Softly, I placed my claw on Fiery’s back, pushing her deeper into the grass. “Lower your back and merge with the ground,” I whispered, “you don’t want them to see you coming.”

Keeping her eyes on the target, she lowered her back, but at the same time, raised her tail.

I smirked and pushed it down too, the first try is always for practice. I moved in front of her to show her how to properly stalk, dropping to the ground but making sure that I could still move my legs. Though, with my black scales, it was far easier for me to hide in the first place. Her white coat didn’t really help her hide you know? Anyway, the bushes and small plants of my garden, together with the dim light of the evening, hid her well enough, so small mistakes wouldn’t hurt too bad. Better she learns and makes mistakes now than when it would actually matter.

The griffon that had entered my lair a few minutes ago still hadn’t noticed us yet. He had just passed the little waterfall at the entrance to the inner sanctum of my den and was making his way down to the heart of my lair, which gave us some more time to prepare since he didn’t seem to be in a hurry.

“Look, Fiery,” I placed my head next to her ear and whispered, “the direction you come from is very important when you hunt something. You see how much he is carrying with him? The huge bag on his back? If you attack him from the front, he will be dragged down with it when he rears up and he’ll be unable to get back up as soon as you jump on his belly.”

Of course, Fiery didn’t understand what I had said, but she made a little agreeing purr anyway. I shook my head with a smile and turned my attention back to our visitor.

He was still none the wiser about our presence.

Slowly I crawled forward, not an easy task with my size, but I managed to proceed nearly silently. Though, my daughter didn’t. The grass rustled while she made her way forward and with her tail raised again, waving like a flag, giving away that we were here!

I used my wing to push it down again and moved along with her until we were only a few meters away from the entrance of the inner lair, hiding there. If someone were to listen close enough, they would be able to hear Fluffy’s humming from within.

When the griffin was only a few meters away, he noticed it too, which confused him obviously. He hadn’t expected some creature with such an adorable voice to be in my lair. So he stopped near the entrance to listen more closely, making him highly vulnerable to an attack from the garden.

I readied myself to jump and adjusted my daughter's stance with a claw. This was a team hunt after all. When we were both ready, I pushed forward, jumping half the distance between me and the griffon in one move and added a roar to my second jump to force him to turn around before I would crash into him.

He spun around, the shock was clear to see on his face when his gaze landed on me, only a few inches away from him already, gliding through the air with my snout wide open, presenting my teeth, and with my claws ready to strike.

The poor griffon didn’t have a chance. Before he had even raised his claws to protect himself, I had already crashed into him, throwing him over with all my weight and pinning him down with my body.

I didn’t hurt him though, I only roared straight in his face when he tried to say something, suppressing anything he wanted to say instantly. And of course, I placed my claws in a way that prevented him from moving his own claws or wings. I don’t want him to hurt Fiery, who was still rushing over as fast as she could.

It took her a few seconds though to reach us, and when she did, she got into her meerkat position. I would have liked to face-claw at her doing this, but couldn’t at the moment. Teaching your kid is never easy I guess.

I slightly growled to get Fiery’s attention before I roared at the griffon again, hoping she would do the same, but instead, she jumped closer and tilted her head, unsure of what to do with our catch.

Before I could show her what to do again, however, Fluffy rushed out of our inner lair, summoned by my roaring. She only glanced at me and the griffon for a split second before her head hectically started to spin around, looking for Fiery, checking to see if she was alright.

As soon as she spotted our daughter, she rushed over and picked her up, holding her tight while stepping to my side and watching out for additional threats.

“No worries, Fluffy,” I laid my wing over her back and poked her with my nose, “I am just teaching Fiery how to hunt.”

She gave me an irritated look before changing it into an accusing one. “Hunting?” She asked and nodded at the griffon. “I don’t think a griffon should be a part of her regular diet. Stop teaching your daughter nonsense! You scared me!”

