The Gate Imploded… dragging the Entourage into the Abyss…
As everyone was falling and flailing through the Void of Nothing…
Harry lashes out, throwing a web of conjured spider silk out and dragging everyone to his side. Then with more Instinct than Forthought, He ripped open a Gate dragging everyone out of the Abyss … into the jungle.
At speed…
Soran… having panicked and morphed to his full dragon form… absorbed the impacts of both hitting the ground and trees, and catching everybody else. As a result, he was bruised… but okay.
So was everybody else.
"Well… we're not in Kansas…" Hermione huffed as she looked about.
Twenty minutes later it was decided to craft a 'wicker basket' and fly everyone out. They Harnessed Vera, while Harry crafted a Basket, from the surrounding debris, large enough to carry everyone comfortably, feather light charmed and all that. Everyone but Harry, Soran, Hermione, Tish and Toto were loaded into the basket. Soran decided to fly on his own… as Tish, Hermione(in gryffon form) and Toto rode on Basil-coatl-Harry.
Daphne acted as Navigator, guiding them towards the closest Human Settlement.
As the sun reached the horizon, the party landed in the middle of a massive grassland. Verra landed gently, having set the basket on the ground. "Hass anyone elssse notissed the Magic is Differrrent here?" Her rolling her words almost a purr. "The Basket was very light, harrrdly any weight and…"
"The Magic in the air is thicker… sweeter." Rhal sighed. "Perfect… almost too perfect."
As Harry took his knee, so that Hermione could drag the Tent out of his bag… they noticed that the tent was curled up on itself.
"Dobby?"
The little guy appeared at her side. "Miss Grangy?"
"Is there something wrong with the Tent?"
"She just scared." He petted the canvas. "She not opening for few days."
Harry nodded. "Are you able to feed us? Or do we have to feed ourselves?" Harry grinned.
Dobby squeaked, and popped away.
"What was that?" Star asked.
"That was Harry being mean to Dobby." Hermione glared at him.
"That was Harry teasing Dobby. He knows that Dobby lives, loves, and wants to serve him and his friends and family. He hinted that Dobby was skirting his duties. Something no Elf worth their ears would do." Daphne sat on the hind leg of the sprawling drakon.
Ten minutes later, everyone was relaxing as they ate from bowls of thick stew.
Steel-lotus wiped her mouth. "Just as expected from our Dobby."
Everybody settled down for the night, trusting in the hyper aware members to notice if anything came their way in the night.
CTT
As the Dawn broke over the Party, they were repacking everything up, and when Sue had an evil idea. "Hey Harry… would the Bikes work out here?"
"Dobby, the Bikes please. Leave the trailer and sidecar for now." Harry called into thin air.
Four Bikes appeared. A Harley Softail, a Harley Touring Glider, A Triumph Scrambler and a Sporty Ninja Yamaha.
Daphne took one look at the bikes and climbed into the wicker basket. Six daggers on a bandoleer across her front and three on her right thigh… beside her wand.
Susan swung on to the low-rider softail, tucking her carved Skull staff under her leg so that it rode with her
Soran swung onto the Ninja, gurgling in his dragon tongue.
Hermione Swung onto the Harley Touring, before hopping to the back seat, while Harry lifted the Hertasi into the basket with Daphne, before mounting the Bike, sitting right in front of Hermione.
Star and Steel avoided the metal steeds and threw themselves into the Baskets.
"Okay… Sue, you need to learn how to balance on your Hog. It is similar to a broom… it requires you to balance it. When you start to wobble, you will find fast is better than slow. We worked our magic… they no longer need the fine tuning and fuel of purely muggle rides." He kicked the foot up, before he turned the key. "Soran, Kyra, I am going to be limiting my speed to the Kyree and Wrysa who are needing to run. Keep an Eye on Bones and keep us in sight. Also… this is grasslands. The Harleys are street bikes."
Almost as one, the Four Bikers stood, kicked the starter, and the bikes roared to life.
They tore off in the direction that Hermione pointed.
CTT
Kendra Hated Patrol.
Kendra HATED Patrol.
He Hated Patrol even more than He hated the Makkaar.
The only thing he hated more than Patrol was Failure.
So here he was Patrolling the Plains to the West and South. Somewhere there should have been nothing… and no one.
So why was there a Gryphon carrying a Wicker basket that would require three to four gryphons to carry. She didn't look like any other Gryphon that he knew of. And she was following metal … things and what looked like two dogs from his point of view.
:Kendra, Fourth of the Second Wing… South Patrol. I am reporting something. I need Reinforcement and a Superior.: He 'Mind-Gift' sent towards the Tower. :Eleven Individuals. While Not ours… I doubt that a Gryphon is an enemy."
:If this is a Stunt, I will Have you mucking out the Kaled'a'in Stables.: The First of his Wing sent back. "The Whole Wing is coming.:
CTT
Toto was 'trotting' at his side as Tish was having to stretch to keep pace, but she was enjoying the run.
