//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 - Griffin Fiefdoms // Story: Rage Unbound // by Bazing //------------------------------// “So, what should we do?” Alex asked me, uninterested in the spear that was pointed at his throat. “Well that depends on these fine gentlemen. So, what are you going to do?” I asked the two Griffin’s in front of me. The two looked annoyed, “You should identify yourselves before we throw you in jail!” barked the Grffin in front of me. I turned my gaze towards the one that had a spear pointed towards my brother. Alex looked back at me, as if he was waiting for response from me. I knew then he was as tired as I was of these two Griffins, so I nodded to let him know he could do what he wanted, and he nodded back. With my right arm I chopped off the tip of the spear in front of me, and made a lunge towards the its wielder. With my left hand, I grabbed the Griffin by his throat, and hoisted him up in the air. Meanwhile in the shock of it happening, Alex took his own spear, twisted it free from the Griffin's grasp, and twatted him right across the face with the other end, knocking him over like a fat man falling off a skateboard. Spinning his new toy around, Alex reversed the situation and pointed the spear and the griffin's throat. “Well then, g'day gents, I’m Julian and this is Alex. Nice to meet you.” I said as sarcastically as possible, and with as much annoyance as I could put in my tone. The other Griffin went to make a move, but Alex only inched the spear closer. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you mate…” Alex whispered. He backed down hesitantly, so I turned my attention to my own oversized chicken, “now, you’re going to tell me everything I want to know, or I’m going to made a carpet out of your hide, and eat the rest of you for dinner, and I love the taste of chicken. What’s it going to be?” I asked menacingly. The Griffin in my grip gulped before looking at his partner with fear in his eyes. “You’re bluffing.” He said, and despite the growing anxiety I could feel radiating off of his person, he tried to keep his tone strong and confident. He didn’t fool me though. I smirked and turned my gaze to Griffin, “try me bitch. After you and your friend here threatened the both of us, I lost all patience with either of you; especially after we’ve done nothing wrong to deserve such treatment.” I glared angrily at him. “Alright we’ll tell you what you want to know!” The one in my grip shouted. His partner cursed his stupidity. “Well that was easy, it seems you Griffins have a serious lack of discipline in your military.” I said smugly. “We aren’t even military man; we’re just militia from the local village!” He said desperately as he continued to wriggle out of my grip, hoping to justify his cowardice, and obvious lack of any training. “Which village?” He pointed towards the village in the distance. I let him down and reached into my satchel, not missing the glare he was giving me while rubbing his sore throat, “point it out to me.” I said, presenting him the map Twilight had given us. He took it reluctantly and briefly looked it over, before turning it around with his claw pointing towards the village in question, “this one here, it’s called Rivendell.” He said. He returned the map as Alex interjected, letting his own griffin free, “What exactly were you two doing out here? What’s your assignment? And why did you want to imprison us?” He asked sternly. “We volunteered to be a part of the EBP; the Everfree Border Patrol. We were to scout the assigned perimeter of the Everfree, and report back of any monsters making their way out. If possible, intercept them.” Griffin no.2 explained. “And imprisonment?” I asked impatiently, raising my eyebrow to show I didn't believe they had such power. “…” The Griffin hesitated, so to encourage him, I drew my bow. This caused my animal companions to take a menacing step forward, “alright, alright! We were given instructions from our lord that any and all persons crossing the border were to be brought in for questioning. He didn’t give reasons.” Shouted the Griffin fearfully. “Your lord? Ah you must be talking about your Feudal Lord. How many Feudal lords make up the land? Show me their territories.” I handed him the map. He made a very light scratch on the surface to show their territories before handing it back, “there are five Lords in total, however the fifth Feudal lord is further away from the others, with his territory separated from the rest of the country. That being said, he usually runs things how he wants without any council from the rest of the lords.” He explained, “the lords use the town here, Clarkson, as a neutral area to meet and discuss politics. I don't know exactly; I’m not a noble.” “Fair enough, and where is the capitol in this territory? I would like to meet the Feudal lord as soon as possible.” I stated. The two in front of me stared in shock as I uttered those words, either he’s not a friendly guy, or foreigners aren’t allowed an audience. There’s probably either explanations but I don’t have time to dwell on the possibilities. I thought to myself. “H-he’s not an easy Griffin to get an audience with, and he has a really bad temper. It could take months before you’re allowed to see him, and even then, you’re more likely to be turned down; he has been rather aggressive as of late, and has turned down multiple requests. Some more violent than others” leaving the last part out, Griffin no.1 explained. “So then the only other option we have is to get ‘captured’ and be