//------------------------------//
// Pilot 
// Story: The Terrarian War 
// by TheFabulousWhale 
//------------------------------//


Chapter I


Pilot


The breeze gently caused Jayk's white feathers to sway, it was soothing enough to put him to sleep, so he closed his eyes. He sat on a branch that almost camouflaged with his brown fur. It erected from beneath his bedroom window, and he pondering the question of what he was going to do for his 18th birthday. Going for a walk in some unexplored forests or lounging about at home were his two best options.

Jayk lived in Concordia, a large tree that served as the capital of Cervidas. For a place as important as a capital, nothing interesting commonly happened here. The only eye-batting occurrences would be any shady travelers that arrived once or twice a day.

Interesting enough, a large wooden cart was rolling its way towards the tree. It was being pulled by two animals who bore ragged brown cloaks that barely went halfway down their legs. Jayk heard the sound of its squeaking wheels and glanced down. He examined the two newcomers, who were now talking to the armored guards at the entrance to the city. It was a zebra and an abada, both of them were from Zebrafica, a prairie country south of Cervidas.

"Zebraficans..." Jayk mumbled to himself, shaking his head then resting them on his claws.

"Happy birthday to you..." A voice emitted from the window. "Happy birthday to you..."

Jayk lifted his head and looked at the window to his bedroom. A female deer stood just behind the curtains. It was his adoptive mother, Brisk, and in her hooves was a cake with a candle shaped like the number 18.

"Happy birthday dear Jayk, happy birthday to you..." She sang with a soothing voice.

Jayk smiled and climbed into the window. "Thanks, mum."

Brisk pushed some pencils aside on Jayk's "workplace" and set the cake atop a rough sketch. She then flipped off the light as Jayk tossed the curtains shut. The candle illuminated their faces and parts of the bedroom.

"Where's dad?" Jayk asked, quickly glancing at the door.

"He-" She paused. "He's very busy with work, being the captain of the Royal Concordia Guard and all..."

Jayk shook off the feeling that it was a lie. His mother was one of the most honest people in town.

"Don't worry about him." Brisk said. "Now, don't forget to make a wish."

She motioned towards the candle. Jayk stared at it. Eighteen years. It's been that long since he was born. Born as a gryphon, not a deer or elk. Not that there was anything wrong with being different, Gryphons had their share of abilities. The only problem was the fact that he was a carnivore. Carnivores weren't too welcomed in lands that sheltered Herbivores.

Jayk thought for a moment, then blew out the candle.

"You're getting too old." Brisk said, giving Jayk a hug. "Here's your gift from me."

She reached for a small package atop the shelf above his desk. Jayk began to rip away at the green leaves that wrapped around a small white box, in it was an amulet. The was made up of a small red ruby embedded into an octagonal golden frame.

"Lord Argon and I picked that one from his personal treasury." Brisk said.

"It's nice, thank you." Jayk placed the accessory around his neck and gave Brisk another hug. "I think I'll go see him now."

"Who? Argon?" Brisk asked.

Jayk nodded. "He gives us a tour of the underground on our 18th birthday, remember?"

"Oh, right... Well, before you go, Gunther also has a gift for you."

"Down at the pub?"

"Yeah, be careful though, a trading caravan just arrived and the traders looked rough."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Jayk quickly sliced a piece of cake with the provided knife before his mother brought it back into the kitchen. As Jayk munched on his cake, he threw on his leather saddlebags and filled them with his items. A sketchbook, some quills, a pair of goggles, a canteen, and his favorite Daring Do book was all that he needed.

"I'll be back later!" Jayk yelled behind him and opened the front door to his house.