We make our way to the gryphon camp quietly. I’m not going to admit this to Wekun, but I’m actually excited to start working with my runes. I’m just not overeager to be working on them with an audience of inconsiderate mates, who all just so happen to know that I tried to undo our bonds. So far, I’m not sure what to make of how they feel about that. Treno seemed annoyed, Zeph seemed surprised, and I don’t know what Ryn’s feelings are on the matter, I haven’t seen him yet.
I sort of feel like I’ve been caught doing something I’m not supposed to, but that doesn’t quite capture the awkwardness I feel today facing them. If it had worked, it would be a different story. I could just keep it moving and ignore them. But it backfired and somehow connected us even more, and that’s just plain fucking awkward for me. I feel like fate is laughing its ass off right now, and I’m just supposed to go about my day like I can’t hear it cackling and calling me out.
On the plus side of things, I woke up this morning feeling more alive and invigorated than I have ever felt before. I can sense something different, and very powerful, flowing through my veins, and I’m eager to tap into it and see just what I was always meant to be able to do. When Pigeon was freed, I felt more complete than I ever have before, but now that everything inside of us is unlocked, we’re both flying in and around cloud nine.
We wind through tents, and I can feel the guys somewhere behind me, tracking our every move, but I don’t look for them. I’m not sure why they’re so interested in keeping an eye on me, but I suspect it has to do with what Zeph said in the forest the night he brought all of us here: they’re there to make sure I don’t betray them in some way.
Two large male gryphons with staffs step in front of Wekun, and we stop. “What business do you have here, String Puller?” one of the beefy males asks.
As much as Wekun has helped me navigate everything going on around me, I’m starting to get the impression that he’s not the most popular guy around the camps. I don’t know if it’s simple hate for Bond magic, what it can do, and over all mistrust directed at those who possess it? Or if it’s something about Wekun in general that rubs people the wrong way, but he doesn’t have the fan club around here I would have guessed he’d have based solely on his looks.
“We’re here to see Cree,” he answers simply, not at all perturbed by the way they’re speaking to him.
“She only wants to see the female,” the other massive male grunts out, and Wekun nods once and steps aside.
He gives me a thumbs up, which does nothing to calm my sudden nerves at all. I have no idea who this gryphon is other than she’s the boss around here. I feel like Zeph or the other two would be better choices to ask her to join us in our fight to defeat Lazza and the Vow, but for some reason, it seems this task has now officially fallen to me.
Yay.
I shrug and give myself the old pep talk standby ofwhat the hell, here goes nothingas I pass Wekun and follow the two ripped gryphon guards past several tents before they open the flap to an especially large one and gesture for me to go in. I walk in confidently, and Pigeon gives me an approving nod. I figure it’s best to come off like a badass bitch when meeting other badass bitches, so I hold my head high and take in the space.
It’s immediately clear that this is not the leader’s quarters, but more of a meeting room. There’s a large table that currently has a map spread on it, and Cree and several others are standing around the table, pouring over the details on the rolled out parchment. There are braziers with small fires set in each corner of the room, but the flames that flicker inside of them are green. I suspect they’ve been magicked in some way to provide heat without burning down the fabric of the tent they’re positioned next to, but what do I know, maybe fire in this place is always green.
Cree looks up, and her aubergine-colored eyes land on me. “Ah, I was wondering when I’d get to meet the infamous Bond Breaker,” she comments, running her eyes over me.
Clearly, gossip travels fast in this camp too. I’ve not formally introduced who I am or where I come from to anyone in either place, and yet it seems to be common knowledge nonetheless. I’m not sure if I have Nadi to thank for announcing my existence or Wekun, but it’s obvious I’m being discussed in many circles, and judging by some of the looks I’ve gotten while moseying around camp, not all of it’s good.
“We’ll discuss this later,” she dictates to the others gathered around the table, and they all nod and immediately leave.
She’s not terse, simply commanding, in every sense of the word. She has that same air about her from when I saw her in action with Zeph, Ryn, and Treno the first night we arrived. She is not to be fucked with, and I find myself wondering how I can develop a similar countenance.
I imagine her mates wouldn’t question her worth or loyalty. They’re probably crawling all over themselves to keep such a powerful female happy.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Falon,” I offer.
I have to consciously remind myself that handshaking isn’t a thing here, so instead of offering my palm to her in greeting, I lace my fingers together behind my back and wait.
“Falon...interesting, and what brings you to me on this piss soaked morning?” she asks, a hint of amusement in her tone.
I have no idea if it’s my name or my presence that’s entertaining her, so I just keep it moving. “I’m sure you’re already aware of why I’ve arrived in the camp, and that I’m hoping to find help to fight Lazza and break the Vow once and for all.”
“I am aware that you spoke with the Ouphe before you came here, and that they denied your request for help.”
I study Cree for a moment. Her words imply some level of insult in my not coming to her first, but her tone is even and very matter-of-fact. I’m not sure if I should be reading between the lines or taking her at face value. Pigeon sits up and studies her too. I decide I can’t be bothered with games or trying to figure out if one’s being played right now.
“The Ouphe were worried about how any help they offered could be perceived by the Gryphons,” I explain. “I hadn’t thought about that before speaking with them, but after listening to the discussion this morning, I agree that there’s too much negative history between the Ouphe and the Gryphons for them to really be of any help. The leader is going to work on finding out if they have any materials that might point me in the right direction as far as figuring out how to break the Vow, but that will be the gist of their contribution to our efforts.”
“Ourefforts?” Cree asks, and it reminds me of the Ouphe that questioned Wekun in a similar way.
“My efforts, alongside Zeph, Ryn, and Treno’s,” I correct.
“Yes, that’s right, you did come with quite the collection of powerful males. Many a female have been preening.”
I try not to roll my eyes and grunt out atell them good luck with that.Cree watches me like a hawk, studying me and my reactions, but I have no idea to what end.
“Would that bother you, if the Syta and two Alterns entertained the females of this camp?” she asks smoothly, and I once again have no idea what the game is here.
I look to Pigeon, but she seems just as intrigued and confused.
