by Marcus Sloss
The two of us ate a quiet breakfast, said goodbye to Lily, then took the path to the roost. It was considerably less populated today. A trio of griffins soared over our heads to land. I noticed they were not hauling anything. The inside of the roost field was bustling with loading teams. Four griffins waited by the female crews for passengers to get on. Once the people were situated, the birds moved to a loading area to get hooked up with goods before flying north. I went to join a line for personnel when Bella took us to the front.
“Hop on Gryff, put yourself and your wife on the back two seats of the saddle. When we take off with the load, if I need to adjust you, please move to a different seat. I am Dina, condemner of my mate’s penis Traz. We still laugh at that joke, it was a good one.” Dina giggled while hitting her left paw into the dirt.
She was a smaller griffin. White feathers with pink tips, her tail swatter also pink. She had a swollen belly that spoke of a recent feast. The griffins were working overtime, I would not be surprised if all the war boar was gone.
“Up you go Lady Bella, take the back seats. This is Dina, we will be riding on her today. Oh wow, look at how much the griffins got moved since last night. Looks like most of the goods and supplies have already left.”
“We prefer to fly at night. It is cooler and we get shot at less. I am on my fourth trip, only the animals left really. If you are settled I am going to move.”
I told her we were, and she walked us over to the loading crew. I saw us approaching a sack with many holes in it that allowed air to flow through. The head worker shouted to a note taker that the monox were being loaded. I didn't hear the little creatures making any noise so I assumed they slept. A clasp locked to the underside of the saddle with a loud snap.
Dina lifted ten feet into the air to get a good feel for the weight, then shot off north with far more speed than Lydia had. Bella, who sat behind me squealed in surprise and tightly gripped my waist. We quickly passed the city walls and got over the river.
“Dina, I have a question. How did the griffins and humans form their bond?”
“It is a long answer but we have a long ride. The Horde invasion portal was immense and spawned by the central equator of the three continents. The mountain ranges where the majority of our species called home were in close proximity to that portal. I remember my old home fondly and wish we had realized sooner what was happening. The Horde poured out in the millions, then the tens of millions with no end in sight. We stuck to our mountain slopes as humanity crumbled before the endless tide.
“When the war came to us we decimated the Horde. They sent countless waves against us in a desperate attempt to take us down.
“I do not say this to seek praise, but we demolished the Horde with ease. We were the perfect counter. When the shamans throw up shields we crashed through them with speed. If a griffin took damage we could distance cast heal.” Dina said with a pause. The sporadic empty farms, the curving river, and endless trees passed below us. I listened intently waiting for her to continue.
“When we are born, we have almost all the elemental auras. We have red, with the spell of basic flame, green with healing, brown with growth, blue with water freeze, white with air gust, purple with increased strength, agility, and dexterity, we are only missing darkness. Darkness is a Horde aura that is the color black, we clump it into unknown magics. Such as portals, nullifiers, and contracts. It wasn't until the end of the war that we realized we could use catalysts. Some believe had we known more of magic in the early days the war would have been won and the portal closed. That is something we must be prepared for in case the peace accords break or for when they end in fifteen years. Do not be surprised if griffins request help with training our kind in advanced magics. Back to the early days of our bond.
“So we fought, and we won all initial battles of the war. It was as if we were designed to decimate the Horde. Yet, the sheer numbers of the Horde would flow around our defenses. There were too many of them and not enough of us. The other issue was we were too spread without a central roost. When they made it to our roosts many young cubs were lost. We decided that allying with the humans was our only hope. We flew to the battlefronts after our children were secured and laid waste to the Horde with a vengeance. The amount of death the Horde suffered was staggering.
“Again overwhelming numbers bypassed well defended cities or armies with griffins in them. The only thing winning the war for the humans was us. The Horde pushed us and the humans further and further south. It was brutal fighting that most thought would end in extermination. A few months before the peace accords humanity was boxed into this zone they control now. Our numbers were no longer too spread out to halt the advance. We bleed the enemy until they sued for peace. In doing so we won and lost. Our home was gone, but we won a new place of honor in the human cities. Roosts dominated every city skyline, and the Griffin King Aves and his council created the prides. The pride system is roughly based on the human noble system. The main reason for the pride was to ensure the spreading of the bloodlines evenly. That and we like to be in small groups at most, unless at war of course. The Horde formed the peace deal to take all our combat abilities out of the equation. Where the humans lost eighty percent plus of their population, we barely lost ten percent. The peace accords extremely limit what we can do, how we can do it, and where we can go. The only positive we saw is we could increase our numbers rapidly. When the accords break, we hope we have the numbers to figure out how to destroy the portal and reclaim Vin.”
“That is incredible. Not that I wish the war was in full swing again, but to see you griffins in action, I bet it was amazing. I have so much to learn.” I said with my arms spread out horizontal flying with the headwind.
Bella had gotten over her initial excitement to be airborne and was enjoying the fresh wind. I noticed she had pulled out a larger more detailed map of the area and was using a pencil to notate things. I was distracted with the conversation so I was glad she was doing it. I saw we were still at least a half hour south of outpost Straddleback.
