Gryff The Griffin Rider

by Sloss, Marcus

  ​ “At sunrise on the first day of the month a shield covers the portal and a shaman appears like clockwork. The shaman, male or female, one of the rare occupations where a Horde member can be female, casts a spell. Then a vortex of blue and poof. The shaman will be gone and the exact amount due with them. Any extra or rotten food and logs are left behind on the portal.

  ​ “The city of Flandry defied the quota. It is a city much smaller than Lakeland about three days by griffin to the south. They always were somewhat independent and refused the Emperor's agreement. The neighboring cities saw the excess they placed in their portals being removed to cover for the deficiency. They eventually stopped placing anything extra and refused to cover for Flandry. The Horde had enough. They kept the barrier up but instead turned it red and locked the people in. They then opened the portal for an army that massacred every last, living thing.

  ​ “That was two months ago. It is a shame the peace accords allowed for such a travesty. But all is not lost. We can fight back within limits. The barriers allow twelve men with weapons out, if more try to leave they are stopped as the barrier solidifies. The Emperor ordered tests to try to find if we humans could exploit these rules. For example, one man out with forty weapons leaves a barrier, then forty men arrive to him and begin taking weapons. The moment they were armed the nearest three barriers locked red from the inside. There is no workaround. Each city can field twelve soldiers, any more is forbidden and begins locking other cities and alerts the shamans. Traders, settlers, and general people can travel freely. The rule is that they have no weapons and are not worthy of a fight. They can be attacked, it is within the accords, but the Emperor assures they are safe for now. So far we have not lost an unarmed trade party, the big issue is getting people further north to test it. No one wants to be the test subject and enter infested wild lands without weapons. In the small scale war effort to fight back, finding that crown makes such a pivotal change. You have found one empty barrier village which is much closer to Fernlan than us.

  “If it is chosen to be reclaimed then that is twelve extra soldiers or adventures on the field. Maybe another twelve can march from this unmarked third village coordinates the crown gave us. I am sure the Duke will assign someone to scout. They are fairly close together, and with some effort, a meetup point could be attempted. It would be nice if Lakeland had barriers as close as Fernlan does. “This right here. Us planning on how to get men out of the barriers and onto the battlefield is why the griffins cannot land outside the safe zones. Else every city could bring twelve men and assemble an army against the horde. It was a sad time when the Emperor tested the limits on the griffins. Three died shortly after the accords were signed. One landed in the water, its body shriveled and decayed into dust. The foul contract magic killed disintegrated the griffin when it triggered the violation. The next was a griffin who dropped a soldier from a low height. This had the same effect on the soldier and the griffin. The final death was from a griffin who walked out of the barrier on the ground never taking off. The key is they don't touch the ground. The Horde's gods, shamans, cyclops, and other leaders have designed something perfect for their purposes. We can fight back on a small scale, the limited numbers meant the Horde, as a whole can focus on big picture things. At the same time, their warriors are tested by fighting us in small skirmishes. Those still thirsty for war can find it, only with more effort. Those who want peace and growth have it also. Rather well thought out, it is my unconfirmed opinion that we are not the first planet they have invaded and subjected.”

  ​ I had to give credit to Derfran, the man was a storyteller. The whole time he explained this to me I hung on his every word. It was fascinating and frightening to learn of the realities of Vin.

  ​ “Not everyone is overproducing for their quotas,” I said in a somber tone. “That was the bad news I brought of Cern. Baron Liffa did not manage his livestock well, the fields are not producing enough, and has forbidden foragers from going into the wild lands in fear of the Horde's reprisals.”

  ​ The Duke poked me with his stub arm and gave me a confused look. “Who is Baron Liffa? Baron Frank rules Cern. Good man, good warrior.”

  ​ The jab from the stub was awkward. At least for me. The Duke didn't seem to notice me staring at it. I shifted my gaze back to the map.

  ​ “Your grace, it was in your reports after the peace accords. You were heavy into your wine from the defeat. Justly so, we were all heartbroken at the Emperor's surrender. I gave you the pertinent paperwork concerning Baron Liffa, and you waved me away to sign the damn thing.” A thin man who had been taking notes said.

