Shatter

by Lapsa Heartlocke

Rating: mature
Tags: Narcotics, Sad, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Tragedy, Profanity, Violence, Dark, Death, Alternate Universe
Length: 6225

Equestria At War Fourth Write-Off Entry about a griffon family struggling through a chaotic series of world events.

This is my submission for the Fourth Equestria at War write-off: https://www.reddit.com/r/equestriaatwar/comments/lvp59n/fourth_equestria_at_war_write_off/

It holds to the theme of the contest and follows a family of griffons living within the heartlands of the Griffonian Empire dealing with events beyond their control unfolding around them.

The story takes a few liberties with the time-frame and assumes certain a-historic - though still in-lore/in-mod events - occur. I had planned on something a bit more 'full' that spanned across the entire timeline of EaW as it stands now, however that proved that it would be far too long of a project for this contest's limitations and several real life things came up this month, so hopefully what I have still fits the criteria of the write-off and stays within the spirit of things!

As mentioned the story is a submission for a write-off event for a fairly popular Hearts of Iron IV mod called 'Equestria At War' based on a very unique take on the lore and universe of 'My Little Pony'. You can find it here: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1826643372

I'd highly recommend checking it out, the mod has more than enough effort put into it to spawn fan-content of its own with many ambitious projects still yet to be planned based on the dev diaries.

Published 2021-03-24 21:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-03-24 21:10:00 UTC

Shatter

Shatter

By: Lapsa

Submission for the ‘Fourth Equestria at War Write Off’

“Have you heard?” The hushed whispers of a conversation droned behind Wyman as he took another long drink, mind barely processing the chatter around him as his aching body sank even more against the cool soothing counter of the bar. “They are close to settling on a regent…things might return to normal soon in the capitol.”

“I hope, w—” A loud few screams rang out from the outside followed by a few barely muffled thunderous bangs, the hum of the early evening brought to a halt as all attention instead turned to the window – griffons soon running past the pub; some injured as their distraught fearful expressions produced a few murmured gasps from the patrons.

“W-what in the name of Boreas is going on out there?!” The quiet moment of silence in the bar didn’t last long as the patrons were soon thrown into a frenzy – more flocking to the windows as tables and chairs were knocked or tossed haphazardly out of the way to make more room; the equally frantic staff trying their best to keep order as they abandoned the bar.

The commotion and change of mood in the atmosphere would only just barely be enough to pry Wyman away from his spot, his sluggish mind trying to process everything as he stumbled down to the ground below. Only the faintest hint of concern would push through his half-drunken state has he made his way over to the window with the rest of the crowd, managing straighten himself out enough to peer over their heads and shoulders just in time for another few griffs to rush past followed by more loud thunderous bangs as pieces of brick splintered across the buildings on the far end of the street.

“I-it can’t be…” A silence would follow before a voice – loud but muffled – started to ring out through the streets outside, the words too garbled to be made out clearly as the patrons in the pub slowly started to speak among themselves once more.

“What is going on out there!?”

“Stop! Are you mad? You can’t just g—w-wait!”

Wyman’s gaze turned to the door as the gentle chime of the bell drew him away from the slowly rising whispers. A few of the patrons cautiously made their way out onto the street, some immediately darting back in as their faces went pale while others continued onto the road with a nervous morbid curiosity – all gazes fixed further down as Wyman himself felt some tug start to move him forward towards the door.

“What the hell is going on…” Another patron murmured as Wyman pushed past, finally making his way out onto the street as the cool air send a chill through his body. With a few more steps he’d finally be able to see a crowd further down the street – a large group of griffons trying to stand steady before a tank and soldiers that seemed themselves to be struggling to keep composure as the walls of the pub no longer muffled the discontented yells and chants of the gathering before them.

“Attention! Attention! We ask that you remain orderly and follow our instructions!” Wyman tried to remain mostly out of sight as he cautiously moved further down the street, only stopping when a soldier atop the tank started to speak – orders barked out through a megaphone. “Everything is under control! Return to your homes!”

