Gryff The Griffin Rider Page 18

  ​ I decided to end our market adventure on a good note. I bought her some cake and tea and proceeded to simply talk to her. It was a lovely time. We headed to the palace where she left saying she needed to prepare for leaving tomorrow. I told her if she finished I would be in the training grounds or the livestock market. I mentioned how I need to learn how to swing weapons. She giggled at me like I was jesting.

  ​ The moment she was out of sight Una popped up. Girl was a damn ninja. I did not have anything positive to say so I walked in silence with her by me as we entered the training grounds. It was bustling with activity. Men sparred, wooden swords smashed against each other, some cracked mock weapons against dummies. In the middays heat most were drenched in sweat. The women who fought all wore rider outfits. The men were in armor or without. The bustle and sounds were rich as the stench of body odor.

  ​ Una approached an old scarred man with the face of a leathery bulldog. They exchanged sharp angry words and I was glad to be standing on the edge of the training grounds. The argument lasted for a few minutes when Una came over to me.

  ​ “That is master trainer Baldwic, and I have never seen him so angry. My father has ordered him to pick a replacement. To pack his family because he is moving north to train some untested whiny noble. I think it best you do not introduce yourself today.” Una pushed me back to the road. “I will guide you to the livestock market. It is across the bridge on the east side of the river to keep the smell down from the citizens. You are in luck, with winter approaching there are many sellers who brought in stock from the south via griffin. Father has been buying up a majority of it but there should be a good market still.” Gone was the hostility or need to prove anything to me. She was direct and to the point.

  ​ I was a bit sad to see the mighty trainer so upset. Mainly because I knew I would bear the brunt of his frustration. I decided that I would introduce myself to him when he arrived in Fernlan. I whistled while I walked toward the outer city wall. Una shadowed me in silence.

  ​ I wanted to hold my nose as we passed the slums. It was gross, but for the most part, the people looked content. Sure there were beggars, and every time something made a squishing noise under my boots I refused to look down. But they were not starving. I did want to throw the lot of them in the river and give them a good scrub. Then order a water mage to flood the area in the hopes some of the filth would be removed. Not my city though, not my problem.

  ​ We passed the large lowered drawbridge and crossed the slow flowing moat. The clunk of travel over the wooden bridge was loud in my ears. I inspected the Horde portal as we passed it. It was basic in its design, efficient in most ways. With two days left until quota time, logs were being piled high on one side. I didn't have to ask to figure out they saved the food until the day before or the morning of. Guards were posted around the portal for obvious reasons.

  ​ No one seemed to notice me as anyone special or of import in my simple clothing. A few noticed Una but her reputation kept them away. She was not one of the nice ladies you begged to for some change. We strolled along a long cobbled road with fields off to our sides. An irrigation system was dug between the fields. Workers tended to the plants as rabins ate at weeds. I got to see the creatures for the first time. The ones I saw had a thin fur, long snout, and were about knee high on most workers. They were focused on their task, neither human nor animal looked up at me. It gave me hope that some were purchased with my list I gave out yesterday.

  ​ Leaving the fields we crossed the river via a sturdy wide bridge. Fishermen tried their luck with poles over the edges. Carts moved along the road mingled with people. Animal shit was sporadically on the road as a cleanup crew competed against a never ending task. The waft of unwashed barn animal and feces made me stagger near the end of the bridge. I swear I heard Una call me a pussy under her breath but I didn't take the argument.

  ​ As we passed rows of barns for specific animals, I didn't know exactly what I needed from here. My desires, which were rabins, ducks, and goats should have been purchased and waiting at the roost. I guess I was here for boredom and to learn what else was available. After a long stretch of barns that supplied the city with food, materials, and work we arrived at the market.

