Author's Note

Apologies, I've been very slow due to Real Life events. But I managed to get a chapter down for you all, darlings. If there are any errors, or run-on sentences, due let me know. I edited it for a while and hope it's pomp and ready! Also, Happy Thanksgiving!

The Iron Brother I

The Iron Brother

The wind blew ruthlessly against Russel’s red feathers. His black bill itched and facing the back of his brother’s fat arse only infuriated the gryphon more dressed in brown boiled leather attire with a silver brooch of The Crowned Gryphon. He was blind on his right eye, keeping just a brown cloth wrapped around it to hide the scarred a blade inflicted upon him long ago. His only seeing eye, black and sharp, kept an eye on the prisoner in chains walking beside him and the rest of his brothers in the same choice of apparel.

The poor boy was still young and the news he bore had only troubled him enough. But he had failed to serve his duty and abandoned his brothers in process whether or not they were dead. Russel wanted to ensure him that he had done his duty well, that it is not everyday some brother failed at some point in their life, but that would do no help. Jareed was walking to the Carver’s Rock; the same rock named from the traitor of the Old King who was beheaded. Jareed’s head was facing down to remember everything that was before him.

It was a march up the hill, but not towards Griffonstone. Jareed’s father was with them, his mother however was not. A mother mustn’t see her son die before her eyes or there will be a much greater grief than knowing they’re dead, Russel thought.

The hill was vacant of trees, leaving only a fresh field of grass and some stones. The sky was white with clouds suffocating the blue sea and Celestia’s star. West was the sighting of Griffonstone on its fine mountain. The Stone Nest Russel called it sometimes, just to see his cousin puff up and snap at him. It did not matter, he served the realm, not the king.

Cold-Eye approached from the side, a bit puffy he was, the white feathery hawk looked more like an owl with his green eyes blinking on different sides of his face. Russel hated him, he respected how he fought and done his job proudly, but his attitude had always annoyed him.

“He sputtered out all that nonsense...Cyclops, bugger that. The Cyclops are beyond the mountains. Either they’re asleep or dead, it doesn’t matter. They’re not here.” Cold-Eye said, glaring at Jareed. Jareed could hear him perfectly, Russel bet, they were close by him and it would be awhile before they join with the King and his soldiers.

“We don’t know what he seen…the fact in the matter of this is that he abandoned his brothers and failed to do his duty.” Russel said lightly, he didn’t know if Jareed told the truth, but who would be there to vouch for him? Gillian and Gother were presumed dead.

“Doesn’t matter if it’s a truth or lie, the King’s justice be done.” He spat to the side. Jareed flinched when he heard a menacing squawk.

Do you plan to scare the boy even more? Russel thought as he did his best to keep his thoughts together. “Spare him the venom, Crow.”

“But not the mercy. He knew the price, he said his vows, and yet he broke them. Even the others find it rather difficult to forgive. Gothar was better off dead, Gillian though; that was a fine brother. Quiet too, we called him the Gentle Giant.” Gillian might have been a gentle giant, but even Giants had their breaking points. Gillian snapped the neck of a maester and knight. His excuse was avenging his sister who had her throat slit after being raped by the knight and the sacrilege maester.

Every brother had a story, whether or not they were true, once you are part of the King’s company, you’re branded, clipped, and shadowed too. He remembered how Gothar cursed every gryphon once his wings were clipped, yet looking at Jareed’s; that bird proved lucky. The wings didn’t seem properly clipped, if anything, Jareed had a few minutes to be in the air before falling to the floor.

By the time they came across guards, there Grover stood with his fine golden crown on his head. The same crown his father had on his head and his father before him. Russel came forward, the leader of this small party and Crow-Eye lifted Jareed and threw him to the floor before the king.

“Cousin.” Grover greeted, with his two sons, Dumont and Montaine standing by his side. There was also a Diamond Dog, with a husky head and white fur with red eyes. He looked like a pup, wearing only a vest and stood on his two hindlegs and in his paws, the sheathed sword of Grover. Russel knew him as Volkar, the prisoner of Griffonstone treated like another lordling under Grover’s roof. He had no quarrels with him, but when he noticed Crow-Eye’s stare, he saw hatred in his brother’s eyes.

