From Nightmares to Dreams (AuRon)
Reaching his arms up, AuRon finally pulled himself up over the edge of the cliff and onto the waiting ledge. Before him, a large cave opened up, stretching back into darkness farther than his sharp eyes could see. He took a few steps into the cave, shadows overtaking his form, as he glanced around. Scattered among the rocks and sand were bones of different sizes and shapes and at various stages of decomposition, some gleaming white, others covered in gore with small bits of meat still attached. His eyes then focused on his goal; a large nest sat tucked partially in a crevice against the right wall. He stepped closer. Made of sturdy branches, the nest was lined with tawny fur and white and brown feathers – feathers that were larger than any AuRon had ever seen. The fur and feathers cradled four mud-colored eggs. AuRon made to move closer but stopped and shot his eyes to the darkness at the back of the cave. The sound of snapping bones reverberated through the cavernous silence.
The shadows parted as a creature stepped forward, towering in size compared to the elf. Scaley, taloned legs, dark plumage, and a great yellow beak accompanied the black, soulless eyes that glared at AuRon with hatred. AuRon tried to take a step back, but his legs were frozen in fear, though his hand reached up to touch the scars across his eye. Two sets of eyes then darted to the nest- one shrouded with malice, the other with fear and protection. The rooster made its move. It rushed towards the nest of eggs faster than AuRon thought possible. Legs finally unfreezing, AuRon sprinted, drawing his short swords on the run. He barely made it to the nest in time, throwing his swords up to block the rooster’s beak as it came down, intent on destruction. The rooster turned on him in a flurry of feathers and talons. AuRon fought back with his own fury. Talons met steel, beak met armor, as they traded blows. A whirlwind of continuous movement ceased with two swords clanging to the ground and AuRon on his back. Blood oozed from several gouges, mixing with the sweat of the battle. The rooster stood over him. He tried to grab his dagger, an arrow, anything. But it was too fast. He couldn’t get his arms up before the large beak came hurtling down towards his neck.
AuRon woke with a jolt. Sweat dripped from his brow and his tail fluffed up in fear. Nightmares. Why was it always nightmares? The sun was starting to break the horizon; no going back to sleep now. The rest of his companions were still asleep, but it wouldn’t be long until they woke and the group started on their way. They spent several hours traveling, until the land started sloping upwards. After a short lunch, the group started their way up the hills. Grasses and flowers turned to rocks and weeds the farther they climbed. Eventually, the group stepped over a rise and the craggy cliffs leveled out. A small hill rose on the left, a dark hole opening up from the front of it. AuRon was reminded of his nightmare as he glanced about, noticing bones scattered on the ground before the cave opening. Only this time, the creature that emerged from the darkness was not nightmare fuel but a thing of dreams. A beautiful griffon stepped out, wary of the group and ready to strike if necessary. AuRon’s party moved forward to attack, but he was able to stop them before getting far. Instead of hostility, he cast a spell allowing him to communicate with the creature and ensure it they meant no harm. He had been waiting a lifetime to meet a griffon and he wasn’t about to let his chaotic friends ruin this chance. The griffon calmed enough for AuRon to step closer. He continued to speak to the creature in soft tones, gaining its trust as he inched farther from his group towards the griffon. In only a few moments, AuRon was standing right in front of a giant, curved beak, staring into the eyes of a predator. AuRon reached a hand out to touch the beak but pulled it back slightly when the griffon reared a bit and stretched its wings out. Once the griffon calmed down, AuRon reached his hand back out but stopped it just in front of the beak, turning his head away to allow the griffon to decide the next move. Only a few heartbeats passed before AuRon felt the smooth beak touch his palm. He turned back to look at the griffon and when it didn’t move away, he slid his hand farther up to its head, gently petting the feathers as the griffon closed its eyes. It reminded AuRon of a cat in the way it pushed its head into his hand in a request for more petting. Unfortunately, the petting couldn’t last very long, for the party had somewhere to be though AuRon would have stayed much longer. He had so many questions needing answers. He motioned for the party to pass by, continuing the comforting pets to ensure the griffon wouldn’t start at the large group. After another moment, he let out a small sigh, gave one last pat, and followed his group.
*This is unfortunately NOT the way this meeting went down…thankfully, no humanoids or creatures were harmed in the inspiration for this story.
*Artwork for this story available on the About page!
