Gryff the Griffin Rider 2

by Marcus Sloss

  Ten connected boards later and Donnie showed up. The young man was in a chipper and joyful mood. He had married his girlfriend Mina. Though young, it was Vin, and I respected their wishes. Even his mother Micka had attended the simple ceremony. Donnie and Mina shared a small home in Dais and I always saw the two of them smiling. Bella told me between vomiting yesterday morning that Mina had similar symptoms and she was almost certain we would both be dads around the same time. A scary thought from where I came from, completely normal here.

  “Afternoon Donnie, find two boards of equal length and width and then score them good. Add lots of holes. Apply some mushroom spores between them, not too much, these will take off nicely if the setup goes well. When you’re done, grab some nails out of this jar and hammer them together.” I instructed as I held up the jar of nails and showed him the pile of completed work. He studied my results and went over to the pile to start working while we talked. “I am only doing two nails per pairing. Should get enough done for the mages tomorrow to give them half a day of work. Did anything important happen or arrive in Fernlan during my absence?”

  “Your healer arrived. Caused a mighty fuss with the ladies. He is a charming, handsome, and a brash son of a noble. Duke Alkin of Swiftstone is his father.” Donnie said as he placed two similar boards side by side to kneel on. He worked his dagger while talking. “There are a few titles he can use but he goes by Earl Fwar. Brought his six wives. Bella was muttering a storm to Mina about you being outdone. Those princesses calmed her right down though. Mina was supportive and later told me to not get ideas. As if I was guilty by association. She is so moody lately, I think her moon flow is due soon, or it could be the cold she has. Always vomiting in the mornings…”

  I laughed and couldn’t help it. The absurdity of it all struck me and I slammed my dagger into the board to grab my belly in laughter. “We are both doomed, my friend. You and I, doomed. When we get home you need to ask Mina why she is vomiting and late on her moon flow. Don’t let her find out you learned it from me. Doomed I tell you… Be grateful you only have the one to knock out babies. May all the gods protect me if I have two within months. Bella has been saying if I refuse to marry more ladies, I need to have more children at least. That lady and babies. Different worlds for certain.”

  Donnie hammered his boards in silence then slammed his thumb, missing the nail. There were many curses and angry words. Then he dropped the hammer and spun to stare at me. His jaw dropped and he connected the dots. Sure, it was slower than I expected, Donnie was a sharp young man, and yet most men were prone to selective hearing. The look on his face meant it had sunk in. He gulped, muttered a curse, and then went back to work.

  Two hours of toiled progress passed and we had forty to fifty paired mushroom planks ready to go. We left them there and went to check on Zack. I was out of spores, so I pulled out my to buy list and made a note. All my life I had never used a backpack, now I will never go without one again. I went to the original outer wall section where I was shown a foot and a half tall wall earlier. Now a three foot clay wall stood a little over my knee. I went to the surface and rubbed it to find it as hard as stone. My mind contemplated how long this wall would last. The only way to know was to ask. The buildings inside Dais were said to last forever assuming they stayed dry, but this was exposed to the elements. So were the roosts but I was no earth mage. I would have to ask Zack or Patti.

  It was Patti who found us. She was completing the circle in a chant. A goblin heart in her right hand, while her left fingers aimed at the small wall. A brown magic crackled from the heart to her hand, to the wall. It was mesmerizing to witness. She called upon the earth to bend to her will and raise to her demands. Donnie and I stepped back so she could finish without worry of running into us. The wall completed and her eyes focused. When she saw me, she smiled. Patti was always a motherly type, friendly but stern. She appreciated my no nonsense nobility style. I appreciated her work ethic.

  “Ah Gryff, wall is done, I am heading back to Dais now for a few days off. Fae will be here tomorrow to build out your rodent nests and mushroom caves.” Patti said as she dusted off her hands. The goblin heart had shriveled then dematerialized as the spell consumed it. “You sure are an odd one. Never thought I would ever work for a rat farmer… The times though.”

