The Last Gryphon

by Catsafari

There once was a monster, and that monster was slain by a youth, and that youth became king – or so the story goes. But when a young baron finds his beliefs challenged, what monsters will he awaken? "Everything we know about you… is wrong."

7. Only Destruction

"Lies and secrets, they are like a cancer in the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind."

~ Cassandra Clare

x

Chapter 7: Only Destruction

Baron took a stumbling step or several back from the fairy. He had only met this particular fae once, but that was quite enough for him.

"Machida, was it?" he stuttered.

"You have quite a memory for names, don't you?"

"Only for the ones who tried to attack me." As the wingless fairy approached, Baron tried to distance himself by stepping further back. The fairy didn't seem particularly perturbed by this weak attempt to escape. "Look, I'm not here for any trouble – I'm just–"

"You're just here for Haru."

"What–"

The fairy shifted into his feline form and pinned the human to the ground. "Isn't that right?" The words were distorted, forced through a strange windpipe and around sharp teeth as they were; if Haru could speak in her feline form, this would explain why he had never heard her. Machida sounded monstrous in this voice. Inhuman and freakish. "How much did the King pay you for this job, huh? How much gold and silver?"

"He doesn't–"

"Or did he offer something quite different – maybe his daughter's hand in marriage or the chance to be the next king? That would be fitting–"

Baron squirmed and kicked out at the fairy, delivering enough force to momentarily lighten Machida's grip. He gasped a welcoming breath of air and managed to push out, "That's not what this is about!"

"You can excuse me if I don't believe you!" the fairy roared. "He sent you out to kill her, didn't he? He plans to trick her just like he tricked the last gryphon–"

"What?"

"Well, I'm not having it! I won't allow it–"

"You're wrong," hissed Baron. "The King doesn't even know about Haru."

Machida's grip loosened enough for Baron to breath. "What?"

"He doesn't know she exists," he whispered. "No one else knows... that there's one... last gryphon left..."

"He knows nothing about her?"

"That's right..."

The fairy stared down at the human, a heartbeat of time passing before he reacted.

"How ironic..." Machida stepped away from Baron, but the human didn't dare move. It would have been too much effort anyway; he was still gasping for air. The fairy shifted back into his human form, but Baron didn't doubt that he was still dangerous. "How can I trust that you're telling the truth?"

"Why would I help her if I was planning on hurting her all along?" Baron demanded. "If I had wanted to kill her, I would have done so when I first found her, trapped and injured at the sea edge." He pushed himself up, rubbing gingerly at his neck. His throat was still sore. "I had the chance to kill her," he muttered hoarsely. He flicked his gaze up and levelly met the dark eyes of the fairy. Even with the human blood in his veins, Machida had feline eyes. "But I discovered that day that I could not take even one fairy life."

Machida stared back, and seemed to find the answer he was looking for in the human's eyes. "Haru is the only gryphon left in this forest – perhaps in the entire world. We are dying out, human, and we cannot afford to lose her." His lip curled in obvious disgust. "She will not become another trophy for your king's wall."

Baron's gaze hardened. "I would never allow that to happen."

"It's what's going to happen if you keep wandering into our wood," Machida growled. "Sooner or later your disappearances are going to be noticed, and when that happens? Someone will follow you in and the story of the last gryphon – the real last gryphon – will leak out. More will come to find her. Eventually a hunter will be successful."

"You don't have to be a killer to harm... You could have brought the other humans to me. You wouldn't have had to get your hands dirty; you could have let other people do it."

Haru's words from earlier returned to him, and this time the meaning hit him again. It didn't even have to be intentional – if he accidentally led another human here, it would be as good as killing Haru himself.

"So I suppose this is the point where you tell me to leave and never come back?"

"I could try, but I doubt you'd listen."

"Then we've reached an impasse."

"Not quite." Machida stalked up to the human, one hand accursedly pointed towards the young noble. Baron took note that the fingernails were more claw-like than anything else; just another reminder that this creature was far from human. "If you do anything to hurt her – and I don't just mean intentionally, I mean if your actions in any way cause her harm – then I will come after you and I will make sure you suffer her pain tenfold."

