Sal came bulleting towards Naiee, his body a blur of russet and white. Naiee held his arms up to calm the lion-bird as he grazed his paws against the grass. Once the griffin had eased himself onto the ground, Naiee climbed atop his feathered back as quickly as he could in his current state.
Sal screamed loudly, and sprung off the ledge into the open air. Naiee felt Sal's muscles tensed under his feathers and fur as he beat his wings with a ferocity Naiee could only pretend to know.
The wind was in their favor, blowing them towards the wilderness. The houses of the village became less frequent and more scattered until the last building vanished from sight, and the ground below was covered in trees.
A haunting howl rang through the air. Naiee glanced down. He couldn't see any wolves, which made sense because it was night and the only thing visible on the ground was trees.
Sal screamed loudly, his voice riddled with hostility.
Another wolf howled, and Sal screamed right back. Naiee felt his heart beat faster. What were they doing? Was Sal communicating with wolves? What would they communicate about? Were the wolves planning something?
Sal was slowing.
Naiee swallowed fearfully. He gently nudged Sal's paw with his foot.
"Sal, come on. We don't have much time." Naiee whispered.
Sal ignored him and screamed again.
A wolf howled back almost instantly.
"Sal, what are you-"
Suddenly, the griffin dove, rocketing towards the forest. Naiee's stomach felt as light as air, and his voice was lost to the wind as he screamed. He gripped Sal's feathers tightly, not caring if he pulled some. He just needed Sal to stop flying towards a pack of deadly wolves.
Once Sal landed in a clearing, he immediately shook Naiee off his back. Seven wolves surrounded them, eyes glowing and teeth gleaming.
Sal screamed and reared, showing off his claws and muscled body.
The wolves snapped their jaws, saliva dripping from the gaps between their jagged teeth. Their wily yellow eyes glinted with feral pride.
Naiee backed against a tree. Some of the wolves' snouts were blackened, as if they'd been...scorched, by something.
Naiee gripped the leaves on the ground fearfully. These were the same wolves, the same ones that had hunted him and his brother.
Sal lashed out at some of the wolves with his claws unsheathed. They scrambled back, then crept back towards the griffin, snarling.
Two wolves turned from Sal and fixed their piercing golden gaze on Naiee.
He was vulnerable. Not only was he just weak in the first place, but he was also injured. He was defenseless.
Maybe Naia will come, Naiee thought desperately. Then he stiffened, realizing his cowardice. No. I need to learn to take care of myself.
Naiee grit his teeth. He shakily got to his feet and stared down the wolves. His limbs were weak and shaky, but he gazed at the wolves like they were the ones who should be scared.
Sal screamed. A wolf had sunk it's fangs into Sal's wing. Blood dripped from the bite.
Naiee dashed past the wolves that had backed him against a tree. He grabbed a bulky rock off the ground and charged towards the wolves.
He slammed the rock on the head of the wolf that was biting Sal. It yelped and released the griffin, slinking low to the ground. It stumbled a little, then fell unconscious.
The wolves backed off a little, sizing up Naiee. It was obvious they hadn't considered him a threat, but there he was, an unconscious wolf at his feet.
"Sal. We need to go." Naiee whispered. "Now."
The griffin lowered himself a little, pressing his wings against the forest floor.
Naiee scooped a small stone off the ground. The wolves tensed. He threw it at the wolf in the back. The wolf dodged easily, but the pack was distracted for a second.
Naiee seized the moment and jumped onto Sal's back. Sal screamed and launched into the sky. The wolves howled angrily, frustrated that their prey had escaped.
Naiee released a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Sal whimpered a little.
"We'll stop once we're a good ways away from those mongrels." Naiee hissed. "And never do that again. Ever."
Sal dipped his head a little, obviously ashamed. He continued to fly, not looking up.
Naiee wrapped his arms around Sal's neck. He allowed himself to relax, but he was still tense, and he was shaking, but at least they were away from the wolves. He rubbed Naia's scarf between his fingers, small tears welling up in his eyes.
Naiee quickly realized he was about to start crying, and wiped the extra moisture out of his eyes. He had to grow up and get over it.
"Sal, land over there." Naiee instructed, pointing to a ledge on the nearest mountain. Sal screamed and rocketed towards the ledge, then shakily landed on the stone.
Naiee dismounted Sal and took a look at his wing. The bite could've been much worse. Blood soaked a small amount of feathers.
Naiee unwrapped the bandages around a slash in his foot. He wrapped them around the end of Sal's wing.
"Rest up for five minutes. We're almost there." Naiee said gently. Sal dipped his head gratefully, and settled onto the stone. He was asleep in ten seconds.
Naiee directed his attention towards the sky. The sun was beginning to poke it's head up behind the mountains. It's golden rays crawled forward, staining the dark sky with a soft rose hue. The indigo clouds were lined with a golden-yellow.
It had been a while since Naiee had seen a sunrise. He usually got to bed so late that when he woke the sun was nearly halfway across the sky. He shifted his position, and something attached to his belt pushed him awkwardly. The wooden water container. Before he reached out to take it, he thought of something.
Naiee pulled one of his gloves off. He had quite a tan line. While his fingers were well worn and tough, his palm and lower arm were soft and pale. He took the water container out of his belt. He turned it over in his hand, feeling the smooth, worn wood against his hand.
An image flashed through his mind. Naia, backed up against a rock, bleeding out. Naiee standing there helplessly as Naia extended the container, urging him to run and get the Water.
Naiee shook his head quickly. It was useless to think of him right now. As much as he wanted to mourn Naia again, his friend's life was in danger. He had to help.
He put the container back and pulled his glove on. He turned to Sal and gently shook him awake.
"Let's go."