  “Actually, we may join you and head back to Fernlan. I got some good work done here today. The only other thing I can think of is clearing these fields of die off vegetation and wild brush. Rats may do it for us though. If not I can do it in the spring when we decide what to plant.” Two griffins soared overhead with rat sacks under their bellies. “I wonder how full the cities are with rodents. Boggles my mind trying to rationalize how quickly my silver orders got filled. At least a hundred silver already, so five thousand rats here. Another hundred and the orders are done. Not bad for two gold coins. I know for rats… Still, if they can fatten runtlets or griffins then awesome. There were already requests to increase my orders at a discounted rate. Simply put, there were extra rats being caught and catchers being told there was no more demand. I might take them up on it and do two hundred rats a silver. Somehow I know the numbers in the cities will recover just fine... Hey, I have been meaning to ask, how long will this wall last with the rain?”

  “Good question. If we use more heart and more aura, we can condense the clay to add in harder properties. This wall, probably a hundred years, the goblin heart and my earth magic is powerful. These large structures and Zenith, a few hundred. A simple renewal spell will firm everything up for a much lower cost since the materials are already in place.”

  We walked to the roost building as we talked. I did not know the two arriving griffins who asked if we wanted rides back to the capital Zenith. I accepted and walked up the ramp to the landing platform on the second floor. Donnie and Pattie climbed on a red tipped male named Gaius, while I mounted a violet tipped female named Isris. They were friendly and chatty with me. We talked about minor things such as trade and general life. It was a reoccurring theme in all the griffin chats I had recently. Morale was at an all time high. A capital of their own was established, with a monolith designed of their own making. Many couples who were abstaining from attempting to rear cubs due to the downturn from the peace accords were back at it. Leaving me with the task of worrying about food again. I always worried about where the food was. Seven hells, I could change my strategy now though. I had a combat healer, no meetings, and three villages to stir some trouble out of. It looked like combat was back on the menu.

  The last section of flight home I prepared myself for the hectic arrival I was certain would happen. I was right to be concerned because it was Lord Nova who sent me a message first.

  “Are you ready to head to the Venisis Sea yet Gryff? I can take you if you are prepared. King Aves is in an endless meeting but I know he grows weary of planning. Your delay means our delays,” Lord Nova said from up high in his elite room on Zenith.

  “A few days at least. I want to be prepared. These days of meetings have let it sink into me to be more prepared. I understand how important the catalysts for water magic are to you griffins and promise I will diligently ensure we have all that we need ready for the journey.” I said while Isris hovered me in front of Lord Nova’s penthouse roost. It seemed she knew talking face to face with the mighty griffin was the right thing to do. “I need to talk with Nate, get a full team ready, and find proper clothing… Actually, there is a lot I need to do. Enjoy your rest for now, and know I am working on food before I leave. I would hate to be on a boat halfway to the icy tundra and have to turn around because my house was not in order.”

  “Very well… I grow tired of this resting. Those three little terrors have decided my feathers are trophies. I am missing like six. Stop… It is not funny.” Nova said this as Lirkon came in flying with Zack on his back. The blue tipped griffin displayed dozens of patch spots where feathers had been removed. None higher than a few feet. I noticed Nova gulp before continuing. “
Thank all the creator I am so high and they cannot fly. I will be here waiting and will venture out in this overcast to try to find some easy targets. That large war band of orcs is still on patrol but more and more disperse for other battles.”

  The little giggling of three baby griffins interrupted his talk. We both looked down the ramp at the noise to see Lance, Pearl, and Sunny attempting to be stealthy. Lord Nova had enough and shot out of his roost and all I heard was Streb then scouting. It sounded good to me. I thirsted for combat again.

  Isris glided down to a landing pad where Bella was leading a half dozen women on a tour. Her three friends with her diligently explaining the place to the new ladies. Calia, an original to Fernlan was in charge of our crop production and swamped with work. I saw Pipi and Velia helping her sorting some of the harvest brought in from the fields. I leapt off Isris after a quick thank you, gave a wave to Bella as well as new ladies, and then went to work helping stack food and supplies.

