by Marcus Sloss
“Bobbies reports!” As I exclaimed Pipi reached into her bag and retrieved some jerky. “With snacks! I am a man in heaven right now.”
I went to reach for the paperwork when Vern's pole started dancing. “That is it, Vern… Now yank that fish onto the rock.” The four year old pulled with everything he had and that ratfish was simply too big. I helped by getting it on the rock. A quick, powerful stomp to the head and it stopped flopping.
Everyone cheered and Vern shot a fist in pride into the air. The boy was beaming at catching his first fish. We all were smiles at his achievement.
“I get fishing now,” Amber said and we a baited his hook to try to catch another.
CHAPTER 9
The next day was filled with tedious work. I prepared twelve bags of rations for seven days of adventure. The Knights of Fernlan arrived mid afternoon as I was finishing up my tasks. They stopped over at Lakeland last night and were held back for celebratory breakfast that transitioned into a long event. When they arrived I had our supplies to go north prepared.
Nate was the first to approach as they unloaded from the griffin landing pad. We clasped forearms in greetings. “Your orders my lord?”
“Have the team prepare for more saddle riding. Hour break before we proceed north. I need you to come to the town center with me.” I waved him forward and the entire team followed. This also worked, I needed a proper map room. Maybe Amber would design one in our new castle. That massive project should keep the ladies busy while I was away. “It will be cramped in Elan’s office but I have yet to add maps to my to buy list. It will have to do for now. Before we get into that. I know you left last night, so how did yesterday go?”
Donnie bounded forward to walk on my left. “King Horus was allocating windows for hunting. Our griffin guided us into a clump of goblins forty deep. We killed them all, then headed back to Bavie. The rule for all teams going out was to keep half and the other half went to the crown. Lady Addilyn arranged it for us. She is on the next flight out of Lakeland. Duke Riza kept her back to review potential plans for the seven new barrier cities north. I like Duke Riza, good man.”
“Indeed, and how much of our fight from when I was there did we get to bring home?” I asked Nate.
“Most of the goblin and shaman hearts. Addilyn gave up the ogre heart which was the prized jewel of our loot. I think with shaman hearts to buff spells, we should be fine with goblin hearts. Addilyn has all the valuables with her.” Nate said with a scoff. “Glad too. Griffins were sniffing us for them as soon as we landed. They really love building with earth magic.”
We approached the town center and for the first time ever Elan did not greet me on the steps. As we entered the building there was a commotion behind the office door. Raised voices were shouting at each other. I knocked and silenced them. A red faced Elan and Calia greeted me.
“Ah… perfect. You can solve this problem. Calia wants more money to seed the fields now that they expanded. Were over budget as is, your wife Bella restricted the purse strings…” Elan said as I interrupted him by holding a hand out.
I cast a glance at Donnie who bolted out of the town center. He was off to get Lady Bella for me knowing that was what I was about to ask for. “Baron Elan. May we borrow a world map or utilize your office to gaze upon one. It is on my endless to do list.” I said and Elan ducked into his office to retrieve a large rolled up map across the raised wooden floor. “Lady Calia I promise to fix your issue here shortly.”
I waved the team onto the podium meant for addressing villagers. We passed the empty pews and I handed the map off to Victor. He and Janice unrolled the map. Elan and Calia followed us naturally curious.
“I need to mark this, no choice really. I will replace it later I promise.” I said and Elan frowned. The man was always about his possessions. With great restraint, he handed me over a marker. “Okay, this will not be precise. I circled these seven areas while in a bar on a small map. Still will be interesting to see how close I get.”
Every circle I drew that day with Rakmar was on the coast. I knew drawing it then that the water was a major boon to us. My first circle was northeast of Fernlan. It was close to a city named Havenu, and I knew I was too far south on my circle instantly. While I did not have a photographic memory, I did realize that I placed the circle on the small map too far south. Oh well, I then tracked the east coast of the continent north into the next large bay. This one I circled. Uhara, it was called. No idea how big it was but the name was large as was the dot. The next circle was further north and on another bay. A city called Livina. That was the three on this continent.
