A griffon perched atop a large cliffside, overlooking a small fishing village in the western islands of Hi’naun. It watched as the fishing boats carried today's haul back into the harbour, its claws tensing against the sharp rocks beneath it. A hearty catch, silvery and wet, was dragged off of the first boat, its victims wriggling helplessly in the net.
Howard held on with wet fingers, hauling the next catch up from the depths of the ship. With the help of another deckhand, they slid the full net across the deck towards the gangway.
“Aren’t you scared? They say that the griffon has come around every third Wednesday of the month to steal from the fishermen of this town.” Howard’s fingers were white and in pain, wrapped in the sharp fishing net, as he asked the other deckhand his question.
"Fucking bullshit. Hype created by the town crier to drive fishermen away on his trading day. The guy sells his cattle today, wants to make sure there’s not competition. I’ve been here three times over the last year and ain’t seen shit.” The deckhand pulled up the next catch, and Howard fell to all fours to help pull it up.
“There ain’t no other crews selling their goods today.” Howard looked below deck. All the fish had been lifted to the surface. He gazed into the sky for a moment, before helping the deckhand move the fish to the dock. “Maybe the stories are right.”
“Captain says they’ve been paid off by that bullshitter too. Says we ain’t got nothing to worry about. ‘Sides, with this haul I’ll have enough money to send my daughter to magic school, so we better get movin’.”
A cry pierced the air, and the seagulls perched on the mast fled with haste, emptying themselves on the sail and Howard and the deckhand below.
“Fucking gulls!” The deckhand wiped the bird poo from his hair onto his slacks.
“What was that?” Howard glanced upwards, his lower lip wobbling uncontrollably.
Eager and hungry, the griffon burst out from atop the cliff, diving towards its meal; its humongous, sharp talons longing for their prey.
Today's prompt: hype
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