Chapter 6

Sleep most tender and comforting wrapped Leon like a cloak. His calm breaths passed the time as he and Olas flew through the sky. A dream the man knew, for in reality this would be out of the question. To be that high, having to rely on someone else, it was positively unthinkable. But in this world of fantasy, he was free to experience the wind brushing his face, the lord’s wonderful chirps making his own heart sing; the sun would shine on his back as they climbed ever higher, it was beautiful.

Down below the rivers were sparkling, breaking apart the verdant green landscape of Lumara below. It rose and fell as if the world was breathing, then it gave way to the rocky peaks of the voiceless mountains, a mist settling about them as if to hide some great secret.

The red-orange gryphon peered back; a fondness sweet as candy within those deep gingerbread eyes. It touched upon Leon’s soul, had him blush. Everything was right with the world, as it should be. He smiled, honest and true, laughing such sweetness he’d never in life.

All of that shattered with an icy splash across his face.

Eyes shot open as he gave a startled yell, his entire body soaked and dripping with what he hoped was water. Draigo was in the corner of the stable, his ears standing tall, afraid to approach the black and navy gryphon that loomed over him.

Krantor had his dark grey beak parted into a smile, mischievous delight sparkling in his pale blues. He was holding an empty bucket in one hand, dripping the last of its payload. Anticipation of the coming moments flicked his tail, crown feathers rose one by one as the half-elf’s blood turned to fire.

“Krantor!” Leon roared, “What the fuck was that for?”

“Figured you needed a wakeup call. After all, you must have had a hot and crazy night with lord Olas. Did you know you moan about him in your sleep?”

He scrambled to his feet, water dribbling down his trousers to pool at the stable’s floor. “Why the hell did you use the entire bucket?”

“Dad always said, give it your all. The all in this case was the bucket of water.”

With a snarl he tried to snatch the gryphon’s ear, only getting air as Krantor pulled back his head. “I’m going to kill you!”

“You have to catch me drippy!” Krantor laughed, dropping the bucket with a clang, and proceeding to bound beyond the man’s grip. “Think of it this way Leon, now you don’t have to have a bath! Unless you wanted to smell like the Lord’s cum.”

“Why couldn’t you wake me up like a normal gryph?”

“You mean like the morning crowers that announce the arrival of the sun? You really want that in your ear?”

“It’s better than water! Sit bloody still!” With a final roar he snatched the gryphon by his feathery chest, pulling up against him to stare into his eyes.

“You’re aware I’m letting you hold me here, right?” Said Krantor, gently fluffing his feathers, ears splayed, “What’s the matter, can’t take a joke?”

“That’s not the point. Now I’m all soaked.”

“It’s just water. Look lets go outside; the sun will dry you off. I’m sure that’s one of those blessing things that Hekate can do right? I mean, what kind of sun cleric can’t have the sun dry off her buddies clothes? Alright, I can see you’re not too happy about that. How about this, next time we have a whittling contest, you win!”

“Aright fine.” He sighed, “I suppose it was rather funny.”

“Right? I knew you’d come around.”

He spread his arms wide, giving the gryphon a charming smile, “May I have a hug?”

Warbling to himself, Krantor approached with his wings wide, ready to wrap the human tight in his wings. He stopped himself with a sudden clack of his beak, realizing what was going to happen. Leon wrapped his soaked, dripping arms right around Krantor’s neck, securing his hands on the other side.

“Hey! No fair! That’s a dirty trick!” Squawked the gryphon, trying to buck and pull away, but finding Leon stitched to his feathers.

He pressed his face into the gryphon’s neck, “Not fun getting wet now, is it?”

“This is gryphon abuse!” Talons grabbed hold, failing to wrench the man free. “Leon, come on! I’ll have to preen for an hour at least!”

“Sounds like a problem you should have thought of before tossing water in my fucking face!”

“I swear to the gods above-“ Krantor snapped up as Leon released him, his feathers all slathered in moisture. His ears pinned, eyes narrowed, “Happy now? You’ve gone and soaked me.”

A shit eating grin spread to the half-elf, “Think of it this way, it’s an opportunity asshole to go see your delightful mate. Hey, what the hell was that for?” The gryphon had clamped his arm hard between his beak.

“I’m going to nip the shit out of you.”

It was his turn to now be on the defensive, warding the gryphon away with his snatched satchel. Panting, ears pinned, Krantor eventually was left glaring at him, tail lashing back and forth.

“We done?” Leon asked.

“Suppose so. Don’t really feel like doing a murder.” Replied Krantor.

“Wonderful.” He dropped his shield, only to get a clack of the beak that had him raise it again.

“Alright, now I’m done.”

Moments passed between the two, not a word being said. The only sound being that of Draigo, huffing and wondering what strange dance these two were doing. Leon composed himself as the gryphon did the same. He grabbed his armor, slipped on his pack, and redid Draigo’s tack.

“Lucky for you, we got ourselves a job for tomorrow.” He opened the pen’s gate, guiding the horse out, getting smacked in the face by Krantor’s fluffy tail.

“Oh, sorry about that.” The gryphon snickered; his next tail flick stopped by the half-elf’s hands.

“Is this going to be the rest of the day for us?”

“You got my feathers wet!”

“You soaked me first asshole.”

Krantor squawked, averting his gaze, “I don’t see how that’s relevant. What I did was a prank, you were just being mean.”

“Does your wife know that you’re this petty?”

He shrugged, giving the half-elf an amused wink, “Only for you Leon, aren’t you so lucky.” Another playful flick of the tail was diverted yet again, “Guess you don’t like gryphon tail.”

“Not yours particularly.” He growled, getting chirping laughter as Krantor made comments on certain gryphon tails he did enjoy.

