"After you, lady West." Griffin grinned as he held the door open for Caster.
Caster politely smiled back and exited the carriage. Taking in a deep breath of the outside air, Caster looked toward the west. Her eyes hovered over the walls of Casterville and gazed at the sun as it was setting on the horizon. The daylight would only last another hour at most.
I can't tell from out here, but the city doesn't look like it's changed much. At the very least, I don't think we've been attacked by any of the tribes inside the Badlands yet, so at least we have that going for us.
"Well then," Griffin brushed his jacket off as he stepped out of the carriage. "Stand back and watch how a Lord makes himself known."
Oh brother. Caster rolled his eyes. Wait, what if they decide to attack Griffin thinking that he's not as strong as he seems? Should I use the Inner Circle communication table to tell them I'm here? But what if they blow my cover? If I fight Griffin now, he'll use his secret method or whatever to summon his dad, and I'm not ready to fight Noden yet! Gah!
Griffin continued walking forward, reaching the town's gates. The aggressive young Lord wasn't going to wait around for Caster's thoughts to make up their mind.
Caster followed him, only a few paces behind.
Not even the guards are coming with us, they're staying with the carriage. I don't blame them. I don't want to be anywhere near this guy's blast radius either. Why does he even have guards anyway? It's not like they're stronger than he is. Focus Caster! Griffin is about to try to burn your friends alive.
Caster's eyes snapped back to Griffin. He'd come to a halt as he stood outside the gates, a pair of villagers had taken a defensive stand and pointed their spears at the trespasser.
Oh no. Caster hiked up her dress so that its fringes would get caught under her feet as she ran to catch up to Griffin.
"Hello, peasant." Griffin scoffed at the guards standing between him and the town. "Go fetch me your master, or whoever it is that's in charge of this dinky hovel."
Dinky hovel?! How dare he! Look at how good they look in that new armor - that Abel and I worked SO hard to get for them! Look at these walls! I mean, they're hollow and made out of mostly loose dirt but they look good! How rude.
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"State your business, and we'll pass on your message. If and when the council decides to allow you access to the city, and hear your requests, we will allow you entrance." The guard on the right answered, undaunted by Griffin's intimidating presence.
Two more guards drew near them, each one standing atop either side of the walls. They looked down at Griffin with the same firm gaze, bows in hand.
"Ho ho, brave, or just eager to die?'
Griffin took his right hand out of his pocket, he kept his hand low and extended his fingers. Each digit burst into flames. He was ready to kill.
Come on Caster, do something! Caster walked forward, extending a hand toward Griffin, but didn't touch him.
"Please Griffin, be patient with them! I don't wish to see these men die. They don't know who you are. They're just following the orders of their barbarian leaders." Caster's high-pitched voice wavered, and she placed the back of her hand on her forehead as if she were about to faint from the intensity of the situation.
Griffin hesitated and glanced back at her.
"Wendy, if I have to use my powers to melt this place to the ground I will, but I don't want you caught in the heatwaves. The battle is no place for a lady, please stay back."
Slap him!
"Griffin if you spare these men and this town, you could easily declare yourself its new Lord. They wouldn't be able to deny your power! At the very least they would be good fodder against the Avatar's army from within the Badlands."
Griffin stood still for a moment but didn't respond. Then, his attention returned to the guards.
"Today's your lucky day. I don't want the maiden here to smell your burnt flesh. Be grateful for her womanly mercy, otherwise, all four of you would be ashes." Griffin threatened.
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I can't believe I was intimidated by the macho-man wannabe voice he puts on when he's about to fight when we first met. What a dork.
"Tell your council that they're fired now. I'm in charge of this town now."
"And who are you, exactly?" The guard replied.
"I am Lord Griffin, the Flame of Ambition." Griffin raised his fist as he growled, the fires covering his fingers intensifying as they covered his whole hand. The guards shuffled back, finally showing a hint of fear.
"The Flame of Ambition you say?" A new voice spoke.
From behind the gates, a man stepped around the corner. He was tall and wore a full suit of heavy plate armor that shone brighter than any polished steel Caster had ever seen before. Not a trace of the man's skin could be seen underneath the metal. It was as if he was an animated set of highly decorative yet intimating armor with no human maneuvering it from inside.
The figure proudly strode past the guards and stopped as he stood less than a pace away from Griffin. The knight stared down at Griffin, his eyes unseen from behind the tiny slits in his helm's visor.
"You couldn't melt a marshmallow." He said in a low tone.
"And who the hell are you to mock me?" Griffin replied.
"I am Liacster, the Grand General of Casterville."
"Liacster? A funny name..."
Griffin stepped back as his entire body was engulfed in his own flames.
"...for a dead man."