A Heaven & Earth tale  

By LonelyRider 

Teen harpy apprentice witch Savera Thornvine answered the door, her hulking male friend James greeted her with a friendly smiling hello and a slight blush and throat clearing, the naga witches who were schooling 18-year-old Savera watched, handing her a vase for the big bouquet of wildflowers tied with a yellow bow James has just gifted her. 

"Savera, be back by dinner time." 

"Oh hush, you old sea hag, let her go with him." One naga crone chided the other. The one sister wagged a spoon with stew on it at the other. 

"I won't have her getting into all manner of mischief with a boy." The 2nd sister replied. The oldest and most patient crone slithered by, hugging the teen. 

"He's quite a boy, in any case. Yes, please return by supper, child. However," the crone gave her sisters a stern look and they each pouted indignantly, "We will not disturb your time together, now, will we, sisters?" 

Savera bowed her pretty head, her red hair piled high in a beautiful ponytail tied around itself falling all over. 

"Thank you, your witchiness. I'll respect your wishes, you have my word." Savera said. The women quieted; they knew the teen harpy was mature for her age and her word was good. Savera and James waved at the women and departed, talking excitedly outside, James mounted his huge armored black and red gryphon and rode ahead of Savera, who mounted the women's huge riding viper and followed him down to the beach, where the two liked to spend time together. 

"We should have her followed. I have an owl who will do it." The middle crone said, the youngest nodding as she stirred her stew. 

"Yes, quite right. Can't trust men, especially with one as pretty as Savera." 

"Sisters...what did I say? If we wish our young charge to continue to honor her word to us, we must honor ours. No owls, spells, cards or crystals. No spying on them." 

"But they could be...." 

"Those feelings are there, but they aren't acting on them. If I didn't sense the lesser angel was a gentleman, he wouldn't be in her company. Now, let's attend to other matters, my sisters." The eldest naga said, and finally, her siblings agreed. 

James cocked his head curiously at the big sack on Savera's snake mount's back, but he kept quiet politely. He held the reins to his gryphon, Savera approached. 

"May I pet him, James?" she asked her friend politely. 

"Always, he loves you. Hey boy, it's Savera, you remember her?" James whispered, he fed the mighty beast a roasted cornish hen his girlfriend Lonely had sent along for the mount, the gyphon, who was called Stormfeather, tilted back his head and gulped down the little cooked bird, chirping deeply in delight. He was calm around James' harpy friend, sensing her partial bird heritage. Aside from James' other young friend Natalie and James himself, Stormfeather was fiery and didn't like strangers touching him. He tolerated James' girlfriend Lonely as well, and was growing fonder of her for the tasty foods she made for him. Savera patted Stormfeather and he nuzzled her, she giggled happily. 

"Oh James, he's darling!" She chuckled happily. James lit up, getting an idea. 

"Would you....like to ride him, honey? I'd come too, but I'm so heavy...I always err on the side of caution with my mounts. You'd be no problem for him. I want Lonely to enjoy riding him, but she gets air sick, poor girl." James remarked sadly at the end, patting his animal and feeding him a sugar cube; Stormfeather had taken a liking to James' stallion's favorite treat. 

"Hmmm...yes, that is too bad, James. Perhaps I can concoct a magic herbal potion for Lonely to drink before flying, so she wouldn't feel ill." Savera thought out loud, touching her clawed hand to her fair face. James lit up excitedly. 

"You can do that, sweetie!?" He gasped, thrilled. 

"It may be possible, the ladies have many big spell books, some of which I'm studying, some of which I'm not to touch. I will ask them if there is such a spell or potion in one of those tomes." Savera pondered some more. 

"Oh...you're darling, my girl. Here, sit, I'll strap you in. Now...Stormfeather. I'm trusting you with a very special passenger, big guy. I expect you to guard her as if she was your own chick. I know you'll take good care of my best friend, won't you, boy?" 

The gyphon screeched so fiercely back at James Savera covered her long ears and giggled happily, James buckled her in snug into the saddle, fastening her into the harness. Like him before he'd sacrificed his wings, she could fly, but he wanted her to enjoy the ride without worry. He fastened the harness over her shoulders and chest securely, handing her the reins, though his mount would guide this flight. "Keep her safe. Savera," James' voice was kind and gentle, like his touch, she smiled sweetly back at him, towering over her and even the mighty beast, "Stormfeather is very bright, if you need him to do anything, just shout it to him, he understands. Ready, dear?" James asked, Savera grabbed the reins hard, excited and nervous. 

"How fast do ya want him to go?" James asked, also excited, behind her, Stormfeather was crouched at the ready, a fierce gleam in his eagle eye. 

"Um...fast, yes, I'm ready, I think!" She laughed. 

