Dame Sara Illou, Knight of the Land, waited with Laryssa outside her small camp for the elf's fellow druids to arrive. They were coming to lead the gryphons away, somewhere safe where they would not be a threat to the local villages. Sara hoped that they could truly do so.
Laryssa had said it would take them just over an hour to arrive and so it proved. Six large eagles swooped down and transformed into various humans, elves and even one female satyr. They looked at Laryssa and Sara, and then an older human woman stepped forwards.
"Laryssa, why have you called?" she said. "Is everything alright?"
Laryssa bowed. "Elder, allow me to explain. There are two gryphons and their young in the cave below us. I happened upon them and have kept an eye on them, but they are now a threat to the local region and must be moved."
"Why didn't you let us know this before?"
"Because the fledglings could not yet fly. I wanted to watch over them until they were ready to move on."
"That is not your decision to make!"
"I, ah..." Laryssa said, clearly struggling to think of what to say.
"Elder, if I may...?" Sara said, stepping forwards. "Laryssa was doing the right thing for the gryphons. Too much activity would have drawn attention."
"And who are you?" she responded acidly.
"I am Dame Sara Illou, a Knight of the Land."
"A local knight? I care nothing for your rank. It does not bestow authority over me."
"Perhaps not," Sara said back coolly. "But it does show authority over these lands, which belong to my queen whether you like it or not. And your druids, who I am sure are extremely skilled, would nonetheless have drawn the attention of the local garrison."
Sara gestured down into the valley, towards the town which was hazy far below, before continuing. "And unless you wanted your Circle to come face-to-face with one hundred heavily armed soldiers, each one ready to do whatever it takes to stop the gryphon threat, then a little subtlety was required."
The Elder stared at Sara a moment, then sighed. "Very well, though I do not take kindly to threats from the local militia." She turned to Laryssa. "If all of the locals are as warmongering as this woman, then you did the right thing. Come, show me to the gryphons."
Laryssa bowed, leading the Elder to the cave. She caught Sara's eye and mouthed a thank you and Sara only smiled in response. She did not mind if the Elder found her to be rude - the important thing was the the gryphons were taken away and all this was brought to a happy end.
They returned a few minutes later and Laryssa came over to Sara. It had been decided that they would lead the gryphons to their sanctuary - a small island off the southern coast that was hidden from mortal eyes.
"Thank you for everything you have done," Laryssa said.
Sara bowed her head. "No, thank you." Then she grinned. "Did you get away with it?"
"I think so," Laryssa laughed.
Suddenly a call went up from one of the druids who had been circling overhead. He swooped down and shapeshifted back into his elven form. A young woman had been seen nearby, leading her horse to the ridge above.
From the description it was obvious to Sara who that was: Sophie!
"I will talk to her and keep her away," Sara said. "Goodbye Laryssa. Fly safe."
"You too, dame knight," the beautiful elf responded, giving her a hug before breaking it and scurrying down to join the other druids.
Sara quickly climbed the ridge in time to see Sophie approaching. The knight errant's eyes went wide when she saw her and she smiled.
"Sara! I was wondering if I would see you. My travels reached a dead end, so I decided to follow you." She leaned down, talking quietly. "I think the gryphons might be near. I saw them a few hours ago heading into the valley below."
Sara nodded. "They are."
"Have you lit the signal fire?" Sophie said, her eyes casting around. "I did not see it."
"No. I don't need to. There are druids below, who are leading the gryphons and their young away."
"Leading them away?" Sophie said, suddenly horrified. "No, I must get them!"
She dismounted, moving to sprint past Sara, who grabbed her shoulder.
"Sophie, you cannot interfere. This is the best thing for everyone."
"But those gryphons are my ticket to being a Knight of the Land, Sara!" she said frantically. "I have been chasing this for too long. I cannot let this opportunity slip away!"
"You have to!"
"No! You must understand me. How long did you search for your axe? Years? I do not know when I will get another chance!"
Sara grabbed Sophie's shoulders firmly and stared deeply into her eyes. "Sophie, being a Knight of the Land is not about great deeds. It is about being honourable. Doing good. Making hard decisions. Sometimes doing the right thing is not the same as doing the easy thing."
Sophie stared at her. "But my chance..."