I turned my back on the guard and looked at my men. They were all ready to go shopping, happy looks on their faces, oblivious to what was about to happen. It really would be helpful if those around me could hear what the griffins had to say. I thought over my options. I could have them all mount back on the griffins and leave. That was probably the smart move. I kind of avoided those and went impulsive. The only ones who truly knew what I was up to was the griffins.
“Okay Velia, go get on Nova's back.” She looked confused and started to protest. “Now woman, by the gods now!” This shifted her demeanor and she raced up the saddle ladder. She shot me a nasty look at being yelled at like a child. The Frontier Knights immediately shifted and placed their hands on their weapons. “Follow my lead, if it comes to fighting, stay behind the griffins and finish off any that survive. Get behind them now!” I said with a loud commanding voice.
Lord Nova and the four other griffins stepped in front of them. They were ready to do battle, their posturing displayed a dangerous intent. I was frightened by looking at them. The clang of metal shuffling behind me caught my attention. I turned to see the captain and twenty guards in full armor standing at the gate of the roost weapons drawn. The attendant ran as fast as he could to get away from the situation. For a moment the only noise you could hear was slapping of his retreating footsteps.
“Drop your weapon Earl and surrender to the Count. I will not repeat myself. The King has decreed no griffins are permitted to leave this realm for other sanctuary. You are also guilty of the attempt to go into the wild lands. King Devon has deemed that crime punishable of a hundred gold fine or a month sentence to the brig. We cannot have the peace disturbed, our gracious friends at the Horde have warned us against taking advantage of the leeway the peace accords afford.” The captain demanded in an authoritarian tone.
I started laughing, and the Count's men sneered at me at my audacity. Then the griffins cackled with laughter. They stopped the noise in unison and pounded the ground with their paws. The entire earth shook below our feet. In the distance, the volcano burped in reply. It had the desired effect, some of the men in the formation started to glance nervously at each other. Their courage quickly faded at the prospect of doing battle with well-fed mighty griffins. Griffins that had slaughtered the Horde by the millions. This was not going to be a contest and I felt it was clear to remind them of that.
“I have no desire to rule this little city, nor do I desire to fight. Yet, I see you are trying to kill the griffins that won your city and all the cities of humanity its peace. There would be no accords without the griffins. There would be no peace without the human, and griffin lives sacrificed to stop the Horde's invasion. Now you turn on the only ally that saved you. You listen to the orders of an Emperor that consorts with a shaman of the Horde. I guess it had to start somewhere, and here is the first place that a man like me draws his sword in their deference.” I pulled my shield off my back and slid it onto my left arm. I yanked my sword out of its ring. I cursed when I realized I was yet again not in the right armor. In this case, I was in simple travel clothes. Bullocks. “I will give you one chance to drop your weapons. Failure to do so and these griffins and I will kill you.”
This really gave the captain and his men pause. They were expecting me to calmly go to my sentencing as others before me had. They certainly were not expecting us to fight a small war from an isolated point in the city. Until this moment they had probably had nothing but boring jobs. Arresting the occasional drunk or hauling in someone before the Count for misdeeds. I gave a clear warning that blood would flow and bodies would fall if they did not drop their weapons. Yet the captain and his men stood defiant as they found their resolve. It was their city, and they would defend it.
“I say again, by order of King Devon, and his father Emperor Salvoni, you are in violation...”
That was as far as he got. Lord Nova took a step forward and with blinding speed swatted the man as if he were an insect. The captain flew into the wall and burst from the impact. It was sickening. I was in full rage mode, and the start of the battle was all I needed. I raced forward dodging the leaping griffins to reach the remaining men first.
My target was some kid probably Donnie's age. He shook in fear and I had to pull my strike in empathy of his situation. I smashed him in the face, when he fell I grabbed his weapon and slid it back into the roost. Hopefully, my men would not kill him when he was weaponless.