We are defending the borders from mutts like him, Russel was sure those words went on continuously in Crow-Eye’s head.

“Your grace, we bring you Jareed. I am sure our letter has given you enough details in what he’s done.” Russel said, keeping his eyes on his cousin. Grover looked fiercer with that crown on his head. When those eyes fell upon him, he knew it wasn’t his place to make japes like the old times. We were young back then, Russel thought, now we’re grown living in two different worlds.

Jareed looked up at Grover and met his cold gaze. This was going to happen to him, yet he came back. Russel wondered why Jareed didn’t just deserted. You could fly, even for a short distance, whatever happened outside those walls you could have survived! But it was too late to yell at the fledgling. Jareed was doomed to the blade. They soon brought him towards a stump where a tree once was, his head was placed down with his legs on the grass.

“Jareed, you have not only abandoned your brothers, you have also deserted your post and attempted to flee without reporting to the Lord Commander. Whatever story you may have, you may speak it before me, your father, and the brothers who continuously, with effort, guard this realm.” Grover was a just king, he never would simply curse a fool for being a halfwit nor than he would curse an even greater fool for shooting his paw with a crossbow. Russel could see it in his eyes, there was a merciful soul.

“I regret what I have done, your grace. I know that there is nothing that could say otherwise to change this. I am ready to die if that would protect my family’s honor. But I am no liar and shan’t die a liar even if I’m a craven, your grace. They’re real, they’re out there. The cyclops.”

“Shut up you damn disgrace!” Crow-Eye shouted.

Jareed’s father remained silent the entire time. Russel could see the pain in his eyes and knew that his father believed him in every way. Russel would have done the same for his own son if he were still alive.

“I, King Grover, the first of his name, son of Galvin of Glover hereby sentence you to die. You may say your prayers, Jareed, son of Gustave.” Jareed bowed his head to the king’s words, the boy did not cry. He was true to his words, but that did not matter anymore. As he began whispering his prayers, Volkar came forward with the king’s blade and when Grover grabbed the handle with his two talons and unsheathed it, he made his own quick prayer, lifted it high, and swung it down.

Only Jareed’s father flinched. It was only a passing second before his son’s body went stiff, slumping against the wood after the guards let him go. Russel came forward to lift up Jareed’s head and held it out towards Gustave who took it with both his talons.

“He was no craven...he was my boy…” Grief, Russel regretted coming forward when the others would not. Grover’s blade was sharp and strong, no blood remained on those lines once he sheathed it and Volkar was back to carrying that heavy piece of metal. “He was my boy.”

And now you have only two. Russel did not say such words aloud, he was in that same predicament too. The same face he made when he received word of his son’s death. His only son, Freman.

It was upon Gustave’s request they bury his son under their Oak tree, he belonged to the Wood God now. Russel and Grover walked among the hill, heading back to Griffonstone. They did not speak to each other nor broke a glance at one another. Some could have easily confused them for brothers, but that was but a rumor nobles loved to gossip whenever they see a brother of the blade and the king walking side by side.

We serve no king, we fight in no wars, we bleed for our realm, and die with our swords. Vows, a piece of it that had value even Russel taken to his heart. There weren’t only gryphons within the Iron Helms, there were ponies too, zebras, and even a few diamond dogs here and there. They all had their purpose to serve. Every one of them was a criminal in some way.

When they made it to Griffonstone, their guards had taken their leave. Russel’s nephews wandered off to pay respects to Jareed’s mother and two brothers. Gustave attended with a few guards of the king to prepare his son’s burial. As they walked along the streets, Russel felt nostalgia cloud his thoughts. He remembered the small town that the castle towered over. Once in a blue it was busy, other times it was quiet. The sky was still being strangled by those clouds. Perhaps the gods were sad over Jareed’s death or maybe scheming a storm to punish Grover. His brother was no bad king, he done his duty, he delivered his justice, and he was ready to make plans in sending a letter to that fat owl in the Southern district about his son’s disappearance. Gothar wasn’t a likeable fella and surely the entire nest knew that. The boy was sent there by choice so that his family would gain fame and honor. Those who choose to go were admirable, it was true, but those don’t and are sentenced there as some sort of mercy; a gamble with life or death, they spit on the nobles.

