//------------------------------// // Chapter 80: City in the Clouds // Story: The Equine Scrolls: SkyFiM // by FireOfTheNorth //------------------------------// Chapter LXXX: City in the Clouds “Though other races often regard the Griffins as barbarians and even beasts, these noble warriors have an ancient culture forged from endless warfare in their harsh mountain homelands.” “It’s been a long time since I’ve brewed one of these,” Fleethoof admitted as he carefully combined ingredients in an alchemy lab. After discovering the frightening truth about the Minotaurs, we left the Tower of Mino-zark and found ourselves in the mountains south of Dawnstar. We returned immediately to Winterhorn and arrived around mid-morning. Fleethoof was surprised to see us again, but took the Crimson Nirnroots we’d gathered and set to work brewing the cure for my vampirism. It was a long and complicated process, and the hours dragged on as we stood in his room, watching him work. Soon the sun set, and I could feel my vampiric urges begin to grow. It had been two days since I’d last fed, and I was so very thirsty. I wanted to leave, for fear I would end up feeding on my friends or the pony brewing up the cure for my affliction, but I also wanted to stay, so that I could drink down the potion as soon as it was finished. “Shouldn’t be much longer now,” Fleethoof said as he added some butterfly wings to the mixture. “I hope not,” I said, being careful now not to cut my lips on my fangs, “I think it's feeding time again.” “Oh my,” the elderly earth pony alchemist said, taking a look at me, “Yes, we’d better hurry.” I tried to control myself, fighting the urge to hunt, but it was growing stronger with every passing moment. Sneaking a glance at the mirror Fleethoof had in his room, I saw that my horn had already transitioned from straight and grooved to curved and smooth. It wouldn’t be much longer now. As Fleethoof began to pour the mixture into a phial, my mind became suddenly cloudy and a haze descended across my vision. None of the ponies in this room were sleeping, or vulnerable enough to feed on. A simple paralysis spell would fix that. As I tried to shoot the elderly earth pony in front of me, my spell suddenly went awry, the magic clinging to my horn. Nearby, a unicorn in mages robes cast a spell over my horn, holding the magic in. As I leapt for her, fangs bared, an earth pony and a pegasus grabbed my forelegs and held me back. The elderly earth pony grabbed a hold of my head and poured vile-tasting liquid down my throat. The effect was instantaneous as my strength was suddenly sapped. The haze left my vision and my head cleared as I collapsed to the floor, the potion’s magic coursing through my veins. My horn painfully morphed back to its natural form, and my fangs retreated entirely. Then I realized what I had nearly done. I had nearly fed on one of my friends. But, now it made no difference. My vampirism was cured. I would never feed on another pony again. ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ We stayed the night in Winterhorn, while I recovered my strength, and left the next morning for Whitetrot. Faniar helpfully provided us with the location of the next Dragon Priest lair, Ragnfoald, and we set out for it at once. Ragnfoald, like Valgroom, was also located in the Karth, but it was north of Marekarth instead of east. As we trotted through Horizon’s wilderness, I found it refreshing to finally be free of my vampirism. I hadn’t noticed it before, but the sun had seemed to make my blood boil whenever we were out in it. Now the experience was much more pleasant. We were passing through the mountains, following the route Faniar had marked for us, when we noticed a Griffin wheeling overhead. “Malaquill’s Talons!” the Griffin exclaimed as she landed near us, “It really is you! What good fortune!” “What are you doing out here, Nagrissa?” Steadfast asked. “Uragbashar is under attack,” she explained, “The Pegasari are trying to seize the village. My father ordered me to fly to Grashnikh for aid, forcing me to abandon the battle, but now that I’ve found you we can return.” “The Dominion’s attacking Uragbashar?” I asked, puzzled. The Pegasari Dominion seemed to be intent on making enemies wherever they could. First they’d invaded Horizon, then Unicornica, and now they were picking fights with Griffin strongholds. Perhaps their failures at Winterhorn, Brumare, and Whitetrot were forcing the Pegasari leadership to take drastic measures, seizing success wherever they could. Surely the places the Griffins had built their villages would be ideal for the pegasi as well, but I could see no reason behind them launching an attack on yet another race. “Yes,” Nagrissa answered, “We have to hurry. We Griffins are great warriors, but even a great warrior can be felled by many foes, and there are many pegasi striking the village.” “All right,” I said, motioning for Nagrissa to lead the way to Uragbashar, “Let’s go.” ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ Uragbashar wasn’t too far away from where we’d been when Nagrissa had found us, and we were there in no time. The battle was still raging when we arrived, pegasi swooping out of the clouds to attack the Griffins both in the air and within their stronghold. Surprisingly, there were no airships here. Perhaps the Dominion didn’t want to risk losing even more members of its already dwindling Air Fleet. As Nagrissa and Mephalda flew up, engaging the pegasi in the air, Mystic, Steadfast, and I galloped up the twisting path that led up the cliff face to the mountain village. Before we reached the top, pegasi in the nearby air fired arrows at us. Mystic and I both sent blasts of lightning out at them, shocking them enough that they fell from the air, crashing through the trees below. I drew Dawnbreaker as we reached the top and galloped past the Griffin dwellings. Everywhere I looked, Griffins, some in armor and some not, tore apart the Pegasari invaders, literally. The broken and maimed bodies of the pegasi lay everywhere, but more of the soldiers still landed, overpowering the Griffins with sheer might of numbers. I galloped up behind a Pegasari soldier with a spear, catching her by surprise and slicing Dawnbreaker through her neck. A pegasus with a war axe saw his comrade fall and flapped toward me, swinging his weapon at my head. I swung Dawnbreaker up and around, blocking his blade. I drew my ebony sword as well, and slid it in under the war axe’s blade. The war axe screeched as I pulled it along Dawnbreaker and sent it flying from the pegasus’s mouth, following up with a swipe from my Draconequus sword across his face. I charged toward another group of the pegasi, who were harassing a single Griffin, and shot flame at them. As some ran off, burning, the others wheeled around toward me, finishing off the Griffin. I shot ice spikes at the closest one as she flew toward me, and eventually managed to penetrate her armor, and then her heart. I drew both my swords as the pegasi closed in on me. I blocked a pike with one while stopping a battleaxe with the other. I ducked under the blades, pulling my swords back, and the enemy weapons crashed to the ground. I swung Dawnbreaker swiftly through the chest of a pegasus with a sword before turning back and facing the two ponies who’d been attacking me previously. I Shouted, and my blades flew rapidly through the air. With Dawnbreaker, I knocked the pegasus’s pike away and stabbed her in the heart. With the Blade of Hoofingar, I struck the battleaxe, pushing to pony wielding it back. As I knocked the weapon from her grasp, she stood stunned, until I swept my ebony sword through her neck. I rapidly spun around, blocking a sword wielded by another pegasus before my Shout ran out. As I used Dawnbreaker to block, I swung my ebony sword around at the pony’s side. She sidestepped as my blade slid past, and all I managed to do was nick her armor. She pulled her sword back, ducking down as Dawnbreaker slid over her head, and swung around toward my side. I jumped out of the way, bringing Dawnbreaker up to block her sword again. I aimed for her neck with the Blade of Hoofingar, but she twisted out of the way, sliding her blade down my Draconequus sword. I sheathed my ebony sword and shot a blast of flame at her. As she jumped back, I jumped around my fireball and took her by surprise, swinging Dawnbreaker through her neck. Nearby, the Griffin Chieftain was holding off six pegasi with a warhammer, and there were many more bodies strewn around him. But, he was beginning to take some serious damage, his armor broken in places, and a cut on his forehead leaking blood into his eyes. I ran in to help him before he was overcome by the Pegasari soldiers that converged on him. <<>> I Shouted, freezing the pegasi closest to me. I swung Dawnbreaker around, cutting through the ice and destroying the ponies within. I shot fire at another of the pegasi, incinerating her as I pressed forward with the flames. I used Dawnbreaker to block