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"Do we really have to go?" I murmured to Riane. The pink hues of sunrise had long since faded, but neither of us wanted to move from our embrace. There was probably some mushy reason behind our mutual reluctance to start packing, and perhaps some trepidation over meeting our replacements, but we were officially sticking with reasons of comfort.

"We would arrive late if we did not," Riane replied. She was halfway on her side, head turned just enough so she could watch me as I nestled against her. "Apparently that would be bad."

I reached up to scratch behind her ears, drawing a pleased trill from her throat. "Being on time would be mature and responsible. I really don't want to get up, though."

"You are only saying that because you have almost no clothing."

I couldn't deny it. When the cold mountain breeze had made my morning sponge bath a little too brisk--at least, that's what I'd told myself--she'd offered to warm me under her wing. I'd nestled into her fur and feathers with nothing but my underwear. We'd lost count of the minutes spent lying together.

"Not _only_that," I shot back. "Or are you saying a cuddle with someone very lovely isn't a good reason?"

She tilted her head as if in thought. "I suppose it is, especially when the lovely gryphon shares the company of a handsome man."

"Of course." I ran my fingers over her neck feathers and leaned in close. Her warm, earthy scent made it easy to forget outside troubles. "Maybe just a couple more minutes."

She leaned her neck into my hand, almost like a giant cat wanting more attention. "Only a couple. I may decide this is too nice to give up. Certainly so if you keep using your hands."

"How could I object?" I obliged her and gently scratched along the feathers. "Though I can't really give you a proper grooming from here."

"So you would have to move anyway," Riane grumbled. "There is always a downside."

I licked my lips as a thought came to me, and I worked my way down her chest towards her furred belly. "Maybe not. I don't have to go far, and I think you'd like it if I didn't keep my hands to myself."

A low purr built in her throat. "I do very much enjoy it when you handle me. More so what it usually leads to."

"My lovely Riane, are you asking me for a ride?" I rubbed her belly in slow circles.

"Mm. I would not object if you mounted me."

"Without a saddle you'd have to hold me very close. I'd hate to fall."

"Do not worry, I will not let you go. All we need is the right rhythm to stay together." She tilted her head. "What say you?"

I cuddled closer to her. "I'm having a hard time saying no."

"I can make it even harder," she murmured. Her hind leg lifted to rub my calves. "Lie with me, Torio. Let us enjoy this morning together."

I wanted to say yes, to move down her body and join with her, but I couldn't ignore the sun climbing in the sky. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but we shouldn't. We still have to pack, there won't be enough time. I'm sorry," I said, hugging her, "it's not you, I do want you. I just..."

"I understand. And agree," she replied. Her ears folded back, and a sigh escaped her lips. "As you said, we should be responsible. It would take even more time to clean my fur afterwards."

"I hadn't thought about that." I put my feet on the ground, but stayed under her wing for the moment. "We could always try later--no, wait, the replacements will be with us all week."

"A minor setback. We will simply wait the rest of our time in the wilds."

I frowned. "Right. After that we'll be back home, which doesn't leave us any options."

"Not so, Torio. There are places in Lighthaven, even in the Imperial Eyrie, that are private enough." Her ears perked, hopeful. "Places we could share one last embrace."

"Just once?" I'd meant it as a joke, but the possibility gave me pause. The rent in emotions from our impulse-driven first time had threatened our friendship. We'd reconciled, recovered from our rash decision, and started anew. At first, we'd intended the physical coupling as a distraction from the monotony of the route, and a way to occasionally satisfy our needs. 'Occasionally' had been an understatement; we'd spent almost every night engaging in our interspecies carnality.

She was very inviting, and gripped me in ways I doubted most women could match while I put my fingers and flexibility to good use, but it wasn't just about the pleasure. It was also the times after sex, or when the day's flight was too tiring, where we nestled against each other and spoke in slow whispers, and let our concerns slip away.

I didn't want to give any of it up.

"I'm actually serious, I think. Why only one time?" I asked, and sat up as my thoughts kept turning. "If we still enjoy our times together, then we're not in the wrong for wanting more."

She tilted her head. "If I am understanding you, we can continue enjoying each other when our desires go unmet? I would like that very much."

"So would I," I said. "Okay, hold that thought, I'm getting up." I stepped out to grab my shirt as she rolled onto all fours. The air still had a bite to it, and as she stood I turned and clung to her side. "Maybe just one more minute?"

Riane's soft laughter reached my ears. "Is the cold that harsh, or is it an excuse to stay close to me?"

"Probably both," I said. "I hope you don't mind?"

"Move back. It will be easier to help," she said, and spread her primary feathers over my back once I'd repositioned against her hind leg. A soft trill rose from her throat. "Shame I cannot warm you more thoroughly."

"You can tell me how you would," I replied, and ran my fingers over her back. "Maybe thinking about it will help."

"Perhaps it would," she said. "I would start by covering you with my feathers."

My hand moved to her tail, and the fan of feathers lifted against my palm. "Like these?"

"They would be effective, especially over your chest."

"I'd have to keep my skin against your fur. We'd be very, very close." I hummed in thought. "Your tail would only cover so much, though. What if I'm still cold?"

She leaned into me. "Then you would have to keep moving. A steady rhythm is best."

