Chapter 3:

Silence had gripped the train interior, only broken by the routine clacking of the tracks outside. The country passed by a darkened blur of thick trees, distant lights of towns, and the towering mountains that watched over them all. To some this might have felt a prison, but to those with wings it was hardly felt. The wings of freedom gryphons were snoozing in their car, with the only human among them still awake. The track lights would occasionally pass them along, bringing brief slivers of clarity.

Richard was slumped, his arms crossed. Silently he was counting the minutes until they would depart. His eyes glowed softly in the dark, tracing over the twitching legs and half closed eyes of the gryphons. Only their leader Bathor hadn’t relaxed. The green and black feathered gryphon returned his watch, amber eyes narrowing. They merely grunted at one another, not sharing a word.

Eventually the long journey was put to an end. The last stop announced by a wandering conductor gryphon, grabbed in sashes of bright red. He may have been beyond their car door, yet they heard his resounding screech clear as day. Everyone’s eyes shot awake.

“Last stop of the night! Hullbeck! All passengers make sure you have your belongings, and we here at the Odin hammer family thank you for your choice in trains!”

“Over already?” Eris sighed, yawning as she unwound her limbs from Proetues. The two had wound up cuddling against each other in their sleep. The pair took one look at one another, sliding away as if bitten by a pair of snakes. “Watch it.”

“You watch it.” Proetus groaned. “Cuddling up on an innocent gryphon in his sleep. How sneaky of you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Oh you wish that’s what happened. Crawl a bit closer and we’ll discuss how much I want you.”

The fluffy brown gryphon’s ears splayed.

“Don’t be a pair of sour toads!” Adan chuckled, smacking each gryphon playfully on their flanks. “We can’t be sleeping the night away all night! Not like the veggie chomping elves anyway. I bet Delora has the stove goin, sizzling up some grub.” The dwarf kissed his calloused fingertips, “Plus she has that dwarven ale from me home. I could do with a pint.”

“Ah there we go. Why does it always have to be a pint with you?” Eris’ brow rose. “Why not toast of water? Pint of coffee? It’s always dwarven ale. I think you might have a problem.”

“Problem only when I’m not!” The dwarf’s hands found his waist. “Though if I remember, can’t you go drink for drink with me?”

The gryphon’s ears splayed as she heavily groaned, shutting off Adan’s sly smirk with a wing. “You going to be spending the night Richard?” She laughed, “Don’t mind Adan. No one heres a total drunk. Not like him anyway.”

“Don’t you like ta drink it-“

Her wing struck him several times as she tried to hide her splayed ears with bouts of laughter. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”

Richard rolled his eyes and slipped out the open car door. Sleepy folks had already begun sliding out, chatting among themselves as they passed below the arcanum lit lanterns above. He found the shimmering stars above, shuttering as he could almost feel them staring at him.

“Alright alright.” Bathor swayed his haunches over, ruffling up his feathers with a chirp. “We all here?” He searched them all, nodding as the others stumbled out of the train, rubbing their eyes. “Good, now time to get back to base.”

“And where is that exactly?” Richard stared daggers at the smirking gryphon. “You never mentioned.”

“Seriously?” Proetus chortled, shaking his helmeted head back and forth. “We’re you not listening? It’s always in the same place! I thought you were Delora’s friend?”

His arms crossed. “Yea, but that doesn’t mean she tells me everything. Like the blowing up the extractor part.”

“Sounds like you need to take it up with her.” Eris chuckled, nudging him with her wing. “Though lucky for you, base and that are in the same place. The dripping beak bar.”

“Is everything in this town going to be gryphon related?” He gestured to a wooden picture of a gryphon, holding up a welcome to hullbeck sign. As the others chuckled he shifted his finger to a towering stature above, carved into the mountain face.

The stone form was massive by any standard, wrapped in thick lairs of grass and moss. It was of a great gryphon god, it’s wings pinned to it’s back. The forepaws were draped over the town, nestling it close to the stone figure’s chest. The head was stoic, staring off into the horizon, confident it could protect it’s wards from any danger. Some said it was a god turned to stone for such an action, Richard rolled his eyes at what was clearly a nice work of art.

“What you think it was going to be about? Dragons?” Bathor chuckled to himself, trotting a distance away before test flapping his wings. “Perhaps you should read these things called books glowie. You might learn something.”

Calm as a tranquil forest, the knight strode over, setting the amused gryphon with a steely glare. This wasn’t the type of professionalism he was used to. Nor was he ever hoping to get used to it. Way he figured it, the job had been done. Now it was time to part ways. “Where’s the coin? That way I can get out of here. Leave the lot of you amateurs behind.”

The green gryphon’s ears splayed, eyes mimicked the humans own as his feathers fluffed up. “Amateurs?” His tail lashed, metal claw digging into the stone beneath their feet. “After I went and saved your sorry ass?”

“Think it was the other way around?” He responded calmly as the gryphon was close to spitting saliva in his face with every word.

The onyx beak clamped shut as Bathor spun around, almost hitting the human with the fluffy end of his tail. There was a hardened swish about his haunches as he tested his wings another time. “Don’t worry merc. You’ll be paid, moment we get to Delora. Get you pain in the balls out of here.” With a squawk the hardened gryphon had taken flight, racing to grace the sky with his wings. The human stared and followed him upwards, unable to take his eyes off the graceful movements.

Richard turned back as the others were having idle conversation. Adan was rubbing his beard, wondering how the explosion had been so big. He was listing off the arcanum they used, insisting that it should have only taken out the structure itself.

“But did you see the size of it?” The dwarf exploded his hands, “Boom, kazam. Like the entire thing was a balor released onto all those people.”

