The big carriage literally raced through the landscape.
Marianne stroked Ascendary's feathers.
Her thoughts went back to the past.
She thought of Athena, of the Aranasera and then of her mission.
The document.
"Why is the document so important? The incident happened so many years ago. Why all this?"
Marianne looks at Duke.
"The Denerias incident was the worst thing this empire has ever experienced. As you know, I read the document in contrast to you. It puts the whole incident in a completely new light. Since I and Ascendary are directly affected, it is very important to me that the document achieves its goal," Duke explained.
Ascendary enjoyed Marianne's caressing.
"I'd be interested in what happened back then," Marianne said thoughtfully.
"There are a wide variety of versions of the incident. The document is authentic and therefore it has to reach its destination."
Duke sharpens his sword.
A jolt went through the carriage as it rolled over stones.
Explosions could be heard in the distance.
The carriage came to a standstill.
Marianne and Duke opened the door and stepped out of the carriage.
Sedalia had left the coachman's box and stepped next to both of them.
"What was that?" Marianne asked as more explosions could be heard in the distance.
"It sounds like a fight between 2 airships. Before the explosions, you can hear the firing of cannons," Sedalia explained.
"One might be the INQUEST, but which is the other ship?" Duke wondered.
"Definitely a big one, the INQUEST is the pride of the Inquisition." Sedalia looked into the distance.
Suddenly, there was a huge explosion and you could see smoke rising in the distance. Also a shadow over it.
"What ... Was that?" Marianne was shocked.
"Ammunition room," Duke said.
Sedalia nodded. "We should move on quickly. No matter who won."
Duke and Marianne got back in and Sedalia got back on the Coachman´s Box.
The carriage started moving again.
"Something tells me that the INQUEST has lost," Duke speculated.
"Why?" Marianne asked.
"The shadow over the smoke, it was significantly larger than the INQUEST. I'm sure it was the WYVERN." Duke sharpened his sword further.
"Then they will hunt me down. Like the LUFTREITER," Marianne said worriedly.
"The air rider was huge, easy to find. We, on the other hand, are small and fast. She won't find us," Duke tried to calm her down.
"And if it does?" asked Marianne.
"Then we might have a guardian angel. Just like last time." Duke sounded convincing.
Marianne nodded.
The carriage raced on.
After a few hours, she slowed down and stopped.
"Stop! In the name of the Inquisition!" shouted someone outside.
Ascendary recovered quite quickly thanks to the cure.
Marianne stroked his feathers.
The griffin enjoyed it.
Duke stood next to both of them and looked around.
There was nothing more to see or hear from the INQUEST.
Slowly, Acendary rose.
He shook himself and gently nudged Marianne.
She smiled.
"We have to move on," Duke urged.
"The horses have fled," Marianne sighed.
"Then we have to continue on foot. Ascendary is too weak to carry us." Duke stroked Ascendary through the feathers.
Ascendary looked at Duke questioningly.
"I know, my friend. We'll get this to an end."
Suddenly, Marianne spun around, a blade flashed in her hand and quickly cold steel cut through the air and stopped at a human neck.
Surprised, Ascendary and Duke also drove around.
"Impressive. A true aranasera," said Lysander, the Librarian at whose neck the blade was stopped.
"How could you sneak up this silently again?" Marianne hissed.
"That, my dear, remains my secret. Who am I to reveal all my secrets." He put a finger on the blade and pushed it away from his neck along with Marianne's hand.
Duke looked at Ascendary and then back at Lysander and remembered the invisibility potion.
Lysander raised his right hand and shook his forefinger in the negative.
"Don't even think about it. You got everything from me."
Duke sighed.
"But I have a solution. Follow me." He turned to leave.
"Just like that?" Marianne asked.
"Just like that," Lysander confirmed. "Unless you are interested in another encounter with the INQUEST."
"No, no." Marianne nodded to Duke and Ascendary, then followed the librarian.
"As the royal librarian of this empire, my profession has its connections." Lysander stepped out onto the street.
Marianne was amazed.
A huge carriage with 4 horses stood in front of her.
It was less a carriage than a large closed cart for transporting goods.
"Asmodis!" shouted Lysander and a small winged demon flew up and sat on his shoulder.
"This is Asmodis, my little friend and helper."
Marianne looked at the little demon in amazement. He looked like a little gargoyle.
"Master Lysander! We should hurry." A woman got off the coach box.
"Thank you, Sedalia." Lysander nodded to Asmodis while Ascendary and Duke also entered the street.
Asmodis flew to the end of the car and opened the doors.
"Get in. You'll be safe there." Lysander pointed to the large interior.
Duke was amazed at the interior, which seemed to be larger than you can see outside.
Lysander saw the look and nodded. "Yes, it's magic, and now it's time for you."
Ascendary looked at Lysander strangely.
Lysander got down on his knees in front of the Gryphon and stroked his head.
"The two of us are more similar than you think. Trust me."
Ascendary nodded and got into the Carriage.
Duke followed.
Marianne approached Lysander. "Where are we going?"
"First of all, away from here. When we're far enough away, we'll discuss everything else." Lysander nodded to Sedalia.
