FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 14

The journey through the squawking steeples was an arduous one. The gods themselves seemed to have cursed their journey. Winds howled through the rocky tops, buffeting feathers and beak, hampering their flight to the point of madness. Grounded, they were forced to walk the long, winding paths, subjected to a torrential downpour that reached down with icy fingers to stab through feather and clothes alike. It was a dour, miserable time, only brightened by how much cover they could find beneath the trees.

Food wasn't to be found, game chased off by their scent or the storms. They were forced to make do with rations or summoned biscuits by Hekate. While Krantor and Leon found them tasteless, they smiled and ensured the cheery gryphoness that they were thankful. Nights were spent cuddled up close off the beaten path, the half-elf pressed tightly between two gryphon blankets. While he might have grumbled, the warmth was welcome, and he honestly slept better than he usually did. His dreams were fraught with lord olas, tormenting him with pleasing words and flights of fancy. He'd wake, a bitter desire to return to his imagination, where such a blue-blooded creature could hold him in such esteem.

Days passed for our trio, thankfully not belayed by monsters, orcs, highwaymen or any other creatures that might seek their death. They marched along, cursing the weather but finding comfort in each other. Though Olas was only a press of Leon's bracer away, willing to whisk them to the town with but a flash of his hands, the mercenary held off on the convenience. The last thing he needed was the gryphon lord holding this over his head, prancing around as he crowed about how his precious Leon ever so needed him.

They arrived down from the slopes on Towerday, the sun finally breaking through the iron-grey clouds that choked the sky. Golden light poured forth as a beacon from the heavens, painting all beneath it in a cheery hue. Diamonds sparked across the landscape, where water still clung to morning grass and trees. Birds crowed their hearts to the sky, chasing one another from branch to branch, drawing many glances from half-elf and gryphon alike. Though sunny the winds were still chilly as ever, demanding that a cloak be brought to beat back it's chilly talons.

Leon found himself propped up on Draigo, his gryphons getting a chance to stretch their wings after several days. To them it was like being reborn, he could see it in the way they chased one another, chirping and laughing like gryphets. Tails were pulled, wings were tapped, beaks were clacked as they engaged in mock battle. The mercenary was left patting his horse.

"Least you're not a morning person huh Draigo?" He chuckled; his voice hoarse.

Draigo pinned his ears and gave a harsh snort, cursing the morning.

"That's my boy."

"Are you sure you don't want to join us Leon? There is always room for you up here!" Hekate spiraled over her husband, batting at his wing with a hand.

"I don't know if there is enough gryphon for his sourpuss dear!" Replied Krantor, entering a dive to chase after the now cackling female.

"Non-sense! It's not _that_much. Come on Leon, it won't take all that much, quick swoop over and I can snatch you like a salmon!"

The idea might have tempted some, but him? He watched their swift movements, spiraling and darting too and fro; one mistake and he'd be sent tumbling, careening towards the ground. That much trust in someone else, with his life? He grimaced, "It will be a cold day in the hells when you find me up there!"

"See dearest, he hates flying!" Krantor said, "Just leave more for us!"

"But he can't hate it, I saw how he enjoyed making a fool of you in the library." Hekate tilted a wing, narrowly avoiding her husband's snapping beak to her tail. "Too slow hun!"

"Or I'm more fond of the _chase_than catching you."

"Here I thought you _enjoyed_catching me." She gave the gryphon a wink before surging forward with a resounding trill.

He blinked, crown feathers rising as he gave a lustful coo, "If that's the case, I can't wait to tie you up my love!"

"Got to catch me first!" Hekate cackled as her husband pounded his wings ever harder, blue fires of determination within his eyes.

Good, with them distracting each other Leon didn't have to get into a clumsy excuse on why he didn't trust his companions with his life, especially when he already did that on their adventures. "Besides, I don't want to make you feel left out, right boy?"

Draigo turned his head ever so slightly, ears perked as he gave a pleased whinny.

Leon sighed, unhooking his waterskin to down the last of the precious water that they had. It wasn't much, but he figured by nightfall he'd be nursing down hot cider, and delicious gryphon delights that clung to his insides and warmed his soul. Hekate's family might have been just as overbearing as she was at times, but they certainly knew how to cook. Folks were rumored to come from all around to frequent their quaint tavern, sample the food, enjoy the company of at least a dozen gryphons.

He gazed out down the slopes to the fields of farmland. From their height he could see for miles of the verdant countryside, broken apart by pockets of gold, amber and rust, each a variety of crops the mercenary knew not of. The path they strode would take them past numerous houses that dotted the way, where hands were already hard at work tending to their livestock or crop. In the distance mountains rose high over this secluded valley, the gryphon buildings that dotted them nothing more than grey or brown spots on a tapestry of color.