I leaned back, pressing on her furred hindquarter. "A few good ones come to mind. They'd warm you up, too."

"All the more to share with you," she breathed. "And in this weather our warmth would only need slow motions. It is often better that way."

I started to rub where her tail met her back, much to her delight. "Even if we don't have time to mate, maybe we could share a little warmth."

"We cannot let ourselves get too warm," she said, even as her tail kept rising. "But stay for a moment?"

I dropped my hand to squeeze her muscled rump. "I'd stay as long as you asked me to."

Her breath hitched. "The problem is, I do not want you to leave." Both of us kept shifting to stay balanced, and before long I ended up directly behind her. "We should be careful..."

"We will," I said, though only cloth lay between my stiffening shaft and her rump. "We'll stop in a few seconds..." We were busy with our slow gyration against each other, though; it was a familiar rhythm, one that happened enough in this same position to remember how the next step felt.

Riane pushed backwards, and I matched her move as best I could. Our soft breaths were swept away by the cool breeze, and as we ground together, I didn't want my pants separating us any longer. There was no space between us, and it took a few tries to slide them down; the moment I succeeded, my hands went to her hips for support as my bare skin rubbed her fur. The richness of her intimate scent rose in the air, and tension surged through my groin as I felt wetness and heat against the underside of my shaft.

Our gazes met. We were so close. All it would take was a few inches of movement to sink into her, and we studied each other's expressions before that final push.

The hesitation gave our senses a chance to recover, and we stopped moving. Her ears lay flat as she considered the same consequences running through my head.

"Tor..."

"Yeah." I exhaled softly. "We promised we'd stop..."

"We did," she murmured, "but I want you, even if only for a moment."

"I want you too." My shaft pulsed with blood. It still rested over her folds. "But if we go any further than this, I don't think a moment would be enough."

"I agree." Her tail feathers twitched against my chest. We were losing the struggle to stay still. "And I have not lost my energy flying, so once may not be enough."

"No point in trying for Daggermouth that late anyway."

"Our choices seem simple," she said. A budge of her hips was all it took for both of us to start slowly rubbing together again. "You saddle me and we fly home, or you--ah--you mount me right now, and the day and night are ours alone..."

Regret now, or regret later. My hips rocked against hers of their own accord, and hers against mine; the friction and heat quickly clouded my thoughts and urged me towards the heights of pleasure we could reach right that very moment. I licked my lips, knowing there was no turning back if either of us made that move. I knew we had to stop.

Riane gasped and arched her back as I shifted a little lower. Her fur and my cock were slick with her juices; without friction to slow me down, I rubbed over her entrance again and again. Another gasp. There was no space between our bodies, and that was the only reason I wasn't inside her already. I could feel every twitch of her muscles, including the ones that would envelop me, squeeze me, then milk me of every last drop. My cockhead slipped between her lips, the angle just wrong enough that I couldn't enter her, but the promise of it still sent a surge through my loins. If I moved back, then forward, I would be inside her, and there was no stopping.

I moved back, and stayed back.

My heart pounded as my last shreds of thought warred with my desires. It took every bit of control I had left to take my hands off her and turn away. She took a step away and stiffly lowered her tail as she came to the same decision, or at least recognized mine. All I could do was breathe.

"We should get cleaned up," I said once the worst of the aching desire had passed. The fire in my belly turned into a twisting heaviness. "We still need to pack."

"Then we should start," she said, unclenching talons that had been digging into the ground. I wanted to say more, to somehow smooth things over, but everything felt too awkward for words.

In a way, it was worse than if we'd gone through with it.

Splashes of cold water drove away the last of my excitement and washed off the mess of our near-deed. Riane had turned away and curled up, likely using her beak and tongue for the same purpose. As I put my pants back on, I thought about the last time we'd let our urges get away from us. The knots in my stomach gave way to an iron resolve. I wasn't going to spend another day with tension and regret driving a wedge between us.

When she finished, I walked over. "Ri, we should talk."

"Do we have time?" Her tone stung, but her ears went flat before I could reply. "I am sorry. Yes, Tor, we should."

"We still have a few minutes, I think." Silence lasted until I pulled my thoughts together. "I'm sorry too. I just... well, I put myself in a position where I could get carried away, and nearly did. More than once, even, and I left you hanging in the end. It's not fair to you."

She slowly shook her head. "The fault is mine. I made my own advances and encouraged yours." A soft sigh escaped her beak. "Little wonder we nearly lost ourselves to temptation. You should not blame yourself."

"I don't. Neither should you," I said. "We can't control each other's actions."

"But I can still control mine. I chose not to stop. I wanted you more than I wanted to do our job."

I reached over to rest my hand on her. "It's alright, I wanted you too. I still want you. It was a blameless mistake."

"I would not say that," Riane said. Her gaze held mine. "I could never consider being with you a mistake."

All the tension in my chest evaporated, leaving a warm glow in its place. "Nor I with you," I said, and wrapped my arms around her neck. A low purr rumbled in her chest as she nuzzled my shoulder and held me close with one of her forepaws.

She chirped when we parted. "Our concerns are settled, then?"

"I think they are," I replied. "Except for one thing. I don't know when we'll find a place private enough, but once we get back, we will finish what we started here." I licked my lips and grinned. "Maybe more than once."

