Gryff the Griffin Rider Box Set Page 5

  I made my way over to Elan who was nothing but smiles at my arrival. “Thank the gods they warned you in time about attacking from inside boundary. These fish are a delight. So much food, it has been too long since we have had any reason to rejoice. Thank you Mr. Gryff, thank you...”

  “I do have a favor to ask and then I promise its back to fun and food. Tomorrow morning can you signal Cern that we have goods and coin to trade?”

  “Of course all I do is place a flag on top of the bell tower and a rider will arrive within an hour. It is only a fifteen minute flight for them. Now tell me all about how you riled up these goblins and managed to kill them all. That is a story we would all like to hear.”

  The night was filled with laughter, good food, and good company. The entire village snuck off in ones and twos to bathe at some point. I went alone and got the blood off me as quickly as I could. The overwhelming wafts of nasty people had vanished and it sure was nice. It warmed my heart to see so many people genuinely happy. The men of the village crowded me during the feast as we talked about battle, trade, and general guy stuff. During my Olympic training, I was a determined young man with no free time. Friends and genuine comradely were rare, we were, after all, competing against each other. Elan, Stov, and the other men were overjoyed at clean wives, a well fed family, and hope of things improving. The closeness of the community got to me in a good way. The big cities like Cern would never have this. I was glad to have started in this desperate village over a ruthless city. Here I could belong. Here I could begin making a difference.

  The children were the first to say goodnight. Retiring to the shacks to rest their tired heads. The villagers returned to their homes with sincere goodbyes. The ladies set up their normal sleeping spot under a massive tree for the night. I prayed for no rain as the meager amount of blankets were spread over the bare earth. Twenty women and I formed a sleeping ball to keep each other warm. I was squished on all sides and had to swat many a hand away from my penis. It got so bad I rolled onto my stomach. Tired from the day I promptly fell asleep with a goofy grin on my face.

  CHAPTER 3

  I woke within the clump of women to the morning dew and a slight chill. I would need to figure out the seasonal rotations here in Fernlan and where we were in the cycle. A few grumbled as I escaped the warm ball of bodies.

  Velia opened her eyes and watched me as I strolled lazily to retrieve the wood axe. I proceeded to the boundary edge where the latrine ditches and pits were. I popped a squat and did my thing. The lack of privacy gave me pause, but the smell in this area was so bad I got my business done quickly.

  I went right into a rhythm of cutting down trees as the sun crested the horizon. A nice v-cut on one side of the tree to control the fall. I then smashed the sharp edge into the other side of the trunk. I was surprised by how much strength I had. Add that to my list of questions. I had heard magic mentioned a few times, and there were creatures beyond reality here. Maybe I had magic or magically-increased strength. Could I super heal, fly, or turn invisible? Actually, how did healing work here...?

  I mindlessly chopped down trees while I pondered these questions about my new life. A large shadow zoomed quickly over me. I looked up to see a griffin flying toward the town center.

  The beast was massive. Easily the size of a small shuttle or large air car. It had wings that were wider than a small building. The feathers that decorated its wings and front of its body were white with blue tips giving off a surreal beauty. It’s large sharp beak, long curved talons, and tight skin on its back half of the body was a golden hue. The elongated tail swayed with its flight and was tipped with a furred ball, colored in a deep purple. It was majestic and somewhat terrifying. Yet, judging by the outlined ribs and hips on display, it was clearly underfed. As rapidly as it entered my view it dropped from sight among the village buildings.

  Excited to see the creature up close, I sprinted back to the shelter area of the western fields. I placed the axe among my meager possessions and found Velia.

  “Griffin is here. You got those lists for me?” I asked her nicely. She looked gorgeous in the morning sunlight. Her hair was still wet from a bath, her face flawless, and not a bit of dirt on her. She cleaned up very nicely and I felt myself desire her. I got caught gazing at her tight ass as she retrieved the lists from a shack.