as another dropped from the sky, swinging a mace at me. Lightning lanced up at her as I cast it from my horn, and the pegasus dropped from the sky, dying as I impaled her with my Draconequus sword. The Griffin Chieftain managed to kill the last two pegasi that were attacking him, and I tossed him a healing potion to repair himself before the pegasi attacked again. He grunted a thanks and downed it before once again picking up his warhammer in his claws and flapping toward more of the Pegasari invaders. <<>> I Shouted upwards, and the clouds obeyed my Voice, rolling away to reveal the remaining pegasi over the stronghold. Some were caught off guard by the sudden disappearance of the clouds beneath their hooves, and fell before catching themselves with their wings. The others were already in the air, preparing to dive through the clouds that no longer existed. The remaining pegasi involved in the attack were now exposed, and all jetted down at the stronghold at once. I shot lightning up at them, causing the bolts to branch between them, knocking them out of the sky. But, my lightning could only do so much, and soon the Pegasari soldiers began to land among the Griffins. As one landed near me, I swiped at her with my Draconequus sword, only to have it blocked by a pike. I shot fire at the Pegasari soldier, roasting her within her armor. Fire suddenly licked at my tail, and I jumped away from the flames, putting out the blaze. A Pegasari wizard flew nearby, a staff grasped in his mouth. With it, she was sending fire down upon the Griffins and at me. I shot ice spikes up at her, but she nimbly dodged out of the way. <> I Shouted, and the staff flew from her mouth, falling to the ground. We both raced for it, but she reached it first and shot a blast of fire at me that forced me to keep my distance. I ran among the Griffins and Pegasari soldiers, swinging my Draconequus sword through the enemies when I wasn’t busy dodging the blasts of flame. At last I was able to pool my thoughts for a Shout again, just as I found a path through the fray to the wizard. <<>> I Shouted, closing the distance with the pegasus before she could react and send a blast of flame my way. I swung Dawnbreaker around as I reached her, aiming for her head. She held up her staff to block, and my sword struck it. It was made of tougher stuff, however, and the staff wasn’t even harmed by my blade from the Beyond. As she tried to force me back, she sent flame spewing from the tip of the staff, keeping any nearby Griffins from coming to my aid. I applied all my strength to pushing the pegasus back instead, pushing forward with Dawnbreaker. I strode toward her as well, coming closer to where my sword was levitating, until I could have grasped it in my mouth. I struck out at her with my forehooves, but she countered, using her own armored hooves to defend herself. <> I Shouted, and my dragon breath swept over the pegasus, incinerating her completely. The tables were now turned on the pegasi. Before, they had outnumbered the Griffins, but now it was a fairly even match. The Griffins tore through their ranks, destroying the pegasi. When they saw the battle was lost, many tried to retreat back through the cloud cover, but some of the Griffins pursued, hunting down their attackers. “Halt!” the Chieftain ordered when more of Uragbashar’s warriors made to take off as well, “They know they are defeated. Let us not lose any more warriors today in a foolish mission of vengeance.” “But we must be avenged,” Nagrissa protested, who was among the Griffins who had been about to pursue. “And we shall be,” the Chieftain said, “But at the right time, in the right way. We’ll need to call a meeting of the Chieftains to discuss this attack.” The Griffins that had chased the pegasi back through the hole in the clouds suddenly came streaking back through the cloud cover. Could it have been a trick? Were there more pegasi hiding above the clouds? It turned out it was something much worse. “Dragon!” one of the Griffins yelled in warning moments before the massive lizard fell through the clouds. It flew over the Griffin stronghold, hunger burning in its eyes as it viewed the worn out and injured Griffins. It opened its maw and sent a blast of flames over the village, lighting the huts on fire. Some Griffins tried to attack it in the air, but it batted them away or snapped them up in its jaws. <<>> I Shouted as it wheeled back toward us. The dragon was suddenly struck by the feeling of mortality, and it fell from