Chapter 8
Inside the main tent the excitement contained within was greater than what lay outside it. Humans hollered to the crowds, directing them to seats on promises they’d be astounded. There was a great ring cleared for the acts, surrounded by wooden seats rising from the ground to fit as many guests as possible. The air was filled with a dull roar, mumbling and chatter from all those who now awaited with bated breath for the acts to begin.
Despite their common appearance, a halfling found them as they padded in. The hairy footed man directed them to a roped off section near the front, divided from the other guests by a solid meter. It had a sign, highlighting that Olas Mysticfeather was here.
“Look dear, we get to sit near the front!” Olas chirped with delight, bouncing on his paws at such a development. “Oh, I can’t wait to see all the merriment, the feats of delight, how our feathers will ruffle with comedic wonderment.” He closed his eyes as he sat down, slipping back to memories long since passed. “I can hardly wait!”
Luna rested beside him with a grumble, scowling at the exceptional treatment they were receiving, “Dad, can’t you see that they’re just buttering you up.” She gestured to the masses around the circular ring, where humans and gryphons sat so close, they were practically stitched to one another.
“But then we couldn’t clap or fluff our wings dear! Oh, did you see one of the signs on the way in? I do believe I saw adverts for owlbears, manticore tamers, ropers, wyvern riders and a Koibra!” Olas’ crowns extended at the thought of such exotic animals on display, “To think they gathered them from outside Sethera, it’s wonderous!”
“Can’t you just conjure such things with magic? Like illusions and such? Also, why a roper? Don’t they know those things wait in caverns, pretending to be stalagmites only to ensnare people with their tentacles and eat them?”
“I can’t tell you of their selection dearest, but I can assure you that my illusions, while grand as they are, hardly compare to seeing and smelling the real thing!” He wiggled his bum as the anticipation built within his bones, “To think they even tamed such creatures without magical help; Oh it’s ever so delightful!”
“If you say so.” She rolled her eyes, but even she couldn’t hide the anticipation waiting on her tongue, “Though a wyvern rider? How do you suppose they do that, on account of the scorpion tail?”
“I assume with as much caution as warranted.” He chuckled, “That tail does nasty things to any stung by it don’t you know. Why, Leon told me of someone that Hemake was it? Anyway, his cleric had to tend to someone that had their flesh being eaten horribly away by the venom!”
“I think you forgot to add the extra horrific part of it.” Leon stood at the edge of their seats, arms crossed, a perfect example of a statue. “The blasted venom starts to liquify your insides if it goes untreated.”
“Eww.” Luna’s ears splayed as she pretended to gag, “I didn’t need a visual.”
That was certainly not his intention. The lord laughed nervously as he tried to salvage the comment and twist it into something they could bond over. “Right, well do you still imagine yourself as an adventurer? I’ve heard it’s quite wonderous and thrilling, sailing over rapids of Sharktooth Sands in Cliaran, delving into Azemeth tombs in the Laree Tops, crossing paths with bandits and all that.” He gave Leon a wink as the man surveyed the crowds, clearly playing hard to get clearly.
“I haven’t done that for years. Plus, you know, it’s fraught with danger and uncertainty. Ancient traps with poison, great beasts that can tear you apart? Come on dad, that life has a short age expectancy for a reason. Only reason Leon over there is probably alive is because you give him toys and easy quests.”
“I’m sure that’s not the only reason. Leon there is a skilled and crafty individual. I wager even without all the toys that I gift upon him; he’d still have the same level of success that he does!”
“Right.”
“And do you remember galloping around the house playing pirate?” He chuckled, painting the picture of her youth, bright eyed in his studies, snatching book and treasures into a sizable leather sack. To his amusement, Luna’s ears splayed as she diverted her gaze, clearly embarrassed. When he went to nuzzle her the daughter he once knew pressed back with several chirps. Feathers rubbed up on one another for several delightful moments, forgetting the unease that rested upon their home like a terrible cloud. But with a breath and soft chirp, Luna pulled away, clacking her beak to ward away his affections.
“Quit it! You’re embarrassing me!”
“Then be embarrassed dear. I care not if everyone knows I love my delightful daughter.”
“I hate you.” She squawked, ruffling her feathers, staring at the ring, waiting for anything to take the lord’s attentions off her.
“Of course, you don’t.” He sighed, giving her a reprieve for now. The lord shifted his attention back towards his knight in shining armor, Leon currently on the job. The mercenary was warding away potential threats, commoners that had realized just who Olas was, their eyes filled with questions and envy. No doubt they wished to disrupt this so far relaxing day. His tail flicked in amusement at such a display of command and strength, the way Leon took no excuses from those begging to see him. It warmed the blood, stirred feelings within, if only there were not so many people around.
