Child of the Gryphon

by David Lugsden

  My sincerest apologies once again,

  Your grandfather,

  Omari

  P.S. I have left some breakfast out for you on the table. Enjoy!

  That day on the way to school, Gabriel showed his friends the note. They suggested that the “important Council business” must have meant Hookbeak’s desertion from his post.

  ‘But would it really take that long to sort out?’ asked Gabriel.

  ‘You wouldn’t think so,’ said Tamera, ‘unless of course they discovered the reason for it was a part of something else.’

  ‘Like what?’ said Seth.

  ‘I don’t know,’ she continued, ‘but Hookbeak did mention leaving his post on official orders.’

  Seth scoffed, ‘More than likely he simply got bored and went for a walk.’

  ‘Perhaps... but what if he didn’t? Suppose that he purposely left the entrance unguarded, allowing anyone who wanted to leave the freedom to do so without challenge.’

  ‘Or get in,’ said Gabriel.

  The three of them pondered over this worrisome thought for several minutes.

  ‘This is ridiculous!’ said Seth finally breaking the silence, ‘Sure Hookbeak is as dodgy as they come, but he’s no idiot. He wouldn’t put Sanctuary in danger on purpose. He probably just needed the loo or something and was too embarrassed to admit it. Plus he’s not bright enough to organise something that devious.’

  Gabriel remained unsure. There was something about Hookbeak that had made him distinctly uneasy, and it wasn’t just his fearsome talons. ‘But why would he leave the gates open? What if he really was instructed to leave his post?’

  ‘Who in Sanctuary would order him to do that?’

  ‘Who said that person was a resident of Sanctuary?’ Gabriel said.

  ‘But that would mean... I’m really not sure Hookbeak has that in him. Lazy, yes. Dim-witted, absolutely. Dodgy, most certainly. But a traitor...?’ Seth doubted.

  The three of them quietened their musings as they arrived at the jetty, just as the Boatman was mooring the boat. They once again met Aures and the troll boy, but the two older nymphs were nowhere in sight. Aures cheerfully wished them good morning, whilst the troll maintained his distance and continued to eye them guardedly. Gabriel, Seth and Tamera hopped onto the boat. Aures moved to follow but accidentally caught one of his big feet on the mooring rope and plunged headfirst into the murky waters. Sitting at the bow of the boat, the troll boy snickered from behind a hairy, wrinkled hand. The Boatman looked on emotionlessly. Meanwhile, Gabriel, Seth and Tamera helped to haul a sodden, and now even more pathetic-looking, Aures onto the boat. Aures’ morning didn’t improve any as he walked into Morning Gathering and Victor and Fungus roared with laughter. They spent the remainder of the day hurling water-themed insults at the poor boy, despite continual reprimands and punishments from their teachers.

  Gabriel submitted his apology letter to Bysonn as soon as he arrived at school. The Grandmaster scoffed at his work and without even looking at it, declared it a “pitiful effort” and ripped it into shreds.

  ‘Consider yourself lucky, boy,’ Bysonn warned, ‘that I have more pressing issues to address, otherwise I’d have you rewrite it twice as long as a punishment for such a clearly rushed and pathetic attempt in the first place. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind!’

  For the second time in as many days, Gabriel left the Grandmaster’s office brimming with rage. The only difference this time was that despite provocation, he had managed to hold his tongue.

  Lesson-wise, the day got off to quite an interesting start with Ancient Creatures. Master Canis was the specialist for this subject. He was an elderly dog-headed creature, with wiry fur, that had turned almost completely white with age, covering his entire body. His bristly tail swung back and forth happily all the while his students were paying attention. During the lesson the students learnt about the Megalodon, a humungous shark from the time of the dinosaurs, which could dwarf most modern-day whales. Master Canis was in fact not a werewolf as Gabriel had first assumed. Seth informed him he was from a race known as the wulvers, very much like werewolves, except for a few small differences: wulvers were on the whole more civilised and sociable whereas werewolves had much shaggier fur, with sharper claws and an immeasurably foul temper.