"Impress her for me!" James commanded his beast with a swat on his red lion rump, Savera shrieked with glee as the beast leapt into the air like a spring, huge black wings extending, she held on tight as the gryphon flew low over the sea jutting with pink crystals, at a blinding speed, faster than she'd ever flown with her own wings, her long full red hair blowing back, heart in her throat. Stormfeather looked back at her and let out an echoed eagle cry, he flew faster still and did a barrel roll, she laughed in exhilaration, her heart pounding. Stormfeather flew low to the water, and Savera reached down and touched it with her hand, watching the sea ripple. She was so touched her magic spilled from her, wrapping the saddle and bridle in thorns and roses, but Stormfeather didn't care; he was a trained war gryphon, almost nothing bothered him. He shot up into the heavens, taking her above the puffy white clouds, in the distance, she could see others of James' race flying, lesser angels using their wings to get around. She felt a moment of sadness for her big friend having given up his wings, though she found his reason for doing so, to save his girlfriend, very romantic. Stormfeather dove fast like he was hunting big prey, Savera screamed, enjoying it and clinging low to the fast beast as he flew, he soared through a waterfall and a rainbow, soaking her in warm spray, low down to the river he rolled again, she was laughing; he felt her shaking, and knew she'd had enough adrenaline. He spread his huge black wings and soared quietly now, riding the warm winds back to the seashore, where James waved heartily, he'd started a fire on the beach with his lightning magic by two rocks for them to sit on. Stormfeather hovered, extending his mighty eagle and lion limbs and landing straight down like a VTOL aircraft; Savera's hair was messed up and she breathed fast, a big smile on her face. Stormfeather smirked at her and screetched. 

"Good boy! What a fine boy, good man, Stormfeather, thank you, great job, ace. Good boy!" James chucked the gryphon a cooked whole fish Lonely had sent for him and the beast gulped it down, lying down to rest in the sand after James unbuckled Savera and helped her gently off his mount's back. 

"Wow! I see why Lonely gifted him to you, what an incredible flier! I saw other angels up there, above the clouds! It was really something, oh thank you for letting me ride your big gryphon." Savera gushed. James beamed wide and blushed a little; her secret crush on him was mutual, and he was very pleased his cherished beast had impressed her. He cleared his throat bashfuly. 

"Oh...why uh, no problem, sweetie pie. Oh uh...here you are, Lonely made it." James handed Savera a man-sized slice of blueberry pie and she dug in, hungry after the exhilerating flight. "Other angels, huh? Now that Lonely gifted me this magnificent beast, I hardly miss my ol' wings....at all." James lied good-naturedly, but his face betrayed him as he rubbed his musuclar neck; a dazed, sad far off look in his gray eyes. Savera made a caring face and gently touched his hulking muscled arm, he snapped out of it, his lightning magic betraying him and surging at the sand, startling them both. "Oh, are you all right?" He asked warmly. 

"Yes, are you?" She returned in the same manner. They were gently grasping each other's hands in comfort when Savera's magic goddess figurine glowed softly and the voice of the oldest naga crone greeted her. 

"Savera dear, it's nearly dusk. Please bid your farewells for today and head to the cottage for supper, the stew is ready." 

"Yes ma'am, saying goodbye to James right now." Savera replied calmly. 

"Very well." The voice replied, the figurine going dark, James gave it an intelligent, curious cock of his head. 

"Neat, honey." He remarked. 

"It is, it's very handy. Before you go, I have a gift for you. Our riding viper will follow you and Stormfeather back to your cottage with Lonely, for it is heavy, even for two as sturdy as you and he. You played so finely when last we were together, and I know how much you love horses, so when I saw this being pedeled, it was an easy decision to buy it for you. May it bring you and your friends much joy." Savera uncovered the sack on her riding snake's back; James inhaled, his huge hand flying to his broad hairy chest to the ring on his battle harness. A large golden harp lay before him on the snake mount, its top carved in an elegant equine head. 

"Savera.....I...I....I.....oh...I....I...don't know what to say! I..." He stammered shyly, blushing harder with each 'I' he stammered sweetly. She giggled fondly, finding him extremely endearing. 

"Oh...it's no trouble at all, you're so welcome. I wish to stay, but my guardians are expecting me. Girl....follow him and Stormfeather, then please come home. Here you are, go with him, now. James....till we meet again." Savera fed her riding viper a huge bird's egg, turned to a still blushing, stammering and grinning James, gave him a very quick, innocent brush on his lips with hers, and she took to the air on her own orange wings, tipping them to him as she flew back home. James gulped hard, having to steady himself against Stormfeather's saddle, his lightning magic surging like mad from his intense emotions and physical reactions. Stormfeather let out an eerie cackle at the shy flustered male, as the female riding snake came closer obediantly, his harp strapped to her back and her long black tongue flitting in and out of her maw. James shuddered as he strapped himself into the saddle, finding it hard to think in that state. He swallowed hard. 

"God...Storm...she's...incredible. She.....God. I....I.....right, yes. Lonely!" He said, getting back his focus on his primary girl; their love was deep and open, he was free to love others, as was she, so long as they shared this with one another. So far, the two hadn't taken 2nd mates. With his stunning young harpy friend, he was feeling very tempted of late. "St...Stormfeather, let's stay on the ground this time, so Savera's lovely viper can keep up. Let's go home to Lonely. Hyah, boy!" James ordered fondly, gripping the reins taut, finally snapping out of his romantic daze a little more, Stormfeather took off in a run and the snake followed them fast, slithering behind the huge man and his enormous gryphon with James' new harp secured to her back.