“Please, remain calm and do not make further attempts to obstr—” The soldier’s frantic pleas were interrupted as a rock struck against his megaphone, the sound reverberating through the crowd as the soldier’s now unheard voice barked orders at the armed men to either side of him – gunshots soon ringing out into the crows as more loud screams followed.

Wyman would turn tail and race back down the street as soon as he heard the first bullet fly, the griffon not taking the risk of flight as screams echoed from down the street. Quickly he’d duck into one of the alleyways, mind racing as he darted and waved through as many of the back-streets and small corridors as his muscled frame could fit into on the way to his home. All around him it would seem the city was started to erupt into chaos, like he was outrunning it as more gunshots, more screams, running griffons, even bodies started to spring up around him in his path as he got closer and closer to his destination.

When he finally reached his home he wouldn’t bother to slow down, nearly bringing the already shabby door down as he rammed into it – claws trembling as he fumbled with the lock. He could still hear screams, still hear gunshots and soldiers yelling in the distance. He wouldn’t dare turn his head to the street around him though, wouldn’t dare take his eyes off the lock as the door finally swung open – the worried faces of his family meeting his own as they sat huddled in the middle of the small darkened room.

“Are you both alright!?”

“I—W-Wyman…” A pale feathered griffon spoke as she clutched a young chick closer against her, emerald eyes watery as her feathers dampened with tears.

“What is the matter, Willa?” Wyman finally took a moment to try to catch his breath as his voice lowered, the door behind him hastily shut before he wrapped his forearms around the two. “The soldiers haven’t hurt you have they?”

“N-no…b-but…” Willa struggled to get the words out as she let her body sink against her husband. “Its my father, Arnulf – one of his friends stopped by to tell me they’ve taken him.”

***

A week of uncertainty would follow as the family tried their best to attempt to adjust to the new regime. Every day Willa would try to hold onto her waning hope to see her father, the few neighbors that hadn’t vanished or ran becoming more and more scarce as the streets were soon left empty sans the quick to anger soldiers that would ramble on about maintaining ‘Order’ amid the curfews and collapsing economy. Even Wyman’s own job would suffer; masonry struggling as clients canceled and construction – alongside the wider economy - came to a slow, painful halt.

***

Chapter 2

***

“W-who is there?” Willa felt herself tense up as the door began to jiggle – closed curtains making it impossible to see who stood on the other side now as a few knocks echoed through the room.

“It’s your father, now open the door.” Willa immediately stood and rushed to the door as she heard the familiar voice, disbelief on her face as she swung the door open to see her father there to greet her.

“Are you okay? Where have you been?” A flurry of questions assailed the old griffon as he stumbled through the door, signs of age even more visible with his pained expression – a faint smile trying to fight through winces of pain as worried faces stared back.

“It’s all okay now…” The older griffon limped his way forward as he wrapped his arms around Willa, another wince of pain barely held at bay as her arms tightened around him. “Its all okay…”

“It’s been days…I thought you were…” Willa stopped her words short as she tightened her hold on the old griffon, tears once more streaming down her face as the old griff’s claw gently ruffled through her feathers.

“I-I’m fine…it was all just a…misunderstanding is all…”

“Papa!” Willa took a reluctant step back as the young griffon ran forward – leaping towards the older griff as her arms clung onto his uniform, even her light weight enough to pull down his aging body before he managed to steady himself. “I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too little one…”

“A misunderstanding?! We thought…you were gone for nearly a week.” Wyman stepped down the stairs, each creaking under his claws and paws as he entered into the small living room – roused from a rest by the commotion.

“Y-yes…just a misunderstanding.” The griffon winced again as he limped forward, finally closing the door behind him as the bitter breeze was slowly pushed away by a small crackling fire. “There were…doubts about my loyalties after the co—After our Lord-Protector took power.”