Marianne got in and Sedalia closed the doors.
Then she went up to Lysander and stroked his cheek with her hand.
"I hope you know what you're doing."
Lysander took her hand and kissed it.
"Come on." He pointed to the carriage.
Sedalia nodded and climbed onto the coachman's box.
Then she set the carriage in motion.
Lysander looked after the carriage.
>>And now? << the voice came into Lysander's head.
"We will protect the carriage at all costs!"
>> The carriage? <<
"Marianne!"
>> Marianne.<< The Voice seems to be amused.
"Enough. Now it's up to you."
Lysander spread his arms.
In a matter of seconds, the Librarian transformed into the giant Wyvern.
"Go on!" shouted Duke. "This is our chance to escape!"
Marianne nodded and they continued to force the horses forward.
Ascendary, still invisible, turned around to take a closer look at what was happening.
The INQUEST drifted further away.
Dexter shouted various orders to the crew and in no time the guns were occupied.
Order mages formed a protective shield around the INQUEST while the creature went back into attack flight.
When the creature flew against the protective shield, another jolt went through the ship.
"What the hell is this?" cried the captain of the INQUEST.
"It´s ... a Wyvern!" shouted Danny and ran across the deck.
"So big! This can't be a Nexusswyvern!" The captain called more men to the guns.
"It's not a Nexuswyvern either. It's a real Wyvern!" replied Dexter.
"How is that possible? Wyverns, like griffins, are extinct." Cecile was stunned.
Danny reached his equipment and began to put something together.
The Wyvern flew another turn and went on the attack again.
At that moment, the protective Shields opened and the cannons fired.
The wyvern, who saw the attack coming, skilfully dodged.
The protective Shields closed again and he crashed into them again, which made the Order Mages sweat on their foreheads.
"What the hell is going on here? First the Aranasera with the scroll, then the royal librarian and now the Wyvern." Dexter cursed to himself.
Danny came running up and had a long spear in his hand.
Cecile looked at him in amazement. "What do you want with that? Tickle him?"
At that moment it flashed at the top and Cecile saw that it was not a normal spear.
Danny got into position.
The INQUEST had reloaded the guns and were ready to fire.
The Order mages waited for the right moment to open the shields.
The Wyvern had finished its turn and was flying back towards the INQUEST.
The shields were opened and the cannons fired.
Again the wyvern dodged.
Then Danny threw the spear.
He flew precisely towards the Wyvern, who could not avoid it.
The spear pierced a target, but not the Wyvern.
It was as if the spear suddenly got stuck in the air, flashed and then fell into the depths.
"What just happened?" asked Cecile.
"Something was in between, something invisible," Danny replied.
The Wyvern seemed surprised and flew downwards.
For a moment it seemed as if he stopped, then he flew on again.
And away.
The Inquest sank down and touched down on the ground so that the damage could be assessed.
Danny jumped off the ship and ran towards his spear, which was lying on the ground.
Dexter and Cecile followed him.
He picked up the spear and examined the tip.
There was blood and feathers on it.
"What is that?" Cecile looked at Danny questioningly.
He took a feather and looked at it.
"A griffin feather."
Dexter sighed. "Is Today Extinct Species Day?"
*
Further away, the Wyvern landed. He carefully had Ascendary in a mouth, since wyverns didn't have arms and hands, and put him down gently. The spear had accidentally hit the gryphon when it had curiously flown between the two.
The wyvern had been able to catch him with his mouth before the impact, but the spear fell off.
Marianne and Duke saw the Wyvern Ascendary cast off at a safe distance. They had hidden when they noticed that the Wyvern was getting closer.
When Duke saw him put down the no longer invisible Griffin, he stepped out of the bushes and shouted loud, "Away from him!"
The Wyvern turns its huge head in Duke's direction.
Marianne had followed Duke and held him tight. "Don't! He is superior to us!"
"I don't care! I'll flatten him! He should release Ascendary! Away, you monster!" shouted Duke.
The Wyvern raised an eyebrow, causing Duke to look at him in surprise.
Marianne was also amazed at this gesture.
The wyvern shook his head and rise into the air, releasing Ascendary.
Marianne and Duke hurried to the gryphon.
"He is seriously injured." Marianne stroked his feathers.
"How should we help him," Duke said desperately when something hit him at the Head.
"Ouch!" He held the back of his head and stared at an ampoule. He looked up at the sky and saw the wyvern fly away.
"That's ragweed! But how? All the same. It will help him." Marianne took the ampoule and let the injured Gryphon drink from it.
Danores Nyrosar stood with his arms folded on the battlements of the old castle.
"Danny." An old man approached him.
Danny didn't move.
"What are you thinking about, my friend?" The old man leaned on his stick.
Danny lowered his head, then turned around.
"Master, I don't want to go."
The old man laid his hand on Danny's shoulder.
"I know, but you have to. You are the chosen one!"
Danny got down on his knees in front of his master.
"I won't disappoint you, master."
Now
"Deeper!" shouted Danny.
The INQUEST continued to fly low.
Dexter looked worried. The INQUEST came dangerously close to the trees. Not that the trees could damage the ship, it is rather the moment of surprise when one of the rudders could be torn around by the trees.