  From there the day took a decidedly dull downturn. Habitat Geology, with the ram-horned and cloven-hoofed Master Laniger, was painfully boring. He droned on for almost the entire lesson about the history of Wingtail Academy, from the discovery of the cave system, to its numerous modifications into its current state. There were over two hundred known caves, crevices and passageways within the complex and more were still being discovered with each passing year. Some of the students (Tamera included) were furiously scribbling down notes, whilst many of them had long ago given up and were now sat with their heads resting in their hands, fighting off sleep. Towards the end of the lesson, Master Laniger moved onto Wingtail’s revolutionary pressurised watery passageways and how they linked up with every floor and classroom in the school without flooding the school itself. The success of this system of waterways had inspired its extension into other portions of Sanctuary as well. Much to the dismay of the class, at the end of the lesson Master Laniger set them all a homework assignment to complete a four page essay on the founding fathers of Wingtail Academy, for the following week.

  Advancement Theory was after lunch and was even worse than Habitat Geology. Master Scorpiarius, pleasant as he was, could not even remotely engage the interest of the students in the idea of where evolution may take them next. After ninety minutes of monotonous waffling and theorising, the students were instructed to write a three page homework assignment on how they thought their own family line would evolve over the course of the next ten million years.

  Species Awareness improved the day a little, but not by much. They were already seated in class when their teacher lumbered into the room. Madame Cryptid was a nine foot tall giant of a woman with shaggy, white fur which rustled as she moved. The long fur hung over her glasses and often made it difficult for her to see. Her enormous feet thumped down as she plodded around the classroom on thick, stumpy legs. Rather frequently, she would accidentally knock books and other artefacts off of shelves as she gestured overenthusiastically with her arms, which stretched down to her knees.

  ‘Whoops!’ her deep, booming voice would call out, ‘Oh dear, not again!’ and ‘Never mind, that needed replacing anyway.’

  Her hands were almost as big as her coffee table-sized feet and so gripping small objects (even sticks of chalk) was very difficult. To compensate, Madame Cryptid used a chunk of chalk the size of a house brick, which meant her handwriting was virtually illegible. She lectured them on that particular day about hybrids. These were creatures that showed the genetic traits of both parents.

  ‘We are very lucky to have one such hybrid with us now,’ she said directing the class’s attention to Gabriel. ‘But don’t think that Gabriel is the first. There have been countless records of hybrids occurring throughout history. In some ways they play an integral role in the evolution of us all.’

  ‘Oh yeah, like how?’ Victor called out, ‘by turning us all into a bunch of freaks?’ He and Fungus began cackling amongst themselves.

  ‘Absolutely not!’ Madame Cryptid continued, ‘Why, it could be argued that without hybrids, life would never have evolved at all, and would have come to an abrupt end in a very short space of time indeed. Evolution is forged by genetic mutations. Of course, there are also sometimes disadvantages of these mutations.’

  ‘Like being labelled a filthy mongrel?’ Finn asked as he gave a furtive sideways look at Gabriel. Marina, meanwhile, looked upon her brother with disgust.

  ‘Heavens no!’ Madame Cryptid said. ‘And I will ask you to not use such derogatory names, Mr Greenskale. Sometimes hybrids take on all the genetic weaknesses which results in a very sickly and ultimately doomed child. Although fortunately these incidences are ex
ceptionally rare.’

  ‘And what about the advantages of maintaining clean breeding? I, for one, am proud to be a thoroughbred.’ Finn said.

  ‘Finn, shut up!’ Marina scolded.

  ‘This will be your last warning, Mr Greenskale. However, this does bring up and interesting point,’ Madame Cryptid mused vocally. ‘There are certain less informed individuals, even today, that believe breeding amongst species is a morally wrong and an inherently dangerous practice. They fear hybridisation may result in a terrifying combination of physical superiority and mental degradation, which could bring about vicious and violent behavioural tendencies. In short: supremely powerful creatures with apocalyptical qualities.’