  ​ It was the largest barn in the entire eastern stable area. So big I thought I could fit the western fields of Fernlan in it. It stunk, but that didn't distract from its marvel. Someone had exerted a lot of effort, time, and coin into this building. A wide scope of animal noises were prevalent, some I knew some were new. A few people talked and looked at animals while the majority worked handling feed, moving animals, and mucking shit out to be used in the fields or dumped in the river. I felt comfortable in here like I should get to work helping. I was distracted by it all when that ninja Una snuck up on me. She stuck a finger in between my butt cheeks and poked my asshole.

  ​ I did the rational thing and backhanded my offender. She figured she could easily block my move but it sent her in the air to land on her butt.

  ​ “Hey, no fighting in here!” A well dressed man shouted at me with an authoritarian tone.

  ​ “By the gods, did you drink purple potions all morning while sexing my sister? Even father doesn't hit that hard.” She was helped up by a young man no older than twenty. When no further violence occurred people went back about their business. “This here is Lazra, he is the finest archer in the city. He will protect your back while I attend to business. Some rich noble is offering above average pay for sell swords, mercenaries, and adventurers. I run a ten person outfit and we need the work so I am going to handle the contract. Lazra will keep you safe while I am gone.”

  ​ I kept my mouth shut. If I said that was me, she would make me hire her on the spot. If I said nothing I could hope it was Cern hiring, but I knew it wasn't. It was me. I wonder how Baron Liffa died. Was he hung, maybe beheaded? Was there lots of blood? Did his wives or children see?

  ​ “Hey tall guy, no wonder you need protecting. Do you always zone out so badly when in an unfamiliar area?” Lazra pestered me.

  ​ I ignored him too. I had my fill of snide comments today.

  ​ “Excuse me, good sir. I find myself in need of your expertise. I am Sir Gryff.” I said to the guy in charge who told me to not fight earlier.

  ​ “Ah, a fellow noble. Tall, handsome, and lost. That makes you the Fernlan knight that is the talk of the town. Come, young sir, let us walk. Tell me what brings you here to my stables. I am Count Conway, the man who runs the entire animal market. I manage our stock for sale as well as vendor for those who wish to use our market. I have built a reputation of trust, excellence, and getting the sale. Doesn't hurt that any animal that sits for too long the Duke is buying for the city at a discount. Meat is meat, in the end, the worst meat can go in a good stew. Sure makes my job easier. Now, what are you interested in.” Count Conway said with welcoming open arms. The classic friendly salesman was on full display.

  ​ We walked to the first stall and there were a small number of ducks. A sold sign hung over the gate into the pen. We moved to the next and I saw some pigs, a very small kind that were barely a foot tall. I paused to get a better look.

  ​ “We call these the mini disposers. Real name is runtlets. They breed fast, eat what nothing else will, and taste good for bottom feeders. This morning we had the Duke's men come down with a surprise order. It had some basic animals, yet these were not on the list. Not a bad price on them too. They tend to sell fast, so not a bargain animal in today's time.” Conway said.

  ​ His term 'not a bad price', at least to me, meant more than average. I really needed to see how many coins I had left in my accounts.

  ​ “Your grace, would it be possible to send a runner to see how much is left in my accounts? I did some shopping today and had some items to be sold for me. I am interested in the runtlets and probably other animals but I should ensure I have the funds available before I buy.” I asked with a puzzled look.

  ​ “Of course.
Why don't you wait over there on that bench? I will have a teller send a hawk to the palace and then when it gets back we can continue the tour.”

  ​ I went to the bench and pulled the advanced history of Vin book I had bought earlier. Vin had three major continents and I was on the southern one. The book went over how the three were connected at one point, but a major event split them. This formed the central mountains that dominate the equator. It was shortly after this tearing of the world’s surface that humanity arrived. In the great awakening, there was nothing but man and beast. This gave me pause. I reread the passage and chalked it up to some design narration of Vin's creation.

