“Then we go past a huge section of empty space. This will be utilized based on developmental needs, or our Earl's wishes. We will pick up the pace. Now behold the crown jewel of this section. The Tipsy is a four story inn with a ballroom, a dining hall, and two floors of lavish large rooms. The top floor is broken into four expansive noble quarters for dignitary visitors. The bottom floor is a single bar area so big you can get lost in it. Unfortunately, it is not furnished yet and will take considerable effort to make it habitable. Also with the limited light, we should stay out of here. That concludes our tour for now. This is what the power of the griffins can help accomplish in one day. Add in the hard work our adventures did to get these hearts and it is only a matter of time before we can move into here. I for one cannot wait to move out of the town center and its cramped environment. If we could all turn around and walk back to the large fire we can resume festivities or head to bed.” Patti said completing the tour.
She was a natural public speaker and did an excellent job explaining the different areas in the business district to us.
The tour showed me more than I had ever dreamed of. It was fantastic, but the glaring issue was plainly obvious. The lack of light down here. I was in desperate need of it. It was beyond awesome for me to know the earth mages and griffins achieved so much so quickly. Yet I was starting to wish I had fixed the upper village now that I realized how dark and creepy it was down here. It did not in any way feel like a home. I had to fix that.
As we walked back there was small talk about all the new buildings. I mainly thought about my solution to the problem we faced. I knew what it was, I was hesitant to make that leap. Still, it was our home, and making it vibrant and illuminated was key to our future. We arrived at the fire and I held a hand up until I got everyone's attention.
“First I want to thank everyone for their hard work today, including those who are not here pass the word. I mean everyone, from the road cleaners, the tree choppers, and the people setting up the mill, the warriors, the mages, the field workers, and any job I missed. Everything that happens here is vital, hell even Elan is going and tallying our supplies every morning. These things matter, you knowing that I appreciate them matters.
“Now I am going on an expedition tomorrow. I will take one of the fighting companies with me. While I am gone, Bella, then Elan is in charge. We are going after the lava golems, we desperately need catalysts to light this cavern and transform it into a vibrant well illuminated home. We will not stop until we have gotten enough to heat the bathhouses, and hang a torch on every building in every room. I will also see about adding lights to the ceiling, or a really bright central light.
“I need you to continue your hard work in making Fernlan and Dais our home. If you need supplies go see Elan. If Elan gets overwhelmed with people needing supplies volunteer to help him sort it all. We have the funds, every day it seems we are generating more gold, and I declare here and now to spend the village's gold in any way that will help improve all of our lives. So if the request is reasonable consider it approved. You want softer bedding, or seven hells… an actual bed, submit a request. I happen to have gotten the best movers known to Vin owing me a favor. The griffins got their prized war boar they so desperately covet. So make good use of their skills and my gold, and get those things you need... I say again reasonable, as in, it must be a need and not a want. With that I bid you a good night, important things to do tonight with this lovely young wife of mine.” I said and Bella slugged my arm.
The crowd gave a small cheer in my honor and I escorted Bella up the ramp. We made it to our room and that wild young lady kept me up for a good hour. Apparently, our naughty midday sex escapade had left her wanting more. She scolded me for leaving her unable to reach climax earlier. We solved her issue over and over until I had to get her to stop so I could get some sleep.
CHAPTER 11
I packed both sets of armor in one of Bella's many spare storage chests that took up a wall in our room. I was in my casual court clothes that had not been ruined and ready for the day. My sword was on my hip, and my shield on my back underneath my backpack Donnie had bought me. Inside the bag was some extra food because how could I travel without some snacks. I double checked myself and the storage chest and felt ready to go. Bella walked me with me up and out of the Inn.
We had discussed in length that morning about what the village priorities were. Really with the expansion of Dais we were getting well into what qualified for a town. Bella decided to hold on visiting Walt's family and sent word to one of her other mothers to help us break the news. She said they would handle it with the sensibility it needed. They were to be paid in full and offered a free house. It was not built yet but the offer was there. For the village, it was furnishing the Dais, and keeping the building going. I told her to expect the Cern riders to immigrate today or tomorrow and that they should be welcomed. We certainly needed the help with the landing pad and roost work.
I had also sat down and talked with Nate and Una over breakfast. Nate and the Frontier Knights were coming with me, Una and the Fearless Company were staying here. They were to keep the horses fed, check the fish lines daily, finish cleaning out the smelon orchard and patrol around the village. If they found a lack of work help with the building down in Dais or check the board. I had Nate prepare his men for travel, with instructions to expect at least a few days on the mission. I told him to have his men ready in an hour at the griffin landing area.