“Did you hear me?” Luna’s voice pulled him from his rising lust.
“What were you saying dear?” He snapped to her with a nervous laugh, spying her sharpened gaze.
“Are you kidding me?”
“I don’t think so dearest. What’s got you upset?”
“Never mind.” She grunted, pushing away his inquisitive beak.
As the gryphon went to apologize for whatever slight he’d somehow done, his world was soon bombarded by the thunderous blast of trumpets through the tent. They came from all directions with a blusterous announcement. Then, just as his ears thought a reprieve was in order, a voice with the strength of a dragon’s roar silenced all within.
“Welcome ladies and gryphons to the greatest show in all of Sethera!” A halfling in a bright crimson vest appeared in the center of the ring, stepping out of a plume of blackened smoke. He grinned, spreading his hands as light winked off the gold stitches that adorned his navy trousers and vest. “Today you will see tricks, wonderous sights, exotic animals to please all your desires! We have treants, displacer beasts, clowns of Loki just to name a few! I’m honored to show this to you today, but first, let’s have a round of applause for the catbird that allowed this to happen, Olas Mysticfeather!”
A shaft of soft light illuminated from above, drawing all sights upon Olas, granting him the reverence that he was due. He closed his eyes and basked in their praise, hand to his chest as they serenaded him with a cacophony of claps and hollers. To this he would wag his wing out of respect, offering soft pleased chirps.
Explosions of confetti blasted from several sections of the ring, raining down upon the guests to a burst of applause. To the ring came jugglers, humans riding wheels, even a few gryphons balancing swords upon their beaks. Some of their number breathed fire, others rode upon horses and wolves to rival their size. Among them came acrobats flipping and wheeling about on their limbs, followed by humans and gryphons covered in greens and whites, wearing masks to conceal their faces.
One right after the other the show began; the acts being separated by the ringmaster’s demand. First came the acrobats to show their feats, performing leaps and balancing acts far above the ground level. Through flame rings they dove and spun, dancing through the air as if they were weightless. They would climb and dangle off one another in dazzling displays of balance and strength.
“And without even a net or spell to protect them!” The ringleader had bragged, hands upon his vest as he gave a smug smirk, “One slip and it would be all over!”
Olas lost himself to the others around him, becoming just another hollering hooligan as he squawked, crowed, and clapped his wings together. He found himself enthralled as gryphons spun around the air, tucking their wings and avoiding rings of fire, darts, and other spiked contraptions that would have torn them apart bit by bit. In these moments his heart sang, dark thoughts whisked away to oblivion. He was just a child again, innocent and free of grief, also oblivious to his daughter’s second question.
Next came dancers, gryphons of course, outfitted with see through fabrics that adorned their flanks and limbs. They trotted and pranced around the ring in unison, extending their wings in several exaggerated displays. Shaking their haunches and sliding up around one another, it was enthralling to behold. They found themselves joined by humans with whips of fire, lashing outwards with cracks for the gryphons to avoid.
It was the animals that Olas was most silent, eyes sparkling at the creatures on display. He almost dragged Leon over to him to bask in the wonderment but figured the man had seen such things on his many adventures. Instead, he pointed with the eagerness of a child, bouncing in his seat as Luna groaned at such a display. There were displacer beasts, creatures that resembled lions with large tentacles that rose from their flanks. They projected false images of themselves, typically to confuse their prey. These were tamed by a large ceullus man with a whip and chair, forcing the beasts to acts of submission. After that came creatures of living stone with hundreds of teeth, birds that could suddenly freeze themselves solid, display after display the lord was growing louder, until they brought out a hydra.
“Look Leo! Look!” Olas warbled, dragging Leon over with a wing, he gestured to the six headed, serpent like beast as a team sought to keep it’s snapping heads at bay. “A real hydra! How on the earth did that get that?”
“That’s a small one.” Grunted the mercenary, trying to free himself as the four-legged beast was forced to maneuver around the ring by vibrant displays of multicolored plumes of fire.
“How would you know?” Luna snapped.
“Fought one in the Forest of Stars missy.” Leon crossed his arms with a prideful grin, “Big one, had seven heads, even had breaths of fire!”
“You’re making that up. Breath fire?”
“Some do, they’re just rare.”
“Dad?”
“He knows what he’s talking about darling.” Olas nodded, as the mercenary slipped from his clutches and returned to his post. “I remember the story well. See, it involved a hag and her being upset with townsfolk from Trost. Evidently some gryphons were bathing frequently in what she referred to as her lake.”
“You’re only taking his side because you like him.” She groaned, averting her gaze as the older gryphon chuckled and nibbled at her hair. She batted him away with a hand and several clacks of her beak.
“That’s not entirely the reason my dear.” He purred.
