Wie dove into the water which was shallow and I wondered if he didn’t accidentally split his small head open. A minute later he had two fish on the javelin. There was a clacking noise and then I waited for a translation.
“You have a new trade partner. They want javelins and rats. In return fish, pearls, and simple tasks near the water. You will allow them to keep six ships and not attack them. It is a solid deal Gryff. We want you to accept, but ultimately it is your choice. This helps bring in a lot of gold in trade and food.” Lord Nova said.
“Can we do eight of the worst ships and get more food?” I asked. Lord Nova rolled his eyes and left. Bartering was beneath him. Traz asked and it was happily agreed to.
I snatched Addilyn from her seat and tossed her over my shoulder. “Unhand me, you handsome man… yes… please stop,” she giggled while I carried her. “Nice to meet you Wie see you in the morning team, goodnight.”
A round of goodnights was sent off and I found the only three story waterfront property with ease. I raced up to the third floor and set Addilyn down. We raced to get naked in excitement. I ravished my wife over and over until I grew tired. Tammy watched patiently and joined in on the last round. I drifted off to sleep quickly in a lavish bed with two women, and a view most worked their lives to see.
CHAPTER 11
I was stuck in a nightmare of trying to save Winst. I never could, no matter what I tried. My recurring dream was broken when Tammy shook me awake. It was a few seconds before I realized I was free of the cycle and needed to pee. I went into a bathroom and found a… toilet!? How had I missed this before? I released my morning buildup of urine and went to flush the toilet and found it did not work. Awe. Then I saw a bucket for water that was empty. I raced down naked to the waterfront and filled the bucket. I then bounded up three flights of stairs to do my morning thing in privacy and I even only used half a bucket of water.
Tammy was geared when I exited the bathroom and was helping Addilyn get in her armor. I walked over and assisted my wife. When they were ready for combat I went into my gear. We double checked each other and I was missing my dagger on my belt. I had taken it off for the ogre and stuck it back in my bag. Things like that mattered and was why we did checks.
The three of us worked our way down to the docks and did not have to wait long for the team to assemble.
“Morning everyone. Well Nate, it is hard to plan mid flight what were you thinking we try?” I asked him first. Sometimes his plans were infinitely better and I could adjust a lot from his input.
“These are tunnel dwelling creatures that sense vibration. I think were useless. Maybe you can handle them, but the griffins will probably be primary here. As much as I hate watching others do the dirty work, it may save all our lives in this scenario.” Nate said and opened the floor to other suggestions. “If you can think of something now is the time.”
Lazra raised a hand and Nate nodded to him. “Well, the island is circled, meaning it is inside the barrier. Maybe we never have to touch the ground. I have scampered up my fair number of trees. I could land on one without touching the ground and ferret out these tree worms. Winst was our expert on them but it’s a worm in a tree. It cannot be too hard to find. If I am the test subject, I will need some extra bottles to drop what I find into.”
That was a good idea. I was expecting to have to slug it out with the big beasts. Lord Nova landed as I was thinking the plan over.
“We do both. I want to fight these creatures. I have a feeling their hearts are like the goblins and ogres. They are cave dwellers after all. I will distract with the primary force and attempt to kill some sandworms. If I run into problems I simply retreat while being healed. Assuming they are not able to dismember me. We can always rip the trees out of the ground and fly them here. But then we will not have more tree worms to work with later. There are multiple ideas we can resort to if they end up being a difficult foe. If not, we need that island. It will be our island. Space is key for all of us, and if we have to eradicate the current residents, so be it. We can always have you, humans, sail to other islands.” Lord Nova said.
That was it right there. There were plenty of islands without the sandworms around and we could sail to them. The idea was staring right at us with the boats.
“Okay new plan. Lord Nova brought up a good point. We go to Sandworm Isle and Lazra you stay firm in the saddle. We all do. Let the griffins fight it out. If they can win the space we go to collect there. If not we sail to another island.” I said this part while pointing at the numerous ships anchored off the reef. “Which we need to find anyway because Sandworm Isle will become a settlement eventually.”
