Chapter 57

ALEK SLIPPED PAST THE WOMEN, leaning over the pup pen and gave a low whistle. There was a frantic scrabbling and then an excited noise that sounded like a cross between a chirp and a yelp. Cat, Sian and Laura all turned in time to see a larger griffon pup hurtle into the pen from the other room. Ageip reared and flapped his wings hard, startling the younger pups in the women's arms.

Loushka poked her head through from the other room.

'He wants to show you how well he can fly now, why don't you come out and see?'

THE PLAYFUL PUP ENCHANTED ME; he spun and reared at Alek, showing off his lovely wings. Much darker than those of the older griffons we'd met, the pup's feathers glinted violet in the glimpses of light from the other room.

'Who is he?' I thought to Loushka.

'His name is Ageip,' she replied and I could hear her affection for him. 'He is Phroma's son.'

Aha, of course he was, Phroma's feathers had violet in them too.

'Would you all come outside for a moment?' Alek turned