“Dame Shortbeak the Widowmaker, of your own royal knights, has elected to fight my claim in my stead as my champion.” Geoffrey responded, a slight smile gracing his avian features. And Handy found out where Shortbeak has been hiding. There was the clatter of metal and people looked up. In the walls high above them hung balconies, a griffon in heavy armour strode forth and leapt from one. The armoured bird dived gracefully to the ground but landed hard. She strutted in a semi-circle before coming to a rest at the marked position directly in front of the king, flapping her wings.