Suddenly Toto snapped his head to the south of their position. :Birdy(Verra in Flight). Hunt.(Bird falling on Toto).:
Harry hit his brakes and brought his bike about to face where Toto was looking. The other three bikes fell into formation around him… as Verra set the basket behind them and landed beside it.
Harry swung off the bike, and shook out his arms, before drawing his Battle staff. Hermione followed and swatted his shoulder before tearing into him in the cat tongue. #No Picking a Fight until One is either attacked or releases you. Keep [Night-Runner] caged.#
Harry hissed, allowing his Puma ears to show so he could lay them back. He snapped his Fingers as his ears returned to their usual place. Toto was at his side. :Hunt?: Toto sent the picture of him worming through the grass at the 'bird'.
"No." Harry sighed as he scratched behind the black leathery ear. "Alpha says not yet."
The Gryphon, a Broadwing, landed a hundred metres away, and sat, waiting.
"Why is he just sitting there?" Daphne was stroking her jade hilted kris. It still was her favorite.
"He is waiting for Backup and a Superior." Hermione returned to the Bike. "He is just a scout. Not exactly expendable… but a high ranker either. He is close enough to observe us, but far enough that he should be able to escape if attacked. If he's anything like Verra… He has enough Magic to sense that most of us are a threat if threatened."
Soran shifted in his saddle. "Hey Dobby… got any snacks?"
Soon everybody had eather a bowl of mixed nuts or a stew bone to gnaw on. Veera took a savage delight of gnawing on her bone, cracking it in her beak, while the other gryphon down the way had nothing and Soran was forced to eat salty nuts.
Suddenly the Male Gryphon snapped his head Eastward… causing everyone else to shift to look… as twelve shadows appeared out of the still pre-noon sun.
"Ah… the Cavalry." Hermione stood, sipped from her water bottle, and stepped to the front of their group as the twelve gryphons, in a Wedge Formation, dropped low, and in formation, touched down, a space where, no doubt, the Scout held in the ranks. In fact as soon as they were down, he trotted up, and took his position.
The Point of the Wedge stepped forward and called out.
Tish started laughing. :He's Speaking High Kaled'a'in. [snicker] We have not Spoken it since the First Cataclysm.:
"Verra." Hermione spoke softly. "Come here. As He should not find you a threat… the way he would find me or Harry."
Verra huffed and stepped forward, until she was midway between the two groups. :Good Day Wing Commander. Please forgive us this rudeness, but we do not speak the local tongue. Most of us have the Mind Speech gift, and many of us are Mages.:
:What do you seek from the Silent Master?: The Voice Carried to each mind in the Area.
:We seek a way to return Home.: Hermione moved to stand beside Verra. :If it was just a simple matter of Power… we would not need his Wisdom." She twitched her ears and tails. :Also some guidance in Above Adept level Control."
The Wing Commander cocked his Head, :Teranth, Wing Commander of the Second Wing. Who are you to speak for these others?:
Hermione began to Purr. :I hold many titles in our group. They shift pending on the context. At this minute, I am Queen Matron. My Tom is held at bay by my will alone. My Clouder is restless.:
:You are speaking as a Cat.: His head cocked the other way. :And how do we change your Context?:
:Depends.: Harry grinned. :Are you Friend, Foe, or just Bad Ass Killing Machine?: He released his tight hold on his core.
Three gryphons in the rear of the wing formation screamed in fright, but did not break station.
Teranth nodded. :Point Taken.: He stood up straight. :And the reason you are so far back?"
"She put me here.: Harry lost his grin. :She is Queen Matron.:
:You have what looks like a Kyree…: Teranth's second, a female entered the conversation.
Tish pounced like an oversized Puppy. :I Have Found my Dhorisha'ke'a'char!:
Teranth 'facepalmed'. :Okay that does it. We will escort you to the West edge of the Camp. You will wait there quietly.: He looked at Verra. :I presume you know how to fly in Formation?:
Verra chirped an affirmative, before trotting back to where her connectors were. Hermione double checked her links, before returning to her seat behind Harry.
Almost as one, the Griffins exploded into the Air… Verra followed, and the Bikes roared to life.
CTT
Urtho the Silent was visiting his only failure… a missborn, Kechara, When He felt another Sorcerer Adept enter his territory. He scratched under her wings. "I gotta go, sweet thing."
:Yes Papa.: She chirped. :Miss you.: Then she trotted off to her room for a nap.
He exited the room, sealing it, and quickly descended the stairs from his 'tower'. It was more of a small castle, but it was only small in comparison to real castles. As he exited out into the Sun, his 'Black Knight' arrived at his side.
"Out forrrr a walk?" Skandranon crackle-purred. While not a true broadwing… he was still of Eagle Stock. And in his Vanity… he had his Feather dyed black… a mix that his trondi'irn kept secret.
"Someone just entered my Grounds from the West… Someone who could match me…" Urtho tried to hide his foreboding…
"From the Wessst?" Skan scoffed. "Nothing out therre."
"That's what unsettles me." The white haired Mage tried to smile.
