Part 1:  Gryphon

Princess Taera Ferrewahl of the Isles of Ferre walked slowly around the courtyard, studying the beast that slept within the large cage in the center.  There were a large number of other people present, including the royal family, the royal guard, and several dozen courtiers and aristocrats.  As of three nights ago, the princess was now the Crown Princess.  Of all the gifts and treasures and proposals that she had received this one was by far the most daring of them.

King Roderick 'Ironcloak' Ferrewahl frowned mightily at the sight of his sixteen summers old daughter studying the beast that lay in drugged stupor within the cage.  Her mother clung to his arm her nails nearly piercing the thick brocade coat he wore against the chill.  Despite the presence of a dozen spear-men of the royal guard and the presence of the four foreign warriors of strange mien who had escorted the beast and its cage to the castle, his daughter's fascination with the beast disturbed him mightily.  It took an effort of will to not crumple the missive that had accompanied the letter.  

“Your Royal Highness Roderick Ferrewahl – Greetings from His Exalted Laureate Eminence Peredor of the Basalt Heights of  Holy Sharus.  Upon this, the sixteenth anum of your daughters birthing, His Eminence has seen fit to have delivered to her a gift to prove her worthiness to ascend the throne.  The Mighty Lord of All Beasts is he, and upon his taming by your daughter, she will be placed upon the Rolls of All Worthiness and considered your True Heir by the God of Light and Order Sharus.  Accompanying the Gryphon are four of the Finest Beast Masters of the Telgi Woods where dwell the Lords and Ladies of the Elvenkind, who shall determine if the Lord of All Beasts has been tamed to your daughter's hand.  May Holy Sharus continue to smile upon Your Benevolent Rule.  By the Hand of Exalted Chancellor-Cleric Lindel of the Basalt Heights of Holy Sharus.”

Under the guise of a 'Holy Rite' and a 'Test of Faith' his son, whom had already tried to murder him, was now planning on doing the same to his daughter.  Unfortunately it was within the rights of the Temple of Sharus to test every ruler across the Five Lands.  This just happened to be a test that involved a large, dangerous animal and a slip of a girl.  When the faith of Sharus had been adopted entirely across the five lands, it had not taken long at all for the 'rightful rule' to become 'rightful rule at the allowance of the church', mostly through rites such as this.  

And he could do nothing to stop it.

Taera Ferrewahl's breath was absolutely stolen.  The creature, this gryphon, was magnificent.  The golden flanks were smooth, leonine, and powerful, while the chest was muscular and feathered in deep umber feathers edge in gold.  The head of a powerful bird of prey lay across he upper limbs of leonine gold which edged into shining scales of deep yellow edged in rich mahogany, ending in thick, powerful talons of brass.  Long, tapered ears were laid back along the powerful neck, and the crest of the creature was golden shimmering.  But the huge, dark wings were the most magnificent – deep mahogany edged in gold, shading to rich gold at the middle, and then burnished in bright brass at the edges of the wings.  The beak was wide and hooked, and looked to be of brass as well.  

She paused, stepping closer to the cage much to the consternation of the guards and the awe of the nobility.  The large eyes opened, revealing luminous blue orbs surrounding black pits which slid sideways, catlike.  For a heartbeat the eyes focused, fixed upon the princess.  Her heart fluttered and her skin tingled; then the slit pupil widened as the eyes slipped closed once more.  The creature's lion-like and golden fan-ended tail rolled, lifted, then fell with a thump along the grass of the courtyard.  The princess started breathing again as she stared at the beast.  

“Why does he not stir, good sir?” she asked of the warrior standing closest to her.  

The pale elven man's dark, glassy eyes lit upon the human youth, and he spoke slowly and quietly.  “The beast was given meat tainted with sweet liquors to make sleep as it does.  Such a thing cannot be held captive while waking.”  Dressed in colorful leathers and leaning on a simple spear, the elf knelt slowly before the princess.  He spoke with deliberate care.  “The spells and potions will fade as the sun sets.  Then you must come and tame the beast.  None will protect you or see you do so.”

