by Marcus Sloss
“Very wise, it will help tremendously. The easiest way to brighten a scorned man’s day is with gold.” Amber said and Addilyn nodded.
There was a knock at our room door and Velia let in Tammy and Lazra.
“Come, come. Nate is in charge while I am gone. Do not go south. You are to find nests of goblins to the east. We flew over dozens loaded with easy kills. Addilyn is staying while I fly north. Protect her while I go to the equator. In a few days, the team will be heading north for a side mission that has priority now. Leave the winter gear in this estate and when you get word to fly to Fernlan. I want this place staged for our eventual return. Oh… In closed doors I am still Gryff and always will be to my team, but…”
Amber interrupted. “I married your Lord Gryff. With my father’s detainment and my marriage that elevates us to Emperor and Empress. Things will mostly stay the same for now. There will be shifts and you may even find yourselves targets since you are so close to Gryff. It is important you realize how much your status has increased as well as the threats you face in the political realm.”
Lazra nodded and Tammy interjected. “He mentioned this might happen. Gryff knighted women, so I always expect pressure to be on him for that alone. What is it you need from us besides goblin hunting?”
“Work with the griffins. They are going to erect a wooden map at the eastern exit point of Bavie. Find a suitable replacement for me or go without. For now, earn us some gold. Don’t venture too far so I can bring you north… Actually, leave tomorrow night. All of you fly for Fernlan with Addilyn too. When we are done in the north we will return and then will head to the Vartin Tundra.” I said and dismissed them. When they exited the room I slung my bag onto my back and checked myself.
I was in full armor with my full assortment of weapons. I was ready to go. “Leave most of the items we brought here. We can get more clothing later or use it here for summers. Velia and Amber we are heading to Fernlan. Let us go while Addilyn deals with her father. Good luck my love.”
Sweet kisses were exchanged and we walked down the stairs. Outside the estate, we split ways and I saw there were three griffins hovering over Addilyn as she left to talk with her father. They heard our conversation because… griffin hearing was amazing and they were always listening. The griffins would be her armed guards for now. Dina and Traz flew over us as we worked our way to the roost. Inside the walled area, I saw Mina waiting by handlers.
“Everything okay Mina?” I asked.
“Donnie wants me safe in Fernlan. I should have stayed and helped Lady Bella. I feel awful, everything about this trip went wrong for me.”
“I will fly with her and ensure she has an ear to vent to,” Velia said and ushered the young woman up Traz’s Saddle. I let Amber climb up Dina’s harness and did not harass her ass. I wanted too, but I also knew she would take more damage than I did if she fell.
“Like the view husband,” Amber said blowing her red hair out of the way as she gazed down at me over her shoulder. I had become lost in her booty in tight riding pants. “Hurry up, Velia said we got a long flight. With Mina being pregnant we will probably have to stop a few times.”
Awe… I had forgotten all about that. We belted into the saddle and Amber leaned into me. Dina rocketed off the ground and we were airborne. The sun was starting to set and that unique multicolored fall glow was on full display. The trees shifting color on the leaves added to the vibrant view. I turned my focus to over my shoulder and Velia waved when I saw her talking with Mina.
The flight was peaceful as the sunset and then darkness prevailed. The clouds of last night were gone and the stars twinkled in the skyline. The moon illuminated our flight giving the shifting ground a tiny glow. I decided to make the most of the time and talk with Amber.
I learned she grew up with a lot of moms. When I thought King Horus had an excess of eleven wives I was in for a shock when I learned how many her father had. Emperor Igrad was a new dynasty. He replaced the feeble Emperor Wong. As she told me this she was surprised I did not know it. So I received the full history lesson. At the time Emperor Wong was the first Emperor to unite the three continents and the dozens of kings, under one banner. There really was no reason for a central leader, but it had been the aspiration of countless rulers.
When Wong unified the people and peace prevailed a shock developed. From kings down to poor villagers, the populace was used to war. When Emperor Wong’s eldest son demanded a campaign against a King Loron for a late tax payment, a conflict occurred. The two killed each other in a heated argument. Wong made a few mistakes. The first was, even though Wong was a gifted General – he never solidified his rule with countless wives. He had one wife and one son. That was it. So when they died. A vacuum of power was created. The world of Vin was on the precipice of open warfare between Kings again when King Igrad came to a solution.
The council of Kings was established. If an Emperor was found unworthy to continue to rule then the assembly of Kings could remove the sitting Emperor with two thirds votes. Amber said it was tough and tricky, but eventually, her father won the confidence of enough Kings to be the first Emperor of this new system. A lot of his dealings were marriage agreements. Forty of them. Not all his wives were daughters of Kings, some were the offsprings of Dukes. I remembered seeing a portrait of the Emperor around forty women in the estate. I thought it was an exaggerated art piece. Nope, the crazy man had forty wives. I could only fathom the chaos of his palace.
When he was crowned again the population was restless. This time though they had a common foe to war against. The Bandit King Yarsiv, who was stealing trade and pirating ships. It took months to mobilize against the elusive bandit. It was the perfect distraction though to keep the Empire stable, growing, and occupied. The common foe held the Empire together in those early years.