Baron backed away. With his eyes and claws, Machida would be spotted the moment he ventured into town, if he ever tried to carry out such a threat. But Baron had no doubt that he would find a way. "On my honour," Baron promised, "I won't let any harm come to her." He dropped his gaze. "I could never hurt her."

Emerald eyes met dark feline irises, and something unspoken passed between them. A newfound kind of respect for the other. They both cared for Haru, in their own way, even if they had different ways of showing it.

"But you won't stop coming here."

"I won't stop coming here," Baron agreed. "I can't. She's a... friend."

A fairy friend. Had the two words ever been coupled together?

"I see. Then be careful."

"Wait – you said something about how the King tricked the last gryphon?" Baron called.

The fairy was turning to leave, but there he paused. "The King convinced Naoko that he loved her," Machida said hollowly. "That was why she dropped her guard – and when she did, the human showed no mercy. It was the iron infection that killed her, but the heartbreak broke her long before." He looked away. "I don't want history to repeat itself. Do you understand, human?"

"Yes. Yes, I understand perfectly."

"Good. If I find that you have tricked her the same way as that human, not all the iron in the world will stop me from finding you."

ooOoo

The study light was on when Baron returned, denoting that his father had already made his way to his work and was probably pouring over more old tomes. However, as he neared he could hear unfamiliar voices.

"All we are doing, Lady Gikkingen, is just a check-up. Your son has been leaving the town at an alarming frequency, which has brought him to our attention–"

"And what do you think he is doing in the forest?" His mother's voice cut through the air, sharp and apparently unworried. "I need him out there to collect herbs and plants for my work. I can't grow everything in the garden. Well? What did you think was going on?"

There was a rather uncomfortable silence from the visitors. Elora von Gikkingen had a way with words that could reduce nearly anyone to that of an embarrassed child. Humbert had no doubt that she was having that effect now.

"Lady Gikkingen," one of the visitors eventually coughed, stressing the respect he was giving in her title, "all we are here for is to ensure that nothing... untoward is happening as a result of your son's actions–"

"Untoward?" Elora dangerously echoed. "And what, pray tell, kind of untoward results might occur from my son collecting herbs?"

"The, uh... the forest is a dangerous place, your ladyship. It's not wise for a person to go into its depths alone."

"And so you merely came here due to concern for Humbert?" While Elora's voice sounded sweet, Humbert was too familiar with his mother to believe that she was truly buying their words. He detoured to his mother's cupboards, snatching up a couple of forest herbs, and returned back his father's office to hear the conversation still in swing.

"... but to some, his recent disappearances into the forest could be seen as suspicious–"

Humbert decided to interrupt at that point with a quick rap on the door. When he entered, he was not surprised to see the blue uniforms of the royal guard crowding the room. He did his best to look vaguely confused. "Hey, Mother, I have the herbs you asked for – oh? What's going on?"

Upon seeing the batch of herbs he was carrying, the guards' embarrassment appeared to intensify. The head guard started to move out. "Nothing, young man. Merely a regular check up." He hesitated as he passed by the young sorcerer and Humbert became abruptly aware that he was still scuffed and messy from his time in the forest. The guard motioned to his face. "Where'd you get those?"

Humbert raised one hand to his face and felt the faint scars he had picked up from his skirmish with Machida. They would fade but, for now, they were still somewhat raw.

"Brambles," he lied.

The guard's gaze moved over the cuts, but Elora moved protectively to her son's side. "Is that all, or are you about to interrogate my son also?"

"No, your ladyship. That is all."

"Well then, you know the way out."

The Gikkingen family were silent until they heard the swing of the front door close behind the guards. Once they were alone, both Elora and Edmund turned to the youngest Gikkingen. "Well?" Elora prompted icily."What do you have to say?"

Humbert smiled weakly and offered the herbs. "I have the plants."

Elora swiped them from him, glowering. "That was quick thinking on your part," she admitted, "but that doesn't cover the fact that we had to lie for you. Where were you? Where have you been? What has been so important over the last week that you've been absent from the town for? And after all we spoke over last time..."

"I..."

"Are you in trouble?" Edmund asked, voicing his first words since Humbert's return. "Do you need help?"

"I... No, no, I don't think so..."

"Then what's going on?" his mother stressed.

"I..." Humbert stuttered and then dropped his gaze, shamefaced. "I can't say."

"Can't or won't?"

"I... I can't."

