Vetton Spies on Quatists -- An Excerpt from The Gryphon

Vetton Spies on Quatists

An Excerpt from The Chronicles of Quat: The Gryphon

By Bryen O’Riley

Vetton had no idea that the Quatists would keep a prisoner— especially a woman! Perhaps she was a criminal of some sort. He was just surprised that they would soil their hands with handling such a person themselves.

Vetton’s eyes were riveted on the woman. A female criminal. A criminal so bad that the Quatists were forced to keep her themselves. What could she have done?

As they passed the last foliage obscuring his view and Vetton could see her clearly, he was struck by the woman’s appearance. She looked very similar to Mistress den Lyra. She was tall and attractive. She was of an age with Tad’s ma and had the same long dark hair and bright green eyes. Of course, it made sense that other people in the world existed with her same coloring and features—she must have family and a people somewhere! But it was surprising to see such a similar woman on Quat Island.

They walked closer and Vetton nearly fell out of his bush. She looked right at him, although the Quatists guarding her didn’t notice him. 

It was Mistress den Lyra! It was Tad’s ma. He was certain of it.

Vetton barely noticed as they continued moving—his eyes were riveted on Rynn without really seeing her.

What is Tad’s ma doing on Quat Island? As a prisoner of all things? She is just a mother from a small village in Lystra…Then Vetton remembered. She isn’t from Idynn. She had come to Idynn with her young boys, her history a secret. Could it be that her past was that of a criminal? Mistress den Lyra?

Vetton refocused on the scene before him. They were leading her onto the steps. She descended into the pit and then climbed the steps to the platform. She allowed them to secure her into the manacles and, as Vetton watched, the Quatists hurried down the steps.

When they were clear, the metal coil began to hum quietly.

And then Mistress den Lyra began to scream.

Vetton watched for a moment in horror before stumbling away. He didn’t want to know how long they would hold her there, torturing her.

He found his way back to the trail, his eyes practically blind as he tried to process what he had just seen.

He could not imagine a crime so heinous that two and a half decades later would warrant torture by the hands of the most powerful men in the world. Surely the Quatists were being too harsh in their punishment of a woman that he knew was a fine mother and member of her village. But—could the Quatists make such a mistake in judgment?

Vetton knew the answer to that. He was on the path to being a Quatist, well, a Scientist at least, and he could make a mistake—even a grave mistake. The Quatists, and especially the Scientists, might be extremely knowledgeable, wise even, but they were still themselves. They could still hold grudges and act cruelly. 

He had heard about the way they ruled Wynndom and he wondered if they didn’t tend toward cruelty in some situations.

That left him with an uncomfortable choice. Should he do something? Or try to do something at least? He was an apprentice; it was hardly his place to question the practices of his masters. They did not need to answer to him, and they certainly didn’t need to free their prisoner at his demand. He was a fool to even think he should interfere.

But it was his friend’s mother. An unknown woman would still raise the question of just treatment, but he knew this woman. He knew that she must be wrongly accused of whatever it was she was being punished for.

What would he want Tad or Etan to do if that woman were his mother?

Vetton shook his head in frustration. He was a fool but he couldn’t just forget what he had seen. 

There was only one thing he could do. Vetton nodded in satisfaction. He would return to Quat early and he would write a letter to Etan den Lyra. He would let him know what he had seen and leave it to Etan, a full Scientist, to do whatever he felt should be done.

Another shrill scream pierced the forest.

Vetton quickened his pace. He needed to get back to his campsite and gather his horse and his things. He needed to get that letter off as soon as possible.

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