Dragging the Gryphon up the shingle beach was hard work. The waterlogged creature was heavy, and Scott shifted back into dragon for extra pulling strength. Both couldn't fail to notice the bullet wound that had grazed along his flank and was slowly turning the waters red.

When they finally got the Gryphon up clear of the water John immediately set about collecting wood for a fire with Scott helping by tearing out a tree and carefully crushing it so that they could build a good fire. The Gryphon would need all the heat it could get to dry out thoroughly.

'John, can you keep him company?'

'Sure thing, Scott.'

'I need to scope around the island. Gryphons travel in families and I need to make sure any of his are safe, and that whoever caused that injury has long gone.'

'FAB, Scott. I'll watch him, don't worry.'

Scott gave John's shoulder a gentle squeeze and took flight. Gryphons. He'd not seen them for centuries. They shared a love of shiny things, usually travelled in families and they could both fly, but that was where the similarities ended. Scott's family had been lost many centuries ago, and he kind of hoped that his guest had not just lost his. Scott still felt his loss keenly, a fresh loss for the Gryphon would be heartbreaking.

He searched the waters and air around the island, moving in ever increasing circles, but there was no sign of either more gryphons or anyone who would want to kill them. As time passed Scott's heart got heavier and heavier until he was sure there was nothing to see or find.

When he landed back at the cove the Gryphon was still out of it. John had laid some cloth strips over the wound but it was still bleeding, and that made Scott wince even more. Only one weapon was guaranteed to cause such an issue, and it was one that would have the same effect on himself – he wasn't sure about the Phoenix – silver. Probably a bullet, judging from the welt.

There was only thing Scott could do. He checked the wound out to be sure, and sighed when her realised there was no other choice. Scott carefully directed a stream of fire onto the wound, concentrating the flame until it was white-hot. It was the only way to cauterise the wound and prevent the silver poisoning him spreading and eventually killing the Gryphon.

Then it was just a matter of waiting for him to regain consciousness.

There was no way of knowing how long it would take the bird-lion to wake up, and so Scott and John took it in turns sitting with him and keeping the fire going. Scott kept his eye on the wound. It needed treated twice more before there were clear signs of healing.

Six days after discovering the Gryphon unconscious on the beach he finally woke up. He shivered and promptly turned human, much to the surprise of the two men. Scott had never heard of a Gryphon being able to take human form before and, judging from the shock on the man's face, he wasn't the only one. John dived to catch him as the Gryphon tried to stand only for his legs to give way. Scott rushed over and helped lower him back to the ground.

'Rest. You need food and rest before you can move easily. I'll go get some fish for you in just a moment. Do you have a name?'

The Gryphon's mouth opened and closed several times, some grating noises emitting as he tried to work out how to talk with vocal chords in this form. Eventually he worked it out.

'It is difficult to say in this form, but the closest I can come to is "Virgil". You may call us that.'

'Thank you. I am Scott and the Phoenix here is John.'

'Thank you for helping me.'

'You are more than welcome. This is our island. You are welcome to stay as long as you please.'

Virgil looked down at the ground, evidently thinking hard before eventually answering, hesitating even as he spoke.

'Did – did you find anyone else?'

'I'm sorry.'

What else could Scott say? However many Gryphons were part of Virgil's flight were gone, whether that was due to the attack or due to them fleeing. He was worried when the man curled in upon himself with a keening cry, and Scott couldn't help but collapse beside him and keep a hand on the man's shoulder. The Gryphon leaned into the touch slightly.

John, who had kept quite throughout the exchange, sat down on Virgil's other side, almost touching him but not quite. And they stayed that way until the Gryphon's breathing evened out and he started gently snoring in sleep.

'Scott – I'll go grab some fish from the lagoon, I think you should stay here with Virgil. He responded to you, even if it was only a little.'

'Yeah, ok. Are you sure?'

'I'm sure. I'll be alright. And Scott?'

'Yes, John?'

'Thank you for calling this my island too. I – I really appreciate it.'

