FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 10: Shady Dealings

Lyndis strolled down the busy street, whistling a tune she’d heard from her mother when she was small. It was sung for better days on the horizon, often done to lull her to sleep. Though she had less than agile members of her party, they moved through the sea of people with hardly a misstep. This place, though it lacked the pegasai and blues of her capital of Tetragon, was similar enough, busy, she and her companions lost in the crowd. Though she preferred her own kingdom at least it smelled of flowers and forests, very much the touch of the elves who shared it. Here it was nothing but stone, horses and the thick aroma of steel and oil.

They’d already been through the airship district, keeping to the side of the cobblestone street to avoid passing by wagons. Before them had been a network of scaffolding, supporting skeletons of half-built ships. Crews were busy at work, various races working in tandem to create these massive machines. She hated to admit it, but she found herself transfixed, wishing she could peer into the innerworkings, understand how the massive engines and wiring worked to bring life to these creations.

As the clock tower chimed nine bells, they’d just passed into the spiritual district, where most of the temples of the main gods resided. Already robes of various colors could be spotted, clergy gathering to pay worship to their deities. Except of course the followers of Loki, who had no formal shrine, his followers instead met wherever they pleased, sometimes even inside other god’s temples for some childish amusement. Here however the common folk could come to get ailments healed, wounds sealed, possibly even get enchantments and other resources. Though these folk were of a different kingdom she recognized the same gods, reminding her they were not so different.

Now which one was to Korde? This is where Asterion had said he would be, praying to get his spells. The rogue dug through her pouches, gazing over the crumpled parchment that he’d left her, his note in the messy handwriting of his people. It was somewhere called Sun Street, thankfully Arcturus was there to guide her further. It was then that she spied something she hadn’t caught before.

A few streets back, peering past the corner of a stone merchant’s building was clear as day, Veledar in his gryphon form. He must have been following them this entire time, no intention of being a good dragon and staying put. She gave a hearty groan; he was going to ruin everything wasn’t he?

“Something wrong?” Arcturus asked, looking around as several guards passed them by, waving cheerfully.

She pointed out their stalker, “It would seem someone doesn’t know how to listen.”

“Course he didn’t.” Grunted Arcturus, his brow steeled.

“Stubborn beastie is going to ruin everything.” Merlia growled.

Lyndis just sighed, shaking her head, there was little to do now. The dragon was coming with them if they liked it not, they might as well seek to try and control what destruction his presence would bring. She waved to him, causing the gryphon to duck his head, as if she couldn’t see him.

“I can see you gryphon, might as well come over here and say hi if you’re going to stalk us!”

Several guards turned their heads, brows raised at the mention.

“Just a wee game, you know gryphons.” Laughed Merlia, slapping Arcturus on the back.

This quelled their interest for now, though they did give Veledar a curious glance as he crept back into sight. The gryphon padded his way over, ears perked, pride in his chest.

“You were not supposed to see me.” Chirped the once dragon.

“And yet here we are.” Lyndis grunted, “Might as well keep you close, minimize the damage that you can deal.”

Veledar’s beak went open as if to offer a rebuttal, but the predicament must have clicked in his head. That he had been caught, whatever he was planning was dead. His ears splayed as he accepted her compromise, falling into line as they returned to their travel.

“You couldn’t follow us better?” Merlia teased, “How do you catch anything?”

“I’m still getting used to this feathery form.” Veledar snapped, “Rest assured if this was not the case, you’d never catch me.”

“Ooooo is that a challenge? Mark me boy, no whining when I turn your rear end into a pin cushion.” She gave him a wink.

Lyndis rolled her eyes as the pair continued to bicker, Arcturus trying his best to not take sides. The rogue at the paladin trying to be impartial, clearly enamored with the dragon but unwilling to say a thing. She wanted to outright tell him to grow a pair and ask the beast, but wondered if her meddling would instead cause this knight to clam up. She gave a regretful sigh, wishing he would summon the courage. To do her part she shoved him, doing her best to make it appear as though some passerby had instead done it.