Proetus winced, head drooping. “I didn’t think it would go that way, but I suppose it needed to be done. Can’t put an end to the Odin Hammer without taking some chances huh?”

There was silence as the pair didn’t seem to agree with that assessment.

“That’s right.” Richard grumbled, crossing his arms. How they expected to get anything done was beyond him. “If you want to beat your enemy you need to do it by any means. That means getting your wings dirty. Otherwise they’re just going to use that against you.”

The dwarf and gryphon grumbled and looked away, muttering under their breath that he was simply wrong in his assessment.

“Maybe it interacted funny with their Arcanum storage?” Adan clambered onto Proetus’ back, his boots finding purchase in the gryphon’s saddle. “I’ll have to do some research. Identify this random factor.”

“Need a helping wing?” the gryphon chirped, eyes raising in interest.

The dwarf just belted out a laugh, “And have you messing everything up! I could have better help with a pair of cats.”

“But they wouldn’t knock everything down so efficiently.” Proteus laughed, dragging the pair into the sky with a wagging tail.

Eris sighed and strolled to the human’s side, nudging him with her flank. Clearly he wasn’t getting the hint. “Come on, hop up cutie. Unless you want to walk the entire way there.”

Did he? Richard met her friendly glance with a wall of indifference. He shifted to the street, weighing his options.

“Not that hard a choice you know.” She lowered and wiggled her haunches with a giggle. “Hop on up. Takes only a few minutes, where you can be resting the night away. Besides, dressed up how you are?” Her eyes traveled from his boots to face, taking longer along his butt and chest. “You’re just asking for trouble.”

He rolled his eyes and clambered onto the grey feathered gryphon. It would beat walking the entire way, and maybe he’d not have to listen to her obvious flirtations. Though as he slid into position as he’d gotten used to with horses, the first thing he noticed was she was lacking a saddle. “Uh…There isn’t a saddle.”

“Figure that one out already?” She spread her wings with a chuckle. “Nothing gets by you.”

“Is this even safe?” He ran his fingers through her course feathers, squeezed her with his thighs. There was barley even anything to hang onto. At any moment she could shake him loose and send him plummeting to his death.

She flicked her tail, letting her dismissal with laugher try to calm him. “When I’m flying of course. Steady as she goes, not a hair out of place. You’re life is safe in my paws human. Care to trust me?” She peered back, her silver eyes and golden ring in her ear twinkling in the moonlight. “Or you going to play the strong loner type? Attractive I know, but wastes so much time.”

“Just no more hitting on me.” He replied sternly, “I won’t be around much longer anyway.”

“So says them all.” She smirked, test flapping her wings. “Did you know Proetus was just going to give us a bit of intel? And your friend Delora was just giving us a place to stay?” She chuckled deep in her grey furred throat. “Funny how things work out.” With a chirp she flapped and pounced them both into the air.

*

Like specters in the night they passed over the sprawling city for human and gryphon below. Buildings of weathered stone wound together by bits of string and colorful cloth. Perches rested atop of every roof, covered in numerous mark’s of claws. From these dwellings came spires dedicated to the goddess of Portunga, a mighty gryphon who legend said, created all others gryphons in their image. These works of beauty were lovingly painted in scenes of vibrant landscapes, resting beside tapestries bursting with color. Alongside the statue of the gryphon savior were caves for those catburds that hadn’t decided to make their homes with that of the human populace below. Among them all the town was anything but asleep, distant lights of torches or arcanum lights dotted the darkened streets that wove themselves like a maze below. Every few moments they could spot the distant spots of either human or gryphon taking nightly strolls, unaware of the group drifting in silence overhead

Ture to her word, Eris didn’t squirm or suddenly shift in the entirety of their flight. The night breeze was left to lovingly drift around them, ruffling feather and clothing alike and bringing the smell of dried stone mixed with hint of flowers. The flight was short, possibly only a minute or two before the bar was fixed within their sight.

It rose from the other buildings like a beacon in the darkness, it’s lights enchanting the surrounding dust streets in life. It stood taller than the other structures around, laurels of flowers were hung in copious amounts, intertwined upon the railing of the oversized roof that covered it. Chatting among themselves was a flock of gryphons, feathers of every color found in attendance as they squawked, laughed, and even sung their joy into the night air. Any other city or town this might have been seen as troublesome noise, but here? This was life. To Richard, it was like a choir of noisy cats had suddenly taken up residence. He covered his ears and waited for the moment he’d be paid.

They landed with a soft bump, the trio of gryphons swiftly pinning their wings when their riders slipped off their backs. Proteus was eagerly twisting his tail, shifting his haunches as he licked his beak. Evidently Adan was going on and on about Delora’s cooking. Bathor instantly set them all with a steady stare, sweeping them all together with a forceful wing. He hushed them all to silence, his dwarven beads clacking together.

 “So we’re going to discuss the coming business in just a bit.” He gestured back to the flocks of gryphons over the bar. “Never figured they’d be so many still around. Yall just stay here and relax, I’ll handle this.”

 “Sure thing boss.” Proetus smiled, eyes closed. “Just don’t forget to calmly and quietly-“

Bathor pounced over, his feathers already fluffed and his voice like thunder. “Get the fuck out of my bar!” He extended his wings and began escorting confused humans and gryphons out with them. “What are you even up for at this hour? Buying drinks? What you think this is, a place of business?”

Back and forth he shouted and blustered, coaxing patrons away with his ever-loudening voice. Several of the patrons tried to resist, but found themselves tossed into the street.