Chiron was nestled up at the base of one such mountain, a herald to the sea that waited beyond it's borders. Above, specks of color darted too and fro, gryphons enjoying the morning just as Leon's companions were doing now. The mercenary imagined them preforming the same game of catch, singing to one another, or perchance getting a morning hunt of the schools of flying salmon that frequented the area.

Hekate swept around minutes later, landing with a bumpy trot and a brassy trill.

"Must you?" Leon grumbled as the lavender and vanilla gryphon cantered her way over, trying to sooth Draigo with a pleasing song.

The horse stilled, snorted and then resumed his calm walk.

"He is such a good horsie, not spooking at all!" She praised.

"With your shenanigans all the time, it's hardened his skin." Leon pat the horses back.

"So, you're saying we should engage in more shenanigans?" Krantor called from overhead, starting to circle and plan his landing. "You heard him hun, more!"

"Like hell I said that." He jabbed a finger of warning at the now mischievous looking gryphon, "I see the glint in your eye."

"What?" She snapped her head away as if uninterested, rustling the orange scarf around her neck, "I wasn't thinking about anything."

"Right, and I'm a gryphon."

"With the amount of gryphon around, beside and inside you at various times." Krantor landed a few feet behind with a flare of his wings. "You very well might be."

He crossed his arms with a smirk, "If that's how you count what you are, I imagine your equal parts a hard shaft of light."

Krantor's ears pinned, "And one can only imagine what kinky shit you and Olas get up to."

"Remember that time we found the ball gag in his pack?" Laughed Hekate, "One wondered who it was for." She rose her eyebrows as she playfully nudged the half-elf with a wing.

"Can't be worse than the beak wraps and whip? When was that, two months back?" Leon chuckled, if they were to play this game he could jab right back.

"That I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for."

"Which would be?"

"Easy, he had been a naughty boy and had to be punished!"

Together they laughed as Krantor opened and closed, his ears having long since splayed. They continued for quite some time, jabbing at one another back and forth. Any who past might think them mad, laughing and cackling away to the heavens. They met several merchants going the way they came, carts packed to the brim with goods and equipment. In tow of course they had mercenaries, adventurers, fresh faced individuals seeking fortune and excitement. Leon shook his head, once he'd been that bright and hopeful, long before Cliaran.

"Oh, I can't wait to see the sparkling falls of ice." Hekate trilled practically pressing herself against Draigo's flank.

"The one of pure ice? That even on the hottest days remains just as cool as the Azemeth snow?"

"That's the one." She held her head high, "You know they say that a powerful mage lost his love at that very waterfall. That in his despair he turned himself and the very area around him to solid ice."

"That's an old gryphon's tale." Krantor rolled his eyes, "People have chipped away and found no mage, even mages that can pass through ice have tried to no avail!"

"That's cause they haven't found the right spot yet." She huffed, "Are you going to put a dower cloud on _every_bit of sightseeing that I want to do with Leon?"

"Wouldn't he already do that? OW!" The onyx gryphon retreated as his wife smacked him with a wing.

"Keep that up mister and we'll not visit the twilight fields of nuzzling."

Leon rolled his eyes, "The names your people give to things is ridiculous."

"Oh, is it better than the plains of the sword?" She countered with a narrowed gaze, "Or better yet, it's sister, the ever so creative, plains of the shield?"

Words failed the mercenary as both gryphons looked on with shit eating, beak parted smirks. He sighed as they squawked away at their victory. "Yes, yes, laugh it up."

"Oh, don't feel bad, I'll agree _both_of our people are prone to...simplistic ideas."

"Maybe we can get into a talk about those instead of getting into another lengthy debate on why you _must_have eggs." Krantor groaned, his ears pinned. "I swear your family practically lifts me up to mount you!"

Hekate dismissed him with a wave, "Look, they just want clutches upon clutches of eggs. Folks in my flight have three or more." She laughed, swishing her tail, "I'm sort of the whole black sheep of the flight."

"I'm not breeding you while we're there."

"Nor would I want you to." She cooed, sliding up to her mate and nuzzling under his chin. She accepted his nuzzle back, "We can satisfy all our grypets needs with my nieces and nephews! Doesn't that sound like fun Leon, I knew they loved you!"

"Ah yes, love." He grumbled, "Where gryphets don't know their own strength or sharpness of their claws. I'm lucky to still be in one piece!"

"Right, last time you looked like a scratching post!" Krantor laughed.