Out to the street they did stride, the air filled with the joyous chirps of gryphon kind. They darted too and fro through the air like a collection of leaves, lost upon the wind’s carefree currents. Sunlight shined down from the bright sky, caressingly lovingly the clouds above, that stretched across the sky like a series of white snakes. The air was thick with the smell of gryphon, intermixed with dry leaves and dirt. It was a cacophony of sounds that one could lose themselves in.

“Up bright and early, never thought I’d see the day.” Krantor sighed, eyes closed as he took a deep, feather ruffling breath, “And you say with another mission? That’s wonderful. Though I still have a question on the mind…” He followed on after Leon’s heels, beak practically hanging off his shoulder, “Why did you not stay the night in your dearest gryphon’s clutches? I mean, you actually preferred the stables to the loving embrace of your sweetheart?”

“Shut the fuck up Krantor.” He snarled, shoving the gryphon’s face away.

“Alright, someone is clearly in a mood. Suppose you’re still cross about the water?”

He didn’t answer, he doubted the playful gryphon would even understand. Instead, he was forced to drag Krantor by the ear away from a cart of fresh smelling bread that had caught the catbird’s attention like a moth to flame.

“Hey, what gives? I was supposed to be getting breakfast!” Krantor squawked in protest, as a series of gryphons carrying packages drifted overhead. “Just because you struck out with your sweety doesn’t mean you have to ruin my relationship.”

“I’m not ruining your relationship. I have a job.”

“Oh, you were being serious?” The gryphon relaxed, pinning his wings, “Olas’ jobs are the best. Easy pay, practically relaxing.” He nudged Leon’s side with a few raised brows, “Plus you get to celebrate by warming his bed. That will be what, three times this month? I think he’s sweet on you!”

“Or he’s just needy as fuck.” Groaned Leon, rolling his eyes as the gryphon continued to chirp and trill, clearly connecting dots that were not there.

“Question, can I still get a scratch behind the ear, or no?”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I quite am, I have this serious itch behind the ear, can’t seem to reach the spot your fingers do.”

He turned, meeting Krantor’s gaze, the gryphon already haven splayed his ears in a submissive manner. “You splashed water on me, nipped at me, and then have the gall to ask for a scratch?”

Krantor batted his eyes with a soft coo, “I was hoping since we were friends, you’d forgive me?”

“Gods, I hate you, come here you big needy bitch.”

“Knew you had it in you.”

“Just shut up and take the scratch, and quick, before anyone notices.” He leaned up and massaged the onyx gryphon behind his ears, making sure to pay attention to the base. For his trouble he was nuzzled, accompanied by soft warbles and trills. Around him other gryphons had taken notice, some poking their heads out of windows most expectantly. He retracted his hand before he had a whole horde of gryphons slinking over and taking advantage of these free scratches. “There, are you satisfied?”

Krantor strut away with a pleased chirp, shaking his head, stretching his wings, and fluffing his feathers in an elaborate routine. “Always.” To finish it off the gryphon slipped around him, dragging himself across the man’s back. His nibble of the hair was warded away with an open palm. “It’s a sign of affection!” He squawked.

“I think it’s just an excuse to nibble and taste my hair!”

“Why can’t it be both.”

“Just follow me and let us talk about the job.”

“Alright, but where are we going? Cause Hekate is going to be cross if I return to her minus the breakfast I promised.”

“Good, it concerns her too.”

“Going to tell me?”

“And waste my breath on the second time? I’ll tell you when we see her.”

The gryphon gave an exaggerated groan, offering to fly them, squawking, and hissing when the man refused. “You know, for someone who spends his time with gryphons so often, you think you’d like to fly.”

“I have my reasons.” He grumbled, unwilling to trust someone so completely. “And you’ll leave well enough alone.”

“Do you even know where she is?”

“I figure the temple of Fureen?”

Krantor cursed, “Lucky guess.”

“Not really.” He laughed, “She’s there most mornings! Preparing her spells and tending to the local gardens!” Nudging the gryphon only resulted in getting batted with a wing, nearly having him stumble to the ground.

“You know that wouldn’t happen if we fly.”

On the outskirts of town was the temple to Fureen, Goddess of the Sun. It was placed here so that the humanoid visitors would have easy access. It was a simple thing, made of wood and painted in swaths of oranges and gold. A brass statue stood outside the circular structure, of a naked woman holding her outstretched hands to the sky. Around this were pens for gardens, where gryphons and humans in orange robes of silk tended to fruits and vegetables meant to provide for the town. Here the sunlight was brightest, a warmth spreading to the air.

“See? Wonderful place.” Krantor chirped with pride, gesturing to the temple’s oval, mosaic door.

“Yea, such wonder. All sunshine and rainbows here.” Leon grumbled as gryphons waved to him from the gardens bursting with flowers. Their chirps were ones of merriment and welcoming.

Hetake was among these people, resting out back in a circle of flowers and sacks of grain. She was up upon her belly, wings slightly unfurled, soaking in the rays as she sang gently in the gryphon tongue, a melody fit for the gods. To others non versed it was like a bird’s call, but it sang of harvest, good food and aided those in need.

“How goes the praying my sunflower?” Krantor trotted to his wife’s side with a swish of his tail, passing two ladies picking tomatoes. “Guess who I found?” His eyes gestured to Leon with a mischievous grin.

The lavender and white gryphon opened an eye, searching upon the half-elf up and down. Her gaze narrowed upon her husband, “Why are the both of you soaking wet? Did you do something needing of a paddling?”

Leon groaned as the gryphon played coy, so that’s what this was all about.

“Oh, and don’t forget.” The onyx gryphon mused, opening his talon.

She took one look between them both, laboring a great sigh, “Fine you win.” She handed over some coin to her mate, dug out of her coinpurse.

“What was that about?” Asked Leon, hand on his hipsas the male gryphon chirped at his apparent victory.

“Had a bet about if you’d spend the night at Olas’, figure things didn’t work out?”

