A grey haired bulky tall man hollered out commands. “Port and starboard cannon windows need to be open. I don’t care if you are stacking powder. Open the bloody windows or I will have the lash unleashed.” There indeed was a whip at the man’s hip. Not my style of leadership, but I knew nothing of sailing.
We finished climbing the ramp and the deck boss waved us over to the central point in the hold where another ramp was. We went up then around to another side to keep going up. This happened seven times until we were on the top deck. I gazed at a clear view of the city from this high up. I shifted my head to look up at the crow's nest and saw it swaying. My legs became a bit unsteady, so I looked at the horizon and quickly recovered. Lord Nova and King Aves landed with thuds beside me. They let their weight slowly balance on the ship before they stopped flying. I caught up to our group as we entered a meeting room under the steering wheel of the mighty ship. The door to the meeting room was left open and quickly clogged by the giant griffin head of King Aves. It looked like we were all here. I saw five captains, two Dukes (Jarv and Riza), King Horus and finally me. It was a party in the small room with a map displayed on the table.
“Listen up,” The black and gray haired King said with a stern voice and determined narrowed eyes. He gazed upon the map with hatred and clenched hands. “If our fishing grounds fall, we fall. And then we all starve. Maybe we can do without, but the sheer number of fish we haul out of the ocean in a day is staggering compared to what we hunt in the wild lands. It even surpasses what we grow. We control five southern port cities, one on the east and one on the west. These waters are a last stand for us. This invasion fleet must be destroyed regardless of their desires.”
King Aves coughed for attention. “The griffins understand the circumstances. We are working to improve our dependency by intertwining our bonds with humans. In this, we completely agree. While we may risk the discovery of our magical offensive abilities, we find the benefits well worth the downfalls.” King Aves paused as I spoke a few words behind him. At first, I had struggled to be an interpreter. Now I was smooth, easily relaying his messages. “We have kept an eye on the enemy army and navy. Every hour, they finish getting closer to launching the next ship. It is an efficient production run by a single cyclops and his shamans. Based on the thirty seven completed ships, it will be months before their armada is fully assembled. Our guess is they plan a few raids on fishing boats, and a few attacks on the tundra. This winter will probably be construction, as well as production, and by spring the main assault will begin. If we let it reach that point, there will be no stopping them. We can strike now or during the dead of winter. I actually recommend both to be certain.”
We let this set in for a minute as I finished relaying his message. The old bossy captain was the first to speak.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Captain Evran speaking, I cannot speak to what the griffins are capable of giving with the peace accords limitations. I never saw them fight. These ships, these admirable ladies, they were retired way before their prime was over. All of these ships were the finest the Empire had to offer. They will sail slowly from barnacles and I wish we had time to scrape the hulls but there simply isn’t.” Captain Evran pointed to a spot on the map that was the target location. “Three hours row with no wind. There is a light breeze, with proper sails unfurled two and a half. The problem is that the men are stale and most of the crews not ready to finesse a big bitch like Penelope. I recommend breaking some backs and manual rowing our way. If we get in real trouble, we can always risk the sails. Might end up going slower though. At least I warned ya.”
I scratched my scruffy beard thinking this over. “How well manned are the enemy ships in the water?” I asked while I realized I missed Pipi. She gave the best combo of a haircut, shave, and blowjob.
“Empty, besides a few who watch the anchor lines. That is all those poor goblins do. A few of the first built ones had dead goblins that died of dehydration on the deck. No one cares about them. We may be over analyzing this combat situation. They have zero preparations for defending. It is as if they have no fear of us. I say the fleet slugs cannonballs into the ships until they sink. When the hornet’s nest is stirred, we griffins inferno everything once it gets dark. Maybe they will think we are dragons. Assuming any Horde survive to tell the tale.” King Aves said and his head retracted for an update from an arriving griffin. “Okay, they just started a second assembly line. It looks like they want to get more ships ready sooner rathan than later. More of the supply carts have been pulled forward to help move the chain along.”
