by Marcus Sloss
I was forced to slow down when I shouldered a thin pine. I spun but recovered to keep going.
“Sly above, I see you darting through the woods in the dark. Why the rush, the Horde have broken? Millions burn.” Sly said with glee.
“Emperor Igrad’s estate… Something not right… Light the way please and tell the other griffins to encircle the building.” I gasped for breath as I ran.
I cursed myself for my stupidity. My wives needed guards. Griffins and I couldn’t always protect them. Sly spurt little flames in front of me allowing me to increase my speed again. The ground tore beneath my feet as I poured aura into my legs. I had no idea how fast I was going but it was faster than the horse that hauled me to the troll fight before. Sly was diligent to keep my way well lit. Dozens of griffins joined her in illuminating my path and I added even more speed.
The thin underbrush ended and the thick hard to navigate growth erupted as I parted through it. There was no slowing until I felt the tingle of the barrier shimmy through me. I was on the outskirts of Bavie now and racing down the filthy road. Sly helped me find the estate and I stopped a block away to catch my breath.
Traz landed beside me. “The estate is surrounded by us griffins now. We cannot see the attackers or your wives. We can only hear the four bandits expressing their frustration. Our guess is, your wives are hidden somewhere. The rest of your team's spouses are bound and on the first floor. Two are watching them while two search for Princess Amber. They keep trying to bribe the prisoners downstairs with a partial reward for Amber. Salvoni is offering a hundred thousand gold coins for her head. Probably the exact amount he got from your crown he sold to Virtue.”
I let him explain as I scoured my soul. The contract was still intact. My aura was getting low though, so I would have to act fast. My panting had calmed to a steady loud breath. It would have to do.
“May the creator bless your sword friend!” Traz said and I thanked him.
It was time to move. I jogged to the estate perimeter and leaped the wall. I went to the backside of the four story building and gazed up. I knew which balcony was mine. I grabbed ahold of a pillar’s etch work and yanked myself higher. With a firm footing, I leaped to the second balcony. Then used that to grasp onto the third overhang. Up and over the railing I went as I reached the third story outcropping. My footsteps were silent as I moved into the room. The doors were busted open and the room was a scattered mess.
The bed had been hacked and feathers from the pillows were strewn everywhere. Every tapestry was off the walls and every dresser was knocked over. I heard a commotion a few rooms over and stealthily approached the noise. Torches flickered enough light to see and I decided speed was my friend more than silence. I walked a casual pace as if I were a fellow intruder coming to aid his friends.
“Stevon, I am telling you, there has to be a hidden passageway. These walls dividing the rooms are too thick. Check this section, while I scour this wall.” A gruff voice said.
“No names you idiot. Fine, I will look over here only because I agree and not because you are in charge. We are splitting the hundred thousand four ways.” A squeaky voice replied.
Pure amateurs, they verified there were only four villains to eradicate. Without the need to waste any time I entered the room. My footfalls fast yet quiet. I saw a well built man against the back wall and a bone thin short man to my right. I approached the bigger threat first. He was muttering in frustration when my sword entered his back and pierced his heart. I carried him to the ground and walked to his partner. The thin man never turned. Maybe he thought I was his buddy. Oh well. I swung my sword and removed his head.
These were the easy two. They were distracted and not paying attention. The next two had hostages and would be alert. I slipped out of the bedroom and worked my way along the edge of the wall. I wanted to keep out of the line of sight from where the foyer could observe.
“Give them up! I will not say it again.” An angry voice demanded.
I stole a quick peek over the second floor balcony. Fwar’s six wives and Mina were bound on the ground. A second villain held a dagger to the throat of one of Fwar’s wives. I never did learn their names and now I was in a situation where they were at risk. This was not a time for internal debate, but rather a moment of decisiveness.
I readied the crossbows by clutching them in my hands. A few steps back and my shoulders touched the wall behind me. I sprinted and leapt over the railing. The bandit with no hostage saw me and readied his sword. His counterpart did not. I let myself arc through the air and lined up my shot.
My finger squeeze the trigger gently until I heard a twang. The bolt launched into the side of my target’s head. The wife in his arms screamed in pain as the knife at her throat slid down her neck. It was gruesome but not fatal. I landed. The shock of the ground meeting my feet forced me to roll forward to carry my momentum.