“Things worked out fine. I just didn’t want to spend the night at the bluebloods was all.”

“Blueblood to go along with his blue balls.” Krantor shook his head, “I think he just likes sleeping with his horse instead.” He squawked as a lavender wing was batted across his head, “Hey!”

“I’m sure Leon had his reasons dear! Right Leon?”

Leon nodded.

“Besides, I’m sure he and the handsome lord took care of that particular problem."

Leon blushed, shaking his head as the female gryphon laughed with a salacious tongue, “He actually wanted us for another job.”

Ears perked, crown feathers raising one by one. “Oh my gosh, three times in a single month! I think he’s warming to you!”

“That’s what I said!” Krantor said, nuzzling up against his mate’s side. “See, we even think alike!”

Groaning, Leon had to silence their chirping laughter, “He wants to take his daughter to the circus-“

The female leaped up, interrupting him as she bounced her paws, trilling, and warbling. “We’re going to the circus! Ooooo Krantor! I haven’t been to the circus since I was a little gryphet!”

Krantor brushed up against his mate, nibbling at her feathers with an amused swish of the tail. “I figure it’s not just being paid to go the circus?”

Leon groaned, now being given the chance to speak, “No, he wants us to be their bodyguards.”

“Wait.” Hekate planted her hinds, talon on her beak, “Isn’t he a powerful magician?”

“Yes.”

“With his talents that could put us to shame?”

“Yes.” Leon groaned as Krantor’s beak parted with a grin, caught his eye.

“Leon you’re going to be that gryphon’s eye candy!”

He grit his teeth and bore the gryphon’s coming laugher, “That’s certainly not it.”

“Oh?”

“He might be a powerful wizard sure, but he wants a day off with his daughter. Not so that I can be eye candy. I imagine he wants a carefree day so that he doesn’t have to lift a finger. You know his type.”

Both the gryphons nodded with a chirp, but their expressions told they didn’t believe the man.

“Whatever you say Leon.” Sang Hekate, rubbing up alongside him, “But I think Olas’ has a crush on you.”

** ** ** ** ** **

Olas paced outside upon his lawn in the morning sun, right before his stables, listening to the distant chirps of the birds. The day between he and Leon’s parting had all but flown by, loosed itself to the sky to parts unknown. What should have been a dreary day of regularity was instead one of whimsy and a blissful fog. The gryphon had strut around, humming to himself, picturing the day in all its coming wonder. He’d sing and enthrall his daughter, she looking to him as she’d always done. The thought warmed his heart, made his paws bounce, not to mention having his favorite mercenary on his wing was an added bonus.

Leon, oh his dearest Leon. The mere picture of his knight in shining armor made the gryphon’s heart weak. That night he’d spent reclined on his bed, debating to contact the man and spend hours talking his ears right off. No, he’d sighed, not wishing to give the mercenary the impression that he couldn’t spend a day without him! He was a powerful magician that had control of his emotional outbursts! Yet he stared, tapping his talons against his forelimbs, dying to hold the man in his embrace, to feel his warmth against him. The smell, the way he took in each breath, oh Olas could drift away to such delightful thoughts. It was only by the saving grace of securing one of his pillows that kept him from contacting the mercenary and demanding that he come cast away the loneliness that had stricken him.

Now he was dressed as a commoner gryphon might have been, with his fanciful gear replaced with mere bits of cloth. Browns and almond were wrapped around his forelimbs and hinds, accompanying a multicolored scarf that rested around his neck, drifting in the wind like some rainbow snake. Though his feathers and fur were preened and groomed, he lacked the usual perfumes that he typically applied to himself. Today he would be just like everyone else, albeit with magical powers. Anticipation settled into his talons, twisting through his feathers, tugging at the mind, making every breath he took seem like hours.

Where was he? His ears flicked as he traversed the field around his estate. Leon had said he was on his way via the bracer but still Olas held his breath over if he’d actually come. He’d peer to the path that led to his home, expectant to see the careful trotting of the man’s horse, catch sight of his vigilant gaze. Oh, to see it linger on his feathers, tracing every curve and fluff as if to commit to memory. Olas warbled softly, spreading his hinds and fluffing his tail feathers, picturing the half-elf being drawn to several particular areas of him. Why wasn’t he here? Olas gave a squawk of frustration, lashing his tail.

He peered to his home, more specifically the window where his daughter’s quarters did lay. It was going to be ok he told himself, it didn’t matter if Leon was here yet, Luna herself was still getting ready. A sigh of relief passed through his beak as he pictured Olivia stroking the gryphoness’ fur, getting a hiss and clacking of the beak in return.

“What are you looking at?” He asked to his horses, each of the percheon’s staring at him with flicking tails. “You’ve already been fed this morning! Do you know something I don’t?”

One of the horses snorted at him, the others whinnied. They clearly wanted to play.

“Oh, you only care about yourselves, so selfish! I won’t have you doubt Leon like that either, he will be here, he said it himself!” He huffed and turned away from such selfish beasts, planting his haunches on the soft grass. The morning breeze tickled his belly, almost dulling the sharpness of the screech directed at him.

“What in the nine hells are you dressed in Olas?” Red eyes travelled all over his form, from his hinds to the scarf around his neck. Isadora came trotting over from the house. “Not a hint of nobility on you, have you gone mad?” The female gryphon was clad in leather leggings with gold stitching, elegant design of course and adorned with a multitude of runes. Rings of dwarven design adorned the base of her tail, matching the anklets that were wrapped lovingly around her forelimbs. As she approached her necklace twinkled in the sunlight, a thing made of silver beads that trickled down her feathers like a river. She was the example of privilege and wealth, if only her attire matched her blackened heart.

“You look like one of the bloody commoners.” She squawked, approaching with her beak raised as if one might have smelled a skunk, “Of all the ridiculous things that you’ve done. I’m amazed you find ways to astound me.”

