Chapter Five
I heaved myself up onto the ledge and drew my sword before I turned to help Mahini over the rim of the ledge as well. Our arrival on the scene startled the kobolds, and everyone froze for a moment while the lizard creatures’ eyes flicked back and forth between the griffons and me.
I counted over ten of the evil creatures standing between me and the griffons’ nest, and I was surprised the hybrids were having such a hard time managing the small horde. The green-scaled lizard-men carried barbaric weapons and wore minimal armor as if they were men, but their animalistic faces showed no humanity. Their snouts were filled with sharp fangs, and long split tongues curled between their teeth. They stood on hind legs, but I knew they could just as easily get down on all fours, and then they were even faster.
A single moment stretched on endlessly as I stood facing the kobold horde, but then all hell broke loose.
Three of the creatures leapt for me at the same time while two more notched bolts into their crossbows and took aim at my pregnant wife, but the rest continued to harry the griffons who stood defending their nest.
I flicked my feather sword around in my hand so I could stab over the closest kobold’s head, and I simultaneously swiveled to the side as his jagged-edged blade scraped against my armor.
“Motherfucker,” I cursed under my breath as I drove my blade into the bastard’s skull. I didn’t have time to inspect the damage on my new armor, but at least I wasn’t injured.
Mahini ducked as the crossbow bolts zipped past her head, and then the two crossbow-kobolds squatted to attach more projectiles from the quivers hanging at their sides. The desert goddess wasn’t about to give them the chance to reload, though, and she whipped her sword free from its scabbard as she dashed toward our enemies.
I wasn’t one to be outdone, but then I had a kobold charging for me, and I used the dead reptile attached to my sword like a shield to ram the lizard-creature backward. I yanked my weapon free from the skull of my fallen enemy as I gained some distance from the edge, and I dragged my blade across my opponent’s torso in the same motion.
Blood spilled across the rocky summit, and my griffon feather boots slipped in the muck, but I managed to keep my balance. The screech of the hybrids rang in my ears until it turned into nothing more than a high-pitched frequency, but the intensity of the noise made my eyes water, and I staggered backward.
“Bash, be careful!” Mahini’s voice called through the sound of the bird-like screeches.
A kobold was charging straight toward me, and I was dangerously close to the edge of the cliff, so even if I blocked the attack, there was still a chance of me falling over the rim. I lunged forward with my feather sword extended, and I blocked the blow of my enemy’s blade with the sharp edge of my weapon.
Metal struck metal, and the beady eyes of the lizard-man gleamed with rage and bloodlust. I wasn’t sure if they could talk or not, but I’d never heard anything other than unintelligible grunts and growls escape their snouts.
I swung my blade to block the next blow, but my opponent had thick muscular arms, and every hit landed like a sledgehammer. I pushed the lizard-man back toward the nest, but before I could get the upper hand, another kobold tackled me around the waist, and the two of us catapulted off the edge of the cliff.
There was no way I was going to wait for the pain of death, so I reset back to my save point with a wave of my willpower.
Chime.
Mahini and I were at the bottom of the cliff wall, and the sounds of the kobolds fighting against the griffons was too far above us for me to hear, but I knew they were there. The hybrids needed our help, and I needed some more feathers and a talon or two.
While my skills had definitely improved since the last time I’d faced off against a horde of kobolds, I hadn’t exactly been expecting a fight right after climbing the face of a rock wall. I’d been winded and caught unawares, but I wouldn’t make the same mistakes twice. Plus, there wasn’t a lot of room to maneuver up there, which made the battle even more challenging.
“The griffons are close,” I informed the desert goddess in a hurried tone. “But there’s kobolds attacking their nest, and they need our help.”
“Well, we better get to the top in a jiffy, then,” Mahini observed with a coolly arched eyebrow as she used one of the words I’d taught her.
“Hell, yeah.” I grinned and lashed the rope tied around Mahini’s waist to my own, and the two of us began our ascent once more. This time, I knew where all the good hand holds were since I’d already crested the summit, and I led the desert goddess swiftly to each one. I started to get too far ahead of her, though, and the strand between us grew taut.
“Bash!” Mahini chuckled in an exasperated tone. “Slow down! You’re the god here, not me!”
“Sorry,” I laughed as I paused on the rock face to allow her to catch up to me. I pointed out the best place to put her hands, and then I flashed her a cheeky grin before I continued up the precipice.
Right before we reached the top, the sounds of the struggle above us greeted my ears again, and I paused one more time.
“Ready?” I asked the obsidian-haired beauty who clung to the cliff directly below me.
Mahini nodded curtly, but she didn’t expend any effort on a reply.