I was about to draw the next four when Elan interrupted.
“The first circle is on cliffs, Havenu is where I was born. Shame too, great fishing there. Might be able to build new docks but everything would require griffins to move. Before I settled down I sailed the eastern seas… Know this, I never went too far out to sea because the extra catch was not worth the extra risk. Monsters frequent those waters. We always stayed to the shore moving goods up and down the coast. Uhara was larger than Havenu and I remember it being so busy we would have to anchor in the bay and row in our trade. Large ships were always paying extra to dock. This last one…” Elan said as he pointed at Livina. “This was a jewel of a city. It never saw sacking from war. Massive exterior walls and a very shallow reef port made it impossible for other humans to conquer easily. The Horde though, they probably got in. This bay here is all extremely shallow coral reefs. Gorgeous. Simply stunning. I remember diving these waters and wanting to never leave. If you did indeed circle this bay correctly you now own the number one immigration location for anyone sick of the cold. Hell, I might find a replacement for the winter and head to warmer weather if that is an option.”
Markus interrupted. “I want to be clear here. The cold is coming, and I am all for a vacation mixed with adventure. Why not go north when it is colder south… say in a few months?” The man said with a shrug.
“I want to, and trust me we probably will. I have to get tree worm blood. Then we will race to the tundra for water catalysts. Then back north because watch this…” I said and went back to circling the map. To the northeast at the start of the new continent was an isolated island. It rested not far from Livina. I circled this and this elicited gasps from Elan. I kept going on though. I went further east and circled another bay. I then went north across the northeastern contentment and circled two desert bays. “Alright out with it Elan, why the gasp.”
“Well, that island was known for its tree worms. It also happened to be where the sandworms lived. It was a dangerous combination. Of all the places to select that was the worst. Sandworms had been eradicated on the mainland. The ocean channel that separates that island from the mainland is shallow and filled with reefs. Great fishing, it was shallow enough to not collapse the tunnels the sandworms used to relocate. They mostly fled to that spot where they densely populate the island. Since we did not have griffins back then the only way onto the island was via boat. Sandworms can erupt from shallow water or sand. After a few attempts to conquer the island were met with disaster it was a giant red x on all sailing maps. You may be thinking sandworms… So what? That is what I thought when I asked this very question when I was a deck swabber. That island is red x because sandworms can be up to a hundred feet long and thirty feet wide. They are not like a tree worm or a vin worm. The pictures I saw are a mix of dragon and worm. Instead of wings on their back, there are digging fins. The tail is spikes and the mouth closed while digging. There are ten hooked digging claws that encircle the neck. They really are quite spooky…”
Elan finished leaving his statement hanging. “Winst, Tammy, these sandworms are in the area where other air and earth catalysts are. They useful for anything?”
“Zack or Patti may know better but not that I know of. It could be their blood makes transcription easier on aura. Let me race and ask to be sure.” Winst said and Tammy followed behind him.
“I am going to check wi
th the Air instructors. We will meet you at the roost when we are done.” Tammy said.
As they exited my lovely Lady Bella entered. She was in sweatpants and a loose comfy tunic. The most relaxed clothing I had seen her in yet. We had spent the morning snuggled in bed and I told her stories of electricity. She gobbled it up and slumbered into a nap that looks like Donnie woke her from.
“My lord, I can’t believe I went back to sleep. How may I help you?” Bella said with a stretch. Before the door closed another person entered with our woodland armor on and a helmet under her elbow. “Sister wife… You look fierce. Armor suits you. Ah… the look on Gryff’s face, this is a surprise. I was summoned here for something, out with it husband.”
I nodded and noticed a large bow strapped over Addilyn’s back. The woman was geared for war. It was good she was here though. “Come over to the map Addilyn, if you are coming with us then study it. So Calia here and Elan were fighting over funds. Same with Phen to some extent. We expanded, which means we need to invest more into Fernlan. Before you answer that Bella I need to know how it went with your father Addilyn.”
