Hi, a little bit of information about this story. I've been working on and off on this for a while. I've recently begun the third renovation. In this bit, the story reflects some of the latest growth I've had in writing. This story is my baby, but it is time for it to grow up a little. I want to give it more of a film noirish style, but it seems to work only about half the time. Hopefully, it isn't too bad and you will enjoy this short piece, the first chapter draft.
How Seeker Came To Learn and Regret His Assignment
The known facts on what happened on the first of July were these: at around 2:30 in the afternoon a band of criminals rode up to the Jenner Family Ranch. Upon reaching the ranch they killed the occupants except for the two young females, which they carried off. One week after the atrocity a member of the family walked into our office and asked to see the boss. This man was Dr. Jenner, the brother of the father of the girls. He had dark circles under his eyes; otherwise he appeared to be like any other normal man, the pictures I had seen in the paper hardly did him justice. My keen griffin ears picked up the man begin making a plea bargain with my boss. I ignored the desperate pleading in the background as I concentrated on my report for my last assignment. As I finished the last word, the boss called me.
“Seeker, come in here,” he said, calling me by my nickname. It was not a far distance and I arrived quickly. The boss was very particular about efficiency; it was a habit he carried from his own days as a mercenary. He always wanted things done quickly. I certainly didn't want to disappoint the boss now. I entered the door and saw Dr. Jenner and the boss. The latter appeared to be very anxious, while the former was very relaxed. I bowed down in respect for Dr. Jenner and did so for the boss seconds later.
"Dr. Jenner, this is Seeker. Seeker this is Dr. Jenner." Dr. Jenner started to offer his hand but stopped when he realized it would be awkward for me to shake hands as I was half his size, on four legs anyway. I simply nodded my head and extended my wings full length. I retracted them and then spoke.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Dr. Jenner." I only realized that I had spoken griffin to him when he winced at the sound of the series of whistles and growls that made the sentence. I cast a translation spell on myself and then tried again.
“That is much better Seeker.” The boss chuckled as he went back to business.
“Seeker, what do you know of the Jenner case?” The boss asked; suddenly serious.
"Only what the papers said. A gang of criminals raid a house, kill the occupants, and then run off with the females. It is quite an outrage among the human population. Why?"
"I thought it might be obvious to you Seeker, Dr. Jenner has hired us to track them down." I was expecting that but it still was kind of stunning. Then again mercenaries were always in demand.
"Us?"
"To be more specific; he has hired you."
"Is anyone else in on this?" I asked.
"You are the only griffin. The doctor has hired a bunch of humans to go after them. You will be serving as their scout and guide. Do whatever they tell you, within reason." He stopped to look at the doctor before continuing. "Your primary goal is to return the girls safely. Your secondary is to take the kidnappers apart. You are to bring the girls back, dead or alive." A shiver went through my bones as I thought of the possibility of having to carry a dead body back to town.
"I will expect you at my hotel by afternoon tomorrow," Dr. Jenner said as he left. After he was out of my earshot I looked at my boss.
"How much is the payoff?"
"The reward for bringing the girls in alive is about 2,000 pounds, for the kidnappers it is about 750 pounds each. You will be paid for your services, along with your paycheck. The company will be paid for letting them 'borrow you.'" I bristled.
"Let's me make this very clear to you- I’m not owned by the company. You keep that language up and you’ll be looking for a new tracker.”
“Don’t be unreasonable.”
“Unreasonable! You’ve got a lot of a nerve talking to me about unreasonable! I’ve done a lot of work for this company, I’m not a toy you can loan to anyone that will pay you to play with.”
“You’re a great asset to this business and we part with you at great pain.”
“Yes, the pounds of gold must really hurt. Save the speech for some green recruit.”
“So you won’t do it?”
“This time I’ll do it. I’m still under contract; just remember that I’m a member of this company, not a property. Now if you excuse me, I will head home and start packing." I headed for the door.
"Seeker."
"Yes?"
"Keep alert and keep alive. Also keep your eyes open. I have a bad feeling about this. It might be nothing, but- well you know how it is. Give my regards to Darla’main and the kittens." I headed out the door immediately. I even made it out of the hall before I started cursing. The son of a bitch! It lasted until I entered my own aerie.
An aerie is a griffin’s nest, like a human home. My aerie was perched on the giant trees. I liked them because the wood was red and the bark was easy to grab onto. The aerie was actually carved into the gigantic tree. The many cracks of the aerie had long been sealed with gold. I opened the door and immediately a flash of fluff was the only warning I had as my kittens hit me. They were rapidly growing up and soon would be old enough to be fledged.
"Dad's home! Dad's home!" I picked up Kit and looked at Kit, the oldest. He had a bushy tail, like his dad. He was looking more like a mix between a fox and a griffin. An older and more cat-like griffin stood in the kitchen and looked at me from there. I walked over and nuzzled her.
"How are you my darling?"
"I am well, what about you? I thought you weren't supposed to be home from work for a few hours." How could I tell her? Her eyes told me she already knew.
"How many more years before you decide to retire, my dear husband?" she said as she always did when I came home.
"Not many at this rate. I have to be ready to travel by tomorrow afternoon," I said with sincere regret.
"I'll start dinner then. You better start packing," she said. Sometimes she had more sense than I did. She understood what I had to do, what I went through. She was wonderful because she made it easier on me. I went into our room and started packing. It wasn't long before Kit walked in. He had definitely grown.
"Dad, what are you doing?" My heart fell and hit the bottom of my stomach. What was I supposed to say? The words came easier than they should have.
"I am getting ready to go on a business trip. I will be away for a long time," I replied, trying to keep calm in front of my son.
"How long?" he asked. His eyes were full of genuine sadness.
"It could be days, months, some have even gone on for years." I said. I was beginning to choke on my own words. "All I know is that it is too long a time." Maybe I should retire. I would certainly think of it on the trip. This had not been in training, it happened every time, but it was getting worse.
"Why?"
"You'll know when you are older," I said. At that moment God pitied me because Darlamain called Kit. I put the armor to the side as well as the sheath with the broadsword and a few steel orbs. I then put in a few magic books into the bag, along with a steel repair kit, handkerchiefs, along with several maps, a book on human psychology, some food, a cloak, compass, a lot of paper, and several quills. It was a good thing that griffins don’t wear clothes, or else I would have more to pack. I put into my griffin pack. I also put in some bird seed. I moved over to the bird cage. Inside were two carrier pigeons. They were sleeping. That was okay; I wouldn't need them until tomorrow.
I was soon called from my work by the smell of lamb. Darlamain had skinned a lamb. Soon we began to eat. It barely noticed the meat as I noticed things I would miss when I was gone. It was hard to tell them that I would be leaving the next day. Instead Darlamain made the announcement and surprised me by making a large cake. It was delicious. Afterwards Darlamain put the kittens to their nests despite their great protest. She then came outside with me to watch the moon rise.
"Thanks for handling the kittens for me," I said.
"You’re welcome," she said. I looked at her. She wanted to say something. She finally decided to say it.
"Why do you do this to me? You know I worry myself sick when you’re on one of these crazy jobs they send you on."
"Darla’main-"
"Don't you Darla’main me, what if you die? What will happen to me? What will happen to the kittens?" She stopped but it was too late. The damage was done.
"Darla’main, I swear by the moon, and the air that I will return to you safely and in glory. God will help me to return to you quickly.”
“I know,” she said softly. With that we went to our nest.
Any comments would be helpful.
