CH14
"Where are we going again?" She rubbed her eyes with both hands, trusting Rhannon to navigate the narrow path.
"To kill a griffin," said Bran.
"Lord Windemere is having a griffin problem. Reah arranged for us to take care of it." Said Tam. "One has nested right above his estate."
"There may even be some eggs to sell," said Ruth.
"But why so early?"
"They don't like to fly at night so this is the best chance for us to catch it." said Tam
"So where is this nest," aske Bran "It's not up in some tree is it?"
Ruth laughed "Have you ever seen a griffin?"
"So I guess not," he said.
"How big are they?" she asked.
"About twice the size of a horse," said Tam.
"Like May's horse or Ruth's," asked Bran.
"May's, but they don't have any magic to them and on the ground they aren't as bad as when they can dive on you," said Tam.
"Have you fought one before?" she asked.
"Unfortunately," Tam said.
They continued up the mountain path out of the valley. It was dark with the cloudy night sky. She only could see the city behind them for its burning braziers. The path before them was nothing but a narrow opening between the darker trees. They rode single file high up on a switchbacking path. It eventually became too steep and rocky so they dismounted. Leaving the horses tied to the roots of a tree growing over a boulder they continued on foot. It was hard going. Now under the tree's canopy even the sporadic light of the moon was obscured. She stumbled over unseen roots and rocks. She scurried on all fours at several steep points and even at one point Bran had to boost her up a near vertical section.
When Tam finally stopped her breath huffed and if it hadn't been so cold she might have worked up a sweat. This high up in the mountains she had a strange feeling time moved slow here. The massive trees were older than even their size suggested. She felt the great strength of will they had fighting against the cold and elements all this time. They stopped at the edge of a clearing. Peering through the clouds parted enough to see properly with the thin layer of snow amplifying its light. It showed a gnarled nest on the ground with a pair of truly enormous tawny wings clasped inside. From the nest there also was a strange aura. May could feel it. She couldn't quite explain how but she knew something magic also resided there. I was proud that her senses had grown so much, but our bond was strong and whatever was there was of the fey realm. She could tell it had a pull on me. She readied a spell as the others circled the nest. It felt wrong attacking a sleeping animal; it didn't feel malevolent like the nuclavee to her. Looking closer around to clearing, a scattering of bones, cows', sheep's possibly a human's fill the space.
Tam held out his hand to keep her back, "stay in the trees."
The others lifted their weapons and she reddied her fireball. The others attacked in unison. The bird screeched, throwing its wings open pushing Bran and Tam back. Ruth persisted pushing her spear deeper. It reared back and wrenched itself from the weapon. Now clear she let loose the fire making a direct hit on its chest. Its scream reverberated through the woods. It Now crouched over the nest protectively. Its head low and eyes wide. Its sheer bulk meant no serious damage had been done, but the scratches were enough to aggravate it.
She started a new spell. It swiped a clawed foot at Tam as he neared and batted back Bran with its tail. The griffin's snapping beak kept Ruth's spear at bay. Not much progress was made as she took the long minutes to form her spell but they did keep it in one place. When she let loose the spell she felt the heady rush of a large amount of magic channeling through her as she called lighting. It crackled, splitting the air as it struck a wing at its shoulder joint. Its back end collapsed with the force and as it stood back up one wing hung limp. It spread its good wing beating it to create a gale that threw everyone including her to the ground. It sprung forward and clamped Bran to the ground like a cat pouncing on a mouse. He twisted in its grasp dodging its peaking beak. She dropped the offensive spell she planned and quickly turned him invisible, not taking the time to get off the ground. It stopped its attack, confused it could no longer see its prey and with Tam harrying its back end it moved its foot for Bran to escape. It used its tail to sweep Tam off his feet, but with the lame wing slowing its turn he was able to dodge out on its sweeping claw. She dropped the invisibility feeling the drain on her growing and Bran materialized not far away helping Ruth up off some rocks she had been pushed back on. All three returned to the fight, but May was beginning to feel the cost of her casting. She settled for an Illusion that duplicated her friends. It didn't take much energy to keep them up and mimic their movements. Hopefully it would provide some protection for them. The griffin swiped at the illusion as Ruth charged at it, but even the full force of the charge seemed to have little effect on the bird. None of their attacks dealt enough damage.
