A tense silence followed; no one moved, no one breathed. Lance drew his sword and began to advance in the direction the griffin had come from; Little Fellow and Amber drew their bows. Goose Goon brandished his axe.
“Guys,” Lance sounded sick, “There’s a griffin nearby.”
A few steps behind him Little Fellow whispered loudly, “How do you know Lancewood?”
Lance spluttered, “Because I am very allergic, like very, very allergic. I don’t feel so good, think I’m going to lie down for a bit.” With that, Lancewood fell to the floor unconscious.
Amber rushed to help him. Swooping her aside, Little Fellow stopped her, drawing his bow, he shot into the bush. The bush rustled and three huge griffins burst out with ear splitting shrieks. Little Fellow and Amber shot as fast as they could but their arrows merely bounced off the beasts with loud clanging.
“They have armour now!” screamed Amber.
The battle lasted a mere few seconds before the griffins overpowered them.
“Where am I?” shuddered a very shocked Lance when he woke up.
“Relax human.”
Lance turned to see two beautiful griffins seated upon a throne of gold.
“We mean no harm,” said the one.
“We only want the best,” the other put in.
Lance stood on the spot awed into silence.
“Hey Lancewood!” Little Fellow yelled cheerfully, “Turns out they are the good guys!”
Little Fellow, Amber and Goose Goon came and stood around Lance. “How long did the battle last?” quizzed Lance wearily.
“An hour,” said Amber proudly. Goose Goon and Little Fellow quickly nodded in agreement.
“Incorrect,” The deep voiced griffin said. “Our guards apprehended you within seconds of combat,” said the high pitch voiced griffin.
Lance looked cynically at his red-faced and embarrassed companions. “Now what will you three do without me?” asked Lancewood chuckling.
“Your highnesses,” Lance said slowly, turning respectfully, “there is a bit of explaining to do.”
The griffins nodded, “I suppose there is,” said the high pitched queen, her regal head turning to the king.
“We have discovered that the dam in Dor-Castrion is faulty,” continued the king griffin. They spoke in a loud whisper of grand awe.
“Someone has sabotaged the dam,” the queen added with sadness.
“My mate, shall we tell them whom?” The queen griffin worriedly whispered in a hushed tone.
“No, that would only scare them,” the king griffin replied compassionately.
The four heroes patiently waited for the rulers to finish. “We raided your city because we were trying to save as many lives as possible before…” the queen couldn’t finish, tears welled in her eyes, “The loss of life will be great,” she concluded.
“My army and I will accompany you down to Dor-Castrion. There you,” the griffin pointed directly at Lancewood, “will tell them what sad twist of fate will befall them.”
Lance looked shocked. Walking up to the king he asked, “Why me?” Lance was feeling an urge to run, “Why me!” he yelled as confused anger began welling inside him.
“Boy, come with me,” the griffin king mournfully replied. Turning to his queen he muttered, “Prepare the army and prepare our other young heroes.”
The queen nodded and waved a wing at the others to exit the throne room. They all took one last sad look at Lance before following the queen griffin down the dark corridor.
Tell us: Why do you think the griffin king chose Lancewood?