Arcturus collapsed onto the now gryphon, hands weaving around his neck for support. There was a squawk of alarm and raised ears as the pair now were nose to beak. For a moment they simply stared, words waiting on the tip of their tongues. However, just as swiftly as it happened, they retracted, Arcturus apologizing with cheeks as red as the dragon’s scales.

With the knight’s guidance they eventually found what they’d been seeking, a gigantic cathedral of granite that rose from the city like hand, reaching for the heavens. Intricate artwork adorned it, mainly devoted to the goddess of the sun and moon, they were depicted as a naked, olive-skinned woman and a white furred wolven, reaching always out for another, only to catch sight of one another for fleeting moments.

“Are you sure it’s going to have Asterion?” Lyndis asked, “It appears to be devoted to only Fureen and Sartren.”

“I don’t see why not.” Arcturus said, “Though they are the main gods here, they are not the only ones. The cathedral of saint Rubert is home to many different faiths, all working for the betterment of Entis as a whole.” The man sighed, eyes drifting from it’s spires to that of the buildings around it, “I didn’t come here often, but the clerics and priests were always kind.”

“When did you come visit?” Veledar began to ask, but Lyndis wisely closed his beak. When he glared at her she instead returned it, signaling the beast to figure it out. Recognition sparked within his gaze, splaying his ears as he no doubt remembered Arcturus’ family.

“And are you going to mention your contact?” Arcturus asked, “We’ve come this far.”

The rogue sighed, they had earned at least this much. “Sure, if it keeps you biting, we’re going to be meeting a friend of mind. Hogar, now don’t go thinking you’re going to be meeting him directly, as I said before, you’ll send him running, you reek of nobility and the guard, even under that disguise.”

“Then the point of us around is what exactly?”

“If things go tits up!” She clasped him on the shoulder, “Just hear the ole scream and come running.”

Arcturus, “Is this a possibility with all your friends.”

“Where is your sense of fun? It would be boring otherwise.”

“I think you and I vastly disagree on what constitutes fun.”

Veledar was the first one to ask the important question, “And what have you promised these friends of yours to help us locate the treasure?”

“Nothing that we’ll miss, and if we get lucky, we won’t even have to provide it.”

“I won’t let you offer part of my treasure as payment for their services.” He clacked his beak, earning a swat upon it.

“I’m not that stupid. You’ll get every bit of it.”

The catbird’s gaze narrowed, “I will be counting every solitary coin. For your sake, not a single coin better be missing.”

The path to the cathedral was made of dark grey stones, snaking its way through a field of vibrant green grass. Flowers sprouted on either side of crimsons and lavenders to catch the eye, they ended at the entrance, up a collection of stone steps with wings engraved. The front doors were of copper, raised up and topped with stained glass windows that appeared to have every color displayed. In the morning light they seemed to sparkle like gems.

Such things were common in Drenedar, that fact casting a shade upon the rogue’s thoughts. That was the first thing she was going to do once this quest of theirs was done, find out what had been happening with her parents. Her kingdom surrender, that would be impossible, her father had always insisted upon fighting Lumara to his last breath. The only way that they would finally throw down arms to these aggressors would be…She paused, ice sinking into her flesh as she shook her head. No, she shouldn’t think like that, not until she knew for certain.

On either side of the cathedral’s solid black roof was a towering spire, adorned with the numerous flags of the various deities. Across all the numerous tapestries she spied the hammer of Thor the god of dwarves and thunder, then the form of two snakes circling one another to represent his brother, Loki the trickster. The last flag to catch her eye was the brown flag with the symbol of a multicolored fist, the symbol of Korde.

Passing through the entrance the first thing she took note of was the sudden drop in temperature. Lyndis sighed, it wasn’t freezing, but it was a pleasant feeling from the warmth from outside. She missed this sort of thing, her parents doing the same to make the summer heat bearable in the castle. Before her was a great hall, lined with pews of solid oak with crimson cushions. Golden light poured forth to give life to this sacred place. Stone alcoves lined the perimeter, each one with a shrine to a different deity. Wood, metal or steel, it mattered not the construction of these divine conduits, they were adorned with Knick knacks, lit candles, and smoking incense. She sighed as she caught scent of morning dew, belonging to a shrine in the shape of elk horns, the sign of Nutambar the god of nature.