The team agreed, the griffins agreed, and we did ready checks. Once the eleven Knights of Fernlan plus princess Addilyn were ready to go we scurried up into our saddles. With all the griffins sent south, we were down to a hundred and twenty that launched this morning. The sun was still early in its rise as we flew northeast. It was supposed to be an over ocean flight the entire time but I already saw six islands from the air. All within a few minutes of Livina. I really wished I had brought a backup earth mage or a pamphlet on tree worms. The tropical trees I saw on the islands we passed looked like the right kind, but I would not know until I inspected them.
After the six islands, I was on the constant lookout with my map in hand. Ready to annotate any new island with a dot. I even went about naming the islands after famous cartoon characters I remembered from my time as a kid. No one else would get the references but I would. A half hour turned into two, as the sun beat against my armor. I drank greedily and finished off my first canteen. We would need Janice to purify more water preferably not from Livina. In the end, we may not have a choice. I guess we could always launch a rainstorm for water. It would be neat to try and even cool us off. Added it to my to do list. Test pearl spell.
Addilyn had been enjoying the view and mostly minding to herself when she raised a finger in an ah-ha moment. “What is it with you and your lists? I see them in your bag, most have some numerous bloodstains I cannot get out. You have a to buy list, to do list, to learn about list, to hire list, and what was the last one… I forget. Anyway, is there some symbolism or an inside thing I am missing?”
“When I was young my parents died. I think you know this. Well, this part you probably don’t know. My long term foster parents who themselves disappeared in an ocean aircar crash, instilled a few things into me. One was to always be organized. Where I was from, there were great electrical devices that would remind you of all the trivial things you needed to complete. You never actually had to annotate or ask for the computer… Hmm… the personal assistant. This artificial assistant kept your life organized and running smoothly for some, and for others, it was a bane. I embraced mine and found my life became easier and I achieved more. So I carried that traditional habit to here and applied it to Vin. I always have lists because if I do not make lists, then how can I afford the time to go fishing. And we can’t have that if we need to sort supplies, do inventory checks, train for combat, learn about Vin, and well… the list goes on. A bit long winded but I assure you, if you try it, you will at least remember one thing you might have let slip you by.”
A got a kiss on the cheek and a silly smile. “You are adorable Gryff. I shall have to attempt your list system when I get home. I will make a calendar on one side and a notation list on the other. May even share a copy with you.”
“I would love a calendar. I have yet to study one. Count me in, and name your fair price.” I said with a smile.
“Not sure if it will be fair, but I promise it will be fun,” Addilyn said teasingly and we slipped back into silence.
I let the crisp warm air whip across my face as I watch the rolling water under us. I glanced at the skyline and saw a few billowing clouds. A quick sniff and I smelt a stinky griffin. That was kind of expected. It got me wondering if I could ever bribe them to bathe. Traz jumping into the water was the first I ever saw. I
never really noticed the smell unless we went on these long trips. They probably groomed each other in their roosts.
While I was pondering to kill the time – Sandworm Isle became a blip on the horizon. It was big, much larger than I thought it was going to be. A small island on a small map means a big island. This brought me back to my insertion onto Vin. The story from over a month ago that filled me in on what Vin was. A hundred times bigger than Earth. I had no way to actually compare but I felt there was much, much more to explore.
As we neared the isle I saw it started with a long hundred foot area of sand. This area was wide and clear. I was expecting a few sporadic trees on the sand. This was not the case. There was a lush palm forest. The more I thought about it the more I could understand it. Coastal areas did receive more rain meaning it was easier for life to grab a foothold. Still, this was a dense forest. Lord Nova informed me we were going to extensively test the barrier.
The entire flight of griffins weaved in and out of the barrier to find its limits. While they snaked the perimeter I watched and studied the forest. I saw monox, monkeys, and numerous types of colorful birds. I did not see any monsters like the sandworms. I looked north and was able to view where the shallow reef connected to the mainland. It was a long strip of coral reefs. It seemed it was shallow enough. The flow was low which kept the erosion down and the island blocked the waves. I bet there were all sorts of unique fish, corals, and shells in that area. I needed to buy a proper fishing rod with a reel.