Edmund rose from his desk to approach his son. "Humbert, we're your parents – we care for you, but we're worried too. We can't help if we don't know what is going on." The scholar paused, then asked, "Is it something to do with the fairies?"

"How–?"

His father laughed. "It's the only thing that has been on your mind ever since this started. So what's wrong?"

"Remember, we're family," Elora added. "Whatever it is, we'll understand."

Humbert paced away. He fought back the nervous laughter that was bubbling up in him. "Are you sure? Are you really sure of that? Because I... I can barely believe it myself... I wouldn't, if I weren't living it..." A trickle of the nerves broke through and half a laugh escaped through his lips; he quickly shut it down but couldn't stop the anxious running of his hands through his hair. "I mean, it literally goes against everything we've ever known about fairies. We were wrong. We've been wrong all this time."

"About the fairies?"

"Yes!"

He didn't see the silent exchanged passed momentarily between his parents.

"I think," Edmund said slowly, "that you should tell us exactly what has been going on."

Humbert stopped his pacing and a little of the fight left him. This had been such a big secret – something that he had struggled to keep hidden – and even with Machida's warning still ringing in his ears, he needed to tell someone. "The fairies... aren't evil," he sighed. "They're not... inherently out to get us or harm us; some are even capable of speech. They're not all dumb creatures."

"Humbert, who have you been talking to?"

He stumbled over silence, and then shook his head in defeat. "I don't know how to answer that."

"You've been talking with the fairies, haven't you?"

"Fairy. Singular," Humbert muttered, for some reason feeling the need to assure his parents that he had only been properly conversing with one fairy. He couldn't really claim that he had passed many friendly words between Machida.

"Fine. Fairy," Elora amended, but by the look on her face, Humbert could have been talking with a hundred fairies or only one and it would not have made one iota of difference to her. "Why? What happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, a week ago you were trying to convince us to set down traps for the creatures, and now you're preaching that they're rational animals?" his mother demanded. "So something happened. What?"

He had gone too far now to backtrack. Instead, he collapsed into one of his father's armchairs, dropping his head into his hands and staring at a nondescript patch of floor. "It started after the light display for the beginning of the festival," he said. "I went into the forest and I found... an injured fairy. A large one. I could have finished it there – anyone else would have – but I didn't." He chuckled lightly, but with no real heart. "I'm such an idiot."

"It didn't end there, did it though?" Elora prompted.

Humbert shook his head. "I came back. I kept coming back, and we started to become... friends." Again, had friend and fairy ever been coupled together? "I couldn't let her die... I won't let her die, but if anyone else were to hear about this..."

"Whoa, so this is one big fairy, right?" Edmund interrupted. "Humbert, people aren't going to take up arms against one injured fairy–"

"She's not just a fairy," Humbert added miserably. "She's a gryphon."

A long silence stretched out in the little office.

"Impossible," his father whispered.

"I know it seems that way, but she's definitely real." Huge and winged and very real. "She's not a monster."

"We never said she was," Elora sighed. "But that does... put a twist in the tale. Humbert... you have to stop going into the forest."

"I can't! I promised–!"

"You saw the guards today – your visits into the forest are already causing a stir," his mother snapped. "What will happen if your secret is discovered – if the guards find this gryphon? Do you have any idea what they'll do–?" Elora cut herself off with a sudden intake of breath.

Humbert's eyes hardened. "I've seen the wings in the palace," he said hoarsely. "I know exactly what will happen."

"Then you see your mother's logic?"

He looked away.

"Humbert, this is important. If there really is friendship between the two of you, then you must do what is best for all. If the gryphon can reason, then it will understand. No one wants history to repeat itself. Do you understand?"

"I... Yes."

"I think it'd be best if you... forgot about this entirely. For everyone's safety."

"But... we have such an opportunity here," Humbert murmured. "This could be the first step to bringing fairies and humans together. And... I promised her..."

"Humbert, please. No more forest excursions."

"I... Okay." Their son watched the two elder Gikkingens, confusion clouding his face. "If that's what you think, then why did you help the King with the last gryphon?"

