“I wondered what that coin meant, I thought maybe ten gold. Good to know I didn't trade it. If you will excuse me, I will go check on Lily and enjoy the ball.” I said taking my leave.
The courtroom was now a loud ballroom. A small band played music while people mingled. I was greeted by many new faces as I traveled around the room. I searched for Lily to no avail. I went over to the food table and ate a lot. I was hungry and ignored the looks I received for eating so rapidly. I kept at it in a hurry, hoping to avoid most conversations.
“Sir Gryff if I may have a moment.” Lady Ona asked from behind me. With her stood a tall young man that bore a clear resemblance to the Duke and Ona. The young man shook my hand. “This is my son Eagin. I told him of the plight of Fernlan and how you brought Lily to us starving and looking for sanctuary. He assured me right away, that he would be willing to help her transition here at Lakeland. If they got along well enough maybe marriage one day.”
Eagin was eight or maybe nine. It was nice of him to be so kind and gave me hope for Lily. “If this is true, then I would most welcome this news. Lily is my daughter and I would be very comforted if she had such a fine lad as yourself looking out for her. You would absolve your mother of a favor she owes me. So do not take this task lightly Sir Eagin.”
“I will not Sir Gryff, I will be a noble host and we will prove most hospitable.” The young man shook my hand again and his mother led him away. Checked that box. Got Lily a nice home, potential husband, and didn't have to marry anyone. So far this Lakeland trip was going very well.
I went back to eating food, my hunger finally starting to slow. Lily entered the ballroom looking exactly like a princess should. She wore a pretty pink dress, her hair straight and clean. She still had the skinny face with rosy cheeks. The Duke's daughter... Bella, yes it was Bella, from earlier was holding her hand and walking her toward me.
“Father, this is Lady Bella. She is kind, sweet, compassionate, and I adore her. She took me to get fitted for this lovely dress and I cried so hard with happiness when I got to wear it. I am a lady here, not a dirty girl on the street and I couldn't be happier.” Lily told me. I kneeled down to her and gave her a big hug.
I was about to make a comment about how happy I was for her when the little girl's eyes widened immensely.
“Behind you!” She screamed.
I felt blinding pain in my back. The likes of which I could never have imagined. I instinctively rotated my body with speed. The dagger that was lodged in my back tore more flesh as I moved. My attacker did not have the time to withdraw it.
I used my right arm to pin the man's wrist under my armpit. I used my leverage to savagely snap his bones. I then smashed my forehead into his face. Screams rang out all around.
“Attack, Attack!” “The Vault, to the Vault!”
I didn't know what was going on but my attacker was down on the ground. I scanned the area for any other threats but found none. The mass of people were in a hysteric fit. I even saw one merchant leap from the balcony.
I closed on my downed opponent and staggered from my wound. Blood flowed freely from me and I wobbled ready to fall over. Lady Bella rushed to my side and placed a hand over my gaping back wound. Her aura flowed into me, I welcomed its presence with closed eyes. I felt the tear knit together and finally close. Lady Bella collapsed but I caught her before she crashed into the floor.
My attacker had regained his feet and was attempting to flee. I gently set Lady Bella down and charged the man down.
I pushed him forward to knock him to the ground and he bellowed in pain. He attempted to catch himself with his one good arm but my push was powerful. Crack, his other arm broke. He was delirious with pain and I found the sweet spot of his jaw to knock him out with a swift punch.
With my opponent down and out, I did another scan of the room. The Duke and a dozen guards arrived panting with exertion.
“This one stabbed me in the back, I think he thought the wound was fatal. I subdued him for you, well for everyone really. Your daughter Bella saved me from bleeding out. I didn't get any information from him but he is alive.” I told the Duke as I talked rapidly. Adrenaline still pumped through me.
“It was a two pronged attack. I knew the crown being seen by the nobility would cause issues. I don't fault you but that crown falling from your sack in public display was dangerous. I will send it to the King Horus tonight via griffin. There are humans who seek favor with the Horde, and they are not without merit. Returning the crown to the Horde would probably result in a great reward. Luckily we stopped them from gaining entry to the vault. I am sure when we interrogate this man he will not know who hired him, or why you were a target. Welcome to politics. Guards escort this man to the dungeons. Stick him in one of the torture chambers.” The Duke said.
