Song and Story for Children

A collection of stories by Surinna Thrasyl, Yalaini Imperial Legendsinger. An excerpt of one of the stories, The Tale of Maiden Haimn, from the Collectors' Hunt reads:

“Ai, great light,” Haimn said, kneeling before it. “I am come from the lowlands, driven out by my cruel father. He left me in sleep upon the peak of Verborn. If it please you, I would beg your protection for this night.” The mighty gromnatross leaned close to the girl, snorting rolling veils of mist into the cold air, one pale lantern eye blinking as it peered through her. Then it reared, gathered her up, and carried her away to its aerie, which was built upon the shoulder of a high mountain pass.

The gromnatross had but a single chick, iridescent jade in color. Haimn bowed before it, but it lunged and bit at her. She shrieked and ran across the stony floor of the aerie. Although the young gromnie tried to pursue, the gromnatross shielded the girl with one wing. The enraged hatchling bit and tore at its snow-white flesh, vainly seeking Haimn. With a whistling, sorrowful sigh, the pale-eyed creature swept the angry child gently away to the edge of the nest.

The great gromnatross curled itself carefully around Haimn and rumbled soothingly in the depths of its throat. By the cool lavender glow of its watchful eyes, she fell asleep.

When the golden light of dawn touched her, she awoke again. The gromnatross had gone in the night, leaving behind only a small pile of fruit. The gromnie chick was nowhere to be seen. After eating the fruit, Haimn climbed out of the nest to continue her journey. It was then that she saw, sprawled across the rocks at the base of the cliff, the broken form of the young gromnie. Though in death, still its face was twisted with bestial rage.