A little more conversation, and the tempo of it went stale. Eythan chirped with a nod, "good luck," and sat there, staring at the water as Sergei did. After a few moments, the gryphon stood and inched further up the riverbank. "Well, uh, if that's it, I'm gonna head off and take a nap in a tree or something."

He set off at an easy trot, pacing himself despite the ache in his limbs and lungs. "Seeya, dude."