As predicted, he could hardly dent the coppery egg, but that didn't mean it didn't help. The crack widened and they could hear the angry shriek of the hatchling as it attacked the inside spot in its metallic prison. Lar moved to the other side of the egg, selected another likely crack, and swung again, this time with the edge of the blade. This hurt his arms less and buried the weapon in another widening fissure. He had to tug to free it with magic. Great chunks of the shell came off as he did, and Lar stepped back in case the griffin burst out now from the severely weakened casing. Again, they heard the ear-piercing cry of the griffin, but it came in two tones, one far higher in pitch as if the metal of the shell itself was protesting.
Meanwhile, Patha shifted into her flaming gown and h