She swallowed, looking at the massive creature.  It was easily as tall or perhaps even taller than the great draft horses that hauled her mother and father's carriage, and they stood an arms length taller than an ordinary war-horse.  Her voice trembled slightly.  “If I fail he will eat me, won't he?”  

The elf smiled faintly. “Ask me not, for I am but a simple warrior.  Rie'a'banne can speak of such things, for she hunts the chimeras that run the great plains all.”  He turned his head to indicate a warrior she had first thought was another elven man, as she wore a helm and cloak as the others did not.  He turned to look at her once more, and she gazed back into his red-tinged eyes of dark glass.  “Yet, I would not be seen to do as much by those whom serve your Holy Sharus.”  He turned his head towards the royal's balcony that overlooked the courtyard, where the heavyset priest of the God of Five Lands sat.  The elf turned to her once more, as she nodded slowly, understanding his meaning perfectly.

Rising he took his position once more to stand guard before the gryphon's cage.  Taera marked the clothing and poise of the female elf the warrior had pointed out to her, then slowly returned to the balcony, rejoining her mother and father.  As the fat priest rose to declare the rite's ceremonies and requirements to the assembled aristocracy, Princess Taera shivered, wondering why the god would want her to face the death such a terrible, beautiful creature of the wild would undoubtedly deliver to her.

Being a bright girl, it didn't take her long at all to figure out it probably had nothing to do with the god.

Early that evening the feast was quite celebratory, and the presence of the elven escort and the ambassadors for the Lord of Beasts that would soon be testing the princess made for an even more involved and exciting celebration.  Everyone who was anyone in the kingdom was there, and the prayers and hopeful blessings the princess was given were tinged with fear and despair that she picked up on quite quickly.  It was very obvious no one expected her to live through facing the beast that night.  After two hours of the riotous feasting, the princess made her apologies and was given a final toast, before leaving to 'prepare herself for the trial ahead of her'.  

The young woman had eaten very little and drank only water, though even Cleric Dunavon, her father's personal priest, had told her she should make the very best of her evening.  She did not like the knowing smile that he had given her as he said it.  Most of her time was spent looking for the elf Rie'a'banne, and since she had not seen her at all within the fest-hall, Taera decided that she would locate the woman elsewhere.  

After fruitless searches in the gardens, the guesting rooms, and the parapets, she resigned herself to ignorance and went to the courtyard, where the beast slept still.  There was no cage, and eight elven warriors stood guard over the majestic creature, four facing the beast and four facing away.  The guard had been tripled at every entrance to the courtyard, and she was admonished by the captain of the watch to go nowhere near the beast itself, even though the balcony had no easy access to the courtyard directly.  

The setting sun lit the slightly cloudy sky in molten metal and soft shadings of green and blue, and the magnificent beasts golden hued feathers caught the light as actual gold might.  Taera stared down at the beautiful majestic creature and felt that same stirring in her veins, the tingle of her skin.  Her hand came up to her breast, to feel the pounding of her heart, the stiffening of a nipple.  Shame started to cause her cheeks to burn....but despite that she still felt that connection, the desire the great Lord of Beasts instilled in her.

~As opposite doth attract~
~So doth kind call to kind~
~No matter at all it may cost~
~Take thou love that thee find~

Princess Taera jumped at the voice and shook for a few seconds, but there was no laughter at her reaction.  Turning she saw the cloaked figure of Rie'a'banne sitting on the edge of the balcony wall not five feet from where she stood.  A delicate smile graced the lips of the pale woman as she sat hunched over, looking down at the creature that had captivated the princess.  

Composing herself, and loathe to admit her fright, the young woman asked softly, “Is that an elven poem?”  Taera couldn't see more than the delicate chin and the soft lips of the elf, but there was something decidedly strange about her.  “I've never heard any troubadour speak or sing that verse,” she explained more softly.  

“It is a corruption of a verse in a poem spoken by the Plainsfolk of the Golden Wastes.  It speaks of the gryphon, so I thought it would be appropriate.”  Her human speech was not merely good, it was perfect, and her accent was not elven at all.  