A minotaur wrapped in chocolate fur, broken apart by streaks of grey was clad in swathes of loose fitting attire of green and silver. He had a head-dress that dangled like an octopus resting on his horned head, tipped with bells that jingled as he pressed through Leon’s protest. Powerful hands snapped a metallic object from his waist, a dragonpower pistol from Drenedar with an elk horned grip. Cruel, claw eyes narrowed as the weapon was brought to bear, it’s metal winked for just a moment before the minotaur had the shaft of Qo shoved right into his muscular torso.
With a thunderous crack the weapon went off, silencing the hall. The bull yelped in surprise as electricity crackled off his flesh moments before he was hurled off his hooves and sent crashing to the ring’s floor below.
Screams sprang forth from all those around them, some began to flee towards the exit. Olas merely looked upon what had transpired with an aroused trill, his crown feathers raising at such an act. Blood warmed, “Oh, my Leo, how protective you are.” He couldn’t wait to get that hunky piece of half-elf home and reward him with his fluffy behind for such a good job. His daughter did not share in his enjoyment of the interaction.
She let forth an exacerbated squawk, “I can’t do this anymore!” Without delay she sprang to all fours, leaping from her seat and sprinting towards the exit with all the other guests.
His lustful haze had been brought to an end, his attention snapping to the tuft tail of his fleeing daughter. Without another glance to his heroic half-elf, he bounded upon the younger gryphon’s hinds. “Luna wait! I’m sorry, he was just being so attractive! I’m only a gryphon! Do wait for me!”
** ** ** ** ** ** **
Leon would have followed the noble gryphon and his daughter, but his attention was focused upon the minotaur currently dusting himself off and shaking free whatever daze he’d found himself in. The half-elf brandished the shaft of Qo, letting it’s tip crackle with power as if to put an end to whatever else this bull had in store. “I told you the gryph was having a day with the daughter!” Barked Leon, “Now don’t go whining about the sting, I know your kind can take far more punishment than that.”
The minotaur huffed, grabbing his headdress, and hurling it to the ground. His muzzle was a horrid painting of pain and misery, covered in scars and missing an eye. The one he had was a sea of emerald hate, practically burning the air around it. “Does my eye deceive me? Or is that Leon Silverblade up there, dressed in armor like some feathery whore? I wasn’t aware that being a coward paid so well.”
He recognized that voice, it drove a knife through the man’s side. “Losanas is that you? You’re one to talk- “Gesturing to the loose-fitting attire that Losanas found himself, “Tired of being a warrior and decided slutty clown was a replacement career? Though you never had any vision for the future.”
That flared the minotaur’s nostrils as he unbound the belt around his waist. It happened to be a black steel chain, it’s end a jagged mess that would pulverize any flesh that it caught. He whipped it around him, leaving jagged valleys in the ground at his sides, “Stand aside if you know what’s good for you. Though I’d love to see you struggling for breath, the life draining from your eyes, today I’m not here for you.”
“Should I have my feelings hurt?” He taunted, putting back his shaft and slinging the energy crossbow to point straight at the muscular wall before him. “But you’re going to have to go through me Losanas, which I must admit is a bit of fresh air for the day. You’re turning it into a day of honest work.”
“So, you’re not getting out of the way?”
“Oh, so you went deaf in the years apart now? Touch one feather on his head and I’ll blow yours right off!”
Losanas’ tail flicked in amusement, “Amusing. I don’t remember you being so protective.”
“And I don’t remember you being so chatty.”
It happened in the blink of an eye, the moment they’d been waiting for snapped. The minotaur’s chain whipped out with tremendous speed, with a strength that only his people could match. It crashed into the stands as Leon leaped out of the way, splintering the wood into thousands of pieces. Leon’s weapon coughed it’s assault, crackling blue energy bolts sailing towards the now charging bull. They struck him, a shimmering shield of cerulean light cascading around his fur.
“Ring of protection, cloak of protection, what do you have?” Leon was forced to back pedal, the minotaur closing the distance with a startling speed. “I didn’t think you were clever enough for magic.”
“Clever enough.” The bull thundered, his chain demolishing wherever Leon decided to run. “Seems you’re still good at running.”
“Who uses a chain anymore? Spiked chain of all things.”
“I like the classics.”
Every step he counted the moments that he still drew breath. There was no avenue to advance upon the bull and engage in melee, not when he had the advantage with that chain of his. He wasn’t stupid enough to lose that. He crashed to the wood, the most recent strike fragmenting just inches behind him. Heart pounding, he tapped his bracer, summoning a shield of translucent green light in the nick of time. It crackled with power as the chain rebound off its surface, giving the mercenary enough time to scramble to his feet.
“Yet another toy. Got anything worthwhile to use in that arsenal of yours?” Losanas snarled as the green shield burst into little motes of light.
