“I need to mark this, no choice really. I will replace it later I promise.” I said and Elan frowned. The man was always about his possessions. With great restraint, he handed me over a marker. “Okay, this will not be precise. I circled these seven areas while in a bar on a small map. Still will be interesting to see how close I get.”
Every circle I drew that day with Rakmar was on the coast. I knew drawing it then that the water was a major boon to us. My first circle was northeast of Fernlan. It was close to a city named Havenu, and I knew I was too far south on my circle instantly. While I did not have a photographic memory, I did realize that I placed the circle on the small map too far south. Oh well, I then tracked the east coast of the continent north into the next large bay. This one I circled. Uhara, it was called. No idea how big it was but the name was large as was the dot. The next circle was further north and on another bay. A city called Livina. That was the three on this continent.
I was about to draw the next four when Elan interrupted.
“The first circle is on cliffs, Havenu is where I was born. Shame too, great fishing there. Might be able to build new docks but everything would require griffins to move. Before I settled down I sailed the eastern seas… Know this, I never went too far out to sea because the extra catch was not worth the extra risk. Monsters frequent those waters. We always stayed to the shore moving goods up and down the coast. Uhara was larger than Havenu and I remember it being so busy we would have to anchor in the bay and row in our trade. Large ships were always paying extra to dock. This last one…” Elan said as he pointed at Livina. “This was a jewel of a city. It never saw sacking from war. Massive exterior walls and a very shallow reef port made it impossible for other humans to conquer easily. The Horde though, they probably got in. This bay here is all extremely shallow coral reefs. Gorgeous. Simply stunning. I remember diving these waters and wanting to never leave. If you did indeed circle this bay correctly you now own the number one immigration location for anyone sick of the cold. Hell, I might find a replacement for the winter and head to warmer weather if that is an option.”
Markus interrupted. “I want to be clear here. The cold is coming, and I am all for a vacation mixed with adventure. Why not go north when it is colder south… say in a few months?” The man said with a shrug.
“I want to, and trust me we probably will. I have to get tree worm blood. Then we will race to the tundra for water catalysts. Then back north because watch this…” I said and went back to circling the map. To the northeast at the start of the new continent was an isolated island. It rested not far from Livina. I circled this and this elicited gasps from Elan. I kept going on though. I went further east and circled another bay. I then went north across the northeastern contentment and circled two desert bays. “Alright out with it Elan, why the gasp.”
“Well, that island was known for its tree worms. It also happened to be where the sandworms lived. It was a dangerous combination. Of all the places to select that was the worst. Sandworms had been eradicated on the mainland. The ocean channel that separates that island from the mainland is shallow and filled with reefs. Great fishing, it was shallow enough to not collapse the tunnels the sandworms used to relocate. They mostly fled to that spot where they densely populate the island. Since we did not have griffins back then the only way onto the island was via boat. Sandworms can erupt from shallow water or sand. After a few attempts to conquer the island were met with disaster it was a giant red x on all sailing maps. You may be thinking sandworms… So what? That is what I thought when I asked this very question when I was a deck swabber. That island is red x because sandworms can be up to a hundred feet long and thirty feet wide. They are not like a tree worm or a vin worm. The pictures I saw are a mix of dragon and worm. Instead of wings on their back, there are digging fins. The tail is spikes and the mouth closed while digging. There are ten hooked digging claws that encircle the neck. They really are quite spooky…”
Elan finished leaving his statement hanging. “Winst, Tammy, these sandworms are in the area where other air and earth catalysts are. They useful for anything?”
“Zack or Patti may know better but not that I know of. It could be their blood makes transcription easier on aura. Let me race and ask to be sure.” Winst said and Tammy followed behind him.
“I am going to check with the Air instructors. We will meet you at the roost when we are done.” Tammy said.
As they exited my lovely Lady Bella entered. She was in sweatpants and a loose comfy tunic. The most relaxed clothing I had seen her in yet. We had spent the morning snuggled in bed and I told her stories of electricity. She gobbled it up and slumbered into a nap that looks like Donnie woke her from.
