As they stepped into the building, Trillia felt an intense pressure on her chest. Pausing at the door way. Her eyes rapidly scanned her surroundings.

The old man glanced back at her. "Ahhh.. That's interesting. I wondered why Monte would leave his post. He's normally far more stoic. At first, I thought it a matter of respect."

Illana reached a hand towards her weapon. The old man raised his hand. "The defenses of the headquarters are reacting to her. It sees her as an enemy."

Trillia felt another scan pierce her defenses. "[Mana-Warped]? That's a trait we find on monsters that are close to rifts. What game is Lord Arlyss playing?"

Trillia tried to speak but found it difficult. It felt as though she was swimming. Layla stepped in front of her. "You are currently harassing an Acolyte of Ora'sys, the Avatar of Arlyss Darktone and the daughter of Amara Demonsbane. One of the four great generals of the Beast Wars. I'd strongly recommend you leave your musings until after you have fixed your faulty defense measures."

The old man looked down at Layla and offered a slight nod. After a moment, the pressure in Trillia's chest let up, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The old man stared at Layla. "You're a brave little orc. I'm afraid that trait complicates things. We've trained our gryphons to attack mana-warped creatures. They are intelligent but still follow their training. Monte probably chose not to attack you because it sensed something else. Younger, more inexperienced gryphons will not hesitate."

Illana scoffed at his words. "You're telling me the supposed greatest fighting force on the Central continent can't help themselves from attacking an ally? What's the real reason. Stop with the bullshit."

The man turned his glare to Illana next. "Be careful with your words, Perishsong. Our deities aren't here to save you from your own stupidity."

"Why would they need to? Captain Freeman?"

You've heard the voice of the Godling of Mercy!

All healing effects are tripled!

You are immune to status effects as long as the Godling sees you as an ally!

A woman in crystalline armor stepped into the main room. Her hair shined silver even in the dull light inside. Bright blue eyes contrasted with a sandy complexion. "General! I only meant that insulting the Golden Gryphons is a foolish thing for anyone to do."

The woman approached the group, and Trillia realized that despite the woman certainly looking human, she was obviously not. Besides the notification, the woman also stood much taller than everyone else. "I don't think her words were an insult but an observation of our shortcomings. This young woman is my brother's avatar and has been sent here to reestablish connection with my brothers."

Trillia's eyes widened, and she immediately dropped to one knee. Layla and the others followed suit. "Forgive me, Princess. I did not realize who you were!"

The woman stepped over to Trillia and crouched in front of her. "I am a General before I am a princess. Save the kneeling for the day you meet my mother. I came here today to ensure things went smoothly. I cannot stay for long." She turned her head slightly to look at the Captain. "I can see, however, that it was a smart decision to come. I can send one of our men with you. He's young but incredibly talented with the raising and training of gryphons. His combat capabilities lack slightly due to his specialized nature."

The Captain scoffed and seemed angry at her candidate. Mariah seemed unperturbed. "I hope that doesn't bother you, Lady Demonsbane."

Trillia shook her head. "Of course not, Lady Mariah. I will see Lord Arlyss' mission done. Once it is, I would very much like to meet Queen Alliyah and speak with you in earnest. If you can both make the time."

Mariah stood and pulled Trillia up with her. "Mother loves to meet good people. It seems to be a hobby. I'm certain she would grant you an audience. Let me go and fetch Simon for you."

Trillia bowed her head again. As Mariah left, she turned to look at Illana. "That was Princ- I mean. General Mariah Darktone. Lord Arlyss' sister."

Illana's face grew to one of confusion. "She...looks intimidating, certainly. But such a soft-spoken voice and gentle features. I guess I was expecting something more terrifying."

The Captain of the Golden Gryphons shook his head. "Feel free to make yourselves at home." His voice dripped with disdain. With that, he turned and stomped away.

Trillia stared after him for a few moments before stepping further into the building. They found benches to sit on and mostly enjoyed the look of the building. Smooth marble columns and floors. Dozens of statues lined the hallways. It felt more like a history lesson than a headquarters. Perhaps that was its purpose.

It didn't take long for Mariah to return. To Trillia's surprise, the man Mariah spoke of was a goblin. His suit of armor was the same silver, heavily enchanted stuff that the others wore, just a much smaller version. He strode proudly up to Trillia and extended his hand. "An honor to meet you, Lady Trillia! When I was lucky enough to meet him, Lord Arlyss spoke very highly of your capabilities. Even mentioned that you dabbled in monster taming as well!"

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Trillia's face broke into a grin, and she shook his hand. "Dabbled is a good way to put that. I have but one companion. I left her with Lord Arlyss. Should the worst happen and I die here, I do not wish her to be trapped in an artifact for all eternity. I'd rather her be free or be a companion to my soon-to-be nieces or nephews."

The goblin's eyes went wide with surprise. "I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised that an orc would speak my mother tongue. It is a relief to speak it again after so long. General Mariah tells me that I will be escorting you to the dwarven lands and that my mount must be able to carry certain building supplies?"