I raised my eyes to the last target who was in a panic unsure if he should rush me or grab a hostage. I leveled my crossbow at him. “Not an inch… In any direction.” I commanded. I then turned to the panicked wives. “Get some pressure on her neck and take her outside. She will be healed by a griffin and her husband will fix her after. All of you outside!”
The women scampered and scuttled to obey me. The last man knew he was in an unwinnable situation. He slowly lowered his weapon and raised his hands in the air. The front door to the estate burst open and the women spilled out. I sensed my contract magic with Amber and no longer felt the pull of desperation.
Sure enough, three heads peaked over the third floor railing. A raven, a brunette, and a firey redhead gazed down at me with the last bad guy in my sights.
“Name?” I asked. I wanted information before I made a decision on what to do.
“Delroy sir, will… will… will… you spare me if I talk?” Delroy stuttered in fright. “There is a large man upstairs, his name is Franklin, sir. He hired me to help him. Something about a girl named Amber. I was told no one would get hurt and the Emperor wanted her. I was informed she was not safe here in this estate and paid a full silver to help.”
I scoffed. The stupid things people did for money. “Anything else you can tell me, anything at all? Hold nothing back.” I said as the girls made it down to the bottom foyer with me.
Delroy stole glances at my wives, then to me. Well, two wives and one servant. “I promise sir, that is all I know.” He kept his hands in the air as Addilyn approached me.
“By the gods, you stink husband… Is he always this gross after battle?” She said turning to Velia while pinching her nose. “Let me hold that weapon for you, Velia needs to fix your sagging trousers.”
I handed Addilyn the crossbow then looked down at my pants.
Twang!
The suddenness of the noise caused me to jolt in surprise. I saw Addilyn spit at Delroy, the man clutching at a bolt in his neck. When he pulled the projectile free, blood spurted across the ground. A few leg twitches later and it was over. The last of the bandits inside Igrad’s estate died. The place was an outright disaster of a mess. Every room had been tossed and there was blood all over.
A desperate scream erupted from outside and I raced to the door. The poor wife of Fwar was spasming on the ground. Traz was stepping back with guilt etched on his face.
“I had to Gryff, she was dying. Go hold her, no one else can restrain her but you.”
I raced down the stairs and slid beside the woman fighting the torment I knew too well. I used my thighs to constrain her legs and arms to lock her upper body. She screamed and then screamed some more. My ears rang from her cries against the pain. Addilyn tried to comfort her until I told her to give us space.
It seemed like hours later but eventually, Fwar himself showed up and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Rest sweet Vivi… Let sleep take you.”
At least that is what I thought I heard. My ears felt as if someone had poured water down them. My team tiredly strolled up to the estate and I untwined myself from Fwar
’s wife. When I had a chance to gaze at her face I noticed it was Addilyn’s sister. I would have saved her regardless, but I was certain my wives would feel proud of me for helping a family member.
Nate approached as the team circled around. Donnie raced to Mina and the two clasped in a hug. Tammy went inside the estate and promptly returned.
“How is it?” Nate asked.
“A disaster, blood everywhere. Well, the estate is, our people made it out fine. I haven’t had a chance to check with the girls but my guess is they hid in a secret room or passageway. The first two goons I killed were hunting for a trigger to get in.” I said and waved my wives, as well as Amber over. “Why don’t you girls fill us in on what happened?”
Princess Amber spoke first. “I used to come here with dad in the summers. We loved the cool water and fishing. We would take a stick with a line and… and… it was simpler times. Anyway, it was my mom who showed me. Not my birth mother but the one who connected to me the closest. She always was nervous about us girls. She had been kidnapped once herself. So we were always instructed on the secret ins and outs of our estates. The paranoid woman was smart… When we heard the commotion downstairs I raced two rooms over and inside what used to be a kids' playroom. I was able to trigger the floor releases and get us hidden in time. When we exited we saw the dead bodies. I was so scared. I never want to be a prisoner again.” Amber said and Addilyn balled her into a hug.
