Chapter 24

He was alone for the first time in what seemed like ages. Leon held fast Draigo’s reins, counting the horse’s hoofbeats as he carried them through the trail. Though the swaths of orange, gold and red leaves were painted in the charming embrace of the sun, it did little to quell the unease battering inside his soul. Clutched tight was the map he’d been given, the only thing that mattered now, not the gryphons he’d spent so long getting used to, not how they’d brightened his days, he always knew this was going to happen; the day that they’d leave.

It didn’t make it easier, to be left with the cold, a hallowed-out shell. How many times could he keep doing that, getting attached to them by an invisible tether, part of himself going with them. It was for the best he found himself thinking, knowing that they were going to be safe instead of following him into the proverbial lion’s den. Their time would be lovingly spent with one another, free of his corruptive influence and ability to drag those he cared about into the dirt.

He’d learned that lesson far too many years ago, with adventuring parties that he’d shared past Quintus. One mistake after the other, a missed trap, a strike he should have made, leaving too many souls broken, bleeding, nothing more than lumps of meat across the many countries. That didn’t count those that eventually left, he eventually learned it was easier to control when they would leave, the only sense of control his life seemed to have. With a heavy heart he bowed his head, steeling his reserves as he wished Krantor and Hekate well, he’d even left them a note under their door, doing his best to explain that.

Olas and his fate was all that remained for him to cling to, that semblance of stability that came with the coin. He desperately clung to that as he was drowning, the sole thing keeping him from going off to seclude himself with his thoughts. Though he wished this to be one big joke or ruse, there was a flicker within him that hoped it to be true, maybe then the stupid noble would listen to him more, heed his warnings and concerns greater than before. Maybe, he would take Hekate’s advice and lay out his thoughts to the catbird, try to mend the tattered heart that clung to life within him.

The trip had already brought him out from the safety of Featherton, some gryphons flying overhead ever questioning his lonesome, having grown far too used to his company. This path wound its way through towards Talon spire, one of the first mountains within the squawking steeples. Here, gryphons would come to preform ceremonies of adulthood, the gryphets showing off their skills of flight, hunting, singing and even the arts. It made a strange location for a hidden cult of assassins bent on the death of a beloved lord.

Around him the forest breathed with life, birds warbling overhead to remind him of what he lost as they darted through the trees. The air was thick with the scent of fallen leaves that clung to the many trunks of the mighty trees, intermixed with the multitude of mushrooms that clung to their bark. He sighed, the crisp air a reflection of himself, making his thoughts wander. Draigo fought against him as though a darkness had taken hold over the horse, telling him it was a bad idea. The mercenary with a deft hand, eased the stallion’s heart, but couldn’t help but peering over his shoulder, the sense of them being watched hard to ignore.

But that couldn’t be, the map would have revealed that too him. The mercenary peered at the magical item, noting an inkblot like dot upon the page, his name scribbled over it. This same thing had happened within Featherton, a swarm of dots with a multitude of names had covered the page. Despite the Silent Smile’s creepy nature and questionable mission, this item was valuable beyond measure. It was the perfect tool for adventuring into the unknown, able to reveal hidden peoples and pathways, why had the elf parted with such an item, to him, his enemy; simply to win him over? If so, he had great faith in his abilities, and that he would eventually be working for him. Leon grimaced at that thought, tapping the page to see that he was at his destination, not a soul around him.

The entrance to this hidden den was a secluded area at the base of the mountain, beside a dominating lake that was a perfect mirror to the sky, creating a surreal depiction as though the heavens continued down into the ground itself. It was here that a rockslide had once ravaged the landscape, creating a bridge between the spire of stone and the body of water. To any outsider, traveler or passerby, nothing out of the ordinary would be here. They’d stand, gazing out the multicolored tapestry before them, taking in the sight, unaware of the hallowed-out caverns below their feet.

Dismounting Draigo, he scanned the map, counting three dots at the concealed doorway. The names were elvish, meaning if he were to try and get closer, he’d have to be exceptionally careful on account of their enhanced perception and hearing. He scrolled the map with his fingers, moving the ink as that it was connected to his finger by twine. Nothing was a secret for him, the layout of the caverns bare before him, doorways both open and locked, even traps were not hidden from him. Complete with the exact location of every soul within those halls, their names scrolled across his vision, humans, dwarves, even gryphons were among their number.

“So many people working for him.” Leon muttered softly, “I guess he wasn’t lying. But now what Draigo? Do I go bursting in, energy crossbow slinging death?”

Draigo snorted at him in dismissal.

“You’re right, I’d be shot dead.” He pat the horse’s shoulder, “That’s why I have you around, the tactician.”