They didn't have the endurance to kill the griffin through a death of a thousand cuts. She prepared for another fireball, focusing it to a smaller more concentrated force hoping to aim for its face and blind it. As she threw it out the bird turned and it only caught one eye. With one eye still functioning this only served to engage it. She was stunned in fear and awe as it stretched out its frame with a bellowing cry. She did not have the strength for many more spells like that. They surely would be forced to retreat if it was not so resolutely bound to protecting the nest. She felt the heat rising as she started to cast again.
For all its bulk, the creature was surprisingly nimble leaping about the clearing up onto the trees and dodging attacks. But it always returned to the nest when one of us drew too near. The farther into the clearing May went the more she could feel the draw. Areon shuddered under its influence. Her familiar had a contract binding it to this plane for a monster that merely wandered here; it must have been irresistible for the griffin. The nest allowed many hits to be landed on the bird, but it still wasn't enough. May wondered what spell she could use to turn the tide. The Bird Jumped up through the trees once again to avoid Ruth's spear. Branches cracked under its weight and it ripped others off as it moved. She felt the tree's shudder in anger and she wondered if she could call their aid. The griffin pounced down back to the nest and separated her and Ruth from Bran and Tam. Tam bashed its side trying to draw its attention. Faster than a creature of its size should have; it grabbed Ruth and lifted her off the ground. Her spear was pinned to her side leaving her defenseless. There wasn't much time; she cast a simple defensive spell that merely channeled the heat of magic through her. She had to touch for it to work, but she needed to save Ruth before the griffin's beak got her. She grasped the birds fingers that held Ruth with both hands to scald them. It let go more in surprise than pain.
As soon as she was free Ruth scrambled away, May tried to follow but the griffin blocked her path. It screamed in rage. Her heart raced. She was between it and the nest. She didn't have time to cast a spell even if the bird didn't knock the breath out of her. There was only one thing she could think of that didn't take words or time. We will help with the disturber if you will let us the voices said. She didn't say anything but let the strange source draw her magic. Massive roots parted the ground and latched onto the griffin. It lost focus on May and started taking on its new attacker. Every root it slashed away was replaced by a new one. She barely remained conscious as the tree's great strength drained her magic.
It bound its back end like a great constrictor snake and the bird fell to the ground. The tree's strength was not enough to bind the griffin completely, or perhaps it was her own reserves of magic that failed. She could feel the trees' desire to crush the bird whole, but it could only contain it and she felt their binds weakening as her magic dwindled. It was enough time and a distraction for the others to attack freely. After many swings Tam's ax severed its throat. As it died the trees receded pulling the part of the griffin they still held into the ground.
She collapsed on the ground as the drain on her stopped. Steam slowly rose around her from the snow melted by her heat. She looked at what remained of the Griffin. Its lionlike body was nothing but muscle and its wingspan must have been thirty feet. Its long beak sporting many hooks pointed at her as its feathered ears raised in alarm. It would have been majestic with soft looking feathers ruffling in the wind if the blood from the wounds they caused did stain it.
"It would be amazing to ride one of them," she mused still in a haze as the magic receded from her veins.
"That's what I thought," said Bran.
She felt a knot of shame as Tam finished decapitating its beautiful head. He wrapped it in a cloth so he could carry it back down the mountain.
"I knew we made some money tonight," said Ruth "there was an egg."
She crawled out of the nest holding a pale egg the size of a melon. But it wasn't an egg, May knew that as soon as Ruth brought it near. Areon trembled under its pull. It wasn't like the draw of a thinning of the veils. The bird hopped on her shoulder and she saw its tenuous form vibrating under the pressure. She blinked, taking her bird's sight as she looked at the egg. She saw the glow of magic inside.
"That isn't an egg," she said.
"What?" said Ruth.
"It must be some sort of lure, it was made by a wizard."
"Is it magic?" she said "that it is still worth something."
"Who would want something that attracts fey beasts?" May said.