"This is an excellent plan," she murmured. "I look forward to seeing it through."

I patted her neck. "It's a deal. Now, the sooner we get packed, the sooner we can be on our way. Shall we?"

"We shall," she said.

We finished packing in record time, and with the message satchel around my chest we were soon in the air. As Riane's wings caught the rising thermals, I looked back at our campsite.

Part of me wished we'd never left the ground.

The sun was within reach of the horizon by the time we descended towards Daggermouth; it was later than we liked, but not enough to have us worried about flying and landing in the dark. Riane circled around the plateau to bleed off speed and altitude before we landed, and I noticed activity around the outpost.

She saw it too, but didn't turn back to speak until we'd landed. "More new arrivals?"

"Looks like an expedition," I said. "They might be going east. I heard some rumors about scouting the jungles before we left Lighthaven."

Daggermouth's main purpose was keeping the narrow eastern valley open for travel. The outpost's eyrie existed partly for our benefit, since there was no way to cross the Dagger Reaches on foot. The jungles were far more interesting to the Empire and other nations. Some of the plants were apparently very useful.

Whatever the case was, it didn't concern us.

I untied my safety lines and hopped off her back. A few stretches helped soothe my tired muscles before the two of us entered the wood and stone outpost. The supply officer helped us unpack and took Riane's saddle for inspection; after that, there was nothing left to do but head to the eyrie.

Or at least, we would have, if we hadn't caught sight of a woman with a flight outfit just inside the entrance. She pushed her goggles over her wind-tousled brown hair as she finished talking to one of the eyrie workers, and a moment later glanced our way.

"Flight Lieutenants Torio and Riane?" she asked. We both nodded. "Flight Marshal Kaya, as you might have guessed. The two of you have perfect timing."

Reality sank in. Kaya and Aneurin held the joint rank of Flight Marshal, only one step below the most senior rank in the entire Corps. Their word held a great deal of weight. Our foreseeable future could ride on the outcome of this week.

I smiled and bowed my head. "A pleasure to meet you, ma'am." She inclined her head in return, and after a moment we both rose. I was a bit shorter than her--not unusual, but looking up to her drove home the difference in authority.

"Well met," Riane said. "Is Flight Marshal Aneurin inside?"

"He's out finding a vantage point for the sunset." She tapped the stars on her flight jacket. "About the ranks. I'd imagine the camps are fairly close quarters, and you're guiding us in the air, so don't stress over all the formalities. First names should do just fine."

I liked her already. "Good to know. I apologize in advance if I let that slip. Habits."

A deep voice came from behind us. "I doubt we'll mind." The owner was another gryphon. "I presume these are our guides?"

"That they are," she said. "Torio and Riane, this is Aneurin, my flight partner."

"Well met," Aneurin said. He was a head shorter than Riane. His feathers were a dark, earthy red that reminded me of Riane's plumage, but the smoky striations and the faint spots in his cream-colored fur resembled those of the Shattered Hills gryphons. The Steam Mountains were on the other side of Ethana; cross-continental mixed parentage was uncommon enough to be interesting, if only for the story behind it.

Kaya clasped her hands behind her back. "I'd love to talk more, but unfortunately I have to meet with Daggermouth's administrator. We'll have plenty of time later." She glanced between Riane and I. "Anything we need to worry about for tonight?"

"Food, rest," Riane replied. "No more than the standard for endurance flight." I nodded in agreement.

"Okay," Kaya said, "then we'll talk shop in the morning. We look forward to working with you."

Aneurin ruffled his wings. "I shall watch the sunset before resting. Farewell."

After another round of bowing, the two of them went their separate ways, leaving Riane and I alone in the eyrie. It was remarkably quiet without anyone else around.

I reached over to brush the crest of feathers behind her head. "So, what can I get for you before I scout out the mess?"

She softly trilled, and leaned her body into mine. "I believe I will be set for the night," she said. "We will both do our best during the week, and then once this is all done, we will explore the options we discussed this morning."

I quirked an eyebrow at her. "I'm in full support of this plan."

"I thought as much," she said, and rested the leading edge of her wing on my hip. "For now, you should go eat. We will need our strength."

"I should," I murmured. The corner of my mouth rose. "Though at the risk of sounding licentious, I'll be thinking of better ways to spend our strength."

"Is that so?" Her soft laughter nearly distracted from the hungry gleam in her eye. "When we return to the Empire, I am sure all our hungers will be sated. Only one more week."

"One more week," I echoed. The energy was back in the air again--I felt the pull each time we looked at one another. Unlike the camp, there was nowhere we could steal away for a few minutes; the roosts were supposed to be private, but the risk was still too high, especially with the flight marshals around. I ruffled her neck feathers. "We'll make it big. Until then, good night, Riane."

"Good night, Torio." As she passed, she brushed the end of her wing over my arm. My hair stood on end, and my eyes were drawn to the sway of her hips as she sauntered away.

She did enjoy getting a rise out of me.

Daggermouth usually had about a dozen staff, though once or twice it was closer to twenty; even the scheduled mealtimes were a quiet affair. The expedition looked to be several times that number. I'd come in late hoping to avoid the rush, but as I got my food, I saw only one table with open seats.

