Bit late, messed up the time. Said the 30th, thinking it was a Friday. My bad.
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"Are you sure about this, Kaladin?" Sylvia asked as she adjusted my coat.
"Very sure," I answered with a firm nod. "We owe His Majesty a lot for what he's done. And if he woke up just to give me this task and believed I was the only man for the job, then I have no reason to turn him down. And it's not like we can pretend we are no longer involved in the well-being of this place."
Sylvia's shoulders slumped as I grabbed her by the hands. "I know you are upset about staying. But we can't leave Mila alone for months on end again. Someone has to stay here for her well-being, too, and it was me who asked to go. I also won't be alone," I said softly.
"I know that," she muttered as she squeezed my hands. "I just don't like that you are going straight into danger without me. You have a bad tendency to get yourself hurt."
Well…can't argue with that.
"I know... I know. I made certain to prepare for this mission. I promise I won't lose any limbs this time," I said with a grin.
She rolled her eyes as she let go of my hands and gave them a light slap. "You are not making me feel any better or inspiring confidence in me at all, Kaladin," she hissed.
"I'll make it out alright. I've fought worse than a few forest monsters and bandits. Shouldn't be facing any god-like beings this time around," I said.
Sylvia threw her hands up as she mumbled to herself as she went over to Cerila. Padraic saddled up next to me with a grin.
"Making enemies of the wife before setting out. Dangerous game you're playing, my friend," he snickered.
"Yeah, and what do you know about that, huh?" I asked as I nudged him.
"More than most, if I had to guess," he said quietly.
I looked down at him and patted him firmly on the shoulder as I told him, "Thanks for agreeing to help with Mila."
Padraic snorted as he shook his head. "She's family, of course, I would help around. I'll make sure to spoil her rotten just for you. Besides, I'll have plenty to do with those new designs you gave me. I bet I can have some working prototypes before you get back, much easier than the other ones," he chuckled.
"I'll be looking forward to it," I said as I turned my head and looked off behind me.
My father watched us from a distance beyond the courtyard, and Padraic's head shook in disappointment as he said, "At least he came to see you go. I'm going to have to have a little chat with him about this."
"You don't—"
Padraic waved my concerns away and grunted, "Can't be having bad blood amongst family."
"It's fine. They just need time," I said.
Padraic's face twisted into disappointment. "I get their position and all, but it's a load of crap with how long they're taking if you ask me. They may have another son, but they're your only parents. I'd rather not see you guys on pins and needles for a hundred years. My parents would beat me senseless if I pretended they didn't exist," Padraic spat.
"Padraic…"
He looked up at me with a grin. "Don't worry. Not like I'm gonna get in a fight. Your parents might be getting on in age with how stubborn they are getting, but I'm pretty sure both of them could kill me with their arms missing. If the time comes, I'm just gonna have a talk," he said.
"Just please don't blow things up any further," I groaned.
Padraic shrugged to himself as he shifted weight from leg to leg. "Well…I do like blowing things up nowadays," he muttered.
Great.
Padraic gazed over to Sylvia and Cerila with another grin as he nudged me again. "At least the wives are getting along, right?" he chuckled.
Sylvia's head flicked back as she sent a glare at him, then went back to signing. Padraic licked his lips as he chuckled nervously, "Looks like I may be the one in danger…is that pendant you got me rated for an angry Vampire by chance?"
"If you die, then you die. I'll make sure to tell your parents you lived a good life," I said.
"Thanks, Kal…" Padraic grumbled.
I turned to the heavy footsteps as Captain Fairchild gave me a nod in greeting. "Have you made your final preparations? Your transportation has been arranged and will be arriving shortly," he said.
"Yes, we're ready to leave whenever," I answered.
Captain Fairchild looked up into the sky as an ear-piercing screech rang out. "Seems he's ready," he muttered. Captain Fairchild extended a hand, and I shook it as he added, "Best of luck, Kaladin."
"Thank you, Captain. I'll be sure to bring back good news," I said.
The wind kicked up as a giant black figure descended into the courtyard. The Gryphon matriarch was an enormous beast compared to its kin, and with each flap of its jet black wings, it kicked up a small dust storm.
Mr. Graz shoved his goggles up and shouted, "Let's get a move on, yeah?! Some of us have places to be!"
"Then I'm off. I'll see you all in a few weeks," I said with a wave.
The two of them said their farewells as I looked over to where my father was. He had already disappeared somewhere. Sylvia caught me mid-way and hugged me tightly.
"Be careful, Kal," she whispered.
"I will," I said, hugging her back.
After a few moments, she let me go with a worried expression, and I met up with Cerila.
She nodded as we approached Graz. The man didn't seem too pleased as he tossed two pairs of goggles at us.
"Wear'em unless you want those eyes to bleed," he said.
We put them on as I looked up at the Gryphon. With its large back and saddle, it looked capable of fitting five people comfortably. Well, as comfortable as being put in a line on a giant flying monster's back was, at least. The beast sent an icy glare at me for good measure.
"Wasn't expecting you, Mr. Graz," I said.
"Neither was I, son. Queen asked, and I obliged an all dat. Let's just get this outta the way, yeah? Whose the lady?" he asked.
"This is Cerila," I said, introducing her.
Cerila bowed slightly as Graz shrugged. "Not a talker, huh? Fine by me. Hop on," he said as he patted the monster's neck, and it lowered itself.
Climbing aboard was about the same as any Grpyhon but just with more room. We strapped ourselves into the harnesses, and Graz wasted little time as he gave a short command and the giant creature began to flap its wings.
"Is the trip really going to take us five days?" I asked curiously.
