Blog Post

A Keeper’s Trust: Part 2

July 26, 2020

“Talk about a literal cliff hanger,” I stated aloud as I looked over the edge of the mountain I was on, wondering what the Griffin had planned in taking me here.

One thing was certain, now this was all on its terms.

I didn’t want to enter its cave. I could. But one fear, if I had any, was the dark.

Tired of standing I sat on the edge with my legs dangling out in the open space, with my back to the cave. It was a silly power move leaving me vulnerable if it should approach, but I would not be intimidated by any creature. Especially not one that kidnapped me.

As the sun changed positions so I knew I had been sitting here for at least a few hours. I wasn’t complaining. It was nice sitting in the sun and looking out to the view of the beautiful wild.

I felt the vibrations of the Griffin walking toward me but did not turn to look. As it walked up next to me and laid down I tried to get a sense of what it was feeling.

“How do you know my language?”
“One of my abilities is to be able to speak and know all languages. What many overlook, that I have used to my advantage, is the languages of animals or magical creatures in our case.”
“I knew you were one of us and the others with you. Why are you trying to take me away from my home?”
“You are sick. We want to help you. And you have brought the attention of the humans on yourself and others in the area. We can’t let humans know mythical creatures are here.”
“How do you know I am sick?”
“Your hunting patterns. The behaviors you have exhibited. I thought maybe your color, but after more research have realized that it isn’t that abnormal considering that variations that Griffin’s are recorded having.”
“How will you cure me? I want to stay here. I will not leave my home.”
“First my team and I would examine you, but I would like to do that where I have all of the tools I need that can help me see what could be wrong. Those are back at my home. If you come with me and I can help you, then you can return home. But only if you are more careful and don’t continue your patterns of attracting unwanted attention.”
“I will not go near humans if you can help me. I have only been looking for food.”
“Were you gonna eat a human?”
“Of course not. At least I do not think I would. Catching fish is becoming harder. I do not have enough energy to get them back to where I can safely eat. Do you have food?”
“Unfortunately not on me, but I think we could find something if you come with me.”

I felt its energy shift, almost like it was becoming smaller next to me.
I reach out my hand and laid it on its shoulder.
“It’s okay to be afraid, especially because you aren’t sure what is happening. It is okay not to like what is happening. I will protect you and help you find out if you come with me.”
“I will come, but not in that trap. I do not like feeling confined.”
“I understand. That was our goal if you were too sick to fly or unwilling to cooperate. We wanted a way to safely transport you to our Reserve. To our home.”
“I saw your friend fishing, can I have the fish?”
I laughed at his request, “I think we can arrange that if Ulric will allow it.”

The Griffin took me back. As we returned I stood in front of the Griffin to protect it from Ulric’s anger.
I could see he was angry, but knowing him it was a mask for concern and fear. He always thought that I was too cavalier and it worried him that one day I would not walk back from that.
The Dragon Changers stood ready to help if called upon, and Felicity looked a little lost on what to do.

“He needs our help. He only took me because he was scared. Ulric, it is okay.”
At this moment I realized it felt as if sometimes I was taming Ulric as well. But that was the life working with the wild I did every day, it shouldn’t be a surprise it was in those I worked with too.

The Griffin walked forward and placed his head down toward Ulric, allowing Ulric the chance to accept him.

“He would like the fish you caught,” I stated. “But he doesn’t want to go in the cage. When should we leave?”
Ulric looked between me and the Griffin.
“Tomorrow morning. Until then we should make some dinner and to a preliminary examination of the Griffin. Do you have a name?” he asked him.

After the Griffin told me a name I knew I could not translate I tried to think of the closest version of that.
“His name is roughly translated to enduring love or strong love,” I answered Ulric.

“Alright strong love, let’s go,” Ulric said waving for our Griffin to follow him.

The next morning came quickly and we left for our home. Our Reserve.
As I looked over to the Griffin I hoped I could find a solution that could save his life.
The Dragon Changers soared and I sat back thinking through what could be the solution to the Griffin’s sickness.

“Gwen! Daisuke! He’s falling!” Felicity shouted over the wind.

The Griffin fell from the sky with his wings not trying to keep him flying.
‘He is unconscious. He is too weak to fly.’ Daisuke spoke telepathically to me.
‘Drop me. I will be okay. Save him.’ I replied.
As Daisuke agreed and dropped me I watched in hopes that they would reach the Griffin in time.

Join next week for the conclusion to the Keeper’s Trust!