Allies Abroad: Damien's Journey

Damien glanced around nervously, hearing the raucous chorus of distant gryphons ahead of them. Activity in the canyon seemed to be beginning for the day, or at least that was what his ears told him. A small procession of gryphons winged by overhead, and Damien blinked at the warm, bright hues of their wing and tail feathers. These gryphons were different than what he was used to, and it would make sense if they acted differently as well. The young male shifted his talons uncertainly, wondering how they would receive him.

Soon, the canyon widened into a more open space. A few huge pillars of rock rose up from the center of the canyon. The largest one stretched high above it, and a wide ledge encircled the outside just below the rim level. A few rock arches stretched from the sides of the canyon to the central pillar, and Damien looked far below to the place where the river flowed swiftly past the red rock, eating away at it. This pillar would not last forever, but for now it stood fast. A few hundred of his kind flapped about on the rocky ledges, sometimes leaving or returning from ventures outside the main hub of activity. A few had the carcasses of large mammals gripped firmly in their curved talons. Damien followed his procession until they reached the ledge, by which time all eyes seemed to be boring into him.

Damien flapped his wings a few times and landed neatly on the ledge, surrounded by his guard. Piercing eyes watched him from all sides, but one pair in particular caught his attention. A large female gryphon stood at the center of the ledge, her wings folded neatly at her sides. She was obviously the leader here. The group of gryphons around Damien parted and urged him forward, and he stopped before the flock-leader, bowing his head in respect.

“You are Damien Arrowing, I presume?” she questioned. Her violet eyes, very strange for a gryphon, looked him up and down as if assessing his ability, and the faint morning sunlight glinted off her bright copper feathers. The taller crest of feathers on her head and back of her neck, her wing primaries, and the feathers on the tip of her long tail were all a warm purple-red color. “Yes, I am Damien, son of Telac Arrowing and Raquel Firetalon. Are you the flock-leader?” he replied, lifting his head.

The gryphon nodded. “I am Veristar Firetalon, leader of the gryphons of the canyon. I know some of why you came, from what Sakura told me, but I would like to hear everything from you if you wish to speak now,” she began, and Damien nodded, admiring that she was skipping with formalities and getting straight to the point. “Certainly. I have indeed come here for a reason. I lived on an island for much of my life, where our flock was led by my father. But, as you know, a war rages in Narnia. A war fought at long last to overthrow the Telmarine oppressors. Our kind have been all but driven out of Narnia, our numbers reduced. I went to Narnia, hoping to help in the war effort. For a while now, I have been doing my part, but it is not enough. We are few in number, and I feel that help is needed. If more gryphons joined the fight, we would be stronger, and would stand a better chance against the Telmarines. I have tried to speak to my family about helping, but they claim that there are too many problems to deal with on the island. So, I came here, seeking your help. Is there anything you could do to help the Narnians? Even a small number of gryphons would be a huge asset,” Damien explained, hoping his words portrayed his sense of urgency and determination.

Veristar remained silent, watching him carefully through her strange purple gaze. Finally, she spoke, her black-tipped gray beak opening rather uncertainly. “This is a great favor to ask of us, young one. I just hope you do not take it lightly that if we help, we could be sending brave gryphons to their deaths,” she began, eyes narrowed slightly, “Though, I will think about what you have requested. You may recover in a cave in the central pillar, and I will give you my answer when you are ready to return to your Narnia. Until then, I hope you will not mind me asking how my niece fares?” Damien barely contained a sigh, glad that at least she was not refusing him outright. If she thought about it, that would give him time to try to make a better case.

“My mother was quite well when I last saw her. I have three siblings, an older brother Cirrick and two younger sisters, twins, named Mira and Tayla. Perhaps when there is peace I could tell them you would appreciate a visit?” he replied. Veristar nodded, and her eyes sparkled in a smile. The familiar expression made her violet eyes seem more normal, and Damien relaxed slightly. “Yes, I would like that. Now, unless there is anything else, I shall have you escorted to your temporary place of residence. After that, you may spend your time as you wish,” she said, her voice warm. Damien nodded.