The Gryphon

An entry to The Ink Well Fiction Writing Challenge #1 - Realms of Fantasy by @theinkwell.

The Prompt

Night fell as I rode into town, the same place where I was taken from so long ago. The calm summer evening awakened memories and emotions that I thought buried deep after the torments I had endured.

I headed straight for the Shining Knight inn, knowing it was the only one in town. After all this time away I felt like a stranger. I couldn’t bear to look down starling street as I rode by quickly, fighting those memories that threatened to break through. That street led to the slum where my house where it all happened. Was it still the same? Some other people probably inhabited it now.

I tied my horse to a tree at the entrance to the inn, and a gruff old man's voice startled me as I filled the horse’s nosebag.

''You’re, alive. I always knew you would come back, Erin ... ''
Through the dim light of evening I saw the feeble old man on the porch of the inn leaning on a walking stick. He cried, his sobs shaking his whole body.

''You’ve returned at a terrible time Erin! You should go back from where you came, the city is full of enemy troops. The Milen Empire lost the city years ago.''

''Hey, you there, unbutton your belt and lower the sword to the ground.'' A sharp voice barked from behind him.

“No sudden moves or we’ll stick you full of holes like a pig on market day.”

My Part

Image by Thanks for your Like • donations welcome from Pixabay

I didn't tense, nor did I do what these fools demanded. I slowly slid down the hood of my cape, enough for them to see the coat of arms branded into the skin just beneath my right ear.

Once I heard their sharp intake of breath, I slowly turned around and gave them a menacing glare. The two fools were already on their knees, begging for mercy.

"Our deepest apologies, Lord Griffith! We-we just didn't expect to see you in this part of town, is all!" stammered out the one with the previously sharp voice while the other only cowered in agreement.

"Fools! The both of you! Now get out of my sight before I lose my patience!" Although once they already had their backs turned to me, I also had my crossbow ready, and after two shots in, they went down two in silent thuds.

Only the whistle of a passing wind could be heard as I wearily glanced back at the old man on the porch, his mouth agape in shock. "That deep ditch in the back still open, old man?" He could only nod his reply.

Image by Yuri_B from Pixabay

I've buried a number of people during this war, people who actually meant something to me- friends, comrades, family.

I contemplated on just burning the carcasses of these two, but didn't want to attract any further unwanted attention to the inn.

Stabbing the earth with the old shovel I held, I noticed how old man Remus slightly flinched away from me. "Erin.. This isn't you.." he softly said in the silence of the night as he wobbled on his cane.

"It's what I have become." I replied, as I glanced up at the murky night sky, thinking that maybe it represented what the future held for me.

But I musn't lose my way. I must see this war through the end, even if it costs me my life.

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