Isla Cielo's Proposition

Desser saw Isla's desperate plea to teach him. Never had Isla so readily volunteered to help without him paying some price. He decided to tease the proud beast and figure out what its angle might be.

"And what benefit would that have for me?"

"Of course, you would have the honour of being my apprentice! You would be feared and revered throughout Mogar!" Isla puffed out her chest.

"Am I not already the future king of Mogar? I will be feared and revered throughout my lands…." Desser asked, "Cornelius, are our kingdom's combat Magi powerful? Will they be able to give me the best teaching?"

Cornelius exclaimed with great zeal, "Brutreq has blessed our kingdom with the best military. Even though we are not as numerous as some of our neighbours, our military might is unquestionable."

"So…what do you have to offer, Isla?" Desser asked again.

Isla began panicking while bobbing its head as if that helped it think faster. "You will have unlimited access to all my knowledge! Centuries of training that I've cultivated."

Desser gave Cornelius another glance. "Cornelius, your thoughts?" He asked.

"We have the Great Prophet's library that many of his teachings as well as every other prophet's teaching that came after him. I'm sure you will find use in it."

Isla was sick of Cornelius and screeched, "Cornelius this! Cornelius that! More like cor-DINGUS! Am I right?!"

Desser shook his head at such a stupid attempt to discredit the old Magi. "I'll ask you one last time, Isla: what's in it for me?"

Isla swallowed saliva. She had never felt so belittled before; even more so, she was the one begging for Desser to accept her as a teacher. She's had many offer their undying loyalty to become her apprentice…yet the strange human before her made all that and herself insignificant.

"I know about the Rings," Isla said in a calm voice.

The prince's eyes narrowed. He knew this was a discussion that had to stay private. "Everyone, leave us!" Desser ordered.

Cornelius was the last to leave as he reluctantly shut the door.

"What do you mean by Rings?" The prince decided to play stupid and see how much Isla knew.

"The Rings are an ultimate form of power generation that causes madness, disability, and, in most cases, death. Rings are seen formed in Griffon societies. They cannibalize their elders to give power to their young. However, there is something worse than that.

"When the young grow old, each Ring takes a toll on their mind. Many forget who they are and attack their own species for no reason. At least, for no reason that us magical beasts can understand.

"We kill only to feed ourselves or to become powerful. However, those that kill for pleasure or madness are eliminated before the problem worsens. Although Griffons are not the only species that use the Rings, they are the most numerous species that grow to such an old age."

Desser asked the great Aguila, "why are they the Griffons the most numerous species? Especially when they cultivate Rings that can be so dangerous to themselves and us."

Isla rolled her sparkling eyes at his dumb question, "because of your kind."

"You have protected the Griffon as a national symbol for centuries. We magical beast used to deal with them, but that's impossible ever since Ladar Mogar established this kingdom.

"Many of us have been hunted to extinction because we killed rogue Griffons. The worse crime is to tamper with their society. Ironically, we've had to decline the Griffon leaders when they request our help to get rid of their troublesome kin.

"The beasts you aim to protect are the same you prevent us from helps."

Isla huffed in annoyance as she explained the situation to Desser.

"I can't see how I can change this nation's mindset on Griffons…."

"As useless as always, you humans. You cause the problem and don't know how to reverse it. The world's balance would be kept without you all in it."

"Do you hate humans enough to kill them all?" Desser asked.

"Don't be ridiculous. That would be near impossible since you are all like cockroaches. Also, this world, Anthul, allowed humans to live this long for a reason… I'm still not wise enough to understand what that reason might be."

"Anyway, what is the catch to teaching me combat magic that works with my Ring?"

Isla curled a devilish grin on her face. "You will owe me a favour that I will claim in 6 months."

The prince was silent. He was unsure how wise that decision would be. "Could I have some time to think about it?" Desser inquired.

"I will give you 2 nights. I will return for your answer then." Isla flew away in annoyance, not even waiting for Desser's reply.

It was already late afternoon when the blacksmith and engineer knocked at the door with some good news.