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Invasive Worship; Royal Treatment

"What a beautiful city!" Nahia - a cream and fiery red fox - marveled as she stared, open-mouthed at the tall buildings that lined the street she and her travelling companion known as Artemis were walking down. The two of them stood out like a sore paw, wearing light, thin garments of white and peach while everyone else wore thicker, heavier clothes covered with jewels and gems. Viokenic was a nation known for its great wealth, its competitive marketplaces, luscious fruits, and its gryphon overlord, the latter of which the two were there to meet.

Though they both were travelling together and had been for months having met in Yelfrit and passing through Endra, Nahia and Artemis couldn't have more disparate reasons for their tourism.

Artemis, a violet and cream colored hybrid, had left her homeland when she was an adolescent, eager to prove her worth to her family and friends by engaging in altruistic actions, helping any and all she could. Her upbringing was privileged, and many thought she was spoiled and selfish, so she had a lot of work to do in order to counterbalance that image. Sure, her quest had started with a desire to better herself, but as she came to see the horrors of the land and the injustice done to people everywhere she went, her altruistic persona became the image of her deepest desires.

Nahia, on the other, paw, was in it for her own personal gain. She just wanted coin and jewels and power and admiration, and was willing to go to any lengths to get it. She'd lie, she'd cheat, she'd steal and swindle, and she'd even sleep her way into any treasure she could hunt down. While she wasn't the type to abstain from killing or assaulting those who got in her way or kept her from her goals, she had agreed not to harm people who were innocent or pure. That didn't stop her from being ruthless on her quest for her own personal worth.

How these two ended up together might seem a touch anachronistic, but their complimentary personalities worked very well together. Both were astutely aware of the intentions of the other, and they were content to enjoy the benefit of having the other around. Artemis was generous and kind, perpetually eager to give away the clothes on her back if it meant that she could help someone, be a hero to just one person that day. A great way to accumulate love and admiration, but a very expensive way to live, and that's where Nahia came in. Nahia's greed and selfishness kept their collective adventure well funded, but like Artemis, Nahia required her companion to counterbalance her own negative personality traits. Artemis' kindness helped the pair look good in the eyes of others, and Nahia could use the purity of Artemis to lower the guard of those she'd swindle.

Though it would make perfect sense for the two to not get along given their diametrically opposed personalities and goals, they had struck an agreement that had them in collusion, a contract that stated one wasn't allowed to step on the toes of the other. Artemis couldn't alert the targets to Nahia's nature, and Nahia couldn't steal or manipulate those who lacked the fortune to afford missing a few bags of coin.

"Yes, it's a wonderful city. What's on your mind, Nahia?" Artemis asked as her eyes gravitated towards a tiny shop that seemed to be selling jewelry and local fashions. "And don't tell me it has something to do with that gorgeous top I see." She was, of course, referring to a loose-fitting peach and gold colored blouse lined with black and red that the merchant had hanging next to the front window of his shop.

Nahia cocked her head to the side and raised an ear, glancing sidelong at Artemis. "Why do you say that? Have you got that same one in your sights?" She lightly patted at the bag of coin hanging from her belt. "Because I'm pretty sure you can have it. I'm going for that one." She pointed to a violet, blue, and gold blouse that was folded up behind the merchant. "More my style."

A twisted expression contorted Artemis's face. "Ugh, purple and gold? What an ugly color combination."

"Look around you, darling. Everyone's wearing violet and yellow here. That or peach and red. You take the bland cream colored crap and I'll take the royal hue." Nahia grabbed at Artemis's wrist and tugged her through the few people that were walking up and down the path to stand proudly at the shop-front. Before them both, the feline merchant stood from his seat with his whiskers twitching, paws on the counter as he caught a glimpse at the bag of coin hanging from Nahia's belt loop.

"Can I help you, ladies? See anything you like?" The faintest hint of a purr could be heard from within him, making it clear he was eager to sell to them. His eyes were twitching and flicking from side to side and up and down, surveying them. Given their attire, it was clear they weren't local. "Only the finest linens at Kalah's shop!"

Artemis stepped up and cradled the sash of the blouse in her palms, letting the silken fabric fall over her paws. "I can see that. How much for this and a pair of loose-fitting pants to go with it?"

The feline merchant twirled his whiskers between his fingertips as he clicked his tongue. "That'll be two silver and five bronze."

The price was fair, cheap even. Artemis was prepared to slap down a couple coins and call it a day, but Nahia bent over the counter and pulled her shoulders back, squeezing her breasts out while squishing them between her upper arms. "I don't suppose we could call it two silver and be done with it, could we?"

He shook his head. "No my dear, the price is the price. I don't own the shop, I just run it while Kalah is out." He peeked down her chest to see her cleavage, but then immediately looked her in the eyes. "And I don't appreciate you trying to negotiate a deal for a glance at some breasts. So do you want the outfit or not?"

Nahia sighed and rolled her eyes without moving her body too much. She still liked showing off. "Sure, no problem. How much for that violet and gold one?" She asked, reaching into her coin purse to pay. The shop keeper told her the price, she paid it, and they both went around back in an alley to change.

"What was that?" Artemis asked, glaring at Nahia.

"What was what?" Nahia countered, already down to just her panties from the waist down. "I've been negotiating for better deals since Yelfrit, where have you been?"

Artemis glanced down the alley to make sure nobody was watching before hurriedly disrobing and hopping into her new pants. "I'm not talking about the negotiation, I don't know why you tried it with him. He wasn't going to give you a deal."

She scoffed, tossing her shirt to the side. "Says you. Have you seen my body? I know he did, I caught him looking me up and down. Did you see how interested he was in us when he saw me?"

"He was looking at your heavy coin purse, not your breasts. He wanted your money, not your body; plus, he can see breasts on anyone here given the fashion sense and I'm pretty sure he was gay. You saw what he was dressed in, and his mannerisms."

"That's no way to judge a person. Besides, all felines are like that. Doesn't make them gay."

"Who's being judgmental now?" Artemis scolded, putting the finishing touches on her blouse and sash. Once that was done, she clasped on a few earrings and a tiara she'd been keeping in her bag to look like a local noble, which would make her seem richer and in greater power than she actually held. "How do I look?"

A voice came from a nearby stack of crates. "You look wonderful."