“That was the idea, Isadora.” He scowled, keeping his eyes not on her but the road. His tail flicked as she strode around him, “The circus was supposed to be a way of indulging in the things the commoners enjoyed.”

“The poor?” She gagged, wings fluffing, “I suppose if you can stand that wretched half-elf of yours, the stench of the unwashed masses must be bearable for you.”

“Leon isn’t wretched, I’d refrain from uttering such untruths.”

“Sorry my dearest husband. I’ll try not to insult the whore that you drag around and fuck. How fitting of one of your stature.”

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To that he reared up, ears pinned and giving the gryphoness a sharp keening squawk. He knew by the wretched delight in her eye it was just what she’d set out to do, get under his feathers.

“You misplace your protection husband. The cock that you love thrust up that tail of yours is merely using you. Why else would he want a piece of boring, pathetic trash like yourself?”

“Just cut to the point Isadora. I don’t request you stick around, yet here you are.”

“Because I enjoy tormenting you.” She rumbled, fluffing up her feathers, “To pick and pull upon the thread of which you don’t wish to see. The one that has that common…pig suckling upon your grotesque cock for favors and gifts. The fact you can’t see that is sad in a way. Suppose it’s only fitting.”

Wings flared in a threatening display as he dug into the ground below with his talons. He followed her as she rounded, clacking his beak in warning when she drew too close. Of course, she cackled to this, loving every moment that his blood flared to life, burning at her very presence. “I’d feel bad if I hurt you Isadora, but I know I didn’t. The only thing that mattered about our marriage is up there in that tower. So, snap shut that beak and get out of here, go tend to whatever catches your fancy.”

Eyes flickered with cruel delight, “Of course I will Olas, you think I would rest around, weeping while you get your diseased fuck boy to hump your backside?” She scoffed at the notion, “I’m off to spend the day with the Grimfeather flight, I’ll be on the wing of a certain Dust Grimfeather, I believe you know of him?”

Olas averted his gaze, “I know that as a magician he will always be second rate.”

“He’s anything but. He’s hot, capable, determined, takes what he wants, knows how to truly treat a gryphoness on his talon. “With a brassy voice she went on to describe other areas of which he was superior, “And of course he has a better cock then you.”

“Of that I seriously doubt. I expect to not hold my breath for your return?”

“Oh no, we’re going to be out late. I might just spend the night. So, feel free to fuck your little plaything to your hearts content.” She leaned in, eyes gleaming, “Just know that Dust will be mounting my lovely haunches and giving my pussy the fucking that a proper male should.”

He sighed, like that was supposed to get under his fur, “Have fun darling then. Do give Dust my best regards, for clearly, he is a stronger gryphon than I gave him credit for. He, unlike myself can handle the contemptible shrew that you’ve always been.” He caught her rebuttal with a spell, a sudden snap of her talons going for his face.

“Oh, I will have my fun, you pathetic sack of feathers.” She pulled back, giving him a look that could kill, “Have fun continuing your journey on being an embarrassment. I’ll take solace that in the end you’ll realize how empty your half-elf will make you. I’ll throw my head back and laugh when he takes advantage of you, showing just what I suspect he is.” With a final chirp she spread her wings, pouncing into the sky. She spiraled up towards the treetops.

Damn that female. Silence gripped Olas as he watched her depart, almost expecting the gryphoness to return, talons going for his throat. Thankfully she didn’t, but her words tugged at his heart. He was left trembling, looking at his own hands, whispering that she was wrong. Though every time he said the words they were hallow, gnawing at his gut. Leon would never do that, he was different, unlike everyone else in his life he asked for nothing but the gryphon’s attentions. Thankfully the dark cloud of doubt that had him trapped was parted by the shape of a half-elf riding his horse gloriously up the path.

Leon was atop Draigo, like the knight in shining armor that Olas knew him to be. A helmet upon his head of black and white, golden feathers on either side of it like the rays of the sun. He held the reins of his horse like that of a commander, a cape fluttering in the wind. Above him his two gryphons danced upon the air, chirping and chasing one another to an unsaid song.

All at once what despair that had gripped Olas had departed, his heart skipping a beat as he beheld the coming hero. He was struck, unable to speak, his ears peaked tall. With a resounding, warm trill he leaped to all fours and bounded towards the group. “Leon!” He shouted, “How delightful of you to arrive so promptly!” He stopped short of the half-elf’s horse, forcing the man to control it from rearing. “And you’ve brought your little gryphon friends as well!”

“Not so little your nobleness.” Hekate landed with a chirp, pinning her wings before giving Olas a bow. “But we arrive, prepared to defend you and your daughter.”

“We spent all yesterday getting supplies!” Krantor puffed up his chest, gesturing to the rows upon rows of potions that were bound and secured on his harness’ side. “Healing potions, antidotes, blessings, can’t go wrong with holy water. Then I got some iron tablets, blessed of course, and-“

“I’m sure the lord need not be dragged down by the details darling.”

His ears splayed as he gave a nervous chuckle, “Of course.”

But Olas had not eyes for their little antics, his attention had not shifted from the man atop his horse. He maneuvered so that the half-elf could get a good look at him, enjoying that when he did, Leon followed perfectly. “What’s the matter my Leo, gryphon caught your tongue?”

“I take it you’re ready?” Leon replied firmly, eyes following the gryphon as Olas maneuvered around them, “You look rather plain.”

“So, you noticed! Isn’t it neat! I had the wonderful idea today to be one of the gang! Blend in with you and the common folk!”

“One of the gang that pays us to protect him?”

“Of course! The circus can be a dangerous place my knight. I hope we won’t need you to protect my precious behind.” He strut a few paces, flicking his tail feathers swiftly up to flash his ass to the darling warrior. He warbled softly to himself as Leon hadn’t looked away but was blushing. Quick as a flash he was at the man’s side, wing brushing against his jaw, that was until he was pushed away.