“Does he do this all the time?” Richard asked as Bathor continued his verbal assault at those too stubborn or drunk to dislodge their seats. “Clearly he doesn’t know the definition of calmly or quietly.”

“oh yea he does, all the time.” Proetus squawked, “Half the time I think they show up to laugh at his display.”

Eris nudged at the human’s side, “If you look close enough you can see the steam escaping his ears.”

“I doubt it.” Richard sighed, “Lets just hope he doesn’t forget the pay.”

“He won’t forget!” She chuckled, gently smacking him on the back. “Speaking of the bar, what do you want to drink?”

“I’m not staying long.”

Adan started his approach to the door, sliding around the unconscious body of a gryphon too drunk to stand. “Listen to the girl lass. Best drink on this earth be free. Plus ya know, roof over ya head for the night isn’t something to turn away from either.”

The dwarf had a point. Richard sighed as he followed, earning a resounding yay and wing flap from the two gryphons right behind him.

“So what will it be then lad?” Adan clapped him on the back, nearly knocking the man over with his strength. “Figure something to grow that beard of yours?”

“Something hard.” He rubbed his beard, “Especially after a day like this.”

Bathor landed with a bump right Infront of them, the wooden deck around the bar groaning at the effort. He snorted and puffed out his chest, letting the others by but stopping Richard with a wing. “And where do you think you’re going?”

“Inside.” He eyed the green gryph with all the contempt he could muster. Evidently, he was still sore about the timer. “Unless you’re going to pay me out in the cold.”

“I just might.” Bathor snapped.

“Come on gryph, take the stick out of your ass. I accepted the stupid drink from Eris, just let me inside. Least you could do for turning an easy job into a hard night.”

“Oh, sorry about that your majesty. Was it a hard night for you?” The gryphon pressed forward, his feathery chest pushed into Richard’s face. “Did your plan go awry cause some arrogant human fucked up?”

“Yes.” He crossed his arms. “When Delora gave me this job.”

Bathor pulled back, all his anger subsiding in a single breath. There was an honest aura of amusement in his yellow eyes. “Fair enough, come on.” His attention snapped to a pair of gryphons atop his bar, nuzzling at one another. “Hey, what did I just say about that shit lovebirds! This is a bar! Not a whore house, you want something like that go three streets down! Krek has a good special going on right now!”

Without turning back, Richard sauntered through the doors and into the dripping beak bar proper.

It seemed as though Bathor’s raised voice and bluster had emptied the bar from any patrons. The oversized tables weathered in stains and claw marks devoid of any life. They lined the perimeter of the structure, leaving the middle area free for any service they might get. The ceiling lay high overhead, made to accommodate their gryphon patrons. Years of feathers and hair could be spot clinging to tiny recesses, mixing in with the thick strands of flowers and herbs that could be found there. The woodwork was solid mahogany, carved with gryphons across its surface. At the far back was a longbar, dotted with empty tankards and bowls of various nuts.

Adan, Eris and Proetus had all taken seat beside the fireplace, the gryphons even having dragged over a table. They sighed and reclined, a look of utter bliss written upon their faces. The dwarf had pulled up a chair, unwound his bag and spread out various bits of metal and arcanum all over the wood. His eyes seemed giant behind the spectacles he wore as he studied one such metal contraption, rubbing at his beard.

“Come on Richard!” Proetus chirped happily, tapping the table with a yellow foreclaw. “You deserve a spot with the rest of us.” He gestured to an empty space beside him, where a chair was patiently waiting just for him.

Richard groaned and pressed towards the bar, eyeing the oiled lamps resting along the walls. The air was warm, dry, and smelled like the forests around his home. There he’d once longed to fly high with gryphons in a cloud dotted sky. How naive and foolish that had been. He took a stool at the bar, nose wrinkling at the scent of dried tobacco.

From the back room came a dark skinned woman Richard knew all too well. One who’d plagued his life with mischief and a tongue like a sailor. She was polishing a tankard with an off-white rag, and tossed back her red haired dreds. Her usual red tunic and blackened trousers were protected by an apron smeared in oil and drink. She was smiling, chocolate eyes bouncing as they traveled from not just him but to the others in single swipe. This was Delora Wallace.

“How’s it going cocksuckers?” Delora winked, leaping over the bar like an acrobat. She landed without an effort; surging passed Richard to go gather what empty tankards remained dotted across the bar. “What’s wrong with Richard? What crawled up his ass am I right?” She and the others shared a hearty laugh.

“You damn very well know why the look.” He spun around, glaring at the woman as she worked. “Just an easy get in and out job. That’s what you said.”

“Was I wrong?” Her finger found her chin. “By the looks of things it was quite easy.”

His hand balled to a fist as she returned, easily balancing the tray. “There’s quite the difference between stealing and swooping in to blow up an extractor. Should have known.” He groaned, “Since when have you ever been straight with me.” Ever since they’d been kids, she’d always been tricking him into things. Why on earth he thought things were going to be different this time was beyond him. “Guess you havn’t changed a bit.”

“Oh you know me.” She rolled her eyes, setting the tray down with a slam. “Just always setting you up for a fail right?” When he said nothing she merely swept the tankards into a sink already filled with pink suds. “But if you really did think that Richard, perhaps you shouldn’t have fallen for that? That’s on you.”

He sighed and told himself it wasn’t for much longer. He’d get his money and head out, leave all this trouble behind. “Do you know how dunce of a move that was? You’ll be lucky if Odin Hammer doesn’t get a sniff and come crushing you lot under their displacer skin boots.

“Those are some fancy boots.” Proetus nodded with a chirp, getting a round of dismissal chuckles.