Though Entis was mainly human and gryphon within the city walls, here the many races that called it home were gathered in worship. There was no uniform to unite them, some dressed in fine silks stitched with vibrant colors, others in mere simple tunics, slacks and dirty faces. Lyndis smiled at this collection of people, the one thing she liked about Entis, a melting pot of gathered peoples. Within one of these many groups she found Asterion, the bull towering over everyone else, kneeling on a brown carpet before a copper shrine of a fist.

His usual stern demeanor was tamed, eyes closed as he took deep, composing breaths. His tail slightly twitched, ears flicked, he was muttering something under his breath. There was a calm about him, a serene peace that betrayed the warrior’s heart beating within.

She crossed her arms, letting the bull finish. There was no sense in interrupting this ritual after all. She knew little about divine methods of getting their spells, but this could very well be the way. She padded over when he rose, squared his shoulders, and gave her a harsh snort.

“What brings your mewling here?” He grunted, eying a fidgeting Veledar.

The catbird pinned his ears, “Could you not do this begging at the house?”

“I was praying for my spells.” He crossed his arms with a harsh glare.

“Begging, praying, same difference.”

“Though you mock you have need of me. For your information, this is a spot to commune with Korde. Anywhere will do, but this brings a peace that the house lacks.”

“You’re not at peace?” Lyndis asked.

“No.” He turned to the shrine, his eyes traveling to a tapestry outlined with jagged white stripes. Upon its silk surface was the image of a minotaur standing tall. He had muscles bulging from black fur, his shoulders were draped in dragon skin. Upon his muzzle was amusement as he brandished a great maul within his hands. “The deeds of the past weigh heaviest on my mind. It does me well to remind myself the path I walk, lest I sway from it and fall further from Korde’s sight.” Asterion grabbed at a small red box upon his belt, secured beside his pouches.

“If you’re looking for peace, why did you pick the god of battle and valor?” She padded around the shrine, the eyes of Korde seeming to follow her, “Just seems a bit mental don’t you think?”

“Does it? Is it any stranger than a goddess of dragons picking a human to be her paladin?” He eyed Arcturus, “Even though he lacks the strength of one?”

“He has the courage and heart of one.” Arcturus countered, “Who are we to question?”

“Truer words you haven’t spoken. For your question Lyndis, do you think I can’t find glorious battle as a healer?” He closed his eyes and placed his hands upon his rug.

“I thought Korde was about battle, fighting and death.” Veledar sat upon his hinds, tilting his head, “You don’t hear much about him healing and protecting.”

There was a visible strain on the minotaur’s muzzle, “Most warriors of my faith would agree with you. They would specialize in strength, warfare or fire. I however I chose healing as my domain, it fits…my punishment.”

Right, she had heard of this from Arcturus. The bull had been tended to by healers, waking in a blood rage. With his bare hands he had slaughtered an entire village, walking away with his fur matted in crimson death. For that dishonor he had been cursed.

“And since Korde doesn’t usually favor healers…”

“It was a punishment to bear until my dishonor is done away with...”

“And should you perish before that?” Arcturus asked. “I heard your followers seek to get into their afterlife through a glorious death in battle.”

“Wait…is that why you joined us?” Veledar squawked, “Because you think we’re all going to die?”

The bull gave a mournful sigh, “No, for even if I did such a thing, my soul bears the stain of my dishonor. If I were to perish before that day, I will be cast down into the depths of Tartarus, forever doomed to walk the realms of the lost, never being allowed to rejoin my ancestors in Valhalla.” He pats the box at his side, “That is why I have this.”

“How is a wee thing like that supposed to help?” Merlia went to prod the tiny red thing, only to be swatted away.

“In time perhaps I shall share that with you all, but it shall not be this day.” He replied gruffly, “Respect my wishes when I say do not concern yourself.”

“Long as it doesn’t get in the way of my quest.” Veledar clacked his beak, “Is that clear?”

