, casting about for Huron or Fordred. He managed to locate the wizard by the flash of light leaving his hands. A small crowd was gathered around him, and he chuckled a trio of fireballs, occasionally let one drift toward the crowd; close enough to draw shrieks of mild fear, but never close enough to inflict actual harm. Kathranis motioned to the elvish wizard as he added a fourth fireball to his juggling.

“For the questions on magic, you’d best ask Fordred. He may not be a “Master Wizard”, but he is well educated on the arcane.”

Luna followed his eyes, smiling as the wizard conjured a fifth ball, setting it on his nose, drawing more oo’s and aww’s from the crowd around him. Kathranis let out a long breath and looked at the linen of the table.

“As for the question of goddesses; that is more in depth. There are easily dozens notable gods and goddesses, but I’m sure there are hundreds hidden away in the far corners of the realms, sequestered with their small cults, or merely long forgotten to time.”

He shrugged at Luna.

“I’m afraid there are too many to remember, so I only remember the ones important to me and my people.”

He thumbed his leaf charm again.

“This is my holy symbol, gifted by my goddess; the Lady Sylvanus, Goddess of the Wilds, and All that Grows. My brother Huron, on the other hand, follows Lady Selune, the Moonmaiden.”

Luna’s eyes flashed with interest.

“Thy world has a goddess of the moon?” she whispered, leaning in closer.

Kathranis nodded.

“Yes, and most of my kin worship her. We aren’t called moon elves for nothing.”

If he had controlled her attention before, now she was fixated on his words. Luna’s wings flitted with what Kathranis imagined was excitement, and she scooted closer to him by a hair.

“What can you tell me of this Lady Selune? Did she create your people?”

Kathranis shook his head.

“No, nothing as dramatic as that. Legend says something about our migration into Fauerun under the watchful eye of the moon, but I’m afraid I don’t know more than that, nor how any of the gods relate.” He looked to his plate of food again, pushing the various samples around idly. “In truth, I know very little about Lady Selune. I was never the studious type, and my heart called to a different goddess.”

He met Luna’s eyes again.

“I apologize if that’s a bit disappointing, but we do have one of Selune’s priestesses among our number. Perhaps I could introduce you, and she could tell you all about the goddess?”

Luna smiled brightly.

“We would like that a great deal.” Her horn charged with blue magic, and a wine glass levitated to her hand from a passing servant. Her smile didn’t dim whatsoever with the shadow of disappointment as she spoke. “So tell me Blademaster, your goddess, what is she like?”

Kathranis let out a long breath and smiled. If she was still asking such deep questions, he hadn’t yet unintentionally sabotaged their conversation. He mentally cursed himself about his lack of historical knowledge while he flashed his best smile.

“I’m afraid I can’t explain Lady Sylvanus in one evening Princess. Suffice to say that she was like a second mother to me, and that she is responsible for most of the gifts that have allowed me to survive until now.” He scratched the back of his head and chuckled. “In fact, of late she has been very kind and generous with her magic. I haven’t been able to listen to the rumor mill, but I imagine not many people are talking about my fighting of a pair of manticores, and the wounds resulting from said fight.”

Luna sipped at her wine.

“Well,” she said, the motion covering her mirth at the exaggerative nature of rumors, “the idle chatters say that thou fought twelve manticores, all while holding a swooning Princess Aquila on one arm and halting the human hordes away with a foot.”

Kathranis groaned and held a hand to his head.

“Hopefully not that.”

Luna giggled.

“Perhaps not quite so extreme, but to answer thy question, nay. None speak of the wounds thou suffered.”

Kathranis spread his hands.

“It’s because they’re gone. Healed completely and utterly by my goddess. My familiar and I had gone to perform our morning prayer, but instead of the usual simple acknowledgement, I was instead flooded with healing magic.” His brow furrowed. “I am still not quite sure why. My wounds, while not mild, had been cared for properly by Princess Aquila, and I thought myself capable enough to heal without magic.” His smile returned and he shrugged. “But I am merely one elf. If my goddess deemed my need great, then who am I to protest?”

“Have thy ever spoken directly to thy goddess?” Luna asked. “We mean no insult or doubt upon thine faith, but many in this world believe they receive their magic from Harmony when such is not true.”

“You’re asking if I’m mis-attributing my own abilities to that of my goddess,” Kathranis stated.

Luna winced slightly at his flat tone, but Kathranis raised a hand to stop any apologies.

“It’s alright Princess, doubt in the divine is as natural as the wind. To answer your question; yes, I have spoken directly with Lady Sylvanus on three occasions. She brought my soul to her grove, and we sat and had ice cold water drawn directly from the small pond she had there every time.”

Kathranis smiled fondly.

“The first time was when I met Secil. He tried to eat me, but my Lady was watching, and intervened on my behalf. She drew both of our spirits to the grove and connected us, mind, heart, and soul.” He folded his hands in his lap. “The second was when I passed my final rite of passage, and she….” He blushed and cleared his throat. “Well, that story isn’t appropriate dinner conversation.”

“And the third?” Luna asked.

Kathranis’ blush immediately faded, replaced by a soft frown. His voice lowered to just barely above a whisper.

“The third was during the darkest hour of my people, when I too was at my lowest. I would prefer not to talk about it, but suffice to say that she aided me greatly and brought me great peace of mind.”

They sat for a moment in silence, the noise of the party seeming dimmed around the pair. Kathranis took a deep breath and shook his head, then straightened and smiled.

“I am past that hour now, it is past. Still, on those three occasions I have born witness to my goddess, and we spoke directly. Every other time, it is merely an exchange of praise and blessings. If you would like, Secil and I will speak with her tomorrow morning, to give thanks for our continued blessings. Perhaps I could convince her to give me a sign that only a goddess could give, to prove to you that she is, in fact, real.”

Luna smiled and shook her head.

“That won’t be necessary Blademaster. We believe thou well enough, and we are sure that there will be plenty of time to see the power of thine goddess in action. We merely have questions about how new gods will fit into the current order.”

“And what is that current order?” Kathranis asked. “You mentioned a Harmony? Is that one of your gods?”

Luna’s smile grew slightly fainter, almost as if she was mildly irritated at having to explain something so simple. The expression didn’t last as she spoke, however.

“Goddess; capitalized and singular. Harmony is all. She brought this world to life, created it from naught by light and stone. She created every people and every creature. She filled the world with her magic. It is She who has ruled the heavens unaided for millennia uncountable, but now…” She looked down and frowned in thought. “But now we wonder if She is alone any longer. Thy spoke of thine goddess performing works in our realm, meaning that her power is extended. Have they spoken? Do they look to us now, expecting something? Some… form of relationship between our faiths?”

Kathranis chuckled and shrugged again, toying with his food once more.

“I’m afraid we mere mortals will never know Princess. My goddess may have great love for me, but not even I am beholden to her plans. My mind would likely shatter trying to grasp them.”

Luna smirked for a moment, almost returning to her thoughtful frown, before using the slight motion to sit straight once more. She sipped at her wine glass and smiled at Kathranis.

“We must say Blademaster, though the conversation became a bit heavier than we anticipated, it has definitely been the best part of this journey yet.”

She leaned in and placed a hand over his, stopping its idle movement. Kathranis felt a jolt of heat rush to his face at the contact. Her touch was so light, but held so much hidden power. The smooth, soft skin of her palm emanated a comforting warmth, like a heated blanket. Kathranis briefly wondered if she was as soft as Aquila, then caught his mind at the thought of the soft, warm gryphon. He shouldn’t be thinking about snuggling up to gryphon princess, nor the pony in front of him for that matter! His face blushed harder as Luna smiled at him. Her eyes seemed to flash as she held his gaze, and all traces of her noble speech pattern vanished as she spoke.

“I would very much like to speak with you again Blademaster. Perhaps tomorrow morning after your prayers?”

Kathranis let out a nervous smile.

“I… will need to check for permission with Princess Aquila. She seems to currently be managing my daily schedule.”

The motion was slight, so slight that Kathranis was sure that it was a trick of the light, but he still believed he saw the faintest hint of a confused frown enter Luna’s smile. The motion was gone in an instant, however, and her smile was as bright as ever.

“Please Blademaster, I would very much like to speak with you again,” she reiterated. “Tonight’s conversation was most enjoyable, and I wish to hear more about your world. I’m sure Princess Aquila wouldn’t mind scheduling a few hours for a conversation, correct?”

Her eyes glowed in the light of the chandelier, and though Kathranis thought it wise to deflect her request again, he thought about their conversation. He had liked talking to the alicorn, and perhaps a second encounter would see him remain quiet for a few moments to allow some information to flow the opposite way. Besides, he had offered her a viewing of his morning prayers, hadn’t he?

Kathranis matched the alicorn’s smile.

“I think I would like that Princess. I will have Princess Aquila send someone to let you know when we can talk, but I again warn you, I am not in control of my day quite yet. Not while I stay as a guest at someone else’s castle in a land I barely know at least.”

Luna snorted softly at his lame joke, and again Kathranis noted a small frown on the alicorn’s face. It was gone again in an instant, and the alicorn nodded.

“Of course. We shall eagerly await thine messenger.”

“I’ll make sure it’s all worked out,” a third voice butted in.

Kathranis looked to his left to find Aquila staring at him with the fakest smile he had ever seen. Her eyes revealed a tale of emotion ranging from irritation to outright rage. The elf felt lucky that he was not the focus of said eyes, but he did feel some small amount of confusion as to why Luna warranted such a glare. The alicorn met Aquila’s glare with an even gaze and a calm smile.

“We are glad,” Luna said. “Do try to fit us in some time in the late afternoon. We sleep during the mornings.”

One of Aquila’s eyes twitched, and both flicked to the hand Kathranis had left on the table. Kathranis glanced that way as well to find his hand still wrapped in the warm softness of Luna’s hand. The alicorn noted the same, and smirked before slowly removing it and rising from her seat. She offered him a slight bow.

“Until we speak again Blademaster.”

She flashed one last smile at Aquila before walking away, almost instantly vanishing in the party crowd despite her superior height. Kathranis watched her go for a moment, then looked to Aquila with a smile.

“What can I do for you Princess?”

The gryphon’s angry eyes flicked to him.

“Dad’s ready to talk. Let’s go.”

She grabbed him by the arm, and pulled him to his feet. Kathranis had only a moment to grab his crutches, and he limped at fast pace to keep up with the gryphon as she pulled him through the party crowd.

Chapter 9

“Aquila please, stop!” Kathranis called.

The elf was panting hard to keep up with the gryphoness, who hadn’t spoken a word to him once they were free of the ballroom. She had instead stalked at an ever-increasing speed toward an unknown destination. Kathranis had to limp along faster and faster just to keep up with the suddenly fuming gryphon.

“Aquila, what happened?” Kathranis asked as they turned a corner, and the gryphoness began stalking down another long castle hallway. “I thought the party was going well!”

Aquila stopped, and spun on her heel, her beak twisted in a snarl.

“Well? WELL?” she screeched. “It was going well until that prissy little pony decided to butt in and try to snatch away MY FRIEND!”

Kathranis’ brow furrowed in mild confusion, but he was thankful that she was no longer trying to walk him to death.

“Aquila, what are you talking about? Princess Luna and I were merely talking, something parties are used for quite a lot if my political training was any indication.”

Aquila’s eyes narrowed at his light joke.

“And I suppose your little conversation was about all of the subjects you’ve covered with me, is that it? I’m merely some equal to some foreigner you’ve only just met?”

Kathranis smiled faintly.

“Princess, that is not the case. I have told you about my goddess, but you showed little further interest, while Princess Luna showed a great deal.” He shrugged. “I merely performed as you did during my bath. In this case, Princess Luna showed a greater interest in my world, and so asked all the questions, and so I answered, taking after your feverous example.”

Some of the anger slumped out of Aquila’s shoulders as he spoke, so Kathranis shrugged again and put on his kindest smile.

“Was it not the same with us on our walk here? Did you not question me at length, a favor I returned earlier this evening?”

Aquila huffed and crossed her arms.

“Yes,” she admitted, looking to the side. Her eyes immediately flicked back to meet Kathranis’, and some measure of anger in the form of hostile irritation flashed across her face. “But you listen well Shadowsong. You are my friend first. Tomorrow we are going out into the city, and that blue harpy will not be joining us!”

Kathranis let out a little snort of bemusement.

“Princess, I must express my confusion. Why are you suddenly so… possessive? Have I done anything to turn my back to you?”

Aquila let out a loud sigh and uncrossed her arms.

“No, no, it’s not your fault Shadowsong.” She closed her eyes and rubbed a taloned hand across her brow. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I am just so used to having my every friend being assigned to me by my father, and on top of that, I am supposed to be growing into this politically savvy advisor for my little brother, but I have yet to make a single meaningful political association of any kind without my father’s help.”

Her beak slowly morphed into a smile, and she pointed a finger at Kathranis’ chest.

“That was, until you came along. So far, my every decision since I met you has been spot on, and for once, I feel like I’m doing something meaningful around here. Something meaningful that wasn’t handed to me on a silver platter with an order attached at least.” Her smile brightened a hair. “Snagging a friend that Dad didn’t sign off on at the same time is a blessing from Harmony herself, and I will not let anyone take that away from me.”

She purred and moved closer to Kathranis, sliding her arm through his, while her wing pulled him close.

“So I apologize Shadowsong. My anger was not whatsoever directed toward you. I am merely being protective of my new friend.”

Kathranis looked up to her and smiled.

“I am appreciative of your protection Princess, but may I offer a word of advice?”

A hint of panic flashed across Aquila’s face. Kathranis raised a hand and waved away that panic, his smile still present and true.

“I have not been offended or put off Princess, have no worries, I just wanted to offer something to ensure that our friendship never becomes soured.”

Aquila frowned in thought, then nodded for him to speak, slowly prodding him forward as she did so.

“Friends are not to be possessed,” Kathranis said simply as they walked. “And I’m aware that my words may sound blunt, but they are true. I can be friends with you, and Princess Luna, and there can be no issue. You do not have to like her, she does not have to like you, but so long as you can be civil, all can be well.”

He grinned up at her.

“And I’m sure you’ve had plenty of lessons about being civil.”

Aquila huffed, brushing her head feathers to the side.

“Don’t start. I get enough of that talk from Dranidal.”

“Then she sounds very wise,” Kathranis laughed. “But think about it, would you rather have one friend that is yours, and yours alone? Or a hundred, a thousand different friends, each with stories to tell? They cannot make stories and tell you about new people if you cling too tightly to them. It’s all about the flow of give and take.”

Aquila let out a sigh.

“Fine, fine I get it. Don’t be too clingy. I’ll make sure you have some time to talk with the pony tomorrow, okay?”

Kathranis bowed his head slightly.

“You have my thanks Princess.”

Aquila’s beak shifted into a smile.

“I’ll have more than that,” she said. “You said yourself, give and take. I’m giving you more opportunities to speak with Princess Luna, and I’m taking the opportunity to convert you.”

“Convert me?”

Aquila’s wing tightened and she nuzzled his hair.

“Into a cuddler of course. Mom’s always going on about how I need to wait until I find the right nestmate, but I know that cuddles can be shared between friends, and you, Shadowsong, could use some gryphon-style physical affection.”

Kathranis felt a heat rise to his face, painting his cheeks with an embarrassed blush.

“I didn’t mean the transaction so literally. This is a bit… direct.”

Aquila chuckled.

“We may not have a lot of time as friends, but you know me better Shadowsong. Direct is my middle name.”

Her breath was warm on his ear as she moved closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“And besides, we’re here, so there’s no time for arguing.”

Kathranis blinked and realized that they had walked far during their short conversation. He had barely felt the passage, and it was only as Aquila’s grip on him lessened did he realize that the gryphoness had basically carried him to the meeting room. She set him back on his crutches, throwing a wink over her shoulder before throwing the doors open wide.

The room was lightly populated, with only one chair occupied. In it sat Deyenidal, dressed in a modest white dress, and who had her hands wrapped around a deeply blushing Fordred, who sat in her lap. The large gryphoness’s head rested atop Fordred’s, and her beak moved ever so slightly. With the quietness of the room, Kathranis could just barely hear her whispering, but about what, he didn’t know. Whatever it was, Fordred seemed more than content, and he leaned back comfortably against her, glancing up every few seconds, blushing harder and smiling.

As Aquila escorted Kathranis to a chair, the elf spoke as low as he could, and asked;

“Tell me Princess, is Deyenidal… truly interested in Fordred? I worry for him if this is some throwaway thing. He looks to be truly in love.”

Aquila pulled out one of the red upholstered seats and took Kathranis’ crutches. Her eyes flicked to the pair for a brief second, then re-focused on her task.

“I honestly don’t know,” the gryphoness admitted. “Deyenidal is one to sleep around, and her going right after Fordred is evidence enough of that, but this seems different. I’ll talk to her later, make sure she lets him down easy if she intends to let him down at all.”

With Kathranis seated, Aquila placed his crutches on the wall behind him, then pulled out the seat next to him. She sat down, then leaned in conspiratorially.

“That being said, if she is going to pursue him seriously, you’re going to get an upfront lesson on how gryphons take mates, something I won’t explain until it’s happening, okay?”

Kathranis gave her a sidelong smile.

“Trying to keep it a surprise, are you? Should I be worried?”

Aquila giggled.

“Very much. I don’t yet know what adventures you’ve had, but being my friend is going to be a learning experience at the very least.”

Kathranis flashed a grin and winked.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

A blush spread on Aquila’s face, but she didn’t break eye contact, nor did her smile dim in the slightest. That is, until her eyes flicked up. Her beak shifted slowly into an even frown; her eyes filled with a mild since of irritation.

“It’s about time Valan. Where have you been? Sulking again?”

Kathranis glanced backward to find the gryphon prince fidgeting nervously behind him, his eyes fixated on the back of the elf’s head. A quick glance up and down told Kathranis that the gryphon was in good shape, physically at least, and that fact brought a wide smile to his face. He swung his legs around and began to stand to greet Valan. As he went to put weight on his left leg, though, Kathranis felt a jolt of pain race up the bad limb. Thrown off balance by the lightning bolt of suffering, he tried to grab the back of his chair to remain standing, but only succeeded in sending the entire thing falling backward with him.

Kathranis quickly found himself being caught, but he was surprised when the hands holding him up were not Aquila’s but Valan’s. The elf couldn’t help but have a bewildered expression as the young gryphon not only held him up while Aquila picked up the chair, but met Kathranis’ eyes with an expression that told of genuine concern.

“Are you alright?” Valan asked.

Finding himself momentarily too shocked to properly expel words, Kathranis merely nodded. Valan and Aquila both took his silence as a bad sign, and both were quick to settle him back in his seat. It was only after he was settled again in Aquila’s wings did he fight through his shock at Valan’s genuine concern, and he smiled brightly, snagging the young gryphon’s arm in a clasp.

“Well met good Prince,” Kathranis said. “Thank you for the quick catch.” He glanced down at his bad leg. “I am apparently less healed than I thought.”

Aquila clicked her tongue.

“I have no idea why you tried to stand up without your crutches.” Her eyes flickered dangerously at her brother. “Especially not for this antagonistic whelp.”

Valan withered under her glare, looking quite downcast as he fiddled idly with one of his feathers. Kathranis cast a smile Aquila’s way.

“Please don’t be so critical Princess, we all have our rough spots, and distrust is only natural for the unfamiliar.”

He turned his smile toward Valan.

“That being said, I stood merely because I wanted to ensure Prince Valan was alright. The last time I saw him he was lying comatose with a rather large bump on his head, given to him by an orc that has felled giants.”

“So good Prince,” Kathranis continued, “how are you? Hopefully in good health these days? I hope Galdug didn’t rattle you too hard.”

Valan looked up at him, as if he was checking to see if Kathranis was trying to be intentionally cruel. When he found the elf’s smile to be genuine, he let out a little squawk of surprise.

“I-I… I um….”

Kathranis chuckled and spread his hands.

“Come now Prince, I can’t be that intimidating. I’m just one-“

He grunted as two-hundred pounds of gryphon slammed into his chest. A pair of massive wings blocked out most of the light, and a pair of strong arms wrapped around Kathranis’ chest. His grip was tight enough to make it difficult to draw breath. So difficult, in fact, that Kathranis found himself unable to breathe at all.

If Valan noticed the elf’s lack of ability to draw breath, he didn’t show it, because he clung to Kathranis’ chest, sobbing softly.

“I can’t say how sorry I am for how I treated you,” the young gryphon whimpered. “I disrespected and doubted you at every turn, but when push came to shove, you risked life and limb for my sake. You have more honor and integrity than I could ever dream of, and I am so sorry I called you into question Shadowsong. Your tales should be sung of in the heavens, and there is nothing I won’t do to repay the debt I owe you.”

The mention of a debt vaguely irritated Kathranis, but unfortunately it was low on his list of priorities. Being able to breathe, now that was important. Without air, however, he couldn’t tell the gryphon to lighten his grip. All he let out when he attempted to do so was a light gasp, expelling what little air he had in his lungs.

Thankfully, somebody else was paying attention, and he felt someone reaching through Valan’s wings to pull at the gryphon’s tight, hugging arms.

“Let him breathe Valan!” Aquila said.

She pulled Kathranis free of her brother’s embrace, and the elf couldn’t help but take a gulp of fresh, cool air as she yanked him free of the dark warmth of the younger gryphon’s wings. Those feathers really did wonders for comfort, a fact he found again as a larger set of wings embraced him. Instead of a tight embrace, however, this one was far more relaxed, with Aquila’s hands massaging his chest while she shot a glare at her brother.

“What were you trying to do? Smother him?”

Taking another breath, Kathranis let out a loud laugh, smiling up at the gryphoness.

“I could accuse you of the same Princess. I suppose this is more that physical desensitization you were telling me about?”

Aquila frowned at him.

“Has anyone told you that you’re too forgiving? My brother was quite literally crushing the air from your lungs.”

Kathranis shrugged and looked toward the younger gryphon, who had recoiled, his eyes filled with panic. The elf put on a wide smile and sat up, freeing himself of Aquila’s wings.

“What fun is living if you constantly hold grudges over little mistakes?” He made sure to meet and hold Valan’s gaze as he spoke. “I am quite sure you were only expressing your gratitude, and are used to those of a stronger sort, yes?”

Valan relaxed slightly at the elf’s continued smile, and he nodded.

“Y-yes. I apologize Shadowsong. I…”

His wings hugged tighter to his body, and he stared at the floor.

“I’m sorry. I just want to make up for my past failings. I should have listened to Aquila; I should have given you a chance.”

The young gryphon’s eyes began to fill with tears, and Kathranis let out a light sigh, his smile dimming slightly to one of simple comforting. He winced in pain as he inched closer to Valan, but luckily, the gryphon didn’t flinch away. Instead, he remained completely still as Kathranis rested a hand on his shoulder.

“No need for tears good Prince,” Kathranis said, trying to keep his voice soft to preserve the gryphon’s pride. “I’m not angry with you, not even a little. We all make mistakes; it just gets easier to hide them as you get older.”

Valan sniffled and shook his head, cowering further back in his feathers.

“I almost killed you because I wasn’t paying attention,” he whispered. “You almost got killed because you were protecting me, a gryphon who was nothing but cruel to you for no reason.” His eyes shined as he looked up and met Kathranis’ gaze. “Shadowsong, any gryphon in their right mind would hate me for acting so dishonorably. Zefuris already hates me, and I think Aquila does too now.”

His shoulders slumped.

“It’s only a matter of time before Dad gives up on me too. When I woke up he just seemed so… disappointed in me. Zefuris and Aquila had already told him their accounts, and then he asked me what happened.”

“Did you tell him the truth?” Kathranis asked.

Valan snorted.

“It would have been easier fighting a mountain than trying to lie to him. I told him everything, every stupid dishonorable detail.”

Kathranis smiled.

“Then that is all that matters. If you truly believe your honor tarnished, honesty about it is a good first step toward mending any problems you caused.” He sat up. “That being said, you have no reason to feel any sort of guilt or dishonor on my account. While I did not like the disrespect you offered me, I didn’t take any sort of offense, because I am old enough to recognize the fiery rebellion of youth. The tongue is hard to control when one is young, and unfortunately, age is the greatest tamer of such speech. I will accept no apologies or proclamations of debt. There is no dishonor or debt between us.”

Valan’s head shot up, and his expression bled confusion.

“B-but…”

Kathranis held up a hand, silencing him.

“I have spoken, and it is finished. If you believe you offended me, I forgive you. So I have said, and so it is done. I will hear no more on the subject.”

Valan looked simultaneously horrified, and relieved. His beak flapped for a moment, then he nodded jerkily.

“O-of course.”

Kathranis smiled and looked back to Aquila.

“Then all is well. We can-“

“We still need to discuss my life-debt,” Valan said.

Kathranis’ face immediately formed into a scowl, and he turned back to the young gryphon.

“I refuse it,” he said. “You owe me nothing. I acted selfishly to save my own skin, and no more. Saving you earned me faster healing, and prevented me from being ripped apart from your attacking guards.”

Aquila sighed, and a hand grabbed the back of Kathranis’ armor, dragging him into her wings.

“You cannot refuse,” she whispered, her voice nearly silent in his ear. “There were plenty of witnesses, and Valan has already testified before the royal court that you saved his life at least once, if not two or three times. He owes you, and he will be banished, forever dishonored if he doesn’t meet that debt.”

Kathranis looked to Valan to find the young gryphon on the verge of tears once more. This time, however, was far worse. His wings hugged tight around his body, and he was quivering and shaking. His eyes pleaded desperately with Kathranis, begging him to rescind his words. The elf slumped and sighed, closing his eyes.

“I… I don’t like debts. Of any sort. They feel wrong.”

A low whimper reached his ears, and Kathranis felt something bump against his knees. He opened his eyes to find Valan’s tear-filled eyes staring up at him.

“Please Shadowsong,” he begged. “I will do anything, anything at all to enter your service to repay my debt. I need this.”

Kathranis let out another sigh.

“Please explain to me why.” He glanced back to Aquila. “Why must he owe me a debt even if I relieve him of it? I can’t say in words how much the concept of somebody owing me a debt disgusts me.”

“I will answer, if you will tell me why that is,” Aquila replied. “I realize that our culture is new to you, but so far as I know, all races have some concept of life-debt, of owing their savior in some regard. We take it to a higher degree, but would you see nobody pay back debts owed?”

Kathranis shook his head.

“No, but it should be less direct. A life-debt shares far too many similarities with slavery. What if I was a terrible person who happened to help Prince Valan? What if I intended ill of your kingdom, and I made your brother work for my gains because of a debt?”

He looked to the younger gryphon.

“I am not trying to dishonor you, nor discount your gratitude, but I am happy with just that; your gratitude. I would much rather we become friends because I saved your life, rather than you become some sort of servant or ward to me. I have no issues with you repaying debts, but to assign it some value, like a moral bank… that does not sit well with me. It reeks all too much of chains and manipulative contracts that restrict and bind. Better to have you watch my back as a friend than as a servant. It is far more personal that way.”

He cleared his throat and straightened, trying to look at both Valan and Aquila as he spoke.

“I apologize. I don’t mean to demean your value of the importance of personal debts, but I am a creature of nature. I would much rather be bound for life in things such as love, or companionship, not debt. Debt is… ugly. Dark even.”

Aquila frowned lightly, thinking silently on his words. Her brother was not so quiet. A slight whimper escaped his beak, attracting Kathranis’ eyes. The young gryphon fell back on his knees, then bowed his face to the floor.

“Shadowsong, if I cannot enter into your service to repay my debt, then I beg that you kill me with your honorable sword now. You may speak of forgiveness, but I cannot forgive myself unless I do something to pay what you have given me. The very air I breathe is a gift from you, whether intended or not, and I will not become some disgusting honorless thing. I am many things, but I refuse to be so stupid as to not pay back a life-debt.”

The full prostrated gryphon made Kathranis unbelievably uncomfortable, and he glanced back to Aquila for some sort of guidance, since his method of forgiveness and refusal had failed. The gryphoness merely met his gaze silently, watching with an appraising eye to see what he would do. Kathranis looked over to Deyenidal to find the same look. His next action would be judged, and if he mucked it up, any thoughts he had about finding a safe home with the gryphons would be forfeit.

Kathranis looked down on Valan’s back, noticed a small nervous twitch in the gryphon’s wings as he awaited an answer. It didn’t take long for Kathranis to come up with one. Even if the gryphons were overplaying the seriousness of punishment for refusal to satisfy a life debt, Valan needed him to say yes. The aggressive, insulting demeanor that Kathranis had silently associated with the gryphon was gone, for hells sake, the gryphon was face down, begging on his hands and knees. If nothing else, the gryphon needed the chance to regain what he saw as lost honor, and though Kathranis didn’t think that any honor was lost, he had to accept the life-debt. It disgusted him, but he needed to do it, if only to make it easier on the poor creature before him.

The sigh he let out was loud, and made clear his distaste for his words, but Kathranis did his best to bend over, lightly grabbing Valan around the shoulders to lift him up. The gryphon met his gaze eagerly, his wings fluttering with hope as he stared at Kathranis’ face. The elf stared back, trying to conjure up some way to avoid the life-debt, but he found his imagination empty.

He let out a second sigh and he pushed himself to his feet, gritting his teeth and ignoring the pain racing up his bad leg. Aquila let out a small gasp, but a flick of his fingers waved the gryphoness away. He needed to face the dire commitment alone. Valan twitched with nervousness, looking desperately like he wanted to help as Kathranis struggled to stay standing, his leg bones grinding together. One hand held a white knuckle grip on the table, while the other clapped forcefully on Valan’s shoulder, acting as Kathranis’ second balance. Through gritted teeth, Kathranis said;

“Though I do completely forgive you, and believe you owe me nothing, I accept your offer of life-debt, on two conditions.”

Valan’s eyes lit up with nervous delight.

“Anything at all Master Shadowsong. I am your servant.”

Kathranis scowled.

“Make that three conditions. No Master Shadowsong, no servant talk. I am Kathranis or Shadowsong, and you are Prince Valan. You may owe me a debt, but I, and my people, are guests in your kingdom. You could even say that that is a debt.”

“No, actually,” Aquila noted. “I invited you freely, and as part of taking you into our care, your health and well-being is our responsibility. If anything, my failure to keep you safe should incur a life-debt as well.”

Kathranis shot a glare over his shoulder, causing Aquila to smile and raise her hands in mock defense.

“But I will not invoke such if you don’t. Besides, I’m still your caretaker. I will have plenty of opportunities to make up for my failings.”

Kathranis prepared to argue that she hadn’t failed him in any regard, but the pain in his leg became too much to bear, and his stance began to fail. A strong pair of arms wrapped around his chest, and Valan smiled as he gently guided him back into his seat.

“You should rest that leg as much as possible Shadowsong.”

Kathranis grunted as he settled.

“I would rest it more if I wasn’t being confronted so frequently with troubling news and culture shocks.”

Aquila giggled.

“I have a feeling you’ll adapt quickly. Now, your final two terms for my brother?”

Kathranis blew out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He motioned for Valan to sit, something the gryphon did instantly. The sight made Kathranis wince, but he kept the irritation from his voice.

“The second term is this; I want to know in detail every facet of what paying back a life-debt entails. In my eyes such doesn’t exist, so I need a clear definition of what a life-debt is and how we are to engage one another while it is ongoing.”

Valan nodded enthusiastically.

“Of course!” he said with a chirp. “I can recite you the full honor code, or retrieve a written version if you’d like.”

“Later perhaps,” Kathranis replied. “But I expect to be informed in full. I don’t wish to bring any shame down upon you simply because of ignorance.”

Valan nodded in understanding. One of his hands still toyed nervously with his feathers, though Kathranis was glad to notice that the panic and fear was largely gone from his posture.

“The third term?”

Kathranis chuckled.

“I remember somebody saying that he would buy me a new cloak, since I sacrificed my other one to save his hide from burning.”

Valan blushed, but chuckled.

“I did promise that, didn’t I?”

He looked past Kathranis to Aquila.

“You were going to take Shadowsong into town tomorrow, right?”

Kathranis shuddered as warm feathers embraced him once more, accompanied this time by the feeling of a warmer patch of fur rubbing against his neck. If Aquila’s goal was to get him to enjoy being hugged at random, she was finding fast success.

“After his morning healing session to finish mending his leg, yes,” Aquila answered. “Since you are now in Shadowsong’s service, you may come, but you will be on your best behavior, and you will do nothing to ruin my plans for the day, am I clear?”

Valan shrank back slightly.

“Y-yes. We’re clear.”

Kathranis glanced up at Aquila to find her smiling down at him. He flicked his eyes toward Valan, then up again. When she didn’t respond, he did it again. Aquila’s smile faded for a moment, then her eyes lit up with understanding, and a token of irritation. Irritation that was quickly squashed when she looked at her slightly disheartened brother. She let out a small sigh, and, hugging Kathranis tighter under one of her wings, she extended the other.

“Come here Valan.”

The younger gryphon looked at the offered wing with a look of distrust.

“Why?” he asked. “Don’t tell me you’re going to try to make me cuddle. It’s a life-debt, not a wedding.”

Aquila snorted and rolled her eyes.

“There’s my flippant little idiot brother. Come here now, or I tell that maid you were fooling around with that you hugged somebody so hard you nearly killed him.”

Valan flushed red, pointedly looking away from Kathranis.

“Shadowsong… can that please never leave this room?”

Kathranis grinned.

“I’m not the one to ask. Aquila seems to me to be the one to engage in such gossip.”

A wing slapped the back of his head, while the other waved in the air.

“Sometime to today feather-brain,” Aquila sighed. She tapped her chin in faux thought. “What was her name again? Selenia maybe? Scillia perhaps?”

Valan quickly made his way under her wing to stop the list from progressing, and as soon as he had, Aquila grinned and gave him a hug.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve had the chance to say this,” she whispered, “but I’m proud of you Valan. You did a good thing today. Keep it up.”

Valan glanced up at her in adoration, which quickly shifted to disgust and irritation, a clear attempt to hide his gratefulness for the words.

“I didn’t do it for your approval,” he hissed.

Aquila said nothing, merely smiled. Valan glared at her for a long moment, then blushed and rested his head against her breast.

“But thanks,” he whispered.

Feeling completely alien to the familial moment between the pair of gryphons, Kathranis tried to pull himself free of Aquila’s wing. Unfortunately, with his bad leg, he was nowhere near strong enough to make an attempt at freedom, and all he succeeded in doing was alert the gryphoness to his attempted escape. Her eyes flickered over to him, and her grin widened.

She subtly nudged Valan away, then, as soon as the young gryphon was free, fully smothered Kathranis in feathers. Despite the dress and the armor between them, he could almost feel her fur on his whole back, coaxing him to relax with its warm softness. The feathers carefully brushing his face did nothing to alleviate the feeling, and despite himself, Kathranis let out a yawn. Aquila chuckled and wrapped her hands around his belly, pulling him closer.

“Getting tired Shadowsong? If you’d like, I’m sure I can convince Dad to push the meeting off until tomorrow; then you and I could… relax in private.”

The words, said so soothingly, held some hidden connotation, but Kathranis was far too relaxed to think about what that was. His eyelids were suddenly heavy, and the thought of resting against Aquila again sounded quite wonderful.

Kathranis was suddenly very awake when Valan yanked him free of Aquila’s embrace and back into his own chair. The motion brought a hiss from his lips as his leg smacked into a table leg, but any questions or gripes he might have had to throw at the young gryphon vanished as the doors at the end of the room were opened by a pair of massive gryphons in glistening armor.

Each stood to a side of the doorframe, allowing Zefuris to enter the room next. His eyes narrowed and flicked between Kathranis, Aquila, and Valan, but upon finding nothing obviously amiss, he moved from the doorway, pulling out the chair at the head of the table. As he backed away to stand at the right hand of the seat, a tall gryphoness with flowing crimson robes and a golden crown amongst her white headfeathers entered the room and paused for a moment.

“Queen Scylla Stonetalon!” Zefuris announced.

The queen reminded Kathranis of an older Aquila, especially in her shining green eyes. She looked first to Kathranis, who stared nervously back, unsure of how he should proceed. His bad leg continued to be a hindrance, so even playing his normal diplomatic cards and learning of his ignorance later was out of the question, as he couldn’t stand. He did offer the gryphoness a slight nod and an earnest smile.

The gryphoness returned the nod, but didn’t smile until she looked over to Deyenidal, who was once more focused on Fordred. The elf seemed to be asleep in the gryphoness’ arms, unnoticing of the new additions to the room. The crowned gryphoness chuckled lightly and looked back toward Kathranis.

“Well, I must say that sight is quite encouraging.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Kathranis voiced, glancing Fordred’s way. “Though I do hold a few concerns of how quickly things have progressed, but perhaps that is just my lack of knowledge of gryphon culture.”

The crowned gryphoness tittered and glanced toward Aquila.

“I’m sure you’ll receive an appropriate education soon enough.”

She said no more, clasping her hands behind her back and standing to the left of the chair. Suddenly, a sensation of nerves seemed to wash over Kathranis, and his eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to the still open door. Alarm bells began wringing in his head, and evidently, he wasn’t the only one, because Fordred jolted awake. Kathranis heard Deyenidal purr in his ear something about staying calm, but the elvish wizard flashed him a message in handcant.

‘Can you feel that?’

Kathranis met Fordred’s eyes and nodded slowly, then looked back toward the doorway. The light from the dinning room seemed to end just at the doorway, giving no light to the hallway beyond, and from that darkness emanated… power. Kathranis felt like a caged animal, trapped as something far stronger than he was, far stronger than he could ever hope to be approached. It took all of his well-practiced concentration to remain still in his seat. Unconsciously, a hand drifted down, and tapped comfortingly on a scimitar hilt, but even that motion seemed lacking. The guards at the doors, though they clearly noticed his movement, didn’t seem to care that he had a hand on his sword. Like they knew drawing the blade would be worthless.

The power grew closer and closer, and Kathranis felt sweat run down his back. He had no reason to feel panic, to feel fear, yet both were clawing at his intelligent thought, the animalistic warning signals screaming at him to run far, far away from this power he knew nothing about. He ignored them, but dread continued to build, growing louder as he heard approaching footsteps.

The eternity of approach suddenly came to an end as a tall figure walked calmly through the doorway. Shimmering brown fur poked out from beneath a simple silver-colored tunic and matching breeches. The gryphon had an easy head of height over his guards, and his golden headfeathers gleamed, almost pointing to the dull crown on his head. Golden eyes combed the room, settling on each person for just a moment, before finally coming to rest on Kathranis. The elf felt his throat tighten as those eyes stared into his soul, combing through a lifetime of success and failures. As he tried not to faint from the strain of bearing the weight for the gryphon’s eyes, Zefuris said;

“Now introducing Terran Stonetalon, King of all Gryphons!”

Chapter 10

All of the gryphons rose, and on some instinct, Kathranis attempted to do the same. His leg, already well abused by a night of ill-use, shrieked in protest. Pain overpowered the unnatural nerves Kathranis felt, and he let out a strained gasp as he clutched at the limb. His balance wavered again, and he began to fall to the floor once again, but a strong, almost too strong pair of hands caught him. Kathranis once again found that he couldn’t breathe as he looked into the shining golden eyes of his rescuer.

“Careful friend,” Terran said, an almost fatherly smile on his beak.

Kathranis stared with wide eyes as the massive gryphon sat him back in his seat with all the gentleness of a butterfly. Two more sets of hands touched him as Terran pulled back slightly, and Kathranis could vaguely hear Aquila’s voice as she asked;

“Shadowsong? Are you alright? Talk to me.”

Kathranis finally blinked and managed to swallow, looking down to meet the gryphoness’ concerned gaze. He blinked blankly at her, trying hard to speak.

“I… I…”

In a rush, all of the dread, all the nerves and panic that had built up in his skull vanished, and a great pressure seemed to leave his shoulders. Kathranis let out a cough, holding his head as his vision swam.

“I… apologize. I- I don’t know what came over me.”

Terran chuckled, drawing Kathranis’ eyes back to him, though this time, the elf felt no sense of dread as he looked upon the gryphon king, merely nerves that were standard for this type of interaction. Nerves that quickly began to evaporate as the gryphon smiled brightly at him.

“That’s my doing I’m afraid,” Terran said. He tapped his crown. “This little thing is one of the greatest artifacts in the world, and it has dozens of spells packed into it. One of them does a little pass-through of your mind and soul, making sure your intents are genuine. It’s useful for sniffing out spies and assassins,” he chuckled. “But it’s also very off-putting, even to those with perfectly good character.”

Terran stuck out his hand, and Kathranis clasped his forearm.

“Lucky for us,” he continued, “you’re at least completely honest about your intentions, so I offer my sincerest welcome Shadowsong. For what you’ve done for my kingdom,” he glanced down at Aquila, “and for my family, my resources are yours to use. As far as I’m concerned, you and your people can live in the castle for the rest of your lives if you’d like.”

Their hands separated and Terran snorted, still smiling.

“But we’ll get to that. No need for any answers or nothin’ quite yet. Tonight is about celebration!”

He glanced back to his guards.

“Fetch some of the maids, most of the food at the feast wasn’t any good, and I know these scrawny little elves could use some more meat on their bones and mead warming their bellies.”

Terran nodded toward Fordred, who had reclined back into Deyenidal’s feathers.

“Especially that one. Little thing like that will die if she goes after him.”

Kathranis smiled, glancing toward Fordred’s face. The elf was painted a deep scarlet, and Deyenidal brushed a feather up and down his neck, grinning as he remained silent.

“Well my little friend? Would you like to bulk up for my sake?”

Fordred shuddered and looked to Kathranis for help, but the older elf smiled and shrugged.

“I cannot advise on this my friend. You seem to forget that I’m as devoted to my goddess as a priest. My loves are few and far between.”

Kathranis felt Aquila squirm in her seat for an instant, but he ignored the motion as her adjusting to get more comfortable. Fordred’s blush somewhat lessened as he looked up to Deyenidal.

“Respectfully… I would like to talk with you in private before giving you an answer. Is that alright?”

Deyenidal blinked in surprise at the sudden seriousness that overtook the wizard, but she nodded.

“Of course, but what is there to talk about? You are attracted to me, right?”

Fordred’s blush made a fast return.

“Of course I am, it’s just…”

He flashed another look toward Kathranis, begging for help. This time however, the elder elf knew what the wizard needed explained. Kathranis met Deyenidal’s concerned eyes with a smile.

“Don’t attribute this as any sort of dislike on Fordred’s part, it’s merely a warning we have been trained since we began our wanderings to distribute.” Kathranis motioned to Fordred. “As you are his first interest, he feels a great deal of pressure to quickly inform you that he will out live you by centuries.”

Terran nodded in understanding.

“My daughter mentioned that, but I was a bit skeptical, still I am in fact. You believe you are hundreds of years old, correct?”

He moved around Kathranis and tapped Valan on the shoulder.

“Up boy. I need to be next to Blademaster Shadowsong.”

Valan looked up at his father, a supreme nervousness in his eyes as he said one word.

“No.”

Terran blinked at the word, then without the slightest change in posture, he glanced down.

“Excuse you?”

Valan squirmed in his seat, but continued meeting his father’s eyes.

“I said no. Shadowsong accepted my life-debt on several terms, and since I have already met, or have plans to meet them, I am to be at his side at all times. I will not give up my seat.”

Terran’s beak formed into a stern frown, and he crossed his arms across his chest. Kathranis felt a trace of his nerves return, and was glad that the gryphon wasn’t staring him down.

“You would value your life-debt over the needs of your king? Over your clan-leader? Over your father?”

Valan gulped loudly, then nodded.

“I would. I won’t dishonor myself further, even if it means refusing your orders.”

Terran’s glare intensified, and Valan continued to squirm, but he didn’t budge from his seat. Pressure built in the air, then all at once vanished as Terran laughed and scooped his son up in a crushing hug, drawing a squawk from him.

“That’s my boy!” Terran bellowed. “Oh my beautiful son, it’s about damn time!”

He let the gryphon fall back into his chair, then scooped up Kathranis in the same manner, crushing his ribs in a hug. Kathranis resisted the urge to spit as feathers found their way into his mouth.

“And you,” Terran crowed, “thank you another time Blademaster! Damn access to the castle, I’ll give you my bedroom at this rate! You can sleep in the royal bed, wear the royal colors if you like!”

From amongst the fluff of the king, Kathranis heard a light tut of distaste.

“Husband, I have no words on how poor that offer is,” Scylla said. “And do put the Blademaster down. Over sixty years on the throne, and you still haven’t learned that hugging foreign dignitaries isn’t appropriate behavior.”

Terran snorted, his grip not loosening.

“Not with that attitude. I hug enough of them, then it’ll become popular, that’s for sure!”

Another tut left the queen’s beak, but she said no more, merely remained silent in displeasure. Terran continued hugging Kathranis for a moment, then groaned.

“Fine!”

He set a bewildered Kathranis back in his seat, and the elf finally got the chance to cough up the feather that had found its way into his mouth. Aquila covered her beak and giggled.

“Where do you think I get it?” she whispered. “Better I convert you than Dad does.”

Kathranis shot her an exasperated look, but Terran heard her words and let out a loud laugh.

“That’s my girl! Spread the tradition as far as possible!”

Aquila giggled again and rose from her seat, giving Terran a hug.

“Shadowsong is well on his way to becoming a convert-ee Daddy.” She threw a wink down to the elf. “Though he hasn’t made it easy. Poor thing doesn’t like physical contact.”

Terran’s eyes widened, and he slipped into the empty seat, sitting right at the edge, so close that his massive wings almost embraced Kathranis merely by sitting on his back.

“Now that won’t do my friend,” Terran said, holding Kathranis’ gaze. “Some of the best parts of Gryphonia are where my people are most physical.” He smiled and let out a chuckle. “And in truth, despite my wife’s protest, physicality is a large part of gryphon and pony culture. If you want to ally with either, you’ll want some level of comfort with touching.”

“And public nudity,” Aquila added as she moved to her mother’s side.

The older gryphoness glared at her daughter, but Aquila shrugged the look off. She smiled conspiratorially and extended a wing, and for the first time, though it was well-hidden, Kathranis saw Scylla smile. The happy motion vanished in an instant, obscured by feathers as the pare of she-gryphons turned around and whispered, their wings flapping out to form a privacy shield.

Kathranis looked back to Terran.

“She was joking about the nudity, right?”

Terran chuckled and shook his head.

“Nope. We’ve moved away from that quite a bit, so our guests always dress up, but it’s not uncommon to see minotaurs, zebras, and ponies naked in their home territories. In fact, we’re a bit odd because we wear clothes.” He scoffed and waved a hand. “But they don’t have to deal with the chill up here. When we were tribal and rutted like animals in the streets we generated enough heat, but now that we’ve cooled a bit, clothes have become necessary.”

“That said,” Terran continued. “You will be seen nude at some point, likely by everyone in this room.” He glanced over toward the huddled she-gryphons, then looked back to Kathranis. “Did Aquila give you the traditional bath?”

Kathranis chuckled and nodded.

“Despite my, and my brother’s protests, yes. Princess Aquila and her guards did give us baths. I think she would have broken my arm if I had tried any sterner a refusal.”

“Damn right I would have,” Aquila snorted as she pulled free of her mother.

She moved around the table and sat beside Deyenidal, who was still staring in confusion at Kathranis, though her eyes did occasionally dart down to Fordred, who she gripped in an almost protective, possessive fashion. While Aquila received another withering glare from Scylla, Terran merely chuckled at his daughter.

“That’s good to hear. Did you offer to take him to a proper bathhouse?”

Aquila nodded, but her smile lessened slightly.

“I did, but unfortunately, Shadowsong and his elves are truly foreign to our world, and as such have little idea about… well anything.”

Terran looked back to Kathranis, who shrugged, but nodded in agreement.

“I can’t deny that, but Princess Aquila has been very informative.”

He cast a glance her way, then tried not to blush when she shot him a wink. Kathranis coughed lightly and focused on Terran.

“Though it was only a short while, she has been nothing but helpful and friendly. She has my thanks, as do you for sending her to assist us in adapting.”

Terran scoffed.

“That matter is not even close to needing a thanks Blademaster. Aquila was insistent to take the task, and I trust her with any responsibility, especially one so important as this.”

Kathranis began to ask what he meant, but the sound of a bell tinkled in everyone’s ears, and Terran spun around to see Dranidal leading in a caravan of servants.

“Excellent, dinner has arrived!”

Scylla tutted again.

“The ball being thrown in the main hall was supposed to be dinner husband.”

Terran snorted dismissively and rose from his seat.

“That food is for the prudes and the backstabbers.”

“Some of those prudes are your most loyal supporters!” Scylla protested.

One of Terran’s golden eyes flicked momentarily backward toward Kathranis.

“I think that may soon change,” he said cryptically, his voice taking on a suddenly serious tone.

That seriousness vanished in an instant as the gryphon king clapped and rubbed his hands together with anticipation.

“Now I hope we don’t have any vegetarians here, because I ordered quite the smattering of meat.”

Dranidal cleared her throat lightly, drawing his eyes.

“Actually my king, Blademaster Shadowsong’s brother wished to bring a guest he met at the party, and refused to attend this separate dinner without her. I’m afraid he’s been rather difficult about it, and due to her… status, his guest has been as well.”

Kathranis clicked his tongue and sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

“I swear this is the Luskan incident all over again.”

Aquila snorted and hid her laughter behind a wing. Terran looked to Kathranis with a raised brow.

“Does your brother often make scenes?”

“My brother once fancied himself a bard,” Kathranis explained. “And so when he sees a pretty girl he fancies, he tries to woe her. Unfortunately, he isn’t half bad, and before we moved away from larger cities, he was quite… popular.”

Fordred snickered.

“Which is to say he got fleas more than once.”

The pair of elves chuckled at the inside joke, as did Aquila. Terran glanced between the three, then shrugged and looked toward Dranidal.

“Is it anyone I don’t trust?”

Dranidal frowned.

“She is included in the war council my king. She wishes to remain unannounced until she has a confirmed seat at the table.”

Terran let out a light groan.

“Of course she would be melodramatic.” He looked toward the servants, who were steadily setting the table, and filling every empty space with dishes, primarily different grilled and roasted game. He looked back toward Dranidal. “Princess Luna is welcome, but since she wasn’t expected, we didn’t make anything for her. If she gets offended that we’re having meat, tell her I don’t care. I’m a gryphon. I eat meat.”

“We don’t mind at all good king,” Luna spoke confidently as she walked into the room with Huron in tow.

Kathranis let out a sigh, drawing his brother’s eyes.

‘Really?’ he handcanted. ‘You refused a summons from the king whose kingdom we are guests in?’

Huron smiled sheepishly.

‘Apologies Blademaster, I acted upon Princess Luna’s suggestion. We were talking, and rejecting the invitation meant we could keep going.’

Terran frowned at the alicorn.

“How did you get back here?”

Luna smiled.

“We grew tired of waiting, so we thought we’d come see what thine answer was in person.”

‘Should I be worried that a second one of my elves is being seduced so quickly?’ Kathranis signed.

Luna bowed and splayed her wings out.

“We art honored to accept thine invitation King Terran,” she flashed a grin up at the gryphon, “and we have no issue with meat. We art partially thestral after all.”

‘…maybe.’

Kathranis closed his eyes and let out a silent groan at the ceiling. Of course Huron had to make it more complex.

‘Don’t muck up our relations with the ponies,’ Kathranis signed. ‘If Princess Luna ends up hating me because you couldn’t keep it in your pants, I am going to banish you to live in a tree stump.’

The threat was mostly in play, but Huron took the first part of it very seriously.

‘I won’t mess this up Blademaster, and in truth, this isn’t about sex. She’s beautiful, yes, and I am very much attracted to her, but…’ His face flushed slightly. ‘She’s also an amazing listener. I could talk to her for days and still find more to say.’

Kathranis let out a sigh.

‘I can attest to that; she was fun to talk to. Just be as professional and kind as you can alright? And learn something about her while you’re at it. She seemed to like asking questions, but I made sure the exchange was equivalent. She should be your friend, not a rock you talk to.’

Huron signed a word of agreement as Terran let out another sigh.

“Then you are welcome Princess. Please, take a seat.”

The alicorn straightened, her smile almost smug. Her eyes drifted over to Kathranis for a moment, but she gave him only a small respectful nod before making her way around the table to the only two seats that were side by side. Huron followed her, sitting next to Deyenidal. Terran ran a hand down his face, then, with a small huff, turned around and smiled.

“Well, I can’t say this is what I expected, but I am glad we are gathered. Let’s eat, and drink tonight, for tomorrow dawns on a world changed by our new friends!”

Kathranis found a mug being pressed into his hands by one of the silent, ever-moving gryphon servants, and all the gryphons immediately raised their mugs in toast. Huron, Fordred, Kathranis and Luna were only a second behind, then the feast began.

The gryphons moved in two fashions. One group, led by Scylla, picked careful selections from all the platters, making everything into nice, orderly sections on their plates. Huron, and Luna were part of this group. The other group, spearheaded by Terran, was loud and fast, snatching up their favorite pieces and stacking them in disorganized piles on their plates. As soon as the towering heights of food began to tilt, the gryphons stopped stacking and began eating. Two gryphons fell into this group; Aquila and Terran, though Kathranis could visibly tell that two more wanted to join in the feral display. Deyenidal was forced to be careful, as she was still holding Fordred on her lap, while Valan was watching Kathranis carefully, waiting for him to eat first.

The elf cast a glance back at the young gryphon.

“What’s wrong good Prince?”

“I am your servant under my life-debt,” Valan said, his eyes flicking enviously towards his sister, who tore a rabbit in two with a single chomp of her beak. “You eat before me.”

Kathranis frowned.

“And what if I say that you are free to eat as you please, even before me? Will that dishonor you?”

Valan shook his head.

“No. The only way I can be dishonored is if the debt is canceled without fulfillment. You are within your rights to refuse any other rule you see fit, with one or two exceptions.”

Kathranis motioned the gryphon forward.

“Eat then. You are young, you probably need it more anyway.”

Valan smiled, chirping gratefully before diving in. Kathranis made sure to keep his hands well clear of the gryphon, taking his selections from dishes far away from Valan’s sharp talons. Terran glanced up and slurped down what Kathranis assumed was squirrel.

“You don’t like the terms of the life-debt?”

Kathranis frowned, thinking his words through carefully. Risking offending Aquila and Valan was one thing, something he thought he avoided rather succinctly. Offending Terran on the other hand, no matter how little the insult, was a mistake he couldn’t afford to make. Not as Blademaster.

“In all honesty, no. I don’t like debts of any kind, and would rather forgive and befriend rather than hold somebody’s honor hostage at point of debt.” He picked up two skewers of beef and set them on his plate, followed by a rabbit haunch. “That being said, Princess Aquila and Prince Valan explained the necessity of the debt, and it’s importance, so I accepted it. I will not see Prince Valan’s life ruined on my account, especially not out of words said in youthful arrogance. If, at any point, there is a way offered to forgive the debt without consequence, then I will accept it. It is my way.”

“Interesting,” Terran mumbled. His golden eyes flicked up from his plate. “But in your forgiveness and friendship, you would still keep an eye on one who offended, or owed you, yes?”

Kathranis smiled and nodded.

“Indeed. I’d extend the olive branch so often that I would beat my offender into friendship through annoyance alone.”

“Yet you are a fearsome warrior,” Terran countered. “What of the humans you slew?”

Kathranis shrugged and took a bite from the rabbit haunch.

“They attacked me with intent to kill. Just because I show preference for personal forgiveness, doesn’t mean I am unwilling to draw swords. Killing in self-defense is always justified, and I don’t regret the lives I’ve taken, for I have not yet killed any who haven’t deserved it. It is my hope that that never changes.”

Terran smiled at the answer.

“Well said Blademaster. Would that we were all so lucky.”

He dug back into his food, and Kathranis spared a glance toward Aquila. The gryphoness beamed at him, her cheeks stuffed with food. Kathranis snorted in amusement and began settling into his own dish.

“We have a query Blademaster,” Luna said as he began working on the rabbit haunch, a frown settled on her muzzle. “Thou mentioned being a devotee of nature, yet thou eat meat. Isn’t that antithetical to thine beliefs?”

Kathranis swallowed and smiled at the alicorn.

“Not at all Princess. Do we fault a wolf for eating a rabbit? Do we fault the eagle for eating a fish? I know well that the trees are alive, should we pursue the birds for making nests of their branches?”

He glanced around at the spread on the table.

“Not intending any offense to King Terran, but I do think feasts are quite wasteful, and I must express a sliver of distaste if any food is left uneaten or is subjected to gluttony, but then again, other creatures benefit from the waste produced. Flies consume the waste, and birds eat the flies. It is all cyclical.”

His eyes returned to meet Luna’s.

“As long as the intent is not to consume for the sake of consumption, it is natural. I would draw the line if, say, those beautiful forests Princess Aquila, Prince Valan, Zefuris and I passed through on our way here were destroyed for something wasteful, like an overnight expansion of industry. Then I might have issue.”

He shrugged.

“But then again, industry is not altogether evil, when handled correctly. If you cut down a tree to feed an engine, I only ask that the lumberman try to pick out the sickly, and dying trees, and then replant two when they leave. It is about balance, about growing the wilds and the natural, while maintaining the beauties that civilization creates.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“If the argument is that nature is all, then I wouldn’t be very welcome at anybody’s table. I would be at war eternal with anyone who wanted to so much as build a wooden shack. No, Lady Sylvanus recognizes that civilization has as much a right to exist as millennia old forests. She only tasks her followers to preserve balance between the two, to ensure that nature’s beauty is not stomped beneath the progression of civilization.”

Realizing he had gone on a tangent again, he flushed red and smiled at his plate.

“Apologies Princess. I’m rambling again.”

“Not at all,” Aquila and Luna said in unison.

The pair shot looks toward each other, with Aquila’s being a white-hot glare. The gryphoness quickly looked toward Kathranis again.

“Lady Sylvanus sounds fascinating Shadowsong. Perhaps tomorrow you could tell me more about her?”

Kathranis felt his heart skip a beat with excitement, and he smiled at the gryphoness.

“Of course Princess. You are more than welcome to view my morning prayers if you wish. They are not lengthy, I promise you.”

Aquila smiled.

“I’d like that.”

She sat back in her seat with a smug grin, and side-eyed Luna, who rolled her eyes and looked to Huron, taking up a quiet conversation with the elf.

Kathranis dug into his food, managing to clear a quarter of the plate when a loud throat clearing brought his eyes upward. Deyenidal fixed him with a concerned look, but she looked to Terran when she spoke.

“My king, I know it is not my place to speak at your table, but I have a question for Master Shadowsong.”

Terran stopped mid-bite, then set down the rib he had been prepared to bite in half.

“Deyenidal, you know full well that I see you as one of my own. You have been by Aquila’s side for so long, nearly every memory I share with her included you and your sister. You may speak your mind just as much as she can, unless my daughter suddenly hates you for some unknown reason.”

Aquila snorted and threw a wing around Deyenidal.

“You know me Dad, I fall victim to my feminine whiles daily, and today, I can’t even bear to look at the gryphon I call shield-sister.”

She turned her nose up in faux-disgust and looked away from Deyenidal, who blushed and playfully shoved the wing away.

“Respectfully Princess, shut it.”

Aquila giggled and shoved her back, then resumed her meal. Deyenidal still looked to Terran for permission, however, and the king rolled his eyes and motioned to Kathranis.

“Well spit it out!”

Kathranis folded his hands in his lap, sitting back in his chair so that his attention was fully devoted to the question that was sparking such nervousness in the so-far outspoken gryphoness.

Deyenidal glanced down at Fordred, then let out a small sigh and met Kathranis’ eyes.

“Fordred mentioned having a private talk, and you mentioned a warning. What was it?” Her eyes flashed with anxiousness. “I haven’t offended you in some way, have I? If I need to fulfill my own life-debt…”

She fell silent as Kathranis’ mouth fell into a scowl. Irritation raced across his mind at the thought of accepting another life-debt, especially over something so petty. He vaguely wondered if the system was somewhat abused for the gryphons. That thought fled under his rumbling anger, however. The noise of the table slowly died as the elf sat up slowly, staring the gryphon down.

“There will be no more life-debts with me,” he growled, his eyes looking away to meet everyone’s gazes. “I don’t like them. I don’t want them. I have already made that perfectly clear, but I will make it clear again. I don’t want any life-debts owed to me. I accepted Prince Valan’s only because he had some merit about his debt, and because he faced serious punishment if his debt was refused. If anything, I accepted his debt as a favor to him, a favor I hope to be repaid for with friendship.”

His eyes settled back on Deyenidal.

“Also, I am not some thin-skinned wretch who balks and whimpers at every insult. I have no doubt that I have stupidly, blindly stumbled my way through more than one engagement where I have said something unintentionally offensive, but I have been met by nothing but understanding and forgiveness. Until my ignorance of your customs is alleviated, I will take no offenses, because we are all learning about one another, and everyone seems to forget that I, and my people, are guests under King Terran’s roof. I have no right to take offense when I eat at somebody else’s table without pay.”

Kathranis let out a breath and sat back again, letting his irritation cool. He looked to Terran.

“I apologize for speaking angry words at your feast.”

Terran smiled and clapped Kathranis on the shoulder.

“No need Blademaster. I’d say the same thing, especially to the young ones.” He shot a look toward Deyenidal. “We drill into them that honor is all, so much so that they get to caught up in it sometimes.”

He motioned to the gryphoness.

“Now come on, speak your question. I’m beginning to feel offense that it’s taking this long, especially since I like you because you speak your mind. Don’t let me down now.”

Deyenidal twitched nervously.

“Of course not my king,” she gasped. Her eyes flicked to Kathranis. “Master Shadowsong, what was the warning you spoke of?”

Kathranis took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.

“Before I answer, let me ask you this Deyenidal, do you truly care for Fordred?”

The large gryphoness blushed, glancing down to the wizard.

“I… well…that’s a bit of a private question.”

“Which is why he wanted to speak to you in private,” Kathranis said. “But, since you thought entering yourself into a life-debt was worth an answer, I will assume that you do care for him.”

“With that in mind,” he continued, “the warning we, as elves, issue is thus. He will outlive you, and not by a small margin.” Kathranis motioned to Huron, and then himself. “In fact, unless we are killed, we will all outlive everyone in this room. We are likely already the oldest ones here.”

Terran glanced at him with curiosity plastered on his face.