Elora dropped her gaze, and Edmund returned to his books. "We all make mistakes."

ooOoo

Without his frequent detours into the forest, the days began to blur in grey monotony. Or that's how it felt at first; he had become so accustomed to the excitement and otherworldly wonder of the fairy forest that human life was a step down. But he quickly found that he fell surprisingly quickly back into mundane normality. Like slipping on old slippers, he clicked right back into the routine.

The summer festival had now wound down and finished, but there was still plenty to do. He still had more to learn about the light magic he wielded; there were still sessions at the Moon bakery; Louise still dropped by, and – all in all – human life was as busy as ever. He had packed away the notebook his father had given him, and hidden the many secrets it held between its pages. The sketches, the notes on fairy aversion to iron and salt water, the truth behind the fairy trees... no other human could ever see them.

He owed that much to Haru.

He had half expected the separation from Haru to hurt and, at the beginning, it did. His mind kept on flitting back to the wild child in the forest, but as time passed, so did the feeling. It was easier that way. The more he threw himself into ordinary life, the less he thought about his missing friend. And, truth be told, he was tired of keeping secrets. For the first time since the summer festival, he was no longer missing meetings or agreed dinners; he didn't have to worry about the soldiers or whether he was being followed; he didn't have to keep up a constant supply of excuses for his absence.

And yet, he still looked to the forest.

"Hey, Humbert – Humbert!"

He blinked and retreated from the recesses of his mind. He grinned ruefully at the young woman's face peering into his own. "Sorry, Louise; I was just..."

"Daydreaming. I know."

He pushed himself up, sitting up on the grassy park centring the town. It was summer, so of course the park was full of people and children and pets, all chatting and laughing and barking and occasionally running for a dip into the large pond – or perhaps small lake would be a better description – that glimmered in the middle. "What can I say? It's a beautiful day for daydreaming."

"Ya need to get yer head out of the clouds," Muta grunted. He had dragged a chair – that was somewhat sagging under his weight – and was idly flicking his way through a newspaper. By his side was a basket of picnic snacks. Or there had been originally; Humbert wasn't sure how much was left now, especially since Muta was sitting right beside it. "Nothing good ever came out of thinking too much."

"That's obviously something you're never going to be in danger of," Toto cackled.

A moment later half a bread bun hit his head.

"Say that again to my face, chicken legs!"

"Why? What are you going to do? It's not like you can ever catch me."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah! I'd like to see you try!"

Humbert leant back into the grass as Muta took off after the fleeing Toto. A dry chuckle escaped his lips and he stared up at the blue, cloudless sky. As the sun beat down, he felt himself relaxing – and then he remembered seeing Haru rolling in the grass in her feline form, right after she had finally escaped from her coastal prison.

He winced and sat back up again. There were always moments when images from his time in the fairy forest came back with a vengeance.

"Humbert? What is it?"

He attempted a grin to Louise. "Nothing. Just... a sudden memory, that's all."

She looked at him for a moment longer, and then seemed to decide that she wasn't going to pry any further. That was something he was glad of; he'd had enough lying to last a lifetime recently. Instead, the moment was broken by Muta and Toto racing back towards them.

"Oh, dear lord, it's like watching an elephant on a rampage," Louise murmured faintly. She sidestepped as Toto fled around the chair and picnic basket, with Muta in hot pursuit. Muta paused long enough to hoist up the basket up in his hands, and then carried on running.

"Hey, Muta – that food's for everyone!" Louise shouted after him.

The man waved back to them and promptly began rummaging through the basket.

"Muta's faster than he looks, isn't he?" Humbert commented dryly.

"That wouldn't take much though. No, wait, he's slowing..."

Muta came to an unsteady halt the next time he came past them, nearly doubling over as he tried to reclaim his breath. "I really... hate you... sometimes," he managed.

Toto stopped just out of reach of the larger man. "Only sometimes?" he playfully asked.

Muta raised a podgy finger warningly in Toto's direction. "Don't test me."

"Oh, look at me... I'm shaking."

"Right, that's it!" Even still battling for breath, Muta leapt at Toto and there was an ungainly kerfuffle as both went down. Humbert and Louise calmly stepped away from the duo, far too accustomed to the others' antics. Louise managed to intercede long enough to reclaim the picnic basket and start rummaging through the remains.

"Sandwich?" she offered to Humbert.

"Thanks."

"What are we going to do about those two?"

"Well, the dungeon option is still on the table."

