I.
The Death of Fear
In griffon territory, mountains are a feature that dominates our beautiful landscape. It was upon these great natural wonders that the most powerful clans built their homesteads. Such homesteads have since become the foundation to the most powerful cities in the world. One such city, resting between the peaks of three separate mountains, was the most glorious of all.
This was the city of Gryphus, capitol to the Gryphonic Union and summit to the Council of Clans, and most importantly, it was my home.
The city was a monument in and of itself, a monument to both the amazing technology belonging to the griffon people, and to their sheer perseverance. Huge towers, that were given foundation in the very mountain itself, were connected by thick walls of bright white stone and completely encircled the three mountain peaks. Inside of these walls, a great platform had been constructed, forming the base of the city's many buildings.
And I was lucky enough to have laid claim to an office with a window, so that if I ever wonder what it is all for, I need only look over to see Gryphus in all of her glory. Of course, said window was not an actual window. In all honesty it was a balistraria, something to be used by archers in case of a surprise attack upon the Citadel. However, since such a thing was all but impossible, the balistaria found more use in being a window than being a defensive structure.
It was a regular day, and I had an unusually large amount of paper work to get done. The excess paper work had likely come about due to my absence while dealing with a small hydra infestation in the Lowlands. But, as we stated in our oath: ‘We officers of the council deserve no rest and shall carry our burdens with a happy heart.’
What I wouldn’t give for a day off...
As I signed off on some trivial piece of documentation, that I had not the slightest intent to read, a timid knock came from my door. I breathed a heavy sigh. It was probably some secretary or a captain’s servant coming to give me some morbidly detailed training maneuvers…
“Come in…” I called out hollowly as I placed my sketchy signature upon another piece of parchment.
The response was slow and careful, like an animal on the first day of spring just after a long hibernation. The door creaked open, and out from the crack came the brown-feathered head of my first lieutenant, Swift Talon. Now, his name may sound rather... pony-like, but there is a very, very good reason for that.
“Ah, lieutenant, I had been hoping for a distraction and you’re just the thing I need.” I declared, placing my quill back into the almost empty inkwell.
“Oh, well, I’m always happy to oblige you, Marshal Astor.” He opened the door the rest of the way, revealing a mantle of dark yellow fur. His front talons were the common yellow associated with most talons, but the other set were... well, a bit different. If one looked to the other half of my young lieutenant, they could see the flank of a brown horse along with a pair of matching hooves.
From what I’ve heard, the young hippogriff’s father was an ambassador of some sort, sent to obtain several exclusive trading rights for the Union when concerning The Principality of Equestria. While there his fancy was apparently caught by a maid or a servant of some sort in the castle. Needless to say, they got together.
While I personally find such a relation to be disgusting and wholesomely unnatural, I would not blame the boy for the shortcomings of his parents. If anything, I was impressed with the lad. Life for a hippogriff is notoriously hard but even with the odds stacked against him, he had the gall to join the army and then, through hard work and persistence, got promoted to an officer’s rank.
It was no secret that this unholy abomination, had quickly become my most prized subordinate.
“Have a seat Talon,” I said, gesturing towards one of the two overly stuffed chairs sitting before my desk. The lieutenant walked across the room and situated himself accordingly. “So, how have your parents been?”
“They’re both very well, sir. Mother has gone south to meet some relatives and my father is on his way to Zebrican... I hear they are having some issues with hyenas or something?” he stated with an awkward chuckle, leading me to believe that he had little experience with social interaction.
“Yes, quite right you are. The conflicts between the two are having poor effects on our trade routes along the whole of Zebrican. We’re hoping to settle the matter before it gets out of hand.” I waved a claw in the air dismissively. “But enough about that, I heard a rumor that you’re going to become an older brother in the months to come. Send your mother my regards.”
Talon’s eyebrows shot up at my words and his head cocked to the side. “I… I’m surprised that you know about that, sir... or even care for that matter.”
I flexed my claw in the air, spotted a bit of filth hiding beneath a claw and cleaned it out with my other nail. “Well, I find that knowing just a bit about your subordinates’ personal lives makes things a bit easier.”
