by Marcus Sloss
CHAPTER 11
I packed both sets of armor in one of Bella's many spare storage chests that took up a wall in our room. I was in my casual court clothes that had not been ruined and ready for the day. My sword was on my hip, and my shield on my back underneath the backpack Donnie had bought me. Inside the bag was some extra food because how could I travel without some snacks. I double checked myself and the storage chest and felt ready to go. Bella walked with me up the stairs and out of the Inn.
We had discussed in length that morning about what the village priorities were. Really with the expansion of Dais we were getting well into what qualified for a town. Bella decided to hold on visiting Walt's family and sent word to one of her other mothers to help us break the news. She said they would handle it with the sensibility it needed. They were to be paid in full and offered a free house. It was not built yet but the offer was there. For the village, it was furnishing the Dais, and keeping the building going. I told her to expect the Cern riders to immigrate today or tomorrow and that they should be welcomed. We certainly needed the help with the landing pad and roost work.
I had also sat down and talked with Nate and Una over breakfast. Nate and the Frontier Knights were coming with me, Una and the Fearless Company were staying here. They were to keep the horses fed, check the fish lines daily, finish cleaning out the smelon orchard and patrol around the village. If they found a lack of work help with the building down in Dais or check the board. I had Nate prepare his men for travel, with instructions to expect at least a few days on the mission. I told him to have his men ready in an hour at the griffin landing area.
I then went and dealt with the griffins, who were in the post feast tired mode. Lord Nova was grumpy but got up and walked me over to a portion of the western fields. He had five flat pieces of rectangular wood laid out. Four were of maps of the local area with a legend key on the left side. We went over the scouting maps and how they would be utilized. I sent Donnie to fetch Una, and within ten minutes both Nova and Una were on the same page. I sent Una away to get some men and post the new maps at all the gates. After that was settled Nova went over the roost blueprint they assembled together. Donnie went running again for Patti or Zack this time. Patti came over to us and had Donnie haul the blueprint near the Dais entrance for now. I then discussed my need to hunt large amounts of Lava golems. Nova said there was a city about five hours west of here called Malvia, which would be perfect for our goals. It was on the north side of the human safe zones so it would have Horde, probably no one farmed the golems over there anymore due to that fact. We had agreed to travel in an hour or two so the griffins were less saturated with food.
I set my chest full of armor down at the loading area, plopped a seat on it and snacked away. I was quickly surrounded by wolves and monox. Deb, with her cute little white tipped ears, was the only one who climbed on me. I grumbled at all the hungry animals around me. I went to the cook, grabbed a bunch of goblin jerky that had been made recently and slowly tossed it out. It was relaxing and a great time killer. I did not have to wait long for excitement to help pass time.
A griffin I did not recognize came flying in and landed on the pad. Two gorgeous women sat atop the lady griffin’s back. Pipi and Velia had finally made it home. The poor griffin seemed to be loaded down with chests. Then two more griffins trailed behind the first also loaded with crates, boxes, and sacks. The girls had definitely been shopping.
I rushed over to help Velia and Pipi get down.
Velia was the first to grab my hand for aid. Her shoulder length brown hair was pristine, neatly cut, and loose from the flight. I remembered how this woman looked when we first met. Dirty, patchwork tattered clothing, and mystery clumps of gunk in her hair. Now she was gorgeous in a form fitting tight riding top and a knee length skirt. Her nails, facial makeup, and clothing all spoke of nobility in their appearance. She wore a broach of a griffin over her belt that held her skirt up. Her belly had lost its bloat, her face now had the smoothness of a woman, gone were the bone outlines. She looked marvelous to me and I was so happy to have her back.
The second our hands touched I pulled her into my embrace. I kissed her long and tenderly. Things got heated quickly until I heard a cough.
Pipi had her hand out. Her short brown hair was in a neat ponytail. Her hazel eyes beamed at me with excitement. She wore a single long yellow dress that had a pretty embroidery. Her bust was pushed up and showed all the cleavage. My mind went right to wanting to see her naked. When I looked at her, I desired her. Velia too, but Velia was my partner in a way a Pipi was not. I got lost in thoughts of them both undressed.
