Bane 8

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Also Kieryn and Summerfrost are our own creations, any resemblance to any character within the Valdemar world is coincidence. Reviews are welcomed – flames are not.

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Chapter 8

The fledgling cringed as the tall, regal gryphon stepped into the cave. There was some hissing, posturing and threats exchanged between the pair.

Firefox could sense that Kelvren was highly amused by the fledgling's attempts to warn off the big male. It took one final hiss from the elder gryphon before the fledgling allowed Kelvren near his mother.

The large male let out a low keen and with that confirmed what Firefox already knew. Whatever bond the female had with her mate had been broken and she caught the back-lash at his death. There was nothing anyone could do as it was clear she didn't have the strength, or the will to live for her youngling

Kelvren stepped over to the female gryphon and hissed softly as he laid down at her side to preen her. The fledgling crooned sadly from her other side.

Firefox sighed and turned away, walking back to the mouth of the cave.

He was met by two more k'Valdemar human scouts as they walked into the cave.

Firefox gave a sigh of relief. "Man am I glad to see you." He smiled at Wintersky, head k'Valdemar scout and his mentor. "But you're late!"

"Don't blame him. We came as soon as we could," chided the female healer with him. She was about Firefox's age and sported the salt and pepper hair displayed by residents of the Vale.

Firefox blushed as he recognized Summerfrost. She had been training under Nightwind as a trondi'irn, a healer that specialized in non-human species especially gryphons. He was glad to see her, but knew there was nothing she could do to help a broken soul-mate bond.

"It isn't pretty," Firefox reported. "The male was used in some sort of blood-path ritual. The female has been badly hurt. They were on the fledgling's first flight when they were attacked. The little one seems unhurt physically. Mentally, well . . . "

She sighed as she walked over to the gryphons, mindful of the fledgling's glare as she laid out her medical kit. Kelvren seemed to keep a running mental dialog with the upset little fledgling, allowing Summerfrost to work.

Leaving the healer to her task, Firefox lead Wintersky out of the cave.

The young mage reported his original mission had been to retrieve a few herbs that grew in this region. The healers had used their last and needed them for the new plague going around. He finished his report with how he had come across the Blood-path mage with several Blood Bear Clansmen.

"Hmm. I thought that Darian took care of the last blood-path mage several years ago," Wintersky mused as he rubbed his chin. "When Hedwig came into the Vale we asked for a couple of Ghost Cat scouts. They are dealing with the remains of those Blood Bear Clansmen that you obviously took care of.

"We're not sure how they got through the pass without being spotted though. The others are back tracking as we speak, but if there is a blood-path mage, it would explain how they went unnoticed for so long."

"I need to get those herbs back to Sanctuary as quickly as possible, but with that blood-path mage out there, who knows what trouble he's going to cause. Last night I felt a huge power surge several miles to the northwest," Firefox stated, worriedly. "The fledgling – Kieryn is wild-born and doesn't know any human speech and doesn't trust us. I hate leaving him with you, even with Kelvren."

After a moment of thought, the older scout gave a nod "Agreed. Kelvren could be seen as a threat, if the situation wasn't so dire. . ."

Summerfrost walked out of the cave, her face told the sad tale. "The female won't last the night. I'm sorry. She's willing herself to die. I gave her something to ease her passing. That's all I can do. As you know, gryphons mate for life and now she's lost her mate. . " Summerfrost sighed before continuing, "According to Kelvren, the young one, Kieryn, said his nest-mate died some time ago. His mother took it very hard."

Firefox sighed. "Just great. I still need to get these herbs back to Sanctuary. Lives are at stake, but I hate to leave. . . "

"Kelvren has taken the fledgling under his wing and has probably explained things to him," Wintersky commented, looking up at the mountain face in thought. "Kieryn understands mind-speech even if he can't speak. Go explain to him why you're leaving. I do suggest that you leave one of your bond birds behind as a token of trust."

Firefox entered the cave and took in the pitiful sight. Kelvren laid next the dying female. The fledgling between the pair as if to protect his mother from the strange male.

The moment the little gryphon spied him. :Firefox. Hurts! Kelvren say nest protector not wake. Leave me like nest mate. Hurts. Will be alone:

:I know little one.: Firefox came to kneel in front of Kieryn. :I know. I lost both my nest protectors when I was a hatchling unable to leave the nest and care for myself. Kelvren's here to protect you. He's strong and a leader of the nesting grounds where I live.:

Kelvren crooned softly to the fledgling, confirming Firefox's words. For all his alpha ways, the big male was a softy when it came to young beings. In the back of Firefox's mind, he knew that the young gryphon was too cute to resist.

Looking over at Firefox Kelvren spoke, :There are two more gryphons scouting in the area. They found the nest site of this family. However, they report there aren't any more signs of other gryphons in the area. We'll take him back to the Vale after we take care of the female.:

Firefox closed his eyes to gather his thoughts. After a moment, he opened them and gave a nod to Kelvren before he turned his attention to the younger male. :I must go. The bad man that killed your nest protectors is still out there. He must be stopped. I must go to a healing place to take plants for healing. Many sick humans need these plants, and to tell my nest protectors of the danger of the bad man is causing. I can't stay now, but I promise, you will be well protected. . .:

The fledgling keened at the thought of him leaving, but Firefox grabbed hold of the fledgling's mind and forced him to listen.