The pity for the young man cost me a slash on the arm as a pike tried to stick me. I lunged at the offender with blinding speed and knocked him to the ground with my superior strength and weight. I stabbed down quickly to the heart. I went to find my next target when I saw it was over. The griffins had done the rest of the work. Bodies were strewn across the street outside the roost. The only one alive was the whimpering kid I had spared.
Someone somewhere had seen the fighting and sounded the city bells. The chime of an attack rang loudly throughout the city. Guards raced for the walls looking for the Horde attacking not realizing what was going on.
“Get your men back in the saddle immediately, we must rush and capture Count Winter quickly! Failure to do so will lead to many unnecessary deaths .” Lord Nova ordered.
I bellowed at my men to mount quickly and we did. Velia sat in the saddle face determined not to show weakness at the situation we were in. The moment all the Frontier Knights were secure we shot into the air. It was but a flash before we were close to the Count's manor.
Lord Nova flew right over a balcony and into the second floor opening that was definitely going to be too small for his wide frame. The power of the griffin shook the entire structure as he burst his way into the Count's courtroom and kept going. Chunks of stone flew forward with us as we dramatically entered. The fattest man of Vin I had seen cowered from us. Behind him sat his five wives, and every face was terrified by our sudden hostile entry. I launched myself off Nova's back and toward the Count’s chair.
I landed beside Count Winter who was shrieking in fright. A liquid streamed down his leg and around his chair. His wives were in full hysteria, the nobles in the room were screaming as if on fire. The other four griffins followed behind us and blocked off the exits to the room. My men never even got down.
Lord Nova roared so loudly that I thought I might lose hearing forever. My ears rang, and it had its desired effect. The entire room was covering their ears now silent, well at least I couldn't hear anything some may have still screamed. My sword was at the Count's throat. He was my prisoner, I needed our hearing to return to inform him his life was forfeit unless he told his men to stand down.
It took a few minutes but I was able to hear again. I kept my eyes on the Count studying him for any sudden movements. He had a bad comb over, a horrid smell of perfume covering his body odor, and food in his shirt. He was the exact opposite of a warrior leader. This man used his connections to get himself a noble role in the post war world and loved it. He lived in excess, it was barely at midday and I could smell the wine heavily over the perfume and odor. Maybe the wine was his in his piss he released all down his leg.
“How dare you!” Count Winter screamed at me in defiance.
I smashed his front teeth in with a rapid strike. The man spat out broken teeth and blood trying to say words no one could understand. He was crying now, a grown man crying on the ground in a puddle of his own piss. Both hands were up pleading for his life.
“Put down your weapons or your Count dies. This is not a fight you can win. Do not give away your lives for this pathetic man.” I bellowed with authority.
Unlike the guards at the roost, the Count's personal guards immediately threw their weapons down and lifted hands in the air. Well, that was a start. I called Joey down from the griffin he was on and had him pick up all the dropped weapons and pile them in the middle of the room. I then had Nate secure the Count and start moving his family into the mano
r's stable in the yard. It would be easiest for the griffins to keep him secure in there. As they were being moved the bells stopped ringing.
Count Winter's first wife Lady Tami had ordered the alarm to be halted. She was a sensible lady that I immediately was happy to deal with. Where the Count was a sniveling baby she was keeping a level head and calming the situation from more bloodshed. The city guards had been told there was a noble altercation that would be resolved soon and to continue to protect the city from any outside threat. They were to leave the manor and the Count to his dispute to deal with on his own. This seemed to stave off any desperate charge against the griffins and my forces.
The adrenaline wore off and my blood stopped from feeling like it was going to explode out of my veins. I had my sword in its ring and my shield on my back. I stood outside the stables by Lord Nova as we watched over the process of the Count's family being secured. Lady Tami stood beside me.