The princess, despite her distance from the mainlands, stared at the elf.  “I was taught that there were no more Plainsfolk, that the chimeras had chased them from the land, or devoured those that tried to remain, Lady Rie'a'banne?”  She quickly looked down.  “My apologies, I should not sound so sure of my speaking.  These isles are insular.  I should have asked you what you meant, rather, good lady.”  

Turning, the huntress pulled her hood back, revealing a youthful, heart shaped face and lightly painted lips.  A strange diadem of red and violet glass traced with gold rested on her brow.  “Lady?  It has been some time since anyone called me that, your highness.”  This time the stare was warranted, as the red headed girl in the thick cloak was neither elven nor as old as Taera herself was.  “You needn't call me Lady.  Rie'a'banne is a title, not my name.”  

“But the elf warrior....he said you hunted the chimeras....”  The princess shook her head, and then curtseyed to the girl.  “My apologies again.  I spoke out of turn.  I am making presumptions once more, Rie'a'banne, forgive me.”  She took a deep breath and composed herself.  “May we begin anew?”

Blue eyes sparkled in the setting sun, and the girl inclined her head.  “No, I think that you are doing very well.  The apology of a princess twice over?  You truly are deserving of this test.”  She leaned over, looking down at the still sleeping beast.  The guards were speaking softly, and the creatures tail lashed.  As the princess and the strange huntress watched the gryphon rolled over to its other side, the wings stretching once.  “No more than an hour remains before the potion and spells wear off, princess.  Do you think you will have the courage to face the gryphon?”  

The crown princess turned to face the creature below, watching it breathe deeply and evenly.  That strange pull, that spark of warmth renewed itself.  “There will be no guards, no one to save me if it attacks.  Its wings....they are whole and working?”  The huntress nodded, gazing at the princess with renewed interest.  “So if he does slay me, it will be free to fly.”  A single nod.  “Since I must face the Lord of Beasts alone and without weapon, then my courage does not matter.  If I do not face it, I may not rule or marry, and my people would suffer for that, in some manner regardless of the wrath of the Holy Sharus.”

The red headed girl leaned back, crossing her ankles.  That she wore breeches and tunic of elven make under her cloak was odd, but the ring on her finger was even more odd, for it was of dwarven craftsmanship.  The princess knew this because the book she had seen the ring depicted in was several hundred years old, and it was a dwarven history.  Tilting her head up to gaze at the first stars, she spoke softly.  “Brave, honest, and humble when necessary.  I can see why he hates you so.  It would truly be a travesty to have the kingdom ruled by one as forthright and intelligent as you.”  The last words were spoke with a wry smile.

The princess sighed.  “I have read many of the histories, and it seems more and more to me that the church has designs upon the lands.  But their rules are absolute.”  

“For now.  Though, you are wrong.”

Taera looked at the huntress strangely.  “Are there ways in which the Laws of Holy Sharus are not absolute?”

“No, about the gryphon.  She is a queen, not a lord.”  Taera's startled look brought a soft laugh from the huntress.  “Oh, she would slay you as quickly as a lord, don't doubt.  But then again, she is like you.”  Taera watched as the strange girl turned and slipped off the balcony wall and then turned to face the princess.  Instinctively the princess faced her as well.  The girl stepped forward and spoke softly and quickly, her shimmering grey eyes holding the princess fast.  “As you feel when you look upon her, she feels when she looks upon you.  Noble, proud, out of her time and place, filled with the desire to rule well and wisely.  She aches to be recognized as beloved of her people, as do you.”  

Stepping back, Rie'a'banne drew her fingers down between her small breasts, tracing the leather thong and the wickedly sharp dragon's tooth amulet carved and dyed by the hands of the lizard-folk of the Great Marsh.  Taera's eyes followed the hand that traced the huntress' belly, and stopped at her crux.  “She burns, princess, aches for a lord to fill her belly, to give her fullness.  But there is no lord here.  There is only you, and you cannot give her that fullness.  But you can cool her heat, and give her succor, as you seek succor from the shadow of the burning gods whom seeks to bring your people to ruin.”  The fingers splayed, spread, slipped back up to her breasts.  “Give her that, and she will ever serve you for the honor and kindness you show her, just as a queen must do for those who show her honor and kindness.”