"Don't remind me."

"They mean well Leon, don't hold it against them." Hekate blinked to the mercenary, a fog of innocence about her, "They absolutely adore you, if you neglect them you'll break their little sweet hearts."

"Then let them break! I don't want to spend my entire trip being carved apart."

"I'll just heal you if they cut _that_deep. Surprised your flesh hasn't developed a certain thickness for gryphon talons."

"Gryphons know to be gentle. Your little monsters squawk, leap and treat me as a play toy."

"So...like us then." Krantor ruffled his feathers, clacking his beak as he eyed Leon's hair.

"Touch the hair and you're going to end up stunned and in a ditch."

"Can you stun both of us, are you that fast? I'm not sure you have the reaction time." Hekate warbled, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

He was moments from a gryphon attack, at least the moment he left the safety of Draigo. He merely scoffed at their threat, "Feel free to test me kitties, no trouble on my shoulders when you're left twitching. Then I'll have more than an excuse to delay going to Lord Olas' little party."

"I doubt it's little Leon, all those nobles there, maybe the mayor? I imagine it's going to be a great shindig." Krantor fluffed his feathers, trotting a few paces down the road, "Maybe a bit of dancing, plenty of drink, oh, and I bet Olas is going to be singing your praises all night!"

"Yea, sounds fucking wonderful." He hissed. "Paraded around like a thing to be displayed, can't wait."

"Oh, don't be thinking all that. You'll sour the night before it even happens silly!" Hekate chuckled, "Oh, you're going to have so much fun!"

"What's got you so cheery?"

"Cause it's my family? Come now Leon, most people miss their families when they haven't seen them in awhile." She closed her eyes, tail swishing as she strode along, "I bet right now, old Nonni is spinning yarn, going on about how cold or hot it is; batting the little ones with her wing when they draw too close. Mother is probably head over my father's shoulder as he cooks the morning meal, trying to sweep her out of the kitchen before she ruins whatever dish he's concocting." She sighed, feathers trembling, "I bet it's biscuits and gravy, dashed with white hot sauce."

With how much gryphons adored spicy foods, he doubt it would be anything less than torment to his palate. Even still though, he followed her as she pranced ahead with a singsong chirp.

"Don't you miss your family Leon?" Krantor asked, "Mine probably need to be visited, gods know there will be hell to pay otherwise."

He replied with a tight lip, no need for them to know that you couldn't pay him to return to his father. Even now he could see the elves stern gaze, eyes flickering with equal parts disapproval and dismay. Leon grunted and took the crisp wind to his face. "And before you ask, no, you won't be meeting them."

"Don't be glum!" Hekate's wing nudged her husband, "That just means my family will have to do enough for three families. Though considering last time it's going to be hard getting them to let go of Leon."

"Long as your mother Agata doesn't crush me with her hug like last time..." He rubbed at his side, where the phantom pain returned to bite at him."

"It wasn't that bad."

"She broke three of my ribs Hekate!"

"And I healed them, no biggie! She even said sorry, spent the rest of your trip waiting hand and hinds on you.

"Less of that the better." He grumbled, never telling the cheerful gryphoness how her mother had shown up in his quarters, making certain he knew anything was on the table to pay him back. She'd said it with a lustful rumble and flash of her lower areas. It took all he could muster to throw the gryphoness out, especially when she and her husband both offered.

"Hey, if you didn't want to be treated like a hero every time you visit, you shouldn't have saved their inn in the first place!"

"Starting to regret it."

By the time they'd trundled along the path, nearing the outskirts of buildings that made up Chiron, the sounds of gryphon crows could already be heard. High above, numerous catbirds in brass and red attire, chirped out morning songs to all that could hear. The structures below were well-built and sturdy, meant to hold multiple gryphons on their flat, slanted roofs, perfect for claws to cling to. Perches were everywhere that one could look, some home to the feathery citizens watching away to the masses below. The air was fraught with good cheer and morning conversation, the talk of the town about how a certain gryphon lord had already visited them.

They kept away from the tents and booths being set up for the festivities, opting to avoid the cheerful, dutiful masses that flocked to every corner. Leon's stomach grumbled as scents of roasting meat and spices wafted through the streets, reminding him a man needed more than summoned biscuits to live. He kept upright on Draigo as Hekate went on about more stories from her youth, facts and figures that the town held dear. She spun yarns about seasonal effects, the migration of the flying salmon, to the wyverns that plagued them for numerous years.

"And that's not even counting the encounter with the silver dragon!" She boasted with a chirp, then chuckling as Leon gave her a snort of derision.