Illana nodded and stepped up to shake his hand. "That is correct, Lord Simon. Lady Mariah says that you are exceptionally talented in handling the gryphons. Leave combat to young Trillia and young Layla. Both of them are superb combatants, and both are capable healers as well."

The goblin bowed deeply at the compliment. "If they are skilled healers, I know just the gryphon to bring. He's a bit hot-headed, but he's exceptionally talented at hit-and-run tactics, even while carrying cargo. The other riders are trying to convince the General to get rid of him. Since he doesn't like most riders. I think it's because most riders are far too heavy. It slows him down, and he sees going slow as a death sentence."

Mariah offered a faint smile at them before speaking. "As much as I would love to stay and chat. It seems you're in good hands. Use whatever gryphon you feel is the best choice. If you feel there are two gryphons that would heed your words, bring both. While some members of our order do not see the importance of re-establishing contact with our allied deities. I most certainly do. It was a pleasure to meet you all, and I look forward to hearing about your successful mission."

They all bowed to her. Mariah stepped away and into a small glimmer of light that filtered in through a window and simply vanished. Simon motioned for them to follow. As they traversed the complex, the goblin got a lot of angry stares. Simon seemed entirely unbothered by it. "The old timer used to be one of the Generals. Specifically the general for the coastal cities up north. He lost his position when General Mariah found that slavery was on the rise. Nothing could be directly linked to him, and reading his mind also brought no punishable results. So, instead, Queen Alliyah demoted him and appointed General Mariah to the coast instead of the inner continent."

They stepped into a large field with dozens of gryphons lounging in the sun and lying on rocks. The moment Trillia stepped into view, all of them ruffled their feathers and began staring at her, ready to pounce. "See, General Mariah, doesn't discriminate. Says that if the Queen and King were enlightened enough to ally with goblins, orcs, and monsters to get the job done. There is no reason the Gryphons shouldn't utilize every talented individual they can."

"[Mass Calm Emotions]" The goblin's words carried a massive surge of dull brown mana. The gryphons shook their heads slightly but stopped staring at Trillia like she was dinner. "The actual qualifications haven't changed. But fifty years ago, the Golden Gryphons wouldn't have ever let a goblin stay in their ranks."

Trillia tilted her head at that. They were all still speaking in the goblin tongue. Best she could tell, everyone understood it who needed to. "Didn't Queen Alliyah allow them before?"

The goblin shook his head. "Queen Alliyah left recruiting up to her Generals and told them to treat everyone equally. Many of the generals did not do so. The few times the more monstrous of us humanoids were let in, other Generals would quickly wash them out. Queen Alliyah has an entire continent and empire to run. I don't blame her. However, now that General Mariah is around. It's much harder for the assholes of the world to be assholes. General Mariah seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. It's a bit odd, really."

Trillia grinned. Mariah's father was a deity of fate and destiny. Perhaps she had inherited some of that power. "I am glad that she is around. There is a dungeon called Red River near my home. It is run by goblins, and they have been invaluable allies. I feel as though with the rise of the [Primordials], we have enough enemies without having to hate fellow humanoids as well."

Simon shrugged but nodded. Motioning to a gryphon that had a dark red mane and silver fur. Its eyes were bright red. "This is Taz. Since I have been given permission to bring two gryphons. Taz will remain unburdened. He can assist in the fighting. Taz, this is Lady Trillia, Lady Illana, Lady Layla, and Lady Andromeda. They are allies to the Queen. Do you understand?"

Trillia wondered how he knew all their names but didn't question it. The gryphon stood and took a step forward. It wasn't nearly as large as Monte but was still twice Trillia's meager height. It leaned its beak in close and sniffed her. To her surprise, a notification popped into her head.

The Gryphon "Taz" wishes to establish a mental connection. Do you accept?

Trillia accepted and stared into the creature's eyes.

"Word of little one. You are daughter of great sky wizard?"

Trillia squinted her eyes a bit at the horribly broken goblin language put before her mind. "I am the avatar of Arlyss Darktone. Daughter of Amara Demonsbane."

The thing squawked, both mentally and verbally. "Great sky wizard gives much food. Acceptable."

Without a moment more, the connection ended. The creature plopped back onto the ground, bored of the exchange already. Simon smiled. "Wonderful! It seems Taz likes you. Now for a good candidate to carry cargo."

Trillia looked at the goblin. That was a gryphon liking her? He seemed, at best, annoyed she didn't have food on her immediately. Though it was a mythical creature. They had a certain level of pride and ego to them. Trillia wondered how they felt about a goblin leading them. Glancing back at Taz, she tried to make a mental connection.

To her surprise, the gryphon readily accepted. "Goblin, good?"

Taz looked lazily at Simon. "Goblin strong. Goblin smart. Goblin better than human."

Trillia bowed her head and ended the connection. Again, curiosity got the better of her.

[Goblin of Legend - Master Tamer - 388] Explosive Mana Manipulation

Notable Traits:

Tri-Mind

Master Linguist

Explosive Mana Mastery

Professor of Taming

...

Son of Stas

Trillia's eyes widened yet again.