The muscular woman tilted her head, eyes locking onto his. She’d never been afraid of such things, even when her opponents were twice as tall. Delora would be one to crack her knuckles and see how hard they fell. “What’s got your nuts in such a twist that it turned you yellow? Here I thought you didn’t mind sticking it to the ole hammer throwers, isn’t that what you told me? Hell, if I knew you were going to get cold feet over some destruction of property I’d never said anything.”

“First of all, you said get in and out.” He growled, “I’d wager that means a bit of thieving. Secondly, destruction of property? That’s what we’re calling the multitude of fireballs that shot like flares to the sky?”

“They did that?” Doubt flickered across her features as she began to work. Adan, I thought you had the whole sequence worked out?”

The dwarf waved them off. “I did, ran the numbers. Somethin was there I didn’t account for. Leave it to the money rubbing sods to be doin something worse.”

“Worse than stealing the Arcanum and silencing people who speak out?” Proetus whispered, ears splayed.

“Aye.” The dwarf nodded, “Like a troll undressin and walkin around naked.”

“That is terrible!”

Richard scoffed at their chortling and planning. They hadn’t even known what dwelled within the extractor to begin with. He’d have to let them go, sticking around was just going to get himself killed. Best way to avoid Odin Hammer’s notice was to be a traveling ghost, never having anyone that could be used against you.

Delora stacked the plates, making sure each glittered with but a pass of her brown wool cloth. She eyed him with that mischievous look since they were but babes. “Anything fun in that place?”

“You count a robotic gyphon fun? It’s a god damn war machine that almost killed them. Lucky they had me around.”

“Luck?” Delora scoffed, “Yea, lucky I sent them your way. Mark my words though Richard, you got to start small if you want to keep this mercenary gig. Speaking of which.” She sighed and set down the cloth, leaning against the bar. “How’d you even get here again?”

She’d asked that before when he’d arrived but a few days before. Across the desert it had been hot, tiring, not much water to speak of. It was all a hazy blur as he held his aching mind. He groaned and shook his head. “I just quit, mission went south, just pretended to be one of the dead.”

“And they sent no one after you?”

“Why would they?” He shifted in his seat. “They thought I was dead.”

“Yea but hear me out.” She chuckled, turning to ignite the stove. One brush of a fire arcanum she’d stored underneath the bar. The orb glew with a crimson light, fire twirling around her fingers like a dancer. “Special asset such as a pheonix goes missing? I’d have sent someone to investigate. Some governmental higher up to go round up our investment.”

“So better that I get out of here.” He grumbled, turning and leaning against the bar. The trio of friends had already pulled a few darts from a nearby dartboard, laughing as they each took their turn loosing their projectiles. “If they did send anyone, they’ll come right after you.”

She sighed heavily, squeezing at the brudge of her nose. “What if they bring too much to handle? I’m betting they just come back to round you up.” Her voice softened as she reached out, clasping him on the shoulder. “So what I’m saying is don’t be an idiot and settle down here with us. It’s not a weakness to have a bunch of friends ready to defend you.”

Richard turned calmly, removing her hand. “Friends that lie and don’t give all the intel?”

“Right.” She winced, hastily turning to pluck up a pair of tankards. “Anything you want to drink then? Free on the house. Consider it hazard pay.”

“Can we get a night of hazard pay?” Proetus chirped loudly, gesturing with a wing. His ears splayed as he rubbed his chin, “Though can it be a hazard if you have fun?”

“So you can eat and drink me out of home?” Delora belted back, “Pony up the coin like the rest of them.” She held her ground as the gryphons moaned dramatically, and the dwarf insisted she was being unreasonable.

“Thought we were friends Delora? What kind of friend doesn’t let their friends drink free? You’d make a terrible dwarf!”

“Yea!” The gryphons chimed in unison.

She gathered some tankards with a series of clinks, “Good thing I’m not a dwarf then. Just go and sell the lot of you out for more coin.” She gestured to them with a single finger, like a parent to a group of unruly children. “Each of you fuckers can have one you hear? Don’t say I didn’t do nothing for you.”

Wings clapped together as gryphon chirps filled the air. Even Adan Hollard and sung her praises.

“Bless yer heart lass. I’ll name my next born after you!”

“Don’t you dare. Or else I’ll be teaching her how to beat her father over the head.”

They all belted out in laughter, banging claws and fists against the table.

Richard scowled as Delora turned to him, apologizing and offering him a drink. “Something hard.” He growled.

“Oh lighten up. Or havn’t you had friends for very long?” She winked and slipped into the backroom, returning with two bottles of what she called dwarven spirits. “They don’t make the best wines, but leave it to whiskey and they know their stuff.” She poured him a shot, pressing it to his hand before pouring her own.

He rose it up, sniffing at the nutty smelling concoction. It bubbled and waited. How would his modified body stand up to booze? They hadn’t allowed it during his time in the military, though most soldiers broke this when they drifted through towns. Higher ups would generally ignore it, long as those involved didn’t get too our of hand. When Delora grinned and rose her glass in toast, he didn’t. Swishing back the bitter drink in a single go. It burned all the way down, settling like lava into his belly. He coughed and sputtered as Adan and the others laughed.

“Guess he’s not used to the strong stuff huh?” Adan chortled, “How about that be my free one! Havn’t had Dwarven bellyfire in awhile now!”

Delora slammed her drink down, “Last night considered awhile now?”

“It just might be!”

Again they all burst out into laughter at Richard’s irritation. Even the tingling in the back of his head did little to soften the wait for Bathor to return. “How about my pay?”