She shivered and spoke softly, well aware of what Rie'a'banne was demanding of her.  It was obscene, it was insane, but it was also hope.  A slim chance to survive the night.  “And what might a huntress demand of a queen whom she had shown honor and kindness?”  

The blue eyes glimmered with amusement, and Rie'a'banne shook her head.  “Who knows?  In forty or fifty years, perhaps merely to see the crown princess safe and sound; or perhaps a place to stay for a lifetime, far away from the madness of the mainland.”  Taera's heart sank, but the girl laughed at her despondent look.  “Nothing that would harm the kingdom or the subjects within it!  That I swear upon the life I live, an oath to gods long forgotten.”  

The princess relaxed, but then the elven guards were silently slipping out of the courtyard, the gryphon's stirring more often.  Rie'a'banne looked at the gryphon and spoke softly.  “She wakes, and you must greet her before she rises completely.  Remember our teachings, and remember what I have said, your highness.”  The huntress pulled her cowl up and started towards the doors, but before she could leave the balcony the princess caught up with her.  

“Lady – no, Rie'a'banne....what does your title mean, if it pleases you?”  The princess stood, her hands clasped before her breast, her eyes bright and curious.  

The huntress looked at the beautiful girl and her blue eyes gleamed with dark amusement.  “Trapper of Three Generations.”  The princess looked even more confused.  “Generations of elves, your highness.  That's how long I have been hunting with these elves.  I may return to dwarven lands soon, so you will not see em for some time perhaps.” 

The princess started to voice her disbelief, and then stopped, looking at the huntress.  She schooled her expression and curtsied.  “You have my thanks, Rie'a'banne, for the kindness and honor you have done me.”

The red-headed girl smiled.  “My friends, such as yourself, may call me Pillory, your highness.  I would say fortune smile upon you, but it will be your own courage that will save you this night, not luck.”  She turned and slipped into the castle, the guards looking startled when she passed them.  

The arrival of the princess from the balcony prevented them from following the huntress, fortunately.  The princess wasn't sure that they could have stopped her from leaving in any case, but it was better they not know that.  She wasn't sure she wanted to believe it.  But then, if she survived the night, she would believe everything.

Only a short time later, the princess bathed quickly, wearing only the very lightest scent, despite the attempts of the priests to douse her in oils and stronger attars.  Her gentle, but very firm refusal to Cleric Dunavon was simply, “I would not wish to offend the Lord of Beasts upon our first meeting.”  She had almost added 'by smelling like a whore' but followed wisdom's course instead.  She also refused the ceremonial armor they offered to put her in, requesting instead that her lightest and most demure gown be brought instead.  When they offered her a weapon, she again refused.  “I am no warrior princess, intending to ride such a magnificent creature into battle.  I am merely the crown princess, and would be presented as such.”

Though the clergyman wished to protest, and her mother did – quite loudly decrying her defenselessness against such a terrifying beast with nor arms or armor to protect her – the simple fact of the matter was that her conversation had taken much of her time, and preparations had stolen nearly all the rest.  Nothing more could be done, and the King and queen kissed their daughter's cheeks and spoke a prayer over her.  The leader of the elven delegation, a beautiful and willowy woman, spoke another prayer over her as well.  Although Princess Taera's elvish was not complete, she did recognize the phrase 'be watched over by the flame haired guardian who watches over us.'  

The thought that the huntress was so old that there were prayers about her among the elves gave Taera the first tiny doubts about the god they claimed watched over the Five Kingdoms.

Finally she was lead to the large gates that lead to the courtyard, and she said a prayer of her own.  Not to Sharus, or to Rie'a'banne, but on her own, to no named deity.  A tiny request for grace and dignity in her time of need.  Then she stepped out into the courtyard, where the gryphon crouched, still drowsing as true Night took her place in the sky.  

As she approached, she could see that the gryphon was no longer lying quiescent on the ground.  Her wings were furled against her flanks, surprisingly compact.  Like a cat, she crouched upon her fours, and her head was upright, though her eyes were closed and her ears drooped.  Despite that there was a raw, essential nobility in her bearing, even mostly asleep.  The princess glanced at the castle, the parapets, the windows.  No one could be seen; the windows were shuttered and the doors all barred.  No guard was set this night, at least not overlooking the courtyard.  

