Encounter! A Griffin in the Gulch!

Nova would not say anything more about the Starcastle that day.

“What would be the point?” she would say whenever someone—usually Dietrich—asked. “Y’all are coming with us, so might as well jest show you.”

We journeyed for several hours, toward the canyon, which slowly rose over the horizon until it loomed before us. All the while, Lina remained in a huff. “You seem to assume that I’m going to cooperate,” she said before we reached the sandstone wall.

Nova smiled but otherwise ignored her. “We’re going into a bit of a dangerous area soon. This here canyon’s griffin territory, so watch yerselves.”

Lina perked up, eyes sparkling. “A griffin?!”

Ulrich snorted. The inverse of Lina, he appeared wary. “You sure that’s wise, young’un?” he asked Nova, his lips curled back, exposing his teeth.

She patted his shoulder, “Relax! No griffin’s gonna wanna mess with us. We’ve got Moog. And he’s the strongest man in Alten!” She slapped her brother square in the back. He stiffened, then nodded.

Lina gasped, “You mean, you’re going to kill it?”

“If we have to,” said Nova. Griffins’re mighty powerful. Dangerous, too.”

That did not sound good. I’d yet to encounter a monster stronger than a slime. Given my current state and the looming canyons spiking my nerves, I would continue to be little help. However, being self-designated bait would not be the worst thing in the world. At least, it would save me from having to endure Lina’s icy stare. Being mauled sounded better by comparison.

She would not stop glaring at me as we journeyed to this Red Lake. Every time I tried to explain that this was for her own good, the crease between her brows would tighten as a warning. So, I gave up after we entered a narrow crevice, and I tried to focus my attention on anywhere but the jagged walls on either side of me.

It was so narrow that everyone had to march in single file. Nova led, with Dietrich right behind. But he was too focused on walking straight to talk. So, my thoughts turned toward the sword sitting in the wagon. It seemed to be in more of a talking mood as I’d heard it grumbling in the back of my mind.

So… Rudi, was it?

"Don’t talk to me either."

Come now, I want to know more about you. It was odd to try and probe a part of my mind I had no access to, but the sword was answering, so I pushed on.

"No, you want someone to talk to ‘cause you’re bored. Why don’t you bother Ulrich? He's right behind us, and I know he loves to talk."

I gave a soft grunt. This sword had me figured out. I always thought I was somewhat hard to read behind my princely airs, but I didn’t let it bother me, for the sword brought up something I had not thought of until now. Speaking of, he was taking care of you until just recently, wasn’t he?

"If you count stuffing me in a box for over ten years as taking care of. Leave me alone and go bask in your ‘princely airs.’"

Ouch. I forgot that even my innermost thoughts were not safe. It’s not like he knew you were alive. I’m sure he would have treated you better had you let him know.

For the first time, I could sense Rudi's hesitation. "I… couldn’t."

I sat up straighter. You couldn’t? But why not?

"After Gerry… after he died, I went to sleep and couldn’t wake up. It was like I was in a dream. I was aware of the world, but I couldn’t move… I couldn’t speak. It’s all his fault."

Ulrich’s?

"No. Gerry’s! Keep up!"

Was it because he broke you? We were finally getting somewhere. Somehow, the Holy Sword, blessed by Iliana, had been snapped in two. A feat that should not have been possible.

"I broke myself."

That was the last answer I had expected. It compelled me to look into the back of the wagon, where Rudi lay visible between the canvas flaps. But why?

"Like I’d tell you! I don’t even know why I bothered to say any of this!"

I tried to suppress a smile. Perhaps you were a little bored, too?

"As if!"

Was that embarrassment I detected in its tone?

"And stop thinking of me as an ‘it,’ you pompous prince!"

I blinked. How else am I supposed to think of you? You’re a sword, aren’t you?

Rudi gasped. "Oh! Not you tooooooooo!" There was a wail of despair that rang in my inner ear. I pressed my hands to them, but they would not drown out the sword’s whining.

All right! I’m sorry! So, you’re not an it! Then what are you?

