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  I had a decision to make, follow the recent trail of this beast or stay well clear of it.

  “Okay, Donnie we are going to follow this trail for a little bit, and take it nice and slow. If we bump into the boar wait until it charges me before you run to safety. No more questions until I say so from here.” I told him.

  We followed the well worn path the boar had made. We stalked vigilantly down the trail. After five minutes of walking, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Donnie pointed to a large tangled tree with fruit hanging from it about forty feet off the trail.

  “Good find kid,” I said quietly. “Let’s go load up.”

  We walked over to the tree I would best describe as an orange tree. The difference was the oranges were larger and blue, not orange at all.

  “These will take a few days to ripen with sunlight but very good to eat. Momma will be very proud. They are called smelon fruit. We should start with the recent, not rotten falls and then pick the tree clean.” Donnie told me.

  He got to work right away while I stood there thinking.

  “Everything okay Gryff?”

  “I am deciding if we should get the cart... Yes let’s do that, we are not too far from it. The extra travel will help us get used to the area and we won’t have to devise a special plan on how to carry the fruit back. That was what I was stuck pondering on, if no cart, no bag, how do we carry the fruit? Let’s just get the cart, the boar path is wide enough for it. Oh and Donnie, add buying bags to the list.” I said.

  “Yes, sir.”

  We left the tree and headed for Fernlan. On the walk back I asked Donnie who his mother was. He said Micka was his mom, and she had born him at a very young age of fifteen. I got to hear his tragic back story. His dad died in year four of the war. Shortly after his sister became ill with an unknown fever that an antibody potion could never fix. With no healing magic, she died. Donnie wanted to fight in the war and was never allowed. He survived while his dad and three uncles marched off to battle to never return. It was a sad, brutal reality of what Vin was. We fell into silence for the rest of the walk back.

  The cart was easy to see and I set it from stationary to pull.

  “Donnie I want you up on the cart as a lookout. The higher you are the more you can see.” I ordered.

  Once he was standing on the cart and scouting we wheeled our way back to the fruit tree. The sun had hit its zenith for the day and it was easy to observe between the pines. I took a slow steady pace and kept the cart noise to a minimum.

  When we arrived at the tree I shifted the cart arms so it stayed level. The tree was probably thirty feet tall with multiple layers of branches. Donnie knew exactly which smelons were good and which should be left on the ground. I left him to sorting the fallen ones. I reached the first set of fruit producing branches. I got to work, and the pile on the cart quickly grew. I had about half the ones within my reach done when Donnie walked over with a smashed smelon in his hand.

  “Mr. Gryff, there are a few like this. If I had to guess some critter was eating them. Probably small because it looks to have filled up quickly. We could maybe set a trap?” Donnie asked. Add trap trainer to the list...

  “No trap, for now, didn't bring the right supplies, not that I would know what I needed anyway. If you are done picking up all the good fruit off the ground I want you to pile the bad ones somewhere. Then get into the tree and start dropping smelon onto the ground from up high. Try to avoid hitting me please.” I said. I wanted Donnie to understand that I still had much to learn here. I was not all knowing or perfect, and certainly not afraid to admit when I lacked pertinent knowledge.

  Donnie nodded and got to work. He quickly piled the bad fruit and scurried up the tree. After an hour of repetitive picking and sorting the tree was done. The cart was stacked high with fruit. The tree had been very... fruitful.

  “Alright, Donnie, nice and slow on the way home. Limited noise. If you can climb up and keep an eye from up on the cart do so. If not stay between me and the direction to safety.” I said.

  Donnie adjusted some fruit and then stood on the pile. It supported his weight without smooshing so I shifted some energy into my legs until the cart moved. Once it began rolling it was very easy to haul. We weren't too far from the village and the trip home went smoothly.

  The sensation of the boundary flowed through me as we were into the village once again.

