by Marcus Sloss
I watched the fields pass under us. There was the scent of freshly turned dirt in the air. The breeze pulled on my hair. I had been meaning to get it cut.
“We will stay here until we can make a thousand torches. We got eleven hearts today, the dimmest version is eighty eight. I will want them to be brighter unless they serve a small space in size like a storage room. So a few hundred probably at each fraction. Then the largest amount at half, which is assuming we cannot find some nice vole hearts. That would change everything and make torches for primarily inside buildings and overhangs. Ugh, the heat, we are crossing into an area where the golems live. Nice and slow Traz please.”
The silence we held was broken as a few golems roared at us. I wish I had a picture of what these voles looked like. Their basic description was minimal at best. A big mouse that was the same black as the ground. This was going to be a long afternoon. A few minutes passed and none of us spotted the tiny rodent yet.
“What is your goal Gryff? I do not mean today but in general. You came to Vin and helped the first people you saw recover from starving. That swept you into events that lead to where you are right now. But I wonder what happens after you finish building out Dais.” Velia asked as we continued to search.
“Finish Dais, then rebuild Xiq and Straddleback outpost to serve our needs. I really need to rename that outpost. After that, I do not know. I could find myself content and have a bunch of babies and work on keeping my people well cared for. I will tell you this much, I do not want anything bigger or grander in responsibility. If King Horus becomes Emperor and offers me a promotion I will decline. I actually only ever accepted being a Knight and was made into an Earl.”
As we got closer to the flowing lava Traz took us higher to avoid the extra heat. I already felt myself starting to sweat again. I hoped to get to try a bathhouse tonight, never had a chance to go to one. I was curious about what they were like. I was lost in thought of a bunch of naked people and relaxing water when Traz jerked down and to the right.
“Woah, what do you see?” I asked looking at the general area Traz was focused on.
“There. In between the rocks in the shadows. You can see the voles. That is why we have been missing them. They can easily see me and are hiding in the shadows. I am surprised the little creatures have better eyesight than me.” Traz told me.
I squinted, turned my head, and leaned forward. Nothing worked, I could not see the little buggers. Velia realized something was going on but also could not find anything. Traz certainly did though. He flew us lower and further away at a fast speed that caused my eyes to have issues keeping up. I hunted the shadows unable to locate any prey. We made it about halfway across the blacktop area when he double backed to the lava.
“Alright, I got it. I can see them now. They are only in proximity to the lava, I think the golems need the heat for their reproductive sacks. They hide behind any contour they can find and use almost a camouflage to hide. I would wager it is a blending technique more than something were their skin fades into the background. Looks like they can see any shadow above them and stay hidden until big stuff moves away. Probably how they avoid the golems.” Traz said.
“Okay, they are hard to see but you can pick them out. As long as you are our guide on the day we get this far in we should be good to find them. The key is we are what... almost a thousand golems between this spot and the campsite. It will take days to get this far in. I wonder if there is a way we can cut down on the amount we have to fight to be able to farm here. Even if we lead them away I would have to guess they would eventually roam back. Hmm.” I said in thought.
Velia gave it consideration as did Traz. We threw some ideas at each other when Traz asked something vital. Malvia was on the eastern side of the mountain. We had been taking the south exit of the barrier and then looping around to the south side of the mountain. The quickest way to the lava flow was up the cliffs on the eastern face, and then walking the short distance to the south side. Before we got any further into debating if it would work we decided to see how far the barrier extended into the mountainside.
We glided back to Malvia nice and slow waiting to feel the tingle. The cliff drop off was a few hundred feet away when we felt the tingle. I watched as the black rocky terrain transitioned into regular dirt and sparse trees from within the barrier. There was ample space to set up a base camp here and kill golems easily. This was huge news for us. We had to assume no one had used this place for farming golems because it required a griffin or lots of mountains to climb. It would make the griffins have a lot more work in ferrying people up and down. Yet, if we planned it right we could use gravity to lower platforms with the heavy body parts and the griffins or humans could lift the empty platforms back up to the surface. I would need to consult with Lord Nova and Nate, but I think we found our solution to getting to the voles quicker.
The strategy would be to fly up top onto the shelf plateau. Kill a few hundred golems and dismember them at the campsite which was inside the barrier. Eventually, we would get to where the voles lived and harvest them with the help of the griffins for eyesight. It would cut down on the hour and a half walk time to the old starting point. We could achieve so much more this way in less time. The bonus was if the wargs did catch wind of us they would have to ride through a bunch of golems to get us. If they did reach some of us, we could quickly retreat to the barrier. I was liking the idea and told Traz to give himself a raise. The reply was not tactful.
∞∞∞
I soaked comfortably in a steamy bathhouse. It was thoroughly relaxing, and I sighed in bliss. There were three other nobles with me who were all men. Somehow I had pictured a bunch of boobs and booty in the bathhouse. Instead, I got saggy balls and wrinkles. I can't win them all, and I simply closed my eyes as I soaked.
