Ride the Griffin
By purnomosidhi, 28th Jan 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutWritingShort Stories
Patrick Shamrock had to do his last mid semester tasks to receive the sword of knight. He had to learn to ride the griffin, write the manual to ride the griffin, and join super animal race championship. To accompany Patrick, Master Smarasanta sent Petroox, a musician for paradise, and Eirien, a healing elf.
- Chapter I : Petroox and Patrick Taming the Griffin
- Chapter II : Patrick Shamrock and His Griffin in the Cryptid Animal Race
- Chapter III : Patrick Shamrock in The Duel
Chapter I : Petroox and Patrick Taming the Griffin
After swordsmanship class, Master Smarasanta, an important person of Board of Master, gave Patrick Shamrock an instructional letter. There were three points that Patrick had to do as his last mid semester task to receive the sword of knight, a symbol to enter knighthood. First, he had to learn riding the griffin. Second, he had to write how to ride the griffin because Fairyland had no book about it. Third, he had to join fairy race, called Fairy One, as a griffin rider. According to the letter, Master Smarasanta would send two fairy assistants to accompany him - a paramedic elf, called Eirien, and a Gandharva, a paradise musician, called Petroox. Many of his friends in knighthood class said that riding the griffin was not easy but Patrick decided to do his best action to get high score in his last semester task.
Once in a morning, Patrick, Petroox, and Eirien gazed at beautiful gorge. The sunlight warmed their body and they enjoyed the fresh air. They admired green leaves, brown land, grey stones, and other colors of nature.
“Patrick, I’ll call griffins. You must choose one of them,” said Petroox.
Long nosed Petroox held a bamboo flute, close his eyes, and played it. Petroox blew the flute and his fingers danced on it while Eirien and Patrick listened to an exotic flute music, which attracted their attention. Patrick was not surprised with the music performance as Petroox was a Gandharva, a musician for paradise, but he was curious to know why Petroox played his flute.
“Look!” Eirien pointed her finger to dozen flying objects, which were coming closer and closer to them.
“Griffins! Petroox calls griffins,” Patrick said, looking at dozen griffins landing near them.
“Bro, you should choose one of them. You should do your self. You should undergo your learning process. Remember to use your heart! We are here just for your health and safety. My job is just to protect you and Eirien is here just to make sure your health,” Petroox said. Then, he played his music again while the griffins waved their tails to enjoy the rhythm of the music.
Patrick observed griffins’ movement. Some of them looked friendly. Some of them looked scary. A griffin had body of lion and head and wings of eagle. Patrick was sure that all of them were strong animals. Patrick approached them with pounding heart. He tried to calm his heartbeat by controlling his breath. Then, Patrick stared at a golden griffin as he was interested in its friendly gaze. The golden griffin’s pupils became wider and its wagging tail showed welcome signal. Patrick smiled at the griffin. He was not nervous anymore. He brought a basket of apples and walked to the brown griffin. Some griffins flied because they did not like stranger. Patrick’s heart said that the golden griffin was the right one for him. Like chemistry reaction, both Patrick and golden griffin moved closer and closer each other. Patrick gave the golden griffin three apples. Then, Patrick caressed the golden griffin’s head.
“Patrick, you have found yours! Congratulation! You have chosen one of them!” Eirien said.
“No, it chooses me,” said Patrick.
“Patrick, both of you chooses each other. Give it a name! Whisper its name at its ear!” Petroox shouted.
Caressing brown griffin’s head, he whispered at its ear.
“Goldie, your name is Goldie. You are my friend.”
Other griffins left that place and Goldie was the only griffin with Patrick.
“Patrick, ride the griffin!” Petroox said.
Patrick nodded his head. It was first experience for him. As a novice, he was nervous. His heart was pounding with faster rhythm but his willing to do his task faster made him brave. With hesitation, Patrick was trying to climb on the golden griffin but the golden griffin struggled and avoided him. Goldie, the golden griffin, rejected again and again.
“Come on, Goldie! Come on!” Patrick shouted.