  The chill of the midday breeze brought home it was going to be cool very soon. Between stacking the heavy barrels and sacks, I got a cheek kiss from Pipi and Velia.

  “Ladies I can lift these no problem. I am craving a nice warm stew, I would appreciate it if you three would be so kind as to prepare one for me please.” I said between heaves, stacking the barrels of wine.

  “We got a good grape and neutba harvest this year my lord. It will make for a good wine winter. A lady needs something besides her husband to keep her warm!” Velia said as she smacked my ass lightly. I was expecting a ladies rule from Pipi but she smirked.

  “Ladies rule,” Calia said and the three giggled.

  “Come Pipi, you too Calia. The Earl has spoken. We shall retreat to the warm kitchens while he stacks our newest supplies.” Velia ordered and departed. I watched my wives' fine curves as they left. The last three weeks had all the Fernlan residents returning to normal weights. Velia was very proud her bust was returning. While Pipi complained of back pain and asked for money for specialty bra wraps, which I approved.

  I had signed myself up for another long work session but it would provide little excuse to disturb me. At least that was what I told myself and quickly found out how wrong I was.

  “Is there no servants to assist?” An unknown scruffy voice said.

  I hefted the next wine cask up to stack on top of a third barrel. It was heavy and I felt my aura drain slightly. That was something I had been able to focus on. Every morning I trained with trainer Baldwic. I had been hesitant to let myself be scolded and remolded. Seeing Una die gave me the strength to endure the training the man had to offer. One of the many things I was learning was how to summon my aura to increase my abilities. The cask wobbled until I seated it firmly.

  “I am Earl Gryff… greetings, unknown voice asking questions most here would not bother with. They know my work ethic is that of a servant.” I said and turned to face an energetic short man with his hands on his hips. This must be Earl Fwar. He was short and stocky, almost like a dwarf. A long beard certainly did not help dissuade me of his affinity to be labeled as a creature of legend. He had a twirled mustache, brown hair, brown eyes, and wore a fancy robe with green embroidery. There was a large smile over his face at seeing me, the man had a charismatic charm. Not from good looks, but in a gentle, and friendly way. “Welcome to Fernlan Earl Fwar. I have long awaited a fated combat healer.”

  “Well, they did not lie when they said you were a tall one. And the way you lifted that wine keg that high up, you didn’t even struggle. Rumors must be true, we are indeed graced by the gods with another purple champion.” Fwar shoved his hand out and we clasped. His face went from smiles to a focused determination. He squeezed with everything he had and I stopped myself from hurting him. “Come on now, I am a healer. Show me what you… Oh! SEVEN HELLS! YOU BROKE MY HAND!”

  I did indeed crush his hand. The little man danced around in agony until Bella rushed over and healed him. The wives had watched our exchange in dismay. Fwar’s wives shot angry glares at me but he calmed them.

  “By the gods! Gryff I am so excited to battle with you. We will crush our foes and adorn our halls with trophies. Our grandchildren will sing of our glories when we are but a memory. You indeed are the hero we need. I got blood on my robe.” Fwar’s hand was fixed. I had shattered it so thoroughly his bones had pierced the skin and stained his robe. He tried to brush the red mess off and only spread it more. A wife finally raced over with a cloth and led him to Dais. “Tomorrow morning, we train, and then hopefully find something to kill. Nice to meet you, Earl!”

  The man was ecstatic, chatting quickly to his wives. They beamed at his happiness as they worked their way to the tunnel entrance. With their departure, I went back to work stacking our provisions for the winter.

  Bella came to my side and clasped me in a hug. She pulled in tight and I paused. I wrapped her up in a hug and she melted into me.

  “I check with Jak every morning. The baby is fine, I am fine, and I still fret endlessly. Next rain day, can we snuggle in bed and you read me a story. I would love that…” Bella said as she locked her blue eyes to mine. I brushed her hair back, tilted her chin up, and planted a soft kiss on her lips. She wanted more but I pulled away. “We will continue this later husband, it is my night after all. The princesses ask me endlessly when you will bring them into your home. Do you have an answer yet?”