The wailing stopped. But the silence did not sound like a happy one. After a beat, Rudi said, What am I? You mean you can’t tell? A sniffle, which was the oddest sensation yet. "You’re just like him! Gerry didn’t realize it either when he gave me this stupid name. Rudolf’s no name for a beautiful girl like me!"

The sobbing continued. I stared at the sword as I processed what Rudi said. Not about Rudi being a girl, that kind of nonsense was typical for my journey so far. At first, her voice was no more different from my own thoughts, but the closer I listened to her voice, and the more I heard it, the more I could hear its distinct femininity. No, what I was pondering was the fact that Rudi had chosen to break herself. But before I could, I heard Ulrich’s voice. “Uh… Mr. Prince?”

I jumped, snapping back to reality. We were no longer moving. Lina was staring at me, of course. I did not know if she had ever stopped. But at some point, the passage had widened, and now everyone else, including Dietrich, was staring at me with equal intensity from all sides. I had been so focused on my mental conversation with Rudi that I forgot where I was. I could not imagine the look on my face.

There was no excuse I could think of to save me from this. They must have thought me a lunatic, with which I could not disagree. My jaw was slack as I looked between the other five. Their expressions were blank, which made it all the more difficult to form comprehensible words.

However, I did not have to, as a large shadow passed over us just then. We all saw a large winged silhouette streaking across the sky. A blast of wind washed over us, kicking up red dust into the air.

Oh, thank Iliana! I’d never been more relieved to be in mortal danger! At least my reputation as a sane person was intact for now. Which, at this moment, even I was not sure of.

Through the dust cloud, I could see that the creature circled above us at an alarming speed. Still visible, Moog pulled out his pickaxe while Nova produced a small shovel from somewhere, which she extended so that the handle was as tall as she was. Dietrich raised his fists, as did Ulrich with a hoof.

“Watch yerselves,” Nova warned, “That thing’s fast.”

I spared a moment to raise an eyebrow at her. Obviously. I was possibly crazy, not stupid. We waited in the gulch, the canyon walls wide enough to spread out. The creature continued to circle, disappearing beyond the canyon walls before reappearing, stirring more and more dust clouds.

“No! Leave it alone! It won’t hurt us!” said Lina. Not from what I see, I thought wryly.

Before I could react, Lina leaped off the wagon to grab Nova's shovel. The two girls began to wrestle with the weapon.

“Get off! Do you want to get us killed?”

“I said, don’t hurt it! We’re perfectly safe–guh!”

Lina doubled over and stumbled back, wheezing and clutching her stomach. Nova had elbowed her in the ribs. “Sorry, Red. But we can’t protect you if yer dead.” She glanced at me apologetically.

“But… I don’t need… protection!” coughed Lina. She, too, looked at me.

I could not stop the surge of guilt, but I could not disagree with Nova’s decision. We had essentially become her escort; our priority was to keep her safe. I shrugged at her, which made Lina scowl.

Suppressing my guilt, I broke eye contact and glanced back into the wagon at Rudi. Perhaps I was more than live bait? I raised my hand and inched my fingers closer.

"Not on your life."

I let my hand drop. Figured. I still did not have the energy to pick it—rather, her—up. Live bait I was, then. I was so useless.

“Here it comes! Moog!” cried Nova.

The griffin dove and I got a proper look at its sleek body for a split second. It was massive— three times the size of Ulrich. The bird half was a mottled brown, while its feline half was a soft white. It was heading toward Ulrich, beak wide and talons extended. Its eyes were a piercing yellow-green. The horse reared in terror and defiance.

With a roar, Moog’s massive frame appeared between Ulrich and the griffin, pickaxe in both hands. A blast of air burst from him, pushing dust away, and making the beast even more visible. The man radiated power as he raised his weapon above his head, prepared to bury the steel point in the beast's head.

“Hey there! Yoohoo!” cried a voice.

The griffin vanished. Moog’s axe clanged as it smashed into the stone ground, which cracked and shook the earth below. He cursed as the rest of us turned toward the call. Lina had slipped by us, waving at the creature several yards away.