“Really? And how do you think that? In my eyes you look to be the same age as Aquila, perhaps a year or two older.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“Try a century older good king. I am one-hundred and thirty-eight years old.” He nodded to Fordred. “He is our youngest elf at one-hundred and twelve, while my brother,” he motioned to Huron, “is one of the oldest at one-hundred and forty-two. He was the fourth eldest brother in my family.”

“Was?” Terran asked.

Kathranis’ shoulders slumped.

“That is a dark story good king, one I do not wish to tell. Suffice to say that Huron is now considered old in our merry little band.”

The gryphon king nodded in understanding.

“Forget I mentioned it, but by Harmony…”

He looked between the three elves, settling on Kathranis.

“That can’t be natural, can it? Do you have some artifact that keeps you alive and youthful?”

Kathranis spread his hands, and smiled, the motion helping to drive away the dark thoughts that arose at the mere mention of his lost family.

“I’m afraid not, we merely mature slower, and then relish in our youth for the majority of our lives.”

His eyes settled on Deyenidal.

“But while it is nice to be so long-lived, that comes with caveats, namely, we often… discourage our kind from becoming involved with other species that are not so long-lived. Fordred will outlive you by hundreds of years, is already likely a century or more your elder. The fact that we mature slower helps close the gap, but I have been a practiced warrior for nearly ninety years, and I can remember as far back as one-hundred and ten.”

He looked to Fordred.

“Fordred was a late-starter, but he has seen much in his time. We all have.”

Deyenidal looked down to the elf, who smiled nervously up.

“And you wanted to tell me so soon?”

Fordred nodded.

“If it’s any consolation, it’s because I do… care about you a great deal already. I may outlive you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever forget, or stop caring for you.”

Deyenidal chewed on the information silently for a moment, then let out a small sigh and nuzzled Fordred’s head.

“We will talk more in private my little friend, but I am not… completely uncomfortable with what I learned.”

Fordred grinned at the news, and he wiggled slightly, settling back into her embrace. The motion seemed to make Deyenidal happier, and she relaxed once more, rocking slightly as she held the diminutive elf. Kathranis watched the pair with a smile, and the faintest touch of jealousy, and emotion that was quickly squashed. He already had a great love, and even if he didn’t, he had the love of his brother, and that of his brethren. Fordred deserved somebody special in his life, even if Kathranis did believe the relationship was a bit rushed.

Still, if the elvish wizard found happiness, Kathranis would celebrate it. It was a good win, and he hoped that it would bring his people closer to the gryphons. He could already see a good future with the honorable people. Terran raised another toast, and Kathranis found himself raising his glass enthusiastically.

Chapter 11

“How fast do elves mature?” Aquila asked.

Kathranis blinked at the sudden question. They were on their way to the castle gardens, with Aquila leading the way for a fully healed Kathranis and Secil, as well as Valan, who yawned repeatedly as they walked through the castle halls. After the feast had concluded, he had escorted Kathranis back to the healing ward. The elf was only able to sleep with his kin once the castle physician had finished mending his leg, so he was stuck in the ward for one last night. Valan, despite Kathranis’ protests, had spent the night on the bed next to him; another rule of his life-debt. As long as Kathranis was injured, Valan needed to remain glued to his side, especially while he slept. No doubt used to his personal bed, the gryphon had tossed and turned much of the night, and so had gotten very little sleep.

With a sunrise appointment with the castle healer, however, Kathranis was back on two perfectly functional feet, and he made it clear that he expected Valan to sleep in his own bed once the day had ended. The tired gryphon had tried to refuse, but they both knew he was more than grateful for the boon. Unfortunately, he wasn’t allowed to leave Kathranis’ side during the daylight hours, and so despite his lack of sleep, he followed dutifully, yawning every few steps.

They had met up with Aquila for a light breakfast of eggs and toast, then Kathranis had asked for a place with some wildlife to conduct his prayers, leading to their march to the castle gardens, and Aquila’s out-of-the-blue question.

Kathranis couldn’t find his tongue quickly, so Aquila clarified.

“You mentioned last night that elves matured slower, closing the age gap a little. Is there a precise ratio, or is it more… aloof than that?”

Kathranis mulled it over in his head, then shrugged and answered.

“It can’t be simplified to a ratio, but its… Essentially, an elf spends his first forty to fifty years developing, much like the first twenty for a human, or for I assume, a gryphon.”

“I am twenty-three and I became of mating age five years ago,” Aquila stated.

Kathranis bowed his head.

“Precisely. As I stated, most elves don’t reach “mating age” until well into their nineties. We spend the first portion of our life growing and learning, deciding what we want to be. For me, that time was split between the grove of my Lady, and the Academy of Blades. For Fordred, that time was spent in the College of Wizards. Essentially, until we reach one century, we are developing ourselves. Choosing what gods we believe in, what skills we want to develop. Think of our birth to one-hundred as your birth to eighteen.”

“So what would you consider the next age?” Aquila asked. “When do you stop seeing yourself as a young elf?”

“Somewhere around two-hundred,” Kathranis said. “Most elves spend their second century trying to begin a family, to find their first, second, and third loves.”

“You have multiple wives?” Valan asked, his voice at a grumble.

“Occasionally if all agree to such a marriage,” Kathranis answered. “Though that is relatively rare. No, rather young elves are encouraged to make as many children as possible. Because of our long lives, we do not create large families, because most elves want to explore the wider world. That world is, however, fraught with danger, and when elves die, there are none to replace them. It is why we train to be the best fighters we can be, because the survival of the individual is paramount to the survival of our race, mighty though it may be.”

“Mighty?” Aquila echoed.

Kathranis let out a longing sigh.

“More history I’m afraid, but some that I’m somewhat familiar with. Elves were one of the oldest races in our old world of Faerun. Our empires were built and collapsed before other races, like humans, were even born. Our greatness began to wane when the younger races began expanding, and in their youth, they did not understand our beauty. Countless wars were raged for ancestral homelands, and elves died by the thousand.”

He frowned.

“By the time the humans and other races developed their own civilizations, their own beauty, it was too late, the damage done. Most elvish strongholds laid in ruin, while the rest began their slow decline. The humans by and large began to help us, but they couldn’t make new elves, and half-breeds were frowned upon by the elders. There were never enough full-blooded elf babies, and we fell to ruin as darker powers took advantage of our decay.”

Aquila reversed her step, and swept behind him, quickly and quietly embracing him with her wings.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean for this talk to be so dark.”

Kathranis smiled at her, feeling more than a little happier in her embrace.

“It is no issue Princess; it is merely what happened. My grief for what was lost changes nothing, it merely brings out a melancholy in me.”

He let out a sigh.

“But it was why my family was so well-respected in its day, why I was even accepted as Blademaster in fact. My parents formed a life-bond, and they produced well over a dozen little elves, Huron and I included.”

“What’s a life-bond?” Aquila asked.

Kathranis frowned in thought, thinking on how best to word it.

“Think of a life-bond as an emotional marriage,” Kathranis said. “It’s not altogether uncommon for elves to marry, grow apart, and then marry someone new, just out of boredom. Despite our longer development, we are still intelligent and mentally active from an early age. An elf who gets married at one-hundred may get tired of the routine of family life by three-hundred, and he or she is still young and spry, so they move on.”

Kathranis smiled.

“A life-bond, however, is what it sounds like. It is the binding of two elves to each other for life. It is a sign of true love, of true devotion. Very few elves ever truly find life-bonds, and fewer still that fall in love with younger races experience such a thing.” He let out a small, somewhat dreamy sigh. “But I must express a touch of jealousy to my late parents. I would love to have found a life bond, to be one with somebody in such a way.” More melancholy crept into his thoughts. “But that opportunity is long past, and unfortunately, all of the elf maidens that made the journey here are spoken for, and I have already viewed them more as sisters, or cousins for some time. Approaching a romantic relationship with any of them would be… inappropriate at best.”

Aquila hummed in thought as they continued to walk. By the time she spoke next, they had reached the door leading out into the castle gardens, but though Kathranis began to make his way free of her wings, the feathery limbs tightened, keeping him pressed to her chest.

“What of your goddess?” Aquila asked. “You mentioned her as your first mating, could you not form a life-bond with her?”

‘Oh yes Kathranis,’ Secil thought, his tone amused. ‘Do attempt to court a goddess, that should go well.’

Kathranis let out a chuckle and looked up at the gryphoness.

“No, I am far below my Lady, and though I have great love for her, and her for me, our relationship is not one of romantic nature. She is far more a mother.”

Aquila’s eyes flashed with what Kathranis thought was excitement, but about what, he didn’t know. She nodded and finally let him free.

“Very interesting Shadowsong;” was all that she said.

Without the gryphon’s wings, Kathranis very suddenly noticed how frigid the outside air was, particularly when a freezing gust of wind slapped him in the face, causing him to recoil. His next reaction was to hold his arms tight around his chest and shudder as his leather armor and the light clothes beneath failed to hold even a slight bit of heat. His eyes narrowed against a second gust of wind that blew his carefully tied hair askew.

“What circle of the Nine Hell’s is this?” he hissed.

Aquila laughed, and while Valan was too tired to join in, he did manage a grin at the elf’s obvious discomfort.

“There’s a reason we have fur Shadowsong,” Aquila teased. “And why staying nice and close to each other is a cultural norm. We live on a mountain; in all times but the very height of summer it’s freezing until the sun is at its highest. Then we can stay in flight long enough to calm the winds and make it livable.”

Kathranis cast a withering eye over his shoulder.

“Then why was it so warm when we were walking toward the city? I don’t remember it being this cold!”

“We started in the valley forests,” Aquila explained, “but Stonetalon Peak is at the top of a mountain, with the castle partially dangling over a sheer cliff that drops into the sea. It’s why we get so much wind up here, even in summer.”

Kathranis shivered, but sniffed the air.

“A sea? But I don’t smell any salt.”

Aquila’s eyes lit up.

“Very sharp nose Shadowsong! That earns a nice warm hug.”

‘Sharp nose my tail,’ Secil grumbled. ‘Should have noticed that hours ago.’

‘I didn’t know we were next to a sea,’ Kathranis shot at the panther.

While Secil mocked him silently, Aquila’s wings grabbed onto him, followed by her strong arms, and Kathranis once more found himself fully smothered in fluff and feathers. Incredibly warm fluff and feathers that instantly blocked out all trace of chill and set to work warming his frigid frame. Aquila smiled down at him as he settled against her chest.

“Somebody is beginning to like physical contact…” she giggled.

Kathranis put on a faux scowl and directed it at Valan.

“I wouldn’t if somebody hadn’t cost me my cloak.”

The gryphon sighed.

“The tailor I like opens up at noon, just like everyone else. I’m sure he’ll have something, and if not, I’ll personally commission a cloak ten times warmer than anything you’ve ever seen.”

A slightly smug grin appeared on the gryphon’s beak.

“Or you can just become Aquila’s little pet. She never shuts up about not getting enough hugs.”

The grin vanished as Valan let out a yelp, the result of a swift punch from Aquila. When her younger brother gave her a pained look, she jabbed a finger at him and softly growled. Valan’s look shifted to one of confusion, and he glanced between Aquila’s wings to Kathranis, who shrugged lightly. A possessive arm clung tighter to his chest and her chin rested atop his head.

“Don’t listen to him Shadowsong,” the gryphoness mumbled. “As long as you’re my friend, you’ll stay plenty warm. I’ll see to it.”

Kathranis’ teeth flashed in the dark of her wings.

“And your own desire for hugs will be satiated?”

Aquila groaned and pushed him away into the cold air.

“Fine, you want to joke? Be cold like Valan. Maybe when you start freezing you can cuddle up with each other and come begging on your knees for my hugs.”

Kathranis suppressed a shudder as a gust of wind threatened to throw off his balance. He smiled back at the gryphoness, doing his best not to show the fact that he was once again, instantly cold.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, resting his hands on his scimitars to prevent them from rubbing his arms for warmth. “But for now, my Lady calls.”

His lungs chilled by the frigid mountain air, Kathranis began to wander carefully along the stone paths of the gardens, appraising the numerous cultivated plants. Despite the freezing temperatures, and the icy wind, none of the vegetation seemed affected, and when Kathranis asked Aquila about the strange phenomenon, she replied;

“Mom keeps a few earth ponies on staff. We’re not sure how, but they keep everything alive year-round. It’s easy in summer, but now?”

Kathranis tucked away the information for later. He hadn’t thought about the possibility of there being different kinds of ponies, but that made quite a bit of sense. There were different types of elves after all.

He didn’t focus on anything in particular as he walked, merely let his feet guide him. Secil trotted at his side, occasionally sniffing the air in search of prey. When he found a scent, the great cat shifted to his smaller form, then darted through the bushes in pursuit of a small mouse that had been nibbling away on sunflower seeds. Kathranis smiled faintly after the cat, but didn’t stop his silent wanderings. Once his prey was secured, the cat would find him.

Kathranis turned a corner on the path, then stopped, blinking with a stunned feeling at the sheer compulsion to make his sacrifice under a strange looking weeping willow tree. Instead of the long green leaves he was familiar with, or even the rarer pink, or white blooms he had seen in passing, this willow tree seemed to glow with prismatic light. The branches swayed, not in the wind that beat against his back, but in its own unique wind, something soft, that vaguely reminded him of the warm embrace of a summer’s breeze.

The elf looked back to Aquila and Valan.

“What is this tree? I have never seen anything like it in all my years.”

Aquila clicked her tongue.

“You sure know how to pick ‘em Shadowsong. That is a branch of the Tree of Harmony, gifted to us by the Warlords of Equestria when our decades long wars came to an end. It was their peace offering to us, and is said to connect to the Tree of Harmony itself.”

Kathranis regarded her with a curious look.

“And what is this Tree of Harmony? In fact, who is Harmony? Princess Luna mentioned her in passing and expressed concerns of power changes in the heavens, but I have no idea who this Harmony might be other than yet another goddess.”

Aquila frowned, her eyes flicking about.

“A word of advice Shadowsong, don’t say something like that again. Not here, not anywhere. Most people take their relationship with Harmony very seriously.”

Kathranis blanched.

“I- I meant no offense or disrespect, I am just used to a pantheon of gods and goddesses of varying power. Lady Sylvanus is one of dozens of goddesses, and some view her as a goddess of lesser stature.”

Aquila tapped Valan on the shoulder and waved him toward the entrance of a hedge maze. Though he gave her a look of slight protest, a silent glare from the gryphoness sent him on his way, and he flapped his way over, poking through the assorted bushes and shrubs.

“I know you didn’t mean anything Shadowsong, but I’m sure that even with your many gods, there were fanatics amongst their followers?”

Kathranis nodded silently.

“Keep that in mind here, where Harmony is all.”

Aquila nodded to the tree.

“While I don’t doubt your claims of your Lady Sylvanus, that is much more concrete, and has been in these gardens on public display since before my birth. People don’t believe in Harmony so much as know that it’s a fact that she exists. She empowered the Equestrian Warlords, she powers the Tree of Harmony, which spreads magic through the world. It is she that lets us control the clouds, and she that protects us from dark magic. My mother, the gryphoness you met briefly last night, is Harmony’s High Priestess for our nation. If word reaches her ears that you talk of Harmony as less than she is, there will be only trouble.”

Kathranis cast a glance toward the tree again, this time a bit more apprehensive in his wish to worship beneath its boughs. Was Harmony a vengeful goddess? Would she smite him directly for giving thanks to another goddess under her tree, or would one of her followers take offense on her behalf and drive his people out? The elf didn’t know, but decided to play it safe. Perhaps once he learned more about Harmony he could worship nearer to her, but until such a time…

Kathranis stepped down a different path, looking toward a bed of dragon lilies.

“Do you include yourself amongst those who view Harmony as a fact of life?” Kathranis asked, spotting Secil threading his way through the hedges with a mouse in his teeth.

“Yes,” Aquila answered cautiously, “but please don’t think I’m going to persecute you Shadowsong. I have seen your goddess acting through you. That’s proof enough to me that you’re not lying.”

“No, but it is evidence that Harmony is no longer all,” Kathranis said. He found a bare patch of grass before the lilies and knelt down, working his hair tie to let his long black locks hang free. “While you admit that you won’t persecute me, and I doubt many will, my goddess is a challenge to the order, as is Fordred’s, and Huron’s. I know not if they are still granted power, as neither rely on their faith for ability, but just between the three of us we worship three different goddesses. That will not be ignored.”

Aquila let out a sigh.

“Then what do you want to do? You’ve hardly been quiet about your goddess, so hiding her is out of the question.”

“I wouldn’t hide her even if I knew I was going to be persecuted for my worship,” Kathranis said, drawing a knife and cutting away a thick strand of hair. “But I would like to speak with a few more devout followers of Harmony. I know it may be blasphemous to suggest I speak for my goddess, but if our faiths can be friendly to one another, perhaps our goddesses can take after our example and share the heavens as friends, or at the very least as separated equals.”

Aquila’s dour look shifted to a smile.

“Are you sure you’re not a follower of Harmony? Friendship is kind of the whole goal.”

Kathranis spread his hands and grinned.

“Friendship is part of the balance Princess, so you see? If we can come to such a conclusion so quickly, perhaps the same can be said on a broader scale. I ask only a chance to speak on equal terms, so that we may at least address this question before it becomes a problem.”

Aquila crossed her arms and sighed, though a grin drove away any inklings that the motion was made in any seriousness.

“You know Shadowsong, I’m beginning to think I’m more your administrator than your friend.”

“Didn’t you mention wanting to be a “politically savvy advisor”?” Kathranis shot back. “Wouldn’t making peace with a foreign religious sect do wonders for that?

Aquila snorted and rolled her eyes.

“Do your worshipping Shadowsong, before I get Mom down here to burn you at the stake for being a heathen.”

Kathranis grinned and turned to begin his worship when he caught something the gryphoness said under her breath.

“He listens to what I say and remembers it besides? Should I be bending over for an egg or what?”

Kathranis frowned lightly, trying to parse what the words meant, but his mind kept getting hung up on “egg”. Closing his eyes, the elf decided that it must be some inside joke, and that he needed to focus on the task at hand. He had kept his goddess waiting long enough. Secil dug a small hole at the base of one of the lilies, then placed the mouse he had caught in it. Kathranis placed his offering of his lock of hair on top of the mouse, then let the small cat shovel dirt over top it.

Kathranis bent over at his waist and prostrated himself, whispering soft prayers of thanks. Secil curled into a ball at his side, his eyes closed as he mentally shared in Kathranis’ communion. Unlike his short ritual in the forest, Kathranis took his time, going through each of the dozen prayers of thanks he had learned to offer Sylvanus. He took his time, remembering each and every word, understanding their meaning, all before reciting them carefully and dutifully. The wind died away around him, and Secil purred as warm embrace smothered them both. Kathranis couldn’t keep a smile from his face, but didn’t let the small gift distract him.

The feminine giggle that sounded in his ears, however, distracted him greatly, provoking no small amount of irritation at Aquila. Though he desperately didn’t want it to happen, his respect for her diminished slightly, but he powered through his prayers, hopeful that she wasn’t laughing at his back, but rather something else in the gardens.

“Oh my champion, don’t blame that adorable gryphon of yours on my account.” The voice was light, decidedly female, but was definitely not Aquila’s. “Now come, rise Ranger Shadowsong. While I do enjoy hearing you sing my praises, they are not needed this day.”

Kathranis frowned slightly in confusion, but did as the voice bade and sat up, only to rock back on his heels in awe at what he saw. Gone was the frigid, gray-skied, but beautiful royal garden, replaced by a sunny blue sky, with greenery alive in the vibrant golden warmth. Amidst it all was a lone being sitting on a royal red cushion, waving her hand in the water of a pond so clear that it looked like a mirror despite her disruptions.

Kathranis gaped at it all, but Secil, again the size of a housecat, yowled in joy and sprinted toward a fluttering insect.

“Look Kathranis!” he said aloud. “She’s got dragon-wing butterflies! I haven’t seen those since I was a cub!”

The cat sprinted after the bugs as they fluttered toward a bush, and with another yowl and a flying leap, the cat sailed at the butterflies, only to miss and wind up with his lower half poking from the shrub his face was embedded inside. The cat’s tail flicked back and forth in excitement, then the fuzzy black rump disappeared into the shrub as Secil wriggled himself free to begin his joy-filled hunt anew.

The sound of a feather light giggle brought Kathranis out of his stunned watching, and his eyes flickered over to the tall elf maiden lounging by the pond. Her golden eyes shined as she laughed at the cat’s antics. He tore through the wild gardens in pursuit of a butterfly that seemed to always dodge his leaps at just the right moment. If Secil cared about his continuing failure to catch the insect, he didn’t show it, instead letting out happy yowls as he tore after the butterfly. The goddess giggled again as he raced past her in blind pursuit.

“Oh I do love seeing him so lively. I shouldn’t judge, he is ancient by his own standards, but still, when he’s happy like this, in pursuit of prey,” the maiden giggled and her eyes shifted to Kathranis. “well, it just makes me smile in a way that truly can’t be matched in my Grove.”

Kathranis gaped at his goddess, realizing quickly that she was absolutely naked. That wasn’t an unusual thing for elves, nor for Sylvanus, but it had been decades since he had seen the goddess in a barer form, and he couldn’t help but avert his eyes as blood rushed to his cheeks. Sylvanus let out another laugh at the sight of his fluster.

“Oh Shadowsong, still as easy to fluster as you were half a century ago. I had hoped you would have grown out of this by now.”

“A-apologies Lady,” Kathranis mumbled.

Sylvanus smiled and tapped her soft pink lips with her fingers.

“Hmmm, I could remedy it myself…” she giggled and spun her legs into a cross-legged position. “But I prefer to wait. I have a good feeling that the issue will be remedied soon enough.”

Before Kathranis could fully process her words, or protest them, the elf-goddess conjured a small table and another cushion with a wave of her hand.

“Come Shadowsong, take a seat. We have a great deal to talk about in a short time.”

Kathranis immediately did as she bade and approached the cushion, then felt a great deal of awkwardness before he sat down. His eyes flicked from the cushion to his goddess’s eyes, then back again as more heat rose to his face.

“Apologies Lady… but shouldn’t I finish my morning prayers? I still have three to recite.”

Sylvanus clicked her tongue, the smile never leaving her face.

“I never thought I would see the day when Ranger Kathranis Shadowsong questioned my commands. It would seem his faith in me has waned, and some other beautiful goddess will come in to sweep him away.”

She put a hand to her forehead and pretended to faint.

“Woe is the Lady Sylvanus; she did not hear Shadowsong’s final three thanks!”

Kathranis flushed even further as she jokingly mocked him, but he understood her point and took a seat, doing his best not to apologize. That would only compound her teasing. Sylvanus beamed at the lack of apology and sat up. Secil trotted through a clump of ferns, his tongue hanging low as he panted. Sylvanus merely offered a hand, and the cat switched his direction, quickly moving to her lap to flop down. Sylvanus giggled and rubbed the cat’s belly, drawing loud purrs from him; then she looked to Kathranis.

“Let’s start with the difficult, shall we? You are no longer a Ranger, Shadowsong, you are my Champion.”

She clapped her hands together and two pristine crystal cups appeared on the table: one before Kathranis, and the other before Sylvanus. His mind blank as he struggled to process, Kathranis took the offered drink with a mumbled thanks and sipped at it, letting the icy water chill his panicky thoughts to allow logic to shine through. When it did, he broke her words apart piece by piece, sorting through their meaning to find what he had questions about. When he had those brought to the forefront of his mind, he took a second sip to cool his giddiness at a direct conference with his goddess, then set the glass down and met her eyes.

“May I ask why I have been bestowed this great honor my Lady?”

Sylvanus smiled, this one less excited and far more motherly.

“I’m afraid it isn’t so great an honor anymore Champion. You have ever been a strong member of the faith, and not once have I ever questioned your loyalty or devotion, but I think we can both agree that you are not the most powerful, or knowledgeable of my clergy.”

Kathranis smirked.

“Which is a kind way of saying you can’t make me sit still long enough to learn truly powerful spells.” He bowed, placing a hand over his chest. “You have my thanks for being so forgiving with your criticism.”

Sylvanus rolled her eyes and smiled.

“More like too attached to those darling little blades of yours. You have witnessed firsthand the acts my druids are capable of, yet continue to play with those little magical toys.”

“Magical toys that have slain many a blighted beast in your name Lady,” Kathranis sparred. “Those blades have served me well in your service.”

Sylvanus inclined her head in agreement.

“True, but you understand the reason that never before have you been considered for direct patronage of this nature. You simply lacked power and the desire to bend to my will to increase your might, so ever have you been nothing but a devout, well-loved ranger.”

Kathranis rubbed his thumbs up and down his glass.

“But… Lady I express confusion, because I have not changed. I still do not wish to abandon my blades. I find myself in a situation where I consider settling down for the good of my people, but that wild spirit has not diminished in the slightest. It is merely… focused for the time being.”

Sylvanus giggled.

“Fear not Champion, I will not ask such a thing of you now. I merely must tell you of your importance to me now, and I must inform you about what has happened with your… travels.”

Kathranis’ eyes smoldered with confusion and curiosity, but he remained silent, unwilling to interrupt the goddess. Sylvanus stroked Secil’s belly and continued.

“I am sure you have many questions for me, but I have but two for you. First, what do you know about this world?”

Kathranis pondered the question for a moment before answering.

“I know that it is a magical place, but in what way I don’t yet know. I know this world has great amounts of nature, but again, my exposure has been limited. It is peopled by the ponies, and the gryphons. I know that some humans, and my elvish kin, found their way here, likely through the same method that brought me, and that for some reason, the humans have alienated themselves to all the other races. I know that this world has humans of its own, but they are dull, goblin-like creatures.” He took a breath and met Sylvanus’ eyes. “I also know that this world has a single goddess, who is viewed as all. Her name is Harmony, and while I haven’t seen absolute evidence of her power yet, I don’t doubt that I will see such in time. I believe Aquila when she says that she is everywhere.”

Sylvanus’ eyes lit up with delight at the mention of the gryphon’s name, but her next words didn’t indicate his mention of her at all.

“Very good Champion, you have learned much already. Yes, your summations are correct, but I ask you my second question, what have you noticed this world has, or rather, what is absent?”

Kathranis’ brow creased in thought, and he sipped at his water, mulling through his many encounters, searching for what he had left out. He traced all the way back to the first conversation he had with the gryphons in the cave, and his mind stuck on one part of that conversation.

“Dark magic…” he muttered. His eyes moved up. “The gryphons reacted negatively at my mention of dark magic, as if to speak about its destruction would bring it about.”

“Very good,” Sylvanus purred. “I am glad that my Champion is so wise.”

She rolled Secil over and brushed his ears. The cat slowly grew to his panther size, then larger, growing until he was almost as large as a horse. He got sleepily to his feet and trudged around the goddess, then plopped down, his face curled up in a smile as Sylvanus leaned back into him like he was a large couch.

“Yes Champion,” Sylvanus continued, “there is no dark magic, or at least none that is not squashed and purged immediately. Since I arrived here, I have searched every place on this planet for even a trace of corruption, but I have found nothing. Not even a pool blackened with demon blood. I have found nothing.”

She let out a sigh, and for the first time, her smile dipped.

“It is why I abandoned the rest of your brethren to Faerun. It is why you, and Secil are the last of my followers now.” Her golden eyes met his. “It is why you are now Champion. I have no other followers, no other worshipers. This is not an honor I bestow upon you Shadowsong, it is a warning. You cannot fall, I will not allow it. Not yet.”

“That’s why you were so generous with your gifts,” Kathranis breathed. “Why your magic was so strong even when I asked for nothing.”

Sylvanus nodded.

“Yes. Your slightest injury is a risk to me, for while I can draw power from the wild itself, that is not enough. I need one of two things; worshipers, or an alliance with a goddess that has such.”

“You mentioned abandoning your other worshipers; what happened? Why would you do that? I don’t believe I was enough to warrant such a move.”

Sylvanus chuckled.

“No Champion, I’m afraid I can’t inflate your pride by saying that that was the case. It is, rather, this world.”

The garden around them vanished, replaced by star-filled blackness. Kathranis looked beneath the table to find a marble of blue, green and white.

“Look at it,” Sylvanus sighed happily, “a world equal, if not greater to Faerun in size, completely free of dark magic and corruption. Yes, it is less developed, and the magic tastes strange, but it is perfect.”

The image gradually faded, and the two elves met each other’s gazes as Sylvanus continued.

“I caught the barest glimpse of this world when I felt your soul tear from reality. In that moment, I saw a chance. The smallest, barest chance, to finally find my truest wish, to free myself of the black corruption that forever haunted Faerun.” Her face became writhed in shadow as her godly anger made itself known. “To think of all those wretched little humans, playing with forces they didn’t understand, creating immortal liches, and other polluting wretched undead abominations.” The trees around them blackened and lost their leaves, and the butterflies caught flame, still fluttering as they turned to ash. Secil’s eyes took on a haunting green glow, and he looked to Kathranis with a hint of worry. “To think of the lands they polluted beyond repair. To think of my druids, my beautiful followers corrupted and turned against me because of their foul selfishness!”

Kathranis couldn’t help but flinch as the pool of clear water turned into a stinking oily slick. The cup in his hand held the only clean water, and he closed his eyes, taking a sip before reaching out a hand to touch the fuming goddess. He winced as a lightning bolt ran up his arm, clenching his heart in a vice as the heat of her fury bore down on him. He saw the many mistakes he had made, saw the many lives lost that had been solely his fault, but he didn’t remove his comforting hand.

Sylvanus calmed a moment later, and the grove returned to normal. The grip holding his chest hostage lessened, and Kathranis began to withdraw his calming arm, only for pain to lance through his body. He fell on his side and coughed, but rather than blood, a faint silvery mist flowed from his mouth, weaving slightly as it traveled toward the center of the pool. Sylvanus let out a slight gasp, and then Kathranis felt power flood his form. The mist resettled in his chest, the call of the pool vanishing as healing magic cooled his pained soul.

He opened his eyes to find a furious pair glaring down at him.

“That was a foolish thing to do,” Sylvanus hissed. “I could have ripped you asunder without noticing!”

Kathranis chuckled.

“I guess Secil would have been Champion then.”

Sylvanus’ glare softened at the joke, and a smile briefly touched her lips. She let out a sigh and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.

“Oh Champion, too good for your own health.”

She sat him up, then sighed again as Kathranis began to flicker and fade.

“I’m afraid our time has come to an end with that little accident.” Brushing a hand along his cheek, Sylvanus stared deep into his soul.

“Dream tonight Champion,” she whispered, her lips drawing closer. “Act on your plan to speak with Harmony’s priestess. There is much you don’t yet know, but the pieces are not yet moving, and we have time to talk, to plan.”

Kathranis melted into her embrace as her lips met his, so soft, yet so very filled with power as she kissed him. In his mind, he heard her whisper…

Sleep my champion, sleep…. Come back to me Shadowsong…

Kathranis opened his eyes to find somebody kissing him. A beak, surprisingly soft and malleable, pressed against his lips, and he felt heat entering his body. It took the elf feeling his lungs inflate with warmth to understand that someone was blowing air into him. As his vision cleared, her realized that that person was Aquila.

The gryphoness had a steely look on her face, one that very nearly hid the worry and concern flowing from her eyes. Her lip-soft beak withdrew, and her hands crossed over his chest, her muscles tensing to perform compressions. Not wanting to risk his ribs breaking, Kathranis grasped one of her wrists with a free hand, and he blinked to make sure that he could see fully.

“I’d rather you didn’t,” he croaked, his throat feeling all too dry, especially considering he had been drinking water.

Aquila’s serious look vanished, and she let out a crow of joy before scooping him and wrapping him in a tight hug that pinned his cheek to her breasts. The elf couldn’t help but blush, and that heat created a feedback loop, with Aquila’s body heat answering in kind, forcing her warmth into him.

With one eye forced closed, Kathranis looked up with the other and found Aquila crying and laughing as she held him tight.

“I’m so glad you’re alright.”

“What happened?” Kathranis mumbled, trying not to focus on the mounds pressing into his head.

Aquila, perhaps sensing his discomfort, or perhaps just out of a desire to see his face as it moved and worked with the machinations of life, pulled back.

“You were praying, then you began to… glow.” She looked back to Valan. “You saw that too, right?”

Valan nodded, giving Kathranis a morose look.

“I did. Your whole body was glowing in this white light, and when I touched you to make sure you were alright, you felt warm, almost feverish considering how chilly it is.”

“But,” Aquila added, “we thought it was just a result of your prayers. Mom glows sometimes, though not very often, and not unless she’s being gifted power directly from Harmony for a specific purpose.”

Kathranis felt her grip again tighten, and a hint of panic entered her voice as she continued.

“But when we left you alone, you began to shake, and the glow turned black. It didn’t last long, but you collapsed when it faded. When Valan checked you again, you weren’t breathing.”

She blushed.

“Then… I may have panicked just a little and I started trying to get you breathing again.”

Kathranis let out a light cough, then smiled up at her.

“A little panic?”

Aquila flushed harder, and her wing slapped the back of his head, followed quickly by a tightening of her grip.

“Hush you,” she mumbled. “I’m not letting my new friend slip away before we have our day out, or a nice bath together.”

Her eyes lit up with vengeful light, and she grinned wickedly.

“In fact, because I saved your life, now you owe me. You and I are paying a visit to the royal bath house tonight before you go to bed.”

Kathranis smiled weakly.

“Technically I wasn’t in any danger…”

Aquila’s beak formed into a hard scowl, one that brooked no argument. Kathranis let out a chuckle and nodded in agreement.

“Very well. Another bath sounds nice.”

Aquila’s scowl immediately formed into a smile, and she slugged his shoulder.

“You make it too easy Shadowsong.” She gave him a wink and turned on her heel, stopping only to grab his hand and pull him toward the exit of the garden. “It’s almost like you enjoy being led around by a big strong gryphon princess…”

Kathranis let out another, more genuine chuckle.

“Only you Princess, only you.”

His words seemed to make Aquila’s smile grow, and she pulled him into her warm embrace, once more shielding him from the freezing cold of the morning air. As she hugged him with her wings, Kathranis briefly wondered what it would feel like to press back against the gryphoness’s bare fur.

Aquila’s voice brought him out of his musings, however.

“So what happened Shadowsong? What was all that glowing?”

Kathranis smiled faintly.

“Well, I can safely say that I’ve spoken with my goddess for a fourth time face to face. We spent most of the time catching up, discussing your world and the implications our arrival here has.” He sighed. “That “black glow” as you describe it, was my goddess getting angry for a moment. She gets passionate when discussing corruption and all the other nasty things brought on by dark magic, and her temper can flare. I… did something mildly foolish while she was ranting angrily.”

“And what was that?” Aquila asked.

“I… may have touched her,” Kathranis admitted, “and touching a goddess whose power bleeds into the world around her when she’s angry wasn’t a… safe decision.”

He could feel Aquila’s scowl, aimed squarely at the back of his head.

“Which is to say you stupidly risked your life, and you nearly died.”

“That… is one way of saying it.”

Aquila mulled in silence, the heat of her stare never leaving Kathranis’ head. The elf decided to try and alleviate the pressure with a light joke.

“If it’s any consolation, Lady Sylvanus wasn’t happy with me either, and has stated that I will continue receiving greater gifts from her.”

“And these greater gifts will help keep you alive?” Aquila mumbled in question.

“That’s her plan,” Kathranis answered.

Aquila hummed in thought, then her grip tightened.

“Good. With all the trouble you’ve already stirred up, you need some good shieldmaidens watching your back. I’ll protect you in the physical world with sword and shield, and your goddess can bring the magic power to make sure you never stay down if I manage to fail.”

She winked down at him.

“Not that that’s going to happen.”

Kathranis scoffed, keeping his tone playful.

“Please, I am a hundred years your senior. I am more than capable of defending myself, thank you very much.”

Aquila’s eyes lit up.

“Is that so?” she replied. “Well, I don’t believe you. Especially given how affected you were by that adorable little cut you got on your leg.”

“The blade was necrotic!”

Aquila shrugged, as if the detail didn’t matter.

“It doesn’t matter. Magical or not, you need protection, and I will provide.”

She patted his head, putting a scowl on Kathranis’ face.

“I don’t need protection,” he reiterated, “In all likeliness, I’m probably a better fighter than you!”

He heard a sharp intake of air from Valan, and a glance at the gryphon found his eyes focused on Aquila’s face. Kathranis looked up to see the gryphoness staring down at him with a mildly sadistic grin.

“Is that so?” Aquila said. “Well then Blademaster, I suppose I must accept your challenge to single combat. We can duel tomorrow.”

Kathranis thought quickly, his voice acting as his brain processed.

“I… I hope I haven’t impugned your honor,” he said. “This… was mostly in jest, yes?”

Aquila’s grin softened into a smile.

“I know you’re joking Shadowsong, but I would like to duel you. The only person who got to see any of your fighting was Valan.” She looked to her brother and winked. “And he spent the fight on the ground. Hardly an accurate viewer.”

Valan rolled his eyes.

“Hey, Shadowsong saw the brute I was tangling with. He was way too strong for his size.”

Aquila matched his eye roll.

“Sure Valan, dig the hole deeper with your savior. Not like you’re going to escape this life-debt anytime in the next decade.”

Kathranis winced.

“Really, that long?”

Aquila nudged him back toward the castle, and Secil and Valan fell in behind them as they walked.

“I know you detest it, but yes,” Aquila said. “You did a great thing Shadowsong, and gryphons repay their debts. As the head of the family, Dad owes you for saving his son, and seeing his daughter returned safely, and then Valan owes you directly for saving his life. It’s why you and your people have had a nice, warm reception, and why you get a princess for an escort until we are officially allies, or until your people move on.”

“And here I thought it was my winning personality,” Kathranis mumbled.

An entire decade, or longer. Kathranis wondered briefly if he should fling himself off a cliff and have Valan save him. Perhaps that would end the debt, or at least trim off some time. He glanced toward the young male gryphon, who trudged along silently, and tiredly behind them. Kathranis frowned, knew that the gryphon could use some additional energy if he was to survive a day of activity. His belly rumbled at a perfect moment, and he smiled up at Aquila.

“Say, could we have some breakfast before we hit the town?”

Aquila grinned.

“And here I thought you’d never ask, you skinny thing you.”

Chapter 12

After a filling breakfast, and a chance to speak with some of his elves, Kathranis was back with Aquila, and Valan, along with Huron and to his surprise, Riven. The bulky elf hadn’t spoken much during the morning meal, but he had attached himself to Kathranis’ side as soon as the elf had announced that he would be going into the city. His elves were free to explore, with Aquila’s guards allocating each a small allowance of the local currency.

Most split off into smaller groups, seizing their first taste of civilized freedom as soon as they had money, and though he noticed gryphon guards pealing off to follow them, Kathranis thought nothing of it. No doubt it was merely a way to offer directions or guidance in the new city.

Dranidal watched over their group with all of the subtly she could muster, though knowing her position as Aquila’s bodyguard, that was somewhat limited. The other gryphon guards, however, had the subtly of a brick. Three followed behind their group at a dozen paces in plainclothes that “concealed” their weapons, while two more walked ahead of the group, always managing to stay inside eavesdropping range. If Aquila, or Valan cared, they didn’t show it, keeping up their normal conversation as they walked.

“So,” Aquila said to Kathranis. “I was thinking we can start by getting you a cloak, and maybe some nicer clothes, then maybe do some sight seeing, grab lunch, then have a trip to the bathes before dinner.”

Kathranis frowned and looked down.

“What’s wrong with what I wear?”

“You’re wearing your armor,” Aquila stated, as if the problem was obvious. “Don’t you ever want to take it off? Wear something more comfortable?”

Kathranis shrugged and looked to Huron, who matched his gesture. He then looked to Aquila and smiled.

“My armor is comfortable. Aside from my tunic and other undergarments, it’s what I always wear.”

The gryphoness sighed and shook her head, rubbing her eyes with her fingers.

“Of course you do.”

Dranidal smiled at Kathranis.

“Traditionally, armor is only worn when battle is intended. To do otherwise is to show fear in one’s house.”

“Basically, everyone who doesn’t know you thinks all of you elves are cowards,” Valan yawned. “Zefuris has been stomping out all kind of rumors, but well, nobles are going to keep running their beaks about things they don’t understand. Bunch of dusty old featherheads.”

Dranidal shot the young gryphon a glare.

“My prince, I would recommend not speaking so flagrantly about your soon-to-be allies. The nobles of Gryphnoia may feed into the gossip mill more than is appropriate, but that is hardly a reason to risk offending them.”

Valan shot her a tired look.

“If I had my way, we’d clean those old buzzards out of the castle. All they do is rattle sabers, eat our food, and cause problems. They talk and talk about how great they are in battle, and how legendary they used to be,” he spread his hands, “but where are they when the fighting starts? Still here, still rattling sabers and trying to bad mouth our allies.”

Dranidal’s eyes flicked to Kathranis.

“Technically the elves are not yet so my Prince, but still…”

“I disagree,” Valan snapped. “Why are we hosting them if they’re not our allies? Why give them allowances? Why did Dad say; and I quote, that the ball was for “those greedy backst-”

Aquila smacked him with a wing, then growled her next words.

“That was said in private idiot, now shut your beak before one of the rats in the walls hears you!”

Valan shrank and glanced around, before mumbling a chastened “sorry”.

Aquila rolled her eyes, and their walk fell into silence as they left the castle corridors and into the courtyard leading to the front gate. There, as if waiting for them to appear, stood the tall sentinel that was Zefuris. Decked out in the impressive armor he had worn when had come to Kathranis’ rescue, the gryphon turned their way as they approached. Beside him stood a much shorter gryphon in similar, but far less decorated armor. Instead of a shine, the armor was dull, as if it was cheap.

Aquila let out a sigh and rolled her eyes, then slipped into a smile and a skip as they approached.

“Hello Zefuris, and why the show of force today?”

The tall gryphon looked impassive as he answered.

“King Stonetalon wants to ensure we have no infiltration incidents. With all the dignitaries visiting,” his eyes flicked momentarily to Kathranis, “as well as human-like allies scattering about the city, he thought it best to make sure nobody got hurt.”

Kathranis smiled.

“You’ll have no problems from my people. They know better than to draw steel over petty insults or bar fights.”

“It’s not your people acting aggressively King Stonetalon is worried about,” Zefuris said.

“Surely hatred against humans isn’t that severe,” Kathranis said with a smile. “I was welcomed in short order.” He grinned at Valan, who blushed and looked away in embarrassment. “With a notable exception or two of course.”

Zefuris cleared his throat and looked to Aquila, who’s smile looked somewhat false as she looked to Kathranis.

“Certain… events have happened recently,” she said. “While word about your elves has begun spreading, some are more skeptical than others… and some just refuse to listen at all.” Her eyes flicked back to Zefuris. “But if Dad put the guards out, then there shouldn’t be trouble. I just hope your elves don’t try to lose their tails.”

Kathranis snorted at the idea, then on second thought, realized that such a thing was not unlikely. He glanced toward Huron and Riven, who both sighed and nodded before sprinting off into the city to find Fordred, who had started the day early with Deyenidal. The wizard would be the most able to contact everyone at once. Knowing the situation would be well taken care of, Kathranis offered a smile to the dully-clad gryphon.

“And I suppose you must be our additional tail for the day?” He offered his hand, which the gryphon nervously accepted, weakly clasping forearms before stepping back behind Zefuris. Both Kathranis and the dull-clad gryphon received slight glares, from Zefuris and Aquila respectively.

The gryphon put on a weak smile, trying not to look anywhere as he mumbled a greeting.

“Pleasure to meet you,” he said, his voice low.

“As it is to meet you my friend,” Kathranis replied brightly. “Are you another friend of Aquila’s?”

The gryphoness in question immediately pushed between them, visibly irritated.

“Errol is a friend that everyone should well recognize.”

Her words were hissed at Zefuris, who merely scowled silently in reply. Aquila’s eyes then shifted to Errol, who shied away.

“Weren’t you seeing that lovely guard, Asteria? I had thought you went through the traditional mating chase and everything!”

Errol shrank away further.

“I… I had… but my father said…”

“Your father has more feathers than he has brains, and if you haven’t noticed, he doesn’t have a nestmate anymore,” Aquila cut in. “Don’t take his advice when it comes to love, and don’t put yourself in a mate-seeking environment when you already have a nice, strong mate who loves you. Now shoo, I already have guards, and I don’t need more!”

Errol looked to Zefuris for permission, and the large soldier gryphon gave it with a sigh, head shake, and a hand wave. The smaller gryphon smiled ever so slightly, then gave Aquila a nod.

“Thank you Princess.”

He then slipped away, flapping with what Kathranis imagined was excitement as he sprinted toward the castle. The elf let out a slight chuckle and rested his hands on his scimitar hilts.

“Ah, the young always do get so confused when it comes to love.” A snort followed his light laughter. “I’m just glad that arranged marriages were not popular in elvish culture. It only seems to complicate things.”

“Tell me about it,” Aquila grumbled. Her eyes flicked to Zefuris. “So, we’re going into town, partly because Valan owes Shadowsong a new cloak, but also because it’s Shadowsong’s first time in Stonetalon Peak, so I’m going to be his expert guide.” Her eyes narrowed. “Are we going to have anymore problems with that?”

Zefuris shot another look Kathranis’ way, one which the elf ignored, electing to look up into the clear blue sky. His eyes then shifted back to Aquila, who stared back with a challenging look. The heavily armored gryphon sighed and rubbed his forehead with his fingers.

“No princess, we will not. I trust Dranidal to keep a careful eye on the lot of you.”

Aquila smiled and her wing flapped out, wrapping around Kathranis and dragging him closer.

“Good,” she stated smartly. “Then we’ll be off. You can find us in the baths for lunch.”

Zefuris nodded as they began moving past him.

“Make sure to be back before sundown,” Zefuris called. “And no taverns! I don’t want to rescue you from another bar fight!”

Aquila waved a hand in reply, then they were in the caste gate, leaving toward the city. At a glance, Kathranis could tell that the stone was well fortified, and well kept. While not the largest fortifications he had ever seen, they certainly looked like they did their job, and they were tightly manned, with gryphons patrolling every section in sight.

Then his eyes turned outward, and he got his first look at Stonetalon Peak. The city wasn’t terribly large, but nor was it small. It was perhaps two-thirds the size of Waterdeep, with its docks being the smallest section. Near the boundary sat another stone wall, this one also dotted with moving figures on patrol. Drawing his eye back to the see found two watchtowers on either end of the small harbor, and several small sailing vessels entered and departed the port leisurely, no doubt a result of the slight breeze rustling through the air.

Kathranis then looked back to the town itself.

“So, where are we headed?”

Aquila slumped slightly.

“Shoot, I was hoping you would be more impressed.”

Kathranis smiled at her.

“I should be offended Princess; did you take me as some kind of wild-man who’s never seen a city before?”

“Kind of,” the gryphoness muttered, turning away. She turned back and let out a sigh as she nudged Valan into the lead. “Can you blame me though? We found you in the middle of the forest, and you worship a nature goddess! Isn’t all of this construction antithetical to you?”

Kathranis’ smile didn’t diminish as Dranidal cast a reproachful look toward Aquila.

“Actually Princess, Blademaster Shadowsong mentioned last night that he found importance in the balance between the natural and civilized.”

“I knew that!” Aquila quickly chirped, drawing a snicker from Valan, earning the younger gryphon a slap on the back of his head.

Faced with no help from those around her, and Kathranis’ still grinning expression, Aquila crossed her arms and pouted, pointedly looking away.

“I was listening, I just… forgot. It’s all too new.”

Kathranis laughed and nudged her lightly with his elbow.

“It’s alright Princess, I know that my beliefs can seem dull, and that I can drone on when I’m impassioned. I’ll try to keep my talk on the subject to the minimal.”

“Don’t do that!” Aquila squawked, her voice tinged with alarm. “I want to learn everything about you Shadowsong, I just forgot for a moment, that’s all.”

Her wings flickered and flapped, as if she wanted to pull him close. Kathranis rolled his eyes, but stepped closer, offering himself up and into her embrace. The gryphoness purred as she hugged him tight.

“Thank you for your fast forgiveness my friend,” Aquila said. “And I apologize, I will try to keep better track of your words. It’s just so new, that some of the smaller details slip to the wayside.”

Kathranis shrugged, still smiling as they moved toward town, where streets were filled with milling gryphons.

“I don’t mind a lost detail or two Princess, they’re only important to me and any potential convert-ees.”

He noticed a flash of alarm in her eyes, and he waved his hand.

“Don’t worry, Lady Sylvanus has not yet called for any kind of priesthood, but for any who show interest in her teachings, I am happy to share. You have my word, however, that I will not go out of my way to begin preaching in the streets quite yet.”

Aquila chuckled nervously, and Kathranis noticed her eyes shift around as they started nearing other gryphons.

“I’ll hold you to that Shadowsong. Just… remember what I said earlier, okay?”

“You mentioned that your mother is a high priestess of Harmony,” Kathranis said. “Perhaps you could introduce this matter to her on my behalf. If the two of us can sit down and have a serious discussion, we can likely clear the air in no time.”

Dranidal nodded, clicking her tongue.

“A proper address to these new “gods” of yours would soothe feathers before they could even be ruffled.” She looked to Aquila. “I believe the idea has some merit Princess, and if they could talk before this week’s prayer a public address could do wonders to make sure no ill will or harm is spread based on rumor.”

“Could you send a messenger then?” Aquila asked. “Just something asking Mom if she and I can talk tonight. Showing Shadowsong around the city takes precedence for the moment.”

Dranidal offered a slight bow.

“Indeed my lady, I will see it done before sunhigh.”

Aquila rubbed her hands together and grinned, smiling at the sunny streets.

“Excellent. Hopefully this will be as easy as you believe Shadowsong, but for now, shopping! Where should we start?”

“We’re going to Gryph’s,” Valan stated, his tone brooking no debate. “Shadowsong needs a cloak, and he will have one immediately.”

Aquila scooted forward and decided to argue anyway, spinning around and walking backward in front of him.

“Absolutely not, we’re not taking him near that place! You heard Zefuris, no drinking!”

“I didn’t say we were going to the tavern part,” Valan snapped. “We’ll go to the shop straightaway. Strybe should be expecting me anyway, so we’ll get in and get this done quickly.”

“Quickly?” Aquila squawked. “This isn’t about quick, this is about getting Shadowsong properly acquainted with the city! Taking him to your squalid little drinking hole-”

“Flap off,” Valan cut in. “I’ve seen you drink at Gryphs too, and if you think that Dad doesn’t know-”

Kathranis tuned out the pair as they began to bicker in earnest. He could remember a time that his and Huron’s arguments were as venomous as the pair of young gryphons, and he also knew that it came from a place of love, vicious though it was.

He instead focused on what he could see. The crowds of gryphons parted easily before the loudly bickering pair, but if the common gryphons cared about the squabbling nobles, they didn’t show it. Some even smiled, seemingly happy with the sight of the pair going at each other. A few whispering pairs were visible, but Kathranis quickly noticed a different trend in the gryphons they passed. Perhaps it was his shorter stature, or his pale skin in a sea of brown and gray feathers, or perhaps it was even the weapons that swayed lightly on his hip, but eyes found their way to his back as he walked beside Dranidal.

Smiles vanished, replaced with suspicion in most cases, and outright hostility in others. Whispering pairs formed far more often, and eyes always found a way to glare sharply at him as he passed. To occupy his hands, Kathranis clasped them behind his back, and he met as many glares as he could with a kind, open smile. He had nothing to hide, and felt no reason to fear, and he believed firmly that if he could demonstrate that, most gryphons would at very least ignore him as someone normal.

As they continued to walk, and gryphons continued to stare, Kathranis leaned slightly over to Dranidal.

“I must express some small measure of confusion. While I understand that humans exist in this world, and that my kin and I look somewhat similar, that alone shouldn’t promote this level of attention. What else has occurred to draw such suspicion?”

Dranidal side-eyed him for a moment, then looked forward again.

“I am afraid I cannot reveal that to you Master Shadowsong. King Terran himself wishes to detail certain… events, in his own time. Rest assured, however, that none shall make moves again you or your kin. You are safe in our care.”

Though she finished the statement with a soft, earnest smile, Kathranis’ pride couldn’t help but be rubbed the wrong way. He didn’t need protection, or to feel safe, he needed information. He certainly didn’t like the implication that he was being babysat. The scimitars on his hip weren’t for show after all.

Before he could express his irritation, however, Aquila drifted back to his side, a bright, infectious smile on her beak.

“We’re going to stop by my tailor first,” she chirped, sending a triumphant look toward Valan, who pouted and muttered under his breath. “A cloak is important for you Shadowsong, but you need clothes!”

Kathranis couldn’t help but get caught up in her chipper tone, somewhat forgetting his question about the hostility of the common gryphons.

“If it will help make a better impression, a set or two couldn’t hurt, but as I said before, I am perfectly comfortable in my armor. I have worn it, and it alone for many years without consequence. It suits me as well as any plain tunic.”

Aquila snorted, flapping a wing at Dranidal as if he had told some great joke.

“A tunic he says.” Her eyes glittered with mirth as she grinned at him. “Shadowsong, I’m going to get you properly outfitted in some of the best looking, and most comfortable clothes in all of Gryphonia, if not the world. By the time Brown Coat is through with you, nobody will even question your place in Dad’s court.”

“My place?” Kathranis echoed.

His question was outright ignored as Aquila seized his collar and dragged him close, forcing him to hug her. Though the motion was at first loose with confusion, his grip soon tightened and he had to force himself not to scream with panic as a single flap of her wings sent them into the air. Luckily they didn’t fly too high, only above the rooftops. As Aquila wheeled them above the city, she looked down and grinned at Kathranis’ panicked expression.

“First time flying Shadowsong?” she shouted.

“Outside of a balloon, yes!” Kathranis shouted back, clinging on harder as his fingers threatened to slip.

Aquila laughed and her arms held him tight, just before she tucked her wings in and did a small spin, fully throwing Kathranis’ sense of where the ground was. The gryphoness recovered from the spin instantly and flapped again to gain height before leveling off.

Before Kathranis could recover, however, her wings again tightened to her body, and they rocketed toward the ground. This time he couldn’t help himself, Kathranis let out a shout of alarm as he managed to get a good glimpse of the fast approaching pavement. Aquila laughed in his ear, then suddenly, with a final flap of her wings, halted their descent and landed on her feet.

Her laughter only increased in volume as Kathranis staggered away and did his best not to throw up his finely prepared breakfast. He merely stared at the flagstones of the street, counting the cracks in them as he found control of both his still panicky instincts, and his roiling gut.

In, hold, out. In, hold, out. Kathranis thought.

He used the mantra to his advantage, targeting his breathing as he would in any stressful situation. Breath control was the first ingredient to calm after all.

Aquila’s laughter quickly tapered off at his continued silence, and she approached his back, rubbing it softly.

“Are you alright Shadowsong?” she asked, concern clear in her voice. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have taken the landing so fast, I just thought…”

Kathranis waved her apology away, smiling over his shoulder as he continued working on his breath control.

“I’m fine… Princess...just… surprised me, is all.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, clearly not believing his words. “It was fast landing, and then there was the spin-”

Kathranis waved her away again.

“It was…. exhilarating,” he said, straightening as his stomach began to calm. “A surprise to be sure.”

“And not an appropriate one,” Dranidal said, her tone disappointed as she and Valan landed. The gryphoness straightened as Aquila shrank beneath her disapproving gaze. “Princess, I would have expected you to be wiser when it came to pranking a foreign dignitary. You should have asked Master Shadowsong if he was comfortable with flight, and only then taken him on a leisurely journey to our destination. He should certainly not have been subjected to a demonstration of your acrobatic skills like some kind of jester.”

“I’m fine, really,” Kathranis assured, smoothing his hair back into place. He smiled as he found the job quite easy, his hair tie still holding his black locks tight. “Who can’t take a small prank orchestrated in good fun?”

He showed his best supportive smile to Aquila, who perked up slightly, only to shrink again as Valan shook his head and snorted.

“Sorry Shadowsong, but no. She ruined what was obviously your first flight. I love a good prank like anyone else, but you don’t do flight pranks on friends, especially not flightless ones. Even I know that.” He shot a smug grin at Aquila. “Looks like I’m not the one who screwed up royally today.”

“Let’s just go inside,” Aquila said quickly. “Brown Coat likes closing early.”

Valan’s grin widened slightly, but he didn’t press the point, entering the shop that Aquila had brought them to. Dranidal entered next, leaving Kathranis alone with Aquila. The elf’s smile softened as Aquila crossed her arms and looked away in shame. Her wings bunched tighter around her body, and even as he stepped closer, she refused to meet his eyes. He began to speak, going so far as to pronounce the ‘P’ in princess, then decided that being a bit informal would be far more comforting.

“Aquila,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I am not in any way, shape or form angry with you. It was a funny prank. Had Huron, or Secil been here, they would have been rolling on the street.”

Aquila rubbed at her eye with the heel of her hand.

“I’m sorry anyway Shadowsong. Dranidal and Valan were right, that was stupid, and I broke so many rules, and ruined your first flight. I should have thought my prank through, and for the fact that I didn’t, I’m sorry.” She bowed her head. “I know you say you’re not angry, but I hope you can forgive me anyway.”

Kathranis sighed, and for some reason, his hand moved up her shoulder to her cheek, where his thumb rubbed affectionately. Aquila’s smile finally made an appearance, and she leaned into his hand.

“I forgive you,” Kathranis said softly. “But only so long as you don’t attempt to pay me back in any form. It was funny, and technically I have been flying before, so you haven’t ruined my first flight.” He chuckled. “Especially given that I could barely see when we were flying.”

He began to withdraw his hand, but Aquila caught it, her eyes flickering with amusement, gratefulness, and… something else. He didn’t know what it was, but it didn’t matter, as Aquila acted on her returned mirth.

“Then no promises Shadowsong, because you’ve never been flying until a gryphon has taken you flying.” Her thumb rubbed across the back of his hand as their eyes locked. Kathranis found himself getting lost in Aquila’s emerald eyes as she continued. “I’ll arrange something in a few days and take you on a proper first flight, alright?”

Kathranis nodded dumbly, unable to speak as he floundered in a sea of shining green. That floundering quickly became drowning as Aquila giggled, then leaned down and gave him a peck on his cheek.

“Good,” she whispered as she pulled away.

His brain had no time to misfire as Aquila grabbed hold of his wrist and yanked him forward.

“Now come on! Let’s get you dressed properly!”

*****

Kathranis frowned, turning this way and that before the quartet of mirrors, showing his every side easily. They had been in the shop of Aquila’s friend; a crimson furred pegasus named Brown Coat. The mare had been all excited energy when she had spotted him, had gone so far so to jump the counter to see him up close.

With little more than squeal of joy she had yanked him into a back room and had set to work, somehow keeping him pinned on the platform centered in the mirrors as she flitted about the shop, bringing back dozens of pieces for him to try on.

Luckily he, with Aquila’s help, was able to guide the mare away from some of the more colorful pieces, instead focusing her efforts on the clothes dyed in muted reds, browns, blacks, and greens. The pegasus, though slightly disappointed that she didn’t get to dress him up like a peacock, adapted quickly, finding numerous pieces in Kathranis’ desired colors that fit him well.

That had confused him at first, and when questioned about the near-perfect fits, Brown Coat had laughed the question off, as if the answer was common knowledge. Only at his continued confusion had she answered.

“It’s my special talent,” the pegasus said with a smile, turning her leg.

A slit in her dress allowed sight line to her rump, which, once Kathranis had stopped blushing, had shown a rather large image in the shape of a measuring tape. The elf had then gotten a closer look, asking;

“And what am I looking at?”

“My purpose mark!” Brown Coat answered, as if it was obvious. “It’s the same mark all ponies get when they discover their destined talent.”

“Destined?” Kathranis echoed, shifting his eyes away from the strange mark. “As in per-determined?”

Brown Coat shrugged.

“I wouldn’t know. You’d probably have to ask a mage about that.” Her muzzle sharpened into a grin. “Now, enough delays from you. We’ve got work to do.”

That led to the present, where Kathranis was determining whether or not he liked the finely tailored set of black and brown leathers Brown Coat had thrown at him. Though nice in appearance, they were a bit stiff, paling in comparison with the soft leather of his armor. Also, they were quite tight in certain areas, which, while having minimum effect on his gait, made his steps back and forth a bit stiff. Kathranis frowned at a mirror showing off the tight leather framing his rump.

“I’m not too sure about this set. It’s tight in a way that I’m not sure is appropriate.”

Valan snorted.

“What are you on about Shadowsong? I’d kill to look that good in casual leathers. You don’t even have a tail to get in the way. Ladies are going to faint at your passing, and you’ll be lucky to last a week without one of them taking you off to rock their bed.” His beak curled into a grin. “You’re going to drown in tail.”

Aquila hardily slapped her brother, her beak in a scowl.

“Shadowsong isn’t like you Valan, his goal isn’t to plow every hole in Stonetalon Peak.” Her beak turned into a smile, and she blushed as she glanced the elf’s way, notable at his lower half. “That being said, you look very good Shadowsong. I think the fit is perfect.”

Kathranis winced and tugged at his breeches.

“Does it need to be so tight? I can hardly move, let alone fight in these!”

Aquila laughed, while Brown Coat made a horrified expression.

“You’re not supposed to fight in them!” Aquila said. “You’re supposed to look professional, and handsome. We’ll get you some relaxation clothes next, but we’re definitely buying you this.” She stood and paced around Kathranis. “Though I think he needs something nice over the tunic. The depth is needed to off-set the muted colors.”

Brown Coat nodded.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

Her hands seized a short crimson jacket, and she passed it to Kathranis. The elf put it on, with the mare quickly coming behind him to help smooth out the wrinkles and ensure he was wearing it properly. Kathranis clasped his hands behind his back and turned slightly, appreciating how the jacket didn’t go too low below his belt line.

“I quiet like this addition,” Kathranis noted. “Thank you Lady Brown Coat. Seeing as I still don’t have a cloak, it will be useful in keeping me warm.”

He heard the smack of a hand meeting face, as well as a gasp from Brown Coat.

“Master Shadowsong, while I appreciate your generous application of title, this jacket is not for wearing in the cold, it is for style!”

Kathranis’ smile fell slightly.

“I suppose that’s why this lacks buttons.”

Aquila snorted.

