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The Gift

Richard's (SF) Storyline, Chapter 3.4

copyright comidacomida 2018

The Ram laughed, holding out a hand. "Jon."

Looking down at the furry appendage with thick, dark black, hoof-like nails I held out my own hand and exchanged a firm shake; I was surprised when it felt entirely Human with no hint of animalistic nature. Jack, two steps behind me spoke. "If thou dost have questions for the Human cleric thou mayest speak them, Richard, but tis far more difficult to interact with a Spirit so bonded."

The Ram nodded, once again creating that strange distorting haze over their joined form. Realizing I was still holding the man's hand I quickly disengaged. "Thank you, Jon. I'm Richard."

"Nice to meet you, Richard. I mean it; please feel free to stop back if ever the need strikes you. I'll be here."

We each said our pleasantries and I quickly left the Church. Once I was back on the sidewalk I turned West and headed toward home. We walked in silence for several blocks before I came to the realization of what I'd seen. "Those spirits were drawing little bits of spirit energy off of an entire congregation, but the biggest boost they got were from the Humans they were... 'guiding', I guess you could say-- wasn't it?"

Jack seemed intently pleased with my response. With a faint golden gleam to his eye the Gryphon nodded. "Yes, Richard... that would be the case."

An important question came to mind. "Why?"

We walked several steps before he responded. "Just as Spirits are able to glean the most energy from Seers, they can gain far more energy from a Human they Skin Ride than others around them. When a Spirit furthers their goals by encouraging the Human to whom they are bound they are able to reap the rewards of the spirit energy created. Not all Spirits are direct in how they may interact with thee."

I finally realized what he was telling me. "You're saying I should keep my guard up."

He sighed softly. "Richard-- even thou thou art a Seer there are some who may attempt to misdirect or mislead you, and it is possible that there are some who may attempt to abuse thy trust. This is what I wanted to show thee as thou mayest understand better than if I had simply told thee."

Without a doubt, I had to admit that there was a certain accuracy to that statement. "I still have a lot to learn."

His talon hovered above my shoulder comfortingly. "If thou woulds't have me, I shall be here to help thee learn and protect thee from those who would overstep bounds. Any Human could benefit from a Spirit Guardian, but Seers are at great risk without one."

I nodded at the thought, not completely comfortable with what I was hearing, but it did make sense. "I guess I'm lucky I have four."

His chuckle seemed a little forced. "Well... not all of us sharing a home with thee are Guardians, but the sentiment is a pleasant one, yes."

There was definitely a tenseness to his agreement and I couldn't help but focus on it. "What do you mean?"

Jack backpedaled quickly. "Ah... just that I am a Guardian, while Treboada and Sabhana are Tribal Spirits."

I noticed he'd left Balam out. "And what about Balam?"

The Gryphon shrugged, his wings extending and contracting with the shoulder movement. "Tis hard to say, Richard... he is a savage."

He'd used that description several times, and yet I noticed Balam was the only one he'd named with it. "He's a Tribal Spirit... but you don't call Treboada and Sabhana savages."

Jack shook his head. "Perhaps, given time, I may come to know him better, but he is not like the Wolves and he is not as I am. There is something different to him."

We turned the corner and, I realized, we were only two blocks from my house. "Different doesn't mean bad, Jack."

The Gryphon let out a sigh. "True, Richard, but I am a Guardian spirit and my time as one has taught me to be weary of the unusual."

We continued in silence for the majority of our walk back from there but I stopped right outside the walkway leading up to my door. "Jack?"

He stopped as well and turned to look at me. "Yes, Richard?"

There were two things I wanted to say. "First, thank you for showing me the churches today. I think I learned a lot, and I hope I picked up on what you wanted me to learn."

I was finally starting to get better at reading his beak-y expressions; I could tell he was smiling. "I thank thee in return, Richard. And, yes, thou art a grand student when thou art able to spend the time learning the lesson."

On the tail of that compliment, I added the second thing: a request. "Second, and finally, may I ask a favor of you?"

His smile widened and the feathers around his cheeks puffed out. His eyes gleamed. "It would be my honor to serve thee within whatever capacity I am able, Richard. Ask and I shall accommodate."

"Could you try to be a little more understanding and tolerant of Balam?"

His feathers deflated and his brow furrowed. "I..."

I pressed my case. "I know you aren't sure about him and you're concerned regarding his motives and what-not, but I do trust him, and I want you to be able to get along with him... can you do that? For me?"

Jack remained quiet for several seconds but, in that silence, his wings raised again and his feathers slowly puffed out anew. "If it is thy will, Richard, then I will do my very best to fulfill thy request... so long as thou dost understand that thy safety comes first in all things."

It seemed like a fair enough compromise. "Deal."

I extended my hand and he readily extended his talon. "We have an Accord."

My surprise at feeling his firm grip and the warm, supple scale-like texture of his talon was eclipsed by the bright flare of golden light emerging from between our clasped palms. When he finally drew his talon back I realized that I held a small bronze key; although Jack was still adorned in his armor I saw that he had a new set of bracers which appeared to be of the same metal as the key.

He apparently noticed my confusion, and provided a very quick and simple answer. "I am bound by my word, Richard; I will provide Balam the opportunity to prove his good intentions and shall neither inhibit him nor thee."

I remember thinking it seemed a little overboard, but it was a start nevertheless.