Slaar watched as the Black Iron Fortress disappeared behind them, his airship carrying two new passengers as it angled for a route back to Mana, one avoiding the Azure islands. He let out a sigh as he heard hoof steps as Luna walked next to him.
“Agathon's funeral has been delayed.” He said solemnly. “With Gilda's injuries and the scouts seeing pegasus cloud fortifications at the Azures, there's no time to lay him to rest. Not that he belongs in these cold mountains anyways.”
Luna raised a brow as Slaar turned to look at her.
“His wife, she's buried in Zebrica. He should be laid with her. That land, so full of wonder and curiosity. It's where the three of us all met, once upon a time.”
“To bury a husband away from his wife, it would be wrong. But, could he not bury her in Griffdonia?”
The prince shook his head with a gentle laugh. “Why would he? That land, it's where they grew up. It's where we adventured, it was the greatest times of our lives! Gods be good, the nostalgia. So full of bugs, heat, disease... Alexis fell ill and died there, despite the best efforts from what doctors and shamans we could get. I-I told Agathon and Alexis, I could try something, but they refused. 'If it's to be my time, then so be it. My soul will fly with the Roc, and wait for you Aggie to join the flock'.”
She could see the tears in his eyes as he turned away to keep watching as the mountains vanished behind the airship.
“For what it's worth,” Luna started, “I believe you did the right thing. For Queen Alexis, and Queen Gilda. She will recover, and I do believe I know what kind of griffon she is.”
“Oh?”
“She is driven and determined. She will suffer any injury, any slight, to achieve victory. That will either cause her to die gloriously in battle, or to win. Either way, her victory over Lord Nikola will already cement her legend among the griffons. The Queen of Gold and Black Iron.”
“You called her that. Why?”
“Lord Nikola is without an heir, and Gilda will need to marry soon.”
Slaar turned on the princess with a grimace. “I am not letting my friend's daughter be some kind of broodmother for a brute.”
“What other lords are there in Griffdonia that could allow her to secure not just a huge swathe of territory but also sheer economic and military might? Barbstorm has a son but Scythe is too young. Leon of the Valley controls a large portion of the ranching lands which is important, but as we know his lands are already being partitioned between his brothers and nephews as his mind has slowly left him. There are many more various petty lords scattered across the aeries, all with their own lines of allegiance among them. No doubt an alliance between Goldenclaw and Black Iron will cause many to either capitulate or try to resist.”
“Try, because Gilda has the Cry and Nikola is still a fearsome warrior in his own right. Coupled with the guard levies of both houses, in addition to the mercenaries Nikola has in his employ right now. It would be advantageous for Gilda to marry him. Fuck.”
“You do not like the idea.”
“Of course I don't!” Slaar snapped with a sneer. He sighed. “But it's her decision to make, should it come down to it.”
“Sometimes a choice isn't much of one.” A new voice said, causing the dragon and alicorn to look up.
The 'griffon' Crystal sauntered over to them and looked over the side as the clouds rolled under the airship. “When the choice is between a desperate ploy or starvation, what would you choose? When the choice is between disobeying and being killed, or following along, how can you say no?” She shook her head and trailed a talon along the edge of the wood railing. “For what it's worth, Lord Slaar, Lady Luna, I am sorry I've tried my damned best and failed miserably. None of this would have been happening if everything just fell right into place perfectly.”
“I suppose I should apologize for not standing beside my sister and pushing for clemency for your actions. Your people are starving, and despite your needs, should we punish the wolf for when he slaughters a lamb?”
“Those that raise sheep would gladly kill every damn wolf they come across.”
Luna and Chrysalis looked at Slaar as he kept his eyes out at the mountain side.
“As humanity has done to my kind. As ponies will as well. We will not go quietly into the gentle night, princess. We have to survive.”
“Survive you must, yes. You still have a role to play in all of this after all. I suppose the two of your are curious about my own stance on how things have turned.”
When the others didn't speak up Luna continued.
“I wish to see how you all act in the upcoming conflict. I am, curious. The last war I fought in was...” she shook her head. “And there had been others since then. I wish to see how things have changed, how fighting has changed.”
“That is incredibly callous of you, princess. I didn't think you had it in you.” Chrysalis said with a wide smile. “Though, given your history it isn't that unusual I suppose.”