“Same goes for me, keep your secrets.” Lyndis added before the dragon went and started a fight, “Though I better not wind up getting a dagger in the back.”

Asterion snorted, “Are you not the one more likely to do that?”

“Listen here, I’ll have you know I’ve never…Well they deserved it alright?”

“Now why have you come to get me? I thought the others were not as devout or worshipped a weakling for a god.”

“You better be looking in the mirror, it be your god that’s the sorry excuse for one!” Merlia flared up, her voice carrying over the hall, “One look from Thor and your cow be running for the hills.”

“Such large words from one of small stature.” Asterion’s eyes steeled, “It will please me to embarrass a follower of Thor.”

Lyndis rolled her eyes; she’d hoped to avoid this sort of thing. The two gods of combat were often at each other’s throats, even their followers shared this competitive nature that could be grating to one’s nerves. Before the pair could get to punching one another, Lyndis was between them, “I don’t care which one of you can flex the best or grunt the hardest, fact is I need the bull. So, would you mind shutting the fuck up Merlia?”

The dwarf crossed her arms with a furrowed brow, “I’ll rub his snout in it later anyway.”

“And what would you need me for over the dwarf.” Grinned the minotaur as he stood, relishing how red Merlia’s cheeks flushed.

“You see, the friend I’m meeting. She’s of a special sort, good with the tongue.” She rolled her wrist, “But I want to make sure she stays honest.”

“So, it’s intimidation you wanted.”

“Precisely.”

The catbird gave an indignant squawk, flaring his wings and knocking over two clerics walking by behind him. “I could have done that!”

“You would have made a poor minotaur.” Growled Asterion, as Arcturus turned to apologize on the dragon’s behalf.

“You know what I meant.”

It was Merlia that rounded on Lyndis, fire in her emerald eyes, “Oh, I see how it is. We get some handsome, beard covered man and you toss ole Merlia to the street like a dried up cum rag?” She shook her fist, “I’ll tell ya lass, I’m just as intimidating as that walking pile of fur, mark me, give me the chance!”

“We don’t need you killing anyone with arrows.” Lyndis groaned.

“Shooting em in the knee won’t kill them.”

“Still no.”

“Bah.” Merlia grumbled, storming her way to the exit, “I’ll make me own team, with gryphons and dwarves.”

Arcturus sighed, turning to follow her. “I better go before she takes out her frustration on someone’s knees.”

“So, will you do it?” Lyndis smirked, meeting the bull’s eye.

“Is there a challenge to it?” Asterion replied with a grunt, “You know I disapprove of your methods; they reek of dishonor.”

“We’re just meeting someone, nothing dishonorable about it.” She laughed, pushing at his shoulder, only for the bull to not budge and glare in return, “Alright, stay a plank of wood. True there might not be challenge, but hey, if she causes trouble, you can bash her head in alright?”

“And you call her friend?”

“Acquaintance more like it in this type of business. Watch your coin around her, she can make it literally walk away.”

Asterion shifted on his hooves, his ears splaying at the predicament. “Since this is the only avenue before me to reach our goals, it would appear as though you have me by the tail.”

“She does that.” Veledar squawked.

She smacked the gryphon playfully on the beak, relishing his angry chirp as she wheeled about and gestured for the boys to follow. “Then keep up, we must meet my acquaintance in one of the more…underbelly parts of the city.”

“You make it sound like the sewer.” Grunted Asterion.

“There is no way in the hells you’re shoving me into that filth.” Veledar hissed.

Lyndis merely shrugged with a grin, “You’re the one who came along, don’t be crying now that you find out what I’m doing.”

The bull stared ahead with a stern expression, “It figures, Korde continues to test me.”

“Eh, you’ll manage.” She slung her arm around his broad shoulders, “Just think, if it doesn’t kill you, it will only make you stronger.”

