It was nearly nightfall; sky darkened by the clouds that promised rain

But I had been chosen to go through Canyon of Monsters to prove my bravery

Both ways I must go; should I return my events would be recounted at fire

While coffee and biscuits were shared as a morning meal

 

But now I was thinking of the stories of the people who had passed through

What fates had beheld them; what creatures had taken their lives

No thoughts of what would happen in morning went through my head

As I rode my steed at the trot speed that should prove my bravery all the more

 

Then the path stopped; to rough and narrow to let my horse lead the way

I leapt from my horse and pulled the horse behind me

But the horse did not follow as though it had already sensed the danger that was to befall me

Forcing the horse forward, I walked into the setting sun

 

At some time along the way I lost the horse; I had dropped the reigns along the way

The horse, not wanting to move forward, had stopped and began to go back

I called to the horse; but all that met my ears was the never ending call of the wind

Calling me forward to meet my own fate 

 

Then as the sun disappeared; an attack from behind, talons gripping me around the middle

I fought them, but the grip was strong and lifted me with ease

I stopped fighting then for if I were dropped every bone that I have would have broken

The grip was comforting and the movement smooth, so I fall asleep till fate I will meet

 

I was woken by the feeling of rolling on hard ground; on the floor of a cave

I sprang up when I hit the wall; the exit was near but blocked by my worst fear

The griffin; with talons and wings of an eagle, and the body, color, size, and tail of a lion

While blocking the exit it moves toward me but with one word I think that I stop it for good

My command of come no closer does not stop it for long; the shock my voice only surprises it

But the sound of the griffin’s voice only sends me to my cowering state

It asks of who I am; I do not reply but command it to sit while I recover

The feeling of power; and tell it that we might talk for the time that I am here

 

We talk for a while; as we continue it seems to find delight

At the fact that I might like it for a friend; it had never had one I learn as it talks

It was a castaway; not part of the clan, but one who had been banned

I asked him to come with me in the morning came and he consented

 

We curled up together and spent the night; sleeping side by side and free of fright;

When morning came I told him where I wanted to go

And he flew me to camp through the canyon, right through the narrow part

 

But when we reached camp my mates jumped in fright for the griffin had much power

I calmed the boys down who were going to attack, and told the griffin he would not get hurt

We sat down and my mates asked for a tale; but I told them not until after my breakfast

When I was ready they begged all the more and when they got quiet I began: Well here’s the start

It was nearly nightfall; sky darkened by the clouds that promised rain