Luna let out a snort as she glared at Chrysalis. “At least I was forthright with who and what I am, changeling. Perhaps you would be treated more favorably if you took pride in what you are.”
“She is proud. Too proud. And despite everything, she's a mother and does her best to ensure her charges are not in danger if she can help it. Did you not see her fight in Canterlot?”
“I was sleeping.” Luna said with a little kick of her front hoof against the ground. “I had no idea anything happened until the reception. Sister informed me, that even though you had no idea if the power you had was enough you still willingly went up against her. That is a level of foolishness, or bravery, that I did not expect to see in anyone in so long.”
“Perhaps Princess Celestia has grown soft in the thousand years since your banishment.” Slaar said as he looked at the lunar princess. “Ruling can make it difficult to keep one on well trained for battle.”
Luna's eyes met his. “And are you soft as well, Prince Slaar? I would hate to see that you could not fight to your fullest, I have high expectations for you in the coming battles.”
He blinked and looked a little flustered. “You do?”
“Indeed. Do not disappoint.”
With that Luna left for the hold she had been designated for the ride back to Mana. Chrysalis looked slightly amused as she glanced up to Slaar.
“Things are perhaps not as bad as I expected them to go. How curious.”
Knossos was a city built from marble, the designs as such that either emulated pegasus building methods, or inspired them. Regardless of the architectural history it still served as a major port for the seas, with peoples of all kinds coming and going with wares and money. From Equestria by airship came Sir Roland of the Solar Knights, Wielder of the Blade of the Sun. By normal ship all manner of vessels had come to Knossos, but the growing tensions of war as King Phaitos pledged himself to Griffdonia had seen many merchant ships from the ponies being restricted at best, or turned away completely. Griffon mercenaries were coming from Zebrica, along with whatever curiosities they brought with them to barter and trade to secure passage back to Griffdonia.
The main harbor was reserved for the minotaurs themselves, and a great fleet was busy being organized. Food, water, and weapons were being loaded up as minor lords from throughout the island were coming with what ships they too had.
As the airship grew closer two griffons wearing the livery of King Phaitos swooped in and motioned for the ship to follow them to a proper landing zone.
Roland watched on as the ship steadily descended to an open area, high up on a hill, with a small party of minotaurs waiting for them. Once the ship had landed he walked down the gangway with Raven right behind him. The minotaurs waiting greeted with nods of their heads.
“Sir Roland, I presume?” The lead minotaur asked as he held out his hand. “I am General Haestus, King Phaitos could not come to meet you directly, he is back at the palace organizing the logistics for our fleet. I had finished overseeing my own preparations when I was asked to escort you.”
Roland took the bullman's hand and shook it. “A pleasure, general. It pains me that we must meet under these circumstances, though I know your people take honor seriously and the accusations against Equestria do not look well at this hour. Still, I would hope to try and come to some accord between Equestria and Knossos. This is Raven Inkwell, she is Princess Celestia's personal assistant.”
Haestus nodded and smiled at the unicorn. “Doesn't look like much of an assassin as the last one. A poor jest, I know, apologies. Shall we, then? My lord has lunch prepared and it would be ill-advised to keep him waiting.”
“Let's.”
The trip to the minotaur palace took them down to the harbor, then further down and outside of the city itself. A cottage upon a hill overlooking the city and sea, made out of all that one would expect a peasant of some wealth to build their home out of. Roland was curious as he looked the building over as they approached.
“The real palace is undergound isn't it?”
“Perceptive, Sir Roland. So has it been since the very first king whom built a labyrinth beneath the ground, to serve as a fortress in times of crisis. Back when the griffons would come swooping in on northerly winds to raid and pillage, and when we were still divided among city-states across the island.”
“Before King Aegir came back with riches and set about bringing the others under his influence?”
“Indeed. Ah, King Aegir. They don't make kings like him anymore!” Haestus said with a chuckle as he opened the door to the cottage, allowing Roland and Raven inside first.
On the outside it looked like a cottage, but on the inside there were stairs that went down, down, down into the depths of the earth. It was unsettling to the old knight, being separated from the open sky like this, the jingle of his armor echoing around them. Once they reached the bottom of the steps they saw that it wasn't so much an underground palace as it was an underground city, carefully dug out and reinforced to allow all sorts of minotaurs and even diamond dogs to go about their business.