Amber was his second born child. Her elder brother was abusive and a terror. When he turned eight his younger siblings, which were numerous, hated the boy. Amber said everyone tolerated his reign of evil until he beat a three year old brother of hers to death with a torch. There were mutterings and talks of punishment, but her father was not willing to punish his firstborn – for a fight that merely got out of control. She knew the whole situation pained him but that was the crown prince. Well, a few months later a younger sister was strangled over asking too many questions. Emperor Igrad understood this problem was not going away. He convened a trial for the very next day that the crown prince never made it to. That night Amber’s brother fell off his third floor balcony headfirst. There was endless speculation as to the how or the who. The reality was, the entire family sighed in relief at his disposal, for that is what it was.
This made Amber the most sought after hand in marriage instantly. She was run through classes on how to manage estates, balance budget, maintain a house, and even instructed on how to please a man. The last one was verbal lessons only and it made Amber blush in recollection. She reminded me this was her life from seven until fourteen. The daily rotation of instructions never stopped. As the Empire soared in might, she was brought across the lands for young princes to try to woo. It was all extravagant and elaborate.
The fated night the portal spawned, she recalled the palace erupting in commotion. Banners were assembled and armies mustered. The generals sent forth to close the portal with earth mages in their ranks never returned. When more armies were assembled and marched to defeat the enemy, the Emperor became very concerned. They never returned either. Within a year the defeat of the Empire was inevitable. He sent their family away on a quest to find a new land and then parlayed the deal. That was her story.
I listened intently as we flew across the trees, open rolling hills, and the occasional farm. When she finished her story. I told her of my tragic childhood. How I never recalled what my dad looked like. That my mother just vanished one day and I was informed she died. I never even got to see her body, the funeral was a closed casket event. I was an orphan from that day forward but I never gave up. I wa
s determined. Then the ridiculous stupid ouster of me from my Olympic dreams. She asked a few questions… not understanding the culture of the humanity I left behind. Even as I explained it a few times, she still did not get it, and in the end, I agreed it was silly. Then she got to learn of Madam Mastermind. This she could rationalize. A powerful computer sentient vs limitless Horde armies and instant portal travel. She got that, me being rude and someone else hanging themselves was beyond her though. I then told her of all my battles. Amber was interested and attentive. She did mention I risked a lot for strangers. I made sure she understood it was the way I operated. I was doubtful to change. I was not the leader that constantly attended meetings like King Horus did. I told her of Pipi and Bella.
It was a back and forth fantastic conversation until we reached Lakeland. When the griffins landed all three girls rushed for the outhouses in the roost. I was not going to dismount when I locked eyes with a glaring angry Lady Rain.
Shit… Not good.
I left Dina’s back and approached her. “You killed Una, how could you? I miss her so much!” Lady Rain shouted at me. That was only the beginning. She launched into a tirade that I endured. When she beat my chest ineffectively with the bottoms of her closed fists, I never stopped her. Duke Riza had flown home ahead of us with King Aves. The manor was within earshot of the roost and he ran to his irate wife in his pajamas. A few wives trailed behind him.
It took them minutes to calm her down, and I stayed silent. There was little I could do to help. The Duke offered us a room for the rest of the night and I accepted. I wanted to finish the trip in the morning. Lady Ona escorted us to adjoining rooms. Mina got her own and I shared mine with my wives.
As we settled into the bed Velia spoke.
“Amber, are you going to want a child right away? Addilyn and I are trying. Bella is pregnant and Pipi is waiting. I ask because I desperately want to give Gryff a son or daughter. If you do not want his seed I will take it when you couple.” Velia said. She pried the covers back and revealed my erection. I couldn’t help it when they both got naked, I pitched a tent. “He is ready.”
I most certainly was.
Amber snuggled into me while tracing my erection with Velia. “I believe I will join my wives in trying to conceive,” she said.
I was tired yet aroused. It was not a long endeavor. It was incredibly pleasurable as Amber was tight and loved to ride me with her large tits burying my face. I finished in Amber quickly from her thrusts and Velia’s kissing. It was well into the night from our late arrival and I was exhausted from lack of sleep recently. I fell into a slumber with a wife tucked into each arm.
CHAPTER 8
We rose from bed well rested and left Lakeland early the next morning after the sunrise. We politely gave our thanks to Lady Ona and avoided Lady Rain. The flight to Streb passed by fast and I was surprised to see the changes. The fields had been cleared and tilled. The rye seed planted without growth yet. I did notice only one male yakin and the twelve females. The two remaining large wagons had been converted into stables with ramps to let the yakins get under the cover. The wagon with the broken cover was sent away back to the Horde. Runtlets chased rats while workers planted additional seed. The wolves had vacated and the eight foot tall wall had been rebuilt again to cover where the two traded wagons had exited. All in all, it was looking like great progress had been made. I asked the resting griffins if any earth mages were in the village and when I was told no, we continued our flight to Fernlan without landing.