The man snorted as he spat on the ground. "I'll do it in half dat. Now, comeon girl," he said urging, the beast.
The Gryphon matriarch let out a screech as it did a running start and lifted into the air. The force pushed me down into the saddle as Graz let out a loud holler.
As the beast ascended into the sky, the wind buffeting against us suddenly began to disappear. By the time we were in the clouds, there wasn't any at all, and we seemed to be flying smoothly. But as the clouds parted around us unaturally, I realized what was happening.
"Wind magic?" I asked.
"Not a bad eye you got there, son. I may not be much in a fight, but I'm still an Intermediate mage, you know. And the sky is where I belong. So just sit back, and relax while I got the mana," he shouted.
This may not be such a bad ride afterall.
—
Graz may have been an odd man, but his confidence was not unfounded. He was a capable mage, able to keep his simple spell up for a couple of hours before recharging. Also, what would have taken a normal Gryphon five or six days took him and the matriarch just a little over three.
The monster was already faster than most, but with wind magic supporting it, the Gryphon matriarch could cut through the air like a missile. And it also needed to rest far less than its counterparts, as we only stopped to camp somewhere safe at night, and the creature was rearing to go by sunup the next day. Also, whatever monster or animal that was lurking around us didn't dare get close to the camp. All in all, it may have been the most peaceful journey I've set upon so far.
We arrived at the northernmost part of Luminar, and the forest came into view. It was a vast swath of densely packed trees as far as the eye could see, and they reached all the way up to the base of the immense mountain range.
Snow-capped mountains dotted the skyline and stretched into the horizon and beyond. I took a deep breath of the chilly morning air and couldn't help but feel in awe. It was a breathtaking sight, a wild land without a single city or town in sight.
she marveled.
After a brief moment of silence she signed,
Cerila's eyes went wide, but she looked confused as she slowly signed,
Ah…
She looked up into the sky for a few moments before signing,
Cerila smiled softly as Graz suddenly shouted, "That looks like where you need to go! I'm dropping you off there!"
With a pat on the neck, the Gryhponn began to descend at a pace that was a little too fast for my liking. A small fortified location with wooden walls was below us. Despite it being dawn, the entire camp was moving about, and the giant monster in the sky probably didn't help.
However, seeing that it was a Gryphon, they at least didn't shoot at us. The beast flapped its wings and let out a screech as it gracefully landed just outside the camp's walls.
A small squad of pale-faced guards eyed us nervously, but the moment they saw people, they at least lowered their weapons slightly. We gave Graz his goggles back as the Gryphon lowerd it self for us.
"Now don't expect a return ride. And if you and the lady die in that there forest, I'm keepin' the money," Graz grumbled.
"Thanks for the word of encouragement, Graz, and for the lift. I'll be looking forward to seeing you again soon enough," I said with a wave.
"Uh, huh. Come now, girl, let's get home," he said softly.
The matraich let out another screech before quickly kicking up another dust storm and flying off into the sky. The guards looked utterly confused as they watched us with a mix of fear and awe.
I cleared my throat and extended the crest I had been given. "I'm Lord Shadowheart. I'm here on official business. Please take me to your commanding officer," I said.
All the guards were a mixed bag. Some were old, others around my age, with even a few maybe slightly younger than me. There were Humans, Beastmen, Elves, and Dwarves amongst even the small group.
Each of them also had their own unique gear. Their spears, swords, maces, or whatever weapon they held came in various qualities, from mass-produced to something straight out of a fancy merchant. Their clothes and armor were all different, besides the black and red cloaks attached to their backs. A golden pin with an upright Gryphon with a sword in its mouth kept them closed.
An older Human looked at the crest and eyed his partner. "Uh, you ever see one of those before?" he asked.
"An where am I gonna see a crest like that, huh?" he snapped.
The Beastmen guard stood a little taller and said, "Sorry, My Lord, we uh gotta—I mean must check all individuals coming into camp, no exceptions. Someone should be here in a moment."
A small retinue of new soldiers came by with a middle-aged Human at the head. He wore a distinctly nicer, tidier outfit, more befitting an officer than the rest, and his firm gaze took in the situation in a moment.
"Back to your posts, all of you! Your teams will be heading out soon!" he barked.
He directly approached me and bowed deeply. "Lord Shadowheart, Lady Cerila, it is an honor to meet you. I am Captain Renata, the leader of this bunch of miscreants. We weren't expecting you so soon, so I apologize for the mess," he said.
"Think nothing of it, Captain. We just made good time," I said.
The man left his bow and looked behind me. "That you did, My Lord. The groups were just heading out for patrol, and this camp will be dismantled within a few hours. You came at the perfect time. Come, let me introduce you to the team that will guide you before they leave," he said.
We followed behind the captain and his men into the bustling camp. The wide-eyed stares and silent murmurs were cut short as the captain's guards sent icy glares to anyone with idle hands.
"Any reason you are abandoning camp, Captain?" I asked curiously.
"We move often to reestablish in areas that need us most. But with winter breathing down our necks, we need to settle in a more permanent place. We'll be meeting up with more of our forces and camp together," he said calmly.
"I see. And I haven't been told much. Is the area under control? And our team, how are they?" I asked.
"Arear's under as much control as a wild place like this can be, My Lord. Well, make certain that Durak gets you up to date on the land. And as for Durak and his team…well, I would have recommended them even if I wasn't told to," he answered.
"Durak, huh? What kind of man deserves this much praise?" I asked.
"You'll just have to see for yourself, My Lord. Actions are often worth a thousand words. And Durak is a man of action."