The Ashen Gryffon's Riddle

In the shadowed forest clearing, birches stand like pale spears around a stump blackened by old flame, and a shallow bowl of ash glows faintly as if remembering heat. Above it crouches the Ashen Fire Griffon, its feathers tipped in ember-red and its talons dusted gray, exhaling a breath that smells of smoke, rain, and singed pine. The air hums whenever anyone nears the bowl, and the ash inside stirs as if listening for a spoken name.