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[center][h1][b][color=gold][u]Zahrat al-Kuthban[/u][/color][/b][/h1][/center] 
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Yasmin slowly drew her horse to a halt as she approached the ruined wall. The fabric of her cloak fluttered in the breeze as she looked upon the mighty congregation perched along the weathered stone.

The Peacock Gryphons were magnificent, with their long green, blue, and gold feathers which draped across the stonework, their eyes, woven into each plume, seemed to always watch your movements. Their sharp talons gripped the ancient stone-masonry, as their aqua coloured eyes met Yasmin’s own with unsettling calm.

Azir uttered out a low cry and settled uneasily, as she landed on her shoulder, feathers ruffling, as the party moved to a slow pace as they proceeded cautiously. Beautiful though they were, these creatures could be dangerous, and fiercely territorial when provoked. If they were to flee now, the gryphons would give chase. One should never show their back to predators.

[colour=gold]“It is a poor thing, to be expected.”[/colour] Her voice was barely more than a hushed whisper as the horse shifted beneath her and neighed anxiously. She stroked her gloved hand along its neck, soothing it with a soft pat, before spurring it forward closer to the gap in the crumbling stones. [colour=gold]“Perhaps it is not all ruin that guards these borders still.”[/colour]

Sliding from the saddle, Yasmin stepped towards the wall. Her fingertips brushed against an old glyph etched into the stonework, but still faintly humming with residual magic. The whisper of the arcane residue felt fresh, as though another has passed through recently.

[colour=gold]“Very well,”[/colour] as she raised her voice to the gryphons, mustering confidence in her tone. [colour=gold]“Watch if you must. I shall not trespass lightly.”[/colour]

Gathering the reins, she returned to her steed and began to lead it carefully through the opening in the wall, never letting the gryphons stray too far from her cautious gaze.