“Shadowsong is used to living in caves and eating grubs Brown Coat, don’t worry about his opinions. This set is great, and the jacket is just the right touch of color to bring it together, as well as tuck away that shapely butt of his.”

When Kathranis shot her a look, she winked.

“Just enough for a tease left out. It’ll make the ladies work for the privilege of taking that jacket off.”

As Kathranis did his best impression of a beet, a knock came from the shop door. Valan let out a loud groan and got to his feet.

“Finally!”

He jabbed a finger at Aquila.

“Your turn is up, and you’re done using Shadowsong as a dress-up doll. He’s got enough sets to hold his own in court.”

The finger shifted to Kathranis, then quickly dropped as a flush of embarrassment appeared on Valan’s face.

“Master Shadowsong, I sent a runner to my friend at Gryph’s. If you could change back into your armor, then we can get you a new cloak that meets all the demands you put on your old one.”

Kathranis smiled and nodded.

“Then I’ll get changed, and just a note good Prince; please do not call me ‘Master’ Shadowsong.”

Valan coughed into his hand and bowed.

“Of course Shadowsong. I’ll just… go get Gryph.”

The young male left the fitting room, leaving Kathranis alone with Aquila and Brown Coat. He smiled at them both, as one glared at the door Valan had just left through.

“Are we finished ladies?” Kathranis asked. “I have no desire to step on any toes, but I am eager to get a new cloak.” His eyes flickered over to Brown Coat. “I hope you do not mind our use of your shop.”

Brown Coat matched his smile and waved him away.

“Oh its more than fine Master Shadowsong, Gryph and I are good friends, what with us both serving one of the royals and whatnot.” She sighed dreamily and looked to the ceiling. “Despite his rough edges, Gryph is the one gryphon in this city that actually gets me.”

Aquila gagged silently, while Kathranis smiled on, saying nothing about the pegasus’ melodrama. He began to change, with Brown Coat dipping in to pick up and carefully fold his new clothes. Out of the corner of his eye, the elf noticed Aquila pass the pegasus a hefty coin purse, and Brown Coat began packing the carefully folded clothes in a small chest. Aquila’s eyes flicked over to meet Kathranis’ sideward gaze, and she smiled.

“While you boys play with your coats, I’m going to do some further shopping with Brown Coat. Just be finished by noon, alright? I’d like to get to the bathes early.”

Kathranis gave her a slight bow.

“Of course Princess. If Gryph’s wares are as good as Valan seems to indicate, this shouldn’t take long at all. My cloak was merely old and familiar, not particularly special.”

Aquila cocked an eyebrow.

“Really? I’m surprised to hear it wasn’t divinely inspired, or passed down through the generations as some mystical artifact. Woe is you to be stuck with some simple piece of cloth.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“Huron has said the same in the past, but what can I say? The gods seem to bestow me a great many gifts.” His smile dimmed lightly. “But perhaps that is only back payment for a lifetime of trials.” He closed his eyes and shook his head, just as quickly letting his smile return to full as he looked up to Aquila. “Or maybe I am merely lucky. I met you after all.”

Brown Coat dropped a pair of pants mid-fold, drawing Kathranis’ eyes away from the suddenly crimson Aquila. The elf blinked and moved toward the pegasus, offering her his new jacket.

“Are you alright Lady Brown Coat?”

The pegasus snatched up the fallen pants, then snatched away the jacket.

“Fine!” she answered quickly. “Please, get changed. We’ll leave you to your privacy.”

She grabbed Aquila’s arm and dragged her out of the room, the gryphoness still unblinking, her mouth agape.

Kathranis stared after them for a moment, unsure if he had said something to anger the pair. Combing over his words, he found nothing terribly amiss. He glanced down at his well-fitted clothes looking for anything amiss there. When nothing appeared, he merely shrugged, taking the pegasus’ declaration for privacy at face value.

Taking off his new clothes took longer than slipping back into his ever-comfortable armor, which took mere moments. He had endless hours of practice slipping into his armor, could put it on in seconds if the need demanded it.

Fortunately, this was not one of those times, though Kathranis was finishing up when Valan led his friend into the changing room. The gryphon Kathranis could only assume was Gryph was as tall as Zefuris, and just as well built. The tunic he wore was tight, leaving nothing to the imagination, and his arms seemed to strain the almost too-small arm holes in the shirt.

Instead of a dour, suspicious demeanor like the guard gryphon, Gryph’s beak immediately shifted into a broad smile, and he dropped the chest from his back, extending a hand as the heavy thing thudded to the floor.

“Pleased to meet you Master Shadowsong, I am Gryph, and I hear you need a new cloak?”

Kathranis finished buckling on his swordbelt with one hand, while shaking the gryphon’s hand with the either.

“That I do. The other was sacrificed to help Prince Valan escape from a fire.”

Gryph laughed.

“Don’t be so modest Master Shadowsong, the court nobles will eat you alive!” His tail latched onto one of the straps holding the chest closed, and he dragged it around as he spoke. “You earned a life-debt from the heir to the throne! Those vultures will pick your bones clean if you do anything but live to the legend. But you’ve come to the best, so we can at least make you look the part of legendary hero.”

Gryph placed a foot on the chest, and with a simple kick, it fell open, with display drawers expanding out from it before their eyes. At a glance, Kathranis could tell that some of the cloaks the gryphon had prepared were far above in quality to the one he had lost. Unlike Brown Coat, Gryph seemed to know exactly what his customer wanted, and a muted rainbow of colors met the elf’s eyes.

Kathranis looked up from the chest to find Gryph still grinning broadly, the knowledge that he had reeled the elf in hook, line, and sinker apparent in his eyes.

“So Master Shadowsong, which one do you like?”

*****

Kathranis had a bright smile on his face as they re-entered the castle. Though only for a few short days, he had missed the comfortable weight of a heavy cloak on his shoulders, and his new forest green cloak worked just as well, if not better than his old one. He needed to take a trip to a forest with Secil, go on a good, old-fashioned hunt to really ensure he could blend with with the trees.

Aquila trailed behind him with Brown Coat, who was pulling a small carriage full of goods the gryphoness had purchased. While a couple of the chests contained the wares he had tried on, the rest were filled with things Aquila had assured him that he would like in the future. He had several new appointments with Brown Coat over the coming days to full comb through her gathered garments.

The pegasus had followed them from her shop once he had finished getting his cloak from Gryph, an experience which had taken him an embarrassingly long time. The gryphon had just offered so many choices! Just among the non-magical cloaks there had been a dozen options, each with different weights, pocket options, and materials. Some were made for protecting the wearer from heat, others for cold.

Then came the magical cloaks, which included all of the benefits of their non-magical counterparts, as well as unique additions. One had a broach that imbued the cloak with heat, making it extra effective against the cold. Another allowed the user to become essentially invisible, blending with the shadows in a way that couldn’t be matched with traditional means.

The cloak Kahtranis had chosen was deep green, and was enchanted to be immune to burning. It just wouldn’t do to lose a second cloak to the same method as the first, and the enchantment would help him in any potential duels with wizards. Magic-slingers did like their fire.

Gryph had commended him on the choice, and with some coin courtesy of Valan, the gryphon had handed over the brilliant cloak. Kathranis had taken no time in putting it on, could still feel the sigh of comfort and relief that had left his chest once it was around his shoulders.

Their groups had seperated after that, with Valan and Gryph going into the city for other buisness while Aquila, Kathranis, and Brown Coat returning to the castle.

“Drop everything off in my room,” Aquila told Brown Coat as they entered the castle proper. “Dranidal can escort you to the bathes once you’re done.”

The pegasus offered her a bow, followed almost instantly with a lightning fast wink. Kathranis only barely caught the gesture, wondered briefly what conspiracy was transpiring between the pegasus tailor and the gryphon princess. He then shook himself free of his speculating, mentally chastising himself for prying, even if only in his own head, in Aquila’s personal matters. As the gryphoness looked his way with a flushed smile, he tried to return it with as non-prying a grin as he could manage. Her family had already done him countless favors, and he jumped to suspicion without good cause? What was he becoming, a Thayan?

Eager to hide away his unknown shame, Kathranis spoke up.

“So Princess, these bathes of yours. I assume they’re thermal heated?”

“Very clever Shadowsong,” Aquila said. “Yes, the royal bathes are one of three bathhouses in the city with geo-thermal heating. The other two are for the commoners.”

“And there are only three bathhouses for the entire city?” Kathranis asked. “Stonetalon Peak is no Waterdeep, but surely that can’t be enough for everyone.”

“There are smaller bathhouses” Aquila admitted as they turned into a hallway that lacked the deep blue carpets the rest of the castle corridors seemed to be covered with. “But they’re either privately owned, or they’re fueled by coal, occasionally dragon stones. The water temperature isn’t as consistent, so while they’re good in a pinch, most gryphs use the public houses once or twice a week.”

Kathranis thought on that for a moment, then shrugged. He had spent weeks on the road without a proper bath, and when the time to bathe did come, it was usually in a cold stream. No doubt gryphons had a similar practice for when they were properly dirty.

They passed through the simple double doors and entered into a room that barely fit into the definition of bath-’house’. Bath oasis was a far more apt description. Three pools of steamy water filled the room, with the central, and largest one, being so big that Kathranis could barely see the other end through the haze of steam.

One of the smaller pools was already occupied by Fordred and Deyenidal. Unlike what was quickly becoming the norm, it was Fordred who was impressing Deyenidal, his fingers flicking and sending small bursts of fire into the air, the steam quick to snuff out the flames. Once the fire had dimmed, Kathranis averted his eyes, filled with awareness that the couple were in fact, naked.

Aquila noticed his averted gaze, and she giggled.

“It’s a bathhouse Shadowsong, we’re all going to be naked.”

“That may be true,” Kathranis said. “But that doesn’t mean its polite to stare.”

Aquila giggled and elbowed his ribs.

“Don’t be so bashful once your in the water. Now get undressed. We only have an hour or two reserved before Mom brings in her prayer circle for their afternoon song.”

“They sing in a bathhouse?” Kathranis asked, unclasping his cloak. “Seems an odd place for a choir.”

He heard Aquila giggle at his words, but he had no time to ponder the she-gryphon’s laughter. She had been wearing far less than he was, and she had stripped quickly. Clad in nothing but her fur, the gryphoness let out a squawk of joy before taking a running jump into the central pool. Kathranis chuckled as water splashed on his armor, but he knew that a little water wouldn’t hurt anything.

He moved to one of the benches along the wall and carefully took off his armor, starting with his sword belt and ending with his boots. Once all of that was taken care of, the elf stripped off his tunic, which had begun to cling to his chest due to the steamy nature of the room. As he peeled the cloth over his head, the first sight that reached his eyes from the momentary blackness was Aquila staring at him with all the interest of a hungry shark.

Kathranis carefully folded his tunic and set it down on the bench atop his armor.

“I’m fairly certain watching someone undress is not polite in any culture,” he joked.

Aquila snorted, and bubbles rose in the water around her beak before she fully surfaced, her eyes never leaving his baring body.

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before Shadowsong,” she replied, putting her hands on her hips.

Kathranis stopped undressing and met her eyes, spreading his hands.

“Still, what would the rumors say?”

Aquila rolled her eyes and turned away.

“Fine you prissy little pegasus, I won’t look. Hurry up though, time’s wasting, and Mom will be here all too soon.”

“Soon indeed,” Scylla replied smoothly as she stalked into the room, Zefuris in-tow.

The soldier-gryphon’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the bathhouse, his gaze evntually coming to a stop on Kathranis.

“Where is Prince Valan? He is to be at your side at all times.”

“I gave him permission to take care of some business that would have wasted my time,” Kathranis responded, the words coached to him by Aquila on their walk back. “Princess Aquila promised a visit to the bathhouse, and I didn’t want to delay because the good Prince needed clothes of his mended.”

His eyes flicked momentarily to Aquila, who grinned and gave him the slightest nod she could manage. Zefuris grunted as Kathranis’ eyes flicked back to him.

“Fine, but be wary Master Shadowsong. If Valan is found wanting in honoring his debt…”

“The only one who can find him wanting is me, or his father,” Kathranis cut in. “I do not find him wanting, and I have the impression that seeing as the Prince slept at my side last night, his father will not either. The King does not seem so hot-tempered, unless you suggest otherwise? Having more experience with him and all…”

Zefuris shrank slightly as Scylla regarded him with an even look.

“Of course not,” he said quickly. “I’m just making sure. Prince Valan has a history with shirking duties.”

“Well then thank you for checking in, but all is well,” Kathranis said. “Valan has been nothing but helpful, and has already honored his word to replace my cloak.” He motioned to the dark green cloth folded beneath his armor. “It is far and above better what I had before, and it’s even enchanted against fire, so if I need to save the Prince again, it won’t burn.”

“Very good Master Shadowsong,” Scylla said, saving Zefuris from having to further save face. “I’m glad that my son has finally begun stepping into his maturity. Please continue your bath with Aquila, I am here merely because I wished to relax before our afternoon prayers.”

Kathranis gave her a slight bow.

“Of course good Queen, I will try to stay quiet, as to not interrupt.”

Scylla’s beak faintly morphed into a smile as she looked to Aquila.

“Do keep Master Shadowsong happy Aquila, he has good manners.” Her smile vanished and she looked toward an empty corner of the room. “Unlike so many around here,” she finished, her voice at a mutter.

Aquila chuckled, and her eyes drifted back to Kathranis.

“C’mon Shadowsong. Lose the pants and get in here.”

Kathranis chuckled and shook his head as he continued to undress. His pants, then his undergarments came off in short order, and the elf quickly slipped into the surprisingly deep water, moving toward the center of the pool where Aquila was paddling idly about. As soon as he had, Aquila’s eyes took on a mischievous look.

She vanished beneath the water, then just as quickly reappeared behind him, wrapping her arms around his chest and plunging him back into the water. Once they were both below the surface, she let go, allowing him to swim up to grab some air.

Kathranis surfaced and rubbed the water from his eyes quickly, kicking his legs to keep him afloat, as well as to help keep his arms free. Aquila surfaced after he did, a smug grin on her face. Kathranis splashed the water in her direction. His aim was true, the water smacking her in the face. Aquila’s eyes lit up with playful rage, and the water war between the pair began.

Author's Note

Sorry for being late with this chapter. I couldn't figure out an ending I liked, and I'm still not happy with what I came up with, but it's good enough as a bridge to the next (important) chapter. The next one will be better, and will cover important stuff.

Chapter 13

Kathranis sat near the shallower edge of the pool, his legs crossed on the pool floor as he watched white-robed gryphons and ponies alike gather around Scylla, who sat alone and bare in the center of one of the smaller pools. Aquila lounged at Kathranis’ side, her fingers idly running across her wings, occasionally plucking a bent feather. The gryphoness would occasionally look his way before returning her gaze to her wings.

This time was no different.

“You could just ask to be involved if you want,” Aquila muttered. “Mom would probably love to convert you.”

Kathranis snorted, not looking away from the gathering group. The pegasi and gryphons sat around the edge of the pool, chatting quietly with one another. Kathranis couldn’t see so much as a frown among them.

“If you were concerned with the garden earlier, then you would not recommend such a thing. Keep in mind that an accidental display of anger from my Lady could have killed me. Abandoning her would leave me the victim of a smiting so vicious people would flock to her worship by fear alone.”

“That hardly makes Sylvanus sound good Shadowsong,” Aquila teased. “Careful, she might ask me to smack you on her behalf.”

Kathranis smiled.

“That wouldn’t surprise me. If it wouldn’t kill me outright, I imagine she would smack me often. There’s a reason I’m not a priest you know.”

“That brings up an interesting question,” Aquila noted.

She rolled her shoulders, her wings flapping in the water slightly as she reclined next to him, resting her chin on his shoulder. They both watched the practitioners finish settling in as she continued, her voice soft.

“You mentioned not going out into the streets to spread the word of your goddess, but if you don’t mind my asking, why does anyone need to know her at all? Could she not spread her influence herself, rather than through champions like yourself? Would that not be easier, and safer for her followers?”

Kathranis frowned in thought as the practitioners fell into a comfortable silence, their circle closing as they all joined hands.

“I don’t know how things work in this world, but in my world, the gods had to draw their strength from their followers. They existed as powerful beings without prayers and believers, but having those things is what made them truly strong, truly divine. For some, it even brought them into being.”

“What do you mean?”

“A god of thieves cannot exist if there is no theft,” Kathranis replied. “A goddess of elves cannot exist if there are no elves. We all came from somewhere, and even deities can be created. Some, like Lady Sylvanus; the goddess of the wilds, or Mystra; the goddess of magic, existed in the beginning of our realm, when magic and nature ran wild. They gained strength as intelligent races, like my own, came into being, and came into understanding. Our belief brought power, and so they gave some back, drawing more followers, and therefore more power to their hands. It is these natural gods who discovered that worshipers bring power, and I can only assume the rules are the same here.”

He motioned to the practitioners as they began to sing.

“This wouldn’t be necessary if Harmony gathered her own power completely alone. Someone discovered her, and now you have traditions that lend power to her, even as she returns it in the form of gifts. Speaking of; you mentioned Elements of Harmony, what are they?”

Aquila didn’t immediately answer, and when Kathranis looked to her to repeat his question, he found her eyes closed, a slight sway in her body as she whispered along to the song slowly filling the air in the bathhouse. Kathranis couldn’t help but cringe at the thought that he was talking over someone else’s prayers, and he looked over to the other gryphons to see if they too were participating.

Sure enough, Zefuris swayed slightly at his post beside the bathhouse entrance, his eyes open and gazing calmly about, but his beak too was whispering along with the words of the song. A glance to Deyenidal found her in a similar state, but her eyes were focused down, her strong arms cradling a dozing Fordred.

Kathranis turned his eyes back to the prayer circle to find that the pool Scylla was partially submerged in was glowing in a soft white light. The glow brightened as the song rose in intensity, and beams like fingers crept from the pool. They crawled slowly and smoothly across every surface they encountered, drying stone and calming water to the point that it was smooth like a mirror.

Though the beams spread in every direction, three seemed to creep intentionally toward the trio of parties not directly involved in the song. The beam that touched Zefuris seemed to make the soldier-gryphon’s armor glow, and he let out a sigh, leaning against the wall, his eyes momentarily ceasing their constant watch as he let them fall closed.

The second beam fell on Deyenidal and Fordred. Their pool too began to glow, but instead of a solid circle of light, the beam curled into the faint image of a heart. Fordred’s eyes opened, shining as he looked up to Deyenidal with absolute adoration. The gryphoness matched his expression as she gazed down, and Kathranis looked away as the pair slowly embraced.

The third beam washed over himself and Aquila in a light that he could only describe as blinding. Kathranis squinted against the white light even as the gryphoness beside him let out a satisfied sigh.

“I always love that feeling,” Aquila murmured. “Can you feel it Shadowsong? Can you feel the warmth of Harmony’s love for us?”

Kathranis felt himself relax slightly as Aquila spoke, her words soothing his sudden sense of… he wasn’t quite sure. She was right; the light was comforting, and warm. It wrapped him like the softest of blankets, drawing him alluringly into its embrace. Part of him wanted to merely lean against Aquila and drift away to sleep, to let the light of Harmony wash into his very being as he slept. The words of the song filled his ears, and the elf felt himself slowly understand their meaning, the unfamiliar language they were sung in slowly translated as more light touched him.

Then the warmth grew warmer, more pointed. A spot on his chest began to burn, a sharp pain that jarred him from his hazy-eyed bliss. He looked down to find his leaf charm ablaze with viridescent light. It rested just above his heart, searing into his flesh and further drawing him from the light surrounding him.

All at once, the glowing beam seemed to grow in intensity, weighing down on his limbs. His eye lids threatened to drift closed, but Kathranis no longer felt embraced within a warm blanket, but rather, he felt totally smothered under the power of a goddess not his own. The golden light felt like it was trying to seep into his being, as if it was contesting Sylvanus’ firm hold on his soul. The heat grew to be too much, and Kathranis couldn’t stand it for a moment longer.

With a gasp of pain, Kathranis turned about, pulling himself from the water with one hand, while the other clutched the brand that was his holy symbol. He crawled more than walked for the first few steps, but as soon as he left the golden beam of light, the pressure seemed to vanish, and he began to relax. The charm in his hand cooled, and a glance down at his chest found that the minor burn the symbol had inflicted already healing.

Kathranis’ steps steadied as he walked toward his gear. By the time he was sitting, he was completely calm. Taking a seat, he pressed his back against the wall, the cool stone acting as a final calming force that allowed him to return to a semblance of levelheadedness. His eyes closed as he focused on his breathing, ensuring that his body was fully in its normal state before he did anything else.

“Shadowsong?” Aquila softly called. “Are you alright?”

Kathranis cracked his eyelids to see the gryphon’s gaze glowing with concern. She was bathed in the golden light still, her golden headfeathers shining like coins in a dragon’s hoard. She was visibly unbothered by the light, no doubt a result of the fact that it was the power of her goddess. Kathranis let out a sigh. He had never felt the power of another goddess so strongly, and he sent a mental apology to Sylvanus. Harmony’s embrace had been… intoxicating. It was as if he was a child, swaddled against his mother, not a care or concern in the world. He wasn’t exactly a tormented soul, but by the gods, he had felt completely at peace as Harmony tried to lure him away.

“I’m fine Princess,” Kathranis smiled, his breath still short in the steamy air. “I just felt a touch overwhelmed. I needed to rest somewhere cooler is all.”

Aquila frowned slightly, her eyes showing her doubt of his words. From the corner of his eyes, Kathranis noticed a more severe version of the expression on Scylla’s face. Her eyes burned with suspicion as she stared from her place in the center of the glowing light.

“Are you sure?” Aquila asked. “If you would like to leave…”

“Please, I am fine,” Kathranis reassured as the gryphoness began to pull herself from the pool. “It’s likely just an effect of going from the cold of this morning to the heat in here so quickly. It will pass. Relax as you were. I’m fine.”

Aquila stared at him for a long moment, then her beak shifted to a smile, and she gave him a nod.

“Alright, but tell me if you feel ill Shadowsong. I prefer my friends when they’re not bedridden.”

She slipped back into the water, and once more reclined in the light, again joining the song with a whisper. Kathranis watched her for a few moments, straining his ears to try and determine what words she, and the other gryphons were saying. Whatever magic had been at work while he had been the beam of light, it was gone now. The words meant nothing to him, shared no knowledge as they curled in the air, unfamiliar and foreign.

Kathranis began to towel himself off with a white cloth left by the castle servants. Once he was as dry as he could be in the steam house, he pulled on his trousers. The rest he left off; it would be better to wait until they were leaving the steamy climate to fully dress.

Kathranis dried his hair, then began to tie it back. As he did so, the song grew louder. The elf glanced toward the glowing pool to find Scylla still watching him, even as she and her followers sang. Her gaze made him uncomfortable, so Kathranis turned his head to the side, focusing entirely on getting his hair back into its proper shape. The motion had the side-effect of bringing his attention back toward Fordred, and Kathranis felt himself blink in surprise when he found the young elf singing along softly with everyone else.

Fordred’s eyes were still locked with Deyenidal’s, and both seemed completely at ease in the glow that surrounded them. Though he couldn’t understand what his fellow elf was saying, Kathranis could very clearly pick out the distinct sound of his kin’s voice. The wizard was singing above a whisper, was the loudest of those not in the prayer circle.

The sight brought a slight frown to Kathranis’ face. He knew the wizard wasn’t a particularly devout follower of Mystra, but to so easily turn away from his goddess…

Kathranis finished tying his hair back and sat up, shaking off his judgment even as he relaxed. If Fordred decided to shift his religious allegiance, then that was his decision. The only thing he could do was offer the wizard a chance to talk the choice out, something that could be done at a later time. What he certainly couldn’t do is be judgmental of the young elf. Kathranis knew that his was a special situation, knew that there was the possibility that only Sylvanus had followed him over to the new world. If the rest of his kin no longer had their goddesses to follow… who was he to prevent them from the embrace of one so welcoming?

Kathranis touched his leaf charm, rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger as he watched and waited, faintly entertaining thoughts about what it would be like to embrace a goddess different from his own. He smiled faintly. Jealous gods would have surely smited him for even considering such a thought, but Sylvanus wasn’t jealous, merely protective, and any thoughts he had about leaving her side were just that; thoughts. Leaving her embrace would be akin to spitting on his mother’s grave, yet with far dearer consequences. The blades he bore would cease their good work, it was his Lady who had helped him earn them in the first place. Secil would be lost to him as well; they were bound in faith after all, and sacrificing his best friend was far out of the question, no matter how enticing Harmony seemed.

No, he was a Sylvanite through and through, and some part of him knew that even Harmony knew that, knew that to change his heart would be to damage it irreparably, and he didn’t figure her for a vengeful goddess. She merely wanted to spread her love to every soul. Unfortunately for her, his heart was well claimed, and he would not shake from the love his goddess.

So Kathranis sat and watched the prayers of another goddess, his mind alight with the many questions he needed to ask Sylvanus on their next meeting.

Remaining quiet and still, Kathranis waited as the practitioners finished their song. Scylla’s eyes finally drifted away from him, and the glow of her pool faded with the music. She rose, a smile on her beak.

“Thank you everyone,” she said, her voice soft, yet carrying to every corner of the room.

The all encompassing warmth faded, and everyone seemed to wake up from their trances. Zefuris straightened at his post, brushing some condensation from his armor, while Aquila stood up straight, stretching tall to the ceiling as she let out a wide yawn.

“Thank you priestess,” the practitioners answered collectively.

Scylla offered them a bow.

“May Harmony light your path. I will see you all at prayer on Fifthday.”

They all bowed in return, and began talking softly amongst themselves as they peeled away in ones and twos. Scylla’s eyes flicked his way for a moment, then her gaze was elsewhere, her beak smiling as she talked with one of the robed gryphons, who passed her a robe of her own.

Kathranis looked to Aquila to find her paddling around the pool, a relaxed, happy look on her face. Disturbing her peaceful state made him feel… uncomfortable. His thoughts drifted to his conversation with Sylvanus, and he remembered her words.

“Act on your plan to speak to Harmony’s priestess,” Sylvanus had recommended. Kathranis could think of no better time to talk to her about religion than just after prayer. With a quick whispered prayer to his charm for comfort, Kathranis got to his feet and walked toward the gryphon queen. He heard the sound of armor moving to his rear, but Scylla made a subtle gesture with her hand, waving away Zefuris as Kathranis wove between the departing worshippers.

Her eyes met Kathranis’ for a moment before she looked back to the gryphon she was talking to. Kathranis remained back a few steps, clasping his hands behind his back as he waited with an easy smile. A few of the robed worshipers gave him questioning looks, but most merely gave him polite smiles and slight nods. He returned the gestures easily, completely calm in his waiting.

Scylla put on her robe and gave the gryphon she was speaking with a slight bow.

“Let us speak later Lord Grayfeather. I believe Master Shadowsong wishes to speak with me.”

The gryphon’s eyes didn’t even drift toward Kathranis. He merely bowed.

“Of course my Queen. May Harmony light your path.”

“And yours my friend,” Scylla replied.

The gryphon then moved away, leaving the space free for Kathranis to step forward. The elf did so with a smile and a bow.

“Thank you good Queen,” Kathranis said. “That was quite a beautiful ceremony.”

One of Scylla’s eyebrows rose.

“You didn’t seem overly pleased to be within Harmony’s light.”

Kathranis chuckled and shook his head.

“I wouldn’t say that, but I can’t help but notice what an excellent bridge that is into my askance.”

He paused, waiting to see if he had outright offended her into denial. After a moment, Scylla waved him on, making Kathranis’ smile wider.

“I would like to ask for some time with one of Harmony’s priests,” Kathranis said. “I would like to learn about her, to see how she and Lady Sylvanus might co-exist, without the conflicts the gods and their followers were so plagued with in my world. I would also ask, if you do not mind, if I could be allowed to set up a shrine to my Lady in the castle gardens. While I can worship her wherever there is greenery, I’d prefer something a touch more formal. She has been very generous to me of late, and I would like to do something nice in return.”

Scylla tied her robe closed and tucked her hands behind her back.

“And this Lady Sylvanus of yours… who is she?”

“Lady Sylvanus is the goddess of the wilds and all that grows your Majesty,” Kathranis said. “She has followed me from Faerun and into your world because she saw the natural beauty your world holds. She thought it best I try to make peace with followers of Harmony for… well, obvious reasons.”

“They are not so obvious to me,” Scylla said evenly.

Kathranis tried to chuckle the comment off, but he found no humor in the queen’s gaze, nor did he find any in the worshipers that had not yet dispersed. Instead, he felt hot gazes on his back, heard sharp, suspicious whispers in his pointed ears. Kathranis didn’t let any of that shake him, decided to keep his smile glowing, and his leaf charm bared.

“I imagine not,” he stated. “From what I have learned already, Harmony has long been the only goddess in your world, and has not had to deal with threats like the gods from my world.” He let out a sigh. “Unfortunately, because the gods were numerous, and their faiths were too different to ever consider reconciliation, war between followers was common.” His smile made a return. “Here though, here that is not necessary. Harmony seems a kind, and welcoming goddess, and if she is half as friendly as everyone I have so far met, then she and Lady Sylvanus should have no difficulties coming together to make this world even more beautiful than it already is.”

“But that is far in the future good Queen,” Kathranis said. “For now, all I ask for is a chance to learn more about Harmony, and for a little place to establish a shrine to Lady Sylvanus. Just a small spot where I can worship in the-”

“Enough,” Scylla interrupted.

Kathranis’ smile fell slightly, and he rubbed the back of his head.

“Of course, that’s probably overstepping to ask so soo-,”

“You will not ask at all,” Scylla hissed. “And I will never hear of this blasphemous talk again.”

Kathranis winced at the word, knew from a look at the gryphon queen that his hope for easy reconciliation of their faiths would not be as easy as he thought.

“Good Queen, I know this may seem foreign, but if you doubt in Lady Sylvanus’ existence, I assure you that I have proof-”

“That can be faked by any demon from Tarterus,” she growled. “I will grant your request for a priest Shadowsong, in fact, Lord Grayfeather will lead your proper education, and hopefully exorcise this demon you falsely call goddess.”

Kathranis couldn’t help but take a step back, his smile vanishing completely. Part of him was furious to hear Sylvanus demeaned in such a way, but he couldn’t well strike out at the gryphon queen. The consequences for his kin would be unimaginable. He’d need to beg, to plead for forgiveness, but Sylvanus would understand. He knew she would.

Scylla let out a sigh, and her angry posture cooled as she took in his alarmed expression.

“Apologies Shadowsong, I know it isn’t your fault. Dark forces come in many forms to guide us away from Harmony’s light, and I’m sure whatever force whispers in your ear has been quite helpful, has convinced you that it has been your friend for your entire life.” She smiled softly and nodded toward Grayfeather, who also offered Kathranis an understanding smile. “Lord Grayfeather is nearly as blessed by Harmony’s gifts as I am, and I assure you, he can guide you back to her light in no time at all.”

“Did this “Sylvanus” make you deform yourself like that Master Shadowsong?” Grayfeather asked, pointing at Kathranis’ tattoos.

The elf glanced down at his well marked chest, then back up at the gryphon. Further fury rose in his mind, and his control on his composure began to waver.

“N-no,” he said softly. “Please, I…”

“Shadowsong will come see you in a few days,” Aquila cut in, appearing suddenly at Kathranis’ side.

He glanced at her to find her fully, but hastily dressed, her clothes already beginning to soak through. She shot him a look that said ‘keep quiet’, then she smiled at Scylla and Grayfeather.

“Shadowsong hasn’t even fully settled in yet, and he hasn’t been to a prayer service! He’s from another world, he probably worshipped Harmony there under a different name, then some demon here took her place when he came over!”

Her hand closed on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Scylla blinked in thought, tapping her chin lightly.

“I’ve… never thought of the possibility of how Harmony is viewed in other realms.” Her eyes flicked up to Kathranis, and her smile grew wider as tears filled her eyes. “Shadowsong, I apologize. For demeaning you, and for not seeing if Harmony had been usurped in your heart sooner. Please, let us start the Harmonic Choir again. Exorcising the creature from your heart won’t be painless, but if you can endure, I assure you that Harmony’s light will fill you like never before.”

Kathranis felt sick. His soul ached to deny her words, but the other elves…

“He’ll be at prayer on Fifthsday,” Aquila assured. “I’ll keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior, and let you know immediately if anything gets worse, but look at him! He’s already so pale from a partial exorcisim. Do you really think Harmony wants to hurt him?”

“Of course not!” Scylla said. Her eyes met Kathranis’. “Of course not. Fifthsday. Rest and recover until then. Then we will make all well.”

Kathranis nodded absently, his tongue dry. He couldn’t speak, didn’t want to. He cursed himself for his cowardice. Already he worked to send as many prayers of forgiveness to Sylvanus as he could. Aquila smiled and wrapped him in a wing.

“Excellent. We’re going to get ready for dinner.”

She turned him away, walking quickly to the bench where his gear waited. Aquila stopped for only a bare moment, snatching up his new cloak and throwing it around his shoulders before scooping up the rest of his equipment and walking him out of the bathhouse.

They walked at a clipped pace, with Aquila constantly throwing concerned looks his way. Kathranis barely noticed. He mentally called to Secil, trying to explain as best he could what he would need to plead for forgiveness. He had never had someone so quickly turn against Sylvanus. Even those who hated her could admit that she existed. Queen Scylla, however….

Aquila threw open a door and nudged him inside, then slammed it behind her. Kathranis looked blankly around at the simple bedroom as the gryphoness placed his gear on the bed. She sighed and rubbed her face with a hand.

“Please get dressed Shadowsong. I…”

She stomped over to the door and reared back a fist. Kathranis shuffled toward his gear as she began to wail on the door. The elf took off his cloak and set it on the bed, then got to work, starting with his boots and slowly working his way up. Each piece he put on made him more comfortable, especially the swords on his hips. The enemies that were his cowardice and inability to defend his goddess were slashed apart by those swords as Kathranis felt the hilts, analyzing each nick and weathered crevice with his fingertips. Putting on his cloak was the finishing touch that brought him back into equilibrium, and his thoughts were fully calm, and calculating.

His proposal had gone horribly, he had embarrassed himself in front of the queen of the kingdom he was a guest in, and now said queen thought he was possessed by a demon, as did several of her followers. While he would have the chance to learn more about Harmony, that was only because Scylla was trying to have Sylvanus “exorcised”. It was the definition of a non-ideal situation, but he would adapt. Spending some time in prayer and meditation would certainly help him come up with a better plan, and a mischievous streak encouraged him to establish a small shrine anyway. He toyed with the thought for a moment, then tucked it away. Perhaps his goddess would want such, but he wouldn’t act without her permission. Making another mistake would not earn her favor.

Aquila collapsed against the door and curled her wings around her, tucking her knees to her chest.

“I can’t believe I was so stupid,” she muttered, wiping away the forming tears in her eyes. “Shadowsong, I am so sorry. I should have taken you to the bathes first thing in the morning so that you never would have been put in that situation.”

Kathranis let out a breath and put on his best smile before turning to the gryphoness.

“Princess, I don’t blame you, and in reality, the fault is mine and mine alone. I shouldn’t have been so optimistic. This kind of thing is common in Faerun, and I should have expected a result similar to the one I got.”

“But she spat on your goddess!” Aquila cried. “And so did I! I’ve seen what your Lady Sylvanus can do. If the situation was reversed, my heart would have been crushed to hear someone badmouth Harmony like that!”

Kathranis approached and crouched down next to her.

“Princess, I know you didn’t mean the words you said. You were merely trying to help me escape my own unwillingness to speak out against your mother.”

Aquila sniffled, and her emerald eyes shined out of the dark cover her wings gave her.

“But you shouldn’t have to defend your goddess Shadowsong. Mom should have let you give her proof, and then you two could have talked it out. She should have known better, and you shouldn’t have to hide your feelings because you feel like you owe us.”

Kathranis snorted and sat cross-legged before her.

“Princess, I do owe you.”

Aquila shook her head.

“Not that much. Not enough to forgive what Mom said. That wasn’t right, and I apologize fully on her behalf.”

“Accepted on the term that you don’t offer me a life-debt,” Kathranis said quickly, noting the look in her eyes. “I was hurt, and am still angry at how Queen Scylla spoke of Lady Sylvanus, but I will move on and come up with a new plan. I will also hold no anger in my heart toward you, the one who rescued me from that situation. Alright?”

Aquila sniffled again.

“You being so nice just makes me even more ashamed Shadowsong. You’re as kind as any follower of Harmony, you just offer praise to someone else. It’s… it’s all so stupid.”

Kathranis reached out and gently rubbed her knee.

“Indeed it is Princess, but we’re smart people, and Lady Sylvanus is far above smarter than me. I’m sure she already has a new plan ready, and she is just waiting until I commune with her to impart it.” He laughed. “I’m sure she’ll smack me first for being such a coward!”

Aquila’s eyes blazed with irritation, and she finally peaked out of her wings.

“She’d better not!” the gryphoness squawked. “It’s my fault, I should have stepped in sooner! Maybe… maybe I can pray with you!” she offered. “I can take the blame, so that she doesn’t punish you.”

Kathranis’ smile dropped, and he grabbed her hand, rubbing it softly with his thumb as she met his gaze.

“Aquila, no. You worship Harmony, that much is clear to me. Do not alienate yourself from her on my behalf, and especially do not offer prayer to Lady Sylvanus simply because you wish to divert what will likely be a mild punishment. She is not some vengeful goddess that needs to be worshiped out of fear. If she was, she’d be everything your mother believes she is.”

She tensed up with alarm, but Kathranis kept stroking, and he let his smile return. The soft motion caused her feathers to flatten as he continued to speak.

“Lady Sylvanus is a goddess people find their way to,” Kathranis explained. “She does not horde followers, and she doesn’t try to coerce them to her side, especially not away from other benevolent gods. She merely wants what any of us wants.”

“What’s that?” Aquila asked.

“To be loved,” Kathranis replied with a shrug. “To have someone beside, above, or beneath her who loves her without condition. It is only because she is a goddess that the love of a single elf and his familiar are not enough.” He chuckled. “But for now, she is making do until she can find her place in this world. Harmony has been all here for a long time, but that is no longer so. I wish only that it were easy for each of us to find our place in life, that we might get along with enjoying all of it.”

He smiled at the gryphoness.

“But what would happiness without a touch of suffering? Though disheartening, and…” he chuckled and looked to his boots. “Well, I can’t say that I am excited for my next encounter with members of your faith, but I will adapt, I will move on, as will Lady Sylvanus. She is stronger than I could ever hope to be, and likely sees today as no great upset, as nothing more than the mildest of bumps in the road.”

He clasped his hands before him and met Aquila’s doubtful, still slightly teary eyes with his best smile.

“If you would not mind Princess, I would like to spend the rest of the afternoon in meditation and communion with my goddess. To plan for the future.”

Aquila drooped slightly, and shrank back behind her wings.

“She genuinely hurt you. I am so sorry Shadowsong. I should have done more.”

Her hand still rested in his grasp, and he gave it light pat.

“You cannot be everywhere Princess, and you cannot spend time trying to protect me from every little thing.” He chuckled again. “Besides, I’m old enough to be your great grandfather. It is I who should be offering protection and comfort to you.”

Aquila’s hand turned and grabbed his wrist, yanking him forward into her embrace. Her wings closed behind him as she laid his head to rest against her breast.

“No,” she mumbled. “I should have done more, and I will do more in the future my friend. You have my word.”

Before Kathranis could truly blush at the compromising position, she pulled him to his feet and let him free of the hug. Wiping her eyes, she smiled, looking far more like her normal self.

“Now, while I am sorry that it’s going to have to be extremely secretive, I know a place you could hide a shrine to Sylvanus for now. Would she be offended by something temporary?”

Kathranis chuckled.

“All is temporary in the face of a goddess, but let’s try to at least make the shrine someplace natural. Praying in a broom closet would be, perhaps, a bit offensive.”

Aquila laughed and slugged his shoulder before wrapping him in a one-wing-hug.

“Well, I suppose we’’ll just have to find you a nice place in the servant quarters.”

*****

Kathranis calmly took his seat before his goddess, doing his best not to feel nervous at the approaching conversation. Secil trotted over to the pool and flopped down in a sunny spot, rolling so that his onyx belly could absorb as much warmth as possible.

Sylvanus, for her part, looked to the cat with an amused smile, one which quickly turned toward Kathranis, who did his best to smile back. The goddess giggled and shook her head.

“Never play cards Champion. Your posture when you have bad news is abhorrent. A bat could tell you were bluffing.”

He slumped.

“Apologies my Lady. I’m sure you saw?”

Sylvanus nodded and reached down for her water glass.

“Indeed I did, and while I find your lack of a coherent defense of your faith mildly alarming, it was nothing compared to what Harmony attempted to do to your soul.”

Her gaze darkened for a moment.

“Her priestess is disrespectful and derogatory, but she at least gave you some measure of choice in conversion. Harmony was not so willing, would have taken you by force.”

Her smile returned and she sipped at her water.

“But tell me about the experience Champion. I trust you because you are not so easily swayed, yet Harmony had you under her spell with minimal effort. A mere channeling spell by a cadre of her cultists and I nearly lost my sole mortal follower. I’d love to know what was so inciting.”

He could hear no judgment in her voice, and he had no wish to hold back from his goddess, so Kathranis spoke honestly, withholding nothing as he sipped at his own glass.

“It was like receiving a blessing from you my Lady,” he said, staring at the table. “Her embrace was warm, welcoming. She is everything one seeks in a goddess, and it was less that she was trying to steal me away from you, as much as welcome me to her side. I do not doubt your senses, but I do not believe she was trying to steal me away from you, but rather, she just thought to offer her love. That love was kind, earnest, and so… personal. It was like she knew my life story, and yet she forgave me for every wrong I have done, or I have yet to do.”

He looked up, meeting her golden gaze.

“I must express my weakness my Lady. Had you not reminded me of my faith… I’m afraid that her call would have been too kind to ignore.”

He bowed his head.

“And I am sorry for that. You have watched over me as a second mother, have been every bit as warm, and protective to me, have bestowed upon me countless gifts, yet I so easily turned traitor. I’m sorry that you had to react to keep me at your side.”

Sylvanus let out a slight sigh.

“Accepted Champion, now straighten up. I don’t like talking to the back of your head.”

Kathranis obeyed her command and sat up. Her eyes still showed no judgment, but he could see a touch of concern as she set down her glass.

“And my reminder, it left you unharmed?”

He nodded and smiled.

“I am fine my Lady,” Kathranis answered. “And Harmony didn’t smite me for rejection, nor did she try to press a claim. I merely left her light, and rested for a moment to recover my strength. I am certain that she has not usurped you in my heart.”

Sylvanus nodded slowly, then, after a moment of thought, smiled.

“That is good, it means we should continue our efforts. Thank you for your thoughts Champion, and for what it may be worth, I would not seek revenge if you did embrace Harmony over me.”

Kathranis blinked in alarm, but Sylvanus raised a hand before he could speak.

“This world is new, and many rules have changed,” Sylvanus continued. “You will see very soon, but do not be afraid of that change. Do not be afraid if you see it in those close to you. Not all are so lucky as to have their goddess follow in their tracks.”

Kathranis blushed.

“I’m fairly certain it’s the other way around.”

Sylvanus’ smile widened.

“Nonsense Champion. Whispers are already spreading of the mysterious goddess of Kathranis Shadowsong, the savior of the royal gryphon family!” She bowed her head, but her eyes never broke away from his, twinkling with amusement as he blushed harder. “All hail Master Shadowsong; first before his goddess.”

The elf caved under the teasing and looked away.

“That’s not intentional,” he mumbled.

“Perhaps not,” Sylvanus giggled. “But it is a beginning. It is the barest of root systems for the forest I will build. It will grow with time, which we both have plenty of to spare. Do not worry, about me, or about your faith in me. I know you follow me and me alone Champion. And as I said, I would not be angry if you began to follow Harmony. I have learned much since we last spoke, and she is a goddess I would make an alliance with.”

“So what have you learned?” Kathranis asked. “Aside from the lack of corruption in this place, what about this world is different from Faerun?”

“Many things,” Sylvanus replied. “To start from the beginning, this world is free of dark magic, of corruption of any sort. As I said before, that is the reason I attached myself to you, to join you in this paradise.” She inclined her head. “What I did not have time to inform you last time was that you should not fret your lost brethren in faith. I made a godsdeal with Correllon; he will absorb my followers, will keep them on the path of purging all the filth of the old world.”

She sighed and rubbed her glass with a thumb.

“I fear that cause lost, however. Szass Tam was more powerful than any realized, and while you did good work to discover and delay, it simply wasn’t enough. His plans would have unraveled the worlds of man and god, and he still may succeed. I cannot see.”

Her eyes flicked up.

“But I do know that we are safe here. This is a new reality. Faerun could be ripped asunder and we would never know. I tell you this to tell you to forget it all. The elves you have with you are all there are, all that will ever be. A generation, perhaps two will survive you, but no more than that Champion. You are not a species that will survive untainted.”

“Being pure-blooded is overrated anyway,” Kathranis said. “Better our children live like those beside them. Life may be shorter, but there is a beauty in that.”

“I agree,” Sylvanus said. “Pass on my message to your kin Champion. Tell them to forget everything in their past. They are here now, and here is all they will ever be. Not a one of us can go back now.”

She looked to the trees around them and smiled.

“It was good fortune that I was able to pull this portion of my grove with us. I will rebuild the rest in time as followers join your worship, but that can wait.” Her eyes flickered back down. “But perhaps not. To continue; three other gods traveled here as well, latching onto their followers to come to this place of freedom and life. I have spoken with each, and they are Mask, Lanthander, and Sune. Note that none are gods of the other elves.”

Kathranis frowned.

“Huron and the Selunites will not take the news well. They have ever been close with the Moonmaiden, with us being moon elves and all.”

Sylvanus nodded.

“I know, but speak with the ones called Riven and Luieustriel. One is envious of your closeness to me, and the other has all the makings of an excellent druid. Both are not so devout in their previous faith, and could serve me well.” She smiled. “I would try the woman first. Riven is infatuated with her, and if she converts, he will follow. He will certainly enjoy knowing that they serve better together.”

“With Riven as her guardian?” Kathranis asked.

“Just so,” Sylvanus answered. “And it is not so uncommon for a maiden to marry her protector. They’ll enjoy such I imagine.”

Kathranis nodded slowly, wondering briefly how the rougher elf would fit together with the much lighter maiden. He then mentally tasked himself to observe them for any flirtatious behaviors before looking back to his goddess.

“The other gods, why did they come? They do not value the balance as you do.”

“Not so directly,” Sylvanus conceded. “But in their own way. Lanthander in particular believed he had seen a champion in one of the creatures called ‘alicorns’ but found her devoted wholly to Harmony. Still, the ‘Dawning Light’ can find much success here, especially without the constant harassment of the undead. I think he and Harmony should get along quite well, once I have forged a bridge of contact with her.

“Mask and Sune,” she continued, “on the other hand, came here out of fear. They learned of Tam’s plans and fled like cowards. Sune cowers behind the light of Lanthander, eager to embrace the beauty of this world, but unwilling to challenge Harmony directly. She is doing the same as I, making treaties and attempting to spread her shattered faith.”

She let out a sigh.

“Mask, however, is being uncharacteristically bold. He attacked Harmony upon arrival, and is the reason I cannot make contact with her. That wretched little sneak thief actually had the gall to stab her, and now she has withdrawn to her fortress. Lanthander and I have both tried to enter, but she rejects our advances. It is that reason that I have tasked you with first contact through her followers. If enough can convince her of my genuine wish to unite our causes, then progress can be made.”

She scowled darkly.

“As it is, I am spending my time trying to hunt that cloth-faced wretch that I might carve out his spine and use it for fertilizer.”

Her fingers tapped in irritation, but no part of the grove grew darker as the goddess mulled. Kathranis said a silent ‘thank you’ for that as she grew calmer and met his gaze again.

“But that is what I have so far learned. We are few and weak, but I have allies if need be. The humans provide power to Lanthander and Sune, while Mask has begun drawing power from darker places. I will know more about him with time.”

“That does bring a question about my Lady,” Kathranis said. “What about the humans? What did they do to so readily earn the ire of the gryphons, and of my kin?”

“I don’t know,” Sylvanus said with a head shake. “The other gods were too focused with divine matters when the event transpired, and their clergy are gone. They still work to speak with their followers, so you will have to figure that out yourself. I task you with trying to discover more, and to find a peaceful way to save the humans. They might be vicious little creatures, but they have their value.”

The grove flickered before Kathranis’ eyes, and Sylvanus let out a sigh.

“Our time is at an end Champion. I will speak with you again once one of us has something to share. Remember the duties I have given you. You have much to get done.”

Kathranis bowed his head.

“Of course my Lady. I will see to every matter. Sweet water and light laughter.”

Until we speak again, Sylvanus whispered in his ear.

Kathranis’ eyes opened to the soil of the royal gardens. He sat up as Secil let out a yawn. The sound of bare feet on stone touched his ears and Kathranis glanced back. Aquila’s arms sat crossed across her chest, and her posture was hunched with nervousness.

“Well?” she asked.

Kathranis smiled and got to his feet. With a grunt and a mental message that he was going to take a nap, Secil departed.

“All is well,” Kathranis said. “Today was merely a… learning experience. For both myself, and my Lady.”

“And that’s good?” Aquila asked hopefully.

Kathranis nodded.

“Indeed. Say, are we expected at dinner this evening?” With a nod from Aquila, Kathranis continued. “Then let’s find some place to relax, and I can tell you all of what we’ve learned.”

Aquila’s beak finally shifted into a true smile, and her eyes twinkled with mischief.

“A bold move Shadowsong, “talking” to a princess in private.”

Kathranis stared at her blankly.

“I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re trying to imply.”

Aquila stared at him with a wide grin for few seconds, then, as it dawned on her that he was telling the truth, she let out a sigh and shook her head.

“I think I’m starting to believe you. Anyway, yes, private. I have a great spot I like to read. Let’s go.”

She darted forward and grabbed his wrist before leading him into the castle.

Chapter 15

“So?”

“So what?”

Deyenidal grinned from the doorway she was leaning against.

“So are you going to run Shadowsong through the gauntlet?

Aquila flushed red, while Dranidal let out a soft gasp, momentarily pausing her preening of Aquila’s wings. They were busy preparing for bed, the dinner long over. The elves had went there own way rather quickly, no doubt their minds already to task of deciding on whether or not to fight. Aquila knew Shadowsong would help though. He was ferocious when he could be, and once he viewed the humans for himself, he would all to happily lend a hand in their defeat.

“That is inappropriate to ask your princess!” Dranidal admonished. “Shame on you!”

Deyenidal scoffed.

“Like you don’t want to know.”

Dranidal straightened, her posture perfect as she went back to task.

“That may be, but you could have been more tactful.”

Aquila half-turned, her eyes wide.

“You too?” she squawked.

Dranidal smiled, plucking a loose feather.

“Of course your Majesty. It is clear to anyone who knows you that you are very interested in Master Shadowsong.” She sniffed, her brows furrowing. “Whether he can tell that is another question entirely, and though Deyenidal is blunt, perhaps a touch of bluntness is what these elves need. It’s certainly worked wonders for her relationship.”

“I’ll say, give me two more nights, I’ll have him in bed.” Her wings shuddered as she purred. “Then he’s never leaving. He’ll be all mine.” Her eyes flicked to Aquila. “But we all knew that, so spill; are you getting Shadowsong to warm your egg or what?”

Aquila let out a nervous squawk, and her wings flapped, slapping Dranidal in the face.

“I suppose that’s answer enough,” she said, unfazed by the feathery assault. She picked up right where she left off as Aquila buried her face in her hands.

“I can’t,” the princess said. “I can’t pursue a potential enemy of Gryphonia. What would I do if Shadowsong says he’ll leave, or, Harmony forbid, sides with the humans?”

“Do you really think he’ll do that?” Dranidal asked.

“Fordred won’t,” Deyenidal said. “He loves it here. He loves me. He’ll stay no matter what.”

“Are you sure?” Dranidal asked, glancing toward her larger sister. “You’ve heard them speak. Each is over a century old, and they have fought together for much of that. Is your three-day love strong enough to break the bond of blood-brothers?”

Deyenidal straightened, her arms crossing over her chest.

“He’ll stay,” she growled.

Dranidal’s eyes shifted back to Aquila’s wings. She ran her claws gently through the carefully plucked, shimmering feathers.

“I don’t need to remind you how many “nestmates” you’ve run through Sister. I believe you made a game of it not long ago. Do not-”

“He is mine!” Deyenidal screeched, flapping across the room.

Aquila darted out of the way as Deyenidal slammed into her sister, carrying her from the bed. She was surprised as the two set to rolling about and fighting. It had been years since their last good scrap; usually Deyenidal would simply go bed another gryphon, or stallion just to spite her sister whenever her “evening activities” were brought up. Judging by the feathers and clumps of fur falling loose, this time was different. She was playing for keeps.

Dranidal was no slouch in a fight however, and though she was at a size and surprise disadvantage, she quickly seized hold of Deyenidal’s tail. She yanked, causing her sibling to yelp, turning away to try and free the limb. Wings were quickly seized, and Dranidal let out a huff, tossing her ruffled head feathers into a semblance of their formal selves.

“You really need to work on your wrestling,” she said, wrapping her legs around Deyenidal’s torso as the larger gryphoness tried to struggle free. “Now, there is no need to get so defensive over a little cru-”

Deyenidal let out a bone-shaking shriek, of which Dranidal bore the brunt of.

“Over a big crush,” Dranidal corrected.

“It’s not a crush you empty headed feather-brain!” Deyenidal spat. “Fordred is mine! I’m going to claim him!”

“Dee, it’s okay,” Aquila cooed, crouching in front of her friend. “We know you care about Fordred, but Dranidal is right, it’s only been a couple of…”

She paused as she spotted something small and black on the gray stone floors. Deyenidal noticed, and her struggles increased in their intensity, while her voice took on a begging tone, even as she screeched with anger.

“Stay away!” she cried. “He’s mine! He’s mine!”

Aquila gently picked up the strange object and held it up to the candlelight. She gasped as she realized what the tiny object was; a tightly wrapped bundle of black hair, a common gift that non-gryphon’s exchanged with their winged mates.

She locked eyes with Dranidal, then both immediately set upon Deyenidal, cooing and stroking her head-feathers supportingly. The larger gryphoness calmed, especially once her fingers closed around the small bundle of hair.

“He- he won’t leave,” Deyenidal whispered, more to herself than the gryphons beside her. “He promised never to leave.”

“Shh, he isn’t going anywhere,” Aquila said, nuzzling her friend’s cheek. “You’re right, Fordred loves you very much.”

“I am sorry,” Dranidal said. “And I admit my full depth of wrongness. He is your beloved, your mate, and I apologize for calling that into question Dee.”

It was Dranidal’s unusual use of Deyenidal’s nickname that fully calmed the larger gryphoness, and she let out a shaky sigh.

“It’s… it’s fine. Sorry for attacking you sis.” A swift punch drew a hiss of pain from Dranidal. “But you deserved it. The little elf is mine, and he isn’t going anywhere.” Her thumb rubbed the bundle of hair. "He promised."

Dranidal smiled, rubbing her arm. Aquila grinned as they separated just slightly.

“So," the princess said. "I guess I should be asking you; are you going to put Fordred through the gauntlet? You’re already so far along with a feather exchange.”

Deyenidal smiled, tucking the bundle of hair back into her wings.

“I will, in a few days. He is a scrawny little thing, I imagine from living off woodland scraps of so long. A few more meals from the castle kitchens should give him a little more meat.” She purred and shuddered. “But not too much. Can’t let my little elf get fat. Then he won’t need me to keep him warm.”

Dranidal sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Please keep your words from the gutter while we’re discussing love Deyenidal.”

The larger gryphoness grinned at Aquila.

“I am, it’s how Aquila’s seducing Shadowsong after all.” Her eyes flicked back toward her sister. “I’m surprised that you would accuse your princess of sensual misdeeds Dray.”

As Dranidal sputtered, Aquila turned a deep shade of crimson, covering her face slightly with her wings. Deyenidal laughed and hugged them both close.

“This is no time for bashfulness, it’s time for celebration!” the gryphoness crowed. “We need to lay plans for our princess to claim her blinder-than-a-bat elf!”

“Don’t insult Shadowsong,” Aquila complained. “He just doesn’t know any better!”

Deyenidal grinned.

“That’s why you have to take a page from my book Princess. Grab him, drag him away, and make him yours. Shadowsong seems to be many great things. The kind of mate who takes hints is not one of them.”

“That’s not true, he-” She paused, combing her way through all of their encounters. “Well, I mean it’s not his fault. He’s just busy, and-” she blushed “-I was a bit forward that time...”

Deyenidal rolled her eyes.

“Like I said; blind.”

Dranidal nodded in agreement.

“Hints are not Master Shadowsong’s strong suit, but in most regards that is a benefit! It means he is not the plotting sort, and he likely will not play games with his mate.” She tilted her head. “But as Deyenidal says, it also means he is blind to any sort of romantic hint. A more direct approach is probably necessary to get your interest through his thick skull.”

Aquila squawked as Deyenidal’s grin grew wider. Shadowsong was dense, but thick-skulled? What was he, a minotaur? Romance merely wasn’t his expertise, one could only have so many! He was clearly a devout priest of a kind, an astounding warrior, a proud leader, not to mention kind on the eyes; he couldn’t be absolutely perfect! There would always be some kind of weakness, and romance wasn’t a terrible one.

“Don’t slander Shadowsong like this-” Aquila chided “-either of you!” She shot to her feet. “He may be a touch dense, but he could be more brilliant than anyone knows! He could be initiating a unique, one of a kind chase! He might be forcing me to be better for him!”

Deyenidal’s beak opened, then clacked shut as she tilted her head in thought.

“That’s not a bad play actually. He’s the hot piece of tail on the market right now, and he’s clearly unique in terms of culture. Maybe the females did the chasing in his world.”

“He’s been nothing but receptive to your advances so far,” Dranidal continued, nodding slowly. “He might be subtly urging you on to become more open with them. It is a chase of sorts, though not quite as physical, and since he is uneducated in gryphon customs, he likely has no idea that you are signaling the exact same thing in reply.”

Aquila grinned smugly and crossed her arms.

“See, there’s more to Shadowsong than-”

“There’s also the possibility he’s denser than a rock and he’s just taking all of this as you two being friends,” Deyenidal said.

Aquila’s grin snapped into a scowl and she glared at her friend as Dranidal continued to nod.

“That is a very real possibility as well,” she agreed.

“Enough,” Aquila snapped. “I’ll prove you both wrong. I’m going to be so open that Shadowsong will have to admit his love for me.”

“Good,” Deyenidal said, grinning. “You should already have the Blademaster locked down before some other harpy swoops in and carries him off.”

“And I will,” Aquila said. “I already warded off that point-headed princess. Once Shadowsong is claimed, nobody will come near him. He’ll be mine just like Fordred is yours.”

Dranidal cleared her throat.

“I do not mean to dampen what are quickly sharpening spirits, but I would caution you to consider this Princess; what if he has been kindly avoiding your advances as a way of rejecting them? He is here at the mercy of your father after all. He may be trying to keep the peace while he secures a future for his people.”

Deyenidal swung a wing at her sister as Aquila recoiled visibly. As the princess sat on the edge of her bed, Dranidal slipped away from the offending wing.

“Don’t say something like that!” Deyenidal spat. “I know King Terran taught us to look for the worst in people, but Shadowsong clearly isn’t like that! He’s far more likely to be a romantic idiot than some sort of leading-on, heart-breaking wretch!”

“It has to be addressed,” Dranidal said, defending herself. “I will not let Princess Aquila base all of this action in false hope. She needs to be aware of what might happen, however much it hurts!”

“No,” Aquila whimpered, curling her knees to her chest. “H-he isn’t. He wouldn’t.”

An overwhelming sadness washed over her body, and she was unsure why, or rather, she knew why, but she was unsure as to how the feelings had built up so quickly. It had only been days, but it hurt to so much as breathe without Shadowsong’s scent filling her nose suddenly. It crushed her to think that the little elf didn’t love her back. Underneath that feeling of saddness was building something far more primal, and she curled tighter within herself as she tried to rationally handle the oncoming burst of emotion.

“Now look what you did!” Deyenidal screeched. “We had a plan of action, and now you threw a heaping bucket of doubt into it! He’s going to get away because of you, and Aquila will be miserable!”

Miserable? Aquila quivered. Yes, that would definitely be a part of it. But the other part… Her talons dug into the fur of her arms as she hugged herself tight. No, Shadowsong was interested in her. She didn’t dare think it was love, not yet, but that would come. Once she had him firmly at her side. She would need to make that happen though. There were hundreds of eligible gryphoness’ in the city alone, not to mention the thousands and thousands that would come from far and wide to claim the bachelor elf. He had power, uniqueness. It would be a natural attractant. They would seduce him away. Aquila snarled at that thought, the tears staining her fur beginning to dry as protective fury won out.

“Princess, it’s alright,” Dranidal said, still standing off against her sister. “I don’t mean to speak ill of Shadowsong, but this is merely an application of every ‘bad luck’ lesson your instructors have tried to teach you. You must plan for something to go wrong, so that you can-”

“This isn’t a battlefield,” Deyenidal spat. Turning to Aqulia she said; “Princess, it’s okay, please come out. Let’s talk about your plan to put yourself out in the open for Shadowsong.” Fingers pried at Aquila’s closed wings. “Please, it’s okay. He would have said something if he didn’t reciprocate!”

“It is okay,” Aquila growled. “Because Shadowsong is mine.”

Her wings parted just slightly, and she noticed Deyenidal’s comforting look morph into a sly grin. Dranidal sighed and shook her head.

“Princess, you’ve only known him for a few days-”

“And he’s mine!” Aquila barked. “I said he is, so he is!”

Dranidal raised her hands as Aquila began to rise from her seat.

“Alright, alright, there’s no need for anything rash Princess, but you need to be calm when thinking about this sort of thing.”

“Says you,” Deyenidal grumbled.

Dranidal shot her a glare, but Aquila found that she agreed with her friend on her point, even if she was wrong on others. She let the anger at potentially letting her mate slip away fade with her more primal urges. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths before opening them again.

“Alright,” she said. “Then let’s talk.”