“Give me a few minutes and I’m sure to throw out something you’d like.” He growled, pulling out a necklace of red pearls.
“Now you have jewelry?”
Not just any jewelry. He plucked one of the beads from its thread, rolling it between his fingers as he continued his evasive dance. Power warmed his flesh, whispered to be used, when Losanas loosed his chain once more he hurled it straight towards the minotaur. The gem landed between the bull’s hooves, exploding with the force of a fireball.
Losanas was hurled to the ground with a painted grunt, rolling until he came to a stop. His chain was separated from him, his fur smoking from the heat, as he shook his head from the daze of what just happened, Leon saw his chance. The mercenary charged, drawing the shaft of Qo, bringing it’s crackling energy to life.
“Not this time whelp.” Grunted the beast, avoiding the blow at the last moment and slamming his fist into the man’s chest.
Even through the armor, that knocked the wind out of him, it was like getting struck by a mace. He crashed to the ground with a lance of pain, coming to a stop with a groan. Why did Minotaur have to be so strong? With a growl he pushed himself back to standing, there was no time to lay around on the job.
“All that armor and gadgets, and yet…useless.” Losanas grinned, advancing upon the wheezing man with a malevolent grin.
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“Best not…count yourself the winner just yet.” Leon pulled from his waist a wand of crimson, tapping the rune along its grip. From it sprouted a plume of hungry flames, wicked in its purpose. To his dismay this did little but singe Losanas’ fur as he swatted the wand aside and grabbed the half-elf’s wrists.
“See? Use-Grah!”
He’d stabbed the minotaur in the gut with a dagger, it most likely wouldn’t kill the sturdy beast, but it certainly gave him a chance to slip away. The merc only wheeled around when there was ample distance between, he and Losanas, procuring three metallic balls from his pouches, one rust, one pink and the last one blue.
“More gadgets?” Sighed Losanas, padding over to where his chain did lay. Plucking it up he could only grin, “You delay the inevitable Leon. Why don’t you just run away? We both know that’s what your good at.”
He grit his teeth to that knowing look. “Unfortunately for my health, there is a great contract in it for me. So, if you want to talk to the gryphon, you’re going to have to wait in line, then go through me.”
“That doesn’t sound so hard. I’ll wager five minutes tops.”
“I don’t know, it might take longer than that.” He singled out the rust-colored ball and loosed it in the minotaur’s direction.
“Pfff, after the red ones you think I’d let any of those get close?” Losanas whipped the ball straight out of the air, causing it to explode in a puff of brown smoke. He smirked, pulling his weapon back to begin his attacks once more. “See? Harm-“
The minotaur’s chain began to brown and crack, rust swarming over it like an angry tide. Within a matter of moments it was entirely consumed, crumbling away to nothing but dust.
“Looks like you’re going to have to do it without a chain.” Grinned Leon, holding the other two balls on display as he relished in a gaze that could kill getting loosed in his direction, “I wonder what these two do? Let’s find out big guy!”
Chapter 9
Bursting free of the circus tent, Olas’ breaths came ever faster. She’d never run off like this, always was she the perfect little sunshine. Though with her words came a sting that soured the gryphon as his head swiveled to and fro, searching through the bumbling mass of people for the slightest hint of his dearest Luna.
Screams came from behind him, but he paid them little mind. Only his daughter mattered. “Luna!” He shouted, his voice dripping with guilt. This was all his fault, the pained look in her eye, it haunted him, slowed his movements as he closed his eyes and took sniffs of the air.
Humans, elf, dwarf and even the scattered scent of Luna. It was too intermingled with one another to get it properly narrowed down. He was left panting upon the air, heart pounding in his chest. That’s when a human leaped upon his back, sword held in hand, followed by another. It was the group from before, the ones with the drinks.
“Look who we have here!” Cried the half-orc that Leon had defeated. “If it isn’t the gryphon all alone.”
“Might want to pay him back for making you so embarrassed boss.” Added another one of their number.
How was he supposed to be searching for his daughter with such distractions? Olas spoke, but not to these ruffians, the act between he and Leon was running it’s course, “Ahem, I do believe I’m supposed to be bodyguarded right now!” As his tail lashed there came twin, keening cries. The one on his back was pulled off by Krantor, carrying the man to the ground. The gryphons weight continued through, ending the man’s life with a wicked snap of his bones.
The other pair turned to run, but not before finding themselves pulled suddenly frozen, eyes blinking in terror at finding their limbs unwilling to listen to their demands. Hetake rounded on these men, giving sly winks.
“Looks like you boys are going no where.” She chirped.
“You alright Olas?” Krantor pinned his onyx wings as the gryphon lord responded with an exacerbated squawk.