The streets were a stark contrast to the cathedral’s halls, sounds bombard her elven ears with such intensity she had to cover them. Horses clomped on by with heavy hooves as they were nearly struck by a carriage when they returned to the streets. Vendors called out to them to inspect their wares, weapons, general goods, traveling supplies, it didn’t matter, each seemed to be aware they were adventurers and in need of resupplying. Lyndis dragged the others through it all, even catching a crier announcing that the military had secured several new victories over the ‘finger twiddlers’, that was no doubt Rothdell.

“So how do you know this contact of yours?” Asterion's gruff voice a great distraction of the anger welling up in her chest over that little announcement. The bull easily stepped beside her with his great strides. _ _

“Years ago, visited Entis awhile back. She and I met in a tavern called the Adjective Noun, nice placed owned by a halfling- “

“The adjective noun?” Veledar groaned, “That was really the name, the Adjective Noun? You can’t be remotely serious.”

“Yea the half-ling thought it was some sort of joke. Since taverns are always called things like the Red Dragon, the Drunken Donkey, or something silly like the Prancing Pony. So, he figured he would boil it down to its root.” She laughed at the absurdity of it, just like she had done when she stood outside the wooden tavern and its square sign. “Friend of mine were trying to steal from one another, should have seen how we laughed.”

“I don’t see how that’s funny.” Arcturus grunted.

“It was when our hands bumped into one another. I pulled a dagger; she readied her talons.” The rogue sighed, “Good times.”

“This better not end with us being chased outside by a whole battalion of thugs.”

“Nah, Natassa doesn’t work like that, Damon’s lucky she’s even helping him. Which of course means she wants something out of the whole deal.”

“It better not be my treasure.” Hissed Veledar.

“I’m sure it won’t be anything like that.” She lied with a smile, hoping internally that wasn’t the price the gryphoness would impose upon them. She wasn’t quite sure she could talk Veledar out of engulfing her in flames. Luckily for her, the entrance to the sewers was close enough that no talk had to be made. It was away from prying eyes, down a grime covered alley across from a graveyard.

“It’s a literal sewer?” Asterion grunted, his arms crossing.

“I’m not going down there.” Veledar growled.

Lyndis rolled her eyes, “Good, I wasn’t planning on you attending anyway. Arcturus, stay up here and keep the gryphon company yea? Keep him out of trouble.”

“I’m playing nanny?” Arcturus gestured to his chest in disbelief, “Is that all I’m good for?”

“At least he listens to you. Just think of it as another skill to train! Same goes for you Merlia, better off with you staying here.”

“Let me guess, you’re worried about be cracking a few skulls?” Replied the ranger with a grunt.

“You’re the one who blows up at the slightest insult, I’d rather not have that around with this particular friend.”

Though none of her companions seemed to like the idea of splitting the party, and her experience as an adventurer warned against such things, the alternative she imagined was worse. With a spell to increase the minotaur’s strength, the metal cover to the sewer was removed and placed to the side. Instantly vile smells came from below, wrinkling nose and threatening everyone to vomit.

“I think I’ve made the right choice.” Veledar backed away, ears pinned, “Good luck in that shit hole Lyndis.”

“Agree with the lad, smells worse than leathery burnt bacon.” Merlia held tight her nose.

Arcturus grimaced but was stomaching the odor, “If you’re gone for too long, we’ll head in after you.”

“We’re going to be fine.” Lyndis rolled her eyes, “Appreciate the concern, really plays into the knight in shining armor routine, but we’ll be fine.”

“Lyndis.” His voice was stern.

“Give me an hour or two, then come looking.” She sighed, “Don’t want you spooking her off alright?”

He nodded in agreement as she eyed the darkened opening.

“Just be sure to not betray us.” Veledar flared his wings, eyes steeled.

“Yea, yea.” She waved him off.

“Do not worry, if she does, I will smash in her skull.” Came Asterion’s heavy grunt.

Merlia blinked, “Holy hell Asterion, you go straight for the throat!”

His reply was dull, “It is the reward for traitors.”

Lyndis rolled her eyes, ignoring her companion’s threat and instead staring down, the entrance was hardly large enough to fit a single person. Someone like Asterion would be a tight fit. She could see the bottom thanks to her elvish sight, spying the stone not but twenty feet down. Metal hand holds marked the way down.

