Prison Time (Alex)
Alex lay awake on “the room’s” floor. By lacing her fingers together and placing them behind her head she was able to form a make-shift pillow. The only indulgence she was allowed was a quilt that Serataom had had Salmurk bring her. All was quiet except for the rhythmic scritch-scratch sounds of the griffin’s claws digging into the floor boards as he paced back and forth.
Turning her head a little to the left, she was able to observe the griffin as he stood guard just outside the doorway to “the room.” He was a very peculiar mix of animals. His head, upper torso and front legs were that of an eagle however, his back, tail, and hind legs were that of a lion. Thus combining the king of the beasts with the king of the birds.
Rolling onto her side, Alex now faced the wall that displayed the forest. While gazing at it, she felt her body relax and her mind to wonder.
She didn’t know how long she had been asleep when she felt the not-so-gentle prodding of a stick in her ribs. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times to adjust her vision. Looking about she spotted Salmurk standing in “the room”, stick in hand.
“Eat,” he placed a tray of food on the floor in front of her. Alex looked up at him in shock of this act of kindness. “Serataom prepared this for you. She seems to have a soft spot for you. I knew it was a mistake bringing you into our home, but she pitied you in your fragile state. I’ll be glad when you are gone.” With that he turned and walked away, leaving the griffin to resume his watch.
The tray was full of fruits, some familiar, and some rather rare. She sampled a little of each one amazed at the array of flavors. Taking a few of the fruits, she placed them inside of a pocket on her trail coat. She wasn’t quite sure what lay ahead of her, but she knew that food would be a necessity. She regretted not having her saddle bags because then she could pack all of the fruit and not have to worry so much about sustenance.
After a reasonable amount of time, Salmurk returned, escorting her into the large conference hall. They were greeted by Tavalox and another centaur.
“Good morning. I trust you slept well.” He made this last remark with a smirk on his face. “This is Glottack; he will be taking you to the caves.” With one of his hooves he nudged a rucksack that was lying on the floor. “These are your supplies for the two day journey that lies ahead of you.”
He turned to head out of the door then stopped to face Alex again. “A word of warning: the forest has many eyes, if you try anything foolish, you will be killed.” With that he left.
Alex placed the rucksack on her back and followed Glottack out of the village. She couldn’t help but wonder about the logic in such a drawn out death sentence. They acted like she was going on a holiday or something. Something deep within her gut told her that this was no holiday and that she should not be so anxious to get to the mountain.
Turning her head a little to the left, she was able to observe the griffin as he stood guard just outside the doorway to “the room.” He was a very peculiar mix of animals. His head, upper torso and front legs were that of an eagle however, his back, tail, and hind legs were that of a lion. Thus combining the king of the beasts with the king of the birds.
Rolling onto her side, Alex now faced the wall that displayed the forest. While gazing at it, she felt her body relax and her mind to wonder.
She didn’t know how long she had been asleep when she felt the not-so-gentle prodding of a stick in her ribs. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times to adjust her vision. Looking about she spotted Salmurk standing in “the room”, stick in hand.
“Eat,” he placed a tray of food on the floor in front of her. Alex looked up at him in shock of this act of kindness. “Serataom prepared this for you. She seems to have a soft spot for you. I knew it was a mistake bringing you into our home, but she pitied you in your fragile state. I’ll be glad when you are gone.” With that he turned and walked away, leaving the griffin to resume his watch.
The tray was full of fruits, some familiar, and some rather rare. She sampled a little of each one amazed at the array of flavors. Taking a few of the fruits, she placed them inside of a pocket on her trail coat. She wasn’t quite sure what lay ahead of her, but she knew that food would be a necessity. She regretted not having her saddle bags because then she could pack all of the fruit and not have to worry so much about sustenance.
After a reasonable amount of time, Salmurk returned, escorting her into the large conference hall. They were greeted by Tavalox and another centaur.
“Good morning. I trust you slept well.” He made this last remark with a smirk on his face. “This is Glottack; he will be taking you to the caves.” With one of his hooves he nudged a rucksack that was lying on the floor. “These are your supplies for the two day journey that lies ahead of you.”
He turned to head out of the door then stopped to face Alex again. “A word of warning: the forest has many eyes, if you try anything foolish, you will be killed.” With that he left.
Alex placed the rucksack on her back and followed Glottack out of the village. She couldn’t help but wonder about the logic in such a drawn out death sentence. They acted like she was going on a holiday or something. Something deep within her gut told her that this was no holiday and that she should not be so anxious to get to the mountain.
posted by duster | 00:07
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