“Where is my darling Leo?” Olas’ gaze narrowed, “He’s my knight in shining armor, not you two.”
Hetake’s ears pinned as a fresh group of people scattered from the large tent, screaming about a half-elf and minotaur fighting it out with weapons. “It would appear getting into trouble. Speaking of which-“
“On it hun.” Krantor slid along his mate before racing off to join in whatever problems that Leon was having.
“Wonderful.” Groaned Olas as he returned to the more pressing matter at hand. “Leon is off quarreling with the locals and my daughter has gone and flown off.” He lashed his tail, was this not supposed to be a day of relaxation and relief? When another round of trying to divulge her scent proved a failure, he began to try more of a magical solution.
He plucked one of his feathers from his plumage, wincing at the slight sting. Placing it before him he began to chant in the draconic tongue, drawing several runes upon the air with his hands. “Siiv Gein.” The word came like a growl. Bright crimson light came to his eyes as the feather rose from the ground as if by an invisible hand. To his daughter his thoughts went, picturing the face that he adored these many years. Her smile captivated him, the way she laughed, even the mournful sobs that he knew she must be doing this very moment.
“What’s that meant to do?” Hekate poked her curious head, cocked to the side.
The feather snapped to the north, “It will point her out to me. She couldn’t have gotten far. Of the two of us, I am the swifter flyer.” He unfurled his wings and pounced to the air, ignoring Hetake’s cries for him to stay. Nothing mattered save his daughter. When the feather rose with him, steady with its directions, he pounded his wings and raced towards where it pointed.
He found Luna on the other side of a lake, not three minutes flight from the circus ground. Some had questioned where the great lord Olas had been going, but he sent them away with a harsh chirp and heavy stare. Luna was nestled up beneath a maple’s trunk, it’s crimson leaves spread wide and offering her shade. Head in her wings, body shuttering, there was no question on what she was doing. This was his fault, of all his antics, he’d forgotten about her. Down he swooped with a heavy heart, landing with nary a sound.
“I take it you were not having any fun?” He asked tentatively, striding along as if the world beneath him might crumble away should he choose the wrong step.
“It was supposed to just be us today.” From her wing came her head, red-orange eyes wet with tears.
“I know, I know.”
“And you go about, flirting with some dickhead the entire time. Don’t you even care about me?”
The words bit as he slid beside her, stitching his ears to his neck. He could face down monsters three times his size with the bravest of hearts but staring into the wounded face of his daughter caused him to tremble, feel weaker than a gryphet freshly hatched. “I’m sorry, this isn’t how I wanted things to go. I might have gotten carried away.”
“Might have? Your eyes were locked on him practically the entire time.” She sniffed, wiping her tears away with a wing, “I want to go home…but it doesn’t even feel like a home anymore…you’ve gone and ruined it.”
“That’s…listen, I know what’s going on is a lot-“Words tumbled from his beak, empty words that would fit better in a drunkards tankard than comfort the storm of despair gripping his daughter. The fighting with Isadora, the shouting, the shattering of things, he’d never stopped to consider its effect on her.
“Are you going to run off with him? Join his stupid band of adventurers and fly off so that I can’t find you?”
“What? No, never. How could you think such a thing?” He pressed in, nuzzling at her cheek, thrilled to see that she didn’t pull away. He extended a wing and wrapped it around her, holding the shuttering form of his daughter close. She buried her face into his chest, just as she’d done when she was very small. He rested a hand on her neck, stroking through the feathers ever slow, offering soothing coos and warbles. “You are my bright Starfire, and I love you ever so much. I’d never leave you.”
“Then why did you spend the day flirting with a half-elvish dickhead?”
“He’s not really a dickhead.” When she pulled back to snap her beak at him, he relented with a nervous chuckle, “Alright, a little bit of a dickhead, but I’ll only stay with that characterization to keep talking with you.”
She looked away with a weakened whine, staring off to the crystal waters of the lake. “Why did you have to go and ruin everything? Sleeping with a commoner? What do you even see in him anyway? He has hardly any beak or feathers about him, totally ugly.”
To that he gave a soft sigh, “He’s brave, charming, and tickles my heart something special. When I’m around him, all the turmoil and pressures that fall upon me lessen…I feel loved.”
“Loved? Did you not have that with mother?”
His beak opened and closed, trying to cobble together the words that he and Isadora had never loved each other. How could he shatter that illusion to her? That everything she’d known up until this moment had been a brave face.
“And now, great, I have to worry about this with Arion.” Tears bubbled within her eyes once more as she struggled to maintain a sense of calm, “He was sweet, kind, delightful! When I looked to him, I knew he had my heart. All of this has me questioning such a thought, will he come to hate me? Keep secrets that I will despise? Will we want to kill each other?”
