by Marcus Sloss
The larger kids climbed up the logs and took the bushels that Lily and Lyna had made. They shoved the bundles in open spaces to fill the gaps in the roof. I reached down and tossed them onto the roof with ease. It was only eight feet high. When the kids said they were done, I grabbed a high point and leaped onto the roof. I made it no problem with one pull-up jump. I inspected the roof for any improvements I could make before the sun finally set. It would need some clay and more branches but it was good for tonight. I would consider the three walled shelter mostly done. Sure it needed patching where lots of wind got in, same with the roof. The floor was also prone to get muddy since it was dirt but it could be improved with little effort.
“Everyone listen up! I want to thank you all for the hard effort today. I will work harder tomorrow on food but for tonight let us sit around a fire and listen to stories of the past.” I said to the gathered group.
As the night wore on the fire died down and the storytelling stopped. The kids went to bed and shortly after it sprinkled with a cold rain. A leak in the roof forced our group into a dry corner. Lydia came into the shelter driven in by the rain. She took up the other side of the covered area. We welcomed the heat coming off of her. While I got smothered by women clumped together there were no attempts at more adult things that night. We were exhausted and sleep took us quickly.
∞∞∞
I was roused by soft lips kissing my neck. Ahhhhh... I got up quickly confused by what was going on and woke a few ladies. I noticed a disappointed Pipi. Wait... Pipi, who knew, would have figured the one kissing my neck would have been Lyna or Micka. As I stood there flustered by the situation, I noticed a lot of ladies check out my kilt where my boner pitched a tent.
“Back soon, lots of work to do,” I said and sprinted off to the potty pits. Ugh, this place stunk. Maybe I could hire a fire mage to visit weekly and burn the smell away. Add it to the list...
I did my morning business and by the time I arrived back at the shelter, the sun creased the horizon. Everyone was awake and preparing for the day. Pipi approached me and cupped my bicep.
“We want you, you shouldn't fight it so much.”
“I super have the hots for you and believe you are one of the most luscious women I have ever laid eyes on. I believe there are more than a few of the widows who do not desire to be entwined to us while we fuck. Let’s respect that for now okay. Which reminds me.” I took her hand off my arm, kissed her cheek, and gave her ass a firm squeeze. Her four year old son gave me a stare of anger. Oh well, I will work on that one later.
I did a loud “Yee Yee!” Why... because I felt like it for getting everyone's attention. With a loud voice, I began my announcement.
“Tomorrow I will travel to Duke Riza in Lakeland. I will be going to hire a number of specialists. The first will be a few builders. Over by the far western boundary wall, where the creek enters in the tree section I plan on building a manor. A manor with dozens of rooms. I want a large kitchen, dining room, bathhouse, and more. I will let the builders design and erect it. I will be moving into it and some people have shown interest in moving with me. I will also have these shelters here fixed for those who wish to stay here.
“I need to know if there is anything in the need list after we purchased all the supplies yesterday. Also, make sure nothing spoiled from the rain last night. We need to move these supplies out of the wagon to avoid the axles breaking from the weight. I look forward to seeing some new clothes on all of you.
“Next, I will also be trying to hire more adventurers to help me hunt for food. I will be seeking out a weapons trainer as well, not only for me but for anyone in the village. And finally not sure if it’s possible but finding a fire mage to burn the potty pits once a week.” The fire mage comment got a cheer and clapping. I guess I wasn't the only one who dreaded going poo.
“If any of you can think of a special hire that would greatly improve our lives or have a special request from Lakeland let Velia know. Make a list today, check with Velia if we can afford it, and get it to me tonight or tomorrow morning. Today I am going to do nothing but hunt for food in the wild lands. I am starving and before I start to weaken from lost muscle mass I will do whatever it takes to keep my food intake up. Know that I am very motivated to see everyone's faces a little plumper with health.”
Velia came by my side and Pipi faded away. She was clearly the alpha female here. I respected that.
