by Marcus Sloss
“The deal worked for both sides for a while. Some of us girls worked tables, the kitchen, and cleaned the Inn. Others worked for lady Melina to help the men with certain needs. Do not judge, it was a tough time and some did not hate the work. Anyway, fewer soldiers made it to the front, fewer caravans to the village. Trade, coin, and work dried up. Add in the fact that the number of women and children taken under Velia's wing grew. Well, things came to a bursting point. There was a large argument that became so heated that Elan had to step in. We widows and orphans were banned from the Inn. The western fields had deserted cabins and lots of fieldwork to do. At the time the shelters here were more than enough and in decent condition. Well as time went on that changed. We tried to buy the Inn but that old hoot will not sell no matter what. So there we are, that is why we don't use the Inn for shelter.” Lyna said finishing her story.
“Okay, makes sense in a way. Not ideal but I can work with it. Jak I take it I am supposed to provide you shelter and food?” I asked.
“Yeah... Of course...” Jak held back what he really wanted to say.
“Okay, it is only midday. Your daily routine will include hard labor work, and before you complain. While it may suck, and not be ideal, you will be given shorter days than most to still practice medicine. If you want to avoid the physical exertion, you could always choose to join me for wild land adventures. For today head to the Inn and try to work out a deal with Melina. Get the best deal you can for a room to sleep in and a room to use as a shop. You should be able to talk down the price seeing as how no one rents rooms anymore. When that is done change into work clothes and come back and find me. Then tonight I will hand you the coins owed to Melina so your rooms are settled.”
“Thanks, Mr. Gryff. Master Drifa mentioned Fernlan would be drastically different than my current studies in Cern. That things in a village like this would be tough. Both he and my father assured me that the year would be good for me and to not complain. So... Thank you for not making me sleep in the mud and I will strive to do the best work here I can.” Jak said sticking a hand out to me which I shook. He hefted up his full bag and struggled up the ramp to the village to find the Inn.
“Me oh my, two handsome men in two days! That poor man will have three wives at least by the time his contract is up. Sturdy roof over his head, safe decent paying job, and so handsome. Safer bet than that hunk who ventures into the wild lands.” Lyna said with a tease. She proceeded to pinch my butt and ran off to go work.
I sighed and went to the next looming issue. The griffin snored intently not even fifty feet away. I walked toward her and gave a slight cough so she could hear me.
“You step so loudly you need not cough to alert me.” A motherly voice said in my head. “Stop.”
I skidded to a halt.
“Jump.”
I jumped.
“Very interesting. I see my mate was not stretching the truth. You truly can hear me. I am Lydia mate of Lirkon, pride of nowhere. I say that because as of today I left the Cern pride. You see how swollen my belly is. It is like that because I ate too much goblin and I have cubs in there. Times are desperate in Cern these days for us griffins. The entire pride is in near rebellion. When Lirkon brought me food last night I knew there was a chance my cubs would survive. That hope had faded to nothing as Cern fed us less and less. They did not manage their livestock properly. Between the refugees, dense population, quotas for the Horde, and us griffins there is too much demand for the supply.
“The fact we are not allowed to hunt our own food leaves us dependent on the stupidity of others. The Baron's wild lands policy is another factor making things very grim. Lirkon mentioned you are not originally from Vin. The peace accords had special sections devoted to us griffins. The rules were clear. We could travel between safe zones freely, but we were not allowed to hunt in the wild lands. We are forbidden from landing anywhere out there. That is strictly enforced by contract magic our King Aves signed with the human Emperor. We went from a semi reliance on humans for food to being unable to hunt on our own. We griffins believe this was specifically written into the accords to break the link between us and humans.