  ​ “The days of wallowing in my cups of wine are over for now. Things suddenly got a lot more interesting. This crown proves we can fight back and make a difference. The barriers may limit the number of armed troops that exit, but that does not mean the war is over. You bring us hope with this Gryff. I will have to think of a suitable gift to exchange for it... Now tell me of Cern.”

  ​ “I went to trade with Cern. It is within griffin sight of us in Fernlan. A flag is raised high above the village center and a griffin will arrive. When they did show up I saw a starving male named Lirkon, he was friendly and asked for some food for his wife. I had slain some goblins the day before and had stolen a lot of fish so the bodies were extra. I felt it was the right thing to do and gave up the goblins.

  ​ “Later that day Lydia arrived with her husband and the trade goods. She never left. Claiming that the griffins were being starved. I have no verification aside from what the griffins tell me. I want to say that I one hundred percent believe them… yet, there could be a side I don't know. With that being said, Cern is starving. Well last night, we were celebrating the death of the war boar and orcs. A feast was held and in the end, every Cern griffin showed up. They claimed that Baron Liffa, knowing that the quota was due in only three days decided to poison the griffin water. We guessed this was for two reasons, eliminate the need to feed them and get the city through the month's required quota.” I told the Duke and his advisors.

  ​ Riza was decisive, a true leader and came to a conclusion right away. “Marcus, assemble a strike team. I want you behind the female riders of the griffins if they allow it if not in sacks below them. Kill Baron Liffa. Make it public. There was a city guard captain I fought within the Valley of Weeping Willows with. A Hanz... yes his name is Hanz. You will make him intern Baron to keep order until I can place my own man there. We need more control over our realm now more than ever. Especially if the Emperor begins looking this way.

  ​ “Danvid and Derfran. I want you both to figure out how much Cern owed monthly and then cover their entire quota on top of ours. I know that doesn't sound right. Basically, check with the food stores and add their weight required on top of our two thousand. If we need to buy fish from the south do so. Now hurry with it, I will not slaughter our livestock numbers that are doing so well. Gryff you will keep the griffins in Fernlan for now. Since you still have half a war boar and probably no quota due this month you can keep them healthy until things are stabilized at Cern. Clerk Cedric, I want official documents drawn up declaring Baron Liffa a criminal. For his attempt to kill the Cern pride.” The Duke said with finality. My news had sentenced a man to death. I couldn't be happier, the bonus was I did not have to kill the man. I had been stressing the Duke would ask me to do it with my limited knowledge of Cern.

  ​ “Are you a clerk of the realm?” I asked the note taker.

  ​ “I am. Clerk Cedric, pleasure to meet you Gryff.”

  ​ “Riza, now that I have delivered my news about Cern I have a long list of things to get done. Is it okay if I quickly hand Cedric some paperwork to sign? I could also use a merchant or two to handle some needed transactions. Or else I will be stuck in Lakeland for days and I have many things on my to do list back at Fernlan.”

  ​ The Duke nodded then bellowed at one of his servants outside the closed doors to fetch three merchants. I handed the paperwork to
the clerk but Riza quickly snatched the papers.

  ​ “Two marriage certificates and an adoption request. Are these widows with children?” The Duke asked.

  ​ “One is a widow with no children, the other has a young son... goblin shits... I forgot to make paperwork to adopt him. On the to do list it goes. The little girl Lily, she was an orphan who found me first after I arrived on Vin. Great kid, rough life on the frontier. Figured I could try to marry her off and give her a better life here. Which is another to do, I need to resettle some people from Fernlan, would thirty be acceptable? They asked for ten but I know more would like to escape the rough life. We have a plan to offset the lost work done by adding livestock. Which I... wait for it... have a list for.”

