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I leaned over the water, cupping my hands to drink from the falls and ease the dryness in my throat. When I had my fill, I rose to my feet, ready to move forward. But a sudden sound shattered the stillness, a branch snapping in the darkness beyond. My instincts screamed at me to run or fight, but I stood frozen, waiting to see what would emerge from the rustling grass. Was danger lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike?
The Goblin King did say far worse things could make their way from the caves, that I was not safe here. Had something slipped past him and gotten out? Had it found me as I rested? My heart was going to explode from my chest as the grass rustled again. “Who’s there?”
The grass rustled once more, a creature unlike any I had ever seen emerged before me. It was enormous, with the front half resembling an eagle, complete with sharp-clawed legs. The back half, however, was that of a standard mare with a dark coal-colored coat. What truly caught my attention were its wings, which were folded closely to its body. The massive wings were tipped in silver, reflecting the moon beams back at me.
The creature was beautiful and majestic, with beady black eyes that watched me intently. In my sleepy haze, I had not noticed it before, it's dark coat allowing it to blend in with the surroundings. I had heard tales of such creatures from the storytellers in Rothnia, but I never thought I would encounter one myself. They were said to be solitary creatures, living their lives alone in packs and avoiding any contact with humans or other creatures.
The hippogriff looked at me from across the water, tilting its head as it sensed the air around it. I held my breath, afraid to make any sudden movements that might startle or provoke it.
I wondered if I had unknowingly stumbled upon its den or home. The events of the past twenty-four hours had been unimaginable, but encountering a hippogriff was by far the most absurd. The creature took a deep drink from the water that cascaded down the fall, its eyes never leaving me as it watched and considered me. The words in my head repeated itself.
Don’t move, don’t move. . . don’t move.
As it finished drinking, the hippogriff stood up. However, it did not immediately leave. Instead it remained motionless- watching me intently as it took another slow step forward. My heart pounded in my chest, and I wondered if the creature could hear it. I feared the worst as it pushed its beak against my ribs, causing the air to escape my lungs and leaving me gasping for breath. This was it, this was the end, this creature was about to attack me with its sharp claws and leave me disemboweled on the ground.
In that moment of terror, I closed my eyes. I did not want to see its sharp claws coming for me. But the hippogriff did not move. My eyes flew open, I was surprised to find that the hippogriff was still standing before me. Its head loomed above mine, and its eyes were a mesmerizing blend of darkness and swirling colors that resembled the vastness of the cosmos. I couldn't help but feel awestruck and captivated by the creature's beauty
Despite my fear, I couldn't help but wonder if this was how the hippogriff usually hunted, by drawing its prey in with its captivating presence before attacking them. As I braced myself for the inevitable, the creature did something unexpected. It bowed to me, its proud form lowering itself before me as if I were its master. I knew this was not the norm for such creatures, and I couldn't help but wonder what the Goblin King's game was.
As the shock of the moment overtook me, I found myself frozen in place, unable to reciprocate the creature's gesture. But it didn't seem to mind, and instead it gave my hair a sniff before it nudged me with its beak again, causing me to stumble back. Without thinking, I reached out to catch myself and found my hands gripping onto it. Up close, I could see its face clearly, including its dark eyes.
We stared at each other as it allowed me to steady myself, slowly my hands found themselves stroking its feathers. They were so soft, the ones around its face felt like velvet. It closed its eyes as I found the spot on its head that made it lean into me. Carefully nuzzling against my arms, its head pushing itself into my chest. Despite my heart still beating wildly, I no longer felt the same level of fear that had I had earlier.
After a moment, the hippogriff pulled away bowing once more before making its way out of the glen. As it disappeared from view, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing to have more encounters like this with such a beautiful creature. I shook my head to steady myself, to clear the thoughts.
It had been surreal, this could not be happening.
Two days ago, I never would have believed I would find myself here, in a moon-lit glen petting the face of a hippogriff. Having been chased from a labyrinth of cave passageways by trolls that gathered together in a hive like bees. Rescued by a Fae male who was not only able to transform from a fox but was someone I knew.
Nor would I believe I had been led there by a bobtail squirrel that could talk, demanding nuts for whatever reason in the first place. All following a deal I made to play a game, with a creature far more dangerous.
The Goblin King.
Honestly, I probably would have laughed at you and told you that you were crazy. But here I was, and it was happening.
ChapterSeventeen
After leaving the glen, I took a moment to collect myself and regain my composure. By the time I felt ready to continue my journey, the sun had just started to rise, casting a warm glow across the landscape. I noticed that the terrain had transformed once again, with the birch trees giving way to a vast expanse of prairie grass that stretched out before me. The path meandered up and down hills, weaving in and out, promising another long day ahead.
Even with the challenges that lay ahead, I felt a renewed sense of energy, having finally been able to rest a little. I hoped that today would be less eventful than the day before, with no more falls down cliffs or close calls with trolls. Ideally, I just wanted a peaceful day with nothing to distract me. I’d come so far already and it was too late to turn back now.
As I walked, I couldn't help but think about how much I missed home. I had never been away from Rothnia for an extended period of time, and I had certainly never left my cottage for more than a day. Nona had always been there to look after me and ensure that I never wandered too far. But now that I was on my own, I was starting to realize just how much I craved the comfort and familiarity of my own home.
My thoughts drifted the farther I went, lingering on my own disappearance. What would others think, would they know? What if I never made it back home? Would anyone notice or care?
Were there people who would question it? I mean, look at Imogen. Her disappearance had not gone unnoticed or unquestioned. They had opened an investigation for her. But she worked for a prolific family, her absence had been felt. It had been noticed.
But would anyone care with mine?
Would they question it as they had hers?
I thought about Bern, what he had said on that night he had walked me home. I really had not thought this through, taking the Goblin King’s deal. The display in the ballroom of the Conwell Manor would raise alarms, sure. It would cause rumors and whispers, or the Conwell’s would mute the situation and it would all be hearsay, hushed.
But would it be enough for someone to look into it?
Oh. . . he really has made a mess of things, hasn’t he?
My heart sank as I thought about the worry that must be consuming Bern at this very moment. He had always been a kind and protective figure in my life, and I knew he would be beside himself with concern if I failed to show up for my shift at the tavern the following night. He had already been worried about my safety, walking me home after my evening shifts and double-checking the deadbolt on my cottage before leaving.
