Samantha Edwhan

Griffin's Choice

Chapter 5

A week later, Griffin was preparing to leave for his visit to Tribe-Ali. He was excited to meet his new Prinze, an emotion helped by the news of Misti’s improving condition. Modesty and Luana were at the castle entrance with him as he went over a few final notes.

“Remember to think about each request in the courts before responding to it,” Griffin told them. “I’ve asked Alvar to take extensive notes on how it goes so that I know what you discussed.”

Of course,” Luana said politely.

“A-and if anything is too difficult, just ask Alvar to leave it on my desk and I’ll see to it when I return,” Griffin added.

“Yeah, yeah. Hurry up and go already so I can start proving myself,” Modesty said.

“This isn’t a test, Modesty,” Griffin reminded her. “I just need you and Laird Luana to oversee my duties while I’m gone.”

Modesty rolled her eyes. “I know.”

“Thank you for trusting us with this, High Caln,” Luana said. “We’ll be sure to keep everything in order for when you return.”

Griffin smiled. At least Luana was treating this with respect and understanding. He turned to leave, then remembered one last thing.

“Oh, and keep in mind our head of guard is retiring today,” he said. “Treat Mason with respect. He has done a lot for the castle. He’ll be showing his replacement around too. I think her name is Heather. Be nice to her too.”

“We get it, just go already!” Modesty urged.

With a final quick goodbye, Griffin left the castle and walked until he was outside the guarded gates and fences of the Noble Districts. From there, he began his flight to the beaches of Tribe-Ali. He had a lot of time to think on his journey. He spent the hours lost in thought. Misti was finally on the mend, for good it seemed. She was going to survive the sickness that had kept her bedridden all this time. Griffin smiled to himself. He was glad she would be alright. He’d missed having her around to discuss how his day went or what silly gossip was circling through the castle staff.

After a while, Griffin’s cloak and crown began to weigh on him. Perhaps he should have left them behind. But it was important to him that his Prinze saw the world she was entering into.

When he finally arrived, Griffin landed heavily on the sand with a sigh. The smell of saltwater and fish filled his nose. It had been some time since he’d last visited Tribe-Ali, but he could never forget the home he grew up in.

An Ice Dragon slightly smaller than him came trotting over. Griffin smiled and dipped his head politely to his brother.

“Chieftain Clyde,” he said.

“High Caln Griffin.” Clyde cracked a grin. “Who would have thought we’d both become leaders?”

Griffin smiled. “You’re certainly better suited to it than me.”

“Just because I’ve been a leader for longer, doesn’t mean I’m better at it,” Clyde told him. He waved a wing towards the water. “Come, Evelyn is this way.”

Griffin fell in step beside him as they crossed the beach. It felt nice to be back in Tribe-Ali after so long. A part of him wanted to stay, to enjoy the simple life he’d once lived here, but he knew it was impossible. Much like Clyde, he had a responsibility to his citizens. He couldn’t abandon them now. No matter how much he wanted to.

As they neared the water’s edge, Griffin saw two fledglings playing on the sand. They looked to be the same age as Luana, making them about two years older than his own son and daughter. One was an Ice Dragon. She had similarities to Clyde with her straight horns, pointed ears, and triangular patch of lighter fur on her throat. That was Evelyn. It wasn’t surprising that they looked so similar, given that Clyde was her father.

The other fledgling was a brown Rock Dragon. She looked nothing like Clyde. Griffin wondered if she had arisen from dragons breaking Tribe Law or if Clyde had welcomed her family from outside the Tribe.

He didn’t ponder for long, however, as Clyde trotted up to them with a big smile. Both fledglings were watching them now.

“Evelyn, High Caln Griffin has come with good news,” Clyde said.

“What news?” Evelyn asked.

Clyde tipped his head to Griffin. It was his turn to speak.

“I have chosen you to be my heir,” he said.

Evelyn and her friend exchanged a wide eyed look. It seemed neither of them had been expecting this.

“What do I have to do?” Evelyn asked. There was a tiny wobble in her voice.

Griffin pretended not to notice it and said, “You will come to Hiza Calndom and live in the castle with me and my family. You will become Prinze and I will train you to become High Caln.”

“Can Alita come too?” Evelyn asked.

Griffin glanced at Evelyn’s friend. Why hadn’t Clyde told them he was coming?

“I’m afraid not,” he said, looking back at Evelyn. “Alita will be staying in Tribe-Ali. This is her home.”

There was a hint of fear in Evelyn’s eyes as she listened to his words. Then she frowned. “But she’s my friend. And this is my home too. Why can’t I stay here?”

Griffin took a steady breath and began to explain, “Prinzes and High Calns must live in the castle. Hiza Calndom will be your home from now on. The castle is the safest place on Laili Island. You will enjoy leading your subjects. Come.”

Griffin spread out a wing. Evelyn didn’t move at first. But then her indignant expression gave way to defeat.

“W-wait!” Alita stammered. “You can’t just take her away.”

Griffin steeled himself for the confrontation. Why couldn’t these two just accept this was happening?

“This is the way it has to be,” he told Alita.

“Then take me too,” she said, frowning up at him.

“Alita.” Clyde stepped forward and placed a wing on her back. “Evelyn will make a good High Caln one day. I’m sure she’ll be back to visit sometime.”

“But she’s my friend,” Alita protested.

“I know.” Clyde’s tone was hushed and gentle. “But now she has a duty to Hiza Calndom. Don’t be sad. Be proud for her. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Alita squeezed her eyes shut. She pulled away from Clyde and wrapped her wings around Evelyn in a hug.

“Promise you’ll visit me.” Alita’s whisper was so quiet Griffin almost didn’t hear it.

“I will,” Evelyn said. “You won’t be able to stop me.”

Alita sniffed and stepped back. Evelyn smiled at her and Alita gave a small smile back. Griffin wrapped his wing around Evelyn, glad for the conversation to be over, and turned away. Griffin couldn’t help but wonder why this was so hard on them when becoming Prinze had been the easiest moment of his own life. Regardless, Griffin would prepare Evelyn for the role so that she wouldn’t struggle with it when he eventually died.