∞∞∞
I soaked comfortably in a steamy bathhouse. It was thoroughly relaxing, and I sighed in bliss. There were three other nobles with me who were all men. Somehow I had pictured a bunch of boobs and booty in the bathhouse. Instead, I got saggy balls and wrinkles. I can't win them all, and I simply closed my eyes as I soaked.
The three noblemen were all viscounts. One step below Count Winter. They had instantly agreed to the meeting that Lady Tami had set up for me. There was muttering among the nobles who had learned the truth of the matter that something must be done to help Count Winter. The issue was brought to me as something I could not avoid if I wished for less fighting. Some deal would have to be brokered. The problem was I had no authority to make any deals here. King Devon ruled this area, and being an Earl meant I deserved respect, not power to make nobility decisions.
“Viscounts, come on, let us stop dancing around the topic. While I enjoy your platitudes and company I need to get to the point.” I said after I tired of their endless side chatter. “Count Winter is done. No amount of bribes or attacks to free him will save him. To be honest I did not behead him right away but I should have this morning. The wives who cherish him and guards who want to protect him are without means to help him. Let us agree the moment I get back tonight Malvia will need a new count. My offer is simple, keep the peace until I am gone. Then nominate one of your own to replace him. Seven hells, I do not even care if you swear to King Devon the moment I am gone. I am going to keep killing these golems and indirectly give a huge boon to the economy here. Take the win, one of you bribe the others to be the next count and let me go about my business in peace.” I said to the three of them.
Viscount Tally was the first to speak. “The Count owes us considerable coin. His treasury should be full. If you were to give us half of the treasury we could keep the peace until you leave. Gold greases all hands and makes all the rules, or so I am told.”
That was it, we shook on it and I told them they could follow me directly from here to check the treasury themselves for its status. To ensure I did not empty it before they could get a tally. We enjoyed our baths and when it was time to leave the three men summoned servants to fetch some men and wagons. That was how I bought the peace of Malvia. If they crossed me I would slaughter their families, but I knew they would not.
∞∞∞
Lady Tami came to my side as the last of the wagons were loaded for the Viscounts. She did not complain at me giving away her gold. When it came time to kill the count she said, “Let me do it.” The women of Vin were ruthless, hard, and downright scary to me at times.
I took my sword off my belt and handed it to her. She grabbed the blade, looked it over then got a feel for the weight.
“My father taught me how to use a sword, though today will be the first time I take a life. Count Winter would tie me down and fuck my ass until it bled. He would cackle in laughter as I would cry out in pain. He got off on it. I was his wife though, sold into a marriage to help my siblings. That was at the start of the war. As things got worse so did he. Eventually, he got a new wife to torture when I found the strength to no longer cry for him. This will not be hard for me to do. Carl! Come here,” She said and we paused outside the stables waiting for Carl to arrive. “Alright dear, you have been my bed warmer for over a year now. Do not blush, of course, the Earl knows. We are going to go with him when he leaves here. We will move to Fernlan. You will protect me there my dear Carl. I am a widow now that the count was assassinated.”
Carl instantly launched himself by Tami looking for the assassin. The young man was sweet. Dumb, but adorable. I think she was planning on inviting him to see her murder her husband.
“Oh, dear Carl. They got away a while ago. I need you to go pack your things and move them into the Count's chambers. We will be staying there until we leave. Now be a blessing and run along. Make sure you get everything you need for the long move and get supplies if you think we will need them.” Lady Tami said and Carl was gone.
“I get it, he is easy on the eyes and loyal to a fault. I do not think he is into you for the money, only for you. It was the right call to send him away. Shall we,” I said and underhand pointed to the stable. Velia approached before we could enter.
“Oh interrogation, may I join?” Velia asked. I slid my finger across my throat indicating what was about to happen. She then took note of my sword in Tami's hand.
There was a shift in tension at that exact moment. Something flashed between Tami and Velia's eyes. Suddenly guards that had been disarmed were closer than before with hands on weapon hilts. A griffin was on guard with Frank but besides those two it was only Velia and me, and I was unarmed. I wanted to let it all come together but instead, I let my instincts take over.
I shoved Velia hard toward the manor. My own sword slid into my rib cage and punctured out my back as Tami did not hesitate. I grabbed the hilt not letting her yank the blade out as I fell to a knee and screamed out in rage. Specks of blood sprayed as I roared in anger.
I crossed my forearm down hard onto her hand still holding my sword that stuck out my back. She refused to let go and I shattered her wrist. I gurgled blood as I tried to breathe. Guards that had been friendly pounced on me. I stumbled toward the griffin feeling a blade enter my lower back. Another blade raced for my face but I was saved as a paw with talons sliced through the air. Armor was shredded as men tried to hold their guts in. I saw Frank try to join the fight but a man exited the stables and slid a dagger across his throat. Velia was running away as more griffins pounced into the battle.