"Is this seat taken?" I asked the two explorers: a lighter-skinned man with a short, cropped beard and a woman with her hair tied up. Both were about my age and dressed in light yet sturdy clothing, with wide-brimmed hats lying on the table next to them. It made an odd contrast to my heavier cloth and leather flight outfit, meant to withstand the chilly winds and occasional weather found thousands of feet above the ground.

The woman waved me over. "Not at all." Her eyes lit up as she looked over me. "You're in the Allied Flight Corps, aren't you?"

"I am," I said, bowing slightly. "Flight Lieutenant Torio."

They both bowed. "I'm Amala, and this is Darshan. We're with the Eastern Expedition," Amala said. "Are you joining us on the trip?"

"I'm afraid not," I said. "By trip, I take it you're heading to the jungle?"

"Yah. Five weeks," Darshan said. He rolled one of the hat's chin straps in his fingers, and I could see a long tattoo under his forearm. His appearance and accent were curious, but the markings clearly identified him as Denari. I wanted to ask more, but before I could, he turned to Amala. "The expedition lead, he would've mentioned a gryphon rider?"

"He did, I thought," she replied, brow furrowed. "Geodesy, or something else to do with maps. I thought I saw a gryphon land an hour ago when we were organizing supplies, so I assumed they found someone."

I swallowed a mouthful of food before answering. "The landing was probably my flight partner and myself." My next words were chosen carefully, since Frontier wasn't entirely public knowledge. "We're not working out that way, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Corps had somebody else on standby."

"I see," Darshan said. "So you're a gryphon rider yourself. What is it like, having a gryphon? They talk, like us, yah?"

I frowned, which surprised me; those kinds of questions were common enough. I shouldn't have been bothered. "Well, to answer your first question, I don't_have_ her." If anything, she had me, but I wasn't about to tell them that. "We're partners, equals in every respect. Flying with her is a privilege she chooses to give."

He held his hands in the air and bowed his head. "I spoke in error. My apologies for my ignorance."

"Apology accepted," I said. "No harm done. I'm guessing you haven't met a gryphon before?"

"None," he said. "They only rarely come to my home, Ghadali, on their own business." A group of explorers headed towards the door, and one called his name. He stood. "I'd tell you more, but it seems I must go. Safe travels, rider."

"The same for you." When he was gone, I looked back at Amala. "So he's from the Denar Republic? I didn't know expeditions were recruiting outside the Empire."

"He's a physician," she said. "Apparently the Republic made some deals and wanted to see the herbs and other medicines the jungle had to offer. I don't know if they're doing the same with Oria and Erea, but who knows with them."

"I don't know if that would even work." They were at peace--everyone was, for once--but the schism that had formed the two nations had sparked a fire that never quite burned out.

"At least we won't need to find out." After a slight pause, she leaned forward. "I have to ask. What's it like to fly?"

The memories brought a grin to my face. "Exhilarating beyond words. There's nothing quite like her wings catching the wind, and suddenly you're not just fighting gravity, you're_winning_. It's freedom. Anything becomes possible."

"You make it sound quite breathtaking," she murmured. "I love exploring, going off the map and finding the world's secrets, but I doubt it'd be very interesting in comparison."

"I wouldn't say that." I pointed at her face. "Your eyes just lit up when you started to explain it. Exploring is interesting to_you_, and that's what matters."

She nodded, and the glow spread over her face. "I guess it does. You just looked the same way, when you were talking about flying." She laughed. "We're not the type to settle for an ordinary life, are we?"

"Not so much," I said, grinning. While I loved talking to Riane, I'd missed being able to chat with strangers. "At least work takes us to plenty of new places."

"True. About that, though," Amala said. "I've been curious about the Corps since I first heard of it. Honestly, what's it like?"

"Honest opinion? Aw, and I've been practicing my recruitment speech for months." I couldn't help but quip, her laugh was growing on me. "I think it's still a work in progress--we have thousands of humans enlisted or employed, but only hundreds of gryphons. Maybe a thousand, I don't remember. We're still trying to figure out what we're doing with the 'allied' part.

"But," I continued, "I do think it's a good cause, both for diplomacy and for the work we do. And, personally, for the friendships I've made, especially with my flight partner. I thought I'd understood gryphons were intelligent, but Riane's really opened my eyes. They're not that different from us."

"That's mostly what I've heard," she said. "But I haven't heard much. Some of the people here," she gestured towards the rest of the explorers, "occasionally think gryphons will replace them as explorers. I doubt it, though."

"Same." I finished my last bites of food, then set the dish off to the side. "Although I wouldn't be surprised if we started expeditions of our own."

"Oh? That would be interesting." She rubbed her chin. "Maybe I could end up working with you."

"Chances are, you'd have to join the Special Flight Commission and be partnered with a gryphon for that--and even then, between Corps work and contracts it'd be hard to stick together. But," I said, holding up a hand to forestall her look of disappointment, "friendships are far from impossible."

She nodded as she absorbed the information. "So, the Special Flight Commission is part of the Corps? I've never heard how it all works."

"One of the three branches, yes, all human riders partnered with gryphons." I briefly explained the tests and training, officer commission, and five year partnership--both human and gryphon shared the same rank--then moved on to the other two branches; the Air Courier Service delivered express mail and other cargo, while the Reconnaissance Wing contracted scouts and air patrols over Imperial territory.