“Look Olas, we’re here on business. We…I’m not here to satisfy your perverted bird needs alright? We’re just here to make sure you and Luna have a happy daddy daughter time. So don’t try and go fucking me in that circus alright?”

Olas could only grin to that commanding demand, seeing how worked up Leon had gotten. He placed a wing gently to his nose, “You are cute when you are serious.” Leon’s ever reddening cheeks and nervous gulp were ever so delightful.

“Where is your daughter your nobleness?” Krantor strolled to the field, gazing up across the estate, “I don’t see her. Has she changed her mind? Can’t have daddy daughter time without her!” He shook his head and laughed, “Unless this was the plan all al-“

“Getting ready actually!” He practically sang, bouncing upon his paws to the black gryphon’s side. He gestured to his home, making sure that Leon got a good flash of his balls. “You know how females can be, taking forever to get ready.”

“Or thirsty male gryphons.” Grumbled Leon, arms crossed.

“What was that my dearest?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, but what do you think?” Up went his wings as he gently wheeled around. Beak up, wings spread, he captured Leon’s gaze and had it travel along every inch of him. He bowed as Hekate clapped for him.

“You look like a common gryphon.” Leon sneered.

“Then the illusion is a rousing success!”

Hekate gave the lord a happy chirp, “I didn’t know you were such a fan of the circus.”

“Oh, that’s a long story…Hemakte was it?”

“Hetake actual-“

“You see, father took me there but when I was a small gryphet. Oh, how the acts and flights of fancy warmed my soul. Whenever I was troubled it was there we would go. Why not capture that glimmer of delight with my daughter-“ He batted his eyes at Leon, “And my favorite little half-elf.”

As the gryphons talked of flying over to the circus proper, and how it would take quite some time, Olas strode to Leon’s side and put all their collective minds at ease. The gryphon rolled a talon to his chest, “Don’t worry about the arrangements, all of you. I can deliver us all to the circus with but a spell from my talons!”

There was a moment of silence as they stood in awe at his suggestion.

“Why didn’t you meet us in the town then?” Hekate cocked her head, “Would have saved us loads of trouble.”

“Not to mention waiting for Leon’s horse here to canter to your place.” Grumbled Krantor.

Leon could only roll his eyes, guiding Draigo over to the lord’s stables to deposit his horse for the day. His grumbling and posturing were put to an end when Luna had descended among them, sharing in Olas’ look of commonality.

Her feathers were neat, ears pinned back. Onyx and grey clothing were draped around her neck in crisscross patterns. Forelimbs and her hinds were shoved into stockings, their colors alternating bands of red and black. To Leon and his associates, she scoffed and paid little mind, instead striding to her father’s side and running her flank down the length of him.

“Ready are you darling?” He asked with a coo, returning the gesture with a flicking tail.

“More ready than I’ll ever be. Let’s just hope this circus is not some run down affair.”

“They’re followers of Glenreich, the goddess of wealth and trade; so, I imagine they are pushing more profit. What could more profitable than an outstanding circus!”

“Your optimism surprises me dad.”

With Leon’s horse deposited and the others ready to go, Olas began his deep chanting with a fluff of his feathers. Rearing up he swished his hands, swaying back and forth as magic swelled all around him. The air pulsed and teased at the senses, making hair stand on edge. He cleaved a hole straight through existence, dragging himself and the others with him. One blink and they were gone, leaving not a trace but a confused Draigo, staring at where they’d been.

** * * * * * * *

Chapter 7

They popped into existence as Leon coughed, his whole head spinning from their magical journey. His first few steps were blurred as he tried to maintain his focus, failing and collapsing onto all fours in the middle of a grassy field.

“Now careful now, first time magical transportation can be quite the experience! Leon are you alright? Oh, heavens you look like you’re ready to hurl.”

“Too late.” Krantor groaned, collapsing to his belly at Leon’s side.

He hoped he didn’t have to get used to this on a regular basis. The mercenary swallowed down the bile building in his throat, shaking his head and righting what senses had been robbed of him. Taking deep breaths, he was inundated with the smell of horse, sweat, gryphon and even that of dog. This was the circus? Standing to his feet, he rested a hand on Hekate’s trembling shoulder as he took in the sights.

They were before the entrance to the circus grounds, a gaudy affair with bright, multicolored banners on display. Upon them were smiling halflings, some winking, with crudely drawn men and woman laughing away at some unseen antic. Tents had been risen that rivaled the tallest trees in all the land, made of dull brown cloth, matching Lumara’s colors. Around them the atmosphere was rich with sound, a symphony of gryphons chirping, workers calling to one another, and the masses laughing and enjoying themselves only a short distance away.

Lines of commoners had already begun to form, of gryphons and humans in plain attire. They would shuffle along to three wooden booths, where the halflings were greeting them and selling tickets of entry. For a moment there was a concern that the gryphons would simply fly in and ignore the booths, but a group of the catbirds flew overhead, keeping a vigilant eye to make sure such a thing didn’t occur.

While Leon released his gryphon friend to better compose himself, another deep breath ensured he was back to tip top shape. He fought off the smile that threatened to come to him, even if he loved the circus, today was supposed to be one of business. To Olas he looked, the gryphon had his beak open, eyes practically shimmering in the sunlight.

“My word, Luna look, it’s as marvelous as I remember. Do you see the rides? Hear the games?” Olas padded a few steps, bouncing on his paws as he circled his daughter, “I wonder if they have that one with the moving dragons, where you loose arrows at the moving targets?”

“You like those sort of things father?” Luna scoffed with a playful bat of her wing, “You can literally bend the world to your whims with your magic and you find amusement in mundane things?”