It took them an Hour for them to get to the edge of the Camp, just as the Wing in near perfect V formation… with a fourteenth Gryphon in the center of Teranth's wing.
This new gryphon was carrying a basket that would take four of his children to carry.
And on the Ground Four riders and two 'Dogs' were keeping pace.
Urtho heard Teranth give the vocal command and the Wing Landed beautifully.
The New Gryphon shook herself before a Man dressed in Kaled'a'in silks and feathers jumped from the basket and unhooked her…
Urtho snapped to peer in the direction of the East… Searching for a mind… and found her, punching Makar out of the Sky. He looked again and noticed certain differences between Zhaneel and this Beast, for while they were similar colors and body style, this Gryphon was a good ten to twenty percent bigger.
A female Kaled'a'in jumped out of the Basket before helping a Hertasi in a bone mask down. A second Female, this time in a colored leather body-hugging outfit dropped from the edge. She had the 'smell' of Blood magic on her… but no 'smell' of 'Pain and Fear' on her.
Five riders on four… things pulled up around the basket, and dismounted. The 'Dogs' sat beside the Male that had a ruby headed staff over his shoulder.
The Same Male that had the Markings of a Sorcerer Adept Mage.
The Female that had been riding behind him, was now ordering them about.
Urtho looked again… the Rides were gone.
"Be careful with these people." Urtho whispered to the Black Gryphon. "They are using Magic I have no idea about."
Skan grunted.
CTT
"So that's the Great Urtho." Harry was scratching Toto's ears.
:Yes.: Tish was crawling on her belly, as she quivered.
"And that standing beside him?"
"Ssskandrranon Rrassshkae." Verra purred, rolling her 'r's and dragging her 's's. "My Prrogenitorrr." She puffed her chest in Pride. "Did not think he would be ssso… puny."
"He is only three inches shorter than when I first met you. Your Current size is because of Samhain and your training. Besides, if I remember your tales of him, he is a Fox to your Wolf."
Verra gurgled.
Urtho approached to stand before him. :I am given to understand that you don't speak our language. It can be arranged to 'gift' you the Language.:
"Shit. Hermione! I have just been offered the Local Language. Do you want in on this?"
The three females in 'leathers' were quick to arrive at his side. The others were not as quick.
Harry turned back to the man that was everything that Albus had tried to be. :Why do I think I am going to hate this?:
:Because it is going to hurt.: Urtho smiled.
CTT
Zhaneel was intrigued by the rumour of the Gryphon that sorta looked like her. She had been awarded a citation for her 'kills' on the Eastern Front, and while she was looking forward to her prize… she went looking for this new oddity.
She found the Gryphon dining on a pig's hind quarters. Beside the gryphon, a 'Kyree' was eating a fowl bird, and a human male was 'petting' a white bird, and feeding it dried fruit.
Causely, she approached.
Something looking like a cross between a kyree and a snake popped up from beside the male, and looked eyes on her.
:Ah, you must be Zhaneel. Join us. Ignore Toto, he won't hurt you as long as you hold no malice." A male 'voice' touched her shielded mind. :We hoped you would arrive soon.: The Male threw the white bird into the Air… only for her to vanish in a flash of white light. :We have a few eels… alive, as they are Verra's favourite.:
The Gryphon turned her head to look at Zhaneel. :Elder…: She leveraged herself to her feet to approach the smaller Gryphon… She then extended her own talonless claw.
:You are Talonless?: Zhaneel 'gasped'.
:Talons would only get in the way.: She sat her 'Falcon Head' cocked and 'grinning' :How else am I to do everything that those dim Broadwings can't?: Verra flexed her 'fist' and it was now clad in a Gauntlet that was covered with runes and gemstones. Zhaneel gasped. Verra flexed again and a red and gold flaming sphere appeared between her fingers. A count of five… and the 'gloved' fist closed and the ball of fire was snuffed. :The trick is to hit them before they hit you.:
:I am not a mage.: Zhaneel sat.
The Human male started to laugh. :Trust me. Magic only gets in the way.: He too leveraged himself to his feet. :Half of my Woes are caused by or related to Magic. That said… it has come with some benefits.: He Spoke in a different Language… and three freshwater eels appeared in a bowl beside her. :We hear that you performed a great feat of Daring.:
:How did you Hear?: Zhaneel asked after nearly choking on the eel she was eating.
A Ratha strolled up, jumped into the Male's lap before turning belly up. :How else would we 'Know'? As it has yet to make it to the gossip circuit…: the human began to stroke and scratch the exposed belly. :Ah! The Slave has trained this one well.:
:Queen Matron[Book Hunter] had nothing to do with my scratching. That comes from [Snowfall Death]. I have yet to be asked to scratch [Book Hunter: the Male turned to the smaller gryphon, his fingers still tracing designs in the creamy fur. :Apolizges. I have not Identified ourselves yet. I am Harry Potter. Verra is my token Gryphon.: Verra slapped his shoulder with her open palm. :Tish is my Archivist Kyree. Toto is my Wrysa…:
Zhaneel gasped and scuttled away. :WRYSA!:
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