Rapists were castrated once they’re crime was discovered sometimes. Cravens had their tongues torn out. Thieves would be maimed. Murderers will be lucky enough to survive being beaten to a pulp, yet trusted to still hold a sword. Russel was in neither of those categories, he chosen to serve the realm after his son’s death.

“Gilford will be pleased to see you, cousin.” It was a rarity Grover had ever called him cousin.

“It’s almost his nameday right?” Russel asked.

“Aye, he’ll be ten. That’s the exact age, not two and ten.” Grover answered, as if the sternness in his voice had left him and some proud father taken his place.

“How is Yvonne?” Russel asked, missing his cousin-in-law.

“She is well. I have plans to take you to the rest of the family. Your men could relax and stay here for a few days.” Grover said, it may have seemed that the bird was happy, but Russel paid close attention to his cousin’s beak. He was still disturbed from Jareed said.

“His father,” Russel recalled, “he believed his son.”

“Any father would with the amount of love they have for their fledgling. Jareed was only sent there because of Lord Wanterly’s request.”

“You mean demand. I heard it from Jareed and Maester Ether Dream. Wanterly’s son had started trouble, beat the pulp out of Jareed and when Jareed decided to fight back, his son pulled a blade out on him.” Russel stopped though when Grover gave him a stern glare. He only does that when he knows I’m right.

“Jareed was no lord, no knight, not even a squire at that. He was not born noble.”

“Neither were our great ancestors. Last time I checked, we pillage, robbed, killed, and went on our way.”

“That’s not the case.” Grover said, passing by a murder of crows that stood around gambling with dice. They were the oddest sort of gryphons that served as the King’s entertainers; mummers for the poor and rich.

“The case is, Jareed saw something and whatever it was, cyclops or not, Gothar and Gillian are perhaps dead.”

“Russel, as much as I love you. As much as you are family and family is everything. I want you to let it be. The justice has been made.” Grover said, but Russel took it more as a command than just a simple request. There was no justice, even Grover felt that way.

When they entered through the gates and into the Stone Nest, Gilford was the first to greet them beside his mother.

“Uncle Russel!” He rushed and latched his talons around his chest, Russel sat down and returned the hug, catching the little fledgling with a wide smile.

“The one and only! How are you, Gilford?”

“I am doing great, it is almost my nameday, will you be around by then?” Gilford asked, hopping onto the ground as he backed up to look up at his uncle entirely. Such a small gryphon, it was rather adorable.

“If I’ve nothing to do around that day, yes. Do not worry, I’ll be bringing you something to have.” Russel laughed, ruffling the feathers with his talon causing the poor prince to stumbled left and right dizzy. Yet, when Gilford regained his balance, he smiled brightly, a smile that matched Fremon’s. Yvonne came up to them, kissing Grover’s right cheek and then kissing Russel’s left.

“You look quite tired from your travels, Russel.” She said, a warm smile from her had always cheered him up. They had history together, friends that could have been more, but soon the love they shared that Russel had wished intimate vanished. He saw her as a sister and the gryphoness of his heart was in Goldentooth, south from Griffonstone.

“The road has been rough, but we made it safely here at least.” That was the hardest part after all. Your wings are clipped once you are part of the Iron Helms. So it took long to arrive anywhere.

“Come, come, we just had the first course before the meal. Dinner is being ready as we speak.” Grover said as he walked off. Russel watched Gilford followed his father from behind. Russel stayed for a moment as Yvonne frowned.

“He’s grown very wary over the days. The Lords are trying to drain him of all his attention when he needs to be focusing on keeping the peace here between all kingdoms. Grover is rather a struggler don’t you think?” Yvonne asked, the love for her husband was admirable. Russel pitied his cousin, he was a great king, but even Kings had their weak points.