“Dina, this question may sound odd. But did the gods create you or did you evolve?” I asked with curiosity.
“We are all created by the gods. That is a mystery for us as a species, which god created us and why. The recent theory is that the why was for the Horde. We think someone knew they were coming but could not guide us to prepare, only bring us to life. In the end, it remains a mystery.”
I let the conversation die off while I watched the view. I saw more signs of small orc settlements. A few goblins checking the river, and the odd troll walking down a beaten path. The air was clear and the day was bright.
I noticed the outpost from a distance, recognizing its basic outline. I told Dina to fly over it. The outline followed the same basic pattern as Fernlan. The main difference was instead of the village up on an incline and the fields below, everything was flat here. The buildings, which were few in number, were empty. I wanted to test the barrier but we had the monox and Bella with us. So after the slow flyby, I had Dina continue north.
For another hour plus we flew north along the river until we came to the dam section close to Fernlan. The entire blockade was gone, washed down the creek. A team of at least eight goblins, were doing their best to find rocks and toss them at the inlet. I looked for their overseer and saw the ogre that dominated the area. He relaxed on a large rock and confidently eyed us as we flew by. The look he gave me was one of a challenge.
I guessed it was a he because the ogre was shirtless and the pecs were heavily muscled. His skin was a dark shade of brown and gray. It was smooth and I saw no scarring across his body. The beast wore a kilt, and that was it. A large club rested by the rock. The ogre showed no signs of fear or worry. I estimated he was fifteen feet tall but with him sitting I found it hard to judge. He watched over his goblins as they hauled small rocks to cut off our water supply. Well, that was no good.
“Hey Dina, you killed ogres before, what should I do to take that
one down? We can’t keep fighting over that water supply point.” I asked as I subconsciously scratched at my ever growing itchy beard.
“Ogres are like most other beasts just bigger, stronger, and harder to kill. Pierce the brain or heart will do. Next is you can bleed them and that was always a favorite tactic of mine. They can heal better than most creature of the Horde, it takes rest though. They tend to run away if hurt so if you do wound one follow it. They are horrid line soldiers against griffins. We would strafe them first with claws extended. Our intent was to hurt them and then they would trample friendly troops close to them. You can also set a trap, none are extremely effective and most are time consuming. They are an elite but that one is small and I doubt it is battle hardened.
“I recommend you range attack it. If it charges run back into the barrier, you are faster. A normal human is almost even to one that size. If you wound it bad enough, let it run, kill its goblins and fight it while it tries to recover. Either way, if you do not keep the water flowing, the griffins who are landing here will have to detour to Cern for water. Which is only one of the things that will start to go downhill without a fresh water source.”
She was right, the well of Fernlan was not enough, especially with the large influx of new people. I had to do something. The tingle of the barrier notified me that we were back in Fernlan. I saw the half shed loaded to the brim with supplies. People stood around everywhere. There were some things getting done but it seemed a lot of my new hires were without orders. Dina landed us by the fire pit in an open spot next to stacked supplies. I got off the mighty griffin and helped Bella down.
Since I was one of many flights arriving that morning, no one noticed me. I went over to the half shed and leaped onto the roof. Good, it was a nice spot for everyone to see me.
“Listen up!” Most stopped. “Over here!” Okay, that did it and I had everyone's attention. “Greetings, I am Earl Gryff. Sent to turn this village into a war camp. There is so much to be done and little time to do it. If you are an earth mage or builder this is what I need you to do. See this ramp.” I said point at the incline from the western fields to the village. “I need caves dug out all along this incline, we need enough space to sort and house these supplies. One cave every twenty feet, each large enough for a wagon to back into, deep enough for plenty of storage. Organization in these will be easier than having everything clumped below me in this single half shed. Keep making these dugouts until you run out of incline, we can also use them as temporary shelters if needed. The Inn, our local inn slash pub and town center are being converted into sleeping quarters for tonight and the foreseeable future. I need every extra table, chair, bench, and odd items taking up room inside these buildings moved into the cart storage lot. I need the cart storage lot emptied and the carts are to be used on an as needed basis. I will be buying them and you will be using them to help get work completed faster. If you are unsure of what to do or find your workspace too crowded, I need all the old buildings in the village torn down and the wood piled over here to help support the caverns. If there is no space or you finish that, every pine inside the barrier needs to come down. If you already have an assigned task continue with that. I need Donnie and any adventurers ready to battle to meet me on the western trees where the barrier meets the creek.” I said to the attentive group.
There were loggers with axes, builders with tools, and assorted workers. Most wore common clothing meant for utility over looks. It was good to see that our money had hired so many. There probably was a shortage of work across the empire and I hoped to capitalize on that.
I hopped off the roof and made my way to the tool shed. My greataxe and three pikes were there off to the side. I quickly loaded them up and jogged over to the barrier. Some people tried to get my attention including Velia and Elan, but I waved and kept going. I wanted to make sure I slew the ogre while he was out in the open.