Danny grabbed a net and got ready.
Cecile watched him fascinated.
Past
Danny looked at the gryphon's corpse.
The last griffin is dead. His father had won and paid with his lives.
But something was wrong.
Danny turned his father's body around. He still had the crossbow in his right hand.
A long wound. From a longsword.
Someone else had been here.
Danny got up and went back to the gryphon's body and knelt down.
He brushed the limp wing aside with his hand.
A feather, a small feather.
From a young animal.
The griffin had a cub.
So there was still a griffin.
And where the griffin was, there was also his father's murderer.
Now
Cecile looked fascinated at the tattoo on Danny's upper arm.
The tattoo depicted a skull in front of which a crossbow crossed with a dagger and a sword.
Dexter saw it too and he knew the tattoo all too well.
The Mark of the Nerossans, the Assassin Hunter Guild.
Hunters who hunt and catch or kill their prey on order. Depending on the order.
And slowly Dexter realized that Danny's presence could not be a coincidence.
And that there must be a client.
The INQUEST approached the fleeing riders.
A woman and a man with a two-handed sword on their backs.
It had to be, so the griffin cub, which should be fully grown by now, can't be far away.
It embraced the net more firmly. They would not escape.
*
Marianne spurred her horses on, but inside she knew that they could not escape the INQUEST.
Only a miracle could save them.
The INQUEST was getting closer and closer.
Marianne was desperate.
Only a miracle could save them.
But was it a time for miracles?
Suddenly, a jolt went through the INQUEST, as if it had been hit by something heavy.
A roar sounded.
The INQUEST drifted to the side while people ran back and forth on deck.
Orders were shouted and hectic chaos ensued on deck.
*
The blow had hit the INQUEST unexpectedly.
Dexter had been surprised but did not fall.
Cecile had crashed into Dnny, who held her protectively.
But his gaze went to the other side of the ship.
A huge winged creature was just turning in flight to go on another attack.
It looked like a dragon, but it wasn't one.
He had never seen anything like it before and he knew more beings than anyone else.
Marianne and Duke rode along the road at a wild gallop.
Ascendary, still invisible, flew above them.
After a seemingly endless time, they slowed down to spare the exhausted horses.
They stopped at a lake and let the horses drink from the water.
"I should have known," Duke said angrily.
Marianne looked at him questioningly.
"That the Inquisiton is also after the document. You can't ignore the DENERIAS INCIDENT," he sighed.
"What happened there?" Marianne Duke asked directly. "WHAT?"
Duke dodged and looked at the scroll container.
"Now tell me..." Marianne slowly grew angry, because she was a running target because of the scroll.
"Yes, have a look. Who do we have here?" comes a voice from behind. "Today is our lucky day."
Marianne and Duke turned around and were confronted with 5 figures. With drawn weapons.
Highwayman.
"Give us everything you have, then maybe we'll leave you with your life," laughed the one inthe middle, who seemed to be the leader.
The others laughed along.
Duke grabbed the sword, but Marianne's hand stopped him.
"THEY are MINE!" she said in a hard voice.
"Very well." Duke took a step back and gestured with his hand to let her go first.
The bandits all looked at each other in confusion and then began to laugh as Marianne stood up in front of them.
"How cute," the leader laughed as Marianne stood in front of him without weapons.
Suddenly, she swung her hand and a blade came out of her sleeve and penetrated the leader's thigh.
The latter screamed in pain and falling back, holding his thigh.
The other bandits were completely surprised. Marianne whirled around in an almost ballerina-like turn and another blade was already coming out of the other sleeves.
While she was spinning around, she got down on one knee and rammed both blades into the thighs of the left 2 bandits, who also screamed in pain and staggered back.
Now the other two reacted and attacked with their axes.
Marianne ducked under the first blow and spun around the bandit, ramming the left blade into his thigh from behind. With the second blade she parried the second axe blow. In the process, another blade came out of her left shoe, which she sank into the thigh of the last bandit.
Marianne turned elegantly away from the bandits, who were all lying on the ground, whimpering and wailing with injured thighs.
"Duke clapped. " I've never seen an Aranasera in action, that was impressive."
"She's an Aranasera?" wailed the leader of the bandits. "If we had known that...."
"... it would have made no difference, you would have made more robberies. Someone had to stop you." Marianne wiped the blood from the blades and the blades all returned to their original positions.
"The horses are watered, let's keep riding," Duke said.
Marianne nodded and sat up.
"And you! You look for honest work, otherwise I will come back and then my blades will no longer go into the thigh, but higher, significantly higher. Did we understand each other?"
"Yes.... yes.... YES!" stammered the bandits in confusion.
Duke smiled and they rode on.
The invisible Ascendary also rose again. He had been ready to intervene, but Marianne didn't need any help.
*
"THE librarian of the empire?" Beredion still had wide eyes. "But what are you doing HERE in our humble little village."
"Getting on my nerves!" Cecile hissed and looked at him angrily.
"Dearest Cecile, I know you don't like me, but I also go on vacation sometimes. The fact that you had to go here is not my fault. I'm here to relax and find out about the legend of the dragons. That's all." He spread his arms.