I was bleeding heavily and unable to breathe cleanly due to the blood from my punctured lung. I managed to feebly draw my dagger and face Frank's killer. I threw my dagger weakly at the man and he got his arm up to deflect the throw. He gave me a savage grin of victory and charged me. He was almost to me when the biggest griffin I knew landed on him. Lord Nova killed him on impact but still ripped the man's head off.
I saw the griffins had protected me. I went to lay down when Lord Nova placed a paw on my shoulder.
“I can heal you but it will feel most unpleasant. As if your atoms were being torn into a trillion pieces for hours and then slow knitting back together. Nod if you agree and pull the blade out of your lung quickly.” Lord Nova said.
I nodded and then jerked the sword out of my chest. I feel forward but did not hit the ground as Lord Nova supported my weight with his paw.
My torment began like no pain ever before. Every time a human had healed me the tingle was sensual and awkward. Almost pleasing in a perverse way. This was the exact opposite. Within moments I would have traded being flayed alive and my toenails slowly pried off.
That was not even the worst thing I could imagine that would be less painful than this. I could not focus it was so blinding and severe. Somewhere my body was vomiting but I was trapped in my eternal suffering. The pain tore through the fibers of my body and I begged to the gods for a release into unconsciousness but there was no answer. There was only endless pain. I screamed against my torment with all the power I had.
I wanted death, I wanted release from the misery. It lasted for what felt like days. My voice had died long ago, my suffering extended beyond anything any being should experience. After what I estimated was a week I came back into my body.
Still in agony, I clawed at my face, I tore my skin and shifted my torso endlessly. I felt a tingle sensation that was sensual, calm, and soothing. I promptly passed out.
CHAPTER 13
I was in a horrible nightmare. One in which I was in an endless loop of pain. I broke free of it and awoke. Three beautiful faces looked down on me, Velia, Bella, and Pipi. They were all smiles seeing me awake from my healing. I shifted to sit up and realized I was wearing my set of camouflage armor.
Events caught up to me slowly. Holy seven hells. Lady Tami was good, no... The best. I never suspected her. Not even a little, I had even handed her my own weapon. She was s
o trusting, her story so compelling. I groaned at my stupidity and sat upright at the edge of the bed.
“She was tortured and then executed along with the count. Apparently, she was the dominatrix of the household. She played herself off as a pro griffin supporter, which could have been true, but none of that mattered. Her lineage is linked to Emperor Salvoni and King Devon. She was the spy sent to watch over Count Winter and control this fine city for the Emperor. She was an expert and played her part perfectly. Her downfall was Carl, I think she really loved him. Her sending him elsewhere was the giveaway. I think she wanted to save him if the attempt to kill you failed. I caught her out of character gaze as she watched him leave. I was putting it together and could see her tense. Then you acted, by pushing me to safety. Which hurt you brute... but I forgive you.” Velia said then leaned down and kissed my forehead. She continued with her update.
“Frank was buried this morning. He lost his family in the war, as in sent them south but never could find them. Marcus said some nice words for him. How he was a good man and a good friend.
“Last night Pipi and Bella were sent for by Dina who had recently returned from a mission. She flew all night and morning to get them here today. You have slept through dinner, breakfast, and were about to miss lunch. I was telling them no way you would keep sleeping if we kept stacking this food by you.” Velia explained.
“The pain, it was so extensive, so vivid, so terrifying. Am I still me?” I asked still grasping at the reality of what had occurred.
It was Bella who got down in front of me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Listen, husband, there are only a few cases of humans being healed by griffins. It is said to last weeks to months in the subject's mind but in reality, it is only a few hours. A healer named Drifa was there when you came out of your psychosis. He promptly healed you into a mini coma to revert your mind back to normal. If he had not been there you probably would have killed yourself. Do not be upset that he charged you heavily because he passed out and had to be healed himself by healer Nathan.”
I saw food on the end table and Pipi quickly handed me the plate. I thanked her and devoured the food. “Why am I,” I chewed some food “in my armor?” I kept eating. It tasted so good.
“Well, it was to reduce the chances of any further attack killing you. You took a sword through the lung and one into your lower right kidney from the back. If you had been in armor and not court clothes bathing with traitorous nobles you would have been fine. At least in this armor, I doubt Tami would have had the strength to pierce this finely made chainmail.” Velia said.
“So it was all a setup, they played me so well. Are they barricaded in their manors? How are our defenses?”
I watched the three women look to each other in how to explain what happened. Nate was standing watch by the door and spoke up. “If I may my Ladies.” He said. They nodded for him to continue and I had Pipi grab me a second plate so I could keep eating while he talked.
“They already call last night the 'Massacre of the Black'. The sun was about to set when they triggered their plan into motion, you were supposed to die in the stable. Surprised in a narrow corridor where turning would have been a problem. Only Lady Velia noticing when she did saved you. Well, the griffins were pissed and in a full rage, as was I. Let us not go over the specifics of her torture, but Lady Tami gave up the Viscounts as conspirators. We may never know the truth but their manors were well defended so we think she was correct. Of course, men did not attack the nobility of Malvia, the griffins did. It was a mix of punishment, revenge, and warning. None were spared my lord,” both he and I swallowed at this.