"I'm sure I can find someone," said Ruth.
Tam took the egg from her and before she could take it back he smashed it on the ground. I felt the draw recede and May sighed.
"Hey," Ruth shouted.
"Nothing good will come of it," said Tam.
"That's not our problem once we sell it"
"And what about before?" Tam asked.
May felt pity for the griffin, it had died protecting a lie. It probably wouldn't have even been here if not for the fake egg. Now that the magic had left her she shivered in her sweat drenched clothes. Her arm buckled and she fell on the side of the dead beast as Ruth and Tam continued to bicker. Bran helped her sit back up ignoring the other two as she trembled from the cold. He helped her pull off her cloak to see her dress below soaked with sweat.
"And I thought wizards were lazy just standing there pitching a spell every once in a while."
"If it was easy everyone would be a caster," she tried to laugh but it died with her shallow breath.
She wanted to refuse Bran's cape but he moved past her weak arms protesting and facened it around her. Then he proceeded to wipe off her face. She flushed and tried to take the kerchief from him.
"I'm not a child."
"I'm not treating you like one." he smiled. He held her tighter as he started to wipe her neck. She rolled her eyes but honestly didn't mind being coddled. Even though a spell hadn't misfired it almost felt like one had. The trees had taken too much from her. She was exhausted and cold, and Bran's gentle attention felt nice. She leaned into him and let herself recover what strength she could. They still had a hike back to the horses. She slowly stopped shivering as Bran warmed her. Ruth was still angry about the egg. Tam had given up arguing and she berated him to vent her anger as she collected the shattered pieces. May wanted to calm her, but her arms did nothing more than shake when she tried to go over to her.
"You don't know when to stop, do you?" said Bran.
"You are hardly one to hold back either. We all do what we must."
"Yes but … each time we go out … you."
"I know it looks extreme, but my weakness is only temporary, it is just my inexperience. Once I become stronger I will not be so exhausted."
He tilted her face up to look at him, "how long are you going to say you just need to be stronger?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm saying when you are stronger you will just do more and still exhaust yourself."
"I can't hold back when one of you might get hurt. Magic has a price but I am more than willing to pay this to protect you all."
"What if I'm not."
"You can't just ask me to let you or any of the others get hurt. But I understand what you mean, I won't be so reckless."
"Good I am meant to be the crazy one. I would be upset if you took my place."
He smiled but still looked disconcerted. He kept May close despite her gaining strength. She closed her eyes but looked back up as Ruth's voice raised once again.
"I think that Ruth is the crazy one right now," said May.
"Nah," he said, "She always gets like this about money. Honestly you just haven't seen it because you are her little golden goose."
"Still, she must realize the difficulty keeping that egg would have caused."
"I would just stay out of it."
She nodded. Feeling Ruth's ire even indirectly wasn't pleasant. As sorry as she felt for him, she let Tam deal with her. The only option was to destroy the egg, lest they be swamped with monsters. She sat quietly and watched with Bran.
"You always do this. When will you get over your warryness?" she said.
"Someone in this group has to think about safety."
"Safety, you are ruled by fear. Do you really think this would bring a monster all the way to the city?"
"And what if it did?" said Tam
"You are going to throw away all the money we could get on an if?"
"Yes."
"You are a coward."
"Cowards survive, the greedy don't."
"Greedy, hmph money is needed to survive too."
"And why do you need so much money to survive?"
"So much money this is our first big job since the nuclavee months ago."
"I wasn't talking about that, or do you really think I am that oblivious."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"I am talking about the cut you are skimming off the shipments."
"Please like anyone else wouldn't do the same. I deserve a finders fee. That's all, what are you going to do? Tell Geoffry?"
"We will talk about this later, you aren't just hurting yourself this time."
When Tam and Ruth had exhausted their argument, May had recovered as much as she was going to on that cold mountainside. Before they left, Bran collected a few griffin feathers for his cap, then they began the trek down the mountain. It should have been easier going downhill. The dawning light didn't help her feet missroots sending her sliding down, often taking down any one in front of her. She emerged from the steep mountainside with skinned knees and covered in grass stains. She sighed and hugged Rhiannon when they reached the horses. She greeted May with a whinny. With the slow ride back the sun just reached over the mountaintops as they stabled the horses at the warehouse. May volunteered to help Tam with the horses. Bran went to deliver the griffin head to Reah and Ruth stormed off still upset. She brushed them while Tam brought the water. She no longer had any misgivings about seeming nosy and asked.
