Nate gave the order to fire. It was perfect timing, the considerably larger wolves with their orc riders were transfixed on the sacrificed mule. They were vulnerable as they clumped to rip into the body. Our initial salvo caught them by complete surprise. Great balls of fire seared across the distance. Arrows whistled away seeking to reach their targets. The javelin I threw arched in deadly fashion adding to the salvo.
Four orcs fell to wooden projectiles and three wargs were on fire. A fifth orc caught on fire from his mounts inferno. It was chaos for long enough to get a second volley in. After that round, there was only a single warg left. The lone survivor took off at a run. It raced away from us and the dead faster than I thought possible. I grabbed the last javelin from Marcus' container and lined up the shot. The warg was at least four hundred feet away by the time I threw.
My missile shot out with such a force and speed I worried it would never land. I overthrew the wolf and it got away. It was a risk we were willing to take that word or knowledge might make it back that something had happened to this patrol. A single orc writhed in pain and was quickly dispatched by Kyle. One of the burned wargs had played dead, it lunged for Nate but he was ready and his sword gave it a killing blow to the chest.
The skirmish was over fairly quickly, and I felt awful for the poor mule I had unwittingly sacrificed. The death it suffered was gruesome. The killing blow was fairly quick at least. There were guts and torn bits of the mule all over the kill zone. Two of the orcs had dead open eyes with crossbow bolts sticking out of their heads. Looks like the weapons were paying off.
To ensure no other surprise attacks happened, all wargs and orcs were beheaded. I watched as the men stripped the orcs of weapons and valuables. These orcs had purses on them but the currency was some time of stone that looked common. Not gems or gold I could probably use, but I decided to keep them to send to Lakeland. Maybe Derfran, the man who could speak the Horde language could get some value from them. I found it odd because of all the kills we had made these were the first bodies with a purse. I shifted to studying the wargs.
Up close I realized they were much bigger than the wolves I kept in Fernlan. Twice the size and they had to be to carry the orcs. There was no saddle on their backs and you could see from the patchwork fur where the orcs held on. These orcs were not as huge and bulking as the others I had seen with the chieftain. Nor were they as thin and young as the scouts. It was almost like they were determined to be riders from a young age and molded to fit that role. If I ever made it back to Derfran or found another Horde expert I would ask.
“Well can we haul this or cart it?” I asked Nate.
“If you can carry three of the wolves we can handle the rest. Worst case we make it partway and grab a cart when we realize it is too much. Traz say there were more coming?” Nate asked and I checked.
“Nope he said we are clear, the last wolf is heading far to the east and will take a long time to make it back to the orc settlement. So we got time.”
“Earl Gryff, I must admit sacrificing the mule made for the best distraction to get them all in one spot. As they tore apart the mule they were perfect targets. Well thought of sir.” Krix said to me.
Nate scoffed and held in laughter, and I caught Marcus smirking.
“I get it, I get it... My turn to get the abuse. It was an accident Krix. The dumb thing was supposed to slip out of my loose knot, but he tightened it. Which was probably the knot's fault and not the mules. I actually need more animals like that to haul stuff. I get tired of pulling carts everywhere, and those damn golems are heavy.” I said as I stacked the third warg on the opposite shoulder of the first two. “Speaking of heavy, these wargs are no joke. Let us return, I am going to jog to help reduce the time I have to haul these flea infested, smelly carcasses.”
I took off west towards Malvia. I set the pace and no one was able to keep up while they were loaded down with bodies. I felt the barrier's tingle and dropped the three wargs. I turned and raced back to the men and grabbed the last two warg bodies. The men shifted the remaining heads and orc bodies amongst themselves and tried to keep pace with me. I made another trip back to them but they shooed me off saying they could handle it the rest of the way.
The griffins were massed inside the eastern gate. They hauled the warg bodies to the manor where the rest of the catch was piled. It went smoothly and the next thing I knew I was landing in front of an angry Bella. She waved papers at me with one hand while her fist was on her hip with the other.