"If you're ever interested in joining, we can always use good people," I said, wrapping up, and hoping I didn't sound like a recruiter. "The needs of the Corps takes precedence, in theory, but we're not the Imperial Army. Your path pretty much depends on what you want to do."

"Ranks and uniforms, flying... it must be quite a life." She brushed a lock of hair away from her face. "You have me tempted to join, Torio. Expeditions have their perks, but even the better ones are a little conservative for my tastes. They don't go nearly far enough."

"Fair warning, if you want to explore by gryphonback you'd have to find a partner who agrees with you_and_ find people willing to pay your way if the Corps won't." I gave a sheepish grin. "Just honesty. I think you could make it happen, though."

She shrugged. "I grew up knowing how to hunt and gather, and I'm not expensive. I'll have a few weeks to think about it. For now, I get to enjoy some good company." Another smile graced her lips, and she leaned forward a little more. "I'm guessing you have private quarters. Maybe we could talk there, where it's quieter?"

The mention of my quarters, and the way she asked, opened the door to more than just conversation. Amala was lively and intelligent, had an athletic build, and while the elements had toughened her amber skin, she wasn't weathered or worn; a few weeks ago I would have jumped at the chance to invite her over.

Today, however, was different. I had promised Riane we would finish what we started. It seemed unfair to her if I sought intimacy when she couldn't. More than that, I didn't really_want_ to. The 'why' eluded me, but it would have to wait.

"I'm sorry," I said just as she picked up on my hesitation. I tried to keep myself from fidgeting. "You make a very tempting offer, Amala, but... I can't."

Her lips tightened, and after a moment she nodded. "It's okay. We're leaving in the morning, it's better to get some rest."

"Early start for us, too," I said. "I should probably get going. Well met, Amala. Good luck with the expedition."

She nodded, and smiled a little. "Well met, Torio. The same for your travels."

We parted ways, and after dropping my dish off at the kitchen I headed back to my quarters. The room felt cold and empty, and I wondered if I'd made the right decision. I didn't feel regret, at least, but I wasn't content. I'd turned her down because I'd chosen to remain with Riane. Was it just about our promise? Was it something more?

It had to be more. Most of my trysts with women were one-time experiences: treasured memories, but no attachment. A couple past partners might have gotten closer, but we were ultimately separated by distance. I was used to it, and always made it clear to prospective partners that my partner and I followed the assignments and contracts all across the Empire. It wasn't fair to commit without putting down roots, so I kept my heart with me.

I hadn't considered I'd always be close to Riane, my flight partner and friend, and that one day we'd discover how close we could truly be. The possibility was thrilling, but troubling, because reality was rarely so kind.

Riane was beautiful, clever, and loyal, and I cherished the friendship we'd grown together. I wanted to keep building that connection. I wanted to be close to her for more reasons than convenience. I didn't know if it was enough.

Even though I'd crossed the line between species, I still enjoyed the company of women--the brush of soft lips against mine, the tug of arms around my neck. I hated to think of what Riane didn't have, but the fact remained she wasn't curved in the ways that attracted me, and our physical differences limited our embraces and lovemaking. We could never be affectionate in public. If the Corps ever discovered our secret, it could jeopardize our careers.

I still wanted her, with heart and mind and body, but I'd been hiding from the stark truth: what future could we possibly have together?

I let the doubts drift away as I washed up and prepared for sleep. I wouldn't get anywhere by worrying about them alone. We were a team, and we'd have to answer them together.

Kaya and Aneurin sat with Riane and I to review the flight path and supplies of each camp over breakfast; the mess hall was full, so we'd taken our food to the eyrie where our partners were already eating. We had already double-checked our supplies and our gryphons' well-being by the time the sun rose above the mountains of the Worldspine.

I hadn't had time to tell Riane about last night, but I had mentioned I wanted to talk to her about something later. She seemed to guess it wasn't work-related, but didn't pry.

"No clouds, little wind," Aneurin said as he peeked outside. "It should be a good day for flying."

Riane and I shared a knowing look. "Do not underestimate the weather in the Dagger Reaches," she said. "It can rapidly change for the worse."

His ears twitched, and he cocked his head towards her. "Mountain weather often does, but the skies are calm this morning. It should hold for hours yet."

"With respect, these aren't your average mountains," I chimed in. "They're very uneven, among other things, so storms are even more unpredictable along parts of our route. We've had a few days we thought we'd never make camp because a storm popped up, or changed course when we least expected it."

Kaya poked Aneurin's side. "They know this route back and forth a dozen times over. I'm pretty sure we can take their word for it."

He considered this, then dipped his head in assent. "We will keep a weather eye out, then."

I put the exchange out of my head as I picked up my saddle. Riane bent down slightly, staying stock still until I'd settled it on her back. Throughout the process of securing the saddle to her, she kept a professional air about her.

"Showing off?" I whispered just loud enough for her to hear. She winked as I secured the last strap.

"Saddle secure," she said, and only moments later did Aneurin say the same to Kaya. We were more evenly matched loading the supplies, but that was more the supply checklist pacing the four of us. With the last checks complete we both mounted up, and Kaya waved us forward to take the lead.