“Doubts? But you have always been a faithful servant of the Empire…how could they doubt that?” Willa wiped the tears from her face as her husband’s claw gently came to a rest on her shoulder.

“What is going on, Arnulf?” Wyman’s voice raised slightly as he motioned for the young griffon to return to her mother’s side, claw leaving his wife’s shoulder as he moved closer to the older griff. “Soldiers in the streets, curfews, people being taken from their homes?”

“Not here, Wyman…please…lets step away first...” Arnulf motioned towards the kitchen, another half-hearted attempt at a smile trying to console his daughter.

“What is it Arnulf?” Wyman tried to lower his voice as the two walked into the kitchen, only a half-closed curtain separating them from the living area where his still shaken wife continued to comfort the young griff in her arms. “Tell me what is going on…soldiers in the streets…veterans being taken from their homes…talk of chaos in the military.”

“It would seem that after the late Emperor’s death there were…fears that the Empire might fall to ruin…that perhaps a firmer claw was needed to help guide us back to a path of righteousness and prosperity…”

“So…”

“A general named Dawnclaw orchestrated a coup with some of the other soldiers…took out the loyalists of the Emperor, any who opposed his vision, and has taken to calling himself ‘Lord-Protector’.”

“What? Not Emperor then?”

“No.”

“So another republican uprising?”

“No, no…he and his…loyalists, they were rather vehement that there was still an Empire and that Dawnclaw merely wishes to restore the throne to what it once was before.”

“So then, who is the Emperor?” Arnulf turned away at the question, knot forming in his throat as his gaze turned back to his daughter and granddaughter just visible through the thin veil now cozying themselves once more by the fire, tears still fresh on Willa’s face as she tried her best to ignore the conversation. “Grover VI? The child? So this Dawnclaw is acting as regent?”

“No…the…old ‘corrupt’ dynasty has been put to an end by our new Lord-Protector…”

“They killed the child Emperor?” Wyman felt a cold shiver run through his body as his gaze followed the old Griffon’s own, a small pause following as Arnulf slowly turned back towards the tan-feathered griffon.

“I-I’m afraid so…”

“So there is no Emperor…but an Empire?” Wyman’s voice lowered even more, barely leaving as a rasp when he finally responded.

“For now…yes…”

“And what of the nobility? The Regent council? The other parts of the Empire?”

“The nobility…the clergy, and the council are all viewed as corrupt…most have already been…dealt with.” Arnulf’s gaze fell from Wyman’s own again. “As far as the other parts of the Empire, the support for this ‘Lord-Protector’ seems to be rather short-reaching. I-I wasn’t told too much, but I know that most of the Empire is outraged.”

“And what about you? Why did they come after you? You’re barely involved in any of the politics of the nobility.”

“My previous service to the Empire and vocal support for it marked me as a potential threat…” Arnulf paused. “I was…made to swear my loyalty to the ‘Lord-Protector’…”

“And what of the rest of us? My wife…your daughter? Our Children?” Wyman tried to keep his voice low as his gaze met the emerald eyes staring back through a gap in the thin sheet at him from the next room, the worry in his expression fueling her unease as claws gripped even more tightly around their daughter. “This is madness; how are we to survive like this?”

“I—I have a plan…but it’ll take some time…perhaps a week, maybe more. Until then, I want you all to stay safe…”

“We will try…but…I saw what they were doing out there…”

“Trust me…so have I Wyman, but we must do what we can to keep our family safe.”

***

Chapter 3

***

“Things are getting worse…I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be safe here…”

“I know…” Arnulf sighed as he looked out the window, empty streets soon concealed behind the now thicker curtains drawn to seal away the horrors that had taken the world outside. “What is left of the military is growing more desperate by the day to maintain order.”

“Just the other day I was stopped on my way to a job…they wouldn’t let me through.” Wyman tried to lower his voice even more as he stepped closer. “If this keeps up there won’t be money to last.”

“What of your boy, he does the same work as you doesn’t he?”