“My lord, I can’t believe I went back to sleep. How may I help you?” Bella said with a stretch. Before the door closed another person entered with our woodland armor on and a helmet under her elbow. “Sister wife… You look fierce. Armor suits you. Ah… the look on Gryff’s face, this is a surprise. I was summoned here for something, out with it husband.”
I nodded and noticed a large bow strapped over Addilyn’s back. The woman was geared for war. It was good she was here though. “Come over to the map Addilyn, if you are coming with us then study it. So Calia here and Elan were fighting over funds. Same with Phen to some extent. We expanded, which means we need to invest more into Fernlan. Before you answer that Bella I need to know how it went with your father Addilyn.”
“Very well, we have a few dozen gold worth of excess parts and I set aside the hearts for those nagging griffins. I got tackled three times when I came home with the goblin hearts. Next time I will hide them in manure or something. Anyway, this is my home… I was thinking of a castle.” Addilyn said and I started laughing. “Why are you laughing? A castle is a great idea. We have the space now, and with your recent promotion to Emperor then it is almost a must. Oh, father accepted your stewardship and looks forward to future meetings with you. He is glad you see the value of his wisdom and management skills.”
“Promotion to Emperor?” Elan asked
Nate fielded this one. “Gryff married again… A fifth wife… Never ever thought I would see the day. The redhead that leaves all men gasping, yeah… That is Emperor Igrad’s eldest. Making her Empress and now married to your boss. It probably means a promotion for him and us. The man did just gain seven more safe zones.”
“Wow… this is huge. Never thought I would ever meet an Emperor or an Empress. Yes, a castle is a must. Why not over by the river on the south end?”
This elicited more laughter from me and I had to stop all the side chatter. “Amber wants a castle, she said she can design one. That should keep her busy for a few weeks at least. She will be staying here. Addilyn you are with us on the mission but you are backup. Someone else will haul your weapons or they stay on the griffin for now. Let us drop those two subjects.” I said and pulled Bella close. “I need to open up some funds. I only need two dozen spears from the wagon we hauled. Melt the rest down. The silver turn to coins, the spears into metal bars. Sell both unless Amber can incorporate the metal into her castle. Which if there is draw bridges and torch holders I am sure she can. So… only sell the silver. Invest that silver into our livestock and fields.”
Bella noticeably sagged at the burden I was shouldering her with. Elan stepped up though.
“Between Empress Amber, Pipi, and I… We can help. Is Velia staying or going with you?” Elan asked.
“We discussed it last night, she will stay here until she completes some training. She thinks she is pregnant too. Won’t know for certain for a few more weeks but she is dizzy in the mornings. No vomiting yet. Either way, I want her here. So Bella, fret not, you get the help you need. Addilyn this castle will cost a fortune even if we get the hearts to clay it. I want you to think about how you want to apply your funds. You can reach a decision later but those spears and our recent spoils will only go so far. I am sure we will saturate the market some too. At l
east the lava rocks and balls are still doing well.”
Addilyn nodded and bit her lip. “Lady Calia you will get your needed funds. I will invest some coin into upgrading Fernlan to increase production. Come Lady Bella, Gryff can you delay our departure by an hour. No longer. Give the team some time to say another hi and goodbye. I need to talk to my wives as well.”
I shrugged and gave in. An extra hour was more than fair. It was not even midday yet and the first stop was only three hours out. The next six, so we should easily find a place to rest by nightfall. The ladies left the room and I contemplated what to do for the next hour. I dismissed the team and decided to visit Dennis in the blacksmith.
Before I could vacate the town center I had to sign a bunch of paperwork that Elan had ready. It was mostly mundane stuff like weekly wages, housing assignments, and new hires. I approved it all and this got me his trademark smile. He waved goodbye while leaning on his cane when I finally left.