Russel walked beside Yvonne, their eyes trained forward as they passed by the yard. She was always his best counsel in life. The times he had visited, she was the only one who gave him advice in how to lead his brothers as a prominent ranger. You can’t protect the mountains for too long if you are full of doubt, he remembered.

“What did Jareed do, what drove him to desert?” Yvonne asked, even the boy’s actions had affected the Queen.

“He deserted, instead of coming back to the gate, he went around and try to sneak past the guards. He didn’t get far, but by the time we caught him, he was stricken with terror.” It wasn’t the terror from us. Russel was confident Jareed had seen something out there. He was still just a fledgling after all.

“Poor boy. Was there someone with him? Why was he sent out in the first place?” She had a lot of questions, but gladly shorten them to not overwhelm Russel.

“He was sent out with two gryphons, scouting out for any trouble. They were supposed to be back after three days. It was their first day, Jareed returned not too later smelling terrible.We asked him where his brothers were, he told us they were dead.” If only he had come to the gate, if only. But it was too late for those thoughts to surface, Jareed was dead.

“May the gods judge him fairly.”

“May the gods judge him fairly.”

He was young, Russel thought. But even the young would have to meet their end at some point.

When they were inside of the castle, Russel was led into the dining hall. There he found the rest of his little nieces and nephews. Leona and Catherine having a small argument, Gendry reading a small book, and Ysabelle chewing her food in little bites. Gilford rushed onto his seat and Leona hopped out of hers, rushing over to her uncle faster than her little brother did. He caught her in a hug, squeezing her tight after hearing her squeal and giggle.

“I miss you uncle,” he knew already, “It’s great to see you again!” Leona was set down as Russel gave a hearty laugh for her. Grover and Yvonne found their seat. Catherine and Ysabelle got out of theirs to give their uncle a hug too.

“Uncle, it is great seeing you,” Catherine greeted him with a courtesy bow. Ysabelle had done the same, mirroring her sister’s posture. “Hope your travel was well.”

“Aye, your uncle’s trek was well, long sadly. He’s quite hungry, mind showing him to the table?”

The servants brought an extra chair that was beside Gendry. When Russel came over to the table to sit with the family at the same time that Dumont and Montaine returned through the entrance, Gendry was the only one who did not greet him. He remembered Gendry ever since he was a fledgling. Words were stronger than swords, Gendry had once told his brothers. This young gryphon would grow up to make a fine maester.

“Aren’t you going to say hello to your uncle, Gendry?” Yvonne asked as Grover resumed eating his meal.

Gendry shut his book and looked at Russel to the right. “Uncle.” And then began eating his food calmly. Yvonne could pick up the disdain in his voice faster than the old fool could.

He never appreciated my colors in the realm, Russel thought.

“He had a long travel, Gendry, aren’t you glad he’s here.” His mother tried softening the disdain in his voice, but Gendry shrugged.

“He has already done his duty. I see naught much to speak about.” Yvonne had surrendered from there, there was no way this fledgling was going to care if his uncle lived or died. You were my son’s friend, as well as Jareed’s. Do you blame me every day for taking them away from you? Russel was served his meal, similar to the others and began eating it.

“Uncle, how is it over there...in the mountains?” Gilford asked.

“Let your uncle eat, Gilford.” Yvonne insisted, though Russel languidly waved his talon. He was fine explaining everything that would excite his nephew.

“Don’t worry, he’s only curious is all. Cubs should at least know the life of a lion.” But they were not just a part of a lion, they were bold and noble, something Russel had doubted many years ago after his son’s death.

“The Iron Helms serve the realm as you know, they’re duty is to protect Griffonstone and kingdoms below from foreign invaders that attempt to cross over Mt. Everhoof.”

“That is north of Everfree, we are west though.” Dumont pointed out.

“Aye, but that is another station, there are more stations that your father here, King Grover, placed for the protection of the entire realm. The north, south, east, and west. Even his father done the same thing, consider it a peaceful alliance between kingdoms without any internal affairs.”