I went over to Lily and Lady Bella as the Duke gave orders and tried to calm the masses. “My lady, your healing was vital, I cannot thank you enough. I am in your debt.”
“If you and your daughter would be so kind as to escort me to my quarters I require rest, good Sir.” Lady Bella said. It was then that I got a good chance to study the Duke's daughter.
She had blonde hair that was in a long braid. The length reached almost to her butt. Which was shapely, she was a short woman with nice curves. A medium bust on a healthy woman with a nice complexion and sparkling blue eyes. It was different for me to judge a woman who was not starving but I definitely liked what I saw. Based on her looks, and the fact I had only seen three of the Duke's wives I did not know who her mother was.
I picked her up as if I was carrying her across a threshold. She muttered for me to let her walk when Lily soothingly placed a hand on her arm. She accepted her fate and guided me to the eastern wing of the palace. We passed numerous closed doors before she told Lily to open one for us.
“Place me on the bed please Sir Gryff. If your daughter stays with us it will not be improper for you to be in here with me.” I placed her in the bed after Lily pulled back the covers. Lily got into the bed and snuggled with her. “I would like to get to know you better Gryff. Lily speaks so highly of you that you have given me interest. I must admit, you are the talk of the city with the ladies in waiting. Not many new faces show up, nor are any as handsome as you. If they heard how nice and caring you were from Lily you would thank me for hiding you away in my room.” Bella said with a light chuckle.
I grabbed a reading chair and brought it over to the bed and we began talking. We talked until Lily fell asleep, then chatted some more. I learned that she despised the politics of court. That she yearned for a simpler life with less pressure on her. She asked about Fernlan, Velia, Pipi, and if there were others. I got to explain how rough it was in Fernlan, but that I was working on improving it. She scrunched her nose when I told her of the dirt, filth, and starvation. She gave inspirational and reassuring words when it came to improving the village. I even got to hear about how she always wanted to try farming but such things were considered beneath her station.
Then the topics shifted to anything and everything. I learned she loved painting, some of her work hung from the walls. There was one rose she drew that I really liked. We talked about learning and reading, then of children and hopes. That she had always helped raise her younger siblings, and that one day she hoped to have a house full of children. She talked of funny stories of days past and we laughed quietly to ensure we did not wake Lily.
Her eyes drooped eventually and she asked for a goodnight kiss. In some weird way, I had been stabbed, healed, and then lured on probably the best date I have ever had. I felt a real connection to her by the time she went to sleep.
There was a large animal rug by an empty fireplace that I crawled onto to fall asleep.
∞∞∞
I was awoken by a soft shake from Lady Rain. She informed me it was improper for me to sleep in the same room with an unmarried lady.
I was escorted to my own residence in the same wing. I bid Lady Rain a good night. The candlelight helped me find the pot for a pee. I was tired and on edge, but still missed the signs. I slid into the bed and felt naked flesh.
“About time,” A young woman who had the looks of Lady Rain and the Duke said to me.
I was not in the mood. Not in the slightest. The last thing I needed was a woman audacious and wild enough to sneak into my bed naked. I firmly deposited the naked maiden, well probably not a maiden in that sense, over my shoulder and opened the door. The Lady Rain, stood there shocked. My guess was she had her ear to the door. I gently plopped the young woman down beside her and promptly closed the door and used a sliding bar to lock it.
“I will be marrying Lady Bella if she will have me, so you can let the other ladies know I am taken,” I said to the closed door.
“You can marry me too. I am what you deserve, she is weak and soft. I am strong, adventurous, a good fighter, and a griffin rider like you. You do not need a wife who cannot protect you, you need a woman to watch your back.” The unnamed lady declared. Fun times in the palace. I was exhausted so I walked away from the door.
“Goodnight,” I said loudly with hostility. I climbed into bed and promptly went to sleep.
