Free City of Death by Laurence Yep

ashamed of the warrior’s path—we must all do what we were born to. But when I was young, I dreamed of seeing the wonders of the world. So my size and strength seemed like curses to me.” She nodded to Kles. “I envy you, Kles.”
    â€œMe?” the little lap griffin squeaked.
    The Keeper gestured to Scirye. “You not only have the great honor of serving the Lady Scirye, but you have traveled from one foreign capital to another. But I doubt that anyone dresses in a costume as eccentric as your lady’s.” The Keeper rested her beak upon a forepaw. “I suppose there is a reason?”
    So they told her more about their adventures, but Scirye noticed that the Keeper always addressed any questions to Kles. Scirye realized that the Keeper was doing more than satisfying her curiosity. She was also trying to restore Kles’s pride.
    When Kles was done, the Keeper dusted off her paws with a very humanlike gesture and motioned for the servant to take her plate of cakes and dates away. “So you think it’s Roland behind our troubles as well, do you? But the City of Death lies outside our lands.”
    â€œHe probably doesn’t want you investigating if you hear any reports about activity there,” Bayang said.
    â€œSo you’ll help us?” Scirye asked eagerly.
    â€œRoland’s planned well. I don’t dare leave the eyrie and the mines unprotected.” The Keeper laced her claws together. “And I have obligations to protect the town that houses our human servants too.”
    â€œEven a few griffins would help,” Scirye coaxed.
    At that moment, someone tapped at the doors. When a servant opened them, a brown lap griffin darted inside. He lighted on a small branch next to the Keeper. In his beak, he had a note.
    Taking the note, the Keeper began to read, gradually straightening with each new sentence. When she was done, she glanced at the servant. “Ask for confirmation,” she said gravely.
    The servant bowed. “We already did that, Keeper.”
    The Keeper crumpled up the note and threw it away from her as if it were polluted. “I’m sorry. I have been ordered to send you under guard to Bactra.”
    â€œOh, dear,” M ā ka blurted out. “The guild only threw vegetables. What will they throw at court?”
    â€œNothing we can make a stew out of. It’ll be daggers most likely,” Tute said. “So I hope all of you wore your iron underwear.”

 
    14
    Bayang
    Bayang reared up in anger and disgust. She was surrounded by treachery. The first griffin who tried to touch her or the hatchlings would be sorry.
    â€œI didn’t take anything,” Koko bawled. “Get me a lawyer.”
    â€œYeah, we’re the good guys,” Leech said. “We’ve been chasing the thieves all around the world.”
    Scirye was sitting, frozen with disbelief, but it was Kles who had the presence of mind to spring from his chair and hover in front of the dragon and spread out his forelegs. “Don’t do anything rash, Bayang. The eyrie is not Prince Tarkhun’s caravansary.”
    Prince Tarkhun was a Sogdian prince they had rescued from an attack by Roland’s men in the Arctic. Worried about their safety, Prince Tarkhun had tried to hold them in protective custody when they wanted to follow Roland into the Arctic wastes. Bayang had demolished a door and assorted furniture during their escape.
    But Kles was right. This was not the same situation. For one thing, both of her wings had been healthy, so she could fly. For another, they had had a whole wilderness nearby in which they could hide. Here, they were in the home territory of griffins who trained for war. Even a company of seasoned dragon warriors might not be able to get free.
    Bayang sank back down, but she eyed the Keeper coldly. “Why have you arrested us? I thought we were your guests.”
    â€œThey didn’t give a reason for