Gilford looked excited, Leona did too. “Have you seen dragons?” She chirped.

“Leona, dragons are asleep, they’ve been asleep for hundreds of years.” Catherine said, yet that did not soothe her curiosity.

“No, little cub, dragons are asleep but then again, some say they’re long gone. It matters to what the maesters believe, we Iron Helms have to just protect our borders.” Yet, what if there are cyclops? That will cause problems and inspire other threats beyond the borders to want to break through the gates and climb over the mountains, perhaps even cross the sea. By then he understood why Grover didn’t believe Jareed, or perhaps did and made it best to not be spoken of again.

They finished dinner all together, the dessert was some crumb cake and cream-filled dough. When nightfall began, Grover requested Russel’s presence along with Gendry. Gendry looked at his uncle only briefly and saw just a ghost, before turning away and following his father into his solar. Russel had followed behind, making note that it was just not the time for the boy to forgive him for his mistakes.

The fireplace was hot and allowing the room to become warm. Smoke went up the chimney as the wood snapped and tear underneath the inferno that torn apart it whole. A round table was set up in the center, bookcases of the Old Kings and Valor volumes that his uncle loved to read were safely kept in storage. The window was closed, glass frame and all. Wooden beams supported the ceiling, old stone that stood up for centuries with some dust gathering at the walls. Wine was delivered by Volkar, holding a plate and three small cups with the glass case of Saddleian: Saddle Arabia’s finest wine, fit for kings and queens.

“Volkar, you may stay here.” Grover said, but it was not much of a option for the Diamond Dog, he knew it was just an order sweetened by milk. While the ward waited at the corner after pouring wine into the three cups, Grover was the first to sip and sit down. Soon followed the others.

“I have given thought about Everfree and its princesses.” Grover said.

“I thought it was not our problem.” Gendry said abruptly, the boy was smart, but he was also too sharp and brash. Words were better than swords.

“I know what I said, but I have given some thought to it. There has to be some way to assist them in case the future grows dark for us, when Griffonstone requires help from another kingdom.”

It wasn’t easy for a kingdom to request help from another kingdom, Russel understood that.

“Cousin, I serve the realm, not the kingdom. Why do you have me here?” Russel asked spotting his king’s frown forming along the bill.

“Gods help us, Russel. You heard from what Jareed said. Maybe or not it was true, the fact that there could be some danger out there proves enough that we might be letting our guard down for something worse. Which is why I want you back by the morrow at those gates, forming whatever strategy you can and head out to handle the threat.”

Did he think he was in control of the Iron Helms? Russel pressed his talon claws against the table, digging each nail in. But instead of speaking out, he remained silent. It was the King’s right to speak. As guests, they are to listen.

“Every duty is not done without action and reason. Gendry, I am sending you to the Everfree to handle their affairs.” Russel was taken back as much as Gendry was.

“Father? That seems too much...what about mother? The others? What use would I play out in this?” Gendry was too stunned to make sense of this.

“Because you are my son, you are smarter than the others, even me. My brother is coming soon, we are to make our own plans with Griffonstone together, but for you though, I want to ensure you are in Everfree before he gets here. To become the Princesses maester.”

“But I haven’t went to Crystal Empire to form my bond yet.” His son protested.

“You have, I spent a good sum of money for the maesters under the queen to deliver me the requirements for you to be qualified as a maester.”

“What is the meaning of this, Grover.” Russel said his name sharply. “He is still too young to be a maester for them, that, and are you not supposed to interfere with foreign affairs. What changed your mind?”

Gendry looked at his father stunned. Russel thought this was some punishment for not being a knight like his brothers, but there was more to this. Grover loved his flock, he will do anything in his power to protect them. His brother was no kind Gryphon, weakness in the family would only sprout trouble between the few.

Grover cleared his voice and then said. “Because I am your King, a father, and will do everything I can to protect my family and kingdom all together.”

The king had spoken and Russel could have sworn he saw his uncle talking instead of his cousin.