I returned the gesture before I heaved myself up over the lip, but this time I was already expecting the scene before me, so I didn’t stand and gape in shock. The kobolds did, though, and they were still processing my arrival when Mahini crested the summit as well. We had our blades out in the next breath, and the two of us lunged toward the kobolds with battle cries on our lips.
“Die, motherfucker!” was always a good go-to taunt.
“Fall before me, cowards!” Mahini roared.
Yeah, hers was better.
This time, I was expecting the bolts from the crossbows aimed at Mahini, and I managed to knock the projectiles out of the air with my feather sword before they even got close to her. She flashed me a grateful smile, but then she turned to parry the blow of a barbaric blade.
I did the same, and for the next few moments, I lost myself in the flow of battle. I danced around the kobolds and extracted my vengeance, but there was little they could do against a god.
Some of the kobolds changed up their attack patterns, but they were no match for me, so eventually when a lizard-man charged at me and tried to knock me off the cliff, I was prepared. I stepped to the side just before the scaly arms wrapped around my midsection, and the kobold backpedaled in an effort to avoid the inevitable fall ahead of him.
My enemy skidded off the side of the mountain with a loud screech of terror, but then the sickening sound of bones crunching far below us echoed up to my ears.
“Behind you!” Mahini warned, and I spun to face my new target.
“Thank you!” I called out in a sing-song voice, and I dodged the slash aimed at the back of my legs by hopping over the sword.
Then I jammed my own sword into the gaps between my enemy’s armor, and the texture of the beast’s scales rubbed against my blade like nails on a chalkboard. I grimaced as my already abused ears absorbed the sound, but then I yanked my weapon free while blood gurgled from the wound along the creature’s side.
I heard the sound of a crossbow being loaded, and I looked toward the noise just in time to see Mahini aiming for the two archers with her bow drawn and an arrow already notched. She released her projectile in the next instant, and then she had another one in place and ready to go.
Satisfied the desert goddess was holding her own, I turned back to the kobolds going after the griffons’ nest. High above our heads, one of the great winged beasts circled, but as I raised my sword to slash across the back of a kobold, the hybrid swooped out of the air and snatched my target off the ground.
The wind from the griffon’s wings nearly knocked me off my feet, but I managed to retain my footing on the blood-slick rock summit. The gusts bombarding the peak of the mountain didn’t help, either, but I was determined not to lose my grip.
I wanted to be the God of Not Falling.
The kobold on the other side of the one I’d targeted followed the flying beast’s trajectory into the air, but then his eyes lowered to find me charging toward him with my feather sword extended. I slammed into him with a sickening crunching sound as my blade penetrated his armor, and the tip of my weapon jutted out the creature’s back. Its beady eyes widened, and its snout trembled as a pained expression crossed its face, but I merely twisted my blade to enhance the agony it felt.
I was wrenching my blade free when I felt the talons digging into the muscles of my shoulders, and I cried out in pain as the dagger-like claws crunched through my armor like an aluminum can. My feet were lifted off the ground, and my blade fell from my grasp as my hands moved instinctively to where the pain originated.
The vantage point I gained from this height was breathtaking, though, and the view caught my eye as we gained altitude. The peak of the mountain caught the mid-morning sun rays, and light reflected in every direction.
“I’m not your enemy!” I called up into the sky above me, but the griffon gripping me didn’t look down.
There was no way I was going to be able to have a conversation with the mythical creature before it dropped me to my death, so I went ahead and reset back to my save point. My shoulders were killing me, anyway.
Chime.
I wasn’t sure how to prevent the griffon from attacking me as well as the kobolds, but I would figure out a way to convince them we were allies. It could prove to be challenging to fight off the winged beast in addition to the lizard-men while also trying to keep my pregnant wife safe, as I’d just found out the hard way.
“There’s kobolds above us,” I warned Mahini. “They’re attacking the griffons’ nest, and they need our help.”
“Let us hurry, then,” the desert goddess replied with a curt nod, and her demeanor turned all business as she wrapped the rope around her waist.
“I love you so much,” I sighed as I lashed the other end around my own torso.
“I love you, too,” Mahini chuckled, but her blue eyes flicked up the face of the rock wall. “But let us get to the top before we celebrate.”
“There’s a fight waiting for us at the top,” I pointed out. “We’re quite a ways away from our victory celebrations.”
“I have no worries,” Mahini replied. “You’re the God of Time, and I am your wife. If anyone can handle some kobolds, it’s us.”