“Henry wastes his money on his friends…he is barely even around even with the curfews.” Wyman shook his head as he waved a claw dismissively, a frustrated huff leaving his beak.

“Even if we had the money, It’s getting harder to purchase basic supplies” Willa hesitantly spoke up as her eyes glanced up the stairs, voice lowering to match the two griffon’s own as her daughter silently looked on from the top steps. ”I fear to even leave the house and even when I do the markets are empty and the soldiers patrolling the streets are ready to steal whatever isn’t already gone.”

“I know…I know…I have a plan to keep us safe. If you all can j—”

“Mom, Dad…I-W-we’re in trouble…th-the solders are coming…” The door suddenly burst open as a dark-feathered griffon stumbled into the small room, voice hoarse as he spoke between pants. “I-I’m…Th-they caught me and some others…th-they started shooting a—”

“Soldiers? Henry, my word boy – slow down!” Arnulf nearly dropped to the floor as the griffon pushed into him, barely aware of his surroundings as he scrambled to close and lock the door behind him.

“M-me and some of the ga—some of my friends…we went out to put up posters…that’s all…”

“What sort of posters? Don’t play games with me boy!” Wyman’s voice raised back up to a yell as he pulled the smaller griffon towards him by the collar of his tattered dirtied shirt, Henry’s claws and paws scrambling to keep his balance as his worried expression grew even more desperate.

“I-I’m sorry…I—” He tried to compose himself as his father’s grip tightened, mind racing to find the words. “S-someone had to do it…t-to speak out against the military…Dawnclaw is a madgriff…y-you’ve seen i—”

“Stop, I don’t want to hear anymore!” The tan-furred griffon dropped to the floor again, struggling to pick himself up as he nervously slinked away towards the far corner of the room. “You were foolish, you’ve put us all at risk with your stupidity.”

“W-what are we going to do now? The soldiers already suspected father and—” Will stopped herself as their daughter pushed into the room.

“And…this isn’t the first time the boy has caused trouble…this…complicates things…” Arnulf interrupted as he pushed forward, keeping his calm as his claws dug through a pocket before pulling out a few slips of paper. “Here, take these. If you can make it to Rottendedam, you can take a boat to Equestria.”

“W-what? What are these?” Wyman looked over the slips of paper in his hand before turning back to Arnulf, the old griffon trying hard to maintain his composure.

“My plan; I had been saving up my pensions even before…I had always wanted to see Equestria before…” The griffon cleared his throat, trying to steady his voice. “When the coup happened I thought…I was waiting until I had enough for everyone…I was just one ticket away…”

“F-father…y-you can’t mean…no, no!” Willa could barely finish her sentence as her entire body went numb, the cold realization only adding to dizzying stress gripping her mind.

“Please, there isn’t any time to argue…I’m an old griff – I’ve lived a good life here.” Arnulf pushed forward to give his daughter a tight hug, the tears already starting to flow down her face. “And I have a wonderful family – a legacy that I’m proud to carry on my name.”

“What if it’s the same there? What if there are soldiers and riots a—” Wyman was cut off as Arnulf raised a claw.

“You can’t think like that.” Arnulf shook his head. “It won’t be, it won’t be the same. Dawnclaw has no power beyond the countryside.”

“And what of the Lord-Protector himself? Didn’t you pledge your loyalty to him? What will happen to you?” Wyman felt the pit in his stomach twist and churn as the old griffon paused, taking a moment to compose himself before replying.

“That…that I did…but I’ll die before I see my family in ruin…to hell with whatever is left of the Empire…and to hell with the Lord-Protector.” Arnulf turned towards the covered window as shouts from outside drew his attention, the faintest bit of worry finally starting to break through the cracks. “Now…go – through the back…I’ll…I can stall them long enough. Go!”

“Father, please we aren’t going to leave you!” Willa pleaded again as Wyman slowly led her towards the back door, daughter and son in tow. “We’ll find a way, please!”