Dexter intervened. "Enough, we're just losing time here."
At that moment, a raven landed on Dexter's shoulders and made croaking sounds.
"They were here and are heading north with horses. Back to the ship, let's follow them!"
Cecile looked at Dexter in surprise and looked at the raven.
He seemed to smile at her amusedly, as far as you can tell from his beak.
"Very well," she said and opened a portal.
"Until then, Lysander." She walked through it.
"Excuse me, Master Lysander, but that's just the way she is." Dexter nodded his head and walked through the gate with the raven on his shoulder.
"No worries, Inquestor." Lysander looked after him.
When the portal disappeared, he looked at Beredion. "The Inquestor never ceases to surprise me. An animal as an assistant."
Beredion nodded. "And now?"
"Now the hunt for the Arnasera is on." Lysander looked serious.
The small bedroom that Beredion had placed at her disposal for the night seemed to be intended for children or dwarfs, especially since she couldn't stand completely upright without bumping her head, not to mention the small beds, but since she always curled up in her sleep she had no problem with it.
In the next room, Duke got up and went to the window. He was a little worried about Ascendary, but the Gryphon had learned all these years to behave inconspicuously. Nevertheless, this environment is more inhabited than where they lived and a Gryphon would of course quickly attract attention.
Duke put on his clothes and left his bedroom, which was visibly larger than Marianne's.
Beredion was nowhere to be seen, and Duke left the house and went into the woods.
After a few meters he stopped and waited a moment.
Ascendary came out from behind a bush and nudged him gently.
"Good boy." Duke stroked Ascendary's plumage.
Suddenly, Ascendary raised his head and went into attacking position. Duke spun around.
"A Gryphon. It's been a long time since I've seen one." The Librarian Lysander leaned against a tree and looked at both of them with a neutral look.
Duke was surprised, because he had looked around several times and secured himself before he went further into the forest.
He was sure that no one had been around.
How did the Librarian that?
"Very gently, I don't have anything bad in Mind. On the contrary, I am of the opinion that they had been threated wrong.
Lysander raised both hands as a sign that he had no evil intentions.
"Where do you come from so suddenly? How could you sneak up?" Duke had his hand on the hilt of his Sword.
"Well, I'm known for my silence. At least my Library assistants are still frightened when I suddenly stand next to them. But I have to warn you." Lysander lowered his hands.
"Warn?" Duke gripped the hilt of the Sword more tightly.
"The INQUEST is on its way here and I think you know what that means, my friends."
"Dexter Demerodt! But why is he on his way here? Have you betrayed us?"
"No. I have my sources. Instead of talking and wasting even more time, you should get on your way. And that quickly."
"Thank you.... even if I don't know what role you play here, Librarian."
"Take this. You should know that." Lysander held out a rune-decorated ampoule to Duke.
Duke recognized her. "Are you also an Alchemist?" Invisibility serum. Ideal for Ascendary.
"No, no. Sometimes I want to have my peace. My job is more strenuous than you think." Lysander grinned.
Marianne came running up.
"Here you are. A flying ship has appeared to the north."
Duke looked at Lysander and Lysander gave him a "I told you so." look.
Then Duke took the ampoule, let some liquid drip onto his hand and held it out to Ascendary.
The Gryphon hesitated at first and then nodded. He absorbed the liquid and slowly disappeared before her eyes.
Marianne's eyes were wide. "Where.. where did he go?"
"Invisible. And now quickly to Beredion. We need horses." Duke put the ampoule away.
"No need to." said Lysander. "Go to the stables. There are 2 saddled Horses ready. I was so free to negotiate this with Beredion. Take them. They are paid."
"But how ... how?" Duke looked at Lysander suspiciously.
"Don't ask questions, but leave. The INQUEST is approaching." Lysander pointed in the direction of the Mourning Village.
Duke nodded and took Marianne's hand and pulled her with him.
Lysander clasped his hands behind his back and seemed satisfied.
Then he was gently nudged.
To outsiders, it looked as if he was stroking the air as he scratched the invisible Ascendary on the head.
"You're welcome, and now get going, my feathered friend," said Lysander.
Meanwhile they reached the stables and Lysander had not lied. Beredion stood by the horses and held out their knapsacks to Marianne and Duke.
"The Librarian said you were in a hurry, here are your belongings. The horses are paid. Have a good trip." smiled Beredion.
"Thank you." Duke was still confused, but they ran out of time.
Both sat up and said goodbye to Beredion. Then they rode off in a hurry.
Only 30 minutes later, the huge shadow of the INQUEST fell over Mourning Village.
Dexter Demerodt and Cecile entered the small town.
"Welcome, Inquestor. Your reputation precedes you. What does the honor give me?" Beredion greeted both of them.
Dexter bowed slightly in greeting.
"Thank you for the friendly welcome. We are looking for someone." And he described Marianne.
"Hmmm. To my regret, I can't help you. Mourning Home rarely has visitors," replied Beredion.
"You are lying!" said Cecile in a cold voice.
"Cecile, still as friendly as ever," someone else said.
"Lysander... You here?" Cecile's voice had an angry undertone.
"Inquestor. Have the honor." Lysander nodded to Dexter.