“Why him?” Dranidal said, sitting at the foot of the bed. “What makes him better than any of the many gryphon suitors you’ve neglected over the years? You are Princess Aquila, you can have your choice of any of the best mates anywhere. Yes, marriages of diplomatic nature are better, but you can justify marrying anyone, whether they be gryphon, pony, or otherwise.”

“Then it’s good I choose otherwise,” Aquila smiled. “Shadowsong is the newest player on the diplomatic table, and he has demonstrated quick wit, honor, and power. He is also an excellent conversationalist, and he just has so many stories! He's the kind of mate bards sing about! He could tell a new story every day for the rest of our lives and he's never repeat one! If everything would just slow down, I would snatch him away to talk for hours.”

“He checks all the boxes,” Deyenidal said. “And it certainly doesn’t hurt that Fordred seems to be a mage on par with most unicorns. We just haven’t seen either at their best yet. They could be the most powerful set of allies Stonetalon Peak has ever seen.”

Dranidal nodded slowly.

“Alright. But physically, you like his lack of wings? Are you aware that there is a distinct possibility that he cannot give you a child?”

Aquila shrugged.

“I’ve heard that ponies can do wild things with their magic. I’m sure compatibility is among them, and besides, Valan is responsible for carrying on the bloodline. I could adopt a nest of chicks should I desire young.”

“That does not answer my first question.”

Aquila flopped on her back and smiled at the ceiling.

“What is there to answer? He is a small thing, and as Dee can likely attest, there is nothing better than holding an elf close and wrapping him in fur and feathers.” She blushed, hugging herself tight, imagining her little elf bare in her arms. “Shadowsong gets so embarrassed, but you can tell he just loves it, and with his new clothes…” She purred and shuddered. “I cannot wait until I get to tear them off him. They show off his muscle tone so well. I may not be able to fly with him, but there is still a lot I can do with one of his… ability.”

She sat up and looked at Dranidal, who blushed, staring pointedly at the floor. Deyenidal stared smugly at her sister and crossed her arms.

“That sounds like real love to me,” the taller gryphoness said. “At minimum, that’s physical attraction, and that’s half the battle.”

Dranidal swallowed and nodded.

“I concur. I…” she sighed and met Aquila’s eyes with a smile. “What can I do to help Princess?”

Aquila leaped from the bed and pounced on her friend, wrapping her in a hug.

“Yes!” she crowed, rocking Dranidal back and forth. “The three of us can come with the perfect plan to woo Shadowsong, no matter how dense he is!”

Dranidal coughed lightly, subtly nudging Aquila away. Once the princess was again seated on her bed, the ruffled gryphoness brushed out the wrinkles on her tunic and straightened. Straightening and returning her expression to a calm neutral, she put on a slight smile and met Aquila’s eyes.

“Alright Princess, I have some formal educated in courting, and I believe I have a good plan for courting Shadowsong.”

Deyenidal rolled her eyes.

“Oh joy, the formal approach, that’s going to work well with the cave-human.”

Dranidal paid her sister no mind, her smile not dimming at all as she spoke.

“My plan is to continue as you have, but after a few more teasing steps, tell Shadowsong your intentions in as many words. If you don’t pull him close, he will drift away out of confusion alone. Be open, make him see your assets, and then tell him what you want. I have few doubts that he will reciprocate.”

“Few doubts?” Aquila said.

Dranidal shrugged.

“I will leave the blind optimism to Deyenidal.”

Said larger gryphoness looked toward the ceiling, her beak opening for a moment before closing as she gave an appreciative nod of agreement with the sentiment. Dranidal continued.

“But thus is my plan Princess. If he is attracted, and there are many signs to believe he is, then you already have him in the palm of your hand. The coming days are merely confirming your grip and pulling him in tight.” She tilted her head. “But you will need to work with some speed. Suitors will be coming for you both, and while you have developed a reputation for being picky, Shadowsong has not, and he may not be in a position to refuse.”

“Then I take my next step tomorrow,” Aquila said, grinning at Drandial. “Say, in that formal romance education, did you ever hear about dueling a mate into submission?”

Dranidal sighed and held her head in her hands as Deyenidal began to laugh.

Chapter 16

Kathranis felt himself awaken, an oddity he still wasn’t quite used to as his body finished healing. All the external wounds were gone, but there were still the non-physical traumas his body had to forgive before he could slip into Reverie once again. A day or two more of sleep, then he would be back to normal.

After cutting Calak free, the zebra had apologized profusely, in his own boisterous way. Terran had indeed asked him to test the elves to see what their limits were, and luckily, the king had been impressed at the end of it all. While he didn’t have a positive affinity for being tested, Kathranis had begrudged the king a social test in his own kingdom. He certainly wasn’t one to complain of odd and uncomfortable social traditions.

The dinner had ended, however, with the promise to resume once a Talk was held. After Kathranis gave Valan public permission to sleep in his own bed, the elves had returned to their quarters alone. Again what should have been a time of grand re-uniting was tempered with his news of war, and of the Talk to come. Joyous noise at having the chance to re-connect with their Blademaster quickly fell to whisper-filled quiet as the elves separated in small groups to talk among themselves. Kathranis let himself drift to no group, instead prepared the last bed in the row for his personal use. First he stowed the new clothing Aquila had commissioned him, then he took the time to polish his swords and armor. By the time he began his evening prayers, his elves were preparing for sleep, and a few stopped by his temporary home to give him kind greetings.

Then came darkness, brought on by Fordred using a magic wind to blow out the lanterns and torches that kept the room lit. Only the fire place toward the center of the room remained alight, broadcasting its warmth against the cold mountain night. Those furthest away from its heat were given additional blankets and furs, and all remained warm.

Kathranis felt a chill pass through his body as he sat up. The room was dark, and the sound of deep breathing touched his pointed ears. He smiled and looked around, expecting to find his brethren in Reverie. He was surprised when he found each elf sleeping like he had been, their heads on pillows. A few wouldn’t have been too abnormal; they all had memories best left unvisited, but for all of them to sleep?

No, not quite all. One bed close to the fireplace sat empty, its blankets tossed aside, and its occupant missing. Kathranis knew that Fordred had fallen begun his rest in that bed. He slipped from his covers and tip-toed to the bathrooms. He found them empty of the elvish wizard, and so crept back to his bed. He stood at the foot of his bed, frowning in thought. Where could Fordred have gone? If his intention had been to spend the night with Deyenidal, he would have fallen into the gryphon’s woo-ing arms after the dinner. While checking with the gryphoness was still an option, his gut told him to look elsewhere first. It wasn’t like Fordred to wander during the night.

A grunt touched his ears, and Kathranis blinked to find Secil staring at him with patient, glowing eyes. The cat had Kathranis’ new cloak in his teeth as he perched on the end of the bed.

‘If you’re going out, you need to wear more than cloth,’ the cat huffed. ‘Or you could finally talk to Lady Sylvanus about that beast magic spell we heard about. I’m sure Aquila would appreciate you having more fur.”

“I have no idea why that would matter,” Kathranis replied. “And I don’t need fur, but thank you for my cloak. It does get cold up here.”

Secil rolled his eyes and hopped down from the bed.

‘I can tell, you’re shivering cub. Do try to make it back before you freeze, because I will wake up the entire castle to look for you.’

Kathranis snorted and smiled. He gave Secil a quick scratch behind his ear as the cat settled by the fire, then he crept from the room, making sure to remain as quiet as possible. He made it through the doors without issue, offering a bright smile to the pair of gryphons standing guard at the doorway. Neither matched the expression. Not letting it shake him, Kathranis asked;

“Have either of you seen my friend Fordred come by? He’s a touch shorter and a touch younger than I am. The… the wizard?”

One of the guards nodded.

“He went toward the gardens.”

Kathranis offered him a slight bow.

“Thank you friend.”

The guard frowned, looking slightly confused as the elf walked away, unconcerned.

As he walked toward the gardens, Kathranis found it odd that Terran had put guards on his merry little band. Yes, he had made a thinly veiled threat, but that was directed primarily at Calak, and was only made under duress! He had no intention of actually attacking anyone! Or perhaps it was something else. Aquila had mentioned some issues with her people’s views on his elves… Perhaps the good king was just being kind, offering protection from enemies they did not yet know of. Who was to say?

‘Certainly not me,’ Kathranis thought as he pushed through a set of doors and into the castle gardens.

A sharp gust of wind sent shivers down his spine, and Kathranis instantly regretted not putting on his boots. The stone walkways were ice cold, and caused his bare feet to stick slightly as he walked through, pulling his cloak tight around his shoulders. He pulled the hood up, relishing in the plush fur lining as his breath created a cloud of fog. Looking up found a brightly painted sky of stars, completely unmarred by clouds, and out-shined only by a moon that glowed white.

He stared up at the starry sky for a long moment, but the chill seeping into his feet got him moving again before he froze solid. He stalked through the gardens, not wanting to call out for Fordred. It wouldn’t do to disturb the entire castle with his caterwauling, especially if the elvish wizard had just gone for a late-night walk. They were all prone to their occasional flights of fancy and midnight walks were common.

Kathranis’ path wove deeper into the maze of greenery, eventually bringing his steps toward his usual prayer grounds. He was surprised to find someone already in prayer, though instead of praying near his usual spot, the glowing elf was singing his prayers softly beneath the tree Aquila had declared as Harmony’s own.

Kathranis felt a touch colder as he watched Fordred, half bare, sing, his arms stretched toward the sky. The wizard’s eyes were closed, and if he had heard Kathranis’ approach, he didn’t show it. He was completely immersed, and the glow he cast off was inviting and warm. Kathranis’ hand crept to his holy symbol, holding tightly as he resisted the urge to move toward the warm light. He shuddered as a warmth spell passed over his body, the source obvious even as he sent a whispered prayer of thanks to the sky.

He remained away, watching quietly and only occasionally shifting on his feet as Fordred continued to sing. He didn’t understand the words his fellow elf sang, but imagined he never would, not unless he abandoned his goddess, and the chances of that happening were so low that he never considered it a serious thought.

His eyes eventually drifted to the try, and he watched as rainbow colored light flitted and flowed between the branches, pooling in the leaves before rushing back toward the trunk. The soil around the base of the tree glowed with that light, and Kathranis noticed tiny creeping lines, slowly slithering toward Fordred. Some were already in place, beginning to circle the elvish wizard.

Kathranis watched the lines carefully as they grew, and thickened with energy. The song began to grow in intensity, and he couldn’t help himself as the lines of rainbow colored light slowly blossomed from the ground.

He gasped.

The sound, as soft as it was, rang through the air like a bellowing dragon. Fordred’s song vanished and he shot to his feet, his eyes wide with alarm as he whirled around. The lines shriveled away, disappearing back under ground, and all light from the tree vanished. The gardens became too quite, and Kathranis felt a shiver of shame pass up his spine even as he stepped forward and tried putting on a convincing smile.

“Are you alright Fordred?” he asked. “I noticed you absent from your bed and came looking…”

“Why did you interrupt me?” the wizard snapped.

Kathranis had never heard the wizard get angry with him, and he found that he didn’t like it much. Especially since his elves had always been kind and attentive when he was involved with his own rites and ceremonies, small though they were. He certainly wouldn’t taken to being interrupted while in prayer. He sighed and bowed his head.

“Apologies my friend. I did not mean to. I came upon you while and song and remained back, but there was something reaching for you… I apologize. It was disrespectful, and I know better. I will go.”

A hurt look passed over Fordred’s body as Kathranis turned away.

“Wait-” the wizard called. “It’s… It’s fine Blademaster.”

Kathranis met Fordred’s eyes and shook his head.

“No, it isn’t. I would be offended if you had done such to me, and I am ashamed for interrupting you. I will go.”

He didn’t make it a step before Fordred was at his side.

“No,” the elvish wizard said, gently grabbing his arm. “Come sit with me. Harmony wouldn’t be proud of me if my first act in her name was turning away a friend for an honest mistake.”

Those words cause Kathranis’ eyebrows to raise, but he let himself be led by the younger elf. Fordred smiled and pulled him toward the tree. It seemed to pulse warmer as they approached, and Kathranis felt slightly uncomfortable, tugging his arm free of Fordred’s grasp.

“I am still devoted to Lady Sylvanus…”

“I know,” Fordred said, again grabbing Kathranis’ arm, his smile bright. “And I think Harmony is beginning to learn that too. Come!”

The wizard’s excitement couldn’t be squashed, nor did Kathranis want to ruin it. He let Fordred guide him to sit beneath the branches of the tree, only sparing one nervous glance upward before settling his eyes on the beaming elf. Kathranis tugged his cloak tighter around his body, glad for its presence as he sat opposite his friend.

“So,” Kathranis began. “You spoke of acting in Harmony’s name. I do not need to say what that implies.”

Fordred’s smile dimmed slightly, and his eyes momentarily took on a dazed look. He looked around, blinking at the tree, then at the dark gardens. He leaned back on his hands, frowning for a moment before again meeting Kathranis’ eyes.

“I… I suppose you don’t.”

The younger elf shifted uncomfortably, and Kathranis smiled, reaching out a hand to touch Fordred’s knee.

“Don’t be alarmed, I’m not going to persecute you, I just wish to talk this out, to make sure this is your decision, and not something you were pressured into.”

Fordred’s smile made a return, and he leaned forward.

“Of course you do Blademaster. You’ve always cared for us, and I’ve never seen that more clearly than right now.”

“What do you mean?”

Fordred chuckled.

“It’s the dead of night and near freezing, and you came looking for me with nothing but a cloak. You could have assumed I was safe and sound elsewhere in the castle, but instead you came looking, and now you’re humoring me and are trying to talk through my change of faith still in the freezing cold. A better friend I couldn’t ask for.”

Kathranis bowed, placing a hand over his heart.

“You offer far too gracious praise. I am merely trying to make sure you are safe and happy, as I should.”

Fordred hummed happily in agreement.

“It is a change in faith then?” Kathranis asked, picking up the core of the conversation once more.

Fordred nodded.

“Yes.”

“If I may ask, when did you discover your new goddess?”

“In the bathhouse,” Fordred said. “While Queen Scylla was praying. I assume you too felt Harmony’s light?”

“I did, though Lady Sylvanus did not take well to it,” Kathranis said with a wry smile. “She made sure to remind me of my faith, and I am glad for it, though I wish I could offer Harmony an apology. I did not mean to seem callous when rejecting her embrace, it is simply not for me.”

“Harmony does not hold it against you,” Fordred said. “That I know.”

“May I ask how? It is early for a new devotee of her faith to have such direct contact.”

“Perhaps in Faerun, but here…” Fordred shivered and his smile brightened. “Here Harmony is very personal, and she does not seem the type to hold grudges. I think she is merely… confused for the moment. I believe she learned some from my prayers though. Perhaps in time she will understand completely your polite declination of her embrace.”

“I should hope so,” Kathranis said. “But let me again ask; is she your goddess now? Have you fully abandoned Lady Mystra?”

Fordred stared into the garden for a moment, then nodded very slowly.

His hand slipped into the pockets of his trousers and he drew forth a charm that Kathranis quickly recognized as belonging to Mystra. Fordred held the chain aloft so that he could see it better in the tree-light. After a moment of staring, he let his arm drop, flipped the charm over in his grasp so that it rested in his palm. Fordred again stared at it in a long silence before finally looking to Kathranis.

“This doesn’t mean anything to me anymore. Mystra…. Mystra isn’t here Blademaster.”

The wizard tossed the charm to his elder, who caught it deftly. Kathranis eyed the charm for a moment before tucking it into a pocket of his cloak. Holy symbol or not, it was a piece of elvish history now. A relic of what was quickly becoming a bygone era. Kathranis then looked back to Fordred.

“What does that mean to you Fordred? You know she is real, that she is a goddess.”

“But she isn’t here Blademaster,” Fordred reiterated. “I am not casting doubt on her existence, nor am I saying that you are wrong to continue your faith. I respect your belief, you know that.”

Kathranis held a hand up.

“I do know that,” he assured. “I just want to make sure you know that. I want to make sure you are not making this decision rashly or out of fear. I want you to think. Faith is a matter of the heart, yes, but blind faith is something best avoided. Just as the body requires many parts working in concert to swing a sword, so too does it need to coordinate matters of the heart.”

Fordred let out a breath, and his posture relaxed.

“I know. Before you arrived, I tried praying to Mystra, just as Huron and the others tried praying to Selune. I got no answer, not even the usual light touch of acknowledgment I usually get.” He shifted nervously. “I do not mean to cast doubt, but have you… heard Lady Sylvanus? Have you felt her genuinely?”

Kathranis’s smile lacked any sort happiness as he sighed softly.

“You know me Fordred. I don’t test my goddess.”

Yet answer the call I shall, Sylvanus whispered faintly in his ear. No more shall doubt my Champion.

Both elves turned as the garden became alive with emerald light. The hedges rustled, growing rapidly and perfectly, remaining carefully trimmed even as they crept toward the sky. Glowing vines crept through the swaying undergrowth, and on it rode a trio of bird-shaped flowers. The vine stopped between the elves, and the flowers popped to life, shaking free of their stems. They hopped around the vine, and then onto Fordred. The wizard smiled, then laughed as the birds began picking at his hair.

“I suppose this is more than enough answer,” he said, chuckling as a flower-bird nestled behind his ear.

Kathranis touched his leaf charm and whispered a word of thanks, promising extra prayers in the morning. Light laughter filled the air, slowly fading with the glow of the plant life. The birds turned back into flowers, falling into Fordred’s lap, while the vine slipped back into the hedges. With a few last shakes and shudders, all fell quiet once more. Kathranis smiled and spread his hands.

“I take it that is evidence enough?”

Fordred bowed his head, the smile never leaving his face.

“I am glad for you Blademaster. Such is a blessing. Please apologize to Lady Sylvanus on my behalf.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“She knows my friend. She’s here. She cares for me now more than she ever did.” His smile dimmed. “And I am sorry that you cannot say the same of your goddess.”

Fordred shrugged.

“My relationship with Mystra was never as close as yours is with Lady Sylvanus. I worshiped her because it was the right thing to do for a wizard, because it benefited everyone when I had something in common with other wizards, and yes, I enjoyed the occasional touch of companionship and the occasional magic grant… but I wouldn’t call my former worship love. Not like now.”

He shuddered, his smile widening.

“Now it’s all so… potent. Deyenidal loves me on the physical plain, and Harmony is just as caring on the spiritual. It’s a beautiful thing Blademaster, and this is a new world. Things change, and we must change as well. You are lucky to keep something extremely important to you, but for me? I am glad Harmony has been welcoming. I… I feel genuinely loved now.”

Kathranis felt hurt at that, and it evidently showed on his face. Fordred winced.

“I apologize Blademaster. That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s alright,” Kathranis said, rubbing his thumbs along his cloak’s edge. He looked down at his crossed legs. “I am not so old Fordred; it is hard to try and… love everyone like I should. I imagine an elf a century my senior would know just what to say to relate to each and everyone of our elves, but-” he sighed. “I haven’t even engaged them yet, in this new place. Tomorrow will be the first time most in our merry band have the chance to sit and speak with their Blademaster. I have not taken time to let them lean on me, to let them speak to me. I have instead, selfishly I might add, taken every opportunity to experience the kindness of our hosts. I have left our people neglected, and unheard.”

Fordred reached out, touching Kathranis’ shoulder.

“They don’t think that Blademaster, and they know how much you care, as do I. What they see is a mighty elf that tried to better our situation no matter his own injuries, who allowed them the freedom to go out and experience this new world. It is not neglect, you are merely learning! As are we all! Yes, tomorrow has to cover a very serious matter, but they also know you will give time to them.”

He winked.

“And they smell the blood in the water Blademaster. They know you are distracted with more… personal matters.”

Kathranis’ eyebrows furrowed and he glanced up.

“I didn’t think my prayers took that long.”

Fordred chuckled, but when Kathranis didn’t join him, he coughed into his hand.

“R-right. Deyenidal had said Princess Aquila was complaining about… Nevermind. I, uh…” He coughed again, then cleared his throat. “Apologies Blademaster. I am still not the best at this kind of talk.”

Kathranis pondered for a brief second more on what Fordred could have possibly meant before letting a smile touch his face.

“Nonsense my friend,” he said. “I think you’ve matured quite a bit, and in only a month! Am I such a poor influence on you?”

Fordred blushed.

“You did help to keep me sheltered… but I think it’s all that’s happened in these last few days. Love, a new goddess…” He met Kathranis’ eyes. “If I may be so bold; what did you feel when Harmony touched you in the bathhouse?”

“An intoxicating warmth,” Kathranis answered honestly. “As I before said, had Lady Sylvanus not reminded me where my heart lies, I would have become smitten with a new goddess. While that in and of itself is not a bad thing, especially not with the genuineness I felt from Harmony, I would always hold an ache in my heart for my lost Lady, and I would have had to carry that burden forever.” He smiled. “And what is a new warmth against one so familiar? Harmony held genuineness, but Lady Sylvanus already knows me, loves me, as I do her. I am ever her servant, and glad for it.”

Fordred’s smile didn’t diminish as he nodded.

“Of course Blademaster, I’d expect no less from you.” He paused, then asked; “But what of everyone else? I think it clear that there are no other gods here-”

“Sune, Lanthandar, and Mask actually,” Kathranis said.

“-none that are elvish then,” Fordred amended. “I can only imagine that Lady Sylvanus wants to bring followers to her cause, but… can the others follow Harmony?

Kathranis stared in thought at the cold flagstones beneath him, unsure of how to answer. Silence did not help his thinking however, so he bid Fordred to speak.

“Tell me how you felt your belief in Harmony began. I want to know specifically what you felt in the bathhouse, down to the last detail, to know more about Harmony, to know more about what has changed within you, so that I may keep you close.” He glanced up. “I hope it does not offend you when I say that you were never this passionate with your worship of Mystra.”

Fordred let out a breath and smiled.

“Not at all Blademaster.” He took a deep breath, then began. “I… felt the light Queen Scylla cast,” he started. “It washed over Deyenidal and I, and I could just understand the song, even though I still cannot tell you the language it is sung in.” He shrugged, leaning back on his hands. “I understood, and then some part of my heart immediately joined in. It was like Harmony knew that I had devoted myself to Mystra, and that Mystra no longer held a place in my heart.” He shivered, his eyes closing. Kathranis pulled his cloak a little tighter as his fellow elf began to grow brighter. “Her song spoke to me,” Fordred continued. “She offered to fill the hole in my heart, and when I looked up and saw Deyenidal, it was like my love for her filled my every cell, and Harmony could tell.”

He opened his eyes, and prismatic light briefly flickered in them.

“And that was all it took. I joined in the song, as did Deyenidal. We… bonded over the affair, and then after tonight’s nightmare, I sought comfort in her light.”

Kathranis blinked. The word was familiar, but Fordred didn’t have nightmares. He was young, was saved from many of the horrors of their lost homeland. He had not witnessed what the rest of their band had, and as such had no reason to experience nightmares. He shuffled the words toward the rear of his thoughts, making a note to address it before they left the garden.

“And your intentions now?” Kathranis asked.

“Seek out a priest I suppose,” Fordred replied. “I love the connection I have formed with Harmony, but I need to know more. I followed my heart tonight in seeking out her light, but I would like to worship her as you do Lady Sylvanus. I have no doubt there are rituals, rites, and prayers I should follow, and I would like to make a good impression on my new goddess.”

Kathranis nodded slowly.

“That is a good measure, but I also task you to merely learn more about Harmony. Learn her history, her reach. Learn the history of her following; you know just as well as I do how dangerous fanatics can be.”

Fordred bowed his head.

“Of course Blademaster, I will do so.” He chuckled. “I am quite eager to delve back into some books actually. Time away has done good, but…”

Kathranis laughed.

“But fundamentally you’re a wizard! It would terrify me if you completely abandoned your love of books.”

The pair laughed together. Once they had fallen to quiet, Fordred sat up, clasping his hands before him.

“So, onto the question of conversion.”

Kathranis sighed and nodded.

“I cannot control what everyone does Fordred, but Lady Sylvanus has tasked me with bringing followers to her faith. She cannot survive on my prayer alone. It is why she tasked me to approach Queen Scylla. She hoped to ally with Harmony, to spread her name that way.”

Fordred’s face twitched, and the prismatic light made a return. A slightly feminine garble tinged his voice, so light that Kathranis wasn’t quite sure it was there at all.

“What will happen if she does not gather followers? What if something happens to you?”

“If she is lucky, she will return to the state she was in in the beginning of things,” Kathranis said. “This is not our world however, and I fear that she may just perish. Aquila, and a few other gryphons know her name now, but that is not enough. She may find that she one day… disappears. I doubt she will truly die, but the conscious part of her being will likely fade.” He shrugged meeting Fordred’s eyes, which shined with tears. “I’m afraid I don’t know, and she won’t tell me. You would need to ask a priest, but the only one’s who likely exist are among the humans. I highly doubt they will be speaking with us anytime soon.”

Fordred nodded, and his eye returned to their normal blue.

“That would be a tragedy,” he mumbled. “She did not travel with you just to die.”

Kathranis shrugged again.

“We can’t know. She speaks of the beauty of this world. Perhaps if I die, that will be enough for her.”

He felt discontent creep beneath his skin, and the bushes at his back swayed in an un-felt wind. He could have sworn one tried to slap his head, and he chuckled.

“Luckily,” he continued. “I have no intentions of dying, or of abandoning Lady Sylvanus, and I do intend to spread her faith, even if it is not the diplomatically wise thing to do. My Lady has claimed Luieustriel

and Riven for her own, and I would request that you let me attempt to convert them before you try to shepherd them to Harmony’s side. It would be nice to have friends in faith aside from Secil.”

Forded nodded.

“Of course. And everyone else?”

“Tomorrow,” Kathranis said with a sigh. “I will tell them what I have told you; that our gods and goddesses are gone, and that they now have choices to make. Please ward away anyone before I have the chance to inform them. They should hear about their loss in a careful way, not through some eager priest. They need our kindness, not to be shifted around like pieces in a trade deal.”

The garble returned as Fordred said;

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Kathranis smiled.

“Thank you my friend. After, you may talk to them about it, Queen Scylla will likely be eager to help, however-” his voice hardened “-you are not to force them, and you are not to let anyone of your new faith do so. They must have their own, natural experience with Harmony. I will hold you responsible if they feel they are being converted against their will. Am I clear?”

Fordred bobbed his head.

“Of course Blademaster! I would never-”

“I know,” Kathranis cut in. “But I must say this, as your Blademaster. I love each of my elves, and I will do everything in my power to see them happy. I believe that Harmony can provide some of that happiness, but only if their relationship’s are genuine.”

“Then I will await tomorrow,” Fordred said with a smile. “Or perhaps the day after if I can speak with Queen Scylla.” He gazed thoughtfully upward. “I think Deyenidal is allowed to issue orders to the guards. They should be able to keep away any petitioners, and I can talk with her first thing…”

He shrugged and met Kathranis’ eyes again.

“I’ll make it work Blademaster. Rest assured, only those who want to know Harmony will find themselves in her embrace.”

Kathranis reached out, placing a hand on Fordred’s shoulder and giving it a firm squeeze.

“I know I can trust you to help me keep them happy. Hopefully by the end of this, we can all share a prayer or two.”

“Maybe,” Fordred mumbled, the prismatic light in his eyes finally falling away completely.

Kathranis shivered and withdrew the hand, re-tightening his cloak. The light around them seemed to dim, and for the first time, Fordred seemed to notice the cold air around him. He shivered and drew his hands into his lap.

Kathranis smiled and got to his feet.

“Come on, let’s go inside. You’ll catch your death out here with nothing on.”

Fordred let out a foggy breath, nodding in agreement.

“Yes, I… think I got a little caught up in Harmony’s warmth. It’s freezing out here.”

As the slim wizard got to his feet, Kathranis swung the cloak from his shoulders. Just as Fordred straightened, the enchanted fur closed around him, and the enchantment activated. As he shuddered with new warmth, Kathranis reached over the wizard and pulled the hood up, making sure the too-large cloak wasn’t going to slip off.

“There,” he said with a smile. “I’m wearing more anyway.”

“You’re wearing a tunic,” Fordred deadpanned.

“Which is still more than you,” Kathranis smiled. “Besides, the walk is short. Let’s get inside.”

He wrapped an arm around Fordred’s shoulders and guided him away from the tree. The wizard cast a look back, but didn’t say anything as they left the tree behind. As the pair wove back through the dark garden hedges, Kathranis brought up the final matter that needed addressed.

“What was your nightmare about?” he asked.

Fordred seemed to freeze, and he pulled away. Kathranis watched him, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. The wizard stared at the dark tiles of the garden path and shivered.

“I… I’m not sure I want to talk about it.”

“Fordred, I will not mock you if you think it’s silly,” Kathranis said, taking a step toward the wizard. “We’ve all suffered through nightmares, and it is alright if you have started having them. I just need to know what your nightmare was so that we can-”

Fordred whirled on him, his tone venomous.

“I said I don’t want to talk about it!”

He ripped off Kathranis’ cloak and threw it to the ground before storming back toward the castle. Kathranis could only watch, frozen with shock as his friend tore open the castle door, then slammed it behind him. Drawing in a frigid breath reminded him of his chilly situation, and he shook himself from his shock, moving to his cloak. He crouched, gingerly touching the fuzzy thing, probing to see if there was some sort of enchantment that had sparked the odd bout of anger from his friend. The cloak revealed nothing, remaining inert, and slightly warm as its enchantment struggled against the frigid night air.

He brushed away some stray dirt, then swung the cloak around his shoulders, mildly grateful for the return to warmth, but more than a little concerned about Fordred. His anger was unlike when he had interrupted his worship. This was so sharp, sudden, and foreign. He had sounded almost confused even as he spoke anger-filled words.

A glimmer of light drew his eyes up. Kathranis squinted against a chill wind at the shadowy towers of the castle, but found nothing. Whatever light had been there was gone. He narrowed his eyes, focusing and shifting his vision to see heat, instead of light. One spot on the castle walls, a small balcony, stood out instantly. The heat source was no longer present, and the chilly air was quickly causing the heat to fade, Kathranis knew that someone had just been there. Someone had been watching his conversation with Fordred.

Why? He had few ideas, and those that he did have would need further investigation. He made a note of where on the castle the balcony was. He would need to ask for help locating it on the interior of the castle, but Aquila would likely be more than willing. Hopefully it would be nothing, a coincidence of timing between Fordred storming off and their observer re-entering their bedroom.

Kathranis pulled his cloak tight around his shoulders and made for the castle. A chill raced up his back, likely just a coincidence, and not his instincts telling him that eyes were on his back.

He wasn’t a big believer in coincidences though.

*****

“Does he know?”

The tall blue alicorn crossed her arms, watching as the elf made his way back inside. He was an attentive one, that much he had proven. Her magic had only danced on the wizard’s mind for but a moment, yet somehow the blademaster had sniffed it out. Perhaps the runes on his flesh gave him magic detection the same way they were shielding his mind. She could still influence his nightmares of course, but not nearly to the same degree as his fellows.

“He likely suspects, but no more,” Luna said confidently. “And he knows not to the depth his kin are being persuaded.”

Her guardian let out a long breath of relief.

“That’s good news. If he found out-”

“Then he would die,” Luna said, turning away from the window. “He is not nearly close enough yet to King Terran’s family to earn his protection, and he is not a mage. Already he drifts away from the rest of his band. His goddess is unique, and doesn’t seem to reach the rest of the elves. The wizard is already basking in Harmony’s love, it will only be a matter of time before the rest join him, making their conversion all the easier.”

“Speaking of,” she continued, looking to the thestral, “how goes thine talks with Chief Calak?”

The thestral’s teeth shined in the low light of the moon.

“He has joined the count of your forces my-” He cleared his throat. “-my Princess. He has also promised to spread word of your call to arms to a few closely allied tribes. I have given him a few soldiers to eliminate any rivals that are too chatty.”

Luna smiled and moved toward him. The thestral bowed his head as she approached, then purred softly as she embraced him in her wings. She hugged him and brushed his mane, her smile softening as he glanced up with desperate, worshiping eyes.

“Very good Cold Shadow,” she muttered. “Thou art doing very well. If thou continues such performance, then thou will always have a place at my side.”

His eyes shined with joy-filled tears and he whimpered softly.

“Thank you my Queen. I will always serve you.”

She chuckled, stroking his head and bringing it to rest against her bosom. Of course he would, he was a thestral after all. Were it not for the worship of his people, she would believe herself rightfully the lesser, but knowing they were relegated to cold caves as a species had driven the sparks of her neglect into full flame. She would see them set free into the world, not longer chained under the tyranny of the sun, and she knew, as she used her magic to begin the moonset, that Kathranis Shadowsong’s “moon” elves would be the ones to help her do it.

Author's Note

Happy New Year!

Chapter 17

Kathranis waited silently, his hands clasped behind his back, as his elves slowly filed into a quiet section of the castle gardens. Paving stones formed a circle in the tall walls of hedges, and Fordred crept around it, spreading warming enchantments. Though the sun was shining in the sky above, the air was still freezing, would be for hours if Aquila was to be believed.

Kathranis wore his cloak over his armor, his swords dangling comfortably from his hips. His elves were all in similar dress, each ready to fight if it was so demanded of them, and at a Talk, such was a possibility. A low one among his small band, but a risk nonetheless. Harsh words would no doubt fly as the day grew long. It was logical to let his brethren keep the tools to let out their frustration, even if it was on each other.

As the elves began settling in small, huddled conversations, Riven approached, the tall elf bearing a hard scowl as he stopped before his blademaster.

“We have an interloper,” Riven growled. “Huron is keeping her out, but she has brought guards.”

“And have you told this interloper that this is a private affair?” Kathranis asked.

Riven’s eyes narrowed.

“Do I look like an idiot to you? Of course I did. She didn’t listen and said that you wanted her here.”

“Riven, shush,” Luieustriel said, creeping up to hang on the large elf’s arm. She smiled and met Kathranis’ eyes. “Princess Aquila would like to participate Blademaster. I believe she misunderstands the purpose of the talk.” She giggled lightly. “I also believe she is worried about you. It’s cute.”

Kathranis hid a mild blush by shifting his hands, letting them rest on the hilts of his swords.

“And the guards?”

Luieustriel’s smile dimmed.

“Riven was accurate about that. The princess has two guards with her. I do not recognize them Blademaster.”

Kathranis gave the pair a nod.

“Alright, I’ll deal with it. If you wouldn’t mind though, after the Talk, I would like to speak to you both in private on a matter of spirit.”

Riven sneered.

“Lady Sylvanus finally wants some real fighters does she? I can’t say that I’m surprised.”

Kathranis snorted and grinned, letting the “playful” insult pass. Riven wasn’t very good at banter, but that was alright. He didn’t need to be if he was open to the discussion of a change in faith.

“Just help Secil keep a watch over everyone. I won’t be long.”

Riven blinked with disbelief at the small black cat, who stared back, his nose twitching in mockery as he padded toward where Kathranis had been watching everyone file in. Kathranis gave Luieustriel a wink, then moved toward the space in the hedgerows.

He came upon a mildly concerning scene as Huron stood cross-armed before an increasingly irritated Aquila, who was backed by a very nervous looking pair of armed and armored gryphons. They looked no less nervous as he approached, but Aquila’s eyes lit up when she spotted him.

“Finally!” she called. “Somebody reasonable I can talk to!”

Huron glanced back, his lips curled in a careful frown.

“Blademaster, this is an elvish affair. You know that just as well as I.”

“That I do,” Kathranis said, clapping Huron on the shoulder. “But I also know that this isn’t our kingdom, and that we are guests in it. To remain diplomatic, I must at least humor Princess Aquila’s effort.”

He offered a smile to the gryphoness.

“Though I do have to make an attempt in support of my brother. He’s right, this is a private, elvish, affair. Such words are not to be taken lightly.”

Huron gave a slight nod, his shoulders relaxing at Kathranis’ words of support. Aquila too, relaxed slightly, offering him a bright, if cautious, smile.

“I won’t take them lightly Shadowsong,” she said. “I just want to listen, to learn!” She hesitated, then added; “And I want to make sure you aren’t making a mistake.”

“And there it is,” Huron said, throwing up his hands. “You cannot be allowed to influence a Talk! It’s about free expression of thought, and we can’t have that if a royal spy is observing.”

“I’m not a spy,” Aquila snapped. Her eyes shifted to Kathranis. “Please Shadowsong, I just want to listen.”

“You can’t honestly believe this garbage,” Huron said, turning toward the younger elf. “She doesn’t belong at a Talk, she’s not an elf. It is your duty as Blademaster to…”

He trailed off as Kathranis merely met his eyes with a slight grin and a certain warning look. Huron coughed and looked away.

“Apologies,” he mumbled. “I know you know better.”

Kathranis patted his shoulder, his grin growing.

“Quite.” Looking toward Aquila, he said; “If you truly only want to listen, then I’m sure you wouldn’t object to Fordred casting a silence charm on you.” He tilted his head, even as Huron began to relax. “And a geas of course. Huron is right, what is said in a Talk is held with the utmost secrecy. It is our truest thoughts laid bare, however ugly they may be. I cannot allow any discussion of them. To do so would be an immense breach of trust.” He smiled and gave Huron another pat before letting his hand drop. “But, if you would submit to those two spells, I think the fuss would be minimal about an outsider joining as an observer.”

Aquila’s face, hopeful at his first words, twisted with disappointment.

“I… I won’t do any of that, but I also won’t talk!” She laid a hand on her breast. “Shadowsong, I swear that-”

Kathranis held up his hand, cutting off her words.

“Princess, I must ask that you swear no oaths, because I cannot accept them.” He sighed. “If you are unwilling to submit to the mildest of spells to keep the quiet, then I’m afraid Huron is correct; you are not allowed entry.” He bowed slightly. “I apologize if this sours our budding friendship.”

Aquila’s eyes widened with alarm, then filled with anger. A wing slapped into the back of his head, then talons gripped his armor, yanking him forward to where he was nose to nose with the gryphoness.

“Don’t you dare suggest such a thing,” she growled. “I am not some hatchling that needs her personal relationships coddled because of professional difficulties.” She leaned in closer, and he noticed a different kind of fire enter eyes, though what it was, he wasn’t quite sure. An aggressive form of affection if her words were any indication. “If you say something stupid like that again, I will make sure you can see exactly how I feel about you, is that clear?”

Kathranis chuckled.

“Quite.”

“Good.” She shoved him back, then, as he quickly caught his footing, she let out a sigh and crossed her arms, her anger fading. “Still, I can’t pretend that I’m not disappointed.” Her eyes narrowed, and she tapped her arm, as if trying to think of another way to convince him.

He knew that she couldn’t though. He glanced at Huron and nodded toward the gap in the edges, silently telling him to get settled. Just as the elder elf began to step away, however, one of Aquila’s guards stepped forward.

“Master Shadowsong, if I may?” Given a nod of acknowledgment, the guard took a further step forward.

Kathranis couldn’t help but straighten as the armored gryphoness again spoke.

“Princess Aquila will be involved in your “talk” on the orders of Queen Scylla. Your willingness to involve her is optional.”

Huron’s hand shifted to the hilt of his sword, and he looked to Kathranis for permission. This time, the elf was far more agreeable at his brothers defense. Fortunately, he didn’t need to do anything as Aquila whirled on the guard.

“What?” she screeched. “How dare you say something like that to my charge? Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”

“Princess,” the guard said, lowering her voice and raising her wings. “Queen Scyla said-”

“I don’t care!” Aquila slapped the guards wings open, then shoved her back toward her fellow. She flared her wings wide, and Kathranis found himself amazed at how big they seemed. They were obviously larger than any natural bird’s wings, but by Sylvanus, Aquila’s were simply massive, with each feather clean, and so invitingly fluffy. It sparked foreign feelings in his chest, and more than distracted him from the crises at hand, even as Aquila continued to speak.

“Go tell Queen Scyla that I will be enforcing Shadowsong’s privacy until his talk his over.” She flapped her wings, sending forth a brief, gale force wind at the guards, forcing them to cower behind their wings. “You can also tell her that she and I will be having a talk about boundaries, if I don’t decide to get Zefuris and Dad involved.”

The guards cowered back further at her mention of the guard captain. Aquila snorted, and her wings drew closer to her body. Kathranis blinked as he heard a grunt to his left, and he glanced that way to find Huron pointedly staring at his hand, outstretched and reaching for Aquila’s feathers. Kathranis felt himself flush, and he quickly relocated the hand to the hilt of his swords. When his eyes flicked up, he found Aquila glancing back, a knowing smile temporarily on her beak before she went back to barking at the guards.

“Go deliver my message, and I swear if I findeither of you sneaking around, I will report you to Zefuris, because I don’t believe for a moment that he approved an attempted intimidation of my guests, especially not the elf that holds my brother in life-debt.”

“Where is Prince Valan?” Huron muttered, moving closer to Kathranis.

“I told him to find me around sun-high,” Kathranis whispered back, his eyes looking anywhere but at Aquila’s golden, alluring wings. “He can’t be involved either, and he welcomed an excuse to not be my constant tail.”

The guards began to slink away like beaten dogs, their heads down and their tails dragging. Aquila held her wings up until they were out of sight, then dropped them with sigh. Placing her hands on her hips, she turned, meeting Kathranis’ eyes.

“I apologize for that Shadowsong.” She heaved a greater sigh, then looked toward the ground. “I… really do want to watch your “talk”, but I think that would be inappropriate now.” She met his eyes, grinning slightly. “Would it be inappropriate to ask for a chat with you on what happens later?”

Kathranis smiled.

“No, I will need to work out my thoughts and feelings with someone anyway, and I think Secil is getting tired of me using him. I would be happy to share the watered-down personal thoughts with you later.”

Aquila’s grin took on a brighter look.

“Then it’s a date Shadowsong. Have Valan take you to the training grounds whenever you all are done. I’ll be practicing there.”

She winked at him, then turned away, a slight skip in her step, and her tail waggling higher in the air. Kathranis watched her go, evidently for far too long, because Huron nudged his shoulder. The elder elf grinned at him, nodding toward the garden entrance.

“Come on lover-boy, you can “treat” with the princess later.”

Kathranis flushed slightly and shoved his brother back.

“Not all of us try to bed every woman we come across. Aquila is just being friendly as her position demands.”

Huron snorted, his expression a doubtful grin.

“Then should I expect my own personal bath with a princess soon? Or should I arrange another one for you, being your elder and all?”

Kathranis rolled his eyes and shoved his brother harder, drawing a chuckle from the elder elf as he walked into the garden. He remained outside for a moment, taking time to collecting himself, but he couldn’t help grow a touch more flustered. Aquila had used the word ‘date’, and they had been spending a great deal of personal time together. She had also helped to revive him, had sworn to be his physical protection where his goddess was his spiritual…

He shook his head and took a deep breath. He was reading far too much into what were obvious diplomatic actions. He was her charge after all, and if he died on her watch, that would reflect poorly on her. It was plain to see that all her actions, while incredibly friendly, were just that; friendly. No more.

For some reason, that admittance caused his heart to ache, and his last thought before calming his turbulent mind was the question if he could try to change their friendship into something more. He then straightened his cloak, and walked into the hedges.

He was greeted by a silent circle of elves, all of whom were sitting facing the center of their chosen gathering spot. That was where he guided his steps to, stopping once he was equidistant from them all. He clasped his hands behind him, meeting each of their eyes before speaking.

“Fordred, the silence charm if you would.”

The wizard got to his feet and he moved to the center of the circle. Waving his hands caused runes to appear in the air, and with a whispered word, a nearly translucent dome fell over the garden, dulling the sounds outside.

“Our words are private against all,” Fordred said.

Kathranis gave him a slight nod, and he withdrew to his seat. Taking a deep breath, he kept a neutral expression, and addressed the elves.

“I declare this Talk begun,” he said simply. “I have several matters of importance that need to be discussed, and once I have addressed them, everyone who wishes may come forward to say their piece, or to share any news they believe important.”

He took a breath and looked toward his boots. Neither of the important pieces of news would roll over easily; best to start with the most pressing.

“King Terran of the Gryphons, our host, has called us to war against the humans,” Kathranis said, looking up and around the circle. “He claims that the Thayans we called ally have massacred a village, siezed lands, and have begun preparing fortifications. I am inclined to believe him, but told him that no matter our decision that I would investigate these claims further. I will not lead us to any conflict on words alone. We have not shed blood without reason in the past, and I see no reason to abandon that tradition now. Should I be convinced of completely avoiding the oncoming violence however, I will withdraw us to the woods west of here to plan our next moves. We will talk again if that comes to pass.”

A few elves nodded silently, Huron among them. Fordred, on the other hand, looked mildly alarmed. Likely he didn’t like the fact that he had the thought to withdraw them away from the gryphons, but if he declined the offer to war, what could they do? Terran said they wouldn’t be held to account, but resentment would build, especially if the war was costly.

Kathranis pressed on with his words, hardly letting himself take a breath as he delivered a second vocal punch.

“I also must bear horrible news my friends, but because we find ourselves in a new world, most of the gods and goddesses we knew are out of our reach. Lady Sylvanus has followed me, and has made me her champion. She has informed me that Sune, Lathander, and Mask have followed us here, but that is all. Lady Selnue is not here, as I’m sure you all have noticed. I am sorry.”

He paused, waiting for cries of outrage, or at the very least grumbles. He was surprised to find only silence as the Selunites glanced among themselves. The cleric among them, Zilyana, rose to her feet, bowing slightly.

“Apologies for my breach in conduct Blademaster, but we are well aware that the moon above does not belong to Our Lady in Silver. We have known for some time.”

Kathranis blinked owlishly.

“And you have… come to terms with this revelation?”

The elf maiden smiled.

“Second Blade Shadowsong can say more than I Blademaster, but yes. We are coming to terms with this new world and her new goddesses.”

Kathranis glanced at Huron, who grinned, but remained quiet. Kathranis looked back to Zilyana and gave her a slight nod.

“Thank you Priestess, you may sit.”

The elf maiden bowed, then returned to her seat. Kathranis took a deep breath, then spoke again.

“Well, I’m glad that you all have found some solace, but feel free to say your thoughts on the matter regardless.” He spread his hands and smiled. “But those are the greatest matters that face us today. As is tradition, the youngest among us will begin, so I call forward Fordred Nightgazer to speak his thoughts.”

Kathranis moved toward Secil as Fordred got to his feet, moving to the center of the circle. The wizard paused in the center of the circle, shuffling his feet nervously. His fingers reached to something tied in the long locks of his black hair, and he seemed to calm, a bright smile spreading on his face.

“I would like to start with a bit of brighter news,” he said. “I know we have only been here for a few days, but I believe I have found something, someone truly special.”

He drew his hair back, showing off a large brown feather, tied with leather to a cut lock of hair. A gasp finally rose from the group of elves, and even Kathranis found himself surprised. Cutting one’s hair was a sacred act to his elves, a sign of preparing for a great change in their life, usually their death. Even though he cut his hair every morning in offering to his goddess, Sylvanus regrew it during his prayers, letting it appear unmarred. No doubt the feather tied in Fordred’s hair had equal significance to the gryphons, leading little to the imagination, even as Fordred explained.

“Deyenidal Brightwing, bodyguard to Princess Aquila, has offered her primary in the opening stages of our courting,” Fordred continued. “She knows the risks with engaging me, and I know the heartache I will eventually feel as decades pass, but I love her. I hope to see us married in time, and hopefully we can find fertility treatments to ensure we have young.”

He looked around the circle nervously. Everyone remained silent, as was tradition to prevent hot-headed interruptions, but the wizard seemed to want some form of approval. His eyes met Kathranis’ and the elvish blademaster gave him a smile and a wink, then motioned him on. Fordred swallowed dryly, then with a nod, continued.

“Furthermore,” he said, his voice cracking, “I would like to speak on Blademaster Shadowsong’s deceleration of our separation from our former faiths.” He gave Kathranis a deferential nod. “From all I have witnessed, Blademaster Shadowsong speaks the whole truth. His goddess has followed him, and even now protects him, but ours do not. Lady Mystra is not here, and I publicly denounce my faith in her with no intention of insult.”

A collective inhale filled the air, and everyone leaned in as Fordred continued.

“She is not here,” Fordred said firmly, meeting the eyes of a few of the more alarmed elves. “If she was, I would still follow her, but she stayed behind, and we must adapt. Although I have not yet sought the services of a priest, I consider myself an official follower of Lady Harmony. She has offered her warm embrace, and I simply couldn’t refuse. She is kind, and loving. If any would like to hear more about my experiences with her light, I invite you to join me when I go to one of her chapels. We can learn more about her together.”

His eyes again flicked to Kathranis, seeking approval. This time, Kathranis remained passive. He couldn’t show his opinions on any of the official Talk matters. It could influence the words of his fellows as the Talk continued, and he could tell that others were watching him.

Fordred licked his lips when he found no comfort from Kathranis, but he didn’t seem to take it too poorly as he continued.

“On that note, however, I voice my support for war against the humans if we should find sufficient evidence of a massacre. I have found love here, I have found a new goddess here. I am loathe to give up either. There is great potential for stability and happiness among the gryphons, and I firmly believe we should support them. We cannot throw away such kind allies, not now. We have no home to withdraw to should things go wrong. I recommend we start a home anew here.”

He bowed his head toward Kathranis, then made his way back to his seat. Kathranis waited until he was sat down before nodding toward the next youngest.

“Kellam Vana, you will speak next.”

The warrior returned his nod and got to his feet, striding to the center of the circle. As the elf began to speak, Kathranis took in a deep breath, steeling his mind for the long day to come.

*****

“We have been fighting for some time, but always for the reason of pure morality,” Riven said. “I have no problems with that, but now we find ourselves in a world that, like Fordred has pointed out, we are alone. There are no elvish strongholds to back us, no place to return our dead. We are once again without a home, and I for one refuse to let that stand. Should we simply agree to go to war on behalf of the gryphons? No.” He stared at Fordred, as if challenging the wizard. “Nor should we simply give up our traditions and bow to a new goddess without reason. Blademaster Shadowsong has his goddess, and I for one will seek her out first. She has kept us safe, she has kept Blademaster Shadowsong strong. Love and experimentation cannot be our only avenues of progress.”

His gaze shifted to meet Kathranis’ eyes.

“We should negotiate our involvement in their war. We need promises, of gold, of security, and of freedom. Though you have not spoken of it Blademaster, gryphons are no different than humans; they talk. I have heard much about Queen Scylla trying to convince you that Lady Sylvanus was a demon! A devil that deceives you, and I will not stand for that either!”

“We are elves!” he roared, spinning away, his arms thrown wide. “We are ageless, and we do not throw away our every tradition just because we find ourselves weakened! Despite our losses, despite our isolation, we are still a force to be reckoned with! Everyone should know that and show us proper respect!”

Kathranis should have anticipated that Riven’s time speaking would be a true firebrand rant, but he couldn’t help see some value in his words, hostile though they may be. Being a gold-driven mercenary burned at his soul, but logically, they would need some place to settle. He didn’t want his elves to become bound to the gryphon royalty; they should be free to come and go as they pleased. A tidy account filled with coin would do much to support such a lifestyle, and homes, built perhaps near the edge of the city would be help even moreso. Ideas on how to broach such a subject without demeaning his kin filled his mind as Riven began to calm.

“I do not speak against Lady Harmony, nor Fordred’s fast faith with her,” the large elf said. “But we cannot lose sight of what we are, what we still have. I support staying with the gryphons and aiding them in their war should sufficient evidence against the humans be found, but only if we look after our own interests as well. Fighting for coin is an ugly business, but we must secure our future. We will outlive such a petty conflict, and we need to be prepared if we suddenly find ourselves in a land that has forgotten the kindness of the current rulers, has forgotten the debts our Blademaster has earned from the prince and princess.”

He stiffly turned and bowed his head to Kathranis.

“That is all I have to say Blademaster.”

Kathranis gave him the same light smile he had given everyone else.

“Thank you Riven, you may sit.”

As the large elf took his seat beside Luieustriel, Kathranis glanced toward Huron. He was last, with everyone else having spoken. Most had voiced outright approval for supporting the gryphons, provided evidence be found, and a few had spoken similarly to Riven, recommending they try to extract some value from the conflict. Only two had spoken against conflict, wanting to merely withdraw to the forests to find their own way in the world, to wait out the dangerous nature of any conflict. Unsurprisingly, the pair were already married, and Kathranis could empathize with the desire to see their other half safe.

His brother met his eyes, then slowly got to his feet without prompt. He stretched, then walked to the center of the circle, taking a moment to look around silently before speaking.

“I am the eldest,” he started. “Only by a few months, but I am the eldest nonetheless. I have been listening just as Blademaster Shadowsong is, and I find myself in agreement with most of you.

I believe there is great opportunity for us with the gryphons, and so far, barring an exception or two, they have been nothing but kind, gracious allies. Do we need to ask for some sort of payment? I say yes. We need to secure our future, and money will be a part of that.”

He turned, his eyes stopping on Fordred for a moment before moving to Kathranis.

“However, I do not believe that we should stay here. The gryphons are kind, and gracious, but there is another option that nobody has mentioned; Princess Luna and the ponies.”

Whispers immediately rose, and Kathranis could help but frown, leaning forward slightly as his brother continued to speak.

“I have already spoken with the princess at length,” he continued, “and she has offered a place for us in her kingdom; newly built and ready for expansion. The ponies have only recently united and ceased their conflicts with the gryphons, within the last century! Now is a time for peace and the growth of a civilization, and we can help it become truly great.” He smiled and motioned to Fordred. “We have a wizard, knowledgeable in many things. Think what we could create if he taught the pony mages!” He spun around, motioning to someone else. “And what of forgotten dreams of becoming architects, and musicians? As we have all seen, Stonetalon Peak is established, has already been so for generations! We can prosper here, of that I have no doubt, but it will be stagnant, and after enough time, Riven is right, they will forget. We need to be somewhere where we can create, where we can earn our place, not with mere coin, but with legend. Our songs can be recorded and sung, our structures can be mixed with that of the ponies to create something new, and yet distinctly elvish.”

He took a deep breath, then let out a sigh, offering a smile to Fordred.

“I am happy for what you have found my friend, but we can do so much more to leave our mark. Who knows? Perhaps you can convince Deyenidal to join us and travel to the new pony nation, but our future, our centuries that we have not yet lived are not here.”

He turned one last time, bowing to Kathranis.

“I believe we should support the gryphons until the war is finished Blademaster, but I believe we should follow Princess Luna after. Our home is not here, and I don’t think it ever can be. It’s all simply too… ingrained.” He straightened. “But that is all I have to say. The rest is on you Blademaster. No matter your decision, I will support you.”

He offered another low bow, then moved back to his seat. Kathranis stared at the ground before him in thought for a long moment. There was much to think about, and Huron had thrown rain on his bowstring with his idea to follow the ponies. It was not an avenue he had considered, likely because he had not yet spoken to Luna again. He needed to arrange that, though apparently she had spoken with Huron at length. A simple conversation with his brother would likely be enough to see why she wanted the elves. He highly doubted it was purely altruistic, but then again, perhaps it was. Huron spoke of a developing nation which could be raised to greatness if it had the help of two-dozen elves. That was more than enough motive, and no doubt the princess could reward them greatly.

He tapped his fingers on his chin, then huffed and slowly got to his feet. That would be a part of his meditation. A new avenue he needed time to think about, to parse out.

He walked to the center of the circle, clasping his hands behind his back. Secil padded up next to him, brushing his side as he began to think.

“If that is all, I call this Talk to a close,” Kathranis said. He glanced up, noticing that the sun wasn’t quite at its noon zenith. “I will take time this evening to meditate, and by tomorrow I will have a decision for you all. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I will try to assure that I make the correct decision to lead us into a bright future.”

He bowed his head.

“If any of you would like to speak to me privately, I will be seeking out Princess Aquila in the training grounds.”

He turned away, and was surprised when he heard chuckles filling the air as the circle began to disperse. A glance over his shoulder found Huron talking in hushed tones with several elves, and his green eyes shined at Kathranis’ back as he whispered something, causing another round of chuckles to chase him from the gardens.

Chapter 18

Kathranis continued to dwell on the Talk as he found his way to the training grounds. Talking with Riven and Luieustriel had been a brief affair, and both had informed him about shared dreams they had been having. They would speak more later about creating emblems and the matters of prayers and such, but Lady Sylvanus was already filling their hearts, and the agreed to begin joining him in prayer. With that matter cooly resolved, it left him thinking on the Talk. Technically speaking, he was supposed to retreat to isolation to ponder the words his elves had spoken, but he found that he tended to over think when left alone. Instead he stayed in the open, allowing his elves to come talk to him further, even as he went about his normal day. He was a capable multi-tasker, and found that especially when he was more active, his thoughts flowed smoother. He needed them to do so. Huron’s concluding speech in the Talk had opened an entire new avenue that he hadn’t even thought about, likely because he had been spending so much time with Princess Aquila. The problem was that he should feel guilty for ignoring his duties as Blademaster and not exploring every possible route to giving his people a better life, but being with the gryphoness simply made him happy in a way he couldn’t explain. He enjoyed the company of his elves, but Aquila…

He felt the beginnings of a dour mood flee as an excited call crossed the training grounds, followed by a very cheery looking gryphoness. He couldn’t help but smile, then flush as Aquila flapped closer. The normal simple tunics and dresses had been replaced by a well-fitted set of armor. Steel greaves and gauntlets sat protectively over Aquila’s limbs, accompanied by some sort of flexible steel plating covering her wings. The rest of her armor was leather, a shade of brown far lighter than his own. On her hip sat a long-sword, in a sheathe that was worn enough to tell visibly that it was well used.

Kathranis flinched as taloned fingers met his nose. He blinked up to find Aquila grinning down at him. She stepped back, looking oddly smug as she crossed her arms.

“Are you going to stare at me all day Shadowsong, or are we going to talk about your ‘Talk’?”

“R-right, of course,” he sputtered. “I, I mean I wasn’t going to stare, rather...”

Aquila rolled her eyes and grabbed the collar of his armor, dragging him after her like he was a lost puppy, and lost he felt. There was just something different about the gryphoness all of a sudden, some strange allure that made his tongue heavy and his mind sluggish. He had no idea what it was, but he couldn’t counter it as she led him to an area shaded by trees. A pair of braziers warmed the area, driving away the chill that managed to cling to the air in spite of the sunny skies above.

Aquila sat them on a bench by one of the braziers and pulled him close with a wing. He was surprised to feel warm, embracing feathers, and found that the steel coverings on her wings didn’t extend to the interior of the wings. Hugging him close, Aquila prodded him with a finger.

“So, what can you tell me? Will you all stay? Will you fight?”

Kathranis finally managed to recover his wits under the barrage of questions, and he straightened up.

“Those decisions have yet to be made,” he said carefully. “In fact, I promised my kin that I would make them by tomorrow morning, leaving them plenty of time to come talk to me more in private if they should so wish.”

Aquila’s brow furrowed.

“I thought the whole point of the ‘Talk’ was to speak your mind. What’s the point if your elves hide their feelings?”

“Oh, they do speak their minds, but it is an unspoken rule that they don’t try to convince each other during the talk,” Kathranis explained. “One can be passionate in his speech, but if he starts trying to coerce, then it is scene as bad form. It is why the youngest always begin a talk, so that they are not pressured by the opinions of their elders.”

He nudged his way free of Aquila’s wings, earning a pout from the gryphoness, but he managed to drive the expression away with a wink and a smile as he crossed his legs, turning to face her on the bench. She matched his posture, wincing uncomfortably as she tried tucking in her long legs. When she couldn’t quite sit on her right leg, she let out a huff and let it dangle off the bench seat, her cheeks a touch flush as she refused to meet his eyes. Kathranis chuckled and adjusted his sword belt so that it wasn’t resting uncomfortably before he continued.

“So, where to begin… I suppose I should start with the three options I have to choose from; we can stay and fight for you on the hope that we will be taken care of after-”

“Shadowsong, you and your elves can stay here for the rest of your lives just on what you’ve already done for my family,” Aquila said, resting her hand on his. “The debt tally is still heavily in your favor.” She giggled. “Although it’s now one less given that you made Dad destroy his favorite dining table. He’s going to be grumpy at you and Chief Calak for that little incident.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“Had I known it was a test, I don’t think I would have acted so… magically. Perhaps Huron’s sword would have been enough-”

Aquila scoffed.

“Nonsense, you did perfect, it’s why Dad didn’t make you grow him a new table.”

She laughed again, and Kathranis found himself lost in her emerald eyes as she smiled at him. His cheeks again grew flush, and this time, Aquila matched him. Though her laughter subsided, her smile did not. Kathranis swallowed dryly, looking away and coughing.

“Well, ahem, yes, that would have been in poor taste…” He gave himself a good shake. “Right, that is option one, but the concern is that, once your family has passed on and memories begin to fade, we would find ourselves viewed as leeches on a society that doesn’t remember why we matter. Truthfully, my concern is with our own stagnation. We are elves, such is natural, but here…” He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. “We are completely at your mercy, debts or no. We have no alternate home, no money to speak of. Should I make enough mistakes, even such weighty debts can be forgotten, then what? My people would be forced to live as hermits. Such a life is not unappealing to me… but it is not a kind fate to them, especially not now that they are beginning to court your goddess.”

“Mom is going to ask about that,” Aquila said. “But I take it that talk went well?”

Kathranis nodded.

“It was almost eerie, but there was no anger, none of the bile I expected. It seems being in your world longer than I has led them to knowledge I don’t yet posses.” He tapped his fingers along his knuckles. “I’m going to remain cautious about it. It is a huge change, and everyone seems too calm. I don’t think anything is amiss, but…”

“But it’s better to be safe and make sure, I understand,” Aquila said. “But I can assure you, Mom is only a bit harsh because she cares. She has devoted almost everything to Harmony, and she’s older than she looks. She’s seen what happens when people fall out of Harmony’s light, and it isn’t something she likes talking about.”

“I’m sure my goddess is causing no end to her headaches then,” Kathranis said.

Aquila chuckled and shrugged.

“Maybe, but I think she’ll come around. You’re made of good stuff Shadowsong, so you’re either the best liar in all history, or you’re genuine, and with you your goddess. Just give her time. Things had been calm for a long time, then these new humans appeared with their magic, then you appeared and brought a new goddess. It’s really shaking up the status quo.”