King Horus was the man with a tough decision. If I married Amber I might have a claim to the Emperor's throne that superseded even Salvoni’s claim. The issue was I was not a power grabbing kind of guy. I wanted things done right. Poor Amber was still in shock, clinging to Addilyn and finally letting Velia in to help. Her true identity hidden from almost everyone. Even King Horus hadn’t had time to see her or address the issue.
“We start raising anchor now. No weapons on anyone. We use mages and griffins for this. Cannons will do the work for us. If they find a way to our ships, we break and run. The main goal is to irritate and bring more to the shore so the griffin spells do the most damage. Have your respective men disarm, including daggers. Then pass a pat down before boarding your ships. I will be on Penelope. Duke Riza, the Battleship Voracious. Duke Jarv you are on the Battleship Thunder. Captain Evran, Battleship Winter. Captain Flenk, Cruiser Swiftclaw. Captain Dern, Cruiser Crackle. Captain Ilon, Cruiser Tightseam… Who named that one? Last Cruiser Butterfly, goes to Captain Went. Finally, that leaves you Gryff. Whose title is ever changing. We need to talk, assuming you return tonight. We are going weaponless because you are on foot. You have twenty miles of rough bush to trek through. It should be a breeze for the Knights of Fernlan. Your mission is simple. Find those you can and kill them. Your primary mission is to bring back some hearts. Then if you can, clean up the mess. Find the stragglers and kill them. I understand there are millions of Horde there. No way that you get them all. We all have endless projects we want to tackle that those hearts can help drastically with.”
I slumped my shoulders and then quickly grasped his extended hand. We shook with a gentle grip until I excused myself. I had far more planning to do. If any of the idiots brought weapons onto the ships then we would be locked out when they crossed the barrier. Right now all the anchored vessels were inside the barrier. Immediately I knew I had a problem. My knights were scattered helping where they could… I thought about it until I caught sight of Tammy on the docks, chatting with another air mage.
It was not fun squeezing through the crowd of people. I eventually reached Tammy after a few minutes. She gave me a professional smile.
“How can I help you Emperor Gryff?” And there went the professional character. She said this like a snarky smartass.
“Amplify my voice please.” My demeanor was rigid and serious. Tammy wised up quickly and tendrils of white magic coned in front of my face. “Knights of Fernlan, regroup now. The estate. Knights of Fernlan regroup now. I repeat, the estate.”
I gave her a nod and shifted my way through the crowd toward the estate. She shadowed my path and followed in my wake. Tammy was a profession like the rest of the team. The moment we hit fairly sporadic traffic we were off. We raced up the slope for the manor and… I got lost. She doubled back for me and guided me the right way. I shrugged it off, the city was new to me and very big while being poorly laid out. She was in a tizzy of delight at my error of a wrong turn.
We raced to the Igrad estate and bounded up the steps. I bounced to the third floor and into my assigned room. With a burst, I rushed into the room, startling the three beauties talking on my bed.
“Velia, Addilyn. My armor now. Amber, when I ask for those bolt thrower launcher things, bring them.” I said and the ladies raced into action. I stripped naked as Velia brought my thin layer of cloth padding.
Amber shrieked. “Ha
ve you no decency? I am a lady in waiting. If my future husband ever hears of this audacity.” I chuckled as she kept glancing at my swinging penis.
“He is your future husband. I will apologize in advance. He is not modest and we did hear his call from the docks even all the way up here. Your master is going to battle. He has more pressing issues than your virtue.” Addilyn said in a scold.
“Amber I must give you a sincere apology… See, there, my pants are on. Thick leather padding next, and then the actual armor. Crap. Amber drop those crossbows gently on the floor and hand me the belt on the end table. I keep using it to spank Velia and I never put it back in my pant loops.”
Velia roared in laughter and Amber covered her mouth in shock but still carried out my orders. She handed me the belt and hesitantly locked her green eyes to mine. “Does she deserve the punishment? I do not want to marry a man who beats his wives.”
This got more laughter out of the other girls and flustered Amber to no end. “My wives, please fill her in on your husband’s style and how I treat women. Ensure you mention the good and the bad things. No surprises going forward. I studied our contract, Amber. I cannot break it because of its design from the original shaman or cyclops who created it. Unfortunately, while I think you look fantastic and are a stunning woman who I would love to dote on, I have four wonderful wives. If you don’t like me or fit into our family, I can see if I can hand the contract off to another man or woman you desire.”