“There’s no time, get out of here…please. I won’t have my family meet their end like this.” With a final tight hug the sobbing Willa would reluctantly make her way towards the already open back door – Wyman soon ushering the family out just as a heavy series of bangs echoed through the tiny house, the four soon tearing off down the empty alleyway, moving from street to street as they made their way to the limits of the city.

***

The next few days would be spent on the run, exhaustion and hunger ignored as the four made their way towards the Feathisian border. Even still the journey after they left the city was easier than expected as the normally patrolled roads and usually safe small towns were seemingly abandoned by the larger government; a bulk of the police and military either having defected or currently amassed in the cities and main roads where they struggled to maintain order on behalf of the new regime.

Wyman and Willa would none-the-less be plagued by stress and fears, however, made all the worse by the lack of food and rest. They’d only stop to eat and sleep when they had finally crossed the border into the Grand Duchy – relief washing over with a fresh night’s rest and what meals they could afford; some degree of normalcy finally returning with the shift in mood, though the family would keep to themselves - still fearing how far Dawnclaw’s influence could’ve reached.

***

Chapter 4

***

“What is going on? What is all this about?” Wyman growled as he stumbled down the stairs of the inn, chanting and hollering rousing him from an already troubled, light sleep. “What is all this commotion?”

“Seems the city has fallen into chaos with Gerlach’s death…” An upper-class looking griffon spoke between drags of a cigar, long black hat dangling on a hook behind him as he leaned back in his chair. “I could barely even make it in the doors this morning when all this started.”

“Gerlach is dead?”

“I’m afraid so…you hadn’t heard?” The well-dressed griffon lazily moved a claw to pull the curtain aside enough to look over the crowd again, head shaking dismissively as he turned back towards Wyman. “The entire Duchy seems to have fallen with him. Its complete chaos – this is nothing compared to further to the coast.”

“Along the coast? Even Rottendedam? That can’t be, my family and I were headed there…”

“That won’t be possible if it’s the same as when I left.” The griffon took another long drag from his cigar, expression still as stoic as when Wyman had walked in. “The entire city has been brought to a halt; ports and all. What little government is left isn’t letting anyone leave or enter without good reason…given that the government even still controls anything there.”

“That…isn’t the end of the bad news, I’m afraid.” Another voice spoke up as one of the staff leaned over from behind the counter, claws turning the dial of a radio that had been lowly babbling away in the background of the two griffons’ conversation. “The so-called ‘Lord-Protector’ or whatever he is calling himself now…h-he seems to have just declared war on Feathisia…”

“Pardon?! A declaration of war? Amid this chaos?” The upper-class griffon nearly dropped his cigar as his eyes widened in shock, only a brief few seconds of emotion shown on his face before he managed to compose himself once again, head shaking as the cigar met his beak once more. “Seems the entire Herzland is breaking apart.”

“What? That can’t be right, the duchy is part of the Empire!” Wyman felt a shiver run down his spine as memories from just a few weeks earlier flashed in his mind.

“I’m afraid that isn’t the case. The Empire fell apart the minute that child-killer launched his little rebellion…” The smoking griffon stiffened himself as he took another long drag from his cigar before setting it down in a tray on the small table beside him, his expression still unchanged as he looked between the two griffons.

“What is there to be war for?”

“To ‘Restore Order’ in the ‘rebellious’ provinces…some of the militias are putting up a fight but…” The griffon behind the counter motioned towards the window, loud bangs echoing through the room as something knocked hard against the door followed by a few gunshots. “They seem to be equally interested in fighting one another.”

“Indeed. There isn’t much to put up a fight anymore. Most of the army itself is in complete disarray aside from a few holdouts and I doubt they’re willing to work with the rebels even for that common of a cause as staving off that madgriff…” The upper class griffon left out a sigh – a lingering bit of smoke exhaled as his eyes turning to the top of the stars as the clanking of claws on the wood caught both his and Wyman’s attention.