The laughter died down as the trio went back to their drinks, each of them giving Richard are ire filled look. Only Delora was unphased, sliding around the bar to wrap an arm around his shoulders. “That all you think about man?”

“Not sure if you know this works, but do a job you get paid. Mercenary one o one.”

Delora sighed, clearly not able to get through the stubborn nature of her once friend. “You’re a lot less fun than I remember.”

“Things change.” He grumbled.

Her expression softened as she slipped away to pour the drinks of the others. “Listen Richard, we both know you’re not stupid enough to travel through the night by your lonesome.” She gestured to the others with a knowing grin. “So before you make any mistakes you’ll come to regret, go sit your ass down with my friends over there. Give them a talk, have some fun. Maybe you can add a few more friends to that list of what I imagine isn’t many.”

He crossed his arms, eying the collection furry smiles with much distain. “I have plenty of friends. You just havn’t met them.” He lied, not meeting her eye. “And over there, at best is a bunch of coworkers.”

“Then why don’t we go change that distinction!” Delora grabbed him with herculean strength, dragging him over and planting him firmly into a chair beside Proetus. “Be kind with him everyone.” The barmaid winked, waving as she sauntered her way to the back. “We don’t want to break him do we?”

“Welcome back!” Proetus smiled, offering the knight a dart and gesturing to the board. “Care for a toss?”

Eris rolled her eyes, chuckling in her throat. “Come on Proetus, he’s just going to school you. You want to get beat that bad?”

The gryphon’s ears splayed, “Just trying to make him feel more comfortable. That way we’re not coworkers anymore. He’ll be part of the team!”

“Coworker? I’d say hes more our secret weapon. You should have seen him slice apart that metal freak below the extractor.” Her wings fluffed up in amusement as she recounted the tale down to the last detail. “Then swish slash, down went the freak.”

Richard snatched the dart from the gryphon’s claw, just to stop that innocent look staring him in the eye. He rolled the projectile over between his fingers, lined up his shot and loosed it to the board. Without even following he knew it was going to be a bull’s eye.

“Wow!” Protesus squawked, fluffing his feathers. “Guess we’ll see if you can do that again.” He rose up, tail swishing as he retrieved all the feathery darts.

He retuned just in time with Delora, who passed out the tankards filled with their frothy concoctions. Adan complained about the lack of his firegut, but didn’t fight the barkeep that hard when he realized it was his favorite ale.

“You get this one pass lass.” He gave her a troublesome eye, taking a swig to only get the froth stuck in his beard.

Richard was less than nice. “I think you’re trying to stall by pawning me off to this lot.” He gestured to the others, who paid him little mind as they chirped and downed their drinks.

“Cause I am.” Delora replied with a calm shrug. “Once Bathor slides in we can talk in detail? He’s the one who knows where his groups coin is.” She eyed the door as another bout of swears resounded just outside the door. “Just don’t be tricked if he offers you the family jewels.

“They’d have to be quite the jewels to make up for the coin you owe me.”

Eris just chortled into her drink, “Last time I checked he has quite the jewels. Though I think he has an eye for a different sort.” The table burst out laughing at the verbal slip up, leaving Richard groaning with reddening cheeks.

“I didn’t mean his balls.”

“But we did lad!” They laughed together. “Stop being such a wet blanket. Gryphon balls are funny!”

Gods how he wanted to get out of here, he thought. This sort of joking would eventually kill him. He went to stand and distance himself, but was thrust back onto his seat by a pair of grey feathery wings. Eris gave him a smirk as Delora slipped away.

“So how close is our hero of the evening to miss fists over there?” The gryphon’s ears flicked as she chuckled, “Something more-“

“She’s just a friend.” He cut her off, “Though with friends like her, sometimes I wonder why I need enemies.”

“Is that so?” The gryphon rolled her tongue. “Any…romantic like feelings? You know the classic trope. Two childhood friends growing old and falling in love. You know.” She coughed into her claw, “Romantic.”

“Heavens no!” He blurted out with reddening cheeks. The others cackled and laughed into their drinks.

“Ah leave the lad alone Eris. Else he thinks you be thirstier than dragoness in heat.” Adan rolled his eyes, plucking a smooth pipe from his pouch.

Eris’ ears splayed. “I’m not doing that.” She waved him off, her feathers fluffing with each laugh. “I’m simply showing my thanks for our hero. Sides.” Her eyes bounced to Richard. “He might be here for awhile, he can’t be just be about coin.”

“Yea…yea.” Proetus chuckled softly, flicking his tail gently as he started throwing darts. “Nobody can be that heartless.”

“Are ya sure?” Adan grunted, taking another swig of his drink. “Haven’t seen him crack a smile since the night began. Thinkin he be made of stone.”

“Perhaps he can’t do it?” Proetus nudged Richard with a smile. “Odin sucked it right out of him.”

He didn’t budge or play into this game. He sighed and leaned back, taking a slow sip of the nutty ale before him. Though the gryphon chuckled nervously and splayed his ears, the man didn’t say a word. He’d seen his type before. No sense in getting to know them.

“See Proetus?” Eris chirped. “New guy doesn’t fall for the childish tricks. He’s the strong silent type. The lone wolf on the prowl. A hunter of no equal. Probably saves ladies in need when they need it.” Her eyes had already narrowed into a predatory look over, until Proetus chuckled at an unsaid joke and bumped her with a wing.

“What was that about you not being thirsty.”

“Shut your beak.” She snapped, eyes narrowed.