"But he ran away before we could talk." Hekate scoffed, "Figures, bet he thought he was too good or something."

"Let me guess, he ran away before anyone else saw."

"Oh, plenty of people saw mister! It wasn't just some myth or us drinking too much cactus juice, it was real! Krantor, tell him!"

The onyx gryphon shrugged, "I don't know your local legends hun."

She groaned, feathers fluffing.

"Just be glad this story didn't go the way it did with the red one." Leon said, recalling the dragon that had attacked Entis a year prior. It had destroyed an airship, gone on a rampage and killed dozens before being brought down."

There was a moment of silence as Hekate snapped shut her beak and glared, "Must you ruin a good story with a horrible one?"

"Are you going to keep listing off facts about your town all day?"

"Oh, look we're here." Krantor said flatly, flaring a wing between the pair.

"Fine, but this isn't over." Squawked the female with a lashed tail.

Before them was a three leveled tavern, it's roof large and blunt, adorned with numerous scratches from gryphon talons. It's oval, stained-glass windows were large enough for half spread wings, could open to allow patrons to fly free from their rooms. Stone was the foundation of this place, dark and grey, marred with stains of ale and dirt; rising up from it was wood from the sturdiest of the iron trees. The main door matched the windows themselves, but larger so. Within the door was a smaller oval, one clearly made for non-gryphon hands. To complete its image a sign was planted in the field of grass before it, twin feathers of brown and red crossed upon it's surface.

He took a deep breath, the smell of spices, cooking meat and earth filled his lungs. It teased his senses, warmed his blood, bringing an air of anticipation as his mouth salivated. It almost distracted him enough to not ward away groups of gryphons hungrily eying his horse. One even called to him, offering him payment.

"Get mounted bird, the horse isn't for sale!"

"It was a decent price!" Replied the brown and white gryphon with pinned ears as he sauntered away in a huff.

Hekate meanwhile was besides herself, swiftly tapping her hands and hinds as she sang in delight, crown feathers raising one by one. She then pranced around her husbands, words nothing more than pleased trills and warbles as he and she exchanged a tender nuzzle. Feathers rubbed against one another, their surroundings lost as Leon dismounted his horse.

"Yea, well, you go on ahead. I'll drop off Draigo with the stablehands." He grabbed the horse's reins, aware that the gryphon pair were still at each other, his words probably going straight through their ears. He rolled his eyes and scratched a reluctant Draigo on the chin, the horse calming with a snort and swish of the tail. It seemed to be his way of accepting they could relax. Leon pat his snout, feeling his heart begin to slow, nerves recede. The days before flashed before him, nights worried about assassins, death, and the life of his lordly benefactor.

Fingers glided over soft fur, Leon wondering why he cared so much for the gryphon. If it was only a contract like he always insisted, why was he trying so hard? Why did it hurt to think that he might be dead? "Cause the money stupid." He said softly, but not truly believing the words. He called once more to the now nibbling on each other gryphons that he was to be dropping Draigo off, thankfully her family employed humans at the stables.

Draigo's ears pinned as they started to walk along the field, eying the simple stable.

"Don't worry boy, no gryphons running it. They'll keep their hungry beaks off you."

The horse gave him a steady look, as if he were lying to him.

"I'm not lying!" He laughed as Draigo snorted, but having no other protest as Leon dragged him along. That's however when he stopped in his tracks, a shrill trill suddenly trumpeting from the roof.

It was a vanilla-colored gryphon, Hekate's shade to be exact. "Leon!" Screamed the gryphoness, flaring her wings wide as the golden jewelry on her forehands and hinds sparkled in the sun. "LEON AND HEKATE ARE HERE, and she brought her mate!" She bounced of the roof, wings pounding to slow her descent. She landed with a pleased warble, sprinting to the half-elf with a predator's speed.

He tried to avoid her, but the gryphoness wouldn't be denied. Steel colored forearms wrapped him tight as she reared up, wings flaring for balance. He was pressed into her vanilla feathered chest and held ever firmly.

"This is the greatest of surprises! No one said you were coming! Baby sister you should have said!" Chirped the gryphoness, shaking Leon back and forth.

"Hello Hokata." Leon managed to mumble into her chest feathers, trying to push himself free without hurting her. "When is the last time we saw each other, two years ago?"

"No kidding." She released him, to only pounce over to her sister and run the length of her body alongside her. They purred and trilled, embracing each other with tender wing hugs. "You should have gave word you were coming, that way we could have prepared! Momma has been all besides herself, wondering why she hadn't heard from ya!"