Taera walked slowly, stepping carefully into the grass where the magnificent creature waited.  The wings shook; she froze, staring her hear in her mouth, her fear overwhelming in that instant.  The gryphon settled, her ears flicking and her eyes only opening a slit before closing once more.  The princess waited another moment, then forced herself to continue towards the Lady of the Beasts.  She could not afford to wait at all; the elf said she was to present herself upon the gryphon's awakening, and she suspected that had not been merely a turn of phrase after her talk with the huntress.  

The closer she approached, the more she felt those strange stirrings, that tingle across her skin, the yearning to touch that golden fur, those shining feathers.  It grew stronger the closer that she approached, and then she discovered something new.  The gryphon smelled like spices, a pungent, but not unpleasant scent that made her heart beat faster again, but not in fear.  Slowly she moved closer, twenty paces, ten paces, five. 

The gryphon was magnificent, glorious in her strength and beauty.  The princess recalled what the huntress had told her and she flushed....and then wondered more.  She knew there were maids who enjoyed the company of other maids to those of the serving boys.  There were guards too, men who preferred men, women who sought women.  The concept was not alien to her.  Hadn't the poem even said that 'like called to like'?  She moved a pace closer, and smiled, recalling the feel of her stallion Hannegar between her legs.  How much more intense the feel of golden fur rippling with muscle, a noble steed as the priest had suggested?  Those powerful flanks, those hunting claws digging into the earth....but to fly!  Oh how she might enjoy the hunt from in the sky, riding the Lady of Beasts, her wings outstretched, heart racing, her blue eyes seeking prey....

All thought fled Taera's imagination as she stared into the luminous blue eyes and the wide pupils that gazed down at her.  

The glossy metallic beak opened, a vast noise like the hiss of hot metal quenched in water erupting from the gryphon as it rose from its crouch.  Her wings half unfurled, and the tail lashed back and forth, the golden feathers catching the moonlight and glittering.  The huge talons spread, thick and long and slicing deep grooves into the earth before the massive beast.  Taera stared as the beast lowered herself, further, one claw reaching out, closing half the distance between her and the gryphon. 

A flash of silver eyes in her mind, and the spell was broken.  She lowered her head, and took her dress lightly at the sides, between her fingers, and curtsied.  She spoke loudly and clearly, all fear banished as she greeted the noble creature before her.  “My Lady Gryphon.  I am Crown Princess of the Isle of Ferre, your hostess and friend.  I am Princess Taera Ferrewahl, daughter of his Majesty King Roderick of Ferrewahl and her Majesty Queen Julia of Ferrewahl.”  Rising, standing tall, Taera spread her arms.  “Please be welcome in my lands, in my home....”  She looked up at the beautiful, deadly creature.  “....in my heart.” 

Her heart was pounding, and she was flushed, but now she knew why her skin tingled, why she felt lightheaded and her heart pounded.  It had been love at first sight.  A noble creature, captive and drugged, but even then, beautiful, elegant, proud, fearsome.  Brought to her, to cherish, to greet and make welcome.  

To offer succor. 

The gryphon's mouth had closed, and the beast rose slowly, the blue eyes unblinking at the sight before her.  Taera felt herself being weighed, examined.  Judged.  

Slowly she brought her arms up and untied the bodice of her corset, a simple one, more for show than shape.  The gryphon hissed again, but less loudly, and the claws flexed.  The princess ignored her guest's bluster, instead choosing to undo the lacing.  Slowly she discarded the silvery cloth and satin ribbons.  Then she reached behind herself.  The claws landed inches from her feet, her legs, puncturing it and crushing it.  

Taera froze, gazing up at those deadly, fearless, angry eyes of glowing blue.  “My lady....allow me to show you I mean you no harm....”  She slowly continued to unhook the fastenings of the dress.  The gryphon dragged her corset back, and lowered its head, scenting the ruined material.  “You are lost, and troubled....I too am troubled, but you are welcome here.  You are....”  The princess slowly slipped her arms free of the sleeves, and then held the dress up, keeping it over her breasts.  