“Wyman, what is going on? What are all these people doing outside?” Willa stopped after descending a few more steps, her daughter and son already behind her with equally worried expressions. “We can hear them yelling all the way upstairs…”

“Willa…”

“I could hear some of what you all were saying down here…is it true?” The son spoke up as he pushed past his mother, his tail swishing behind him. “Gerlach is dead?”

“Yes…I’m afraid so.”

“Wyman…” Willa finally reached the bottom of the stairs as she pushed against her husband. “Another rebellion? Now a war? What has our luck become…”

“Excuse me, my apologies, I can’t help but overhear your conversation…” The griffon behind the counter interrupted again, slowly moving around to the other side now as he motioned the entire family forward. “You are trying to reach Rottendedam?”

“Yes, my father…we have tickets there to get across to Equestria.” Willa stepped forward as she spoke, claws pulling the clothing tighter around her as a few more loud bangs from beyond the walls of the small inn echoed out.

“Between there and here, it’s pretty bad…and I’m afraid the good sir over there was correct in his assessment of your chances of being able to leave through the ports.”

“We’ve got to try…we can’t just stay here and wait for the soldiers or these rebels to make their moves.”

“Listen, one of my co-workers – really quirky fellow – he’s out back right now just about to end his shift. He’s from up north, planning the same thing as you all – getting out of here that is. I could see if he can take you along with him.”

“He’s headed to Rottendedam then? He can take us there?” Willa’s voice rose with a hint of hope as her gaze shot back up.

“No, I believe he said he was headed back up to Winghagen, up in Cloudbury.” The staffgriff watched as Willa’s expression sunk again. “But, I’m sure he wouldn’t head up there without a plan. Perhaps he can help arrange transport. He’s a pretty resourceful fellow, and owes me a few favors. At the very least it is safer than here for your family.”

“I don’t mean to seem ungrateful…but why help us? Why not go with him yourself?”

“This little Inn has been in my family for ages, I’m not going to leave it just because the Duchy has gone to hell…my father would never forgive me.”

“That still doesn’t explain why you’d help some poor folks from the Heartlands.”

“Something my father had always taught me, to help those in need. He just passed away a week ago, I figure what better way is there to honor his memory?” Wyman didn’t respond as his gaze dropped – the tan griffon sitting in silence as memories of his own father-in-all pushed into the surface of his mind; mind barely kept from thinking about where the old veteran would be known, left at the mercy of the insane regime that had cost them all what little normalcy they had.

“This friend of yours…” Henry waited for a few seconds before speaking, eyes scanning over the sullen expressions of his family before continuing. “You said he was from Cloudbury…he wouldn’t happen to be a member of the Republican movement, would he?”

“I have no idea where his politics lie, but he’s been there since before the Republican take-over so he has been through this sort of thing before. Managed to survive all sorts of things according to his wild stories…I believe him.”

“If you are sure he is someone we can trust…” Wyman almost muttered the words as he gave another glance at the window – dark shadows still dancing over the closed curtains.

“I am. Come on then, he’s just out back.” The griffon motioned for the family to follow him as he led them behind the counter – some hesitation following before Wyman finally took the first step forward; Willa, Henry, and his young daughter soon not far behind. They’d be led on through the tiny kitchen before the staffgriff finally reached the back of the Inn, the griffon turning to make sure the family had followed before opening the door and stepping through.

“Who are these griffs you’ve brought to me Erick?”

“Just some folks that could use a helping claw.” The staffgriff took a step back as he ushered the family forward, Wyman moving first before Willa and Henry stepped forward with the small griffion hiding between them. “I figured it wouldn’t be too much for a griff such as yourself to take some company with you.”

“Do I—” The griffon let out a deep heavy sigh as a claw raised to pull the cigarette from between his beak, head shaking as he stopped himself from protesting the polite demand. “Fine, fine! It shouldn’t be too much trouble, after-all…as long as we are headed to the same place.”

