01 The Black Gryphon by Lackey Mercedes

Author:Lackey, Mercedes [Mercedes, Lackey,]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-04-10T20:53:57.488000+00:00

Zhaneel preened a talon thoughtfully, then looked down at her hand. Hand, and not a misshapen collection of foreclaws. She was not some kind of an accident. As Amberdrake had surmised, she was the living result of something that had been planned. So. She looked from the talon to Skandranon, and even though she managed to keep her expression calm and serene, her heart raced to have him here beside her, on her favorite rock overlooking the obstacle course. I am the first of a breed, you say? And you saw evidence of that in Urthos Tower? Skan nodded; his great golden eyes fixed upon her as steadily as if he were the needle of a compass, and she were the Northern Cross. The sun shone down on his black feathers, bringing up the patterns in them that were normally concealed by the dye he used. There seem to be about fifty different types altogether. Mostly broadwings, eagle-types. You are based on the only kind that looks really falcon-based. I dont know what Urtho had in mind to call your type, but Id call you a gryfalcon. Gryfalcon. She rolled the word around on her tongue. It sounded even better when Skan had said it than when Amberdrake had come up with it. And none of this, she spread her foreclaws wide, is accidental. I am simply the only one of my kind. Not that I saw. But, Zhaneel He hesitated a long moment, and she looked at him curiously. From the tension in his body, he was trying to make up his mind about saying something more. Zhaneel, you arent precisely the only one of your type. Only the first successful gryfalcon. He ground his beak for a moment, then clearly made up his mind to continue. Thereswell, what wed call a real misborn in the Tower, too. It looks as if she started out to be a gryfalcon, but something went wrong. Shes distorted, like a child in her head, I think shes a neuter, and there are probably other things wrong with her as well. Zhaneels tiny ear-tufts rose. In the Tower? But whywhy would Urtho keep her there? I But then all of the slights and insults, the teasing and the bullying of her own childhood returned to her, and she knew why. no. I see. Gryphons did not cry, but sadness made their throats tighten, and triggered a need to utter a keening sound. She bowed her head and stifled the urge to keen. The poor, poor thing. Perhaps it is as well that it is like a child, for it cannot understand how cruel the world can be, and it will not mourn what it has never seen. Does it have a name, this poor little one? Skan nodded. Urtho calls her Kechara, and she says that he visits and plays with her often. I dont think she is in any kind of pain or want. Kecharabeloved She took a deep breath, and her throat opened again.

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