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[center][h1][b][color=gold][u]Zahrat al-Kuthban[/u][/color][/b][/h1][/center] 
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As the gentle breeze stirred, Zahra watched the elder creature hurl itself into the sky, soaring overhead in slow, deliberate circles. Its feathers spread wide, and she could not help but notice the absence of the rich purple plumage seen on the others still perched along the crumbling wall. She was no expert in exotic wildlife, but from what little she knew of peacocks, the gryphons’ namesake, this one’s plainer appearance might mark it as the matriarch of the ostentation.

It seemed she had caught the beast’s attention. She ran a hand along Azir’s feathers to calm him; if he took flight now, he might well become lunch. As she moved away from the wall, the others remained behind, still and watchful. She mounted her horse, reminding herself that beauty should never be mistaken for gentleness. With a subtle signal, she urged the mount into a trot, then into a sprint.

[colour=gold]“If you’re to be my shadow,”[/colour] she called over her shoulder, [colour=gold]“you’ll have to keep up.”[/colour]

The gryphon swooped down beside them, landing with a heavy thump. The horse whinnied and reared slightly as Zahra reined it in, bringing it to a halt. Yet the creature barely acknowledged them, its movements casual, almost dismissive, as though it hadn’t even noticed their presence. And still, as they moved forward once more, it followed.

[colour=gold]“If you seek company, you’ll find mine measured,”[/colour] she said evenly, eyeing it with guarded curiosity. [colour=gold]“Or perhaps you simply want to see how far I’ll go before I stumble.”[/colour]

She veered off the path, even circling back on herself, but the gryphon followed with lazy grace. On this side of the border, its green-toned feathers allowed it to blend effortlessly with the foliage. The idea of losing sight of the creature unsettled her. She guided the horse toward a clearer stretch of road, where she could better track its movements. Still, it trailed behind, quiet as a bored cat.

Near a crop of trees, Yasmin drew to a stop. She hoped the overhanging branches might offer some protection should things turn ill. Dismounting, she opened her pack and drew out a strip of cured meat from part of her rations for the journey. She placed it on the ground and stepped back.

If she was to reach Somerset, she would first have to puzzle out this unexpected challenge.
[colour=gold]“If you mean to follow, you may as well make yourself useful.”[/colour]