I was in for a surprise when only ten minutes later were slithered through the barrier of Fernlan. I could barely see Zenith on the horizon. This was far bigger than Lakeland, Malvia, and Bavie’s barriers extended. Maybe this was how big Deltan’s protection was. Which reminded me I needed to talk to King Aves about burning Salvoni inside his entrenched palace.
“Dina in and out of the barrier, please. I want to see our new borders.” I said to Dina. Traz and her both agreed it was wise to learn the limits in the air, instead of walking on the ground.
The first epic result was the river. A large portion of the river was now firmly inside a protected space. I could fish, irrigate, and not worry about our water supply becoming clogged or dammed again. This was huge. The western fields could be extended. The northern field and pastures for livestock too. It was crazy how much more land my deal had netted. Assuming I could finish off my end of the bargain to maintain these gains.
I was contemplating how soon I should leave for the north when I spotted Virtue wearing the white, behind him a hundred shaman waited. He was banging on the outside of the barrier and across from him, King Aves watch with hungry eyes. It was funny to see the fifty foot long griffin King towering over the tiny shaman. Still, Virtue pounded away on the barrier. This piqued my curiosity. I had Dina land us not far away. I then ordered both griffins to land the wives and Mina back by Zenith while I talked with Virtue and King Aves.
“Morning human Emperor Gryff, this insect has been demanding your attention for an hour now. Apparently, he learned you left Bavie in the night for home. Ah finally, he stops that insistent pounding. Ask him what he wants.” King Aves demanded with a sour mood.
This is something I had to come to grips with regarding King Aves. He was cordial during meetings, and that was it. Outside of a sit down, drawn out, and boring discussion, the griffin King was an impatient asshole. That was putting it nicely.
I nodded to the massive griffin and approached Virtue who wore the white. I accepted his contract and my armor shifted to white.
“The team is here Gryff, you need your portal installed to fulfill your increased quota for the expanded barrier.” Virtue said and handed me a section of the peace accords that dictated quotas based on barrier sizes. “Clearly written right here.”
The goblin nail highlighted a section of the agreement.
“Well that is interesting, it is written right here. Why are you outside the barrier if it is so well defined?” I queried and got an agitated look.
“We need your approval.” Virtue said with the slightest hesitation. I pulled at the contract magic and sure enough, it did need my approval. It also was not mandatory. My deal with Rakmar did not include a new portal or increased quota.
“Denied,” I said and spun to walk away.
Now the only thing King Aves loved more than being an asshole, was hearing another one in action. That massive griffin rolled onto his back in the most outrageous cackling laughter. The ground shook at this delight.
“You could bring down the entire accords with this rejection Gryff,” Virtue said ignoring King Aves.
“Come translate human,” King Aves ordered and I returned to face Virtue. “You should drop the barriers you worm. My kind hungers to feast on your dead and rid this world of the Horde. I dare you.”
I was conflicted with this and said the wrong thing. “You sure?”
This earned me a paw swipe to the ground. I was planted face first with a thud. Nothing broke, but it was not a gentle tap. I dusted myself off and repeated his words to Virtue. It was prudent I did not scoff at being scolded. King Aves was as close to a god as I had ever met. I should not be questioning him in front of our enemy.
Virtue came to a conclusion. The shamans behind him were in outright anger. Demands, curses, and threats were all said in perfect English. Virtue walked a hundred yards north and waved me over to have a private discussion. When I reached him I realized something. We were the only ones wearing white. The barrier flickered… Griffins poured out of Zenith by the hundreds. The barrier never dropped, it expanded by a hundred yards, increasing in size. The clump of shamans were now inside Fernlan without the white.
The shamans were confused, and the griffins were not. For whatever reason, Virtue unleashed death. King Aves leaped into the middle of the clumped casters with a fervor. The shamans never had a chance. Barriers never materialized being stopped by the mass of the griffin. As fireballs were cast defensively King Aves rotated and sp
ewed fire from his paw. The other griffins were never able to join the fight because it was over so quickly. They swooped down, collected bodies, and returned to Zenith.
It was over that fast. King Aves laughed in glee as the minor damage he received was healed. The large griffin landed beside me with joy.
“I thought as much. Rakmar believed the reports of his dragons turning against his army. I knew better. It is you after all Gryff. I gave him a three page, handwritten report, on how you turned the tide on Earth. He fed it to a stripper. Rakmar never read a single word. Forced that poor shaman dancer to digest my hard work. She was merely a single mom trying to earn some stones. That cyclops is blinded by greed. He is ignoring the facts. It is time for me to flee from you yet again. His situation is untenable. He cannot win here. I see that now. I will write a report requesting we abandon this planet because the danger is too great. There are over a billion Horde cluttered on this planet. The leadership may pull out but it will take decades to cleanse this world.
“Your accords are still intact, I was sent to deceive you and I told Rakmar it would not work, but he still ordered me anyway. I am tired of warring against you. One of a few things may happen after I am gone. But first, let us make a deal. I tell you this information and I get an (I owe you) within reason in exchange. From both of you.”
“I accept” “I accept,” I said twice speaking for both of us.