When she began to sob, he rose her chin with a hand, finding the courage. “Dear, your mother and I-“ He gave a deep sigh, never imagining that this day would come. “We were never in love.”
“What?”
“Never.” He continued, “Your mother and I were arranged for a peace treaty between the Steelbeaks and the Mysticfeathers, nothing more. You were all that we existed for.”
“But…that can’t be true!” Her ears splayed, pulling away from him as if burned, “I’ve seen you two happy! All the trips, the times we’ve spent, you can’t be serious. You can’t tell me all of that was-“She had risen to pace, panting as her entire world unraveled.
“We kept it up for you. Though I suppose it couldn’t last.” He rose to press along her flank, tenderly nuzzling at her head till she was pushing back into his motions. “I just wanted to give you a happy childhood, one that had been denied me. A caring father that would always be there for you...whenever you had need of them.”
This did little to sweep aside the confusion resting behind her eyes, “You’re telling me that all I’ve ever known is a lie. That what I thought was a decent marriage was a sham?”
His heart ached, “Dear, it’s bad when you say it like that, but I did it because I love you.”
“But what about Arion?” Tears cascaded down her eyes, “It was going so well…I thought…I thought-“
He rested a wing upon her, “He came to me you know.”
“Arion?”
Olas nodded, “Just after a year ago. How he went on just about you, it was hard to get him to talk about anything else. I thought you’d snuck about and drugged him with one my love potions.”
“You have those?” She sniffed.
“Not the point dear. The point is that he was bouncing on his hinds, I’d never seen such passionate talk in all my days. The way he looked to you out our windows…” Olas sighed, only knowing one such place in which he could find that comfort. The half-elf that even now tugged at his soul. “Luna, he loves you.” He turned to nibble at her ears, “Don’t let what is going on with your mother and I ruin your chance for happiness. I’m truly sorry if its shaken your faith in it but hold on for that boy.” He gave a sudden chuckle, memories tainted by Isadora’s shrill voice, “I wish I had someone who looked to you as fondly as he does to you over these years. It would have made things far more bearable.”
She pressed against him with a soft chirp, drying her tears upon his plumage.
“You’ll be alright. I promise no matter where you fly in Sethera and beyond, whatever heights that you climb, I will always be there for you.”
What sadness had gripped her seemed to vanish in his words and tender care, dissipating with a final sniff and wipe of her wing. She rolled into him, pushing the gryphon to his side, snuggling up alongside him. “I suppose you’re right. Perhaps this is nothing more than cold paws.”
“Everyone goes through it. Nervousness about what the future has in store, the many weary paths.”
“And what’s your path?” Her question came shaky, “You…say you never loved mom? It still feels wrong, never going to get used to saying it.”
“Sorry.” His ears pinned, “But you deserved to know.”
There was silence as the question had not been answered. She broke it with a soft coo, “Why Leon? Given that he apparently isn’t a dickhead, why him?”
A cloud of warmth wrapped around the good magician as he flopped to the grass with a whimsical sigh, like a maiden with her first crush. “Darling, Leo looked to me like all the stories. Just like that boy does to you.” His eyes closed as he pictured that wonderful night, when the half-elf had saved him from one of Isadora’s revenge parties against him, where she’d torment and chastise him to her friends. “It was a night; your mother had been…well.” He clacked his beak before insisting that it didn’t matter, he didn’t figure how she’d take him bad beaking her. “Leon was there to talk to me, we traversed the halls, he was such the gentleman. We shared stories of his wonderous adventures, where he'd been these many years.” He giggled, “We were child friends you know.”
“You were?”
He nodded, “Summers mostly, but that might be a tale for another time. What’s important is that when my heart was weeping and cold had invaded my everything, he was there to rescue me. When he looked to me with such passion, sparks seemed to fly between us. It’s hard to describe dear, but right then and there I knew he was the one. It fills me with warmth, lifts me up, I feel ever more powerful. Stars sparkle, my paws bounce, I ache when he’s not around. I want to do anything for him, shower him with my all, have him want for naught. It’s all exciting, breathtaking…” He rested his head on the grass, staring into the vast sky, “I’ve never felt this way about anyone ever before. Could it be wrong?”
“It sounds like you’re in love.”
He hadn’t thought of that, yet the answer was clearly obvious as a robin’s song. As he went on to describe more of his handsome nature and passion, Luna covered his beak with a wing.
“Look, dad…” She splayed her ears, “I’m not going to say I’m thrilled that you found someone who made you feel like that…but could you not fight with mother so?”
He nodded softly, promising to do better. “To be fair, I have been trying to avoid her.”
“And for the man who has captured your heart…does he love you back? Are you sure he’s not using you for favors and power?”