There was always the forward approach but laced with deception. Titus had insisted that someone of his skill would be gladly welcomed into this dastardly bunch. All he needed to do was walk down there, insist upon his invite and show he meant them no ill will. Then, when he’d gained their trust, he could use that against them, subvert their plans for Olas right there or slay them one right after the other, he was good at that.

“Or I could just sneak around, return the favor.” There was somewhat poetic irony for him, sneaking through the base, dispatching those who’d tried to do the same to his gryphon. He eyed a rear entrance, unguarded save for what appeared to be a password, at a touch the map revealed the word password in elvish. “Who makes their password, password?” He grimaced, squeezing the bridge of his nose, “Guess someone who was exceptionally bad at remembering.”

He reached a hand into his pouches, fondling three metal balls of varying enchantments, meant to ensnare and restrain individuals a few seconds after activating a rune. This might be the better option, not relying upon his acting skills and instead sticking to what he knew, clinging to the shadows and bringing death. “Back door it is.”

Guided by the map to ensure no one was keeping watch of him, the pair made their way around the forested path, bringing the mercenary to a hill overlooking a rocky section of earth. It was littered with vines that scrawled across its surface, clinging tight with the jealous might a dragon might to their treasure. He double checked the map, unconvinced there were no traps within, yet nothing. He tied up Draigo, crouching in a shaded spot to do a scan of the area.

Gritting his teeth, he was unwilling to slide down the rockface and go inside. Was he being overly cautious or trying to convince himself to not go? He thought of packing up, making his way to Olas and giving him all the information, dragging the mage gryphon here to take his would-be assassins before they got to him. He groaned, knowing what would happen, just like the time before, he’d be dismissed by the foolish noble with a wiggle of the wing, followed by a flirt as though nothing had changed between them. Sometimes, he truly hated his arrogance.

“Going in the backdoor huh? I’m more a front door gryphon myself.” Krantor’s voice suddenly sprang up beside him.

Leon fell back startled; pulling a dagger as he collapsed to the dirt. The gryphon was sitting on his haunches, head tilted as though nothing had happened. He hadn’t even heard him approach! “Krantor!”

“Shh, don’t make such noise.” Hissed the catbird, “You’re going to alert the guards. First rule of stealth Leon, come on, don’t be an amateur.”

“You’re the one sneaking up on me.” He growled, sheathing his weapon and dusting himself of the dirt that clung to him, “Why’d you even do that?”

“You seemed deep in thought; I didn’t want to ruin it.” Chirped the gryph. “Plus, I’m exceptional at stalking my prey, I figured I’d get in more practice.”

“Good for you, you’re a great stalker, do you want a medal?”

“They don’t make medals for those. Though if they did, yes, all of them.”

“So, you snuck up on me, scaring me half to death because you didn’t want to interrupt me?” He rolled his eyes, had he not scared him away, hurt his feelings? “What the fuck are you even doing here? Shouldn’t you be hanging off your mate’s wing as though your attached? Didn’t you even bother reading the note?”

Krantor tilted his head, “There was a note?”

He put his face into his hands, “I slipped it under your door, how could you not see it?”

“You should have knocked, at this point, you should know we miss stuff like that.”

They hadn’t read the note and showed up here regardless? For a moment, the cold within dulled, replaced with soft waves of relief. He’d come to help him. Though, that didn’t mean he’d show that, he remained just as aloof as ever, “So why the hell did you come after me?”

“What was the first rule of the party?” Krantor chuckled, shaking his head as though it were obvious, “It’s don’t split the group and go off on your own, thought you’d know it, it’s your rule dumbass.”

Had he imagined what they’d said last night? He shared a look with the gryphon, his eyes were still harder than they were typically, no, he remembered the fight they’d shared.

“And lucky for you, though you’re an asshole, you don’t deserve to die.”

“So, you decided to fly off and be the big hero? Who’s the dumbass now, you came alone- “

“I didn’t come alone.”

They’d both come. “You don’t mean.”

“Surprise!” Hekate surged out from the underbrush, her hinds smeared with dirt. With a bounce in her paws, she was at their sides, faster than two shakes of a gryphon’s tail. “There was this ever so delightful moth a bit back there, had to follow it.”

“Dearest, voice.” Krantor hissed, causing the gryphoness’ ears to pin.

“Oh right…why again? Oh, I remember.” She happily chirped, tail thumping in excitement, “You were throwing a surprise picnic, I love picnics!”

“Hekate, shhh, it’s not a picnic.” Leon whispered harshly.