I smirked as I began the ascent to the summit, but I went even faster up the rock wall during this attempt. Of course, Mahini’s skill remained the same, so I had to pause a few times to let her catch up, but the desert goddess remained in high spirits. Her icy gaze was full of determination as we moved from foot-hold to hand-hold. Then the sounds of the struggle reached our ears. The griffons screeched and cawed, and the echo of their voices urged me onward at an even faster pace.
Mahini and I were in action mode the instant we crested the rim of the wall, but the kobolds still froze in shock at our sudden appearance. I withdrew my feather sword and charged toward the closest lizard-creature, and the desert goddess let out a fierce battle cry as she followed in my wake.
I shoved the closest kobold into his neighbor, but then I heard the twang of bolts being shot by the two crossbow-wielding kobolds, and I swiped my blade through the air. I knocked the projectiles away before they even came close to my pregnant wife, and then I flicked my weapon around in my grip to drive it into the clavicle of a lizard-man charging toward me.
That was one down.
At least nine more of the fierce creatures stood between us and the nest, with several more snarling and snapping at the griffons’ talons, so I got to work. I twirled my sword through the air like a harbinger of death, and I rammed the blade through the armor-covered gut of the next kobold until it jutted out his back. Two kobolds had died by my hand, and I scanned the summit for another enemy.
Mahini fired off a shot, and another kobold fell with an arrow in the eye. The desert goddess didn’t even pause before she released another projectile within the next breath, but this one bounced harmlessly off the primitive armor the beasts wore. The kobold snarled and lunged toward my beautiful bride, but I was already crossing the distance between me and the ugly ass creature.
I hacked downward across the back of the kobold’s neck as it dashed toward Mahini, but I didn’t manage to cut its head clean off. The beast skidded to a halt as a pained gurgle escaped its throat, and its eyes blinked blankly up at me. Its head hung at a precarious angle by a small amount of flesh, but it only took me a moment to saw through it with my feather sword.
Then I heard a noise from behind me like claws scraping against rock, and I spun around to see Mahini driving her sword through the chest of a kobold who’d tried to attack me from behind.
“Thanks for having my back,” I called.
Five down.
The two crossbow kobolds kept their distance as they loaded another bolt into their weapons, but Mahini and I exchanged a look before we both rushed for them. From my perspective, it was like we moved in slow motion across the rocky summit toward the assholes aiming their crossbows at our heads, but then I stomped my foot to activate the fleetness ability of my boots, and everything suddenly sped up.
I saw the awed look on Mahini’s face as I became a blur of motion, but then I was landing with my sword buried in a kobold’s neck. I jumped to my feet and yanked my weapon free, but the desert goddess had caught up to me by the time I swiveled to the next kobold. Her sword sliced through the air to sever the lizard-man’s jugular in one swift motion, and an instant later, a well of blood sprayed all over her.
Seven down. Three more stood between me and the griffons, but still more lizard-men were already inside the nest.
The griffons had managed to keep the other three kobolds occupied while defending their nest, but when I scanned the battlefield, I spotted one of the scaly beasts clutching an enormous beige egg. The pained cry of the griffon nearly broke my heart into a million pieces, and my ears continued to ring for a long moment after being assaulted by the high-pitched frequency.
“Mahini!” I shouted. “Save the egg!”
The desert goddess locked her ice-blue gaze on the bastard carrying away the griffons’ most prized possession, and she nodded curtly as fire filled her eyes. I was satisfied the creature would not remain alive for long, so I turned back to the nest with every intention of killing the thieving reptiles as painfully as possible.
Rage bloomed in my gut as I saw the kobolds overpowering the griffon who hunched over the other eggs remaining in the nest, and I charged forward with another stomp of my foot. That was two durability points gone, but I was about to have an unlimited supply of magical feathers and other things, so I wasn’t worried about my boots.
“Come here, fuckers,” I growled as I flicked my blade around in my grip, and I managed to catch the attention of the kobolds.
I climbed over the branches and bushes that made up the outer edge of the large nest, and I jumped onto the back of the closest kobold before I dragged the edge of my feather sword across his throat. Then I tossed his body to the side, and I parried the blow of a barbaric blade with the edge of my own, but I twirled my sword around in a circle until my opponent lost his grip.
The griffon snapped and clawed at the two kobolds crawling between his massive wings, but then the lizard-men clamped their jaws into the mythical beast’s neck. The winged beast flapped and floundered as he tried to dislodge his attackers, but they’d managed to position themselves in the one spot his snapping beak could not reach.
“Shit!” I cursed as I ducked to avoid being knocked over by the griffon’s wings. “Calm down, buddy, so I can help you!”
