What befell Wyatt's eyes could only be described as a fragile symphony between madness and beauty. The frontier was now a shadow of its former self as buildings and camps were thrown to the wind by the frost drake that ambushed them mere minutes ago. Huddled between two massive rock formations, the young man was accompanied by a few children and a dame, who could not escape the danger as quickly as the others. On instinct, he left the protective barrier cast by the royal guards and immediately ran to protect the three of them. "Bless your kind heart, child." The old woman said as she shivered under the unforgiving weather of the north. "I-is it safe now?" a boy asked Wyatt, who looked over the status of the battle. A number of the expedition shot arrows at the beast, while the others were locked in deep thought, concentrating on keeping the barrier up as it shielded them from the frigid, icy breaths of the creature. "Not yet," Wyatt replied to the boy. "The three of you, stay here. I promise we'll get you out safely." He said to the three. "I have to help them. Be brave, little one, and watch over them for me, would you?" He tasked the boy as he smiled. Armed with his father's war hammer, he ran out into the open fields and encountered Uriel, who stood in front of a drawn circle with his battle staff, seemingly chanting an incantation. "Sir Uriel! You can't be out here in the open!" He shouted. As if on cue, the frost drake turned its eyes onto Wyatt and the fabled member of the Seven, its eyes a deep, ancient blue, as wisps of air escaped its nostrils. It rose to the heavens, disappearing, and after a mighty screech, pierced the clouds as an avalanche of frozen mist headed toward Wyatt and Uriel's way.

Cassian stepped out of the formation and shouted to his friend and townsman. "Wyatt! Take cover!" The young man stood frozen in shock as the mist covered the sun and drew nearer to their location. He closed his eyes and prepared for the worst, only to be greeted by a feeling of warmth. Have I passed onto the afterlife? He thought to himself as he felt his body fall onto the ground, but was soon jolted awake by Cassian. "Thank the Divines! You're an idiot, do you know that?!" He screamed at his face. Wyatt sat up and saw that he was positioned behind a ruined building alongside a few members of the royal guard, who stood in watch at something outside. The battle was not over, Wyatt concluded from the screams of the frost wyrm, but something was amiss. The beast now sounded like it was engaged in a fight. "What on earth is going on out there?" Wyatt asked. "Take a look for yourself, lad." A royal guard replied as he helped the young man up on his feet. He peered outside and saw some royal guards still holding up the barrier, attempting to contain the damage within the premises, but what caught Wyatt's attention was Uriel, who was engaged in battle with the creature. He rode a beast with the body of a large, imposing lion, but the head, wings, and sharp talons of a mighty eagle. "What in the Divines is that?" Wyatt asked in amazement. "Its name is Zephandor. A griffin of great renown. They were formerly known to exist only in the mountains of Eagleview in the old days, and yet here we are, seeing it in all its glory. Stories say Sir Uriel bonded with the creature in its youth after finding it wounded, and they have been inseparable ever since." The guard explained. "That look on your face? That's the same look we had when it suddenly sprang out of the incantation circle--probably a binding spell, that allows him to immediately appear to where Sir Uriel is if needed. By the Divines, the Seven are truly leagues above us." He watched, amazed as Zephandor screeched above the skies, carrying Uriel on his back. The two were formidable in combat.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.