Both Artemis and Nahia jumped and pressed their bodies to the opposite wall of the alley, shocked at the voice. When they looked closer, they could see the wood of the crate shifting and rising up, the colors melting into a deep brown and yellow. It was reptilian of sorts, its scales actively camouflaged into its surroundings.

"But I'm not sure if it will help you two." He said, piercing yellow eyes staring at them.

"Who are you?" Nahia demanded, stepping forth as she patted the bag of coin on her hips to make sure he wasn't a thief. She was the only vagrant in this alleyway. "And why were you watching us get undressed?"

Artemis was a bit more shy, and a bit more shaken that someone had watched her get naked without saying anything. She simply covered her chest with her hands and growled a bit, keeping to herself while putting up her personal defenses.

The lizard hopped up to the next layer of crates, crouched down on all fours with his head poking out over the side, his long tongue drooping out from his lips. "Well, for starters you're both beautiful." His compliment made Artemis blush and Nahia swell with pride. "But also, I was simply trying to hide here, away from prying eyes. People here don't like reptile-kind or any dragon-kin, you see."

"Why's that? What have the mammals and birds of the region got against the scaled?" asked Artemis, acting more curious than anything else. In truth, she had a pretty good idea as to why the scaled ones were persecuted in Viokenic, as it was the main reason she had come to help. Still, she insisted that a local explain it from their perspective to avoid any outsider misrepresentation; the last thing she needed to do was assume incorrectly.

He glanced side to side, narrowing his eyes and curling his tail like a chameleon. "I will tell you, but I need to know that you're not...one of them."

"One of what? We're not even local to the area, we're just tourists passing through." Nahia explained, sensing that this interaction just might end up being more than a little frustrating.

"The Eyes of the Sky." When neither Artemis nor Nahia reacted, the lizard continued. "They are the watchers of the city, scouring the lands for dissenters and rebels. Do you really not know about the Eyes?"

They glanced at each other and shrugged in confusion, not saying a word, clear they had not.

"Well I guess if you were you would have called over your friends. Anyway, the Eyes are a group of elite guards comprised of biped gryphons, hippogryphs, and oairans. Their task is to find anyone who still sides with Lady Venosa after the civil unrest of seven years ago. Most saurossins still swear fealty to her and are ready to arise when she returns to take the throne back from the Godfather Ceylon. We scale-shifters stay hidden in the shadows, blending in with our surroundings so that the Eyes cannot see us. They lack any significant sense of smell, so they rely entirely on their vision."

Nahia scoffed a bit. "You're awfully quick to tell us your life story. Why would you bother to explain all of this to us? We don't have scales, we could very well be your enemy."

He flicked his tongue. "Very true, but you're outsiders, and not avian. It is a risk, but our cause could use as much help as it can get. Your support or at least understanding will help us."

That magical four letter h-word perked the ears of Artemis, who smiled. "We can help you? How?" She knew almost all of this, but hadn't explained to Nahia so she was playing the part of the uninitiated by acting like she was hearing this for the first time. "What can we do?"

"Right now, nothing. We're not looking for violence, at least not today. This land is ours, it was stolen by the birds, and we must take it back. For now, just get the word out if you can; ask questions, do what you can." He paused to perk his head up, as if he'd heard something. "I must go, but remember what I have said. Sir Ceylon is a tyrant, you'd do well to remember that. He stole this land and all the wealth of the region and he'll steal yours, if you let him. Gotta go!" He leapt away and grabbed a low-hanging eave, scuttling away around the corner to disappear into the maze of alleys interlaced between the buildings that made the city block.

When he was gone, Artemis turned to Nahia with a grin. "Did you hear that?"

"Yeah, Ceylon has a hoard of wealth just waiting to be plundered!"

"No. I'm talking about the unrest! This land needs our help and only we can make a difference!" Artemis squealed, ear flicking. One of her rules was to not help or take action without a proper call to arms. Too many times in her past had she done damage by helping and doing the wrong thing or not helping in the way the locals needed help, so it was nice to hear directly from the source.

Nahia wasn't convinced. "And what exactly do you think you can do? You're not a politician, and you hold no power in these lands."

"True, but I have the skills to make a difference. You haven't seen much from me but I know how to use daggers, I'm quite the stealthy attacker, and I figure we can, I dunno, sneak into the palace and leave some pseudo-threatening letter. Think about it, Godfather Ceylon wakes up one morning to see a note stabbed to his headboard, threatening an uprising if he doesn't liberate the saurossins. I mean, it won't be a threat because that might just make things worse, but maybe more of a gentle nudge in the right direction. Let him know there are people out there who could end him in his sleep, but they don't want a bloodbath and that's why they didn't kill him?"

"You're not good at this, are you?" Nahia grumped, stone-faced. "If you get caught infiltrating the palace of a self-declared God, they will kill you, and then I don't have a pretty and kind face to counterbalance my devious nature. I really think that's dumb."

"I'm not dumb, I'm optimistic." Artemis countered. "I think positively."

Nahia flicked her on the nose. "I'm positively sure that if you do that, you're going to get yourself caught and killed. I don't think my gig would be as effective without you, so I can't let you do something foolish. If we're going to try to influence the Godfather Ceylon, then let me use my wiles on him; the lizard dude said he was a gryphon, right? I love gryphons, so this could be fun and I could make out with a bunch of his hoard. The wealth of a God could fund our pilgrimage for years!"

"And you don't think a creature in such esteem has seen everything you could possibly think to offer him? You're just you, nothing special to a gryphom. No, let's not jump into either solution for right now, let's have a drink, settle down for the night, and we can return to this over a hearty meal. We've been walking a lot and I'm sick of being in this stuffy alley. For all we know, there arre more camouflaged lizards watching or listening. Come on." She grabbed her bag, checked to make sure her stuff was all there and that her own stash of coins remained, then she skipped her way back to the marketplace with Nahia following in behind.

The day was still young, barely past noon, but it was time to eat and they looked like locals now so they had no problem blending in, at least until they tried to order food at an open food court.

"I'll have one cooter with a side of alanne." Nahia requested, pointing to the picture of what looked like a sausage with a rice dish on the side. In response, the merchant making it raised an eyebrow and lowered her ears.

