“So when is this dragon slayer going to…” Garadaine stopped, following a huge shadow with his eyes.  It quickly came up close to his feet and then stopped before him.  Garadaine looked up quickly, shielding his eyes from the sun.  Above him hovered a huge beast, which began to slowly descend. 
    Garadaine readied his sword quickly to defend himself, but Greylen lowered the Princes arm slowly.  Garadaine stepped back in awe as he watched the huge beast land in the middle of town.  The villagers had all scattered by now, and four of the Prince’s five comrades had gathered around the creature.  Gartgnar, Garadaine thought, must still be drinking in the pub.

    The creature was enormous, almost the same size as the dragon he had encountered before.  But this was no dragon.  This beast was something Garadaine had only ever read about – one half lion, one half eagle.  This beast was a Griffon, a great and powerful beast with huge wings to carry it aloft and four limbs ending in razor sharp claws to slice through any opponent.  Its huge head housed a mighty beak, strong enough to snap a sword as if it were wood.  Garadaine stood in wonder at the creature.

    “I never knew Griffons grew this big…” Garadaine trailed off, speaking to no one in particular.
    “They don’t,” a voice called down.  Garadaine looked up quickly to see an armored man riding upon the back of the great winged beast.  “This big fella’s special.”
    The Griffon blinked quickly, turning its head sideways to look about at the people around it, and then gave out a great roaring scream.  It lowered its head slowly to allow its rider to get down and the man slowly climbed to the ground.
    “Magnificent,” Cassrien said in wonder.