The three noblemen were all viscounts. One step below Count Winter. They had instantly agreed to the meeting that Lady Tami had set up for me. There was muttering among the nobles who had learned the truth of the matter that something must be done to help Count Winter. The issue was brought to me as something I could not avoid if I wished for less fighting. Some deal would have to be brokered. The problem was I had no authority to make any deals here. King Devon ruled this area, and being an Earl meant I deserved respect, not power to make nobility decisions.
“Viscounts, come on, let us stop dancing around the topic. While I enjoy your platitudes and company I need to get to the point.” I said after I tired of their endless side chatter. “Count Winter is done. No amount of bribes or attacks to free him will save him. To be honest I did not behead him right away but I should have this morning. The wives who cherish him and guards who want to protect him are without means to help him. Let us agree the moment I get back tonight Malvia will need a new count. My offer is simple, keep the peace until I am gone. Then nominate one of your own to replace him. Seven hells, I do not even care if you swear to King Devon the moment I am gone. I am going to keep killing these golems and indirectly give a huge boon to the economy here. Take the win, one of you bribe the others to be the next count and let me go about my business in peace.” I said to the three of them.
Viscount Tally was the first to speak. “The Count owes us considerable coin. His treasury should be full. If you were to give us half of the treasury we could keep the peace until you leave. Gold greases all hands and makes all the rules, or so I am told.”
That was it, we shook on it and I told them they could follow me directly from here to check the treasury themselves for its status. To ensure I did not empty it before they could get a tally. We enjoyed our baths and when it was time to leave the three men summoned servants to fetch some men and wagons. That was how I bought the peace of Malvia. If they crossed me I would slaughter their families, but I knew they would not.
∞∞∞
Lady Tami came to my side as the last of the wagons were loaded for the Viscounts. She did not complain at me giving away her gold. When it came time to kill the count she said
, “Let me do it.” The women of Vin were ruthless, hard, and downright scary to me at times.
I took my sword off my belt and handed it to her. She grabbed the blade, looked it over then got a feel for the weight.
“My father taught me how to use a sword, though today will be the first time I take a life. Count Winter would tie me down and fuck my ass until it bled. He would cackle in laughter as I would cry out in pain. He got off on it. I was his wife though, sold into a marriage to help my siblings. That was at the start of the war. As things got worse so did he. Eventually, he got a new wife to torture when I found the strength to no longer cry for him. This will not be hard for me to do. Carl! Come here,” She said and we paused outside the stables waiting for Carl to arrive. “Alright dear, you have been my bed warmer for over a year now. Do not blush, of course, the Earl knows. We are going to go with him when he leaves here. We will move to Fernlan. You will protect me there my dear Carl. I am a widow now that the count was assassinated.”
Carl instantly launched himself by Tami looking for the assassin. The young man was sweet. Dumb, but adorable. I think she was planning on inviting him to see her murder her husband.
“Oh, dear Carl. They got away a while ago. I need you to go pack your things and move them into the Count's chambers. We will be staying there until we leave. Now be a blessing and run along. Make sure you get everything you need for the long move and get supplies if you think we will need them.” Lady Tami said and Carl was gone.
“I get it, he is easy on the eyes and loyal to a fault. I do not think he is into you for the money, only for you. It was the right call to send him away. Shall we,” I said and underhand pointed to the stable. Velia approached before we could enter.
“Oh interrogation, may I join?” Velia asked. I slid my finger across my throat indicating what was about to happen. She then took note of my sword in Tami's hand.
There was a shift in tension at that exact moment. Something flashed between Tami and Velia's eyes. Suddenly guards that had been disarmed were closer than before with hands on weapon hilts. A griffin was on guard with Frank but besides those two it was only Velia and me, and I was unarmed. I wanted to let it all come together but instead, I let my instincts take over.
I shoved Velia hard toward the manor. My own sword slid into my rib cage and punctured out my back as Tami did not hesitate. I grabbed the hilt not letting her yank the blade out as I fell to a knee and screamed out in rage. Specks of blood sprayed as I roared in anger.
I crossed my forearm down hard onto her hand still holding my sword that stuck out my back. She refused to let go and I shattered her wrist. I gurgled blood as I tried to breathe. Guards that had been friendly pounced on me. I stumbled toward the griffin feeling a blade enter my lower back. Another blade raced for my face but I was saved as a paw with talons sliced through the air. Armor was shredded as men tried to hold their guts in. I saw Frank try to join the fight but a man exited the stables and slid a dagger across his throat. Velia was running away as more griffins pounced into the battle.
I was bleeding heavily and unable to breathe cleanly due to the blood from my punctured lung. I managed to feebly draw my dagger and face Frank's killer. I threw my dagger weakly at the man and he got his arm up to deflect the throw. He gave me a savage grin of victory and charged me. He was almost to me when the biggest griffin I knew landed on him. Lord Nova killed him on impact but still ripped the man's head off.
I saw the griffins had protected me. I went to lay down when Lord Nova placed a paw on my shoulder.
“I can heal you but it will feel most unpleasant. As if your atoms were being torn into a trillion pieces for hours and then slow knitting back together. Nod if you agree and pull the blade out of your lung quickly.” Lord Nova said.