At the sight of her, I dove toward the back of the wagon, scrambling to grab Rudi, who screamed in protest, but I did my best to ignore her. I did not care if she hated me; I, Anno Wolfskreutz, was her wielder! Even still, her cries continuously broke my concentration.

With considerable effort, I pushed my body off the wagon and stood on shaking legs. I yanked off the sheath and held the broken Rudi in both hands in an unsteady Ox guard. “Where did it go?!” My eyes darted about, trying to find the elusive beast. But I was too distracted by Rudi’s yells to see anything. This was the worst! It was like she was taking hammers to my eardrums.

“There!” called Dietrich, pointing at the canyon wall right behind Lina. The horizontal griffin clung to it, claws buried deep into the sandstone. Its wings were pressed to its powerful body, and its tail swished behind it as the beast regarded her. Its pupils were slits.

At last, Rudi quieted, much to my relief. But I could sense her anticipation. She seemed to be concentrating on Lina and the griffin, too.

Lina did not look afraid, however. “It’s all right. Come on down. No one’s going to hurt you.”

“Fat chance, Red!” said Nova. Moog was up, shoulders squared as he prepared to charge. We all began to move forward. The griffin gave a screech that shook and echoed through the canyon, but we were not deterred.

Lina’s eyes flashed gold as she gave us a cold look. “I said, no one is going to hurt you.” Her eyes returned to the griffin as she smiled. “Now, come down.”

The siblings froze, awe growing on their faces, especially as they watched the griffin, who clicked its beak and fluttered its wings several times before slowly climbing down and standing eloquently before her. It towered over, but it was clear who had control.

Lina raised a hand toward it. The griffin twitched but was otherwise still as she placed the hand on the side of its neck and began to stroke it. The griffin closed its eyes, and we heard a deep rumbling from its feathered throat. The beast was purring!

Ulrich was the first to drop his guard. “Well, I’ll be. Jest when I thought I'd seen everythin’.”

Lina was laughing. The beast lowered its head and nuzzled her with its beak. “Ooh, you’re such a sweetheart!”

Its tongue appeared, licking her hands and face, which made her giggle harder. “Stop! That tickles!”

She closed her eyes, pressed her cheek against its face, and nuzzled it back as she moved to pet its beak.

I also lowered my guard, halfway between shock and affection at the sight. When Lina opened her eyes, she looked directly at me.

Her sparkling gaze pierced through my heart.

Heat rose from the soles of my feet to the top of my scalp. This is the real Lina. I could feel it in my soul. However rude or childish she acted, Lina was kind and compassionate. She was clueless and naïve, sometimes entitled and demanding, with the worst sense of direction I’d ever seen in a person. But no matter how irritating she could be, Lina was beautiful inside and out.

A sound from my left brought me out of my reverie. Dietrich was undoing his harness.

“Ooh, ooh, my turn! I wanna pet the griffin!” Once free, he bound forward, and the griffin immediately went on the defensive. It hissed at the man, pupils narrowing, as it arched its back.

Dietrich stopped, hands raised as Lina stood in between the two, cooing softly. “Shh, shh, shh. It’s okay. It’s okay. He’s a friend. He needs to learn to be quieter, that’s all.” She continued to stroke the creature’s face as she gestured for Dietrich to approach.

He did, carefully this time, and raised a hand to let the griffin close the distance between them. Dietrich was delighted. “This is the best!” he whispered, scratching the griffin’s neck, “Boss, you have to come try this.”

But I waved him off. There was no need for me to ruin this admittedly adorable scene. Nova and Moog were not so conscientious.

“How did you do that?” Nova demanded, folding her shovel back down and storing it away. Moog had returned to his docile slouch but still held his pickaxe.

Lina’s smile gained a hint of slyness. “Do what?”

“Don’t play coy with me, Red. I’ve never heard of anybody taming a monster. But that thing is as tame as a dogmole on a rocking chair.” She eyed the griffin, who sensed her trepidation and began to scrape the ground with a talon.

“No, you’re not a monster, Emberly. You’re just misunderstood. Don’t you listen to that mean lady.” Then, to Nova, who was visibly offended at being called lady despite being younger, Lina said, “Emberly’s not tame; animals are drawn to me. I would never hurt them, and they would never hurt me. Right, Emberly? You would never hurt me.” She scratched beneath the creature’s beak; it melted at her touch.