I bent forward in the saddle. "Nothing flashy, just a textbook takeoff," I said. "I think we've got them impressed already."

She glanced back at me with a gryphon's grin. "No double loops? Very well, no fun allowed."

"The fun comes later, don't worry." I winked, then thumped my hand against her shoulder to let her know I was ready. She braced herself, then took a few bounding steps and leaped off the edge of the landing zone. We caught a thermal immediately, and with Aneurin and Kaya in tow, we circled higher and higher, then banked south to begin our journey.

If we had been training junior replacements I would have been signaling flight patterns and landmarks, but the flight marshals were experienced enough to pick up most of it themselves. After a couple hours we reached one of our break points: a high peak with a fairly flat top.

With Kaya and Aneurin stretching before going off to relieve themselves, I took the opportunity to pull Riane aside, told her about the past night's events, and touched on my worries. "I don't know why I turned her down, Ri, but I did."

Her ears twitched as she thought it over. "Do you believe it wrong to accept a woman's advances?"

All I could do was shrug. "I don't know. Maybe. We did make a promise to finish what we started yesterday morning." I slowly exhaled. "It felt like involving myself with someone else would betray that promise, if not more."

Riane tilted her head. "Would enjoying a woman's company truly threaten our friendship after all we've been through?"

"It wouldn't change our friendship, but maybe it's not that simple," I replied. "When we promised to make up for this morning, we left the 'after' part open. What if," I paused, and swallowed, "what if we wanted to take it even farther?"

Her ears twitched back and forth as she gathered her thoughts. "I cannot say I am opposed to the possibility," she murmured, "but how far_could_ we take this... our... relationship?"

I rested a hand on her neck. "Maybe we're too different, but maybe it's worth trying anyway."

"Maybe. For now, we should plan to keep our promise and think on how far we wish to go," she said, leaning into my hand. "One thing is certain. I will always want you as a friend and companion."

Warmth filled my chest. "The same to you, no matter what happens."

We stayed together a few moments until we saw Aneurin walking towards us.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said. When we shook our heads, he inclined his. "I wish to apologize for this morning's exchange. I may have been too dismissive of your experience, and if this was cause for offense or mistrust, I'd like to clear the air between us."

Riane and I shared a quick look. "No harm has been done," she replied. "We thank you for the apology."

"It was just a misunderstanding," I added. "I'll be back in a couple minutes, then we should be ready to go."

"I shall inform Kaya," he said. Before he turned away, I noticed several lines along his fur and on his chest--scars, and old ones at that. I didn't know what to make of them, and I didn't have time to look again or ask. It was a mystery for a later time.

By the time we were in the air again, I worked to settle my other thoughts. Riane and I were still colleagues and very good friends--that had never changed--but now we were experimenting far beyond the confines of the typical human-gryphon relationship. Maybe our mutual attraction was wholly abnormal, or maybe it was the most sensible path our friendship could take.

We didn't have all the answers, but at least I could start asking myself the right questions.

We landed at our first camp with plenty of daylight to spare; the sky was still mostly clear, but the appearance of clouds to the east had me a little concerned. As Riane and I went over the inventory of the camp's supplies with Kaya and Aneurin, I made sure to point out the tent anchors buried in the ground in case the wind picked up, then gave the message satchel to her so she could practice carrying it.

From there, it was just a matter of setting up the creature comforts. Kaya and I each took a pot and walked over to the nearby brook.

"I've never seen a butterfly like that," Kaya said, pointing, as we started to fill the pots under a dribbling waterfall. The butterfly in question fluttered around a patch of flowers on wide wings; the underside was an ethereal shade of purple, and the top was an iridescent bronze. "Amazing."

"It is," I said, stopping to look. "They're a little more common south of here. Sometimes whole groups of them make it up to our flight level." They were quite beautiful. "I honestly stopped noticing them."

Kaya glanced at me. "You really have been out here a while, haven't you?"

I didn't know what to do but shrug. "It's only been three months." Her eyebrow rose, and I had to chuckle. "Alright, longer than we'd like, but Riane and I couldn't walk away from the job."

"And if, say, we'd been free to replace you, and you had some leave time. You were free to do anything. What then?" she asked.

"Keep traveling. Riane and I enjoy sightseeing, and we have plenty of places left to visit," I said, pausing to inspect the water in my pot. "I take it you two had another contract before this?"

"That, and Veteran's Council business." Once her pot was full we started back to camp. "It's a good thing we were free, too, because the other distance fliers had other contracts or refused to look at this one. We nearly had to issue a mandatory assignment."

I nearly walked headfirst into a low branch. "What? That almost never happens. I didn't think the contract was_that_ important."

"I can't say much, but it is now." She ducked under the branch after me. "The Council's rather impressed the two of you volunteered to stay as long as you have."

"The deliveries need to be made," I said. "Whatever they are."

"And with your guidance, we won't have trouble taking over the route," she said. "I think this will be a very good week."

The conversation went on hold as we entered camp and set one of the pots to boil on the stove. Riane had evidently continued to review the inventory with Aneurin, as several piles of packs were laid out in the order we'd learned from basic training onwards. They joined us around the small fire.

"Food won't be ready for a while," Kaya said, "and the camp is settled. We're spending a week together, we might as well get to know one another. Where are the two of you from? How did you find the Corps?"

