Chapter 7
Dawn rose to greet the Condor perched on the hills of Atmosia. The sun's rays pierced the clouds and fell through the still open shutters of the Condor's guest room to land upon the bed's occupant.
Gryphon's eyes fluttered open, blinded by the sudden glare. She sat up – and immediately regretted it; the movement reawakening every bruise and sore muscle of the past couple days.
The Theran stood up and stretched with a yawn that turned into a groan. "I feel like I fell out of a tree and hit every branch on the way down." Then her mind went back to the leap off of the Switchblade and the not-so graceful landing. "Oh yeah… right." She rotated her right ankle and, finding it healed, shuffled over to the window stiffly and let the morning sun warm her face. Gryphon looked out across Atmosia to the beacon tower blazing with light, and was reminded of what she needed to do today. She was dreading her meeting with the Sky Knight Council, dreading their decision.
It was still quite early in the day so Gryphon walked back to the bed and sat down to try and settle her nerves. She reached up to her neck where the Switchblade had cut her but found only knew tender skin. The burn on her left arm was gone as well.
Her eyes were drawn to her armour leaning against the bedside table and winced inwardly at the state of some of the pieces. She reached out and picked up the thigh guard, intent on polishing every piece as well as she could. Might as well try and look presentable. She and laid the metal plate across her lap. Hundreds of scratches marred the surface, but unlike the rest of her armour this piece, strapped to her left thigh, protected her from herself more than anything else. She traced a particular long scratch with a claw, one that was not caused by her but by a lucky Cyclonian with a staff. Or maybe not so lucky. Laying it aside she then polished the rest as best she could.
Lastly, Gryphon drew out her Theran Swordstaff and polished the blade until it gleamed. The wide, curved blade was about as long as her forearm, with an almost equally long hilt, but could extend to twice its length with a simple flick and twist. The longer hilt made it easier for air combat and the shorter for close quarters. The weapon did have a slight Cyclonian feel to it and could be seen in the cross guard and crystal pommel. "When all you have are lemons…" Gryphon sighed, another reminder of her mission to get Skythern out from under the shadow of Cyclonian rule.
Leaving the now clean armour and weapon on the freshly made bed, Gryphon dressed and exited the room. It was now well past dawn and she wondered if any of the others were up and about. A clatter sounded nearby and, after having a full tour the day before, the noise must have originated from the kitchen.
Gryphon approached the doorway and found Piper hard at work making breakfast with not a helping hand in sight. She does too much "What, no backup?"
Piper jumped "Oh, Gryphon! I didn't hear you come in."
The Theran shrugged. "Sorry, it's the paws. They do come in handy more often than not, just don't expect me to set foot on ice… or waxed floors for that matter."
The navigator laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
"So what are you making?" Gryphon leaned against the island and peered into the mixing bowl on the countertop. "Did you need any help?"
"Sure!" Piper said, delighted. "They're called Sandcakes. It's an old family recipe actually, and the boys can't seem to live without them, Stork especially."
Gryphon walked over to the sink to wash up, "Another valid reason why they should be helping." She said good-heartedly. "You'd think they'd want to lick the bowl!"
Piper giggled and handed her the mixing spoon. "I don't mind, honestly it's nice to have some quiet time in the morning, because once Finn wakes up..." The girl shuddered. "It is a constant assault on your ears and your patience."
"Yes that one does seem like a live wire"
"Oh you have no idea." Piper grinned.
The two worked in silence for a moment. Gryphon cleared her throat awkwardly. "Piper, I just wanted to say... well I'm so thankful that you and your friends have helped me out so far. You've treated me like an old friend but you hardly know me. I don't even know how to repay you properly!"
Piper smiled. "These last couple years have been tough on us and all of Atmos but we've always found time to have fun, to stay hopeful, because if we didn't, we would be consumed by this war. To see an enemy wherever you look is not a way I want to live."
The two continued making breakfast and talking, Piper telling stories about when they crashed into the Black Gorge, and when they babysat Tinkie, the baby Wallop, Gryphon could hardly believe that one. They have done so much for ones so young.
Soon the talk led to the enemy, specifically Snipe, Ravess, and The Dark Ace.
"The Dark Ace is the worst of them," Piper said as she spooned batter onto a pan. "He has defeated more Sky Knights than anyone and he is the one who betrayed the old Storm Hawks. He is merciless."
Radarr had arrived few minutes before, having sniffed out the cooking Sandcakes, and was now happily licking the mixing spoon.
"We may have defeated The Dark Ace on several occasions but never take him or any of them lightly."
Talk then led to other enemies like the Raptors, Murk Raiders and Nightcrawlers. Then to the other species that inhabited the Atmos, like the care-free Blizzarians, paranoid Merbs, tough Wallops, and the fish people from Aquinos.