"Coutier and Alne pronounced COO-tee-ay with AL-nee You're not from around here, are you?" The feline nevertheless turned to grab one of the sausages, using a flourish of her own magic to give its skin a sugary crispiness before plopping it on a plate next to a pile of gooey alne. She didn't seem impressed, but still wanted money. "That'll be three coppers."

Nahia wasn't easy to embarrass, so she simply smiled and tossed the coins to her before taking her plate, ignoring the question about her locality. "Thanks." When she and Artemis turned to find a table, they caught glimpses of two massive avian knights standing head and shoulders above the rustling crowd in the food court. Both wore ornate white and silver armor with what looked like an ivory-pole spear in one hand and a shield in the other.

Neither of them paid the guards much mind, until the guards caught a glance back and immediately started using their shields to force their way through the crowd, gently easing their way between groups of diners to make their way to Nahia and Artemis.

"Should we be concerned?" Asked artemis as she took a bite of her fish and chicken wrap. "Those are some big guards and they look like they're coming right for us."

Nahia grabbed her sausage and dipped it in the rice, scooping up some of it and biting it off the end with crass, open-mouthed chews. "Naw, we haven't done anything, so they're probably just coming to apprehend the cook that made this sausage." She gagged a bit as she swallowed, sticking her tongue out as she retched; she was not prepared for the flavors of the Viokenic capital.

Artemis put her wrap down on her bag and squinted as she reached for the sword hanging around her waist, watching the two tall avian guards still coming towards them. "Are you sure about that? They look like they're staring right at us. I don't think they're going for anyone else. I also think they might be members of The Eyes."

"Just sit down, if they have anything to say, they will. If they decide to start a fight, I'm sure we can take them out and disappear into the shadows. I do it all the time. Besides, I need to go buy something else, the spices in this sausage are so bitter." She kicked at a chair, then turned to walk away only to have two more guards come up from behind them, standing tall around the two of them.

This shocked both Artemis and Nahia, as they were paying attention to the guards across the food court, and these massive beastly creatures had snuck up behind them.

Given that she was the more diplomatic of the two, Artemis looked up to the avian guard and squinted in the midday sun. "Hello. Is there something you need?" Her hand was on the hilt of her sword, ready to use it if the need arose.

The larger of the two guards that had come up behind them, the female, spoke with a deep voice. "Are you Nahia and Artemis?"

Their hearts stopped and their bodies ran cold as they had a bit of a panic. The glance they shared told that they were so they didn't bother trying to pretend otherwise. "We are. What is it to you?" Nahia challenged, hand behind her back to grab at her dagger. "And who are you to ask?"

"We are Eyes of the Emperor, and Ceylon wishes to see you both. I know you're probably thinking of running - I can see it in your look - but trust me you don't want to do that. Just come with us and you won't be harmed." The male avian spoke with authority and assurance, as if he'd dealt with this a thousand times before. Others around them at the food court glanced over with curious looks, but then went back to their food as if this were a common occurrence.

This seemed particularly odd to Artemis, who felt more than a little off-balance given the sudden apprehension. She was about to say something, to inquire about why Ceylon was looking to see them, but was lightly tapped on the rump by Nahia, breaking her concentration. The only thing she was trying to think was that there as an air of positivity here, knowing they were being invited into the palace instead of having to sneak in.

Nahia glanced over to Artemis, then up at the male as her eyes radiated a light pink glow. "Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure we'd rather just stay here, enjoy some fine local cuisine, and go about our day."

The look Artemis gave her spat embers of disapproval, but she knew better than to question when Nahia was exerting her specific wiles on guards; the light of her eyes had gotten them out of many potentially dangerous situations and helped them to avoid conflict in the past.

"I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you?" Asked the female guard. Just at that moment, the other two from across the food court had finally made their way over to the clearing between tables they all stood at. "I see what you're trying to do, Nahia. It won't work on us. We were personally trained in mind control defense by the Goddess Valencia herself, every one of us. Just, don't make this hard for us, because it's a very warm day and these metal armor pieces are not comfortable." She pointed towards her breast plate, tapping it gently with her spear tip.

Just as Nahia opened her maw to speak, Artemis stepped forward with an approving nod. "Actually, we were initially here to speak with the emperor, but weren't sure how to go about it when we arrived. I don't know what he wants with us, but I'd be happy to grant him the audience he requests. Please, do take us to the palace so we can converse with him." She extended her arms out, as if to submit herself to shackles. "Do you need to bind us?"

Nahia shot a piercing glance of disapproval, but then growled to herself as if defeated.

"We don't need you in shackles, we just need you to follow us to the palace and not dart away or try to run. Your presence has been demanded and we Eyes do not disappoint our leader. Come now."

The four avian guards - the Eyes - helped guide the two travelling companions out of the food court, two in front and two behind with Nahia and Artemis in the middle. Not a lot was said until they arrived.

The palace itself was massive, with smooth pure white pillars topped by golden domes and red-hewn banners hanging off the walls. Its entire gargantuan size was towering three stories taller than anything else int he town, and every wall was smooth as could be, as if it were covered and painted over. A truly majestic sight for both of them. Not a word was exchanged as the four Eyes guided them from the front gate to the main hall and past the gardens and fountains. Inside, the walls were as beautiful and ornate as anything either of them had seen, a decidedly exotic looking bit of architecture and decor. Eventually, they were left in front of a black door lined by gold and white; the largest of the Eyes knocked on the door in a complicated pattern before a voice bellowed out from within.

"You may Enter!"

Without being touched, the doors creaked and swung open to reveal a massive open room with pillars on either side, a pond with a lily pad in the middle, and carpets lined with gold and red wrapping around either side leading from the door to a throne. Sitting atop that throne, a massive black and white gryphon adorned with jewelry and a pair of bangles on either of his shoulders. It was Ceylon, and he didn't look happy.

Behind them, the twin doors closed, leaving just Artemis and Nahia alone with the emperor, a gryphon that fancied himself a godfather of the land. This made them both a little uncomfortable, as they had no idea why they'd been brought here, but it also reeked of opportunity to entice him to part with some of his treasure, if he felt so inclined. Nahia was already spinning a web of deviance in her mind, thinking up a dozen ways to convince Ceylon to fund their endeavors.