“I didn’t mean to, I was just showing our little girl what to do with a catch.” I gave Fiery a look, at least the parts of her that were peeking out of her mother's chest fluff that is. She had grown quite a bit already, so she wasn’t completely vanishing into Fluffy’s fluff anymore. “She doesn’t understand that she is supposed to roar yet.” I moved my head, fumbling through Fluffies coat and gave Fiery a kiss on the head, “But she will eventually. It is just her pony side that… “ I stopped and thought about what I was about to say. “Well, she has the best aspects of her mother too, so roaring at strangers probably isn’t going to be her first instinct.”

Fluffy took another look around, making sure nocreature else was here, besides us and the griffon, before she spoke to me again. “Maybe if you showed her how to great strangers instead of attacking them, she would do better at it.”

“Hmm, maybe, but what would that be good for?” I said with a smirk before winking at her.

“You are… “ she stopped, trying to think of a good reply, but I just gave her a kiss before I responded to the statement she was about to make

“Yes, I am.”

“If I may?” The griffon interrupted in a quiet and respectful tone, though, still a bit shaken.

I just snorted. “You just keep playing dead.”

“Nonsense, let him go,” Fluffy demanded and softly poked me in the side. “That is not how we treat a guest.”

“But I don’t want too,” I declined. “Fiery’s lesson isn’t over yet.”

“Big softy…” Fluffy insisted and used her head to push me up.

“Fine,” I rolled my eyes, but still moved. With Fluffy standing next to me I had better things to do anyway.

I received my ‘being a good dragon’ kiss and some rubbing against Fluffy while she addressed our ‘guest’.

“I am sorry,” she said and offered the griffon a hoof to help him up. “BD here has some strange methods for greeting guests sometimes.”

“It is fine,” the griffon said with wide eyes while he took her hoof, “I’ve been greeted worse.”

“I see,” Fluffy gave me a quick look, “don’t you think it would be polite to introduce us?”

“Why do you think I know him?”

She cutely raised an eyebrow. “Please, you jumped on him, but you did it so carefully that he doesn’t even have a scratch. You also took care to not crush his bag and everything in it. Furthermore, you didn’t seem to care that he’s this close to me and took my hoof while I still have Fiery on my arm,” she shook her head slightly, “no way you would allow an unknown griffon to do that.” She smiled and her voice got a bit softer, “And you still are more interested in cuddling me, (I was still rubbing my head against her back), than keeping an eye on him. You wouldn’t let him out of your sight, even for a second, if you didn’t trust that he wouldn't be a threat.”

“Point for my clever pegasus,” I agreed and moved my head along her spine, finishing my cuddling with a kiss between her ears before turning my head to our guest.

“Fluffy, this is Angorik, son of Alfons, from the clan of Aduras the old.” I mixed a little pride into my voice before continuing, “Angorik, this Danger Do, my marefriend.”

They shook hoof and claw and exchanged the usual pleasantries.

“And this, “ I purred at Fluffies chestfluff, luring my daughters head out of it, “is our daughter, Fiery Leadership.” She squeaked and I rubbed my nose against her. “The most adorable girl in all the world.”

Well, the most adorable girl in all the world stretched a claw out and pointed at Angorik, squeaking again.

“Griffon,” Fluffy explained and raised Fiery up so she could see better, “that is a griffon,” she repeated and pointed at Angorik too.

My daughter commented on that in her own way, squeaking and bubbling, sadly without a roar.

“Quite lovely,” Angorik approved, but quickly changed the topic to something he was far more curious about. “So… you,” he pointed at Fluffy, “and him… “ he pointed at me.

She nodded, “yep, we.”

“And he listens to you?” He raised an eyebrow in suspicion and lowered his head a bit, adding a doubtful look.

Now Fluffy giggled, “Sometimes. I need to use a lot of cute pegasus tricks though.”

“That means only she can do them,” I clarified what she was saying before he could start to think that I had become a softy after all. “Little griffons shouldn’t count on me being more tolerant of them.”

He quickly shook his head. “Never would!”

While I just snorted, Fluffy took over the speaking. “So what brings you here, Angorik?” She placed Fiery on her back and threw a glance at me. “You didn't come for a cup of tea, did you?”

“Actually, I did, well, kind of. I sometimes visit Black Death and tell him stories, in exchange for food and shelter.”