“I should be the first one down.” Asterion went to start crawling down the ladder, but she stopped him with a hand to his furred chest.

“Hold it Asterion. I am not some dainty fragile little flower, as you pointed out.” She stuck a thumb to her chest, “I will be going down first, besides-” She pointed to her eyes, and then her ears. “I have the better eyes and ears down there.”

Lyndis grabbed hold of the cold metal bars. She gave a test tug with her arm, and it held tight against the stone. She placed her feet carefully next and proceeded to start her climb down. “So, what was your first adventure like?”

“The first one was after I slaughtered that entire village. I sought out a cleric to teach me the ways of healing.”

“What did you do before that?”

“I was fighting the Corvanians back in my home country.”

She pictured him, using magic to blast apart several of those lion men, “So this is your first real adventure then?”

“I suppose so.” He followed on after her, squeezing in his sides, “I hope you don’t imply this will be my first. No adventurer starts in the sewer.”

“Untrue!” Lyndis reached the bottom, eyes swiftly adjusting to the dim path below. It was of grimy stone, risen above a river of filth below. No torches or mana lanterns were in sight; however, she could still see in black and white. “My first adventure was clearing out a nest of direrats back home.”

“Why would you do that? I thought you did not start until you were away from your country?” He landed beside her with a snort, “I suppose the Lumarians don’t want anyone seeing in here.” With a raise of his arm, he made a cup, summoning a ball of light with a word of power.

“Well leaving was the first time on my own. For this particular quest, Gerald had snuck me out of the castle. We ended up helping this tavern owner with her rat problem, it was exciting of course. They were the size of dogs...”

“To kill rats?”

“That wasn’t the exciting part, going somewhere I hadn’t been. Not to mention the thrill of helping someone, seeing their face light up?” Lyndis beamed as she balanced her way over one of the many stone bridges above the water, “Nothing like that occurred in the castle, everyone was waiting on you hand and foot, delighted no matter what you do.”

“Why did you leave your comfort?” Asterion followed, his hooves not as agile as she. He wobbled and nearly fell into the water below, “I thought humans liked to live comfortably.”

“Not this one.” She lied, “Couldn’t wait to get out of that blighted castle, set my sights for the road. Not to mention they were trying to force me to marry.”

His ears splayed, “Is that not selfish? It is the royalty’s duty to put aside their selfish desires for their people.”

“Never really cared for that way of thinking.” She dismissed his point, “If there wasn’t love there was no point, nor do I need your approval.”

Silence wrapped around the pair for some time, only the sound of the bull’s hooves comping through the passageway and the running water beneath them. Several times they crossed small shambled together bridges, putting quite the distance between them and the surface.

“Where does this all end up?” Asterion eyed the river of filth, “Does it flow to a river or an underground water source?”

“Magical barrier powered by their crystals.” She gestured him along, “Once the liquid hits, the barrier fires off a giant version of the prestidigitation spell. In a flash all the refuse and whatever else is in there is purified. Trust me, wish we had these things back home.”

“You don't?”

“We don’t have their powerful crystals, the bastards guard it jealously. You’ve seen it, only the military carries energy crossbows and cannons. So, the only way we could get the stronger ones would be off a dead soldier.” She stopped to point at a section of the path elevated above the rest. It had a small railing around a square section, that had four torches on stands. They were already lit and bathing the area around them in a soft orange glow.

“I don't see your contact.” stated Asterion, scanning the walls.

Lyndis touched the stone with her gloved hand, pulling back to reveal a slight slime sticking to the surface of the otherwise clean stone. In fact, now that it occurred to her, all the stone here was spotless. There was no grime, no dust, just the same clean look. Alarm bells rang in her head as she snapped to her rapier. She had figured Lumara must have kept some of these creatures, but not down in their bloody sewer. “Keep your eyes peeled, we might have an ooze of some kind, maybe even a gelatinous cube.”

“Gelatinous cube? Ooze? I have not seen such creatures, what are they?” Asterion crouched and rose his hands to his chest. He took his next stop softly onto the stone, hardly making a noise.