  “We saw. Yes, here is the needs list.” She handed me a piece of bark with a list of items carved into it. Huh... I expected paper but this worked. It was different and seemed time consuming, but I understood the list. “And this one is our wants if you would be so kind... Sir Gryff.” She handed me the second one with big, pleading eyes. She was clearly toying with me and I loved it.

  “Anything I should know before I deal with the Cern person? I would like to avoid doing something stupid.”

  “Do not get too close to the Griffin. For whatever reason, they hate men and will savage them if you get too close. They are right assholes when they want to be.”

  “Got it, steer clear of the oversized, man-hating bird. Order the items on both lists. Anything else?” I asked her.

  “Oh...” Velia dashed off to the pile of dead goblins and came back holding a sack. “Here are the best parts for selling to Cern. We pilfered the bodies while you were hacking trees. Should fetch some good coin.”

  When she handed me the sack I almost vomited.

  “Is this sack goblin skin?” I asked as I dry heaved.

  “Yeah, it came off the back of the biggest one. How did you think we made our water bladders and patched our roofs?” She gave me a “don't be a pussy” look and then slugged my arm. “Wimp. Man up.”

  This got a roaring laughter out of her. Some of the eavesdropping ladies chuckled at me too.

  I kicked the dirt in frustration. I muttered then regained my composure.

  “Savage. But it makes sense. Waste not, want not. Oh... Velia, I’ve been meaning to ask. How does healing work here? If I get a deep cut... is it stitches and months to heal, or weeks? Is there any healing magic? I see medical supplies on this list and want to understand.” I asked as I reviewed the supply list.

  “The sick are treated with an antibody potion. It will fight off infections. A deep cut would need multiple potions just as a broken bone would. If set or stitched properly both will heal in weeks not months. So that is why the list includes lots of potions, bandages, and proper thread with needles.

  “There is healing magic, but our little village never sees it anymore. The healing mages used to caravan here before the war and offer services but since the Horde and wild lands, none visit. Either they see no profit here or they refuse to fly under a griffin. Elan ended up with his limp because we had no healer to set his leg right. We are very fortunate that almost everyone in the village is healthy.”

  I pondered this and decided I would require a healer. I figured I would eventually get hurt if I keep roaming the wild lands.

  “Velia, Lyna, Donnie, and Lily follow me. You are going to help me not screw up this trade.” I waved goodbye to the rest of our western field group. “Until later, fair ladies, adorable children, and young men,” I said loudly for all to hear.

  Upon arrival at the town center, Elan greeted me with his trademark warm smile. A rigid five foot tall woman stood fifty feet in front of the griffin, giving it plenty of space alone. She was fit, clean, and the best dressed woman I had seen on Vin yet. I wondered if her rank as a rider afforded her certain privileges or if Cern was in a better state than this village.

  Behind her, I got a better look at the massive creature. I had expected it to be much smaller. It was at least thirty feet long and fifteen feet tall. The feathers were clean and neat as if recently brushed. Its tail and swatter hung lazily off his back end. I got a single dismissive glance as it balled up on the ground to rest.

  “Ah, Mr. Gryff, good to see you,” said Elan. “Let me introduce you to Lady Nalia of Cern. She is the third wife of Hanz, Captain of the Cern city guard. She will be handling your trade
requests today.”

  “So this is the man Elan has been praising. I hardly believed him when he mentioned you were not from this planet, but now I see. You are too tall, too handsome, and probably without faults. Definitely not from Vin. And for the love of the gods put on a shirt.” Lady Nalia said with rudeness.

  I was not sure what I did to warrant this attitude but before I could ask Lyna spoke up.

  “Oh, he has faults. He is impulsive, gullible, and immature. Also, blasphemy! Let him stay shirtless.”

  I raised a single eyebrow at Lyna.

  “Widow Velia, I never thought I would see you looking so lovingly on another man. Not after Frin gave his heart to you, a lowly field worker from a small village,” Nalia said with a sneer. Her arms were crossed and she stomped a foot in annoyance at having to be in our presence.

  Okay, I pieced some of it together by this point. In the past, Velia's former husband must have been involved in a love feud thing with Nalia, and Nalia had never moved on.