"I can start," I said. "I was born in Logan's Redoubt. My father was a bookbinder, and my mother a bookseller. You can guess how they met." My audience of three chuckled. "Anyway, the Grainblight hit us hard when I was ten. I was sick for months, which is probably why I missed a growth spurt. Reading was my escape for the next ten years while I built my strength.

"I wanted to explore the places I'd read about," I continued, "but the expeditions only wanted scientists or sponsors. I didn't want to be stuck in an academy, and we didn't have that much money. Then I heard about the Corps--they wanted short and lean, and what better way to see the world than on gryphonback?"

Riane chirped. "Seeing it as a gryphon?"

"If only," Kaya and I said in unison. A moment later the water came to a boil, and I set the pot aside, covered, while Kaya placed the other pot on the stove. The first was our clean drinking water, and soon we'd make soup from the second.

"Anyway," I said, "I qualified for officer training, passed, and met Riane during the partner selection. Everything fell into place after that."

Kaya slowly nodded. "I feel expeditions are far too exclusive even compared to the Corps, but I suppose it works for them. Do your parents still live there? You could stop home on the way back."

"Yes," I said. "And I was hoping to do just that."

"Good!" She beamed, then turned her attention to Riane. "Forgive me if I'm wrong, but your plumage and accent says Steam Mountains."

"You are correct," Riane said. "My sire was killed before my naming, and after my dam avenged him she brought me to be raised by his clan. They instructed me well, and had enough dealings with Imperial traders to teach me their--our--tongue." She talked about her childhood, but didn't mention her first lover, Diarmi. "I had heard of the Allied Flight Corps from a human diplomat, and curiosity of this alliance drew me to the Aurel Empire and Lighthaven."

Aneurin had stayed quiet throughout the various exchanges, and I tried not to stare as I watched his reactions. During Riane's story he seemed the most troubled, though he'd hid it well enough I almost doubted if I'd seen his ears and tail twitching. I opened my mouth to see if I could get his story, but he started before I could speak.

"I'm from two different clans as well," he said, looking at Riane, "but while my dam was also from the Steam Mountains, my sire hailed from the Shattered Hills. They met when the Allied Flight Corps was first established. She chose my name, but he wanted me raised 'among clan' per tradition. As I grew, his devotion to the old ways became obsession. After my first hunt, he became enamored with a gryphoness far more like himself than my dam--and far more eager to lift her tail, the better to fill his head with purist ideals after he'd exhausted himself filling her. He soon insisted I join him and his new 'mate' in her isolationist clan. It was_tradition_.

"I was a half-breed in their sight," he continued. "There was little solace or safety, even in our den. I visited Lighthaven at every opportunity, but I was headstrong, and always returned. I didn't disbelieve their lies, and I wanted to prove myself a 'true' gryphon." He snorted. "One day, I realized it would never end. There was no victory waiting. I gathered my few belongings, and I left just before my Great Hunt. None had made the trip to Lighthaven in one day, but the thought of pursuit kept me aloft. I landed just after nightfall."

Riane's talons dug into the ground. "Such backwards clans should have no rightful standing. My sympathies for your struggle, and admiration for your escape." She tilted her head. "Is it different in the Shattered Hills, or is the Hunt still the last rite of passage?"

"It's the same. Were it not for the generosity of my first clan, I would stand before you as an outcast at best. None of my sire's clan would have allowed my Hunt to succeed, least of all his 'mate.' They were... aggressive, in their opinions of me." He touched the scars on his chest. "Of course, it was still tradition, even for a half-breed."

I wondered whether he got the scars from his peers, or within his own home. I wasn't sure I wanted to know. "Your sire came looking for you, didn't he?"

Aneurin nodded. "He followed me to Lighthaven and demanded I return, or I would never be considered anything more than a fledgling in the eyes of the family. I told him it was his family, not mine, and shared my exact thoughts on his honor and worth." He clicked his beak and gave a dark chuckle. "Had it not been for my dam, and the guards, he might have tried to ensure I would never challenge him again. But he didn't. When my old clan heard of my flight, they recognized it as my Hunt. I proudly bear their name, and_only_theirs. I joined the Corps as soon as I was able."

Riane churred in approval, and I voiced mine. My illness had been rough, but too many had experienced far worse. It amazed me that he'd climbed so far beyond those days.

Kaya patted him on the shoulder. "That's my flight partner. We actually met the day before he started training."

"I remember," Aneurin said. "You were so intent on learning everything about the Corps that you begged the gryphoness trainer to let you watch the drills."

She nodded. "And you wanted to watch what you'd be doing the next day. We sat in the sun for most of the day. I think I'm still sunburned."

His wings rose and fell in a slow shrug. "Only because you wouldn't let me give you shade with my wing."

"For all that time?" She arched an eyebrow. "You would've been cramping up the next day."

"I flew for an entire day, I could hold my wing in one place."

"Not when you distinctly said--" Kaya started, then glanced at us. "We'll settle that later." From the airy way she spoke, and their restrained mirth, it was clearly a long-running joke between the two. The second pot came to a boil, and she dumped the soup mix into it. "So, my turn?"

Aneurin nudged her with the edge of his wing. "Yes. Now you get to say you've been involved with the Corps for longer, despite my dam's position."