the sky, crashing into the outskirts of the village. The Griffins took off toward it and I followed, meeting up with Steadfast, Mystic, and Mephalda as I did so. I drew Dawnbreaker as we approached where the great lizard had fallen. It breathed fire and I ducked down to the ground, allowing the flames to pass over my head. Many of the Griffins, who were in the air, were not as fortunate, and were caught in the flames. As the flames died down, I galloped toward the dragon, angling myself so that I would meet its wing. <> I Shouted as I reached its wing, and I burned a hole in the membrane, grounding the beast for good. It roared in rage and twisted its neck around toward me. I galloped away, but wasn’t fast enough, and the dragon was able to pick me up in its mouth. As it swung me around, it tried to clamp its teeth down on me. Fortunately, my Twilight Armor protected me, and the only injuries I received were bad bruises from the crystalline plates slamming against my flesh. <<>> I Shouted as the dragon sent fire up its throat. I took on my ethereal form, and the fire passed through me harmlessly. I leapt from the dragon’s mouth, falling slowly through the air until I reached the ground. I ran beneath the great lizard and hid while it searched for me until my body returned to its natural state. I drew Dawnbreaker and the Blade of Hoofingar and stabbed up into the dragon’s flesh, taking advantage of the weak spots the Griffins had given me with their earlier attack. The dragon roared with pain as I pierced its vulnerable flesh, and it craned its neck around to roast me. I jumped out of the way as the flames came at me, and the dragon ended up roasting its own flesh. I ran under the dragon’s good wing, assisting the Griffins as they also hacked away at its scales with their weapons. The Griffins scattered as the dragon breathed fire at us, and I jumped onto its back. The great lizard was about to breathe fire at me again, but swung its head around rapidly as Steadfast struck its claw with his warhammer. As he ran away, the dragon followed him with flame, moving its head in a predictable pattern. This gave Mephalda the perfect chance to shoot arrows into its eyes, blinding it. The dragon was enraged and spewed fire in all directions, nearly burning me as I crept up its back. I was nearly at its neck when it rolled over, and I galloped along the side of its rotating body, trying not to be crushed. I ended up standing on its armored underbelly and drove my swords through the flesh. The dragon swiftly twisted its head around and opened its mouth, preparing to breathe fire at me. The Griffin Chieftain swooped out of the air and struck it on the nose before it could, his warhammer cracking the bone. It snapped at him, but he flew out of the way, landing another shot on its injured eye. Mystic shot ice at the dragon, coating the top of its head, and the Chieftain used his warhammer to shatter it, his weapon impacting the top of the beast’s skull. I charged forward and stabbed Dawnbreaker through the dragon’s neck. Many Griffins followed their leader and lent their own blades to strike the dragon’s head. The great lizard thrashed around as it was attacked, but soon fell as the Griffins overwhelmed it, and its head fell to the ground as it died. As the Griffins reveled in their victory, the dragon began to combust. Soon I had the memories of yet another dragon pressing on my own, threatening to overwhelm me. My life was hard to remember now, as it seemed I had lived several lives, all just as real to my mind. But, that was apparently the price that had to be paid in order to become a master of the Voice. ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ The frigid wind whistled past as I clung to my Griffin mount. We’d travelled long and far, over the Karth mountains, and now over the blistering deserts of Darkpass. Our destination was a place I’d never thought I’d see in my lifetime. After the battle with the dragon, the Griffins had begun to repair the damage done to their home. We were welcome to stay the night in Uragbashar. The next morning, the Chieftain requested that we stay for the meeting of the Griffin leaders in Horizon. After all, the last one I’d attended had ended quite favorably. The Griffins’ opinions were all over the board on what to do next, but they all agreed on one thing. By attacking Uragbashar, the Pegasari Dominion had declared war on all of them. But, even united, the Griffin strongholds of Horizon were no match for the