Hekate's ears splayed, "You know how it is, adventuring about, no time for messages, plus we only found out ourselves we were coming back."

"We're here for the festival." Krantor proclaimed with a wing to his chest.

"Well of course you are, who isn't?" laughed Hokata with a swish of her tail, bumping her haunches into Leon. "Folks from miles around are coming here for the games, food and to see the migrating flying salmon!" She slid around the half-elf, giving him a salicious wink, "Or bat wings with the local gryphon girls."

He dusted himself off, ignoring her lewd suggestion, "Look Hokata, I just want to get my horse to the stables before your family or another gryphon has an accident."

"Hey that happened one time. How were we supposed to know that wasn't a gift for us?" Her ears splayed, "If it makes you feel any better...buttercup, was it? She was tasty."

"Well I happen to like this one, so keep your beak, talons and wings away from him." He shoed her away, "And tell everyone he's not a gift!"

"Everyone!" Her eyes lit up, chuckling to herself as she held her forehead, "I almost forgot everyone else! They're going to be ever so excited that you're here! Now it's a proper wing reunion!"

"The whole wing?" He froze mid stride, "You can't be serious."

"You got to be kidding me, they got everyone?" Hekate pulled back with a gasp, "Even ole gran Nonni?"

"Even her." Hokata laughed with a husky voice, "The kids, the twins, and even some of the ones from out west! Oh Hekate, with you and Krantor here, it's going to be so great!" She pressed between the couple, her wings extending over their backs. To the inn her sight did go, hinds planted as she gave a joyous, keening cry.

"Everyone, I can't believe Hekate actually showed her face! To think she came with her mate and Leon, how lucky are we?"

It was so loud that Leon had to cover his ears, but it got what it needed to. He doubted anyone within a mile had missed what had been said, more importantly, every gryphon that dwelled hidden or otherwise in the inn and the surrounding field.

From the long grass rose a multitude of gryphon heads, a sea of lavenders and vanillas with a variety of eyes. They yawned, just awaking from a morning snooze, basking in the morning sun. Others sprang to the windows, pressing scaley hands and beaks to the stained glass, others emerged from around the rooftop with raised crown feathers, some sprouted from the building's rear like feathery branches, all of them came with a symphony of inquisitive squawks and trills. To complete the overflowing image of a gryphon flight came as the front door slammed open to reveal a pair of gryphons that could only be Hekate's parents themselves, Agata and Helios.

"HEKATE!" Screeched the lavender female at the door, eyes practically the size of dinner plates.

Beneath the parents came bounding a trio of gryphons with dark purple feathers, "Leon! Leon, you're here!" Cried the gryphons nary larger than wolves and just as mischievous. They scrambled upon their tiny legs, talons and hinds digging into the dirt. Before the half-elf could get away they were rubbing up along his trousers with a series of warbles, listing off the multitude of games they wanted to play with their favorite half-human.

Leon was nearly knocked off his feet by the rambunctious gryphets, only saved when Hekate's mother Agata caught him with a wing, before easily placing the half-elf in the same position that Hokata had done, with the same level of strength. The mercenary groaned as his world became her chest feathers as she reared and shook him back and forth.

"And there's my favorite mercenary! Did you think you could get away without a hug?" Agata squeezed tight, nibbling at the man's hair. "And when was the last time you had your hair preened? Leon, you need to get that done to look presentable! Once we get you settled in, we will have to solve this!"

"Look I don't need preening, I'm happy with the way my hair is!" He protested, only to get a laugh.

"Yes but it's dreadful dear, Hokata can get you all set up with a delightful preen, you'll feel like a new man."

"It might even have a happy ending." Hokata flicked her tail as she gave the mercenary a beak parted smile, mischief gleaming in her eye.

Hekate's father Helios was a well-built gryphon, one who once spent many a days hunting and prowling the skies. He had a belly now that protruded ever so slightly, wrapped in an apron all smeared with sauces and food. His feathers were vanilla and white, sections on his forearms and hinds shades of grey and black. Emerald eyes bounced with pride as he slid up along Hekate's flank, greeting his daughter with various chirps and a nuzzling of her face.

The half-elf found himself released from the mother's grasp soon enough, but could not escape the wave of gryphons that beset him. His hands were forced to glide over fur, his face was rubbed into a dozen sets of feathers at least. His ears became bombarded with various trills, squawks and chirps, all focused upon him, glad that he came. He might have smiled if not for being pressed into one gryphon's grasp after the other. He got kissed, nuzzled and even hugged some more, even twice he was certain someone groped him.