 Did she know about the lady? Richard shifted in his seat as the memory of the woman in the ally crawled across his mind. Like a knife it jabbed him in the gut, made him bite his lip. If you stopped to help them they would have got you killed, he told himself, swallowing down the rising guilt. “Don’t prattle on about that paladin level shit. Don’t stick your neck out for any stranger. Just going to get yourself killed.”

Eris ruffled her feathers, squawking in protest. She huffed and pressed a wing gently to his lips. “Might want to just stop while you’re ahead Richard. There is a thing called playing too hard to get.”

“Well you heard him!” Proetus slammed down his drink, the empty tankard nearly shooting off the table. “Guess we have to keep him around so we’re no longer strangers!”

“Sounds like a good idea to me!” Eris laughed, her ears bouncing.

He glared at their happy glances back at him. Even when Proetus’ crowns were extended and he offered the knight another round of darts. “Don’t count your gryphons.” He growled, “Once I get my money, you can say good bye.”

Good cheer died in a matter of seconds, until Delora swung on back with another round of drinks. She shoved Richard back into his seat, and placed another tankard to his hand. “Stop your pouting and down this.” She returned to the stove, procuring a slab of meat to start roasting.

He mulled it over, staring at the almond like drink. For minutes as the others chatted on about previous jobs and times of excitement. Like one situation where they’d nearly gotten their tails tied together by an over zealous cleric of the Fueren order.

“Come on lad. Ya barely have a scratch on ya.” Adan laughed, thumbing through his beard. “Surely that deserves a bit o spirits.” Adan laughed, thumbing through his beard.

“Oh please Adan, let the man not drink if he doesn’t want to.” Eris huffed. “We all don’t need the reasons to drink like you do. Victories, parties, morning meals, before bed…”

“Like that be a problem? The red-faced dwarf’s hands found his leather belted waist. “More the better I always say. Ya won’t be convincing me otherwise.”

They all shared a laugh, holding up glasses for a toast. Richard would have put an end to it if not for Delora’s watchful eye.

“That hits the spot.” Proetus chortled, crowns flicking casually up. “Special drink, special night. Sorta like that job along blink dog pass.” Proetus’ ears suddenly splayed. “Except you know, we actually succeeded on this one.”

“That’s cause we got the big hero here.” Eris chirped, “One-man army. Cutting through those guards like butter. Never seen a two legger move so fast without magic.”

He didn’t bother correcting her mistake. Thanks to the experiments, magic was flowing through every beat of his heart. He grimaced as he recalled the numerous screams of those around him, ones that hadn’t survived the process. They’d known the risks and accepted anyway.

“By the gods who’d have thought.” Adan chuckled, starting to polish one of his metallic gizmos. “That all we had to bring was a little dick to the party.

They all burst out laughing as Richards arms crossed. His cheeks flushed. Evidently comedy for them was of the lowest bar.

“Oh come on little dick.” Proetus chirped, friendly brushing him on the shoulder with a wing, “We’ll really stick it to Odin next time for sure!”

That was it. He stood; patience already worn thin. “How many times do I have to tell you. I’m not here for whatever feelings you’re trying to get out of me. I’m not your pal, not your friend. All I cared about was the god-damned pay, so shut your beaks and save all this good cheer for someone else who needs it.”

The air grew silent as they stared, Adan merely scoffing and focusing on his work. Proetus winced and looked away wounded, nursing what was left of his tankard.

“Yea, yea.” Eris rolled her eyes, guiding him back down to his seat with her stronger than usual paws. “We’ve heard that before. Same thing helmet head spouted before he joined. Now look at him. Chirping away in this point, drooling for yet another of Delora’s burgers!”

“It’s not his fault.” Delora winked, sliding over with a wooden plate, a steaming burger atop it. “Freshly made horse burger. Think I could bribe all the gryphons around with these.” She slid it down, ruffling the top of the warbling male’s ears. “One of many weaknesses. Play them a good song, give them food…” She curled a hand below his neck, giving the eyes closed gryphon a tender scratch. “Little scratch on their neck or ears and they be puddy in your hands.”

“Maybe puddy in your hands.” Proetus sighed, nuzzling against her touch. “I don’t thank every woman I meet with a song!” He pulled back, already clearing his throat as he readied to sing Delora he praises. She stopped him with the palm of her hand and a hearty laugh.

“Maybe another time perhaps.”

“Right.” He winced, ears splaying. As she turned to leave he followed her movements, unbashful staring right at her swaying rear. He leaned comically backwards until gravity did him no favors, and Proetus crashed upon the ground.

“And viola.” Delora bowed, with a smirk. “The majesty of gryphons on full display.”

The gryphon composed himself amidst the growing laughter of his friends. He chirped a long just to save face, all the while his ears were practically stitched to his head. “Come now Delora, I know you love me!”

“Is that so Proety? Now I know you’ve had too much to drink, you’re already making passes at me!”

“That so wrong?” The gryphon shared her a wink, to which the woman merely rolled her eyes and smiled back, leaving the male to his steaming burger. “Looks…soo…good.” He was practically drooling by the time he grabbed the buns and opened his beak wide.

“Great!” Adan tossed a screwdriver to the table, pulling up his gemstone goggles. “Damn gryphon got me stomach goin. Thanks featherhead!” He slid from his seat, strolled up the bar and passed below the table, gathering the ingredients necessary for his coming meal. “Though I’ll be makin it if ya don’t mind!”

“Be my guess.” Delora watched in amusement; arms woven across her chest.

Richard merely stewed in silence, unable to shake the woman’s pleading look from his drink. As he zoned out amidst the drink, the sounds of distant screams flickered about his ears. A distant memory of the night’s activities? He wasn’t quite sure. The longer he dwelled upon it, he could almost feel flames licking at his hands, threatening to catch light to the rest of him. He shook and shivered, never looking at the pleading eyes of the woman he turned his back on. He jumped right to his feet as Bathor entered the bar, slamming the door behind him.

