Answer right

“Uhh…” you begin nervously. “Is it…man?”

The sphinx stills as though struck dead. You jump back in surprise and raise your fists defensively, this sudden cessation of movement far more disconcerting than even if he had suddenly attacked. Your eyes narrow suspiciously, but the sphinx does nothing. A few minutes pass, and you fidget nervously beneath the hot desert sun. Is it dead? You shuffle forward nervously, ready to leap back at the slightest sign of danger.

“Um…hello?” You prod the beast in its furred chest.

A tremor shudders through the monster’s body like a ripple on calm water and you leap back reflexively. The hybrid suddenly sits back on its haunches, and lets loose a mournful yowl into the hot air. “Nooo! A thousand curses upon you! How did you know? No one ever guesses right! How dare you! That was my best riddle!” The beast flops onto the ground and belly, covering its human visage with its massive paws in shame. “Ohhh...woe is me! A thousand mercies upon my misfortunate existence! To be bested by a half naked mortal!”

You suddenly feel indignant. The creature is making it seem like it’s your fault for getting it right. Which…it is, you must admit. But that wasn’t a bad thing! “Hey,” you retort, face flushing slightly in anger. “It’s not my fault it was easy enough to get. And don’t forget! You owe me,” you emphasize. “One trip to the woods on your back.”

The sphinx groans and rolls over onto his side like a basking cat. A golden eye peeks open and regards you mournfully. With a colossal sigh, the sphinx rolls onto its stomach. “Yes…yes…my word is my bond. Even if it requires submission to an indignity such as this,” the creature moans. He motions you with his head. “Arise, and let us honour our covenant.”

Though still annoyed by the leonine creature’s sentiments, you pad forward. Gripping the fur of its side, you hoist yourself up and straddle the creatures back. His mane brushes your face, cast in the humid wind and you sneeze at the teasing hairs. You marvel at the softness of the creature’s fur and muscular frame beneath your gripping fingers, the latter becoming far more noticeable as it rises to its feet from the desert. The sphinx turns and raises its head regally, blocking your view from the coming trail.

“Hold tight mortal!” With a bound, the sphinx propels itself onto the golden sands of the desert. You hold on for dear life, feeling the firm muscles of this god of the desert roll beneath you. Your eyes close, a smile teasing your lips. You’re riding a sphinx. You! Abby! A flutter of pride fills your chest. You can’t wait to tell the others at Paisley about this!

That is, provided the sphinx does keep his word.