“You are beautiful, and free.  You are not held here.”  She stepped towards the gryphon and was assaulted by a shriek that near deafened her.  Taera went down to one knee, her ears ringing, her head spinning.  “My lady,” she continued, barely hearing her own words.  “My lady, you need fear nothing from me....”  Rising shakily, the delicate young woman looked into the bright eyes once more.  “I have no armor....no weapons....” 

The gryphon was standing once more, head lifted high, the eyes gazing at her with....with confusion.  As though the gryphon was at a loss to understand why this small creature was neither screaming in terror or trying to slay her.  Taera dropped her arms to her sides, baring her breasts, her nipples already hard, and not by the chill of the air.  She paused, and the gryphon lowered its head, the cruel beak parting....then Taera bent her knees and worked her hips, sliding the dress from her hips side-to-side.  

The gryphon cocked her head, her tail coming up and swaying slightly, looking as though she were baffled by the strange behavior.  The then gryphon lifted one great talon as Taera stepped free of her dress, unclothed to the night sky, to any who might dare spy, to the world....to the majestic beauty before her.  She spread her arms, smiling up at those huge, glowing eyes of deep blue, and the claw came down. 

Not swiftly.  Not at her.  Towards her, a step forward.  The gryphon lowered her head, the beak coming within inches of Taera's soft, unprotected skin.  The crest shivered, rose, lowered as the gryphon inhaled the light scent of rosewater and the musk of a human girl who was aroused, uninhibited.  Taera smiled and stroked her on breast, then lightly caressed the soft thatch of down between her legs, mimicking the movements she'd seen not two hours before.

Instinctively the gryphon followed the movement, and heat bloomed in the girl's body as she was seen by another unclothed.  Royalty, of a sort, no less.  Taera spoke softly.  “I come to you, unarmed, unarmored, and unafraid....”  The gryphon continued to scent her, then the beak opened slowly.  Hot breaths flowed between the princess' legs, and she gasped, her fingers drawing back from her crux.

Then she felt a touch there.  

Taera looked down, at the beak that was hardly a finger length from her unprotected belly.  A ribbon of white and pink darted out again and lightly caressed the slit of her femininity.  She drew a sharp breath, which brought those eyes to hers, and caused the beak to widen.  Taera did not move, only laughed softly, her cheeks flushed.  Her first kiss, from a stranger, she supposed, and it was not on the cheek, but upon another pair of lips!  When the darting tongue struck again, it pressed, and she shuddered as it slipped between virgin lips to caress her in ways that she had only touched herself, and only in passing.

This was not in passing, but deliberate.  The gryphon's tongue tasted her again and she bit her knuckle to keep from crying out.  Then she opened her eyes and looked at her new friend.  “My lady....allow me to ease the way....”   She moved as she spoke, the gryphon seeming to be less concerned when she did so.  Slowly she lay herself upon her dress, spreading her legs, offering herself to the gryphon.  One hand reached down between her legs, which caused the gryphon's head to draw back....then lower as she spread her nether lips wide.  

Her other hand strayed to her breasts, caressed, played with her erect nipples.  She sighed softly as she pressed her finger to her secret flesh....and then bit back a moan when the hot ribbon of the beast's tongue slipped along her open petals and wet sex.  Not tentatively, but eagerly.  Tasting her.  Licking her.  She moaned into the night sky, looking up at the moon in a daze, then lowering her eyes to the powerful avian head between her legs, the huge beak wide, the ribbon-like tongue darting out and sliding back in, hot breaths caressing her open sex.  

She whispered softly, “My lady.... and the ears lifted, the gryphon responding to her words.  The gryphon crouched, lowering herself onto her paws and talons, the talons creeping forward o lightly caress Taera's spread legs.  She gasped as the darting tongue slipped more quickly along her sex.  Her fingers shifted..and suddenly the tongue was stroking the apex of her feminine places in a way she had never truly appreciated, because in second she was crying out, writhing as she was brought to near-immediate climax by the lovely, loving queen before her.

