Child of the Gryphon

by David Lugsden

  ‘Even the lowest forms of life can swim, meatbag.’

  ‘You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself, Finn.’

  The retort took a moment to register with Finn, meanwhile Brutum, Rostrum, Sattan and even Aures roared with laughter. ‘I’ll kill you, you filthy half-breed!’ Finn roared as he leapt forward and dunked Gabriel underwater.

  With no chance to draw breath, Gabriel thrashed wildly as panic set in. Frantically he rallied blow after blow on Finn’s arms and torso to no avail. Finn pinned Gabriel under the water with an unwavering vicelike grip. Several yards away Brutum, Rostrum, Sattan and Aures hollered their condemnation of Finn’s actions and began to wade over to help. Long before they managed to reach him however a deafening bellow was heard from the far side of the pool, followed by a fierce, rushing gurgling. Master Octus ripped through the water like a torpedo, leaving churning waves in his wake.

  ‘FINN GREENSKALE! RELEASE HIM!’ the teacher ordered as his muscular tentacles flashed the burning red-orange of molten lava and curled around Finn’s arms. With hardly any effort at all, Master Octus severed Finn’s grip and hoisted him into the air like a ragdoll. Gabriel burst through the surface gasping for air.

  ‘Neptune’s tail!’ Master Octus fumed, ‘I have absolutely had enough of your behaviour as of late! You will report to my office immediately and wait there until I arrive, after the end of this lesson. We will both then discuss your attitude with the Grandmaster.’

  ‘But I-’

  ‘MOVE IT!’

  Without another word, yet with a final lingering look of contempt towards Gabriel, Finn sunk beneath the water and swam off.

  ‘Mr Millar,’ Master Octus said, turning to Gabriel, his tone now sympathetic, ‘Are you fit to continue? Would you like some time to rest?’

  ‘I’m OK,’ Gabriel replied hoarsely, ‘I just need a moment to catch my breath.’

  ‘Good. Then rest for a moment and continue when you are able.’

  The remainder of the lesson proceeded without any further incident and as it concluded Master Octus praised the effort of the class. As the students began clambering out of the pool, many of which groaning as they did so from their aching arms and legs, Marina discreetly swam over to Gabriel.

  ‘Gabriel, can I speak with you for a moment?’ she said.

  As Gabriel hung back at the edge of the pool with Marina, Seth and Tamera glanced back at their friend. Seth, grinning and wringing the water from his tail, thought he glimpsed a look of dismay flash across Tamera’s face. He nudged her arm, distracting her.

  ‘Wow, Whiskers, there I was thinking kitty-cats hated the water, but you didn’t do half bad at all!’

  Before Tamera could answer, a bedraggled Verbera cut in, ‘And just what is that supposed to mean, you condescending, chauvinistic irritant? I’ll have you know that felines are exceptional swimmers! It’s just that we prefer not to.’

  She shook herself head to tail, rapidly showering both Seth and Tamera with a fine spray. Her once-sleek-fur fluffed up like a cheerleader’s pompom.

  ‘I know...’ Seth said, ‘I was just meaning that Tamera looked good out there – I mean... erm... technique-wise. Cool hair by the way, Verbera.’

  Verbera’s eyes narrowed fiercely. ‘Very funny, Brushtail,’ she uttered and stormed off in a huff, cursing under her breath.

  ‘Seth, I... Thanks,’ Tamera said smiling coyly.

  Seth returned the smile and said, ‘No problem, Whis- Tamera. I meant it, really. Come on, once we’ve gotten dried off, I’ll walk you home – if you’d like me to of course.’

  ‘Sure,’ she said, ‘that would be nice.’

  Sitting back down on the edge of the pool, Gabriel allowed his feet to dangle in the water. Marina hoisted herself out of the pool and flopped down next to him with a very moist squelch.

  ‘That wasn’t me!’ she said her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. ‘It was just the water and the... erm...’

  Gabriel grinned, ‘I know. You were really impressive out there.’

  ‘I didn’t know you were watching.’

  Now was the turn for Gabriel’s face to flush. ‘I wasn’t! I mean it was hard not to notice... no! What I mean is-’

  Marina gave him a playful smirk and raised an eyebrow.