:Kieryn. I'm leaving Hedwig with you as well as entrusting my friends and Kelvren to protect you. These are good humans, like me. We are pack mates. We hunt together, protect together, live together. They will care for you while I am gone. Trust me. Trust them.:

Godric came over to the trio and chirped. :My mate will protect fledgling. Will bring food and keep safe. She will also protect fledgling as if her own.:

The fledgling snapped his beak at the snowy owl. Over the last couple of days the pair had become tentative friends. Kieryn looked over at Hedwig and snapped his beak at her as well who, in turn, gave the fledgling a look of disdain.

:You promise? Be back soon?: came a small childlike need to be assured and Firefox was reminded just how young Kieryn was.

He gave him a smile, as he carefully reached out to stroke the fledgling's head crest. :Promise. When safe, you'll come live with me on my nesting grounds. My nest protectors will teach you everything you need to know.: Firefox assured, trying to get the image of Firesong shaking his head about keeping a baby gryphon as a pet out of his mind.

Now that was an image.

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Firefox traveled through the tree tops as if he had wings. Beside him was Wintersky. The older scout refused to leave the young mage to travel alone, especially with the danger of more Blood Bear clansmen about. It was almost like flying as they leaped and ran along the interweaving branches.

Wintersky's main goal was to help Firefox get back to Sanctuary and to get the word of a new resurgence of an old threat.

The young mage's mind was more on what and who he had left behind. He knew that Kelvren and Summerfrost would take care of Kieryn and get him safely back to the Vale. He still couldn't help worry, though.

The pair of gryphons that came with Kelvren had arrived just as they were leaving. Thankfully, they were two young females. When Firefox disappeared into the forest canopy, he could hear mentally the cooing of the pair as they exclaimed over how cute the fledgling was.

However, his thoughts turned from the fledgling to the looming threat.

What was that blasted blood-path mage really after? How did he and the Blood Bear Clan get through the pass to Valdemar? That pass was being watched by both the northern tribes as well as Valdemar. There was no way they could've crossed without some word getting back to the Vale.

He went over everything he had been told about blood-path magic and was still coming up short.

Thankfully, the elders at the Vale were not anything like Dumbledore who refused to share information. He shuddered at the thought of not knowing just how dark that magic was.

When Firefox first started to take scouting duties between his magical training, it was the first thing he learned. Information is power and not having any background info could spell disaster for the mission.

Heading for Sanctuary would take the pair a little over a day to get there, at their present speed. At least Firefox didn't have to stop to look for items on the wish list the healers gave him, so he and Wintersky could take a more direct route.

They only stopped long enough to rest and eat, ever mindful of the looming threat. Godric and Wintersky's bond bird flew through the trees on silent wings, keeping pace with them, or sometimes acting as a front guard.

So far there hadn't been any sign of the either the mage or the Blood Bear clansmen, but both knew they couldn't let their guard down.

Morning came too soon in Firefox's opinion. He shook off the last vestige of sleep and looked around from his cozy perch in an ancient tree they had decided to take a short rest in. It was a cold camp in the trees and they had taken turns at watch.

However, being a mage, Firefox could pull on magic to keep both of them warm, even in the coldest part of winter. He just had to make sure if there was an enemy out there they couldn't follow his magical signature to find them.

A ration bar was thrust silently at him. It would have to do until they got to Sanctuary.

They were about an hour away from Sanctuary when he felt it – anger, evil, cold and hungry coming from behind them.

NO! It was impossible!

That aura almost felt like dementors, but that's not. . .

Merlin! Star-eyed! How in the all that is holy did that blasted hell-spawn of a mage manage to raise a pair of dementors here of all places?

Firefox quickly dampened his aura and cut his ties to the local ley-lines as not to alert them to his presence. He then signed to Wintersky to stop as he took a look around the forest.

Silence met them as they scanned for the danger. What was more disturbing was that the usual sounds were missing. The only movement was the wind rustling through the leaves.

The older scout gave Firefox a puzzled look but kept his silence.

: Danger. That thrice-damned mage decided to raise a pair of dementors from the Abyss. At least we're about a couple of miles ahead of them. They'll be here soon.: he sent to the older scout, who paled at the news.

Firefox blinked as he searched out for more information. :Wait! No! They're not heading for the Vale. Sanctuary is between us and . . . Oh sweet Goddess! We have to warn them! They are in danger!:

Now - more than ever, speed was of the essence.

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A/N:

Well, we are alive and now that the summer is over for us, we can get back to writing.

Summer was full and stressful which included Frau falling and hurting herself. Thankfully she is making a full recovery and is home again.

GF has done nothing but non-stop sewing and selling since the end of May.

Sorry for the cliffie but this was a good place to end this chapter. Do not worry that next chapter is already written and in Frau's capable hands. Hopefully, it'll be up in a couple of weeks and not months.

Thanks for the reviews everyone.

Until next time. – GF and The Frau