Her explanation made sense. I remembered her saying, “Animals can't be judged because they only work on instinct! They don't have the ability to choose good or evil.”

"I don’t care what the griffin thinks of her. She’s still a fake!" Rudi almost sounded disappointed that the beast did not eat her. I dared not ask.

What do you mean ‘a fake?’ I asked instead for what felt like the hundredth time. But the sword went silent. Whatever the origin of Lina’s power was, a more pressing matter commanded my attention.

“Lina, did you just name it?” I asked sternly.

Lina flipped to defensive mode as if I told her I planned to eat it. She snapped to the griffin’s side before throwing her arms around its neck and squashing her cheek against its face. “Yes, I did. She’s my new best friend, and I love her.”

The griffin emphasized this by licking her face again.

I shook my head, “You know you can’t keep it, right?”

Lina puffed out her cheeks and squinted her eyes stubbornly. “No! I refuse! She is mine forever and ever! And there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Dietrich snapped to the griffin’s other side and hugged it in the same fashion as Lina. “Yeah, boss, can’t we keep her?”

I could not believe this. Did I have to be the voice of reason as usual? I looked to Ulrich for help. He was watching them sourly.

“We can’t keep the griffin,” he said.

“Why? Are you jealous that someone else has Lina’s affection?” I muttered. I couldn’t help it.

He glanced at me. “Are you?”

That shut me up. I supposed I deserved that. Rudi laughed inside my head, which I ignored.

“Aw, why not?” asked Dietrich, “I promise I’ll take care of it!”

“Embie can take care of herself.”

You’ve already given a nickname to something you just named? I thought, half annoyed, half amused. I had not forgotten the feelings I'd felt earlier. With Rudi creeping around in my mind, it was better to not think of it. Even still, my heart fluttered.

“That’s right!” Ulrich stomped his hoof, “And that there’s exactly the reason why. What’s she s’posed to eat, eh? I’ll tell you what she’ll go fer: me. So, the answer’s no.”

I could see the realization wash over their faces.

Nova was nodding. “Griffins do love horses.”

Lina looked sadly at the beast. “You wouldn’t eat Ulrich, would you?”

But the griffin was already watching the sheriff, snapping its beak.

Ulrich turned his head to stare at the beast. “Maybe she wouldn’t try today,” he said, “Or tomorrow, but at some point, she will. Griffins jest don’t belong with people. It’s the natural order.”

Any fight left in Lina left through her sigh. “You’re right…” Then it returned, “But she’s staying at least tonight! I promise I won’t let her eat you.”

Ulrich and I exchanged looks. I did not have the patience or the strength to try and argue. My chest was beginning to hurt again. “We should make camp soon. Sunset will come earlier than we think in this canyon.”

The horse snorted. “Fine, one night. But I’m stayin’ well away fer my sake. You keep a close eye on her, you hear?”

“Yessir!” said Lina and Dietrich together before leading the griffin, whom I refused to think of as Emberly, deeper into the gulch. The other three and I watched them go. They settled several yards away, which was about as good a campsite as any in this Iliana-forsaken place.

Nova was shaking her head. “Sheesh, y’all are somethin’ else. And here I planned to get her to warm up to us after rescuing her from danger.”

“Don’t tell me you wanted a griffin to attack us?” I said in mild exasperation. I could not put anything past Nova anymore.

“‘Course! Why else would we come this way? Like I said, Moog’s plenty strong, but I prefer to avoid violence if we have to.” I somehow doubted that.

She continued, “But it all worked out in the end, right?” Her expression became serious. “Then there’s you, Headband. Don’t think we forgot that little incident.”

Embarrassment washed over me, but I tried to play it off. “Incident? Whatever do you mean?” I tried to hide Rudi behind my back as inconspicuously as possible. It was childish, but what was I going to do? Run away? With my injuries, I’d be overtaken by even Nova’s tiny legs.