“My lady,” I with an awkward bow.
“Good luck today hunting. Remember if it is food or you, bring that tall handsome man back instead of the food... Got me Gryff?” Velia said sternly.
She grabbed the front of my armor below my neck, pulled me down with a force I wasn't expecting and planted a deep long kiss on my lips. When she pulled away I was standing there dumbly kissing the air alone. She swiped a finger over my lips and walked away.
“Ladies Rule!” one of the women yelled.
I noticed Donnie off to the side waiting for me. He was also armed for the wild lands. I waved him over and we walked over to Lydia who still slumbered in the shed. The mighty beast opened an eye at our approach and I noticed Donnie move behind me. At least he didn't run and hide like Jak.
“What is so urgent you bother me at sun up human Gryff of Fernlan? I heard you address your villagers. Will you place a roost by your manor? These current accommodations are not satisfactory.” Lydia said to me.
“Any roost built would be of wood, so let me know what you would like and we can work from there. Assuming you are planning on staying here in Fernlan. I dared to bother you because I need help finding food. Preferably not the Horde that is waiting to ambush me. If you could fly over the eastern and northern fields I would appreciate it. We can meet at the eastern boundary when you are done scouting.”
“If you share what you catch with me I will happily scout for you. Please remember I am heavy with cub or cubs and can only expend so much energy looking. If you can prove you can support my cubs and me by feeding us enough to stay healthy I will gladly work with the builders to design my own roost and call Fernlan home. For reference, those six goblins will last a month for a full grown griffin using minimal exertion. The arm you feed Lirkon yesterday will last him a few days even with a short flight. So the task of keeping us healthy and feed is not as daunting as I make it seem.”
“Deal. We will try our best. The two of us will be waiting for you on the eastern boundary to hear what you find.”
A good idea came to me suddenly. “Donnie run to Velia, tell her to add chickens to the list!”
“Chickens?”
“Yeah about this tall lays eggs, has wings but doesn't fly far, and digs in the dirt for bugs,” I said showing the height with my hands.
“The only egg laying birds I know of are ducks and fleece. Ducks are common, Lakeland should have some for sale, but the fleece is rarely a farm animal. The old farmer Parka who worked the northern fields handled the village livestock. When the war was near the end and we got raided everything was stolen by the Horde for food... Including him. Well since then there have been no animals to farm. Smart thinking sir, the ladies would love some eggs. I will go run and tell Velia and momma right away. Where should I meet you?”
“I will be at the Inn checking on Jak. Thanks, Donnie.”
The lad bolted away with his shield bouncing on his back. The young man made my life so much easier. I wonder how he would take it if we got enough adventurers that he needed to stay home. Ah, can't what if everything right.
I walked up the ramp and went to the Inn. The front door opened with a creak and I was greeted to a bar room on the first floor. Tables were sporadically placed with wooden plain chairs around them. The bar and bar stools sat dusty and were as empty as the liquor shelves behind them. The door had rang a small bell at my entry alerting Melina. When she came around from the back with an apron on I greeted her.
“Melina, well met. I am Gryff. I appreciate the deal you made for my healer to stay here. I hope h
e is not too much a bother.” I knew this woman had bad blood with Velia, but I hoped to start fresh with her. Especially if I had to get past her to see Jak.
“Welcome Gryff, been hearing good things about you. That Jak boy healed my sprained wrist and I have never had so much energy. Thank you so much for hiring him. I will tell you what, I know me and your girls down there on the western fields had a bad split, but they all are welcome to visit Jak. I promise no hassle from me. I hear you might be making a trade run from here to Lakeland. I acquired the purest of gold coins and could use some supplies. Here is the list I had prepared.” Melina handed me a paper list. The penmanship was excellent... wait for it... or was it penwomanship?
I had to give the old lady respect. She was prepared, cordial, and I couldn't help but want to say yes to her.