  ‘No! Wait! What I meant to say was I’ve never really seen you exercising your true potential.’

  ‘That? Oh, that was nothing. You should see what I’m- what the merfolk are capable of in open water.’

  ‘Yeah, I’d like that,’ he said, captivated by the dazzling gleam from her shimmering blue eyes. He inhaled deeply, savouring the enchanting scent of her hair, despite it lying wet and limp across her smooth shoulders.

  His mind was shaken back to reality by a somewhat perplexed expression on Marina’s face. Gabriel was suddenly aware of a pleasant warming sensation bubbling up inside of him.

  Without thinking, he blurted out, ‘Would you like to go out together this Saturday night?’

  Marina looked taken aback, ‘Gabriel, I...’

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.’

  ‘No, no, I was actually hoping you’d ask. I’d love to!’

  ‘Great! Leave it to me, I’ll plan everything,’ Gabriel said, the same warm feeling continuing to swell uncontrollably.

  The pair was suddenly interrupted by someone noisily clearing their throat behind them. They both turned to see Daws leant against the large doorframe looking rather awkward.

  ‘I do apologise for the intrusion, but unfortunately I’m going to have to break you two lovebirds up. Mr Millar, if you remember you still have a week more of my company. Not quite as desirable as the young lady’s I’m sure, but a must all the same.’

  Gabriel bid goodbye to Marina and watched longingly as she swam off across the pool and disappeared beneath the water to exit via the submerged waterway. For several moments he continued to stare.

  ‘Ahem!’ Daws cleared his throat loudly again, ‘Come on Romeo, there’ll be plenty of time for all that later. But right now there’s a whole brood of caveworms with our names on ‘em. Pesky blighters have decided to take up residency again in the gardens!’

  The caveworms had indeed returned and with a vengeance. Gabriel counted no less than twenty different worms that were at least five feet in length with a further ten that exceeded seven feet! For almost four hours the pair wrestled and tussled and scuffled with the sinewy leviathans before they successfully managed to expel them all. Fatigued and bearing multiple scrapes and bruises from their lengthy ordeal, Gabriel bid Daws farewell.

  And then came the moment he had been dreading all day. Returning to the scene of the crime, so to speak: Bysonn’s office.

  ‘Enter!’ the Grandmaster’s voice boomed angrily as Gabriel knocked on the door. ‘Oh, it’s you,’ he added with resentment as Gabriel entered.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Gabriel replied, staring at the floor. ‘Erm... Mr Daws says we’ve completed all of the tasks for today.’

  ‘And?’ Bysonn hissed. ‘Are you expecting a letter of commendation for fulfilling your punishment or something?’

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘Very well. You may go.’

  Gabriel felt a wave of relief pass over him and turned to leave.

  ‘Just a minute,’ Bysonn said.

  ‘Y-yes, sir?’

  ‘Where were you last Saturday afternoon? What were you doing?’

  ‘Sir?’

  ‘Don’t “sir” me you belligerent worm,’ Bysonn growled. ‘Just answer the damned question!’

  ‘Erm... I was in Artisan Plaza with my friends, sir. Why do you ask?’ Gabriel said as innocently as possible.

  ‘It’s none of your business why I ask! How dare you question me! I hope for your own sake you are telling me the truth, cub, for if and when I find out you’re lying to me, I will personally make you regret you were ever born.’

  ‘Yes, sir. Understood.’

  ‘Very well,’ Bysonn suddenly and unexpectedly
smiled and Gabriel felt chilled to his core. Never had the Grandmaster appeared more dangerous. ‘Enjoy your last week.’

  ‘M-m-my l-l-last week?’

  Bysonn’s familiar scowl returned instantly, ‘Of detention. Unless you would prefer it to continue for longer?’

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘Then get out of my sight!’

  ‘Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,’ Gabriel muttered as he backed out of the office.

  As Gabriel made his way to the jetty to await a lift from the Boatman, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had survived! Although Bysonn clearly suspected him (no surprise there!) he had no evidence to pin on Gabriel or his friends that they had been in school over the weekend. For now at least, they were safe. Nevertheless, the Grandmaster’s momentary smile continued to unsettle him. He felt a strong sense of foreboding. Was there more to what he said than just the last week of detention?