His voice boomed from across the room. "Artemis and Nahia. I hear you two have been seeking to stir up some trouble in my lands." They went stone-faced as they glanced at each other, unsure how Ceylon could possibly know their names. They had come to his land, he was fancied a god so of course they knew him and his reputation preceded him, but there was no way he could have known about them.

Artemis stepped forward while trying to hide her gulp of nervousness. "We mean no harm, and we're certainly not here to stir up a fuss of any kind. And, if you don't mind my query, how do you know our names?" Nahia stepped up behind her, pressing her chest to Artemis' shoulder as if she were cowering. A clever ruse, meant to give Ceylon the impression she was scared when she seemed unable to feel fear. "Surely a great leader like you must have tendrils of influence in your land but we've not given our names to anyone since visiting."

Ceylon leaned forward off the throne, stepping down the steps to join them between the ponds. "You think one such as me has eyes only within his own nation? Surely you don't believe my power stops at my borders. I have friends in Waverthe, Endra, and Yelfrit, and they keep me informed. Why do you think I called you here." His massive form was bulky and well toned, yet he didn't seem quite as big as his reputation would have indicated. When standing straight up, his eyes were at their level.

"Is that a rhetorical question or do you want us to answer?" Nahia asked, stepping out from behind Artemis as Ceylon stepped around them. As she moved, she swayed her hips and shoulders to show a bit more of her cleavage.

As the gryphon walked by them, he slid his tail up to rub at Nahia's chin, chirping and grinning at her as he looked back. "I'll leave that up to you. Do you dare answer and risk answering wrong, or do you stay silent and allow me to fill in your blanks? Up to you, in the end."

Artemis and Nahia glanced at each other with confusion, then caught a look at each other's weapons - the same weapons that were not taken from them when they entered the chambers of the emperor. Clearly they weren't deemed a threat, or the Eyes would have taken those away, confiscating them and leaving the two girls unarmed. This gave Artemis the confidence to answer. "You want our help with the potential uprising?"

Ceylon spun as if agitated, but then a smile slowly peeled at the corners of his beak. "That is very much so the right answer. I've heard you two like going around and butting your snouts in the business of others, weaseling your way into the chambers of those in power and using their influence to help people. Admirable in theory, but I see through your ruse. I know you're doing it with your own desires in mind. Nobody is altruistic in such a way without some desire for compensation."

"I-I, no, I don't-" Artemis started with a hint of anger, but then was cut off when Ceylon stepped in close and pressed his beak up to her nose.

"You don't need to hide yourself from me, Artemis. I told you, I get you both, and I appreciate it. I'm not stupid, I understand that altruism can only go so far before funds run out and you need to take care of yourselves. The real trick for you two, however, is finding a way to convince a gryphon to part with his hoard. We're a lot like dragons, in that respect. Main difference is that we like having a hoard to spend it, not to, well, hoard it."

Nahia cocked her head to the side and grinned, eyes shifting in color a bit as she made eye contact with Ceylon. "So, what you're saying is that you're one step ahead of us, and that it's in our best interest to get to business? Sounds like a plan to me. Why don't you lead us to the coin, and have us on our way, doing our jobs? It will only take a few minutes, really. You fund us, and we can have this little uprising taken care of." She had a smirk on her face as Ceylon turned and stepped to her, his blue eyes glowing pink in unison with hers.

She seemed content at first, but then Ceylon took another step closer, then another followed by a final step that pressed his beak tip right up against her nose, nearly pushing her back. Then, just for good measure, he took another step and forced her to stumble backwards and grab her dagger in the process, just in case. Artemis felt the situation might have gone foul, so she reached around her belly to grab at the handle of her own blade; again, just in case. At this point she was pensive and observant.

"You would like that, wouldn't you? Just come into my chambers, convince me to part with my literal mountain of coins to two eager young women before even discussing what it is I want from you, and then leave without doing your job." The glow in his eyes dissipated as he stepped in closer, neck stiff as he pushed Nahia back another few paces. "Do you really think your little trick would have any effect on a God? I'm not some slouch of a creature just sitting on my throne, letting my servants bring me food and catering to me." Another step into her, forcing Nahia to stumble back.

Angry and now on the defensive, Nahia pulled her dagger from her holster and pressed it to Ceylon's neck, the sharpness of the blade severing a few of the quill shafts, leaving the feathers to float to the ground as Artemis stepped forth, ready to make a move if she needed to. "No, but you're flesh and blood, and a dagger to the throat can end anyone."

Ceylon paused to chuckle, gape-grinning as he glanced back over to Artemis, then back to Nahia. "Threats now? Interesting. Not a very good way to appease one with more power than you." The gryphon leaned in farther, forcing the blade in tighter to his neck with more feathers falling to the ground. "But I like your vigor. So, if you're going to do it, go ahead and do it. Even if you do kill me - you won't, because my magic would heal me, but for the sake of argument let's say you do - what was your next plan? Search through the palace until you find my hidden stash, all while hoping none of my Eyes see my bleeding corpse and come to investigate? Then, let's say you do escape with, oh, a bag full of jade coins, where would you go and what would you do with it? You wouldn't make it far." He smiled, completely unintimidated by her.

Nahia glared him in the eye and scoffed before loosening up and returning her blade to its holster. "Sorry." She opined, holding back a growl of frustration as Artemis slid her sword back into its scabbard. "I just get on the defensive when powerful drakes impose upon me."

He raised an eyebrow then turned to Artemis with a chirp, his tail slipping through Nahia's legs to cradle her crotch as he walked away. "Another admirable deflection, but keep in mind it was your attempt to control me that instigated that. Word of advice for when I'm done with you: don't try to mind control avians. I guarantee they'll resist and it never works out for you no matter how good you might be." After scolding Nahia, he leaned in close to Artemis and whispered in her ear. "I can tell you're the heart and soul of this operation. Just keep her under control and we can have an accord."

Artemis nodded while flashing a glare at Nahia, knowing she heard what Ceylon had said. "Aye, sire? Emperor? My lord? What do you prefer to be called by your underlings?"

"I'm just Ceylon to outsiders. You are not my subjects, you are travelers looking to help. I need not your loyalty, I need only your help. Well, I don't actually need it, but I do want it. I'm sure if I wanted I could forcefully put a stop to the growing threat of war, but I'd really rather not. Between myself and my Naga queen, we are stronger than Lady Venosa and her seafaring army of Nolse, but I don't much care for Violence." He turned and sat back on his throne, looking down at the two girls as they stepped in closer, listening intently. "And since it seems the people are keen on rising up against me - at least the scaled ones - no avians or felines can talk them down from their position."