The cobbled road was nice and clean showing we were maintaining the village appeal. Addilyn did say workers were without tasks so it was not a surprise to see it neatly swept. I strolled leisurely down the road and past a few rebuilt homes. When I passed the once abandoned market I saw Marga at a stand. There were a few others selling wares. This was an unexpected surprise and I meandered over. Marga had actual jerky and snacks. I added a few to my tab and went to a jeweler next. There were a few small gems crafted into stringed necklaces and a few carvings out of wood. I saw a nice one of a griffin and bought it. I was not certain if griffins decorated but if they did not want it could put it somewhere. The next stall was our seamstress displaying pants with pockets. She waved as I passed. I already gave her my business. The last stall was a broker’s stall.
“Hello fine sir, nice armor. I am Dvar of Deltan. I represent a collective of trade merchants would you like to browse our lists?” Dvar said. The man that stood behind the counter did not look like a trader. He had a few lists in front of him that I leafed through while he talked me up on the merits of the items.
“If I ordered this how long until you could have it delivered,” I asked and Dvar fidgeted.
“Well, how informed are you with the political happens of late?”
“Very,” I replied and the man figured out then as to who I was. “Yes, I am Gryff. Why has the Deltan trade masters sent a representative here?”
“I was tasked to learn of Fernlan and see if we could move some trade up north here. I admit I was sent out of Deltan almost a month ago when you sent Lady Velia and Lady Pipi to the capital. Our trade masters pay to be well informed and I quickly was ushered to Lakeland for a livestock listing. I was told to visit here after and thank goodness. Griffins stopped flying from Deltan a few days later and the last news I heard was the Emperor was fighting his own citizen.” The man said picking up the lists. “These are old but we do have lots to trade with you up here. The amount of goods flowing in and out of the griffin capital means more people like me will show up. I admit though, I am cut off for now and the foreseeable future.”
King Aves hovered over and landed. The ground shook as it pushed back on his sudden weight. “I will take this Dvar with me tonight. I need someone to record what happens anyway. Then he will get fresh lists, there are many things us griffins desire in trade that we do not have.”
I translated word for word then added my own warning. “You should go. Bring a pen and paper to record what you witness. I hope we can do much trade in the future. It was nice to meet you Dvar… Yes, go ahead and get in his saddle.”
Dvar swallowed his fear with a gulp and when he was situated Aves flew him up to Zenith. I looked forward to reading his retelling of the event.
I left the market with friendly waves as I walked for Dennis’ smokestack. The furnace billowed smoke and as I neared I could feel the heat. I entered the opening room with a four foot high counter and immediately felt too hot. I shed down to my undershorts not wanting to sweat in my armor. Vern was here and heard my commotion. A moment later Dennis himself came to the front.
“Aye, it tis hot. Come we need to talk anyway.” Dennis motioned me forward and left the front of the room. We passed his storage room and his smelter. When we exited to his training ground I saw the largest pile of spears ever. “These are gems, it tears at my heart to melt em down. Some crafting went into these. This is a guess… These weren’t human crafted.”
He handed me a spear. There were runes etched into the surface… No, runes implied magic, this was a language. The symbols and text completely beyond me. The quality of work was flawless. I balanced one and then twirled it. Perfect.
“Wow,” was all I said and Dennis nodded.
“Save fifty please, not two dozen. I get it, my lord, I really do. Each spear has unique writing. If I were a scholar then I would ask to save them all. Actually, I can melt the silver and save the metal to smelt down as needed. I recommend that. You’re right on the silver. It is a waste leaving it on the tips. Elan said it was for one beast you needed to farm. No need to have thousands of spear with the peace accords. For the Horde sure. For us no. Did I convince ya?”
“It is not that I needed a ton of convincing. If you can salvage the silver and leave the metal inscriptions then do so. I will…” I sighed and rubbed my temples. I reached into my bag to locate paper. I quickly penned a note for Dennis to handle. “Hire a language expert. Expect a Derfran to arrive sometime soon. It will take Empress Amber a few days if not weeks to come up with a castle design. So also be prepared to hire more or expand. You should probably do that before you get overwhelmed. The to do lists only… ever… gets… longer.”