“They were desperate and unorganized. Still a threat, there is only one option, we need to remove Emperor Salvoni.” I mentioned. The sack of yesterdays and this morning’s fighting was laid at my feet by Markus. Victor dumped my chain pants while Lazra deposited my chest armor with shield. This reminded me I was dead on my feet. “Anyone know where a private bathhouse and inn is? We are staying elsewhere tonight. Let Duke Jarv get the place cleaned up while we rest. If we hurry we can beat all the ships coming in and unloading sweaty soot covered sailors.”
This got laughter from the group as Tammy led us to a private bathing establishment. It was not cheap to rent the whole place at five silver but I gladly did. The entire team scrubbed, rinsed, and cleaned themselves as well as our gear. My wives, including Amber, helped with the group’s gear. Velia had the foresight to race back for a clean change of clothes for me. Most of the troops went back into wet armor. I would rather haul wet armor than walk in it. The last thing cleaned were the sacks themselves that carried all the bloody parts. The parts were placed back into the bags and then Janice chanted a spell freezing them. We would have to do a full tally later. For now, we were clean and fresh. Out loot of body parts and a few coin purses with gems, were cleaned and frozen.
The twenty of us trudged tiredly to the nearest inn, that for ten silver included the full day today since it was early morning still and tomorrow night. Three meals, water, and a token to the bathhouse were included. I sighed at this but realized we paid the five because the bathwater would have to be drained from our gore covered mess.
I tipped the old lady working the counter as she handed out keys. A few people had to double up since there were only six to go around. Addilyn snatched our golden key to the nobles' suite and raced up the stairs. The dire mood gone. Her sister was okay and hauled over Fwar’s shoulder. The bad guys had been dealt with, and her husband had come home safely. The woman was very happy and we hardly kept up. Her spirit did rub off on us as we entered the penthouse.
The balcony included a view of the bay. Right as the morning sun was cresting the horizon I was able to make out the Penelope rowing into port. I was sure those men and women were just as tired as we were. I for one was exhausted. Velia went over and closed the balcony doors and pulled the blinds closed. I set my armor by an empty fire pit, wishing I had some lava balls with me to warm up the room. I stripped naked and remember I did have some sexy wives to warm my bed. Amber sat on the bed gazing awkwardly at my exposed body. Addilyn stripped naked and dragged me to the single bed.
“Amber, my husband lusts after battle. For some men, they retreat and hide to avoid sex. He thrives on it. I would like for you to see how we love and cherish him. If it is too much, you can leave.” Addilyn said to Amber.
“I can see he is very excited. May I touch it?” Her green eyes focused intently on my hardening cock.
Velia stripped naked behind me revealing her firm breasts and curving hips. Addilyn was next and shifted from dressed to nude. Her tight breasts and toned ass on perfect display. I was offered up to the mighty Princess Amber by my wives. It was a tad awkward, but my little soldier had a mind of his own.
I swayed my hips and pumped some pressure to lift my penis. She giggled in delight and then reached for it. Her hand grasped my cock firmly and she pulled tenderly.
“Amber, we are going down a path that shifts from desire… to lust and love. Is this what you want?” I said to her. She looked up at me with her green eyes and nodded. “I need more than a nod my lovely Amber.”
She left the edge of the bed to remove her clothes. Her one piece dress revealed a tight strap bra and long boy shorts. Amber reached down to yank her shorts off to reveal a fire red bush. When she studied the area around and above Velia and Addilyn’s vulvas, she grew confused. They had recently shaved their vaginas clean.
“Am I supposed to shave this?” Amber said timidly.
Velia never the shy one rotated behind Amber and kissed her neck. The soft lush lips traced down to her shoulder. Velia undid the knot in the back that tightly held her bust in. When it fell down her large round tits bounced with freedom. All three of us were impressed, and Amber blushed. That is until Addilyn licked, then sucked on a nipple, while Velia resumed her tease. I felt Amber reach back for my cock and that was the last we spoke. I never expected us to entwine the way we did, but it was natural. The focus was on Amber. She was being spoiled and she loudly let us know how much she loved it. When I mentioned I was close to finishing she said not inside until we were married. Both Addilyn and Velia shifted to place a pillow under their asses and spread wide. Velia pouted when I chose Addilyn. I plunged myself in shuddered on top of her. When I finished a second pillow was placed under Addilyn. Velia mentioned it was to help the seed reach the eggs. I was then sucked clean by Velia who had her ass rubbed by Amber as she performed her task. This was one heck of a morning. I never expected both Addilyn and Amber to be into the females' touch, but it was clear they enjoyed it. With the sex over. I handed out waters to the ladies from the end table and greedily gulped mine down.