Artemis squinted a bit, trying to figure out the logistics. "But if no feline and no avians could talk them down, why are you sending us? Both of us have a bit of feline in us."

"A good question. You are neither of her army nor mine, you are not Vioketian citizens, therefore you can act as mediators on a ship bound for Rissen - the dragon nation across the Yelfritian Ocean." He preened at one of his wingfeathers, his stance parting his legs to give a subtle but clear view of his loins and the dark-fleshed tip poking out of his sheath. Though it seemed inappropriate, it was clear he was doing this on purpose.

"Wait, hold up a moment." Artemis interrupted. "I help people on the streets, I stick up for the little guys, I use my skills with a blade to make the world a better place by giving people the strength and courage to not be stepped upon. I'm not a diplomat." She glanced over to see that Nahia was staring shamelessly at Ceylon's crotch. "I mean, I want to help, we want to help, but that's not our forte I don't think."

Ceylon kept preening at himself, raking his beak down his shoulder, between his front legs, and down his belly to gently caress next to his sheath. "That's fine. You'd mostly just be delivering a message and acting as mediator for a meeting I'd have with Lady Venosa. Nothing special, a feral could do it if it was well trained enough. I just need someone who's not from here but with negotiation skills to speak on my behalf to avoid conflict breaking out."

"And if we refused?" Contested Nahia, standing tall and defiant.

"You won't." Ceylon assured, looking up from his lower belly.

Artemis laughed a bit, tracing the line of sight from Ceylon's loins to Nahia's gaze. "What makes you so sure? You don't know her all that well."

He shook his head and inflated his feathers, each one standing on end before he pressed them tight to his spine and body. "Well, you're two foreigners who don't belong here with intentions of tricking me into giving you coin so you can foster an uprising within my nation. Not only that, but you come into my chambers and try to control my mind followed by a dagger to my throat. I-"

Nahia corrected him, stepping forward as she got a whiff of his musk. "We had no intention of participating in any rebellion. We heard that lizard out, but that's as far as we went."

Ceylon shrugged. "True or not, I'm the emperor and you put a blade to my throat. Even if you didn't do that, I could have you executed without any hesitation, since - and I must repeat myself - I'm the emperor of this fine land and my word is final. You don't belong here, nobody would miss you, and I have that power." He leaned forward again to hop down from his throne, leaping over the stairs to walk between them, hips swaying and wings up to show the bulge of his sheath. Though he handled himself with grace and poise, it was obvious he was showing off; to what end, neither Nahia nor Artemis knew yet. "But really, I'd rather not resort to violence. I'm sure I could think up a few other creative ways to convince you to do my bidding."

"And why can't you do it yourself? If you have so much power, then why not just go talk to Lady Venosa yourself?" Nahia suggested, stumbling on a few of her words as she caught a glimpse of Ceylon's sheath. Her hand raised a bit as if to cradle it on his way past but she held back with a cheeky grin. "There's no way we could possibly convey all the information you need us to if they ask us questions. I want to help, I truly do, but I don't plan on dying for a god that isn't my own." Her words were drawn out and whiny in a mocking way, making it clear she was not sincere.

Ceylon turned again, his eyes glowing a light teal to draw their attention. "Well, I don't actually know where in Rissen she's hiding, and I couldn't bear to be away from my throne for more than a few days. My people - the non-scaled ones - need me here and while I trust my Eyes to lead in my absence, I don't see a reason to let it come to that. I could find other messengers from the neighboring nations and put them to work, sure, but you're here already and I can practically feel your devious intent oozing out from your very gaze. You are lucky I am offering you this instead of a place in my personal brothel."

Artemis raised a finger to speak, but was interrupted by Nahia, who took a step forward with a wide grin upon her lips.

"Brothel, you say? Do your personal concubines make a lot of money?"

He slumped back and sat on his haunches, using a talon to idly rub himself, the gentle massage peeling back a bit of his sheath to expose the barbed tip of his cock. "They do, but they're mostly mares and naga, I don't think someone your size and stature would last long being used for my pleasure." His eyes narrowed as he licked his beak, staring directly at Nahia.

"Really?" Artemis interjected, raising her hands in defeat. "That's where this is going? Alright, you two have your fun, Nahia, I'll meet you at the inn. I don't have any desire to-"

Ceylon's wings flared out a bit as he got back to all fours, head lowered. "What makes you think you have any say in the matter?" Ceylon hissed, a sinister tone seeping out from his beak. "I said I didn't offer you the spot in the brothel, instead consigning you to this overseas task. You want to help, I need your help. I see no benefit to us not cooperating." He stepped forward to Artemis, pressing his beak up to her chest, the hook of it snagging on the light billowing fabric as he gave a gentle tug. "You really don't want to disappoint an emperor, do you?" From deep within his torso, a rumbling purr emanated and vibrated in his beak.

The sensation was oddly pleasant to her, but she didn't want to allow herself to get aroused as the situation felt a little sinister to her and Ceylon came across more as a slimy noble who thought he could get away with anything. She'd met many folks like that and it disgusted her to the point of running away. Rich arrogant fools were what drove her to escape her noble life in the first place, eventually meeting Nahia in the process.

"I can see it in your eyes, you don't like me much, do you?" Ceylon interrupted her thoughts.

"I do not." She admitted. "You are the type of person that I protect people from, not the one I help and support."

Nahia was shaking her head from behind Ceylon, where the gryphon could not see. It was clear she did not like where this was heading and would much rather carry on with her counter-seduction. The look in her eyes told Artemis that she was making progress and that Artemis' defiance was messing everything up. Rather than wait for Artemis to take back her words, Nahia stepped up behind Ceylon and slid her hand up between his hind legs, gently tickling at his inner thigh while she caressed his haunches.

His tail went up immediately as he slowly turned his head back to look at her, continuing his conversation with Artemis. "Well at this point you don't really have much of a choice in the matter. Either of you. I don't want to force you into anything, and that stuff about execution was but a joke - just a but of royal humour, you see - but I must admit that you are the best fit for what I need." His raising tail exposed his ebony-fleshed rump hole and lightly furred orbs, a motion that was supposed to symbolically indicate need and vulnerability. "Can I be completely honest with you?"

