Kendra griffin

Kendra sat rigidly in her griffin saddle as Didger the dwarf buckled her legs in. The creature shifted beneath her, saddle creaking, plumage ruffling near the neck. She patted the feathery shoulders, powerful muscles rolling beneath her palm.

Didger went to the head of the griffin and took the reins. “Steady, Sheba, the girl is already nervous.” He handed the reins to Kendra.

“Should you tell her that?” Kendra asked.

“She can smell your fear much better than I can see it,” Didger said. “Fortunately, with Sheba, your worry makes her gentler. She’s our oldest griffin, and the most considerate of her rider. Gave her to you for a reason.”

(Additional text cut)

“Griffins away!” Didger cried, waving his arms.

“Griffins away!” two other dwarfs called out.

Wings sweeping downward, Sheba leaped into the air. The griffin continued to rise, wings heaving to gain altitude as Kendra wobbled in the creaking saddle. Seth ascended off to the right, Tanu to the left. The three griffins climbed steadily, turning Blackwell Keep into a toy model behind them. The sunset gradually reversed until Kendra was squinting in the sunlight.

Chapter 6-Feast