“Normally when he is in trouble,” I added. “He used to stay over the winter, or at least until the grass grew over the things he had done. Not many creatures would follow him here.” I smiled, still proud of the reputation I had.

“Oh, nothing like that this time, I promise!” he quickly said. “I was hoping I could use your candle though, you know, some inspiration and the like.”

I focused my gaze on him.

“I have some stories as payment of course!” A little bit of sweat formed on his forehead. “And a book or two!”

“What does he want exactly?” Fluffy asked.

“He wants to use my candle of inspiration... you know, the one you took from my hord and somehow lost in the temple of Fortuna.” I must say I am proud that I managed to say this neutrally, preventing my tone from becoming accusatory.

My effort was in vain though, as Fluffy looked away guiltily and rubbed the back of her neck. “Oh, that candle. Funny story actually.”

“You mean you don’t have it anymore?” Angorik’s asked frustrated, “oh no!” He sunk down onto his haunches. “Without it, I will never be able to complete my great saga of the Owlking!”

“Why would you need that candle for that? When I had… borrowed it, it didn’t seem to do anything other than give off light.”

“If you didn’t think it was anything other than a regular candle, why did you take it than?” I asked.

“Well, it was in a secret chamber and on its own pedestal. I mean, it must have been worth something. Just seemed useful and valuable at the same time.”

“The candle was indeed valuable, though, not as valuable as you.” I moved over and kissed her again, showing her that I wasn’t angry about it anymore. It was a sweet sight to see her blushing. “Anyway, the candle did something, besides give off light, whoever holds it or does something creative in its light, is blessed with a great deal of inspiration. It’s also said that it boosts your skills. It unfortunately doesn’t work on most dragons though.”

“Hmm, It does sound useful if you want to write a saga,” Fluffy admitted, before she turned to Angorik again, “but I am sure you’ll be able to complete your story without the candle.”

“I can’t, I have writer's block. I’m never going to finish it!” He shouted before covering his head with his claws.

“My, my,” Fluffy said, again, patting his shoulder, “it isn’t that bad.” She exchanged a look with me before she gave him an offer, “Why don’t you come in and have a cup of tea, everything looks less bad over a cup of tea.”

“I… I don’t know,”

“Resistance is futile,” I said, already knowing how this would end. No creature can resist pony magic. “So, come in.”

“But,“ he started, only to get interupted by me moving my head before his, staring at him. “Uhm, tea would be nice,” he finished his sentence.

*

“So, where did you come from, Angorik,” Fluffy asked while she pushed an earthen vessel, full of green tea, over to him.

Angorik took the cup and sniffed at the content, obviously he wasn’t a big fan of tea, giving his face expression, but knowing my reaction if he declined it, he just thanked Fluffy and took a sip. I know he had a liking for cider, like most of his kind have, or wine, we shared a bottle or two back in the days. I mean, there isn't much to do during the winter other than sleep and lay around, not that something is wrong with that. Still, him coming around every once and awhile helps keep things entertaining. If you wonder, he is the friend I told you about, the only one I had before I met Fluffy. He indeed dropped by every now and then, telling me stories, legends and the like.

“Well that is a tricky one, I come from Alofted Harbor, as well as from Aglowing Shores,” he explained.

“What do you mean?” Fluffy asked while giving me my cup, which I would share with Fiery. “You were born in one and live in the other?”

“No, the city’s actually split in half, it’s situated on a mountain that peeks out of the northern ocean. The part of the city near the top where the airships arrive is called Alofted Harbor, while the normal port is called Aglowing Shores, due to the magma rivers under the surface, creating warm waters that always glittered.”

“Sounds like a nice trading port.”

“It’s a pirates nest, Fluffy,” I corrected her thoughts. “The two harbors are not meant to be for trading ships, or more accurately, ones that leave as trade ships.”

Her ears peaked up. “So you’re a pirate?” Fluffy asked shocked.

“He was,” I answered for him, “a pirate bard, responsible for the moral onboard. He never was a great fighter or plunderer to begin with.”