“Hmm?” His heart skipped a beat, flickers of Isadora’s remark bubbling to the surface of his mind.
“I mean…he’s a commoner, you’re a noble-“
“And I don’t care.” Olas sighed, clutching his chest tight with his talons and giving a pleased chirp, “What does it matter if I’m enchanted by a commoner? Just cause we’re of the higher class doesn’t make us better Luna.”
She nuzzled him with a soft chirp, “So…I suppose we should get back to the circus?”
“If Leon hasn’t burned the entire thing down by now.”
“He what?”
He waggled a wing to her, “Something fighting a minotaur or other. He and his team are handling it at this very moment. But let’s not concern ourselves with Leon, today is going to be about you.”
“Really?” She chirped, ears perked as her father chuckled.
“Indeed, so what would you like to see?”
Talon to her beak she thought for a moment, scrunching her brow in thought. “I know!” She chirped, “Think we can see the lions? They’re so weird looking, like someone stopped making a gryphon halfway!”
“Wonderful taste my dear!” He replied, nuzzling up along his daughter’s flank. “I just hope Leon and his little friends don’t mind entertaining themselves for the day.”
** ** ** ** ** ** *
Leon’s hair on the back of his neck stood tall, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He’d only managed to scramble away at the last moment, as Lasonas’ crushing hoof pulverized the stand in which he’d fallen against. Any jab or attack that he’d made against the minotaur might as well have been pounding against a wall. Despite his age, the beast was still as durable in his youth.
“Not going to sit still and take your beating like a warrior?” Losanas’ growled, rounding upon Leon without breaking his stride.
“Not really no, I prefer to be alive when everything is said and done.” Magical binding rope, flash powder, a cube to make a duplicate of himself, all of it seemed useless against the rage monster that had him in his sights. Gritting his teeth, he swore that he’d ask Olas for some gadgets to put creatures like this in the ground rather swiftly. His eyes traveled to a ring upon the minotaur’s horn, gold and shimmering every slightly. If he could get that off and retrieve his energy crossbow, he knew it’s power would have this bull eating dirt.
“Hey there Leon, fancy another dancing partner?” Krantor squawked mid-flight, shooting towards them like a loosed arrow.
“Finally, you show up, having fun with your wife?”
“You know, she’s quite good at the games. Don’t mess with her when she’s hurling axes.”
“My quarrel is not with you gryphon, test me at you-“ Lasanas began to hiss, only for Krantor to sweep his legs right out from under him. As he crashed to the ground, he got the gryphon’s talons straight to the chest.
Krantor gave a pleased trill, “And I’ll be taking your thanks for the rest of the-“ He squawked as the minotaur grabbed his foreleg with a firm grip, pulling him forward and slamming the catbird to the ground. “Alright, he’s not beaten!” Moaned the gryphon, managing to pull away before his beak got intimate with Losanas’ fists.
“Nice entrance.” Leon barked.
“It would have worked…why didn’t it?” The gryphon landed at Leon’s side, “Is he another construct?”
“Barbarian.” Leon scowled as Losanas stood to his hooves, “They have a habit of taking a decent amount of punishment.”
“One, two, it doesn’t matter.” Losanas chuckled, cracking his knuckles, “I’m surprised you can keep people around you Leon.”
The warrior flared his nostrils and took aim, stampeding towards them both. Head down, horns ready to skewer, they’d stand no chance. Leon hurled himself out of the way, belly slamming to the ground as Krantor leaped up and over the charging bull. Losanas crashed into the stands with a pained grunt, the wood splintering at his touch.
“Alright, so he’s tough and strong.” Krantor leaped to Leon’s side, helping the man clamber to his feet. Eyes flicked over the blood upon Leon’s lips, “You alright?”
“Sides aching, limbs burn.” Leon coughed, “Never been better.”
“How we going to beat this lug then?”
“The ring. Around his horn, can you work your magic and get it off him?”
Krantor wiggled a raised hand, “I do believe I’ve been described as having magical hands?”
“Then by all means, your audience awaits.”
Like a demon Losanas rose from the stands, shrugging off the debris that clung to him. The bull stomped and snorted, lashing his tail as he set his gaze upon them.
“Wonderful.” Krantor rolled his eyes, “I hope whatever you got planned works.”
He had no doubt in his mind. As the gryphon charged towards the roaring bull, Leon sprinted towards his fallen energy crossbow. He grabbed hold just as soon as Krantor clashed with Losanas, pouncing high with his magical hands seeking to do their thing. A pained squawk resounded through the hall as the gryphon took a pair of punches straight to his chest. He collapsed as Leon wheeled about, aiming his sights upon the brutish thug.
“Shame you’ll fail him too.” Losanas’ hoof rested above Krantor’s stunned head, waiting to come down and crush it.