We finished our circle and Lord Nova circled his troops to give out orders. Xar was the test subject again. That griffin deserved a medal for his willingness to do dangerous things.
Xar left the flock of us in the air and dived for the treeline with wings tucked. He smashed into the jungle on the outskirts by the sand. The impact sent trees tumbling and birds fleeing to the air for safety. It was sudden and violent. I was expecting a soft landing but it made sense. In order for him to land in the trees, he needed to clear some room. The ground around Xar calmed as time passed and the griffin was healed of his minor scrapes. It went to show just how tough a griffin was. Xar had nosedived into trees and barely was scratched.
The old griffin gave a mighty shake as bush and branches were ejected from his feathers. He did a little jig on the ground stomping his feet. My team watched down on Xar expecting some giant sandworm to erupt below him but none did. Lord Nova guided us closer together.
“To be honest Gryff we were expecting more sand on the island with the name sand in it. It appears okay for you to land in the forested area. We are going to deposit you and look for a fight.” Lord Nova said while slowing approaching Xar and the cleared area around him. Xar was plucking trees from the ground to make more room in preparation for us. Those trees must have weighed thousands of pounds and he yanked them and then stacked them with ease. “I should have never carried you. Lessons… First time fighting with humans with communication and dual planning. Any objections?”
“Can we keep a few griffins over us in case we need a quick extraction?” I asked wanting the security. The griffins carrying my team set down one at a time. The Knights unlatched their gear for a quick unload. The griffin would take off to make room for the next landing team. Addilyn and I were the last to touch down and we quickly cleared Lord Nova of our gear.
“Three will watch over you, I suggest you carve up these trees here already on the ground and find your worms while we fight. If we need you, I will call on you. Until then, stay in the trees, please. We do not want to worry about your weak bodies.” Lord Nova said and lifted into the air. “I will let you humans prepare before we land on the sands.”
“We have a few minutes to set up so let’s utilize that time now. I want both Brads, Donnie and Marcus to form a shield wall facing the sand. Your job is to cover us from anything flying our way. Be it body parts, sand, or well, anything. Tammy and Addilyn you are on collection. Get the jars ready and hover between us as we search. The rest of us stack supplies over here and then let’s dig into these trees.” I said and hoisted our limited supplies to the central point.
I fished my dagger out of my belt and went for the first tree. I missed my greataxe at this point. As I started to dig into the wood I found no signs of the worms we were searching for. Janice gave a yip in surprise.
“Got them… they are not in the wood Gryff, they are in the upper leaves. They nestle on the underside of the fronds it looks like. Wow, there is a lot of them. Probably what is sustaining all the birds and climbing creatures.” Janice said.
“Alright, team we got found our target, once they are jarred everyone gives them a look,” I ordered. Addilyn and Tammy added some to each jar so they could pass them around. When I got a good look I tilted my head in confusion. These were caterpillars, and there were a lot of them from a single nest. I had no idea about the ratio…
I was taken out of my thoughts when an eruption of sand boomed from power. Lord Nova was trapped in the grasp of a round creature the size of a tall building. They both were high in the air from the initial surge from below. The digging claws that encircled the worms head had a firm grasp of the griffin’s body while the mouth was snapping for a leg. Lord Nova was relentless in serrating the creature's face with his talons. The sandworm panicked from the damage and went to retreat with its prey.
The griffins dove into the extended body of the sandworm as they latched on in numerous areas. Huge rents and gouges ripped into the sandworm. It was over shortly after the added weight was applied from the additional griffins. Like a falling tree, the sandworm could not support all the added pressure and crashed into the sand off to the side. A billowing cloud of loose particles shot into the air. The contact of the heavy creature landing so violently sent a shock wave our way. I quickly ducked behind the shield wall and listened as sand hit the shields.
