As Lloyd said, I asked if I could have a bath prepared. It felt nice and I was finally able to get the rest of the grime off my face and out of my hair. There was a mirror in the bathroom which allowed me to check the area I got stabbed better. There was no scar, not even a slightest one. After the bath I got dressed and went to sleep.

***

The next morning I woke to a knock at my door, “Sir, I have a change of clothes for you.”

I groggily got up and went to open the door. Outside stood a butler with some clothes in his hands, “Thank you.”

After shutting the door I changed into the clothes I was given. They were a little loose but overall were quite nice. Feeling satisfied with my appearance I left the room. The same butler led me to the dining room where everyone else was already seated.

I quickly sat next to Myla, “I apologize, it appears I was late.”

“It’s of no concern. I was informed by Glen here that your previous couple days had been rough so we decided to let you sleep in a little longer,” Duke Lobelia responded.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it,” I said.

He nodded, “First, let’s enjoy breakfast, then we can discuss your findings Lloyd.”

After we all ate, Lloyd shared his findings which led to a gloom settle over everyone.

Duke Lobelia sighed, “This is worse than I expected, Griffins are high-ranking beasts and are very dangerous. Should I call in a beast tamer?”

“That would work, but there are no beast tamers currently in Eskya. It would take a couple weeks before one arrived here.” Glen responded.

“Is there nothing that can be done then?” Duke Lobelia asked.

“Please don’t fret Duke Lobelia. I assure you, we will do whatever we can to help, please inform the Knights of Iyesgarth to prevent people from passing through the Northern gate and into the woods. Have the knights stationed on all roads that lead into the Northern woods and have them redirect travelers.” Glen stated

Duke Lobelia nodded, “Very well, Yonas, please go inform your unit of this.”

A knight near the door bowed and left immediately.

“I hope no one has entered the woods recently,” Myla said.

“What shall we do?” I asked.

“Go around the city and inform people,” Glen replied.

“I’ll have some of my workers help you out,” Duke Lobelia added on.

***

We left from the estate and spread out across the city to inform the civilians not to traverse through the Northern woods. I was walking down the street when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see a woman,

“Uh, sir, what is all the fuss about?”

“Duke Lobelia has ordered all civilians and travelers to not traverse through the Northern woods. There have been many attacks from a beast that is most likely a Griffin,” I answered.

Her face paled instantly as a look of horror washed over it, “My son left this morning and told me he was going there to pick some mushrooms.”

Tears fell from her eyes as she asked for my help. A sick feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. What could I do to help her son? Is there anything I could do? I shook my head, feeling pathetic for thinking such thoughts. A life is in danger, I’ll help however I can.

“Ma’am please don’t worry, I will go get your son. Please rush to a knight and inform them of the situation. I will do whatever I can to get your son back to you safe and sound,” I said.

“Thank you, thank you, please bring my boy back to me safe and sound!” she said before taking off.

I took off as well; headed for the Northern gate. I don’t know what I plan to do, but that doesn’t matter.

***

I reached the Northern gate and was stopped by guards, “Sir, under no circumstances can we allow you past this gate.”

“I am one of the adventurers that came here just yesterday. There is a boy in those woods, you will let me pass. Or do you dare to try me at this instance when a life could be in danger?” I replied, not knowing where this bravo came from.

They didn’t respond so I took that as my cue to pass them. I hurried towards the dark, looming forest all the while hearing the shouts of those same guards come from behind. I followed the road, reaching the remnants of a destroyed wagon, perhaps a merchants’. I inspected the area and spotted a set of fresh footprints that resembled a childs’.

I walked in the direction of the footprints and came across what looked to be evidence of a struggle, there was blood that was splattered on the ground. My heart sank as the worst possibilities flashed through my mind. The blood made a trail deeper into the woods. My legs moved on their own as I ran while following the trail.

The blood led all the way to a cave entrance. It looked to be big enough for a beast; did the Griffin bring the boy here? I quietly walked to the entrance and made sure the Griffin was nowhere in sight before entering. I walked into the cave and heard the faint sniffling of a child. I followed and found a boy hiding behind a giant rock at the back of the cave.

He immediately tried to shuffle away until he realized I was a person. I looked over him with the little light I had. He had a bad injury to his leg which explains why he hasn’t tried to run away yet.

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I squatted as my brows furrowed, “Shhh, it’s okay, I’m here to help you. Everything will be alright, I promise.”

I visibly saw his body release some of the tension it held. I can’t imagine what he must be feeling at the moment.

“Okay, what’s your name?” I asked as I ripped the end of my shirt into makeshift bandages.

“H-Haiden,” he responded.

“Okay Haiden, I’m Crow. I’m going to wrap this around your leg. It’ll hurt but it’ll benefit you, okay?” I said.

He nodded and I wrapped the makeshift bandage around his leg, tying it tight. He winced and covered his mouth.