“By Celestia, this is amazing...”
“Hah, it is isn't it? Knossos is the city we present to the world, for all sorts of foreigners to come and spend their money at. But here, the Grand Palace? This is the beating heart of the kingdom! We have an entire underground road system built and maintained by diamond dogs connecting to the different cities. Come, come, the king's hospitality awaits!”
The underground city was much more straightforward than above ground, with a wide road that lead right up to the main plaza where the central palace was a three story tall building carved from marble. Statues of ancient lords, heroes, and gods were placed nearly all over the place. Roland stopped as he looked on two marble statues labeled in the minotaur as 'sun' and 'moon', depicting Celestia and Luna with their respective cosmic orbs above their horns. It was for but a moment, but Raven nudged him gently to get him moving again.
Inside the palace was far more modest than outside, with wide, open areas for servants to move with ease. King Phaitos sat at a table, already eating ripe fruits and cooked meats. He motioned for Roland and Raven to join at the table. Besides him was a minotaur cow on his right with a child in her lap and on his left was an older minotaur bull with bulges on his knuckles and eating leafy greens.
“Sir Roland. Named for the great hero of the Nightmare War that served alongside King Aegir?” Phaitos asked.
“Nay, I am that very same man before you, your highness.” Roland said with a bow. “When my lady landed the final blow on the Nightmare all went dark until I woke up in an overgrown forest. Much has changed in a thousand years since, but I had always known ponies to be odd beings so I feel I have acclimated well.”
Phaitos let out a little snort and nodded. “This is my wife and daughter, Hera and Elise. This is my uncle Adras.”
“I have gout.” The older bull said with a snort. “So I have to eat like I'm being prepped for slaughter instead of the good stuff.”
“It's because you kept eating 'the good stuff' that you got gout in the first place uncle. Now calm down, we have guests.”
Roland bit back a laugh as he sat and took up his fill of food onto his plate. Raven for her part preferred to leave the meat where it lay and focused more on the bread and fruit instead.
“It is unfortunate we have to meet under these circumstances, King Phaitos. Knossos is a beautiful country, and I would have loved to be more of a visitor than a diplomat.”
It took a moment for the minotaur king to respond, having taken a deep drink of wine first. “It is a shame. I have already pledged my armies to assisting the griffons against Equestria. I am a bull of my word, and I cannot go back on it. I do not do this because I do not respect Princess Celestia, and the details around King Agathon's murder are in question, but the aftermath of such a brazen crime left me in no good position of my own. I could not just say I would hang back and see how things developed. My host was murdered and his heir left to unify the griffons, that is not an easy task.”
As the bull king spoke Raven took notes, nibbling on some lettuce. “Surely your highness,” she said gently, “that diplomatic talks could take some time. Time enough to perhaps see how the opening phase of the conflict turns out before committing.”
Phaitos looked over at the unicorn and frowned slightly. “That sounds underhanded. Admittedly I am reluctant, but when the news came back many warriors and lords were eager to set sail immediately. Of course, there is a little snag in the plan.” He said as he wrinkled his nose.
Raven nodded. “The Azures, yes. Without them any military action on either side of the ocean is foolhardy. The griffons need them to strike into Equestria, and for your people to stop on the way as well. As such, Equestria needs them as well, to harass Griffdonia and Knossos.”
“And you ponies will have many pegasi in the area. Our warriors could contend well with them, on land, if they didn't use weather to their advantage. As such, on boats my warriors are most vulnerable. But I cannot abandon the griffons when I gave my word.”
“King Phaitos, I had the pleasure of fighting side by side with King Aegir, back when he was little more than an upjumped raider. But he honored his deal with Celestia and he lost many a good man against the Lunarians and did not falter once. You remind me much of him. I will not ask you to go on your honor, but I know you respect strength as well. So let us have a contest of arms then. I, representing Princess Celestia and Equestria against the champion of Knossos and the minotaurs.”
The minotaur king sat there, looking at Roland cautiously. He took another sip of his wine.
“In that case I shall set the wager. If I win then you must leave for your home immediately and we will go sailing for war. If you win, you can stay for a week but must leave after that, but we shall stay until we receive word about the outcome of the Azures. Victory or defeat we will still sail for Equestria.”
“Two days hence, at noon then.”
Phaitos nodded. “Two days, at noon.”