“Oh, it’s marvelous dear. Quaint in a way to get things done without magical assistance, take for instance this good man!” He gestured to a loosely dressed man, a beard all the way down to his blue robe bottoms. The man was performing sleight of hand for the waiting guests, of course to distract them from a sign that clearly stated there would be a fee for waiting in line. “He has absolutely no talent for the magical arts yet look at him.” He gestured to a wing as the man seemed to multiply puff balls in his hands or pull them from wherever he wanted. This of course dazzled the children watching, but it had the lord laughing. “How does he do it?”

“That’s what I want to know. I could hardly see the trick!” Krantor leaped off with a resounding chirp, his wife fresh on his hinds.

“Dear not again!” Hekate shouted.

“He has to tell me how to do it!”

“Some friends you got there Leon.” Olas’ chirp drew the mercenary’s eye. The gryphon had already started padding his way to the entrance, where three minotaur guard’s stood at attention with their arms crossed.

“Olas wait!” He grit his teeth and chased after the absent minded lord, “You’re forgetting to get a ticket!”

“Ticket? Oh Leon, we don’t wait in line to get tickets! This entire event was made possible because of me. Come, we shall enter.” He strode with purpose, pulling his head back with a surprised squawk as the trio of minotaur placed themselves before him with what appeared to be a practiced ability to lash their tails and huff all in unison.

“Going somewhere gryphon?” The lead minotaur growled, a muscular, scared fellow with black fur. As he levied a steeled glare to the lord, he shook his head, his braided beard flopping to and fro.

“Yes, the circus behind you?” Olas chuckled, “Would we be going anywhere else?”

“Apologies, I did mention that he needed to get a ticket.” Leon took control, bringing all eyes to him. “We’ll be sure to correct that. No need to get into a fight over it.”

“Fight over it?” Olas laughed, “There would be no contest.”

“Want to bet that little gryphon?” The leader huffed, “We were quite well known in the motherland for our combat prowess. No ticket, no entry.”

“That is where you’re wrong.”

“Oh, I love it when we get an entitled blather mouth.” He cracked his knuckles with a pleased grin, “Really gets the blood flowing, ready boys? Hope you had a light breakfast; cause you’re going on a hard trip to the- “

As Leon hurled himself between the group and Olas, a halfling with large mutton chops dove by his side, face red as a tomato.

“What in the nine hells are you doing?” The little man was sweating, dressed in layers of fine crimson silk and fur.

“Watching the entrance, what’s it look like?” Sneered the muscular bull, “This here gryphon was trying to get in without a ticket.”

“And you told us, no ticket no entry.” Said another of the minotaur. “And should that happen, we could honorably throw them out.”

The halfling gulped, placing his hands together, “That’s all good and wonderful you three, but can’t you see whom you almost threw out of here?”

There was an air of confusion as the trio cocked their heads, stroking their beards as if the gryphons visage rang some bells. In the end they were left shaking their heads.

“You stand before Olas Mysticfeather, the one being that gave you permission to have your little circus in the first place.” Olas extended his wings with a squawk, dragging in his mortified daughter and the groaning half-elf. “I came to have a most pleasing day with my daughter and my bodyguard- “He caught sight of Krantor, currently shaking the magician to teach him his secret about hiding doves up his sleeve. “Sadly, those two as well.”

“You’ll forgive my associates for their eagerness to do a good job.” Laughed the halfling, giving the lord a nervous smile, “Of course you can go in without a ticket, it would be insane to think otherwise.”

“Don’t worry about it my good man. Just send my regards to Sparklebottom for putting on this delightful circus for us.”

With a nod and final apology from the halfling, Leon and the others were allowed entry with nary a fuss. The man could only sigh as his employer chirped and hummed to himself, battering his red-orange tuft tail against his side. The frequency of it had Leon falling a few paces back, to avoid the playful game that he’d inadvertently found himself in.

Around them was a lively fairground, with races of all sorts meandering about to find enjoyment in the attractions that could be found. One among these was target practice with crossbows, the bolts having been blunted down, the targets taking the form in crude wooden pictures of golden dragons. Up and around the dragons would shift, being controlled by a halfling with a crank. They had ax throwing, tossing wooden rings onto the tops of bottles, tests of strength involving mallets and bells, and even an arm-wrestling competition with a traveling Ilbir. The muscled, snow leopard like man grinned with his sabretooth teeth, eyeing any of the men who wandered by, challenging them to try and win against him to impress their partners.

“So how are we going to go about doing this?” Krantor had returned to Leon’s side.

“Did you kill the old man?” Asked Leon, as Olas had proceeded to stop, his ears perking as he surveyed all the games he and his daughter might enjoy. Currently she was chirping to him about how he’d insisted on dressing like a commoner but had tossed his weight around the first chance he got.

“Come now daughter.” Olas chortled, “Go to the circus just to wait in line? That does seem ever so dull and boring. Now instead feast your eyes on all these attractions!”

Krantor sighed, clenching his talons, “The old man was tight lipped on his trick.”

“He means to say that I stopped him from making a big mistake.” Hekate chimed in, earning her a clack of her husband’s beak in her face. “Oh, don’t give me that, you were frightening the man to death!”

“He should be complimented that I enjoyed his trick. From one magician to the other, I always like to learn new things.”

“Card tricks are lame Krantor.” Leon scoffed, padding along as Olas began his sauntering again, blushing as the gryphon proceeded to flash him a few more times for good measure, gods damn him.

“How can you say that?”

“We’re currently protecting a gryphon who can throw fireballs from his hands and teleport us from location to location on a whim. Yet here you are, hoping I’m impressed because you found my card? Please.”

The gryphon gave an indignant squawk, his narrowed gaze only softened as his mate chuckled and nuzzled up along his ruffled chest. His ears splayed as he pressed back into her, “Hekate, I’m trying to be angry. Did you hear what he just said?”

“I did. But what does he know?” She flashed Leon a beak parted smirk, “I’ve always found you magical with your hands.”