“Dear husband grab my hand, please,” Pipi said while rolling her eyes at seeing me focus on her bursting chest.
I did as told and gave her a nice welcome home kiss. I then grabbed both the women in each arm and pulled them in close. We hugged for a moment until I rapidly gave quick cheek kisses to each woman.
“Alright you made your point, you missed us and wanted to show us that you like how we look,” Velia said.
“You both look stunning, a marvel of what some pampering can produce. I must say the trip was well worth every copper spent. Now let us retire to our chambers, I bet we have much to discuss... and do!” I said.
We left the crates, boxes, and sacks for someone else to handle and proceeded to the Inn. As we walked Velia informed me of how things went in the capital.
“We spent the night in Tarvelan the first day to break up the long flight. The next morning we arrived in the capital a few minutes after King Horus landed. He said to thank you a million times over for calming the griffins of their hate for men. He mentioned the crown but being able to fly freely on a griffin's back was a dream come true, and a logistical boon a King could only hope for.
“When he learned of the ogre head and parts we carried he set me up with his most trusted vendor. A couple that worked as a team. Trade Masters Harkon and Peach. They operate in the capital and the cities the four Kings reside in. They run a large enterprise that will be able to handle our volume. Our funds will be put into the same banking system that runs out of Lakeland. The base for that bank is Tent Crossing, where the capital for King Horus' realm is.
“We spent the first day getting pampered and enjoyed our time,” Velia said.
“It was so great to get out of the village, we were able to get a proper tea, a well cooked meal that was done by someone else, and the bathhouse was simply amazing,” Pipi added in.
“Yes, it was fabulous and very nice. The next day we went shopping, both for general stuff and clothing. As you saw we picked up a lot of items. I wanted to spend another day when we ran into an issue.” Velia said as we arrived at our bedroom door.
Bella greeted us, and the ladies exchanged pleasantries. Bella was quickly caught up to where we were in the conversation when I pressed Velia on what the issue was.
“King Horus sent a runner to us telling us that we needed to leave the capital immediately. He sent a full team to pack up our stuff and had us escorted to the griffin roost where we were ensured safety. The Emperor has a shaman friend who meets with him on the regular. All this I am telling you is second hand, and that the King himself mentioned he will be wanting to discuss this with you when he is able.
“This shaman asked for the crown you captured in exchange for some gold bars. The Emperor happily obliged, and said he would put a leash on this new Earl of his. That the Empire wanted no looming threats against the Horde and thanked the gods every day for the peace treaty. When the shaman left King Horus made clear to the Emperor, that you, one of his subjects were not in fact in violation of any rule of law. The Emperor ensured the King he was simply placating the enemy. As if he was playing both sides, but King Horus was not convinced. He worried we may be held as guests in the capital to ensure your cooperation. We left that day, stayed the night in Lakeland, where Duke Riza gracefully hosted us, and then returned this morning. The Duke mentioned you should talk with the griffins
and see where they stand in the whole mess. Apparently, if you can get the griffins to stop supporting the Emperor it would be easy enough for a different King to take his place. Again, above my knowledge. There also should be a summons for you to see the Emperor yourself soon. King Horus recommended, as well as the Duke, that you decline, and state your new lands have you overburdened with work.” Velia said.
It was a lot to take in. There was politics at play that were foreign to me and dangerous. I did not know the Emperor, but I did know the Duke gave praise about King Horus and stayed silent on the character of the Emperor. The reality was it mattered very little to me. Even if I pissed off the Emperor he would have to ride, which would take weeks through dangerous lands, to get to me. Or fly, and I believed that the griffins now knowing my plans to train them with catalyst in extensive magic would probably not give me up to a lame leader who controlled very little. The accords, while frustrating, were almost a blessing in the buffering of my position way out here on the northeastern corner.