Goldie avoided Patrick as Patrick looked needy to approach. Patrick circled the golden griffin and it pivoted after him, keeping a distance from him. What Patrick faced was not what he expected. The griffin’s behavior made him hesitate to deal with it. He hated what he faced. He felt something uncomfortable in his heart. Rude words came to his mind. He lost his patience.
“Come on! Waste no time!”
Patrick jumped on the golden griffin and caught it. He was on the golden griffin. His heart was beating faster. He was sitting on the griffin but hesitation conquered his mind. The griffin was sensitive animal and it could sense Patrick’s stress. Screaming sound of stress, the griffin struggled to free from Patrick.
“Come on! You should obey me! I am your master!”
The griffin jumped here and there wildly, trying to throw Patrick. Patrick lost his balance and fell. With anger, he stood again and ran after the golden griffin. Patrick’s anger contaminated the griffin’s mood. Suddenly, golden griffin, which could sense his anger, kicked his chest with his strong feet. The strong kick threw Patrick away and he was caught on the branches of a banyan tree.
“Are you okay, Patrick?” Petroox asked.
“What do you think? Am I okay? I am just a fruit hanging on a tree. That ugly griffin hurts my chest. It’s not cool, anymore.”
Patrick heard cracking sound of branches. The tree branches were not strong enough to bear him. They were broken and Patrick fell down.
Patrick felt great pain so that he could not scream. He could not see clearly and then everything became dark. Eirien rushed to help him. She moved her hands in front of Patrick. From her palm, came healing aura. her palms radiated green and blue light to Patrick’s body. Violet light also came from her palms, calming Patrick. Patrick’s breath and pulse became normal. Eirien saw smile in his face.
“Am I in heaven? Have I died? Are you an angel?” Patrick opened his eyes, seeing beautiful elf smiling at him.
“I am Eirien, your friend, and I am not an angel. You are not in heaven, now. You haven’t been good enough to go to heaven and hell still rejects you. So, you are alive.” Eirien smiled at him.
Patrick got up. Her healing power made him fit.
“Wow, I feel new power in me!” Patrick walked to the griffin.
“Wait!” Patrick stopped his step.
Petroox came to him and whispered at his ear. Patrick nodded his head, showing that he understood.
“Good luck, Patrick! Remember love and bliss!” Petroox motivated Patrick.
Patrick closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and relaxed. He smiled at his heart and connected his feeling with the griffin’s feeling. He synchronized his heart with the griffin’s heart. He recalled happy events when he had played on the playground in his childhood and all he had to do was to have fun. He recalled his family love and sensation of beautiful first love with his first girl friend. He controlled his breath and felt bliss and love within him. There was no stress with him anymore. Then, he approached the griffin and touched it. The golden griffin felt peaceful aura of Patrick and welcomed him. The more Patrick controlled his mood; the more the griffin relaxed. Patrick climbed on the golden griffin and sit on it.
“Good start, Patrick! Use energy of your empathy!” Petroox applauded.
“Now, ride it!” Eirien cheered.
Patrick tapped the griffin softly and whispered something to it. The golden griffin was running faster and faster.
“Fly, Goldie! Fly!” Patrick gave instruction.
Goldie, the golden griffin, brought Patrick flying faster than the horse’s speed.
“Wow, I am flying. I’m flying!”
The golden griffin flied, zigzagging at the sky. Then, it dived, waving the water of river. It launched again, doing wonderful maneuver in the air.
“Yo ho!” Patrick cheered.
He saw everything under him was so small. He enjoyed the wind touching his skin. He felt great. He was happy because the griffin followed his command. He was proud of his achievement because only few men could ride the griffin. He felt superiority within him.
“Quick! Quick! Quick! I’m the best rider. Nobody can defeat me. Quick, Goldie! Quick!”
The golden griffin boosted its speed.
“Patrick, you forget your helmet!” Petroox shouted.
“I don’t need helmet. Helmet is only for weak person. I can control griffin. All griffins will bend their knees in front of me. I’ll be the master. I’m great rider!” Patrick shouted, raised his right hand.
Suddenly, Patrick lost his balance and he fell down. His heartbeat and breath stopped, seeing that the land was closer and closer to him. His hands did not stop trembling. He thought it was the end of his life.