“They’d be following your lead, friend.” Erick smiled, once more urging Wyman and his family to step further into the ally.

“Great…just the four of you then? Three adults, a child…” The griffon let out another sigh as he took a drag from his cigarette. “Great…so first things first; no detours, no falling behind, no sight-seeing. The countryside is dangerous enough without getting yourselves lost. Second, we are on a strict schedule which means no unneeded breaks. If you can’t go any further, you are on your own.”

“Understood.” Wyman held out a claw to stop Henry as the younger griff was about to speak, a glare seeing him take a few steps back. “We appreciate you doing this.”

“How can I say no to a family in need, hm?” The griffon let out a mocking chuckle as a gaze shot over to Erick before throwing his cigarette to the ground and stamping it into the wet dirt. “One more thing though; if anything goes wrong, if we are caught or separated…You all are to keep heading North. I have some friends, should be some folks on the border there expecting me. They’ll be able to help you out.”

“Sounds fair to us.”

“Good, then we leave immediately. Grab whatever you need, and then a little extra. It’s going to be a long walk.”

***

Chapter 5

***

“Ugh, does this rain ever stop?!” Henry growled as he pulled a claw from the mud beneath him, already dirtied and tattered clothing now soaked and covered in slick slimy dirt. “Great…”

“No, and the weather will get even worse closer to the border.”

“Mommy, I’m cold…” The young chick poked her head out from between her mother’s arms as her own loud complaints soon joined her brother’s own, the young voice coaxing a frustrated huff from the griffon in front.

“It’ll just be a bit further d—”

“Wait, shush…quiet!” The griffon spoke in a raspy whisper as he stopped – feet sinking into the mud bit by bit with each second that passed as he peered ahead through the gloomy rainy dusk-light. “Thugs up ahead…”

“What should we do?” Willa nervously asked in a whisper as she put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder to try to quiet the young griff’s complaints.

“Just law low…they should ignore us with any luck…” The griffon pulled a hood over his head, almost obscuring his entire face as he slowly stepped forward – discreetly motioning for the others to follow just a few seconds after. “Don’t make eye-contact.”

“Hey, you, travellers!” A few more minutes would pass before a few figures stepped out into the road, claws waving for the group to stop as the guide in front continued to walk – head turning to the other side of the dirt path as the thugs soon shouted again.

“Stop! You there, I said stop!” The group finally came to a slow halt as the guide finally paused – hood pulled even more firmly around his face as he glanced over towards the three thugs.

“Well well well…what do we ‘ave ‘ere?” One of the thugs let out a menacing chuckle as he moved in front of the group – only Wyman’s gaze rising to meet the fiery hazel orbs that would lock onto his own.

“Looks like another group of travelers…and mother ‘n child with them too…” Another of the gang spoke up, hungry eyes looking towards the young chick as she ducked behind her brother, eyes narrowing as they moved up towards the rest of the adults.

“I told ya already we ain’t going to be like that.” The hazel eyes narrowed as they shot over to the other griffon, a scowl meeting the now crazed grin on the other’s face.

“And? What’re you all going to do? No police around, all gone to shit…” The griffon’s eyes lit up with insanity and malice as he looked over the ground once more, his grin disappearing almost instantly as his gaze finally reached the guide – a few long seconds passing before a sudden rage took hold over him. “Hey…wait – I know this one! A bloody Marksist!”

“Me? I don’t know what you are talking about, I came here fro—” The guide’s words were cut short as the griffon continued.

“No, I’d remember that accent anywhere…bloody foreign filth. Your damn unlucky to find your way here…I lost my damned job because of your two-faced trickery.”

“And who are these folks with you? More of your little traitor-friends?”

“No, we are just simple travelers headed on our way…”

“Oh yeah? And were are you headed? The only thing up the road from here are some piss-ant villages and the border.”

“Good sirs, p—” A shot rang out as the griffon pulled a gun from his coat, fingers fumbling for only a second before pulling the trigger as the crazed grin returned with the wet thud of the body hitting the wet cold road.