“Well, let us leave the politics out there and focus on Fernlan. You are safe here, and it is probably best if you did not visit any unfriendly cities. I will notify the griffins because we cannot have it risked where one or all of you becomes a pawn. Speaking of leaving I am doing so in an hour. I want Pipi to stay with Bella and aid in the running of the village while I am gone. It will also help Vern get accustomed to his new settings. We will be moving to a much larger and grander place soon. Not the manor I promised yet. We actually built an entire underground town. Well more like are building... and it is a work in progress. Actually, hold that thought, and let me show you both Dais.” I said and held out my arms for the ladies to hook into.
We left the room and went up the stairs. I paused by the bulletin board and showed them how it worked. I mentioned it also could use improvements so if they had any ideas or wanted to manage it to do so. We left the Inn and made our way down the village street. Pipi noticed the layer of muck and dirt was gone, exposing the clean, neatly placed, cobbled stones. We moved at a slow pace and talked about the rapid changes the village was experiencing for the better. One of the things even new to this morning was the old buildings were finally being torn down and the wood stacked into a recycle pile. It really changed how the entire village looked. As if it was an incomplete settlement instead of a mostly destroyed one.
When we got to oversee the fields I got a few comments on how helpful the rabins were, to which I told both the girls they were no longer field workers. They needed to find someone they trusted to manage them. I wanted my ladies to stay clean and work on bigger picture things. If they had to, of course, go back and help. But only after other options were exhausted. We reached the first dugout and Lirkon sat guarding the entrance. He snored loudly, clearly exhausted to be sleeping in the bright sun. I heard the cry of a baby cub echo out to us. I told Lydia congratulations but she responded with only one word, “Sleep”. They were both probably overtired from the long ordeal and there were plenty of griffins around to help if they needed it.
All three of us wanted to see the cubs, but I convinced them to let the parents rest and moved on to the Dais entrance.
“Now Pipi, Velia, this is what an ogre heart combined with griffin aura can do. It is sixty feet deep and easily a mile and a half long and wide. This is why I am leaving, as you can notice it is terribly dark down there. There has been a good amount of work done, but it is too dark for us to utilize effectively. So I am going to Malvia to hunt lava golems until I can get enough torches, lava stones, and some lighting for the ceiling. This is going to be our new home eventually. I will destroy all the buildings up top minus the new roost, and the town center. All that space will be converted into fields, orchards, or stables. It should mean we never starve again. Especially since we can expect this was the only free month of no food due.”
It was more than likely a fact that with the crown now back in the hands of the Horde, it would be reassigned. Also, it probably meant more elites around the village to tamp down on the easy killing we have been able to achieve. It is what I would do.
Pipi and Velia ran a long list of things they wanted to do to make the space the most effective. We talked and debated the pros and cons of some of the ideas for a while. I was grateful to see them looking so lovely and enjoyed the time. Eventually, I cut the discussion off.
“We are short on time, how about you write them on a list and send them over to Fernlan once complete in Malvia. For now, we need to get going. Pipi you look wonderful and I am happy you are home. Be good to Bella and Vern, if you run into any issues let me know when we get back. Velia, I need you to go pack for a three to five day trip. We have about twenty minutes until we are supposed to leave.” I told my wives. Bella who had been trailing us, linked arms with Pipi after I got a goodbye kiss from both.
“Do you mean it, only you and me on a vacation?!” Velia said.
“Work trip, but yes my dear. I would love to spend some quality time with you. I look forward to seeing the city and getting to spend my evenings with you. While I feel we got to connect before we got married, which the rush of it is still not normal for me, we never got to relax and endlessly chat. That will change with this trip as will certain other things.” I said.
“Like how you will go from staring at my butt to playing with it, oh yes dear husband this will be a wonderful time for us to... connect as you put it. I would dare say I am going to ride you till I break you.” Velia said in a dominant way. She patted my cheek and walked seductively swaying her hips as she went. “Hurry up, I am already packed and ready to go.”
I froze and stood there admiring the view until she turned out of the dugout and was no longer in sight. I jogged to her and tossed her over my shoulder. This got some laughs from people as we passed by to the landing area. I was called a brute and told to ensure her skirt stayed modest. Which I did, no use in letting the entire village see my wife indecent.
