THE MOUNTAINS GREW higher and the griffons climbed with them until they cleared the summits. The view literally stole your breath at this high altitude. It didn’t bother the griffons at all, this was what they were built for, but the humans found the sharp cold air harsh on their lungs.
Loi’s jaw dropped at the sight of the cavernous basin, created by four mountains clustered together in a semi-circle, their peaks sheer and bleak. One of the mountain peaks had broken off at some point in time and massive slips of shingle fanned down its sides. Sabyn tightened his arms around her waist a little and leaned forward to point at one of the slips.
'That’s where we surf,' he called.
Forgetting she was mad at him, Loi turned, her eyes wide in surprise. 'You slide down that? Isn’t that dangerous?'
He winked. 'Only if you fall.'
Loi shook her head in disbelief. That must come under the extreme sport category, she thought while continuing to study the area. The griffons dropped lower into the basin and the air stilled in an instant, the high mountains creating a natural wind-break.
'THIS IS OUR practice space,' Alek smiled at Cat, happy to show off the impressive area after all the fascinating images she’d shown them. She stared around the mountains in open admiration.
'What do you think?' He demanded when she remained silent.
SO TAKEN WITH the view I couldn’t respond at first; hauntingly beautiful with high treacherous peaks that dropped into sheer faces and shingle that extended to the tree line far below.
'Incredible,' I breathed. Alek leaned in close to hear me. 'Absolutely incredible.'
'You can see why we practice here, lots of space and essentially no wind.'
I nodded in agreement, still staring and twisted around in my seat to get a better view.
'Come on.' He seized me around the waist. 'Upsy daisy.'
I clung to his chest like a limpet until we both stood steady then he turned me so I leaned against his chest and began to point out various areas. It astonished me to learn that they actually slid down the shingle faces for fun. It made me remember the time I’d done it as a kid, with a friend of mine, while on holiday. Dad had nearly had a fit when he caught us. It hadn’t occurred to us that we could have been crushed in it, but kids never do think of those things. I mentioned it to Alek who laughed.
'It’s possible, but the griffs keep close, ready to grab us if necessary.' He helped me back to my seat and casually lowered into his. It felt like watching an acrobat, the way he did it so easily. The heavy beats of Loushka’s massive wings didn’t throw him off balance in the slightest. I sighed, after ten years of jujitsu my balance had improved lots, but things like this made me look as gangly as a newborn calf.
AS DARON HELPED Sian into position Nesha couldn’t help himself and he called out to the other griffons. ‘Guess what. Sian’s about to try free-falling.’
The other griffons got excited and Nesha suddenly thought to add, ‘But don’t mention it to the other women, we want to surprise them.’
‘THIS SHOULD CHEER Loi up,’ thought Tomiar. ‘Then she can try it next.’
‘Not a bad idea.’ Sabyn sat up straighter in the saddle and looked around for Nesha. ‘Make sure we’re in a good spot to see her.’
NESHA FLEW UP to a height which would allow Sian a decent dive. Everyone’s eyes followed him and the girls watched curiously while the men grinned in anticipation.
'Ready?' Daron shouted against the wind to Sian, the currents stronger at this height. Sian clung to Nesha’s rump. Not exactly the place you want to be when trying to impress the guy you’re crushing on, but oh well.
'Ready!' she yelled.
'WHAT’S NESHA DOING?' Loi twisted to look up at Sabyn. Wow, his eyes are gorgeous, she noticed; a real glacial blue. He started to speak then stopped, staring at something beyond her. Loi turned back just in time to see Sian plummet past them.
I FELT THE breath whoosh out of my chest. Sian, her arms outstretched, had just hurtled past us at an immense speed and, unlike on Earth, without a parachute attached.
Oh holy Goddess!
Terror flooded my limbs making them heavy and useless while everything appeared red to my eyes.
KASSIE WHIMPERED IN horror at the sight of Sian falling to her certain death. She could feel a strange rushing sensation through her limbs and the outer edge of her vision glowed yellow.
LOI GASPED, HER body trembled in anxiety and shock while an immense feeling grew within, her eyes seeing things in a green light.