  ​ “Lakeland holds over a hundred thousand, I am sure we can handle them all, no limits. Lakeland has always been a safe harbor and we would welcome those who desire to come. If not there is plenty of space down south. It is unusual for a man to marry a widow, especially one already with a young child. You are a unique man Gryff...” He said as he signed my marriage papers. I smiled and wished the ladies were here with me. He paused at the last page. “Not for twenty years have I seen a declaration like this. They want you knighted. Ha, get a look at this Marcus. Marcus is the general of my army who gets the privileged of killing a dumb noble tonight. I miss the war...”

  ​ Marcus came over and looked at the paper.

  ​ “Interesting, I seem to recall the last time we saw one of these. Quite a while ago.” Marcus said.

  ​ A startling loud knock sounded at the door and three merchants were ushered in. They all wore expensive clothes and jewelry that showed off their wealth.

  ​ Riza slung his good arm over my shoulder and guided me to them. “Trade Masters Vind, Mont, and Secta. This is Gryff a soon to be knight of Fernlan. I owe him favors. How often do you hear me say that my dear Trade Masters?”

  ​ “Almost never,” Mont replied.

  ​ “Good so you know you are to only take five percent on these transactions. The three of you work out this list of four pages. The last is a list of items for sale. I will be buying the orc head and parts for potions and spells. Send the boar head to the King, let him buy it for research. Should fetch a good amount seeing as how few have been studied. The rest of this stuff try to get a good deal. Oh, and this is a list of livestock. Gather all these items and animals in the roost yard for the day after tomorrow. Any questions, find the answers. Gryff and I will be busy tonight and tomorrow evening.” He told the merchants.

  ​ “What will be keeping us so occupied my lord,” I asked.

  ​ “That is the spirit. We will make you a Vin citizen here shortly, of course after you are fitted for a new outfit. Would be improper to knight you in your armor that has a hole in it.” Riza said.

  ​ “A set of clothes besides this armor would be welcome. I can pay, have you seen the coins I arrived with, most comment on them.” I dug out my purse and handed it to the Duke.

  ​ “As if crafted by the gods themselves. You are not paying the merchants with this are you?” The Duke asked.

  ​ I got the larger communal purse off my belt and handed that to Trade Master Mont since he seemed to be in charge of the three.

  ​ “You are a man of many surprises. Last question before I send you off. How did my punch not knock you down? I threw that punch with the power of purple aura potions distilled with orc bones. Part of the reason I am buying the bones from you. Did you drink some potion before our meeting?” The Duke asked.

  ​ “I have the purple aura, and no... Not from drinking a potion. The kind, as I am told from legends.” I said casually.

  ​ The Duke raced past the trade merchants, hauled the two guards and the servant into the war room and slammed the door. “You are all sworn men to me. I will show no mercy in this regard. This will never be spoken outside this room, not to a wife, a whore, a father, a son. No one. If you do I will send Marcus or even I may come for you. Test him.” He ordered the healer to test my aura.

  ​ It was the same man who had healed my cheek and he approached cautiously. The whole room was silent as they watched him place a hand on my shoulder. I felt the awkward probe of my aura.

  ​ “It is the brightest aura I have ever seen. And yes, it is purple. If it were red I would say his aura was so bright he could burn cities with ease. This man is very dangerous in my opinion my lord.” The healer stated.

  ​ “Good, we need extraordinary men at the moment healer Leo.” Duke Riza said.

  CHAPTER 7

  ​ I wore a white tunic that hung loose against my body. It was plain, simple, and I loved it. The tailor had fit me in a pair of tan leggings, he complained endlessly about my size. Everything had been custom made by the tailor and his team. It felt nice to be in regular clothes instead of armor and kilt. An added bonus was I now had undershorts, they were soft and comfy. I tried to avoid the thick belt around my waist but something had to carry my purses and hold the pants up. I had been given a soapy bucket for a quick scrub down. I enjoyed being clean and in new clothes even if the style was basic.

  ​ That is how I was presented as the Duke had me bend the knee.

  ​ “Dear nobles, ladies, and good people of Lakeland. Before me kneels Gryff of Redland. Soon to be Sir Gryff Knight of Fernlan. The citizens of Fernlan send a request that I knight him. Exactly like I was knighted so long ago with a petition by the people. For me, it was saving my village during a skirmish raid. For Sir Gryff, it was for bring them from the brink of starvation and asking for nothing in return. It is with great honor I shall knight this man.”