The next day had Roland and Raven wandering around the docks of Knossos, taking notice of all the ships the minotaurs were preparing for launch. They could see griffons and diamond dogs helping in moving goods onto the ships, each one nearly a copy of the other save for what colors of flags were being flown.
“I'm surprised the king is letting us take down this information.” Raven said as she adjusted her glasses. “If I were in his position I would ensure that we'd be kept away from here.”
“The king is an honorable man- er, bull. He's letting us take stock of the warriors coming to Equestria, so that we can be prepared. The minotaurs don't want an easy fight. They want resistance, they want to earn their glory. King Aegir always alerted settlements to his presence before landing. Killing farmers that weren't ready for you wasn't fair to him. Let the militias organize, let the local hunters grab their bows. Honor the dead, but take everything valuable off of them.”
As they walked Roland noticed that the harbor didn't just have soldiers and supplies being moved but also merchants and fishers gathering up their own wares. Warehouses lined along a good portion of the area, mixed intermittently with loud taverns and the occasional scantily-clad creature calling for customers even during midday. The knight wrinkled his nose in disgust as they passed by one such public house, only for him and Raven to jump back startled as a griffon came flying out of the window in a shower of splintered wood and glass.
Roland's hand went to the hilt of his sword as he knelt down to help the griffon up, the lad young and looking dazed with blood dribbling from cuts from the glass and a particularly nasty gash across his forehead.
“Raven, tend to his wounds if you would.”
Before she could make a noise of protest he walked right into the tavern and saw a brawl in process, griffons and diamond dogs slugging it out. The hired muscle for the place were having a hell of a time handling the two groups as both sides were rather sizable. For a moment Roland considered leaving them to their own devices, but part of him railed against letting such violence continue unabated. He joined into the fray, as unwise as it may have been, and began looking for the more dangerous of the groups to single out first. Any with weapons, though griffons still had their talons, were of priority.
Despite appearances, the diamond dogs were the bigger threat than the griffons were. They were stockier and more muscular and openly held weapons. The griffons on the other hand, actually had what weapons they did carry properly peacebound to keep them from being easily drawn. With that in mind, Roland did his best to help the bouncers in subduing the ruffians. A solid punch to a jaw here and there helped daze the would-be rioters enough for them to get their arms tied back and forced to sit on the floor.
Two dozen diamond dogs and griffons were eventually settled on the floor and each one had a bucket of cold water tossed on them to help them sober up. Just as Roland doused the last griffon with cold sea water another walked into the tavern.
The griffon wasn't the largest, but he had a vicious scar going down the right side of his face and the eye rendered useless from it. He wore strange armor that Roland had never seen before, not even a simple breastplate but rather a variety of thick leathers layered about seemingly haphazardly, only for the knight to realize that they were positioned in such a way to protect his vital organs below his ribs, and were layered over his wings. The griffon puffed out his chest and glowered at the other griffons.
“All right you louts, which one of you started this mess? Little Lloyd's got a bad concussion and can't speak right so that'll be more time for us to stay here and not get paid, got it?”
The griffons were looking about guiltily before one of the minotaurs walked up and snorted.
“It doesn't matter who started it. All of you, out.”
Griffon and diamond dog alike began to protest before the bouncer let out a loud snort and stomped his hoof, causing the rabble rousers to scatter out as best they could. Even Roland was carried out by the swarm of bodies back outside and next to Raven as she stood beside Lloyd, the other griffons soon surrounding their peer carefully as their leader knelt down and hefted the smaller griffon onto his back.
“Hey pony, uh, weird two-legged thing.” He said as he turned his gaze to Raven and Roland. “Thanks for shaping my boys up. I was busy being responsible but none of these featherbrains would know what that is if it pecked 'em in the eye!”
There was a cheery sort of admonishment in the one-eyed griffon's tone as he clacked his beak in humor.
“Let's have lunch and drinks on our ship, as a sign of hospitality! I'm Alexander,” the griffon said with an outstretched hand.
Roland took it and shook with a nod and a smile. “Roland of the Solar Knights.”
Unlike the fleets of triremes of the minotaurs, or the various more modern vessels employed by the other foreign powers and even Griffdonia, the surly griffons that offered up their hospitality to Roland and Raven were on a much more primitive bireme. It took Roland back, standing on the deck as the waves gently rocked the boat.
