 The World of MagickPart Two: "The Griffins are Innocent"by Clara Gerl Email: euphoria@cp-tel.net But they had one who they hoped would clear their name. She was a beautiful, young human woman who learned the art of spinning gold since childhood. Her hair was chesnutt with golden strands about it highlighting it with a radiant sheen. Voluptuous hips, breasts and a slender waist were perfectly accentuated by her dress of the same metal. Her eyes were brown and deep like the fur of her family, and her skin was creamy and sweet to smell. Her name was Karan and her story was not unknown to greed. Once her parents longed to take the gold of the griffins' nests so they decided to climb the mountain to reach the peaks. Leaving their child behind on the ground they ignored her cries but continued to move on. As fate would have it they fell to their deaths below leaving the babe in tears and without someone to love. The griffins took her into their care and she grew up with them as any other young one would. She could not speak their tongue but learned telepathy where her thoughts were their thoughts, so communication was not a problem. Speaking to them through her mind, she told them it was time to travel to the Isle of Man to clear their name. She had spun much gold so she would shine bright to attract everyone's attention. The Isle of Man was one of the last havens from murder, disease and famine. A long time ago a human found this lush green paradise and claimed it for his kind. Unfortunately humans were not well respected since that was the form the queen assumed, and many people blamed the absent queen for their troubles. Now the Isle of Man was over run by many creatures seeking refuge, and it was getting crowded. If the crowd could be swayed the griffins could relax knowing not every race would be out to harm them like before. "I am ready." Karan mentally told her companion Tarlar. He squawked in return and bowed down before her so she could jump on his furry back. Tarlar was a handome one like all of his kind. Beautiful multicolored feathers spread out like a rainbow when in flight and his brown, smooth skin was soft and inviting to the touch. She smiled as she grabbed a handful of the short fur on his back, "To the Isle of Man we go!" Her companion squawked in reply and jumped off the mountain peak. She yelled feeling the exhilaration of the leap as everything along the mountain skimmed past her in a blur of colors. Then Tarlar spread his wings to slow their descend down causing the air to be a gentle breeze along her nimble body. She continued to hold tight as the griffin beat its wings to move them toward the isle. Everything was so serene among the clouds. No pain, no anger, no fear just beauty as the sun beat down on the moist mist in the air. Not many could touch the clouds, and the few times she did with her companions she found it to be a wonderous experience. "We're almost there." Tarlar mentally informed her, "Look in the distance." Sure enough there was a large island coming into view. From where she stood it looked lush with much green vegetation and crystal clear streams. "It's lovely." she replied. He squawked and told her, "Yes it is. I know humans are often greedy, but you and the founder of this isle are exceptions. Regardless it is becoming overcrowded and if they let us we can take some onto our mountain." "Always eager to help my friend. It is bad my family has such a bad reputation. But humans have more respect and when they see me, their thinking is likely to change." "You are an asset to us Karan, please be careful." "I will be." The isle was closer know and Tarlar could see a large clearing below. "This looks good." he told her, "And what a crowd!" The clearing was big but not big enough as nymphs, unicorns, satyrs, elves, fairies, centaurs and creatures of all kinds were gathered under stray shady tress and large patches of grass. "Let me down now." she told him. Tarlar obeyed and hovering about five feet from the ground, Karan jumped down gracefully, a surprising sight for everyone. There were a few humans on the isle, but not many….and never had a human came to them wearing so much gold. "The griffins are innocent!" she shouted knowing everyone took notice of her. Humans were one of the few races gifted with the universal language everyone heard and understood, "I am that proof! Abandoned in my childhood they raised me as one of their own. Look at me!" she said gesturing the her golden dress and the gold in her hair, "They have gifted me well to tell you they only want to have their name cleared and want to help! As harm befalls our world they offer room atop their mountain as another refuge. Those of you who live on the Isle of Man know that it is becoming too crowded and it will run out of space soon." The crowd muttered among themselves after Karan spoke. 'What if she's telling the truth?' came the whispers, 'What does she have to gain if she lies?' 'What if she only wants to take us up there for food for the beats?' 'But the griffins have no form of mind control and they haven't eaten her, perhaps we can trust her?' Out of the whispers a doubtful one emerged. He was human with a handsome face framed by a scowl of disapproval. Because of his disbelief his features were not as lovely as they should be, but his eyes were deep, green and enticing as they seemed to glow before a silhouette of black hair that spilled down his shoulders, "Why should we believe you?" "Because I tell the truth." she replied taking note of the man. "I am sure that is not real gold, it's a trick." Karan turned to address the crowd, "If this is real gold, will you believe me?" Again the creatures muttered among themselves. Finally an old elf with silver hair and a wooden staff approached her clad in a large, white robe, "We will. Everyone knows that this isle is becoming too small for us. We will need all the help we can get." Karan smiled and approached the elf, giving him a piece of the gold in her hair, "Then take this wise one and know it is real." The elf took the gold and with a careful eye examined it for a long moment. After much time had passed he moved to address the crowd, "Yes!" he shouted to everyone, "The griffins are innocent!" "The griffins are innocent!" she yelled in reply. The crowd obviously had much faith in the old elf and in a matter of seconds everyone was shouting, "The griffins are innocent!" To the Main Page To read the Previous part of The World of Magick To the next part of The World of Magick To read about the author of The World of Magick LE FastCounter |