Zenora, The Dragon's Fury
49. Seriously?

The ceremony was beautiful so far. From the thirteen gryphons, that had laid down on the nests that were built on the training fields, five had chosen their new riders.

Each and every participant got a small window of time, to show their talent to the creatures. The five warriors that had been chosen, were all strong and their talents varied from shooting an arrow through ten burning hoops, or carving a crude form of a Gryphon out of a big chunk of wood, with just using an axe.

I had seen the deep, dark red diva, Bastet’s first born, female hatchling, sleeping on one of the nests, with her head curved around to the other side. She was clearly not in the mood of watching this event, just like all the other years, where she didn’t care to look at the participants.

She was waiting for something special, something with such a great talent, appealing to only her. She is stubborn, and quite the demanding creature. I hope she won’t have her expectations too high, for her to not have a rider for another year.

The other gryphons were still quite young, some were just come of age, barely old enough to call them full-grown, and others were only a year or two old. Most of them were the ordinary brown coloured, but one of Bastet’s sons was there too.

Her son from last year’s litter, was silver-grey on his head and his wings almost as white as snow. The fur on his back was so shiny, that it almost looked like, it was made of polished metal. He was shining brightly in the sun, sitting on his back, looking fierce and proud towards the participants.

Soon, it was Tyler’s turn to show his talent. He had been training with his father day and night, to make sure that his talent was prepared in even the littlest details. I was dearly hoping that one of the Gryphons would choose him, hoping that Axel was right about his assumptions. When I had visited the aviary weeks ago, he had said that one of the gryphons was taking a liking in Tyler’s presence.

But we will have to wait and see what happens.

Another warrior got declined, no gryphon walked up to him. Another female hunter got declined, no gryphon walked up to her. It was getting rather depressing, not seeing any of the other gryphons even slightly interested in what the participants were showing.

Then it was Tyler’s turn. I could see he was nervous, he had seen a few participants following each other, failing and being disappointed. He is strong, but I don’t know if he could handle the rejection from the Gryphons.

Everyone was watching him, getting on the training field in front of the Gryphons. Brock and Dennis had helped him set up some straw and wooden figures, for Tyler to attack, to show his warriors agility.

Tyler stood in front of the two rows of target dummies, looking straight between them. He closed his eyes and took his sword out of the sheath and held it in front of him. The sword was larger than his own length, but he held it so tight and in perfect balance, that you wouldn't believe how strong he was, until you actually saw it. He is almost five years of age, and 'normal' kids his age, are still playing, not training.

When his eyes opened, the golden colour branding his irises, proudly in control of his power, he screamed. He screamed so loud, that the ground around him started to tremble slightly. His feet parted each other, getting ready to launch himself away with a speed that is almost unable to see. And there he went.

Only flashes of him showing, slicing through each and every dummy, going from the left to the right, left again, and right once more, until he reached the end of the rows of those wooden soldiers. He held his sword before him, waiting for the sound that was bound to be heard.

I looked behind him, and slowly, the first dummy, and then the second, third and all the others, dropped down. Bending at the spot where Tyler had hit them with his sword. One by one, they all had fallen on the ground, and when the last one was heard, the crowd cheered and clapped.

I was so enormously proud at him, he was so strong already, and I could see Brock gleaming with pride too.

But unfortunately, none of the Gryphons were interested in his talent, they just kept staring towards the crowd, slept through what had happened or just carelessly ruffled their feathers.

It wouldn’t matter if he wouldn’t get chosen by one of the Gryphons, he would just try again next year. But by the look of Tyler, he wasn’t going to accept that.

He stepped up towards the Gryphons and suddenly began to yell.

“What do you want me to do!” He screamed.

But he wasn’t looking at all of the Gryphons together, no he was looking at only one. He was only gazing at the silver one, that I had noticed before. The creature was still standing proud, without moving an inch. All he did was looking down with his eyes towards Tyler.

This silver Gryphon looked strong and fierce, he would be a perfect match for Tyler. But if he wasn’t interested, then Tyler just had to accept his choice.

Suddenly, Tyler ran up towards him, sword drawn high, ready to attack. I wanted to stop him, and already stood up from the place I was seated. But Brock pulled me backwards with my wrist, shaking no, to not interfere with Tyler’s actions.

I sat down again, heart racing, watching how Tyler’s sword came searing down towards the silver Gryphon’s neck. It would only be devastating to see the Gryphon die at the hands of my boy, so I couldn’t look at how this was going to end.

I turned my face away, waiting for the squeaking shrills of a Gryphon dying. But those sounds never came.

My bravery shot up again, to watch what was unfolding in front of me. Tyler was actually fighting the Gryphon! Swiping his sword left and right, aiming for his front talons to hit them out of sight. The silver creature was soon done with this weapon and quickly grabbed it with his beak, and threw it away.

But Tyler wasn’t one to give up that easily. The beast now swiped his talons at Tyler, almost hitting him each and every time. I held my breath, not wanting my dear boy to get hurt! But Tyler was much quicker with his tiny body, avoiding left, jumping right, and so on.

Eventually, Tyler managed to jump on his back, at which the creature flapped his white wings, jumping wildly around, endlessly trying to shake the little boy of his back. Only angering the creature more, as he couldn’t reach the boy with his beak.

“STOP IT!” Tyler screamed, but the silver feathers flew around as the Gryphon kept shaking his body.

Tyler reached around the neck of the Gryphon, and just as with birds, their actual neck is smaller than the deck of feathers make you believe. So, as he nearly drowned his head between the silver coat, he held his grip tighter and tighter.

“JUST STOP!” Tyler screamed again, while forcing the Gryphon to end his futile fight. The creature was without breath and finally laid himself down on the ground.

Tyler stepped off, and looked the creature in his eyes.

“Are you done now?” He asked him with his hands on his sides.

The silver creature took some breaths, and defeated he stood up on his feet, only to bow in front of his new rider.

“Finally Jack, we agreed upon not playing at the ceremony!” Tyler said, after shoving the creature’s head aside.

I looked at them in awe. They were playing??? Was that playing?

Brock laughed at my face, I must have looked really odd right now. He was already aware of the relation between his son and the creature, it seems! I just never took a moment to read his mind about it.

And my son called the Gryphon, Jack? Just a simple name, no carefully thought of name, that means anything strong or fearful or has some deeper meaning behind it? Just Jack… wow. And here I am, thinking of names in different languages that would mean ‘snow’, ‘metal’, ‘silver’ or whatever you can think of.

Nope, his name is Jack.