  ​ Before I could study more, Count Conway came to me with some markers. “Your account is currently at five hundred and fourteen gold. There are many withdrawals recently, some from here. Which I had guessed correctly but didn't want to rudely confirm. Then a few purchases at the regular market today. Three hundred coins from the Duke added for a purchase and a thousand twenty three in a purse deposit. Also an escrow for fees shipping items to the capital, the notation was mages academy. The Duke has extended you credit of up to ten thousand gold coins. This is quite unusual and the banker double checked. You have the loan against a sacred item to be sold to the Emperor himself. Interesting if I do say so. Well, now that we know you can buy my entire stock how about we see what you like, and try to get a bulk deal shall we.” The man grinned as he handed me my balance sheet.

  ​ Well, that answered how my accounts were sitting. I would need to ensure I brought coins north with me for day to day life of paying people. Added to the list. For now, I could shop to my heart’s content. Yet I had to think of a few about things with the animals. Would they help, and could I get them to Fernlan? I had seen some massive warhorses that looked thin. Probably would be amazing but I doubted they could be ferried to Fernlan from griffin. A large list of problems began to spool in my head getting my mind racing. I was losing focus again so I corrected myself.

  ​ “Yes, let us continue our walk. We stopped at the runtlets.” I said.

  ​ “Well next was the cooler rabin breed with the thin fur instead of skin. Same desired effect. They will trim the fields of weeds and let the good stuff grow. You bought the entire stock earlier today. At the Duke's price, which I never like because it cuts margins too thin. Still a good buy.”

  ​ When a salesperson complained. You got a good deal or they were trying to make you believe you did. Seeing as the Count answered to the Duke I figured he was being honest.

  ​ “Next is the war horses. Now, these I can sell above the price of the meat. It is a sad time but they eat a lot and rarely get used. The Duke keeps them for the knights to still ride on but it is only a matter of time before they... well... it is most unfortunate. The only way you are getting these north is by riding them. It is a three hour flight to Fernlan. With the roads overgrown, and the way the river bends it is a two day, maybe three day ride in Horde infested wild lands. I doubt you could find any fools brave enough to risk the trip. The meat is tough and sells cheap, regular horses flooded the food market, and these ones would probably fetch a gold each. In their prime, these fine animals of war used to go for hundreds of gold. Only the finest are left, oh well.”

  ​ I looked at the mighty animals and wanted to help but I couldn't think of a solution. It was too risky to move them north. We walked to the next pen to find a long necked fluffy bird. “This is a racer bird, called fastlings. They produce little meat, rarely lay eggs, and cost a bunch to maintain. They are an animal for racing in cities larger than here or for a noble to buy his daughter to ride on. Not sure why they were sent this far north but sometimes I take what I can get. Never know who wants an exotic right. Do you?” I shook my head. “Alright next is sheep and goats. You bought all these. Again good prices.

  ​ “Right here are the monox. See how this cage has double wiring and three locks on the gate. The little shits are crafty. They used to be sold to nobles for hunting. It made finding deer, boars, and other game a breeze. They were over bred during the war for partnering with scouts. Every adventurer that goes into the wild lands and wants one, has one. The rest sit in pens to one day lose value and become meat. These are like horses. They are very niche and cheap compared to the past. Great, great deal, and as you can see there is what three dozen of them for sale. I guess some breeder from the south figured he could offload his entire stock where people still war with the Horde.”

  ​ I watched the monox watch me. They were similar to little monkeys in body shape with expansive coned ears, huge oval eyes, and the snout of a fox. It was apparent I was the absolute worst at detecting my surroundings. I wanted to drool at the thought of having a few of these warning me of danger, or finding easy prey. I took my finger and snapped it loudly, it made Conway jump. The entire cage of creatures glared at me with anger at the sudden, loud noise. There was a definite intelligence. It would take time to train the next generation, but maybe some of these would be useful. I instantly knew I was getting in the monox breeding business. Yet I said nothing and moved on.

