Beneath Clear Waters

Jinna reached out and gently scratched the neck of the old companion that had been with her for many years. She knew this was its third favorite way to relax—the first and second were Si Huo Jin liquor and the distilled spirits of the Hosman region.

Sonia sighed beside her. "The griffins here have the worst tempers I've ever seen, and their mouths are full of vulgarities. Compared to them, the giant eagles we raise are all gentle, courteous ladies and gentlemen."

"Unfortunately, I'm neither an elf nor a druid, so I can't understand what the griffins are saying..." Jinna shook her head. "But I can more or less sense how they feel."

"It's better that you can't understand them. If you could, it would drive you crazy," Sonia said helplessly. "Try trading insults with a griffin, and these fellows can instantly curse your entire family to death..."

A low buzzing suddenly came from the sky, interrupting Sonia. Jinna looked up at the sound and saw a Dragon Rider training aircraft returning from a mission streak across the heavens, heading toward the hangars in the light of approaching dusk.

The griffin beside her saw the Magic Armament flying overhead and immediately became agitated, beating its wings and letting out an especially loud cry.

Sonia slapped the raptor's neck. "Shut up—machines don't have mothers to begin with."

The corner of Jinna's mouth visibly twitched.

"Starting next year, as Dragon Riders and other types of aircraft enter service, a considerable number of military griffins will be discharged or reassigned in batches," Maggie suddenly said, breaking the silence as she looked at Jinna. "Some will enter civilian service, some will be assigned to remote regions, and some will be downgraded and sent to second-line units. If I remember correctly, the griffins raised by