My words did seem to have an effect on the griffon, and he calmed enough for me to get closer, but he continued to toss his head and screech with pain. I didn’t know where the other griffon had gone, but I could hear the cries in the air, so it had to still be nearby.
I skirted around behind the griffon’s wings, and I had to sheath my weapon in order to climb onto his back, so I exchanged my feather sword for one of my daggers clenched between my teeth. I grabbed fistfuls of feathers and fur where the two combined, and I used the crevice between the griffon’s front leg and torso to push myself up onto his back.
The sensation of being on top of a living breathing griffon was not lost on me, but I didn’t have time to enjoy it. I removed the dagger from my mouth, took aim at one of the kobolds biting the griffon’s neck, and launched my blade through the air.
My dagger flew end over end until it buried itself in the neck of my target, and the kobold’s jaws opened, which caused it to release its grip on the griffon. I wasn’t sure if my hit had been fatal or not, but the scaled beast tumbled out of sight, so I pulled my other dagger out.
The griffon suddenly stomped its feet and bucked its head wildly, and for a moment, I struggled to hold on. I clung to the fur and feathers with white-knuckled fists, and I squeezed with my legs in an effort to maintain my grip on the flying hybrid.
When the griffon finally settled down a little, it only took me a moment to reposition myself within aim of the last kobold. I put a little extra oomph into my throw for good measure, and the impact of my blade against the lizard-man’s skull caused him to fly away from the griffon’s neck. The kobold hit the ground with a hard thud, and the griffon immediately bounded onto it.
Before I could slide off the hybrid’s back, it was ripping into the flesh of the kobolds who’d bitten its neck, and a feeling of vengeance permeated the beast’s every movement. The half-eagle, half-lion hybrid flung his head from side to side like a dog with a chew toy, and kobold guts flew in every direction like gross confetti. I grimaced as I held my grip on the fur of his neck since I didn’t want to join the kobolds beneath the vengeful talons of the giant flying beast.
I finally managed to get off the griffon’s back, but I had to admit it had been a wild ride while it lasted. My legs were shaking from the short stint of riding the mythical creature, but I still wouldn’t say no to another opportunity to sit between the monstrous wings. Next time, it would hopefully be a leisure activity, though, and not a fight to the death.
Mahini clambered over the edge of the nest a moment later with the enormous beige egg cradled in her arm. She crossed the distance to where I stood with a confident swish of her hips, and her face was streaked with the blood of our enemies.
“All the kobolds are dead,” she declared with a proud lift of her chin.
“Excellent,” I complimented as I flashed her a broad smile. “But I know I can do it better.”
“What do you mean?” Mahini tilted her head to the side. “We won the battle, and neither one of us are injured.”
“Oh, I just think I can kill all the kobolds faster,” I explained, but before she could question me any further, I reset back to my save point with a wave of my will.
Chime.
This was going to be the final run through, and I was full of confidence as I eyed the peak of the mountain far above my head. The kobolds were going to wish they’d chosen a different nest to scavenge from.
“There’s kobolds attacking the griffons’ nest above us,” I informed the desert goddess while the tingling sensation washed over my entire body. Then I had an idea, and I began to rip off a chunk of my shirt. “We should crumple some of my shirt up and put it in our ears. The griffons’ screeches were more than a little distracting.”
“Alright,” Mahini said as she accepted the two pieces of ripped fabric I offered her. “I’m not sure what you mean, since I have yet to hear anything, but I trust your judgement.”
“Stay as close to me as you can while we climb to the top,” I instructed. “We’ll hit the ground fighting as soon as we get to the nest, so be prepared.”
“You got it.” The desert goddess nodded in understanding, and then the two of us got to work on the cliff face.
I raced from hold to hold with a quickness Mahini couldn’t keep up with, and I had to wait for her more than one time, but then we were at the top once more. I helped Mahini climb onto the ledge, and then I followed behind her while simultaneously withdrawing my feather sword from its sheath.
I easily avoided the kobold who attempted to knock me off the cliff, and then I swiped the two crossbow bolts out of the air before they struck my warrior woman wife. I danced around in tandem with Mahini as my blade created a swirling tornado of death in the air, and blood sprayed in my wake every direction I went.
Then Mahini and I killed the kobolds outside the nest faster than I had during any other attempt, and I managed to stop the egg thief before the lizard-man even left the griffon’s nest. The two hybrids ripped into the corpses of their enemies with a rage I did not want to ever receive personally, and when they were satisfied with the deadly state of the kobolds, they settled in on top of their eggs once more.
“Oh, fearsome beast of the mountain,” I began in a respectful voice. “Do you remember me?”