"Lysander. What an unusual place to meet you here," Dexter said.
"And here, of all places, where the trail of the Aranasera leads us. What a coincidence." Cecile said with a smug undertone.
Dexter looked at Lysander suspiciously as well.
"What are you doing here. Especially with your reputation."
Beredion was confused. "What reputation? He's a Librarian."
Dexter turned to Beredion.
"You don't know? Lysander is not just any Librarian. He is THE chief Librarian of the Kingdom and guards the greatest knowledge of our Empire."
Beredion looked at Lysander with wide eyes.
"Well, what can i say?" Lysander spread his arms with a smile.
"Lysander, you have visitors?" smiles an elderly Man on the outskirts of the Village of Mourning Village.
"Beredion, you see right, but it is not my visit. It's your visit." Lysander laid the hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, I see. Welcome, Strangers." Beredion spread out his Arms.
Marianne nodded friendly. "Thank you."
Duke nodded in greeting as well.
"What does your visit bring to our humble home of Mourning Village?" The old Man folded his hands together and looked at both of them questioningly.
"We are looking for 2 horses," Duke explained. "We have a long journey ahead of us."
"We do have horses, but how have you traveled so far? You can't come from this environment, otherwise I would know about you." Beredion looked at both of them less suspiciously, more curiously.
"Well, part of the way I was taken along, but now we have to go on alone and for that we need horses," Marianne replied quite quickly to spare Duke a lie, because as she knows, the Griffin Guard must never lie, that's the code. The Griffin Guard may be disbanded, but Duke still is. In addition, it wasn't even a lie of her, since the WINDRAIDER took her along a bit in a certain sense. Even if it will never fly again.
Duke looked surprised for a second, but then he nodded quickly.
"I understand, I understand. It soon begins to get dark. Be my guests and tomorrow morning you will get your horses at a reasonable price. Then you can leave refreshed. And no contradiction, I will not tolerate that in my hospitality." Beredion bowed and pointed to an inn called Tear of the Dragon.
Duke looked at Lysander and he indicated with his look that it would be better to follow Beredion.
Duke sighed and followed Beredion.
Marianne turned to Lysander with a smile and held out her hand to him. "Thank you for your kindness and your help."
"You´re welcome." And to her surprise, he didn't shake her hand, but gave her a
Kiss on the hand, which conjured up a slight embarrassment on her face. She nodded hastily and hurriedly following Duke.
>> Isn't it cute? << a voice sounded in Lysander's head.
"Indeed, but that's not why we're here."
>> How true, how true. It's a pity, actually. << regretted the voice in Lysander's head.
>> But tell me, did you notice? <<
"That she said SHE had been taken and both would then look for horses? Of course."
>> What does that tell you? <<
"That they didn't start the journey together, he came later and not only that."
>> What else? <<
"We know him."
>> Oh really? Help me out. <<
"His name is Duke Hawksire. He was in the Griffin Guard."
>> Let's grab him! The Griffin Guard is to blame for all of them! <<
" Everything in its own time. We still have something to do. Let's go." Lysander turned and walked away.
*
"SHIELD UP!" roared the Captain of the INQUEST.
3 Order Mages appeared on deck and immediately began to form a magical shield around the INQUEST.
Cecile stood at the railing and stared angrily in the direction of the red dragon.
"Cecile, back!" Dexter shouted and tried to pull her off the railing.
"The Shield protects us and I want to know why it's attacking us," Cecile said angrily.
The dragon spat fire, but it bounced off the Shield of the INQUEST.
Furious, the dragon tried to ram the ship, but crashed into the shield.
Nevertheless, the impact was so violent that a jolt went through the ship and everyone fell into confusion.
Also one of the magicians.
The shield begins to flicker. Directly above Cecile.
The dragon took his opportunity and breathed fire again.
Dexter snatched the great Shield from a fallen Knight.
Before the fire reached the surprised Cecile, he tore the Shield in front of her.
Not a second too soon. The fire split at the Shield.
At that moment, the mage had regained his composure and strengthened the Shield.
"I SAID BACK!" Dexter yelled angrily at Cecile.
She pushed him away.
"I can protect myself, watch out!"
Cecile turned around and began to move her hands.
Her fingers cut through the air like a knife through butter.
With each movement, it created light effects and formed a jagged sphere.
She raced through the Shield towards the dragon, which was hit directly in the neck.
He staggered in flight and grabbed it with his big claws.
He roared angrily while some parts of the scales fell to the ground.
Bleeding, he flew away staggering.
"You see!" She looked at Dexter challengingly.
"If that's the case, why did you want me to accompany you?" he looked at her harshly. I've known you long enough."
In response, she put her hands on his cheeks and pressed her lips on his.
Dexter wanted to push her away, but he couldn't.
Memories of a better time raced through his head.
Cecile broke away from him. "Because you belong to me! Me alone!"
"I don't belong to anyone." Dexter pushed her away.
"Yes, since the DENERIAS INCIDENT." Cecile smiled and ran her index finger under his chin.
Dexter clenched his fist angrily. This damn incident.