Petroox stood gallantly. His long nose vibrated, detecting smell of danger. His heartbeat’s rhythm became faster and his adrenalin increased. He stamped his right foot on the ground three times. Then, he launched to the sky, flying to catch Patrick’s body.
“Thanks!” Patrick breathed a sigh of relief.
“You’re welcome,” Petroox replied, flying and bringing Patrick with his both hands.
Both of them land on the grass and Petroox brought Patrick down.
“For safety riding, use helmet! I’m a Gandharva. I can flay but you can’t!” Petroox scolded Patrick.
“I’m sorry.”
“Do you know why you fall? Griffin is not ordinary animal. Griffin has strength and intelligence. You must manage the strength and intelligence. Not only can low self confidence and anger loose your balance of strength and intelligence but arrogance and pride can make you fall. You are one team with that golden griffin. You must respect the griffin as your best friend, instead of a slave.” Petroox advised Patrick.
Patrick only nodded his head and did not say anything. He understood why Master Smarasanta sent Petroox to accompany him. Riding griffin was dangerous and he needed someone who could save his life. He also understood why he fell.
“You have fallen. Now, you learn to get up.” Petroox gave Patrick a helmet of steel.
Patrick took and wore it. Then, he was walking to golden griffin, which was landing near him.
“Never give up, Patrick!” Eirien raised Patrick’s fighting spirit.
On a golden griffin, Patrick raised his thumb up for Eirien. Again, he was flying, showing maneuver by golden griffin.
Petroox saw Patrick showing more respect to the griffin and he was not boastful anymore. Patrick felt closer to golden griffin. He felt connection between them. He was more comfortable with the griffin. He felt the golden griffin and he had one heart. Petroox and Eirien saw improvement of Patrick’s riding skill.
The sunlight became hotter. Patrick heard his stomach’s sound of hunger. He and Goldie landed on the land. Then, Petroox and Eirien came and gave the golden griffin vegetables and fruits. It was break time and they had lunch together.
“Congratulation! You are fast learner. You have learned to deal with and appreciate a griffin. Riding the griffin needs self control. It’s not only about technique but also about heart.” Petroox shook Patrick’s hand.
After lunch, they took a rest and Patrick wrote what he had learned in his note book.
Day by day, Patrick became more skillful in riding the griffin. He was able to increase enthusiasm in his heart. He felt wonderful spirit within him when riding the griffin. The more he increased his spirit within, the faster the griffin’s speed was. With golden griffin, he learned to use his eye of heart for navigation. He and the golden griffin became one team. He felt that the golden griffin was the extension of his own body and they did acrobatic air show. For more than seven weeks, Patrick learned riding the griffin and he recorded his experiences with griffin and tips to ride it on his book.
“Patrick, you have passed the first and second tasks. You deserve driving license,” Petroox said.
“Driving license?”
“Yup, with a license, you can apply for knight position in infantry of Fairyland if you like or you can become trusted commercial rider,” said Petroox.
“Give me that license! I’ll need it for my professional future,” said Patrick.
“Take a silver plate from your bag!” Petroox instructed.
Patrick took a silver plate, given by Master Smarasanta. He read his name and other his personal profile on the plate.
“That plate is your license. It will be valid upon the bite of the griffin on it.” Petroox explained.
Patrick gave the silver plate to golden griffin and then the griffin sank its teeth into it. The griffin’s bite left teeth print on the silver plate. Patrick showed it to Petroox.
“From now on, you are a griffin rider. A griffin is smart and strong. You should synchronize your heart with strength and intelligence,” Petroox said.
Patrick smiled, looking at his driving license, and he hugged Goldie, his golden griffin.