“Welcome back!” Delora announced with a wave from the bar. “Finally came in did ya?”

Bathor planted his haunches by the bar, chuckling as he rested a foreclaw on the wood. “That I did. Should have been there Del. Buddy of yours was interesting.”

“Why?” Her hands found her waist. “What did he do?”

“I’ll tell you later.” The gryphon’s eyes went to a hidden staircase in the back. Out went his wings as Richard got close, silencing the knight’s demand for money. “Where is my baby girl at?”

As if summoned, a little girl in a yellow dress scampered down the stairs, her brown pigtails bouncing with every step. She couldn’t have been more than five, with a smile as large as the sun. “Daddy’s home!” She cried in excitement.

“There’s my wingless angel!” Up went Bathor’s wings, nearly tossing a pair of chairs across the room. The gryphon reared to his hinds, sweeping the little girl off her feet as she dove into his chest and nuzzled her cheek into his feathers. His eyes closed as soft chirps filled the air and the pair enjoyed a moment of silence. He only broke away when she was giggling, kneading at his feathers. “Now why is my Mai up at this terrible hour? Good girls go to bed at the proper time.”

Mai’s face scrunched up, brow furrowing. “I am a good girl daddy. Delora said I could stay up!”

The gryphon’s eyes flicked to the Delora. “Is this true? Was Mai a good girl?”

The woman nodded with a wholesome smile.

He snapped back to the little girl with a happy warble. “Well then its fine little one. You’re quite the best little girl any gryphon could ask for!”

Mai wove her tiny arms around the gryphon, mushing her cheek into his fur. “I was so worried daddy!”

“I know I know.” He caressed her back tenderly with his nonmetal claw.

“Did you beat the bad guys up?”

“All of them baby. They won’t be hurting magic anymore.”

“So…About Richard.” Delora padded over, “What did he do?”

“I did nothing!” The mercenary blurted, finally getting a word in edge wise.

Bathor was merely chuckling as he strolled up the stairs, having placed his baby girl onto his shoulders. “All in good time Delora.” His tail happily swished. “You’ll no doubt hear of the marvelous tale of Bathor, his merry gryphons and the black-haired jackass who almost fucked it up!”

The little girl gasped; both of her hands pressed to her mouth. “Daddy said a bad word!”

Bathor’s ears pinned to the back of his head. “Darn you’re right baby. I’m tryin to do better.”

She pointed to a glass jar sitting on the edge of the bar filled to the brim with copper coins. “If you swear, coin in the jar! Then story!”

The gryphon smirked and shook his head as he walked over, pulling a copper piece out of his pouch and dunking it in the jar. “That well enough?”

She nodded, “Mmmhmm..Now story!”

“Hey about-“ Richard went to interject but was met with a hardened look. One of a man that only wanted to talk to his daughter. If he wanted to press further, he’d be met with hostility.

“Come now Richard.” Delora slung a muscled arm around him, pulling away from the reunited family. “Don’t be a jerk. Let him talk to his daughter and the boys.” She gestured to the others. “If you want to talk money. Let’s go for a walk outside.” She shrugged. “And maybe find you a place to stay. Tell you what, stay with me, rents around this place are freaking insane.”

 “I don’t plan to-“

“Yea I know. At least for the night you bastard.” She punched him in the shoulder.

His eyes narrowed. “I see what you’re trying to do.”

“Me?” She gasped, hand to her chest. “Lie to you while having mischievous motives?”

“Yes.” He replied flatly. “Like all the time.”

“Well pish posh then.” Out the bar she’d dragged him. “Like you have a better place, anyway right? Unless you like sleeping out on the street. Where some weirdo can sweep you from the streets and do whatever with you?”

She had him. He bit his tongue and merely looked away. “Ok you win.”

“There’s the spirit!” Down the weathered steps they strolled, out to the empty shell of a city.

The wind whistled gently through the streets, a lone chime sounding in the distance. Street lanterns occasionally lit the way, casting the stone around them in long shadows. Stars above twinkled ever so softly, silent watchers over this tranquil place.

Across from the bar they casually strolled, navigating the crisscrossing paths of this once bustling town. They passed homeless gryphons sleeping in alleys, surrounded by blankets and pressed close to any human or warm thing they could find.

Through a lone park of well-kept grass, they traveled, finding a tiny shack of a house. It hardly stood three stories tall, with a large awning of patchwork material, complete with a giant hole.

“Here we are. My quaint little cottage. Doesn’t look cheap but the rents cheap. The landlords a tad nosey, but the gryphons around are fairly quiet.”

“Fascinating history lesson. What about my money?”

“Ever considered being a town crier? You repeat the same phrase fantastically.” She rolled her eyes, Speaking of which, where were you even staying while on the run? You know, before I found you on the side of the road.”

“Uh..” He raked his brain, till it throbbed. Everything was still quite a blur. Surely he’d been staying at a place before this. Somewhere dark, metallic and a lone lamp staring at him menacingly from above. He could almost hear a concerned clicking as it slithered across his ears. All at once his vision burst his head throbbed. The warrior recoiled, pain burst across the back of his skull. His back arched as it traveled and trickled down his spine. It was all he could do to not cry out in agony.

“Richard!” Delora shouted in concern, instantly to his side as he collapsed. “Richard! Are you alright?”