“Hmm... How did it go?” I asked Bella.
“Terrible, of course, you were right. I am still mad that the griffins killed children, which will take me time to cope with.” She said with her nose to the air. Bella was wearing a lovely baby blue sundress that hugged her curves perfectly. My mind got wondering and I had to redirect my eyes to meet hers. “This place is better off if the volcano goes off. It will be more merciful than the starvation that will start soon. They have enough food and livestock to last this month. Then that is it, the most shocking thing here on the notes was this...” Bella handed me a logbook.
I looked down the list of imports, it had them broken down into what was purchased, what it cost, and from where. At the bottom, there were two entries that baffled my mind. Food rations, ten prisoners, Bar'nacmar the merciful. Well, this opened up another level of deception. If I had to guess the only people who would trade for human sacrifices were the Horde.
“Good job Bella, great find. Your skills surpass my expectations. If this is a trade to the Horde we need to know who is dealing with them and how. You are done, for now, I thank you for your work. Do you wish to stay here while I continue my mission or return home and manage Fernlan?” I asked her while running my hands down her shoulders until our hands clasped.
“Tough decision my love, does a wife belong at her husband's side or managing his estate. For now, I will stay here, simply to spare our treasury the cost of your constant healing.” Bella said with her nose tilted upwards. She freed her hands and folded her arms under her chest. It propped her bosom up a delicious amount to further prove I needed her in other ways. While those amazing tits were distracting I defended myself.
“What... I managed to go a whole battle with no injuries!” I said and heard chuckles around me.
Maybe this was a conversation best held in private.
“Alright come inside let us have a discussion with Velia and Pipi as well. Dinner time is in an hour so might as well spend some family time.” Nate landed beside me with Krix on Lord Nova. “I am going to retire to handle some family stuff. Nate, I need you to prepare the landing pad up top for tomorrow or maybe even some golem farming after dinner.
“Krix, someone figured out how to trade with the orcs. My guess, it was the Count himself or another viscount. Is there anyone alive you would suspect for this or are they dead?” I asked.
“The nobility managed the city treasury and trade. They are dead more than likely.” Krix replied.
“It disturbs me greatly. I wonder how many other cities are interacting with our enemy. They were trading prisoners for rations to meet the quota. Malvia is a steaming pile of shit. On one side I want to watch it burn, on the other most of the people here did not get themselves into this mess. Arr...” I paused and kicked the grass in frustration. “Joey, get me the bookkeeper. I forget his name, a nice older fellow with a young son. Send for them both... The son was Tim or Timmy the dad was...”
“Strin, earth mage Strin of Malvia. I know the pair, good man, well-mannered son. You mean no harm?” Krix asked hesitantly.
“What, no. Why would I... never mind. I am making him a Baron and giving him Malvia to rule in my name. We are annexing this festering stink pile of a town.”
“But Malvia does not smell at all compared to other cities?” Krix said confused.
“Fair point, fine. This corrupt soon to be starving town needs new leade
rship. Maybe I can save people, maybe I cannot. Least I can do is try. Now I have other affairs to attend to. Have them waiting in the Count's courtroom please.” I said and left with Bella on my arm.
I found both Pipi and Velia in our room when I arrived. They greeted me warmly.
“So ladies, it has been a whirlwind few days, seven hells a busy few weeks. I need Bella here to heal me. While it was fun Velia you are going home to run Fernlan. I only trust Elan and Una so much. Ensure the progress continues and our coffers grow. Where is Vern?” I asked Pipi.
“With Dennis. Our son loves the smithy since the fire has been going again you cannot pry him out of that place.” Pipi talked with her hand animatedly. “Una went to the mines the day you left to dig around for more trinkets. They found some gems and lots of ore. Needless to say, Dennis was ecstatic to have real work to do and Vern is right by his side. I worry a bit but he minds Dennis very well and I do not hear a complaint about him. Were you wanting me to stay? I would like that, we have not had much time together since we have been married.” Pipi stood straighter and got more confident. “Actually I am staying, I know I am not your first wife but I will be here with you for as long as you will have me here.”
