Book 1, Chapter Seven: The Ascent, Pages 175 and 176

He digs his nails into his palms, failing to restrain the tears
gliding warmly down his cheeks.

“I conquered hostile domains, gone beyond limits, and overcame impossible odds…
How could I have failed this time?”

He falls to his knees, weeping. Cradles a bloodied griffin in his arms.

“I’m sorry.
I ruined you.”

The Servant clears his throat.
“Ahem. Alexandre, Rois de Rois“

“All is not lost. They can be saved.”

“How?”

These are griffins, remember; the king of all animals, of earth and sky.
More than blood — the river that links the peasant and the king — they are nourished by the true symbol of kingship.”

Sacrifice. Healing. Reparations. Humility.