“The Cern griffins were planning on dying in glorious battle. That was the decision we had come to until yesterday when Lirkon came to the roost with the news of you. We were not the only ones to become interested in you. Baron Liffa has declared Fernlan off limits for trade after hearing you dared to disturb the peace by killing goblins. His guards tried to stop Lirkon from leaving with the loaded supplies you bought. My mate ignored them and left for here before they could claim your goods. Instead of death by battle, we now have a new plan. We need you to talk to Duke Riza on our behalf for a noble change in Cern. You will translate our desperate need for help or ask to have us relocated to Lakeland. If you do this we will owe you a favor. I will owe you a favor” Lydia explained to me.
I let this information process. I could understand not wanting to starve a slow horrible death. I also understand how Baron Liffa was wrong in not supplementing his food stores by hunting in the wild lands.
“Lady Lydia. It is an honor to meet you. I believe we can help each other. I too need to see Duke Riza for help with supplies, tradesmen, trainers, and adventurers. I would be happy to assist you in translating your issues to the Duke. Would you be willing to allow me to fly on your back and if so when would you like to go?”
“I am tired and full...” A loud belch erupted from the griffin. “It was a chore to fly over here. I need at least another day to process these goblins. How about the day after tomorrow you ride on my back to Lakeland... Oh, and Lirkon had a message for you. West of here where your creek meets the river two dozen goblins wait in ambush. South of them down the river he could see an Ogre leaving a cave. He told me to give you his report.”
“Excellent news. I think our teamwork can bring great rewards. I will leave you to your napping and digesting for now. Any chance you could dig some holes for me so I could place some logs in the ground for a structure?”
“Is this your favor you seek? Simple manual work?”
“Ah... Never mind I can dig holes easy enough. Who knows how often griffins grant favors?” I replied. The giant griffin ignored me with this and rested her head for a nap.
I walked to the creek where the trees I had felled piled up. Donnie was in the waist deep water with the wood ax. The lad was removing tree limbs. It was slow progress but needed doing. The trees were obviously too heavy for him to take out of the water. At least he could rotate them somewhat this way.
I stripped my chest armor, shield, and weapons off. I untied the greataxe and jumped into the water that didn't even rise to my hips.
“Great progress Donnie. Good thinking on piling the limbs and branches over there.” I told him. I cupped my hands around my mouth. “Lily, Lyna!” I shouted with all the force my lungs could muster.
While I waited for the girls to arrive I went to work on a pine still full of branches. I clenched the greataxe halfway down the shaft so I could use it in close proximity. I removed multiple limbs in a single hack. The process was easy for me, the branches severed cleanly and quickly. Donnie was having trouble so I stopped him.
“Alright, Donnie, change of work for you. As I clean the trees you stop the branches from floating away and pile them over there.” I said point to the collection of limbs he had started.
Lily and Lyna arrived, giggling with each other.
“Lily, Lyna, glad you heard my call. I got work for you. I need that pile of branches bundled into something that could work as a roof. We got the goblin guts saved from yesterday? If so can we use those or would we need vines?” I asked Lyna.
“The guts were saved but it takes a few weeks to fully process them. They have to be hand cleaned, then a flower compound is applied to them, then finally they have to be stripped and fully dried. It will be weeks before they can be used. There are some vines over by the trees near the potty pits. Can I take your sword to chop them up
?” she asked.
“Works for me, take about an hour of gathering vines. Hopefully, between you two, that should be enough to get these bundled for tonight.”
I went back to work on severing branches from the trunk. I slowed the pace a bit as I noticed Donnie surrounded by wood. I was going to take a break when Jak bounded to us with an immense grin.
“Two gold for the year, she wanted five at the start. I think it is a solid deal, an inn in Cern would be ten times that in price. Who names an inn the Inn? What can I do to help?”
“Velia has my purse still, grab the coins from her after dinner and explain why. As for work, I am moving faster than Donnie can keep up. Jump in beside him and he will explain what to do.” I told Jak.
