'1356'
Chapter 6: 'Gathering Strength'
This rebellion against Equestria did not start with one single incident, but many. For an example, in the Northern Regions of the Griffonlands and Chefal, not only were the taxes heightened due to the 'Tax Act' imposed on the North-Birds and Mountain Hippogriffs that call the lands home, but those Ponies running the logging camps set impossible quotas
The 'Northern Felling Axe' is a woods-griff's best friend. It has a 8.5in steel head that weighs 2.65lbs and a 6.5in cutting edge attached to a 35in long handle, this is a humble axe that weighs 8lbs and can turn nasty if provoked, and it was. It didn't take long for Northern Griffons and Mountain Hippogriffs to turn the axe on the Ponies and split open skulls
Similar uprisings happened in the Southern Regions of Chefal. Many of these Griffons and Mountain Hippogriffs came to Lady Geneve and Lady Wilhelmina with just the clothing they wore, and their axes on their backs. Thus, the rebel leaders gave them training to use their tools effectively as improvised weapons, and gave them armor, shelter, and food
After the Battle of Hawksbill, the Rebels won another victory at Kestrel Hill. With that, the numbers began to swell from 8,000 to well over 30,000 in the span of two months. A key member that joined the revolt was a griffon knight named 'Countess Ghislaine Irontalon'. Under her leadership, her griffons-at-arms in crimson and black won at Eagletown.
"Lady Irontalon," said Geneve smiling
Their flanks covered by black leather tights and chainmail leggings wiggled as she gave them a group hug and each got a cheek nuzzle from her. A gyrfalcon and lynx griffon, Lady Ghislaine is a force on the battlefield. She wears a crimson coat which acts as a cape with an inner lining of wolf fur to go with her plate armor, chainmail, and brigandine armor.
Ghislaine carries two swords. Her main one is a two-handed sword with coins in the wheel pommel. It has an overall length of 66.75in with 47.75in being the 2.8in wide double-edged blade. The guard width is 12.75in with a gentle 'S'-shape in the plane of the guard, a 16in long grip, and weighing 5.6lbs, she can cleave Ponies in half with her sword
The other sword she has on a belt in a black leather scabbard with steel fittings is a hand-and-a-half sword. Measuring 43.3in long with 34.6in being the 1.77in wide double-edged blade. With a 7.87in long grip and weighing a bit over 2lbs, this sword is just in case she loses her two-handed sword in battle. She also has the matching dagger for her sword
"How many do you offer?" asked Wilhelmina
"10,000 ready to fight for our cause," said Ghislaine. This rebellion does not have one leader, but many. Like Geneve and Wilhelmina, Ghislaine trained her troops to use the tools of their trade into effective improvised weapons such as the 'Northern Felling Axe' and 'Four-Lugged Chopping Axe', it is found that even the simplest weapons are effective
Swords like the Oakeshott Type XII are common Soldier-Griff blades as are spears and axes. Another weapon is the club. Some Soldier-Griffs cannot afford a fancy flanged mace, so the war club is an alternative. 22in long with a 19.5in long hardwood shaft with an iron head with 16 steel spikes each 1.5in long and weighing 4lbs, it's a brutal weapon
Countess Irontalon placed her cloak over a chair to reveal her armor which had steel with brassed pauldrons, poleyns, and brassed knuckles on her gauntlets. She too wears the black leather tights and chainmail leggings under her plate armor, "My army has been successful campaigning in the North Regions, more Ponies now patrol the Mountain Trails,"
She used the tip of her dagger to point out positions and map out trails, "The Ponies have been gaining ground in the Southwest of Chefal and are moving into the Northwest, their troops will have to move through the Great Grey Pass, it's a natural bottleneck, that pass must be held otherwise it's an easy route for their hooves to march on Griffonstone,"
"That we cannot allow," said Geneve
"Gabby, would you be so kind as to escort our friend here to her tent? It is my hope that our accommodations are to your standards," Lady Wilhelmina requested of the young griffon. She made a bowing nod with an steel-armored fist on her chest, and left with Ghislaine to escort her to a tent. Ghislaine smiled at the griffon while carrying her cloak
Ghislaine's armor clinked and rattled with her every step as did Gabby's. The young griffon was curious about Ghislaine seeing that she is as big in the flanks as Lady Geneve and Lady Wilhelmina, but it was something else that got her attention, "Can I help you with something, Young One?" asked Ghislaine with a warm and friendly smile toward Gabby
"Well, you're just like Geneve and 'Big Billie', in that well...you're so big, but your tail, I think it's cute, and I kinda wanna touch it," said Gabby, the bigger griffon chuckled a suave and womanly chuckle to Gabby, and gave her a ruffle on the top feathers. Lady Ghislaine wagged her cute stubby lynx tail, and allowed Gabby to honk and play with her tail
That night after Gabby brought her to her tent, Ghislaine could smell the aroma of supper. From her bag of items, she pulled out an iron plate with a knife and fork. The meal that night thanks to Harcourt the Cook was a Hunter's Stew with Duck and Cannellini Beans. It is said an army marches on it's stomach. The rebel leaders made sure they are well-fed