  “So Donnie, not every day will be blood, guts, and battle. Some days will be nothing, and others will get to come back with a cart full of smelon. Today was a good day. Thank you for your help. You are free to go do busy work while I pull this to Velia.”

  Donnie climbed down and raced off to the western fields. Out of the woods and on the village road I saw Lily skipping my way.

  “Donnie said you got my all time favorite fruit today. Smelons!!! I am so excited to eat some. Awe... These aren't ripe yet. Oh well, in a few days you will be in belly Smelons. Muhahahahaha!” Lily said pulling off an evil laugh in a way only an adorable little girl could.

  I went to go scruff her hair and she bolted.

  “Not today Mr. Gryff. I have clean hair that has been combed. Oh... you missed the griffin lady, she was very upset. Two griffins came and only one left with her today.”

  Well, that was interesting, it was probably better I let Elan or Velia tell me what happened than the ten year old.

  “Thanks for the news. Want to walk with me to go see Velia?”

  “Duh, what do you think I was doing?” Lily said with attitude.

  Ah, the joys of children.

  When I reached the ramp from the village to the western fields I paused to comprehend the sight I saw.

  To start, there was a giant griffin in the spot where we had the feast and it was not Lirkon, I could tell because there were no giant balls hanging off the back end. The feather pattern was different too, it was white with green tips and the tail on this female was blue. It would make identifying them much easier if they all had unique patterns. Added to the list of stuff to learn. The griffin lifted its head and gazed at me. It took in what it saw and decided I was not a threat, putting her head back down for a nap.

  The wagon sat by the tool pile and was loaded to brim with cloth, leather, medical supplies, and whatever else we had ordered that morning. There was zero room for sleeping in it. I guess you could sleep under it but the wagon was so loaded both axles were bent. If one or both collapsed during the night you would die a horrible death.

  Hiding behind the cart crouched a young man. He had sharp eyes and a tight jawline. He was dressed in fine clothing, even nicer than what Nalia had worn. Probably a merchant’s son around twenty years old. This had to be the healer I asked for and he was scared of griffins.

  I took it slow going down the ramp to avoid the heavy load building momentum. I parked the hand cart by the wagon and then ensured the fruit pile was stable. With that done I sought out Velia. The young man tried to intercept me but I said “be right back” and jogged into the fields.

  “Ah, there you are, you missed a fun afternoon. Maybe next time take me into the Horde infested wild lands instead of leaving me here to deal with Nalia. Do you know what kind of a festering fecal sensation you have caused? Nalia is pissed, I have never seen someone lose their temper so completely. It got so bad her griffin snatched her in his talons and flew off. Thank god we got everything unloaded when she realized that lady griffin over there wasn't going back to Cern. You...” I paused her by closing the distance and rested my hands on her shoulders.

  “Pretty lady needs to slow down please,” I told her, and she folded into my chest and sighed. I enclosed her in a gentle hug.

  “I needed that, rough afternoon.”

  “So the trade went smooth, we got what we needed. The village now has a healer, and I got you a wagon.” I said in a calm soothing voice.

  “Thanks for that, I never thought of where we would store all the supplies you bought. Did anything try
to kill you in the eastern wild lands?” Velia asked, but didn't give me a chance to respond. “Oh and great work on the smelons. We can adjust when they ripen based on sun exposure. With that many, they should last us a week or more. I will make sure the seeds are planted where you took down all those pines.”

  “There were tracks of a war boar out there, but we never saw it or any Horde. It was quiet and peaceful actually, the opposite of here. And I got the wagon to sleep in, but now that I think about it I would rather sleep in the rain then have all those supplies spoil. Ugh so much on my to do list. Okay let me talk to the healer, then the griffin, and then I am building a shitty lean to. We have enough felled trees to make a half barn… or is the term manger? Anyway, I will have Donnie and the healer help me. I need you to relax, I got this from here.” I kissed the top of her head and walked away. I felt a sting on my left ass check followed by a loud slap.

  “Ladies Rule!” Was shouted from behind me as I broke into a giant grin.