Gryphon mind was whirling, "There is so much in this world I don't know... could never have dreamed of existing!"
"Well once your terra is free there will be plenty of time to explore!" She said confidently.
I wish I could be that sure of the future.
They set breakfast as they talked and soon the smell drew even Finn out of bed.
The team told more stories such as the legendary Terra Vapos, racing across Terra Saharr, getting lost in the Great Expanse, and exploring the stratosphere.
Gryphon ate quietly as Finn was in the middle re-enacting his 'heroic' battle with the giant Verroc for the second time. Half listening, she couldn't help but think that just a couple days ago she was flying solo through unknown air currents and now in the course of a single day these six strangers have taken her in and treated her like family, helping her without question. She had felt welcome as soon as she met them. No matter what happened now she owed them, for her life and her home.
Once the meal was finished, the four Storm Hawks and the Theran prepared to leave. Radarr decided to stay behind after exceeding his limit on Sandcakes, and Stork was complaining of the return of a strange rash and refused to leave the Condor.
Gryphon retrieved her armour and, after a second thought, her swordstaff before joining the team in the hanger bay.
Aerrow turned to her as she squeezed onto Piper's Heliscooter. "You ready to do this?"
Gryphon nodded and smiled, trying to convince herself. "As ready as I'll ever be." Butterflies were beginning to form in her stomach. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten anything.
"In that case -" The Sky Knight faced the open hanger door. "Storm hawks, let's fly!"
Gryphon attempted to quell the butterflies as they took off. Hopefully the flight and fresh air would help with them.
x x x
The four skyrides landed in the city square, converting to bike mode, and continued across to the Council Hall.
Gryphon noticed a fair amount of people up and about as they parked next to a tree in the square, some of those people began to notice them and also notice Gryphon. In fact, a fair amount of people began to collect around them and a steady hum filled the air.
The Storm Hawks and the Theran carried on to the building on foot. Aerrow and Gryphon were up front with Piper and Finn behind and Junko bringing up the rear.
Aerrow turned to Gryphon beside him. "You know, you are probably the first Theran to set foot on Atmosia in 20 years."
Gryphon swallowed a particularly large butterfly and smiled weakly at the faces staring back. "Great, no pressure then…" She turned her attention to the building in front of her; it had a friendly appearance, a tall pinnacle rose above massive arched double doors. Two single storey wings stretched out to either side of the two storey face, each lined with large half-arched windows. The five made their way up the short flight of stairs and entered the great wooden doors. Inside, under the spacious ceiling, a narrow red carpet led forward, branching to smaller wooden doors on either side of the room. Simple oak benches were set beside each of the arched doors, two children of similar ages sat together on one, conversing quietly. The carpet continued forward, reaching a heavy wooden desk behind which sat an elderly man with unruly white hair.
The man looked up as they approached and perched atop a somewhat large nose he wore small round reading glasses. "Young Aerrow of the Storm Hawks," His kind green eyes peered down at the Sky Knight. "Now what is it I can do for you?"
At an encouraging nod from Aerrow Gryphon stepped forward and cleared her throat. "It's not what you can do for him, but for me." Not knowing the proper protocol of address for the man, she gave him a small Theran bow. With left foot forward she laid her claws over her heartguard, gripped the hilt of her swordstaff with her other hand and bent slightly at the waist, bowing her head. "I am Gryphon, of the Perie Pryde." Gryphon raised her head and returned to her normal stance. The man behind the desk stared down at her, astonishment painted on his face. "I am here as an unofficial representative for Terra Skythern."
"My…" The man removed his glasses and leaned back in his chair. "Never would I have thought to see a Theran again in my lifetime."
"Please, I humbly request a hearing with the Sky Knight Council." Gryphon clamped her mouth shut, afraid if she continued she would end up on her knees begging like a fledgling.
The aged man sighed "Yes of course, I thought you might." Placing his reading glasses back over his eyes he then began writing on a small section of paper. "Most of the Council is currently engaged in a prior meeting but I have no doubt in my mind that they will be eager to speak with you."
He finished writing, folded the paper, and held it out in his hand. Immediately one of the young Pages jumped up from a bench and hurried over to take it.
The man leaned down to speak to the boy "Take this to Mrs. Acrido, as quickly as you can."
The boy nodded sharply and rushed out the front doors.
"I know you must have waited a long time already but I'm afraid I have to ask you to be patient for a little more." He rose from his seat and retrieved a short cane from beneath the desk. "If you will excuse me, I will tell the council of your arrival, perhaps it will speed their progress." He added with a smile.
"Thank you" Gryphon said with another small bow.
