Xiao Bu let out a contented rumble and nuzzled Ye Chuqi, asking her to rub him some more.
Cyril clicked his tongue. He wasn't sure whether to say it, but Ye Chuqi might be the only one who could look after them. Feeding this many Griffins alone would cost a fortune. These Royal Griffins got the best of everything; they wouldn't even glance at ordinary Beast Companion feed. Cyril couldn't imagine how she managed it. He rested a hand lightly on a Griffin's feathers and felt their softness against his palm. So these brave, imposing creatures could be gentle too.
Before long, Cyril, thoroughly battered by the wind, took back that thought. Gentle? Not a chance. These Griffins loved flying straight into a gale and had always been the very picture of courage. Their earlier gentleness had been an illusion.
It took all his strength just to stay safely on the Griffin's back. Speaking was out of the question. He finally understood that he and the others were merely an excuse for the Griffins to go out and play. How they felt didn't matter. Not one bit.
Ye Chuqi was the one who noticed something was wrong and called for Xiao Bu to stop. The other Griffins kept circling overhead, reluctant to call it a day.
Ye Chuqi knew how fast Xiao Bu could fly at full speed. He had already slowed down so the other Griffins could keep up. To the Griffins, this flight was exhilarating. To the Human Cubs on their backs, the speed was almost unbearable.
Even Akes had gone a little pale, never mind the frail Archmage and Alchemist. Cyril lay sprawled across his Griffin's back, unable to move. He looked even more exhausted than he would have been on foot. The rushing wind had blown