The Last Promise (Promises Series Vol 3 )

Kallach few beside his mate up through the pass to the north and west of Griffindom. He admired the griffin soaring into the narrow opening between the edge of their kingdom and Dragondom. Her dazzling red feathers lit in the setting westerly sun, and his own white plumage reflected all the colors of the rainbow. Essal turned her head over her shoulder, her golden eye gleaming, flirting.

“Do you remember?” Her voice was soft.

“Our mating flight, the first one? Of course. We have three fine children. That’s when we discovered the hidden valley. Scared a number of our friends when we didn’t return for three days too.” Kallach extended his wings to catch the updraft where the wind hit the cliffs on the opposite side.

“T’is a fine purpose for the valley. Gralanus is a master.”

“I wondered if he would rise to the challenge. Keeper of the Stones of the Test. I’m glad we refer to him as Keeper Gralanus now. Much less of a mouthful.”

Essal agreed with a quick dip of her elegant head. “Look at the banners.”

She back winged to slow. The air was thick with dragons arriving from the other end of the picturesque high mountain cirque. A turquoise blue tarn filled the southern part of the basin below sheer cliffs of granite. The setting sun burnished it all in an unearthly golden glow. Rising over the glistening grey stone, a full moon edged its way into the eastern sky.

Row upon row of dragons perched on terraces chiseled into the cliffs. Their multi hued skins sparkled, blue, green, brown and a few of the rarer colors. Black, white, gold dotted the ranks. Two red dragons sat at the top of the highest tor, guarding the pyramid of wood stacked there. A massive bonfire would burn until morning sun lit the water the following morning. Midsummer was sacred to the dragons.

In the center of the meadow, an ancient gong hung from its arch. Brought there from the old burial valley, it would peal its solemn tones in joy today, as dragons dedicated themselves to white magic once more. From the youngest to the oldest, pale ghosts of their youthful brilliance, any who chose the path of magic were there. It was an unbreakable oath. Once sworn, never to be broken. Death was the only release.

Essal and Kallach landed neatly beside the gong. Across from them, on benches arranged in a charming group, royalty from across the land waited to witness the ceremony.

William and his Queen, Dyleena. Their four children beside them from the oldest, sitting with his new bride to the youngest a surprise, barely beginning to walk.

Gideon, his trusted advisor. His wife, Felina and their adopted son Tintal, who stood behind them. Their other children, two sets of twins, the boys were thirteen. Mirror images of their father and each other, they stood awkwardly behind their mother. His daughters, twins, but no one would guess. As different as night and day, they sat in the grass and their mother’s feet.

The griffin King’s sister Doras stood beside Galan, his muscular chest covered in a sash bearing multiple rows of medals acquired over the years he served as Patrol Captain.

Rigas and Zalma sat together, with their only child, a son with his mother’s bright gold hair and his father’s power sizzling in his fingertips.

Queen Elanalise floated beside Fransisco dos Planos. The giant of yore, her own true love, and their children, fairies and giants lined up beside their proud parents. Their oldest daughter, Franalise, a slender giant fairy mix, stood apart. As tall as Tintal, the strength of her giant side put her on eye level with the elf giant. Her glowing bicolored eyes sought his with no success.

Kallach strode forward to stand beside his brother Galan, and Doras, his mate Essal beside matching his quick movements. The griffins formed and impressive group, towering over the assembled guests gathered in the meadow.

As the sun kissed the edge of the cliffs, Gralanus nodded his head. Rigas stood, strode across, and picked up the padded striker leaning against the arch where the gong reflected the last rays of the day. Bowing he nodded to Tintal. The man was far more than the boy who fought valiantly beside Gideon so many years ago.

Axtra was a dim memory, as he took the leather wrapped striker from the white haired wizard. Hefting the heavy wooden handle, he slid his hands along the polished oak gleaming with red reflections. Raising it over his shoulder he swung, hitting the brass circle precisely in the center, and the gong’s call echoed through the valley.

Thunderous stomping, from hundreds of dragon feet, and the griffins present sent waves of sound soaring from the valley as the evening’s first stars winked into the darkening sky. As Rigas prepared to declare the blessing a sparkling bright ball dove from the sky. Hitting the sacred gong, it exploded sending shards of hot metal through the crowd gathered for the festival.

Screams echoed where joyous thunder rattled the cliffs but a moment ago. Rigas crumpled into a heap. Gideon leapt to his feet, George in his right hand, ready to fight, but nothing further followed. The cirque was inaccessible by any manner other than magic or flight.

Zalma dashed toward her mate, fear lending speed to her feet, as she threw herself down beside him. Her wail soared into the night sky.

“He’s gone. He’s gone!” Her bright cap of hair resting on his chest, her shoulders shook with wracking sobs. Her son, ashen faced beside her, turned to examine the flaming heap where the gong had stood.

“Magic, evil, black magic.” Benjamin said. Named after the great Benny, his father’s best friend, he swore with his next words. “I will find those who would dare. I promise, if it is the last thing I do., I will find justice for the innocent who died here today.”

William, who’s oldest son lay with his head at an unnatural angle with his wife sobbing beside him, stood to face the assembly. “Axtra is back. Make no mistake. I feel her presence.”

“I hear her thoughts. She has power. And she will not stop. Either she dies, or our world will. I hear her thoughts.” Gideon pointed George to the cliff top to the north. “There she is.”

The hump backed figure in black, with her pointed hat, cackled, her manic laughter floating over shocked silence. As dragons rose flaming toward her, she disappeared, leaving words written in flickering black against the last shreds of rose stained clouds.

Catch me if you can.