THE THREE WOMEN glowed with energy and the effect on the griffons was electric. Tomiar, Loushka and Kerak all screamed in alarm at the energy swell they felt.
‘MAKE THEM STOP!’ They screeched at the men in unison.
GREDEL AND PHROMA watched in astonishment at the glowing women and the men, who shook the women and shouted at them.
‘Where’s Sian?’ Gredel suddenly thought to Phroma.
‘Daron and Nesha just grabbed her, she’s glowing blue!’
'CATHERINE!' ALEK ROARED at the woman glowing an intense red, she got hotter to the touch with every moment.
‘Hurry Alek. Or I’m going to have to drop her.’
Loushka knew that an energy pulse like the last one Cat had thrown out would knock her unconscious. It’d be better to drop the woman and snatch her back after she’d released. Loushka hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
'I’m sorry, Cat,' Alek hissed through clenched teeth. He gave her a swift slap across the face.
THE BLOW JERKED my mind back like I’d been dashed with cold water and I gaped at Alek, one hand to my stinging cheek.
‘IT WORKED!’ EXULTED Loushka. She let the others know.
A collective sigh of relief rose from the men and griffons when the women returned to their normal colors. Each of them slumped in the saddles, exhausted from the sudden, immense swell of energy they’d created. A sudden vibration from the metal cuff he wore made Alek jolt in shock, then Elena’s voice burst into his mind.
‘Alek! What just happened? Are they okay?’
Alek shifted Cat in his arms to look at her face, she appeared to be conscious, with her normal color slowly coming back.
‘Yes, we had a scare which made them react,’ Alek searched for an adequate description. The silence stretched minutes before Elena responded.
‘Get them here as soon as possible, Alek. I’ll meet you on the inner gate with Yakov and the Lieutenants, so make sure they are presentable and have them wearing their weapons. I need them to make the right impression.’
‘We’ll see you in less than an hour,’ Alek thought back and Loushka sent the message to the other griffons.
'Cat.'
I BLEARILY REGISTERED that Alek shook me, wanting me conscious. I blinked and tried to sit up. 'What?'
'We’ll be arriving soon. We need you looking presentable.'
Good luck with that, I thought and started to drift off to sleep again.
ALEK FROWNED WHEN Cat started to slump in his arms and shook her again.
'Catherine!' He said her name loud enough to make her jump. 'Wake up. We need to get your weapons strapped on and your cloak and your hair sorted.' Alek regarded the mess of hair in front of him thoughtfully.
WELL THEN HOP to it, I thought, glaring at him. A total waste of time. Focused on the task at hand, Alek ignored me as he leaned over, rummaging through the saddle bags. Resigned, I raked my fingers through my hair, trying to neaten it, wincing at the snags and knots. I grumbled when Alek pressed the daggers into my hands, then jumped a mile when he accidentally jabbed my hip while buckling my sword.
He laughed then teasingly ran his hands to my ribs. 'Ticklish?'
With a dagger in each hand I didn’t bothering answering him, instead thinking my answer to Loushka who barked in laughter. I finished fastening the daggers to my arms and Alek set my cloak about my shoulders.
Just my hair.
With a silent sigh I reached back to wrestle it into a French braid.
<
br /> ALEK WATCHED WHILE Cat’s hands deftly folded her hair into a complicated braid and admired the unique color. The rich, ruby shades glinted in the evening sun. The end result, a thick neat plait that hung to the middle of her back. Cat turned and looked at him, one eyebrow arched. 'Presentable?'
THE SLOW, SEXY smile that spread on his face caused major butterflies in my stomach and I smiled blithely back; damn, he's an attractive man. 'Perfect,' he assured me. I turned and settled back into the saddle, trying to look alert and alive, instead of knackered.
KASSIE CURSED WHEN the curls slipped out of her hands then spun round to glare at Rumal, who’d chuckled, both hands clutching her hair.
'Don’t laugh,' she cried indignantly. 'Just cause you’re bald.' She jerked back in her seat and grumbled more when Rumal roared with laughter. This wasn’t fair, she grumbled to herself. Why do I have to look presentable now, while flying on a griffon? Really, did the person who requested this even consider the logistics? She scowled and wobbled on the saddle while giving her hair another twist.