“Very well, we have a few dozen gold worth of excess parts and I set aside the hearts for those nagging griffins. I got tackled three times when I came home with the goblin hearts. Next time I will hide them in manure or something. Anyway, this is my home… I was thinking of a castle.” Addilyn said and I started laughing. “Why are you laughing? A castle is a great idea. We have the space now, and with your recent promotion to Emperor then it is almost a must. Oh, father accepted your stewardship and looks forward to future meetings with you. He is glad you see the value of his wisdom and management skills.”
“Promotion to Emperor?” Elan asked
Nate fielded this one. “Gryff married again… A fifth wife… Never ever thought I would see the day. The redhead that leaves all men gasping, yeah… That is Emperor Igrad’s eldest. Making her Empress and now married to your boss. It probably means a promotion for him and us. The man did just gain seven more safe zones.”
“Wow… this is huge. Never thought I would ever meet an Emperor or an Empress. Yes, a castle is a must. Why not over by the river on the south end?”
This elicited more laughter from me and I had to stop all the side chatter. “Amber wants a castle, she said she can design one. That should keep her busy for a few weeks at least. She will be staying here. Addilyn you are with us on the mission but you are backup. Someone else will haul your weapons or they stay on the griffin for now. Let us drop those two subjects.” I said and pulled Bella close. “I need to open up some funds. I only need two dozen spears from the wagon we hauled. Melt the rest down. The silver turn to coins, the spears into metal bars. Sell both unless Amber can incorporate the metal into her castle. Which if there is draw bridges and torch holders I am sure she can. So… only sell the silver. Invest that silver into our livestock and fields.”
Bella noticeably sagged at the burden I was shouldering her with. Elan stepped up though.
“Between Empress Amber, Pipi, and I… We can help. Is Velia staying or going with you?” Elan asked.
“We discussed it last night, she will stay here until she completes some training. She thinks she is pregnant too. Won’t know for certain for a few more weeks but she is dizzy in the mornings. No vomiting yet. Either way, I want her here. So Bella, fret not, you get the help you need. Addilyn this castle will cost a fortune even if we get the hearts to clay it. I want you to think about how you want to apply your funds. You can reach a decision later but those spears and our recent spoils will only go so far. I am sure we will saturate the market some too. At least the lava rocks and balls are still doing well.”
Addilyn nodded and bit her lip. “Lady Calia you will get your needed funds. I will invest some coin into upgrading Fernlan to increase production. Come Lady Bella, Gryff can you delay our departure by an hour. No longer. Give the team some time to say another hi and goodbye. I need to talk to my wives as well.”
I shrugged and gave in. An extra hour was more than fair. It was not even midday yet and the first stop was only three hours out. The next six, so we should easily find a place to rest by nightfall. The ladies left the room and I contemplated what to do for the next hour. I dismissed the team and decided to visit Dennis in the blacksmith.
Before I could vacate the town center I had to sign a bunch of paperwork that Elan had ready. It was mostly mundane stuff like weekly wages, housing assignments, and new hires. I approved it all and this got me his trademark smile. He waved goodbye while leaning on his cane when I finally left.
The cobbled road was nice and clean showing we were maintaining the village appeal. Addilyn did say workers were without tasks so it was not a surprise to see it neatly swept. I strolled leisurely down the road and past a few rebuilt homes. When I passed the once abandoned market I saw Marga at a stand. There were a few others selling wares. This was an unexpected surprise and I meandered over. Marga had actual jerky and snacks. I added a few to my tab and went to a jeweler next. There were a few small gems crafted into stringed necklaces and a few carvings out of wood. I saw a nice one of a griffin and bought it. I was not certain if griffins decorated but if they did not want it could put it somewhere. The next stall was our seamstress displaying pants with pockets. She waved as I passed. I already gave her my business. The last stall was a broker’s stall.