The creature was shifting in place the vat head rising as Taera sat up, her breasts heaving, her eyes bright and eager.  “My lady....a moment....and you will receive your due....”  The gryphon stared at her for along moment.  As Taera caught her breath she ran her fingers along her incredibly wet sex; there was a musky, heady scent, unlike that of her companion.  As she got to her feat shakily, she told the gryphon, “I am afraid you smell much more pleasant than I, my lady.”  

She was almost bowled over when the gryphon shoved her feathered crown against her body, and she instinctively grabbed hold.  The gryphon made a heavy, thick growling sound and she froze....until the gryphon continued to nuzzle her body, nearly overbearing the slight girl.  Purring  she was purring.  Taera stared as the gryphon lifted her haunches, tail upright and high, moving from one back paw to the other, like....  “My lady, you are in need.”   She stroked the smooth, firm feathers and spoke softly, caressing the long ear and shivering in anticipation.  “Allow me to fulfill your need, your majesty.”

Taera ran her hands along the creature’s thick, muscular neck, stroking the feathers, and marveling at the transition to thick, velveteen fur.  The scent of spices was stronger, and it made her ache inside again, made her wet between her legs.  The wings unfurled as she stroked the gryphon's sides, allowing her pass underneath the huge pinions, to feel the powerful muscles that would drive them, the heavy, deep breaths of the gryphon.  She purred deeply and loudly, as Taera walked behind the lovely beast, stroked her flank.

Here the scent was overwhelming, but not unpleasant still.  And it was almost intoxicating, the scent of the gryphon's need.  Standing behind her, looking up at the pussy vulva of the feline hindquarters surmounted by a tail both leonine and avian, Taera could see how wet she was, and could nearly feel the heat radiating from the beautiful creature's own sex, much as it had from her own.  The princess reached up and caressed the velvet-like softness of the puffy flesh, and the gryphon lifted her hindquarters.  

“No, my lady....”  lightly she began to stroke, to tease the strange tawny flesh that surrounded the gryphon's sex as best she could.  As she drew her fingers away, the gryphon began to crouch, and Taera continued to tease the great beast so, until it was crouched before her, tail lashing wildly.  “Yes, my lady....like so....”  with both hands she began to caress, stroke and play with the hot, swollen sex of the gryphon.  When she started to lift her hindquarters, Taera pulled her fingers away, kept them lower upon that warm flesh that smelled of rich spices.  The gryphon cooed as Taera slowly pressed her fingers into the slick heat of the gryphon's sex....and found herself becoming more that simply wet.  Obscene as it was, she was becoming aroused by this act, even more so than she had when the gryphon was giving her attention.

“No....call it what it is.”  Love.  The gryphon had made love to her, and so she would to the elegant Queen of Beasts.  Taera pressed her fingers into the heat before her, deeper, until her hand was inside the great beast's sex  Leaning forward she pressed her other hand between her own legs....and spread her fingers wide.  The gryphon let out a soft, warbling cry, and the princess pressed her mouth to the strange, soft flesh before her, licked it, kissed it.  Explored it, tongue and fingers alike.  Learned her own sex as she learned the gryphons.  

She let out a shocked cry as she located the source of the intense pleasure that had overwhelmed her before....and in so doing, she wondered if her companion had such a place.  Dutifully, and willingly, Taera licked and kissed her lovers heavy, spicy flesh, unconcerned by the liquid that occasionally spilled upon her cheeks and chin, far more interested in pleasing the gryphon properly.  Her fingers found it first, a knot of flesh at the bade of the puffy vulva.  Carefully, she exposed her lover's 'little button', which was a large orb like nodule of hot white flesh.

The gryphon's throbbing purr became louder and she pushed back into the princess' hand....but it was the girl's mouth that covered the sensitive pearl in that hot flesh, and her tongue that stroked it.  She played with herself as she serviced her chimeric lover, and she lapped eagerly, suckled, and caressed....and then the gryphon let loose a melodic shriek, utterly unlike her previous cry.  Wetness spilled over the princess' face, but she lapped and licked, until the gryphon lifted away from her.

