「The next day, just before dawn.」
SKREEE!
A sharp, piercing cry split the sky.
The Storm Griffin King, Baofeng, had been waiting for some time. His tawny Iron Feathers gleamed in the morning light.
Raylo leaped up, landing steadily on Baofeng's broad back.
"Let's go!"
Raylo patted Baofeng's neck.
Baofeng gave a mighty beat of his wings, kicking up a gale as his massive body lifted off the ground and soared into the clouds.
They first flew to the Stone Forest. After a few cries from Baofeng, a series of answering calls echoed back. Over ten smaller Storm Griffins took to the sky one after another, gathering behind Baofeng to form a loose aerial squadron before speeding toward the eastern hills.
As they flew over the edge of the Black Stone Mountain Range, Raylo's sharp eyes noticed an unusual disturbance in the forest below.