“Gods be good, a thousand years later and people still use biremes?” He asked the lead griffon as they sat down to eat, chairs and tables brought out to the deck.
Alexander shrugged as salted beef from the stores and fresh veggies from shore were laid out along with some goblets of watered down wine. “Often we just travel from our aerie in Zebrica and Knossos, but the call for mercenaries from the homeland has us curious and wanting for coin. Hunting the big game of the golden plains paid well enough, but the zebras have been growing fiercer in protecting the animals. That, and more griffons have been coming at the behest of the distant nobles to seek treasure and trophies making it harder for us native griffs to make a living!”
Raven took an idle sip of her wine. “I thought the griffons of Zebrica were all originally from Griffdonia?” She asked before nibbling on some kale.
Alexander nodded as he took a deep draught of his wine. “Oh sure, my grandparents came from Griffdonia, as did my mother, but I was born and raised in Zebrica! That makes it as much my homeland as it does any zebra there.”
The boat gently rocked as Roland took a big bite of the salted beef and chewed, deep in thought with his brow furrowed. The warmth of her sun made the meal all that more enjoyable, the griffons around them enjoying their own lunches.
“Home is where we lay our roots, and as one dear friend had said to me, where one can excrete comfortably.”
Roland's words shocked Raven and she looked at him with mouth agape while Alexander snorted and laughed, clacking his beak in joy.
“That's very true! Both parts I think!” The one-eyed griffon said with a slap to his leg. “And the closest family is whom we choose, and these sorry louts around me I wouldn't trade for even the favor of gods. To family and glory!”
The griffons cheered 'To Alexander!' and they all took deep drinks of their wine. Even Roland was swept up in the camaraderie and drank half of his goblet. Raven was much more subdued but still took a sip as well.
The human gave a smile to his host. “How long have you been leading them?”
“Oh, damn, years now. My father ran this group and when I was old enough I joined. No special treatment either, I was cleaning and cooking like every other initiate. We're all from, if not the same aerie, then near ones. We're bound by ties of oaths and blood. We've learned how to fight, to survive, and to live. You said you were of the Solar Knights, yes? I've never heard of such an order, but I suppose it's not too different.”
Roland smiled sadly as his gaze drifted to the rolling waves that lapped against the sides of boats moored at the harbor. “No, not too different at all. But, that was a long time ago, and I am the last of my order.”
Alexander's face softened in understanding and he nodded. “To be the last, to carry on all of those traditions and stories on your own. You have no apprentices to teach?”
The warm air of the sea filled the knight's lungs as he took in a deep breath. “My order is a relic of a bygone age. I am a relic. No, I serve my goddess as best I can, but when my time comes the Solar Knights shall be no more. I think sometimes that perhaps it is what she wishes as well. Those dark times have caused pain that should not have lingered so long.”
“Dark times?”
“The Nightmare War, when Lady Luna was consumed with a black magic and sought to bathe the world in night eternal. There is but one soldier left from then, when there should be none.”
“That's tragic, Sir Roland,” Alexander said in a soft tone, “For the sake of your battle brothers, take an apprentice and teach him your ways, your mysteries. They wouldn't want to see the Solar Knights languish and fade, would they?”
Roland's eyes met Alexander's one and held for a few moments before he finished his wine. “You're right, I suppose. No, no you are. Old Turpin would never forgive me when I meet him in death if I was to be the last Solar Knight.”
“Lloyd, Lloyd c'mere.”
The younger griffon waddled on over, holding ice wrapped in cloth to his skull. “Yeah brother?”
“I'm going to offer you to become the apprentice to Sir Roland here.”
Roland let out a cough and shook his head. Raven raised an eyebrow. Lloyd's beak gaped open in surprise.
“You mean, you don't want me here anymore?” The other griffon asked dejected.
“No no no, not at all!” Alexander pulled Lloyd in with a wing hug. “It's because I know you're a dependable sort that I'm giving you this chance. Besides, Roland here's a proper knight, just think about what you can learn from him!”
“I do not mean to damper your hopes, but the Solar Knights are a religious order as much as a martial one. We worship the Dawnbringer after all, and as she rules Equestria there may be a conflict of interest here.”
Silence lingered over them before Lloyd fluffed out his feathers. “If brother thinks I can help you, then I will.”