We got into a rhythm for the next hour and made excellent progress. As I was cleaning up the last tree Lily and Lyna showed up. The woman struggled as she pulled a large amount of various sized vines. The little girl carried far less but endeavored to haul as much as possible. Both Donnie and Jak got out of the water and helped them. The trees were cleaned and we had our vines now. Without being told what to do the girls began grouping similar sized sticks and weaving bundles.
“Donnie go to the tool pile and grab three shovels if we got them. Meet me over by the griffin when you get them. Let’s go Jak, don't worry about Lydia the griffin. She will not harm you. I think I cured her hatred for men.”
“Blood boiling hatred sure, but I still dislike men. Yet, since I do need you, and don't hate you, the Jak human will not be harmed.” I was told by a very distant Lydia.
“Yup, you are safe Jak. Apparently, griffins can hear a normal conversation for hundreds of feet away. Uhh... I want to build a structure where you are laying at Lydia if you would be so kind as to move in any direction.
“Since we don't have the new tools and parts unpacked yet we will build something simple for now. Well, that and I want it done quickly. We will use posts in the ground two for each corner. Then stack the logs horizontally, alternating thick base trunk to thin tree top. The four posts will hold the trees in and we can pack the branches to fill gaps. The average tree is thirty feet tall so we will build it that long and wide. Eight trees tall and then the hard part will be adding the top.” I said
Lydia moved away from the open spot by the fire pit from last night and went under the tree where we slept. Donnie showed up with three shovels once we got to my desired spot. I took the shovel from him and marked a circle. The widest tree was only two feet in diameter. So I measure out two feet and marked another circle.
“Jak dig this hole, Donnie dig this one. I will be back with a log to get the proper length.” I told them.
I jogged back over to the creek. I plopped into the water and crouched down. I moved an averaged sized tree onto my right shoulder. I wrapped my right arm around the middle of the log and used my left hand to lock the trunk in place. I stood up feeling my feet sink into the soft mud of the creek bed as I fully supported the additional weight. Taking my first steps forward the front of the log quickly shifted down and crashed into the ground. The sudden transfer in the weight caused me to lose balance and I splashed face first into the creek.
Ugh... I hope no one saw that.
I got myself above water and began sweeping the mud off my body with my hands.
“We saw that, are you okay?” Lyna said. Her freckled face showed genuine concern.
“I am fine. Lesson learned, will carry them across my back with both arms for better balance.”
This time I lifted the log across my back instead of facing forward. I balanced it by putting more length on the treetop side and was happy when it stayed steady as I raised it from the water. The weight was heavy and I grunted but it was manageable. Lyna let out a whistle as I passed the girls making the bundles.
“Whoa, do you have magical strength?” Jak asked and stopped digging. He ran up to me causing me to stop mid haul. The man closed his eyes and placed a hand on my chest... Awkward. I was about to tell him I don't bat for that team when I felt a pulse of tingling shoot through my body. “By the gods, you do. Your aura is incredible. Even Master Drifa's green flame is a tiny ember compared to your purple inferno!”
The man was clearly excited and this caused Lydia to get up and approach me. Which caused Jak to scream like a little bitch and hide behind the wagon.
“Tell the weakling I mean him no harm. I want to verify your aura.” A mighty talon with incredible sharpness was pressed into my chest softly. I felt a small amount of pain as it broke the skin and blood trickled down. Lydia closed her eyes and a new sensation racked my body with pain. I barely managed the log as I screamed from the brief torment. “Apologies for the pain, the weakling is indeed correct. You show no signs of talent other than strength. Never will you throw a fireball or be able to magically heal. Yet your strength, agility, and dexterity is many times greater than a normal human. Your aura is so strong even your bones glow. You are an interesting specimen Gryff, my coming here is already worth it.”
I had figured as much, and I was disappointed I only had enhanced physical attributes. Magic sounded super awesome and left me a bit jealous. Oh well, I would make the best of what I had.