“Is that so?” Cooed her mate.

“Alright you two break it up.” Leon grumbled, padding the energy crossbow at his shoulder, “Before you two start having at each other, why don’t you go wander around, look at all the animals and stuff? I can watch daddy and daughter without you.”

Both gryphons exchanged a queer look, cocking their heads as if he’d grown an extra eye.

“Are you sure about that?” Krantor asked, “I’m not sure if you realize this, but more of us means the lord is safer.”

“Look, do you want alone time with your woman or not Krantor?” Sneered Leon, half heartily batting away Hetake as she leaned up against him, giggling.

“I think he just wants alone time with our benefactor.” The lavender gryphon batted her eyes at him, “Have you noticed he’s flirting with you?”

“Since when is having me check him out and getting balls flashed considered flirting?”

“He’s been flashing you?” Krantor gasped, “Since when?”

Unwilling to go into lengths further about the entire situation, Leon just gestured to a random direction of the circus, his voice dull. “Just go you two. Before I change my mind.”

They thanked him with joyous chirps and warbles, both gryphons soon rubbing up against him.

“Have fun with the lord.” Hekate said as she and Krantor strolled off together, nudging against one another.

“I won’t!” Leon shouted after them with ever reddening cheeks, of course they tossed back their heads in laughter, clearly not believing his intentions. Why did he put up with those two? “Right, cause they’re your closest things to friends.” He groaned to himself, now remembering the rich blooded gryphon that was currently employing him. Thankfully the pampered boy hadn’t gotten that far from him, merely trying his talons at hurling balls at a trio of stacked up bottles.

“Isn’t this a fun little game?” Olas giggled to himself, entirely missing the target as he hurled a palm sized ball of leather. The halfling runner of the game merely mocked groaned, offering the lord another try.

“I suppose so.” Luna remarked, rearing up to take her turn.

“Miss anything fun?” Leon said with a grunt, his eyes traveling about the crowds of townsfolk. He spied several wolven and elves among them, not typical travelers to these parts, but not entirely suspicious on its own right.

“Just this little delightful game.” Olas mused, gesturing to a smattering of stuffed animals hanging by thin chords that adorned this game’s booth. They were cute little things, stitched together to resemble various animals. “She wanted one of those unicorn ones.”

“Could you not make them with your magic?” Scoffed Leon, as Luna missed her hurl of the ball.

“Don’t worry darling you’ll get it.”

“And Olas, why even play the game?” He whispered, “Just use your magic and knock them down.”

“But where is the challenge in that Leo?” Olas was soon around him, face against his own. “I thought as an adventurer you’d understand.”

With a breath the lord was in him as well, his blood warming at his mere proximity. With a halfhearted shove he pushed him away, “Just seems like a waste of time.”

“You don’t play games Leo?”

“Sure, feats of strength, skill, agility, hunting.” He gestured as Luna hurled another ball, nicking a bottle but not knocking them down.

“But you’re trying to hit a target, does not that qualify?”

“I suppose.” He sighed, averting his gaze.

“Oh, I know, why don’t you try it?”

“Me? Come on, this is supposed to be time with your daughter.”

“But it is. Look at her, having fun dear?”

Luna rolled her eyes, unable to hide her smirk when she loosed her final ball. It sailed right into the bottles with resounding success, collapsing them to the grass to the sound of her joyous chirping. “I did it, I did it!” She leaped around as the halfling running the booth groaned.

“See? Fun. So how about it.” Olas grabbed a trio of the leather balls, presenting them to Leon with a seductive chuckle, “I know how good you are at handling balls Leo…”

“Give me those.” He snapped, snatching the balls, and pushing past the teasing catbird.

“Step right up sir, try to knock down the bottles and win a thing.” The halfling behind the booth said with all the enthusiasm of a stone. “Only one silver.”

He dug through his coinpurse, passing the silver coin across the table to the tooth smiling man. As he stared to the dull bottles, it didn’t seem that hard when he thought about it. The mercenary rolled one of the balls in his palm, already feeling the watchful eye of Olas upon him. Why was something so trivial, feeling ever more important? Up to the stuffed animals his eyes were drawn, was it the need to win something for Olas, to impress him? Bah, that couldn’t be it. He shook his head, burying the thoughts and instead focusing on the bottles. This sort of thing he did all the time, just with different weapons, and his targets were often alive. With a breath Leon pulled back, letting fly his projectile. It struck dead center of the bottles with a dull thump; he grinned as it was obviously going to be a win. Pride however soon stumbled and collapsed as the ball deflected, the bottles unmoved.

“Too bad sir, they didn’t get knocked down.” The halfling mused, checking out his fingernails. “Unfortunate.”

“My word, that was wasn’t it.” Olas said, planting himself at Leon’s side, “Don’t worry, my Leo will get it next time.” The gryphon’s chest filled with pride, “He has quite the accuracy don’t you know. He’s displayed it many times.”

“I had it on target the first time.” Replied Leon, eyes narrowed and hard. There was clearly a trick about this little game, but the halfling remained calm, cool, unphased by the daggers being stared into him.

“Then you won’t have a hard time doing it again.” The halfling gestured to the bottles, “Your friend already won.”

“And I can come pick it up later?” Luna chirped, eying one of the stuffed unicorns.

“Anything for the daughter of our benefactor.” Bowed the halfling, “I’m delighted you wished to play my game.”

There wasn’t anything of a game about it. Leon gripped tight the next ball, suspecting that this halfling was letting the gryphoness win somehow, just to stay in the good graces of her and her father. To validate his suspicions he loosed another ball, it performing just as well as the previous one. The third one fared no better. The halfling’s smug little face did little to sooth the pride at revealing this charade.

“Guess you’re not as good as you think sir. Another silver?”