“I almost forgot you can speak to them,” Mahini murmured, and her obsidian hair jiggled as she shook her head in awe. “Are there any limits to your powers, Bash?”
“Who knows,” I chuckled as I flipped my hand in a dismissive manner, but then I lifted my arm invitingly to the gorgeous desert native. “I’ll find out someday, I suppose.”
“And I’ll be by your side when you do.” Mahini stepped into my arms and tilted her head back to gaze into my eyes with love, and I couldn’t resist the urge to place a tender kiss upon her lips.
You are the one who calls himself the God of Time, the griffon on the right replied telepathically. I am grateful for your sudden appearance, but I have a feeling you did not come to fight kobolds. Why are you here? And why are you holding my egg hostage?
“I’m not holding it hostage,” I hurried to say, but I realized actions speak louder than words.
I didn’t drop eye contact with the two deadly beasts, but I didn’t think they were going to attack me after I’d just killed all their enemies, either. When I was only a few paces away from them, I gently placed the giant egg on the ground and backed away slowly as I looked from the male griffon to his mate.
“Hello, I’m Bash,” I said with a friendly wave for his mate, but I only received slow blinks in response, so I rejoined Mahini closer to the edge of the nest, but I didn’t move to leave. I was going to get what I came here for, after all. I kept my voice calm while I looked straight into the huge amber eyes of the female griffon, and I cleared my throat before I continued. “I met your mate a while back outside of the town far below this mountain peak.”
“Bastianville,” Mahini said as she stood by my side with a look of fearless pride on her face, and my heart sang with love for the brave beauty. Her faith in me was obvious to all, even mythical hybrid creatures.
The female griffon still did not say anything to me, so I turned back to the hybrid willing to converse with me.
I did not expect to see you so soon, the griffon said with a disinterested tone. It is quite the journey without the ability to fly.
“You’re right about that one,” I chuckled. “I came for a reason, and it wasn’t kobolds.”
Although the kobolds as you call them were not your purpose for arriving at my nest, I must again express my gratitude for your mysterious appearance. The griffon tossed his head, and his chest feathers ruffled in the breeze. There is no telling what would have transpired without your presence here today, so my utmost thanks to you for your assistance with those nasty lizard beasts. This is my mate, Fvorikinizia.
“A beautiful name,” I said with a polite dip of my head. “But what do I call you?”
Vrkinizino, the male griffon answered, and he folded his front two feet over each other as he settled into a comfortable position.
Griffons certainly had cool names, but I wasn’t even going to attempt to recreate the sounds echoing through my mind. I probably had to have a beak to form the correct pronunciation, anyway.
The lady griffon bowed her head to me, and her amber eyes showed a glint of gratitude, but she didn’t say a word to me. Or at least, I didn’t hear any female voices inside my head while she stared at me with those humongous eyes.
“You may call me Sebastian, or Bash as I said, and this is my mate.” I gestured to the obsidian-haired babe by my side. “Mahini of Bastianville and daughter of the Kotar Desert.”
Mahini stepped forward and bowed low before the two griffons, and the desert goddess exposed the skin on the back of her neck in the process. I held my breath since I knew the hybrids were easily offended, but the two beasts exchanged a look of surprise at the warrior woman’s action.
“It is an honor to meet you,” Mahini said in a loud, clear voice.
Pride swelled in my chest at the sight of the brave beauty, and I gave her a wide smile when her icy gaze flicked over her shoulder to my face.
I am grateful for your arrival at our nest, however surprising it is, the griffon intoned telepathically as he stared down at Mahini. I am unsure if we would have managed to keep all of our eggs safe without your timely interference.
“You’re very welcome,” I said with a dip of my head.
“What are they saying?” Mahini asked in a curious tone.
“That’s right, you can’t hear them,” I said as I flashed her an apologetic smile “He is just thanking you for your efforts in protecting the nest. I thought maybe if he was talking directly to you then it would be different. Or at least, I was kind of hoping you’d be able to hear what I hear.”
“Oh, to do what only gods can,” my wife sighed. “I do not envy you your powers, but if you could translate so I don’t feel out of the loop, I would really appreciate it.”
“I’ll do my best,” I chuckled, but then I turned back to the griffons as a thought entered my mind. “Is there some way you can communicate with my mate as well?”
Mere mortals may not bear witness to my words, the griffon answered, and he shook his eagle-like head to emphasize his words.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Mahini sighed. “Thanks anyway, Bash.”
“I’ll try to keep you informed,” I promised, but then I cleared my throat to get the mythical creature’s attention. “We made a deal during our last encounter, if you’ll remember. I am here for more feathers and any talons you may have shed recently.”