Marianne took a deep breath. The cool morning air did her a lot of good. They had left early in the morning and Duke was silent about the first destination. She had no choice but to follow him, because she didn't really know her way around this area.
"We will first go to the nearest village and buy horses there so that we can make faster progress. Ascendary remains hidden. Noboddy is allowed to know of his existence. If you betray Ascendary, it will be the last thing you do," Duke said after a while of walking. He wore street clothes. The golden gryphon armor lays in a chest in his house.
Marianne nodded. "I won't reveal the secret, don't worry. As a child, I loved griffins. I never understood why they were exterminated."
Duke didn't say anything and they walked on in the shelter of the forest. After a seemingly endless time of wordless walking for Marianne, they reached the edge of the forest.
At the edge of the forest was a small idyllic village.
"This is Mourning Village. That's where we'll find our horses," Duke said, pointing to the village.
"Mourning home? What a name." Marianne frowned.
"The reason is over there." Duke pointed to the right side of the village.
"Are they ....?" Marianne tried to recognize it,
"Yes, they are weeping willows," Duke confirmed Marianne's suspicion.
"And so many. I thought they were more solitary?" she wondered.
"In fact, they usually do, but here it's the result of a legend," someone behind them said.
Duke and Marianne immediately spun around, Duke pulling out a dagger and holding it to the figure's neck.
In front of them stood a man with black straight hair combed back. He wore black robes that seemed to have a little dark purple, like a barely perceptible gleam.
He held a book in his hands. Unimpressed and with a neutral face, he looked at Duke and Marianne.
"Who's going to get so nervous?" he asked.
"We don't appreciate sneaking up from behind unnoticed," Duke replied.
"Sneaking up? I beg you. Do i look like I'm capable of sneaking?" The stranger smiled for a short moment.
"What are you doing here then?" Duke lowered the dagger.
"Go for a walk. I'm a guest at Mourning Village and as you can see, I'm a librarian." The stranger lifted the book.
"A book doesn't make a librarian and besides, what does a librarian do in such a small and remote village as Mourning Village" Duke remained suspicious.
"Research," replied the stranger.
"What is researching?" asked Marianne, who had listened to this in silence until now.
"I'm researching the legend of Mourning Village." The stranger pointed to the weeping willows.
"What's the deal with the weeping willows?" She looked at him questioningly.
"According to legend, there was a fight between 2 dragons here. It is said to have taken place where the weeping willows stand. It is said that the surviving dragon then carried the dead dragon away and that the blood of the two, which was spilled during the fight, seeped into the ground and weeping willows grew from it. I'm trying to find out why the dragons fought there and who they were," the librarian said.
"That's just a legend," Duke said.
"Every legend contains a grain of truth," the stranger countered.
"My name is Marianne." She held out her hand to him.
"Lysander," the librarian replied kindly and shook her hand.
"Pleasant," Marianne nodded.
"Duke." Duke put the dagger away and held out his hand to Lysander.
"Also pleasant," said Lysander.
"But now we have to move on." Duke pointed to Mourning Village.
"Then I'll accompany you, because I was just on my way back from my walk." Lysander started moving.
Marianne and Duke followed him and so they went to the village together.
*
Dexter Demerodt sighed. Stood up at the railing of the INQUEST and looked into the distance. The flying ship, which resembled a galleon, flew over villages and fields.
"What are you thinking about, Dexter?" asked Cecile, joining him beside him. The wind played with her curly red hair.
"Why me?" He didn't look at her and continued to look into the distance.
"Because you're the best," Cecile smiled and stroked his cheek with her hand.
"Enough of hypocrisy." He grabbed her hand and pushed it away from him. "Why can only you find the document and why should I protect you? And from what?"
She rubbed her wrist gently and looked at him. "You really want to know?"
"Yes, I do. I don't intend to run into an open knife." Dexter's voice took on a harsh undertone.
"Very well." Cecile leaned on the railing with her forearms and closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the wind. "It is not the document that I can track, but the messenger."
Dexter looked at her. "How is that to be understood?"
"The messenger's name is Marianne and she is an Aranasera. I am able to track her down and where she is is the document. It's as simple as that." Cecile kept her eyes closed.
"And why me? With our shared past, another protector would have been logical." Dexter shook his head in disbelief.
Cecile opened her eyes, turned her head to him and looked at him seriously, "Because you are the best fighter in the order and because we both have a common past in which we have acted very well together."
"I don't want that past back!" said Dexter contemptuously.
"What you want and what you don't want, the order is not interested in. You have to protect and represent his interests. The order stands above our private interests." Cecile looked at him gravely.
Suddenly a jolt went through the ship.
"ATTACK! WE ARE BEING ATTACKED!" someone shouted.
Dexter and Cecile turned around. 1 large red dragon approached from the other side.
"With the orders! Why does the cretin attack us? The red dragons have a pact with our Order!" Cecile hissed angrily.
Marianne sat silently on the edge of the bed and stared at the Gryphon. He lay curled up next to the bed and slept. Everything in her urged to caress him, to touch him, to let her awaken from the dream in which she was, but this hope was in vain. It was not a dream.
