Gryphon Hunt

Dappled light rained over three Reoseans backs as they traversed the tall woods of Ebrus. Rhaegor marched ahead with his eyes turned milky white. High above his Osprey scouted the trees and the trail for signs of his query. A feathery beast Rhaegor was no stranger to facing. Talons as sharp as meat hooks, ready to snatch its prey and fly away with it. Something Rhaegor was on high guard for given one of his company. 

Alongside him trotted a runner, with wispy long hair and gold glittering on his ears. Niue eyed the trees above with caution and fascination as they rustled in the wind. The sky was mostly obscured by the treetops, leaving being surprised more unlikely. Still, a threat in the sky was nothing to scoff at with how quickly they might swoop down on you. 

“What have we here?” A third company hummed from the back of the group. Niue turned his head back and Rhaegor’s pace halted to give his attention. The Haedian, spotted green and brown, stepped aside from the trodden path and reached out into the shrubs. Brown feathers speckled with dark spots, fallen off the back of a Gryphon. 

“Looks like we have our trail,” Varrick deduced from the fallen feathers. His eyes traveled up the nearest tree, up onto the perches above. Some undercoat was stuck on the bark. “Someone’s molting. A fairly mature age I’d say. No dulling, so our friend isn’t old.”

“Young enough to be quick on his wings.” Rhaegor grunted and looked up at his Osprey. Find it, he told her. Freyja shrieked and swooped away into the trees. 

“Fine material for crafting… Good thing our feathery friend won’t mind. This one would go well with you, I think,” Varrick pocketed the finest feathers into his bag, and even offered Niue one in passing. The runner tucked the feather politely in his shawl before trotting after the two. 

The trail lead further up a few more minutes, before Rhaegor spotted Freyja curling the tall branches. Up above, was their prey. A speckled brown Gryphon, swatting its talons at the annoying Osprey. Rhaegor nudged his head at Niue and Varrick to hide aside before he reconnected with his bird. The Osprey shrieked and did a deep swoop at the Gryphon’s face. Small talons nicked at the beast’s eyes. Defiant, the Gryphon reared, its back claws scraping on the crystal perch, balance wobbling. Swatting again, Freyja swooped past its claws and pecked a feather from its cheek. 

“Come on you beast. Bite.” Rhaegor growled from his spot, watching the gryphon slip and wobble in his place on the perch as Freyja pestered it. 

With a final swoop, Freyja broke the beast’s balance and it went toppling forward after a failed swat at the bird. Wings flailing every which way, it fought for airtime as it plummeted towards the ground. Rhaegor, Niue, and Varrick all found their places around where it should land, preparing to take down the beast. Freyja circled the air pleased with herself, her part of the plan completed.

The gryphon landed heavily, managing to soften the fall narrowly. Grass and dirt flung to the air as it dragged across the trail, Limbs dragging through earth. Rhaegor was the first to leap into action and put his weight on the beast. Varrick and Niue were in charge of trapping, and were clinging to a net extended between them. Rhaegor bit down onto the beast’s scruff and pulled its head down in front of it, leaving the back open. A risky move, but he needed to be out of the way when the net was flung over. 

Niue charged behidn the Gryphon, leaping with the net in his teeth to swing it over the wings. One was caught underneath, while the other flapped too high and only some feathers were caught. Rhaegor eyed the free wing, but they’d adapt. Niue put his might into pulling the net, Varrick doing the same and the ropes pulled taut over the Gryphon’s back. The beast screeched and defied it’s bonds with throashes that pulled Rhaegor’s hold on it. Talons found their place on the fluffy puller’s shoulder, forcing Rhaegor to retreat to avoid injury. It wasn’t a long release, with him leaping back onto the beast’s jugular. 

Talons raised, the beast went to grab the puller again, but was halted with teeth clinging to both its limbs. Niue and Varrick pulled the talons down and away from the body, pinning the bird-beast in place for Rhaegor to finish the job. Quick encounters, Gryphon hunts, if you do them right. Surprise the bird, leave it discombobulated and you can overpower it.
With the Gryphon downed, Rhaegor caught his breath and spat out feathers from his mouth and lips. 

“Well done,” he praised his companions, with Niue smiling at the victory, while Varrick seemed disinterested in the comment.