Lord Nova had the hooked digger arms ripped from his body and was healed. I watched him shake the sand out of his short fur and feathers. The alpha stood heroically, proud of his kill. I watch him grin and then look down with a frown. Instantly the ground exploded in a powerful lunge and he was hooked into again. You think have dozens of digging arms thrust into your body would cause you torment, but Lord Nova madly laughed at his ride into the air. Green aura kept him alive while his teams brought down a second worm. The killing was ruthless and effective.
These were massive creatures. The sheer amount of meat on them was staggering. I was very concerned with how we were going to handle all this bloody muscle. I was in a haze as I watched and planned. I was definitely not harvesting tree worms as I should be. I gazed around our group and everyone was in awe.
The griffins were landing on the two dead sandworms for a rest. It was unique to see the thirty foot creatures perched on the corpse of their victim. I let out a loud cough and the team returned back to work. The dozen or so trees contained enough caterpillars to fill two small jars. Based on the tiny vial I bought off Baron Strin in his book shop I was fairly confident we were done. Even so, with our lengthy travel time out here, and the Empire dry of this supply, we would stick it out. Not to mention the griffins wanted to clear the island of hostiles.
“Janice are you powerful enough to use that pearl I gave you last night?” I asked and Addilyn snickered contorting my words in her perverse mind. “The one the mer… lobsterman brought. Actually, side note, and a bonus of being a proclaimed Emperor. The lobster tailed humanoids are hereby known on Vin as The Mer. Score, always wanted to do that. Make it happen Addilyn.”
“As you command my lord,” Addilyn said with a sarcastic curtsy.
“I could summon a rain, why though my lord?” Janice asked. “I could use half the pearl and apply a five minute shower if that’s what you were thinking? The griffins have begun to ripen in odor…”
When she said this all the griffin turned to look at Janice. She tucked her shoulders in, failing to hide from their gaze. Lord Nova flew over us. “Hand me the pearl tiny human.
I will test it myself,” Lord Nova said and I translated. The griffin landed and Janice wisely did not complain as she inserted the white circle under his vest. “You want to know what motivates us Gryff, things like this. Blood, battle, and magic. Thank you for the entertainment.”
He stayed on the ground and blue magic burst from him. Not good… Then he pulled a lot of it back in somehow. That I had never seen before. As the magic raced for the sky clouds formed as white fluff and transformed into an angry black layer. The ocean was sucked up as the overhang filled with moisture. Then the rain fell.
It was a refreshing, chilly, and pure rain. I held my watersack out for collection. The team welcomed the cool rain as did the griffins. The blood splattered as it the leaked down onto the sand from the carcass. I saw a few curious monox poke out of the treetops noticing the commotion of battle had died down. A few scurried across the sands to pilfer some fresh meat. I noticed a few griffins glance at them as they darted across the sands.
Not a wise idea even with the cover of rain. The two monox were swallowed in one gulp as a sandworm popped out of the ground. It never did a massive leap or long jump. It knew from the vibrations its targets were monox. The griffins pounced and missed the target. The sandworm returned at the new vibrations to launch a new attack. A third fight broke out. Lord Nova finished his spell casting and leaped into the fray. This worm was fighting from his hole and not exposing his body. It was making for a challenging fight for the griffins until Nova placed himself in a good position and launched a lava stream into the creature's head. There was twisting and shaking until death won and the third worm died. The griffins grabbed any surface they could and worked to haul the dead monster out from its hole.
This triggered a fourth worm to erupt. There was a pattern here. One you had to be on the sand. The second was the larger the vibration the more intense the breach of the surface. I saw Traz snatched in the grips of the new threat. He was the bait for his fellow griffins. Traz was not Lord Nova, he cried out from the pain. His body was freely bleeding from many punctures and the suddenness of the attack left him without instant healing. The green aura did flow around him and the torment became manageable as he stopped screaming. He suffered through it as the team of griffins tore into the sandworm. Blood spilled, sections were clawed off, and eventually, the fourth victim joined its brethren dead on the sands.
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