“It’s not?” She sighed, her entire body drooping as the disappointment sunk in, “I thought you were apologizing with- “

“Don’t worry my magical muffin.” Krantor nuzzled at his mate’s cheek, then pressing his forehead to hers, “I’m sure after we’re done with this fieldtrip, Leon will throw you the biggest picnic that’s ever been recorded.”

“You think so?”

Oh, those lovable idiots, Leon shook his head, trying to return his focus to the rear entrance. Though he was sure they were going to help, he couldn’t help but grimace at that fact. “You were supposed to stay safe you morons, instead of following along like a bunch of puppy dogs.”

“But puppies are cute.” Hekate chuckled, approaching, “And we figured you were doing something stupid.”

“Exceptionally stupid.” Krantor added, planting himself beside the mercenary, “Now, what half-baked plan you have here?”

“A lead on our assassin friends?”

He nodded, “But the source…Is questionable, so stop your squawking and get out of here.” With a tight voice he glared at them, “No need for all three of us to die if this turns out bunk.”

“Hey, look hun, he’s being arrogant again, mixed with ignorance.” Krantor perked his ears, looking rather pleased with himself, “What were you saying about flights again?”

“That we don’t leave flight members behind.” She said sternly, “Even if they’re being jerks, and we definitely don’t let them walk into possible traps without help.”

Gods, he hated them sometimes, even in the face of the danger they stubbornly clung to him. He would have been moved if not for the image of Silent Smile haunting him. “I guess you’re not leaving, no matter what I do?”

“That’s right, we’re planting ourselves like trees and you won’t move us.” Hekate gave him a wink, “And if you try, I can scream exceptionally loud, whatever plan you have is going to be ruined.”

“He was trying to go in the back door.” Krantor gestured to the back entrance, causing himself and his wife to giggle.

What was he supposed to do? The gryphons had him bent over a rock and they knew it. Curse their loyalty, curse their goodhearted nature, he didn’t deserve them, even after he’d treated them. He stewed and grunted, unwilling to look these idiots in the eye as they wore big, shit eating grins, ever so proud of themselves. “Alright, quit fluffing your feathers and being prideful, you’re alright with my questionable intel?”

“Where did you get is this time?”

“Magical elf that I found through a magical door after the map burned.”

There was silence for a moment as the gryphons looked at one another. Hekate laughed nervously, “Are you sure this wasn’t the drugs sweety?”

“I got this magical map from the asshole!” He flashed them the map, making both their eyes widen and grow to the size of dinner plates as he demonstrated it’s abilities, “Where did I get this huh? This isn’t exactly a potion of healing, you can’t find stuff like this sitting on a shelf.” With a sigh he explained the entire encounter with the Silent Smile, the cold chill that he exuded, the power, how he’d been totally helpless in their exchange. To his relief, both the gryphons simply nodded, accepting what he said as truth.

“Alright, he’s creepy as fuck, and yet you came.” Hekate gave him a worried eye, “Why would you do this, it sounds like a trap.”

“Definitely a trap.” Krantor sighed.

“I’m aware.” Leon snarled, snatching back the map, “That’s why you were supposed to stay behind, not come following after me.”

“You care this much for Olas don’t you?” Hekate asked softly as she pressed in at his side, “That you’re willing to put this much at risk, merely to protect him?”

He blushed, crossing his arms, “I didn’t need an analysis of my actions, are you going to help or not? I’m not going back; I came this far.”

The pair shared another look before nodding, ruffling their crest feathers. They must have heard the concern in his voice, the hurt, or they looked into his eyes and knew him better than himself. They didn’t make jokes, there was no taunting, just an acceptance of the situation. His heart swelled; he didn’t deserve them.

“So…are we going in like today?” Krantor chuckled, checking over his leather pouches and equipping metal talons to cover his own. With a suggestive smirk he gestured to the vine laden entrance, “Right in the rear?”

“Yes.” Leon replied flatly as the pair cackled and snickered like a pair of overgrown children. Crouching he opened the map one more time, double checking to see that indeed, not a soul was stationed within the room it was connected to. There were not even traps here, why was that?

“What are those symbols there?” Krantor stuck his beak inches from the page, gesturing to a key shape.

“I imagine those doors are locked?”

The gryphon trilled softly, pulling back to roll a hand to his chest, “And how were you going to get through all those doors on your own?”

“I can pick locks.”

“But not as great as these magical babies.” He wiggled his digits.

“I would have figured something else.” Replied Leon bluntly, “Get off my back.”

Truthfully, he was thankful for their presence. With Krantor’s deft hands and Hekate’s protective and offensive spells, this was going to be easier than he thought. Crouching here, facing away from them, he couldn’t have asked for better companions, “Now I got you both here, it doesn’t matter does it?” He climbed down the hill, content to leave Draigo tied up against a tree. The horse would be fine for now.

