The proposal hung heavy in the air, a dangerous gamble that demanded everything from the griffins. Shock and disbelief washed over their faces as they processed Gaya's words. Tarnis was the first to regain his composure, his voice thick with accusation.
"You expect us to just surrender? To those bastards? You're out of your damn mind if you think we'd fall for such a manipulative ploy!"
Orin and Fleece, too, shook their heads vehemently, their earlier fear now mingled with a deep-seated distrust.
"Captured on purpose? You're asking us to leap into the maw of the beast!" Orin exclaimed, her tone laced with incredulity and anger.
Fleece, always the most timid, added his own quiet yet firm rejection.
"It's madness," he whispered, "utter madness."