“That… brings me to the next issue addressed; one of the elder elves brought up the idea of going with Princess Luna when the fighting is done. He believes that is the best way to avoid the stagnation I fear we would find here, as their nation is new, and will require innovative minds and new culture.” He sagged slightly. “I am afraid that is the wisest option.”

“But…” Aquila asked leadingly.

“But, that option does not make me happy,” Kathranis sighed. “I don’t know why, but I selfishly want to stay here.” A faint smile touched his lips and he glanced up. “I think it is your company that has corrupted me so. It would be with a heavy heart that I ever left. At least within your lifetime.”

Aquila’s beak spread wide in a smile, and she leaned forward, caressing his cheek in her hand.

“Such sweet words,” she muttered. “Thank you Shadowsong, coming from you, that means a lot.”

He blushed and looked away, her hand falling.

“It shouldn’t. We've only known each other for mere days.”

Aquila giggled.

“Mom and Dad fell in love in less time. Do elves not believe in love at first sight?”

Kathranis scoffed, but when he looked up to meet the Aquila’s eyes, he found that he couldn’t meet them, again looking away in a flush.

“Some do. I… don’t believe I’ve had such an experience.”

Hands crept forward, gently rubbing his thigh.

“Well, as you said, it has been a few days,” Aquila whispered, inching forward. “So maybe love at first sight doesn’t quite fit, but…”

Kathranis turned toward the gryphoness. Her eyes sparkled, and he couldn’t help but lean in… Then two people came running up. Aquila immediately recoiled back, hiding behind her wings as Fordred and Deyenidal stopped before them. While the tall gryphoness looked a touch sheepish at having interrupted them, Fordred seemed furiously focused.

“Blademaster, I have to speak with you.”

Kathranis’ throat felt dry as he spared a glance Aquila’s direction. The gryphoness flapped her wings and shot to her feet.

“I’ll leave you to it,” she said, her tone short, almost irritated.

Kathranis deflated slightly as she grabbed Deyenidal’s arm and stormed away. He had alienated her. What could be he have possibly been thinking? Leaning as if he was going to… He shook his head, not looking up toward Fordred, not wanting the younger elf to see the foolish hurt in his eyes.

“Please, sit,” he said, extending a hand toward the spot Aquila had vacated.

Fordred seemed to hesitate, but did so, crossing his legs. Taking a deep breath, Kathranis straightened and finally met the elvish wizard’s eyes. He was surprised to find the anger with which the elf had stormed up was nearly gone, replaced openly with regret. Fordred bowed his head.

“I apologize for interrupting you Blademaster. I let my anger get the better of me, and I interrupted a moment between you and Princess Aquila.”

Kathranis again sighed and shook his head.

“It is alright, you likely saved me from an immense mistake.” His shoulders again sagged. “I have never been particularly adept at picking up on social ques, and with this new culture… you likely saved me from a diplomatic incident. As far as it went, Princess Aquila will likely just have Prince Valan be my permanent escort around the castle. It is likely better that way.”

A hand touched his, and he looked up. Fordred smiled.

“Blademaster, I will not put words in her mouth, but I firmly believe that Princess Aquila is angry with me, not you.” He chuckled lightly. “My timing was not the best I think, but I do need to speak with you.”

Kathranis felt a flicker of hope in his chest, and he couldn’t help but cling tight to it. He liked being around Aquila, and she had mentioned love at first sight… Surely it couldn’t be that… His heart pounded, and his stomach filled with butterflies. He had heard the tales of such sensations, but to feel them… It worried him slightly, but the news that Aquila might have such feelings also excited him in a way he had never felt. With that mixture he was able to regain some sense of calm and he straightened, correcting his posture and reducing the amount of emotion he was showing.

“Then let’s speak,” he said, putting on a smile that was slowly becoming more genuine. “We will see later which of us has to apologize to Princess Aquila, hm?”

Fordred chuckled.

“I’m sure Deyenidal will let me know as soon as we are done here, but…” He took a deep breath, his smile falling away. “Blademaster, I will not leave Stonetalon Peak. Deyenidal doesn’t want to leave. Her home is here, she has such great plans, has already started to purchase a permanent house for us!” His face took on a tinge of flush. “Although we have not yet done much in the more advanced stages in courting, we are fast approaching that. I may soon have a child, children if she has any say, on the way. I cannot simply move to some far away land that we do not know. I don’t mean to call Princess Luna’s character into question, but what do we actually know about her?” He tapped his fingers on his knees. “I meant to do more research after the prayer service on Fifthsday, but I have heard whispers that she used to be called Warlord Luna. I have heard that she and her sister, equally as powerful and rumored to be twice as vicious, have forged their “new kingdom” through campaigns of blood. Rock Wolves, rebellious pony factions, giraffes from the south… all manner of sentient life has fell victim to their wanton expansion.”

“We do not have evidence of that, and I won’t tolerate hearsay,” Kathranis said. “Not from the gryphons about the Thayans, and not from you about the ponies. I understand that you have personal reasons for us to stay here, but do not throw slander which you cannot support.”

Fordred bowed his head.

“Of course Blademaster. I had every intention of researching these rumors, but…” It was his turn to sag in place. “I don’t want you all to leave. I love Deyenidal with all my heart and I will have a life with her-” he looked up, his eyes filled with tears “-but I love you all too. I do not want to miss a century of time with my fellow elves. So much can change in that time.”

Kathranis put on a gentle smile, extending a hand and resting it on the young wizard’s shoulder.

“My friend, you have nothing to fear on that aspect. I am not wholly convinced of Huron’s suggested course yet, and even if I were, I would make sure that we regularly came to visit. You will never be left behind, that I can assure.”

Fordred sniffled and nodded, rubbing at his eyes.

“Thank you Blademaster, I simply…” he sighed, then smiled and glanced up. “I don’t suppose you have any tips on convincing you to keep our band here?”

Kathranis shrugged.

“I can’t know. Likely I will need to talk again with King Terran to see if we can have some guarantees, because we must have that. We will outlive them all Fordred, we cannot escape that particular fate. Whether it be money or our own village in the nearby forests, we must have something. We cannot fight a war out of the kindness of our hearts, no matter how much we want to.”

Kathranis smiled.

“That being said, I am glad for you have found and I wish you and Deyenidal well. If it makes you feel any better, I currently see few reasons to leave.”

Fordred sighed, but smiled.

“I understand Blademaster, and thank you for taking time for me. I…” He shook his head, then looked up with a broader smile. “I don’t know why I’m so concerned. You of all people wouldn’t leave me, and I know that without any promises.”

“But my promises you have,” Kathranis said, matching the younger elf’s smile. “I will make sure to remain close to you Fordred. You are as close to family as I can make you. Let’s keep that close bond.”

He reached out a hand, and Fordred eagerly grasped it. With a firm shake the wizard rose and began to move away, but an idea rose to the fore of Kathranis’ thoughts, and reached out, stopping Fordred from leaving.

“I…” Kathranis felt a touch flush, unsure of why he felt embarrassed to ask a question of the younger elf. He coughed, looking at his lap. “When we first arrived in this world and I had your books, Secil suggested I…” He again cleared his throat, then looked up with a shy smile. “He suggested I try and learn a few spells. In the interest of being a touch less reliant on my runes, would you mind teaching me some useful magic?”

Fordred’s smile brightened, and he laughed.

“I never thought I’d see the day when I could help you Blademaster. A month apart is apparently forever in our merry little band, look how much things have changed!”

His grin took on a vengeful look, and Kathranis couldn’t help but gulp slightly, wondering if he was making a mistake.

“We can start after lunch Blademaster,” Fordred said. “And we’re going to start with fireballs.”

Chapter 19

Kathranis twirled his swords slowly in his hands, feeling every ounce of their weight as they ran over his calloused fingers. The sweat on his bare back drew a chill despite the shining afternoon sun above, while the long lines of tattooed black running in perfect lines across his body drew open stares. Many had been watching him since he had started practicing in a corner of the training grounds, and many more had joined them over time, but he neither worried, nor even bore the stares any focus. His attention was purely on the blades making small circles in his hands.

Blades that were to momentarily meet others.

Huron and Riven dashed forward on opposite sides, likely hoping to catch him unprepared. Two swords leaped out at him, but instead of trying to block them both, Kathranis darted to the side, putting Huron between himself and Riven. His opponents adjusted their attack, with Huron leading the way. His sword swung hard at Kathranis’ neck. Kathranis ducked beneath the blade and lashed out with his foot, catching his brother in the stomach. His brother grunted and fell back, but Kathranis was given no time to breathe as Riven reared back, his hand and a half sword cleaving down.

This time Kathranis was forced to block, and the force of the blow rattled away one of his scimitars. Kathranis rolled backward and to his feet, dancing back as Riven continued pressing forward. On one of his backsteps, Kathranis kicked a small stone up and into his free hand. As Riven brought down his sword again, Kathranis sent the stone spinning toward him, smacking the larger elf above the eye, and giving him a chance to catch his breath.

It was all he needed.

As Riven wiped the strike mark away from his forehead, Kathranis swept his legs from beneath him. Riven hit the ground in a sloppy roll to avoid any attacks while he was down, and to further shield him came Huron, swinging at Kathranis’ exposed back. Kathranis stepped forward and spun on the ball of his foot, swinging wildly at his brother and forcing him back. Huron remained unphased, however, even grinned devilishly as he began to attack furiously. While he kept his brother at bay, Kathranis noticed Riven rising out of the corner of his eye, and he adjusted himself so that he could counter the pair’s off-kilter attack rhythms. They really needed to practice fighting beside one another more. Most fighters would easily be picked off by the two, but anyone who was truly capable with a sword…

Kathranis took a deep breath and fell into his own rhythm, his body flowing like a river as he fended off the pair of expert swordsmen. Kathranis dodged and parried every slice and stab with his lone blade, the steel flashing in the sunlight as the pair of elves tried to land a hit on him. Watching them as they furiously swung at him, he knew that today, Riven would be the one to overreach. He looked particularly frustrated, especially with the sizable welt growing just above his eyebrow.

Not a moment later the large elf swung his sword out wide at the same time Kathranis slapped away an attack from Huron. His brother adjusted his feet, the usual signal that he was about to speed up his attack pattern, but Riven’s swing would come in far too slow, was already too slow in fact. Kathranis stepped back as Huron threw himself forward, right into Riven’s swing.

“Watch it roach-lover!” Riven bellowed, halting his sword.

“It was one time!” Huron snapped back, his eyes flicking away.

Kathranis smiled and again slapped aside his brother’s blade. He then grabbed the elder elf’s arm and wrenched over his shoulder, flinging him at Riven. The pair let out a string of curses as they tumbled to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Kathranis chuckled and picked up Huron’s dropped sword, casually moving over the pair as they tried to separate themselves. He poked at them with the sword tips and both paused to glare up at him.

“I win?” he asked with a joking tone.

Riven continued glaring at him, but Huron’s face broke into a laugh as he stared down the tip of his own sword.

“I guess so, oh mighty ‘Blademaster’.” He winked and yanked his leg from beneath Riven’s. “But one of these days I’m going to be the one standing over you in victory, so say I!”

He threw his arm out in dramatic flair, and Kathranis gave him a courtesy chuckle as he passed the swords to one hand and offered the other. Huron accepted instantly, and Riven did the same with a seconds’ hesitation and a begrudging grunt.

“Need to fight with some obstructions,” he grumbled. “That’ll put an end to all that silly dancing of yours.”

Huron laughed.

“And it’ll make that cleaver of yours worthless. Not even you are strong enough to cut through a tree in a single swing.”

Riven sent a glare the elder elf’s way, then continued to grumble under his breath. He snatched up his sword and began to stomp away.

“Don’t leave now Riven, Blademaster Shadowsong and I were about to start our lessons up again!” Fordred called.

Riven perked up slightly, and Kathranis winced.

“So soon? We only just started our break.”

Fordred chuckled and tossed Kathranis his tunic.

“Just as you cracked the whip at me Blademaster, so too will I crack it at you. Chop chop! Learning to control the arcane takes years of practice, and you are behind.” He waved a hand. “Besides, you had your fun beating on these two. That’s break enough.”

Kathranis sighed.

“Fine.”

As he began putting on his tunic, Huron took his scimitars, a cleaning rag already in his hands. Riven settled beneath the tree Fordred had been resting beside, and he began running a whetstone down his sword, his eyes firmly on Kathranis.

“Do impress Blademaster,” he taunted. “Maybe you can make another cool breeze for us. The last one was welcome.”

He hissed as a black bundle of fur landed on his shoulders. Secil dug in his claws to stay on top of the large elf, and looked toward Kathranis with an earnest smile.

‘Don’t listen to the brute,’ the cat thought. ‘I am very proud of you for branching out cub, and given time, you will be an even better fighter. Think of how much violence you can prevent if you open every duel with a fireball!’

He hopped down as Riven swatted at him, and trotted toward a sunny spot.

‘You’ll get it though, just treat it like sword-drills. Practice, practice-’

“Practice,” Kathranis finished. “Yes, “Dad”, I’ve got it.”

Secil’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he flopped down, licking a paw.

‘Careful cub, you look crazy.’

Kathranis waved away his familiar and looked toward Fordred, who was giving him a nervous smile. To ease the mild tension, Kathranis clapped his hands together and said;

“Let’s get started, yes?”

“Indeed!” Fordred fell in beside Kathranis and situated his feet. “Let’s start with stance one pupil! Arm out, and channel that magic from your heels to your palm.”

Across the yard sat three gryphons, served drinks by the fourth. Valan sat leaning forward, his legs crossed, and his eyes focused solely on the large elf, Riven, he believed the creature was called. He fought similarly to that orc that had nearly killed him, yet Shadowsong easily brought him to heel. It had been amazing to watch the blademaster fight, and he just knew that he had to ask the elf to teach him. He had his own fighting style of course, he’d been training since he could stand, but there were so many little tricks and movements the tattooed elf kept in reserve, so many small things that led him to be the victor in every fight. Valan tapped his fingers on the sides of his mug. He needed to see the elf fight a gryphon. Then he could be sure of Shadowsong’s prowess.

Deyenidal said a quiet thank you to her sister as she was passed a mug of ale, while Aquila simply stared at Kathranis’ bare body. She wanted to get closer, to see and feel it up close, not from a miserable distance. Just because gryphon eyesight was better than anyone’s didn’t mean she could see his every scratch and scar, and she desperately wanted just that. She wanted to trace the lines of his body with her eyes, and then with her fingers. She wanted to bundle that lithe, dancing form into her bed and snuggle it until the sun rose, and for some reason, she desperately wanted to fight him. Watching him fight wasn’t enough, she wanted to match swords with him. Perhaps there was something there about proving that she was his equal on the battlefield, but ultimately she disregarded such petty feelings. She sipped at her mug, frowning as her elf put his tunic on.

Deyenidal chuckled and nudged her with an elbow.

“Show’s over, eh Princess?”

“Mock me and I’ll order you inside the second Fordred loses the robes,” Aquila muttered.

Deyenidal inched away, crossing her arms.

“Just poking fun, no need to get ruffled feathers.”

“You are one to talk sister,” Dranidal said, setting down her serving tray and taking a seat, the last drink in his talons. “I seem to recall a certain someone going for my throat when I suggested her love anything less than genuine.”

Deyenidal grumbled something into her mug, leaning back and crossing her arms in the beginnings of a pout. Aquila ignored her, watching carefully as the pair of elves continued their magic lesson.

“Deep breath in, feel the energy rise from your feet,” Fordred coached.

Kathranis drew in a deep breath through his nose, his eyes focused on his hand, even as he felt a tickle in his feet. Fordred tapped at his elbow, adjusting it to be slightly bent.

“Don’t tense,” the wizard said. “You’ll make lightning choking up your focal points like that, and not the good kind! I nearly blew a finger off when I did that.”

Kathranis grimaced, trying to keep the thought of blowing the fingers from his primary sword hand at bay. He instead focused on following Fordred’s instructions to the letter, keeping his body in place, while also trying to loosen up. Fordred made a few more minute adjustments, then stepped back and fell into a matching stance, his arm stretched out.

“Alright, deep breath out, and say ‘igni’, like so.”

He took a deep breath, then, staring at the back of his hand, said the arcane word. A small puff of fire left his palm, slightly warming the air. Fordred then straightened and smiled at Kathranis.

“Just like that. Make sure to exhale as you speak ‘igni’. It helps the magic flow smoothly.”

Let his breath out, then drew in another, focusing on his hand like Fordred had. He felt a shifting of pressure in his body, and it began to pool in the palm of his hand. He didn’t let the sign of early success make him over-confident however, and instead made sure to speak the word in the exact same tone and volume as Fordred had.

“Ig-”

He and Fordred flew in opposite directions as the magic exploded in his face. Again. Kathranis faintly heard an alarmed cry as he lay flat on his back, his tattoos aglow with their warding light. His hair was smoking faintly, but aside from damaged pride and scorched clothes, he was alright. He sat up slowly with a pained groan and looked over to Fordred to find him in a similar state. There was a key difference as a pair of concerned gryphoness’s ran up to check on them; Fordred was grinning from ear to ear.

The wizard popped to his feet just as Deyenidal crouched down to check on him.

“Exceptional, Blademaster! You’re already better than most first year students! I didn’t get a result like that for months, and to deliver it on a consistent basis!”

Kathranis felt fur and feathers on his neck and glanced up to find Aquila’s worried eye bearing down on him. He offered her a grin and leaned against her for a moment.

“Thank you for the praise Fordred,” he said, “but I don’t think lighting my own hair on fire is what I’m looking for in spell casting, and that’s all I’ve done today. Isn’t there something more… utilitarian you can teach me?”

Riven snickered from his place beneath the shade tree.

“I don’t know Blademaster, I quite like watching you get blown flat on your ass. I think you should keep trying.”

Kathranis shot him a glare, while the gryphoness at his back let out a chuckle.

“Well if that’s all you want to see, how about your Blademaster and I have the duel he owes me?”

Kathranis’ brow furrowed as he again looked up at the gryphoness.

“What duel?”

“The duel you owe me for impugning my honor and rejecting my protection,” Aquila said with a wink.

“When did I do that?” Kathranis exclaimed.

“Just the other day, when you nearly died while communing with your Lady Sylvanus,” Aquila said, a slight tinge of red touching her cheeks. “A few moments after I may have panicked about said near death.”

Kathranis felt his cheeks heat up also.

“Ah.”

The two stared sheepishly at the ground for a long moment. A chill wind brushed through Aquila’s feathers, jolting her from her mild embarrassment. She smiled and grabbed Kathranis’ arm.

“Come on Shadowsong, we having some dueling to do!”

Kathranis yelped as he was pulled along, casting an alarmed glance over his shoulder at the nearest gryphoness; Dranidal.

“Do I have a choice here?”

“Not if you want to stay on her good side,” the white feathered gryphoness sighed, falling in behind them as Aquila dragged Kathranis toward the gryphon part of the training grounds.

Zefuris intercepted them before they could get very far, however. He stopped a few yards before Aquila, forcing the gryphoness to come to a stop, stopping her incessant pull on Kathranis and leaving him back a few steps. Zefuris frowned down at her, crossing his arms. Aquila stepped up and matched his posture, crossing her arms and scowling up.

“What?” she asked.

Zefuris’ eyes narrowed.

“I think on most occasions, you would know exactly what.” His eyes flicked over to Kathranis, who was busy brushing himself off, then back to Aquila. The gryphoness’ eyes narrowed further.

“Last I checked I’m still a princess, and Master Shadowsong is still my charge,” she growled. “Unless Dad is restricting his access of the castle-”

“And what would your father say if he saw you dueling Master Shadowsong?” Zefuris growled. “Your father may be a kind king, but he does know anger, and your repeated refusals to consider a suitor, only to now start showing favoritism toward an outsider-”

“Is that Mom talking, or Dad?” Aquila challenged. “Because last time I checked, the outsider has passed every test thrown at him.”

“It’s Zefuris, First Guardian of the Crown talking,” the gryphon growled. “I’ve been giving advice to your father since before you were an egg, and I can see when you are flaunting your duty to the kingdom, just so you can roll about with some scrawny little foreigner!”

Aquila’s beak opened to let out a sharp retort, when a light cough drew the pair’s eyes to the elf who was watching their argument. Kathranis smiled, his hands resting on his hips. He looked toward Zefuris with that calming grin, nonplussed as he asked;

“Is there I can help you with Zefuris? Princess Aquila was about to show me the formal training grounds before I settled a-” he coughed into his hand “-minor debt of mine.”

Aquila scoffed, realizing even as she spoke how close she and Zefuris were. She was practically butting heads with the elder gryphon.

“It’s not a formal debt Shadowsong, that was just some teasing to get you to agree to the duel we will have.” She shot a glare at Zefuris as she took a step back, daring him to challenge her.

He did in his eyes, promising that the confrontation wasn’t yet finished, but he too took a step back, his arms dropping behind his back. He looked to Kathranis with an even expression.

“Your presence is requested in the throne room Master Shadowsong.”

A pained expression painted itself across Kathranis’ face and he looked down at himself.

“Ah, well, I should be able to clean up with a few minutes and a bucket of wat-”

“Immediately,” Zefuris cut in.

Kathranis sighed.

“Yes of course. I wouldn’t want to insult our gracious hosts.”

He mentally called for Secil to grab his armor and weapons, something the cat had already been working on, but had been slowly meandering at as he waited for Huron to finish cleaning Kathranis’ swords. Yowling quickly filled the air, chased by curses as the cat began to steal away the swords. As Zefuris’ expression shifted to an annoyed frown, Kathranis chuckled at the cacophony of noise.

“Secil should have my armor and weapons in a moment. I don’t think a sweaty tunic alone is befitting a meeting with King Terran.”

With the noise continuing to grow in volume, Zefuris let out a sigh and waved the elf away.

“Please stop that howling before I lose my mind. Nobody will be insulted if you take a minute or two to prepare yourself.”

Kathranis flashed a grin and skipped away. Aquila briefly considered watching his lithe form, but she had more pressing matters, namely the gryphon before her.

“What are you doing?” she growled.

“I would ask you the same thing Princess,” he growled back. “You’re acting like your idiot brother, shedding feathers chasing after a creature which clearly is not worth your time. You have a duty to your father’s crown to marry a proper, noble gryphon to keep that testy lot in line, as well as to protect the succession.”

“I know what my duty is,” Aquila snapped. “But last time I checked, titles only count for so much, and ultimately, I should be marrying a warrior.” She snorted and crossed her arms. “Besides, Shadowsong checks every block but one, and the ponies have magic that can give us a hatchling. Just because he isn’t a perfect fit, doesn’t mean he isn’t the best one, especially given that he’ll actually survive in Dad’s court.”

“You think that scrawny little human will survive with those eagles in there?” Zeufris asked, jabbing a talon toward Kathranis.

Aquila glanced over her shoulder and found the elf being chased about by Secil, a sword in the cat’s teeth. Everyone around him was laughing, even that large elf that seemed to perpetually scowl had a broad smile as the tiny little house cat swung at Kathranis’ feet. She simultaneously blushed in embarrassment for the elf, as well as felt her heart sink at missing such a delightful moment. Oh the bright smile on his face…

“I think he gets along well with Valan,” she said, nodding toward where her brother was rolling in the dirt, laughing so hard that he was crying. “And I think he offers something Dad badly needs; fresh perspective.”

She looked back to Zefuris.

“And just so you know, one of Shadowsong’s elves suggested they leave altogether and go join the Warlords. Keep that in mind whenever you deliver your report to Mom. We wouldn’t want to deliver new allies to our old competition, now would we?”

Zefuris turned red, telling her she had hit the nail right on the head by mentioning her mother. She smirked and turned away, flicking his beak with her tail. As Kathranis and Secil did another lap, the cat finally managed to trip him, causing the elf to stumble toward the hard flagstones. With a few quicker steps and a flap, Aquila managed to catch him, and his teeth shined up at her as she cradled his head.

“Apologies Princess, I seem to have been defeated by a mere housecat. Perhaps I’m not worthy of our duel.”

Aquila clicked her tongue.

“Perhaps. Perhaps I should duel your familiar. He at least appears to be a good swordsgryph.”

They both looked to the cat, who was strutting around proudly, sword still firmly clamped in his jaws. The pair chuckled, and Aquila stood them up, brushing the elf off.

“Come on Shadowsong,” she chided. “You can’t look scruffy in front of Dad.”

The elf scoffed, brushing the dirt from his hair.

“I am more than certain he’s seen me at my worst, a touch of dirt won’t lower his opinion much.”

“True,” Aquila said. “But if he’s summoning you, that usually means court is in session. Plenty of nobles will be there, and this time they won’t be playing nice like at your party. They’ll see you as a threat to their power.” She tilted her head as she looked the elf up and down, quickly noticing something was missing. She smiled as Secil passed her his sword and she slid it smoothly into the sheathe on his hip. He was quick to slide the other into place and put the finishing touches on straightening out his armor.

Aquila was surprised at how quickly the elf was able to dress, but he seemed completely calm about it, running through a fast checklist to ensure everything was in place, ending it by draping his new cloak over his shoulders. He smiled at her and rested his hands on his swords.

“I think this should do nicely for an audience.”

“We’ve certainly met more powerful looking a lot worse,” Huron said, not glancing up from where he was sharpening his sword.

“Audience!” Valan squawked.

The gryphon was on his feet and in Kathranis’ face in an instant.

“An audience? With Mom and Dad? Now?!?” He began to hyperventilate, looking the elf up and down. “Alright, alright, not too bad, we’ve certainly seen worse show up…”

Kathranis offered a smile to the gryphon, then looked to Aquila, who looked visibly unhappy at being shoved away. The gryphoness saddled up to her brother and gave a single dramatic sniff.

“Can’t say the same about you. You look like you’ve been rolling in the dirt all day, and really? Just a tunic? Not really fitting the crown prince if you ask me.”

Kathranis watched as Valan’s eyes widened with alarm. He grabbed Kathranis’ shoulders.

“Meet me at the throne room entrance! I just need a minute to clean up!”

And then he was gone, leaving a dust cloud and several feathers spiraling in his wake. Aquila snorted and wrapped a wing around Kathranis, setting his feet to moving and guiding him toward the castle.

“That’s better,” she said. “Now you and I can go over proper throne room etiquette.”

Kathranis sighed, but smiled at her.

“With anyone else, it would be a subject to dread, but please do enlighten me Princess.”

The gryphoness grinned and hugged him tighter, then began to speak.

Her words carried them all the way to the throne room doors, where he continued to carefully listen to every word, as much hung up on her voice as he was attentive to the subject matter. Movement caught Kathranis’ eye as Valan came charging up, a sword belt hanging loosely from his hip, even as he tried to hang a cape over his shoulders. A spot of raised carpet proved to be the manic young gryphon’s downfall, and he tripped, hitting the ground in a bundle of feathers. The guards flanking the throne room doors snickered.

As Aquila sighed in exasperation, Kathranis chuckled and bent down, helping the gryphon to his feet. While Valan flushed crimson with embarrassment, Kathranis began to tidy up his hastily thrown on armor.

“Do go on Princess,” he said, focusing on straightening, then tightening Valan’s sword belt. A long-sword hung from it, and he briefly wondered if he should put the gryphon up against Huron. It would certainly be interesting to see how the tall creatures fought. “You were talking about addressing the nobles?”

“You’re not going to know they’re titles and positions, so I think it’s best you just wait for Dad to address them,” Aquila said, crossing her arms and scowling at Valan. “You want to offend as few of them as possible so that both sides will have the opportunity to win you over. Dad likes keeping balance with them, and unfortunately, they’re a prissy pack of featherheads who will take any opportunity to get offended. Just try to be tough…”

Kathranis snorted and smiled at her, earning him a smack to the side of his head.

“And no smiling!” she snapped. “They’re going to eat you alive if you smile too much! They eat happiness for breakfast and you…”

Kathranis’ continued smile easily ground down her offense, and she let out a sigh, then joined in tidying Valan up. She worked on his cape while Kathranis tightened the gryphon’s bracers. As he finished up and began to step back to give the gryphon one last once over, feathers embraced him, followed quickly by fur poking through a tunic. Aquila nuzzled his head and sighed.

“They really are going to eat you. Rumor says they actually tried eating a pony who smiled too much once.” She stepped back, meeting his eyes. “Could you just… try not to smile? At least a little?”

Kathranis gave her a wink, causing her cheeks to flush.

“I think your father would be disappointed if I wasn’t genuine in his court.” He stepped back and looked Valan up and down, quickly giving the gryphon a nod and a smile. “Besides, where’s the fun in making sure that every feather remains unruffled?”

He turned around, then sparing a wry smile to one of the guards, he pushed the doors open and strode forward into the throne room, with Valan flapping to catch up to the sharp stride forward.

He had a touch of experience with dealing with stuck-up nobles, and while he was certain that an older, more experienced diplomat could have abided by every little custom, he fully intended to make his presence known. One of the most important lessons he had learned was that the most important impression was a confidant one.

Gasps and hushed whispers touched his ears as he walked down the plush red carpet of the throne room. Instead of searching the crowd for the whisperers, he instead turned his eyes up, briefly admiring the towering stone ceiling. A few banners hung from on high in the pointed throne room ceiling, but they were only brief points of color in comparison to the sea that sat behind the thrones. A massive stained glass window of the rainbow-colored tree that sat in the castle gardens took center stage, casting it’s rainbow light onto the monarch and his wife, raised above everyone else on pedestals of stone. The actual thrones themselves were rather simple, but in a room that seemed to lack any sort of seating at all, they stood out, as did the pair sat upon them.

Terran wore full leather armor, though his seemed far bulkier than Kathranis’ own. The chest piece was dyed in the red and grey of his banner, with the mountains ringed in gold, making them stand out. Traditional crimson hanged from his shoulders, and in his talons rested a simply massive sword that Kathranis hesitated to call over-sized, even though it was nearly as tall as he was. Though he had met the king, had been assured of his kindness and humor, there was still something intimidating about him, though luckily that was being tampered by the curiosity, and amusement in his golden eyes.

The queen’s eyes were not so kindly. Her green eyes bore daggers into his chest, and momentarily distracted him from her priestly garbs. Her dress was made of a flow of whites, greys, and golds, meeting on her chest into another depiction of the tree, trimmed with crystals of some kind that made it shine in the same rainbow as the window behind her. Her unkind eyes were matched by Zefuris’ furious ones as he glared hateful daggers at Kathranis’ chest from his place standing beside her seat.

Both wore crowns, and both looked behind Kathranis as a guard flapped forward to stand to the right of the throne. Looking incredibly nervous, no doubt for not stopping the elf from simply storming past, he cleared his throat, then shouted;

“All kneel for his majesty the King!”

Kathranis heard the sound of hundreds falling to their knees, watched as Zefuris and Valan were quick to fall as well. He was surprised with all the noise his words cut the air as much as they did.

“While I appreciate the royal treatment, kneeling is hardly necessary. I’m just a Blademaster after all.”

He felt the slightest twitch in his eye as the joke hit the air. It had sounded better in his head, and hitting very dead air did not help it. He certainly wasn’t a jester when it came to jokes, and as the air grew even more oppressive with the weight of many a shocked glare, he felt his chest loosen as Terran cracked a smile, then threw his head back.

Loud peals of laughter spread confusion further as heads poked up from their bowed state. Scyalla stared at her husband with slack jawed disbelief as he howled with laughter, very nearly losing his grip on his sword. With a slap on his thigh that seemed to echo, Terran wiped tears from his eyes and jabbed a talon at Kathranis’ chest.

“I should have you arrested for an assassination attempt like that! Your talents are wasted fighting!”

Kathranis placed a hand over his chest and offered a slight bow.

“The good king is too kind.”

Terran let out a few chuckles as everyone climbed shakily to their feet. Whispers quickly began to abound again, but Kathranis ignored them and glanced back to find Valan staring at him with panicky eyes. He couldn’t help but offer the gryphon a reassuring wink, causing the gryphon to gulp and shuffle in place. Terran tapped the tip of his sword on the stone between his feet, drawing all eyes to him.

“Quite the entrance Blademaster,” he said, the room falling quiet once more. “I must say, I wish more diplomats would try something as bold as a joke like that.”

Kathranis set his hands on his right-hand sword hilt, leaning slightly that way.

“I think the joke would lose it’s humor after the first attempt, good King. Best it stay the one and only attempt I think. Had your sense of humor not been great, I think it would not have been so well received.”

Terran nodded, leaning back in his throne.

“True, but still, it’s creative, it’s unique! Something I have come to expect from you and your people Blademaster, and you continue to impress.”

His sword again tapped the ground, and his smile dimmed as he began addressing the entire throne room.

“Now, to the business at hand; we have already decided that the violence of the humans at our doorstep needs to be answered, and I have found allies in the zebras and the ponies-” his eyes flicked to Kathranis “-but while they are powerful, they do not have the experience you do with fighting these humans, so I ask you this; have your people decided to join our cause?”

“My people decide nothing,” Kathranis replied. “The purpose of the Talk we held this morning was merely their chance to express their thoughts on the matter, and I would do a disservice as Blademaster to reveal what their consensus was, especially given that I told them that I would make my decision on the ‘morrow.” He rolled his shoulders. “Regardless, you have still not held to your part of our agreement, so the answer to your question is a definite no.”

Terran tapped the hilt of his sword with his talons.

“Remind me of our agreement.”

Judging by the look in his eyes, the words were little more than patter, likely for the nobles around them. Willing to help the gryphon king play the part, Kathranis nodded.

“I wish to scout the humans, to verify the stories I have heard and to see if a peaceable solution might be met. I do not go to war based on rumor, and neither, I think, do you.”

“Rumor?” a voice spat from his left.

Kathranis barely turned his head, giving the hunched gryphon in shining armor a once over even as he continued to spit.

“An entire town was razed and it’s gryphons slaughtered by those wretched beasts, and you dare to question King Terran’s word on it? You should be whipped!”

“If the town’s populace was slaughtered then show me a body,” Kathranis said calmly. “Otherwise, all you have for evidence is burned buildings, and even those have likely been cleared in the past month.”

“And what of the guards who were killed in the human’s ambush?” another asked on the opposite side of the room, this time a tall gryphoness wearing a simple breastplate over a short dress of silver. “What of the attempt on Prince Valan’s life that you prevented?”

Kathranis smiled.

“A misunderstanding and a rivalry gone wrong. The Thayans have been at war for a long time, and when frightened they believe they must go on the offensive. As for the ambush Prince Valan and I were rescued from, the orc leading it was an old opponent of mine. I doubt a month of watching the shadows and building walls has done well for his state of mind. I would no more slaughter the Thayans for his actions than you would hang an owner because his dog bit you.”

“But the owner would be punished for letting his dog off the leash, no?” the gryphoness asked. “And the dog itself, would it not be put down?”

Kathranis tilted his head, answering her question with one of his own.

“That would depend on the context and information provided, would it not? Should the dog have attacked when backed into a corner, assaulted on all sides in an unfamiliar place while wounded and starving, I think attacking would be it’s only course of action left.” He forced his smile to take on an uncomfortable, but wicked glint. “Even we paltry few elves could slaughter thousands if backed into a corner.”

Veiled threats were by far his least favorite weapon to use when politicking. The problem was that they were far too effective, as demonstrated when several of the gryphons puffed up, while others shied away, their eyes on the swords he was tapping the hilts of. The gryphoness was a mix of the former and latter, puffing up while her eyes stared at the sheathed blades.

Sniffing indignantly, she looked toward Terran.

“My King, isn’t it prohibited for outsiders to carry weapons in the throne room?”

Kathranis and Terran exchanged a glance, then gryphon king looked toward the silver-dressed gryphoness.

“Blademaster Shadowsong has powerful magic at his disposal as well Duchess Ironborne, and unlike the ponies, it does not originate from a horn, or a set of wings.”

He looked back toward Kathranis.

“I could disarm him, but that would require binding his hands, and his tongue, because so far as I know, his magic works by singing.” He motioned to the elf. “But I’m sure he could explain it better than I, perhaps even demonstrate.”

Kathranis offered a slight bow.

“Apologies good King, but my magic is not performative, and is called on only in emergencies. Fordred, our wizard, would be able to display magic far surpassing my own.”

“A shame,” Terran said with a shrug. “I like a good magic show.”

He opened his beak to say more, but a thin sound filled the air as someone cleared their throat. Eyes turned to a smaller, spindly looking gryphon, though that wasn’t saying much. He about matched Kathranis in height, and in build. His voice, however, was nasally as he stared at the elf while addressing the king.

“Apologies my King, but I think we have lost ourselves in the debate of morality while ignoring the larger issue; accidental or not, decimated village or not, these humans have invaded your kingdom and have made no attempt to send emissaries to ask for your permission to settle here. If what the Blademaster says is true, and this has all been a horrible misunderstanding, the fact remains that they are trespassing and carving out territory in the center of your kingdom. It is an infringement on your crown my King, and though the word has been scarcely mentioned, that is a deceleration of war.”

Whispers abounded at the gryphon’s words, and Terran was quick to use his sword as a gavel, tapping against the stone again for silence.

“It has not yet come to war,” he said firmly, addressing the entire hall. “We are only in the opening stages of discussing such a thing, and as Blademaster Shadowsong wishes, so do I. My kingdom has not remained prosperous by throwing it into every little conflict that comes across my table, and ending thirty years of peace is not a decision to be made lightly.”

“You do address a fair point though, Duke Windbreaker,” Terran continued. “Innocent or not, the humans are invaders, and we need to begin expelling them from our lands as soon as possible before they build lives here. A dog defending it’s home is just as dangerous as one backed into a corner.”

He looked to Kathranis.

“Blademaster, take Zefuris and a battalion of my guards-”

“Zefuris’ guidance will be enough,” Kathranis interrupted. “I can blend easily in the forests and need only be shown the way. I have no desire to put anyone in danger for a simple scouting mission.”

“Very well,” Terran said with a nod. “Report to me as soon as you return, so that we may discuss what you see.”

Kathranis offered the gryphon king one last bow.

“Of course good King. If there is nothing else I will set out immediately.”

Terran began to nod, but Scylla leaned forward a touch and raised a hand, stopping Kathranis before he could turn away.

“A moment Blademaster, but I have a question for you on other matters we previously discussed.”

Kathranis did his best not to raise an eyebrow to Terran in question, but the gryphon king looked a touched confused by the queen’s query. He was still resolute in support of his queen, however, looking to Kathranis to answer in the affirmative. The elf adjusted his hands to clasp them together before him.

“Of course your Majesty,” he said. “To which matters were you referring?”

“Tomorrow is Fifthsday, and we will be holding worship in the Sanctuary of Harmony,” Scylla said. “I intend to approach your friend Fordred today to talk about his formal recognition of faith at the ceremony tomorrow, and was curious if you would be attending with your brethren.”

Ah, it’s to be an ambush then, Kathranis thought. A public ousting.

He wasn’t about to deny his goddess on a public stage though, and his response was said with a light tone, as if the matter being thrown into the public eye wasn’t a concern at all.

“What my brethren do and don’t do is there own choice, although I think you will find several that now match my faith. As for the rest, I suggest you take up the matter with them. I am not the kind of leader that would force the guidance of their heart.” He smiled just slightly, relaxing his posture. “That being said, if you would be willing to host my goddess and I during your ceremony, I would be more than happy to watch. My interest in learning about your faith is still as pure in purpose as it ever was, and Fordred would want me to be there should he participate. The choosing of one’s faith is no small thing.” He spread his hands. “But if I am unwanted, I will not force my way in. Lady Sylvanus promotes unity as much as can be borne. If that means I spend my time in prayer away from anyone else, so be it. I am at ease with isolation.”

“All are welcome in Harmony’s house,” Scylla said with narrowed eyes. “To attempt otherwise would be blasphemy against her every principle.”

Kathranis flashed a smile and bowed low, a hand across his chest.

“Then I shall attend good Queen. I hope to learn much, to bring our goddesses together. I think Harmony would appreciate a friend that is her equal.”

Those words were dangerous, he knew that. He loved his Lady, but even she would be among the first to admit that she was far from being Harmony’s equal. Any goddess who had been alone for millennia was peerless, was powerful enough to make anyone feel like an ant, even a mighty Faerun goddess. An uncontested religion sitting for who knew how long was equally as dangerous, but though her beak was twisted in an irritated grin, Scylla’s words were still even, far more than he thought they would be at least.

“Perhaps,” she said. “I’m sure if such a thing were possible, Harmony would be overjoyed. We shall see, shall we not?”

Kathranis recognized the official olive branch, even as the air began to cool. His mere mention of a “foreign” goddess had likely stirred the same sort of demonic dribble the queen had first thrown at him, but here, for all to see, was a public recognition that she would be personally handling him and his goddess. The ambush he thought it was was actually an attempt to curb nasty rumors that may lead to mistrust. A public ousting and a public handling he could stand behind. Using “we” was a nice touch, one he had to follow in his reply.

“Indeed we shall, good Queen,” he said. “If there will be nothing else however…?” He looked between the gryphon king and queen, and when neither spoke, he nodded and turned. “Come along then good Prince. We have some scouting to do.”

*****

Kathranis tried to ignore the rustling of Secil in the tree above as he lay in the dirt with a gryphon on either side. They sat at the edge of the dense forests that still reigned supreme outside the walls of Stonetalon Peak, and so far as he could tell, the only reason the forest ended here was because of the Thayans. There were dozens of empty holes where he imagined trees used to be, but he didn’t understand why the Thayans were spending time removing stumps, especially given the nature of their fortifications.

The elf watched as a wizard draped in red hovered in the air, arcane sigils faintly glowing around him. Though they were too far away to hear anything, Kathranis knew the man was speaking as he waved his hands around. The earth shook for a moment, then a mass of dirt and stone ripped free from the ground, floating toward the man. More hand waving caused all of the dirt and excess stone to fall back into the newly created hole, while the newly carved square of solid rock floated onto an incomplete section of the towering walls.

“I guess we know how they’re doing all of this so quickly now,” Valan muttered.

“It’s rather clever, making a moat and a wall at the same time,” Kathranis said. “What surprises me is the wizards doing manual labor. They take slaves for that, they’d even make the soldiers do it before they lifted a finger, so what are they so afraid of to so demean themselves?”

Zefuris shot a look his direction.

“And you allied with these creatures?”

Kathranis sighed.

“Lesser of two evils I’m afraid, but they knew better than to conduct any abuses around my brethren and I, so if nothing else, we reduced their vicious nature with our presence. In the face of an army of undeath, it was enough.”

Zefuris grunted, then looked back across the field.

“Just so long as you don’t try to introduce that behavior here. We get enough hassle from the ponies.”

Kathranis blinked, then looked toward the armored gryphon.

“I had heard tale about warmongering, but what else do the ponies do? Princess Luna seems a kind, if mildly irritable, sort.”

Instead of looking toward him, Zefuris looked toward Valan with a scowl.

“I thought you were supposed to be educating Master Shadowsong.”

Valan shrugged.

“Aquila’s been saying she would set something up, and it’s only been a couple days. He’s hardly going to be up to date on every little bit of world history.”

“He’s a brand new ally, and he’s your responsibility,” Zefuris growled. “Is a few measly days enough for you to forget the significance of a life debt?” He snorted in disgust and looked back to the field as the red wizard carved up another block of stone. “I am ashamed that I thought you’d finally started to stop being just a petulant child.”

Valan’s wings drooped, and he looked toward the ground in shame. Kathranis reached out and patted his shoulder, drawing him to eye contact.

“It’s no problem good Prince, you have been performing well, keeping me safe and making sure that I’ve been recovering from injuries while slowly introducing me to the world at large. I can appreciate an approach where I’m not overwhelmed with information.” His eyes flicked up to Zefuris. “I’m sure your father would be proud that you silently accepted this dangerous mission without complaint.”

Valan didn’t look back to the other gryphon, seemingly knew that that would be too obvious. He did, however, perk up slightly, waiting on Zefuris to reply. The armored gryphon huffed.

“He definitely noticed the lack of complaining,” he said with a grumble. He met Kathranis’ eyes, and the elf tilted his head slightly, prompting him to continue. Zefuris snarled at him. “I will not assist you in coddling the whelp. He needs to learn strength if he ever hopes to live up to the shadow of his father’s crown, let alone to the burden of actually wearing it.”

“If strength was all that were required to rule, then perhaps you’d better go bow down to the Thayans,” Kathranis said, extending a hand toward the red wizard. “Because I can assure you, lifting stones is far from the limit of their strength.” To Valan he said; “You are still young, and learning. Do not strive for perfection in every task; it will only lead to a concern for failure that will cause failures uncountable. Just keep trying to be better. That is all anyone can ask of you.”

Valan managed a weak grin to match Kathranis’ smile, and though his eyes flicked again to Zefuris, he seemed more comfortable with not having the gryphon’s approval.

“I guess to answer your question, Blademaster, the ponies have been known to keep humans as slaves.” He motioned to the red wizard. “But our humans are nothing like yours. Ours cannot do magic, can’t even speak anything but their own little grunting language.”

“They’re barely better than boars,” Zefuris grumbled. “Though they can be more dangerous in packs, and don’t have enough meat to consider hunting.”

“I am choosing to ignore the thought of eating other humanoid creatures and instead ask this; are the ponies cruel? Do the humans of your world live like people, or like beasts, or something less?”

Valan shrugged.

“I only visited a pony city once, and from my understanding, it was fairly small. From what I saw, they just used them as free labor.”

“It’s as mixed as I expect your humans treat their slaves,” Zefuris said. “Humans are not the same as the rest of us that walk on two legs. They don’t build, they don’t love. They breed and they hunt, and that is all. They are like wolves, save for the fact that they are far easier to tame.” He shrugged. "It is much like the whelp said; they are mostly free labor. Just smart enough to pull a cart or lift a stone, just stupid enough to not cause problems when they're whipped."

“Then why does Stonetalon Peak not have humans?” Kathranis asked. “If they are no more than dogs, it should not be so great a sin to use them.”

Zefuris frowned.

“Perhaps it is pride, or perhaps the mere horror of the thought, but gryphons do not take slaves. We have prisoners, we have criminals, but we do not take slaves. Criminals can be rehabilitated or executed. Prisoners can be sold to their mother nation or turned to serve the crown. A slave?” He shuddered, his wings shifting with a squashed urge to flap. “A useful slave has to be broken down to nothing, and once you’ve hit that point, that creature is never anything more than a slave.”

“You have experience,” Kathranis stated.

Zefuris’s head slowly turned.

“I am a warrior, Blademaster. I am old enough to have fought the Warlords, and I saw what they were capable of before their change of heart. Just because the whelp beside you wasn’t born yet, doesn’t mean their change to “princesses” isn’t recent.”

He turned back to the field.

“The Warlords had to rebuild the kingdoms they crushed, and since ponies were either dead or needed for more wars, they made slaves of all their enemies. It’s why King Terran made a show of eating a pony general when they enslaved a village the first time.” His scowl grew darker. “I knew some of the guards of that village, and they devoured the next pony they met. There was nothing left inside them, just instinct, and when their king set a standard, they were all too keen to follow, especially since it meant killing what they saw as their abusers.” He shuddered again. “We don’t play intimidation games like that anymore for good reason.”

Kathranis nodded, his face slightly green.

“I think that’s for the best,” he said.

“It unease's you to hear that we ate a pony?” Zefuris asked, side-eyeing the elf.

“It should unease you to speak of it,” Kathranis said. “I’ve done equally horrifying things, but speaking of them is a torment. I assume that anyone I talk to about such matters is put ill-at-ease.”

“Then you should be wary, Blademaster, because gryphons are a hardy stock that do not shy away from horrors.”

Kathranis’ eyes narrowed, even as Valan spoke out.

“Zefuris, stop. It’s not your place, and my father would not appreciate you calling our ally a coward.”

“He’s not our ally yet, and I am the King’s Guard,” Zefuris barked. “My place will always involve curbing the foolishness of the royal whelps.”

“Keep your voice down,” Kathranis hissed. “And more importantly, what in the Lady’s name are you talking about? What foolishness has occurred aside from you calling me weak? Do remember, Zefuris, that I saved you from those “boar”-ish humans of yours, and I did so without fear or difficulty.”

“I am talking about the games you play with Princess Aquila,” Zefuris growled. “Don’t play ignorant. The castle is alive with rumor about what you and that girl have been up to.”

Something about his words caused Kathranis’ eye to twitch, and he matched the large gryphon’s snarl with one of his own.

“Aquila is a fine princess, and you of all people should know better than to demean her. Furthermore, King’s Guard, our friendship is no concern of yours, especially given the fact that it is her treatment that has had me keep my people in Stonetalon Peak instead of retreating to a safe place to think on what lies ahead. I’d suggest you leave Princess Aquila’s business to Princess Aquila.”

Kathranis looked to the red wizard who still hovered, carving up another massive block of stone. The elf couldn’t drive away the irritation Zefuris had caused to well up inside of him however.

“I’ve seen enough,” he snarled.

He then crawled backward, getting to his feet as soon as there was additional cover between him and the Thayan camp. Rustling in the bushes was quick to follow, and a few wing flaps helped Zefuris to get out in front of the elf. Kathranis paused as the gryphon blocked his path, a mildly sympathizing look on his face.

“Blademaster, I apologize for my words,” Zefuris said. “I was wrong to believe your relationship with Aquila a game.” Just as Kathranis relaxed slightly and opened his mouth to speak, Zefuris continued. “My point still stands however. Everyone speaks about the pair of you, and I am offering this warning; back away. Princess Aquila needs to find a proper gryphon suitor, and Queen Scylla will tolerate no less.”

Kathranis blinked at the gryphon, then his face curled once more into a snarl.

“Then I again ask; what in the Lady’s name are you talking about? Aquila isn’t trying to bed me, she’s trying to win me over, a task she was easily succeeding in until you insulting me, until you started speaking of suitors when she is nothing more than a good friend.” Kathranis stalked forward, grazing the gryphon’s feathers as he brushed past. “I again suggest you leave the princess’s business to herself, as all you’re succeeding in doing is mucking it up.”

Perhaps he should have remained quieter, should have kept track of his steps, but Kathranis found that he didn’t care for silent steps at the moment. He stormed through the forest, not caring if the pair of gryphons were at his back, or rather, the gryphon. He held no anger toward Valan, in fact pitied the young gryphon. If Zefuris was the one teaching him every life lesson, of course he had grown immature! More than likely the young prince was smothered under the weight of “protection”, never allowed to make mistakes, never allowed to actually grow into his own man.

While part of him was resolved to fix that, to help Valan grow into a fine young gryphon, Kathranis found himself still fuming on Zefuris’ comments on Aquila’s friendship… because was he wrong? Was he truly acting the role of a suitor? Was he growing enemies when his people needed every ally available? He had thought gryphons just overly friendly, a touch more physical than other races, yet it was only Aquila who was such. Her and Deyenidal, who was actively pursuing Fordred…

Kathranis shook off the thought and marched into a new one as Secil dropped from the trees and fell in step beside him. He would ask. It was that simple. He would ask, and likely make a fool of himself, but that was the only way to make sure he didn’t risk what little he had so far guaranteed for his people. Depending on how she answered…

He wasn’t quite sure what he wanted the answer to be. On one hand, he wanted to be right, wanted to prove to Zefuris and any other doubters that she was merely acting from a strong position, that she was merely being the best princess the gryphon kingdom could hope for. In that light she was far stronger, far more selfless, and few things could make him happier than to see her as such a true, brilliant friend.

One of those things, however, was the potential for the other answer. The thought wouldn’t leave him alone. He enjoyed her embrace, and deep in his thoughts was a wish for more. He was aware of the danger of such thoughts, was aware that he would outlive the gryphoness, was aware that he would likely have to forsake his position as Blademaster, unless his people agreed to stay with him, but picturing Aquila… She was beautiful, she was intelligent, and clever and strong-willed, just like Zefuris said. With a blush, Kathranis found that he wouldn’t mind being with such a woman, even if he would lose much to gain her hand. She respected his goddess however, and that would be enough. Huron at already taken steps to become Blademaster anyway, it was a natural conclusion to when they thought him dead.

Yes, he would ask, and what came, he was prepared for. As his thoughts drifted toward the more likely of the two answers, however, Kathranis found that he felt less prepared than he would have liked.

Chapter 20

As soon as they were in the castle grounds again, Kathranis began to march toward the training grounds. Though it was likely she had moved on, it was the last place he had been with Aquila before she escorted him to his meeting with the king, and had he been in her position, he would have returned to the spot. If nothing else, somebody might know where she had gone.

His hunch was proven right as a joyful cry welcomed his stalking form into the training grounds. A shadow passed over his body, then Aquila was before him, a smile shining on her beak.

“Back so soon Shadowsong? Eager to get your butt kicked by a princess maybe?”

Despite himself, Kathranis couldn’t help but feel his sour mood lift, and he smiled weakly back.

“It does not take long to observe, Princess, and in truth, I just wanted to speak with you before I went to see your father.”

Aquila’s eyes twinkled, matching her grin.

“So that’s a yes then?”

Kathranis sighed.

“I should speak with the king first before doing any sort of dueling, Princess. Apologies, but if I may-.”

Aquila groaned and threw her head back.

“Back and forth, back and forth, endless talking! Shadowsong, you are going to duel me now or so help me I will take you flying again.”

A small part of him almost wanted to test her, because while flying with the gryphoness was terrifying, it did mean he would be wrapped in her strong, fluffy arms.

Kathranis blushed and struggled not to scratch at his forehead as he stuttered and sputtered, trying to think of something to say. Aquila rolled her eyes, and he blinked as she seized his arm and pulled him deeper into the training grounds. He felt he looked quite bewildered as she led him past dozens of gryphons. Most of them stopped in their training as she dragged him further on, and while most of the reactions were of shock, Kathranis could have sworn he saw the flash of coins changing hands in the afternoon sunlight, matched only by the bright smiles of the winners.

He soon found himself on one end of a small arena, and Aquila skipped toward the opposite end, where both Deyenidal and Dranidal were waiting. Kathranis looked out beyond the ropes marking the edges of the arena and found a small crowd, including all of his elves, who were, much like the gryphons, exchanging bets. Loud chatter mixed with a few cheers, finally jostling him from his stupor. A small black form wove through the crowd, eventually trotting into the open area of their arena. The cat made directly for Kathranis, his tail lashing in the air as he approached.

‘Are you sure this is a good idea?’ Secil asked, hopping up onto the small table where Kathranis imagined most people prepared their weapons and armor. He carried everything, however, and had no need to prepare. Even his cloak, heavy though it was, served a purpose in combat, and so remained around his shoulders.

Kathranis continued to look across the arena where Aquila was arming herself. Dranidal was whispering something while putting steel armor over the gryphoness’ wings, while Deyenidal sat smiling, likely humming as she sharpened Aquila’s sword.

‘What do you mean?’ Kathranis thought back to his familiar. ‘Duels are common, and this is clearly just a friendly bout, not some death match.’

‘Win or lose, this won’t look good for you,’ Secil thought, settling down on the table. ‘You win, you embarrass the princess or worse, some spy who has it out for you takes a full measure of how good a fighter you are. Lose, you embarrass yourself and maybe lessen the “legendary” rumors currently keeping everyone fed and sheltered.’

‘The life debt still meets those means,’ Kathranis thought. His eyes flicked to the side as Valan flapped into the air above the crowd, quickly flying to his side of the arena. ‘But I see your point. I will try to make it a draw, merely give a small showing to feed the rumor mill a touch more.’

Secil’s eyes smiled with delight and he rested his head on his paws.

‘Good cub. That’s what I wanted to be sure of.’

“Shadowsong, you shouldn’t do this,” Valan said as he touched down. “Some will take it as a sign.”

“A sign of what?” Kathranis asked. “It’s mere sparring. If it weren’t a princess, we wouldn’t even draw attention.”

Valan fidgeted nervously, looking over his shoulder toward where Zefuris stood. The white-feathered gryphon scowled, staring directly at the pair with his arms crossed across his broad chest. Valan gulped as he stared at the elder gryphon, then looked back to Kathranis.

“Very technically,” Valan said in a low tone. “A public duel is the first sign of-”

“Quite playing gossip with my brother Shadowsong!” Aquila called across the arena. “No amount of talking is going to stop me from kicking your butt!”

Kathranis rolled his eyes and smiled at Valan.

“See? There are no signs here my friend. If anything, your sister is likely just trying to get my measure so she can try to manipulate me more. It’s all in good spirit.”

The gryphon looked like he wanted to say more, but Kathranis gave him a wink and strode forward, moving to meet Aquila, who was already waiting in the center of the arena with her guards. The gryphoness looked fantastic in full armor, even wore a shining helmet that seemed only to enhance her appearance. The facial slits framed her face beautifully, and her emerald eyes seemed to glow in the shade the helmet provided. A longsword rested easily in one of her hands, and a small buckler rested mid-way up her non-dominate forearm. Dranidal gave Kathranis a slight nod as he stopped a step away from Aquila, but he had eyes only for his opponent, feeling his face flush slightly as his hands gripped the hilts of his swords nervously. She smiled back, her eyes shining as Dranidal spoke to the crowd.

“This is a sporting duel between the challenger, Princess Aquila of Stonetalon Peak-” Kathranis’ eyes flicked to the side as a roar of cheers rang out, including from some of his kin “-and the defender, Kathranis Shadowsong of the Elves!” His eyes narrowed as Riven let out a particularly loud boo, but his smile returned as Huron gave the larger elf’s head a shove. “This is a fight to surrender and holds no penalties for the loser.”

Her voice dropped, and she caught Kathranis’ eyes, waving Aquila and Deyenidal away. As they moved a few steps back, she spoke.

“My Lady already knows the rules, and though I expect you are familiar with duels like these, I shall repeat them regardless. Avoid fatal or crippling injuries, and those intended strictly to cause pain. Guards are watching from the sidelines who will beat you to a pulp if you go out of your way to harm Princess Aquila.” Her gaze hardened. “They will only do so after my sister and I are finished with you. Fight clean, Blademaster.”

Kathranis’ eyebrow raised.

“I should be insulted that you think so low of me.”

The gryphoness’ gaze didn’t change.

“It is a threat I would deliver to the king if I thought it necessary. Princess Aquila is my ward and will be so ‘till my dying day. There is nothing in this world I would not protect her from.” Her gaze finally softened. “And I do apologize Master Shadowsong. I don’t believe you would harm my Lady, and in fact I believe that very soon you and I will be much in the same in protecting her.”

Kathranis’ eyes drifted to Aquila, who was still staring at him, even as Deyenidal whispered what was likely combat advice into her ear. Their eyes met, and again the heat in his cheeks rose. His heart hurt slightly as he thought of the words he would soon have to ask her, hurt in fear of what the answer would be. Oh how perfect this new world could be…

“If only she’d have me…” he mumbled, the words slipping out as his thought finished.

His cheeks immediately blushed deeper and he stopped staring at the gryphoness, instead looking to the ground at Dranidal’s feet. He prayed she hadn’t heard him, that his slip up had been imaginary, but a glance up found the gryphoness smiling gently at him. His eyes flicked down again and he thumbed the hilts of his swords.

“Anything else I should know?” he asked, trying to make sure his voice didn’t shake.

“Keep yourself protected, fight well,” she said, all hint of threat absent from her voice. “Aquila is well trained and can handle herself, don’t underestimate her, or you’ll look a fool.”

She nodded toward Valan.

“Retreat ten paces, I will call the duel to start.”

Kathranis gave her a nod, then straightened and stared straight ahead as he walked back, trying not to imagine whispers abounding from the crowd. He took a few calming breathes, then turned, keeping an even expression on his face as Deyenidal gave Aquila a pat on the back, then backed away. The duelists met each other’s eyes again, each watching the other carefully as Dranidal moved to the side of the arena.

“If the fighters are ready?” Dranidal asked, looking to Kathranis first, then Aquila. Both nodded. Dranidal’s wings flared and she flapped back, landing on a small bench overlooking the arena.

“Then begin.”

Kathranis stepped to the side as a slash came flying through the air toward his chest. Aquila barreled by, seemingly surprised that he had chosen to avoid her blistering attack rather than meet it head on. He turned, keeping one foot firmly planted in place as she halted her momentum with a flap. She landed on her feet, then with another flap, launched herself at him again, sword leading. Kathranis again stepped aside, keeping his swords sheathed and his foot planted as she missed once more, the blade of her sword cutting close, but not near enough to cause him any worry.

Aquila landed and turned again, flaring her wings and taking a deep breath before approaching him slowly on foot. Kathranis smile and he began to circle, causing her to move likewise. Her eyes looked him up and down as they circled one another.

“You’re fast,” she said. “Guess you’re already better than humans.”

“Not better, just different,” Kathranis corrected. “I am no better than a human than you a butterfly. We each have our strengths, for example, you are better at missing than I am.”

His light barb was met by a round of laughter and jeers from the crowd, and a huff from Aquila. She flapped her wings, sending dust into the air. Kathranis squinted, his taunting grin not fading. Aquila grinned back.

“Sharp tongue Shadowsong, but I’m the only one fighting here. You’re just dancing. Do I need to get you a dress?”

“I’m afraid you’d look better in such than I, Princess,” Kathranis replied.

As he noticed her cheeks redden, he stepped forward, his fingers tightening on his swords as he prepared to draw. Aquila moved first, however, jabbing twice at his chest before slashing at his throat. Kathranis dipped left, then right, finally ducking under the slash. With each move he stepped closer, and as he rose from his duck, he reversed his grip on his scimitar hilt, yanking it up to slam into the gryphoness’ chin. Her beak clacked and she stumbled back, but Kathranis let her go, not pressing the attack, instead deciding to re-sheathe the blade and straighten back into place.

“Quit going for the kill!” Deyenidal bellowed from Aquila’ sideline. “Make him draw those fucking swords or I’ll throttle you, hatchling!”

Aquila rubbed her chin, glaring over Kathranis’ shoulder at her coach.

“You told me to be aggressive and own the fight! It’s not my fault he’s thinner than a snake!”

“I said own the fight, not swing for his head! Fast attacks, from all angles! Take to the air and-”

Kathranis cleared his throat, interrupting Deyenidal’s ranting. The large gryphoness met his eyes with a furious glare that he met with a smile and a tilt of his head.

“I think the best learning experience for Princess Aquila would be one where she does the planning, yes?”

“Thank you!” Dranidal shouted.

Kathranis blinked and looked toward the lithe gryphoness, along with what he assumed was the entire crowd. Her feathers puffed up slightly, and she looked away, coughing into her hand. Kathranis snorted and looked back to Deyenidal, who was staring hard at the ground. Though she looked like she wanted to protest, Deyenidal simply crossed her arms and looked away with a huff.