She remembered how she was approached in the streets of Nedeston and offered an assignment. This had indeed been nothing unusual, as she had a very good reputation as a messenger. Yes, she was a messenger. She brought documents from one place to another without asking questions. Surely there were enough messengers to deliver documents, but Athena was not a normal messenger. She was an Aranasera. A shadow runner.
As a baby, she was abandoned. She came into the care of Ignatius Kodar, who raised her as if she were his own daughter. What no one knew was, that he was a master of the Aranasera. And so he trained her in the art of shadow runners. When she was an adult, he disappeared one day and she was left to fend for herself. She quickly used her Experience in Aranasera to find her way around and became a messenger.
The art of the Aranasera was, among other things, to be able to move undetected, as well as to be able to strike quickly and purposefully in the event of a fight.
In a very short time, she had a very good reputation and the orders became more and more difficult but more lucrative.
A few days ago, a man in a cowl approached her and gave her the tube as a new assignment. She didn't see the face, but the pay was right. The destination was an order building and she was to hand it over to a man named "The Raven". He would reveal himself at the goal. The fastest way was the WINDRAIDER but it fell victim to the mysterious ship with the Nexuswyverns.
Marianne continued to look at the gryphon and sighed.
Duke Hawksire rolled up the document again and put it back in the tube. Then he handed her the tube. Surprised, Marianne looked up and accepted it.
"We will leave tomorrow morning. You will deliver the document and I will take this Raven to my chest," he said and sat down again on the chair.
"What's the deal with the Denerias Incident?" asked Marianne.
"Do you know what the Denerias incident is?" Duke looked at her.
"No. It was always said that the gryphons had been wiped out because of the Denerias incident. It was said that they had committed treason." Marianne seemed a bit insecure, because after all he had the uniform of the Griffin Guard.
"That's just the official explanation. The truth is different. But that shouldn't weigh you down. The day is coming when the truth will come to light, and it will be the day of justice." Duke clenched his fist.
Marianne was silent. She looked at the grasp again and after a short hesitation she stroked his feathers with her hand.
The griffin seemed to snuggle up to her hand in her sleep, which she took in surprise.
"He likes you," Duke said.
Marianne smiled and continued to stroke the feathers gently."He's wonderful. What's his name?"
"His name is Ascendary and now it's time to sleep, because we have a lot to do tomorrow.
*
"Your Eminence, you sent for me?" Dexter Demerodt stood in a small room that was simply furnished. Except for a desk, 2 chairs and a small closet, the room was empty. The man behind the desk motioned for Dexter to sit down.
Dexter Demerodt sat down and looked at his counterpart. He was dressed in a simple black habit and was already quite old, short snow-white hair covered his head and the man put the quill with which he was writing on a document into a small inkwell. He bore the name Benedict and is the head of his order.
"Nice to have you here, Inquestor. I have an important task for you," Benedict said.
"I hear." Dexter Demerodt was dressed completely in black fabric and that also affected his gloves. On the right hand there was a signet ring on the ring finger.
"An Aranasera is on the way to Cyrilon. She has an important document with her. This document must not achieve its goal."
"Is this information reliable?"
"Brother Maximus has caught a traitor to the Order in Nedeston. After detailed questioning, it turned out that this person had handed over this document to the Aranasera on behalf of the company. Brother Maximus could not find the client. The meeting took place in secret and the traitor to the order could not see the face."
"But someone is very cautious about that."
"Indeed. We know that she went on the WINDRAIDER, but according to my information, it was attacked and crashed. Brother Marcus has examined the crash site and is sure that it survived."
"Who attacked the WINDRAIDER?"
"We don't know. The remains of the WINDRAIDER had both burn marks and scratch marks, and Brother Marcus is sure that some of the victims were torn apart."
"Nexuswyverns?"
"Probably, but the WYVERN is a legend. Sailor's yarn."
"Your Eminence, I know that sounds absurd, especially since the WYVERN is said to have an incredible size according to legend, but if everything imaginable is ruled out, only the unthinkable remains. There is a grain of truth in every legend."
"You believe that the WYVERN exist? A ship that houses Nexuswyvern inside."
"What I believe and what I don't do is irrelevant here. So it's about this document."
"That's right. This document must not achieve its goal. No way. That would be a disaster."
"And what is my task in this?"
"You are our best fighter. I want you to protect Cecile."
"Sedalia? Did you say Cecile?"
"Yes. She is the only one who can find this document. I want you both to set out and protect her. And I want you both to forget your common past, because it is about the concerns of our order. Here is the pass that grants you access everywhere. And now don't waste any time." Benedict pointed to the door.
Dexter nodded, took the roll, and stood up. He bowed briefly to say goodbye and left the room.
"Hello Dexter," said a soft voice next to the door.
Dexter turned and looked at the young woman in the dark purple robes on the wooden bench.
Marianne stared at the Gryphon in disbelief and still couldn't believe it. Slowly she tried to get up from the pile of leaves, but the Gryphon hacked in her direction with his beak. She quickly let herself fall back into the leaves. The Gryphon kept an eye on her and walked up and down. He did not turn his head away from her. What was he waiting for? It was clear to her that she had no choice but to lie down.