Large warm hands gently touched hers and Rumal spoke in her ear. 'Let go, I’ll finish it for you.'
She hesitated for a moment, but figured if it looked awful at least the blame would be on him. A smug smile touched her lips and she surrendered the mass of curls to him.
WITH QUICK, DELIBERATE actions, Rumal shaped Kassie’s hair into an elegant twist and fastened it with one of the wooden pins he kept in his saddle bag.
'Done.' He felt her start in surprise.
'What? How did you do that?' she demanded, delicately touching the twist to feel the shape of it.
'Only the men in our culture keep their heads shaven, or at least very short,' Rumal explained. 'My little sister has hair like yours, all crazy curls. I used to watch my mother tame it. The pin in your hair is one my sister wore in hers. It’s a little piece of home when I’m far away.'
LOI FELT GRATEFUL for her straight hair at that moment, knowing the struggle Cat and Kassie would likely have with theirs. She slouched back against Sabyn’s chest and smiled when he wrapped his arms around her, encasing her in her cloak, nice and warm. Very soon they would reach the castle and all their questions would be answered, making the irritation bothering her dissolve.
SABYN GLANCED AT the woman in his arms and could just make out her eyes closed beneath her veil of hair. He felt her muscles relax as she drifted off.
‘Is she sleeping?’ Tomiar asked.
‘Yes, I know we’ll be there soon but a little sleep may make her feel better—at any rate, it can’t hurt,’ he thought.
GREDEL WATCHED THE sun hanging low in the sky, a glorious orb of brilliant crimson and dark gold.
‘I think the sun should be hitting the castle as we arrive,’ he thought to Phroma.
‘I hope so. It will be a beautiful first sight for the girls.’
Gredel felt a surge of excitement. Citaan would be waiting for him when they arrived. It nearly tempted him to ask Phroma to fly faster but he knew that wasn’t fair. She already wanted to get there faster so she could see her son, Ageip. Gredel wondered how much the youngster had grown since he’d last seen him. Perhaps his child would bond with Ageip, once born, Gredel smiled at the thought.
I STARTED VIOLENTLY when Alek suddenly shifted position and blinked in surprise; oops, didn’t realize I’d nodded off.
'Cat, look,' he pointed into the distance. I stared where he pointed and at first could just make out a bright white spot. After rubbing my eyes and squinting, I could now make out a shape in the almost blinding light.
'What is it?' I asked, still trying to register the shape.
'The castle.'
I could hear the pride in Alek’s voice and closed my eyes for a moment to rest them. When I opened them again, the rays of light had shifted and now I could see it. My stomach fluttered. What a beautiful sight; a magnificent white castle that shimmered in the light of the setting sun, the Anguem range bordering the castle on two sides. I stared, feeling anxiety and admiration swirl about me.
'It’s beautiful.'
It looked like just like a fairytale castle from a storybook on Earth. My heart thudded while I watched it get closer and closer. And we’re here. Now we find out what happens next.
ALEK WATCHED THE expression of awe on Cat’s face with pleasure. He’d looked forward to showing her the castle all day and the sun’s last rays were the perfect setting. Phroma flew closer to Loushka and Gredel waved to them from her back. They waved back and Cat called out to Audrey who sat in a saddlebag.
As Loushka neared the inner gate Alek could see a group of people waiting for them.
Chapter Seventeen
THE GRIFFONS LANDED in sequence with Loushka foremost. Alek gave me a swift hug then swung his leg over the saddle and slid down. I heard muffled thuds when the other men slid down. I stared wide-eyed across at Sian and Loi on one side and then to Kassie on the other. Turning back, I watched Alek and the others approach the group gathered to greet us. He stopped a few meters from the front of the group, the four men halting behind him. All those in the group waiting bowed deeply. Hmm okay, must bow when introduced, I thought, taking mental notes. Alek spoke briefly to someone then turned and beckoned us.
THE WOMEN EXCHANGED another glance, then slid down from the griffons. Kassie gave Kerak’s leg a squeeze before she left and the griffon made a soothing noise like a purr. Feeling nervous, she headed toward the other three. She saw Audrey waiting for Cat by Loushka’s foot and the dog shadowed them while they moved. They strode forward in a line and stopped just behind the men.