  ​ “I can see it in your eyes, you liked those monox. I did hear you were one of the brave fools who ventures into the wild lands. If only they had been implemented earlier in the war. It may have changed things. Alright onto our next must get rid of animal. The lowly wolf. These beasts were used in archer lines. Nothing stopped a charging clump of orcs on wargs faster than a female running the other direction while in heat. The pack would almost always follow the bitch. The other thing was the alpha in the archer lines tended to challenge the charging warg alpha. Causing the charge to falter. Simple tricks, like those, and using them as extra guards helped keep the war going. Now... They are pets I guess. Some nobles took them into their homes as guards, but that is rare. I have a hundred of them. Once again over bred for the war efforts, then sent north in the hopes of a sale. If they don't get sold I think the Duke is going to buy them and set them loose into the wild lands. Give them a fighting chance. They make horrid meat and well... The Duke loved having them in his armies. I heard he keeps a few in his room, and he has never been killed so they got to be working. Right! That is exactly why you need some of these. I can even get them under a griffin. Same with the other creatures besides the bison and the war horses. Apply some water magic potion of sleep into their drink and out they go. Cheap stuff too.

  ​ “Next is the bison, purely a delicious meat and milk animal. Griffins love them until you ask them to carry one. They flat out refuse, I personally think it is not a weight thing but who knows. And before you go trying to get a deal by asking, I don't truly care, I just accept it.” Conway said.

  ​ We moved to the largest pen in the entire barn. The bison were cows, about one and half times the size of cows I was used to. They even were white with black spots. Some things on Vin drove me crazy with the logic. It was my turn to just accept it. Looks like I needed to have a talk with the griffins later. I was pacing thinking on what to do when Una showed up with eight burly men.

  ​ “Leave it to a new knight to spend an hour or two picking out his horse. You can't even fly one to Fernlan.” She said with a snicker, the men behind her chuckling. Conway ever the gentlemen removed himself from the situation and began giving orders to prepare my earlier purchases to be moved. He knew I would find him when I was ready.

  ​ “Did this new noble hire you?” I asked.

  ​ “Yeah, stupid dad, made us take the going Lakeland rate. Not sure who got on his good side or what he has planned. He said it was for some Earl. I would know if some Earl lived in Fernlan, I would have married one of his sons.” More chuckles from the men behind her. “Hey you shits, you know it is true. You are from there Gryff. What Noble from the south has decided to restart the war efforts? Is he old and does he have any sons?”

  ​ I knew it was inevitable they would find out. If they were contracted to me, no point in hiding the truth that would come out tomorrow. I handed my document of promotio
n to Earl to Una. She read it, threw it on the ground, and charged me. I had the reach on her and I knew she was weaponless entering the animal market. I simply stretched my right arm out and let her neck fall into my open hand. I had a solid grasp on her neck. She used both hands trying to break my grip. I lifted her a few feet off the ground. Lazra had a good sense to read the document before interceding. He held the other men back.

  ​ Elbows rained down onto my forearm, kicks aimed for my balls. When she turned purple I set her down and let her go. As she gasped for breath I stepped forward and kicked her over. Not too hard, but enough to make my point.

  ​ “By the gods Una, if you fucking attack me or mine again you will not live to see another day. I care not that your father is the Duke. If you recall I knocked him on his ass too when he challenged me. You work for me now, respect my strength or fear my wrath.” I scolded her as I hovered above her in a threating posture.

  ​ She coughed then got her composure. “You are not drinking potions, I had Lazra watch you, and he signaled you had not. What are you Earl Gryff, a demigod?” Her temper began to get the better of her when she noticeably calmed. “I hereby swear to defend you and yours while under contract to you. In violation of the contract, I signed earlier I will find a way to make it up to. Hence forth I will also continue to respect my sister’s marriage to you and drop the subject. Dad made me swear to that this morning anyway when he found out you married Bella. What a shitty day. For honor though, what are you?” She said while she collected herself off the ground.