“No promises, okay... I have no idea if the Duke will even hear counsel with me. Or if he does that I will survive it. Then also think that Lakeland might be dry, but I will try... Shit forgot trap trainer or maybe a trap manual. Add that to the list real quick. I swear this village is lacking everything.” I said to her.
“Elan probably has a trap manual.” Melina said.
I walked to the nearest table, bent over, and knocked my head against.
“You alright there Gryff?” She asked with a confused look.
“I will go talk to Jak then see Elan. I will send a runner with change and supplies when I get back. Thanks for dropping the ban on the girls. Hopefully, you ladies can reconcile, it seems like you were close at one point.” I said to her and took the stairs up toward the rooms Jak rented.
Before I could knock I heard an “Enter,” from the second room.
Jak was sitting in a chair behind a desk reading a manual. A bell rang downstairs and I saw Donnie enter the Inn.
“Donnie go to Elan and see if he has any trap manuals. If he does ask for a fair price and have him collect from Velia.” I hollered down at him. The lad nodded and was gone again.
“Off to the wild lands, I take it?” Jak asked.
“Yuppers, wanna come?”
“I will pass for today. Word has spread that I am here and have an established healing spot with a quiet room. Melina said I would be busy. Been a while since a healer has been here in Fernlan. I am sure there are many with issues they will only discuss behind closed doors.”
“Fair enough, do me a favor and save enough energy in case I get hurt. Cut off patients after a certain point until I come back safe or injured. That way I don't show up with my guts hanging out and you tell me Susie had a sixth toe you had to fix so you are out of aura.”
We shared a laugh with this and he nodded. We shook hands and I left the Inn toward the town center to catch up to Donnie and Elan. Donnie stood outside with some papers in his hand.
“Got these for a copper. Elan said it was a good deal, would cost a few coppers in Lakeland.” Donnie said.
“That is funny. These dusty papers were sitting on a shelf waiting to decay. Supply and demand though right. Good score kid. Now let us go off and see what that cranky pregnant griffin has found.” I told Donnie.
“I am not cranky and hurry up so I can go back to napping.” I was notified by Lydia.
Damn, how far could griffins hear? How could she talk to me this far away?
“Let’s hustle kiddo, the mighty, majestic, and beautiful Lydia awaits us,” I said.
“Damn she can hear from far,” Donnie swore.
“Apparently,” I said to him and we jogged to the eastern border.
CHAPTER 5
We past the last of the rundown buildings and found Lydia napping in the trees. She had knocked some pines down to make a clearing and was folded up inside it.
“Took you long enough human.” She unfurled from her nap position to reveal a map drawn in the forest dirt. It was surprisingly descriptive. My art skills were horrid. I would have drawn a square building for the village, two squiggly lines for the river, and a stick with fluff for trees. Somehow Lydia had used her talons to draw detailed trails, waterways, clearings, enemy outposts, and more. It was very well done.
“We are here. The war boar trail starts closely here. Not too far from it at this clearing three orcs are tiring down the war boar.” She said and touched a talon the important location. “They have it trapped in the clearing with spiked barricades and numbers. When it goes for one of them, that orc hides behind the spikes and another comes out from a different side to get the boar's attention. Then it will charge the new orc who runs and hides. And so the process continues until it tires and the chieftain can make it submit to be claimed. I saw the three in rotation, with four more waiting right here. One of the four wore a crown and was much bigger than the others.”
“Hmm...” I said thinking of how we could use this to our advantage. “Anything else”
“Yes, off in the distance at this point.” Lydia pointed with a talon to a northern spot. “This was once a human village, it now is the orc’s camp. It bustles with the green beasts. Many are there, including offspring and goblins. I would need another flight to get better details on their settlement. The only other thing I found was the war boar’s young children. If you follow this trail south, then cross this creek, they are to the east in these caves. They are old enough and big enough to still be a threat. Well... more so to the brave little one than you. Any other questions?”
“No we got it, thank you for your scouting. I will discuss what to do with Donnie while you return to the western shelter and nap.”