“You’re nothing but a charlatan.” He growled, about to let loose a scathing round of insults before Olas’ talon on his shoulder brought it swiftly to an end.

“Don’t worry, I see what’s going on.” Olas whispered in Leon’s ear, “Buy another round and we’ll show this man to not cheat my darling Leo of what should have been a victory.”

Now that he could hop on board with. Leon fished into his coinpurse and procured another silver, handing it to the smug halfling with a smirk of his own. Three more balls were handed to him, of which he lined up to hurl another, they didn’t feel any different. Questioningly he searched Olas, but the gryphon was whispering something to himself, staring off to the sky. The half-elf’s eyes widened, a spell. Which one though? He chuckled and rolled the ball in his palm.

“You going to play sir, or stand their fondling my balls?” The halfling asked.

Pulling back with a grin he hurled his ball like all the previous times. It sailed through the air with a thunderous crack, leaving a plume of smoke drifting upon the air like a winding snake. In the blink of an eye, it slammed into the bottles with the force of a giant, they shattered into thousands of little fragments, hurled in every which way. It continued onward in its untiring course, tearing straight through the halfling’s booth. It struck legs, bounced against chests, startled horses, and brought a serenade of shrieks, shouts, and whinnies.

Leon winced with every sound as the halfling merely looked on, dumbfounded at what had transpired. Luna of course had chirped with delight for him, Olas was over the moon.

“What a wonderful display!” He chuckled to the stunned charlatan, “It would appear as though my bodyguard has thrashed your game!”

“He was your bodyguard?” The halfling stumbled through his words, a look of abject horror coming to his face as he’d apparently not made the connection.

“Of course, he is, what did you think he was? A wandering minstrel perhaps?”

“I actually do know how to play the lute.” Leon mentioned softly as the halfling shook his head, most likely wondering if he’d have his job come morning.

“You do?” Olas snapped to him, his wings flaring outward. Unfortunately for the gryphon, in his lack of awareness, his wings smacked into a group passing by, knocking their drinks straight out of their greedy hands.

The group shouted and cursed, ale dripping from their tunics and trousers. Red-faced, they were made up of mostly burly humans, with their apparent leader being a half-orc that stood a head taller than the rest. It was he that set his red eyes upon the gryphon that had done such an infraction. He marched straight up to Olas, grabbing the gryphon by the cuff of his neck.

“Watch were you’re going you feathery slut, you knocked all the drink from me and lad’s hands.” Spat the half-orc, the veins of his arms standing out.

“Oh my, aren’t you a strong one.” Mused Olas with a coo, tapping the muscular man’s chest with a talon.

Without a second thought, Leon grabbed firm the man’s wrist. Sure, he was at least a foot or two taller than he was, but that wasn’t the point. His voice was calm and stern, “Unhand the gryphon, spilling your fucking drinks was clearly an accident.”

Daggers came from the half-orc’s gaze, “Look human, I have no problem with you. Step away before you hurt yourself. Me and the lads here have business to settle with this feathery asshole.” As he sneered the others cracked their knuckles, delight flickering in each of their eyes.

How typical, could he not go to a festival or new town without running into their type? Leon would not be swayed, “That’s not going to happen. Harm one feather on his head and I’m going to introduce you and your friends to the ground.”

“Pff, a small thing like you?” The half-orc chuckled, before suddenly springing forth with a fist to Leon’s nose. “You’ll get taught a lesson as well!”

In one solid move, Leon side stepped the drunken swing of the overconfident man. Out he pulled his electric rod, unleashing it with a press of the rune. It jabbed into the half-orc’s chest in the blink of an eye, crackling with power. With a grunt of pain, the drunkard was sent flying, tumbling to the ground a few meters away. His associates were left standing in shock.

“Anyone else want to try and have a go at myself or my gryphon?” Leon challenged with a gaze sharper than a gryphon’s talons. When he got no response save shakes of their heads he gestured and barked with a commanding tone, “Then get out of here and clean your friend up. Lucky for him he didn’t wind up dead.”

As he dusted off his hands, the drunken men gathered up their mumbling friend; they disappeared into the crowds, assuring him that he was going to be fine. He sighed as Olas slid to his side with a raising of his crown feathers, delight every shimmering in his gingerbread eyes. There was mischief on his beak as feathers and fur ran across the man’s armor.

“That was rather thrilling seeing you on the prowl Leo. How you whipped out the Shaft of Qo. They’ll never forget the shocking experience you’ve given them.” A talon flicked out to stroke along the man’s neck, a hunger ever apparent in the flick of his tail. “Watching you protect me in such a manner? It got all the blood pumping in all the right ways dear.”

He groaned and shoved away the thirsty gryphon, making sure the ruffians and their friend didn’t return. “Clamp tight your beak bitch, I’m working.”

They were pulled back from their intimate game by Luna’s indignant squawk. She swung around her father and whipped his haunches with her tail, enough to make the lord gryphon leap up with a surprised yelp. “Both of you go get a tavern or something.”

“Listen Loony, I’m not some sort of preener whore alright?” Leon caught several questionable glances from people passing by, “What?” He turned to them with a growl, “I said I wasn’t one.” As he warded people away with his scowls and sour disposition towards them, he was oblivious to most of what Olas and Luna were talking about. All he knew that it was in the gryphon tongue, little more than chirps and whistles to his unaccustomed ears.

“I know what can wipe that unease from you my dear!” Olas finally exclaimed with a cheery tone, pulling Luna in with a wing and gesturing to the largest tent in all the field. “Acrobats, magical feats, animals, I can see it now! Oh, and the clowns, how I remember you loved the clowns.”

Leon shook as a perverse tingle traveled down his spine. It would appear as Luna had done the same, sharing the same sentiment, “Gods I hate the fucking clowns.” Despite this he was forced to follow on the tail of his feathery employer, brought along with a joyous chirp, a wink, and flash of his fluffy bum.