Miches stepped back. he was finally finished.

The statue stood tall; Black granite against a golden sky.

Miches surveyed his handiwork. he felt the wings, the curved beak and the long talons.

"This is a smarter Guardian" Miches thought. "i shall set him to the ultimate Pass."

The statues were made for a purpose; A Pass.

The Gargoyle would sit on the roofs and wait. His Pass was to unleash a deluge of water on any intruder.

The Dragon was made for a gatehouse. His Pass would guard the gates of cities and castles, with fire if need be.

But the Gryphon was to be set at the Gold Locker. His Pass would guard all the treasures of Kings and Noblemen. he was made for power, his wings were carved for flying, his talons and beak were carefully crafted for fear; The ultimate guard. And he possessed the haunches and tail of a lion; A noble and terrific Guardian for a King.

Or a Kings gold anyway.

Night fell.

The Gryphon watched.

No one knew what it was watching, but it watched just the same.

And now it saw; A man was walking furtively across the shop yard.

The Gryphon's granite shattered as he crept off the pedestal.

Quietly, the Gryphon prowled up to where the man was standing.

And... Pounce.

Day broke. The Guardians were lined up, ready to be shipped to their respective Passes.

Miches ran into the yard, yelling wildly.

"It's amazing" He shouted "They found him on the prison wall!"

Apparently there had been an attempt at theft of a lesser Guardian last night.

And the culprit was found hiding on the prison walls, babbling about the "Lion-Bird".

What strange minds these criminal types have.