“Let’s see what these ‘travelers’ are carrying boys!” Wyman would instinctively take a step back as chaos erupted at all once – his gaze only leaving the now fallen body as he heard his wife scream from behind him, daughter soon running into his arms as one of the thugs started to pull and tug against Willa’s wings and arm to try to drag her off to the side of the road.

“Get off of her!” There was little time to react as Henry suddenly rushed forward to try to fend off the thug, Wyman’s grip tightening around his daughter as his muscles tensed. He’d just be ready to dart forward to help when he heard another two shots ring out – the commotion in front of him suddenly coming to a stop as a brief silence fell across the path. Both his wife and son would fall to the ground just seconds after, all eyes falling on him soon after as his claws dug even tighter around his daughter.

Without a second of hesitation Wyman bolted away, daughter in hand as he pushed off into the underbrush – screams following as gunshots rang out through the dense woods. He’d hold the young sobbing chick close to him as he ran, only stopping to take flight when he couldn’t hear the yells echoing through the trees anymore – wings taking him as far as he could until the mix of exhaustion and the ever colder air brought him to the ground again.

Wyman wouldn’t stop until he could fly no more, exhaustion and cold slowly starting to weigh him further and further down until he came skidding to a halt; finally collapsing onto the ground below. Fortunately the wet soft ground had long since given way to a thick layer of snow, enough to cushion his fall even if the cold would do little to sooth his aching body as his tired heavy eyes looked out over the sea of white. It wouldn’t be too long after before his vision would start to fade, a few half-hearted attempts to pick up his worn body seeing him collapse again until he finally lost consciousness.

***

“Hey! Hey! Come on, wake up.” Wyman let out a groan as his eyes slowly opened – the cold he had felt now replaced with a soothing warmth as a rose-feathered griffon pulled him onto his feet – the frantic words the first thing his tired brain processed as awareness trickled back in. “There we are, knew you weren’t a goner.”

“W-where am I?” Wyman’s weak body could barely hold itself up on its own as the rose-feathered griffon’s grip firmed up to support his weight, Wyman’s mind struggling to process everything even still as thought after thought rushed into his mind. “M-my daughter!? Where is my daughter?”

“Woah! You were out in the cold for a while, don’t push yourself.” Wyman nearly collapsed as the griffon caught him, keeping him on his feet.

“I’m right here, father.”

“Thank Boreas!” Wyman used what little strength he had left to tightly hug the young chick, muscles going limp after as he only barely managed to keep himself upright as the young griffon held back a sob at the sight.

“We had found you both together passed out not far from here. Guessing you came from down south, been getting a bunch of folks finding there way up here…sad state of affairs if you ask me.”

“W-where there any others with me? Is anyone here looking for me?”

“No, if there were others with you we didn’t find them…” The griffon frowned as Wyman’s expression became even more hopeless, gaze falling to the small fire in front of him as the flames reflected off his glassy eyes.

“If you want, haven’t got anywhere else to go or be, you can rest here and wait for them.”

“Th-thank you…” The rose-feathered griffon gave a nod before leaving the two alone in the tent – a cackling fire in the middle slowly sending a modest billow of smoke up towards a hole in the top, warmth radiating through the small space as Wyman let himself collapse in a heap once again, lazy eyes barely able to stay open as his daughter slowly made her way over to lay beside him.

“Are you alright, father?”

“Y-yes…yes sweetie. Just a bit tired is all.”

“Me too, I—” The young chick looked up at her father as his barely open eyes continued to stare into the flames, a few tears running across his feathers. “Will we see mother again? And papa?”

“I—I don’t know…” Wyman struggled to keep his composure. “We’ll stay here…for now…don’t worry about any of that…”

“W-what if those bad men come and take you away like they took papa?”

“That won’t happen, I will keep you safe…I promise.” Wyman held the sobbing griffon even more tightly against him. “For now, I think we both could use some sleep.”

***