∞∞∞
I stirred in the bed when I heard a soft knocking on the door. It was firm but soft as if a little hand was doing a hard knock and frustrated it wasn't loud enough. Lily I guessed. I hollered I would need a moment and to wait patiently. I did my morning stuff quickly in a bucket, which was awkward. I missed flushing toilets, it was extremely high on my to do list for my new manor. I imagined how hard it would be to explain to the builders what I wanted.
Dressed for the day I opened the door and saw Lily with Lady Bella behind her. They wore light summer yellow dresses that matched and went down to their shoes. Their hair was styled the same and they both had lily flowers pinned to their dresses. It was super adorable. I may be a macho kinda guy, but these were the moments that I got mushy.
“You two look perfect, absolutely the best!” I exclaimed with animated hands of excitement. Lily nudged Bella with her elbow. She reached into her bust and removed a piece of paper. I immediately wanted to see where the paper came from. I guess it was easier to store stuff in one's boobs in a one piece dress.
Before I accepted it I said. “You must have talked with Lady Rain and her daughter about last night?”
Lady Bella quickly took the paper, folded it neatly and inserted it back in her bust. I reached for it and she smacked my hand down. “No, you mischievous man. Out with it, I have three sisters who call Lady Rain mom. Which was it and what happened?” A stern face matched a finger that was pointed at my nose.
“I was set up I swear. I fell asleep after our wonderful lengthy talk. Lady Rain woke me up and informed me I should not be in your room. I then went to a room she guided me to. When I got in bed, I found a naked woman who resembled her mother. I promptly threw her out beside a surprised Lady Rain, and then told them I was going to be marrying you. That I choose you and no one else mattered.” I said with emotions because I have some of those. On occasions.
It was the right thing to say. Lily jumped onto my right leg in a hug, and Bella tackled me. The lady began passionately kissing me and I meant to interrupt her due to Lily's proximity when someone else beat me to it.
“Ewe, gross. No reason to clog the air up with your pretend love, you only met a day ago. He got stabbed yesterday, and then I was able to surprise him in his bed. Both times he was either with or recently by you. You cannot protect him, you cannot love him the way I will. You are inferior and weak. He needs strength, a fellow griffin rider.” The audacious sister from last night said while dramatically picking her nail with a knife.
“By the gods Una 'The Fearless',” Bella said with seething anger between clenched teeth. She punctuated the fearless with a hiss. “You have bullied me my whole life. Be happy for me, and grateful for this weak loving, caring, delicate body of mine is leaving this manor.” There it was, the truth of the matter. The strong preyed on the weak, and this was no different. I was disgusted.
The two sisters couldn't be any different. Rider Una was fit, extremely so for a woman. She had brown hair with brown eyes, with visible scars from fighting. Her nose was crooked and swollen from breaking. Her eyes were hard and uncaring. She looked like she wanted to vomit at the emotions we displayed, and punch her sister for daring to talk back to her.
I did what any man would or should do in such a situation where two girls fought over you. I picked the one I wanted. I pushed Bella against the wall embracing her in a fierce kiss. I reached into her bra as I continued to kiss her. I grabbed the paper and unfolded it, with lips still locked. I then slammed the paper against the wall leaving her gasping for breath, pulled out my knife, cut my finger and signed the paper with my blood. I was expecting defeat in Una's face instead I saw it was red with passion.
“That was fucking hot. Like, my pussy is super wet. Take me like that anytime you want, you hung stud. I see your desire trying to escape your pants. And before you try to scold me talking like that in front of the little one, save it, I don't care. You will be mine eventually but you won this round, Bella. Congratulations on getting married, I look forward to being your sister wife.” And with that Una did an about face and stormed off. To jump off a balcony headfirst I hoped.
“Well, I have never won before...” Bella was stunned.
“Um, Bella I think the bigger news is we are a family now!” Lily said and gave her a hug. “You’re going to love Fernlan, Velia, and Pipi. I am so happy for you, I promised you will love it. I am so happy I may cry.”