ALEK TURNED AND indicated, 'May I introduce Catherine.'
I bowed and he continued, introducing the others who bowed at their names. Then he turned to the other party. 'And may I introduce the matriarch of the Mestarn line, the Sorceress Elena.'
A beautiful woman stepped forward smiling and inclined her head in greeting. Alek indicated to the man on the left of the Sorceress and introduced him as Yakov, the late King's adviser. I felt a pang of homesickness when I stared at the man who smiled at us. He reminds me so much of dad, I thought, the open smile and blue eyes. Even Audi whined at him, something she only did to dad.
Yakov smiled. 'Alek, you haven’t introduced us to someone.'
Alek laughed and bent down to give Audi’s head a pat. 'This is Catherine’s dog Audrey.'
He continued with his introductions and introduced the three men in uniform—the Lieutenants of the General Guard. 'Lieutenant Ignatius, Lieutenant Patel and Lieutenant Rashid.' The three men gave stiff bows, their faces curious while they observed us.
SIAN STUDIED ELENA. The woman’s aura shone with power and Sian watched her in awe. Elena looked to be about Loi’s height, with dark olive skin and large, almond-shaped eyes that you’d expect to be brown, yet instead were a brilliant blue; a very beautiful woman. She wore a lovely dark blue gown that was reminiscent of a robe, with its long wide sleeves and deep cowl neck.
Elena smiled at Sian who flushed at being caught staring, then the Sorceress excused the Generals and adviser. They bowed low to her, then to Alek, and left. Sian watched curiously, wondering why they had singled Alek out. Perhaps it’s due to him being head of the Griffon Guard, she thought.
KASSIE COULD FEEL Lucky squirming in her bag and hoped they would be shown to their rooms soon.
'Alek, why don’t you and the other men see that the griffons are well settled in. I know they’ll want to rest.' Elena smiled at Alek and then turned her attention to the women.
Kassie froze for a moment; Elena’s gaze felt like it went right through you, seeing everything. She nervously licked her lips. A flash of blue darted past Elena and Kassie’s jaw dropped at the sight of the slender blue haired woman who’d just leaped into Gredel’s waiting arms, smothering him with kisses.
Blue hair, she thought in astonishment. That woman has blue hair, even her eyebrows appeared a shade of blue; I must be tired.
'If you ladies will follo
w me, I will show you to your rooms.' Elena glanced at them and turned to a door in the turret before them.
Kassie felt another twinge of nerves when they walked away from the men and griffons, who launched back into the air.
Cat caught her eye and the two exchanged an anxious look. I wish the guys had been able to stay with us a bit longer, she thought, and with a sigh, followed the others through the doorway. Round and round and round they went. Kassie kept her hand on the wall while they descended. The walls were smooth, made of glistening white rock. Little niches in either side of the stairwell had glowing lamps tucked inside them, providing a gentle light. Finally, they reached the ground. Elena ushered them across a paved yard and into the castle, before leading them to another turret, which they climbed to the second story. Groups of people stood clustered about, pausing in their conversation to stare at the girls when they stepped out of the stairwell.
IT LOOKED LIKE we were the evening’s entertainment. I tried to put a smile on my face but failed. No one smiled at us, they just stared. I wondered who Alek had us look presentable for, it can’t be these people. I stared at the gorgeous fabrics the women wore. Opulent velvets and silks crafted into exquisite dresses. The men wore simple styles: tunics, slacks and blazers, in rich jewel tones. Beautiful clothes, they made me feel shoddy in comparison. Elena greeted them, then continued on. Leaving the crowds behind gave me a sense of relief though the tiny hairs on my neck stiffened. I could feel them staring after us, but resisted the urge to look back.
POLITE MUCH, LOI thought, feeling insulted at the stares—what a rude bunch. Elena led them through a maze of corridors and Loi studied it all, trying to memorize the route. The large corridors echoed with the sound of their feet. Only the occasional servant hurried past them but all paused to bow to Elena while casting curious glances at the girls.
The Arrival Page 18