Piers Anthony - Harpy Thyme

They walked on along the invisible line Crombie had pointed out, southeast of Lake Ogre-Chobee. There were routine problems like rivers, dragons, cliffs, and unfriendly B's, but they were able to handle these with the giant's big hand and a little imagination.

Then as they were looking for a suitable place to camp for the night, where there was room for the giant to sleep, Gloha spied a creature flying in. For half an instant she was afraid it was a dragon or griffon, but then she saw that it was a crossbreed. It wasn't exactly a harpy, because the body was wrong, but it wasn't a griffon either. Hey! she called.

Startled, the creature hesitated. Then it flew away.

Wait! Gloha cried, flying after it. I'm not an enemy! I'm a crossbreed. A winged monster. Like you.

The other creature paused, allowing Gloha to catch up. It turned out to be female. Oh, so you are, she said. I was afraid you were a man with a bow and arrow or something.

Gloha hovered near her. No, I'm a unique creature. I think maybe you are too. What are you?

I'm half girl, half griffon. My name's Amanda. She blushed faintly. She seemed to be somewhat younger than Gloha. Her shoulder-length yellow hair was tied back with a blue ribbon that matched the hue of her wings. My parents met at a love spring. They don't speak of it often.

Gloha appreciated that. I'm Gloha Goblin-Harpy.

They shook hands, hovering.

I'm looking for my species, Amanda said. But I haven't found any others quite like me. I don't know what I should call myself.

You look like a girlfon to me, Gloha said.

A girlfon! That's perfect. Well, I had better get on home before Mom misses me.

Bye, Gloha called as the girlfon flew away. She was somewhat sorry that it hadn't turned out to be a male winged goblin. Still, if there were a love spring nearby, there might be such a goblin. That could be why Crombie's finger had pointed this way. So maybe this was an encouraging sign.

She returned to their campsite. It wasn't the one I was looking for, she said regretfully.

Perhaps next time, Graeboe said. He was now sitting carefully beside their campsite. You're such a nice girl, there must be a boy for you somewhere.

Thank you, she said, flattered.

Trent had meanwhile transformed a small plant into a big tent caterpillar. The tent had room for himself, Gloha, Marrow, Metria, and the giant's face. The rest of Graeboe was covered by several other tents. Cushions from a transformed pillow bush served for their beds and Graeboe's head.

They feasted on berry pies, because pie plants were the easiest way for transformations to provide food. There were also pods of milk from milkweeds, and chocolate from a chocolate plant. Metria and Marrow did not need to eat, so contented themselves with exploring the surrounding region. Graeboe, oddly, did not eat any more than Trent did.

Are you sure it's enough? Gloha asked him, concerned.

My illness diminishes my hunger, the giant replied. Have no concern.

But I am concerned. You can't do giantly things if you don't eat like a giant.

True. I am weak and worsening. I know I am not the best of company. I appreciate your willingness to have me with your party. This gives me some valued solace.

Don't you know anything about your malady? Maybe you could find a cure, if you had a name for it.

I know only that it is a disease of the blood. My body does not make blood quite the way it should. As a result, I have less and less of it, and that makes me weaker each day. I would have trouble keeping up, were you folk not so much smaller than I am.

Maybe Magician Trent could transform you to some other form, that doesn't need as much blood, she suggested.

That would not help, Trent said. That form would have the same illness. I can change folk's forms, but can't heal them.

Maybe if we found a bloodroot

No, Graeboe said gently. My body can use only the blood it makes itself. It comes from my bones. But please do not dismay yourself on my account; I have no wish to cause you any discomfort, lovely little creature.

Gloha was flattered again. She wasn't at all sure she deserved the good opinion the giant had of her. Probably he was merely thankful for someone to talk to. The Good Magician must have had reason to send you to this region, just as he indirectly sent me here. Maybe there are answers for both of us, just a little farther along.

It is nice to think so, he agreed wanly.

Then Marrow and Metria returned. What's this? the demoness exclaimed. Making out in a tent?

What passes for your mind is in a rut, Trent informed her. Graeboe and Gloha have merely been talking.

Then we were doing better than you, Metria retorted.

Gloha knew that this was supposed to arouse her curiosity and force her to inquire. She stifled it as long as she could, but it was too much for her to contain. What were you doing? she asked.

The demoness looked at her triumphantly. I thought you'd never ask! We were summoning the stork.

Gloha, Trent, and Graeboe choked, almost together. But- Gloha managed to speak.

She kissed me, Marrow explained. That is not quite the same.

It's close enough, Metria said stoutly.

Walking skeletons do not summon the stork, Marrow said. We assemble our little ones from spare bones. But in any event, I would not choose to summon or construct with a demoness. I am a married skeleton.

Oh, pooh! Metria said. What's so special about marriage? The stork listens regardless.

You are a demoness, Trent reminded her. You have no soul, and therefore no conscience. You can't love. You have no basis for understanding.

But I'd like to understand, Metria said, frustrated.

Why? Gloha asked, curious.

In the Madness Region I was Trent's wife, for a time, the demoness said. There was something there. It seemed interesting. I don't like missing out on anything interesting. I want to know what love is.