Carefully he made his way down the rocky hill, careful to place his feet. He would have asked them to fly them, but that would have been too obvious. Plus, despite his flight with Olas, he still had a pit in his stomach over the thought of flying upon gryphonback. Instead, he and the others grunted and worked their way methodically over each rock and stone until they were standing before the large wall of vines before them.

“You know, it looked smaller up there.” Hekate whistled softly, gazing up at the hidden door, standing at least three gryphons tall.

“Need a password or something?” Krantor tapped the stone with a talon and a happy chirp, “Or we needing my skills already? Don’t worry, I’ll find out where to stick my pick.”

“Yes, so keep your pick to yourself.” Leon placed a hand on the damp vines, feeling the power hidden within the simplicity. It left a cold sensation across his palm, traveling up his arm, and down his spine. When he explained the password, it was Hekate’s whose spirits wilted.

“Password?” She huffed and pinned her ears, “You can have anything, a factoid, information and they pick that?”

“You can have a strong talk with them if you want sweety.” Krantor chuckled.

“Oh, don’t think I won’t!”

“Though it does make me wonder why there are no guards. Do you think they’re just incredibly confident with their defense?”

“Or just exceptionally stupid.”

Krantor crossed his fingers, “Oh please, please let it be that they’re stupid.”

Leon grit his teeth, wondering the same thing as the password hung on the tongue. Of all the locks, trap doors, an army within, not a single person dwelled here, why? They’d have to be careful, he doubted that was just coincidence. One last look and the gryphons nodded that they were ready.

Digging through the vines he found the stone beneath, pressing his fingertips down with a sigh. He spoke the password in a brassy, commanding tone. With the final vocalization the stone trembled as if struck, creating a river of cracks that surged across it’s surface, splintering to create the shape of a door. With a hiss, the image gave way, letting forth the smell of aged stone escape to bombard them. The path, darkened as though it may be, was revealed.

“Look at us, all on edge.” Leon chuckled, having pulled out his energy crossbow during the entire ordeal. It thrummed in his hands, waiting to dish out death. “Just hissy stone.”

“I wasn’t scared.” Hekate squawked, averting her gaze, but it was clear the fur around her tail was raised.

Inside was not the darkened hall as what he expected, an uneven passage resembling that of a dwarvish mine. Instead, what he found was a worked stone room, free of any furniture or debris of any kind. Across it was a stone door engraved with various runes, doing it’s best to try and distract them from the dried blood that was slathered across the room, connecting the scattered, broken bones of both man and beast.

“Alright, what’s up, the door is over there, it’s just a room.” Krantor grunted, pushing against the man’s hand buried in his chest.

He gestured to the blood, pinning the gryphon’s ears.

“Ah. That would explain it.”

“So much blood and bones.” Hekate shuttered as the stench of decay and death reached them.

“Strange graveyard.” Leon coughed, covering his nose with his arm, “Or a room of torture?”

But he didn’t see any torture implements, weapons or anything in that nature. Unless this was a room that they dragged people to kill, he saw no use for it. Perhaps there was a trap? All that was in this room was the bare floor thick with shadows, and the dozen or so stalagmites from the ceiling above.

Leon knelt at the bones, it seemed that some of these were broken or splintered as if by great force. There were signs of struggles along the walls, weapon gashes, casting grooves, spent crossbow bolts, why had combat been here? A pit formed in his stomach; they were lacking some vital piece of information. To go in here would be suicide.

“So…go in or not?” Krantor asked softly, “We’re not going to be stopping by a ton of bones, are we?”

Untying his energy crossbow from its sling, “Hekate” He whispered, pointing to the mass of stalagmites, “Can you shine some light up there? I’d like to keep my guts inside me.”

“Afraid of the dark Leon?” She scoffed.

“Just an assumption, humor me.”

“If it puts your mind at ease dear.”

The gryphoness rose, wings wide as she drew several runes in the air, leaving golden ribbons in her wake that wafted upon the air. “Xul.”

Upon the ceiling, light sprang into existence within the dark, burning away the shadows with its radiance. There should have been nothing there but stones and damp, but the stalagmites began to move.

Beady red eyes, nine in total cracked open across the dozen or so stalagmite shaped creatures. Blackened tendrils adorned in barbs and suckers uncoiled from their man-sized bodies to writhe in the air as a blackened mass of death. These monsters shifted and maneuvered with uneasy steps, hissing through gaping mouths lined with hundreds of teeth desperately tried to escape the miniature sun now within their company. Free of the light they reset themselves with the sound of grinding stone, their tentacles returning whence they came. There, deathly still, they looked perfectly normal, nothing out of the ordinary. Waiting, no doubt, for unexpected prey to come wandering in so they might snatch them.

