Prologue
Griffonius strutted through his hunting grounds. Several guards flanked him as he moved through the brush. Why would Father send me here, Griffionius thought to himself. His line’s hunting grounds were seldom visited by his father or himself. The Heart Eaters had opted to send squires and guards to do their hunting. Why must I tramp through the brush like a commoner? he huffed. The nobles of Griffonstone had managed to live in in relative comfort, even after the Golden Idol of Borias had been lost. The notion of a practice such as hunting still escaped him though. Why not have the lesser beings provide, after all, it was their place in life.
“Sir,” a guard said, rushing out of the underbrush, “ we found something.”
“Good,” Griffonius said, haughtily, “ take me to it.”
The party turned off of a small game path and towards a deeper part of the forest. The guard from before lead the way to a secluded waterfall. Griffonius was taken aback by what he saw. There was small hut, nestled in between a sheer rock face and a pool from the waterfall. How dare someone have the impudence to live here, he raged to himself. He gave the guards the order to surround the hut. They will pay for trespassing on our land, he thought with glee. He was handed a spear and he marched towards the hut.
He ripped the door open, glaring in at the room's occupants. A large creature sat in a chair in the corner, holding a smaller creature. It screamed when he entered, holding the other tight to its barrel. He brandished his spear and screeched a war cry at it.
“What are you!” he screamed at it.
It looked at him, uncomprehending what he had said. It babbled something to the younger creature who clung to it with tears in it’s eyes. The large creature stood to it’s full height, on two legs no less. It spread itself between him and the smaller creature who was huddling behind it’s skirts. It’s shrill babbling and the small one screaming was trying Griffonius’ nerves.
“Sir, we found another in the woods.” a guard said behind him, “ He resisted, and we were forced to end the confrontation.”
The guard rolled another creature’s head into Griffonius’ line of sight. At this sight the other creatures when berserk. The large one was covering it’s face and bawling like the other one. The other simply stared into the dead eyes of the corpse. It babbled softly to the tall one, who in turn babbled back in a low hushed tone. The tall one sprung at the guard, knocking him to the ground, she pulled out a knife and sunk it in between the plates of his armor. Griffonius watched as the guards life sputtered out at the hands of this creature. He thrust his spear into her side without a second thought. This warranted more cries from the small one. Griffonius grabbed it by its upper claw. The small one shrieked and pointed towards the now dead tall one. Griffonius slapped him with his claws shutting it up and leaving a angry looking red mark.
“Burn it to the ground.” He commanded the others.
Perhaps I will have a prize for father, he mused as he left the forest dragging the creature with him. He threw it in a rough canvas sack presented to him by his soldiers. The creature kicked and screamed more, not that Griffionius could understand what it was saying. His soldiers took off with the screaming bundle and made for their home, Pit city.
Pit city was a mess, in several ways. Firstly, the city itself massive, The plateau that it blanketed was covered in narrow winding alleyways, housing most of the commonfolk. The arena and palace took up most of the center of the city. Back when the city was young, there was a distinction between the two. That was long gone, as multiple amphitheaters and a growing palace thanks to the wealth of the city merged into a large complex. This was where Griffonius directed his party to land.
The thing had quieted down now, only a few sniffles escaping the sack. Griffionius looked at it. His guards looking at him pleadingly.
“You have my permission.” He sighed.
The guards nodded and slammed their claws down on the sack, eliciting screams anew from the small creature residing within. Griffonius smiled with content and stopped his soldiers.
“Go on,” he commanded, “ you have other duties.”
They wordlessly flew off, all but two of his personal guards remained. He dragged the sack himself into the grounds of the palace. The thing was silent now. I hope they didn’t kill it, he thought, then all of this was for a waste. A pair of guards opened the door to his Father’s personal chambers. The concubines eyed him as he advanced to his Father’s throne. The Griffin himself sat there, magestic in wisdom, yet not quite out of his prime.
“Ah Griffonius,” he boomed, “ is that the only game you have brought me.”
“Uh… no Father.” Griffonius said eying the ground, “ I didn’t find any meat. But I-”
“No meat, yet another mark on your tally of disappointments Griffonius.” he sighed, “ Then, what resides in the sack you’ve brought me.”
“Something far greater than a meal Father.” Griffonius said, perking up, “ I found it in the hunting grounds.”
“Well boy what is it?” he grunted leaning forward.
“A beast, it’s elders even killed a few guards.” Griffonius reported, dumping the creature out of the sack.
“Hhmmm,” his father mused, eying the creature, “ it seems a bit….. small.”
“Well yes…” Griffonius faltered, “ but it will grow. I personally dispatched of one of the large ones.”
“Ah… I see.” the King stroked his feathers, “ Son, throw him in the Pit.”
“What?!” Griffonius did a double take, “ I mean, excuse me Father, but why?”
“Your imputence displeases me Griffonius.” he muttered, “But if you must know, I plan to make it stronger. I see potential in him, he is weak now, but he will be strong in time. Much like you Griffonius.”
“Yes Father,” Griffonius said bowing, “ I will take him immediately.”
Griffonius grabbed the thing by its claw. He ushered it out of his father’s quarters, leading it out to a large pavilion. Two guards stood ready to man a complicated pulley system leading down into the depths of the earth. Griffonius took the creature to it, and ordered the guards to lower them down.
As the platform trundled down into the plateau he shot a seething glance at the creature staring blankly ahead into the rock face. Feeling his coming to a boiling point, Griffonius decided to act. The shaft opened abruptly into a dome made of solid rock, the platform descending rapidly to a subterranean city. Light filtered in through a huge cistern and several more pulley shafts. giving the buildings eerie shadows. He sniggered to himself, there would be no survival for the creature. He inched closer to it, and shoved it over the edge of the platform. Then, Griffonius saw the creature’s face, in it’s eyes was a look of pure rage and silent fury. Then, he could see it no more. Wordlessly, Griffonius flew back up the shaft leaving the platform for the soldiers below to deal with.
