The cliffs of Tirshal echoed with the ringing of steel on iron, as Blood Drinker sheared through the band securing Freibuzar’s leg to the chain.
Freibuzar stood, shaking his raw leg until free of the broken shackle.
“Thou art rebellious in spirit, Sir Javo,” said Freibuzar, “and harbor bitterness against thy countrymen. But a blasphemer thou art not, nor hast thou ever been.”
The gryphon spread his wings as an eagle does when soaring, and roared in victory again. “Now Cemar will be restored!”
“Nay,” said Javo, quietly.
Jaws slack, eyes wide, his friends stared astonished at him.
“You still intend to slay this protector of your people?” asked Turgar.
“Not slay him,” Javo said. “But free him.” He strode around to stand directly in front of Freibuzar. “You can truly see more than just what your eyes witness, Freibuzar.
“Consider Cemar. They have scorned your protection by chaining you and by plotting your destruction. They have despised their freedom by submitting themselves to a mortal king. My nation, my people, blaspheme against the great Aod who bestowed these favors upon them. Go whence you came; you have fulfilled your duty.”
All were silent. Freibuzar studied Javo for a moment, then looked beyond him, through the mist. Javo imagined him searching the souls within the city below. Or perhaps he listened to the voice of the great Aod, whispering to him through the misty breeze.
Finally, Freibuzar nodded. His muscles coiled, then sprang. His gigantic wings drove him up, up, up into the sky, past the peak of Tirshal, leaving behind a rush of wind and a vortex in the fog. Then he was gone from sight.
Javo and his two friends looked at each other wordlessly for a time. The baby resumed crying.
“We had best climb down,” Javo finally said, “while there is still light and peace.”
Krag began collecting gold.
“Should we return to Ustane’s court?” Turgar wondered aloud, stooping to recover arrows still intact. “He was already perturbed with us. Now might he be furious.”
“The gryphon is gone,” Krag reminded them. “Is that not what he wanted?”
“We should at least take this one back to its mother,” Javo said, pointing to the baby. “After that, I know not.”
***
They converged on the chain and climbed down from the outcropping.
“Would anyone in Cemar believe what we’ve seen and heard this night?” mused Turgar aloud, the insteps of his boots sandwiching the chain, sliding downward as his hands moved from link to link..
“I think not,” Javo said, the infant still bawling inside the haversack now hanging against his armored stomach. “To contradict the assumption that Freibuzar is the cause of their grief would threaten the Transition. Or at least tarnish it. Such would make us enemies of the crown.” He pronounced the word “crown” with anguish and disgust.
“I warrant we shall suffer Ustane’s wrath anyhaps,” Krag said, feet scarcely touching the chain as he lowered his tremendous weight, hand over powerful hand. “When they find themselves plundered as never before, they shall remember the ransom paid for ridding their mountain of the gryphon, and focus their wrath upon us.”
“Let us be far away from here by then, my friends,” Javo said. “There will be other kingdoms in need of our steel.”
“Other battles to be fought,” agreed Turgar.
“And gold to be won,” added Krag.
The mist, mixed with sweat, stung Javo’s eyes. He grinned, “And justice to be dealt.”
THE END