  Several of the class shifted uneasily in their seats and eyed Gabriel warily.

  Madame Cryptid, noticing the tension, quickly added, ‘Of course, these are purely unproven theories. It is such irrational fears that have served as the catalyst for stories of the mythical chimaera, a vile, heinous creature. Do not worry yourselves however, there is no evidence that such a creature ever existed, nor even could exist. The notion of it is pure fantasy. Now, that is all we have time for today. I want a two page summary of all we have discussed on hybrids by Thursday’s lesson.’

  And with that Madame Cryptid dismissed them. The students packed up their belongings and began to filter out of the classroom. Gabriel, Seth and Tamera were at the back of the crowd, when from behind Marina called out after them. ‘Bye, Gabriel. See you tomorrow.’ She was clutching her stack of waterproof books and waving. It was the first time that Gabriel noticed that Marina’s hands were webbed. A pale green flap of skin connected each of her fingers.

  Gabriel nervously replied, ‘Uh, yeah. Bye!’

  Finn hurriedly and forcibly shoved his sister under the water. ‘What’re you looking at, half-breed?’ he snapped. ‘I’d better not catch you making eyes at my sister again!’

  Madame Cryptid’s deep voice thundered around the room, ‘That does it, Mr Greenskale! I have given you plenty of warnings. You will wait until the rest of the students have left and then you and I will have a little discussion about what is acceptable behaviour.’

  Finn continued to glare at Gabriel as he left the room.

  Gabriel turned back to his friends. ‘What was all that about?’

  ‘Oh ignore him,’ Seth said, ‘Finn has the personality of a barracuda with a sore head.’

  ‘You mean bear,’ Gabriel corrected.

  ‘No, I don’t. I mean barracuda. He’s part fish ain’t he?’

  ‘I suppose, but why’s he got it in for me?’

  ‘Well that’s obvious isn’t it?’

  ‘Of course it is. That’s why I’m asking for clarification,’ Gabriel said. ‘No, I have no idea what his problem is.’

  Seth was grinning from ear to ear, ‘Somebody likes you!’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Marina, you dummy!’

  Tamera’s jaw clenched. ‘I have to go and ask Master Scorpiarius something about the homework assignment. You two go on without me. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.’

  ‘So what’s up with her then?’ Gabriel asked.

  ‘No idea. The girl’s a complete mystery at times,’ Seth replied.

  All the way home, Seth teased Gabriel about Marina and how he would have to put up with the awkward brother-in-law when the two were married. Gabriel countered with a few friendly punches in the arm. Once again that evening, Omari did not return home until after Gabriel had gone to bed. Although the following morning there were signs that Omari had been back briefly during the night, Gabriel had not heard him.

  Wednesday brought about more Old World Languages in the morning and a homework assignment of translating an Ancient Sumerian passage. This was followed by another Ancient Creatures lesson, this time focussing on the Gorgons and a four-and-a-half page homework assignment separating myth from reality.

  The afternoon brought about the last of Gabriel’s new subjects: a double period of Physical Potential. As his wings had been amputated as a child, he would not be partaking in the Flight specialism class. Instead he would be alternating his lessons between Running and Sprinting with Master Equos, Leaping and Bounding with Master Macropus. and Heightened Senses with Master Procyon. By a stroke of luck, Seth and Tamera were assigned to the same three classes.

  The first lesson focussed on running and took place in a wide open area, deep within the bowels of Wingtail Academy. The exercises consisted of sprint drills, long sustained runs and the ability to avoid obstacles and change direction at speed. Master Equos was a trim, athletic-looking creature with a mane of dark hair tumbling down his back. He had a long face with wide nostrils and surprisingly small hoofed hands and feet. Despite this, he could move faster than anyone Gabriel had ever seen. Over the last few years Gabriel thought he had become quite proficient at athletics as he had regularly finished either first or second in running races at school. Unfortunately that was in the human world. His new classmates had already been training for several years and were all substantially better than he was. By the end of the class Gabriel was utterly exhausted, whereas some of the others, particularly Brutum and Rostrum, looked as fresh as they had done at the start.