"Nice of you to drop by dearest." Helios settled upon his haunches, tail flicking as he surveyed Leon and the others, he focused upon his daughter, mainly her belly, "I still see you're lack of eggs."

"Is it something you're eating dear? Or not eating?" Agata fussed, nuzzling at her daughter's face. "A fine gryphoness like you should already be on your second clutch!"

"I'm fine, we're fine." Hekate brushed her away, "It just isn't the time yet."

"Perhaps it's this one's seed that's to blame." Helios rolled his eyes to a now, ear splayed Krantor, "Can't even find my girl's eggs."

"My seed is as fertile as any." The black and blue gryphon clacked his beak, only for Hekate to shut it with a wing.

"Can we not get into a discussion about your balls with my father?"

"Has the human's shyness taken hold of you Hekate?" Laughed Helios, "How can we believe your mate's claim be true, unless his seed takes..."

"Can we not?" She clacked her beak, forcing the male to hiss and playfully bat at her.

"What? You know is true! Why your grandfather used to spin tales how he conceived your-"

"So, do you have any rooms here for us?" Leon leapt to Hekate's aid, putting an end to what was sure to be a gryphon story about some old bird getting mounted. "As great as that story might be, we're tired as hell and would like something to eat."

For a moment, it appeared as though Helios might burst into a yell. His eyes twitched, tail flicked, his hinds stared to shift. However he threw back his head with laughter, "Why didn't you say so my boy? I have plenty of food cooking for the lot of us, can't imagine three more bellies will be any different!"

"Oooo, what are you having?" Krantor perked up, already starting to drool, "Gryphon delight cakes, soaring biscuits, or perhaps canuba fruit pies?" He had to wipe his beak with the back of his scaly forearm. "You're cooking is always the best."

"I hope so, I do it plenty!" Helios flared his wings, shooing away gryphons young and old from Leon and the others, when a series of disappointed groans rang through the air he was quick to clack his beak and slam his paw down, "They are tired and need some rest, sure we can give them that can't we? Besides, it's not like they're going anywhere. Right?"

"Right." Leon gave a nervous reply, Olas' invitation in the back of his mind.

"So, what brings you to the city?" Agata asked as the other gryphons began to slink away, return to their naps by flopping or laying down upon their sides. The lavender gryphon gestured to the door, "And lets get you all settled into the nest."

"Nothing much mom, just the festival. Figured I'd bring the boys along." Hekate said with a splay of the ears.

"Ah yes, fine boys they are." Helios rested his wings on both Leon on Krantor's shoulders with a resounding chirp, "If you don't count this one's lack of ability to father me grandchildren. Leon, my good boy, have you settled down yet? Found yourself a special someone?"

He got these questions each time. It would seem that Hekate's love for getting invested in his romantic life came from these trees. "Not yet." He grunted.

"Always got a place for you all you know." Smirked Agata, gesturing to Hokata, who'd returned to the tavern roof to watch the ground below, "Know she fancies you something awful."

With a glance, the half-elf caught the gryphoness batting her eyes to him once more, accompanied with a warble he knew was one meant to attract the attention of a mate. He blushed, "I'm sure she does."

"Oh mom, Leon already fancies someone!" Hekate rolled her eyes and dismissed her mother with a wing, "So stop trying to hook Hokata and him up!"

Here it came, Leon blushed before the words had even left the beak of his gryphon companion.

"Really? Who is it?" Cooed Agata, accompanied by Hokata's groan of disappointment.

"Lord Olas!" Hekate trilled, "Oh mom you should see them, they're positively adorable together!"

Oh lord it was already starting. What he thought might have been relaxing was going to turn into dozens of questions about him and the handsome lord Olas. He grit his teeth as silence took its hold, only for gryphons within earshot to snap to them in interest. Mixtures of pride and curiosity traveled across their beaks, glad the half-elf had decided gryphons were his fancy, and curious how he'd enchanted the powerful mage.

"So..." Agata rolled her hand, "How does he kiss?"

"And who is the top and the bottom?" Helios swiftly chirped.

"And what is your favorite position to mate?"

"What's his favorite food?"

"Do you cuddle?"

Leon had to press them away, "He and I are not an item. What he and I have is an arrangement. I provide him with stories of adventure, he gives us contracts and jobs...and perhaps he and I fuck rather frequently."

"So it's only a matter of time then." Chuckled Helios, "You don't fool around with gryphons for very long before getting brought into their flight boy." He gave the half-elf a wink, "So you didn't answer, who is the top and the bottom?"

"We switch often enough." Groaned the mercenary, perhaps if he told them that they'd shut their beaks? The answer did what he wanted, except the father rumbled in approval.

