THE SUN WAS NOT yet up when Maze, alongside a small assembly of Orphans — Sir Azaniel, Miss Olivia, Vaelstrom, and Mistletoe — stood without the Tower, as everyone had their uniform in full ensemble. They awaited the arrival of the beast tamer, he who was charged with the mastery of the Tower's griffins. Looking upward at the looming structure, Maze finally perceived his own stance to be that of an ant; the view rendered him so, as if an ant gazed upon a mortal.
From his vantage, he could behold the other towers, and Maze pondered their hidden purposes. Yet, whenever he sought to inquire, Miss Olivia and the others would never reveal them. They could not even deign to tell him what his blindfold indicated.
Sir Azaniel stood beside Maze, while the others remained behind them.
"For these few days, I have observed how you practice and meditate in unison." Sir Azaniel did not even turn his gaze toward Maze as he spoke. "Somehow, what you possess now is sufficient to grant you an inkling of the Camp. I know further questions bother you . . . The sight of the Towers in this inverted realm, or the nature of what you carry."
Is he speaking of my blindfold just now? Maze probed in his mind.
A whistled tune resonated from behind. When Maze turned his head, he beheld one clad in an Orphan uniform, an aviator hat, and a neckerchief. The newcomer stared at Maze with hazelnut eyes even as he whistled, his hands cradled at his nape and his feet sauntering to the rhythm of his own hum.
This must be the beast tamer . . . Maze presumed, for he remained under the man's scrutiny as the senior studied him from head to toe.
"You must be the gifted one, Mizmaze, the Blind." The beast tamer tilted his head. "Though you are not truly blind."
Miss Olivia reached out and pulled the man's ear, prompting a pained groan.
"Stop it, Miss Olivia! What have I done wrong?!" This man possessed skin slightly scorched by the sun and dusted with earth. "All right, all right, I yield! Release me now!"
He clenched his teeth as his ears reddened.
Fortunately, Miss Olivia relented.
"Your mouth never know when to refrain from speech, Xenon!" Miss Olivia shook her head in disappointment. "I still recall how mischievously you played with Maze. I have yet to grant you my forgiveness."
This beast tamer, Xenon, scratched his head.
"It is not as if I did him true harm!" He looked at Maze once more, pointing with his plum-pinkish lips. "I mean, look at him. All is well and fine, is it not?"
He did what exactly . . . ? Maze creased his brows.
Xenon pouted. "Anyway, I pray you forgive me then."
"Be more sincere, as befits a senior," Miss Olivia commanded.
The beast tamer bowed. "Forgive this pitiful and wicked senior, my junior!"
"Nah, do not ever!" It was Mistletoe who struck the back of the beast tamer's head. "I also do not forgive you, jackass!"
Maze raised his hand. "But I do not know exactly what he did."
"Exactly!" Xenon grinned as he repeated the word. "Just call me Xenon . . . I would loathe it if you addressed me with such formality."
Mistletoe glared at Xenon.
Maze noted that Xenon's hair was the shade of dark chocolate, a mess of knotted curl.
"Xenon, then."
"That man attempted to torture you, Maze." Vaelstrom crossed his arms, staring sullenly. "Forgiving him so easily?"
"What do you mean by an attempt at torture?" Maze asked curiously.
"Well, I was there watching you. Not physically, of course, for I merely borrowed the griffin's vision and projected it in the guard room for the others to witness." Xenon's tone carried a hint of guilt, as if a secret were being unveiled. "Did you know you were the only Child of this year taken into the Below? Add to that the fact that you bear a mark." He then averted his gaze toward the other Orphans. "I know they have kept this from you, not because we wish you to remain ignorant, but because that piece of a mark you possess . . . it is dangerous if we deign to help you with it."
Fortunately, I have known that you were hiding it from me . . . Maze wondered. But why tell him this now? What had changed? Was it that he was to depart for the Camp? He remained just as lost.
Xenon cleared his throat.
"Anyway, it seems you must be sent forth now. It is a pleasure to meet you." He took Maze's hand and shook it by way of introduction. "Shall we summon one of my pets?"
He grinned mischievously and stepped back. Then, he loosed a two-finger whistle. Soon, a griffin descended from the heavens, diving toward their position.
"Do you wish to know specifically what I did, Maze?" Xenon sighed as if triumphant. "It was I who let the griffin chase you and wound you slightly . . . It was meant to scare the very life out of you!"
Mistletoe struck him once more.
"Do it again," Vaelstrom suggested with a nod.
"I shall not object," Miss Olivia shrugged.
"Such childish remarks." Xenon clicked his tongue. "Anyway, am I forgiven, Maze?"
Xenon tapped Maze's shoulder as the griffin landed before them, it too wearing an aviator hat. The Orphans approached Xenon's so-called pet. The beast bore heavy leather trappings that bound its frame. A broad breast-strap of cured hide spanned the transition from golden fur to white plumage, secured by buckles of tarnished brass. The saddle sat deep upon the griffin's spine, its high pommel designed to anchor a man against the violent thrust of its wings.
"It is time for your departure, Maze, for the sun is about to show," Sir Azaniel's ocean-blue eyes glanced at the boy. "Thus there shall be light along your journey." He then looked toward Xenon with disappointment. "I considered making your senior Xenon your escort, but with his temperament, I just . . ." he sighed and shook his head, ". . . cannot simply trust him."
"But, Highness!"
"No buts."
Even Miss Olivia chuckled. It was Mistletoe's turn to tap Xenon's back, teasing with a smile, "Better luck next time, brother."
Sir Azaniel averted his gaze to the yawning Vaelstrom. "This senior," he pointed at Vaelstrom, who flinched upon noticing, "shall be your companion in your journey."
Vaelstrom blinked his dull eyes and pointed at himself in confusion.
"Take care of Maze," Sir Azaniel commanded.
Vaelstrom nodded quietly.
He then reached for the braided reins that dangled from the silver-studded headstall. As he pulled himself upward, his boots found the iron stirrups, and he felt the 'clinch' of the safety leads against his thighs. He looked at Maze and gestured for him to mount behind, which Maze did.
"Enjoy the journey, Maze." Miss Olivia smiled as Vaelstrom rubbed the griffin's neck and whistled for it to slowly beat its wings. "Do not worry, young one. Every other Orphan is taught the art of riding, and so shall you be in the future."
The griffin prepared to leap into the air.
"The rising sun, Maze! It shall be a magnificent ride!" Miss Olivia cried as the beast finally leaped, rising several feet above the earth.
"Take care, Maze!" Mistletoe shouted.
"Enjoy the Camp!" Xenon seconded.
Alas, the wind brushed against them with the frigid dew of the atmosphere.
As they flew, circling their Tower, the marmalade sky and the peeking sun touched their faces, the light reflecting in Maze's eyes.
Truly, the sunrise was beautiful.