I then went and dealt with the griffins, who were in the post feast tired mode. Lord Nova was grumpy but got up and walked me over to a portion of the western fields. He had five flat pieces of rectangular wood laid out. Four were of maps of the local area with a legend key on the left side. We went over the scouting maps and how they would be utilized. I sent Donnie to fetch Una, and within ten minutes both Nova and Una were on the same page. I sent Una away to get some men and post the new maps at all the gates. After that was settled Nova went over the roost blueprint they assembled together. Donnie went running again for Patti or Zack this time. Patti came over to us and had Donnie haul the blueprint near the Dais entrance for now. I then discussed my need to hunt large amounts of Lava golems. Nova said there was a city about five hours west of here called Malvia, which would be perfect for our goals. It was on the north side of the human safe zones so it would have Horde, probably no one farmed the golems over there anymore due to that fact. We had agreed to travel in an hour or two so the griffins were less saturated with food.
I set my chest full of armor down at the loading area, plopped a seat on it and snacked away. I was quickly surrounded by wolves and monox. Deb, with her cute little white tipped ears, was the only one who climbed on me. I grumbled at all the hungry animals around me. I went to the cook, grabbed a bunch of goblin jerky that had been made recently and slowly tossed it out. It was relaxing and a great time killer. I did not have to wait long for excitement to help pass time.
A griffin I did not recognize came flying in and landed on the pad. Two gorgeous women sat atop the lady griffin’s back. Pipi and Velia had finally made it home. The poor griffin seemed to be loaded down with chests. Then two more griffins trailed behind the first also loaded with crates, boxes, and sacks. The girls had definitely been shopping.
I rushed over to help Velia and Pipi get down.
Velia was the first to grab my hand for aid. Her shoulder length brown hair was pristine, neatly cut, and loose from the flight. I remembered how this woman looked when we first met. Dirty, patchwork tattered clothing, and mystery clumps of gunk in her hair. Now she was gorgeous in a form fitting tight riding top and a knee length skirt. Her nails, facial makeup, and clothing all spoke of nobility in their appearance. She wore a broach of a griffin over her belt that held her skirt up. Her belly had lost its bloat, her face now had the smoothness of a woman, gone were the bone outlines. She looked marvelous to me and I was so happy to have her back.
> The second our hands touched I pulled her into my embrace. I kissed her long and tenderly. Things got heated quickly until I heard a cough.
Pipi had her hand out. Her short brown hair was in a neat ponytail. Her hazel eyes beamed at me with excitement. She wore a single long yellow dress that had a pretty embroidery. Her bust was pushed up and showed all the cleavage. My mind went right to wanting to see her naked. When I looked at her, I desired her. Velia too, but Velia was my partner in a way a Pipi was not. I got lost in thoughts of them both undressed.
“Dear husband grab my hand, please,” Pipi said while rolling her eyes at seeing me focus on her bursting chest.
I did as told and gave her a nice welcome home kiss. I then grabbed both the women in each arm and pulled them in close. We hugged for a moment until I rapidly gave quick cheek kisses to each woman.
“Alright you made your point, you missed us and wanted to show us that you like how we look,” Velia said.
“You both look stunning, a marvel of what some pampering can produce. I must say the trip was well worth every copper spent. Now let us retire to our chambers, I bet we have much to discuss... and do!” I said.
We left the crates, boxes, and sacks for someone else to handle and proceeded to the Inn. As we walked Velia informed me of how things went in the capital.
“We spent the night in Tarvelan the first day to break up the long flight. The next morning we arrived in the capital a few minutes after King Horus landed. He said to thank you a million times over for calming the griffins of their hate for men. He mentioned the crown but being able to fly freely on a griffin's back was a dream come true, and a logistical boon a King could only hope for.
“When he learned of the ogre head and parts we carried he set me up with his most trusted vendor. A couple that worked as a team. Trade Masters Harkon and Peach. They operate in the capital and the cities the four Kings reside in. They run a large enterprise that will be able to handle our volume. Our funds will be put into the same banking system that runs out of Lakeland. The base for that bank is Tent Crossing, where the capital for King Horus' realm is.
“We spent the first day getting pampered and enjoyed our time,” Velia said.
“It was so great to get out of the village, we were able to get a proper tea, a well cooked meal that was done by someone else, and the bathhouse was simply amazing,” Pipi added in.
“Yes, it was fabulous and very nice. The next day we went shopping, both for general stuff and clothing. As you saw we picked up a lot of items. I wanted to spend another day when we ran into an issue.” Velia said as we arrived at our bedroom door.
Bella greeted us, and the ladies exchanged pleasantries. Bella was quickly caught up to where we were in the conversation when I pressed Velia on what the issue was.
“King Horus sent a runner to us telling us that we needed to leave the capital immediately. He sent a full team to pack up our stuff and had us escorted to the griffin roost where we were ensured safety. The Emperor has a shaman friend who meets with him on the regular. All this I am telling you is second hand, and that the King himself mentioned he will be wanting to discuss this with you when he is able.