“You got to be fucking kidding me.” Krantor’s haunch fur stood on end, his ears stitched themselves to his neck.

“Ropers.” Leon growled, “Why did it have to be ropers?”

“What the fuck are ropers?” He held up a talon, the metal winking in the light, “And I hope you say their skin isn’t hard as stone- “

“It is. You have to find cracks in their body to find the gooey innards that you can damage. No wonder they don’t have guards here, with the dozen or so up there, who needs them?”

“Leon…” Hekate sighed, “Tell me we’re not fighting those things.”

“We’re not.” Leon grunted, sifting through his pouches, “We don’t have any on us, but these bastards lack taste, they’ll go after anything that moves. So, you’d rig something for them to drag up, they open their mouths, and boom.” He chuckled, picturing the gore as it rained down, “Dead roper.”

“Great, but we don’t have any explosions.” She didn’t remove her eyes from the stalagmites, tail flicking as though these things might spring to life and surge forward to attack them, “Unless you’re going to say use something as bait.”

That was always a plan, but he wondered if they could dispatch them without the beasts making a sound. It wouldn’t be hard, using his gear as bait and waiting with an energy crossbow to dispatch them.

“So, is it too late to use the front door?” Asked Krantor with a chuckle, “We could always pretend to be mercenaries looking for a job-“He paused, hand to his beak before shaking his head, “Never mind, dumb plan it would never work.”

He didn’t let loose that it was one of his intended plans. If they couldn’t attack the roper’s head on, not if they wanted to keep their presence a secret, they’d have to think of another way. “Hekate, can you cast sunlight again?” He gestured to a wall they could follow, “Like a sheep dog, we can herd them into the corner we’re not.”

“You think that will…stop them?” She grimaced.

“Hell, if I know, but you saw how slow the bastards are. Even if I’m wrong, we can outrun them.”

Mumbling to herself, the gryphoness’ ears splayed, weighing the pros vs the cons. She followed the ropers with a talon, visualizing where she wished them to go, until, with splayed ears and a weakened chirp she nodded, “Alright, I can do it, but we’re going to have to be extra sneaky.”

“Just leave that to your sneaky beaky.” Grinned Krantor, chest puffing with pride. “You just have to worry about Leon.”

“Save the bragging for later stud.” Leon growled, grabbing gryphon by the scruff of his neck and getting into position beside the wall. Silence fell between them as the adrenaline surged through their veins, focused upon the task at hand.

With a keening cry, Hekate preformed the spell once more, bringing back the sun at but a gesture. The ropers squealed and growled like they’d done before, moving right where the gryphon had wanted them to. All together the group slunk along the weathered wall, eyes ever trained on the monsters, hoping they’d not come their way.

Leon was the first to reach the other side, the gryphons still only halfway. It took more effort on their part to silence the clack of their talons on the stone. He watched on, his heart pounding in his ear, praying for their success. He gestured them on, keeping a brave face, for their sake he told himself. That’s when a crack rang through the hall, the door behind him had opened.

What came through was a rough looking man, adorned in simple leathers and furs with the silver pin of a smiling silver dragon on his chest. Taller than Leon he sported a thick brown beard with patches of grey within. In his grasp was a bucket of crimson gore, bits and bobs from what Leon hoped were from game they’d caught. The man’s eyes widened at suddenly finding a trio of intruders.

“Intruder-“Shouted the man.

Instinct grabbed hold, Leon didn’t even swear, snatching the man by the arm and yanking him in. He spun the man around as he yelped in surprise, kicking him square in the back and sending him tumbling to the ground with a painted grunt. Metal came next with a great clatter, ringing through the hall like a dinner bell. Everyone froze as the sunlight spell faded, leaving all the red eyes of the ropers squarely set upon them all.

“Oh, gods above.” The man whimpered, his face draining of color as the sea of tentacles and mountains of teeth sprang to life.

Where they had been slow to maneuver and shift away from the sun, their appendages shared no such weakness. Possessed with an unnatural speed they shot forth to ensnare what they could, covered in ichor and oozing spines they were perfect to sink into flesh and take hole, never letting go. The man below hardly got a chance to spring to his feet before his limbs were wrapped tight, blood oozing from the fresh wounds.

“Run!” Leon managed to shout, whipping out his energy crossbow in the blink of an eye. It barked several shots, splattering against the tendrils with crackling red energy, warding them away for precious seconds.

