rat, as if to throw it. She followed it intently with her eyes, poised to leap again. He jerked it suddenly and she jerked, too, beak opening, but he didn’t let go of it.
Arren grinned and did it again, in a different direction. This time she actually did jump for it, and glared at him when she realised he’d tricked her.
“Throw it!”
Arren held out the wriggling, screeching rat. “See if you can catch this!” He dropped it.
The rat hit the floor and bolted. Eluna went after it, and chased the animal around the room as it darted here and there, desperately looking for somewhere to hide. It went to ground under her water trough, but she hooked it out with a talon and snapped it up before it could escape.
Eluna sat back on her haunches and gave Arren a slow murderous look. He stared back coolly. Eluna lowered her head and half-raised her wings. Then she charged. She ran straight at Arren, bowling him over, and pinned him down with her talons. He landed on his back, thumping his head into the doorframe in the process. As he lay there, helpless, Eluna brought her beak down toward him. “Perhaps you would taste better than a rat,” the griffin said softly.
Arren closed his eyes and braced himself.
She nipped him on the nose and then abruptly pulled away and began to preen her wings. “No, I was wrong,” she said. “You taste like old cheese.”
Arren got up, dabbing at his nose. “I can’t help it. I had mushroom bake last night.”
Eluna rubbed her head against his chest. “Try some venison next time and I will reconsider.”
Arren scratched her under the beak. “When I can afford it, sure.”
She closed her eyes and crooned. “No. Rats are fine for me.”
“Well, they’re cheaper than mushrooms. Maybe I should be eating them, too.”
She chirped her amusement. “They taste best raw and wriggling. Now go and get ready. We have work to do today.”
“All right. I’ll try to be quick.”
Arren returned to his half of the house and opened the window to let some light in. It was only just past dawn, and the light was grey and watery. Arren rubbed the bruise on the back of his head and pulled on a tunic.
He adjusted the tunic and picked up a comb. His hair tended to tangle if he didn’t give it plenty of combing, and he hated it to look messy.
Once he had groomed it to his satisfaction and had a quick shave and washed his face, he made himself a bowl of porridge and dried fruit and ate it out on the balcony. His home was right on the edge of the city, and the balcony had excellent views over the countryside. He liked a nice view, but this one just reminded him of how high up he was. Arren stayed close to the wall of his house and ate quickly, watching the bone wind-chimes swing gently in the breeze to avoid looking at the view.
Nearly all griffiners had some sort of official role in the running of the city. Arren had held several assistant positions before being promoted to his current role, that of Master of Trade. It was his job to manage the city’s marketplace, and anyone who wanted to set up a stall had to apply to him for a licence. He also had to inspect the goods that arrived in the huge crates hauled up to the mountaintop every day, and there were various other administrative things to deal with. It wasn’t the most exciting job, but it meant having some power at least.
Once he’d eaten, Arren went back inside. He filled the empty bowl with water and left it to soak, and then opened a large chest that stood next to the wall by the fireplace. He pulled out a light leather breastplate and strapped it on. Today he had something more exciting than paperwork to deal with.
He found his boots under the hammock where he’d left them and put them on, and then went to the fireplace and lifted his sword down from the wall. He pulled it partway out of its sheath to check on the blade. It was bright and sharp, and he’d kept it well oiled. He slid it back in and strapped the sheath to his back. All ready.
He turned toward the stable door, but Eluna was already there and ready for him. She clicked her beak. “Shall we go?”