'OH!' I GASPED AS THE ground shuddered. Leseach grabbed my arm when I wobbled. We all watched as the two Magus flicked their enormous wings wide, a crack ringing out through the air.

The griffons, our griffons, who'd come out to farewell their honoured guests all threw their heads back with broad ringing cries that started as a deep bellow and shifted to a higher shriek-like sound.

Circling the courtyard, the Magus' called back, their own cries so resonant you could ...