"I have better things to do than lugging them to the royal cells."

Humbert grinned ruefully to the woman. "Like what?"

"Like... oh, pedal boats!"

He turned just in time to see the blonde racing towards the shoreline. "Pedal boats?" he echoed.

She was already chatting to the owner and motioning for the others to join her.

"Hey, Humbert! Toto! Muta! GUYS!" she shouted when it was plenty apparent that Toto and Muta were still fighting. "Get over here!"

"What? Can't you see we're busy?" Muta shouted back.

"Don't make me come over there!"

Toto and Muta evidently decided they weren't going to risk it and – after a last elbow at each other – they joined the other two at the water's edge.

"Eh, Humbert; you sure you wanna do this?" Muta asked as he cautiously stepped into a boat. It rocked precariously at the sudden weight. "We all know yer not that fond of water."

"I'll be fine," Humbert answered. He stepped into the other boat, slipping in the seat beside Louise. "You'll see."

Muta chuckled and leant towards Humbert; the boat tipped dangerously to one side at the movement. "Ya sure?" he asked, grinning wickedly as he talked. "Last I checked, ya didn't know how to swim."

"I've been practicing," Humbert said. He started to pedal, stirring the boat away from the shore – and away from Muta. "Anyway, your boat will sink long before ours does!"

"Is that a fat joke? You get back here, fancypants! How do we get this thing moving?"

While Toto and Muta tried to co-ordinate their messy efforts, Louise and Humbert peddled further away. They later slowed – giving the others time to catch up – and Louise gave her friend a funny look. "When were you taking swimming lessons? I thought you hated the sea."

"Hate is a strong word."

"Fine. Disliked. You always said the forest and the town were more your environment than the ocean."

"I was trying something new," Humbert insisted. "You always say that learning broadens the mind."

"I know, but I don't expect you to quote it back to me." Louise was silent for a moment, her gaze travelling over the calm water that separated them from the busy park beyond. "Humbert, do you remember the day we talked about the gryphon's wings?"

His foot suddenly missed the pedal and thudded painfully into the side of the boat. "What?"

"We talked in the palace before my father's exhibit, and I admitted that I disliked the wings and you... you admitted that you were hiding something." Now, suddenly, she turned her gaze on him; her bright blue eyes fixed on the young noble. "Should I still be worried for you?"

"No."

"Is that a no to stop me from worrying, or are you telling the truth?"

"No. It's the truth."

"Oh." Louise turned her gaze to the shore; anywhere but Humbert. "Can you tell me what it was then?"

"No. It's still... I mean, I still... have someone to protect."

"I guess I can understand that," she murmured.

Humbert leant forward, tucking back a stray curl of platinum-blonde hair from Louise's face. He tried a rueful smile. "You don't need to worry anymore," he assured. "Please, just trust me. It's over now. Life can finally go back to normal. I'm not sure when – or if ever – I'll be able to tell you exactly what went on, but it's done now. It's in the past."

A weak smile flickered at the corners of Louise's mouth. She tugged the stray lock back over her ear, letting it fall over her face. "Oh, how I'd love to believe that, Humbert. But secrets have a habit of coming to the light... and I just hope yours won't cost you too much."

Before Humbert could battle Louise's worry, their boat was rocked by Muta and Toto's pedal boat slamming into theirs. "Thought you could out-pedal us, huh?"

"Oh, is it a race you're looking for?" Louise snapped back, laughing, immediately falling back into her usual self. "You boys don't stand a chance."

"It's you who don't stand a chance!" Muta retorted. "ReadysteadyGO!"

"You're cheating, Muta," Humbert idly called out. He dropped his feet back into the pedals and, with Louise furiously pedalling, started after the other boat.

"Whatcha gonna do about it? Pedal faster, birdbrain!"

"The finishing line is the other shore!" Louise shouted. "Last boat back has to buy everyone ice cream!"

"Ha! You're on, princess! This will be like stealing candy from a baby!"

"Something which I'm sure you're familiar with," Toto remarked dryly.

The other boat abruptly slowed and rocked as Muta shoved his pedalling partner. "You think you're so smart, birdbrain."

"At least I don't resort to the same insult every time, butterball."

Humbert and Louise waved to the two as they pedalled past. "See you on the other side, boys," Louise teased. "I hope you've got your money ready."