“Like a living puddle of water taken shape, they wander around dungeons, sewers, they like places where it is dark and dank.” She held up her hand, causing Asterion to stop in his tracks. “They absorb things into themselves, and slowly dissolve them within their bodies. You must keep a sharp eye, since a gelatinous cube is almost completely transparent. Luckily, they can't dissolve metal or magical items, so those get stuck within their bodies.” She took a slow step as she pulled her rapier out with one motion. Then held it aloft in front of her. “My father actually kept one to clean the dungeons. He would clear everyone out and just let it wander around for a few hours.” She remembered how they got it back to its room, leaving a trail of meat for it to follow.

She crouched as the thick smell of the place seemed to recede. It now smelled like a mules backside, instead of a place dripping with mortal waste. It was not a vast improvement, but welcome none the less. She still held her rapier in front of her, as she rested the other arm on her knee.

“Is your friend going to show up?” Asterion crouched beside her and whispered, after several minutes of silence.

“If she doesn’t, Damon’s going to be pissed.”

“What can one little gryphon do?”

“That gryphon belongs to a group that calls itself The Many Eyed.” Lyndis wiggled the fingers of her free hand.

“Thats a stupid name.”

“I don't know, it’s just something they fucking picked.” Her eyes spied movement from beyond the torchlight. “There.” she pointed it out to the bull. Just as she did this, a gryphon emerged before them. She seemed to spring from the darkness, her feathers and fur a collage of colors. Oranges and browns melted together intermixed with dashes of gold. Pale blue eyes gleamed in the light, as the gryphoness gave them a gryphon smirk. There was an almost seductive way she slunk; her leathers that adorned her frame meant to draw eyes upon them.

“Lyn, it’s always a pleasure to see you darling.” The gryphoness chirped, her pale blue feathered wings gently ruffling as she leaped upon their platform. “I do miss competent help these days.” Her eyes flicked to Asterion when he gave a defensive snort, “And who is this wall of muscle and fur.” She cooed, brown and gold tail flicking in interest, “He’s positively to die for.”

“That’s Asterion.” Lyndis remarked coolly, knowing this particular gryphon liked to use her feminine assets to her advantage. “He’s not going to be suckered in by your charms.”

“Oh, but my charms are ever pleasing. Do you regret our time in Haican, laughing the night away on a good score? I could have sworn I saw your face make so many cute expressions.”

“I remember waking up, you gone, a lone note and missing most of my cut.”

The gryphoness chuckled, “That is why you should never let your guard down my favorite minx.”

She grit her teeth as cheeks flushed, hating to see the coming satisfied smile from her friend. Even still, she could never be trusted, “We must catch up some other time.”

“I hope with a bottle of Gryphon Delight and in somewhere comfortable, you always brought us to the nicest of places.” Natassa came to a stop, resting a wing length away, ever watching their movements despite her welcoming tone.

“What do you have for me?” Lyndis relaxed, all a ruse to try and lure this catbird into a false sense of security, “Damon might have mention, but my client, he’s exceptionally impatient when it comes these sorts of things.”

“I heard all about his fiery temper.” Laughed the gryphoness, tapping a series of pouches around her chest, “Your employer can be at ease, the treasure and book that he seeks is within the city.”

That was good, she could breathe a sigh of relief. “And where might this treasure exactly be?”

“That’s the thing, I can’t quite remember.”

“You lie.” Asterion stated flatly.

Natassa tapped her head, ears perked, “If only something could cause me to remember.”

“You want a mace to the skull?” The cleric pats the weapon at his side, earning a dismissive hiss.

“The company you keep is quite dull Lyndis, I don’t remember you hanging around with such dullards.”

“It’s better than having to always watch out for daggers or talons in the back.” Lyndis replied, folding her arms. “And how much do you want in exchange for this memory of yours?”

“Now that is the question isn’t it.” Natassa rose, talons clicking upon the stone. “It all comes down to where your precious treasure resides. For you see, there is a special chest that we wish to have as payment. Inside it has rings, amulets, and precious magical items that we would like to liberate from those with power.”

“And instead give yourself power.”