  On Friday morning Gabriel faced another double period of Physical Potential, this time Leaping and Bounding. Master Macropus also held the lesson deep inside the confines of the school, in a specially equipped cave with high ceilings and a deep pool covering most of the floor. Several platforms were suspended above the pool at different heights. Another series of floating platforms set out at different distances stretched across the entire length of the pool. At the start of the lesson Master Macropus, a tall, Australian teacher with a broad chest, pointed ears and a wide nose, demonstrated each of the different exercises he had arranged for the students. First of all, with barely any effort, his powerful legs thrust him upwards to a seemingly impossible height, and he nimbly hopped to and fro, from each of the suspended platforms. After that he bounded across the floating platforms barely making a ripple in the pool as his long thick tail stretched out behind him, acting as a counterbalance.

  Several of the students struggled to reach the highest platform. There were a few near misses by Seth and Verbera, who narrowly avoided a long plunge into the water below by grasping desperately at the edges of the lower platforms. When it came the time for Gabriel’s turn, he failed to reach even the lowest platform and hit the cold water with a mighty splash. His embarrassment was shared shortly afterwards by a clumsy Aures who lost his balance and nearly landed on top of him. Sopping wet, Gabriel moved on to the floating platforms and performed equally as poorly. Leaping as far as he could, he landed on the near edge of the first platform which, unstable as it was, proceeded to tip up and dump him unceremoniously once again into the pool.

  By the time school finished that afternoon, despite a mountain of homework to scour through, Gabriel had never been so happy to see the weekend. He was even more delighted when he arrived home to find Omari asleep in the armchair. The old man was sat upright, his hands gently clasping the arms of the chair. His head had drooped forward on to his chest and he was snoring gently. It was the first time Omari had appeared vulnerable. The events of the week, whatever they were, had clearly taken a toll on him. The wrinkles on his face seemed deeper, his hands more withered. It even looked like he had lost weight.

  Gabriel fetched a blanket and placed it over Omari, then quietly retired to his bedroom, leaving the old man sleeping soundly.

  ***

  Omari slept for the better part of the night and for most of Saturday, waking only briefly to eat. During those times he was still quite drowsy and barely spoke other than to apologise repeatedly for his absence. It was almost four o’clock in the afternoon by the time he was fully awake.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ Gabriel asked as Omari emerged from his studio, looking refreshed but still somewhat more haggard than he had been the previous weekend.

  ‘Much better
now, thank you. How was your first week of school? I want to hear all about it.’

  ‘It was good. Not as bad as I’d imagined, but still tough at times. How was your week?’

  ‘Rather uneventful. So how are your classmates? What’s your favourite subject?’

  Gabriel could tell Omari was deliberately avoiding telling him something. He decided to press the issue, ‘Grandpa, I haven’t seen you all week. What happened? Was it something to do with Hookbeak leaving his post?’

  Omari waved his hand dismissively, ‘That was merely a momentary lapse in Hookbeak’s judgement. Nothing to worry yourself about.’

  ‘A lapse in judgement?’ Gabriel repeated, ‘But he made it sound like he was following Council orders or something.’

  ‘Yes and for that he has been reprimanded. It was an excuse - and not a very good one - to try and lessen the trouble he knew he would be in.’

  ‘So why then, have you been away all week?’

  Omari’s posture tensed and then just as quickly he relaxed himself again. ‘Nothing to worry about, my boy, it’s all in the past now. So school-’

  ‘Grandpa,’ Gabriel said sternly.

  Omari let out a long sigh and collapsed into the armchair. ‘OK, I suppose I’d better tell you. You’d no doubt find out sooner or later anyway,’ he said. ‘I was hoping I could keep this from you a little longer, just whilst you readjusted yourself to life here. You see Gabriel, security is a very a grave issue that affects the lives of every resident of Sanctuary. And yes, Hookbeak caused a great deal of stress for myself and the other Council members initially, but thankfully our fears were unwarranted.’