I clapped at the small performance and everyone grinned. “Perfect then you will share a bed with Bella and I. Speaking of which Velia, get us a bigger bed, one that can fit four.”
“Only four my lord. You are such a novice to Vin. You think King Horus is going to not send his prettiest daughters to try to woo you. If you do add to his lands by claiming Malvia, it will be a blow throughout the kingdom. Seven hells even disposing Count Winter and the nobles here will send shock waves around the empire. Especially when he can do little to retaliate. It would take over a year for him to get twelve men out of every city, put them in one spot and then march here. Hmm...” Bella paused in thought. “I bet they are trying figure out a workaround. Maybe make a deal with the shaman that the empire confides in. Break a barrier to march an army with the promise of another safe place or its replacement. I would need to dig into the fine details of the peace accords. Excuse me husband, sister wives. Duty calls, I will send a griffin to get a copy immediately, or see what the experts my father has can pull up.” Bella left the room with a purpose.
“I will miss you and want you to know I enjoyed our time here together. Thank you for taking me, and for making me feel like a woman who is desired and cared for again.” Velia came over and planted a long sweet kiss on my lips. Pipi started to look at us hungrily. I knew the two girls were passionate about each other, and now me too. I broke the kiss before I started to lose control of the situation. Lots to do. “Awe, next time then my love. I hope you enjoy your time with my sister wives. For now, let us eat dinner and discuss less serious things.
Velia extended a hand to Pipi and to me and we left for the evening meal. Bella joined us halfway through and the conversation about life kept going. We discussed Fernlan, I got a few minor updates, I told Pipi how big and dumb the golems were. Then I got asked about the wargs. I spoke of their size, and flea covered mangy fur. I mentioned how I got the mule killed and it made me a bit sad. The girls were adorable about that. They wanted to make sure I knew it was a mistake and not my fault. They were sweet but it was super my fault. We shifted to funny stories we had as children. Some of mine were modified to fit Vin. The laughter continued as the stories rolled on. A cough from the dining room door came from Krix.
The earth mage Strin and his son Timmy were waiting for me to hold court. I finished off Bella's plate real quick, kissed Velia goodbye for now, and left to the second floor. There was no fancy call out of my title and name when I entered. I went to the chair that former Count Winter had pissed himself in a few days ago, and tossed it to the side. The thing reeked of pee. I then grabbed one of the wives' chairs and loudly placed it up front. I made sure there were only three chairs behind me as Bella took the first chair and Pipi took the third. I kissed both their hands making them blush.
I waved for mage Strin to come before me with his son. “Earth mage Strin I find myself needing a ruler for my latest conquest. I do not know many people here, and a few I thought were worthy stuck a sword through my chest. I am at an impasse. Either I plead to you to rule this place and make an effort to see it not starve. Or I say not my problem, leave it to King Devon and maybe he can magically save the people from starving.”
Strin's facial expression resolved. Somewhere among my words, he had made a decision. “If I do bear this mantle, it will be to save the guiltless souls of my home city. What support can we expect from you if we recognize your annexation and defer to your leadership? If you are approaching me, a simple bookkeeper to run this city things must be dire.”
“Indeed they are, you are out of food, the only thing keeping this city going was imports from King Devon which slowed last month and this month stopped altogether. My first wife Bella will go over the details after our meeting. Inform the people you are trading access to the griffins and my men in exchange for work. This work will be paid for in food or gold. That is the ideal scenario for me. Rents will no longer be collected. My men will have priority for hunting the golems, outside of that I expect the populous to set traps, bait fishing lines, and actively hunt. If I can I will send any animals I can find to help bolster your stables. Things will get worse before they get better but the truth needs to be told to the people of Malvia. You may starve unless drastic measure are taken or I manage to send a surplus of food. You will need to figure out who you can trust to help run this city in my absence, I will not return often once I leave. I have three villages to maintain and am in the process of turning one into a city.” I told Strin. The man nodded and did a bow.