"Have you not been honest to this point?" Artemis prodded as she watched Nahia.

Ceylon lowered his head, bowing to the two ladies one at a time. "I've been honest aside from the jokes about offing you or sending you to the brothel, but I haven't told you everything. I won't tell you everything, but I will tell you more; hopefully it will be enough to convince you to lend your hand to my aid. Nobody in the entire kingdom aside from myself and Leera know about this."

"Then why tell it to us? What incentive do we have to believe you?" Nahia asked in a calm tone, her palm cradling his balls and fingers gently tugging on his sheath. She wanted his cock and had no qualms with making that fact known.

"Because I genuinely need your help and I honestly believe that if you knew and understood, you would help." He pulled away from Nahia's touch to reveal a tiny puddle of his arousal on the off-white slabs of marble floor. "I have great power, truly great and immense power, but only here in Viokenic."

Artemis rolled her eyes, already sick of his humble-brag.

"But I can't leave here. If I do, the entire system will collapse." He paused to gauge their responses before continuing. "The Eyes...they aren't just my guards, they are literally my eyes. I share a psychic link with them, their bodies merely puppets to my will. That's how I know virtually everything that happens in this great land of mine. But I cannot leave this land, because if I do, the Eyes will be without a mind and will fall to their knees. If Venosa launches an attack on my city, I will destroy her and all of her minions with ease, but I don't want that. My army of thousands of magically enhanced avian warriors would operate like one mind - because they are of one mind - and could crush any before them. I'd rather offer peace but I cannot do that and my people are a bit fanatical to me."

Nahia sniffed at her fingers to sample the remnants of musk on them. "Wait, what are you saying? Are you...mind controlling an entire population? That's...brilliant!"

Ceylon opened his beak to stop her, assuming her to be judgmental, but was shocked when she complimented him and Artemis remained with her jaw hanging open and one eye squinted. Still, he had to correct her. "Well, not the whole population, just the Eyes. I can't send any of my citizens because a lot of them are quote reverent towards me; when I took over and replaced the incumbent reptilian leader Venosa all those years ago, I eliminated crime by indoctrinating the criminals into the Eyes, and brought the city into a state of unmatched prosperity but the lizards hated me for it. I've done so much for this nation, and half the population loves me for it and the other half hates me for it, so if I'm to offer peace to Venosa it needs to be from a neutral third party. If you want to truly help these people, you will deliver my message for me."

Both the girls stood in silence for a bit, glancing back at each other while unsure what to say. Eventually, Nahia nodded once at Artemis and stepped to Ceylon, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug while placing a nuzzling emphasis on the place she'd cut the feathers off him earlier. She couldn't find the broken feather shafts, but shrugged it off as she purred against him. "I understand your pain, I really do. I've never been there before, but I think you make your case very well. Artemis and I will embark on your quest on two conditions."

Artemis raised he ears and mouthed 'only two?'

"What are your conditions?" Asked Ceylon, eager to hear what it was to cost him. He had a look of pension, like he was expecting something absurd and he was eager to hear, but he let Nahia finish. "I will gladly meet them if they are within reason."

Nahia nodded. "First condition is, if we are to do this, you better fund us well. I want - erm, I mean we want - a hefty per-diem, all the money needed to pamper ourselves as if we were royalty while on our trip, and a hefty bonus incentive if we succeed." She nodded, as if putting an exclamation on the end.

"Done. This is for my people. What is the other request." He didn't even hesitate.

Artemis knew that Nahia was acting like the kind one, the altruistic one, but deep down inside she knew that all of her companion's niceties were just there to get that sweet coin, and to serve her own desires. She didn't care about the people of Viokenic, she just wanted money and her own needs to be satisfied; that was why Artemis didn't feel the least bit surprised upon hearing the second demand.

"Mostly just that. And I'd personally love it if you let the two of us see what it's like to be a gryphon god's personal sex slaves. Just for the day. Our trip into town was long and boring and I didn't even get to bed one of the locals yet, and I can't imagine a better partner than the emperor himself." She flashed her eyelashes and grinned, licking her lips as she wriggled her shoulders, allowing her silken top to slide down her arms and expose some of her breasts.

"What are you doing, Nahia?" Artemis groaned. "Is this really the best time to be flirting?"

"It's the best time, I think. When will you have an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of someone in such high esteem again? You're all about seizing opportunities and doing the right thing, right?"

"Yeah, to help others, not help yourself to gryphon cock!"

"Gryphon god cock." Nahia corrected "You're such a saint, Artemis! Lighten up and enjoy yourself from time to time. All that generosity has to be paid back to you, and dammit I'm cashing out. If you wanna watch, that's fine." Nahia turned to Ceylon and stepped up to him, cradling his beak in her hands to press it between her breasts.

Ceylon pulled away and stood tall, grinning. "Well, under most circumstances I'd prefer the warmth and comfort of Leera, but she's not in season right now, so I guess that means you two are fair game, if you so desire. Been a few days for me, as well." He preened at his neck feathers a bit and flicked his tail, his demeanor growing intense. "And remember, if I feel even the slightest hint of betrayal in your mind - and if it rears itself, I will - then that will be the end of you and that will be the end of your contract with me as a hired diplomat."

"Deal." Nahia purred at him, stroking his cheek and folding his ear down over the back of his head, lightly caressing with her claws as she pressed her chest to his beak. "But if you want my passion, you better give me some first. Hard to fake caring about your problems if you don't convince me how much you need me." Her eyes started to glow pink again, as if she were trying to control him, but that was instinctual and she knew that she couldn't exert her will over the gryphon emperor.

"You're very insistent, but I have to say it's quite appealing. Not often I deal with partners so demanding; I would be remiss to fail to please you, especially if it means that you're going to help me out." He stepped into her and wrapped his beak around her, pressing his chin to her back to hold her close so their purring could blend in together, reverberating off one another.

Artemis watched with a raised eyebrow. She knew that this was where Nahia would end up, but nothing about the meeting had turned her on and she felt somewhat trapped by the situation so she couldn't bring herself to participate. Curious yet disinterested at the same time, she sauntered over to the throne and plopped her rump down on it, resting her cheek on her fist with elbow on the arm of it. There were torches on either side, each with tiny little plumes of fire releasing smoke into the air, and that was sexier to her than watching Nahia work Ceylon.