“That would be obvious!” Hekate squawked, managing to procure a shield of hardened light, forming a barrier between the mass of writhing tentacles and her.

“Watch out!” Krantor slammed into his mate’s side, spying a set of tentacles seeking to maneuver around her barrier. The momentum carried them forward, just enough for their enemy to taste nothing but air.

“I could kill you!”

“Later!”

“Just shut up and run!” Leon roared as his energy bolts continued to fly, crimson light exploded into existence, adding a level of malevolence to the drooling maws of the ropers that awaited them.

The gryphons dodged and weaved through the onslaught, muscles straining as they were forced to change their direction numerous times. They were rats in a maze being chased by a hungry cat, only buying their lives with flashes of spells, talons, Krantor’s agility and Leon’s withering assault. Though they sliced and cut off numerous of these appendages, painting the floor in swaths of purplish blood, there was a never-ending tide to these monsters, a determined will that they’d be their next meal.

When they did reach the door, slamming it behind them, the trio were left panting in relief, the adrenaline still surging through them. Leon felt his chest, his heart pounding so hard he was certain his ribs would crack, by the look of the beak parted faces of his companions, they shared the sentiment. Then as it became apparent, they’d survived such monsters, Leon slumped down to the floor, laughing at everything.

“Leon, are you alright?” Panted Hekate as Krantor flopped down and joined him, “Oh lord, not you too.”

He couldn’t help it, tapping the gryphon’s shoulder as they relished in their defiance in the face of certain death. “Did you see the look on his fucking face?”

“He didn’t see that coming!” Krantor’s tail madly thumped upon the ground.

“You’re laughing at someone’s death.” Hekate turned back, her ears pinned, “I should have burned him.”

Leon wiped the tears from his eyes, composing himself against the wall, “Probably, they’re going to eat him slow. Ever see a praying mantis?”

“Why?”

“They start eating at the center.” He mimed stabbing at his gut, “He’s going to be quite alive while he’s being devoured.”

She hung her head with a weakened chirp, “He still didn’t deserve a death like that.”

Though he stood and considered this a waste of time, Leon said little as the gryphon whispered prayers for the man. It was better than he deserved, if he had been in the same place, Leon doubted he’d be having such a crisis over their deaths. He just was thankful that the stone was thick enough that he couldn’t hear the screams that were no doubt filling that hall.

Looking back to cobweb filled hallway before them, he whipped out the map, to see if the man they’d just murdered had any company. A quick scan showed he’d come alone, probably doing one of the many tasks to maintain this fortress, feeding their guard dogs. He grimaced, realizing that this item only showed the location of sapient creatures, they’d have to be more careful moving forward. Just because a room was empty on the parchment, didn’t mean it was lacking any peril.

“Real nice place they have here.” Krantor said, checking over his feathers for any sign of blood or dirt, “All covered in moisture, smells like death, all the cobwebs, I’m going to be lucky to get out of here with my feathers intact.”

“That’s sure the thing I was worrying about.” Leon sighed, rolling up the map.

“You too? I’m flattered that you care so much about my feathers.” The gryphon smiled, “Course I suppose that’s expected since you don’t have any of your own to worry about.”

“We’re in luck, unlucky back there was alone, no one’s going to know he’s missing for quite some time.”

Krantor pinned his wings, ear perking toward the hall beyond, a moment passing before he turned back a worried look in his eye, “Did it ever occur to you that this, creepy elf that gave you this information, set you up to get rid of these guys?”

“That is why we are going to kill them.” He growled, “Not to sit down and have tea and cakes over why they’re trying to murder Olas.”

“No, I get that, what I meant was, what if they’re just innocent?”

There was a pause, the thought never crossing his mind. Leon squeezed the bridge of his nose, in his desperation to save that stupid gryphon, he’d been oblivious. “Fuck.”

The gryphon sighed, “Wonderful, guess we could always apologize for getting their friend torn apart.”

“I don’t see that happening.” He grimaced, “I’m not going to take my chances with surrendering.”

Bitterly, they exchanged a solemn nod, waiting the rest of the time in silence as Hekate apologized for what they were intending to do. They would simply have to trust what they were doing was just, that these people within this place deserved being put to the sword.

“Ready?” Leon asked the lavender gryphon, getting a weakened nod in return. “Then let’s get started.”

** * * * * * *

Chapter 25

Moving like shadows, the trio slunk their way through the caverns beyond. Guided by their map, they were practically unstoppable, dealers of death to the unsuspecting assassins within. Their talons, beaks and weapons dripped with blood, the dying grunts of their victims becoming commonplace as they continued with their grim work. Followers of Korde and Thor might frown that they didn’t give their enemies chances to gather their weapons, but Leon didn’t care, he steeled his heart, each death bringing flickers of relief, that Olas would be safe.

