Chương 42: The Owl's Prank
"Commander, as much as I respect your troop of flying lions, their presence over Titan territory might not bode well. If you'd rather not have the Holy Emperor receive a declaration of war from the Titan giants, you'd best head back and deal with that somber Taoist in his yellow robes—before he becomes our problem," Grayson quipped, clapping Andros on the back before turning to leave.
Andros called after him, "I might not accompany you, but how do you intend to sustain yourselves on this journey through the icy wilderness?"
"This isn't a concern for me, I'm not one to live off the fat of the land!" Grayson tossed back casually over his shoulder.
He paused, then with raised eyebrows offered, "However, if it bothers you to miss out on the adventure, Commander, I wouldn't mind you playing quartermaster for us."
"Fine, I'll have Duglas send supplies. Find a place to rest nearby, and once the provisions arrive, you can proceed," Andros responded, glancing at Grayson's bare torso. "I'll also have some clothes sent for you—not out of concern for your health, but because your current state is rather unbecoming in front of the ladies."
With that, Andros mounted his griffin and soared back towards the fortress, Grayson's laughter trailing behind, "Thank you, Commander. This is my charm on display. I'm no gentleman, remember? And don't forget, I'm the bad guy!"
"More like a shamelessly narcissistic one," muttered Elyra, the owl, perched atop Katheren's head with her eyes closed.
Katheren, unable to contain her mirth, giggled, prompting Elyra to shout, "Hey, big bad wolf, the silly girl here is laughing at you!"
Grayson, Morven, and Seraphine turned to look at Katheren, her face flushing with embarrassment as she reached up to grab the chatty owl. Elyra, sensing her movements, nimbly hopped aside, leaving Katheren to catch nothing but air, and even pecking her a couple of times for good measure.
"The tail-enders seem to be having fun, but we should move on. Linger too long at the goblins' doorstep, and we might regret turning their home upside down," Grayson signaled to the group, leading the way with Seraphine and Morven as the two young women continued their playful scuffle behind.
They found a sheltered spot nearby, and with Katheren's remaining magical rations and the snow for water, they satisfied their hunger.
After their meal, Grayson obtained a map of the icy island from Seraphine and planned their northern route. With Morven's insight, they found a path that would bypass Titan outposts and avoid the territories of ferocious beasts.
As the group solidified their plans, Knight Commander Duglas, leading a contingent of griffins, descended. He handed over food, ammunition, and other supplies from the Wizard's Tower, and also passed Grayson a black robe.
"A mage's robe? Does your commander hope I'll apprentice at the Wizard's Tower after this?" Grayson wrinkled his nose in distaste as he took the garment from Duglas.
"After everything's over, if you're still among the living, I think a prison uniform from the Imperial Dungeon might suit you better," Duglas retorted with equal sharpness.
"You're too kind, Deputy Commander," Grayson said, slipping into the robe and fingering the white cloak on Duglas' shoulder. "Thank Andros for me—and you too, though I do wish I had a white cloak like yours!"
"If you return alive from beneath the Titan's feet, I'll wrap one around you myself before personally escorting you to the Eagle's Prison!" Duglas said coldly, turning to Seraphine. "Miss Seraphine, our commander sends his regards and wants you to know that he'll join the Priests in pursuit of the black wizard Wystan while monitoring your progress through the gargoyles of the Wizard's Tower, ready to provide supplies and assistance when necessary."
"Please convey my gratitude to Commander Andros," Seraphine replied with appreciation.
After formalities were exchanged, Duglas glanced at Grayson and suggested, "If there are no objections, we'll escort you to the territory's edge. From there, you'll need to cross the river into Titan territory on your own."
"Thank you, and I'd appreciate a steady flight—I don't fancy 'accidentally' falling from the sky," Grayson said with a meaningful look as he approached the griffin.
Duglas shot Grayson a frosty look and gestured for Seraphine and Morven to mount their griffins. The party took off towards the riverbank.
They arrived at dusk, where Duglas chose a landing spot away from the Wizard's Tower. Depositing Grayson and the others, he returned to report to Andros.
Once alone, Grayson surveyed the area, finding it an ideal spot for crossing the narrowed, icy river, and he confidently led the way across the slippery surface.
Marching ahead, Grayson considered the white fluff he'd plucked from Duglas' cape. There was nothing suspicious about the deputy's demeanor.
"If he's to blame, he's a fine actor," Grayson mused, tucking the fluff into his tobacco pouch when a shout behind him made him whirl around. Katheren had slipped on the ice.
"Lucky I don't have to walk. I wouldn't want to soak my feathers," Elyra sneered from the warmth of Grayson's hood, watching the others' clumsy attempts to rise with a gleeful glint in her eyes.
"Perhaps it's time for some mischief," the owl thought devilishly, picturing Katheren's impending disarray and chuckling to herself. She called out, "Hey, Lone Wolf, wait for the others. You're moving too fast!"
"Since when do you care about others, little rascal?" Grayson murmured, calling out to the rest, "Hey, we're halfway across! Keep moving, we're almost there!"
Seizing the moment Grayson paused, Elyra popped out of the hood. Under the dimming sky, her eyes easily adjusted, watching as Seraphine helped Morven, with Katheren carefully following.
As Katheren stumbled, Elyra unleashed a burst of unseen light from her eyes, rendering Katheren immobile and causing her to fall helplessly onto the ice.
"Ha-ha! Silly girl!" Elyra laughed uproariously, flapping her wings.
Before the laughter subsided, Katheren's fall triggered a domino effect, knocking into Morven and Seraphine and then Grayson, who tried to dodge but instead slipped, joining the pileup on the ice.
A clear crack resounded, and the ice beneath them shattered. In a chorus of screams, they all plunged into the river's frigid, swirling waters below.
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