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Chapter 8: Suntail

Back to the city they went upon their wings, closing the distance in no time at all. Down below they passed through the civilian district, rows upon rows of housing, laid upon the cobblestone foundation. Even though this section was the oldest part of Entis, it was nearly done being reworked, the houses reconstructed with gryphons in mind.

A bell rang out for all to hear from the great clocktower that rose from the district like an arm, reaching for the heavens. Its surface was a work of art, a mural of gryphon and humankind coming together in peace; the original king and his male consort on full display.

Where the inquisitor was holed up was in a laboratory located right beside one of the walls that separated this district from another. It was right across from the jail, where criminals that could not be sent out on community service or hard labor resided, fancy holding cells until they were executed. The laboratory had two entrances, one for gryphon kind located on the roof, the other down below, passed a gate, courtyard and guards.

The gryphon circled the platform above, large enough for two gryphons with their wings outstretched to land with ease; each side was marked for taking off or landing. He landed with a click of his talons, already finding himself in the dutiful attentions of the trio of gryphons resting in watch, clad in plate mail with eyes just as hard. As the commander pinned his wings he was met with a kobold in soft brown robes, gold stitching at its frayed ends.

He hardly came up to a human's chest, this diminutive lizard with grey scales. He held his horned head high as he met the gryphon's gaze, whilst at the same time shifting his feet uncomfortably. "Skywing?" Asked the kobold, taking a tentative bow, "Mistress has been waiting for you."

"I didn't know Suntail employed kobolds from the north." He chirped, padding his way over, "We don't get much of your kind outside the mountains."

"Well, you see, there is a funny story around that." The kobold gave a nervous laugh, clearly not used to being addressed by one with the rank of commander. "Though not to say Suntail isn't generous, she is- "

"Relax, you need not be so nervous around me." Skywing perked his ears, swelled his chest feathers, "You're doing fine."

"Thank you, Commander."

"You can just call me Skywing."

With a bow, the kobold did as was requested.

"And what might I call you, I can't very well just be calling you kobold."

"Azzik." The kobold replied, clicking his talons together, "And you'll find mistress Suntail employs _many_talents under her roof."

This inquisitor was sounding more appealing every moment, she had a head on her shoulders. Though he expected as much, the inquisition was able to fend off threats far and wide from mundane to supernatural. He wondered if this was going to be connected to the dragon in some way. He let the little lizard lead him along, down a series of stone steps and into the halls below.

"And what pray tell is your special skill?" He asked while searching the robed lizard up and down, while nothing physically impressive, he spied a series of pouches and scroll case, hinting at some form of spell caster.

"Cleric of Fureen actually." Azzik replied, pulling out an amulet of the sun he'd had around his neck, covered by his robes, "Not to mention being a voice for mistress when she asks about other kobolds...We don't leave our homes much."

Which made this one ever more peculiar, braver, he wondered what sort of spark had made this inquisitor interested in one so small?

He was dragged into the building, through the many floors dedicated to her craft. His head nearly spun at all the alcoves dedicated to study, shelves upon shelves of thick tomes, detailing the enemies mundane and magical that one might face. Of course, within this lab was a place to experiment with potions, salves, and other methods. The halls were staffed by numerous humans, minotaur and gryphons, each the example of duty and dedication. Some wandered the halls with books for unseen masters, hurrying to deliver their cargo, while others bore weapons and armor, setting out for an afternoon of sparing.

The walls of the hall were clean and orderly, the stone bearing no signs of magical creation. How long had this place stood? Skywing kept his beak shut, knowing these first humans and gryphons worked tirelessly to protect them from forces beyond his comprehension, even demons came under their purview.

Suntail was found in an office littered with tomes and scrolls, spent candles drooling around them. The air smelled of cinnamon and earth. The walls had trophies of numerous creatures and monsters that she'd brought down, tusks, horns, claws and even eyes of exceptional kills, he even thought he eyed the head of a medusae up there. There was a table that dominated the room, a map of the city rolled out and held down by daggers thrust in at the ends. Tiny needles with color dotted sections of it, creating a detailed method of attack for some unseen plan.

The gryphoness was planted in an oversized chair with crimson cushions. Her burnt orange feathers were ruffled with interest, dusted with layers of black. She was covered in loose-fitting attire of grey and black leather, complete with a headdress of crimson feathers around her ears. Her piercing amber eyes were not on the gryphon that entered but fixed onto an open section of the wall next to her; her leopard-like tail flicked across her chair as the sound of straining chains filled the air. She was the image of calm.

"Ah, Skywing, good, punctual as to be expected." She said bluntly, a black tipped ear flicking to him, "Would you like some tea?"

He eyed the teapot and cups seated upon a silver tray, noting one had already been sipped. "I'm good."

"Then come here and answer a question for me."

"Only a question?" He padded his way to this woman's side, curious about what had her attention so. When he neared and joined her, he regretted it immediately.

