rone | `ele and the gryph (part 9)

I had to admit that i was sticking around for this out of sheer curiosity.

The gryphon cawed and chirped for a couple of minutes. It looked at me a couple of times, and N'Jeet turned to regard me as well, saying encouraging things like "Do tell," and "You don't say." Once it was done, i asked the druid, "So what'd it say?"

"He said," he chided me, "that he is bonded to you. You freed him from his evil master, and you cared for his wound."

Oh, great. "Umm, i appreciate that, but i... uh, if i reject it, uh, him, will i hurt his feelings?"

The gryphon squawked and cocked its head. N'Jeet frowned and said, "Well, how would you feel?"

"But i don't know how to take care of a gryphon!" i protested.

N'Jeet rolled his eyes. "Honestly, you city folk are so damn patronizing. You surround yourself with," he made air quotes, "'domesticated' animals that have been bred into a useless contentment just so you feel like a higher form of life." He put his hand on the gryphon's shoulder. "This is a prime candidate of the Gryphos orientalis species, in age, vigor and intelligence. He is an animal that is perfectly able of taking care of himself. He has pledged his life to yours. You will accept and be his mentor, his partner, and his friend. This is my judgement as a Master Druid in good standing."

I stood there, staring. "What if, well, if i say no?"

N'Jeet said nothing. Suddenly i was aware of the quiet around me, and i felt myself assaulted by many pairs of eyes. Uh-oh. I tried not to tense up as i looked at the gryphon. Without turning, i asked N'Jeet, "Perhaps i should not judge the gryphon so quickly... it, ah, he seems to be about as smart as your average human. If a human made such a pledge to me, i would probably accept. So... i accept." The grove seemed to breathe again, and the quiet noise resumed around me.