“Even if it means possibly having to face him in battle? Fighting your own blood is no easy thing.”
Lloyd's beak opened up and then shut before he looked to Alexander for help.
“We're a group of at least a hundred strong. This group here is just what I decided to take with me to Griffdonia. Your order is just you, Sir Roland, and my heart bleeds for orders on the cusp of death.”
“Why?” Raven asked finally. “Why offer to help a complete stranger, one who serves the nation you'll be going into battle against?”
Alexander looked to Lloyd and then to Raven. “I want my brother to see more of the world than just home and here, and I'm nervous about taking him into a proper battle.”
Lloyd fluffed out his feathers in irritation. “I'm not a cub Alex! I can handle myself, you know it!”
“I know you can. That's why I want you to learn from Roland here. If he'll accept.”
Roland leaned back in his seat and looked over Lloyd. Young, impetuous, quick to frustrate regardless of what he will say. All too familiar, he had been just like that. A smile twitched at the knight's lips.
“I would be honored to take you as my squire, Lloyd. You will begin immediately, should you accept.”
Silence lingered over the table, Lloyd looked anxiously between his brother and Roland. His feathers flattened against him as he shuffled over to the human.
“What're your orders, sir?”
Roland smiled warmly. “We eat and celebrate to the newest squire of the Solar Knights of course! Then you'll pack your things and come with us so that I can give you a rundown of your duties and responsibilities. Alexander, I shall be having a duel with the king's champion tomorrow. We have known each other for not even half a day, but I offer you an invitation to come and watch, if you'd so be inclined.”
The griffon perked up and tilted his head slightly before grinning. “You just want us to see what the knight of the princess herself can do to intimidate us,” he said with a chuckle, “I'd be happy to see you in action! It'll settle my heart knowing my brother's in good hands.”
The next day at noon there was a crowd gathered in the grand plaza of the city, before the mighty temples dedicated to the minotaur gods. Priests and priestesses came out in droves, scattering sacred flowers around the edge of the sacred arena where challengers for matters both mundane and holy would come. Many of the gods and spirits were unique to the minotaurs, coalesced over the centuries from tales of distant lords and reimagined in their image.
Save for two.
Roland looked at the twin statues of Celestia and Luna then fell to his knees in supplication to his goddess and offered up a prayer to her sister as well. Griffons, minotaurs, and diamond dogs alike prayed to their own gods in their own ways as various issues were settled between individuals, guilds, and noble families.
The most common contest Raven noticed was the bulls stripping down to nothing and coated in olive oil before wrestling each other into submission. A contest to limit as much bloodshed as possible, while extolling their virtues of physical worth in the eyes of their deities.
King Phaitos and his family were there, his uncle in a wheeled chair that showed his gout had attacked his knees and ankles just as much as his fingers. The minotaur king talked with one of the priests, an elderly bull with finer robes than his peers.
Lloyd shuffled nervously by Roland's side and waved to his brother when he saw him in the crowd. Alexander gave a smile and waved back before he turned to chatter with some of his crew as they waited for the main event.
Eventually the noise of the crowd died down as the high priest waddled to the center of the ring and held his hands up.
“Friends, foreign and domestic, we are here under the gaze of the gods, from the great Minos who birthed our people to the light of Aurora-Haired Virgin, to bear witness to a contest of might between our great king himself and the emissary of the Virgin, last of the Solar Knights and veteran of the Nightmare War itself.”
A murmur arose across the crowd as many eyes looked upon Roland, still deep in prayer to Celestia. Uncaring of their collective gaze he rose up to his feet and approached the ring to stand across from Phaitos.
“Sir Roland of the Solar Knights, are you ready to contest against the great king Phaitos in a contest of might?”
“I am.”
The priest nodded and turned to the king. “Great king Phaitos, are you prepared to contest against Sir Roland in a contest of might?”
Phaitos snorted and nodded. “I am honored to do so.”
The priest raised his right arm and both man and minotaur shed their armor and clothing. Phaitos was rather average as far as minotaurs went, but compared to Roland he was a monster with thicker muscles and taller. Roland had the musculature of a warrior, but was still dwarfed by the minotaur king.
Hera walked up to her husband and began covering him in olive oil. Lloyd looked on nervously as he approached Roladn with his own helping of oil and did the same.
“I'm not sure this is part of my squireship, Sir Roland,” the griffon added wryly.