  Leaving Wingtail Lake, Gabriel trotted home ignoring his aching body and pushing all thoughts of Bysonn to the furthest reaches of his mind. For the duration of the evening’s punishment his mind had been resting on an entirely different plateau, unfazed by the trying chore. Reminiscing on his talk with Marina earlier, Gabriel returned to his previous feeling of elation. He had a date with Marina! He had never had the courage to ask out anyone before!

  And then the realisation smashed into him like an out-of-control freight train.

  He had never had a date with anyone before.

  What exactly did people do on dates anyway? He remembered watching television shows where people went for dinner and then onto the cinema or to a high school dance, but for a start they were American television shows, not to mention that was in the human world. What on earth did people do here, hundreds of feet below the surface?

  He made a mental note to ask Seth’s advice the very next day. Tamera might be a more logical choice, her being a girl and all, but for some reason, he noted, she always seemed to grow quite tense and irritable whenever there was any mention of Marina. Does Tamera not like Marina or something? No, surely not. He remembered seeing them chatting and laughing with each other before. Sometimes they had even elected to work together in class. Gabriel suddenly recalled a piece of advice offered to him by his father.

  Following one of his parents’ rare arguments (he wasn’t sure about what exactly) his father had retreated into the living room where Gabriel was sitting at the coffee table busy completing some Geography homework. Alan Millar had shrunk guiltily into his favourite armchair, ushering a tentative glance over his shoulder back to the kitchen where Nancy Millar was raucously banging and crashing the crockery from dinner as she loaded the dishwasher.

  ‘Is everything OK, dad?’ Gabriel had asked.

  ‘Of course it is, Kiddo. Just a little disagreement that’s all. Nothing to worry about,’ his father had replied. Adding at a barely audible whisper, ‘But a piece of fatherly advice: try as you may, you’ll never understand women!’

  At the time, Gabriel had thought his father had been joking with him to try and lessen the tension caused by the argument, but now he was not so sure. As he arrived home he tried to revert back to his initial elation about his forthcoming date, instead of worrying about it turning into a first-rate disaster.

  ***

  In the days that followed Gabriel chose not to tell Marina of the evening he had planned for the two of them. Whenever she would ask throughout the remainder of the week he would grin like a Cheshire cat, but remain tight-lipped. All the while Finn would watch with disdain, the pair laughing and joking with one another. After the incident in the pool he had been given strict orders to keep his distance from Gabriel. Master Octus had warned Finn that any other such occurrence would result in his suspension and possibly even expulsion from school. His father had also been duly notified and, according to Marina, had been furious at the news. Finn’s over protectiveness of his sister was superseded by only one thing: his fear of disappointing his father.

  Friday afternoon soon rolled around and Gabriel made his way down into the bowels of the school with the same relish as a prisoner being granted parole after many decades of incarceration.

  ‘My, don’t you look very much like the bird that caught the worm!’ Daws said as Gabriel entered his office.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Gabriel asked with confusion.

  ‘Well just look at you! You look like you fell into a box of smiles! I can’t tell what you’re more excited about: the end of your detentions spent with me or the prospect of time spent with a certain aquatic young lady.’ Daws gave a sly wink.

  Gabriel blushed. ‘Well, it’s been fun spending time with you, Daws, even if I have been in detention. But I am looking forward to having my freedom back.’

  ‘And the young lady?’

  Gabriel blushed again.

  Daws chuckled heartily, ‘It’s OK, you don’t have to answer that. I’m just having a bit of fun with you. Anyway tonight, Grandmaster Bysonn has entrusted to us a very unique task indeed!’

  ‘Oh really?’ Gabriel suspected as much. Despite his delight at completing his punishment, he had expected Bysonn to implement either an extension to the month’s detention or some unfathomably hideous task to complete. Or both.

  ‘Oh yes! I’ve only had the opportunity to carry this out on a few select occasions during my tenure. It is usually Mrs Batoidea’s responsibility, you see, and she performs it so exceptionally well on her own that she never requires any help. However, as she is on leave today she’s unable to complete her normal duties. It’s ever so exciting! So as a special treat and as it’s your last evening with me, and because you’ve been such a good assistant over the past month, I thought I’d allow you to complete it.’