I walked over to the dig holes and dropped the log off my back. I lined the length up with the holes and made a straight line with the log. A few feet from the other end I drew two new circles. As I had busied myself with work I noticed Lydia and gone back to resting and Jak had poked his head out from behind the wagon. Velia and others, alerted by my scream of pain were running over.
“Jak come over here and heal my chest.” I then cupped my hands to my mouth. “False alarm ladies, no need for concern. The griffin and I were merely testing something and well... It hurt.” This seemed to alleviate most of the concerned widows besides Velia.
She reached me before Jak and inspected the rip in my chest. “It is not deep, why would she do this?” Velia asked.
“To find out that I have magical strength and probably magically strengthened body too. I wonder if my kids will have super strength?!” I said as my eyes lit up with excitement.
“Probably will. This gash will be healed in no time, stand still.” Jak placed his hand over my chest. “When those of us with a talent aura have offspring it is common for them to have the same trait. My father has the green aura, my mother nothing, and my brother nothing. My father gets sick at the sight of blood so he never utilized his aura like I do. And... Done.”
I looked down at my chest after Jak removed his hand and it was smooth like before. The only thing that showed was the blood trail that had escaped earlier. Okay... Having a healer was awesome.
“Did that drain you or are you extra tired now?” I asked him.
“My healing aura is big enough to handle a few minor cuts before it needs time to recharge. The bigger the injury or severe the sickness the more that is required. There are a few potions that make it so I can keep going but they require rare parts. Which are exceedingly expensive.”
“Alright team, enough of a show. Back to work, we got a lot to do before the sun sets in a few hours.” I said to everyone.
I went and marked four more holes for each side of the building. With all the hole placements indicated I left and began the hard process of hauling the trees from the creek to the building site. Seeing as how anyone could dig the holes I let Donnie and Jak work on that. I had moved five logs over when Lydia excavated the remaining marked holes with her talons. I thanked her but she remained silent and went back to napping. With the pits done, Velia sent Micka and a young woman called Pipi to help move logs.
Pipi had dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and soft exquisite features. This young lady was a knockout, and I was drawn to her immediately. While Velia was pretty and the girl you desired to meet your family and friends. Pipi was the girl you were excitedly nervous to be around because she was so sexy. Her tight little body had near perfect curves that were reduced from lack of food. Even with her thin frame, she had a large b
ust. Probably really large bust when she was a healthy weight. Pipi was shadowed by a four year old son. As she sauntered my way Velia guided the little boy back with her.
It took Pipi, Donnie, Jak, and Micka to hoist a single log. They struggled with the carry the entire time. To help them I hustled at a light jog. When they would reach the shed site I would take the log and place it in the dug holes. Once the twelve holes were filled with standing bracing logs I told them to stop. I then had them fill in the holes around the logs to ensure they were anchored nicely and stood straight. Once I saw them understand what needed to be done I kept my fast pace. I was coming down to the last of the logs when a dinner break was called by Velia.
Evening meal was a small amount of leftover rations that I donated from yesterday. I knew I was already burning more calories than eating. I swallowed my pride and ate the awful chunk of mystery food. Stupid smelons not being ripe. I should have stayed out longer and gotten a real meal. Fancy pants griffin decided to comment on the horrid smell of the rations. After I told her she had eaten our dinner yesterday she was silent. I didn't waste much time with the meal. I went to the well, greedily gulped half a bucket worth of water and jogged back to the last of the logs.
It was a full team effort at this point to beat the sinking sun to complete the shed. Ten people were lifting logs and stacking them on top of each other in between the tall posts. When I arrived with the final log to the site all that was left was eight logs for the roof. The issue was getting them on top of the structure. We could slide a log up one wall but it always lost balance before it reached the next. Lydia saw our struggle and decided to help. In a few minutes, she had picked up, lifted and placed the eight logs as cover. Everyone thanked her profusely and she asked for a few unripe melons. Which were happily given. Jak left for the Inn for the night with a promise to meet me for breakfast.