No warning, not a sound. Leon prayed that Krantor’s trick had worked. With a surge running through him he loosed four shots in rapid succession. Blue lights of crackling energy, crashing into the chest of the minotaur in nearly a blink of an eye. No shield, no ripple, just satisfying sparkle as it struck his fur.
“Ghh.” The minotaur clutched at himself, stumbling backwards in a daze. He crashed to the ground with a pained groan. There he squirmed, hardly able to move. It had worked.
“Take that you muscle bound fuck!” Leon shouted in relief, a smile uncontained on his lips. But experience had taught him caution, as he jogged to Krantor’s side, his hands never left his weapon as it was trained on his groaning foe. The gryphon was still alive, breathing shallow, it didn’t look like his life was in danger.
“How you holding up?” He asked, without removing his eyes from the bull.
“Wasn’t the greatest.” Krantor coughed, shifting to push himself to all fours, “Guess I don’t like getting fisted.”
“Here.” Leon pulled a vial of red liquid from his pouches, a healing potion. It would at least stop whatever superficial damage that had been done. “Wife can patch you up when we find her.”
The gryphon thanked him, uncorking the top and downing the viscous liquid. Ears splayed as he gagged, his body thrashing as he chocked it down. “Gods those still taste terrible.”
“See if she can put in cherry favor next time. Now stay there, I got to go ask our guest something.” Patting Krantor’s side he closed the distance between he and the fallen minotaur, ready to put him down at even the slightest of movements. Thankfully it had seemed his weapon had done the trick, Losanas had no energy to sit up.
“You…bastard.” The bull scowled, trying to spit and only managing to get it upon himself.
“Might want to work on the spitting.”
“Get mounted.”
He patted the crossbow with a smirk, “Funny time you coming out here, trying to off my employer. What gives?”
“You think I’d talk to scum like you?” Losanas averted his gaze, instead resting upon the tent’s top. “I just find it amusing. All these years and you cobble together another sorry sack of losers to carry your disgrace.”
“Just jealous I’m not palling around with you anymore? Speaking of which, you never were one for the solo jobs, were is the rest of your team?” He surveyed the rest of the ring, not a soul was left to bear witness to this. “Don’t tell me, you scared them off with your handsome face?”
“Make your jokes Leon. But we know it’s to hide the sad, honor less man that you are.”
“Think that’s funny asshole?” He brandished the crossbow, “I’d be careful, I have the weapon.”
“And you confirm it.” Sighed the bull with a cruel satisfaction, “Poor, cowardly Leon. Who will push those close to him away, betray their trust. I will track you down where you cower, alone, and put that pathetic soul that you are out of your mis-“
The minotaur never got to finish his thought unless what was to come next was screams. Leon switched the crossbow from stun to kill, blowing chunks of minotaur across the ring with every pull of the trigger. With a steeled gaze and unflinching resolve, the half-elf took Losanas apart like a butcher, the air ever filled with the bull’s shouts of anguish. Mercy was not called for, nor would it be granted. Leon left the head for last. He pressed the muzzle of the crossbow right against his temple before ending his life in a gruesome display.
Leon pulled back, shaking, staring over the crimson mess that Losanas had become. Words failed him as Krantor came to his side. The gryphon took one look at the body and whistled.
“Damn Leon, the fuck he do to you?”
“Enough.” The answer came calmer than he’d expected, despite the shakiness of his hands. Without a word he knelt before the mangled corpse, already starting to sift through his pouches. After all, he wasn’t going to use what was left of him. There wasn’t much to be honest, just a few handfuls of gold; though among this was a silver button with a grinning dragon upon it.
It felt cold to the touch, this simple thing as he turned it over between his fingers. It seemed to draw him in, hold his attention, the sound around him becoming nothing more than dull noise. The pounding of his heart began to subside with every turn of the button. With this newfound calm came the uneasy sense that someone was watching him. That couldn’t be right however, Leon searched through the stands, there was no one here.
“Hello there kitties!” Krantor’s loud chirp snapped him free of whatever hold the button had over him. “I know this looks extremely bad but, I assure you, we have an honest explanation-“ A net was tossed upon the onyx gryphon, lightning swelling to life across it’s many threads. Feathers fluffed, limbs twitched, Krantor was soon unconscious from this world.
Leon turned to see the imposing forms of three Leonin males, lions in humanoid shape. Clad in leathers and armed to the teeth, they looked unwilling to hear any excuse that he might have. Here he was, holding the weapon that had just made a minotaur into nothing more than a pile of still smoldering flesh. He sighed and held up his hands, just in time to get the same treatment as Krantor. Pain raced through him, forced him to spasm, darkness soon took him as he collapsed to the ground. The last thing he could recall was him slipping the button into his pouches.