Gryff the Griffin Rider 2

by Marcus Sloss

  “Bow in thanks,” I ordered. The six of us bowed. “Mina would you be so kind as to fetch us a few mugs of water while we wait for it to cool further. Asif and Oomla assist her. She will be in charge of you when my wives are busy.”

  The three left to get our waters.

  “You sure, she is a knight’s wife. Having her order around the prince and princess might offend.” Bella said and Amber interceded.

  “Donnie will not stay a simple knight. The Kights of Fernlan is now the Knights of the Empire. Counts all of them at the least is my suggestion.”

  I nodded at this. It would be a worthy reward. Things were not going to get easier and promotions did little harm to me. There were not any negative consequences yet.

  “Any downsides to doing such?” I asked Bella and Amber studied her.

  “It will further bind them to you and make them harder to be agents for others to use. No very few downsides and you can even gift them territory. The new zones are yours. No one else obtained them. Not even the Empress. That was all you.” Bella said and gave me a hug. Amber joined and I saw the wives smile at each other.

  We waited a few minutes when our waters showed up. Time to head to the river. I drank half my water in one thirsty gulp and let out a burp. The ladies giggled and it was Asif who was offended.

  “I have been told men should not make rude gestures in front of women,” Asif commented.

  “Let me guess no crude jokes or belching?” The lad nodded. “You can beat your wife if she disobeys or angers you?”

  “Of course,” Asif replied.

  “I need a snack… go run and fetch one for me,” I ordered and the prince rolled his eyes as he ran off.

  “Fired, send him home. Mina head him off before I see him again. You know your letters correct?” I asked.

  “Lady Bella has finished my schooling I had from before. I can write a nice note saying he did not respect women the same way you do. Should give the message you seek,” Mina said and Bella sent her away with approval.

  “He will not be punished, not that he should. You are strange Gryff of the Empire,” Oomla said with hesitation. The little girl smiles as she looked up to me. “I think I like strange.”

  That was the right thing to say because my wives smothered her in compliments. We walked down the trail that was wide enough for a wagon. When I heard the rush of the river I spotted Traz laying in a ball napping. I approached my friend to find Pipi sitting with Vern against Traz’s side. In their hands were five fishing rods with lines.

  “Yes! Best surprise ever… you sneaky wives. Fishing! Vern let me teach you the most amazing trick.” I grabbed a rod and there was already bait on the end. It was a very simple setup but that was all we needed. Stick with bait on it, then drop the hook into the water. Wait for a bite and pull the fish out of the water and then play the stab to death game.

  There was a nice rock on the river’s edge wide enough for ten of us. I planted my ass down and flung my bait into the water. My wives and stepson joined me. I noticed only a few monox digging in the river’s edge and did not see Deb. Maybe most hunted at night or they were nesting. We sat silently for three minutes until Amber broke the silence.

  “Um… This is boring. You sit here and wait? How long?” She asked.

  “This is perfect. Our family relaxing and enjoying watching the water pass us by. For how long… who knows? I don’t fish like this for food. My previous lines were to catch food and not enjoyment. Those damn orcs stripped them and probably tossed the lines into the river. Will have to buy new ones. This is about enjoying the moment with the company. I agree though a tad boring.”

  Bella smirked and Pipi giggled. Amber titled her head in confusion and Vern was intently focused on his pole.

  “Alright, I know when you two are up to something…” I said

  Bella reached into her bust and unfolded a stack of paper.

  “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 with 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 a 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.