Those on patrol were trickier, Hekate had to snuff out their torches to disguise their approach, leaving them open for Leon’s blade and Krantor’s talons. Their bodies were dragged to areas thick with shadows, out of the footpath of anyone else, what blood had spilled was evaporated away by a quick cantrip from the gryphoness’ arsenal of spells.

Looting potions, treasure and coin, the adventurers pressed onward to the upper levels of this place, finally putting an end to the question if they were an evil den of snakes. In these rooms were trophies of the assassin’s victims, limbs, body parts and busts for all to see, gruesome displays, faces frozen in terror. They found others filled with instruments of torture, some having crates of food, supplies and other things this place would require.

With a more lived in space unfortunately gave way to more frequent encounters, the assassins within gathering in groups. The trio had to be more careful as they made their way around, determined to not pull off more than they could manage, if everyone came running on their location, there was no guarantee they could fight them all.

Eventually they burst into the mess hall, lined with numerous tables and complete with a thick bar adorned with bottles of spirits. Here there were only three individuals, a gryphon and two humans laughing together as they tossed daggers into a dartboard made from a man’s face. The place smelled of spices, rum and smoke; they hardly got out a squawk as Leon and his team dispatched them.

He exploded the gryphon’s face with a well-placed shot, the beasts corpse collapsing to the ground smoking and twitching. Krantor blinded his target with an explosive device, giving off a bright flash before the gryphon leaped upon him, tearing through him with talon and beak. Hekate had joined her mate, grabbing the human by the head, their flesh withering away to nothing before her grasp.

“And another group down.” Krantor flicked his talons free of blood, searching across the well-lit room, licking his beak, “Is it wrong if I’ve worked up an appetite? I could really use a drink.”

“Not really, high stress situation, burning off all your breakfast, you should be starving.” Hekate procured a few potions from the assassin’s corpses, tossing her boys each one filled with red liquid. Her ears splayed as Leon pulled out the map, unphased by the blood splattered on his cheek. “How many more lives must we snuff out?”

“Too many.” Leon grunted, counting at least two dozen dots remaining, numerous others on levels beyond as well. None were heading in their direction, that was good, they’d been lucky so far. He rolled up the map with a groan, when he saw that pretty face of Olas’ again, he was never going to let him live it down.

What luck they’d managed throughout the day died, as a voice carried through the halls. It was dull and without emotion, “We have an intruder within our halls. I repeat, we have an intruder within our halls. As of this moment they are within the mess-hall.”

They knew where they were. Starting to sweat, he rolled open the map as the gryphon’s squawked. He spied all those dots from before, now converging on their location, all at least in groups of five or more. So much for the element of surprise, how had they even spied them?

“They must have had a scry once they found the bodies.” Hekate looked around, ears perked, “We have to get out of here.”

“Back the way we came?” Krantor gestured with a wing.

There were groups coming from behind them as well, using passageways to surround the location, it was going to be a hard-won fight regardless of which direction they chose. Still, it was less than what lay ahead, “Get your asses moving, I don’t intend to die!”

Slamming open, four humans with a gryphon emerged from the door behind them. “Get them!” The gryphon squawked as the others held ready their spears.

“Real original!” Krantor roared, surging forward as Hekate used her translucent hand to drive a wedge in their formation. The gryphon slammed two of the humans together, knocking them out before they even knew what hit them.

“I give them some credit for trying!” Leon was at his friend’s side, the staff of Quo in hand. With a jab he dispatched both the enemy gryphon and the remaining humans, sending them crashing to the wall and falling back down in a heap.

Victory was not long to be savored, for an unrelenting hoard was upon them. Weapons gleamed, eyes filled with hate, the mess hall was soon teeming with foes. Of their number several stood out, knights in rune covered full plate, and an elven woman, calm and collected as she carried herself with grace. No weapons were about her as eyes glistened with a cold that only the northern continent of Azemeth could muster.

“Hate to kill and run you jerks, but you’ve been horrible hosts!” Leon mocked, slamming the door right in their faces before breaking into a sprint. They wouldn’t be slowed for very long, if not at all.

 Even with the map in hand, their retreat was not an easy task. At every opportunity they found themselves beset by the numerous, determined foes. Their weapons and talons were now stained with blood, their wounds starting to pile up with every passing encounter. If not for Hekate’s healing magic, they might have already been felled, Krantor even wound up with an arrow sticking out of his haunches.