“Define none please?” I asked with a raised eyebrow at the possible implications.
“The good news is the upper part of the city that was not the nobility residences were spared. Places like the bookshop, business district, and other nice areas. When the Viscounts were tortured they gave up the entire nobility. Gryff it was a purge that few nobles survived. The plot was to kill you, capture Velia, and use her to drive off the griffins. Some thought killing you would cause them to leave, others that they could kill the griffins with longbows. The thing is none of them know... knew... of the combat prowess of even a single griffin. A team of them with ranged healing in a setting where they are not restricted in any way is far too tough to kill with simple bows and swords.
“The moon never came out last night. The darkness was complete, and by morning the black streets ran red with blood. The lower section of the city dare not revolt in fear they are next. We told them to stay in the lower city and upper business district. They were warned anyone coming into the nobility area would die. So far it has been quiet. The side news is we looted twenty three manors. While you were getting stabbed last night... too soon... I procured a team of adventurers. The eight of them and the dozen fire mages you hired helped us clean up the loot. We piled all the gold, expensive items, and valuables we could early this morning with the help of the new carts and donkeys I bought. By midday it had been shipped to Fernlan to help pay for the added costs of your refugee griffins.” Nate said with a finality.
I paused looked at him then turned to Pipi. “Is there thirds. Tell me there is more food in this room.”
Nate chuckled but Bella scoffed. “They slaughtered entire families! Children Gryff, the children died, and you want more food.” Bella said losing her composure.
“Wife, calm, please. I would not have ordered the children killed and what the griffins did is nothing compared to the atrocities of the Horde. I am not saying I agree with it, but they are our allies and that is not going to change. Look, this city was going to fall. With King Devon making the calls and pulling Winter or Tami's strings this entire city and many like it would have burned in months. Maybe a few years max. The Horde is playing the long game. Trade will halt soon is my guess, as the Horde seizes vital supplies in caravans once thought safe. Doubt will plague the nobility into preserving what they can so they can last the longest while the peasants starve. Look at the fields and the farms. It is clear as day. Malvia is importing food and a lot of it. Someone has been lazy and not preparing for the doomsday scenario the peace accords really are.
“Actually I order you, Lady Bella, first wife of Earl Gryff of Fernlan to immediately get an overview of the cities production numbers and stored goods. Once that is done you are to find out the quota number on the portal that should be in kilograms. Two point two pounds to one kilogram, do the math and tell me which number is greater. Go, now!” I said with authority.
“As my husband commands,” Bella said with a proper bow of respect.
“Nate get Joey to go with her, and find Dina to fly her, she is the pink tipped white feathered lady griffin. Thanks, Nate.” I said and they left the room.
When they were gone the room settled into silence while I finished the third plate of food.
“That was a bit harsh husband,” Velia said. Pipi knew better and stayed quiet.
“Were the griffins justified in their actions?”
“It does not matter...” She tried to continue.
“Exactly. Enough said. We move forward, thank the gods we are on the same side, and continue the mission. Yesterday you asked what my general goal was that I wanted to achieve. It is to get the griffins enough supplies and training that if the accords break or expire we are ready. Then the griffins will purge this world of the Horde with magic that will make our enemies wish they never came to Vin. That is what I need to have happen for me to feel like I have achieved what I was sent here for. Right here in Malvia, we may have a key to a part of that answer. That fire mage Krix said the vole blood was rumored to produce fireballs beyond imagination. I plan to see that tested by griffins who have an aura so large it makes veteran mages gasp in surprise at the size.
“I was there when Dais was formed, I saw how easily Lirkon added his earth magic to the ogre heart. He did not swoon or stumble after the massive spell but instead smiled. Well griffin
smiled, it counts.” I said and handed the empty plate to Pipi. I licked my fingers and was looking for more food but there was no more. “The griffins killed some nobles aligned to the evil Emperor who consorts with the Horde, I do not care. Children were killed, yeah that sucks, and I do not love that fact. This sends a clear message. Do not fuck with the griffins or those they call allies. Or you and those you hold dear will die. End of story. I can get on board with that.”
I got up and stripped. Pipi and Velia exchanged looks. “My light armor please I have to go into the searing heat, this armor will be shit for that. We can kiss and make up later and I need both of you to calm Bella. I want you to know I would not have killed the children myself, but what is done is done. Please help me suit up and let us move forward. I got a mountain of work to do... get it because we're on a mountain?” The ladies rolled their eyes at me and the serious demeanor dropped.
Nate came back into the room when I had finished suiting up.
“You ready to kill some golems, it will take a mountain of work to make progress to the voles. Unless we fight by torchlight it won't be until tomorrow...”
I paused him bursting out in laughter.
“I just used that pun. Let us stop with the silly wordplay and get to the grind, shall we? Hundreds of dumb rock creatures to slaughter for the rest of the day. Should be fun, right?” I said to Nate and exited the room. I felt a stinging slap on my ass.
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