When Addilyn returned the pillows to the head of the bed I jumped into the middle with a flop. Amber nested in my right crook and Velia spooned Addilyn on my left. A soft humming escaped Amber and I drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER 7
I slept until midday feeling refreshed. I opted to not oversleep, knowing I wanted to stay on a day awake, night asleep cycle. The ladies were already gone when I shifted out of the bed. My armor, weapons, and bag were gone too. I dressed in my casual clothes and walked down the creaky wooden stairs. The barroom was mostly empty with a few guests dining an early meal. Nate and Fwar sat over mugs of ale.
A stool was open beside Fwar so I climbed into the seat.
“Greetings Gryff,” Fwar said tilting his ale in a salute. “The wives are very thankful for the rescue. My poor Petal woke a few hours later, tearing at her skin. I healed her back to sleep. That griffin magic leaves a nasty sting. Never imagined it would be so… intense.”
“You have no idea…” I said as I shook my head in remembrance of my torment. “Any update Nate?”
“Actually yes, the ships returned with minor damage. A warped cannon exploded, killing three. Besides that, it was a resounding victory. I got a tour of the battlefield only thirty minutes ago myself. King Horus never slept. He said when you joined the living, to get a view of the damage yourself, then go see him at Duke Jarv’s estate. Here take this, I will get another.”
Nate handed me the drought he was sipping and I gladly accepted. I gulped
a decent swig and walked out of the inn. Now, this was a quality brew. I savored the flavor as I walked my way to Igrad’s estate. I got lost and asked for a griffin escort. That was the neatest trick ever.
“Afternoon. Soon to be evening Gryff, I will land here. I have your wives already on my back.” Dina said and dispersed the crowd in front of me. The ground gave a slight shake as her weight settled. I one handed climbed up the saddle until Addilyn grabbed my mug and offered a hand while she kneeled over the side.
“That position suits you, my love.” I teased as I twisted sideways to inch past her kneeling. My crotched neared her face and when I passed to take my seat, she swatted my ass. A loud smack echoed.
“I think I get it now. Ladies rule!” Addilyn said as Velia giggled and Amber raised a questioning eyebrow. “The women of Fernlan welcomed Gryff into the fold when he suddenly arrived on Vin. He was a lost soul, determined to right some wrongs in the tiny village. Through persistence and luck, the people went from starvation to prosperous. Gryff is a hero Amber, many don’t know it or admit it. The women of Fernlan do. They play a smack ass game with him. It is a slap the butt and shout ladies rule. Let’s be honest of course women rule. We outnumber men five to one. Oh speaking of Fernlan… Velia hand him the note.”
“Wait, no loose items in my saddle. You know better Gryff. Toss the mug to the ground.” I grabbed my mug from Addilyn, gulped down most of what was left and dropped it to hit the street.
I settled into the last open seat. There were two up front and two in the back. I was on Dina’s top right slot. Velia handed me a few sheets of paper. The first was a list of finances handled by Elan. I read over the report and handed it to Addilyn.
“Thoughts on this,” I asked her as I read over the next letter. I paused realizing both the note from Bella, and Addilyn’s thoughts would need undivided attention.
“Basic and on point. You grossed a lot of revenue recently. Did you read the notes? Elan dug into the silver tipped spears. They are a bane ice cats. They can be killed without silver, it helps though. Enough for the Horde to waste so much of it on the weapons. He melted ten down and is having them smelted into pure coins. A pike is making around fifty and there were roughly two thousand pikes in that wagon if not more. Not on this list is the frozen sack from this morning and yesterday. My father will want to discuss that later among other things. All in all, it is a fantastic report. It is a good time to be Gryff or one of his wives. We are flush with coin, development is progressing, and the food stores are raising.” Addilyn said and lovingly ran a hand through my hair.