“So may I. If you would excuse us, dear husband. I am going to straighten out our appearances and become more presentable. Also, need to tell some important people the good news.” Bella said and kissed my cheek. She then grabbed Lily by the hand and they skipped away. Leaving me standing there uncertain what to do. Of course, my stomach rumbled and grumbled telling me to feed it and that I was a dumb ass for waiting.
I searched my way down the lavish hallways and the ornate staircase. I followed my nose until I found the kitchen. Which I was promptly removed from by the head cooking lady. I guess I could have called her a chief, but they did so much more than cook here. I was lead to the eating area and found the Duke and some nobles. There was roaring laughter. “And then he says... Get this... I blame the dark for sticking it in the wrong hole.”
The laughter grows as the Duke slams his good hand down on the table and then I am spotted.
“There he is, the man of the day. I heard you had a run in with Una last night. Still got your balls or did she take them?” the Duke asked me. Apparently, he knew his daughter well.
“Firmly on my body good sir. Though I am taking one of your daughters north with me, she and I have decided to get married. Here is the document, signed it in my blood, hope that is not an issue.” I said this to grins.
“You are very lucky to have caught the eye of one of my daughters, I bet they see a lot of me in you. A charismatic warrior, who kills the Horde with glee. Well out with it man, no more suspense hand me the paper.” I did so and the Duke suddenly got somber. Gone was the joyous mood and laughter. “Her mother would be so proud of her. Lady Margaret, her mother was my first wife. The true love I told you of earlier. She tried for a half a decade to give me a child. With no lack of effort, I assure you. She died giving birth to Bella, my one true love transferred her soul to that little precious girl. She is all grown up now though, at two years over the legal age of sixteen. Bella is able to make her own decisions. While I am sad to see her go, I welcome you to the family.” Duke Riza said. He got up and shook my hand then left the table.
Derfran broke the silence that followed. “He lost sons to the war, everyone that could fight, did so defending humanity. He nourished, school
ed, and trained them to replace him one day. The amount of love he gave all of them paled to how much he doted on Bella. Her siblings were jealous and she had a rough time growing up in the manor. We will work on softening the blow to his heart. It will do him some good to see her settled well in a good home with you. He will probably visit often.”
I scrunched my face in frustration. “So yeah, about that list of professionals I need to do work. Let’s add a full team of builders Derfran. I can afford it and you can make it happen with your connections easier than I can. Maybe two teams, actually yes. Two, make it happen because I leave tomorrow and if the Duke comes to visit you know what he will find? His daughter sleeping on pine straw in a half shed with only three walls. Yeah, Fernlan is a potty pit of a village right now. We will invest some effort into fixing it up.”
Additional silence followed my words. A steaming plate of eggs and biscuits arrived and I devoured them. The once happy joyous group departed to start the day. Meanwhile, I asked for seconds and thirds.
∞∞∞
I was lost with what to do, every minute of my time had been spent with a driven purpose and a goal on Vin so far. I found myself alone, and bored. I figured I could browse the local market, so I went shopping. I had to ask a few guards the same question along the way after getting turned around. Frustrated at the city layout, I finally found the damn place. It was right on the border wall between the slums and the upper city.
There were two entrances. Double the guards on the slum side. I was patted down and had to place my weapons on a rack. I was given a tag that would return my items to me. Next, I went to the market bank teller. I verified my identity by the paperwork of my title from the Duke, which was accepted without issue. The clerk checked a sheet of paper from the palace. Then proceeded to give me chips with a number on one side and a unique image on the other side. It was explained to me, to stop pickpockets and protect consumers and sellers the chips were used in place of real coins. Chips could not be turned in besides by a merchant or redeemed by the original owner, and all chip transactions were tracked. So if something shady was going on it was eventually caught. Not perfect, but it added a nice layer of protection for all parties. It was a hassle, but I had to deal with it seeing as how the treasury held my funds at the moment. Not to mention, I had not been robbed yet, but who knew when someone would manage to lift a coin purse of mine.
Gryff The Griffin Rider Page 16
