Author's Note

Hello everyone, i want to first thank all of you patiently waiting for the next chapter of this story and all other stories. Second i would like to apologize to those who have been waiting for updates.

As mentioned recently I started a new job and been busy, but thanks to this new job i've been overflowing with no ideas and creative energy lately.

I am working hard on this story, but till then here is a sneak peak to wet your appetites' till the rest comes out.

Sneak Peak

During my first week working alongside Godbrand, I learned many things about the most common threat to the Griffonstone kingdom, dragons. Both species are fiercely territorial and are also carnivorous, meaning fights over hunting ground is impossible to avoid. With so many battles the griffons took the time to make note of their enemies, chronologize all they could about dragons, from the types to their size and so on. Ironically it sounded like the book of dragons from the How to Train your Dragon movie. However, the book wasn’t nearly as detailed, hell it was no bigger than a smaller pamphlet.

The information is fairly basic due to dragons having the same qualities as any other. There were baby dragons like Spike, who despite their young age could perform great feats with their fire, as well as having the ability to soak up magic just as quickly as to help them grow. Then there were teenage dragons, these particular dragons had greater fire control and could fly faster than a large adult dragon, but due to their less than mature attitude they tend to get into more fights than they really should, often biting off more than they can chew.

Next, are the adult dragons. These are dragons who spend most of their days collecting treasures in order to attract mates so they can reproduce. In a way they are similar to penguins when they build their nest. And being more mature than a teenage dragon they are less likely to get into unnecessary conflicts, the only exception being when they raid places that may have bits and other valuables they want.

One would think that the adult stage would be the pinnacle of a dragon’s growth, but there is one last stage that only a rare few dragons may achieve, the colossal class. This class is the only one that dragons with superior genes can reach. Dragons have naturally long-life spans, some stop growing once they attain adulthood, but for those who can go beyond is a new story. Colossal dragons have an even longer life expectancy and grow stronger with age. Due to their longevity, they are considered the wisest and most experienced when it comes to combat, because of this very few dragons would dare to invoke one's wrath or be foolish enough to pick a fight with them. Only the might of another colossal dragon could ever be a match for one, the battle between two titans causes the very earth beneath their feet to rumble.

Of course, the current dragon lord is a colossal class, and will be attending the summit……lord help us now.

As I made my way towards the barracks, I tried to think of a way to have Godbrand tell the soldiers to not say or do anything that could lead to the dragon lord’s wrath. I know the griffons have a bitter attitude to any dragon that’s not myself, which is what worries me the most in all things. My main concern was talking to him about an evacuation plan should the dragon lord become aggressive. This may seem rude on my part for assuming he would, but given that it would take only one blast of fire from him to set Griffonstone ablaze, I’d rather minimize any casualties.

When I rounded the corner that would point me in the exact line of sight of the barracks, I found myself shocked. They were empty.

On even a slow day, the barracks should be busy, with recruits and soldiers training either around the building or in the air above it. Yet no such thing was happening as of this moment, not a griffon soldier to be seen. I glanced around to make sure I wasn’t missing something, but there was no commotion going on, I couldn’t even hear anything inside. “Are they running some kind of drill for the summit?”

“Hey Noir!” A familiar voice called from above, and when I looked up, I saw Gallus swooping down to land next to me. “What are you doing here all alone.”

“I came here to see about talking to Godbrand about the dragon lord.”

He shook his head and smiled. “They are preparing the area where the summit will be held.” That threw me for a loop. I had figured the summit was to be held over at the castle. Gallus must have noticed my confused look, as he gently bumped my shoulder. “Come on, I’ll show you what I meant.” With a jump and a flap, he was up in the air, and I quickly followed behind him.

The two of us flew a good distance away from the kingdom before dropping altitude. We flew slowly down the mountain until we came to an incredibly large opening near the base of the mountain.

If my memory serves me right, this clearing was here before. I remember there used to be thick clusters of trees that once stood where we were flying. Looking at it now, it was clear that the griffons had cleared the area away themselves, which in my opinion now made sense. The wood they used to help rebuild the kingdom had to come from somewhere, and what better places than just below the mountain?

As we got closer to the ground, I saw that the griffons had made an enormous pile of gems, all carefully piled up near the edge of the clearing alongside some tables that had white cloths covering them. If I had to take a guest, I would think they gathered all those gems for the dragon lord.

Soon we touched down on the ground, and watched as many griffons prepped the areas, setting up tables, awnings and chairs. The ground had been covered in marble tiles, the entire clearing was covered in them, making it less tacky than having a summit on the grass. There were also marble columns circling the clearing, with fine velvet cloths that draped between the tops. Green vines with wide leaves wrapped around the columns to add a bit of décor.

All in all, it was a well decorated area to hold a gathering of royals and diplomats. I was thoroughly impressed by the whole thing and knew that the griffons were prepared for whatever may come. Not to mention should the dragon lord become aggressive it wouldn’t be as easy for him to set the kingdom ablaze. While I was just assuming he would, I needed to make a mental note to not let myself jump to conclusions.

Now what really piqued my curiosity was the mountain of gemstones piled high near the clearing. Griffons don’t usually mine for gemstones, given that compared to bits they aren’t as valuable. I’m well aware that gemstones are abundant in this world, that still didn’t explain where they got them all. “Hey Gallus where you guys find all those gemstones? Is there a mine you guys found recently?”

At this the blue griffon shrugged. “I actually don’t know. See while preparing for the summit, the queen ordered us to follow her to a nearby mountain and when we got there, the mountain of gemstones was already there waiting for us.”

While I was surprised by this news, a thought occurred to me. Gallus said a nearby mountain, and that Glenda may have sought out the help of the gem canines for help. I’d have to ask her myself to be sure, but there was a good chance that was the case, since we both promised to keep their existence and whereabouts a secret.

At the very least I the dragon lord should be somewhat appeased by the mountain of gemstones. Looking it over I could probably guess that it would be maybe three, or if we’re lucky five whole mouthfuls for a colossal dragon. Since I fought one way back when, I can accurately say that my measurements are spot on.

As I was looking over the clearing and considering what we could add to make it more suitable for foreign leaders, I caught a glimpse of one griffon flying from the top of the mountain before he suddenly began to dive down. I was worried that he might have been injured, but once he got close enough to the ground, he flexed out his wings gliding over me before floating downwards in a spiral. “Sir Noir, important news!” He called out as he galloped towards me. “The ambassadors from Zebrica are, and her highness has requested your audience immediately.”