You have come at a good time, the griffon informed me. I have recently molted, so help yourself to the fallen feathers. As far as talons go, you may find one or two. It has been a while since I shed my claws. I haven’t been hunting as much as I am accustomed to lately.
“Babies keeping you busy?” I smirked.
Indeed. The griffon let out an audible sigh. I feared the worst when the lizard tried to run off with one of our precious eggs.
His mate preened herself while we talked, but at his last words she let out a pained noise and began to rub her beak against the massive eggs at her feet. I could feel the motherly concern radiating from her, and Mahini and I exchanged a knowing smile as her hands moved instinctively to her own stomach.
Mahini suddenly broke away from my side and bent over at the waist, but then her back spasmed, and I stroked her in a comforting manner.
She is ill! The female’s voice suddenly rang out in a shrill pitch. Get her away from my precious babies!
“She’s pregnant,” I chuckled.
Pregg-au-nat… The male griffon attempted to mimic the word, but I could tell he struggled with the strangeness. What does this mean, Bash the God of Time?
“It means we’re going to have a baby,” I explained as a shit-eating grin spread across my face. No matter how many times I said it out loud, it still made my heart swell two sizes to think about my future children.
Is that similar to an egg? The male griffon tilted his head to the side as his amber eyes narrowed slightly.
Mahini’s vomiting subsided, and I automatically handed her the water skin from where it was lashed to the side of my pack. She swished her mouth out, spat, and then smiled up at me.
“Thank you, Bash.” My wife wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, and then she leaned her head against my chest.
“Anytime,” I chuckled.
Your mate will survive? The griffon’s concern was obvious and a little endearing. He was much more open to friendly dialogue than he had been during our first encounter, but then again, we’d just saved his entire family from being a lizard’s dinner.
“Yes,” I assured the mythical creature with a calm nod. “We’re really excited to have children coming into this world. It seems you and I are in similar boats.”
I fly through the air, I have no need for man-made vessels, the griffon scoffed and tossed his head, but there was a twinkle of amusement in his amber eyes. I wish your mate a swift recovery from her illness.
The female griffon squawked at her mate, and the two exchanged a few bird-like noises, but I wasn’t privy to their conversation.
Finally, the male turned back to me and inclined his head. You have hatchlings on the way. I begin to comprehend your meaning.
“Good.” I grinned. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
Becoming a father is a serious matter, the griffon informed me. Are you prepared for this heavy task?
“I think so?” I shrugged. “I’ll figure it out along the way, just like I do everything else.”
Your callous attitude does not bode well for the safety and growth of your fledgling. The griffon shook his head. No, you must do better if you wish to raise half-mortal offspring.
“Half-mortal?” Would my children be half-god? Was the soon-to-be griffon father about to give me parenting advice?
Indeed. The griffon nodded sagely. I would grant you some advice in exchange for your efforts against the lizard-beasts.
“Alright,” I chuckled as I raked a hand through my hair. “Go for it.”
It is unwise to sit too heavily upon your eggs, the griffon male began, and then he proceeded to lecture to me about the dangers of parenting an egg. There was the risk of breakage, overheating, getting a chill, and being stolen by scavengers.
“My mates don’t lay eggs,” I tried to explain, but it was no use.
Feed them only fresh meat within the first few hours after hatching, the griffon daddy continued to advise, so I just shook my head in amusement and allowed him to keep lecturing me about raising a bird.
I was learning a lot about griffons, though, so I couldn’t complain.
Apparently, baby griffons were pretty helpless at first, and it would be an entire year before they even began to fly, but then they could travel thousands of miles with their parents as they explored the vast territory around their mountain home. Then, after five years of teaching the younglings how to hunt and survive on their own, the babies would fly off in search of territories and mates of their own.
Mahini rubbed a comforting hand against my arm as the griffon went on, but she had no idea what I was hearing in my head, so I quickly summarized what I was learning. Then I refocused on the griffon’s words just as he was discussing flight patterns of griffon young.
“Thank you for all your advice,” I said with a polite smile, and I was tempted to reiterate the difference between birds and mammals, but I decided against the pointless exercise.
We waste much time with chatter, but I must know, the griffon said as he peered down at me with curiosity burning in his amber depths. How long do you have until your eggs hatch? Is it safe for your mate to leave the nest?
“Yes, and I’m in no rush,” I said. “I’m more than happy to chat for a minute before we get down to business.”
I was unaware we had any business remaining. The griffon tilted his head to the other side. It would be best to approach the topic straight on.