At least that's what she was trying to tell herself.

One of the few self-pleasures she derived from travelling with Nahia was that she did this with many of their potential suitors, and Artemis almost always joined in. There was something about Nahia's sultry behavior and tenacious desire that was hard to resist and Artemis couldn't help but indulge herself. Part of her wondered if maybe her travel companion was using her mind control powers, but she knew that wasn't right since she often felt desire even without locking eyes.

While she sat alone, watching Ceylon and Nahia cuddling and caressing one another, plucking clothes off Nahia one garment at a time, Ceylon flashed her a look. "Will you be joining us?" He invited, pressing his cheek to Nahia's while staring at Artemis.

"I'm really not so sure I'm in the mood, right now." A lie, but a convincing one.

"Up to you, but your friend here is quite vigorous. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Nahia glanced back with a devious grin. "Come on, Artemis, what's changed? You usually let yourself go! What's different?" Just as she spoke, Ceylon bit down on her neck and shoulder, the pressure of it just enough to make her go weak at the knees. When she fell down into a squat, Ceylon stepped over her and arched his back, the position peeling back his sheath to expose much of his ridged and barbed shaft directly into her open palm. She gave it a gentle rub while leaning back to get another look at Artemis. "Come on, I'm sure you-"

Ceylon bucked his hips, pressing his barbed tip into her lips. Rather than sputter and flail about, she simple wrapped both hands around his shaft and pushed back, feeling each ridge slip through her fingers as her palms squeezed at the knot that remained inside. She offered only a gentle suckle, curious and a little worried about the nature of gryphon barbs and how aggressive they looked. As it turned out, each of the tiny barbs was more like a hook from a cat's tongue: rough and aggressive yet soft and not able to hurt her in any way. The concept of barbs that scared her was a relation to a porcupine's quill, but this was clearly not meant for stabbing, it was meant for stimulation; pure orgasmic stimulation. "You don't want to miss out!" She managed to call out after getting a taste of his tangy, semi-sweet arousal and a blasting waft of his thick gryphon-drake musk.

Artemis crossed her legs while still watching, her loins growing moist underneath the light silken skirt she wore. The situation seemed quite awkward to her, yet she couldn't help but enjoy the view. That cock looked massive, enough to plug her up for weeks if she ended up on the right end of it, yet it seemed like she and Nahia were being used instead of the other way around. They had no agency in this encounter, yet Ceylon was allowing Nahia to think they did and that seemed to help drive her libido; the more Artemis thought about it, the more she came to be at peace with the concept as long as she kept a reminder hovering around the back of her mind.

Her partner, however, just wanted to see what it was like to be mounted and stuffed by a gryphon - especially one in such a position of power. For a brief moment, all Nahia could think was how much pleasure she could get out of this, and just how aggressively wonderful it would feel to have that barbed cock filling her. Though the situation was dire and they had been exchanging threats moments before, her mind was crouched in a pouncing position, ready at any time to lunge at an opportunity to indulge her desires. This was not uncommon for her.

Since she was so easily swayed and on board with the idea of brisk yet intense sexual encounters, she had no problem leaning into Ceylon's sheath with both her hands, peeling the skin back with a lurching pop that exposed his knot into her palms. The second it was free of its confines, it grew and swelled against her grip, doubling and eventually tripling in firmness to the point it was like her two fists pressed wrist to wrist. Her jaw hung open in amazement only to have Ceylon buck his hips and stab her on the tongue; naturally, she gave another suckle, undulating her throat against its tip.

She still wore her lower garment, so she shuffled in place and pulled it off, leaving her dressed only in her jewelry and the chopsticks that held her hair up. Now fully nude, she felt it was time to have her way with Ceylon by rubbing his cock between her breasts, giggling as his barbs tickled at her fine fur. This lasted only a moment before she turned and raised her rump, on the toes of all fours while rubbing back against his shaft. She felt that stab and the tug of his barbs on her haunches, eliciting the slightest of gasps.

"Having fun down there?" Artemis asked, uncrossing her legs and pulling up her skirt to reveal herself. She was trying to show how unimpressed she was while also opening herself to the gryphon's lust; it was very hard to resist such a carnally aggressive beast.

Ceylon turned his head to look at her with a gape grin, eyes glazed over as he concentrated on finding Nahia's depths. "Why don't you come over and find out? I'm sure there's plenty of me for the both of you, if you feel so inclined." He grunted and bucked his hips, finding Nahia's fingers that guided him towards her slit. The second he felt her flesh slide over his shaft, he bucked again with enough power to plunge his girth into her right to the knot.

Nahia let out a cry of pleasure followed by a grunt of strain as she struggled to relax; his member was so very thick that it made her feel like she was being split, but that lasted for only a moment as his barbs splayed out to tickle and caress her flesh. The tiny stabbings felt not like roughness, but like a million subtle shocks, triggering the sensitivity on her pussy in such a way that she immediately loosened up and relaxed, comfortable knowing that the lax sensation within her would help facilitate a more casual and sensual encounter.

Right then, Artemis decided she could hold back no longer, so she peeled her shirt off and tossed it to the side, panicking a bit as it barely missed the torch near the throne. With each step, she let her skirt slide over her voluptuous hips, eventually kicking it to the side to meet with Ceylon as nude as Nahia. "Fine, you two win." She conceded, pressing her chest up close to the crest of Ceylon's beak. He immediately lowered his head and nuzzled in between her thighs, twisting his neck to prod his tongue out at her folds, parting them with ease as his gullet rumbled with a purr that vibrated on her.

She immediately shuddered, knees going weak and eyes rolling back in their sockets as the combination of dainty tongue flesh and vibrating beak against her clit had a two-part assault on her reservations. Before long, she was struggling to stand as a light whimper escaped her and a gentle trickle of her arousal flowed out from her nether lips to soak her inner thighs. "F-fine. Go ahead and-" She paused again as her lower jaw shuddered and she tensed up her midsection, pulling away from Ceylon due to just how much of an overwhelming sensation was coursing through her. Still Ceylon stepped forward to keep with her, once again burying his snout between her thighs.