  “Uhh... Lady Nalia, can we talk of trade. No need for bickering or insults. These are the items I need delivered.” I handed her the two slates of bark. Her eyes grew wide and laughter escaped her lips.

  “This vermin filled village could never afford all this,” she said with scorn.

  All right, I had had enough of this. Time to rock the proverbial boat.

  I turned to Donnie, pulled him in close and whispered an order to him. He promptly took off running.

  “Well. So much for being cordial. I have these to trade. They should cover a lot of this.” I handed her the goblin skin sack that was filled with goblin parts.

  Nalia peered into the bag and gasped. “How?! These are eyes, tongues, and hearts of goblins. No one hunts the Horde, not anymore. It is all but officially outlawed in Cern. The Baron has said we can no longer risk angering the Horde under any circumstances. The Baron passed a law prohibiting fighting the Horde, but that was struck down by the King’s court. Still, men who do as you have and fight for resources in the wild lands have gone missing. You play a dangerous game in dangerous times.”

  “Good thing we’re not in Cern,” I replied as I clapped my hands in agitation.

  “Maybe you can afford the items on this list. I may have misjudged you, traveler. The mages will pay handsomely for these parts. If they find out you can get more, they may even trade work for them.” She let out a deep laugh. “By the gods, I know some who would gladly be sacked and brought to this rundown, backwoods village for first access to these.”

  “Speaking of mages... I am in need of a healer. I expect in my line of work to get injured at some point. Is there an apprentice or midlevel healing mage I could hire to relocate to here?” I asked her.

  Nalia looked in the makeshift bag some more, tilted her head in thought. She scanned the list again, and then back at the bag.

  “Three more silver and I can get the rest of what’s on the list in exchange. As for a healer, the Master Healer of Cern has been bribed with many a noble’s child to be trained since the peace accords. For a gold coin, he could be persuaded to send one here to gain real world experience. Let’s say a year. He should agree to that.”

  I tossed my purse to Velia who grinned. Lyna frowned that it wasn't her.

  “Pay the nice lady,” I said.

  Velia walked over to her rival... or was it a frenemy? Not sure how I would classify two ladies who used to fight for the love of a deceased man. When she pulled the three silver coins out, Velia fumbled the purse a bit. Coins spilled out.

  Nalia picked up three silvers and a gold one.

  “Indeed, I have misjudged you, Sir Gryff. You continue to surprise me. These are the purest coins I have ever seen. Two silver will more than cover your dues. This pure gold will get you his best apprentice.” Nalia had a genuine smile on her face as she happily handed the extra silver over to Velia.

  Well shit... now I was probably going to piss her off. Right after I had finally won her over to not being a bitch. Donnie arrived with the goblin arm that had been hacked off during the fight yesterday. I grabbed it and walked purposefully by Nalia and towards the relaxed griffin.

  Shock and terror reflected on her face.

  “Wait! Stop! Did no one bloody warn him that griffins kill men who come too close?” She yelled at everyone as I went past her.

  “Told ya, impulsive. Maybe add stubborn as a flaw too.” Lyna said.

  Even though Nalia now seethed with rage she did nothing to stop me from approaching the griffin.

  “What is your name, big noble sir?” I asked the male griffin. How did I know it was a boy, well when it flew over it had a huge sack with balls in it. Dead giveaway. They were so big they were displayed under his tail behind his butt as he napped.

  “I am Lirkon,” said a voice inside my head that sounded like a fast talking salesperson. “A member of the Cern pride of griffins. Step no closer, and toss the food at my feet.”

  I stopped and glanced around. Yup, that had to be the griffin talking. I tossed the arm at his front paws. Which was quickly devoured with a loud cracks of bone breaking.

  “I would have guessed they could not talk,” I said out loud to no one in particular.

  “They don't. At most, they gesture or point. The fact that Birk hasn't mauled and eaten you is a wonder,” Nalia said.

  “Who is Birk?”

  “Him.” She pointed at the griffin.

  “No, that is Lirkon. He told me only a moment ago.”