“Whatever.” To Aquila she shouted; “You should still attack from the top! He hasn’t got any wings! That’s an advantage!”

“Fine!” Aquila snapped.

She immediately took flight with a flap of her wings, soaring high into the eye. Kathranis closed one eye and squinted up, following her shadow in the sunlight. She seemed to be going very high, and he had to lean back to continue tracking her. Then, in a barely visible change of direction, she was plunging at the ground. It took her only a precious few seconds to descend, the tight spiral that she speeding her a long cracking with energy. At the last second, she changed direction, landing on her feet just behind him. With another wing flap her direction shifted again and she flipped, her sword carving a high arc at his back. Kathranis kept easy track of the blade, again stepping forward to avoid it, only to grunt as a shield slammed into his nose. The punch was followed by a jab from her sword, which Kathranis slapped aside, lashing out with his right leg. His foot grazed feathers as Aquila danced backward, giving him a moment to recover, much like had given her.

Kathranis gave the gryphoness a nod of gratitude as he gingery touched his nose with his thumb, making sure it wasn’t broken. Though it was now sore, nothing seemed out of place, aside from the steady stream of blood flowing forth. Kathranis pressed hard on the lesser offending nostril, then blew, sending a spray of blood from his nose. It did halt the bleeding, however, and Kathranis cleared the other side as well before looking to Aquila with a grin.

“Let’s actually fight now, shall we?”

Aquila grinned back and dropped into a combat stance, her tail lashing back and forth.

“Let’s.”

Kathranis drew his swords slowly, then held them low for a moment. The pair stared at each other for a long moment, then both leapt forward. Kathranis batted aside a stroke aimed for his chest and responded with a slash at Aquila’s shield arm. She easily blocked the attack with her buckler, trying again to strike at his chest. Kathranis dipped to her right and used the flat of his blade to slap her sword hand. She let out a hiss that let him know the blow stung, but she kept her hold on the blade, slashing this time for his belly. Kathranis stepped back, deflecting a sword jab and dodging another attempted shield punch. As the gryphoness prepared to launch another jab, Kathranis surged forward, slapping aside her sword arm with one sword and sent a stab toward her neck with the other. He made sure to not fully send the attack, and he winced as Aquila over-reacted, turning her head to protect her throat. The result was the blade biting into her cheek, drawing a plainly visible cut, even with the shadow of the helmet.

Kathranis immediately withdrew, going so far as to sheathe a sword as he tilted his head, trying to see how bad the bleeding was. A call came from Dranidal, however, and the gryphoness’ flaring wings drew his eyes.

“First blood to Blademaster Shadowsong!” Dranidal called. “Healer to the fore.”

Aquila huffed and ripped off her helmet as a unicorn rose from the front of the crowd and trotted into the arena. The orange mare, a stocky sort, tutted and touched at the wound with her hands, even as Aquila rolled her eyes.

“It’s just a scratch!” she complained as the unicorn’s horn began to glow in amber light. “And Shadowsong barely even did anything! I turned into it more than he hit me!”

Kathranis couldn’t help but feel slightly conflicted about the comment. He felt simultaneously glad she thought it was nothing, as well as slightly offended that Aquila thought it was her mistake, not his carefully directed sword stroke that had wounded her. He brushed the later feeling away, replacing it with worry as Dranidal responded.

“Princess, I can either give him first blood or the attack he was going for, which would end the match. Are you saying you’d like to surrender?”

“Never!” Aquila and Deyenidal cried.

The larger gryphoness flapped up to her sister as the unicorn continued to heal Aquila’s cut.

“This is a load of wolf shit!” Deyenidal spat. “First blood should have been when she broke his nose, not some little parchment cut he got lucky with!”

“First blood is first cut, as per the standard-”

“Wolf shift!” Deyenidal screeched. “If I have to come up there-”

“Get back on your side, or I’ll throw you out of the match again,” Dranidal snapped. “I swear, you make a scene every time!”

The two set to bickering, and Kathranis noticed the flashing of silver changing hands amongst the gryphons in the crowd. He looked nervously to Aquila, who met his eyes. As soon as the cut was finished closing, Aquila thanked the unicorn and shooed her away, then stalked toward him. Kathranis sheathed his other sword as she approached, but didn’t break their gaze as she stopped barely inches away from him.

“That won’t happen again,” she growled, pressing her forehead against hers.

He searched her eyes for any sign of play, but found a great deal of what he was sure was fury. Kathranis swallowed dryly, wondering briefly if he had just blown all goodwill with one swing of his sword.

“A-apologies Aquila, I didn’t mean to…”

He winced as a hurt look entered her eyes, but it was quickly chased with confusion, then understanding. Her beak curled into a small, almost invisible smile.

“Shadowsong, this is the part where you throw another one of those cute little jabs of yours. Part of a gryphon duel is the showmanship.” She chuckled and she nodded toward where Deyenidal and Dranidal were squawking at one another. “Though it’s hard to beat that kind of show.” Her eyes twinkled. “But go ahead and try. You’re already much better at this than most gryphons I’ve fought, and I want to see this get good.”

“R-right,” Kathranis stuttered. “Then, um, next time, try to… dodge… better?”

Aquila blinked at him, then chuckled. Her hands seized his armor and she yanked him close, her breath hot in his ear.

“You’re adorable Shadowsong. I love that.”

She then shoved him back a few steps, a savage glare returning to her beak. She turned away with a growl and a lashing tail that left him standing more than a little confused. She… She couldn’t possibly… His heart, however, couldn’t let the notion slide. She’d said love. That was a very particular word, and while friends could love, he held out a hope that she meant more, especially as she looked back over her shoulder and winked at him. Kathranis found his throat dry as he stared after the gryphoness, even as Valan trotted up behind him, offering a skin of water.

“What did she say?” Valan asked. “She didn’t go too far did she?”

Kathranis shook his head, still staring after the gryphoness as he held the water skin, idly taking a small drink to wet his tongue. The air was warmer now, and he could feel a few beads of sweat on his back.

“She… she said she’d repay me in kind for cutting her,” he lied, not wishing to tell Aquila’s younger brother her words and potentially reveal his rapidly developing feelings.

Valan frowned at his answer, casting a glance across the arena before looking back to the elf.

“I can take your place in the duel if you’d like Shadowsong. It’s well within your rights as my debt holder if you think this duel is beneath you.”

Kathranis handed the water skin back to the gryphon.

“It’s in good sport Valan, and I’d look a coward if I opened a cut on the princess’s face and then had you fight for me.” He flashed a grin. “Besides, we haven’t even truly begun fighting yet.”

Valan still looked nervous, but Kathranis could feel the energy in the air again, could feel Aquila’s eyes on him. He met the gryphoness’s gaze and winked, and she grinned in reply, putting her helmet back on. Valan watched the look pass between the two, then stepped back with a sigh. Kathranis drew his scimitars and walked forward slowly. Aquila brandished her sword and did the same. As they drew closer to one another, their steps quickened until they were both running. Aquila reached their meeting point a second quicker, and she swung her sword, the blade leaping across at his chest. Kathranis saw the slash coming and decided to follow Aquila’s advice, playing into his prideful, showman side. He tucked his blades across his chest and hopped in a roll over the attack, landing neatly on his knees behind the gryphoness and slashing in an ‘x’ at her back. The gryphoness pivoted on her heel and her shield dipped just in time to catch the attack, his enchanted scimitars leaving thin marks in the paint. Kathranis still smiled as he looked up at the gryphoness, and she matched his expression, grinning back.

Aquila spun, lashing out with her wings. Kathranis avoided by rolling backward, then popping to his feet, batting aside a quick pair of jabs that poked at him just as he left the roll. Aquila followed as he stepped backward, so Kathranis decided to plant one foot, then dipped to the left of another jab aimed at his chest. One of Aquila’s wings attempted to block his escape of her assault, but it was too slow, and he managed to slip away, lashing out with a scimitar as he did so. Aquila turned, and the attack scored her sword arm, managing to cut through one of the straps of her arm guard, as well as drawing another line of blood.

Kathranis skipped backward as he heard a loud groan from Deyenidal, as well as another call from Dranidal.

“Second blood to Master Shadowsong!”

Kathranis straightened and looked her way, waiting for her to call for a healer. He faintly noticed a smile on the gryphoness’s beak, then he was dodging a sword. Kathranis leaned back from the blade first, then dipped beneath it. The third stroke he batted aside, but he couldn’t counter as Aquila’s shield speared between them, very nearly slamming into his chin. Aquila growled as she spun in a circle, the blades on her wings cutting the air between them as Kathranis again backed away. He took a breath, launching an attack with his left hand to pin her shield while his right locked down her sword. Aquila responded by lashing out with her head, again striking his nose. Kathranis grunted and stepped back, turning as the gryphoness made to follow. He shoved forward with his shoulder and pushed her away, then lashed out with his right blade, keeping the left one close to repel her next attack. Aquila slapped aside the right sword, then held for a moment, her eyes flicking up and down for a few precious seconds.

Then she was on the attack again.

Kathranis remained on the defensive, occasionally poking at Aquila’s defenses, but primarily just blocking, and dodging. The gryphoness was all aggression, and he could see why. Even on the smaller end for her species, she was strong. Were he a lesser swordsman, unable to turn away the force of her hits, he imagined his arms would ache. Coupled with near lightning speed that only the enchantments in his tattoos were helping him keep up with, she was truly a force to be reckoned with. It made him almost fear what other, more experienced gryphons could do. He parried a strike aimed at his chest, then another aimed for his throat. Aquila’s sword poked at his cheek, then his chest, then his throat again, and Kathranis frowned. All of the attacks were coming in high, and a second later, he realized way. Glancing down found Aquila’s tail wrapping slowly around his calf. He smiled. Just as it tightened and she prepared to yank him off his feet, he took a step back and performed the manuver first. He pulled as hard as he could with the tail wrapped leg, and the gryphoness stumbled as the yank caused her to yelp and threw her off balance. Kathranis turned his right scimitar so that the blade was safely hidden behind his arm, then clotheslined Aquila as she stumbled toward him.

The gryphoness went down with a grunt that was echoed with a sharp gasp from the crowd, and she landed flat on her back. The tail around his leg fell away, and more groans and worried mutters sounded from the crowd as she lay still, staring at the sky as she caught her breath. Kathranis moved away, sheathing his blades as he did so, giving her plenty of time to recover. As moved back toward his side, an eye over his shoulder. The gryphoness slowly sat up and rubbed at her jaw, glaring at him. A flash of worry hit his mind, and he couldn’t but ask;

“Are you alright? I hope I didn’t break anything.”

Aquila snorted.

“Not for lack of trying.”

Kathranis chuckled and spread his hands.

“I was told not hold back, Princess. That means using the library of tricks I’ve picked up over the decades.”

He tried not to flinch as her first attempt to push herself to her feet resulted in her falling back on her rump. Giving her more time to recover, Kathranis looked into the crowd. He found his brother, who seemed to understand his unspoken askance. The elder elf drew his longsword and tossed it through the air. Kathranis caught the blade by its hilt. Giving the longer, straighter sword a few practice swings, he looked to Valan, who was watching him with a touch of awe.

“I actually learned that trick,” he nodded toward Aquila, “from the orc you fought, Galdug. He used to fight Yuan-ti, a snake-like people. They liked using their tails, and so adapted. Before he started to hate me, he taught me that move.”

“That doesn’t explain how you got so good at it,” Aquila said, finally getting to her feet just as Deyenidal ran up. The gryphoness rolled her shoulders, then cracked her neck back and forth before brandishing her sword.

Kathranis took a fencing pose opposite her, still grinning as he kept his sword tip pointed to the ground.

“It’s all practice, Princess,” He glanced back at Valan. “Practice every day, without fail. Practice, practice, practice.”

Aquila flapped her wings and took a deep breath as she again stood off against him. Kathranis waited with a patient smile, savoring the cool mountain breeze, even as it caused a stray lock of hair to flap like a flag on a windy day.

Kathranis walked slowly forward, and Aquila remained in place, seemingly content to let him be on the offense for a spell. He stood a swords-length away from the gryphoness, then offered a bow. She snorted, her cheeks blushed as he glanced up. Kathranis smiled and straightened, then he attacked. He varied his pattern, moving between jabs and slashes as easily as drawing breath, keeping one hand tucked behind his back. Aquila easily picked off the initial attacks, responding with a few jabs from her wings, which Kathranis avoided with similar ease. Seeing his attacks were going nowhere, Kathranis picked up the pace, aiming lower to force the gryphoness to move more. As even this strategy saw no yield, he drew a dagger from his boot, occasionally throwing small feints to cause her to second guess what she should block, and what she should merely ignore.

Kathranis slipped beneath a counter attack aimed to drive him backward, and instead did the opposite, pressing forward with his knife aimed toward Aquila’s throat. As he moved, he caught a twinkle in the gryphoness’s eyes, and he knew instantly that he’d been had. Her shield slammed into his face again, and he couldn’t help but drop Huron’s sword. She pushed forward, trying to shove him onto his back, but with his now free hand, Kathranis managed to catch himself in a partial hand stand. He spun his feet in the air to try and correct his momentum so that he’d land on them, but Aquila kicked out the hand supporting him and he fell with a grunt.

Kathranis threw the dagger up in a last ditch effort to drive the gryphoness away, and judging by the sudden sunshine in his eyes, he felt the effort worked. He rolled backward and to his feet, drawing both scimitars a second too slow. Aquila’s sword bit into his left arm near the shoulder, drawing a hiss from the elf as he used his right sword to slap the offending blade away. He immediately lashed out with the left, stopping it just short as Aquila froze in her advance, the blade hanging dangerously near to her throat. Kathranis took the moment to catch his breath, with Aquila meeting his eyes with a surprised look.

Kathranis took one last deep breath, then let the sword drop.

“Shall we continue?” he said, his lips flickering into a smile.

Tension slumped from Aquila’s shoulders, and she matched his smile. Her sword didn’t raise, however. Instead, she nodded to his left arm, and Kathranis looked, surprised to find a steady stream of blood pattering to the ground, threatening to stain his boots. Dranidal let out a call for a healer, and the same orange unicorn that treated Aquila trotted forth, clicking her tongue as she gently spread the wound with her thumbs.

“This will take a few minutes to fully heal,” she said loudly, looking toward Dranidal. “Princess Aquila caught a thin piece between the armor, the cut is deep.”

“Finally,” Aquila sighed. “I thought I was never going to do anything but bruise your nose.” She moved closer, looking over the pony’s shoulder as her horn set alight, slowly closing the wound. “It isn’t too deep though, is it?”

The pony frowned.

“Ah will not say. It’ll color the duel.”

“I’ll hold back less,” Kathranis said. “You can be honest. I was wounded because I underestimated Princess Aquila’s tenacity. I rarely make mistakes twice.”

He hissed as the gryphoness slugged his good shoulder, sending him a mild glare.

“I know Dranidal told you not to hold back, you even said it yourself,” she growled. “Now fight me all the way Shadowsong, or I will make you look like an idiot.”

Kathranis snorted.

“Princess, I am a bladesinger, and I’m afraid that does not lend itself to talent in duels. Still-” He looked to the pony “-tell us how bad the wound is. I may not be able to fight completely freely, but I can do much more to prevent another such blow.”

The pony chewed on her lip for a moment, then shrugged, glancing at Aquila.

“It near bit to the bone. This human here is a skinny thing, and don’t have much muscle to cut through. Ya managed to do it just right Princess. Little harder and it’d take more’n a little magic to heal.”

Aquila clicked her tongue, then smiled at Kathranis.

“Well, at least it shows I’m not nearly as incapable as Deyenidal thinks I am.”

Kathranis could see her fishing for comfort, and decided to offer a slight compliment to ease the worry he could see hidden in her eyes.

“I have no doubts you are quite the warrior when fully let loose, Princess.”

“Flattery does you plenty of good with me, Shadowsong,” Aquila purred. “Especially given that’s my first real hit on you.”

“My nose begs to differ.”

Aquila looked like she wanted to say something, even went so far as to begin leaning in, but she evidently thought better of it, merely smiling and mumbling;

“In a moment perhaps.”

She stepped away, sending Kathranis one last wink before skipping over to Deyenidal, who stood waiting with a roll of bandages in her talons. She bandaged the cut on Aquila’s sword arm and whispered in her ear, with Aquila whispering back, her gaze finally breaking from Kathranis. For his part, Kathranis had to simply stand in place, waiting as the unicorn did her good work. He heard excited chatter from the crowd, with his elves animatedly talking to the gryphons around them, no doubt exchanging stories of their own exploits. Kathranis sent a mental message to Secil, and the cat slipped into the arena, clamping his jaws around the hilt of Huron’s sword before dragging it back to the elf. Kathranis chuckled as the elder elf scowled at the blade, chuckled even more when Secil settled in his lap as soon as he took the sword. He swore he could hear loud purring as Huron tried to subtly get the cat to move, but Secil had found his chose seat, and settled right in, flopping down in the middle of Huron’s crossed legs.

“Done,” the pony said, drawing Kathranis’ eyes. He looked to his arm to find it completely healed, not leaving so much as a scar. He smiled and touched the area.

“Thank you, healer. Your work is fast and impeccable.”

The pony smiled and nodded.

“Thank you kindly Master Shadowsong, always nice to get a bit of thanks.” She chuckled. “Sure beats healing the warts on cows.” She patted his arm. “You’re good to fight, make sure to win. That salt-licker Winter Snow bet against you, and the moon be damned if I lose to him again.”

Kathranis jumped as she slapped his rump, then trotted toward the side. He did his best not to rub the spot, instead looking across the arena toward Aquila. As he drew his scimitars, he had a feeling that this would be the last phase of the duel. Perhaps it was the chill breeze sending shivers down his spine, or perhaps it was the setting afternoon sun, still causing him to sweat. After a brief moment of pondering, Kathranis realized that it was something entirely different; it was the look in Aquila’s eyes. She wanted the duel over, wanted… something else. There was certainly intention in her gaze, and he felt no reason to delay it any longer.

Kathranis was the one to run into an attack this time. He used both swords to bat aside Aquila’s lashing out with his right foot as soon as her blade was pointed down. She grunted as he kicked her midsection, but she didn’t curl into the blow, instead powering through to shove him back with her shield. Her sword escaped his, and she swiped at his neck. Kathranis tilted his head to avoid the strike, slashing at her sword arm with his right blade, then cutting toward her belly with his left. Aquila sucked in her stomach to avoid the attack, and used her armored wing to block the other.

Kathranis didn’t let up the pressure. He felt a touch of song rising in his chest, but did his best to hold back. It wasn’t the proper place for battlesong, especially given how dangerous could be for anyone he called opponent. He did hum though, and that helped him fall into a smooth attack pace that the gryphoness, with all her speed, couldn’t hope to match. One blade came across and was picked off, but the other slid past Aquila’s defenses, scratching the side of her chest just beneath her armpit. Kathranis spun about and flipped his grip on his scimitar. The blade ran parrallel to his spine, and it allowed Aquila’s blade to simply graze across it while he attacked with the other, cutting the straps of the armor on her thigh.

Kathranis then stomped on one of Aquila’s armored feet, startling her more than harming her, and as her wings drew back to flap, he pressed forward, running his scimitar blade across the straps of her shield. The enchanted steel cut easily through the leather, and the heavy thing dropped away, unbalancing the gryphoness. She stumbled back, lashing out with her blade in a sloppy attempt to drive him away. Kathranis caught the arm and smacked her fingers with the flat of his blade, forcing her to release it. A punch from her shield arm gave him the perfect opportunity, and time slowed for the elf his as mouth opened, threatening to let his song loose.

In a smooth move, Kathranis sheathed both of his scimitars, then grabbed the punching arm. He noticed Aquila’s eyes widen as he used her momentum to flip her over his shoulder. As soon as she hit the ground, Kathranis was on top of her, straddling her chest wide enough to pin her wings with his knees. Kathranis grabbed the dagger from his other boot and gently rested it against her throat with a smile.

“Yield Princess,” Kathranis said. “I’ve won.”

Secil groaned in his mind.

‘What happened to the draw cub?’

“Oh yeah?” Aquila challenged, her smile just as wide, if not wider.

‘She fought well, but she would have been insulted had I intentionally thrown,’ Kathranis thought in reply to his familiar. ‘She wanted to see me fight, I have delivered. If you could see her grin, you’d unders-’

Kathranis was startled at first, a sentiment echoed by the watching crowd as the air filled with gasps, and even cries of what he imagined was alarm. He melted quickly however, the grip on his dagger loosening as Aquila grabbed his armor to pull him deeper into the kiss. Kathranis couldn’t help but savor the lip-like softness of her beak, couldn’t help but love how warm, how ferocious the kiss was.

‘Gods,’ he thought. ‘Is this what Huron’s been up to all those years?’

He knew this was different though, even as the thought passed through his mind. This wasn’t some cheap beer-house fling, this was real, true, and beautiful, lo-

With a yank on his air, Aquila flipped their positions and pinned his arms. A knife, his knife, pressed against his throat, and she crowed in the air.

“Now who’s the winner?”

Kathranis stared at her in disbelief, and… pain. Unimaginable pain. Cheers and groans filled the air as Dranidal called the match in Aquila’s favor. Aquila stood, offering him her hand. Though the warmth in his heart felt crushed, Kathranis accepted it, mumbling a word of thanks as she pulled him to his feet. Aquila passed him his dagger, then as he moved to step away, she yanked him into a hug, her breath hot in his ear.

“I’ll give you another one later for being a good sport Shadowsong,” she whispered. She giggled, then added; “or maybe I’ll give you another one just because I like you.”

She nipped his ear lightly before pulling away, leaving Kathranis confused and rocking in place. The gryphoness winked at him a strutted away, waggling her hips for a few steps before flapping forward and into the arms of Deyenidal. Not wanting to look a fool, Kathranis sheathed his dagger away, looking idly about for the other one as his thoughts struggled to process.

A shadow fell over him, and Kathranis looked up to find Zefuris holding the hilt of the blade, a dark scowl on his face. His brown eyes attempted to stare into Kathranis’ soul for a long few seconds, then he flipped the dagger, offering the hilt.

“We will go to the throne room, now.”

The growl was an order, not an invitation, but Kathranis didn’t have the energy left to contest it, merely sighed and nodded, sheathing the second knife. He heard footsteps behind him, glanced back to find Valan fast approaching, but Zefuris’ glare switched to him, fixing him in place.

“Alone.”

Valan flinched under the force of the word, but it brought a smile to Kathranis’ face when the gryphon still had enough courage to look to him for actual permission not to attend. Kathranis gave the gryphon a nod.

“Could you work with Aquila to arrange that tutor for me? I have a feeling I’ll need one sooner, rather than later.”

Valan nodded, his eyes flicking to Zefuris for a second before taking to the air, flapping toward the crowd that had gathered around his sister. Zefuris watched him go, then looked to Kathranis, the same scowl still present on his beak.

“Follow. Say nothing until we meet with the king.”

He then strode toward the castle, and with only the slightest of hesitation to glance toward Aquila, Kathranis followed with a sigh.

Chapter 21

As they walked through the halls, Kathranis found it hard not to speak. His thoughts were turbulent, and he was unable to get the sensations of kissing Aquila out of his mind. He had always been able to tell when an attractive women was such, but Aquila… She was beautiful, inside, and out. From her silky smooth, gold-as-a-coin headfeathers, to the heat, the all enveloping warmth of her being. It had pressed into him with their kiss, and he felt cold without it, felt colder still with the doubt that the motion had been genuine, however much he wish it had been. There were many practiced in such arts for this very reason, to confuse, to lower defenses, and over the years he had easily avoided so many attempts to lull him into a false sense of security with false promises and false beauties. This time, however, he had gotten himself hurt, and he had no idea if he should feel so or not. Aquila had promised another kiss after all, and as much as he had justified her earlier actions as being a good host, even he wasn’t dense enough to believe that act was anything other than romantic.

It didn’t help that she had chosen a rather terrible time to spring this new confusion upon him. He still had to make a decision regarding the Thayans, and he wasn’t all too sure about that either. They were obviously building a city with extensive fortifications in gryphon territory, and that would require action, but war? He still felt that far too extreme, felt that there had to be another side to this. Yes, Galdug’s attack was fairly damning evidence that the Thayans were out for blood, but then again, the half-orc could have also pressed the ambush purely to end their rivalry. He needed to see who was in charge, perhaps even speak with them to see if some kind of deal could be brokered. That line of thinking, however, endangered his people. If Aquila was truly leading him on, then all veneer of hospitality could drop.

Kathranis brutally crushed that thought, hated that it had even popped into his head. Romance might be out of the question, but Aquila was still a good person, would still act as any friend would. Still, with that sliver of doubt now fully embedded in his brain, Kathranis knew that he would have to negotiate some sort of payment, though that particular thought also burned him. To reduce his people to petty mercenaries made him feel less, and he hated it. Still, it was a necessity, and if it meant guaranteeing a future for his people, he would pursue it, no matter the personal cost.

Lost in personal thought, Kathranis didn’t see Zefuris whirl on him until a hand was around his throat. The gryphon had a grip of steel as he slammed the elf into the wall, threatening to block all light as his wings flared.

“You will not speak to Princess Aquila again,” Zefuris growled. “I already warned you once, but you immediately turned and ignored me. This little romantic folly of yours will not stand. I will not let it. Am I clear this time?”

Kathranis gritted his teeth, trying to pry the hand from his throat, but found that he couldn’t so much as pry a talon away, let alone the entire hand. Zefuris’s grip tightened, and he leaned in.

“Am I clear Shadowsong?”

Kathranis clenched his teeth, drawing precious breath through his nose as Zefuris threatened to strangle his air off completely. He brought his ankles to the wall, then with another gasping breath, pushed, shoving himself away from the wall. The motion allowed him to swing his legs up, wrapping them around Zefuris’ arm. With a twist of his waist, Kathranis managed to yank himself free and he fell to the flagstones. Kathranis had no time to truly recover, however, as Zefuris again reached out to strangle him. Skipping backward, Kathranis drew a sword, pointing the tip at Zefuris’ chest, halting the gryphon. Kathranis grimaced and rubbed his throat.

“You do not dictate who I speak to,” he growled, his voice cracking slightly as he drew a pained breath. “As for my “romantic folly” I have no idea what you’re talking about, and even if I did, it’s no business of yours either way.”

It was a lie of course, but he’d be damned if he admitted anything before he could talk with Aquila and make sure it wasn’t all just a misunderstanding. He could hide a broken heart. A public admission of love however, that was difficult to retract.

“Don’t play stupid,” Zefuris spat. “Anyone with eyes can see that you’re attempting to court Princess Aquila, the end to your duel proves that. Since you entered the castle she’s been at your side constantly, something the most qualified suitors could never come close to achieving.”

“As has Prince Valan,” Kathranis said. “Do you believe I’m attempting to bed the prince as well simply because he’s doing his duty and keeping an eye on a potential ally for his father?”

“You’re no ally, you’re a snake,” Zefuris said. “I know exactly what you intend to tell King Terran, you want to make peace with the humans. We’re standing in the opening throes of war, and you want to waste the opportunity to strike first, to strike decisively.”

“It isn’t a waste if peace can be pursued,” Kathranis countered. “I do not know why you hold such hatred for the humans, but they are not so different from you. Strong, overly headstrong. You’d get along with them well if you’d only just talk to them.”

He slowly sheathed his sword, watching the gryphon carefully for any twitches that would indicate further attack.

“If you don’t like what I have to say, then feel free to tell King Terran your opinions, I’m such he’s a grown adult able to make his own decisions. He, like the prince and princess, doesn’t need your, how did you phrase it? Ah yes, “curbing”.” He snorted. “Especially given how heavy-handed as it is.”

“Now,” Kathranis said, his tone firm. “Are we going to see the king or not?”

Zefuris snarled, his head feathers puffing up, but he turned on his heel instead of lashing out again, stomping toward the throne room.

“We are, and he will hear everything.”

Kathranis waited for a second for the gryphon to move a few steps ahead, then moved forward, matching his long strides with a brisk pace that allowed him to appear relaxed as he followed the furious gryphon through the halls.

They reached the throne room in no time, and the guards, perhaps seeing their leader in a rage, simply opened the doors without a word, not sparing Zefuris, nor Kathranis a glance as they passed through the tall portal.

Terran sat seated on his throne, his posture quickly adjusting from where he’d been leaning toward a guard. The steel glad gryphon whispered something, to which Terran nodded, then waved him away. As the gryphon left the throne room, Zefuris and Kathranis stopped side by side at the bottom of the throne, neither looking at the other.

“I expected you to be longer,” Terran said. “Where’s Valan?”

“I let him attend other business once we returned,” Kathranis answered.

He heard a clack as Zefuris’ beak snapped closed, but didn’t spare the gryphon a glance as he pressed on, remaining cool and collected.

“We were successful in taking a look at the humans…” He paused, then said; “I hesitate to call it a camp, perhaps fortress is the right word, but it is sizable, and with their magic, they are building walls to rival yours, and are doing so quickly.”

Terran frowned, leaning forward slightly.

“So they mean to stay. Seeing as they have not approached me, that means war.”

Kathranis grimaced, even as he felt the gryphon next to him puff up slightly with satisfaction.

“I do not believe so, good King, at least not yet. We were fairly close, yet I saw no patrols, no great scouring of the forests, or of anything really. The walls already covered a sizable area, but I believe the humans are remaining inside. I think perhaps, they are afraid of what you will do with them given all the rumors they’ve no doubt caught wind of with their scrying magic. If they know you think them murders, they are likely just trying to protect themselves.”

As he fell quiet, Kathranis waited for Zefuris to speak up, to contradict his points, but the gryphon said nothing, waiting silently in place as Terran stroked his chin.

“While that is possible, it is also possible that the humans are carving out a portion of my territory because I have not yet driven them away. That is, at least, how my people will see it if I continue to not act. I have given you time to think, and now to see. I must act decisively from here on, otherwise the opportunity to act will be gone and the humans will be entrenched.”

Kathranis swallowed nervously as Zefuris again puffed up.

“Then might I suggest a strategy that would suit us both?”

Terran tapped his talons on the armrest of his throne.

“Suggesting strategies is reserved for family, servants, or allies.” He leaned back in his throne, smiling like a housecat cornering its prey. “With the rumors I heard before you arrived, I’m curious Shadowsong, which do you consider yourself?”

“Depending on how we approach this,” Kathranis said, hesitating slightly and doing his best not to lick his lips with nervousness. He needed to watch his words, especially given how closely the gryphon king was watching him. “I would see myself as an ally.”

Terran’s smile widened.

“Really?” He looked to Zefuris. “And your thoughts my friend?”

“I believe that Master Shadowsong and Princess Aquila should be separated.” Zefuris said, his tone short and forceful. He pointed an accusing talon toward Kathranis. “He is undoing all the good work you and my queen have done to find her an appropriate suitor, and he’s doing so publicly. If word hasn’t already gotten out about their flirtations, then it will be out soon, and Princess Aquila will never find a proper husband.”

Kathranis was surprised when Terran’s smile didn’t seem to dim, and instead the gryphon king leaned on one arm, still smiling down at Zefuris.

“And what would a “proper” husband look like Zefuris?”

Zefuris’ eyes flicked toward Kathranis for a moment in disbelief, then back up to the throne.

“My King, you can’t… really? Him?”

Terran snorted and rolled his eyes, sitting up straight.

“I haven’t said anything my friend, I merely asked you a question. What does the proper mate for my daughter look like? You obviously have some idea, as you have deemed Master Shadowsong unworthy, so I’d like to hear what you have in mind! If nothing else, it might help in the continued search for her husband.”

Zefuris shook his head, beak open in exasperation for a moment, then it clacked shut as he looked to the ground thinking. Eventually the gryphon looked up and crossed his arms.

“Her husband must be strong, your line demands no less.”

“From what I hear, Shadowsong was winning for most of the duel, and with casual effort on his part,” Terran said. His head tilted slightly and his eyes froze Kathranis in place with their burning intensity. “Though it is only because Aquila turned her head into the blow that I will forgive him marring her face.”

Kathranis swallowed and bowed slightly.

“Apologies, good King. I should have been ready to pull the blade back.”

“The wound was healed without scar and my daughter forgave you Blademaster. Just don’t do it again or dealing with Deyenidal’s yelling will be the least of your problems.”

Kathranis nodded, and Terran leaned back in his chair, the humored light in his eyes making a return as he looked toward Zefuris.

“Still, Shadowsong has proven he’s a worthy warrior, even if he is a skinny little thing. That’s one mark in his favor.”

“Her suitor needs to be humble, needs to respect both her as a person and as a princess,” Zefuris said. He glared at Kathranis. “Shadowsong humiliated Princess Aquila in their duel. His apparent centuries of experience have only bloated his pride in his abilities.”

“Shadowsong stooped to duel such a lowly fighter,” Terran said. “Aquila is not close to our best, is still training in fact. He was humble enough to see the fight through until the end despite it being clear from early on he was her better, not to mention the fact that he accepted defeat when Aquila, by technicality, cheated her way to victory.” His gaze again shifted to Kathranis. “But I’m sure there was some mutual enjoyment in that type of loss.”

Kathranis blushed and looked away, scratching at his head, deciding it wise not to answer. Terran chuckled, looking back to Zefuris.

“And Shadowsong has been well respectful of my daughter as his guide, as well as respectful of our culture, even when it clashes with his own. I think he’s humble enough, although-” he glanced at Kathranis “-you could play into your legend a bit more Shadowsong. Today’s duel helps, but if you want to survive among gryphons, you need to be…”

“More outspoken?” Kathranis offered.

“Louder,” Terran finally said after a long moment of thought. “And you could afford to occasionally strike someone who insults you. Set an example of strength.”

Kathranis flashed a smile.

“Strength comes in many forms, good King. I prefer the peaceable approach whenever available.”

Terran sighed and rolled his eyes.

“You’re not making it easy to sell you Shadowsong, but still, humble. Shadowsong meets that mark as well. Next.”

“There’s consideration of the bloodline then,” Zefuris said. “Princess Aquila will need to try for heirs. Shadowsong is a different species.”

“Pony magic can fix that. Next.”

“He’s ill educated, he might respect our culture, but he barely knows it-”

“He’s meeting with a tutor tomorrow. Next.”

Zefuris growled.

“He hasn’t pledged himself to you yet. He’s not an ally, nor does he pacify the noble families.”

“Damn the royal families, they’ll have war to profit off of, that’s enough. As for pledge, that’s why we’re talking of a mate,” Terran said, leaning forward. “Marriage is the pledge. Come on Zefuris, don’t tell me my oldest friend has finally gone senile. Think. What is the most important mark that all other suitors have failed to meet?”

Kathranis found Zefuris’ eyes scanning him, moving up and down. It looked to him as if the gryphon was looking for more faults, something to give Terran that he might separate him from Aquila.

It was at that thought that Kathranis truly grasped the scope of what they were discussing. Marriage? He couldn’t be married. He was a blademaster, a ranger of the wilds. To marry a princess, he’d be in the walls of a city for the rest of his life, if not at minimum the rest of Aquila’s life, and he didn’t even know for certain that she liked him. There were a great many signs of course, and he was fairly certain that he was in love with her, but they hadn’t yet had a conversation about the matter. He certainly shouldn’t be discussing marrying her with her father before he discussed the beginnings of a relationship with her.

While Zefuris continued to think, Kathranis cleared his throat, drawing Terran’s eyes. The gryphon king grinned at him knowingly, as if he already knew what the elf was going to say. He flicked his fingers, bidding Kathranis to speak.

“Apologies, good King,” Kathranis said, “but don’t you think we should hear Aquila’s thoughts on the matter? In my eyes, all of her attention can be seen merely as being an exceptional diplomat. As far as I know, she couldn’t care less about me, ah…” He coughed and looked away nervously thumbing the hilts of his swords. “Romantically.”

Terran clicked his tongue and smiled at Zefuris.

“Shadowsong has it, my friend. He only gets to hear any of this because she seems interested. As far as I know, she approves of him, and since he meets most other marks with ease, that makes him the best choice to be a suitor, gryphon or not.”

Zefuris shot another look toward Kathranis.

“He’s too foreign my King, too unknown. Your people will loathe him.”

Terran rose from his throne and strode down, clapping the tall gryphon on the shoulder.

“That will soon change my friend. Leave the matter to me, I can handle even a fine swordsgryph like Shadowsong.”

His other hand clapped Kathranis’ shoulder and that dangerous glean again entered the gryphon king’s eyes, putting a touch of supernatural fear in the elf.

“That being said, we’ll start with my warning.” His eyes flashed, and his grin was anything but humorous as he squeezed the elf’s shoulder. “If you break my daughters heart, I will personally pick the meat from your bones, then grind what remains to powder and feed it to your kin.” His taloned hand shifted and he gave Kathranis a pat on the back. “But I don’t think that’s a necessary threat with you Shadowsong, it just makes me feel better having said it. Hopefully you can forgive this old buzzard for being a protective father?”

Kathranis grinned nervously.

“Only if you can forgive the same from me, should it come to that.” He sighed and looked down. “But I’m afraid all of this is a touch premature. I again say, she could just be doing her duty to you. I’ve never been the best diplomat, merely good enough to get by. I am not expert enough to say if she’s actually been trying to-”

He stopped as Terran threw his head back in a loud, almost painful, laugh. As he roared with laughter, Terran waved Zefuris away, then wrapped a wing around Kathranis’ shoulders. Kathranis noticed a slight curl on the armored gryphon’s beak, almost as if he was smiling as he walked out of the throne room. Terran began to move forward, and aside from digging in his heels and trying to push his way out, there was nothing Kathranis could do to stop it as Terran forced him up the throne steps, then onto the throne itself.

Terran plopped down, his wing dragging Kathranis to sit beside him. As his laughter tapered off, Terran simply stared out at the throne room, completely relaxed. In contrast, Kathranis sat as straight-backed as possible, his hands resting on his thighs as he did his best not to fidget. Terran eyed him and chuckled.

“Come now Shadowsong, relax. Nobody is here to judge.”

“I have never seen myself as a ruler,” Kathranis said, not looking toward the gryphon king. “I certainly have never sat on a throne.”

“Then let me start by telling you the risks of courting Aquila,” Terran said.

He stared at Kathranis, his eyes directing the elf to lean back like he was. Though he found it uncomfortable, he did as the gryphon king bade, leaning into his golden feathers. Terran seemed pleased and threw an arm over Kathranis’ shoulders as they stared out at the empty throne room.

“She’s a princess Shadowsong, which means there will be no leaving this castle. She will forever be stuck here or some other palace, playing diplomat,” he snorted dismissively, “or more likely playing mother hen to the squabbling children that find themselves in power. The political world is forever hers, because my family will remain in this seat, I have seen to it.” He looked to Kathranis. “If you pursue her, which I think you will, that means you’ll be stuck here too, playing the exact same games. She says you love the wilds. I tell you now that you’ll barely see them.” He looked up in thought, then shrugged and looked forward. “Or maybe you’ll have plenty of time in the forests, my son is set to replace me after all. You’ll probably just help Zefuris, or whatever guard replaces him, protect Valan.”

“This all being dependent on if Aquila wants to court me,” Kathranis said. “Because if you or Zefuris think I have the slightest chance in romancing her without her consent…”

Terran chuckled and gave him a squeeze.

“You really need that tutor Shadowsong. Short of a chase, Dranidal tells me that Aquila has all but been begging you to bed her, and every time you dance around the question, just like you danced around her in that duel. I think half the reason she’s interested in you is that you’re making her do the pursuing, and she loves that. She’s always been headstrong,” he chuckled. “I’ll leave that up to you who she gets that from, but being my eldest, she expected more, but got shafted by her brother. Gryphon custom is as good as law though, so she was moved to the side.” He sighed. “Shame that. She’d make a wonderful queen. Valan… well you know. The boy lacks…” He waved a hand. “Plenty. He’s not yet fit to be a king.”

“From what I can tell, he’s merely sheltered,” Kathranis said, keeping his voice low as he chose his words carefully. Offending a king was a bad idea on a good day, and he certainly didn’t want to call his potential father in law a bad father right to his face. “He’s not confident, because he’s never had to make hard decisions for himself. I imagine either you, or Zefuris, or his mother, or his sister have always been there to either question, or steer him a different direction instead of simply letting him fail.” He flashed a ghost of a smile. “Luckily enough, our near-death experience seems to have, at least for the moment, curbed his pride and aggression. It is progress, if I may say, and I’m happy to see it. I hope I can help him grow far more over time.”

He stared at his hands, then when silence filled the air, glanced toward Terran. The gryphon king’s smile met his eyes, as did a comforting squeeze.

“I can see why Aquila likes you Shadowsong, and understand that; she does like you. It wouldn’t surprise me if she snatched you away the second you left here.”

“I don’t think she would be so bold,” Kathranis chuckled.

He looked to Terran who waited with an eyebrow raised. Kathranis’ chuckle died away.

“Right?”

“My wife tied me up and egg-snatched me while at a peace summit with the rock wolves that used to inhabit the mountain,” Terran said. “As I said, I’m surprised she hasn’t taken you yet. She must really be enjoying the chase.” He winked. “But just let it play out Shadowsong, and if you do find yourself in love with my daughter and she in love with you, know that you have my approval. Any troubles that come your way, come to me, and we’ll handle them together.”

He sighed.

“That being said; to business. This matter stays private until Aquila publicly announces your courting. That’s non-negotiable, and she knows it. You’re safe in the castle, and I’ll give orders to the guards to keep prying eyes away.”

“Of course, I’m not going to strut around singing from the rooftops that Aquila is interested in me,” Kathranis said. His heart immediately fluttered, and he couldn’t help but mumble; “Although if she does tell me that, it may be a slight struggle.”

Terran snorted.

“Good. Your humility is a strength, but I also want you to show that you value her. I want to see some strutting when she finally marks you as hers, but… for a later time. It’s a matter of safety, for both you and her. Even now you may wish to start taking a bodyguard with you, you’ll certainly be in somegryph’s sights from now on.” Terran took a deep breath, tapping the armrests of his throne. “As for the human business, what was this strategy of yours? We may play at cagey in front of the nobles, but you are an ally Shadowsong, and a close one. It might be foolish, but you bleed trustworthiness.” He snorted again. “I do hope you’re not a spy. I’d feel like an idiot.”

“I’ve spied before,” Kathranis admitted. “And I probably will again, but not here good King. You’re too hospitable to spy on. Also I think Aquila would break my fingers if she found out I was a spy.”

The words caused Terran to laugh and he nodded in agreement.

“She’s a rough one, that’s for sure. You need to get meat on your bones boy, she’ll eat you alive.” His laughter tapered off. “Still, your strategy?”

“To pacify your other allies, I recommend sending out patrols to capture human foraging parties, strangle their food, force them to the bargaining table,” Kathranis said. “And with this, I would send another emissary. If you’d like, I could go. Tatiana wasn’t quite a friend, but we were friendly enough that she’d recognize me, might even be more willing to speak with me. With their magic, tearing down those walls of theirs would be simple, and you could resettle them, or even incorporate them into your kingdom.”

He spread his hands, leaning forward as he looked over at Terran.

“Such is my plan. Harass the humans, starve them out with minimal loss of life to either side. Force them to negotiate, then earn yourself an indebted neighbor, or fresh, magical subjects. They might not be the kindest creatures, but they are frighteningly intelligent, and their perseverance is second to none.”

“But they are dangerous,” Terran said, a statement more than a question.

Kathranis winced.

“As much as I am, but they can also understand the wisdom of negotiation. As I told Zefuris, they are much like gryphons, aside from several notable flaws.”

“Flaws that can be mended?” Terran asked, his eyebrows raising.

“With time and a guiding hand,” Kathranis replied. “They were stuck in an evil place, had to do evil things to escape, but they are finally free. Let’s guide them to a better path, not steal paradise from beneath their feet.”

Terran nodded slowly, then withdrew both his arm, and his wing. Kathranis took it as a cue to rise, and he stepped down from the throne, pausing at the bottom to see if there was anything else. Terran stared into nothing for a long, silent moment, then looked down at the elf, his eyes still glazed with thought.

“I will consult some of my advisors on your strategy Shadowsong, perhaps do some scouting of my own. I shall make an announcement on my decision after the ceremonies on Fifthsday.” He waved away, a smile touching his beak. “Now go find Aquila. Talk to her. I think you’ll find your doubts about her actions unfounded, although credit where it’s due, she has been a fantastic diplomat.” He winked and waved the blushing Kathranis away. “Now go, before I send some suitor to sweep her off her feet.”

Kathranis offered the gryphon king a low bow, then strode away, his step quickening as soon as he left the throne room. The words were in jest, he knew that, but the thought of Aquila searching for another… He blushed harder at the thought of the word mate, yet it was accurate, and he had to at least make sure he had a chance at such before some other, likely better, suitor came along.

He sped through the halls, doing his best to not looked panic as he kept his strides long, but quick. His cloak billowed behind him as he turned a corner, and his lips curled into a smile as he spotted Valan leaning against a wall opposite some windows painted orange with the sunset. Secil sat across from the gryphon, his belly upturned in the warm sunlight. Kathranis ignored his familiar for the moment, however, and moved toward Valan. The gryphon looked up, and he too smiled, though somewhat nervously as Kathranis approached.

“Do you know where Aquila is?” Kathranis asked, mildly surprised when his voice came out sounding desperate and somewhat gasping. He had been trying to sound casual, but likely his brisk pace had driven the calm from his lungs, even as he stopped a few paces from the young gryphon.

Valan chuckled, seeming not to notice the elf’s disheveled state. Instead he took a step back, staring at Kathranis’ feet, then at the door that was between them. Valan winced, then met Kathranis’ gaze.

“You could say that Shadowsong. Why?”

“I…” Suddenly words were difficult, his throat drier than the most barren of deserts. He coughed, looking toward his rolling familiar for comfort. “I wanted to speak with her. It’s a personal matter.”

Valan backed away a step.

“I know where she is,” he said.

Kathranis couldn’t help himself in his excitement and took a step forward.

“Where? Is she busy? I don’t want to disturb her if she’s doing something important.”

That was a lie. Important could mean sitting with another suitor. He definitely wanted to interrupt that. Valan took another step back as he answered, again glancing to Kathranis’ feet, then the door.

“She’s waiting for you actually. If you’ll just follow…” He stepped back a third time, this time forcing Kathranis to say something.

“And do you intend to lead me to her a step at a time good Prince?” Kathranis snorted, the gryphon’s odd behavior momentarily relieving the pressure he felt on his chest.

Valan groaned and threw his head back.

“This plan is so stupid. Dee, just snatch him already!”

Kathranis cocked his head at the young gryphon, opening his mouth to speak as a moment of silence stretched between them, but just as the first word left his tongue, the door slammed open and a pair of strong hands seized his armor. Kathranis didn’t have time to see anything but a blur as he was yanked forward with a yelp. Warm, fuzzy darkness surrounded him as the door slammed closed, leaving the elf feeling bewildered, but comfortable.

Outside, Valan swung his arms as he leaned back against the door. One foot pressed against it, ensuring that it was completely closed. Valan crossed his arms and stared out the windows overlooking the sea with a frown. He hoped his sister wasn’t wrong, but she had seemed extremely confident when she had approached him to help with her little plan. Hopefully the elf would be receptive, then maybe he could leverage his help in bringing them together to escape his debt. He liked having Shadowsong around, he gave good advice, and more importantly treated him as if he was a person instead of just a future king. He especially liked him more than the brute Zefuris, always disappointed, always trying to hammer in some stupid, inane lesson. Yes there was value in that, but he didn’t need to be an ass, damn how many battles he’d seen.

Still, he’d much rather have the elf be a drinking buddy or an advisor than some leash holder. He hated following the elf around on his most mundane tasks, hated being away from his own bed, hated having to ask permission for every little thing. He wanted his freedom back, then he could tail the elf around on his fun adventures and leave him to his business the rest of the time. Maybe find his own piece of fluffy tail to chase after.

He heard a snort and looked down from his musings to find the elf’s cat. The cat rolled and stretched, almost grinning at him. Valan scowled back.

“I could eat you.”

As if in answer, the cat yawned, his fangs sharp and shiny in the fading sunlight.

Within the closet, Kathranis felt a warm body press against him while the other wiggled toward the door. Deyenidal yanked a steel bar across the door, then glanced over her shoulder, her eyes glinting in the practically non-existent light.

“We’ll have no interruptions, Princess.”

Aquila purred, drawing Kathranis’ eyes up. The gryphoness’s emerald green eyes shined down at him.

“Good. We need to talk Shadowsong, where nobody can hear.”

Kathranis shuddered as one of her taloned fingers stroked his cheek, somehow tracing the tattoo running across his face despite the only light being what could slip beneath the door. He leaned into her hand, closing his eyes, more than satisfied with her warm touch.

“Are you alright?” Aquila murmured. “Zefuris looked furious, did he rough you up?”

Kathranis resisted the urge to shake his head, knowing that doing so would push her hand away.

“It was nothing I can’t handle,” he said. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask about your father. He seems to be a protective sort.”

Aquila giggled.

“And I’m sure if he thought you dangerous to me, you wouldn’t have escaped the throne room.” Her fingers fell to his chest, and Kathranis found himself pressed back against the wall, the gryphoness grinning at him. “So, what did you three talk about in there?”

“Strategy,” Kathranis quickly spat out, his voice too loud, too fast. When Aquila’s eyes twinkled with non-belief, he couldn’t help but blush and look away. “As well as, a personal matter,” he added.

“A personal matter,” she echoed. “Let me guess; Dad brought up courting, Zefuris was angry about you being a suitor, and Dad pointed out how fitting you are. Did I miss anything?”

Kathranis flushed harder.

“You did not.”

“Too easy,” Aquila purred, putting a talon underneath Kathranis’ chin, gently forcing him to meet her gaze again. “But unfortunately, I had to leave my little hidey hole early to set up this ambush, so I missed how you responded to the talk.” Her beak took on a devious grin, and she pressed closer. “So how did you respond Shadowsong? What did you say when my father, the king of the gryphons, asked if you wanted to court me?”

“This is a trap,” Kathranis said, trying to fend off the question.

Deyenidal snorted.

“That didn’t help you escape it.”

Aquila hummed lightly and nodded in agreement. Kathranis sighed and his eyes again shifted down.

“I told him that while I have… certain feelings, I also didn’t know if you even returned such for me, and that any such talk would be premature at best. I told him I believed you were just playing your role as diplomat and friend to perfection, and that I wanted to confirm your intent, that I wanted to speak with you on the matter before words like “courting” even came into play.”

“Well then, let me ease your doubts,” Aquila chuckled.

She grabbed his ponytail and yanked his head back, then pressed their lips together. Kathranis had thought he’d been kissed before during their duel, but this… It was just as surprising, but a thousand times more ferocious, more filled to the bursting with passion. He felt Aquila’s warmth press into him, and he couldn’t help but feel a warmth well up from inside. He responded in kind, trying his best to push back against the gryphoness. She let him push her against the opposite wall, and only when they were both out of breath did they pull apart. Aquila’s hands held Kathranis’ face, and her thumbs rubbed his cheeks.

“I hope that gives you an answer Shadowsong, because it certainly answers all of my questions.”

Kathranis smiled, doing his best not to pant.

“I… I need to give you the talk-”

Aquila gave him a peck on the lips, silencing him.

“Shush, you’ve already made your age very clear, and I will just savor the knowledge that I will have a young, handsome husband until my feathers are white and our children are ready to succeed us.” She pulled him tight to her chest. “I also heard that it will hurt you far more, and for that, I’m sorry, but I won’t give you up Shadowsong. I like you far too much to drive you away now.”

Kathranis breathed a sigh of relief, felt immense weight lift from his shoulders that he hadn’t truly realized he’d been carrying.

“I hope you don’t mind my goddess being apart as well?” he mumbled, feeling safe with her fur resting against his cheek.

Aquila chuckled and winked at Deyenidal.

“Not even five minutes and he’s bringing another harpy into my nest. What will I do with him?”

The large gryphoness grinned back.

“An egg would work wonders Princess.”

Kathranis’ eyes widened and he felt himself warm, even as Aquila squawked, with indignation or just sheer embarrassment, he couldn’t tell. One of her wings struck Deyenidal in the back of her head.

“We just kissed, an egg is way too soon, especially since we have to stay secret for a while!”

Deyenidal shrugged.

“Not if you give him a feather you don’t.”

Aquila grimaced.

“Dee, it’s too soon for a feather. We just kissed, just dueled, and he wasn’t even trying!”

Kathranis cleared his throat, and Aquila’s eyes flicked to him, a smile quickly, desperately spreading on her beak.

“But if you want a feather, I can-”

Kathranis, feeling particularly bold, decided to silence the gryphoness the same way she had silenced him. He gave her a gentle kiss, taking a second longer to pull away, unable to resist the surprising softness of her beak. She giggled and met his eyes as he spoke.

“Your father mentioned remaining secretive for the moment as well, but while I think his motives are so that he can cut deals with his other allies, I would like to hear why you would like to keep our relationship a secret.”

“Our relationship,” Aquila cooed. “I do like the sound of that…” She shook her head, shaking off her dreamy look. “It’s not anything to do with…” She sighed. “Actually, it is something about you, and while I respect her and am happy that you have her, there are many who will not accept a suitor with a foreign goddess. Just mentioning a foreign goddess will be enough to put people against you, and I won’t tolerate hatred of my elf.” Her eyes glinted and she pulled him in tighter, her wings curling protectively around him. “I won’t.”

Kathranis nodded slowly, sighing happily in her warm embrace.

“So you would like to wait until I sort things out with your mother,” he said. “Once she announces that Lady Sylvannus and Harmony are allied, then we can do the same.”

“I don’t like hiding this,” Aquila said. “Especially since it’ll make Mom happy that I’ve finally found somebody, but it’s necessary. I want you safe Shadowsong, and I want you happy. If you’re persecuted because of your goddess, you won’t love living with me, and it will drive us apart. So can we please keep this secret? Just until we figure out how to get Mom to recognize Lady Sylvanus?”

Kathranis smiled up at the gryphoness.

“Of course, my Princess.”

Aquila hiccuped, and her eyes blazed as she seized his collar.

“Dangerous words, my elf,” she growled. “If we hadn’t just made a plan, I would take you right here and damn the consequences.”

She kissed his forehead, then shoved him toward Deyenidal.

“As it stands, I’ll meet up with you after dinner. Dee needs help with a similar ambush, so don’t worry if you don’t see Fordred for a while.”

Before he could say anything, Kathranis was pushed out of the closet, and the door was slammed closed behind him. He blinked, feeling slightly ruffled as the last vestiges of sunlight greeted him, along with a blinking gryphon and bemused familiar. Valan glanced at the closet, then back at Kathranis.

“So, did it… go well?”

Kathranis blinked once more, then nodded slowly. He brushed his hair back into place with his fingers, then set to straightening his armor.

“Yes,” he said slowly. “But as far as anyone is concerned, nothing happened here. Nothing at all.”

Valan snorted, but smiled and nodded.

“Not a word Shadowsong, at least until the castle hears you making my sister shriek like a-”

“Not a word!” Kathranis snapped.

Valan fell quiet, but his grin only grew. Kathranis huffed and began to walk away, with the gryphon falling in behind.

‘Good job cub, now you can finally have a proving story that everybody will ac-’

‘Not a word!’ Kathranis thought as hard as he could.

Even though he tried to play angry, he couldn’t shake the inner warmth he now felt, even as he was chased by the chuckles of his pair of companions.

Chapter 22

Sylvanus kept to the shadows, moving without sound through the forest-like godscape. She was still unused to this world’s magic, still fought to keep firm hold of the realm she had carved out for herself. The magical terrain was frighteningly similar to what lay on the mortal plan. Where Faerun’s godscape had been grand plains of amorphous unclaimed magic with brilliant spots where gods fortified their realms and afterlives for their followers, in this new realm it was as if the heavens above were experiments for what existed below. Forests that couldn’t be explored in millennia sat between mountains that stretched upward into infinity. Caves blacker than pitch dwelled in the hills, carved in great chasms in the ground, hiding untold secrets that made even a goddess shiver with a fear of the dark.

Even more astounding were the creatures. In Faerun, demons, devils, and monstrosities drifted in the spaces between the godrealms, but here, it was as if she was her champion, a ranger of the forest. She shared the trees with birds and insects, and all manners of creatures, large and small. An elk the size of an oak feasted on the low branches of a tree with leaves of stars. Squirrels with pelts that glowed like elven silk danced in the elk’s horns, and on the ground below, a wolf made of shadows watched, his glowing green eyes staring upward with hungry intent. As she crept by the scene, she found dozens of others, each with creatures exotic and familiar.

None noticed her passage. Sylvanus kept her godly light suppressed, not wishing to be driven away before she got close to her destination again. It wasn’t her first attempt to slip into Harmony’s fortress, a brilliant golden realm with towering walls that likely housed the souls of all her deceased followers. Given the joy she felt emanating from the place, she was sure it was a paradise, much like her newly created gardens, but it was well protected, and more importantly, it seemed to know when an intruder approached.

Sylvanus paused in the shadow of a tall pine that sat just at the edge of the clearing leading to the fortress’s rear gate. She stared at the tall, oaken portal for a long moment, looking for any gaps she could easily slip into. The thought to merely force the door down quickly entered, then fled her mind. She had tried that, had tried making herself seem a powerful goddess, but she had quickly been rebuffed, blinded with light so brilliant it had nearly tanned her supernaturally pale skin. It had made her feel insignificant, and so she played into that role, trying a number of approaches to breach the walls that kept her separate from Harmony’s power. Power she so desperately needed to seize hold of. She loved Kathranis, he had been a dear servant since he’d been a boy, but he was no priest, and while she now had two more followers, they too did not fit her needs. She wouldn’t survive as a goddess long without a congregation of size, or the power of a goddess who had such. All she needed was an audience with Harmony, a chance to speak her need, and she was sure she could simply share a touch of power. That required getting inside the mighty goddess’s fortress, a task she needed to focus on.

Sylvanus conjured a bow made of pure sunbeams, drawing back its shining bowstring. A simple looking arrow appeared on the bowstring as if pulled from her champion’s quiver, but as she let it loose, it crackled with power, leaping out like a lightning bolt at a point on Harmony’s walls far from her current position. She winced when it exploded, putting chips in the portion of the wall she’d been aiming at, but she didn’t spare a second, leaping forward toward the gate, gathering what remained of her godly might to punch a hole through the oaken doors.

She hadn’t made it half way across the clearing before a horde of beasts was on her tail, and a wall of thorns sprang up before her. She knew thorns though, knew just how to make the vines holding such bend as easily as she did breathe. A vine pushed her feet up and she jumped over the wall, landing on the other side with graceful ease, her sprint not at all interrupted. Her bare feet passed through the grass like skates gliding on ice, and she braced as she prepared to slam through the gate.

Sylvanus let out a cry of pain as a hammer of light slammed into her side, appearing from nowhere to sweep her off her feet. She rolled away from the blow, attempting to get back to her feet and resume her run, but the hostile thorns ripped the ground apart beneath her, and the beasts approached quickly behind. Sylvanus groaned and with a blink she turned into a falcon, flapping her agile wings to dip and dodge through the grasping vines and growling creatures. She spiraled toward the trees, not daring to even try flying over the walls with that hammer somewhere near by. Instead she landed on a branch at the edge of the clearing, screeching her displeasure down at a panther with glowing purple eyes as it tried to claw its way up her tree.

It failed, it’s claws leaving scores in the bark as it slid down, but while it growled and snarled at the bottom of the tree, it made no further attempts to climb, nor did the vines or any of the other creatures come toward her. Some began to amble away, while others sat down to rest closer to the gate. Sylvanus shifted back to her elvish form and stood on the branch, throwing her arms out wide in challenge.

“I just want to speak!” Sylvanus called. “This cowardice is unbefitting a god, and I am tired of being treated like your enemy!”

She received no answer, but she didn’t expect one. She hadn’t gotten any reaction from Harmony yet beyond keeping her out, as if she was beneath the new world’s goddess. That, more than anything, made her angry, and the urge to fling more power at Harmony’s walls sprang into her mind, but she squashed the emotion, deciding instead to cross her arms and stare, seeing if her brazen attack had drawn out any weaknesses.

“Shoo,” a female voice said below.

Sylvanus looked down to find a beautiful red-haired human woman shooing away the panther, while a tall, golden skinned knight towered behind her, his shining eyes forcing the beast back just as much as the massive warhammer in his hands did. Sylvanus sighed and rubbed at her eyes.

“As if this wasn’t already a challenge… What are you two doing here? Don’t you have cults to play with?”

Sune flashed a smile upward, as was her nature.

“Sylvanus, you look haggard. Perhaps you should spend less time with the animals and more time in civilization like a proper goddess?”

Sylvanus crouched, her grin wicked as magic danced on her fingertips.

“Do you think you’ll still be the goddess of beauty if I wrap you in thorns?” The ground beneath Sune’s feet began to shift. “You won’t be able to heal the scars, that I can promise.”

Lathander slammed the butt of his hammer against the ground, the steel sending out a crack of thunder as if it had struck solid stone.

“Enough,” he said. “Lady Sylvanus, please come down to speak. Lady Sune will not insult you again, you have my word.”

The red-haired goddess snorted and rolled her eyes.

“As if you have any say in what I will and won’t do.”

Lathander slowly turned his head, his face not shifting.

“The beast is still watching you. If the goddess of beauty would like the honor of defeating it alone, I will not protest. You may even use my hammer if you’d like.”

Sylvanus smiled, laughing at Sune as she immediately cowered back as Lathander offered his weapon. Her eyes darted to the panther, who was watching the exchange carefully from a few paces away. Sune sniffed indignantly, turning her nose up to the weapon, but keeping an eye on the beast.

“This is childish. Sylvanus, get down here so that we can talk face to face like proper gods.”

Sylvanus’s grinning gaze shifted to Lathander, who sighed and let the hammer fall to his side.

“Please,” he said, inclining his head.

She was a sucker for proper respect, so Sylvanus decided to humor the “dawning light” and she slid down the tree. Landing lightly between the pair, she offered a smile to Lathander, eyeing him up and down.

“No sandals my friend? I thought Torm was the knight in shining armor.”

Lathander rolled his shoulders, looking mildly uncomfortable in the array of plate steel.