"What was that?"
"Oh you know Ruth and her money."
"Yes, but she is stealing. Will she get in trouble if she is found out?"
"Aren't you curious what she is stealing?"
"Is it important?"
"She is taking your enchantments."
"Oh."
"Geoffry thinks you aren't half as productive as you really are."
"But Geoffry won't find out and punish Ruth though?"
"You don't care that she is swindling you, I wasn't keeping this from you. I only found out recently, but it has been going on since the beginning."
"It's not hurting anyone is it?"
"It is."
"Who?"
"You."
"Ruth wouldn't hurt me, she cares about me."
"She cares about you the same way a farmer cares about his best milk cow."
"Ruth isn't like that, how can you say that? I mean if you really believe she is that kind of person how can you trust her so much?"
"I put trust in her only because I know exactly what she wants, money. As long as I am the most profitable path, I don't have to worry."
"Don't say such things Ruth would be hurt."
"No she wouldn't, She would agree to everything I've said."
"She is kinder than you give her credit for, she has done so much for me and"
He sighed "I thought you would have learned this lesson by now. Ruth only puts on her sweet granny act because you make her money."
"Look, I know people will use me for my magic."
"Just don't forget that ok, not everyone that looks like your friend is one."
"What are you saying? I should go scold Ruth, or rat her out?"
"No, just remember to put yourself first, she certainly isn't going to sacrifice herself for you."
"Not you too. Are you going to say I'm reckless like Bran."
"Well today is hardly the first time."
"Am I supposed to stop and appraise the safety of everything I do in the middle of a fight?"
"Yes."
"Spells take too long for me to do that. One of you might get hurt if I wait."
"The group's safety, Is why I am telling you this. When you burn yourself out what happens when the fight has to continue. Not only do we lose your magic cover but you are defenseless and need to be protected too."
"That's easier said than done."
"I'm not saying everything is bad. You have improved a lot. The invisibility you used on Bran was a good idea, But less is more you don't have to take things out single handedly."
"Honestly… most of the time it's not intentional. I am not very good at knowing my limits yet. And … when I do the thing with the trees, I can't really control it. I have no idea how much it is going to take from me when it starts."
"So it's not a spell?"
"No, it is more like a fear response."
"It doesn't always happen though."
"No, it only works in certain places. It's hard to describe, but they have to have the right feeling. I thought it only happens in the forest but it happened in town once in a place that had that same sense, but it wasn't as draining and not much happened."
"We just need to work out a better system to keep you off the front lines so that you only use it in a real emergency, Ok?"
"Ok."
She didn't get to recover from the fight with the griffin for very long. Things were picking up. It was like everything in life was matching the frenzied rush of bringing in the fall harvest. Only a few days later she had to go to whatever meeting Geoffry needed her to impress people at. Only a few more days she would be going to the Party with Reah. And some time in all that she needed to check up on Sibahn
That night she was to be Geoffrey's insurance. She was grateful Tam had convinced Geoffry that he should be the fourth person present. He was intimidating enough to match the other two bodyguards. Late in the night the group slinked through the streets to a nondescript building close to the wall. A particular knock on the door and they were let into a room empty except for a table and two chairs. Geaoffry took his seat and the four of us stood behind. She felt out of place being over a foot shorter than the rest. That was not to mention they were trained fighters where her physique didn't quite match. But she reminded herself they were unarmed, leaving the weapons at the door, she always had magic.
Shortly after them a group that easily matched her companions came in. The leader, Harrod, had short cropped gray hair and beard. He scanned them with hard eyes. Though definitely perplexed once he came to May, he was angry. He sat with an imperious authority. They all waited in a sort of standoff, letting the silence draw long.
Geoffry spoke first, "What have you called this meeting for?"