As the gryphon made his movement, the extra pressure popped his knot into Nahia, its bulging girth rapidly expanding and pumping itself full within her, locking the two together as his loins tensed and started filling her with his seed. Though he was tense in his twitching nether regions, he remained in control of his upper body, hungrily lapping at Artemis as his spine arched and his tail pumped like a lever, forcing more of his essence into her.

Beneath him, Nahia was melting in pleasure, the intense sensation of cum-bloating filling her lower belly while the pulsation of his member and the wavelike motions of his barbs overstimulated her, much the same way the rigidity of his beak was overstimulating Artemis. Nahia could even feel the slight, residual vibrations of his purring rocking in his loins. It was true, gryphon members were even more extreme than she'd ever expected, the various forms of pleasure all worked together to make one overwhelming cocktail of cum and arousal. The light vibrations, the tickling of the barb tips, the swelling pressure of the knot tied to her, and the intense shape of the ridges pressing out against her were entirely too much for her to handle.

All at once, she collapsed on herself, every muscle going limp from head to toes, resulting in her hanging by his tugging knot. She wasn't quite tall enough to land on her knees with his knot in her, so she dangled a bit with her chest laying flat on the ground and much of her weight tugging on the knot that refused to pop out.

More and more of his seed pumped into her, filling her with pressure enough to mix with her own arousal and resulting loosened pelvic muscles to let the weight of her body yank herself from his lobes in a gushing splatter, their combined juices bursting and erupting all over the ground beneath her, soaking her thighs in the process. Her pussy remained tender and gaped as the gooey gryphon spooge oozed out of her, which Ceylon immediately attended to.

The gryphon pulled away from Artemis to lower his head, nuzzling underneath Nahia's tail with his tongue compassionately lapping at the resulting mess, one lick at a time. He caught most of it with ease, eventually prodding into her to draw more out of her depths as Artemis looked on.

"Do I get a go? Do you have enough in you for another round?" Asked Artemis, who was idly rubbing herself and glancing down at Nahia. "I've not seen her melt like that in months...maybe even years. I daren't waste an opportunity to indulge."

Ceylon burrowed under Nahia, using his powerful neck to lift her limp form and push her up into a nearby cot, ignoring her giggles as he did so. When she laid down, she got into a sitting position with one leg up and more of his seed gently oozing out of her as she nibbled her fingernail. "You stay there, it's her turn." Ceylon commanded, pointing his beak to Artemis.

Nahia didn't even have the energy to respond, she just sat in place with her knees wide apart, exposing the tender flesh of her loins while idly rubbing herself.

Before another word could be spoken, Ceylon leapt at Artemis, pouncing on top of her and pinning her to the ground. She seemed panicked at first, reaching out towards her skirt where her blade remained, but she quickly came to realize that he wasn't doing this to be aggressive. Instinctively, she relaxed on her back and spread her legs, pumping her loins up to Ceylon. "Come on, my turn."

He grinned down at her and stepped over her body, bringing his beak down to clamp on her shoulder and drag her over towards the cot where Nahia sat, his cock drooling a combination of his own arousal and the fluids from Nahia's pussy all over Artemis' belly, which she happily rubbed into herself, following it up by sniffing her fingers. The musk was overpowering, its aroma coating her nostrils and inciting a wave of pleasure to travel up and down her spine, converging in her swollen and soaking wet loins.

"Fair warning, though, I may not be able to get all the way inside you; my knot is already swollen and full!" He cautioned, arching his back and making his cock bob and spew bits of precum all over her in webs. "So I guess-"

She cut him off by grabbing his cock and squeezing it tight, tugging and aiming it towards her loins as she raised her hips to meet him. She had a very similar revlation as Nahia had enjoyed, finding the barbs to be tangible and firm yet devoid of any stabby sensations. She was a bit more reserved in regards to her lust most times, but that musk was proving to be quite powerful, triggering her more carnal instincts. Her hunger for his cock was satisfied quite quickly, as she was able to pull his tip down by wrapping her fingers around the knot and arching her back as far as it would go.

The moment she felt the many spines of his cock tip sliding into her, Ceylon squatted down and bucked into her, forcing her to the ground as his bulging shaft plunged into her depths, each ridge of it catching on her lips before lurching in, knot slapping against her and barbs flaring out. Though he was able to effectively mount her in this missionary position, he still seemed able to focus his attention Nahia, who remained on the cot in a state of bliss with gryphm cum dribbling out her pussy.

Ceylon leaned into her, grabbing at her thighs with his thick gryphon talons to hold her in place as he buried his beak between them, his tongue once again tastefully lapping at her folds to clean her of the mess he'd left on her. His licking turned into probing, then teasing at her clit all the while as his hips bucked and his hind end focused entirely on giving Artemis the ride of her life.

Then, in that brief moment with Ceylon's knot slapping at her vulva, Artemis came to understand why this gryphon was so able and willing to keep at her while also focusing on Nahia. He was, unlike most males, able to multitask and pleasure both of them using two different methods because he had trained himself to be in dozens - maybe hundreds - of places at once. If his tale of controlling the Eyes remotely through a hive-mind came to be true, it would make sense that he could divide his attention between two lovers at once, one to whom he'd been able to keep his eyes on while his loins focused on another.

This revelation - or at least theory - Made Artemis not want to leave the chambers of Ceylon any time soon. She wanted to help, sure, but in her lust-filled, cock-addled mind, all she could think about was the potential to have a go at this God of pleasure every day. As he kept slamming at her, barbs splaying and tugging in waves against her flesh and his knot pressing firm to her opening that just wasn't letting him in, she came to yet another realization.

Nahia was, in a way, right all along! Sex is one of the best ways to foster loyalty and dedication! In that moment, Artemis was willing to do literally anything Ceylon had asked, and it was almost all because of how expertly he was able to pleasure her while also appeasing Nahia's more persistent and demanding needs. Any male who cared this much and was able to expend the energy on two random foreigners must have cared deeply about his people, so in that moment she trusted him completely.

That was, until he bucked his hips with such vigor and persistence that his knot and her loins gave way just enough that he popped into her, the firm lobes of his tie locking them together as he began to pump her full of his seed. That's when she decided that maybe it wasn't in her best interest to get locked in with a gryphon; she had no idea how long an avian tie lasted. She was in for quite the night.