"Keeps things fresh, I like it. Now, for you two boys, figure you're here for the games? You know, strength agility, wrestling, cooking, name a thing we got it."

"Whittling?" Krantor's brow rose.

"Yup."

"Guess we can see whose better at handling wood huh?" The onyx gryphon playfully nudged Leon's side.

"I mean, if you want to embarrass yourself in front of your mate be my guest?" He countered.

"Like that would happen, you're on."

Perhaps this trip would be more amusing than he thought. The promise of a day of athletic contests more than made up for the prospect of being displayed at Olas' party like a piece of meat. He and Krantor exchanged several more jabs at one's pride, all betting that it would be themselves that would prove the victor. It was when Agata whistled for help from her stablehands to get Draigo that Leon was pulled from his conversation.

"He's not leaving my sight." He remarked sternly, eyes steeled to the chuckling gryphon mother, he pat Draigo at his withers, "I'm more than capable of bringing him to the stables."

"You really don't like being taken care of do you dear?" Agata chuckled in amusement and flicked of the tail, "Don't worry your pretty head none, by the end of your stay, we'll work out all that tension and grump lurking in your bones. Now, let our stablehands take your horse, he'll be in good hands."

Against his better judgement he grunted and relented, surrendering the horse to the first pair of human teens that jogged over. They were simply dressed, stunk of horse, looked as though they'd been up for hours. He handed them the reins, eying Agata and her husband, "He has any chunks out of him or even a scratch and there will be hell to pay."

"Overprotective of the horse aint ya?" Helios chirped, feathers fluffing as the mercenary held his icy stare, "You can ease up son, we'll take care of your horse."

"Says every gryphon I come across. In your belly isn't taking care of him."

Hekate laughed, "Dad, Leon has a silly thing about his horse."

"Losing mounts isn't silly Hekate."

"Regardless son, we don't set a paw or hand into the stables, we leave that to the two leggers we employ." The dad warbled, before nodding to the stable hands, "Take care of this one like you'd a lover boys, Leon is mighty skittish about the whole affair, don't need him spooked over his obsession."

"Or certain areas of it." Krantor chuckled, only to get Leon's punch to the neck. "What? You and Olas both have...hey!" He squawked, feathers fluffing as Leon struck him again.

"Can you go five minutes without turning things lewd?" Growled Leon.

"It's not my fault if it's true!"

As Krantor clacked his beak in protest, it was Agata that slid between them, putting an end to their squabbling, "I do hope you boys like elk, Helios here cooks a rather beak watering one. It's no crown moose, but it will do. Ikaros and Pallas caught a trio this morning, believe their cleaning their kill as we speak."

"And don't forget the rabbits dear." Helios gestured to the trio of gryphets playing in the grass, nipping and pouncing on one another. "They worked ever so hard to catch them."

"Oh yes, they chased them around the yard! I never heard something so loud, thought they were going to die!"

"Long as it isn't horse like last time." Grumbled Leon, remembering how guilty he'd felt as the gryphons warbled and complimented the flavor that night, "Be good to get some honest, home cooked food in me."

"Hey, I thought you liked my summoned biscuits!" Hekate whined, thumping her tail.

"Dear, you know summoned food can't compare to actual cooked dishes." Krantor cooed, nuzzling at her side.

With Draigo off to join the stables, they padded their way up the tavern's steps, being pressed forward by Helios enchanting words and Agata's insisting wings.

"Oh Leon dear about your visit." Agata was at Leon's side as Hekate and Krantor were caught up in a conversation with the gryphoness' father.

"What about it?" He remarked, "Did you need help with chores around the place? Did you need help with the elk? Honestly, I don't mind."

"Oh, nothing of the sort, you're our guest! For helping with the food, save your breath dear, help with cooking of the dinner and Helios will nip you something awful! I meant your sleeping arrangements."

He rolled his eyes as her ears splayed, "What about them?"

"I know you probably share a bed with the lovely couple you keep around, cause who wouldn't, you're all young adults, healthy and they're gryphons." She trilled as if this was a forgone conclusion, "On this stay I was wondering, could you give them some privacy? They really need to focus on making some eggs. If you really can't go without a gryphon's touch, you can share my nest or Hokata's."

"Mother, I'm not getting pregnant on this trip!" Hekate squawked, snapping from one conversation to the next.

"Not with that attitude honey!"

"I'm not even in season...And don't you go getting those potions from the Parunga clerics like last time! We'll have gryphets when we mean to-"

Helios rolled her eyes with a squawk, "Regardless, we have you set up next to Kore's nest. Hoping you two love birds change their minds."