Chapter II : Patrick Shamrock and His Griffin in the Cryptid Animal Race
Two weeks later, 16:00 PM Fairy Time, all the riders gathered behind the start line. Beside their respective racing animals, each rider stood under an umbrella, which was held by a beautiful female umbrella fairy, and so did Patrick Shamrock. A giant announced some information related to Fairy One, an attractive race in Fairyland. He introduced the names of riders and their racing vehicles – dragons, giant bats, flying lions, griffins, Pegasus, and other racing cryptid animals. Fairy One, a prestigious mythical animal race, had two objectives. First, it invited people to appreciate cryptid animals. Second, it was an event to find number-one rider in Fairyland. Besides, in the race of that season, Count Will Wantmore, one of the top sponsors for Fairy One, had additional intention. He announced that he would marry off his daughter with the champion.
“Rose Wantmore, what a beautiful girl! Is it my task to marry her? It’s combination of work and pleasure,” Patrick said to himself, gazed at a beautiful girl who sat beside Count Wantmore.
Man who won the champion would not only achieve prestige but also get beauty of Rose Wantmore and plenty of Count’s richness. They were all what a man wanted.
“Hey, amateur! You are new, aren’t you? You can get her only in your dream. You’ll realize yourself as a loser. Only winner, best man, deserves beautiful woman. Looser goes with the dust.” A man beside a red dragon mocked Patrick.
Patrick tried to calm himself, reading the name on the left chest of mocker.
“Mr. Mid Max, maybe, I am just a dust but dust in the wind can blind man with big mouth like you.” Patrick smiled at him.
“Hey, we are your senior. Show your respect!” A man in black with red eyes said to Patrick. The man stood beside an Ahool, a giant bat with ape face, wearing black eye glasses to protect its eyes from sunlight because naturally it was an animal of night.
“He as senior underestimates others. Mr. Nocturno, why do seniors of today like you hunger for respect? Is it something wrong with their self confidence?” Patrick asked.
“Keep your tongue! I’ll give you horrible lesson, amateur! You will be jealous to see me with Rose. You will cry for your bad loss. You will regret joining this race. You will cover your face of shame. You will hate yourself and life. You will see your self as poor looser,” Mid Max said.
“What’s rightfully mine will be mine. What’s rightfully yours will be yours.” Patrick smiled at Mid Max.
All riders sat on their respective super animals and then the umbrella fairies left them.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered today to enjoy Fairy One, an extraordinary race in Fairyland. So, sit back and enjoy your snacks and drinks.”
Then, giant announcer raised his brown club and counted down. All heard explosion as the announcer’s club launched fire to the sky. Immediately, all riders left the start line, driving their respective racing super animals.
“Go! Goldie, go!” Patrick shouted.
All audiences cheered. They hungered for attractive show.
All super animals ran as quickly as they could. Then, they were flying with high speed. Not only did each rider show his high speed in straight track but also tried to take curves better than his competitors. Each rider should be able to keep his speed in the track with many sharp curves. Each tried to be frontier and respond quickly to avoid the crash with the cliff wall. All audiences could see their riders’ position through magic mirrors, which were provided by sorcerers.
All riders could pass the first lap successfully but they had twelve next laps to go. After fourth lap, many riders fell down. Some of them struck the cliff. Some of them lost their balance. Some of them struck other riders. Many accidents happened.
Thirteen riders were still flying to compete but only five riders showed their best performance. They had tough top-speed competition. Mid Max with his red dragon led on the fifth lap but in sixth, Nocturno with his Ahool could replace Mid Max’s position. Aborto with his Pegasus showed his best performance in seventh lap but in eighth lap, Leon with his flying lion was in the first position. Patrick Shamrock united his mind with his golden Griffin and he led the tenth lap.
“It’s time for free fight,” Mid Max said, raising his sword of fire. His red dragon threw fire to other riders. He pointed his sword to the riders behind him and fire balls came from his sword, firing other riders and some riders fell down.
“You shall not win, Aborto. Rose is mine.” Mid Max pointed his sword to Aborto, who rode on Pegasus in front of Mid Max. A fire ball flied and hit the Pegasus’s wings. Then, the red dragon threw fire, burning the Pegasus’s tail. Aborto and his Pegasus were down to the river.
Nocturno on his Ahool drew his sword of steel, flying closer to Patrick and trying to slash Patrick with his sword. Patrick did maneuver with his golden griffin and countered his opponent's attack with his sword. With its paw, the golden griffin took black eye glasses of Ahool and then threw it down. Sunlight blind Ahool and it lost its focus. Then, it hit the cliff. Nocturno and his Ahool were down to the river.