The hippogriff slowly nodded his head in agreement. “Well, thank you sir. I’ll be sure to tell her you send your regards.” He put on a stupid-looking lopsided smile and let out a short chuckle. “I think you’re probably the only griffon, besides my father, that has said anything positive about the whole thing.”
“I would imagine so.” I reached down and turned the latch to the lowest drawer on my desk, revealing my impressive supply of liquor. I brought up a bottle of lowlander scotch along with two glasses. “Would you like a drink, lieutenant?”
“Oh, no thank you sir.” He put his claws up and gave a quick negative shaking of the head. “I don’t drink.”
“Still?” I declared, placing one of the two glasses back into the drawer. “It must be the pony half of you because I’ve yet to find a griffon that doesn’t drink, even if it’s just on occasion.” I poured out the thick brown liquid, brought up the full glass to my beak and took a whiff of its calming odor. “So, have you come to my office to watch me drink, or?”
“Oh! Oh yes, I’m sorry, I almost forgot. The chancellor’s secretary came to me earlier… she said that he’s requested your presence in the council chambers once the current meeting is finished.”
I stared at the lad for a few seconds and then back down to the drink in my hand. I took the glass away from my beak and placed it on the edge of my desk. I wouldn’t want to smell like booze when speaking with the leader of the Gryphonic Union. “And when does that meeting end?”
“Half past noon, sir,” he said without missing a beat.
I looked over at the grandfather clock wedged into the corner of my office. “It’s noon,” I stated blandly and started to tap my desk. “Would you do me a favor, Talon?”
“Yes sir, I’ll do anything for you.” The hippogriff stood up and gave a hearty salute with his right claw. “Your will is my command!”
“Uh-huh... yeah, can you go to my home and ask my wife to give you my uniform and then bring it back to me.”
Talon looked a bit disappointed at that, “Oh, that’s all sir? If I may ask, why didn’t you just put your uniform in the officer’s closet?”
I shrugged, “Several reasons actually: I like my wife to wash it instead of some underpaid citadel maid, I didn’t think I would need it and,” I reached up to the top of my head and plucked one of my grey feathers to show it to my subordinate, “it’s my molting season.”
Talon winced at the sight of me plucking out a feather, as it would have been quite painful had they not been ready to fall out. “I see. Well, I’ll be back before you know it, sir. My mother didn’t staple ‘Swift’ to my name for nothing.” He then walked over to the door and left my office.
I, on the other claw, sat there thinking to myself. Chancellor Vrees wants to meet with me… alone… personally. Why do I get the feeling that this won’t turn out well in the slightest.
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Looking into the mirror, I could see that my wife had done a fine job. The dark blue cloth had been scrubbed clean and the golden buttons, along with the few medals I had acquired, had been shined to perfection. Yet, despite its flawlessness, I was still having trouble with the damned flaps where my wings went through.
“Lieutenant, if you would be so kind,” I said looking over my shoulder while gesturing towards my back with a claw. The lad acted quickly and after a few moments of maneuvering, my wings slid into their proper places. “There we are,” I announced flexing my wings. “So, do I look fit for a meeting with his eminence?”
“You look fine, sir. Chancellor Vrees will have no problems with your uniform.” My subordinate walked over to my cabinet on the far side of the wall. He reached in and pulled from it a long sword which had a red pommel and was sheathed in fine white manticore leather. “Though, I don’t think it would be proper if you forgot your sword,” he said, bringing it over.
I took the weapon from his grasp and promptly attached it to my belt. “Excellent, I’m glad you remembered. I always forget the thing since I hardly ever use it. Now, how much longer before the meeting ends?”
Talon looked over at my office’s clock. “Ten more minutes, sir.”
I nodded and gave my uniform a quick once over, checking to ensure that everything was still perfectly aligned. Once satisfied, I went over to the door and swung it open. “Thank you for your help today lieutenant,” I said without turning around, “have the rest of the day off. I doubt anything of consequence will happen.”