My poor attempt did not work as she watched the sword disappear. Nova raised an eyebrow, “I thought you were nutso, but y’all got yer hands on something quite interesting. I’d like to see it if you don’t mind?” Moog stood behind her, holding Rudi’s discarded scabbard. He made no attempt at intimidation, but I still remembered the way his body radiated power. There was also the smoking crater he left in the ground.

I looked at Ulrich, who gave a single nod. “It’s an order from the princess.”

Nova waved her hand dismissively. “Order’s such a strong word. Jest a humble request. If you don’t want to show me, that’s all right. But what would be the point? I know Elaris when I see it. What you have there is the genuine Holy Sword.”

I hesitated before revealing the sword and laying its broken silver body across both hands.

Nova whistled. She leaned closer, eyes wide. “Would you look at that? She’s a beaut! What’s left of her, that is. Takes some incredible strength to even scratch Elaris, let alone break it. How’d it happen?” Nova looked up expectantly.

“No idea,” I answered. It was not a lie. Mostly. “It was like this when I got it from him.” I indicated to Ulrich with my chin.

“And I kept it locked away since my rider passed,” he said. “Had no idea he was some bigshot.”

Nova’s expression soured. “That ain’t right.” Then she looked down at Rudi, touching her cold steel. “I’m sure you were so lonely cooped up like that.”

"It was so lonely… At least somebody gets it."

“What’d she say?” asked Nova, looking back at me.

“She said ‘it was.’” I gave a start. “But how—?”

Nova stood straight. “Didn’t I say before that Iliana blessed Elaris? She didn’t jest give it power; she gave it potential fer a soul. Elaris is living metal!”

Ulrich and I were shocked as Nova bit her lip, her head dancing ponderously. “Eh, to be more accurate, it’s metal with potential fer life. There’s no soul ‘til it's been forged. And I guess the soul stays, even when its body’s been broken. Either way, you’ve got a person stuck in yer head, no doubt about it. Must feel pretty strange, I bet.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” I said with relief. So, I wasn’t crazy after all. Just stuck with an obnoxious brat who could read my every thought.

"Hey! You’re not exactly Mr. Winning Personality either!"

As a dignified prince, I was above devolving into petty name calling. At least not aloud. Inside my head was free game!

Before I could think of one, however, I was distracted by Nova. She was staring up at her brother, hand on her hips. “Whatcha thinkin’, Moog?”

Moog grunted softly. “It’s kinda… scary. Never thought I’d see one of the Sacred Tools in my lifetime. Thought they were lost. But here it is.” He looked at the plain leather scabbard in his shaking hand. His eyes seemed to quiver as he stared at the thing. Then he deflated and shook her head. “I’m not worthy of using one. I’m not worthy of anythin’.”

Nova patted his arm. “I keep telling you that you are!”

He looked past the scabbard to the ground. “Pa don’t think so.” His tone was pathetic.

His sister stared up at him, visibly angry for the first time. Nova’s pat became a punch to his elbow, which she repeated twice. “Yer such a Moog, you know that!” He flinched each time. She snatched the scabbard from him and proffered it to me. “Here. Put’er away. I’m done looking.”

She looked so put out that I took the scabbard without question. Nova was silent as she stomped off toward Lina and Dietrich, who were still doting on the griffin.

Moog watched her leave with an air of defeat. His eyes twitched to me. “S-sorry about her. No. Jest… jest, sorry.” Then he walked after his sister.

"What’s with them? "Asked Rudi. Well, whatever. "At least there’s somebody who could tell I’m a girl. I knew I liked her!"

I sheathed the tactless sword in her scabbard with a snap.

"Hey! Be careful! That’s not how you’re supposed to treat a lady!"

Shut up. It was not the most princely of responses. But I did not care. This sword was getting on my last nerve.

Ulrich and I watched the siblings. I could tell he was thinking the same as me. Even from this distance, we could see Nova quell Moog with a look. The man stopped, then changed direction, sitting on a rock a good distance away. He faced away from everyone, shoulders more slumped than ever as he stared at the ground.

My instincts were right. This search for the Starcastle was much deeper than a mere treasure hunt. But even I could not guess how much deeper.