"Yes, I find these quarters very agreeable," Helena 3 says in griffin
smiling up at the "Chief of Chiefs", Trilling Blackfeather. "This is better
by far than some of the inns I took refuge in. By far, much cleaner
than some of those wretched places, also. My friends of the patrol, may
they rest well in the Afterlife, told me much of this. I'm gladdened
that it holds true for….this clan…as well…."
From all accounts, the griffins had accepted the idea of Helena possibly
being not of this world with nary a blink of the eye. In their oldest myths,
their races origins traced itself well back to another realm. It was even
rumored that their origins was due to some mighty race of wizards and witches!
Whatever the case, all concise records had been lost in the mists of time
and some terrible battle that nobody was sure of all the details. Whatever
the case, it was generally seen as divine punishment for arrogance and
greed for material wealth.
The griffin of today's Terra lead a much more….spiritual life, to better
please their gods and goddesses.
That, and they were VERY meticulous about the cleanliness of their lairs
and themselves (perhaps part of this had to do with their cat heritage).
Helena was very glad of this, for she'd hate to have to sleep in flea
infest quarters in her duties of being ambassador to the griffin!
She was also glad that she didn't have to explain the confusing situation
of her perhaps being from another world. It had been confusing and frightening
enough when she had awoken after 85 years! To have to explain it to the
avian people….
"Thissss isssss good," Trilling Blackfeather says in readily understandable
trade tongue (the now defunct language of Gelda….even something of a universal
language back in Helena's day). "Let it not be sssaid that Trrrrilling
Blackfeatherrrr and hissss people sssslighted honorrrred guesssstssss!"
Helena smiled. Things were getting off to a pretty good start.
Trilling then switched to his native tongue.
"Please, let us drink to friends and the future," Dark Trilling says.
"And tell me how you and your sisters….ended up on this world and this
time."
Queen Astra had told him in passing what had happened, but now perhaps
this woman could shed more light on the subject. Astra had told him about
Helena and her sisters, and how she had helped a long lost flight/patrol
of griffins defeat Horkus the Wicked…only to be captured by the dark mage's
teacher!
There was something afoot here.
Light Trilling had believed he had asked the question out of polite
curiousity.
Dark Trilling wanted to know just what Zerm's statue was doing here,
living and breathing!
In the interest of co-operation with the griffins, Helena 3 related
the tale told to her by her Queen and family, leaving out parts that would
embarrass some….or compromise vital secrets for others.
"….but the Golem known as Probe used a weapon that worked on science
and with a weapon that Zerm had no knowledge of," Helena smiles, nursing
her wine as Trilling drank his third glass (who's alcoholic properties
hardly effected his griffin body, anyway). "His daughter, Inquirer, was
able to save her father…and now he is a true golem, based upon science,
rather than wholy upon science." How such as all that
"You…don't say!" Light Trilling says, amazed despite himself. The Atlantians
were something of the villian with the griffin, and also with the good
hearted Light Trilling, who despised what he'd heard about the evils that
Atlantis had brought forth upon Terra.
Dark Trilling was quickly re-evaluating the revenge plans he had on
the one known as Probe.
In a dark corner of the black griffin's mind, Dark Trilling was…convincing
himself of something.
It's not like he was the actual person who had planned the humiliation
upon me, Dark Trilling rationalized. He was just the messanger.
And gods know that killing the messanger never really took care of the
problem. You learned that from trying it a few times, right? Didn't do
a bit of good! And….he did you two favors, actually! First, he set you
upon the road to where you are now truly blessed with this wonderful body…and
this position of power! Second, he did kill Zerm for you. Yes, I
think that at least that…..takes him off the "must kill" list.
Nothing was mentioned of the plain fact that Dark Trilling had not clue
ONE on how to kill a golem, either the more mundane based magical
ones or this exotic, new fangled science brand of the beast! It
would take the aid of a mage.
Frankly, Dark Trilling had enough dealings with magic….though he now
blesses the day one changed him into what he was meant to be, correcting
a horrible mistake at birth…..
Any future personal dealings with magic would be through his Shaman….and
only at need.
"This….science sounds even more powerful than magic!"
Evening Star whispered, awed. "It easily defeated Zerm!"
"And not to mention the dragons," Evening Song added. "Whatever the
case about it being a horrible mistake, as you tell us, what's now left
is…..much friendlier with other races!"
"More….like it hit a blind spot," Light Trilling said, suddenly thoughtful.
"Instead of fighting this enemy on his own terms, he…..changed the rules
of the engagement?" Several people blink at the sharp observation, even
Dark Trilling. The dark side of the griffin just puts it down as inspiration….his
Muse speaking….or whatever….
"I'm told that's what they have had to do on several occasions," Helena
says, nodding. "It's not necessarily more powerful than magic, but it's
not necessarily weaker than magic. Magic exceeds science in some areas,
but in others…..it's equal if not more powerful than present day magic."
The tales her family had told her almost sounded like those told by
a blind drunken bard. However, Helena….believed it for the most part.
-
 Helena 3 soon
retires, wanting to again to see what tomorrow brings. However, we now
turn to another part of Terra.
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