When he left Bella went with him. Hopefully, the two of them could implement some measures to save the city. I somehow hoped that the people would understand. The reality was once the food distribution stopped, and dining halls stopped serving it would be too late. It did not help that I recently killed a Horde patrol, which might stir the local orcs up and bring them out of their settlements. In how much force was unknown but any amount prohibited hunting, trapping, and fishing.
The real hope for Malvia was my gold, if I could find enough excess food to buy to tide this place over for this winter, it should recover next year. Unfortunately for them, it depended on if I could find it, and if I was willing to part with the gold. This place served a purpose, as long as it generated income.
I gave a heavy sigh and rubbed my scruffy face. I felt how the back of my neck had grown out of control. “I need a shave and a haircut,” I muttered.
“Well Gryff, we can go to the bathhouse where I can pamper you and give you a cut and a shave. Or you can slay some golems, and maybe take me up on my offer later.” Pipi said from behind my chair in her seat. I waved her forward and when her hand neared mine I yanked her into my lap.
“You know precisely how to entice a man, offer him pleasure or offer him blood. I will take both. You and me naked after I slay a few golems. Reserve the bathhouse, and have food set aside. Maybe some fruit if the manor has any left in stock. Tell Bella while I am gone to order the extra smelons to come here. We will hand them out then hire the seeds to be planted on every spare inch inside and outside the barrier. Go, my beautiful wife, I shall think fondly of you naked while I am away.”
Pipi giggled and exited the Count's courtroom. It was my courtroom now, so the Earl's courtroom. I sat in silence letting the headache this city had brought to me try to fade away. It did not, my blood boiled for combat, and my body lusted for Pipi.
“Nate!” I called to get the man ready to go up the plateau.
∞∞∞
The upper platform was covered in torches providing a surplus of light as the sunset. I watched the city of Malvia illuminate below as it battled the darkness. Large fires raged in the orc settlement to the south, and another fainter light glowed to the e
ast. That one must have been where the warg riders had come from. The only other illumination was the lava to the southwest of our makeshift camp. The moon remained hidden from us and provided no help with seeing.
The landing up here was surprisingly large. I wanted to walk to the barrier and find the exact location, but it extended so far up here there were golems before it ended. Because I was not limited by the peace accord rules, I had my entire team up here and six griffins. We figured since the golems were a neutral party to the accords they could freely move in and out of the barrier.
Nate, Donnie, Marcus, and both Brads were suiting up for hauling parts. Half the new mercenaries were donning protective gear also. I kept four off to the side for swapping when someone became tired and in case I needed another runner for distraction. Kyle was my puller but since they were here inside the barrier I handled that for now. The fire mages stood ready with empty torches, cask barrels, and vials that were empty waiting to be filled. They had set up a table for chopping the hearts up and organizing the final products. There was a large pot almost like a cauldron with some acidic water in it. A new water mage we hired managed this. The golem shell skin would go in there and with a bit of time, some acid, and two spells the lava rocks were made. The six griffins were doing their semi nap thing. They were on moving stuff detail, I figured having them kill golems may end up with them flinging thousand plus pounds of rocky humanoid into buildings down below. They told me they could kill the golems but Smasha would be more effective. They would exert too much energy for it to be worth the food intake when other griffins were starving. Everyone was a bit grumpy that we were working into the night but I let them stew in it.
There was no inspirational speech or a reminder of the gold we were making. It was simply a group of determined men ready to get to work. I figured everyone got the morning off so a late-night would be fine. As long as I did not get hurt and need healing I hoped to be right back here at sunrise tomorrow. Knowing my luck the golems would manage to injure me somehow.
Gryff The Griffin Rider Page 36