He snapped awake, sprawled on the ground with her leaning in over him. Concern floated about her eyes like an unruly sea. She was searching him over, prodding his skin for the answer she sought. “Fine.” He pushed her away, scrambling to his feet with reddened cheeks. “Just the drink was all. What did you put in that anyway?”

“Oh yea.” She chuckled, weakly, still looking as if she didn’t believe him. “Double shots those things. So no wonder you’re a little tipsy?”

“Really?” He wiggled his fingers. He certainly didn’t feel that drunk. Perhaps the arcanum in his blood dulled down the intoxicating effects? He played it up to at least get her off his back. “So, nothing to worry about.”

“Ok. Only glad you did that out here.” She laughed. “Don’t need my friends thinking my best friend is some sort of pussy.”

“Hey.”

“What?”

“I did talk you up a lot before having you join. Come meet Richard my phoenix buddy. Richard the first class pheonix. You should see his skills! Quite the bees knees.” The woman pranced around him, pretending to be the wings of freedom shooting down some of her ideas. “But you boy. Damn near impressed Bathor when I mentioned you.”

“Really?” His arms crossed, “The gryphon was a hunk of angry feathers all night. We bumped heads more than once.”

She dismissed him with a wave. “That’s just him being him. He wants you there trust me. The others are good, but you’re on a different level. Let’s just say him treating you like that is one of the guys. It’s a good thing trust me.”

He shrugged as she led him through the door, it creaked but not louder than the stairs as they tentatively strolled on up. The wood practically shook the house with every step. There only light was a lantern that Delora had grabbed the moment they’d entered, only serving to paint everything in a malevolent aura. As they found her bedroom it was a simply thing, sparsely decorated with but a bed, wardrobe, and a weathered mirror.

“I know its not much, but its something.” She sighed, gesturing to the moth eaten blinds covering the only window. “But hey, company at least you know, and the rent is free!”

“If I want to stay.” He grumbled.

“I think you will. Bet my gloves you’re going to be needing help.” She dug through her pouch, resting the coin purse in his open hand. “It’s not what was promised, I know. But most of it went into planning the mission.

There were only fifty glittering gold coins inside. “You promised two hundred.”

“What did I just say?”

He stashed them without a second thought, giving her a hardened look. “After all that happened, that’s all you have to say? Sorry we don’t have enough? I’m not a charity case you know.”

“Never said you did. Only thing I can promise is that we keep working till we give you what’s needed.” She sat down on her bed, kicking off her shoes. She sighed in relief, leaning back to wiggle her toes. “What happened anyway? Sure seemed to get Bathor’s wing in a twist. If I know any better, I’d say he had the hots for you.”

“Yea right.” His eyes rolled, undoing his belt, and taking off his own boots. “Nothing happened.” He strolled to the window, at least giving her some privacy as waved to let him know she was taking off her clothes. He snapped around, cheeks red as he explained the night’s events, neglecting to include the woman and the cart.

“Oh my god. So you did fuck up.” Delora groaned, sliding into her black and white night-dress. “No wonder the flipping bird had his balls in a twist!”

What were red, were now molten with heat. He snapped around, “It was one incident with the bomb. He probably wired it wrong or something.”

“Problem with the connection huh?” She crossed her arms with a sly smirk. “Adan’s not going to be liking of that. Going to take it up with him?” She giggled to herself when he shook his head no with a huff. “Well, buck up sir whiny.” She procured a sleeping bag from beneath her bed, tossing it into his arms. “And you’ll have your money tomorrow sir whiny.”

“Its not whining to expect on an agreed amount.” He tossed the bag to the ground with a grumble. “Unprofessional. Wonder why I’m even sticking around.” With a huff he slid into the worn cloth, staring daggers at the simple ceiling above.

“Cause you do want a group of friends to settle down with.” She smiled, leering over him with warmth in her coffee like eyes. He looked away with a huff, unwilling to admit it.

“Don’t be smiling too hard. I simply found it more beneficial for my coinpurse. Speaking of which….”

“You’ll be getting it, don’t worry.” She slunk to her bed, plopping onto it with arms spread wide. “Just need to get some errands done. Easy peasy if you ask me.” She closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh. “Just don’t be pissing off Bathor anymore alright? He’s had a rough time.”

Groaning he shifted away, staring at the darkened wall. How was he to do that? The gryphon seemed easier to set off than a pile of black powder. “Most thin skinned gryphon I’ve known. How you two get along is beyond me.” After all, Delora was well known for being antagonistic, smart mouthed and cruder than a sailor.

“ We keep to ourselves. Always keeping outside punching or talon range.” She gave the air a few punches. “How’s the floor twinkle toes? Not too hard?”

He shifted, not the worse thing he’d ever slept on. That would have to be the rocky wastes east of Thunderbach where the earth itself rumbled from Odin Hammer’s extractors. He merely grunted and nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Always the tough guy.” She chuckled, “I’m aware the floor is shit.”

“Its not shit.” He gripped tight the frayed sleeping bag, shifting to find some comfortable section. “Its…..adequate.”

She rolled her eyes, throwing a pillow square to his face. “If that’s not the most crock of bull shit I’ve ever heard. Promise to get you a better bed as well.”

“Good. Maybe then it won’t be like sleeping on the back of an overgrown porcupine turtle.”

They chuckled softly as the night air wove an aura of content that neither had known since their youth. Eyelids grew heavy as sighs slipped through their lips. The wind gently whispered for them to leave the waking world, the house creaked in agreement. Both grew silent and still, minds drifting to far off, ethereal places. Beyond the mountains, passed the plains of good fortune, and nestled in houses of their own creation, surrounded by family and friends aplenty.

 * * * * * * * * 

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