She clicked her tongue, “Power for me? No, I couldn’t care less what they do with the trinkets and baubles.”

“That all Damon wants?” Lyndis scoffed, “Seems rather stupid for him, they’ll just have one of their mages track the items.”

“Oh, this isn’t for Damon.” Natassa’s colorful feathers ruffled, “Do we have a deal?”

“For a treasure chest, but we don’t know where it is?” The rogue was skeptical, eyeing the gryphons smile.

“Suppose you will have to trust me.”

Rolling her eyes, Lyndis agreed, it wasn’t like they had another lead. Besides, if it was simply more stealing stuff, she was good at that. “Where is it?”

“The king’s personal vault.” Natassa’s eyes beamed, “Shelves piled high with all sorts of magical goods that you can only imagine. Scrolls, gems, potions, weapons and armor that anyone would be dying to get their claws on.” She opened her pouches and procured a rolled-up map, “Your friend’s treasure is also within the castle walls. Where, we don’t know, our spies don’t penetrate that deep.”

“You can’t even tell us the exact location? What good is that?” Asterion growled.

“It’s better than what you had before.”

Lyndis snatched the map, “I should have known, with you involved it wouldn’t be easy. What’s this then?”

“Where you’re supposed to be meeting.” Natassa rolled a talon, “On the map there is a marked tree. My employer can get you and your acquaintances into the castle without being detected. Be here by twelve bells this evening. If you are later than that.” She chuckled, “Well, somethings are better left unsaid.”

She couldn’t even begin to speculate on exactly who this secret employer of Natassa’s was, whomever it was she imagined they were powerful enough to buy the gryphon’s silence. She doubted it was Lumara, the thief wouldn’t be caught dead helping the authorities unless she had no other choice. “Why not come yourself? I remember you love robbing from the rich.”

“I’m not stupid Lyn, it’s better to have your plucky group stick their beak in instead, in case there’s trouble.”

“If there is, we shall grind it to dust.” Asterion growled.

The gryphoness gave a dainty sigh, stroking the minotaur’s chest with a talon, “If you’re not busy later big boy, I could use someone like you to help me work some things out.”

“Your seduction is lost upon me temptress.” He sneered, “I doubt you could endure me anyway, most can’t.”

“Large talk.” She cooed with a laugh, “Most men make the boast but can’t deliver. Regardless, Lyn, as fun as this was, I’ve got to be going. Can’t wait to wash the wretched smell of this place off my feathers. ” Natassa leaped to the platform she’d come from, darkness wrapping her feathers, “Take care and try not to die, especially you big boy!”

There they waited for several moments in silence, listening to when the gryphon’s talons departed their senses. With a gesture, the pair began making their way back whence they came.

“Are you really going to steal for them?” Asterion asked, as he casually brushed past her.

She strode on for a minute in silence, until she was sure they were out of earshot of that gryphon harlot. “Of course not, you think I would help her sorry arse?” She held up her hands again and wiggled her fingers. “Especially after what she did, playing with a young girl’s heart? No, that cunt is going to be unsatisfied when this is through.” She patted the map in her hands three times gently. “Cause we’re going to be taking these for ourselves!”

“Clever.” Asterion gave her a grin, “Are you not afraid of a reprisal from her or her boss?”

“Hell no. I have had plenty of bloody people angry with me.” She placed her hands on the back of her head. “Soon as we leave this horrid place, I’m never looking back. What’s it to me if I make them cross? I have a ruddy dragon watching my back now.” Whistling along she disregarded the shake of his head, or warning of having too many enemies for her blades. She had everything under control.

** * * * * * * * * *

We're starting to see some new changes, hogar the hobgoblin was changed into Natassa the gryphoness. You'll see as the story progresses, how other things changed as well. Hope you enjoyed this moments, don't be afraid to like, share and comment below. :>

If you like this sort of thing and want to support my work, while seeing artwork, comics, wip and writing early, my patreon can be found here:

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=371744

Like chatting and hanging out? My telegram can be found here, were other fans of the story are chilling: https://t.me/+bFP5zAI4UIWBIGX2