  ‘Who’s Mrs Batoidea? I’ve never heard of her.’

  ‘She’s the facilitator of the Wingtail Aquatic Library of course!’

  ‘The... the Aquatic Library?’ Gabriel repeated dumbfounded, ‘You mean the underwater one?’

  ‘The very same!’ Daws said bursting with excitement.

  Gabriel felt a sudden overwhelming wave of panic rushing over him. He lacked confidence swimming in shallow water where he could keep his footing. The Aquatic Library must have been four or five stories high at least! Not to mention that the library was entirely submerged! He doubted very much that the library would be drained in order for them to complete whatever task had been assigned to them. He wasn’t even sure that draining the library was at all possible! Gabriel wondered why Daws was so excited. As best as he could tell the old man was not of a marine-based lineage either.

  Before he could utter a protest, Daws had hurried Gabriel out of the office and up a narrow winding passage in the direction of the library. Gabriel had been in to the Wingtail Library on several occasions and although Tamera had often vocalised her preference of it over that of the Library of the Ancients, he could distinguish no obvious disparity between the literary collections of the two. Wingtail Library was set up in much the same way as the Library of the Ancients. Both were of a similar height and organised in much the same way. Beneath the dry library was located the Aquatic Library, which again was visible through a glass floor. The only identifiable distinctions between the two libraries were that as opposed to the natural cave in which the public library was built, the school library was built entirely by hand, carved into the solid rock wall by an uncountable number of workers over the centuries, continually being refurbished and extended. The central study area of the Wingtail Library was also much wider to allow for the number of students that regularly used it. Unlike the Library of the Ancients, however, it did not have a section set aside for storage of habitat blueprints.

  The upper dry library was run by a squat, round man who was known to the students as Mr Hydrochoerus (as he was not a teacher at the school he had not been awarded the status of ‘Master’). Rowe Molar of Hydrochoerus looked very much like a barrel with a head, arms and feet poking out of the sides. He patrolled the aisles of the library like an a
rmy general inspecting his troops and was every bit as finicky about maintaining order within the school library, as his Library of the Ancients counterparts, the Nibblers were. However, with a much larger physique than the Nibblers, he held his position with a significantly more commanding poise. Fortunately, as Gabriel and Daws entered the library, Mr Hydrochoerus was nowhere to be seen.

  Without breaking stride, Daws led Gabriel across the library and through a concealed door behind the librarian’s desk. The backroom was cramped, dimly lit and no wider than the span of Gabriel’s arms. Hung flaccidly on the opposite wall was what appeared at first glance to be a loose-skinned cadaver with a hugely swollen head. A closer inspection instead revealed an antiquated, full-body diving suit.

  Noticing Gabriel’s fixation on the suit, Daws spoke with the irrepressible enthusiasm of a child on Christmas Day, ‘Well, what do you think?’

  ‘Of this? It’s... it’s...’

  ‘Wonderful? Glorious? Magnificent?’

  ‘Ancient!’

  Daws was indignant. ‘Ancient! Well... granted we’ve had it in our possession for a good many years now, but I can assure you it is as efficient as it always has been!’

  ‘You’ve got to be joking! That thing must be fifty years old!’

  ‘It’s actually closer to eighty... but that’s not the point! It’s in perfect working condition.’

  Gabriel looked back at the outdated attire with a stomach-churning degree of uncertainty. The cumbersome, bronze helmet looked more like a medieval instrument of punishment or torture. The attached canvas bodysuit, with its discolouration and patches of mildew, looked as impermeable as a sponge. Yet despite continually protesting and voicing his misgivings, several moments later Gabriel found himself stood in the small room weighted down by the heavy helmet. Putting on the diving suit had felt like climbing into a wet hessian sack. Wafts of mould kept making their way up into the helmet.

  With the ever-growing feeling of uneasiness, Gabriel stared down into a claustrophobic, glass tube sunk into the floor, under a pressurised hatch that Daws had just unscrewed. Inside the spherical helmet, the old man’s instructions were barely audible and despite his improved hearing as of late, Gabriel had to concentrate intensively to make out what he was saying.