In the twelfth lap, only three riders existed. They were Patrick, Leon, and Mid Max. Not only they had competition in speed but they also fought in the air. Mid Max tried to burn Patrick with his sword of flame and fire of dragon but Patrick rode his golden griffin, zigzagging to avoid the fire. Suddenly, the golden griffin flied vertically to the sky.
“Ha, ha! Stupid! You fly to the wrong direction!” Mid Max laughed at Patrick.
Suddenly, with high speed, Patrick’s golden griffin flied down like meteor to Mid Max and his red dragon. With its paws, in a high speed, golden griffin pushed Mid Max’s dragon down to the river and sank Mid Max and his dragon. The flame of Mid Max’s sword was out and the red dragon could not throw fire anymore. Patrick with his golden griffin was back to the track to compete with Leon and his flying lion. The red dragon launched from the river. In a rage, Mid Max rode his red dragon like a flash to run after his competitors.
Red dragon hit Leon with its dragon’s tail.
“Leon! No!” A woman screamed.
Patrick saw worry at the woman’s face. She was Rose Wantmore, a woman, the riders fought for. She screamed for Leon.
Leon and his flying lion fell into river and he had no chance to win anymore. The race went on without Leon. Patrick and Mid Max rode their animals faster. They continued their competition to achieve the first position. They were on the last lap. With slashing movement of his sword, Mid Max tried to defeat Patrick but, with his fencing skill, Patrick anticipated Mid Max’s attack. The red dragon also used its claws and tail to attack Patrick and his golden griffin but the griffin countered the dragon’s attack. They controlled their speed and direction while fighting on the air. Audiences cheered to give support when watching their heroes in the last seconds to reach finish line. They heard loud sound of big gong when Patrick and Mid Max reached the finish line.
“Who’s the winner? Who reached the finish first?”
Audiences talked each other in curiosity. Then, magic mirrors replied the moment they had reached finish line. Both of them had same speed. They reached the line at the same time. Giant announcer had discussion with other officials and sponsors to decide who would be a champion of Fairy One. After official discussion, giant announcer stood near Patrick and Mid Max and announced that the result of championship was draw between Mid Max and Patrick. There was no winner in the race. Mid Max, the champion of previous season would hold Fairy One Cup but no winner would marry Rose Wantmore.
Chapter III : Patrick Shamrock in The Duel
“What? I have this cup but Mr. Wantmore won’t give his daughter to me.” Mid Max complained.
“Mr. Mid Max, the result of this season is draw between Patrick and you. Both of you reached finish line at the same time. There’s no winner in this season and only the winner will be my son-in-law. However, you and Patrick will receive much money,” said Mr. Wantmore.
“This cup is not enough. I want her to be mine. I will be the winner,” Mid Max shouted.
“This universe is not enough for greedy person. The official decision is final,” said Patrick.
“No! I challenge you to fight as a man!” Mid Max pointed his index finger to Patrick.
“What do you want?”
“Duel,” said Mid Max.
“Duel is not part of Fairy One,” said Mr. Wantmore.
“It is not duel to win Fairy One Cup. It’s a duel between two men to win a woman’s love. I want real victory not metaphor,” said Mid Max.
“Nobody can win love through duel. Love is mystery. To experience love is not about how great you are. There’s no winner and loser in love. No matter how strong you are if she doesn’t love you, she won’t love you. We cannot force it,” Patrick said.
“Coward! Are you afraid, aren’t you?” Mid Max drew his sword.
“No, I just don’t trifle with it. Just keep your funny looking angry face for yourself!”
“It’s such elegance in fighting one-on-one crashing sword with you.” Mid Max challenged Patrick.
Mr.Wantmore stood, raised his sword and spoke,”I am Will Wantmore. I agree with the duel of Patrick and Mid Max. Fencing is a noble art and you may use sword in this duel. The winner will marry my daughter and become member of my family.”
“Mr. Wantmore?” Patrick disagreed with Wantmore.