"You know what you've done." He almost growled.
"Whatever has ruffled your feathers, we have kept the pact. There is no reason for this you are here to admit your own wrongdoings" said Geoffry, cool as ever.
"Kept it? You have broken every single agreement."
"And how would I be doing that?"
"You are coming into my land and killing my men," said Harrod.
"Why would I do that?"
"To weaken me; to take my land over."
He laughed, "You know I could squash you right now, but I have no interest in your petty dealings."
"Then who's doing it?"
"Your crew is still new, there is always a certain amount of infighting till roles are locked in," Geoffry said.
"This ain't that. A man is here then nothing, they just disappear. No traces no nothing, if we are lucky they wash up on the riverbank months later. I'm losing five a month."
"Well that's not me. Did you forget I own downstream of you?"
"That could be faked to throw me off the scent."
"I suggest you look elsewhere. If you continue down this path I will become a reason they go missing."
"It has to be you." He said with growing frustration.
May leaned over to Tam and whispered. "Isn't there territory near the green towers?"
"It's fairly close, they control the river north of bend park."
"I don't think this is a squabble with a boss."
"What is your little girl whispering about?"
"I think I know who is taking them?"
"Oh, what could you know?"
She took a small step forward and looked at Geoffry. "You remember what happened to Bran. It was a member of the green towers who did it and I have reason to believe they take people regularly for that."
"What would a place like the green tower need to secretly take people for?"
"Well it's dark magic, magic that kills people, they aren't exactly doing this with the approval of others."
"How am I supposed to believe that someone like you could know about wizard secrets?"
"She is a caster," said Geoffry.
"I don't believe that."
"Prove it," said Geoffry.
She sighed and conjured a small ball of light. It wasn't fancy or powerful but it was conclusive enough.
"Then you are part of the towers, why would you betray it?"
"I am not. I learned my craft in Sudeland. If you want proof it was the towers, the bodies you found should have a gray or purple mark that looks like this." she morphed the light to look like the imprint mark. Harrods' look changed. He definitely had seen that before. Geoffry took the opportunity while he was still processing.
"It happened to one of our own as well. We only knew because he was able to escape. They probably took more of your men because you are closer."
"Why would they dare mess with us?"
"I doubt they fear us. My mage is nothing compared to their upper circle and she could take out many men on her own, they don't think they need to worry about us."
"They also target you because you don't report your dead, what they are doing they want to keep secret," she said.
"I'm not going to the city."
"Nor should you," said Geoffry "what my mage is saying is they can't tell anyone of our actions for fear of exposing their own. I will do you a favor, call it good will. I will give you the support of my mage for a little reminder to those wizards that we have our own power. Let them know we are wise to their schemes."
"Why are you helping me?"
"Believe it or not, I have no interest in you losing your spot. It would be a pain to train a new one. This isn't free of course. One day I will expect a favor in return, but for now it is in both of our best interest that the wizards back off."
"Deal, send your team here in a week's time and then we will plan our revenge."
"Agreed," Geoffry stood and clasped hands with Harrod.
He looked at May and said, "I look forward to working with you."
His group was the first to leave and as soon as they were gone May pleaded "I can't fight Tiernan. It would be a suicide mission for us all."
"Of course I am not risking you for some overproud man who can barely call himself a boss. Honestly, his nerve calling me here."
"Then what am I going to do?"
"This has nothing to do with revenge, this is merely a chance to make an excursion into his territory without upsetting his pride. Just break into some wizards' mansion and he will feel better."
"That won't solve anything," she said.
Tam laughed, "For him no."
Geoffry said, "But it will be good for us, he is too stupid to see this will only make things worse for him. He will feel indebted to us, he already does. And you will get to steal any magic related items you want."
"You wouldn't be able to sell any magic artifacts here," she said, worried about catching the tower's attention.
"No but they would catch a better price in Arg or Sudeland anyways and you might be able to keep one that catches your eye if you want." Geoffry said.
"Ok, then I think I know which house we should target." If she could get into Tiernan's house when she knew he was away she might be able to find proof of his imprinting. She might even find out why he is amassing power or who the blue sash man is.