She sampled the Gryphon. He seemed to be young. Adult Gryphonscould reach the size of horses, but this one was smaller. It had extraordinarily shiny, snow-white feathers, which was very unusual, because Gryphons had actually much duller feathers ... when they still existed.
Marianne had been ten years old when she had seen the Emperor's Gryphon Guard in the Capital up close. They were incredibly majestic animals and they had been the pride of the kingdom. But then the DENERIAS INCIDENT occurred and the Gryphons fell out of favor. One by one, they were hunted down, and by the time Marianne was 12, the Gryphons were extinct. The last Gryphon had even dragged his hunter to his death.
Footsteps approached and tore her out of her thoughts. Marianne turned her head in that direction and seemed to freeze.
"The ... That can't be!" she stammered.
A man in white-gold Half-Armour stood in front of her. The Breastplate was emblazoned with the coat of arms of a golden Gryphon, which was slightly covered by a golden fabric sash. On his back was a two-handed Sword. A uniform of the Gryphon Guard, the defunct Gryphon Guard.
The man went to the Gryphon and gently stroked his feathers with his hand. Then he turned to Marianne.
"Who do I have the pleasure with?" he asked, while the Gryphon lay down on the ground on the man's right side but still did not let her out of his sight.
"I ... My name is Marianne." she answered.
The man nodded and held out his hand to her. "Duke Hawksire."
When she answered, it chilled down her spine. Hesitantly, she grabbed his hand, but instead of shaking it, he pulled her up.
She stared wide-eyed at Duke, whom she estimated to be in his mid-forties. "How can that be?" she stammered. "You ... You are ... dead!"
Duke looked down at himself and looked at the Gryphon. "Do I look dead somehow?" To Marianne's surprise, the Gryphon shook his head.
"It seems, young Lady, that the news of my death was a bit premature." A slight smile was reflected from his lips.
Marianne, on the other hand, looked at the Gryphon, who continued to keep an eye on her, but was much more relaxed, which was certainly due to Duke's presence.
"How is all this possible? You are actually dead and Gryphons are extinct," she stammered. The Gryphon then looked at her smugly, which made Marianne take a step backwards. "He ... He understands me?"
The Gryphons she still knew had been more comparable to horses in nature and intelligence, but this Gryphon understood her, understood her language. She was completely confused.
"Yes, he does, but we should get out of here. Just in case the Nexuswyverns should come back. Follow me." Without waiting for another word from her, he walked past her and went deeper into the forest.
Uncertainly, Marianne looked at the Gryphon but followed Duke after she realized that she should go between the two. The Gryphon followed her.
"Wouldn't it be better to see if there were any survivors?" She asked, dodging some branches.
"You mean beside yourself? Do you really believe that?" Duke replied without turning to her.
Marianne bowed her head sadly. "No..." She kept in mind what the Nexuswyverns were doing to their victims, and an uncontrollable rage welled up in her. And she was to blame for it ...
Instinctively, she reached for the tube on her back. The Tube was still there and seemed unharmed, despite the fact that she had been lying on it. Marianne breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, a great pain ran through her body. She began to stagger and her eyes went black. Then she collapsed and merciful unconsciousness surrounded her.
*
Marianne opened her eyes. She had a headache. Splitting headache. She grabbed her head and felt a bandage. She closed her eyes again for a moment and took a deep breath. Then she opened it again and began to look around.
Marianne is laying in a simple wooden bed. The room was also very simply furnished. She realized that she was laying in a wooden hut that seemed to have only one room. On a stove stood a pot in which water boiled, two simple cabinets and shelves were on a wall and in the middle of the room was a table with a chair. In front of it lay curled up the Gryphon. He was asleep. Duke sat in the chair and looked at her.
"What ... what happened?" stammered Marianne.
"A Nexuswyvern has caught you with its poisonous spikes, Marianne. However, he won't be able to harm anyone anymore." Duke had his legs crossed and held a book in his right hand. He was no longer wearing the Gryphon Guard armor, but wore green leather clothing.
"Why... Am I still alive? The poison is deadly...." Marianne turned her head, took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling.
"Because I sucked the blood out before the poison could get any further. You were very lucky." Duke put the book on the table.
"Thank you...." Marianne said exhausted.
"And now tell me why they were after you." Duke folded his hands in his lap and looked directly at her.
"What..?" Marianne looked at him again.
"Don't take me for a fool, Marianne. The Nexuswyvern attacked you directly, even though there was actually a more rewarding target." Duke pointed to the Gryphon.
Marianne flinched a little and then looked at the sleeping Gryphon. There was some truth to Duke's words. The Nexuswyverns played a major role in the destruction of the Gryphons because of the DENERIAS INCIDENT.
"I.... I can´t ... it is not allowed to talk about it..." it came out of her.
"So?" Duke reached behind him and placed Marianne's Tube on the table.
"No." She started up, but the pain let her sink back rudely.
"Then let's see what can be more important than a live griffin." Duke opened the tube and pulled out a parchment. He laid it on the table and rolled it out completely.
"Don´t ... do not...." Marianne stretched her arm in his direction and then let it sink powerlessly.
Duke read the document and slowly turned to her.
"Who is it from? And to whom is it to be taken?" he asked in a serious voice.
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