Lydia yawned, gave the slightest nod and then gently leaped into the air. I waved Donnie closer to the map now that the griffin was gone. I explained the situation to him and then asked his opinion.
“Mr. Gryff, to me it seems the orcs have come from far way to try to tame the war boar. With it trapped and still active we may have the element of surprise. But, I cannot recommend that. My momma and Velia would string me up if they heard I did. They would want us to go for the easier target. Did she say how big the war boar's children were?”
“She did not mention it, only that they could still hurt us. Which, it is the wild lands, and nothing is safe. Alright, I made up my mind.”
“I knew Lyna was wrong, you are not reckless. We go for the young boars.” Donnie said while smirking at me.
“Uhh... About that. We will take the trail north here. At this point, where we leave the trail you will stay. From there, I will see if I can sneak up on the orcs and kill them. If it is too risky, I will fall back to your position and we will go south. Lydia said they are distracted so we need to at least try while we are the ones able to ambush. If I make this bird noise. Cacaw. Then that means I am bringing an easy target to ambush. If at any point you hear me yell run you sprint to this spot. Got it?”
“But I can fight.” He pleaded by clanging his sword to his shield.
“Hopefully, tomorrow we will have a trainer. Right now you have no ranged weapon and are smaller than anything we may face besides goblins. If I yell run, you run, to this safe spot right here. If you do not do so, I will never take you into the wild lands again.”
He nodded and gave a defeated sigh as we marched past the sensation of the boundary. We quickly located the boar trail and continued north. We passed the smelon tree and trekked on for another ten minutes. In the distance to the east, we could faintly hear a commotion.
“Okay, Donnie this must be it.” I looked around and found a good thick bush for him to hide. I quickly checked it for critters then pointed to it for him to get in. I took off my greataxe and two pikes. I undid the bindings that secured them for travel. I paced a dozen steps in front of Donnie's hideout and rested the greataxe against a pine tree. Another dozen steps closer to the noise and I leaned one of the two pikes against a bush.
I walked back to Donnie who looked nervous but determined. His shield in front of him and his sword at the ready.
“Any last questions before I go?” I asked and he shook his head no.
I passed
my staged weapons and walked carefully toward the noises ahead of me. When they clamored loudly I crouched and crept slowly. I watched where I stepped diligently, ensuring I was quiet as I could be. I moved at a tedious pace but eventually, I visualized what Lydia had described earlier. Walls of sharpened wooden X spikes closed off the clearing. Three orcs about as tall as Lyna at five foot five were exhausting the beast. These must be adolescents because the four orcs who watched them work were true brutes. The tallest with the crown was eight feet tall. The three other orcs were as tall as me at nearly seven feet. Wide rippling muscles were displayed, they only wore a loincloth and no armor. Tattoos and scars decorated their dark green bodies. I expected long savage tusks but all I noticed were two small rises from their bottom jaws. Hideous looking certainly but not as awful as the goblins.
I took my time and watched the seven orcs with patience, trying to figure out a good opportunity to strike. I had my pike ready for a throw but only had the one, the damn things were too big to carry a bunch of. Maybe I needed to go back to the javelins. I was in an indecisive mood of self doubt when a goblin came running in from the north. The little creature approached the chieftain with bad news of some sort. How did I know it was bad? Because the massive orc picked up the goblin and launched it thirty feet into the air. It arced over the spikes and landed in the clearing with the boar. As badly as I wanted to see the goblin die a horrible death I knew this was the moment I needed.
I watched as the four orcs focused on observing the goblin's demise. I waddled towards them as quickly and quietly as possible. I watched the ground with a determined focus not to give away my position when I felt a burning pain erupt in my left shoulder.
I hunched over and tried to hold in my scream of agony caused from an arrow in my shoulder but failed. Not understanding what had happened, I heard a battle cry come from above me. A sudden weight smashed into my back.
An orc had knocked me into the dirt face first by falling on me. I had been so distracted about making noise with my feet I had never glanced up.