“Yes sir, thank you sir,” he responded, and I could only assume that he gave me a quick salute while my back was turned; such was his nature. “I wish you luck in your meeting with Vrees.”
And with that I walked out the door and headed down the hallway. The walls of the citadel were lined with the portraits of ‘great’ generals who completed such feats as defeating a hydra ‘horde’ or putting down some diamond dog ‘insurrection’. Really, what qualified as ‘great’ or ‘heroic’ was laughable. I’ve done most of the things that these painted faces had done and none of it was all too difficult.
Huh, they’ll probably have my face plastered to one of these walls when I’m dead and gone in a few years.
I didn’t much care for the thought of being memorialized on a canvas. The artist always gave those of us in uniform a sour, serious expression that made us all look like vicious warriors or contemptuous superiors. That’s just not how I want to be remembered.
Aside from the paintings though, the halls were also busy with messengers, pages, secretaries, guards, etc. Most of the time, when I’m simply here to do the paperwork and then leave, I would be bumped into, slammed and pretty much pulverized at random. Now that I had my uniform on though, I was finding the stroll through the corridor to be much more peaceful.
While walking I found that my immediate path was being blocked by two lovely young women in officer’s uniforms, talking to each other at the side of the hall. When I reached them, I gave a polite cough and spoke aloud, “Excuse me, I hate to interrupt your conversation ladies, but I have a most urgent meeting with Chancellor Vrees and find myself in need to get by.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Field Marshal Astor. I didn’t mean to block the hall,” declared the youngest, which was also the one farthest out into the corridor, as she stepped to the side until she leaned against the wall.
“It’s quite fine,” I said, brandishing the most disarming smile I could muster. I walked up a few steps and then gave a quick nod of the head, “Thank you ladies, and may I just say, both of you look beautiful today.” The younger of the two let out a giggle while the other one merely turned a slight bit redder.
My weakness for the opposite sex is countered only by my ability to woo them. I may be married, but what’s the harm in flirting now and again just to prove that I’m still the stud I used to be?
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I finally came upon the double steel doors that lead into the lobby room before the council chambers. Standing in front of these doors stood two griffon guards standing on their back legs. Each was wearing the full body armor of a Union soldier. Everything was present: the faceless helm, the shining bronze chest piece, the chainmail leggings and, of course, the signature guardian halberd.
After another glance, I noticed that upon their back hung a cylindrical metal tube connected to a wooden stock. ‘Muskets’ I believe was the name bestowed upon them. They were some new invention that had been developed in response to the increasing manticore population. I have yet to see one used in combat, but I have heard that the strange new weapons were quite potent.
“Can we help you, Marshal?” asked one of the guards, breaking my gaze upon the musket.
I shook my head as my attention was snapped short and then arched my head back to look up at the standing guardian. “Ah, yes. I was given word that his eminence, Chancellor Vrees, has requested my presence at the end of his current meeting.”
“We have been informed of your arrival,” announced the other guard. “Please enter the lobby.” And with that the guard slammed a talon against the doors and shoved them open.
If you knew I was coming, then why waste my time? I thought to myself as I passed the two of them. The lobby was just as well decorated as the rest of the citadel. The floors and walls were made of a cool blue marble that reflected light from a chandelier hanging over head. Along the side of the room were magnificent pillars, which I doubted did anything other than make the place look grand.
The room itself was completely empty, save for an enchanting young lady sitting in a desk just before the gem studded doors leading to the council chambers. The female griffon’s fur was a dark, almost jet black while ivory white feathers adorned her head, but the tip of each feather was just the slightest bit green. And then there were her eyes, I don’t think I could ever recall anyone with such eyes. They held an air of unyielding intellect and seemed to be cut from pure emerald.
The woman was filing the nail at the end of one of her talons and as I came closer she put the filing instrument away with business like precision. She then looked up at me with those emerald eyes and gave me a beautiful smile.
“Field Marshal Astor,” she announced in a voice so full of melody that I could have sworn she had just sung my name aloud, “the meeting with the regional commanders is going a bit past its allotted time. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait for a bit.”