“Alright, all done. You’ve been very brave, Haiden,” I assured, “Alright, I’m going to carry you out. In the case I have to run, the movement may make your leg hurt but please bear with it.”

He nodded, “Thank you mister.”

I got up and walked to the cave’s entrance. After ensuring that I didn’t see the Griffin; I went back and hoisted Haiden up. It only took a few minutes of walking to sense something was wrong. The forest was too quiet compared to just a little bit ago. I felt a chill down my spine before a twig snapped behind us.

Haiden heard it too as he fearfully looked around, “M-mister, I’m s-scared.”

“It’s alright, I’ll protect you no matter what,” I said with a gentle smile.

Silence enveloped us as I stood still for a moment longer, contemplating when to run. Like a sixth sense, my hair stood on end and I took off running. The sounds of heavy feet behind us alerted me that the Griffin was hot on our tail. I looked back just in time to see the Griffin jump into the air.

There was no way to avoid its talons. I shielded the boy as the talons tore into my back, shredding it. I shouted in pain; falling forward. I tucked and rolled, hitting against the tree with my shredded back. The pain was unimaginable, hot and cold at the same time. My vision became doubled and blurred; I could feel myself losing too much blood.

I lay slumped against the tree as Haiden tried to shake me to get me up. The Griffin continued its way towards us. Ignoring the pain, I struggled up and stood in front of the kid. I was unsteady on my feet, but took a defensive position. The Griffin snarled at me as if mocking my weak attempt to shield the boy.

This was bad; I didn’t have to look at my back to see how badly I was injured.

“H-Haiden, run!” I strained.

“W-what?” he asked bewildered.

“RUN!” I yelled out.

This brought him out of his shock as he stood and ran the best he could. The Griffin paid little mind to him, I guess because I was bigger, better prey. I looked to the ground and spotted a hefty looking branch.

I snatched it up, “Okay you overgrown bird, it’s just you and me. So how about we finish this, what do you say?”

It let out a shrill shriek as if responding to my provocation. Good, pay more attention to me, give Haiden more time to escape.

The Griffin circled around me, stalking me and sizing me up. I turned to be faced with it. Man, to think I crawled from my grave a few days ago just to be mauled to death by a Griffin. This truly is the worst luck possible.

Out of nowhere, the crow that has been following me, let out a series of caws. What? Is the crow signaling my death? During the moment I was distracted; the Griffin charged at me.

Shit! I turned quickly, but all of sudden a strange feeling enveloped my body. It was akin to lightning and pulsated all over. Only one word repeated in my mind ‘STOP’. The feeling intensified as if gaining power, and the Griffin that had been charging towards me stopped.

My knees gave way and I collapsed to the ground. Just what the hell happened? Did the Griffin actually listen to me? No way, that’s impossible. For that to be possible, I’d have to be a Beast Tamer. But that didn’t concern me nearly as much as my injury.

It was completely healed, as if it didn’t get shredded by the talons of a Griffin. All that was left was some blood and my tattered shirt. I stared in shock at the Griffin that appeared rather docile now.

“Master, can you hear me?” A voice that resounded in my head said.

I fell back out of fear, “What the hell? Who said that?”

“It was I, master.” the voice said.

“The Griffin?” I asked.

“Correct, I am talking to you via the bond you formed with me. No one else can hear my voice,” it responded.

I stood up carefully, “What’s your name then?”

“That is for you to decide, master. I do not have a name,” the Griffin responded.

“Hold on, hold on, hold on, this is just too much to take in. I mean, I didn’t even know I was a Beast Tamer, and now you’re telling me I am bonded to the very beast that nearly killed me!” I responded.

“I-I apologize master. I don’t know what was wrong with me. It was like something was controlling me, making me do all of that.” it responded once more.

I sighed, “Okay, okay, just give me some time to process it.”

Before it could respond, I heard the shouts of people. It must be the knights.

“Shoo, shoo, if they see you here, they’ll be sure to kill you. Go!” I said as I waved the Griffin off.

Thankfully, it listened to me and ran off.

I fell back onto the ground as knights and my party members rushed to me. No doubt they’ll have questions, especially after seeing all the blood on the ground.

“Crow! Are you okay?!” Myla yelled.

They all rushed to my side and checked me over.

“H-how is this possible?! We were told you were badly injured!” Glen exclaimed

“I-I don’t know, honestly; I’m as shocked as you all are,” I responded

“What about the Griffin? Where did it go?” Ryley asked.

I shook my head, “I have no idea, it left before you all got here.”

“Let me check you over just in case,” Lloyd stated.

Finally, after being checked over and asked dozens of questions, they allowed me to rest. I have no idea if I should tell them what actually happened, so for now, I’ll keep it to myself. I still need to figure this all out, and being suspected by them won’t do any good. While I’m sure they know I’m not telling the whole truth, they are content with this for now.