The landing pad area was a hive of activity. Nate, Donnie, and the eight other men of the Frontier Knights were ready to go. I set Velia down gently and introduced her to Deb who waited on my trunk. They got along immediately, and the little sassy monox was eating out of her palm in no time.
“Earl Gryff, I have received reports from the capital griffins that arrived this morning. King Aves has been informed of our plans to create the magic academy for both humans and griffins. Even if he did not hear of such a grand and worthy endeavor, he would not support the Emperor in your confinement. Your wives were lucky to get out when they did. King Horus saved them from a friendly imprisonment. They were going to be used to get you to stop warring against the Horde. More truths will come later, but for now, know us griffins hear what the Emperor is saying behind closed doors. We also are getting recent reports of malnourished griffins across specific sections of the Empire. Almost if that shaman is telling the Emperor to not feed us. It is not promising toward our future or humanity's future. It really seems like the shaman who he talks with is distorting his mind. Griffin King Aves has mentioned wanting to put a different King in charge. One less willing to please our former enemies. We suggest, and not lightly, that you align yourself more closely with King Horus, be it a squire from one of his sons or a wife from one of his daughters.” Lord Nova said.
I rolled my eyes so hard that Velia asked what the problem was. Drama I told her, lots of drama and politics.
“Lord Nova, I, of course, will take all your recommendations with seriousness. I admit I am probably one wife too many at this point.” I said. Velia punched me hard in the arm at that statement. I rubbed my arm where she slugged me. “Not complaining, but I got other things to focus on than empire politics and adding wives. I want to focus on the here and now of Fernlan and turning it into a town with Dais. I do know that there are bigger things at play, and some of the changes I am trying to make will ripple across the Empire. It will be my honor to meet the King, and hopefully, end up with four squires to run errands for me. With th
at being said, if you do need my help with the Emperor's removal let me know.” I said with a nod.
“Excellent, we are ready to fly west to Malvia now, I will personally be leading the flight. Five of us will be going, so sort yourselves however you want to. I can carry the most weight as I am awesome and the best.” Lord Nova said with confidence while striking a pose.
“Alright men and my lady. This is going to be a five hour flight to the west of here to Malvia. Take the time to ensure your bladder is not full then load up. If you forgot anything we can buy new stuff in the city. I already need some items anyway. These five griffins will be the ones flying us today, one of them will need to take three of you the rest two. Donnie, Velia, and I will ride on Lord Nova. Be on the lookout as we cross above the lands close to Fernlan, anything of note that can be used to our advantage should be notated. Get in the saddles, then these fine handlers will hook up our bagged equipment and then away we go.”
Lord Nova lowered himself and I helped Velia up the saddle ladder. I smacked her ass hard as she was on the last step. Her tight butt was at the perfect angle for it. Donnie and I chuckled while she grumbled. We situated ourselves comfortably into the saddle seats and were ready to go. Lord Nova loaded up our supplies under his body and we took off. I noticed at that point that Deb had stayed behind. I saw her playing with the other monox on the ground.
As we flew west I looked around. I saw the river off to my left, it was easy to find by tracing our creek to it. Within a minute we flew over the battle spot of yesterday where we massacred the trolls. I tried to find the troll settlement but had no such luck. Maybe they lived with the orcs further up north in that city. My best way to find out was to have reconnaissance done by the griffins in an ever widening search pattern around Fernlan.
Fifteen minutes into the flight Cern appeared on our left. Lord Nova took us by the repaired battlements of the outer wall. The siege that happened here during the war did large damage to the city that had been hastily fixed. I got to see the empty roost, a group of women at the peak of the structure waved to us. The city had a portal in its fields, an exact replica to the one in Lakeland. I saw workers in the farms planting fresh crops, a few guards on the battlements, and the general population moving about. I gave the ugly city that had seen better days another long look. I hoped Hanz could do a better job than the former Baron Liffa. I am sure I would hear all about it from the immigrating griffin riders when I got back.