In a matter of minutes, the massive Griffon had been saddled and was now rearing to take off. Commander Kadmus had pressed a sigil on the wall that had opened it up like some kind of fake barrier.
A gust of wind rushed into the sixth floor, sending Astaroth's long hair flitting around him. He could tell they were at the top of the tree by the lack of branches blocking the exit.
Mary jumped on her Griffon, giving a stern look at Astaroth, before sending the beast galloping out of the opening, wings beating furiously as it took off the ledge.
Astaroth ran behind her, simply jumping off the platform, making the stable hands shout in panic, before he rose above the level of the platform, wings behind his back.
He quickly caught up to the commander, who was flying off toward the north.
Astaroth could feel the cold numbing his limbs as he flew away from the tree palace. But it wasn't as bad as he had expected.