“Draw your sword, amateur!” Mid Max shouted.
Patrick hesitated to fight but he had no choice. With a double-edged sword in his right hand, Mid Max walked, circling Patrick to find right opportunity to attack. Patrick saw aggressiveness in Mid Max’s eyes. Mid Max hungered for win. Patrick drew his sword gallantly, pointing the tip of his sword toward Mid Max. Mid Max screamed loud war cry and with slashing movement, tried to attack Patrick again and again. With elegant foot work and sword movement, Patrick countered the attack. Two men showed their fencing skill and all people saw the flash of their swords under the sunlight. Like a hungry wolf, Mid Max tried to push Patrick. Every body heard loud clang of the swords and saw Patrick’s sword was broken. Instinctively, Patrick jumped to escape from his opponent’s sword’s attack. Then, he rammed his opponent quickly, punching and grabbing Mid Max’s sword. Mid Max lost his sword and he was grappling with Patrick. Patrick clinched and locked his opponent movement. Mid Max become breathless and weak. Mid Max did not show any defense mechanism anymore. Patrick released him. He took Mid Max’s sword and raised it. Patrick saw Mr. Wantmore made a gesture that it was the time to finish the duel with his sword. Patrick shook his head and smiled. Everybody was shocked when Patrick threw Mid Max’s sword to the floor.
“He refuses to fight. He does not take chance to finish his enemy.” Audiences gave various comments about Patrick.
“I hate this fight!” Patrick shouted.
“Do you give up?” Mr. Wantmore asked.
“Not really, Sir. It’s just nonsensical fight. I don’t see any value in this fight,” Patrick said.
“Hold your tongue! How could you say that to Count Wantmore?” Giant announcer was angry.
“Mr. Wantmore, you cannot force your daughter to marry someone whom she doesn’t love. Ask her! Does she love me or Mid Max?”
Mr. Wantmore looked at his daughter face. Rose Wantmore responded by shaking her head to indicate that she did not love one of them.
“See? It’s nothing to do with who is the stronger one. Love is about compatibility. It’s about heart. Now, please ask her whom she really loves. I saw she worried about Leon when he was down. Ask her whether she loves Leon!” Patrick stood gallantly, looking at Mr. Wantmore and his daughter.
Mr. Wantmore asked her daughter in whisper mode. Rose’s face was flushed and she said,”Yes, I love Leon even if he loose.”
Patrick smiled and raised Mid Max up.
“So, I don’t want marry with someone who doesn’t love me. Even if one of us win and get her, we will win nothing. She is not for one of us. She is not prize of the competition. She has her freewill. Don’t force her! Love is not about wining or losing something. It’s simply about compatibility. I am sure your daughter loves Leon as he is and they find fun in simple things. Congratulation! Rose Wantmore has found the one,” Patrick said.
Patrick shook Mid Max’s hand and smiled at him.
“You are the best rival I’ve ever had. You are right. We cannot force love.” Mid Max smiled at him.
“Don’t be needy, bro! Let it go! Once day, we will receive what’s rightfully ours. I like to be your friends. You are great fighter,” Patrick said.
“Let’s cheer for Patrick!” One of audience shouted.
“Patrick! Patrick! Patrick!”
There was no winner in Fairy One championship. Count Will Wantmore approved the relationship between his daughter and Leon. Patrick and Petroox were back to meet Master Smarasanta to report the result of Patrick’s task.
“Patrick, you are a griffin rider now. You have also written how to ride the griffin. However, you did not win Fairy One Cup.” Smarasanta touched Patrick’s shoulder.
Smarasanta saw disappointment at Patrick’s face.
“Don’t worry, my son! Your third task is not to defeat your rivals in Fairy One but only participates in it and implement what you have learned. By the way, I like the way you finish your duel. I like your decision. Wisdom enlighten no age. Now, you are a knight of Fairyland and it is your sword of knight. This sword is the sign to enter knighthood. Your destiny waits.” Smarasanta gave Patrick a sword of steel.
“Thank you!”
With joy, Patrick received the beautiful sword and saw a picture of shamrock at its handle.
The End
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