“That’s perfectly alright; I don’t mind waiting. Besides, the chancellor need wait for no one as we all wait for him.” She gave another dazzling smile and looked me up and down with those eyes of hers. “May I just say, your eyes are absolutely fan-” I was about to lay down the old Astor charm but the young secretary promptly interrupted me.
“It’s true what they say, you know. You really are the most attractive male in the citadel.” Well this is new. “Astor, oh, I hope you won’t find it rude that I called you by your first name field marshal,” she said, sliding her talons across the desk. “But yes, Astor, I know that this may be a bit sudden but I think that you and I may enjoy becoming a bit more... intimate.”
Hmm, I don’t think I've ever had a woman make advances on me before, and this was certainly to the most extreme that it could have been. I mean, just offering herself up like that! If I was a younger griffon, I doubt I would have been able to say no... I was finding it difficult, even now, to do just that.
“T-thank you for the... offer, but I will have to decline,” I stated, bringing a talon up to toy with my collar, hoping that some of my sudden nervousness would be vented out, “I believe that this is indeed all too sudden and despite that, I am a married griffon.”
“Is that what’s stopping you?” she said, clicking her nails together. “Marriage is nothing to griffons of influence, such as you. The chancellor often partakes in forbidden desires with mystery women, right there in the council chamber, and neither the councilors or his wife are the wiser.” I found my nerves becoming a bit more strayed as the secretary revealed to me personal secrets concerning my ultimate superior.
“Oh don’t be so stressed about it,” declared the woman as she caught onto my nervousness, “affairs are perfectly natural in a healthy political system. Besides,” her emerald eyes locked upon me and seemed to give off a slight glimmer, “such things make everything a bit more, let's say, intriguing.”
I found myself entirely flustered and unable to intelligently retort against the attractive female. I was about to counter with something entirely crude, but thankfully the gem-studded doors burst open before the words could leave my beak.
The first out of the room was none other than the Lord Marshal herself. Her uniform was the default dark blue shade for all military personal appointed by the council, but there were several strands of golden ropes dangling down from her shoulders. Her feathers were a vibrant yellow, matching the medals and ribbons adorning her, while her fur was a silky white.
I never really met with her personally, and I probably never would. As she passed me I stood straight and gave a solid salute. She simply waved a hand dismissively in my direction, putting me back into a stance of ease. She did not speak to anyone as she walked and seemed to be in a hurry to leave.
Several other generals and marshals walked away from the chamber, each of them having something to do with either one of the great mountain cities or with some border outpost. But as the crowd thinned, I caught the visage of one of my least favorite griffons in the Union…
General Macht von Highrock.
His feathers, coat and even his uniform were a solid black, probably a reflection of that black pit that acts as his heart. As a general, he only held power in the territory claimed by his clan, but Macht had levered his way into almost entirely controlling the ruling family of Highrock and its council members.
But just as I had spotted him, he had spotted me and was now en-route towards my position. “Marshal Astor!” he called out in his thick Highrock accent, “vhat a pleasure it is to be seeing you here. I vas under the assumption zhat you would not be able to attend the meeting because of you holding no real sway.” He looked around at the dispersing crowd. “But I do think zhat you may already be a bit late.”
“Yes, well, I wasn’t summoned here for the regional meeting. Chancellor Vrees wishes to have a private audience with me.”
“Truly mien friend?” he said with a slight chuckle, “vell I do not envy you. Lord Marshal Sora and Vrees got into quite the little spat; something about succession and how he could not keep going without zehr’ being some inclination to an heir.” Macht gave another annoying laugh and then continued, “To say the least, Chancellor Vrees had a far more different opinion on the matter. He is not in a good mood.”
“Well, I really should be going then, I’d hate to give him reason to be mad at me.” I retorted, turning around in an attempt to break the conversation.
“Good luck to you Marshal! Oh, and I think you may have dropped something!” I looked over my shoulder to see that he was holding one of my grey feathers in his talon. “I vill have to make a return visit in the fall, by then you should have molted completely and I shall have the pleasure of seeing you bald for an entire month!”