I wasn’t sure if you could call rambling about baby griffons for what felt like hours addressing things straight on, but I wasn’t about to say that to the griffon. Still, I was eager to advance to the next part of my current quest, and then be alone with my newest bride once more. The trip down the mountain was going to be even more fun than the trip up, I was going to make sure of it.
Retrieve your feathers, the griffon instructed with a dip of his head. Then we shall converse some more. Because of your bravery on this day, I shall grant you enough time to hunt through my nest, but I do not wish you to linger all day.
“It was nothing.” I waved a dismissive hand as I flashed the griffon a friendly smile. “Just a normal day in the life of a god. You’d do the same for us down in Bastianville, right?”
No, I would not.
At least he was honest.
A cracking noise suddenly filled the air, and the two griffon parents jumped off their eggs with alarmed expressions in their amber eyes. The mama hybrid careened loudly as lines began to etch into the shells of her offspring’s’ protective coverings. The lines ran swiftly all around one of the eggs, and then chunks of shell began to crumble away until a small hole formed.
The baby griffons were hatching.
This was probably something never before witnessed by man, and Mahini and I were going to get an up-close view of the whole spectacle, so I settled into a comfortable position on the ground to watch. The eggs were practically vibrating at this point, and I leaned forward to get a better perspective.
“I don’t think she wants us to watch.” Mahini put a warning hand on my shoulder as the mother griffon let out a shrill, protective cry, and the female griffon placed herself between me and the eggs.
The male griffon chirped to his mate, and the pair exchanged some more bird-squawks for a moment before the lady hybrid stepped begrudgingly out of my way.
“Thank you.” I grinned at the female, but she merely tossed her head before turning back to her hatching babies. “It is an honor to be able to witness the hatching of your young.”
It is a gift I would only give to a god, the male griffon replied. Consider yourself among my allies.
“An even higher honor,” I said, and I quickly translated to Mahini what the griffon had said.
“Wow,” the desert goddess breathed as her icy gaze widened. “I do not believe I’ve ever heard of anyone being able to claim such an honor before. Griffons are not known for their friendliness, after all.”
“I know, right?” I chuckled, but then more noises from the eggs brought me back to the tense hatching happening before our eyes.
First one patchy-feathered head popped free from its shell, and then another, but then the baby hybrids immediately screeched with hunger. The look of utter adoration on the mother’s face was obvious to both of us humans, but then I took in the expression of fierce paternal protectiveness in the father’s amber eyes.
I pitied the fool who fucked with these baby griffons.
By the time the eggs were all hatched, there were six babies altogether, but they seemed to struggle with every move they made, and Mahini and I giggled with delight at their antics. The tiny hybrids waddled around the nest, and they flicked their tails to maintain their balance, but they still toppled over every few steps. The doting mama griffon would lift them up with a gentle, patient beak, and the pride burning in her eyes warmed my heart.
It was all just so fucking wholesome.
Finally, I’d had my fill of baby behavior, so I cleared my throat to get the new father’s attention once more.
“I think it is time I collect my reward and be on my way,” I said. “It was truly an honor to witness the hatching of your young. Thank you for including us.”
When you are finished with your gathering task, the male griffon said, I will let you ride upon my back as I fly you back to your small town of mortal men.
“No eating anyone,” I said with a stern look.
I have made my oath, the griffon countered with a sound I could only assume was a chuckle. I shall not harm any who reside within the town’s walls.
“Or any of the miners working in the copper mine,” I added for additional reassurance.
Nor any of the diggers. The griffon nodded.
“Thank you.” I inclined my head respectfully to the mythical creature, but then Mahini and I went about our search for feathers and talons.
I had the lure of a ride on the griffon’s back urging me onward, so I moved about the nest with eager steps, and Mahini’s eyes twinkled with adoration as she watched me.
“Just wait until everyone in Bastianville sees us show up in style,” I gushed in an excited tone. “Do you think we could make Stryker shit himself?”
Not that I had anything against the tavern owner, but the visual was hilarious. We’d been on good terms ever since I’d had a heart-to-heart with the burly bartender, and while we hadn’t been close friends, he’d been a staunch follower ever since.
“If anyone could,” Mahini laughed. “It’s you.”
“Perfect.” I flashed her a devilish grin.
I found my first feather a few moments later, and I was even more motivated than ever before to find a talon. Then Mahini held another feather aloft with a triumphant smile, and I exchanged a loving kiss for the plume.
The two of us searched all through the nest, and we gathered dozens of feathers. Thinking about how a single feather had given my boots one-hundred speedster settings, I realized I had a nearly unlimited amount of ingredients for enchantments. I could possibly even get enough to outfit a special troop of soldiers with speedy boots, and the endless possibilities began to flash through my mind.