Where she was looking was a simple room, made of weathered stone and lit by mana lantern light. Thick shadows clung to a central chair, the only bit of furniture within, it's hard oak surface littered with scratches and dents born from desperation and fear. Chained to this was an elven man in simple garb, straining against the cold steel pressed to his fair flesh. Eyes were wide and bulging from his head as color all but drained from his face; he was facing off against a monster.

Looming before him was a humanoid creature out of nightmares. Enshrouded in inky black robes, its flesh was a sickly blue that glistened with mucus in the light. Where a human head should have been instead was a horrific mixture of it and an octopus. It bared down upon the elf with twin eyes of glowing orange that seemed to sear the very air with their stare. Four tentacles rested where its chin should have been, pulsating and twisting as if they had minds of their own, the monster rose a single, four-digit, claw like hand towards the elf, taking forceful steps with purpose towards him. With every step, the elf visibly trembled or shook, desperate to escape.

"How far must one go to protect what they hold dear? What lines and borders can be drawn in this endless battle against the evils that bombard us every day?" Suntail spoke without remorse, or even a hint of emotion as the elf struggled, "Do the ends justify the means?"

As the beast took another step, the air between him and the elf seemed to pulse with power, an unseen force connecting the two. Skywing shifted his hinds, his insides twisting in on themselves with disgust, he'd never been fond of torture, even of the greatest evils this world could hold. "This can't be the best way to get whatever he knows."

"You didn't answer the question."

"I'd like to think we shouldn't stoop as low as the same evils we fight, how are we any different?"

"Spoken like one who has yet to stare into the true evils of this world."

His ears pinned as the elf went slack jawed, frozen in horror as the creature's tentacles grazed across his face, leaving a slimy trail. This beast was something he expected more from the terrible wizards of Rothdell, not from those within Entis. "What is this creature?"

"Not many have witnessed a Cthulhid and lived to tell the tale. They dwell in the darkest depths of our world, found across the sea living among the dark elves, they have remarkable psionic powers, ranging from telekinesis to mind reading." She plucked up her teacup, taking a ginger sip. "The laymen call them Brain Drinkers, though that's not accurate, they eat the brains."

"And this is what, an execution?"

"An interrogation." Her leopard-like tail flicked, as she gave a heavy sigh, "Elven-kin are resistant if not immune to charms, that one there was being dreadfully unforthcoming with his information. In times such as this, more drastic measures must be taken. What you see is the creature extracting the information we seek."

"Why even bother with asking them at all if you can do this?" He spat bitterly, averting his gaze as the elf began to thrash, eyes rolling into the back of his head as crimson droplets ran down his cheek.

"They can resist, it's not as simple as plucking it out of their heads. One's mental fortitude can try to grasp onto what we seek, but eventually, their walls will crumble and fade, allowing that creature to get inside. While true we could just batter aside such defenses, the subject will catch a rather nasty case of death."

"What crime did this one do to deserve such treatment?"

"This one's empathy doesn't deserve you Skywing, my agents found him planting a series of explosive devices outside our schools. Mundane looking things, packed thick with Drenedar dragon powder." Her eyes narrowed as she took another sip of tea, "Lacking magic we can detect, but volatile and destructive. This one here could not have acted alone; I _will_find his accomplices."

Right under their beaks, striking at such targets? If what she said was true, the unease that dragged at his heart could be more bearable. "If he gives us what we want, he will be unharmed?"

"Quite. What you see now is the struggle of the wicked. All he must do is reveal to us his accomplices and the pain will cease. He then can live out his many days performing hard labor for the kingdom, a fair punishment for his crimes."

"How did you get the loyalty of such a monster?"

"They are sapient, not animals of the land. It has needs and they are met." She gestured to it's neck, "You see the collar with runes on it? One word from me or my agents and it will explode. While powerful, Cthulhid's are not immune to decapitation."

"I am shocked that we're allowed to use such creatures. You'd think they would be disallowed."

"Engaging in the war with your wings tied is not a way to win commander. There are resources in this world that I will use for my duty, which brings us back to you."

The gryphoness rose a hand, forming shapes upon the air as she spoke words of power, sounding more like growls and hisses than words. At its end her eyes swelled with golden light, the window to the other room closing itself in a matter of breaths, leaving no trace of it ever being there. Her gaze pierced the air, straight through Skywing himself as if trying to see into the depths of his soul. The other side of her face now revealed to him, was burned all around her eye.

Skywing shifted, telling himself he'd done nothing wrong, "What need have you of me if you can wield power over such creatures? I am a mere gryphon."

"Humble, fitting." She said with a hint of amusement, "You are a hand of our kingdom, a sword sharpened to perfection. But the times we find ourselves is shifting, shadows dwell all around us, it is in these moments that loyalty is tested, and keeping those you can trust is paramount." She reached to her side, plucking out a thick tomb stuffed with parchment. With a sigh she opened it with a loud thump, "Skywing, the gryphon formally known as Leonidas, wing-commander within our great king's service. One who has earned the brass wing, the lavender talon, even had three recommendations for the gold sword, quite the career you've had."