The man then nodded politely to Aerrow and the team before exiting through a door behind the desk.
The next thirty minutes or so were spent in relative silence. Gryphon offered to wait alone, suggesting that she could radio the team when she needed a pickup, but Aerrow would have none of it.
"You won't get rid of us that easily." He said with a sly grin. "We want to know what they have to say as much as you."
"Speak for yourse – oof!" Finn began before Piper elbowed him in the gut, which then brought a loud echoing laugh from Junko, startling the Page who still remained.
The Wallop clapped a hand over his mouth and looked around the room sheepishly. "Sorry." He whispered.
The five tried to occupy themselves to pass the time, or in Gryphon's case, to keep from having a nervous breakdown. Piper was studying a large map on one side of the room, Junko had discovered the hefty bookcase to the right of the map and was now sitting on one of benches flipping through the pages of an ancient text. Finn had claimed another nearby bench and was currently stretched out on his back, no doubt sleeping. Aerrow seemed even more agitated then Gryphon. The Sky Knight was pacing fitfully along the stretch of the carpet between front doors and desk.
Gryphon itched to join him but forced herself to be still, instead she satisfied herself with inspecting the great double doors at the entrance. Something on them caught her eye from the outside and the same design adorned the dark wood on this side as well.
Carved into the deep grain were many small symbols, none were identical that she could see. Gryphon's eyes swept over the surface of the door as she wondered on their meaning. Suddenly she spotted the Storm Hawks symbol and realized that each one must represent a Sky Knight squadron in the Atmos. Gryphon marvelled at the number of different symbols covering the door. There must be over a thousand! She thought in awe.
The Theran spotted another familiar one with a sense of loss. It was a stylized left wing within a circle; The Iron Wings, the Sky Knight symbol for her terra's squadron. It wasn't just the symbols of the current Sky Knight squadrons on the doors, but every squadron throughout history.
The creak of hinges snapped everyone back to reality. Aerrow halted his pacing in front of the desk and took a few steps towards the right-wing doors as they eased open. Gryphon and the rest of the Storm Hawks gathered behind Aerrow as two armed guards emerged escorting a tall, well-built man in a prison uniform with dirty blond hair and stern tan eyes.
The only other humans Gryphon had come to know in her life – besides the Storm Hawks – had been Cyclonians, and just one sniff of this guy sent her instincts into overdrive. She barely managed to restrain herself from rushing over and rearranging that pretty face of his.
Aerrow's clenched his hands into fists, "Carver." The Sky Knight's eyes narrowed in hate.
With hands bound the man stopped, forcing his guards to do the same. "Well if it isn't the Storm Hawks!" Carver said, looking happily surprised, "Back to plead your case to the council?" Somewhat amused by the very idea. "Sorry, but I'm afraid you're still under the height limit to be an official Sky Knight." He sneered.
Gryphon thought she could hear Aerrow's teeth grinding. She stepped up beside the Sky Knight and put a claw tipped hand on his shoulder.
The sneer faded from Carver's face as he studied the Theran. "Now what do we have here?" He looked back at Aerrow with a smirk, "another addition to your pathetic menagerie? To think you're the descendant of the legendary Storm Hawks…" He lowered his voice, goading him on. "…your father would be ashamed of you."
Before Aerrow could react, Gryphon snapped and rushed him "Cyclonian scum!" she snarled, slamming her palm into his chest she forced his back against the wall and wrapped her claws around his neck. Carver gave a strangled yelp, his eyes wide.
The two surprised guards quickly trained their crystal staves on the Theran, exchanging uncertain glances.
"You may not look it, but you are all the same," She hissed, her golden eye blazing. "You cowards run when you can't win, and run your mouth when you can't fight." Gryphon leaned closer and dug her claws in a little more. "I wonder if you bleed the same." She whispered just loud enough for him to hear, tail lashing angrily.
Carver's face turned white.
A hand touched her shoulder tentatively, though the Theran already knew who it was.
"Gryphon," Aerrow said lightly.
She let Carver squirm for a couple more seconds before releasing her grip and backing away. The guards reclaimed their prisoner and all three moved quickly away and out the front doors.
Finally Gryphon turned; the four Storm Hawks stared at her in stunned silence.
"Remind me to never get on your bad side." Finn said.
Junko nodded his agreement speechlessly.
A little embarrassed, Gryphon turned to the Sky Knight. "Aerrow I-"
"No, don't say it," He interrupted, holding up his hands. "Besides, I was going to do something much worse." The redhead said with a malicious grin.
A creak from the door caught their attention once again. This time another young Page emerged.
Older than the others, the girl stood before the group confidently and addressed them. "Gryphon of Terra Skythern, the Council will see you now."