  Hearing his name out loud confirmed it for Lirkon. He went from a relaxed comfortable posture to on his paws and attentive.

  “By the great griffin creator, you heard me! You understand me... The pride... They will be so overjoyed. There is so much to tell the humans that we rely on so much.”

  The massive creature jumped up in joy... and then raced for me. I was caught flatfooted and not ready for the attack. Women screamed. Elan screamed. Hell, even I let out a squeak. As its massive frame reached me, it slowed and started rubbing its head against my bare chest. I reached down and pet him. Okay, maybe it was coming over for love instead of blood. I could work with that, you know, the not-dying thing being a big plus.

  “Uhhhh.... plot twist,” I said out loud, knowing I was the only one who would get it. It made sense, me being able to talk to griffins like Lirkon. Sara did say my show would be named Gryff the Griffin Rider. She also mentioned zero scripting and complete free will. I could talk to griffins... Bonus!

  “By the gods,” Nalia said.

  Dismayed muttering erupted from those gathered.

  “All right, that is quite enough,” I told Lirkon and retreated. “I am glad you enjoyed your treat. We really need the supplies your rider has to go get, so if you could help with that, I would be very grateful. I would even trade a single favor.”

  I wanted to establish that I was not a griffin to human translator from this day forward. I already had enough stuff to deal with and accomplish.

  “My mate is with cubs and may lose them without more food. The cowards of Cern no longer hunt for us and we are slowly starving. Can I take a few goblin bodies to her? Any amount improves the chances the cubs will be born alive and defect free.”

  “I think that would be fair. We could use the meat, too, but I feel I could get more with some effort. We all had a large meal last night, and I don’t really want to eat goblin yet... So yes, feel free to take the six bodies from down on the western fields.” Lirkon dashed forward and nuzzled my chest again. What a big softie he was. “I do need you to scan the wild lands between Cern and Fernlan, though. Report everything you see. That should help me get more meat in the future. I wish you and your mate the best. Nice to meet you, Lirkon, and thank you for your trade, Nalia. Drop off the supplies here when you can. If I am not hunting, I will come say hi.”

  I gave Lirkon a final rub on his head and slid my arm around Velia. With a gentle guide, I led us back down toward the western fields. Behind us, I heard Nalia, asking the griffin i
f his name was really Lirkon. It looked like the rider and the creature had some stuff to work out. In the end, I was relieved it hadn't eaten me.

  Moments later, the griffin soared overhead, wings spread wide. My small group instinctively ducked as it passed above us. It landed quickly on the goblin pile and then launched skyward again with the bodies in its talons.

  “There goes our extra food,” I said.

  “Ummm, we may need to talk,” Velia said. We were almost back to the western fields.

  “About me giving away our food?” I asked.

  “Well, that, yes. If we hadn't recently had a large meal I would be scolding you. But mainly I wanted to discuss this.” She reached down to the hand I had wrapped around her body.

  I stopped and shooed Lyna, Lily, and Donnie forward.

  “Go find busywork,” I told them.

  When they were out of earshot, Velia began a nervous shifting sort of dance.

  “Out with it,” I told her.

  “The last Baron, Baron Frank, died in the siege of Cern. He had a son. His name was Frin and he was a handsome, caring noble. When he decided to marry me, he elevated my status from peasant to potential baroness. I loved him dearly, but he died four years ago. The Horde had only been on Vin for a year and hope was still high among the people. We believed we would push back the vile Horde and have a future to build upon, greater than before. That is what he believed, that is what my Frin died for. I wanted so badly to give him a son and grow old with him. None of that happened.

  “I never took another lover. I could have, I was courted. Yet as the war progressed even those suitors I started to have feelings for died. I see the way you look at me Gryff of the Redlands. I feel the way you touch me. I need you to know that while I have this tough no nonsense exterior. Deep down I still have a broken heart. This is partly to also explain Nalia, that bitch tried her hardest to steal Frin from me. She even went off to war with him but escaped the ambush he died in. I asked her to tell me the story of his death but she shunned me.”