  ​ Duke Riza proceeded to take his sword from both my shoulder and said the words of my knighting. It was official, I now belonged to Fernlan and my title was Sir.

  ​ “This is a time for celebrations. Clear the hall of the seating area. Bring in the food, music, and wine. Let us have a ball tonight!” The Duke proclaimed.

  ​ I rose to my feet and the Riza pulled me with him to the war room. The solid doors closed and Cedric the clerk waited for us with papers. The Duke took the sheets and turned to me.

  ​ “These are your official documents of knighthood. I took care of the cost of the documents for you. Before I hand them to you, what do you think of being the Baron of Cern?”

  ​ “That it is an awful idea. No offense. I know nothing about the city, it is in a dire situation, and I wouldn't know where to start to fix it. At first, I thought Fernlan would be a determent to me. Yet I saw my actions had positive impacts I could directly witness. I wasn't a big person making a tiny impact as I would have in a city. I was able to swell bellies, bring smiles, and add a roof over some heads. So respectfully, I intend to stay in Fernlan.” I said to him.

  ​ Riza nodded and handed me my documents. “I had hoped you would say that. I need men who do not crave power and understand their situations. I am making you an Earl. Do not appear so sad. It is because of the crown. If I did not make you an Earl, then the King would have, or the Emperor. You will rule three tiny villages in the middle of Horde infested wild lands. Something only a warrior would want to rule.

  ​ “Being an Earl also gives you the power to order people around and to some degree respect. It should make hiring, managing, and retaining personnel or adventures easier. Having one person in charge of three villages ensures cooperation. Your orders are as follows. Inspect, secure, and give a detailed report of Xiq, and Straddleback. Then do a thorough recon of the area with a detailed report sent. Finally, if you are able, I want you to take the fight to that orc settlement you said the griffin spotted. It stands to reason the crown came from there. Removal of it may lead to the crown never being replaced.”

  ​ I did frown when he said he was making me an Earl. I was less conflicted with the decision when he explained it to me. I was planning on exploring those villages anyway. Now if I was in control of them I could use them to benefit Fernlan and the realm.

  ​ “You honor me gr
eatly my Duke, and I will have to trust your wisdom in such matters of politics. I did bring a list of personnel I would be needing, which will get longer if am to manage multiple villages.” I reached into my belt, grabbed the folded personnel list, and handed it to the Duke. I took his documents and placed them on the table to sign. I was now an Earl.

  ​ “Tonight at the ball there will be many ladies seeking your attention. I am going to hide the fact that I made you an Earl for now. I advise you to do the same. The first chair that sits behind me is of my late wife Margret. She was my love, a wife of my choosing and not of politics. It would mean a lot to me if you tied your fate to mine by picking one of my seven daughters of marrying age. I would like the one you choose, to be exactly that, one of choice rather than forced. I will let them know I would like one of them find you worthy. A few of my daughters would be far more aggressive if they knew of your new title. So enjoy yourself, if do select one of my daughters, I can have one of my young sons promise to marry your adopted daughter. It is the least I can do.”

  ​ “Thank you, my Duke. I am still adjusting to some of the customs of Vin. I am aware humanity is recovering its population and that women greatly outnumber men. I have accepted my fate in the greater scheme of things. I shall enjoy tonight as a lowly knight. Tomorrow I would like to do some shopping and training if able. I thank you for your hospitality, help, and the title.” I said to the Duke.

  ​ “Ah, here is your purse back. I would not be so freely handing it off. I found one of these platinum coins inside it. These are markers from the Emperor’s treasury, they pulse red when touched. It is said they are magically infused by the Emperor himself. They are worth a thousand gold pieces. If we, upper nobles need to exchange large sums of gold we do so through these markers instead of stacks of gold coins. It helps keep down on banditry. I will convert this and open an account with the treasury for you... For a small fee of course. Between this, your purse, and the goods you sold have amassed a small fortune. Not as much as a Duke has, but more than enough for an Earl of the wild lands.”