Alcor and Vira ran out of the Aerie Mother's quarters screaming and laughing with joy.
"She said yes. She said yes!" Vira yelled at the top of her lungs, the little orange Kajice joining in.
"Always, Kajice," Vira agreed feeling hot tears swelling up in her eyes.
I want to....get something to eat! The cub answered.
A'cor laughed out right. "All right then. Would the lovely Kajice and her rider wish to join us?" He asked turning to his sister and her little orange ball of fluff.
"We would be delighted," Vira said with a graceful curtsy.
The new riders met their parents on the way to the kitchen. Ima still wasn't sure about these fluffy little griffins, but seemed pleased that her children would be riders.
Eckron was as excited as the children. He grinned from ear to ear with pride as he helped A'cor and Vira feed their new bonds.
A'cor sat and stroked Helex's soft light blue feathers. The little griffin, that wasn't so little anymore, purred softly in his sleep. A'cor marveled at how this little fella would chose him to be his rider. Well, he wasn't actually able to ride Helex. The blue and white griffin was still too small. Soon though. Already Helex was almost as big as his rider. Soon now, very soon.
Helex stirred and looked up at his rider. The big black eyes were full of love.
Is it almost time for super? The griffin asked.
"I think it's just about time, little fella. Want to go beg the kitchen staff for something?"
I'm very hungry.
"All right, let's get going then."
Kajice lay stretched out on her ledge, front paws hanging just over its lip. The griffin's wings were fanned out to dry in the late afternoon sun after a long, thorough bath. Vira came out to check on her bond.
"Are you almost dry, my love?" she asked running her hand over the orange/pink feathers.
I think so, Kajice answered.
Vira plopped down next to Kajice, absently stretching her legs.
"I guess Helex has chosen 'evening star' as his title," Vira commented.
Fitting. Kajice said with a snort. He's always sleeping!
Vira laughed at her griffin's tone.
"Well, I can't disagree with you there! What do you want your title to be?"
Kajice was silent in thought for a moment. Then a smile formed on the griffin's face. Morning Star.
Helex hovered over a long field surrounded by low shrubs and small trees. Kajice hovered in formation to his right. They came like a black wave over the far hill. Hundreds of giant ant bodies pushing forward.
The two griffins dove, hurling their magic from between razor sharp claws. It burst through the first wave of ants, pushing them steadily back.
The battle continued for nearly three hours before the last of the ants were cleared.
"Yesss!" A'cor yelled joyfully, jumping to the ground as Helex landed. "Did you see us up there! Swooping, diving. Smoked every last one of them!"
Vira just shook her head and sighed.
"You would think he'd grow up one of these days," she said to her bond as she dismounted.
Him? Kajice asked. I wouldn't count on it.
"Hey, Vira! How'd you and Kajice do?" A'cor asked trotting up to the two.
"Just fine, Thank you," she answered rubbing Kajice behind her ear. "Have you thought of where we're going to stay?"
"Stay? Well, how about that one in the south?"
I liked Hwesta Aerie, Helex announced coming up behind the young man.
I liked Hwesta too, Kajice agreed.
"Don't we get any say in this?" A'cor asked turning to give his bond a hard glare.
No. Kajice told him bluntly. Vira stifled her laugh with a cough.
"Ha, Ha, Ha," A'cor grumbled.
"Fine, A'cor. Where would you like to go?"
"Oh, I don't know. How about Hwesta Aerie?"
Vira threw up her hands with a groan. "You're impossible!"