It was then that I realized that there was only one thing I hated more than paper work, and that thing was none other than Macht von Highrock.
And with that thought in mind, I entered unto the council chambers for my meeting with the most powerful griffon alive.
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The cavernous room before me was… intimidating, to say the least. Pillars, similar to those in the lobby, shot up to meet the ceiling overhead. At the center of the roof was a large circle of painted glass which depicted several talons wrapped around a single quill. Beneath the skylight was the only furniture present in the room, a grand round table made of the finest lumber the lowlands had to offer, which could seat at least a hundred separate griffons.
And then, situated on one side of the table, I could see a raised platform with a desk situated atop of it. Sitting at that desk was none other than Chancellor Vrees himself. Both brown and white was present all about him, as his coat was speckled, but it could barely be seen due to the heavy purple robes draped over him.
Vrees was putting away some papers, but when he saw me he merely tossed them haphazardly upon his desk. “Marshal Astor, I’m glad that you could make it.”
“I had little choice in the matter, Chancellor,” I declared with a courteous bow.
“Too true… all too true.” He unfurled his wings and glided down to stand before me. “I suppose you are wondering why I have called you here.”
“The question has crossed my mind a few times.”
“More like consumed it entirely, eh?” He came closer and placed a talon upon my shoulder. The reassuring gesture only made me feel more uneasy. “Your father and I were friends, long ago before all... this.” He gestured up towards the ceiling and then over to the table. “Tell me Marshal, do you have any children?”
“Um... yes, Your Eminence,” I stated awkwardly as I wondered if the most influential figurehead in the Union invited me to his office for small talk, “I have a son.”
He brought his talon back and gave me a heavy slap on the back. “A soldier just like his grandpa and father, is he?”
“No, actually, he’s an archaeologist,” I responded but my answer caused the chancellor’s brow to furrow into a thinking gesture.
“Hmm, what a shame. I had hopped that soldiering would never die in your family line.” He broke the physical connection with me and started to walk back over to his platform. When he got there, he grabbed hold of a little lever that had been hiding on the other side of the desk. When he pulled it back there was a grinding of gears and the wooden table began to shake and shudder.
After a few moments, the center of the table was pulled back to show a scale replica of all the lands within the Gryphonic Union. Every last detail present upon the replica was completely perfect, not a mountain or village out of place. I almost expected little griffons to be living within the tiny buildings.
“Tell me, Marshal Astor,” Vrees said in a voice that was filled with melancholy, “do you love the Union?” When he announced this, his eyes remained fixed upon the miniature land mass, as if he was talking to it instead of me.
“Of course I do. I would not have joined the army had I felt any different.”
The chancellor nodded his head, still opting to remain fixed on the map. “Why... why would you love such a thing?” his voice was hoarse now, almost on the edge of becoming inaudible.
“Your Eminence?” I questioned, unsure on how I should respond to such an inquiry.
“You recall how the Union came to be, don’t you Astor?”
“The signing of the Griffon Unification Proclamation after the war between the mountain clans and the lowland houses,” I said in response, “it’s the first thing they taught us when we were young.”
“Hah!” he cried out as he brought a claw down upon his desk, sending papers scattering all across the floor. “What they say about that document is complete and utter foolishness. It was not a ‘proclamation’ brought about by the desire to unify our people. It was a declaration of submission by our Lowland brothers. If one shred of the story behind it is tru-”
The chancellor was suddenly interrupted by the sound of talons clicking against the stone floor. He looked in the direction of the doorway, and I followed his gaze. Before me walked the secretary from the lobby, carrying in her hands a bottle of some kind.
“Yes, Aya? What is it?” Vrees asked, seeming to come down from his angry rant.
She continued to walk forward and once she reached the table, she spread her wings to fly over to the raised platform where the chancellor was standing. “A gift from Lord Marshal Sora. She wishes to apologize for her rash behavior earlier.” Aya proceeded to hand the bottle over to the chancellor.