“I expected some sort of reaction to the King's decree. I grew up in the north, my father was an important noble Earl until the invasion. I watched the Horde sack our city, the only thing that saved me was the griffins. They stopped the endless tide of green beasts at the cities third wall. It was a blood bath on proportions I would never hope to see again. My mother helped us escape to the south, what little wealth we managed to escape with got us this far. At sixteen I was married to the Count who was a Trade Master back then. His first prize, my mother's shame. She needed money to keep the rest of my younger siblings fed. I played my role with grace and dignity. Two days ago when word came down that the Emperor himself was whispering of war against the griffins, I paled. How could such a thing ever be thought of? It is madness, and it is sad.” Lady Tami said.
“A civil war is brewing, my actions are going to be one of many. The griffins will surely not lay down and die. Word will be spread and the Emperor will be replaced or his power reduced. He is indeed mad if he thinks he can rule such a vast expanse of humanity without the griffins to pass the word or goods. The Horde is moving south, and while they are allowing most trade to flow via the ground I believe it is a deceiving tactic. Let the Emperor feel comfortable being without the need of his griffins for trade. Then when the griffins are gone sack the caravans. When quotas start to fall and humans continue to fight each other, barriers will drop and cities will burn. It is a good strategy, seven hells it is a brilliant strategy. At least some of us see it for what it is.” I said as I looked down on Tami.
“What happens next?” Velia asked as she stood on my other side holding my arm.
“We hold the Count hostage until we finish what we came for. We let the city calm for today and hope for a peaceful night. Tomorrow we go kill some lava golems and get the catalysts we need to light our town. When that is done we leave without further bloodshed if able. Hopefully, more griffins are sent from Fernlan when the pride from here arrives there. We need the backup and to spread the word. Every roost within King Devon's realm needs to be evacuated. We can host them all for a while. We still have a lot of meat from the ogres, trolls, and goblins we killed. Then we find a way to take away the Emperor's power.
“But that is for another day. For today I would like to shop for some books with my lovely new wife. Maybe our captured host will be gracious enough to show us around this fine city. Do you have a few guards of your own you would like to bring that are loyal to you?” I said.
“Oh shopping, my favorite. I have one certain guard who would lay down his life for me if you know what I mean. He is weaponless and right over there. That handsome young man is named Carl. Carl come over here please.” Tami said loudly to the guard. He jogged over in his armor blushing madly at being called out by the Count's first wife. “Be a dear Carl, I am to escort our guests around the city and I require your protection. Promise me you will be on your best behavior as you always are and I will get you your weapon back.”
He made a pledge I found acceptable and I let him get a weapon. I did not want to bring a full party with us but at the same time, I needed some protection. I called out to Nate and had him assign Frank and Kyle to me. When we were grouped and ready to go I made introductions. Once everyone was acquainted with each other we left the manor for the cities business area.
We had made it a few homes away from the manor when Lady Tami looked over her shoulder for anyone following. When she saw it was clear, she spoke.
“You are going to kill my husband correct?” Tami asked.
“Why would he do that, the Count has surrendered and is no threat.” Carl blurted out.
“Oh you are so cute Carl, there is a war about to start. The less yes men the Emperor and his son have the better the odds are for the other side, which Earl Gryff is on. I did not ask you to judge you or for an actual answer because I know that. I ask for the follow-up question.” Tami said.
“Can you come with us after he is dead, and the answer is yes!? You and Carl would be most welcome in Fernlan. It is vastly improving and has good people.” Velia said with excitement trying to upsell our home.
I chuckled at how the conversation unfolded with me being spoken for.
“I agree with my wife, you both are more than welcome and if you have anyone you recommend for immigrating they are welcome also. We fight the Horde and treat griffins with respect, we ask you to do your part. It may take time to figure out where you can do the most good but I am okay with that. If it is not a good fit, we will help relocate you.” I said explaining the offer.
We had made it to the center of Malvia, where the road circled around a large fountain. The fountain had water that flowed down the sides while the top was a decoration of a twenty foot tall statue of a man. In the statue's hands was an eight foot long two handed club. The mallet end of one side of the club came to a point with the largest ruby I have ever seen that was molded into the tip. I noticed I had stopped walking to study the sculpture of the man with the weapon.