Dominion. They would need help from elsewhere. The Chieftains decided that the entire Griffin race had to be united if this war against the pegasi was to be won. In order to do that, a delegation of six Griffins, one from each tribe, would be sent to speak to the Griffin capital. Surprisingly, they requested that the four of us accompany them and speak to the Griffins’ leader, hoping that an outside voice could persuade him to take decisive action against the pegasi. The clouds began to roll back around us as we neared Griffinium. Posted within the thunderheads were Griffin sentries sworn to protect the Griffins’ capital from invaders. At last, the city came into view, and it took my breath away. It looked as if a mountain had been torn from the earth and was now suspended in the sky. It hadn’t been a clean tear, either; the mountain slowly tapered away to a point below the surface. Clouds clung to the stone here, keeping the city afloat. On top was a short mountain with enough peaks to keep its Griffin residents happy. Stone buildings covered the mountain’s surface, rearing up as a monument to the Griffin spirit. Large statues of Griffin leaders and heroes towered over us as we reached the city. Steadfast, Mystic, and I dismounted as the Griffins settled down within a square near Griffinium’s outskirts. Finely dressed Griffins gave us bizarre looks as they walked past us, but they continued about their business and did their best to ignore our presence. The Griffins we had flown in on waited in the square until a few guards showed up. “What is the meaning of this?” one of the guards asked, a young Griffin in officer’s armor. “We are emissaries from the Horizon Strongholds, come to plead our case before the King,” Nagrissa answered. “Not that,” the Griffin officer said, “I mean what are these ponies doing here?” “Who the Chieftains choose to send as their representatives does not concern you,” Nagrissa replied, “Whether they have talons or hooves, they do represent the will of the Chieftains.” “Outsiders are forbidden from entering Griffinium,” the officer said sternly, “I’ll have to take you to my superior officer.” “Very well,” Nagrissa said, “That would be the royal court, yes? We were going there anyway. Thanks for the escort.” The officer grumbled, but went along with us, leading the way and clearing a path through the city. We passed towering statues of Griffins, reminding them of their history, as we travelled up the mountain to the huge palace built at the top. A huge staircase of weathered stone led up to the entryway, which was open to the air, separated only by massive columns. The Royal Court was filled with Griffins, each representing a clan or royal house, talking to each other. At the far end of the room were seven chairs, though only one was occupied at the moment, a towering throne reserved for the king. Our guide led us through the madness to a Griffin whose feathers were beginning to whiten with age dressed in a uniform covered with medals. “General Orak Blooded-Beak,” the officer addressed his superior, “I have an urgent matter that needs tending to.” “What could be so urgent that it requires interrupting me when-” the General began to ask as he turned, but stopped when he saw us, “So, this is the problem.” The General evidently had his position for a reason. It looked like he’d been in many conflicts, which he proudly bore the scars of. Claw marks showed across his face, and one of his claws had been chopped off, replaced by a mechanical equivalent. His wing-feathers were also out of order, sagging slightly and proving that the bones underneath hadn’t quite healed correctly. “We are emissaries from the Horizon Strongholds,” Nagrissa introduced herself and her companions. “I see that,” the General said grouchily, “But what are these ponies doing here?” “They are also with us,” Nagrissa said, “The Chieftains wished for them to come along, and sent them as representatives as well.” “Do you know what the law is concerning non-Griffin trespassers in Griffinium?” Orak asked, “We throw them off the edge of the city, after clipping the wings of any who can fly.” I was suddenly very afraid that the General would do just that, personally. “But, if they were sent as delegates of the Chieftains, we can’t do that,” Orak Blooded-Beak said at last, “Conduct your business here and leave as soon as possible.” “Thank you General,” Nagrissa said, smirking at the officer who’d brought us here as we walked away. Apparently the Griffin King held an open