  “Next rain day I will do you one better. I will tell you a story of my home, of space ships and fancy balls. I promise it will be warm, cozy, and interrupted by many kisses. Bella, I am not from Vin, and I really am content with my wives. Bear my children, warm my bed, and run my house. Do not let other women dictate how your life should be, be happy with how your life is.”

  Bella turned her head sideways and crushed herself to me. I felt her boobs squishing into my stomach and enjoyed the moment.

  “Hurry up my lord. Dinner soon, I look forward to spending our evening together. Thank you for being you.” Bella said and I got another tender kiss, this time in goodbye.

  I stacked, hauled, and tossed supplies inside the building we had set up beside the landing pad for the griffins. After hours of hard back breaking labor, I dusted my hands off and headed to the Inn. I found a random open seat filled with workers, villagers, and family. I was another hungry mouth greedily eating a delicious soup. I ate four helpings and I had to loosen my belt a notch.

  A goodbye was said and I retired to my underground bedroom. Bella was at the table here approving paperwork while snacking on some carrots. I tried to slide by her when she rushed to me. We spun our way to our bed while locking lips. Clothes flew and I swelled with desire. The night lasted a few rounds… and it was amazing. We were still two love birds regardless of the tension at times. Bella was my sweetie and I loved her for exactly who she was. When I started to drift off, she peeled herself back to the table to complete her work. I fell asleep shortly after.

  CHAPTER 2

  I awoke early in the morning and slid out of the bed. Our room was illuminated by the soft light of a golem torch, one of the one sixteenth versions. I rummaged through a trunk at the side of the wall and grabbed myself a workout outfit. With fresh clothes on, I sat on the chest to lace up my boots. I was ready for my exercise and I left our room. I glanced back to see Bella sleeping softly in our large bed and waved by to her. I knew she never saw, but it was a habit of mine.

  My running partner for the last three days was waiting for me by the bulletin board. Princess Addilyn was combing over the lists posted. I saw her peel a few off to read over and set them back. The woman was a gifted manager, Bella mentioned it non stop. I think of the three daughters this was the one she wanted to add to our family the most. While I saw an appeal to the women and could utilize her skills, I was not wanting a fourth wife.

  Addilyn noticed my approach, she was the only woman I knew who liked to run early in the morning. It was not something she was doing to impress me, more of a continuation of her exercise from Tent Cross
ing to Fernlan. We exited the Inn together and a light jog commenced.

  “Good morning my lord,” Addilyn said she gave her hips an extra bounce ahead of me. Her tight runner shorts did wonders for her booty.

  “Good morning my lady… It looks like rain today. Uh… What is that smell?”

  “Indeed a stink, fertilizer I believe. Poor girls tending the fields spent all night spreading it. When I was looking over the board this morning I noticed the inventory sheets were off. I was hoping to do a full count of items in stock, but will probably wait for the snows before I pull things out. How many laps today?” She asked as we finished the ramp and entered Dais. “I was wanting to shoot the bow while you trained today if my lord would permit it.”

  There she goes again. I liked Princess Addilyn. She was short, fit, dashing, and easy to get along with. Her black hair and brown eyes worked with her soft features. I also liked I could bounce coins off her ass. Her tits were a handful like Velia, and she filled out nicely in a dress. Addilyn was a widow of the war, as were two of my wives. Her husband had died valiantly without having a chance at a child. It was explained as a rushed marriage to affirm their love before he went off to war. The anti widow thing on Vin was silly to put it nicely. Who cared if a woman was not a virgin on your wedding night? Apparently, a lot of important men, which was what brought Addilyn to stay in hopes of joining our family.

  As we trotted she tried to stay ahead of me to give me a view but I rarely let her outpace me. This lady would have been a trophy wife back on Swan. Here, she was on par with Pipi in prettiness, but far less curvy and more toned. For the family, she would be a fantastic addition. She knew it, Bella knew it, I knew, yet I still fought it.