“New world, and I need followers. I may not be as mighty as Torm, but I can fit the role well enough, and the humans largely consist of warriors. Whatever drives them to me.”

Sylvanus gave Sune a side-eyed glance.

“So does that mean this one is going to become the goddess of sheepherders and seamstresses?”

Sune pursed her lips and a hand reached beneath her crimson dress, but Lathander slammed his hammer against the ground again.

“Enough!” he bellowed. “This is beneath us, especially now.”

Sylvanus chuckled and patted his cheek, giving the god a wink.

“Relax, I was owed an insult, so now we’re even.”

“Maybe if I put a knife in your back,” Sune muttered, but her hand left her dress with nothing, and with another eye roll and a huff, she spoke clearly. “Lathander’s right, let’s get to business. Obviously you haven’t had any luck getting into Harmony’s fortress.”

Sylvanus sighed, ignoring the fact that it was a statement rather than a question.

“I have not. She remains stubborn to my every attempt. Apparently unilateral power makes you a coward.”

“She was attacked,” Lathander deadpanned. “The smart decision is to withdraw and heal.”

“But I didn’t attack her,” Sylvanus countered. “Neither did either of you, so far as I know.”

Sune snorted and a finger pointed to where the walls were still reforming. Sylvanus growled at her.

“That only happened after Harmony refused to speak with me. If she doesn’t want her walls attacked, then she needs to listen when a goddess calls for her.”

“Minor goddess,” Sune corrected. When Sylvanus snarled at her, the red-haired goddes raised her hands. “As we all are now. It is something I think we need to focus on; we are less than Harmony for the moment, as ant-like to her as mortals are to us.” She motioned to the walls. “We have all tried to breach her walls with no result. That is no small thing.”

Sylvnaus grunted in agreement, doing her best not to stare at the tall, taunting walls before them.

“That doesn’t change the fact that we deserve respect. I would like to help Harmony manage this world. Yes, she was alone for a time, but that has changed and I will not be thrown aside like garbage. I did not come here just to die because of selfishness.”

Sune again snickered, and while Sylvanus understood the irony of her statement, it didn’t stop her from once again growling at the beautiful goddess. Lathander sighed and rubbed at his forehead.

“I don’t think violence should be our way of getting Harmony’s attention. If nothing else, it alienates us with every further attempt.”

“So what would you suggest?” Sylvanus asked, still fixing Sune with a glare.

Lathander looked to the animals around the walls with thought, tapping his fingers along the handle of his warhammer. The creatures stared back, watching him with intent, but no aggression. He smiled slightly, then dismissed the hammer in a shower of golden light.

“Have you tried asking for an audience?”

Sylvanus snorted.

“Of course I did, that was the first thing I tried! I was met by nothing but silence, and when my champion approached one of Harmony’s priests, he was met with insults and scorn!” Her face darkened, and her hair blew in an unseen breeze. “I was called a demon, was very nearly exorcised from my champion’s heart. I very nearly made Kathranis slaughter the priestess on the spot, although I would never tell him that.”

“I tried when we first arrived,” Sune said. “Harmony does weave such a beautiful, if brutish, fortress. Clearly such an ally would be willing to broker a deal with me, and so I knocked on her gates and received nothing for the attempt either.” She crossed her arms and scowled at the gate. “I also do not care for being ignored.”

Lathander chuckled.

“Sounds more to me like you demanded attention. What I said was; did you ask for an audience? Asking implies understanding that you will be told ‘no’.”

“I do not beg!” Sylvanus and Sune said at the same time.

Both glanced at each other, then huffed and looked away. Lathander shook his head and walked toward the fortress.

“I will make a plea. Better humiliation than eradication.”

Sylvanus and Sune watched him move toward the gate, his arms outstretched and palms up. Sune scoffed and crossed her arms.

“If he dies I’m taking his followers.”

“Oh all paltry dozen humans, truly a great congregation,” Sylvanus snorted in reply. “Will you really wear battle armor to draw them to your side?”

Sune’s nose curled in disgust, but she nodded.

“Humans breed like rabbits, and I can be patient. War goddess for a century or two, then back to beauty, maybe try to make a little daughter to take up the warrior goddess mantle.”

Sylvanus rocked her head back and forth. It wasn’t the worst plan, and humans did like their wars. Still, her elf was already doing well in his task, so she had no reason to change her plan, instead saying.

“Then I genuinely wish you well Sune, we may not be close in our goals, but I do know how to appreciate a familiar face, arrogant as it is.”

Sune smiled, nudging the nature goddess with an elbow.

“Just try to use some of that mud you’re so fond of to treat your skin instead of leaving it all for the pigs.”

Sylvanus hummed lightly, focusing on Lathander as he walked past a pair of bears. The starry-furred creatures didn’t move, merely watched him as he walked past, hands still outstretched.

“Harmony!” he called. “Please, I ask that you show yourself. I am Lathander, and I can be a friend, as can my allies-” he turned motioned back toward Sylvanus and Sune with a broad smile “-if you would only come out to talk! Please, we want nothing more than to just speak.”

He began to glow slightly with golden light, and Sylvanus rolled her eyes.

“The Morninglord is vain as always I see,” she grumbled.

“You could take a lesson or two about presentation,” Sune chuckled, watching the display with a smile. “I mean naked beauty can be attractive, but you could improve so much more with a well made dress, perhaps a fitting pair of shoes…”

“Shoes are for men,” Sylvanus snapped. “And I don’t see you wearing any of such.”

Sune side-eyed the nature goddess.

“I’m already the most beautiful. Any changes I make to my appearance are to inspire the mortals or shame the immortal. Perfection cannot be improved upon.”

Sylvanus scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“No wonder you two get along so well. Vanity is apparently second nature for you.”

“It’s called self-respect when it’s true,” Sune said. Quickly her smile fell. “Something is happening.”

Sylvanus noticed it too. The air around them darkened, and the beasts around Lathander seemed to grow in size. Their teeth in particular shined as they were bared against the golden-skinned god, and Sylvanus’ eyes narrowed, her bow appearing her hands.

“Pull him back here,” she ordered.

Sune looked like she was about to protest, but suddenly the walls of Harmony’s fortress were simply gone, covered in a wall of fog so thick that none of the gods could see through it. More beasts crept through the fog, baring teeth the size of her arm, and horns that stretched tall, clawing at the sky. The beasts closed in a circle around Lathander, who had re-summoned his hammer. The god looked nervous, glancing back toward the other two Faerun deities. Sylvanus nocked an arrow, drawing it slowly back until the fletchings touched her cheek. She took aim at one of the bears drawing close to Lathander’s back.

“Draw him back before he dies and you become the goddess of war in his stead,” Sylvanus said.

Sune’s hands began to glow, and her dress blew back in an unseen wind.

“Only because armor is hardly flattering to my figure.”

Magic crackled, and with a snap of Sune’s fingers, a hand grabbed Lathander by his sword belt. The goddess gave a yank that the hand mirrored, spiriting him away from the beasts creeping from the fog. The bears, however, reared up, their claws ready to tear into the vulnerable god. With a slow exhale, Sylvanus released her bowstring, and her arrow leaped out. As it neared her targets, she waved her fingers, casting a minor spell to clone the arrow. One slammed into each bear, and they snarled in pain, but while they both shook the arrows from their pelts with little effort, they were more than distracted enough to let Lathander pass under without harm.

The golden-skinned god slid to a halt at their feet, and Sune was quick to help him stand. Lathander brandished his war-hammer, his eyes on the horde of creatures staring their way.

“Thank you,” he said, taking a deep breath. “I notice you didn’t harm them.”

Sylvanus shrugged.

“It doesn’t hurt to curry favor, and it is my holding back that keeps us safe from attack for the moment, I think.”

She motioned to the creatures, who, while still watching them carefully, had stopped just short of the clearing. Their eyes glowed with eerie light, and Sylvanus could see some deeper intelligence in those eyes, watching their actions closely. She dismissed her bow and crossed her arms. Immediately the creatures seemed to relax, their fur beginning to settle as they focused on Lathander and Sune. The goddess quickly let her hands fall as well, the glow of her magic ceasing. Lathander, perhaps rattled by the near ambush, settled for setting the head of his warhammer in the grass, but left the handle standing up, leaning on it.

The creatures began to calm further, then all bristled to new heights, growling and snarling at the three deities. Lathander’s grip tightened on his hammer and he swung it into a ready position, while Sune’s fingers flickered with crimson magic. Sylvanus felt her fingers eagerness to again drawback a bowstring, but her senses told her to turn away from the creatures. They had been calming, yet something had renewed their fury. Glancing at the trees, she found them shrouded in shadow, with only the light emanating from their godly forms keeping the darkness at bay. Her lip curled at the realization of who was responsible, even his vile name left her tongue.

“Mask,” she hissed.

A low chuckle left the darkness behind them, and all three Faerun gods turned to find the cloth-faced god walking forth, a smile somehow present despite the shadows blocking all expression from his face. The god of shadows gave them a low bow, his eyes never failing to meet theirs.

“Lady Sylvanus, Lathander…” His eyes flickered and his invisible smile seemed to widen. “My Lady Sune.”

The crimson-haired goddess recoiled in disgust.

“Why are you here rat?” she spat. “Haven’t you done enough damage with your vile scheming?”

“I would hardly call it scheming,” Mask replied. “A mere knife in the back doesn’t begin to approach a scheme. Besides, it’s not as if any of you have come to harm because of my actions.”

“Harmony refuses to see us,” Lathander growled. His grip tightened on his warhammer. “You may have well doomed us, if not with a murderous scheme, then with pure stupidity.”

Mask’s smile vanished, and his eyes narrowed.

“I’ve never liked the dawn. It ruins the best part of the night.”

A dagger sprang from the shadows, plunging toward Lathander’s chest. The god batted the blade aside with his free hand, then, charging it with magic and letting out a war cry, he threw the warhammer into the shadows. It exploded with golden light, eradicating the darkness.

Without hesitation, Sylvanus sprang forward as a hawk, instantly shifting into a bear the moment she was behind Mask. She roared and slammed her paws into his chest, sending him tumbling backward across the grass. She quickly followed, hitting him again to insure he fell at Sune and Lathander’s feet. Mask landed on his back, and Sylvanus landed on top of him in her elf form, planting a foot on his throat while drawing back an arrow and leveling at his masked face.

Despite the aggressive assault and her pin on him, she could still feel him smiling.

“I should put you down for bringing more petty war here,” she growled. “I did not come to this world to play the same stupid games of Faerun. I am a goddess, not a child.”

“You certainly aren’t acting like a goddess,” Mask chuckled.

He gasped as Sylvanus put more pressure on his throat, but she stopped short of breaking his neck when Sune gently touched her shoulder. The crimson goddess stared down at Mask with a frown.

“What do you mean? Sylvanus has done as we all have, made allies and attempted to gather followers. It is what gods do.”

“Gods seize power,” Mask said. “And here the three of you sit, weak and afraid, begging for your might instead of taking the opportunity I have provided to seize it. You do not like act gods. You act like scared, little-”

Sylvanus charged the tip of her arrow with magic, making it glow with emerald light.

“Finish that sentence and I take an eye,” she hissed. “I will not be mocked.”

To her increasing fury, Mask simply laughed.

“Yes you will,” he teased. “In fact, give me a little more time, and I will see that mockery is the least of your problems. I have found such wonderful servants in this world. So much magic, such an astounding ability to remain unseen.”

Before Sylvanus could reply, he vanished in a puff of smoke, clogging the air with a wretched stench. Sylvanus tried to turn away, but the smoke was enchanted. It clawed at her nose, and seemed to dig into her skin. It was only a burst of magically conjured wind from Sune that drove the cloud away before it could get into her lungs. Sylvanus dismissed her bow, looking around to find the natural light of the forest returning. A glance to the creatures found them once again calming. Unnervingly, Sylvanus that several met her gaze, holding it with a blistering curiosity hidden behind their abnormally intelligent eyes. She stared them down for a moment, willing them to blink, but when they continued to stare, she decided to focus on her fellow gods.

She found Lathander staring into the dark of the forest, his warhammer bouncing dangerously in his hands, as if waiting for Mask to return. Sune, for her part, was staring past the animals, to where the walls of Harmony’s fortress still sat wrapped in fog, completely invisible beyond the barricaded of hazy white mist. Sylvanus’ eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms.

“What are you think about Sune? Don’t tell me you are so foolish as to listen to a word that leech has to say.”

Sune shrugged absently.

“He is right, it is not our way to beg for power. It is hardly a godly thing to do.”

“This is a new realm with new rules,” Lathander said, his eyes still fixed on the dark. “I just want to know what allies that rat has gathered to become so bold. He’d never have dared attack a god head on before, let alone three.”

“I will try to track him,” Sylvanus said. “You are right in that he is too bold. He attacked Harmony, and now he attacks us. He does not show his face without purpose, and this little game of his must end before war inflames the realm. I cannot speak for you, but I did not come here for war, nor power. I came to spread life and beauty, and to save a precious few of my servants.”

Sune smiled faintly.

“Spread beauty, now that sounds like a marvelous.” She let out a slight sigh and glanced toward Sylvanus. “I suppose you are a better ally than the back-stabber. He no doubt wants the world mired in shadow, and then who will worship my beauty?”

Sylvanus’ eyebrows raised.

“Are you sure about this? This is an old tradition I have no trouble carrying over.”

Sune snorted and rolled her eyes.

“Drama queen. Lathander? Would you like to join us or are you going to play pup to the shadow walker?”

The glare he fixed her with was enough to make the crimson-haired goddess winced, but she snorted and again rolled her eyes, pouting slightly as she crossed her arms.

“No need to be rude, a simple ‘yes’ would suffice.”

Lathander glanced to Sylvanus.

“Let me do the hunting Lady Sylvanus. I have already entrenched my priesthood with the humans, and already they spread the word of Lady Sune as well. Your champion is working toward peace, and that will save us both. It should be your focus, in my opinion.”

Sylvanus gave him a wry smile.

“I hardly think the clanging of armor will help you sneak about, but I concur. My champion does require guidance, but if he has his way, the humans will be left at peace, and that works to our benefit.” She extended her arm, magic charging in a series of emerald runes across her skin. “Shall we make the bond? I think it is clear that Mask is our shared enemy. He should be destroyed.”

“And after?” Sune asked, even as Lathander similarly extended his arm, also wrapped in runes, this time of gold.

“After, we have no conflict,” Sylvanus said. “Nature requires the sun, and is always beautiful. You are not a goddess of industry Sune, you are of beauty. I don’t think you will find it difficult to help the humans create beautiful cities that are surrounded by even more beautiful fields and forests.” She smiled and winked at Lathander. “And the light of your knight in shining armor can act as your spotlight. It’s simply a matter of clearing shadows and making peace. Then the world will be ours.” She glanced toward Harmony’s fortress, noticing a slight shine as the fog began to clear. “And I think Harmony will join us, in time. I too would be careful if four new gods arrived, only for one to attack me.” She shrugged and glanced back to Sune. “We shall see. She is no Mask, that is for certain.”

Sune looked hesitant for a moment more, then sighed and extended her arm. Each god clasped the wrist of the one to their left, and their runes intermingled.

“I pledge my bow, and my every act to seeing peace on this world, with my allies, Sir Lathander and Lady Sune,” Sylvanus said, electing to keep her phrasing simple.

“I offer my hammer, and every last drop of the dawn’s light to see peace and honor in this world, with my gracious compatriots, the beautiful Lady Sune, and the elegant Lady Sylvanus,” Lathander said, his eyes flickering slightly as he smiled at Sune.

The crimson-haired goddess blushed, but she still spoke with perfect posture and tone.

“And I offer my council, and all the magic I can wield, to see the shadows banished, and to see the new gods of this realm bring about a golden age of peace and beauty, with fellow gods, the Dawning Light Lathander, and the Mistress of the Trees Sylvanus.”

Their runes halted, a perfect mix of each on all of their arms. The three met each others eyes, then with a nod, they bound their magic. The runes sank into their skin, burning themselves in place. Sylvanus met Lathander’s, then Sune’s eyes.

“Then it is done. We live, or die, together.”

Sune withdrew from the clasp first.

“Do go work with your champion then. He’s making a muck of his first love, and frankly, he might just start a war with his buffoonery.”

Lathander chuckled and pulled back as well.

“Don’t be so hard on the mortal. I think the gryphons like him, he certainly is honorable enough. Think of it not as foolery, but as…” he snapped his fingers. “Earning endearment.”

Sylvanus scowled as the pair chuckled.

“Cease this. He is perfectly capable in finding himself a mate, he’s just… under-educated on the matter. He’s a warrior.”

“Well if he’s anything like his goddess, he’ll start scratching the walls to mark his territory,” Sune teased. “Truly your breed nothing but wild men Sylvanus. It’s a wonder he’s not bred a pack of pups already-”

“Cease, or I summon spiders into your godscape as often as I am able,” Sylvanus growled, her eyes narrowed.

Sune’s lip curled in distaste, and she huffed, turning away with crossed arms.

“It was just teasing.”

Sylvanus continued to glare at the goddess for a long moment, long enough that Lathander let out chuckle and placed a hand on her shoulder to draw her attention away.

“Sune will do her best to promote a message of peace amongst our followers in the humans while I’m on the hunt. If your champion is able to do the same with the gryphons, we should easily be to gather strength to put a stop to whatever Mask has hidden in his sleeves.”

Sylvanus finally broke her glare, nodding slowly. She looked toward Harmony’s fortress.

“Hopefully our actions will also get Harmony to come out as well. I have no desire to make her an enemy.”

“But if it comes down to it?” Sune asked.

Sylvanus’ lip curled.

“I will not simply lay down at die, if that is your suggestion.”

Sune walked toward her and wrapped her in a gentle hug, her voice genuine as she spoke.

“I just wanted to be sure,” she said. “Mask’s words have wormed into my thoughts, and for a moment I feared that we weren’t acting like gods, just as he said. I don’t want to fight Harmony either.” She chuckled. “In fact, I quite like this world she’s crafted. The peoples here are robust, and affectionate. We just need a touch of that affection for ourselves. If she is willing to share, so am I.”

She winked as she pulled back.

“Just be glad that it was us that made it through. It could’ve been some bastard like Cyric.”

Sylvanus snorted.

“Or Bane, or any other minor devil or slime lord.” She let out a sigh. “Yes, we were quite lucky. It will take work to make this place perfect though. I am glad that you are both willing to help me see that happen. You have my thanks.”

“Spoken like a civilized goddess,” Sune again teased. She danced over to hang on Lathander’s arm as he moved to stand beside Sylvanus. “Truly we are already corrupting her.”

“Careful with the teasing,” he chuckled. “Or she may well make good on her spider threat.”

“Perhaps,” Sylvanus said absently. Her eyes were locked on the walls of Harmony’s fortress. Some part of her still desperately wished the gates would spill open and new power would be hers to keep her champion safe, but they remained closed, and so she simply stared, even as Lathander and Sune withdrew to their godscape. After a time, she too turned away, but as she did so, she couldn’t shake the feeling that somebody behind those walls was watching her closely.

Chapter 23

Pieter couldn’t help but swallow nervously as they slowly moved through the dark forests near Lathatabar. He still wasn’t the biggest fan of the “city’s” new name, but he was even less a fan of being pressed into service driving wagons for the foraging parties that were sent out at night. The mountains they had landed in were frigid, and while the Red Wizards were finally pulling their weight in managing the farms, there were still only pitiful yields, and if anyone wanted to eat, they needed to scavenge. Even the prayers of the priests of Lathander, new and old, yielded only the barest of essentials, as if the Dawning Light himself had been weakened by the new world.

While the forests around the city were plentiful, there were always dangers hiding in the trees. Strange, human looking, but almost goblin-like creatures ambushed solo hunters to the point that it was a standing order for all foragers to go out in groups of two at minimum. Unfortunately, they couldn’t go in large parties anymore either, at least not during the day. Several groups had already vanished, and rumor was that the winged-things had eaten the foragers. The thought sent a shiver down Pieter’s spine, and he gripped the reins more tightly, trying to just stare at the familiar comfort of the back of a draft horse’s head.

The man beside him chuckled, then spat to the side of the wagon.

“Loosen up young’in. If’n ghouls were gonna gitcha, there’s plenty of wizards that can dig some up for ya.”

Pieter’s lip curled and he glanced at the man with a look of disbelief. He’d been paired with the white-haired man a few weeks ago, and still hated all of his uncivilized mannerisms, especially the bouncing in his leg that made his crossbow rattle.

“Don’t pretend being out here doesn’t make you nervous Kalf. You were there yesterday when only a horse came back with half it’s neck gouged out. Something did that, and it came from here.”

“And if that something were around, do you think we’d still be seein’ so many lights?” Kalf asked.

He pointed a dirty finger into woods on either side of them, and Pieter did find some comfort in seeing the flicker of torches and lanterns lighting up the dark. They’d been milling about on the path for over an hour, but hunters had started trickling in, with most making light as soon as they had their catches. Already the wagon was half full with game and gathered fruits and vegetables, but it wasn’t filling fast enough. He hated that they went at night, but it was the best way to avoid the winged creatures, and since the human-goblins only attacked those by themselves… He was as safe as he could be outside the walls of the city. He still wished they would run for home. Walls existed for a reason.

He snorted and faced forward.

“I don’t get why I have to be out here. I was a slave trained in washing feet, and it was a safe position that I’d much rather be filling than this one.”

“Like you didn’t get beat like all the rest,” Kalf scoffed.

“I did my job, and my master was kind, not to mention wealthy,” Pieter said. “Now he’s dead and I’m “free”, but here I am, being thrown to the wolves with nothing but a rusty sword and some fat old man who, frankly, stinks. At least with a collar around my neck, I had a warm bed, hot meals, and I could bathe regularly, and, there was no risk of me being eaten.”

“All so ya could be better at washing feet,” Kalf said. “Sorry youngin’ but there’s no escaping bein’ a slave. If it ain’t some wizard or merchant with his coins, it’s the rumblin’ of your belly. You’re more’n welcome to go back, but you know what th’ Lady’s rules are. Ya work, ya eat. Simple ‘s that.” He laughed and slapped Pieter’s back. “And she don’t need a foot washer!”

As the man laughed like he had told the world’s funniest joke, Pieter felt another shiver run up his spine. A few leaves spiraled down from above, landing in his lap, and his eyes shot up, wide and alert as he looked for something moving in the trees. He found nothing, but the sound beside him fell away. For his many faults, Kalf was always aware of his surroundings, and Pieter felt mildly pleased that his wariness had sparked the same in his comrade.

“What’cha see?” Kalf whispered, his eyes also scanning the dark above them.

“Leaves fell,” Pieter said, holding a few that had fell in his lap. “They’re green still. Something knocked them down. I also got a chill. Might be nothing though.”

“Never doubt yer instincts boy,” Kalf growled, rising to his feet.

The man drew a bolt from the quiver next to his seat and loaded it into his crossbow. The guards quietly standing around the wagon watched as the man stood, silent for once, in complete focus. He scanned the branches above them for a long moment, then raised his crossbow and fired. Everyone waited in silence, and more leaves fell as the bolt cut through leaves until it thunked into a branch thick enough to halt it’s momentum. They all continued to wait, totally still. Pieter held the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes still scanning the trees, not daring to take a breath in case it triggered an attack.

After a few precious, long moments, Kalf grunted and lowered his bow, then plopped back into his seat. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief as he spoke.

“Might’ve been some new forest critter,” he grunted. “Don’t worry about bein’ jumpy young’in. Better jumpy then dead.”

“Well, I think if everyone takes a breath, we can be relaxed, and alive,” a third voice said from behind them. Pieter and Kalf whirled around to find the smiling, tattooed face of an elf, easily identified by his pointy ears. He crouched, balanced on the rear of the wagon, his arms resting on his knees. The elf raised both his hands away from the hilts of the scimitars gracing his waist.

“No need for alarm gentlemen, I’m just here to ask for your quiet surrender while my friends round up the rest of your foragers.”

Pieter’s eye twitched as he saw a torch in the distance vanish, followed swiftly by another. As the lights closer to them began to vanish, he faintly heard the alarmed cries of men being set upon by unseen monsters. He gulped and looked to the elf, who met his eyes, still smiling.

“Just lay down your weapons my friends. I’m sure we’re not actually enemies, odd circumstances and misunderstandings have just made it appear so. Just lay down your weapons and come with me peacefully, and I’m sure we can get you some better fare then-” he looked into the wagon, then grunted and shrugged, then smiled at Pieter again “-well actually, I could use some squirrel. I’m afraid our hosts are going to spoil me fat with all their delicacies.”

“Hands up elf,” Kalf growled.

Pieter looked to the man to find him again standing, his crossbow already loaded with a fresh bolt.

Gods, he’s fast when he wants to be, he thought.

The elf spread his hands, still smiling as met Kalf’s eyes.

“No need for that friend, I’m just trying to help. The gryphons are a friendly, civilized people. They just need to be assured you all don’t mean war, and if we can talk, maybe arrange a meeting with Lady Tatiana, then we can discuss settlements, and farms, and all the joys of a nice, peaceful society.”

His smile took on a nervous look.

“Wouldn’t you rather have that then be put in the dirt? Because I assure you, that bolt won’t land. I know you’ve heard of Kathranis Shadowsong, Blademaster.”

“Aye, I ‘ave,” Kalf said. “Also heard what you’n yer kin did to Galdug. He wants yer head. Says ya can’t be trusted.”

“Galdug’s an ass, and in all fairness, he attacked me,” Kathranis said. “What happened to him was self-defense.”

Kalf aimed the crossbow directly at the elf’s heart.

“So’s this. We need the food, and yer not stoppin’ us.”

Pieter watched as the elf seemed to wilt. Kathranis kicked his legs out and sat on the back edge of the wagon, his boots resting gently in their already-gathered-bounty.

“I apologize then,” Kathranis said with a sigh. “This will not be pleasant unfortunately, and I only had until they finished with your compatriots to convince you to come peacefully.”

Pieter looked to the forests around them to find that all the lights had gone out. Only the light of the torches around the wagon pierced the darkness now, and he could almost feel it closing in around them as still unseen figures moved in for the kill. He reached out a hand to yank on Kalf’s tunic.

“Maybe we should hear him out,” he said quickly, his eyes scanning the trees around them. “Kalf, it’s just us-”

He yelped as a boot met his face, and he fell backward in his seat, clutching his face in pain.

“You might be fine with washing feet boy,” Kalf spat, his eyes on Kathranis, “but some of us would rather die th’n live like rats.”

Pieter looked to Kathranis to find the elf still wilted, but his eyes narrowed, a hand on the hilt of one of his swords. Pieter looked back up to Kalf, who’s fingers strayed dangerously close to the trigger of his crossbow.

“Kalf, don-”

The man vanished in a gust of wind and a screech of steel. The guards around the wagon similarly found themselves snatched into the air, their weapons left in the dirt as they were carried through the trees and into the air above. Pieter shivered as their cries of panic filled the air, but after a moment when he found himself still on the ground, he looked around, wondering why he had been spared. He found only the elf, once again smiling, but now standing. He stepped carefully around the food in the wagon and extended a hand toward Pieter.

“Come on, up you come. Let’s get you somewhere warm and with some food.”

Pieter stared at the hand, then felt a rush of shame as he thought of Kalf’s… He supposed they were Kalf’s last words now. He didn’t want to die, definitely didn’t want to be carried off by some man-eating beast. He had to get away, had to run for his life to get the message back to the city. The first step of that was getting away from the elf.

He drew his sword in a swing, forcing the elf to dance back to avoid getting cut by the chipped blade.

“S-stay back,” Pieter stuttered. “I’ll fight too. Y-you can’t take us all.”

Kathranis sighed, looking mildly irritated as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I keep saying it, but you’d love the gryphons,” he muttered. “Stubborn as mules, the lot of you.” He threw his hands up, then met Pieter’s eyes. “I apologize, but this, you have brought on yourself. Valan?”

Pieter sensed movement behind him, but didn’t even half-turn before the pommel of a sword slammed into his temple, sending him falling into blackness.

****

Pieter awoke with a gasp, then a groan as a pounding in his head made itself known. He tried to bring his hands up to rub at his eyes, but found that they stopped half-way up. Blinking his eyes open, he was forced to squint as a brilliant blue magelight floated in the air just above his head. Looking at his wrists found them bound with rope, which was in turn tied to the stone table sitting before him. He looked around, found that he could see the edges of a stone cell. He’d never seen the inside of a cell, but as far as the rumors he’d heard about prisons went, he thought it at least looked clean and well maintained. He shivered and wished he could rub his arms. The cell could stand to be warmer though.

As he pondered that thought, the door opposite him slammed open, and a strange looking human-looking creature walked in. What appeared to be fur covered her face, and a spiraling horn poked out of her forehead. The creature, he guessed it was a she given her somewhat soft looking appearance, sat down in a chair before him. She had a slight smile as she spoke in a soft, comforting voice.

“I’m glad to see you awake. I trust your head does not hurt too much?”

Pieter stared at her for a long moment, then managed to stutter out a reply.

“N-no. Or, not that much. The light’s too bright.”

The creature clicked her tongue, and her horn glowed with what he assumed was magic. The light drifted higher and dimmed slightly. She smiled at him again.

“Better?”

Pieter licked his lips nervously, but nodded. His head did feel far better without blinding light right in his face. Briefly he wondered what exactly what the creature was, and how she could speak Common so fluently, but he dismissed both of these questions. In his time in servitude, he’d seen his master summon all manner of demons and devils that could learn Common at a moment’s notice. No, the important question was what did the creature want. He was in a cell for a reason, and as the pain faded and his mind became clearer, he remembered just how he came to end up in a cell. The elf had taken all of his… well, he hesitated to call them friends, but they were familiar, and though he wasn’t treated the best, he certainly wasn’t abused by them. Not to mention that all of his human compatriots still spent the time to make sure he was fed, warm, and not out of his mind insane.

This creature though, she wanted something else. It was clear she was going to interrogate him, and though he was sure he couldn’t last long, he had to at least try. For Kalf’s memory.

“Would you like something to eat?” the creature asked. “A blanket perhaps?”

Or I won’t last at all, Pieter thought as another shiver ran down his spine. A blanket and whatever could be served hot sounded like heaven.

“Both please,” he mumbled, looking down with a touch of shame at being so easily broken. “It’s freezing in here.”

The creature smiled and folded her hands on the table.

“I can have both brought to you, I just need to ask you some questions first.”

Pieter shifted in his seat.

“Of course, but I’m afraid I don’t know much. I just got assigned to the wagons because I can work well with animals.”

“Just answer as honestly as you can,” the creature said. “Now, let’s start with who you-”

She was interrupted by a somewhat muffled scream that set Pieter’s skin crawling. The creature looked mildly annoyed at the sound, but with a deep breath she began to speak again, only for Pieter to blurt out;

“Who are you torturing? Is it Kalf?” When the creature didn’t respond immediately, Pieter leaned forward. “You need to stop. He’s just a stubborn idiot, but he doesn’t know anything either! He can barely drive a wagon, let alone keep secrets. I mean have you smelled him? I promise, he’s not hiding-”

“Let’s focus on what you know,” the creature cut in, her smile visibly taking on a forced look. “Then maybe I can get you a hot meal and a blanket, yes?”

Pieter’s mouth felt dry as her veneer of hospitality disappeared. He sat back uncomfortably in his chair, doing his best not to think of the mystery scream as he nodded up and down.

“Ok,” he answered meekly.

The creature let out a sigh, but her smile became a touch more genuine looking again as she started again.

“Who do you serve, Pieter?”

“How do you know my name?” he asked.

“You’ve been asleep for some time,” she answered. “And while we haven’t learned everything, we’ve learned enough.”

The answer was cryptic, and it left Pieter’s mind racing. He certainly hadn’t told her, not consciously at least. Had the guards already given him up as a martyr? Had Kalf? No, the man was a fat slob, but he was loyal and if his… friend, would remain loyal, then so would he. It wasn’t in his nature to resist, but Pieter had to try, if only to take heart in the knowledge he hadn’t caved immediately.

“G-Galdug the half-orc,” Pieter stuttered out.

This time the creature’s smile dropped completely, and she let out a long sigh, rubbing her eyes with her fingers.

“Pieter, I thought I told you to answer me honestly.”

“I am being honest!” Pieter said. “Galdug gives out all the orders, and he punishes anyone who steps out of line, and-”

The creature held up a hand, motioning for Pieter to stop. The creature then took a deep breath and leaned forward, fixing him with a gaze that stared into his very soul. Another scream split the air, this one slightly louder. The creature tapped her fingers on the table, not even flinching at the bone-chilling screech.

“That can be you Pieter, or you can tell the truth and receive comfort. Which will it be?”

Pieter swallowed.

“I always take orders directly from Galdug.” The creature’s tapping froze, and another scream filled the air, louder than before. He couldn’t help but blurt out; “But he takes orders from Lady Tatiana! Please, just sotp torturing him, that’s all I know!”

The creature smiled.

“That’s better. Thank your for your honesty Pieter, let’s keep to that, shall we?”

The screaming fell quiet, and the creature shifted in her seat, smiling at him.

“Now, you have been honest with me, I will be honest with you. I know a spell that well tell me every little thing you know.” She leaned forward, still smiling at him. “I’d very much like to use that so we don’t have to waste any more time. With your permission, I will cast the spell, and then we can get you that blanket and a hot meal.”

Pieter shivered under her gaze. Her words were honeyed, he knew that, especially given how quickly her attitude had changed when he’d lied, but at the same time… She had so far been truthful with him. He just had to make sure that he’d survive whatever information he gave up. She was his key to that. She was the key to no more freezing wagon rides, to no more jerky and moldy bread. He swallowed, meeting her eyes.

“I— I want to make a deal first,” he said.

The creature’s smile seemed to widen and she inclined her head.

“That is fair. Speak your terms, Pieter.”

“I want good food and drink, like a proper roast, and ale!” he said. “And a proper bed, no must pile of hay.” He panted slightly, but his mind was alight with desires, and his brain forced more words from his tongue. “And something to read, and hot bath!” Glancing down, he found that a bath alone would not be enough. “And some new clothes,” he added. “Or at least a wash for these ones.”

“That can all be arranged,” the creature said.

Pieter smiled, then thought about the silence filling the air, thought about what had come before. He was being selfish, only looking after himself. He could hardly be blamed for that, given the situation, but still, at least one request for his fellow humans couldn’t hurt.

“And no more torture!” he blurted. “I hate hearing it, and it won’t work anyway. Most of them were soldiers anyway, they won’t break under torture.”

“They won’t, but you will?” the creature asked.

Pieter squirmed in his seat.

“Probably,” he mumbled. “Just, learn what you need and don’t hurt anyone else, alright? Please?”

The creature’s smile took on a wicked glean.

“You won’t hear a thing,” she said. “And I promise, no body outside this room will be hurt. You have my word.”

Pieter nodded slowly, not liking the look in her eyes, but not really having much other choice. She… still looked trustworthy, and if it brought him luxury and his fellow humans some peace, that had to be enough. He gulped.

“S—so how does this work?

The creature’s horn began to glow, and she pointed it at his forehead.

“You will feel a pressure, simply let it pass,” she answered. “If you try to resist, try to fight it, you will be in pain. Just take a deep breath and let me in.

A small green ball of magic left her horn and floated toward him. Though every instinct told him to fling himself away, Pieter leaned forward, hoping his physical submission would help the creature’s magic work. The ball of magic floated into his head with a slight tingle, and the creature smiled.

“Very good, now a little deeper…”

Inside his skull, Pieter suddenly felt an immense pressure. He tensed, but, remembering her words, he did his best to relax. He let out a long, shaky breath and screwed his eyes shut as the pressure intensified.

The pressure became more and more intense until it all at once vanished. Suddenly he couldn’t… do. Think. It was all… difficult.

Then in a great rush, he was back. Pieter took a gulp of air, then set to coughing as the creature leaned back in her chair and sighed, holding her head.

“Nothing useful in the surface thoughts and a magic block toward the core.” Her eyes flicked up from the table as she tapped on her temple. “Oh you poor little creature, what to do, what to do?”

Pieter felt another shiver race down his spine, this one not at all related to the temperature.

“D-do?” he stuttered. “I did what you wanted. I, I was open and-”

“Shut up,” the creature snapped. “I played along as my princess ordered, but I won’t tolerate your inane babble if you won’t give me what I need.”

Pieter recoiled as she shot to her feet, kicking the chair to shatter against the wall. He yelped as she grabbed his shirt and yanked him forward so that they were nose to nose. Pieter quivered in place as she growled in his face.

“I have not failed my lady once, not when she was a warlord, not now that she is a princess, and I have no intentions of failing her once she is queen. You will not stand in my way human. Now beg, weep, do what you will. I will have the information my queen requires.”

Pieter tried to yank himself backward, fear filling his chest, but the creature’s grip was ironclad. Another green ball of magic left her horn, and as it entered his head. Pieter began to hyperventilate, waiting for the pain to start. Tears filled his eyes as he stared at the creature, who simply stared back with a determined glare. The glow of her horn intensified, and he felt the same pressure as before. It faded quickly though, and for a moment, he let out a sigh of relief. Then it began. It started as a tickle.

Pieter began to scream.

Chapter 24

Kathranis stood with arms crossed in the balcony overlooking an alter. Secil reclined at his feet, while Luieustriel and Riven sat on a bench behind him along with tone other of his number, one the twins Morriel; Soheiel. Her brother was below with the rest of his kin.

Leaning against a column, he felt… off as he watched his white-clad kin prepare for the ceremony with the help of one of Harmony’s priests. Fordred had been in private talks with the priests of Harmony for days, and had just yesterday been speaking with Queen Scylla to arrange his conversion ceremony. While he’d been busy planning raids and… speaking with Aquila, the wizard had been hard at work preparing to, quote; “receive Harmony’s light.”

He should have been happy. Fordred had been ecstatic when he had woken their barracks with a charge and a cry. The young elf had seemed so vibrant, so confident, Kathranis had been happy. It was a big day for the elf, one with clear thought, public thought.

Kathranis’ fingers tapped his arm as his eyes flicked toward the blue alicorn who was guiding the elves to their places. All happiness he had felt for his friend had vanished when he realized that it wouldn’t be just his conversion. She had followed the happy wizard into their room with an armload of white robes, and with a tail that had confused and angered him. Huron had also been carrying a bundle of robes, quickly giving them out to their sleepy kin. Even now Kathranis felt a brief burning sensation as he watched his brother move with Luna, standing at her side as if he was a lost puppy. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

Something that helped was the knowledge that the pair of apparent evangelists had been distinctly lacking a trio of robes, something Huron had even made a joke about.

“Lady Sylvanus would feed my heart to Secil if I even dared ask if you want one,” he had laughed.

Though small, the joke had been a comfort. It was the only reason he was still attending the ceremony in fact. Fordred’s conversion made sense, he had sat down, discussed it with the length. Days of talk had occurred with Harmony’s priests. For Huron and the rest of the Selunites…

He felt warm feathers and fur embrace him as his gryphoness suitor made herself known. Kathranis merely rested in her warmth for a long moment before he opened his eyes and let out a sigh, leaning so that his head rested in Aquila’s feathers. The gryphoness let out a squeak of happiness and her wing opened, dragging him to rest on her shoulder. She gave him a peck on the cheek, then rested her head atop his as they watched the attendees start to trickle into the room while the white-clad elves got settled in their places.

“Is something wrong Shadowsong? Is being in Harmony’s temple too much?”

He could hear concern in her voice, and it brought a smile to his face. He hooked a thumb around the band holding his leaf charm around his neck. He was wearing the holy symbol openly now. He wasn’t going to convince anyone of his goddess’ might if he was hiding his belief.

“Lady Sylvanus hasn’t felt the need to send a reminder yet, Princess. I am just…” He sighed and rubbed at his forehead, then let the hand drop, staring down into the heart of the chapel, his eyes focused squarely on where, not only Forded, but all of his elves sat in their robes of white, happy smiles on their faces as they talked quietly with one another. Only three were with him and Aquila in the balcony, the rest of his kin accepting Fordred’s invitation to join his new faith, and that concerned him. Soheiel, for her part, looked miserable as she peered over the balcony, watching her brother intently. Kathranis made a note to comfort the poor elf. “I am worried,” he finally said. “I shouldn’t be, this should be a joyous day, and yet…”

He shook his head and looked to his hands for comfort.

“It’s nothing. Just selfishness, or foolishness, I know not which.”

Aquila’s larger, taloned hand immediately closed over his, while her other framed his chin, gently forcing him to meet her eyes. She smiled and stroked her cheek.

“Shadowsong, talk to me. I like you because of your honesty, don’t start hiding your feelings now.”

He snorted, but couldn’t help match her smile. Her emerald eyes demanded no less from him.

“It’s too sudden,” he said. “Fordred, it was quick, but I witnessed it, I understand his reasoning. He was never all that close with Lady Mystra, so a spiritual change to a motherly, welcoming goddess like Harmony… It is swift and perhaps rash, but I can understand his choices.”

He once again looked toward the rest of his kin, his eyes falling squarely on Huron’s shoulders.

“Not one of my elves has given any indication that they have had a similar experience. In fact, had Huron not respected Soheiel’s wishes, I would have called off this ceremony entirely, and damn the consequences.”

Glancing at the elf, he noticed a wince, and the beginnings of tears. He nudged his way free of Aquila’s grasp and moved over to the elf, sitting beside her and offering his hand, which she quickly accepted, her eyes still focused below, slowly filling with tears. Kathranis leaned forward and brushed the hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

“Are you alright?” he asked softly.

She stared for a moment more before finally looking to him, smiling and nodding, the tears threatening to spill over.

“Apologies, Blademaster.” She bowed her head. “I… it is a happy day for everyone, it really is! I just…” She looked below again, her eyes on her brother, who at that moment was staring up, a lonely look on his face as he met her gaze. “I wish Aranhad was here with me. We talked half the day away about this. He isn’t confident in what the others are saying, but he visited a temple yesterday and felt Harmony’s light…” She choked up, her hand covering her mouth as she turned away.

Kathranis waited, his thumb rubbing her slender hand gently. A moment later, Soheiel buried her face in his shoulder, weeping openly as she clung to him. Luieustriel moved to join him, but he flashed quickly in handcant.

Not yet.

Luieustriel bowed her head, but stood, ready to move. Kathranis gave her an appreciative nod before turning his attention back to the elf maiden weeping in his arms. He rubbed her back and rested his head over on top of hers.

“Shhh, it’s alright. He is still your brother, they are all still our family and friends. They are merely starting on a new journey in this new home of ours.”

“I know!” Soheiel cried. “And I should be happy, but he’s my twin. We’ve done everything together. W-we played in the same fields, found Selune together, and even enrolled in the fighting academy together. He was there when my first love died! I held him when he lost his son…” Her blue eyes shined as she stared up at him, tears streaking down her pale face. “We’ve only had each other for years. I… I was prepared for him starting a new family, maybe even leaving our band of elves for Evermeet, but leaving our faith? W-we… I…” She shook her head, choking up with tears. “Our bond with our Lady would bear us through a million miles, but now he turns away from her light? I…”

As she shivered, Kathranis noticed her hand clutching at a silvery pendant. He let out a sigh and hugged her tight.

“Would you like to join him?” he whispered, feeling his heart ache at the suggestion. If it would help her find happiness, however, he had to offer it. He was Blademaster first. “It will not take much effort, and he looks like he would be glad to wait a week, even months to officially join Harmony’s faith. For you, I’m sure he would leap at the chance.”

Soheiel sniffled and shook her head.

“I can’t,” she croaked. “I love Lady Selune. I know it feels different now, like our prayers aren’t being answered, but I can’t simply abandon my love for her. She holds my heart, just as Lady Sylvanus holds yours. I… I love my brother, I…” She whimpers and shakes her head again. “I just can’t… Lady Selune is all I have left. I can’t…”

She started to weep again, and Luieustriel quickly moved to sit beside her, offering her another embrace.

“Shh, it’ll be alright.” Soheiel’s grasping arms left Kathranis’ shoulders and shifted to Luieustriel’s as she continued to weep. “We are still your family, and if ever you feel a new calling, we all will support you. Aranhad included.” She giggled as Kathranis stood. “He’s probably going to be driving suitors off with a stick within the next few days, just you wait. Do you think Harmony is going to cure that bullheadedness of his?”

Soheiel whispered her reply, but her tears dried just slightly, and Luieustriel continued, her words lost in their softness as Kathranis moved to stand beside Aquila again. The gryphoness gently wiped the tears from his armor, her eyes focused on the crying elf.

“I… I should fetch a priestess,” Aquila whispered. “I know she feels attached, but Harmony-”

“No,” Kathranis cut in, his tone quiet and firm. “I said it once and I will say it as many times as I need to. My elves will find their own way to Harmony, or I will see us to the forests to live alone.” He glanced back at Soheiel, glad he hadn’t attempted to offer Sylvanus’ love either. She didn’t need some religious bout being fought over her while she was all but grieving the loss of her twin brother. “She has made her choice, and we shall all respect it. At least she has explained her justifications to me.”

His eyes shifted below, and he felt another touch of anger flit across his chest as he watched Princess Luna. She had taken a seat next to Huron, and as he watched, her hand drifted to rest over his brother’s. The pair exchanged a glance, and Kathranis was sure he saw a shared blush.

‘If this is over a bout of romantic fervor I will castrate him,’ Kathranis mentally growled.

He bit his tongue, holding back a yelp as claws slipped beneath his trousers and bit at his leg.

‘Calm yourself cub,’ Secil snarled in reply. ‘You do not get to make a judgment like that. You are Blademaster. If you object to his, or any of their involvements in this ceremony, then be a man and say so. Otherwise, feel gladness that Huron and the others have found joy, much as you have.’

Kathranis glowered at the railing, sufficiently chastised by his familiar. Though the words burned him… the cat was right. He could end the ceremony with a word. His elves would follow his word, even if they despised him for it. Fordred would certainly be heartbroken, but he’d obey, if only for long enough to demand that he explain himself. That was perhaps the thing he hated the most. He had been left out, had been surprised by his own brother making such a significant change. He imagined he’d be near to Soheiel’s state if he wasn’t so angry at not being informed.

He took another deep breath, then felt a taloned hand over his. The other turned his chin so that his eyes met Aquila’s. Her expression bled concern as she leaned in closer.

“Are you alright?” she asked.

Kathranis sighed, glancing again toward Soheiel.

“I am a poor Blademaster,” he grumbled. “I am fit for roaming the wilds and sword-fighting, not… this. There are so many great changes, and at every turn I am a step behind, focused on the wrong thing, letting my people down at each turn.” He bowed his head, shaming replacing the burning anger in his chest. “I wonder if I should not simply leave and let Huron take over. He is to shortly have a connection to Harmony, which puts him in line with most of my people, as well as all of yours, especially your mother…” His shoulders slumped. “By the gods, he’d probably even make a better suitor for you. He was the better swordsmen for the longest time, has better patience, remains a ladies-man-”

“Shadowsong, I will cut out your tongue if you say one more word,” Aquila growled.

Her claws poked at his throat, demanding his eyes raise, this time to meet a gaze of pure fury. Her beak curled in a snarl as she spoke in a quiet growl.

“I did not chose to court you because you were politically convenient. I have denied dozens that would be better for the crown than you.” Her eyes glowed for a moment, then her claws retracted and she stroked his cheek. “And I can’t speak for your people on a personal level, but you have done a marvelous job at keeping them safe in a new world. My mother may not like you much, but my father does, as does my brother, and both of my keepers. That is not such a small thing, and I would like you to stop doubting their opinions of you.”

Kathranis felt a ghost of a smile flicker across his lips.

“And you, my Princess? Is this wretched little failure of an elf still worth your time?”

Aquila snorted, and the rest of her anger gradually cooled.

“Jokes won’t save you this time. I don’t want to hear this talk again, not unless you are completely serious about such things and need convincing to stay.” She placed his forehead against his, and Kathranis could practically feel some of his worry evaporate as he closed his eyes, pressing back against the gryphoness. “Do not say these things idly, my elf. Come to me if they ever have serious merit, but do not say them again otherwise. I won’t tolerate it.”

Kathranis sighed and nodded.

“Alright,” he whispered in reply. “But I must do better. Our time together may suffer for that.”

“Then it suffers, we have time enough.”

Kathranis smiled, and his hands wrapped around her. Aquila purred and helped, pulling him into her feathery embrace.

“Better. Now let’s watch. The ceremony is about to start, and frankly, I believe Mother is waiting on us.”

Kathranis glanced over the balcony to find the queen of gryphons glaring his way. She was dressed in similar white robes as his kin, but also bore a crown that shined in the sunshine slowly creeping through the massive stained glass window behind the pedestal. Gold was draped around her neck and wrists as well, each marked with another rainbow colored gem. Scylla’s glare quickly softened as he relaxed against the wall again, much of his inner turmoil calmed for the moment. She flared her wings, and the chattering in the chapel quieted as her voice boomed out in greeting.

“Welcome to the Fifthsday celebration! I am pleased to see so many familiar faces here, and so many new! As you have no doubt heard, we shall be showing our new friends in Harmony’s love today, and I welcome any who have not yet welcomed Her light to come and join us! There is always room in Her embrace!”

“Harmony’s love is all!” came a cheerful reply from the crowd. Kathranis glanced at Aquila as she whispered the words as well. She smiled nervously his way when she noticed his gaze, and he smiled back, waving his hand, as if to say; ‘don’t hide’. She relaxed and gave him a peck on the cheek before resuming her watch.

Scylla nodded, beaming.

“Indeed, Harmony’s love is all, and I am glad to welcome our new friends to her love. We shall begin with welcoming my personal friend Fordred!” She bowed her head to the elvish wizard, who rose, his blush visible from the balcony. “And once we have welcomed all of our new friends, we shall hold our traditional Fifthsday service, and a feast!”

A cheer went up among the crowd, and Aquila leaned over again.

“The feast will be fun Shadowsong. We should dance, we never did get to dance at your victory ball.”

Kathranis blushed and gently elbowed the gryphoness, earning him a giggle.

“Quiet harpy, you’ll ruin the moment.”

“With any luck,” she chirped.

Fordred moved forward, and a vaguely familiar gryphon stepped out from behind Scylla to stand at his side. The gryphon queen smiled at the pair of them before clasping her hands before her.

“Master Fordred, Lord Grayfeather. I welcome you both to Harmony’s hall.”

The pair both bowed their heads.

“Thank you, Priestess,” they answered together, their voices strong.

Kathranis felt his fingers drift instinctively toward his holy symbol, clutching the leaf tight.

“You’re sure my presence isn’t sacrilege?” he whispered.

“I can think of no better way to contact Harmony than to be here, and you still haven’t had time to speak with Lord Grayfeather yourself,” Aquila whispered. “If you need to leave, let me know, but try to endure. I think it will be worth it.”

Kathranis nodded, taking a deep breath as the ceremony continued.

“Master Fordred,” Scylla continued, looking toward the elf. “You have come to recognize Harmony as your goddess? You have felt her light in your heart? Feel her love for you?”

Fordred smiled and nodded.

“I have, Priestess. I feel her love and wish to spread her light to every dark corner of the world.”

Scylla leaned forward and kissed his forehead, then looked to Grayfeather.

“Priest Grayfeather, you have spoken with Fordred. Is he a friend? Does his heart hold Her light, as yours does?”

Grayfeather’s wing extended, wrapping around Fordred’s shoulders.

“His heart is full, Priestess. She loves him as her own son, even though he is not from our world. Harmony fills him with her light, and wishes to spread her love through him. Of this, I would stake my life on.”

Scylla nodded, then smiled at Fordred before looking to the crowd, raising her wings.

“Then we welcome Fordred into Her love! All rise, as I bless our new brother with Her light!”

The sun was shining bright through the stained glass now, and a single prismatic beam focused on the center of the alter. While Grayfeather moved to his original position, Scylla guided Fordred to the spot, beckoning him to kneel. As soon as her hand left his shoulder, the rainbow light seemed to spread throughout the chapel. A collective gasp rose from the crowd as Fordred channeled the divine light, and Kathranis braced himself to run with his fellow Sylvanites.

Aquila let out a gasp of delight as the light touched her, and looking at her, Kathranis was amazed. Her already incredible beauty was somehow enhanced. Her feathers shined with the prismatic light, as did her eyes. She looked toward him, and her eyes widened.

“S-Shadowsong? D-did something happen to Lady Sylvanus?”

He tilted his head in confusion, then looked down, his eyebrows raising. His clothes were bathed in the same light, the rainbow colors curling in and out, all across his body. Glancing toward his followers, he found them looking similarly astounded. Riven looked toward Kathranis in open confusion.

“Blademaster? Are we… I feel a call, but I can resist without trouble.”

Kathranis’ eyes flicked to Luieustriel and Soheiel, who similarly nodded.

“I feel an invitation Blademaster,” Soheiel whispered. “I… I fear what will happen if I turn Harmony away. Will she hate me? Will… is this my only chance?”

Kathranis glanced at Aquila who shook her head, her beak flapping as she shrugged.

“She shouldn’t?” Aquila offered. “It isn’t her way to hold grudges for life.”

Kathranis looked toward Fordred, who stood with arms outstretched, eagerly soaking in the light. He then looked toward his holy symbol, which glowed with emerald light. He glanced at Secil, who gave a cat-like smile and nodded, reading his thoughts. Kathranis took a breath and looked to his elves.

“I… will attempt contact. Lady Sylvanus will protect me. If I fail…” he took another breath, his heart racing as if he’d been fighting for days. He didn’t want to say the words, but if he came back preaching for Harmony… “Make your own choices. You are each strong enough to determine where your heart belongs. Pray to the Lady that I am of similar strength.”

He fell into a cross-legged position and held his holy symbol tight. Closing his eyes, Kathranis focused on the light surrounding him, grabbing hold of its invitation.

He let out a gasp as he opened his eyes, finding himself in an empty chapel. He sat cross-legged at Fordred’s place on the alter, the light focused squarely on him. It was just as warm and loving as before, and had he been a panther like Secil, he imagined he would have purred. His hand still held his holy symbol, however, and he felt his goddess’ love. Warm fur and feathers embraced his back, and strong arms lifted him.

“Hello my friend,” a heavenly voice muttered. “I… I am glad…”

Kathranis turned as he listened to a goddess stutter. His smile was warm as he stared up at her, found himself staring at Aquila, simply… taller. Harmony looked confused, and she stepped away, her motions surprising him with their inclusion of fear. She was afraid? Of some little nothing like him?

“Not nothing!” she barked, her headfeathers becoming red. “I love each of my children, and I would love you!” Yellow consumed her headfeathers next as tears filled her eyes. “Why won’t you accept my love? Please, please my friend, I will beg if that is whats necessary, please do not turn away from my love again.”

Kathranis raised his hand, an earnest smile on his face.

“I don’t want to, Lady Harmony! Your love is warm, all encompassing! I would happily welcome it into my heart, I just can’t abandon my current love for it. Please, let me call my goddess, Lady Sylvanus! She merely wants to speak, to be your friend, much as I would love to be!”

Her feathers curled through all the colors of the rainbow, and a hopeful look briefly crossed her beak, before fear once again reigned supreme, and she stepped back again.

“H-he said the same! He lied to me, t-tried to kill me!”

Her hand waved and the light vanished, plunging Kathranis into blackness.

“Away!”

He opened his eyes to find the prismatic absent on his body. Looking up, Aquila was still alight with colors, but his fellow Sylvanites were not. He bowed his head, the weight of failure crushing his chest.

“She threw me out,” he whispered. “I…. I was there, and she… she said ‘no’.”

He looked up at Aquila, tears in his eyes.

“I… I doomed my goddess. By the gods I just killed Lady Sylvanus.” He looked to Riven and Luieustriel. “I-I’m so sorry. Our goddess will die with us.”

*****

As Fordred stood happily with Lord Grayfeather beside him, Scylla watched with some confusion as Luna stepped up beside Huron. The pair were smiling, just as bright as Fordred had been, however, so she recovered, unable to shake a deep-seated wrongness she suddenly felt. Ruffling her feathers, she folded her hands.

“Princess Luna, I must express some surprise. I was under the impression it was members of my flock who led these members of Shadowsong's band to Harmony’s light.”

She detected a hint of smugness as Luna smiled brightly, her wings spread wide.

“It matters not how we came, Priestess. We are here nonetheless.”

Scylla blinked, then nodded.

“Indeed.” She looked to Huron, who perked up. “Master Huron, you have come to recognize Harmony as your goddess? You have felt her light in your heart? Feel her love for you?”

She noticed his eyes flick toward Luna for the barest hint of a second before he replied.

“I have, Priestess. I have felt her love and wish to see it fill every heart, to blanket every day and every night.”

Scylla again looked at Luna. These weren’t the normal phrases, didn’t carry the same meanings. The alicorn looked proudly at the elf beside her, then back to Scylla, her eyes filled with eager light. Scylla met that eagerness with a smile. She was being ridiculous. It was likely a minute change made by the Equestrians in recent years. It had been some time since she’d visit the castle of the pair of pony sisters. She leaned forward and kissed Huron’s forehead.

“Princess Luna, you have spoken with Huron. Is he a friend? Does his heart hold Her light, as yours does?”

The blue alicorn nodded, and her smile seemed sharp as it shined.

“He does. Huron’s heart holds the truest light of Harmony, of that we have no doubt.”

Scylla’s wings twitched again, but she nodded, calling out to the congregation.

“Then we welcome Huron into Her love! All rise, as I bless our new brother with Her light!

The elf stepped forward, and Scylla felt her confidence return as he moved just the same. A bare touch of hesitation, only natural as he kneeled. Once he was in the light of Harmony, however, all was… Scylla felt the light weaken, just slightly. Though she disguised it as part of the ceremony, she turned and looked toward the balcony, where she knew Shadowsong and his ‘followers’ were seated. With the light of Harmony flowing through her, she could easily detect discordant forces, and there in the balcony, she found an astounding level of grief. Momentarily she felt rage. How dare the elf shame his kin for welcoming Harmony’s light? He would go so far as to grieve them as if dead because they accepted the love of Harmony? But as renewed light flowing through her, she felt a confusion, and it was coming from her goddess.

Huron rose, much as Fordred had, and Scylla smiled at him, embracing him in a hug. The elf happily returned it before moving toward Luna, giving her the same. While the chapel cheered, Huron moved next to Fordred, while Luna remained in place, motioning for the next elf. Scylla felt yet more confusion.

“You… have welcomed them all?” she asked.

Luna beamed.

“Indeed, Priestess. We have spoken at length. If you are ready?”

Scylla looked again to the balcony, then inward, suddenly filled with confusion and un-surity. Swallowing she nodded and smiled. Something was wrong, but she was a priestess and a queen. She would endure and sort out everything in private. Perhaps Terran might even offer some of his unique insights. All would be well then. First she had a duty to welcome the elves to the light of Harmony.

“Of course,” she said, bowing her head to Luna. “You do Harmony a great service. Let us continue.”

Chapter 3

Kathranis woke to the smell of cooking meat. His eyes strained to open in the early morning sunlight. He yawned widely, and wiped the crust away from his eyelids, then blinked rapidly to become adjusted to the light streaming into the cave. The fire was long dead, with not even a trace of warmth offered by the coals, and Kathranis was surprised to find himself utterly alone. Secil usually rose with him, but the large black cat was nowhere to be seen.

Kathranis shifted the bag off of his lap, then slowly pushed himself to his feet. He gritted his teeth as the wound in his abdomen ached and cried out for a more rest, but he knew that movement would help the pain ease up. A quick check found all of his other injuries mostly healed, so with a glance to make sure his stomach bandage hadn’t soaked through, he slowly made his way out of the cave.

He was immediately greeted by the sight of rabbits roasting over a much larger campfire. Zefuris was the one cooking the meat, keeping one eye on its progress, and the other on Secil, who sat on the other side of the fire. The panther was gnawing on a large set of bones, occasionally tearing away a left-over strand of meat. The panther’s eyes lit up when they noticed Kathranis, and the cat paused in his meal to nod toward the carcass of a small deer.

‘Since I have to do everything around here,’ he called mentally, ‘I caught us breakfast. No need to thank me, though I do accept careful love and affection as a reward.’

Kathranis snorted and limped forward. Without the support of the wall, he felt his wound begin to pull. He winced, then braced it with a hand before moving around the fire to plop down beside the cat. The elf cast an appraising eye over the deer, then chuckled and shook his head.

“Still the same cat I found in the woods hm? I would have thought you learned after the fourth time that I can’t eat raw meat.”

Secil snorted and rolled his eyes as he settled back down to continue gnawing on his leg bone.

‘You would have developed the ability if you had eaten that first piece. Lady Sylvanus told me we were fated to meet, and I’m sure it was pure happenstance that you wandered into my hunting grounds as an elf cub.’

Kathranis groaned aloud and flopped back, laying his head against the cat’s spine.

“Not this old argument again.”

‘I’m just saying,’ Secil continued. ‘Why would Sylvanus lead you out there so young if not to be raised as a proper hunter. If you had just sat still during my pouncing lessons, I think a lot of your current problems wouldn’t exist.’

Kathranis chuckled and shook his head.

“You’re a ridiculous beast, and would make an awful father.”

Secil let out a yowl of protest, and one of his paws rose to bat at Kathranis’ head. The elf laughed as the massive thing covered his face, and he did his best to fight back, rolling onto his side to flick the panther in the nose. Secil whirled into his pouncing pose, and with a wiggle of his hips, attacked Kathranis, completely covering the elf. Kathranis continued laughing as Secil sniffed and licked at his face, intentionally slobbering all over him.

‘Apologize immediately cub,’ Secil said mentally. ‘You are very disrespectful, and I know I raised you better.’

“You didn’t raise anything!” Kathranis protested.

Secil seemed to grin at him, and he pinned all four of Kathranis’ limbs before leaning upward. He stuck his tongue out and leaned close.

‘Is that so? Then perhaps I should start now with a proper bath. Every cub needs their parents to conduct their first bath.’

Kathranis’ smile dropped.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

Secil inched closer.

‘Apologize immediately cub, or I bathe you in front of the gryphons, ruining any diplomatic progress you’ve made with them. I want to stay in the woods anyway, so it’s no skin off my nose.’

Kathranis frowned at the panther, then sighed.

‘Fine,’ he replied mentally. ‘I apologize. I’m sure you could make a great father if you ever found the right mate.’

Secil’s tongue vanished as he sat on Kathranis’ chest smugly.

