The Verdant Mark

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Gryphon ^

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"Ow!" Sam rubbed his head where a gash had ruptured leaving his hair smothered in clotting blood. "I didn't think asking would work."

"You think?" Mikyla mocked who too was just as bloody. "I'm just glad we landed on something soft-"

A sudden muffled cry came from underneath the duo. Wriggling ensued until the two were quickly shoved off by a a small group of red faced Nobles.

"Mikael?"

One of the Nobles who the duo had apparently fallen on asked stunned.

"Yes?" Mikyla responded as smoothly as the situation allowed.

"Mikael Fëanor? Is that really you?"

"Yes?" Mikyla nodded the situation getting more confusing by the second. Was she supposed to know them?

Suddenly, Sam popped up and a look of recognition and almost smugness spread across his face. "Well if it isn't Francis Irimë..."

"Fancy seeing you here too, Samuel." The Noble called Francis snarked back. "Still see you wagging your tail to the upper households- I don't blame you- after the scandal, it's the only thing keeping you afloa-"

"Shut it." Sam spoke softly but the leer in his eye gave Mikyla goosebumps. She'd never sensed such hatred- even her detest for Nobles was child's play in comparison.

Francis gulped and look towards his group for reassurance. "Yeah... I wouldn't want to soil Lord Fëanor's ears anyway... However, if the Fëanor household ever wants to drop in, feel free anytime. Just-"

"Don't fall from the sky?" Mikyla offered indifferently. She didn't know what past they had with Sam but she'd trust his distrust for now. "It's not the best feeling, especially getting scratched and all as we fell through the top layers of the forest. You guys did break our fall though so thanks for that!"

"Don't mention it." Francis shrugged off to which his lackeys imitated. "We'll just be taking our leave now, you can follow us if you choose but I'm sure that you'll be able to find your way out easy enough. Just be careful of the gryphons- there was a nest around her somewhere."

"Yeah, we know." Sam retorted, his voice freezing the air. "It was nice seeing you, hopefully we'll see each other soon."

Francis' group nodded before walking off. Sam watched them carefully until they were out of sight and Mikyla let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her wounds had finally all scabbed over but if the fall didn't knock the wind out of her, the tension seemed to squeeze the rest out.

"They." Mikyla wiped perspiration off her brow. "Were interesting."

"Yeah." Sam nodded as if they just met an old friend. "They were, weren't they?"

Mikyla nodded in agreement. She had a feeling she knew who their alter egos were and if Sade and all the other Drows were converted to Nobles, it made sense the Drow suck-ups were converted too.

"So..."

"We'll follow them." Sam stated blatantly.

"What!" Mikyla asked surprised. "Didn't you, you know, have a little bit of..."

"It happens." Sam gave Mikyla a weak smile. "It's the best option we have right now. The winds picking up again but if you don't want to go that way; I guess this is goodbye."

"I-"

"I'm not wagging my tail." Sam turned towards where the other Nobles left. "I thought we stayed together because we were friends but if you want to avoid scandal I understand."