"As welcoming as your nest is, I'd rather have a room to my own." He grunted, not willing to argue with the egg crazy mother. "Thanks for the offer though."

"Of course! I imagine you'd like to save space for your boyfriend." Warbled Agata, "Don't you worry, all our rooms are ample size and sound doesn't carry too far. Trust me, that one we had to add."

Inside was a shelter from the cold, warmth chasing away whatever grip the outside had. It whispered for one to stay within, never leave, rest on one of the many couches and drift away to a haze of comfort that sank into your bones. The air was infused with the smell of enticing fruit, thick spices and cooking meat, the sounds of their sizzling mixing with the dull chatter from what patrons found themselves up at the time. Spacious was the floorplan, enough for gryphons to stride about with their wings tucked. Long tables of weather, ale stained wood were separated enough that one couldn't stumble into another, complete with chairs that were perfect for the catbirds to lay down upon their bellies. These chairs came complete with a multitude of colored cushions, each unique to the tables themselves.

The walls were a testament to Chiron itself, a smattering of local trophies from the hunts to creations by tradesmen. Support beams were carved with images of gryphons young and old, joined by two leggers in hunts, fishing and flight. Unlit candles decorated numerous chandeliers, spread out until the ceiling gave way to the central staircase that spiraled up to the other floors. What light filtered into the cozy tavern came from the sunlight through the stained-glass windows, and the hearth that dominated the far corner. Resting comfortably on the rugs before it were a pair of vanilla and black gryphons, snoozing away to tired chirps, empty tankards at their side.

He found himself greeted like any tavern, with glances from the patrons scattered at the tables and nods of acceptance. Here however he also got waves from the gryphons that were spread around, some on perches on the above levels to watch the ground below. Those that wanted to leap down and shower him with praise and nuzzles were warded away by Helios' threatening chirp, insisting to wait till later to bombard the man again with their affections.

"So, figure you're hungry?" Agate laughed as Leon's stomach vocalized with a growl.

In a flash they were sitting at the bar, being shoveled mounds of steamed rice, seared salmon and a smattering of roasted purple vegetables. He chomped away, practically in bliss, groaning at the flavor that tantalized his tastebuds. The speed at which he gobbled it down was impressive, it was amazing that he even remembered the silverware.

When the meal was done and his belly was close to bursting, Leon leaned back in his hair, satisfaction painted across his face. Hekate and Krantor were still chirping away as they continued their meals. His attention was drawn to a new face that entered the tavern, a muscular Ceullus man heavy on his hooves. The man stood well over Leon's height with a fierceness about him like steel. His fur was dark smoked brown, eyes glinted like amber. He wore no shirt, exposing his muscular chest that drew in the half-elf's gaze. He found himself shivering, a sinful tug in the back of his mind pulling him back to younger days, ones filled with a terrible need and days of bliss that left one robbed of his faculties. It made him blush, gobbling up this stud from his black hooves to ears.

"You can pick up your jaw you know." Krantor teased, "One might think you're keen on him."

"What?" He blinked, had he been staring? Leon blushed and averted his gaze as the Ceullus strolled on by, ordering a mitarinok, minotaur coffee. "Shush your beak."

"Ooo, so you were checking out that horse."

"No, I wasn't." He growled, lifting up his tankard, unwilling to look the smug gryphon in the face, "And calling them horse is a slur."

"Oh, apologies, I didn't wish to insult your future boyfriend. Your eyes were begging him to come over!"

"Can you shut the fuck up Krantor? You don't know what you're talking about."

"No reason to be embarrassed." Hekate chuckled, nuzzling up on her mate, "We check out people all the time, isn't that right dear?"

"Always." He replied, nuzzling back, "Fun to have new partners after all. Remember the last pair?"

"How could I forget, I don't think I could walk for a day."

Leon grumbled into his drink.

"But don't be silly Krantor, Leon wouldn't want to ride Titus." Hekate finally chuckled.

"Finally someone has some sens- "

"He wants to be riding Olas! Don't worry, I'm sure we can find him later today."

His cheeks burned as he nursed his drink, how long was he going to be here?

*************

sorry for the delay everyone, had more lift stuff happen that got in the way of this. (deaths in the family.)

Anyway, hope you like what I did with the chapter, when I was originally editing this and the next piece it looked to have an entire rewording than simple edit. Anyway, hopefully we don't have any more delays!

Don't forget to leave comments and let me know how I'm doing, even if you didn't like sections and stuff. I do enjoy reading anyone's thoughts on the matter, theories, etc.

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It can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=371744