  The healer was leaning against the wagon impatiently waiting for me.

  “Hello, I am Gryff of the Redland. Welcome to Fernlan.”

  “Jak of Cern. Son of Trade Master Bart of Cern. Master healer Drifa informed me I would be doing a year of my apprenticeship in this village. I am surprised you could afford me.” he said politely.

  I was astonished he wasn't being a pompous ass. It seemed that Fernlan was looked down upon by most of Cern. I could tell by his tone he believed this assignment beneath him but he was not saying it directly at least.

  “Well met Jak. I adventure into the wild lands and it is only a matter of time before I become hurt. Hence why I hired you. You will be working for the village. If anyone approaches you for help please aid them. Hmmm..... I don't have a place for you to stay or set up a shop... You can make potions also correct?”

  “I have been taught potions, remedies, and healing magic. All could use some improvement with practice. I will need a small building to be able to sleep and do my work in...” He gazed around the clearing. “Which you seem to be lacking. Is there an inn in this village I can use?”

  I saw Lyna loitering not far from our conversation. The redhead was eavesdropping, but I ignored the transgression and waved her over.

  “Jak, this is Lyna, Lyna Jak.” She curtsied to him, while he nodded his head. “Careful around here, lots of single women looking for a man, some bite some don't. Lyna, why do we not sleep at the Inn? I feel dumb for not thinking about it. It would be tight but we could all fit since it is not in use by travelers, visitors, or villagers.” I asked Lyna.

  “There is a history of the Inn and it is good you asked me about it and not Velia. The war was starting to claim more and more men. The number of widows grew and their abilities to separately maintain households alone became too tough. A deal was struck between the Inn owner lady Melina and Velia. Trade routes were still open, men still marched into the village on the way to war with coin in hand. Times were bad but hope still prevailed.

  “The deal worked for both sides for a while. Some of us girls worked tables, the kitchen, and cleaned the Inn. Others worked for lady Melina to help the men with certain needs. Do not judge, it was a tough time and some did not hate the work. Anyway, fewer soldiers made it to the front, fewer caravans to the village. Trade, coin, and work dried up. Add in the fact that the number of women and children taken under Velia's wing grew. Well, things came to a bursting point. There was a large argument that became so heated that Elan had to step in. We widows and orphans were banned from the Inn. The western fields had deserted cabins and lots of fieldwork to do. At the time the shelters here were more than enough and in decent condition. Well as time went on that changed. We tried to buy the Inn but that old hoot will not sell no matter what. So there we are, that is why we don't use the Inn for shelter.” Lyna said finishing her story.

  “Okay, makes sense in a way. Not ideal but I can work with it. Jak I take it I am supposed to provide you shelter and food?” I asked.

  “Yeah... Of course...” Jak held back what he really wanted to say.

  “Okay, it is only midday. Your daily routine will include hard labor work, and before you complain. While it may suck, and not be ideal, you will be given shorter days than most to still practice medicine. If you want to avoid the physical exertion, you could always choose to join me for wild land adventures. For today head to the Inn and try to work out a deal with Melina. Get the best deal you can for a room to sleep in and a room to use as a shop. You should be able to talk down the price seeing as how no one rents rooms anymore. When that is done change into work clothes and come back and find me. Then tonight I will hand you the coins owed to Melina so your rooms are settled.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Gryff. Master Drifa mentioned Fernlan would be drastically different than my current studies in Cern. That things in a village like this would be tough. Both he and my father assured me that the year would be good for me and to not complain. So... Thank you for not making me sleep in the mud and I will strive to do the best work here I can.” Jak said sticking a hand out to me which I shook. He hefted up his full bag and struggled up the ramp to the village to find the Inn.

  “Me oh my, two handsome men in two days! That poor man will have three wives at least by the time his contract is up. Sturdy roof over his head, safe decent paying job, and so handsome. Safer bet than that hunk who ventures into the wild lands.” Lyna said with a tease. She proceeded to pinch my butt and ran off to go work.