court, and Nagrissa walked right up to his throne. There were no guards to protect their sovereign, at least none that could easily be seen. The King leaned forward as we approached, letting the Horizon Griffins know he was ready to hear what they had to say. “King Grimwarikh the Mighty,” Nagrissa addressed her leader, giving a bow, “May your hatchlings be plentiful and may you never be found wanting for a perch.” “Proceed,” the King said after Nagrissa had said the proper greeting a Griffin used when addressing royalty. “Two days ago, one of our strongholds was attacked by soldiers of the Pegasari Dominion,” Nagrissa explained, “The Chieftains of Horizon have already agreed that an attack like this can only mean more will come in the future, and intend to wage war on the Pegasari Dominion wherever possible. We ask Griffinium’s help in this endeavor, and the support of all Griffins.” “And why,” the King asked, “Should I risk my city in order to protect a few clans that have long refused to integrate into our new society here?” “Because we are Griffins, just like you,” Nagrissa said, “Are you or are you not King of All Griffins as your title proclaims?” “I am, but I would not risk the safety of the many to save the few.” “The Pegasari Dominion won’t stop with taking the Strongholds,” I spoke up, “You’ll be next.” “Who has allowed ponies to enter my court?” the King asked, “Where is General Orak?” “They are also emissaries from the Chieftains of Horizon,” Nagrissa explained for the third time that day. “The Dominion intends to conquer all of the Northlands,” I continued when I saw I had the King’s ear, “They are already at war with Horizon and Unicornica. Then they will come after Darkpass, Morrowhinny, Bracken-swamp, and Griffinium. They will take over everything if nothing is done to stop them.” “All the more reason we should stay out of this conflict,” the King said. “What Griffin has ever run from a fight?” Nagrissa challenged, “What kind of Griffin King would turn his back on his subjects to keep himself safe?” “Careful fledgling,” the King warned, “You’re walking on mighty thin clouds.” “All your might, all your strength,” she continued anyway, “And when it is needed you refuse to use it. The Griffins were once a proud people, but now nothing is left of our heritage but a kingdom that hides in the clouds.” “The Dominion will come for you,” I stressed, “Do you want to stand alone when their Air Fleet is at your doorstep?” “So you suggest we join the Empire, then, eh unicorn?” King Grimwarikh challenged me, “We spent centuries fighting for the right to be a full province, to stand alongside the other races of Horizon, and what has it gotten us? Nothing but trials and tribulations! We gave up on that corrupt nation long ago.” “I don’t suggest you join the Empire at all,” I said. “Then you think we should join Horizon?” the King asked, “The earth ponies shun our kind and treat us horribly, so I have heard from the very beaks standing before me today asking for aid.” “I don’t suggest you join Horizon either,” I said, and continued before he could cut me off again, “I suggest that you stand alongside both Unicornica and Horizon in this war, as allies only so far as that you have a common enemy.” “The Griffins are a proud race,” I continued while the King still looked thoughtful, “But you’ve long been looked down upon by the other races as barbarians that hide in the wilderness and plunder innocents. Prove that that is not the case. Prove to the world that the Griffins are strong and noble.” “Very well, unicorn,” the King said, “It seems you have swayed my decision. How can I argue with that? You may tell your Chieftains that Griffinium will come. From this day forth, the Griffin race is at war with the Pegasari Dominion.” I breathed a sigh of relief as the King made his decision. I didn’t know if the choice I’d made was very poor or very wise. I’d brought yet another side into the war that currently ravaged the Northlands, hoping that it would end the war more swiftly. But, truth be told, I didn’t know if bringing in more combatants would help or hurt in the long run. At least, if the Minotaurs returned, there’d be another race present to fight them. Level Up Health: 370 Stamina: 370 Magicka: 350 New Perk: Winter Wizard [Destruction] -- All ice related Destruction spells now cost half as much to cast. Dragon Soul collected New Quest: Elemental Extraction -- Enter the remaining two Dragon Priest lairs and find the remaining two Elements of Harmony.