I nodded and then jerked the sword out of my chest. I feel forward but did not hit the ground as Lord Nova supported my weight with his paw.
My torment began like no pain ever before. Every time a human had healed me the tingle was sensual and awkward. Almost pleasing in a perverse way. This was the exact opposite. Within moments I would have traded being flayed alive and my toenails slowly pried off.
That was not even the worst thing I could imagine that would be less painful than this. I could not focus it was so blinding and severe. Somewhere my body was vomiting but I was trapped in my eternal suffering. The pain tore through the fibers of my body and I begged to the gods for a release into unconsciousness but there was no answer. There was only endless pain. I screamed against my torment with all the power I had.
I wanted death, I wanted release from the misery. It lasted for what felt like days. My voice had died long ago, my suffering extended beyond anything any being should experience. After what I estimated was a week I came back into my body.
Still in agony, I clawed at my face, I tore my skin and shifted my torso endlessly. I felt a tingle sensation that was sensual, calm, and soothing. I promptly passed out.
CHAPTER 13
I was in a horrible nightmare. One in which I was in an endless loop of pain. I broke free of it and awoke. Three beautiful faces looked down on me, Velia, Bella, and Pipi. They were all smiles seeing me awake from my healing. I shifted to sit up and realized I was wearing my set of camouflage armor.
Events caught up to me slowly. Holy seven hells. Lady Tami was good, no... The best. I never suspected her. Not even a little, I had even handed her my own weapon. She was so trusting, her story so compelling. I groaned at my stupidity and sat upright at the edge of the bed.
“She was tortured and then executed along with the count. Apparently, she was the dominatrix of the household. She played herself off as a pro griffin supporter, which could have been true, but none of that mattered. Her lineage is linked to Emperor Salvoni and King Devon. She was the spy sent to watch over Count Winter and control this fine city for the Emperor. She was an expert and played her part perfectly. Her downfall was Carl, I think she really loved him. Her sending him elsewhere was the giveaway. I think she wanted to save him if the attempt to kill you failed. I caught her out of character gaze as she watched him leave. I was putting it together and could see her tense. Then you acted, by pushing me to safety. Which hurt you brute... but I forgive you.” Velia said then leaned down and kissed my forehead. She continued with her update.
“Frank was buried this morning. He lost his family in the war, as in sent them south but never could find them. Marcus said some nice words for him. How he was a good man and a good friend.
“Last night Pipi and Bella were sent for by Dina who had recently returned from a mission. She flew all night and morning to get them here today. You have slept through dinner, breakfast, and were about to miss lunch. I was telling them no way you would keep sleeping if we kept stacking this food by you.” Velia explained.
“The pain, it was so extensive, so vivid, so terrifying. Am I still me?” I asked still grasping at the reality of what had occurred.
It was Bella who got down in front of me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Listen, husband, there are only a few cases of humans being healed by griffins. It is said to last weeks to months in the subject's mind but in reality, it is only a few hours. A healer named Drifa was there when you came out of your psychosis. He promptly healed you into a mini coma to revert your mind back to normal. If he had not been there you probably would have killed yourself. Do not be upset that he charged you heavily because he passed out and had to be healed himself by healer Nathan.”
I saw food on the end table and Pipi quickly handed me the plate. I thanked her and devoured the food. “Why am I,” I chewed some food “in my armor?” I kept eating. It tasted so good.
“Well, it was to reduce the chances of any further attack killing you. You took a sword through the lung and one into your lower right kidney from the back. If you had been in armor and not court clothes bathing with traitorous nobles you would have been fine. At least in this armor, I doubt Tami would have had the strength to pierce this finely
made chainmail.” Velia said.
“So it was all a setup, they played me so well. Are they barricaded in their manors? How are our defenses?”
I watched the three women look to each other in how to explain what happened. Nate was standing watch by the door and spoke up. “If I may my Ladies.” He said. They nodded for him to continue and I had Pipi grab me a second plate so I could keep eating while he talked.
“They already call last night the 'Massacre of the Black'. The sun was about to set when they triggered their plan into motion, you were supposed to die in the stable. Surprised in a narrow corridor where turning would have been a problem. Only Lady Velia noticing when she did saved you. Well, the griffins were pissed and in a full rage, as was I. Let us not go over the specifics of her torture, but Lady Tami gave up the Viscounts as conspirators. We may never know the truth but their manors were well defended so we think she was correct. Of course, men did not attack the nobility of Malvia, the griffins did. It was a mix of punishment, revenge, and warning. None were spared my lord,” both he and I swallowed at this.
“Define none please?” I asked with a raised eyebrow at the possible implications.
“The good news is the upper part of the city that was not the nobility residences were spared. Places like the bookshop, business district, and other nice areas. When the Viscounts were tortured they gave up the entire nobility. Gryff it was a purge that few nobles survived. The plot was to kill you, capture Velia, and use her to drive off the griffins. Some thought killing you would cause them to leave, others that they could kill the griffins with longbows. The thing is none of them know... knew... of the combat prowess of even a single griffin. A team of them with ranged healing in a setting where they are not restricted in any way is far too tough to kill with simple bows and swords.