"I've considered it one well lived." He replied as she flipped the page.

"No exceptional disciplinary actions, no hints of unease within your beak, ah, except here with a certain Arcturus Lund." She tapped the page with a flick of her tail, "Like a pair of smitten rabbits I believe your superior at the time marked- "

His ears splayed, while it was something he didn't truly regret, he still didn't approve of it being brought up in such a manner, "Is there any relevance to this?"

"That this paints the image of an exemplary soldier, one that could be expected to do their duty regardless of the request. Time and again you've undertaken dangerous missions, risked your life and come out the other side."

"Are you trying to recruit me for a mission of sorts? I just got removed from the Arcturus case- "

"Which is exactly why I brought you here." She closed the tomb, raising up with a steeled gaze, slinking out of her seat and gesturing to the table. "Our kingdom's heart is at stake as it always is Skywing, our enemies seeking a way to dismantle us for good. I believe you've encountered such beings, like the Emerald Lady?"

His head cocked as she gave him a raised brow, "Yes, I have met her."

"I was surprised you wrote about her in your report. Nasty creature she is, terrible, arrogant, her blatant reveal that there is corruption within our ranks." The gryphoness visibly trembled for a moment as she averted her gaze, giving an indignant squawk, "Anyone else might have lied that she hoped to turn you into her agent, but not you."

"Course, my loyalty is to Lumara and her people." Skywing bowed his head, "If she wished for this not to be told, she should have said."

"Would you have withheld such things if she demanded it?"

"I said what I've said."

Suntail smiled at that with perked ears, resetting her wings, "Which is why you're here. I have good reason to believe that your friend Arcturus is within the city walls, lurking, waiting for his moment to strike next."

Arcturus? Skywing pulled back in alarm, accidentally squawking. "I heard that he was still in tow of that dragon, seeking to hit our bases across the countryside!"

"No, that was a ruse, one that those fools have fallen for. The dragon might be doing that, but not the man." She rose to the table, tapping at the city gates, "My agents spotted an associate of his within these walls, a half-elven princess by the name of Lynalla. If she is here, I suspect the man is as well."

Skywing narrowed his gaze as she met it, "Arcturus isn't a traitor, I can see it in your eyes."

She dismissed the idea with a warble, "Traitor no, but possibly mislead? Arcturus is categorized as a man willing to help the downtrodden, offer a kind hand to any who ask. I suspect our good paladin is being manipulated as we speak into actions against us. Whatever proof they've showed him has clearly led him down a path that will see him murder our king."

"Arcturus would...could never do that!"

Suntail held out one hand, with the other swirling it around as though she were making clay, from her palm came a diminutive image of Lyndis, smirking in her leather armor. "This half-elf was in a tavern meeting one of her nefarious associates."

That indeed was the woman from the mountains, one that had been with the dwarf, Arcturus and the dragon. Perhaps there was truth to what this inquisitor was saying that Arcturus was not beyond his grasp as he thought, merely under a rock that he had to reveal. "Suntail, this might be presumptuous of me, let me help you find this woman, capture her, we must reveal to Arcturus that he is being manipulated."

"In that we are in agreement." She pulled back, fluffing her feathers as she approached, "But I have a question for you, considering your loyalty to this friend of yours. I noticed the other day you even shouted at your superiors for questioning Arcturus' motives. I admit, the manipulation is just a theory, your friend could be someone you don't even recognize."

"You have my file right there; you should know I have an intimate knowledge of how he thinks." Skywing clacked back, unphased even though she was an arm length away.

"Ah yes, you called their nest home for many years." She pulled away, wheeling about with a sigh, "Lounging through the fields, playing with their son as though he were your own gryphet, nibbling upon your knight's hair, singing for his wife. What a wholesome image it concocts, just one big happy family. I wonder, why did he not become your rider, if you were so close without secrets?"

Skywing swallowed hard, it had always been a question he'd wanted answered, "Things always came up, it didn't need to be said. We were happy with how things were."

"Or was it that you didn't know Arcturus as well as you thought?"

"If that's all you're going to insist, we're done here."

She clacked her beak in amusement as he went to rise to leave, "Very well, you can cling onto that visage of your friend, that he's being manipulated, I don't very well care." She sat upon her haunches, briefly touching her burned face, "I wish to know what you will do _if_he is not who you think he is? That he indeed wishes to slay our king?"

Without delay the gryphon snapped to her with a voice that could kill, "If that unlikely scenario proves true, then I shall stop my friend from making a terrible mistake."

The gryphoness turned to him with a wicked, beak parted smile, ears perked and tail swishing back and forth. "Then I do say Skywing, it's going to be a pleasure working with you."

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