It too only a few ore strokes before the princes fell to her knees, her second climax nearly as violent as the first....and warm fur and sleek feathers were pressed to her body, as her lover caught her in an embrace and nuzzled, caressed her, held her close.  She gasped loving words to her companion, dazed, lost in her affection and desire, hugged her, laughing and crying and ecstatic.

The next morning, only a single window was opened, and only the king looked out.  What he saw nearly gave him a heart attack, her chest seizing and hid face going red.  He shuttered the window and order the guards to go downstairs and to make sure Cleric Dunavon was with them.  He whispered a reassurance to the queen, and it was not long before the guards filed out, the royal guards surrounding the king and queen, spears and halberds at the ready.  

Dunavon stepped out with the first guards, fully expecting to see a slaughter.  Instead he was presented with the sight of the crown princess, clad only in her shift, her dress a tattered ruin.  She was half leaning against the right foreleg of the majestic gryphon, whose wings were upright and spread, shading the princess from the morning sun.  Her eyes were wild and sparkling, and her expression at once amused and challenging.  Luminous blue eyes watched the Cleric, unconcerned by the spears and armor presented in the courtyard.  

“Behold, Cleric Dunavon.  I have tamed the Lord of Beasts, and now will be granted my rights to rule and marry.” He sputtered, stepping quickly behind the spear-men accompanying him, and was suddenly sent sprawling forward by a powerful shove.  

The spear-men stepped aside quickly as the King walked into the courtyard, accompanied by several elves, including one unusually short and cloaked elf.  The cleric struggled to compose himself, his face red, both from anger and bewilderment.  One of the elven warriors spoke in his lilting voice.  “We four see the Crown Princess of Ferrewahl, mistress of the Gryphon from the Great Golden Plains.  We from Telgi Wood believe her to have tasted deeply of victory and greet the Princess Wild.”  He turned to the huntress.  “Would you say it so, Rie'a'banne?”

The lilting accent that had not been present was now rich in the girl's voice.  “I would say it is very much so, and that her taste of the wild will remain deep within her, as it should be for her to rise to the throne she deserves.”  Shining diamond blue eyes met luminous blue eyes, and then lifted to look into the gryphon's luminous eyes as well.  “I think she will make a fine empress,” the immortal whispered softly, in a language long dead.

The cleric ran forward, decrying the elves words, and stood before the king.  “This is clearly impossible, it is blasphemy!  No one can tame such a beast without witchcraft!”  He pushed the guards forward.  “Arrest her at once!”  The guards merely moved aside, let themselves be pushed.  The gryphon watched with interest, the tail lashing slowly.  

“Do you need more proof?”  The courtyard fell silent as the princess stood and walked towards the cleric.  “Here is your proof!”  She pointed at him and the gryphon pounced instantly, the beak clamping down on his arm and holding him in place.  One set of brass talons was pressed into the fat man's belly, and he shrieked in terror.  The guards lifted their spears and the princess shouted, “STAND FAST OR HE DIES!”

Taera's stately walk belied her disheveled, near-undressed appearance.  She was every bit as regal as if she wore her crown jewels and the robes of state.  The guards gave way before her, going to their knees.  Her mother's eyes glistened wet, but her smile was purely that of pride and her father watched with blank calm, trusting his daughter to do what was correct, if not what was right.

She walked up to the cowering, terrified Dunavon, and spoke softly.  “I have done no less than His Eminence has asked of me.  My Jacinth obeys me alone; at the behest of Holy Sharus I have tamed the Lord of All Beasts.  This you will say to him:  I have fulfilled my holy Duty, and will be listed in the Rolls of All Worthiness and be named The True Heir.”  Her hand stroked the gryphon's neck and the fat priest was tumbled to the ground, the gryphon standing proud and threatening.  “Or I must I fly to greet his Eminence myself?”

The blubbering priest managed to blurt out an acknowledgment, and she turned to her father, and embraced him.  Her mouth joined the embrace – propriety be damned, it was a true miracle.  “Papa....Jacinth is hungry....”  She looked up, her eyes gleaming deep blue, strange and lovely.

“Where is Hannegar....?”

~XS