Revenge of the Gryphon

    I let out a sharp cry that echoes throughout the hills.  It’s a sound of defiance and freedom that clearly states that the wrongs that have been done to me will be avenged.

    The wind rustles pleasantly through my feathers and my ebony tail lashes back and forth in anticipation. It is almost time.

    The warm scent of rabbit wafts through the air, making my stomach rumble.  I have not eaten since the light-bringer passed the horizon, but I cannot afford to be distracted now, not when I am so close.

    As I peer down into the gully, I spot movement and the flutter of tawny wings.  I clack my beak angrily at the foolishness of the flock’s young Leader. The ravine is deep, too deep to easily escape by flight.  If a predator prowls nearby, the flock will be an easy target.

    Talborn is not clever enough to be Leader. He endangers the whole flock.  I hiss. Once, it was not so. The flock was properly protected, and not a single Gryphon died needlessly. But when I was at my weakest, Talborn pushed me from the flock, claiming Leadership for himself.

    Soon, though, all will return to how it should be. My wings once more beat strongly, and all that remains of my battle wound is a long pale scar.

    I unfurl my wings. I have waited long enough. Without a sound I dive from the top of the hill, my neck stretched out into the wind.  I hurtle towards the unsuspecting Gryphon, and my talons rip into his bronze hide. His beak opens in a shriek of pain and as he whirls around to face his attacker, I see a fleeting look of alarm flash through his eyes.

    I swoop upwards, knowing that Talborn’s fear will quickly change to anger.  He cannot ignore my challenge.  It will be his mistake though, if he follows me into the sky.  My years are greater than his; therefore my experience in the air far exceeds Talborn’s.

    I twist sharply to the left, my claws raking through the air as I turn.  Behind me, I hear a surprised cry as my blow glances off Talborn’s side. He shoots by, flapping his golden wings franticly in an effort to turn despite his speed.

    I watch calmly as Talborn wheels to face me, murder bright in his eyes.  This time he will not be content to simply exile me from the flock.

    The light-bringer is behind me, shining into Talborn’s eyes.  Despite his half-blindness, he lunges at me, too furious to think clearly.  I dodge downwards, but not quickly enough, and his sharp beak slashes into the feathers below my wing.  I do not have time to acknowledge the pain; my only thought is of victory.  I dart up from underneath Talborn, my talons cutting deeply into his wing.  The Gryphon’s eyes widen in shock and fear as he plummets towards the hills far below.  Talborn pumps his wings franticly, but his injured wing will not respond to his commands.  With a scream of rage and terror, he crashes into the ground and lies still.  I land softly on the grass besides him, cocking my head.  Talborn is not dead, for I can still hear a faint heartbeat, but he will not be able to fly until his wing heals.

    I take to the air again and find my way back to the gully.  In the heat of battle we had drifted from the flock.  As I fly, the wound Talborn gave me begins to burn, but I barely notice it.  My wild cry of triumph slices through the air, telling everyone that Leadership is mine once again.