On the Subject of Griffons by Lindsey Byrd

Author:Lindsey Byrd [Byrd, Lindsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Published: 2019-04-20T16:00:00+00:00

Kera woke well before dawn. Her watch was easier, though. She told Aurora to get some rest, and shifted their positions so she could hold on to the younger woman instead. She stroked her thumb along Aurora’s arm and stared out into the darkness, watching the fire circle flicker for the final few hours of its lifespan.

The workers had quieted down hours ago. She was grateful for it. Even in its quieter state, her body felt tight and nervous. Her anxiety spiked whenever something shrieked too loud. The noise couldn’t stop soon enough.

Those who were responsible for keeping the circle lit milled about. Some paced around the line, adding more fuel to burn, others just sat still and drank tea. They all looked out into the darkness and waited for something to look back. For hours there was nothing.

Then it was there.

A wraith.

Just on the other side of the fire ring, staring at them. Its black cloak was swaying in the wind, white face unhinged and unattached. There were sockets where the eyes should be. Its jaw opened and closed as if chewing on air, and there was a hole in its head as though it had been shot. It reached its hand toward them, but this time the fire line held. It couldn’t break the perimeter.

One of the men walked by and waved a burning stick toward it, scattering it into the background, forcing it to disappear. Kera couldn’t help the tendril of fear that had started to slip through her, though. Especially when the man walked by, muttering to himself, “Those things’ll chase prey till the ends of the earth.”

It was not a comforting thought.

When the sun rose, she encouraged Aurora to wake. Then they tended to the children and helped them with their morning meal. It was an unmentionable slop that made Kera’s stomach start issuing complaints of its own. Aiden threw up after the first bite, and Kera spent another few coins on something that would be easier on his stomach.

He’d lost so much weight already, he couldn’t afford to lose much more. His cheeks were hollowed, and there were divots forming beneath his eyes. Even his curls were flatter, and despite his constant exposure to the sun, his skin was far too waxy for comfort. They needed to hurry.

With great effort, they helped Aiden and Faith back on their horse. Kera’s feet burned as she walked. Blisters bursting almost as soon as they set to the road, she could feel blood filling the soles of her shoes, and she longed for a horse. But each time they’d entered a town, either there were no horses for sale, or her coin was not enough. She couldn’t spend all her money on a horse and leave them with nothing for food or supplies.

She hadn’t anticipated this particular expense.

Stupid.

“You think the overseer’s gonna live there?” Aurora asked her when they passed the phallic monstrosity that was being built in the center of the city.

“I have no idea,” Kera said.

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