“Yeah,” Angorik nodded with a sigh, “I was. Now however, I am only a bard. But somewhat of a famous one,” he added.

“Thanks to me,” I threw in.

A nervous little ‘heh’ filled with a bit of melancholy escaped his beak.

“What do you mean?” Fluffy asked suspiciously. “I have the distinct feeling that with you involved, things were a lot darker than him just singing and playing an instrument.”

I smiled innocent.

“So?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Let Angorik tell you the story, he is the bard here” I said, taking a sip of my tea. “Though, let’s move over to the living room, it’s a longer story, better heard while laying on the couch, next to a fire.”

“If this is a longer story, Fiery is going to need to be in bed during it,” Fluffy reminded me, “It’s not good for her to stay up for too long, and of course, I would be going to bed with her.”

“Don’t worry about that, she can sleep on my back today, and I have no problem laying still, cuddling with my marefriend while listening to a good story.”

“I am not sure…”

“You could also nest on her during the story,” I added, we both would like that.

“Mhh… “ I could tell from the tone of her voice that she was going to agree, and I was right. “Alright, why don’t you prepare everything,” she turned to Angorik, “if that is alright with you?”

“Uhm, yeah, sure,” he agreed, “just, uhm, it’s not one of those light and funny stories, like one where the heroes overcome the evil and get home all safe and sound.” I saw his inner struggle at trying to give Fluffy an idea of what the story would be like, the bard in him wanting of course to tell the story, while the rational part of his brain told him that a pony may not like that kind of story. It didn’t surprise me that he knew about the pony species already.

“The hero of this story stands right here,” I reminded him over my shoulder while I rose up and moved to the living room. “It was only some of the villains that didn’t make it!”

“Villains?”

“Now, who is who in that story isn’t quite clear,” Angorik said. “We don’t want to get ahead of the story though, it would kill the atmosphere.”

“Mhh, if you say so. Then let me be surprised.”

“Are you sure about this, I mean, I know your folks, you’re normally a little bit too soft for a good story like this.”

“I am tougher than I look,” Fluffy replied with a smile.

Angorik threw a look at me while worked in the living room. “I guess you're right, givin you’re living here with him.”

Now it was Fluffy who moved her snout before his face, giving him the look. Even with Fiery on her arm, she looked threatening. “What are you trying to imply here?”

“Uhm,” he stuttered, “I… uhm, nothing.”

Believe it or not, my marefriend doesn’t allow somecreature to speak negatively about me in her presence. I purred approvely.

*

Well the preparations were quickly made, I set up a nice fire in the fireplace, fluffed up the pillows and blankets on the couch, a large one that sat low to the ground, and was surprisingly stable despite how soft it was. Fluffy had decided we need one, and since I had already extended our lair with the two guest rooms, the future room for our daughter, and some rooms for storage and the like, I had agreed to add more furniture too. The expansion also included some new features, like the fireplace.

Anyway, just imagine it as a perfect place to cuddle while listening to a story.

Once all of the preparations were finished, I laid down on said couch with Fluffy nestling against my side, while Fiery played with some building blocks next to us on the floor. It was still an hour or so till she needed to go to sleep, so she could play a little while we listened to Angorik. As long as we were close to her, she wouldn’t make a fuss normally. Though, we needed to wait a few minutes before actually settling down since Fluffy decided it would be best to feed Fiery before we enjoyed the story. I must agree, she was right.

So, now Angorik stood in the middle of the room and prepared to tell us the great story about how I made him famous, waiting for us to be ready too.

With a purr, I rubbed my head against Fluffy, getting a little bit of cuddling before I signaled for him to start.

Author's Note

Well, my Editor, Schattendrache, wanted to mention his concerns about that the next chapter probably is going away from the main characters and instead tells the story of how Angorik and The Black Death met.

So my plan is to write that story Angorik is telling down and make it the next chapter, as long, as you don't want me to skip it?

Tell me in the comments with a spoiler tag, or via PM. Either way works, you can read it, or I can start right after he finsihed telling it, your choice. Though, only a few days to vote since I have to wait till you guys voted before I can write on obviously.