I stared in shock at Madi. Quinn was a tiny, wrinkly, sweet man. How could he be a source of ancient magic?
Hardel stood, his face resolute. “I think we should marshal all the support we can and cut out the beast’s heart in Drok Shapol. And soon. What say you, Ashtel? I gave a speaking stone to Mendonn. If the horse men agree to aid us, we might be strong enough.”
Ashtel shook his head doubtfully. “I am not so sure, Hardel. Though I share your desire, I fear we are too few. Only three dozen of the Doondane are left, and the horse lords can summon perhaps a hundred warriors. And some reports of this Rat King’s forces number them in the hundreds, if not thousands.”
Alysand stood then and raised one hand formally. “I have more ill news. Hana and Madi can bear witness. We cleared out Benham’s iron mines from the ratkin that had taken it some months ago. They have been deporting the iron ore, which would explain the high quality of some of their weapons and armor. More concerning is the additional ally the Rat King has acquired. I killed the once great Anwar Flamestar of the Fafniri clan. He told me before his death that the wyverns would fight with the enemy. They are not so numerous, but even if a few dozen of them stand beside him, it will be imposing.”
“The fire wyverns?” Ashtel’s face had contorted in fear and surprise.
“Even so. The only way we can oppose such might is with more allies of our own. The Sirrushi wyverns would be a good place to start.” Alysand took a seat again.
Selna spoke next. “They have tasloi in their army as well, though I do not know how many.”
“And trow goblins,” Madi added, pointing to Hardel. “Most are workers, but I had to fight a few monsters called twisted trow. They were taller than you.”
Hardel lifted up his hands. “Trow bigger than me? For all that is unholy, okay, I yield. We need to consolidate our strength. I can go to the mountain trolls and see if they might help as well.”
The conversation bore on for some time, ideas being handed about like tangible fragments of hope. Eventually, tasks were given, and a relative plan was formed. Everyone was to be sent off in different directions, with Madi, Alysand, and I heading toward Gilsby on the coast. Then the formality of the meeting melted away.
Hardel produced some mead, and Liam brought out a tiny lute that he began to pluck. I listened to the rangers’ banter, enjoying the warmth of the fire.
At last, I grew curious about my feathered friend and asked, “Who is Bastral? And where have they taken my Pachi?”
Hardel laughed, and he stood up and gestured for me to follow him. We walked back up the stairs and found three beasts of legend lounging near a pile of bones.
Pachi and Tejón looked fully sated for the first time in a few days, and they were basking in the attention of a glorious beast.
Oh Hana, it is about time, Pachi said. Bastral is magnificent, isn’t he? His beak is so sharp, and you should see his claws. Oh, and his wings must be nearly forty feet wide!
I couldn’t help but gape myself. Bastral was a gryphon. I can see that. Please tell him hello and thanks for feeding you so well.
An unfamiliar voice, deep as a mountain lake, resounded in my head. You can tell me yourself, small one.
My jaw dropped as I looked in the sharp eagle eyes of the gryphon. I tried to Mind Speak back tentatively. You can hear me?
Of course. Pachi and Tejón will be able to converse with whoever they please as well, once they grow strong enough. I can see you have a good heart. It is fitting. Pachi is no base creature, after all.
No, she is not, I agreed. I have grown to love her as much as I depend on her skill and strength in battle.
Hardel caressed the side of Bastral’s beak. “He is really something, eh? Most powerful flyer in this part of the world, I’d wager. At least in my opinion. And soooo beautiful.” The ranger’s words were directed at me, but I could see he was drawing them out to flatter his gryphon. It seemed to be working.
A bone-vibrating purr emanated from Bastral’s chest.
“You two,” Hardel said to Madi and I, “it is time you’ve had a brief history lesson on this world, and there are few more suited to the task than Bastral Lionheart.” He sat in the crook of his gryphon’s front legs. The huge man looked like a boy, the sheer size of the gryphon dwarfing him comically.
Madi sat next to Tejón’s bulky form and leaned against his haunch. The bear was sitting up and crunching on a bone with lazy satisfaction.
I sat next to Pachi and she repositioned, so she could lay down facing the gryphon and extend a wing over me at the same time. The bitter cold and blustering wind abated immediately.
Bastral’s voice filled my mind again. Hardel told me that you two were just told of the Elder that lives in Taelman’s Pond. He is a child of Lem, and though there are a few other Elders left in this world, he is among the last.
Not wanting to give off the impression that I wasn’t listening, I sent a simple reply. Yes, Quinn is wonderful.
That he is. In order to know his story, you must know first the story of Lem and the first elves that came to this land from across the sea.
I saw Madi adjust herself briefly, and despite looking sleepy, she also seemed excited to know more of this world. To us, it was Eternal Online, but to these very real AIs, it had