“Is this what you were looking for?” Mahini asked as she held up a translucent curved bird talon.
“Yes!” I cheered with a fist pump in the air. “You’re amazing, Mahini.”
“One of us was bound to find it,” Mahini pointed out as an amused smile twitched the corners of her lips.
“Maybe there’s more?” I peered around at the nest with a scrutinizing glance. Now that I knew what they looked like, they should be easier to spot.
“There has to be,” the desert goddess agreed with a nod.
Sure enough, after a little more searching, we found a total of three talons, and I wondered what differences they would create during the enchantment process.
What else could I do besides enchanting?
Alchemy?
Summoning?
My mind was racing away from me, and I struggled to reel in my running thoughts. First things first, I had to finish gathering up what I could find. Then Mahini and I would ride on the griffon’s back down the mountain, and that thought alone was enough to increase my pace.
After we’d looked through the nest for feathers and talons, Mahini and I returned to the remains of the kobolds to search them for anything valuable. I pressed my finger against blade after blade, but the strongest weapons ended up being the crossbows. The scant, primitive armor they wore wasn’t worth salvaging it from their stinking corpses, and they carried no gold or gems. While I hadn’t found anything of quality, I was satisfied knowing we’d looked through everything.
I was always aiming for one-hundred percent completion, after all.
“I think that may be everything,” Mahini observed in a pleased tone.
“I believe you are correct.” I grinned. “Ready to go home?”
“Are we really going to fly?” Mahini bit her bottom lip as a look of concern suddenly crossed her face.
“Not if you don’t want to.” I furrowed my brow as I scanned her over. Her face was a little paler than usual, but she appeared healthy and as strong as ever.
Maybe she was scared of heights?
“It’s just…” Her light-blue eyes flicked across my face. “What if I throw up on the griffon? I don’t think he would enjoy that too much…”
“Oh, that’s all?” I laughed in relief. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about anything. I’m sure he would understand, worst case scenario, but we can have a bag or something ready, just in case.”
“That is wise.” Mahini’s eyes lit up as some of the tension dropped from her shoulders. “Thank you, Bash. You always have the most creative solutions to problems.”
I didn’t think what used to be referred to as a backseat-bag by my mom was super creative, but I wasn’t going to reject the flattery, so I merely flashed Mahini a grateful smile.
“Let’s go tell the daddy griffon we’re ready for our first flight!” I couldn’t help the excitement that coursed through my veins.
A few moments later, I was helping the desert goddess climb up onto the griffon’s back, and once she had settled into a position between the wings, I followed behind her. I scooted close to Mahini’s back, and she held her pack in front of her to allow me to get right up against her. The feeling of her ass pressed into my groin was enjoyable, but then I was completely distracted by the flapping of the griffon’s wings.
The gusts kicked up by the mythical hybrid’s wings blew my hair about in all directions, but the wind was nearly knocked out of me when the griffon ran for the edge of the cliff and jumped off the rim with a kick of his hind legs. A feeling of weightlessness consumed me as the ground fell away below us, and I squeezed my arms tightly around my pregnant wife.
“This is incredible!” Mahini shouted over the wind. “We are so high up!”
The griffon pumped his wings and gained some altitude, and Mahini and I clung to his fuzzy mane while his body moved through the air. He circled the summit of the mountain where he and his mate had built their nest, and we got a good view of the land around the peak.
Snow clung to the triangular top of the mountain, and the air was thinner at this height, but then my gaze trailed down the side of the mountain to the ground hundreds of feet below us. The trees were nothing more than green blurs, and the white trail of the gravel road was like a silver thread that cut across the landscape. Far away, the walls and structures of Bastianville could be seen, but they resembled a doll house more than an actual town.
“Wow,” I breathed as I extended my arms to either side of me and inhaled the sweet air deeply.
Never in all my life would I have expected I would get the chance to ride on the back of a griffon with my pregnant wife safely by my side, and I whooped with utter joy as we flew through the air toward the tiny mountain village I now called home.
Bastianville grew larger and larger in my vision as we drew steadily closer, and it was crazy how what had taken us days on foot was now taking us only a matter of moments. The griffon circled the town a few times before he began to descend from the multi-story altitude we’d maintained, and my stomach lurched from the motion.
I could only imagine how Mahini was feeling.
A moment later, the massive griffon thumped onto the ground with his hind legs first, and we landed in the middle of the town square. People filled the streets in every direction, but everyone was frozen in place as they stared in terror at the enormous mythical creature that had suddenly plopped down in their midst.
I was home.