brought to the Feudal Lord.” Alex stated. I looked to him and nodded in agreement before turning my attention to the two in front of us, “so that’s that gentlemen; think you can help us?” I was surprised to see that their expression was even more shocked than before, I honestly don’t know how to explain the looks they were giving us. Griffin no.2 seemed to recover from his shock first, “First of all, why should would we ‘help’ you after threatening us?” I stood staring at him without saying anything. He looked confused so he turned to Alex to see that he had a ‘you fuckin’ kiddin’ me mate?’ look on his face. “Right… imprisonment. Anyway, why would you want to get captured?!” He shouted in confusion. “What we have to tell your Feudal lords is a matter of dire importance; the fate of the world depends on it.” I said hesitantly, and not a moment later I regretted it. I heard Alex snicker behind me so I turned around to see him covering his mouth with one hand, while another held his stomach as he was hunched over; clearing trying to hold in his laughter. “No no, go on.” He mumbled, still giggling at how I managed to say something ripped right from a silly fantasy-based fanfiction or something. “Yeah fuckin' har-de-har, asshole, cliché as fuck but it’s true.” Alex stopped his laughing and stood straight, “you’re right, sorry. But seriously, that was fucking stupid.” He apologised before I chuckled myself. “Alright, it was kinda funny.” I turned around and looked at the two in front of us, “you haven’t given us your names yet fellas.” I held out my hand for a handshake as the two looked hesitantly at each other. After a few moments, Griffin no.1 stepped forward and grasped my hand with his claw, “name’s Trevor, nice to meet you.” I looked at him with shock, but before I could do anything, his friend stepped forward and shook my hand, “I'm David, I wouldn’t say it’s a pleasure but you seem okay, if not a bit violent.” The last part was barely a whisper, but being a Nephalem and all, I heard him. I didn’t really mind that much, since I was still shocked into silence. This guy likes mumbling though... “Wait… you guys have normal names? Not anything stupid, redundant, or just plain retarded?” I asked. “What? No, what makes you think we would?” Trevor responded. I simply pointed towards the Everfree before realisation dawned on both of them, “oh, the ponies… Yeah, you don’t have to worry about that with most of the species here on Equuis; it’s only really the ponies that have strange names.” He reassured me, and David nodded in agreement. Tears of joy streamed down my face as I fist pumped the air, “FUCK YES! FINALLY, AFTER A WHOLE MILLENNIA, NORMAL NAMES!” I shouted in happiness. The two Griffins seemed to understand why I was happy, but Alex just looked at me like I was a fucking dumb cunt, “alright Trev, Dave, we’ve already introduced ourselves but for sake of formalities; my name’s Julian. This is my brother Alex.” At the mention of his name Alex gave a “Yo, nice to meet ‘ya” with a wave of his hand, “just in case you’re wondering, we’re Humans. I’ve no doubt you’ve never heard of us before, and you won’t find any; we’re the only ones.” Trev and Dave looked a bit down at the mention of being the only Humans, but what I didn’t tell them is that the only reason that is, is because we weren’t originally from Equuis. Such a comment would only complicate matters. “Well now that introductions are over; shall we head off?” Alex said from my side. “Hold on, if we’re going to do this, we should do it according to procedure.” Dave said before pulling out some rope to tie our hands together. He looked to my companions before hesitating, “Uh, can you do anything about them?” He asked, unsure about what exactly ‘anything’ entitled. In an instant they all vanished, along with my bow, and my armour being replaced by my normal clothes; black shirt with grey trackies. Trev and Dave jumped back in surprise, and stared at me in shock, “You know magic?!” Dave shouted. I nodded my head and very briefly explained what my magic does. Can't reveal too much, although revealing anything at all is a big risk. For now I should be careful about the information I give to others... I thought to myself. I didn't want to say anything that could possibly alter the outcome of the war in an unfavourable way. However, if that happens, then I need but silence those who know. I will need to gauge their reactions before deciding if wiping their memories is better. Don't know if I can even do that. Or if killing them is best. But how to explain to Alex... I looked to my brother - the man I trusted most - next to me. He looked back at me and nodded. I probably misinterpreted that but nonetheless, I looked to the two griffins in front of me in silence. The two looked at me in amazement before they bound our hands. So that's that. I think Trevor flew off to gather reinforcements or an escort to take us back to Rivendell, but I don't know I wasn't concerned. Alex leaned over and whispered into my ear. “You do know what you’re doing right?” He asked. “Not a fuckin' clue mate.” I said jokingly, but Alex, being who he is, thought I was serious and just looked at me like the fucking grumpy cat. “It's fine mate, just trust me. I’ll tell you the plan when there’s no one to overhear it just as a precaution.” I responded with confidence. “Alright, just don’t fuck it up you twat. But, knowing you it’s almost a given.” He shot back with some banter. As the two of us bickered, Dave sadly sighed to himself, knowing this would be a long journey.