I had my armor on and weapons were being handed to me. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and smacked Velia’s lips to mine. Addilyn giggled as I raced for her and met my kiss with a passion that left me wanting to undress.
“They love you… Like actually, love you. Okay Sir Gryff, you freed me from my prison. You returned me to a broken world, a new woman, but I am resilient and adapting quickly. I do see a whole family in happiness. I will make an effort to help when I can and continue to learn. I will…”
I silenced her by looming over her. I lifted Amber's chin and softly kissed her lush lips. I opened an eye to see her lift a leg. Damn it. This would be five. No more! I almost believed I had stopped at four. No time to endlessly ponder on my love life. I had a battle to prepare for.
I raced down the stairs two at a time until I hit the foyer. I was not sure how Fwar had obtained a set of woodland armor like the rest of the team, but the man had. We were all here minus one, I counted five times in frustration.
“Okay, I keep counting eleven, who are we missing?” I said in frustration not figuring it out.
Nate came up and whispered in my ear. “Did you count yourself?”
I rolled my head with my eyes and smacked my forehead. “Ugh… we have twenty miles through light brush to the east. We need to leave now. Find a buddy and double check everything. Plan for a three day trip. If we become separated, this is our rendezvous. If you end up on the other side of the enemy… well, don’t… but still, come back here. The mission from King Horus was clear. We are on a seek and destroy operation to collect hearts. There will be cannons fired at ships to stir up the enemy. When the enemy is grouped, we get to see the griffins cast magic. It is beyond awesome. Then, when the fire starts we adjust. To be honest that is our mission. Kill lucky targets and harvest. We need gold and supplies. Not to mention there is ten million Horde in this caravan and it is still days north, so no way we kill everything. Real quick rustle up a few extra bags Donnie, Victor, Markus, and both Brads. Hit our supply room I know I brought some big ones. No cart for this trip. If we build a carrying platform I can haul as much as griffin with full aura. Meet us outside at the bottom of the steps.” The five jogged off to the supply room while the seven of us performed checks.
Lazra, an archer by trade, never reloaded his crossbows. Tammy in her rush forgot her backpack. The rest of us were fine. When the others returned from grabbing sacks, we inspected them. Markus was missing Squeak his male monox. No time. Tammy returned just as Lazra finished his reloads. I stuck Tammy in front since she had a photographic memory and knew where the east gate was.
The twelve of us trotted in two rows at a steady pace. The houses in the center of Bavie were taller than the ones we passed near the outer edges and finally becoming single stories. It was filthy here on the edge. A destitute location for the poorest of Bavie. I stepped in a funky squish that was definitely dog shit. Then I cried a little inside when I remember there were no dogs on Vin. What perverse human would shit in the middle of the road!
We tingled through the barrier and instantly ran into thick bush. I hoped this thinned the further we got from the barrier. Was it this thick from lack of game close to the barrier? I dropped the thought as I found out spider webs were making it through my facemask. I reorganized us so I was in the lead. I could run a mile in eight minutes easy, sprinting hard six. This slow trot was more like twenty minutes a mile. My only hope was the ships were a tad slow on raising anchor and forming a formation for movement. Our initial goal of getting out of the barrier before the fleet left was achieved. If we were late to the big battle, then so be it. It was well past midday, meaning they would be sailing into the night more than likely, on the way there and back. Luckily griffins could hover as a beacon for the ships.
I was zoning out in contemplation of the larger picture. There could be Horde hunting parties anywhere in front of us. Luckily a friendly voice rang in my head.
