I blocked myself by allowing the story to peak too early: Having risked his own life to save a child, the Griffin's Boy is richly rewarded. Bang. End of story.
Two options remained: Pad the beginning out by relating a few minor obstacles … or … spur the Griffin's Boy into a new, but related adventure – in which the stakes are even higher.
Except there's nothing more valuable than life itself – is there?
'…And the spirits of all living things danced along the ley-lines of Ella-Earth, making a joyful noise unto the heavens. And though demons spat with hatred to see such rejoicing, they dare not approach …for with the courage of a lion and the glorious flight of an eagle, the mighty griffins patrolled the ley-lines … and they feasted on the demons' souls.'
(Griffin Lore – every child knows this).
So in his quest to re-unite the mischievous gryffant Balkind with the Griffin Master, Neb not only rescues a chieftain's son and encounters girls for the first time, but he also finds himself battling a demon for his very soul. If this sounds like your kind of adventure, the final episode in an advance reader copy format can be yours for free on Smashwords from November 10, until the end of this month.
The official launch date is December 8th; if you want to join the Griffin Riders' blog tour, I'd be delighted to come on over to your place.