  I sighed and went to the next looming issue. The griffin snored intently not even fifty feet away. I walked toward her and gave a slight cough so she could hear me.

  “You step so loudly you need not cough to alert me.” A motherly voice said in my head. “Stop.”

  I skidded to a halt.

  “Jump.”

  I jumped.

  “Very interesting. I see my mate was not stretching the truth. You truly can hear me. I am Lydia mate of Lirkon, pride of nowhere. I say that because as of today I left the Cern pride. You see how swollen my belly is. It is like that because I ate too much goblin and I have cubs in there. Times are desperate in Cern these days for us griffins. The entire pride is in near rebellion. When Lirkon brought me food last night I knew there was a chance my cubs would survive. That hope had faded to nothing as Cern fed us less and less. They did not manage their livestock properly. Between the refugees, dense population, quotas for the Horde, and us griffins there is too much demand for the supply.

  “The fact we are not allowed to hunt our own food leaves us dependent on the stupidity of others. The Baron's wild lands policy is another factor making things very grim. Lirkon mentioned you are not originally from Vin. The peace accords had special sections devoted to us griffins. The rules were clear. We could travel between safe zones freely, but we were not allowed to hunt in the wild lands. We are forbidden from landing anywhere out there. That is strictly enforced by contract magic our King Aves signed with the human Emperor. We went from a semi reliance on humans for food to being unable to hunt on our own. We griffins believe this was specifically written into the accords to break the link between us and humans.

  “The Cern griffins were planning on dying in glorious battle. That was the decision we had come to until yesterday when Lirkon came to the roost with the news of you. We were not the only ones to become interested in you. Baron Liffa has declared Fernlan off limits for trade after hearing you dared to disturb the peace by killing goblins. His guards tried to stop Lirkon from leaving with the loaded supplies you bought. My mate ignored them and left for here before they could claim your goods. Instead of death by battle, we now have a new plan. We need you to talk to Duke Riza on our behalf for a noble change in Cern. You will translate our desperate need for help or ask to have us relocated to Lakeland. If you do this we will owe you a favor. I will owe you a favor” Lydia explained to me.

  I let this information process. I could understand not wanting to starve a slow horrible death. I
also understand how Baron Liffa was wrong in not supplementing his food stores by hunting in the wild lands.

  “Lady Lydia. It is an honor to meet you. I believe we can help each other. I too need to see Duke Riza for help with supplies, tradesmen, trainers, and adventurers. I would be happy to assist you in translating your issues to the Duke. Would you be willing to allow me to fly on your back and if so when would you like to go?”

  “I am tired and full...” A loud belch erupted from the griffin. “It was a chore to fly over here. I need at least another day to process these goblins. How about the day after tomorrow you ride on my back to Lakeland... Oh, and Lirkon had a message for you. West of here where your creek meets the river two dozen goblins wait in ambush. South of them down the river he could see an Ogre leaving a cave. He told me to give you his report.”

  “Excellent news. I think our teamwork can bring great rewards. I will leave you to your napping and digesting for now. Any chance you could dig some holes for me so I could place some logs in the ground for a structure?”

  “Is this your favor you seek? Simple manual work?”

  “Ah... Never mind I can dig holes easy enough. Who knows how often griffins grant favors?” I replied. The giant griffin ignored me with this and rested her head for a nap.

  I walked to the creek where the trees I had felled piled up. Donnie was in the waist deep water with the wood ax. The lad was removing tree limbs. It was slow progress but needed doing. The trees were obviously too heavy for him to take out of the water. At least he could rotate them somewhat this way.

  I stripped my chest armor, shield, and weapons off. I untied the greataxe and jumped into the water that didn't even rise to my hips.

  “Great progress Donnie. Good thinking on piling the limbs and branches over there.” I told him. I cupped my hands around my mouth. “Lily, Lyna!” I shouted with all the force my lungs could muster.