“We can’t keep going on like this!” Leon hugged a corner, using it for cover as he loosed several bolts towards their pursers to keep them at bay. He was forced to duck to avoid several crossbow bolts in return, “They cut us off.”

“Here, find us a path.” Hekate squawked, tossing the map to Krantor. Peaking her beak ever softly the gryphoness rotated a hand, fluffed her crest feathers as she steeled her gaze, “Sutiri Sutos.”

Within the hall, a mass of shimmering, ghost like gryphons were conjured into being. Resolute they stood, wings outstretched, determined to stop their pursers in their tracks. When the assassins tried to draw near, they found themselves attacked, their armor doing little to defend them from the radiant, white flames that came with the spirit’s talons. Shouts of alarm carried through their ranks as their attacks merely passed through the gryphons, leaving them unharmed.

“That should buy us a minute.” Hekate panted, “Unless one of them is a mage and figures out to dispel it.”

“So, you heard her, find us a way out of here.” Leon gripped tighter the energy crossbow, exploding another assassin with two shots square in the chest.

Krantor’s eyes danced across the parchment, his beak nearly pressed to the surface. Such determination was about him, he didn’t even respond as his mate pulled out the arrow on his flank, then used her healing magic to seal the wound.

“Anything?” Growled Leon, feeling his limbs start to shake, here he was, facing down his worst fear, he was putting them right in danger yet again. “Krantor, answer me!”

“I found something!” Chirped the gryphon, rolling up the map, just as Hekate’s wall of spirits was about to fade. He gestured with a wing before bounding away.

Unhooking a steel ball from his belt, Leon activated the rune upon it’s surface before hurling it down the corridor behind them. With a deafening explosion it loosed its contents, an all-consuming, impenetrable fog. As they cried out and roared at their blindness, Leon chuckled and followed upon the hinds of his companions, hoping this would buy them ever more time for whatever Krantor had in store.

For several minutes he was left in the dark, his faith put squarely in that feathery head. Krantor brought them down a darkened pathway, the stone uneven and clearly not as traveled as the others. His breast feathers swelled as he gave a tired chirp, gesturing with a wing to a patch of stone.

“So, you found some stone.” Leon grunted, leaning up against the wall to catch his breath, trying to ignore the screaming of his limbs and lungs, “Wonderful.”

“Sneaky Beaky, why this way?” Hekate peered back, ears stitched to her neck, “They’re not that far behind, I can hear them.”

“It’s how we’re going to get out!” Krantor happily chirped, before giving a nervous laugh, “Though you’re going to hate it.”

“I seriously doubt I’m going to hate it more than dying.” Leon snarled, resetting his energy crossbow back towards where they came.

“See, we have to jump down into a spike trap.”

There was a pause, as the gryphon was looked at with disbelief, Leon was the first to growl, “Your plan is to die? Gods damn it Krantor, the fuck!” He knew he should have known better than to trust him.

“Why would the plan be that?” He countered, “Theres a door at the bottom. We just have to slow our fall…and tada, quite the magic trick!”

“Sweety, there’s just one problem.” Squawked Hekate, “I’m not exceptionally great at seeing in the dark. It only lasts for a few moments and must be timed correctly!”

“That’s why we have Leon there tell you when! He can see much better in the dark.”

When she looked to mercenary, he could see the desperation in her eye. He didn’t want to admit this, but it did make sense, given they had little options. It would be incredibly dangerous, any hint of error and they might just splat against the floor or skewered by the spikes below.  He grit his teeth, his knuckles white, it was better odds than facing off against the army bearing down on them. “Think you can do it?”

She fidgeted, eyes traveling to each of them before lingering on the patch of stone before them. Fluffing her wings and taking a deep breath, Hekate composed herself and gave a nod, “Question is…do you trust me?”

There wasn’t another option, the alternative was to keep running and hope they would not be cut off. If it had been anyone else, someone he’d not spent numerous years getting to know and fighting besides, he might have taken his chances with the approaching assassins. But, to his astonishment, Leon nodded, again, putting his life in another person’s hands. He narrowed his gaze to Krantor, “If your wrong, I’m haunting your ass.”

“If I’m wrong, we’re all dead.” Krantor chuckled nervously.

“Then I’ll be dragging your soul to the nine hells with me.” He stowed his weapon, taking a deep breath to quell the whirlwind within, it couldn’t.

“Ready?” Hekate asked, nuzzling at his cheek and neck, before doing the same to Krantor.

“Always sweety.” Krantor replied with a nod.

“Let’s get this over with.” Leon hissed, before Hekate grabbed him tight, stepping onto the stone and letting it fold under them.