“Empress Amber? As in Igrad’s eldest?” He asked and I nodded then pointed to my ring finger. “Well, it will be an honor to help build your castle. It was barely over a month ago you came in here and now look at you. I will make a list for Lady Pipi to approve. She will see it gets passed I think.”
“You do that, and leave me a note if you run into trouble. Derfran certainly needs to send me one when he translates the runes. I will pass a message to expect the silver and hold off on the metal. I need to regear and head for a mission north. Thanks for watching Vern for us, Dennis. I appreciate it. You be mindful Vern, I am off to the roost. Take care of each other, you two.”
I put my armor back on and they both waved and nodded as I left for the roost. My mind spun in thought. Those runes were not symbolic or for a purpose. That meant, in my mind, someone was trying to send a message. One that probably did not matter to the Horde. I could imagine some Horde shaman accepting ten spears with silver tips a month and warping it to a collection point to be sold. Then Rakmar buying the spears on a trading planet and ending up on the wagon I sacked. Not one green or grey skinned enemy giving any concern about what was engraved. It could be a trove of information.
Feeling more confident in my theory I jogged to the roost. Friendly faces and people I knew waved as I passed. When I arrived I paused by the loading teams resting area and found a nice crate to sit on. I pulled out my note from earlier and stressed the importance and possibilities of my guess to Duke Riza and Derfran. With my letter more thorough I asked for a volunteer to ferry my message. Gaius the red tipped male griffin who I had met earlier in Xiq volunteered. I sealed my note in his pouch and he was gone.
“Everything okay Gryff?” Lord Nova questioned as he landed beside me. “My hundred that will escort you are resting until you are ready. In your new castle, please include a map stable… Yes, that term works here. A covered area where we griffins and humans can meet. I need to know where we are going. An oversight we shall not make again. Luckily for you, I have griffins who are four hundred years old with extra time on their hands.”
As he said this four griffins flew a massive board to the ground not far outside the roost in the cobbled road. A few villagers had to get clear as it landed loudly. I walked over to the detailed intricate board. Seven Hells!
“This has Vartin Tund
ra… Is this Nagoland. Why is there so little?” I asked and was afraid to dirty the perfectly etched board. I kneeled and scurried over it on all fours like a dog. I raced to the unknown continent to the west to see it only outline some of the land. The rest was blank as if the artist only got to view that much.
“We can discuss your… our dreams of future expansions later. Please indicate our route once our entire team is in hover.” Lord Nova paused and the roost burst forth with flying griffins. They darted, ducked, dived, and dodged each other to assemble over me. “You may begin Gryff.”
I was not one to be embarrassed by refusing to step on such a work of art. I scurried to the east coast and placed myself over the ocean. “Here I made a mistake, but we can find a good use for any barrier regardless. Even if it is a clean slate. Baron Elan said there are tall cliffs and deep water. North is Uhara. Uhara used to be a busy port harbor and who knows what it is now? We will camp there tonight probably. Next is a barrier reef port called Livina. It is here, where I place my right hand. We will use it to jump to this island. It should be rich in our target. Tree worms. It also may have sandworms, I hear they are deadly. We may end up fighting, but it will be in the barrier, allowing griffins to fight also. I don’t know if you want to bring extra bags for carrying kills home but we can freeze what we kill. Your call though.”
“Show us the other three locations.”
“Oh, further east is this spot, then on the other side of the continent here and north here.”
“I understand why you picked port locations. It was wise given the situation. We yearn for a mountain peak but it would not help us with food. We have many females with cubs brew… cubs incubating… Yes, that works. Food, food, and more food. I will add another fifty griffins if there is a chance of battle. Which seems likely. Include as many bags as you can and we will do the lifting. Remove this map for storage once Gryff is off it. Thank you for valuing the effort that went into creating this. It will be a centerpiece of your eventual castle. A common map room for our two species was missed in our designs of Zenith. Sometimes even weeks of planning is not enough. Off now.” Lord Nova ordered and I retreated from the board.
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