Bit late, ssed up the ti. Said the 30th, thinking it was a Friday. My bad.
---
"Are you sure about this, Kaladin?" Sylvia asked as she adjusted my coat.
"Very sure," I answered with a firm nod. "We owe His Majesty a lot for what he's done. And if he woke up just to give this task and believed I was the only man for the job, then I have no reason to turn him down. And it's not like we can pretend we are no longer involved in the well-being of this place."
Sylvia's shoulders slumped as I grabbed her by the hands. "I know you are upset about staying. But we can't leave Mila alone for months on end again. Soone has to stay here for her well-being, too, and it was who asked to go. I also won't be alone," I said softly.
"I know that," she muttered as she squeezed my hands. "I just don't like that you are going straight into danger without . You have a bad tendency to get yourself hurt."
Well…can't argue with that.
"I know... I know. I made certain to prepare for this mission. I promise I won't lose any limbs this ti," I said with a grin.
She rolled her eyes as she let go of my hands and gave them a light slap. "You are not making feel any better or inspiring confidence in at all, Kaladin," she hissed.
"I'll make it out alright. I've fought worse than a few forest monsters and bandits. Shouldn't be facing any god-like beings this ti around," I said.
Sylvia threw her hands up as she mumbled to herself as she went over to Cerila. Padraic saddled up next to with a grin.
"Making enemies of the wife before setting out. Dangerous ga you're playing, my friend," he snickered.
"Yeah, and what do you know about that, huh?" I asked as I nudged him.
"More than most, if I had to guess," he said quietly.
I looked down at him and patted him firmly on the shoulder as I told him, "Thanks for agreeing to help with Mila."
Padraic snorted as he shook his head. "She's family, of course, I would help around. I'll make sure to spoil her rotten just for you. Besides, I'll have plenty to do with those new designs you gave . I bet I can have so working prototypes before you get back, much easier than the other ones," he chuckled.
"I'll be looking forward to it," I said as I turned my head and looked off behind .
My father watched us from a distance beyond the courtyard, and Padraic's head shook in disappointnt as he said, "At least he ca to see you go. I'm going to have to have a little chat with him about this."
"You don't—"
Padraic waved my concerns away and grunted, "Can't be having bad blood amongst family."
"It's fine. They just need ti," I said.
Padraic's face twisted into disappointnt. "I get their position and all, but it's a load of crap with how long they're taking if you ask . They may have another son, but they're your only parents. I'd rather not see you guys on pins and needles for a hundred years. My parents would beat senseless if I pretended they didn't exist," Padraic spat.
"Padraic…"
He looked up at with a grin. "Don't worry. Not like I'm gonna get in a fight. Your parents might be getting on in age with how stubborn they are getting, but I'm pretty sure both of them could kill with their arms missing. If the ti cos, I'm just gonna have a talk," he said.
"Just please don't blow things up any further," I groaned.
Padraic shrugged to himself as he shifted weight from leg to leg. "Well…I do like blowing things up nowadays," he muttered.
Great.
Padraic gazed over to Sylvia and Cerila with another grin as he nudged again. "At least the wives are getting along, right?" he chuckled.
Sylvia's head flicked back as she sent a glare at him, then went back to signing. Padraic licked his lips as he chuckled nervously, "Looks like I may be the one in danger…is that pendant you got rated for an angry Vampire by chance?"
"If you die, then you die. I'll make sure to tell your parents you lived a good life," I said.
"Thanks, Kal…" Padraic grumbled.
I turned to the heavy footsteps as Captain Fairchild gave a nod in greeting. "Have you made your final preparations? Your transportation has been arranged and will be arriving shortly," he said.
"Yes, we're ready to leave whenever," I answered.
Captain Fairchild looked up into the sky as an ear-piercing screech rang out. "Seems he's ready," he muttered. Captain Fairchild extended a hand, and I shook it as he added, "Best of luck, Kaladin."
"Thank you, Captain. I'll be sure to bring back good news," I said.
The wind kicked up as a giant black figure descended into the courtyard. The Gryphon matriarch was an enormous beast compared to its kin, and with each flap of its jet black wings, it kicked up a small dust storm.
Mr. Graz shoved his goggles up and shouted, "Let's get a move on, yeah?! So of us have places to be!"
"Then I'm off. I'll see you all in a few weeks," I said with a wave.
The two of them said their farewells as I looked over to where my father was. He had already disappeared sowhere. Sylvia caught mid-way and hugged tightly.
"Be careful, Kal," she whispered.
"I will," I said, hugging her back.
After a few monts, she let go with a worried expression, and I t up with Cerila. I asked.
She nodded as we approached Graz. The man didn't seem too pleased as he tossed two pairs of goggles at us.
"Wear'em unless you want those eyes to bleed," he said.
We put them on as I looked up at the Gryphon. With its large back and saddle, it looked capable of fitting five people comfortably. Well, as comfortable as being put in a line on a giant flying monster's back was, at least. The beast sent an icy glare at for good asure.
"Wasn't expecting you, Mr. Graz," I said.
"Neither was I, son. Queen asked, and I obliged an all dat. Let's just get this outta the way, yeah? Whose the lady?" he asked.
"This is Cerila," I said, introducing her.
Cerila bowed slightly as Graz shrugged. "Not a talker, huh? Fine by . Hop on," he said as he patted the monster's neck, and it lowered itself.
Climbing aboard was about the sa as any Grpyhon but just with more room. We strapped ourselves into the harnesses, and Graz wasted little ti as he gave a short command and the giant creature began to flap its wings.
"Is the trip really going to take us five days?" I asked curiously.
The man snorted as he spat on the ground. "I'll do it in half dat. Now, coon girl," he said urging, the beast.
The Gryphon matriarch let out a screech as it did a running start and lifted into the air. The force pushed down into the saddle as Graz let out a loud holler.
As the beast ascended into the sky, the wind buffeting against us suddenly began to disappear. By the ti we were in the clouds, there wasn't any at all, and we seed to be flying smoothly. But as the clouds parted around us unaturally, I realized what was happening.
"Wind magic?" I asked.
"Not a bad eye you got there, son. I may not be much in a fight, but I'm still an Interdiate mage, you know. And the sky is where I belong. So just sit back, and relax while I got the mana," he shouted.
This may not be such a bad ride afterall.
—
Graz may have been an odd man, but his confidence was not unfounded. He was a capable mage, able to keep his simple spell up for a couple of hours before recharging. Also, what would have taken a normal Gryphon five or six days took him and the matriarch just a little over three.
The monster was already faster than most, but with wind magic supporting it, the Gryphon matriarch could cut through the air like a missile. And it also needed to rest far less than its counterparts, as we only stopped to camp sowhere safe at night, and the creature was rearing to go by sunup the next day. Also, whatever monster or animal that was lurking around us didn't dare get close to the camp. All in all, it may have been the most peaceful journey I've set upon so far.
We arrived at the northernmost part of Luminar, and the forest ca into view. It was a vast swath of densely packed trees as far as the eye could see, and they reached all the way up to the base of the imnse mountain range.
Snow-capped mountains dotted the skyline and stretched into the horizon and beyond. I took a deep breath of the chilly morning air and couldn't help but feel in awe. It was a breathtaking sight, a wild land without a single city or town in sight.
I said.
Cerila's eyes went wide, but she looked confused as she slowly signed,
Ah…
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