"See what you did there?" Muta snapped to Toto.

"Me? I'm not the one who nearly upset the boat!"

"You should keep your clap shut."

"You should keep your idiotic temper under control," Toto retorted, shoving the other man. Big mistake. Muta shoved back – harder. Toto veered back towards the water, the boat tipping precariously and then dumping him straight into the lake. At the sudden loss of weight on one side, it rocked straight to the other and tipped Muta with an untidy splash in as well.

"We should stop," Humbert said.

"Hm, probably," Louise conceded. "I guess that is what would be the right thing to do. See if they're alright and everything..."

"Actually, I was also thinking that this would serve as a perfect gloating opportunity," said Humbert with an uncharacteristic smirk. "That said, I suppose they might need help. It may take a small eternity for them to co-ordinate themselves back into the boat otherwise; such things take teamwork – something which they do not particularly excel in."

Louise laughed and pedalled the boat back towards their friends – both of whom were trying to get back into the boat with exceptionally limited success.

"I see you decided to test out the waters!" she called to them.

"Ah, sure – come in, princess; the water's lovely!"

"I'll give it a miss this time, thanks."

"Are you sure we can't tempt you?" offered Toto. "Hey, fatso – hold your side of the boat so I can get in!"

"Not a chance – I'm getting in first!"

"You might as well swim to the shore," Humbert commented after several moments of watching the two swimming individuals try vainly to pull themselves back into the boat. "It'll be faster."

"Not a chance! I don't give up!"

"Really?" Toto snarked. "What happened to your New Year resolution to run every day, huh?"

"Shuttup."

"No, no; he's got a point," Louise laughed.

"Are ya sure you don't wanna join us? 'Cause I can arrange that," Muta threatened. Now with Louise and Humbert's boat close enough, he latched onto their side instead and pulled some of his weight against it, sending it rocking dangerously.

"Muta! Don't you dare!" Louise tried to shoo him away with a splash of cold lake water – which only made him rock the boat harder.

"Whatcha afraid of, blondie? Does a little water scare you?"

"Push me in and you'll be the one with something to be afraid of," Louise snarled.

Muta stared at the young woman, trying to gauge how serious he should take the threat. He shrugged. "Fine," he said, and promptly upturned the boat.

There was a strangled scream as both individuals hit the water and then pushed back up through the surface, spluttering and furiously gasping for breath.

"MUTA!"

"I didn't push you in!"

"Technicalities!"

Humbert bobbed at the surface while Louise attempted to chase Muta – a scene that was somewhat hindered by the fact that neither were particularly fast swimmers – and gently trod the water. He supposed he should thank Haru for getting him to swim in the first place; all the same, he had one hand clinging to the upturned keel to steady himself.

He carefully swam the metre between the two boats, coming to a stop beside the other one. All the while, he watched his friends, a smile rising unbidden to his lips. He pulled himself into the second boat – a feat that almost ended in upturning that one also – and pushed his sodden hair out of his eyes.

He blinked away the water to see a collection of blue uniforms standing at the shoreline – waving and shouting frantically at them.

"Oh, boy; what do they want?" Louise pulled herself ungainly into the boat beside Humbert, and glowered at the royal guards fringing the lake. "If this is another 'it's not ladylike' lecture, I swear I'll make them eat their boots."

"I... don't think that is what this is about," Humbert said.

"Well, there's only one way to find out." She dropped her feet onto the pedals and started the boat going. "Quick, comrades – to the shore!" she shouted with a dramatic gesture to the guards. "Post-haste!"

"And I thought fancypants was the dramatic one," Muta muttered.

"Go ahead, you two," said Toto. "We'll right this boat and then be with you in a moment."

"If they can barely get into a boat, how are they ever going to even right it?" Humbert wondered quietly, but he still pushed on. "Is everything alright?" he asked, as the boat hit the shore. He hoisted himself out, and waded through the shallows. "What's happened?"

The next words froze his heart.

"It's the forest, Master Gikkingen. A gryphon has been caught in the forest."

ooOoo

A/N: Sorry for a lack of response recently; we've started decorating/painting the house and, as you can imagine, it's taking up a lot of free time. Plus I've been asked to practically double my work hours, so now everything aches and I have no time. Hopefully things will calm down soon.