“Hello fine sir, nice armor. I am Dvar of Deltan. I represent a collective of trade merchants would you like to browse our lists?” Dvar said. The man that stood behind the counter did not look like a trader. He had a few lists in front of him that I leafed through while he talked me up on the merits of the items.
“If I ordered this how long until you could have it delivered,” I asked and Dvar fidgeted.
“Well, how informed are you with the political happens of late?”
“Very,” I replied and the man figured out then as to who I was. “Yes, I am Gryff. Why has the Deltan trade masters sent a representative here?”
“I was tasked to learn of Fernlan and see if we could move some trade up north here. I admit I was sent out of Deltan almost a month ago when you sent Lady Velia and Lady Pipi to the capital. Our trade masters pay to be well informed and I quickly was ushered to Lakeland for a livestock listing. I was told to visit here after and thank goodness. Griffins stopped flying from Deltan a few days later and the last news I heard was the Emperor was fighting his own citizen.” The man said picking up the lists. “These are old but we do have lots to trade with you up here. The amount of goods flowing in and out of the griffin capital means more people like me will show up. I admit though, I am cut off for now and the foreseeable future.”
King Aves hovered over and landed. The ground shook as it pushed back on his sudden weight. “I will take this Dvar with me tonight. I need someone to record what happens anyway. Then he will get fresh lists, there are many things us griffins desire in trade that we do not have.”
I translated word for word then added my own warning. “You should go. Bring a pen and paper to record what you witness. I hope we can do much trade in the future. It was nice to meet you Dvar… Yes, go ahead and get in his saddle.”
Dvar swallowed his fear with a gulp and when he was situated Aves flew him up to Zenith. I looked forward to reading his retelling of the event.
I left the market with friendly waves as I walked for Dennis’ smokestack. The furnace billowed smoke and as I neared I could feel the heat. I entered the opening room with a four foot high counter and immediately felt too hot. I shed down to my undershorts not wanting to sweat in my armor. Vern was here and heard my commotion. A moment later Dennis himself came to the front.
“Aye, it tis hot. Come we need to talk anyway.” Dennis motioned me forward and left the front of the room. We passed his storage room and his smelter. When we exited to his training ground I saw the largest pile of spears ever. “These are gems, it tears at my heart to melt em down. Some crafting went into these. This is a
guess… These weren’t human crafted.”
He handed me a spear. There were runes etched into the surface… No, runes implied magic, this was a language. The symbols and text completely beyond me. The quality of work was flawless. I balanced one and then twirled it. Perfect.
“Wow,” was all I said and Dennis nodded.
“Save fifty please, not two dozen. I get it, my lord, I really do. Each spear has unique writing. If I were a scholar then I would ask to save them all. Actually, I can melt the silver and save the metal to smelt down as needed. I recommend that. You’re right on the silver. It is a waste leaving it on the tips. Elan said it was for one beast you needed to farm. No need to have thousands of spear with the peace accords. For the Horde sure. For us no. Did I convince ya?”
“It is not that I needed a ton of convincing. If you can salvage the silver and leave the metal inscriptions then do so. I will…” I sighed and rubbed my temples. I reached into my bag to locate paper. I quickly penned a note for Dennis to handle. “Hire a language expert. Expect a Derfran to arrive sometime soon. It will take Empress Amber a few days if not weeks to come up with a castle design. So also be prepared to hire more or expand. You should probably do that before you get overwhelmed. The to do lists only… ever… gets… longer.”
“Empress Amber? As in Igrad’s eldest?” He asked and I nodded then pointed to my ring finger. “Well, it will be an honor to help build your castle. It was barely over a month ago you came in here and now look at you. I will make a list for Lady Pipi to approve. She will see it gets passed I think.”
“You do that, and leave me a note if you run into trouble. Derfran certainly needs to send me one when he translates the runes. I will pass a message to expect the silver and hold off on the metal. I need to regear and head for a mission north. Thanks for watching Vern for us, Dennis. I appreciate it. You be mindful Vern, I am off to the roost. Take care of each other, you two.”