She elbowed him. "Hush, that's skipping ahead." She settled back on her heels. "I grew up in Port Evermist. My parents were both successful merchants, and when I was twelve we started traveling to Lighthaven. They made a deal to invest in materials and apprenticeships, which gave them a lot of room to expand Courier, Recon, and the new Commission.

"The more time I spent around the Eyrie, the more I fell in love with the Corps. Humans and gryphons working together, side by side, combining our strengths." Her eyes brightened the more she talked. "I was still too young to enlist, but I did convince my parents to let me apprentice there. They warned me I'd have to work hard, but I told them I wanted to try everything. So I did, and when I wasn't working, I was learning." She gestured to Aneurin. "And that's how we met."

I pointed at the insignia on the collar of her flight jacket. "I guess it paid off. The two of you climbed the ranks pretty fast."

"We were quite driven," Aneurin said. "But it wasn't so unusually fast, given the need for command positions." His ears twitched back and forth in thought. "Kaya, you'll have to help me with timing. One year each as junior and regular flight lieutenants..."

"Then three years split between flight captains and flight majors," Kaya added. "A little longer on the latter."

"Correct. Then two years as flight commanders, and we have just started our second year as flight marshals and members of the Veteran's Council." He ruffled his wings. "If the two of you follow that path, it will likely take an additional five or ten years, but there will be more prestige attached to the post."

"Good to know," I said. "We're still not sure where we'll be in five years, but we hope it's still on an upward path, if all goes--." I stopped when I saw a flash above us, and a few seconds later the rumble of thunder confirmed my worry. "That's not a good sign."

Aneurin's wings shifted. "As you said, the weather changes quickly. Is a storm likely to hit us soon?"

"Within minutes," Riane said, cocking her head to the wind--which I noticed was starting to pick up. "We should get the supplies under cover."

"Agreed," Kaya said. Her voice had instantly turned from warm and conversational to direct and decisive. "Torio, what's your plan for storm cover?"

My mind snapped to the steps Riane and I had practiced and taken in the past. "Get the supplies under cover and set up the weather tent. If you help me with the tent while Riane and Aneurin get the supplies, we should be set. The stove can stay out unless it gets too windy."

"Let us begin," Aneurin said in much the same tone as his flight partner. He was already up and moving. Any doubts I'd ever had about their leadership were gone, especially as all four of us worked to weather-proof the camp.

The gray weather tent was made of sturdy stuff, and it was just large enough to fit both Riane and Aneurin in the main chamber while Kaya and I took the side alcove. It was snug, but we weren't complaining when the first fat drops of rain began falling. I let our meal cook as long as I dared, then snuffed out the fires of the stove and brought the pot inside.

"Here are the bowls," Kaya said, handing me the interlocking stack. We all looked up as the patter of rain turned to a constant drum. "Mountain weather, huh?"

"Reminds me of home," Riane said. "At least, a little. Our rain was not quite so intense."

Thunder boomed again, and the sound of the downpour and the gusts of wind against drowned out casual conversation. We ate dinner in relative silence. Afterward, I threw on a raincoat to double-check the camp and relieve myself before the wind got even worse. The temperature had dropped quite a bit, and I was close to shivering when I ducked back in the tent. Riane and Aneurin were already trying to doze off; I got the feeling we would need what little sleep we could get.

"How long do these storms usually last?" Kaya asked as we set up our bedrolls right next to each other. Even at our fairly short height there was barely enough room to lie down.

"I hate to say, but it's unpredictable." I dug through my pack for dry, warm nightclothes. "It could be an hour, or it could be off and on all night. The stronger storms that come off the sea to the southeast can take a day or two to pass."

She frowned and looked at the ceiling. "I was already surprised you never missed a delivery. What's your call if it's still going in the morning?"

"Honestly? We've been pretty lucky when things got bad." I rubbed my hair with a small towel to dry it as best I could, then took off my jacket. "In the morning we'll try to load up everything we can, saddles included, then wait for the storm to stop. The closest thing we get, we break camp, mount up, and make a run for it."

"And once we're in the air we can figure out a route from there," she said. "And if the storms don't stop?"

I exhaled softly. "We'll have to make that call in the morning. Until then, we should batten down and get as much rest as we can."

She nodded and threw on the raincoat. "Well, here's to hoping for clear skies. I'll be right back."

After she stepped out I stripped my wet flight outfit and hung it to dry as best I could, then toweled off and slipped into nightclothes. I didn't lie down until she safely returned; the storm had died a little, but came back with renewed intensity within a minute. We shared a look before I lay down and closed my eyes, both so she could change and so I could get a head start on resting.

The night wasn't going to be easy, and I knew the morning would hold its own challenges.

---

TO BE CONTINUED

=*=*=

Thank you for reading!

I'm a little worried about this installment, part because of the long delay and multiple revisions, and part because my only available beta reader came down with the flu and wasn't able to look it over. I'm fairly happy with it, but by all means leave a comment and tell me what you thought!

If you're still itching for more "Strange Lands, Secret Lovers" content or just want to know what's going on behind the scenes, I'm starting a worldbuilding journal series. You can also follow me on Twitter @ResoluteRL. Thanks again, and stay tuned!

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