'Of course! You are more than welcome to stay as long as you like, there's no pressure to stay if you want to go. I – I've loved having you here.'

John flushed but was smiling as he got up, giving Scott's shoulder a squeeze as he passed. Scott watched him lope down the beach, a smile of his own on his face, until John reached the water, and Scott got himself more comfortable. The little skiff that John took out was sturdy enough, and he had learnt fast how to fish safely. Although the waters here were warmer than most, too long or too deep a submersion would kill the Phoenix, and John had been delighted with the boat Scott had had someone on Aotearoa.

It didn't take long for John to bring back several fish, although Scott privately knew he'd have to go out again soon – his appetite was far greater than the bird's – and the smell of the fish grilling over the fire soon woke the Gryphon. It took both of them to persuade Virgil to eat, though. The man was clearly mourning the loss of his flight, but eventually he ate a little and settled down.

They all settled down around the fire, not quite asleep but almost there, and they listened to the crack of the wood and the licking of the flames as the sky turned above them. Eventually the Gryphon spoke.

'We were moving, having been chased out of our home by the humans. We thought we had lost them, but then they appeared on the waters. The flight was unprepared for them and they had killed several before I was wounded. I – I don't remember much else.'

'I'm sorry for your loss, Virgil.'

'Me too. How did you make it here?'

'I – I'm not sure. There were no islands in sight that I was aware of, and I have no idea how long I was in the water.'

'Is there anything? Did you swim?'

'I doubt that with the silver burning me. No – I do have a vague memory. Something smooth nudging me is all that I recall.'

'Well – however you got here, you are welcome. Gather your strength and mourn your loss with us.'

'Thank you.'

There was a sudden movement in the foreshore and both Scott and John shot to their feet, John to stand in front of Virgil and Scott to transform into his Dragon self to go and investigate.

The Dragon planted himself firmly half in the surf zone and half on the back shore. He couldn't see anything, although he could smell something. Something odd.

'Come out. Show yourself. I will not hurt you if you come in peace.'

Slowly a wet, shiny head with the blackest eyes emerged from the water. Whiskers twitched. It was a seal, a large fur seal, possibly a New Zealand Fur Seal. This was a treat indeed, such seals were rare now. But as the seal regarded him, Scott began to realise he was wrong.

As if it had read his mind, the seal used the natural swell of the surf to move up onto the beach…where it promptly changed into a human. The man sat down underneath Scott, giving the dragon a clear indication that this Selkie was going to be one of the more mischievous ones. He held his brown fur coat in his arms as he shook the water from his blond hair. Scott bent his head down and regarded the impudent creature sitting between his legs.

'Hale, Mighty Dragon, Lord of this island! I do come in peace.'

Inwardly Scott sighed at such a formal greeting, but he replied in kind.

'Well met, Friend Selkie, and welcome. Whence hast thou come from?'

'Err…'

And Scott laughed as he changed back to human. He had been pretty sure the Selkie had been putting on the formality, and this only confirmed it.

'My name is Scott. May I ask who you are?'

'Gordon. My name is Gordon. I come, with your permission, to see if the Gryphon has survived.'

'Are you the one who brought him to me?'

'I am. The knowledge of you taking in the Phoenix is known to me and when I came across the Gryphon in the waters I thought of your generosity.'

'Thank you. The Gryphon is healed, if not fully well. Do you have news of his flight?'

'I do not, I am afraid. Only he was there.'

'Then you should come and meet him. I am sure that he would like to thank you in person. Come, stay with us a bit if you will.'

'Thank you, Scott. I am weary from hauling the beast and some rest and warmth would be welcome.'

The two walked up the shore to the fire and the two men waiting there. Scott gestured for both John and Gordon to seat themselves and returned to his place beside Virgil before turning to the Gryphon.

'Virgil – this is Gordon. He is the one who saved you and brought you here.'

With tears in his eyes Virgil stumbled up and over to the Selkie and enveloped him in a hug.

'Thank you,' he whispered.