“Apologies Lloyd, but this is the minotaur customs. You are my apprentice and are expected to do this for me.”
After both combatants were oiled up they took positions on the ends of the wrestling square. The priest kept his arm in the air as he watched and made sure the king and knight were both ready, then lowered it to begin the contest.
Phaitos charged forward, using his greater reach to grab at Roland. The older knight pushed forward, the oil coating his skin helping make him slippery enough to push past the king. His arms went around Phaitos' waist to try and grip and he kicked at one of the king's hooves to knock him off balance.
It worked, Phaitos' greater weight being leveraged against him to try and topple him over. With a snort he pushed back against Roland, shifting his weight around to push them both into the opposite way. Rather than keep his grip and try to regain control Roland let go and skidded backward which allowed Phaitos to steady himself once more. The bull turned and snorted out as he stomped his hoof against the ground.
Their eyes locked as Phaitos charged and Roland stood his ground. As the king brought up his hands to grab at the knight Roland reached up to grab at Phaitos' hands and kept them locked in place. The knight grit his jaw as he tried to hold steady while the king slowly pushed him backwards towards the edge of the ring.
Roland furrowed his brow. The king was larger and stronger so he couldn't just overpower him, and the oils covering them both made grappling difficult especially with the minotaur's body hair thick enough to be even more slippery than bare skin. There were no real stakes in the contest, but victory was still preferable to defeat.
He pulled one hand free from Phaitos, once more knocking the king off balance, then reached up to grab at one of the bull's horns. With it in hand he pulled, lifting himself up enough to try and grab the other horn, but Phaitos gripped his other arm and yanked. Roland let out a grunt as the rough pull caused him to lose his grip on the horn and fall back to his feet. The knight balled up his fist and landed a punch right in the minotaur's solar plexus.
With air being forced out of his lungs the bull doubled over but one gasp was enough for him to recover. Roland went in for another grappling attempt only to have Phaitos' arms around his waist and squeezing hard. The human grit his teeth in pain and felt the air being forced out of him as the king carried him over to the edge of the ring and forced his feet onto the outside.
“King Phaitos is the victor!” The old priest called out.
The crowd cheered, bets were honored, and the king let go of the knight.
“You did better that I expected, for an unarmed and unarmored human. Had we been ready for actual combat I'd likely be bleeding out. Still, with this you and yours must leave Knossos as soon as possible, but I shall give you until midnight before you must set sail.”
Roland wheezed as he looked up to the minotaur. “Your generosity knows no bounds King Phaitos.”
The moonlight reflected off the waves as the crew readied the airship for departure. Roland sat on the deck and looked out to the temple district of the great minotaur city as Lloyd walked up with dinner for the older knight.
“Here you go sir.”
A moment passed as Roland didn't pick up the food and kept looking out. “Did you say your goodbyes?”
Lloyd clicked his beak together and nodded. “Brother and the others had shoved off at sunset. They're taking the long route to Griffdonia.”
“Mm, good. It's good you and your brother still love one another. War has a way of tearing families apart.”
“Well, is it really a war? Maybe after the ponies and other griffs bloody each other at the Azures they'll sit down and talk things over.”
“Maybe, I would pray so, but Griffdonia has a new queen and she needs to show strength. From what the Princess has told me, if King Agathon still lived none of this would be happening. Yet Queen Ermengilda is still young and not as entrenched in her position.”
Roland picked up his dinner and began to eat even as the airship began to turn on and ascend into the sky.
Lloyd idly scratched at the deck. “Yeah. That's like the aeries back home. New leaders need to go out and have some skirmishes, show that they're good enough to be in charge. But that's just how we griffons are like, so I guess this Ermengilda lady is going to need all the help she can get. Brother will be able to do so, but if it comes down to it Sir Roland...”
“You don't think you could face your brother or other friends in battle.”
“...No.”
The man turned and gave a gentle smile. “Good. If you had said that you could I would reconsider your squireship. The Dawnbringer had to face her sister, I had to face my brother. It is not easy, even when our family has fallen into darkness.”
“Will you teach me of the Nightmare War?”
Roland shook his head. “In due time. For now I'll teach you proper etiquette for a knight, and we'll need to get you outfitted for arms and armor. I've no horse so you don't have to worry about learning how to care for one.”
“What's a horse?”