“That is the legendary hero Malv, the founder of this city that was once only a small outpost. He was one of those ultra rare heroes of history who had a purple aura. Come let me show you the inscription at the bottom of his feet above where the water falls out. He had this fountain created as he died of old age, the water mage he hired was able to keep the fountain going forever using some spell lost to the ages.” Tami said.
She walked us over to the inscription when Velia began to read it aloud.
“Here rests my mighty club Smasha. I slew ten thousand golems with this weapon of power. One day another will be worthy of taking it from my stone hands. Maybe that man is you, or maybe that woman is. No tricks allowed, only with brute strength do the spoils go to the victor. May it serve you as well as it has served me. Malv the Golem Slayer.” Velia ran a hand over the inscription with a finality.
I inspected the handle and it was only a little bit thicker and longer than my greataxe I had left in Fernlan. I could definitely hold the weight of the shaft, the clubhead worried me a bit. It was easily the size of my torso in thickness. The width was five feet from the tip side to the rounded backside. If I had to guess it probably weighed a thousand pounds. The question was how to get it. It was on top of a fountain being held firm by a stone statue.
“It is a trick, no one ever has removed it and no one ever will. Every year some drunk fool breaks his neck climbing up the fountain trying to pull it free. The amount of arrests we make when some thief gets the bright idea to try to pry that gem out of the club point is high too. Not to mention there is some protection spell against tools, do not try that, it gets very messy and very bad for the person using the tool. It is as if Malv wanted the residents of Malvia to be frustrated with temptation while he was long dead. I do find it... Hey, what are you doing?” Lady Tami said. She cried out the last line in surprise as I did a high jump.
I got myself onto the feet of the statue and used my grip on the clubs shaft to stabilize my balance. Luckily
I had lots of experience at heights with little to balance myself with. I placed both hands on the weapon and walked up his legs until the bottom of my feet rested comfortably against the statues hips. If I did pry this club free I was going to go flying. So there I was positioned horizontal at least fifteen feet above the ground when I hesitated.
“Umm... Lady Tami, I am always short a blasted healer. I am fairly certain I can get this club free, is there a reliable healer nearby we could fetch in case I get hurt?” I had to turn my head to look down to ask.
“No healer can heal a broken neck but anything less than that there is a master healer here visiting at the moment from Cern. A master Drifa I believe, is fleecing the local nobility of their coin to teach green magic to their children. If I summon him he will charge you even for no healing.” Tami said.
“Yes, can you get one of these fine citizens walking by to go fetch him? I will gladly give them a silver for their time. Velia, hand Tami a silver so we can hurry up and get Drifa here. The man owes me anyway, I overpaid for Jak. Guy is into widows more than combat. Nice enough man, I need a healer who will go into the wild lands with me though.” I said complaining. I was a little irked by the fact I was always short a healer. No way was I taking Bella into combat. Maybe Drifa came to Maliva with some journeymen to show off to potential clients how amazing his teaching skills were.
I was lost in thought again when someone from the crowd called out. “Hurry up and fall you, idiot.” Now that was not nice. Time to put on a show while I tried to get the club free without injury. I was bored and why the hell not.
I removed my feet off the statues hips, twirled my hips and wrapped my calves around the club handle. I played a beat in my head that got my body moving. My shirt was loose and became a hazard as I was upside down. So I undid my shirt and let it fall to the ground, Velia rolled her eyes and I winked at her. I got catcalls from a few of the ladies that passed by. I used my upper body strength to do a handstand. I hand walked up the stone arm until I was upside down on top of Malv's head. A few one handed pushups and then I did a half flip to land back down by the hands that held the club. I wanted to see if that would jar the club loose, but it had no effect.
Gryff The Griffin Rider Page 31