One

Arya Windrider stood upon a ridge overlooking the western plains. A warm summer breeze blew her soft long blond hair around her face, and jingled the delicate silver jewelry in her pointed elven ears. She raised a hand and swept a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked out toward the woodlands in the east. The sun was setting and she had already been out much longer than she intended. 

 Taking a deep breath she focused all her will and began to push out with her mind calling to her companion. At first he was a small shadow in the distance and then as he grew closer, the great griffon was visible to see in all his glory. His massive face, wings and front feet where that of the most majestic bird, yet his body, hind legs and tail where that of a land beast. As he came down to land beside her he beat his wings furiously to stop him hitting the ridge too hard, the waves of air he beat sending Arya's hair flailing around her face. As he landed he dug his talons into the earth and gave a mighty screech from his giant beak in greeting.

"Greetings Toru" she spoke to him softly placing a hand on his beak and with her other stroked his soft plumage. She pulled away from him a moment to gather he satchel, bow and quiver from the ground and then she moved to his side where a worn leather riding saddle was fitted to his back. She lifted herself onto the saddle and fastened the safety harnesses to her riding trousers just in-case a strong gale threatened to knock her from his back.

 With a gentle nudge of her thoughts, Toru began to beat his wings again and the pair lifted into the air leaving the ridge behind them. Arya watched the trees and grasslands shrink as they rose higher and higher into the sky. The winds this high up where much cooler and she leaned herself forward into his warm feathers protecting herself from the cold. She had not intended to be flying home this late, already stars began to appear in the pink evening sky and the three moons of the mother where clear to see. 

 Arya looked down at the wild game wondering the plains. Every spring they traveled south from the black mountains and passed through High Ridge pass into the crater. It was the only way in or out and her people had an outpost at the very peak of the pass in order to keep watch on the comings and goings in the world beyond. As she looked up from the plains and turned her attention to the pass she caught her breath in surprise. Smoke was rising from what she was sure to be the outpost. Confusion suddenly turned into fear at what could possibly have happened.

Rissien Ranger of High Ridge was perched high within the branches of a tall Fir tree. His bow in hand, arrow notched, drawn and pointing steady toward the dirt path visible bellow him. Steadying his breathing he closed his eyes a moment focusing all his attention to the sounds around him. At first he heard nothing but moments later hurried heavy footprints, rushed breathing and clanking armour. He opened his eyes focusing on the path once more bellow him holding himself as steady as he could. 

"Hault" cried a deep scratchy voice. The footsteps ceased and Rissien held his breath waiting.

Reviews

[ESWriter]

This sounds great. I love the stories of Elves. :)

[Lisa Jane Creed]

Yes thats exactly what it is :)

[zainul]

Great beginning.
Some spelling mistakes may be fixed through re-checking.

Have you finalized the name 'One' for this chapter?

[Lisa Jane Creed]

Thank you, I wasn't going to give this books chapters names but nothing is finalized and this is not the entire chapter just the start of it :)

[zainul]

You are welcome.
Please go ahead with your nice work.
I will make time to read as the additions are made.
Best luck!

[Lisa Jane Creed]

Thank you ^_^

[Anne van der Heijden]

Love this story already! can't wait till the rest comes

[soliloquy]

I would recommend more spacing between paragraphs since that would make it easier on your readers.

I am interested in this imaginative story though.