‘Good cub. You only made one mistake.’

“And that was?”

‘You should have made your apology out loud.’

Secil moved with lightning speed, seizing Kathranis’ head in his paws. His large tongue then began to run through Kathranis’ hair, causing the elf to sputter in protest. He attempted to wiggle free, but Secil’s pin was too complete, and the panther had full control as his tongue descended again and again. As the “bath” continued, Secil’s tongue strokes seemed to take on a more serious tone.

‘You are quite filthy,’ the cat noted. ‘It was in jest at first, but you truly need a good bath. Stop your squirming so I can make your hair shine.’

Kathranis groaned again as the cat began to settle in. A shadow fell over them, however, and both looked up to find Aquila barely able to keep back her laughter. Her brilliant smile made Kathranis flush with embarrassment, and he looked away as she spoke.

“Feel free to continue,” she said to Secil, “but I think it would be best if Shadowsong was sitting up. His wounds should stay out of the dirt, and he needs food.”

She snorted and scratched between Secil’s ears.

“Besides, how are you going to get the back of his head?”

Secil blinked at her, then looked to Kathranis. He tilted his head and blinked again.

‘Sit up,’ Secil said. ‘She’s right, I need to get the back. It’s no doubt filthy, and I will not have you looking like some kind of degenerate.’

“Degenerate?” Kathranis echoed. “Secil, did you hit your head when I wasn’t looking?”

The cat hopped off of Kathranis’ lap, and as soon as the elf sat up, he hopped up onto his shoulders. The tongue set to work again, and Kathranis could only sigh and glare at Aquila as she chortled. The gryphon shrugged her shoulders as she met his eyes.

“Sorry, but it’s just too cute.” She handed him a rabbit leg and set a canteen of water at his feet. “Hear, you should eat. Manticore stings usually make me hungry.”

Kathranis accepted the leg and looked up at her.

“Do you make a habit of getting stung by manticores?” he asked as he took a bite.

Aquila shrugged and sat across from him, biting into her own rabbit with ease. Kathranis hadn’t noticed before, but as she spoke, he noticed her razor-sharp teeth flash in the sunlight.

“Not stung per se,” she answered. “But it is part of our training to become exposed to a wide array of dangerous toxins and venoms. My brother and I both have built up some tolerance, and now it doesn’t do much more than hurt and make us hungry.”

Valan snorted and Kathranis saw a look of contempt in his eyes.

“Don’t be so dramatic Aquila. All hatchlings are put through immunity training, and even those fresh from their eggs show better composure from a manticore sting.”

Kathranis cocked his head at the gryphon and smiled.

“Is that so? Well perhaps I shall try to keep my wits about me better next time.”

He picked up the canteen and made to take a drink, but paused and flashed a grin at Valan.

“Tell me, is cowering behind someone else due to a few half-starved humans part of your immunity training as well?”

Aquila sputtered and choked, and a quick glance to Zefuris found the larger gryphon struggling not to smile. He stared hard at the rabbit he was spit roasting as Valan sat in shocked silence. Aquila sucked in a large gulp of breath, then leaned forward and slapped Kathranis on the shoulder.

“Don’t make me laugh like that!” she said.

“Don’t side with him!” Valan protested.

Aquila scoffed and waved a hand at him.

“You deserved it. Quit acting uppity. You have no right to criticize others about fighting ability or how they act after they’ve been injured. Don’t make me bring up the bee incident.”

Kathranis watched as Valan seemed to stiffen with fear.

“You wouldn’t dare,” the young gryphon answered.

Aquila grinned and took a large bite of her rabbit, saying nothing. Valan stared at her for a moment, then huffed and plopped down, crossing his arms and staring hard at the fire. Aquila rolled her eyes.

“Peacock,” she said lightly, earning her another glare from her brother.

She then looked back to Kathranis and grinned.

“So Shadowsong, what are your plans now that you’ve had a bit of rest? My offer still stands from last night.”

Kathranis paused just before he bit into the rabbit again.

“Offer?” he asked. “I don’t remember any kind of offer.”

Aquila waved her hand.

“Well I didn’t give you one in so many words, but still, you need help finding your family, and Stonetalon Peak is the best place to start a search!”

She shrugged and met his eyes again.

“It’s all semantics either way. Are you coming with us or not?”

Kathranis stared into the air in thought for a moment. Aquila chuckled at him and stared pointedly at his bandaged midsection.

“As your current physician, I highly recommend at least one night in the castle healing ward.”

Her eyes flicked up, alight with mirth.

“And as a Princess, I could have you arrested if you say no.”

Kathranis smiled and tilted his head.

“Are you trying to threaten me?” he asked.

Aquila shrugged and looked toward Zefuris.

“I’m not threatening you, just merely… convincing from a strong position.”

She waved a talon.

“Dad taught us about that one. Something about talking small and carrying a sharp sword.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“Then it would seem you still have a bit of the lesson left to learn. Your talk is anything but small.”

Aquila shrugged.

“Maybe, but is it working anyway?”

Kathranis paused once more in thought, but it was hard to focus with Secil’s constant licking. The panther was slowly moving down his hair, with his tongue moving in long strokes. Kathranis’ familiar was clearly enjoying himself, going so far as to purr lightly. The sound was like music, emanating from the cat’s fluffy chest. Kathranis leaned back slightly, trying to get as much warmth as he could from the panther, and if he noticed, Secil didn’t voice any concerns about the small shift in posture. He merely adjusted his licking accordingly, focusing his effort on Kathranis’ scalp. He already knew what Secil wanted to do, and on further thought, living secluded in the wilderness wasn’t a terrible idea. He would be able to connect further with nature, and he had Secil for companionship. He wasn’t entirely sure his family were in this new place, so the trip to the home of the gryphons would be a wasted journey.

The elf sighed and looked to Aquila, spreading his hands.

“Are there any other reasons to go to this city of yours? What if the information I seek isn’t there?”

He motioned to the tall trees around them.

“For me, this is quite a good place to make a home. Secil would have plenty to hunt, and with a bit of work, the cave could be quite homey for a ranger like myself.”

Aquila snorted.

“I’m going to ignore the part where you said that you would rather live in a cave by yourself than with a city’s worth of wonderful gryphons, but…”

She frowned for a moment, then snapped her fingers.

“I know! I want you to come.”

Kathranis stared at her blankly as she sat back with a smug grin, as if she had just given him all the reason in the universe to join them. When she didn’t continue, he gave her a half smile and a small shrug.

“Is that all? Princess, I don’t mean to offend, but you are not friend enough to me to make such an agreement more agreeable.”

Valan chuckled, earning him a crossed-arm glare from his sister. Aquila huffed and switched her glare to Kathranis.

“I should smack you for that comment, but,” she exhaled and laid back, relaxing her posture, “I suppose you have a point. We barely know each other.”

Her face twisted in a satisfied grin.

“Which gives you yet another reason to accompany each other to Stonetalon. Even if we can’t find your family, you could at least take some time to heal and we can foster a healthy friendship. I believe we have much to learn from each other, as you seem unfamiliar with Gryphonia, while I would love to hear more about elves.”

She giggled at Kathranis’ stunned expression.

“And do remember the part where I can have you arrested and taken with us.”

Kathranis blinked at her, then smiled. He laughed aloud, and leaning back fully, he finally interrupted Secil’s bathing. The panther seemed to frown as he placed his chin on top of Kathranis’ head as the elf continued to laugh.

‘Is there something particularly funny?’ the cat asked.

‘She reminds me of a happier Tatiana,’ Kathranis answered. ‘I think we will become fast friends if she is always like this.’

Secil huffed.

‘It’s always friends with you. So many friends. Pick a lover out cub. You need to bre-‘

The panther yowled aloud as Kathranis interrupted his thought with a shove. As he began to turn around in preparation of a pounce, Kathranis smiled at Aquila.

“It would appear that you have me at your mercy Princess. If it is not too much of a bother, I will accompany you to Stonetalon Peak.”

The gryphon’s smile broadened.

“Excellent, I’ll make sure it’s worth it.”

She giggled again as Secil pounced on Kathranis’ back, and the two began to wrestle again as the gryphons continued their breakfast.

*****

Aquila watched the elf as he limped back into the cave to gather his gear with the panther in tow. He put on an amazingly brave face, but it wasn’t hard to see how much he was hurting. She had understated her experiences with manticore stings, but they were no laughing matter. It had taken her over a decade to not cry when stung, and even her most recent immunity injection had brought some tears to her eyes. The ability to simply ignore that level of pain and then put on a smile was nothing short of astounding.

Aquila turned to her traveling companions and smiled.

“So, what is our plan for today gentlemen?”

Zefuris rolled his shoulder and gave his wings a flap.

“My wounds are fully healed Princess, and I believe we should make all speed back to the castle. Your father is surely worried, and it won’t take us much more than a few hours of hard flying to reach Stonetalon.”

“Doubt it,” Valan muttered.

Zefuris glowered at the smaller gryphon but said nothing. Aquila snorted at their continued bickering. As she reached for another rabbit, she asked;

“So, let’s put “healed our bodyguard” onto the list of things Shadowsong has done for us.”

She glanced at Zefuris with a frown.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice that flight addition. Shadowsong and his pet are coming with us, whether you two like it or not. He has done nothing but risk his life for our sakes, and I will not turn my back on him.”

Zefuris sighed and picked up a small stick.

“Princess, respectfully, I don’t believe that bringing him to Stonetalon is our best course,” he said, poking at the fire. “He is a human unlike we have ever seen,”

“He said he was an elf,” Aquila interrupted.

Zefuris sighed again and met her eyes.

“That may be, but we have no context for what an “elf” is. We don’t know what this creature will do to save his own life. His every word could be a lie, his every action driven to get him to a seat of power so that he can spread his foul magic.”

He motioned to the cave.

“You heard him last night. He is studied in the ways of necromancy. He says to fight,” the gryphon added, cutting off Aquila’s second interruption, “but we can’t know that. You say his actions are that of a genuine, good being just helping out three hunters who made mistakes. I say that things are far too coincidental for that. I will not condemn him to death for what could be a misunderstanding, but I will not put faith in his actions until I see unassailable proof that he is not our enemy.”

Aquila smiled broadly, an action that seemed to confuse Zefuris.

“Well then faithful servant, you have just absolutely justified why we need to bring Shadowsong with us. If he acts as our traveling companion, you can keep an eye on him.”

She flapped her wings out, then put her hands behind her head and chuckled as she laid on her back, smiling at the clear blue sky. Zefuris grumbled something under his breath, then, with a final sigh, he replied.

“It would appear that you are correct Princess. We should bring the elf and his pet with us.”

“And what if Zefuris is right?” Valan piped up. “What if Shadowsong and his beast are out for our heads?”

Aquila sat up slightly and raised an eyebrow at him.

“Then taking him to a castle with the world’s best army, and that is currently hosting the most powerful magic users in existence is a good way to kill such a threat, right?”

She flopped back and waved a hand.

“Princess Luna is supposed to be there with her entire elite guard as extra gathering security. I think that if Shadowsong managed to overpower the entire gryphon kingdom, she could be someone who could kill him. If she can’t though,” she shrugged, “then we couldn’t do anything anyway, so what’s the harm? If he’s this all powerful dark magic user you two hatchlings fear, then he’s going to find his way to Stonetalon Peak at some point. We might as well invite him and deal with him on our terms.”

She sat up and spread her hands.

“There, is that a good enough plan for you, or would you rather continue talking like a couple of changelings with your backstabbing and bickering?”

Both flinched under the insult and stared at the ground in shame.

“Sorry Aquila,” Valan said after a moment of silence.

“Good,” she said in reply. “Because you should be.”

She stood and dusted herself off.

“You two finish eating and put out the fire. I’ll go check on our friends. And Zefuris?”

The white feathered gryphon withered under her eyes.

“Yes Princess?”

“No more humoring this kind of talk until we get home. If you want to bring up your concerns with Dad, then do so, but don’t do it with me. I think you are absolutely wrong, and I won’t even humor your counter argument until the mask you claim Shadowsong is wearing has slipped, am I clear?”

Zefuris bowed his head.

“Of course Princess. I shall hold my tongue unless it is an emergency.”

*****

Kathranis grunted as he straightened with the bag full of tomes. Secil lounged lazily on the other side of the burnt-out fire, watching him finish preparing without interest. As Kathranis adjusted his wrist guards, he glanced toward his familiar.

“So Secil, what do you think our new friends are talking about?”

The panther snorted and laid his head down, looking toward the cave entrance.

‘No doubt the best way to kill and eat you,’ he replied. ‘If you haven’t noticed, the males don’t like you.’

Kathranis smiled.

“That they don’t, but I am curious as to why. They harbor some hatred toward humans, that much is clear, and the large one, Zefuris his name was? His reaction to my mention of necromancy was alarming to say the least. He acts worse than the most pious of priests. Even they learn enough to know what they are fighting. Necromancy is evil, yes, but he acted like the mere mention of the word would summon banshees to scream our souls out.”

Secil huffed and his tail flicked back and forth in the dirt.

‘I would stay warry. They may try to lure you into a false state of relaxation, then capture you. This morning’s bath aside, I know for a fact that you hate being caged just as much as I do.’

Kathranis nodded in agreement and stopped fiddling with his wrist guard.

“Indeed, which reminds me. I must send thanks to Lady Sylvanus. I was too dazed yesterday, yet she still granted me immense magic. I would be loathe not to thank her.”

Secil’s eyes flicked to meet Kathranis’

‘You never thanked me for helping you.’

Kathranis snorted and walked over to the cat, scratching his head.

“You didn’t do anything,” Kathranis said, much to cat’s protest. “Aquila is the one who bandaged me up, and I did not ask you to lick my hair into a state of cleanliness.”

Secil huffed and rose, shaking the dust from his pelt.

‘Ungrateful cub. I’m bathing all of you next time. Maybe then I’ll finally earn some praise from your joyless tongue.’

Kathranis laughed aloud as they moved toward the cave entrance.

“I would rather shower you in praise for the rest of our days then be bathed fully by you.”

Secil looked and seemed to grin smugly.

‘Well then you may begin cub. Shower me with all of your praise. I’m waiting.’

Kathranis snorted.

“Later perhaps. We still need to figure out our course.”

He came to a surprised stop when he nearly ran into Aquila. The gryphon seemed equally as startled, but she recovered quickly and grinned at him.

“Shadowsong, I was coming to see if you were ready to leave yet.”

The elf matched her smile and nodded.

“Indeed I am. How far is this Stonetalon Peak?”

They walked back into the sunlight.

“A few dozen miles,” Aquila replied. “It’s a little under a day’s flying, but for us, it should perhaps take us a day, maybe two, of walking.”

As she spoke, Kathranis noticed that Zefuris and Valan were both already prepared to move. The smaller gryphon was in the process of kicking out the fire, while the larger one was keeping an eye on the elf and his familiar. Secil flicked Kathranis’ thigh with his tail, then wandered over to the pair, sitting down just before Zefuris. The large gryphon stared him down, watching the great cat carefully. Secil stared back, his eyes unblinking as he watched the gryphon. Kathranis sighed and sent a mental call to Secil to be careful, then he looked to Aquila.

“I am prepared to leave then, but I will need to offer a small prayer before we do so. My Lady Sylvanus granted me the magic that healed your bodyguard, and it was very generous. I’d like to give her my thanks before we travel this day.”

Aquila tilted her head.

“Who’s Sylvanus?” She paused, then shook her head. “Actually, I have a much better question; what do you mean she “granted” you the magic?”

Kathranis chuckled.

“I think it is a difference between your realm and my own, but let us speak of it later. I would like time to confirm my suspicions about what has happened to myself and my familiar first.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Kathranis saw a flicker of movement. Zefuris turned his back to Secil for just a moment, but a moment was all the panther needed. His tail flicked back and forth, then with a wiggle of his hips, the cat pounced, driving the gryphon to the ground. Secil immediately pinned Zefuris’ arms and began to aggressively lick the sputtering gryphon’s face. Aquila laughed aloud as her brother looked on in horror. With his arms pinned, there was little Zefuris could do to fight back, and he looked pleadingly to Kathranis.

“Please stop your beast,” he begged between licks.

Kathranis chuckled as Secil made the gryphon’s headfeathers stick up at an odd angle with a particularly wet lick, then he snapped his fingers.

“Secil, enough. Let the poor man be.”

The panther sat up, his tongue still hanging from his mouth.

‘I am helping with diplomatic relations,’ he noted. ‘No more will this one watch for attacks from me, but instead will be wary of the glory of my bathing techniques.’

‘That may be,’ Kathranis replied, ‘but it’s time for our morning ritual. Off you come.’

Secil huffed aloud, then with one final lick, he hopped off the gryphon. Zefuris immediately rolled to his feet and began trying to get his feathers under control. He looked anything but composed as he straightened, shooting a nasty glare at Secil, who calmly began to groom his ears. Aquila giggled again and gave Kathranis a pat on the shoulder.

“Go and give your thanks Shadowsong, I must mend the pride of my bodyguard.”

Kathranis gave her a small bow and a smile before he turned toward the tree he had selected for his morning prayers. Secil followed instantly, his tail flicking happily as he bumped his head into Kathranis’ side. The elf gave him a head pat in reply.

As they arrived at the tree, Kathranis set to work. He withdrew a knife from his boot and easily cut away of short length of his hair. Secil shifted to his house cat size, then became as rigid as a plank. In a flash of movement, he was off, and seconds later, Kathranis heard the squeal of a mouse. The cat returned with his prey in his jaws, and he reverently placed the kill over Kathranis’ hair. Kathranis bowed low to the ground, praying softly, while Secil placed himself just behind Kathranis’ outstretched form, keeping a careful watch for any predators that would seek to take advantage of a distracted elf. In an absolute state of peace, Kathranis closed his eyes, and he called out to his goddess.

Secil hissed in alarm when they both became flooded with magical power and he was forcefully shifted back to his panther size. Kathranis’ prayers ground to a halt as his jaw locked from the sheer force of the energy coursing through his body. With their ceasing, so too did the magic, but the transaction was already more than complete. Kathranis sat up and blinked, staring at the newly created grove before his eyes. Usually the only result of his prayers was a single orchid blooming in the place of their offering, but this time, the pair was surrounded by a field of the flower. A tree had grown next to the one he had selected, and ivy vines climbed both, meeting in an arch way high above their heads. What had been a simple clearing was now alive with a variety of different plants.

Kathranis looked to Secil, who looked as stunned as he was.

‘What was that?’ the panther asked. “What did you ask for?’

“Nothing!” Kathranis said aloud. “I merely gave her my thanks for blessing me with those healing spells, but then…”

He waved his arms around at the newly grown grove. As he did so, Kathranis noticed he didn’t feel a pull from his abdomen. He looked down to the bandage still wrapped around his mid-section, and after a second’s hesitation, he began to unravel it. Secil watched him intently, and they both sat in stunned silence when it pulled away to reveal his normal clean, pale skin. Kathranis lightly fingered the hole in his armor where the wound had been.

“There isn’t even a scar,” he whispered.

Kathranis glanced to his familiar, who shrugged.

‘I know not why today’s prayers resulted in this flood of support, but I’m not exactly going to protest it.’

Kathranis grunted in agreement.

“No, I suppose not. Whenever we stop to rest next I will try to offer another prayer. I do hope I am not tiring Lady Sylvanus.”

Secil got to his feet, and they both began to walk away from the circle of lively plant life.

‘I think the opposite is the case,’ the panther replied. ‘otherwise she would have turned you into a plant for those pretty flowers.’

Kathranis snorted and shoved the panther. Secil yowled in protest and tried to tackle him in reply, but Kathranis sped up his walking pace just enough that the panther missed his first pounce. Secil whirled about and with a playful yowl, he pounced at Kathranis again. This time the elf caught the great cat, letting Secil climb on his back. Kathranis braced the panther’s legs with his arms, and Secil used the support to flop his upper body over Kathranis’ head. His tongue lolled out of his mouth and slapped down, covering Kathranis’ forehead in drool.

The elf chuckled and looked to the trio of gryphons. Valan still looked hostile, pointedly curling his mouth downward in a frown. Zefuris simply looked happy that he wasn’t the one being slobbered on, while Aquila looked like she was about to fall into a fit of laughter. Her eyes oozed happiness, and she snorted and giggled, doing her best not to laugh as Kathranis carried his familiar over to them.

“Ready to leave Shadowsong?” she asked.

Kathranis smiled and nodded.

“That I am Princess.”

Aquila grinned at him, then waved to her two gryphon compatriots.

“Come on boys, let’s get started. Valan, you and Zefuris are in front, while Shadowsong and I are in the back.”

She raised a finger as Valan opened his mouth to protest.

“It’s so you two don’t antagonize the beautiful cat friend I have made. Now get your tails in gear.”

She shooed the pair, who exchanged an uneasy glance before walking forward together. Kathranis followed, keeping six paces between them. Secil parked himself in his normal position to Kathranis’ right, occasionally bumping into the elf’s hip. It surprised him, however, when Aquila joined them to his left. She was every bit as close as Secil was, and her wings would occasionally fluff out, never quite wrapping around Kathranis’ shoulder, but more than close enough to be noticeable.

The elf smiled at the gryphon, who grinned and winked in reply, falling into a happy silence as they walked into the forest.

Chapter 14

“It is concerning Terran,” Scylla hissed. “He has been polluted to a point that he claims worship of a false goddess! The blasphemes he asked me for!”

They were alone in the dining room, save for Zefuris, who stood waiting by the serving door. Terran frowned at their perfectly set table.

“I think there is more to this than demons of Tartarus,” Terran mumbled. “We would have known if one so powerful had escaped. No minor demon could enthrall a creature like Shadowsong in mere days.”

“But what if he hasn’t been here mere days?” Scylla replied. “What if that too is a deception?”

Terran glanced her way.

“You would doubt our mages now? They confirmed his story. His body still reeks of other-realm magic. He hasn’t been here long enough to have a normal magical aura, though that problem is being fixed with each passing day. Already he grows closer in magic to his kin, and they have been here far longer by their own admission.”

Scylla sighed.

“No. I believe both our mages, and the other elves. So far they have not spoken of false gods, and their ‘wizard’, Fordred, even embraced Harmony’s light. If creatures such as they can vouch for Master Shadowsong…”

Terran reached around her and rubbed the space between her wings, drawing a purr from the gryphoness.

“Give him time love. He has only been here for a couple days, and is already adapting to our ways. You saw how he reacted to the life-debt Valan owed him. As Aquila mentioned, perhaps in this other world of theirs Harmony merely took a different form, offered her gifts in a different way. Now that he is here, his magic needs to re-sync. Give him time, and I am sure he will find his way to Harmony.” He leaned in and nuzzled Scylla’s headfeathers, drawing a light groan from her. “Besides, my beautiful queen will be there to help his journey back to Harmony’s side every step of the way.”

The gryphoness blushed and leaned away before smacking him upside the head.

“Terran, we will have guests any moment!” Scylla admonished.

The gryphon took the hit with a grin, and he waggled in his seat with the opening signs of a pounce. Scylla swatted at him, this time bopping his nose.

“Enough you old bird. Save that for later.”

He waggled his eyebrows, his smile never dimming.

“As my queen commands.”

Scylla continued to blush as she sat up straight, fixing the ruffles he had put on her dress.

As if on cue, the door was opened by two guards, and Aquila led Valan and Kathranis into the room. The elf wasn’t wearing his usual armor, though his swords still hung from his waist. Instead he wore a modest tunic, covered partially with a crimson vest. His breeches matched the tunic, and the elf tried to subtly tug on them as the trio made for their seats.

“They’re still too tight,” he whispered.

Aquila snorted and swatted his hand.

“They’re fine Kathranis, you look great, and more importantly, you look official. If you wear armor all the time-”

“Yes yes, I’ll make myself look like a coward, you told me.” Kathranis gave the firm gripping leather on his rump another tug. “I still don’t like how tight these pants are.”

Aquila snatched his hand away as they sat down and held it hostage beneath the table.

“Well too bad, because I like it, and so will everyone else. You don’t hear me complaining every time I have to wear a dress, now do you?” She leaned in closer, whispering in his ear. “Now buck up, we’re about to have some very important guests, and Mom is staring.”

Kathranis’ eyes flicked across the table to where Scylla was watching him closely. Her eyes bore into him, as if she was considering attempting an “exorcism” on the spot. The smallest of moments to her left caused her to relax, and a glance that way found Terran offering a kind smile to the nervous elf.

“So,” the gryphon king started, “How has your day gone Shadowsong? I assume my children have been treating you well?”

Kathranis did his best to match the gryphon’s smile as he answered.

“They have. Valan replaced my cloak with one of far greater quality, while Aquila took me to your bathhouse. I must say, it was well worth the trip.”

“Oh?” Terran said, one of his eyebrows raising. “Did anything interesting happen?”

Kathranis had to force his eyes not to flick toward Scylla.

“Queen Scylla and I spoke momentarily about faith, and she extended a learning opportunity for me.”

He paused, carefully considering his next words. He could irreparably muck up the good will he had built with the gryphons so far, but again denying his goddess, especially now that he wasn’t in a panic…

“And did you feel Harmony’s light?” Terran asked.

“I did,” Kathranis admitted. “It was an inviting blanket of love and warmth. Had I not already pledged my soul to another, I would have embraced her wholeheartedly.”

“I thought we were going to continue the exorcism-” Scylla began.

“There is nothing to exorcise,” Kathranis interrupted. “Aquila provided that helpful excuse to save me from my own inability to confront my failed plan to bring our faiths closer together, and for that she has my thanks.” He met Scylla’s eyes. “But Lady Sylvanus is my goddess. She has been for over a century, and she will be until my dying breath. That is all there is to be said about that.”

Scylla’s beak clacked shut, and though she seemed more than a little irritated, the confidence in his words also seemed to placate her. She let out a low hum, before saying;

“I would still like you and your brethren to attend a prayer service, to ensure that you are not plagued by a demon.”

Kathranis smiled.

“That’s fine, and in fact, I think most of them would find much in such a service. Not all of them are so devout in their faith.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “But you will allow them to choose Harmony. If I have to withdraw my people to the trees to protect them, I will. Love is not a forced thing, even from a goddess.”

Surprisingly, Scylla smiled lightly.

“Are you sure that Sylvanus is not another name for Harmony? You speak like you could lead the sermon on Fifthsday.”

Kathranis finally relaxed, and with squeeze of thanks to Aquila, he spread his hands.

“What can I say? My Lady and I hold great value in friendship. The balance relies on such after all, and it is why she asks me to try and broach such between our goddesses.” He folded his hands before him. “But I will leave that topic for another day. I quite like where we are right now in our understanding of one another.”

Scylla’s beak again curled in irritation at his comparison of two goddesses, but she merely nodded and said;

“Agreed.”

Terran and Aquila both let out relieved sighs.

“Excellent,” the gryphon king said, clapping his talons together. “Valan, take note. That’s how a king resolves the hard problems. Now let’s eat!”

Kathranis smiled bashfully as servants flooded in with platters of food.

“I wouldn’t quite go that far good King. Queen Scylla and I merely set aside the worst of the problem to a later date…”

“Giving you time to think of a real solution, while also not ruining your current relationship,” Terran said, his fork stabbing at a chicken breast as soon as the plate was on the table. “And you stood your ground to boot. A perfect amount of give and take is exactly what makes a good king, as does knowing when to do which.”

He grinned and stabbed at a deer shank.

“I might be doubtful about this “goddess” of yours, but so far, you have been nothing but a good influence around here. As long as you keep your beak clean, you can dance naked through the halls for all I care, and your “goddess” with you.”

Kathranis chuckled, sparing a glance toward Valan to give the gryphon permission to eat.

“You mistake me for a wood elf good King,” he said to Terran. “But noted. I shall do a special good deed in the near future, so that I might dance for you of course.”

Terran choked and began to sputter, while Scylla’s beak finally returned to a neutral, yet slightly smiling state. The gryphon king grasped the edge of the table and pounded at his chest. A servant ducked in, pressing a tall mug into his talons. He drank half the mug in a few swift gulps, then slammed it to the table. He gasped and panted for a moment, then fixed a playful glare on Kathranis.

“Careful Shadowsong. Slandering the king at his own dinner table is bad manners.”

Kathranis grinned.

“Yet still not as bad as my brother bringing guests unannounced.”

As if on cue, the doors to the dining room opened, revealing Huron again standing beside Princess Luna, flanked by a gray pony with tall, tufted ears. Kathranis’ smile dropped and he had to suppress a sigh, letting it out through his nose as the two approached the table. Terran gave him a wink and whispered across the table.

“It’s alright Shadowsong, this time she’s supposed to be here.”

“We see thou started without us,” Luna said, taking a seat to the left of Terran.

“Of course,” Terran replied, his eyes already on his next choice of meat. “We eat the cooked stuff, you eat the cold plants. Gotta keep it all fresh.”

Luna rolled her eyes.

“We are still all omnivores here King Terran. Cold Shadow eats meat the same as we do.”

Her eyes drifted to Kathranis, and though she flashed him a smile, it distinctly lacked any sort of warmth.

“Master Shadowsong, how good to see thou up and about. We art glad to see thou in good health. When no messenger came to alert us of a meeting with thee, we worried for thy safety.”

Mentally groaning at having forgotten to talk with the alicorn again, Kathranis gave her a smile and a slight nod.

“Apologies for that Princess, but I lost track of time. Princess Aquila is an excellent tour guide, and I’m afraid I became quite distracted in her presence.”

The gryphoness at his side did a stunning impression of her father and began to sputter and choke on her dinner. A wing slapped the back of Kathranis’ head as she flailed about for a drink, which another roaming servant provided. Aquila gulped it down, then slammed the empty mug down on the table before speaking with a too-wide smile.

“Which is to say I had Shadowsong outfitted in his fine new clothes, and took him to the royal bath house. Nothing more than that.”

A snicker reached Kathranis’ ear, and the elf glanced to find Valan holding back his laughter. A glance across the table found Scylla silently fixing him with a renewed glare, while Terran was again carefully watching him, his eyes tracing up and down Kathranis’ body in thought. To his immediate right, Aquila sipped at a second mug, her face flushed crimson as she pointedly avoided his eyes.

‘Smooth,’ Secil said as he padded into the room, slipping unnoticed by Huron’s legs.

Kathranis thought over his words for a moment, then felt a blush rise to his face. Upon review, there was some context that could be misconstrued…

He coughed into his hand and reached for the nearest dish, not particularly caring as to what it was.

“As Princess Aquila says, we merely acquired more appropriate clothing and paid a visit to the bathhouse. Nothing more.”

Kathranis’ nose curled slightly when he heaved a rather hefty length of saltwater fish onto his plate, but a short chirp from below found a pair of glowing yellow eyes staring hungrily up. The elf couldn’t help but smile at Secil’s adorably twitching nose, and he patted his lap, inviting the cat up.

Secil popped into Kathranis’ lap and began sniffing at the fish while Kathranis took a second glance around the room. Finding much the same as the first time, he cleared his throat and looked to Huron with a smile.

“Well don’t keep the good king waiting brother of mine. Take a seat.”

The words finally broke the awkward silence of the room, and Huron sputtered out a brief ‘okay’ before looking to Luna. The blue alicorn seemed to relax, and she nodded toward a trio of chairs to Terran’s right. As they got seated, Terran looked to Secil, who snacked happily on the fish.

“Shadowsong, I can’t let a pet stay at the table.”

‘PET?’ Secil yowled.

Kathranis winced and brushed between the cat’s ears as he offered a smile to Terran.

“Secil more than a pet good King, he is my familiar. Though he cannot speak with his tongue, he is just as intelligent as any here. He is wise council to me.”

“Oh come on, not this!” Fordred complained as he and Deyenidal walked into the room.

Eyes turned to the elvish wizard as he ran a hand down his face.

“Kathranis, I get keeping the joke running on me, but it’s hardly appropriate to play a prank on all of these people!”

Kathranis straightened in his seat, and the air seemed to grow slightly chillier as he fixed Fordred with a stare. The younger elf shrank closer to Deyenidal at the absence of Kathranis’ normal smile.

“O-of course if you decide it’s appropriate Blademaster…”

“A prank would be inappropriate Fordred,” Kathranis said evenly. “But as I have said many times in the past, Secil is my familiar, and he can speak. I would have thought you trusted my word more.”

He left unsaid how much he didn’t like being questioned in front of new potential allies. Fordred seemed to understand anyway, and he offered a hasty bow before drawing Deyenidal to an empty set of seats on the other side of Valan. Kathranis shifted his eyes back to Terran.

“As I was saying, Secil is not a pet, he is my familiar. He is capable of magical feats, the same as myself, and he is some of the evidence I have to my goddess’s love for me. He and I have been bound as friends for over a century now, and I would like to keep him with me as we speak. I would no more dismiss him than you would your wings.”

Kathranis scratched at Secil’s ears as the cat too stared at Terran. The gryphon king seemed to notice as their eye colors flickered and exchanged as the pair let their souls mingle. Kathranis gave a cat-like smile, showing off newly sharpened fangs, while Secil began to chuckle softly, his cat-like chirps replaced with man-like vocalizations.

“I hate it when they do that,” Huron shuddered.

Kathranis and Secil stopped the meld as Terran looked to the elder elf.

“And you would lend credence to Shadowsong’s words?”

Huron snorted and smiled as Secil tore into his fish again.

“I don’t know about the talking part, but that cat is smart, lets my brother work out his thoughts, and can probably out fight half of our little battalion. I trust him as much as any elf, and if Kathranis says he talks, then he talks. I trust him more than anything.”

The brothers exchanged a glance and twin smiles.

Terran mulled for a moment, his eyes flicking toward Aquila and Valan.

“And what of you two? Has Shadowsong’s cat shown that it is something more?”

Valan and Aquila exchanged a glance, and Aquila spoke up.

“We’ve seen Secil grown to the size of a panther, and he fights just as well as Shadowsong does. In fact-” she smiled and reached over to pet Secil “-he helped Shadowsong rescue us when we first met, then lured us back to the cave where they were staying. That could have been learned through training, but I’m willing to believe Shadowsong on his familiar. It’s new, and strange to us, but that isn’t exactly special these days, is it?”

Terran thought on her words for a moment, then shrugged and smiled at Kathranis.

“Fair enough. Just so long as it doesn’t act the beast, it won’t be treated as such.”

Kathranis chuckled.

“Hear that Secil? Make sure to mind your manners.”

The cat snorted and flicked Kathranis’ nose with his tail. The cat did, however, have enough manners to take the fish and drop down to finish it on the floor.

Casual chatter began to fill the room as everyone began to eat. More plates, these filled with a mixture of vegetables and meats soon flowed in. Kathranis decided to draw back though, content not to be the center of attention for a bit. He still found three sets of eyes drifting his way every so often. Scylla sent him frequent glares, usually whenever Aquila’s wing would drift his way.

Terran too stared his way whenever Aquila’s wings drifted, but his gaze slipped between the pair, usually focused on the gryphoness, as if he was trying to silently prod her for information. On his occasional glances her way, Kathranis saw nothing. She seemed as cheerful as usual, and to his eyes hid nothing.

Finally, Princess Luna was giving him odd looks during her conversation with Huron, but Kathranis didn’t have much time to pay attention to her as yet another party entered the dining room, this time announced by the on-guard Zefuris.

“Chieftain Calak of the Grass-Stomper tribe!”

All eyes turned to behold a striped pony flanked by a pair of amazonian warriors that made him look positively dwarfish. In fact, Kathranis believed that anyone aside from Terran would look small between the female warriors. Their mowhawks tickled the doorway, and their thickly muscled bodies blocked any light from escaping into the hallways beyond. They both wore simple loincloths, which scarcely covered anything.

“Told you everyone else goes naked,” Aquila whispered in his ear.

“They’re not naked,” Kathranis whispered back, subtly gesturing at the thin hides wrapped around their waists.

“They’re only wearing that for our sake Shadowsong,” Aquila giggled. “Just remember not to stare. You’ll make me jealous.”

Before he could answer in affirmative, the small male striped pony locked eyes with him, and a brilliant smile expanded on his face.

“Prince-Hero Shadowsong!” Calak called happily.

The creature rattled as he approached, making Kathranis aware of the bands of colorful jewelry decorating the pony’s body. Then he was yanked from his seat and wrapped in a tight hug as the pony lifted him into the air. Kathranis found himself back in his seat and completely bewildered just as quickly, and the striped pony let out a loud laugh.

“This one has not met a zebra yet, that much I see! Who would like to do the favor of introducing him to me?”

Aquila facepalmed and leaned back in her seat while Terran suppressed a sigh, not really succeeding. With a roll of his eyes, the king motioned to the zebra.

“Shadowsong, this is Chief Calak, a zebra from the south-lands, and one of our allies.”

“A pleasure,” Kathranis said, offering his hand and trying his best to be tactful.

Calak seized the offered limb and shook it vigorously.

“The pleasure is all mine my new friend. Hopefully we can speak more when this dinner is at an end.” He giggled and dropped Kathranis’ hand. “But you look like you don’t trust us yet. Zendallia, please warm the hero’s head!”

One of the tall mares grinned and moved forward, only to stop as a wing slapped protectively around Kathranis’ body.

“He’s mine you featherless harp-”

“Aquila!” Scylla interrupted, shooting up from her seat.

Though her words were cut off, Aquila’s glare at the zebra mare did not cool. Determined to make sure no feathers were further ruffled, Kathranis glanced Aquila’s way and gave her a smile and a wink before turning the smile on Calak.

“I appreciate the offer Chief Calak, but Princess Aquila is right, I am quite comfortable right now.”

The zebra’s wide grinned failed to diminish and he offered a low bow.

“I did not mean to offend Princess, I-”

“No rhyming at my table,” Terran cut in. “You’re not good at it Chief Calak, and frankly, it insults my ears.”

Scylla whacked his chest.

“Terran!”

Calak barked out a laugh, and he shifted his bow to the gryphon king.

“I apologize to you then too King Terran. Perhaps later I will practice my lesson.”

Terran’s eyes closed and he again sighed as the zebra continued to giggle.

“Absolutely terrible. Sit so we can get started.”

The zebra rose and his eyes flicked to Kathranis, offering the elf a wink.

“Of course kind King.”

He and his companions moved around the table, taking seats beside Luna. Aquila curled her wings defensively around Kathranis as the zebras passed, and she let out a low growl when one of the zebra mares winked at the elf. For his part, Kathranis merely reached over and offered a comforting pat on Aquila’s thigh, trying to get her to relax. She did so, but still held a slight glare as the zebras got settled.

As more servants entered the room bearing platters filled with zebra appropriate meals, everyone continued to eat and chatter. After some time, Terran finished his plate and straightened. The motion seemed to be an unspoken signal for the servants to clear the table, and there were a few last-minute grabs for food before everyone settled to focus on the gryphon king.

“I am glad for you all to be here this night,” Terran started. “I know that some of you have traveled far, and have not yet had time to rest, but I’m afraid that tonight’s council must take precedent.”

“The threat of the humans is that severe?” Calak asked. “My mares tell me that they are small things, easily crushed in battle.” His muzzle morphed into a beaming smile. “And rumors tell me that Prince-Hero Shadowsong has slain many already! If he and his small band can inflict such grievous wounds on our enemy, then what can they do against a massed army of three mighty tribes?”

Kathranis couldn’t tell if he wanted to be offended or not by the zebra’s words, but there were far more pressing concerns in his talk.

“Massed army?” he voiced, looking to Terran. “This is the first I have heard of such, or even of a need for an army.”

“That is what tonight is for,” Terran said. “I intend to bring everyone up to date on the going-ons of my kingdom,” he glared at Calak, “and I would prefer not to be interrupted.”

The zebra shied away, grinning sheepishly.

“Apologies kind King. I simply have great enthusiasm for this thing.”

The glare hardened, and the zebra shrank further.

“Apologies,” he mumbled.

With a snort, Terran relaxed his glare and again addressed the table as a whole.

“Though there has been no such formal declaration as of yet, this is a war-council. The humans have attacked Gryphonia and we must repel them. But, let’s start at the beginning with what we know.”

Terran looked primarily to Kathranis spoke.

“Just over a month ago, there was some sort of magical storm over a village thirty or so miles from Stonetalon Peak. By the time our initial scouts came upon the place, the storm was gone, but a mass of strangely dressed humans were everywhere, milling about in confusion. The villagers, from the reports I received, were helping, offering food, and shelter.”

“And were you all among these humans?” Kathranis asked Huron.

The elder elf shook his head.

“No. Our group, along with a few injured human civilians were dropped further away from the city.”

“Interesting,” Kathranis mumbled. “Please continue good King.”

“The scouts withdrew to deliver the report here, and I sent out a larger party to make contact with the villagers, to see what they learned of the humans,” Terran said. “Only to find the village razed and the humans constructing fortifications. A foraging party attacked my soldiers, and killed three. The rest returned with news, and though I have continued sending scouts, I have remained defensive in this matter.”

“If I may, why?” Kathranis asked. “If it is as you say, and the humans destroyed a village, then would it not be more prudent to attack quickly?”

“My soldiers do not die to any foe,” Terran said. “And they certainly aren’t ambushed. Gryphons have the best sense of sight and smell out of any known race, yet the humans ambushed a well-trained party. My soldiers also reported powerful magic, on par with unicorn magic.” He nodded to Luna. “Spell craft has always been a vulnerability of ours, so it was wisest to wait until a powerful expert was on hand to counter the human magics, lest I send my troops into a slaughter.”

He looked back to Kathranis.

“But I understand that you are capable of some magics. I would very much like to see, to compare.”

Kathranis nodded absently, his eyes glazed over in thought.

“We could compare fighting ability as well… Huron, the humans you were with, where did they go?”

“At the time, we thought it best to escort them back to their army,” Huron said. “With Liuestriel and Riven acting as scouts, we did such, but upon arriving, we found much the same as King Terran’s scouts; a village raised and Tatiana’s forces constructing fortifications.” He nodded to Fordred. “He took the wounded to a healer, while I spent time at the tavern. It didn’t take long to learn what had happened, and so after ensuring that you weren’t in camp, we left to the trees, to await your arrival.”

Kathranis hummed contemplatively.

“And did you ever speak directly to Lady Tatiana?”

“No,” Huron said. “I thought it best to draw distance between ourselves and the humans, to watch them from a distance before any harm could come to our band.”

Kathranis again hummed, his eyes focused on the table. There was a solution of sorts there. If he could contact Tatiana and speak with her, perhaps some reasoning could be discerned.

“Shadowsong,” Terran repeated.

The elf looked up with a blink and found everyone staring at him. He smiled sheepishly.

“Apologies good King. Merely thinking.”

“I asked if you were involved with the humans,” Terran said.

Kathranis noted that the body posture of many of the tables occupants had shifted into a negative territory. Calak’s was the most significant, his bright smile replaced with a terrible scowl, directed solely at Kathranis. Scylla was much the same, though she frowned more than scowled. Even Valan and Aquila looked concerned, though both scooted somewhat closer to the elf, as if to protect him. Only Luna remained completely neutral, though there was a somewhat predatory glean in her eyes as she awaited his answer.

Kathranis met Terran’s eyes and spread his hands.

“In full honesty, yes we were. Our home was destroyed after decades of war. A war many of us were raised solely to fight.” He glanced toward Fordred. “In fact, some of us never knew much outside of that war.” His eyes shifted back to Terran. “But after, once we were exiled, we escorted our people to another elven stronghold but came to the conclusion that elves like us… couldn’t be trusted fully with peace. Not when there were so many wrongs in the world that needed righting. It was carelessness and an unwillingness to fight beyond our borders that contributed to our downfall, and my brethren and I felt that we better served our people abroad than sitting at home.”

“As Blademaster, it was my duty to give direction,” Kathranis continued. “And I saw no larger threat to our people than the mad wizard of Thay, a necromancer called Szass Tam. He blighted the world with his armies of undead, and so we joined the humans fighting against him.”

“You speak of dark magic,” Terran whispered.

Kathranis was surprised to see the gryphon king looking genuinely afraid, but the signs were easy to see. The gryphon’s feathers puffed out slightly, and his fingers curled, displaying his razor sharp talons. Kathranis offered a nod.

“Yes. Our world had many… practitioners of such, and he was one of the most powerful. I could think of no better opponent to defeat, and so we joined the army of one Tatiana of Thay, a red wizard specialized in the lore of fire. She welcomed our assistance and offered pay in the form of food, shelter, as well as training for Fordred, who was a novice wizard at the time.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “We were fighting a battle with the undead when we were transported here. Luckily, none survived the trip, but to hear that Tatiana’s army butchered an entire village… it is unlike her. It is likely that she did not survive the trip either, especially since Huron never spoke to her.”

He shrugged.

“But friends can be alienated by cruel acts, and if your question is to determine if we still hold allegiance with the human forces, then the answer is an easy no. Huron cut ties, and I see no reason to renew them for the moment.”

“For the moment,” Terran echoed. “And what does that mean Shadowsong?”

“Evil is rarely absolute, and most can come back from misdeeds,” Kathranis said. “Reparations and repentance can be discussed, but if this council is to discuss the wholesale slaughter of a species, I won’t be a part of it. Every chance must be given before things are settled with violence. This if for your own good as much as theirs.”

“These humans are truly so powerful?” Luna asked.

“Yes,” Kathranis said with a nod. “And they are battle-hardened. Losing though their battle against Tam was, they still found victory on occasion, and they made every loss difficult. There are brave warriors among the Thayans, and they should not be trifled with.” He looked back to Terran. “I would caution care good King. Perhaps I can lead a diplomatic mission to their camp, to see who is control of the human army.”

“They butchered a village Shadowsong,” Terran said, rapping his talons on the table. “And you speak that they fought forces of dark magic. How do I know they are not tainted? How do I know they do not blight the land as we sit and talk about peaceful treaties?”

“More the reason to send a mission sooner,” Kathranis said. “If you do not wish to expend one of your own, then I will go. My face will be familiar, and easy to recognize, and more importantly, expendable to you.”

“Absolutely not,” Aquila snapped. “Do you forget that those humans you wish to speak with ambushed you? You could have been killed! Valan almost was killed!”

Kathranis glanced her way.

“Galdug has always held a… rivalry with me. He vied for what he perceived was split attention from Lady Tatiana, and his attack was no doubt his attempt to end the rivalry once and for all in a way that would have him seen as a hero. I highly doubt that he is controlling the humans.”

“But we don’t know,” Fordred said. “I don’t mean to challenge you Blademaster, but perhaps before we send a delegation, we use magic to scout the human camp.” He glanced toward Luna. “I have heard rumor that Princess Luna is a powerful spellcaster. Perhaps she has the power to pierce Thayan wards.”

Kathranis smile and gave the elvish wizard a nod.

“That is a fine idea my friend. We can use magical, and physical means to investigate the human settlement. If we determine that no taint is in the camp or the land surrounding, we can send envoys to talk.”

“If I have not already set my mind on attack, that is,” Terran interjected.

Kathranis’ eyes turned back to the gryphon king, and his smile fell.

“You have set your mind to bloodshed then?”

“No,” Terran said, shaking his head. “But let’s pretend I have. What is your response to that?”

Kathranis leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed as he thought. On one hand, the idea of merely siding with the gryphons had its merits. They were already in good graces with the gryphons, and siding with them in a war all but assured a long prosperous relationship for his band of elves. On the other, it burned him to merely turn against what had been fast allies. There were bad apples among the humans, true, but that didn’t mean he could merely turn a blind eye to their slaughter.

Kathranis let out a sigh and glanced toward Huron. The elf had a passive mask on his face, waiting to support anything he said. The loyalty of his elder brother was astounding in that regard, and Kathranis couldn’t help but give him a grin before looking on to Fordred. The younger elf was not nearly so calm, and his eyes flicked nervously toward Deyenidal more than once. He needed express no more.

With a calming inhale, Kathranis sat up and met Terran’s eyes.

“I would withdraw my people just as Huron did, to live among the trees and find our own way.”

“Coward,” Calak growled.

Kathranis’ eyes flicked toward the zebra, then narrowed as he found a harsh glare meeting him.

“We would scout as we described,” he continued, holding eye contact with the zebra for a long moment before looking back to Terran. “Should we find the humans corrupted beyond saving, I would have no problem leading my people into battle alongside yours. But should evidence of such be lacking, I will not slaughter innocent families. That would make us no better than you claim the humans are.”

“Claim?” Scylla hissed. “You think we’re lying?”

“Have you seen any bodies?” Kathranis challenged. “Burned buildings are how I assume you figured out the village was razed, but have any of your troops actually gotten into the camp?”

Terran frowned, then shook his head.

“No, they were always driven away. After the ambush, I stopped sending parties large enough to make such an attempt.”

“Then though it is little consolation, it is possible that the villagers are in fact alive,” Kathranis said. “Thayans were renowned for being slave traders before the rise of Tam. Black habits tend to stick, so it is possible the village was cleared and that now the Thayans hold the villagers hostage as leverage, or as a workforce. We do not know which until we make ourselves more informed, and attacking could see the villagers slaughtered alongside the innocent humans.”

“So you abstain fighting until we gather more information,” Terran stated more than asked.

Kathranis nodded.

“Yes. We do not attack unless we know what we are fighting. To do otherwise makes us no better than beasts.”

“Coward,” Calak again growled. “King Terran has summoned you to fight and you would sit and watch?”

“Call Blademaster Shadowsong a coward one more time and I remove your tongue,” Huron snapped.

The pair exchanged death glares while Kathranis gave his brother a look.

“Calm Huron. A flaring temper is unlike you.”

The elder elf’s eyes flashed with anger as he looked to Kathranis, visibly biting his tongue to hold back sharp words. Kathranis’s gaze hardened, and his eyes narrowed slightly, daring challenge. After a moment more, Huron relented, nodding silently and taking deep, quiet breaths to calm himself.

Kathranis let out a slight sigh and looked to Terran.

“I am willing to scout for if you’d like good King, but my brethren and I will not fight without more information. It is not our way.”

“And what of your debts?” Scylla said.

“What debts?” Kathranis replied. “Do not see my disdain for life-debts as ignorance of them. I was willing to forgive all in exchange for the services you have brought to my people and I, but if you’d like a tally, then let’s compare the score, because I believe I have done more than enough to keep the score settled.”

Valan shifted uncomfortably beside him, while Aquila’s hand again snuck to his thigh, giving it a slight squeeze. Kathranis glanced toward the gryphoness, found her still concerned for him. His anger couldn’t help but cool, and he offered her a slight smile before looking back to Terran and Scylla.

The latter continued to scowl at him, while the former shook his head.

“That won’t be necessary Shadowsong. We are still heavily in your debt, and if you wish to abstain from war, then by all means abstain. Your brethren can stay here as long as you wish.”

Kathranis could sense a but on the end of the gryphon king’s sentence. He rapped his knuckles on the table.

“I again offer my services King Terran. I am an exceptional scout, especially while running alone. There is no beast I cannot track and no enemy I cannot evade. Let me see this settlement the humans have constructed, let me attempt a quiet kind of contact.” He smiled. “I don’t think it passes anyone’s notice that humans and elves look almost exactly the same. I can slip into their settlement at night with only a cloak and none will be the wiser. Let me collect information before any ‘war’ councils are brought to order. It is a better way to peace, and saves far more lives.”

“So you believe,” Terran said.

It was clear the gryphon wasn’t trying to be antagonistic, he was merely testing how far Kathranis would press for peace. The elf smiled and spread his hands.

“In your world I am a believer of exotic things. What is one more insane opinion?”

He waggled his eyebrows, and tension fled from much of the table. Terran snorted and his beak settled into a thoughtful smile, while Scylla huffed and looked away, still sitting tall in her seat. Luna leaned over and whispered in a still-furious Calak’s ear, who continued to glare daggers at Kathranis.

“Should I send you on this mission, and should you find the humans corrupted beyond hope of redemption, would you then join us in war?” Terran asked.

Kathranis’ smiled dipped.

“I’m afraid not. At least not-”

“Coward!” Calak cried.

Kathranis watched as Huron’s hand crept toward his sword belt. The elder elf’s eyes flicked up, but Kathranis shook his head slowly back and forth. Huron’s lips curled in a disgusted snarl, but he held as Kathranis continued.

“-immediately. It’s another of those exotic thoughts of mine.”

“Do tell,” Terran said, pointedly glaring at Calak, “without fear of interruption.”

“Good King, he would side with your enemies,” the zebra protested.

“He has said no such thing, and you will be silent in my kingdom.,” Terran snapped. “Even if Shadowsong was a cowardly traitor, he has every right to be so until I say he cannot. I am king here Chieftain.”

The zebra bowed his head, his eyes still blazing with fury.

“Of course King Terran. Apologies.”

The gryphon king relaxed and looked toward Kathranis.

“Please, continue.”

“Though I as Blademaster have final say on what my people do and where they go,” Kathranis said. “I uphold our traditions of council. Elven city-states are not ruled by kings, they are ruled by a myriad of voices from all walks of life. It is only in times of crises that one is put in control to cut through the crawl of bureaucracy. I perform that role now, but I like to grasp what my people are thinking, and if I am single-minded in a goal.”

He nodded toward Huron and Fordred.

“As I have close advisors, so too do I hold a Talk whenever a significant decision must be made. A declaration of war is such a thing. I held one when I proposed my crusade against the lich, Tam, and I will hold another to discuss the conflict against the humans. If a great enough people do not find wisdom in such a fight, or if they are possessed with enough of a silver-tongue, I may be dissuaded from fighting. Who can know?”

“You could,” Terran said. “You say you are not a king, but you have the power of one, if of a smaller kingdom.” He looked to Huron. “If your brother said this fight was your own, would you not follow him? Would the elves turn away and replace him?”

Huron looked toward Kathranis, then to the table.

“We would follow, even if we lacked a majority,” he said honestly. He swallowed before adding; “I would follow him anywhere, for any reason, without question.”

“And you?” Terran pointed toward Fordred.

“I would follow as well,” the elvish wizard said. “I owe Kathranis everything. As long as he isn’t clearly mad, I see no reason not to trust him.”

“Is that truly why you follow me?” Kathranis asked, turning to face Fordred with a look of disbelief. He couldn't help but feel as a touch of heartbreak showed as well. “I saved your life and now you are obligated to serve me?”

Fordred looked equally as hurt as he stared into his blademaster’s eyes.

“Of course not, but you must realize, you have kept us alive and as happy as you can. You guided us from a dying city and helped our people to safety. You then gave those of us without peaceful purpose something to live for. Perhaps we didn’t all always agree with the direction you took us, but we are more than happy to follow because it was you who took us there.” He spread his hands. “Let us not also forget the fact that you are Blademaster Shadowsong, Ranger of Lady Sylvanus, who has, to all appearances, followed us to this new world. Your goddess answers when mine does not. You have access to divine wisdom, when none of us,” he motioned to Huron, “do. Your judgment has not led us astray yet Blademaster, and I am confident it will not do so for some time, because you do not act the king even though, as King Terran points out, you could if you wanted to.”

He looked toward Huron.

“I cannot speak for everyone, but every time Kathranis has asked us our opinions, I feel listened to. I feel like my opinion is respected and considered.”

“As do I,” Huron said with a nod of agreement. He met Kathranis’ eyes. “You could act the king Kathranis, but it’s the fact that you don’t, and the fact that you attempt to treat us as equals that gives you that ability. None of our band feels undervalued, because you know and respect our strengths.” He smiled. “Before our last battle you carried Fordred’s books because he could not. If that isn’t a sign that you just want what’s best for us, I don’t know what is. If Blademaster Shadowsong want’s to become King Shadowsong, I will support him. I trust him.” He pointed at the younger elf. “I trust you.”

Kathranis flushed slightly, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“I thank you for your complete trust then,” he said, bowing his head. “I just ask that you revoke such as soon as I stop earning it. I would prefer pride not be my downfall.”

Huron chuckled and rolled his eyes.

“Of course not, oh humble one. I’ll keep an eye on your pride.”

The two shared a short, playful glare. Kathranis broke away first and met Terran’s gaze.

“To answer; I would hold a Talk first. I like knowing the minds of my elves.”

Terran matched his smile.

“Very interesting Shadowsong.”

He leaned back in his seat and they all sat in silence as the gryphon king stared at the elf. Eventually, he heaved a sight, tapping his talons on the table.

“Well then, I suppose we are done for the evening.”

Kathranis gave him a slight, passive smile.

“Good King, if you would like my kin and I to leave so that you all may talk more, we can do so.”

“No,” Terran said, waving the suggestion away. “We are finished, because you’re right. We do not fight battles without knowing why we are fighting them. I shall send more scouts, and shall likely call you to your offer of the same.” He stood, and everyone quickly did the same as he motioned around the room. “Let us all get to know each other better over the coming days, and let us hope that we do not find horrors that drive us to war.”

He looked at Kathranis.

“Shadowsong, please have your ‘talk’ about this with your brethren. The next time we meet, I would like your answer to be firm, even if it is a firm no.”

Kathranis gave the gryphon king a nod.

“I will have such. Thank you for your understanding.”

Terran’s eyes momentarily flicked toward Aquila, then back to Kathranis.

“Think nothing of it friend,” he said with a smile.

An intense rattle came from Calak and Kathranis looked the zebra’s way to find him vibrating with apparent anger. The zebra kicked back his chair and slammed a black-palmed hand on the table, his eyes focused on Terran.

“Friend? Friend?” Calak bellowed. “This cowardly human plots your downfall and you call him friend?”

Huron shot to his feet, hand on his sword.

“One more ill word of Blademaster Shadowsong and I cut your tongue.”

“Calak, sit down,” Terran snapped. “You have no right to say such things about-”

“He is a traitor in our midst!” Calak raged, jabbing a finger at Kathranis. “He talks of peace with the rabid beasts that razed your village! He talks of peace with the animals that nearly killed your children! It is cowardice! It is betrayal! He should be dragged through the streets and flayed alive for so betraying your trust King Terran! To so align himself with these cowardly creatures mean that he is a coward him-”

Steel flashed and Huron pressed the tip of his sword against Calak’s spine.

“I said, that’s enough,” the elf spoke calmly.

“Huron, put your sword away!” Kathranis shouted, shooting to his feet.

Zefuris began drawing steel, but a hand wave from Terran warned the gryphon off. The gryphon king met Kathranis’ eyes.

“Your brother is in the right defending your honor Shadowsong. Why, may I ask, do you halt him?”

“It is not our way to come to blood over words, no matter how ill,” Kathranis said. “We are practiced in intimidation, but to press a sword against someone’s neck,” his eyes flicked to Huron, “is not right. We do not attack with heat and anger, we attack with cool, calm calculation. We take risks, yes, but never hot-blooded ones, and never for the sake of pride.”

Huron’s eyes flashed with anger as he met Kathranis’ stare.

“You’ve always been too kind to insults,” he hissed. “This kind of disrespect should not be tolerated, and I am your second. It is my duty to protect you from this slander!”

“If I wanted his tongue halted I am perfectly capable of having Secil fetch it for me,” Kathranis said. “Now put the sword away and take your seat before I have you dismissed.”

Huron’s lip curled, but he relented, sheathing the blade and re-taking his seat next to Luna. Kathranis watched silently, waiting until his older brother settled into a cross-armed glower before turning his attention elsewhere. Namely the offending zebra that was sending death glares Huron’s direction. Placing his palms against the table, Kathranis leaned toward Calak, keeping his voice low, yet audible to all.

“Chief Calak, as I previously stated, my allies are thus until the moment they see fit to betray their morals. If I find myself in disagreement, I have no issue turning my back, and then if pressed, my blades to them.” His eyes narrowed. “But let me make this clear; we number but thirty, but we have more than enough strength and prowess to stomp your insignificant tribe from existence. I alone have more than enough power to do so.” He noticed Huron’s glower fade, replaced by slow nodding of agreement and a touch of a proud smile. “Do not make the foolish mistake of making me your enemy. I have been a bladesinger since before your birth, and I will continue to dance among the trees until long after your grandchildren’s bones are naught but dust.”

“You do not scare me human!” the zebra snarled, his weight shifting forward, a hand on his curved sword.

Kathranis replied to the act with a single sung word.

“Entrapped!”

The tattoos on his left hand glowed in an emerald light, spreading through his hand and into the table in thin lines like tree roots. He continued to hold the tone as the magic crept through the wood, then leaped out at Calak just as the zebra began to draw his blade. Roots of magic became oaken as the magic pinned Calak to the wall. The two zebra mares shot to their feet, and Kathranis’ eyes shot to them, taking on the emerald color of his magic. Both mares found themselves pinned beside their chieftain, joined in the same thickening, twisting mass of tree roots.

Beginning to run short on breath, and seeing Calak’s sword pinned under at least three layers of roots, Kathranis let his voice fall away. The magic stopped seeping from his tattoo, eventually falling dark. The elf lifted his palms from the table and straightened the cuff of his shirt before taking a seat, his posture perfect as he met Terran’s eyes.

The gryphon king grinned, his eyes blazing with delight. Even Scylla seemed amazed, and she remained silent, offering the slightest nod of appreciation. Kathranis felt a touch flush, his mind replaying the king’s question. He swallowed and did his best to remain confident and stern as he spoke.

“I do hope I passed your test.”

The gryphon king seemed on the verge of leaping from his chair to hug Kathranis again, but he settled for a slight nod. Kathranis looked to Luna, then Calak. The former had an even hungrier look in her eyes, while the latter looked amazed. A grin spread on the zebra’s muzzle, and he began to let out muffled chuckles, strangled somewhat by the layers of tree roots pinning him to the wall.

“A powerful warrior with amazing restraint!” the zebra cried. “Who better to fight the humans and their blackening taint!”

Terran’s smile vanished and he groaned.

“And with that I say goodnight my friends. This meeting is at an end.”

All stared as Terran’s eyes widened at the realization that he too had rhymed. He slammed a fist on the table, then glared back as Calak continued to laugh aloud.

“Not a word you striped demon!”

“Oh but you had me help with your royal test, to see you rhyme is for the best!” Calak crowed.

Terran growled and looked toward Kathranis.

“Let him loose so that I can strangle him.”

Kathranis grinned sheepishly.

“I… can’t.”

Terran’s eyes narrowed as Calak let out another loud laugh.

“And why not?”

Kathranis spread his hands, chuckling lightly.

“I did not summon magical roots, I grew them from this fine piece of oak we dine at. Chief Calak is… well, you’ll want some axes.”

Zefuris sighed and pulled open the doors.

“Let me go find the castle carpenter.