“This shaman asked for the crown you captured in exchange for some gold bars. The Emperor happily obliged, and said he would put a leash on this new Earl of his. That the Empire wanted no looming threats against the Horde and thanked the gods every day for the peace treaty. When the shaman left King Horus made clear to the Emperor, that you, one of his subjects were not in fact in violation of any rule of law. The Emperor ensured the King he was simply placating the enemy. As if he was playing both sides, but King Horus was not convinced. He worried we may be held as guests in the capital to ensure your cooperation. We left that day, stayed the night in Lakeland, where Duke Riza gracefully hosted us, and then returned this morning. The Duke mentioned you should talk with the griffins and see where they stand in the whole mess. Apparently, if you can get the griffins to stop supporting the Emperor it would be easy enough for a different King to take his place. Again, above my knowledge. There also should be a summons for you to see the Emperor yourself soon. King Horus recommended, as well as the Duke, that you decline, and state your new lands have you overburdened with work.” Velia said.
It was a lot to take in. There was politics at play that were foreign to me, and dangerous. I did not know the Emperor, but I did know the Duke gave praise about King Horus and stayed silent on the character of the Emperor. The reality was it mattered very little to me. Even if I pissed off the Emperor he would have to ride, which would take weeks through dangerous lands, to get to me. Or fly, and I believed that the griffins now knowing my plans to train them with catalyst in extensive magic would probably not give me up to a lame leader who controlled very little. The accords while frustrating were almost a blessing in the buffering of my position way out here on the northeastern corner.
“Well, let us leave the politics out there and focus on Fernlan. You are safe here, and it is probably best if you did not visit any unfriendly cities. I will notify the griffins because we cannot have it risked where one or all of you becomes a pawn. Speaking of leaving I am doing so in an hour. I want Pipi to stay with Bella and aid in the running of the village while I am gone. It will also help Vern get accustomed to his new settings. We will be moving to a much larger and grander place soon. Not the manor I promised yet. We actually built an entire underground town. Well more like are building... and it is a work in progress. Actually, hold that thought, and let me show you both Dais.” I said and held out my arms for the ladies to hook into.
We left the room and went up the stairs. I paused by the bulletin board and showed them how it worked. I mentioned it also could use improvements so if they had any ideas or wanted to manage it to do so. We left the Inn and made our way down the village street. Pipi noticed the layer of muck and dirt was gone, exposing the clean, neatly placed, cobbled stones. We moved at a slow pace and talked about the rapid changes the village was experiencing for the better. One of the things even new to this morning was the old buildings were finally being torn down and the wood stacked into a recycle pile. It really changed how the entire village looked. As if it was an incomplete settlement instead of a mostly destroyed one.
When we got to oversee the fields I got a few comments on how helpful the rabins were, to which I told both the girls they were no longer were field workers. To find someone they trusted to manage them. I wanted my ladies to stay clean and work on bigger picture things. If they had to, of course, go back and help. But only after other options were exhausted. We reached the first dig out and Lirkon sat guarding the entrance. He snored loudly, clearly exhausted to be sleeping in the bright sun. I heard the cry of a baby cub echo out to us. I told Lydia congratulations but she responded with only one word, “Sleep” . They were both probably overtired from the long ordeal and there were plenty of griffins around to help if they needed it.
All three of us wanted to see the cubs, but I convinced them to let the parents rest and moved on to the Dais entrance.
“Now Pipi, Velia, this is what an ogre heart combined with griffin aura can do. It is sixty feet deep and easily a mile and a half long and wide. This is why I am leaving, as you can notice it is terribly dark down there. There has been a good amount of work done, but it is too dark for us to utilize effectively. So I am going to Malvia to hunt lava golems until I can get enough torches, lava stones, and some lighting for the ceiling. This is going to be our new home eventually. I will destroy all the buildings up top minus the new roost, and the town center. All that space will be converted into fields, orchards, or stables. It should mean we never starve again. Especially since we can expect this was the only free month of no food due.”
It was more than likely a fact that with the crown now back in the hands of the Horde, it would be reassigned. Also, it probably meant more elites around the village to tamp do
wn on the easy killing we have been able to achieve. It is what I would do.
Pipi and Velia ran a long list of things they wanted to do to make the space the most effective. We talked and debated the pros and cons of some of the ideas for a while. I was grateful to see them looking so lovely and enjoyed the time. Eventually, I cut the discussion off.
“We are short on time, how about you write them on a list and send them over to Fernlan once complete in Malvia. For now, we need to get going. Pipi you look wonderful and I am happy you are home. Be good to Bella and Vern, if you run into any issues let me know when we get back. Velia, I need you to go pack for a three to five day trip. We have about twenty minutes until we are supposed to leave.” I told my wives. Bella who had been trailing us, linked arms with Pipi after I got a goodbye kiss from both.
Gryff The Griffin Rider Page 29