“Hey friend, I am on tour guide duty. All the griffins are loaded up with vole and golem blood. I think I alone could burn the entire caravan down. Alas, my request to go heroic griffin and test our might keeps getting rejected. We find out tonight how much aura and fire magic we can expend. I am very excited. You don’t look excited. Is it the thick underbrush?” Traz asked in a mix of rambling animation. I couldn’t blame him, these were interesting times. “There are thousands of goblins on the loose collecting vines for siege engine assembly. You have a few hours to go before you hit that area and there are lots to slaughter. More than you are accustomed to. My guess is that they will all run for help. If you time it right, it will cause even more enemies to pile into one location. I am talking to the other griffins and we agree. When you can… start the massacre. You will have plenty of time to react to a counter. The shamans in the main Horde body are answering to a single cyclops who seems hesitant to launch attacks at us griffins. He either knows it is a waste or is not wanting to show his strength. Sorry, I am rambling a bit. This will be the first major engagement for us griffins since the accords. We are very energized! Did I mention that yet?”
“You could never tell…” I let my sentence finish itself. “Finally… Pick up the pace we got clear underbrush and then rolling hills. This is old farmland. The report is we’re still hours out from combat. Good thing we run daily.”
“I don’t… please don’t… leave me behind. I cannot see well in the dark.” Fwar chimed in between panted breathes.
He would get fit or get replaced and that was the end of the conversation. I would wait until he passed out to carry him. I would reprimand King Horus when I could. No use in forcing a healer on me who couldn’t keep up. Sometimes nepotism was flat out dumb. I still hadn’t figured out Fwar’s angle. Then it dawned on me. Of course, that was it. One of his wives had similar looks to Addilyn. Yup, nepotism. Oh well, I would handle it later. Best to make the most of the situation. We waded our first stream thirty minutes into our run. I shifted Fwar to the front then stripped him naked. He protested until I bitch slapped him and the group giggled. Naked and light, I hauled his extra gear. It was better than carrying the man for now. If an ambush sprung, that Traz never saw, I would simply throw his gear on the ground and hope he got it on.
“For all that is holy Fwar… Stop trying to give me justifications while running. Tammy instruct the recruits how to breathe properly while running. Seven hells Fwar, I now realize you married into the family. During morning training you will run twice as much until you can keep up, or you will be replaced.
Let us hope this is the only time we have this conversation.” I put on some speed and left them behind.
I could hear Tammy coaching him in lamaze breathing. You may laugh, but if you (heh heh who) while you run, you get more air into your chest and you can push further and faster. The short man was still struggling and we were only an hour in. I paused us for a five minute water break. Fwar went to sit when Nate kicked him back off his ass. Everyone else was walking, letting the blood flow. Fwar needed to walk before we ran again. If he relaxed he would cramp.
“Update Traz,” I muttered.
“The ships are a cluster… that is the nicest way I can label it. They are hitting each other, no one is rowing in tandem. A seasoned captain dropped sails on a smaller boat and is the only one ready to go at the rendezvous point. My guess is you will make it there hours before they do. Maybe let the wine drinker have a break.” Traz said with a chuckle, adding to the pile of comments about Fwar.
I tossed Fwar his gear. “Slow march from here. No long breaks. We hit the enemy and run. Fwar, save enough juice to sprint if things go to hell. Oh and here is some motivation. I don’t have to outrun the Horde… I only have to run faster than you…”
“Don’t have to be such a dick,” Fwar said and I let it slide.
It was Janice who pounced on this.
“We are as strong as Gryff and as weak as you. I get you enjoy lounging with your six beautiful wives and thrill for combat. We are all here for vengeance or glory. We are not here to babysit. If you do not shape up expect to be replaced. If you haven’t noticed, Gryff can care less if King Horus is angry at him.” Janice pointed out while we maintained a slow march.
“Why is it you don’t fear your King?” Winst asked.
Donnie answered for me. “King Horus needs Gryff more than Gryff needs the King. You ever notice Gryff never asks for anything. He created a mage academy and Zenith. Not King Horus. He sacked Malvia with the griffins… Again, no King Horus. To be fair, Mina talked with King Horus’ wives a lot and she said there were only good things said. The man respects Gryff. Hell, he knighted me, a low born and two mage women. No offense girls… that is a big deal. You notice no one argued that fact. You have to believe someone complained. What can King Horus do? Reprimand the man who is a key friend to our greatest allies? Challenge him in a duel? Doubt it, none of us can beat Gryff one on one. So that is why he does not fear the King.”
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