Vrees held the bottle up in the colored rays of light that filtered down from the ceiling and then let out a soft chuckle. “Wintertop brandy and it’s of a good year. Thank you Aya, I do think I could use a drink just about now.”
“I’m glad I could please you, Chancellor Vrees.” She turned about and as she passed back round, she looked over to me and gave me a hauntingly beautiful smile followed shortly by a wink.
I was fully intent to watch the woman leave the room, but before I could complete this goal Chancellor Vrees called out to me, “Would you like a glass, Astor?”
I turned back around to see the chancellor holding aloft two drinking glasses, which I assumed had come from one of his desk drawers. I was about to take him up on the offer but then recalled that I was to be on my best behavior... I was never on my best behavior when a drink was in my claw. “No thank you. I don’t drink while on duty, your Eminence.”
Vrees cocked an eyebrow and then placed one of the glasses back down into its respective drawer. “Sure you don’t,” he announced, chuckling while popping the cork to the brandy and started to pour the alcohol into the remaining glass. “Now, what was I saying?”
“Something about the Union, sir,” I answered honestly but with hesitation as I really didn’t enjoy where the conversation was heading.
“Ah, yes. Our precious little Union.” He took a swig from the glass. “Do you know what holds our great nation together?
“I have not the slightest clue, y-”
“Fear.” The Chancellor’s voice deadpanned before he took another sip of the brandy.
I was surprised by his answer and began to shift back and forth nervously. “Fear? Your Eminence?”
“Yes,” he took another gulp, “fear runs this government with an iron grip. Your father was a smart griffon, a damn smart griffon.” He came down from his platform so that he may stand upon the edge of the table, looking down at the map below. “He retired when he realized the truth. When he did this, I thought him a coward, but now I envy him.” He let out a ragged cough and took another drink.
I was quickly finding this conversation more and more uncomfortable. Had I the choice, I would still be in my office doing remedial paper work and putting my signature on random pieces of paper. Anything would be better than this.
Vrees started to walk around on the edge of the table, drinking his brandy as he went around. “I thought that I may have been able to change it.” He coughed again. “But I soon discovered that it is the fear that keeps the Lowland Houses docile and keeps the Council from becoming stagnant and worthless.”
Suddenly, a disgusted look dawned upon his face. “To rule over all this, one must become feared.” He threw the glass upon the map, sending shards of glass to rain down upon the miniature buildings.
“So that’s what I’ve become!” He looked over towards me and shook his head back and forth. “I can no longer be Vrees, the soldier or the leader. I must be Vrees the feared!” he started to scream, “I have become fear incarnate! So when you look upon me, know that I am not Vrees, nor am I Chancellor. I. Am. Fea-” Before he could finish his statement a gurgle erupted from his throat and he toppled down to land upon the replica below him.
Vrees’ words had left me dumbfounded and almost entirely numb. So when he fell down before me, it took me a few seconds to realize what was happening. Once aware, I looked about, wondering what I should do... but it suddenly became all too obvious…
“Guards! Get in here immediately, Chancellor Vrees needs help!” My cry echoed off the walls of the room and became louder than even I could have imagined. Within a few moments, the two guardians, who had been standing at the entrance to the lobby, were in the room and brandishing their halberds.
“What happened?!” declared one of the guards as he jumped over the table to kneel beside Vrees.
“I... t-the chancellor was talking about the Union and... and...” I looked down to see the shattered glass strewn all over the replica and then up to the container of brandy still resting in his desk. “The brandy, the gift from Lord Marshal Sora, it was-” But before I could finish, the guard that had went over to Vrees came back across the table and slowly shook his head in a mournful manner.
“Chancellor Vrees... is dead.”
I came over to look down at the fallen form of my chancellor and somehow, I knew that this would not be the last body to fall upon the Union,
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AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hey there! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter to this story and didn't find it too boring or drab. To those of the people that read this and also read my other stories...sorry bout the delay but I really wanted to put this out there before moving on.
Anywho, leave comments, opinions, concerns, etc below!