Donnie, Jak, and three men with bows and short swords waited for me at the barrier. I needed to name this spot... western gate, yeah that would work. Donnie had his sword and shield with my javelins on his back.
“Alright gents, we are in a hurry. Here is the plan. We will go up the creek toward the river. I am sure the goblins will smell us or the ogre will see us from his height advantage. I want you to send two volleys of ranged weapons and then retreat. It is not far from here so we will hit and run. If we land some good strikes and the ogre flees then we run down the goblins. If the ogre chases us we run to safety then step out and attack. If he gets close to you step back in, make sure not to attack him from inside the barrier. Jak you are going to be my extra weapon carrier.”
I got some nods, and welcome back greetings from Jak and Donnie. We stepped through the barrier and took off at a light jog. A few minutes along the creek we heard a mighty loud and long roar.
The ogre was easy to see once he stood. Club in hand he charged toward us, the chatter of encouraging goblin speak followed his challenge. I pulled my pike back and let it launch. Beside me, the archers let loose. My pike only scored a graze going too far to the right and hitting a bicep. I turned and grabbed my next pike from Jak when Dina soared right over us moving fast on a collision course with the ogre.
She screamed out a war cry and got to within feet of the charging ogre. The griffin caused the ogre to skid his feet and halt his momentum. He raised his hands over his face defensively. She broke off her attack run before any contact was made. The ogre was stunned with shock. I knew this was a perfect opportunity. I broke into a short run for extra power and launched for the neck. This pike inserted below the ogre’s chin and violently exited out in a spray of gore.
The ogre staggered and fell to a knee in a struggle to stay upright. A spurt of blood erupted from his neck and splashed onto the ground. I went to grab my third pike from Jak but he was gone. My greataxe and last pike were on the ground. The adventurers and Donnie held steady and rained projectiles into the ogre.
The ogre roared again this time communicating with the goblins to attack. He got to his feet with a lurch, gave us an angry look, and fled. I had the third pike soaring at him before he managed a few steps. It sunk into his right calf and caused him to crash with a resounding smack. I grabbed the greataxe and charged.
As I got close I saw the goblins pumping weapons into the air angrily at me and my group. Two who had bows and arrows launched at us. The arrows missed, falling short of us. I wondered if they had ever practiced with those weapons.
“I got the ogre, run the goblins down, fight as one! If the ogre targets you outrun it, it is injured and slow!” I said as I built up speed toward my target that was rolling in pain.
“For the empire!” The men screamed as they charged the left flank of goblins.
The ogre was seated on his ass now. My pike from his calf was in his hand. He flung it at me with blinding speed. I dove face first into the grass in a slide. I felt the pike pass over me. My face burned as the impact of the mud and gravel tore at my skin. I was alive and my cheeks bled slowly where the impact had peeled some flesh away, but the damn ogre was limping away in a trail of blood. He had used the time with the pike attack to flee.
I chased after him and he saw me getting close over his shoulder. A backhanded desperate swing forced him to put weight on his bad calf and he fell. The ground shook with his impact. The swing was weak and his movements were slowed which allowed me to easily dodge.
I raced in for the kill when a large goblin ambushed me from my right. A pike thrust pierced into my right butt cheek as I turned trying to avoid the sudden attack. My greataxe curved around and got stuck in the goblin’s torso.
The ogre used the distraction to club me across my left side. There were stars in my vision and no ground below me for a few moments. I landed and felt my left shoulder pop on impact. My left arm and a few ribs snapped. The only thing that saved me was he was weakened from blood loss. I managed to regain my feet with blinding pain.
We stared each other down. He was on his han
ds and knees, blood still pumped from his neck in spurts. I blared a challenge at him. He dared me to get closer with a roar far weaker than before. One of the adventurers had used our shouting match as a distraction.
I watched as the man charged from the side of the ogre. He thrust the short sword deep into the tiny ear on the massive head. The ogre turned his head in confusion, flinging the brave man into the air who had failed to release his grip. That was the last action of the mighty beast. The sword that pierced his brain caused the ogre to fall flat onto the ground with open eyes. It died with that shocked expression on its face.
I went to the man who had a rough landing and saw he was stunned but okay. Donnie and the two others were cleaning up dead goblins. We had won the day.
“Gryff,” I said to the man who killed the ogre in introduction.
“Nate of Lakeland, well done Earl. That throw that hit his neck, it was mortal. If you would have been more patient we could have tracked him to where he bled out. Oh well. He is dead, the goblins too. Lots of money these ogres.” Nate introduced himself. The man was short and stout, with bushy eyebrows and a wide nose. His hair was tight against his head and his brown eyes spoke of a hard life.
“Lots of money and lots of meat. Do me a favor, go run down Jak and haul his ass back here. I got a bleeding butt and broken bones. Donnie and new guys, great work! Donnie get some people and get me some carts over here, or better yet the wagon. New guys come to me, we can collect loot after I am healed. Watch over me until Jak gets me mended.” I ordered the two new guys since they were meandering around the remnants of the battlefield picking out loot.
Donnie ever the eager achiever was gone in a run. The two men walked to me.