Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait had a lot on my plate recently, that got taken care of recently so expect updates more often

A Deal Of A Lifetime

It was several hours before the train had stopped, and stepping off of it I was met with a depressing sight. Browns and grays as far as the eye could see as if the land itself had died along with the kingdom, buildings in various states of decay and disrepair surrounded a steel gray tree that died long ago and atop of it nestled a palace as dilapidated as the rest but admittedly in a much better condition considering it was made of stone and not wood as far as I could tell.

As we made our way closer to the ruins of this once great city we slowly came across more and more gryphons, many of which gave us a wide berth. I gave a few a passing glance, most looked like your regular old fantasy gryphon with the eagle and lion combination. However, some were part owl, raven, and so on, while others seemed to be part jaguar or panther and various other felines. It was honestly all pretty interesting. Eventually, fewer and fewer gryphons started to cross us as we made it further and further up the path to the palace, soon enough two heavily armored guards flew down and blocked our path.

“And what manner of beast are you?” the guard on the left questioned his features shadowed by his visor.

“I am no more a beast than you, regardless I seek an audience with your king, As I have a proposition for him,” I stated to the guards.

They stared at me briefly before chuckling, “You honestly think you can go see the king? Really?”

I gave them a dry chuckle, “I don't think I can go see them, I know I can go see them.”

The second guard gave me what I can assume to be an appraising glance over, “And why would you think such a thing, beast?”

“Because you couldn't stop me even if you tried,” I stated before walking past them, the shafts of their spears splintering and shattering against my hide as I shoved my way through them I could hear startled shrills of alarm as they flew off. Continuing on my trek towards the ruins they dared to call a palace more guards blocked my path, this time in what could barely pass for plate mail the armor rusted through, the helmets bent and ill-fitted, with their blades bearing more cracks and chips than a ravine. And yet they stood before me resolute, we stood there facing each other for what felt an eternity until eventually, another one stepped forward from their ranks.

It was another gryphon, of course, their armour just as rusted as the rest of his platoons if not more so, save for what was left of the golden accents and inlays on their armour. They wielded a pike its shaft riddled with dry rot and the head was little more than a hunk of refined iron. As he took off his helm I took in his features, molted mist gray feathers with sharp tawny eyes that attempted to pierce through me.

“I am Commander Adamantios, state your business and the reason for your trespass creature.” He commanded his voice boomed out.

Doffing my helm I obliged him, “I have come here to seek audience with your king commander, as I bear something of great importance to this land. Something of which I found on my travels.”

“This item being?” The commander questioned me, pressing for more information.

“Something I do not wish to disclose with loose lips and prying eyes,” I replied resolutely

The commander's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he attempted to read me, I had relaxed my stance showing that it was not my intention to fight at least not yet. His gaze eventually wandered to Cozy who had remained silent throughout the interaction. His gaze softened ever so slightly at the sight of her.

“Very well then sir, we shall escort you to the king where you shall meet him, however, I must ask that you hand over your armaments to us before we can take you to the king.” The commander requested extending a talon.

“Unfortunately I am unable to comply with such a request commander,” I could hear the slow unsheathing of weapons behind the commander.

I put up a hand in an attempt to placate them as I continued, “Not because I do not wish to however, but because any who wield my weapons besides myself will be harmed so long as they hold them.”

The commander's eyes widened ever so slightly at my explanation and after a moment nodded, “Very well then are the arrows for your bow enchanted?”

“They are, however, the enchantment won't harm another if held,” I explained.

“Very well you may keep your bow but I must ask that you hand over the arrows for it, as well as leave your other weapons outside of the throne room none shall touch them I assure you of that.” The commander relented before gesturing for the arrows.

After a moment of thought I agreed, handing over my quiver of arrows, before allowing them to escort me just outside of the throne room where I placed my spear, sickle, and bow. Before entering the throne room proper.

At one point it must have been a place of grandeur but now cracks and crags lined the walls where jewels and gold once adorned them the floor once polished tile was little more than rubble swept away giving way to the long dead tree the palace sat upon, then of course there was the massive hole in the throne room. However, there was one piece untouched by time a pedestal of shining metal with tiny glyphs and symbols inscribed into the edges of it. And there behind it was a throne once an awe-inspiring seat of power now little more than a relic of a memory. And sat atop it was the king wearing a crown of gold. Complementing his silver feathers and fur of a deep muted blue, his eyes though were a sharp gold that threatened to pierce one very being.

Those very eyes attempted to pierce into me, into my soul. After about a minute of studying me, he turned his gaze to Cozy who sat upon my head, studying her as well before turning to the commander.

“Commander Adamantios why did you bring this creature and filly into the throne room?” The king questioned his deep voice resounding throughout the throne room.

The commander briefly bowed, “King Alexius, The being before you has come to seek an audience with you. For he claims to bear an item of great magnitude and importance.”

The king gave a slight nod before turning back to me, “Very well then let us get introductions out of the way, I am King Alexius Argyro The Silver King, and first of my name. What is yours?”

Taking Cozy into my arms I gently placed her on the ground as I straightened my back further pronouncing my already towering figure.

“I am Alexander Hamilton Kane, I am both a scribe and warrior, a scholar and mad prophet, a caregiver and a butcher, a saint, and a sinner. I come here not bearing a gift but an opportunity for the both of us.’

Slinging my back off of my shoulder I took out the statuette, “I believe this may very well be yours.” I proclaim holding it aloft.

You could hear a pin drop, as everyone collectively held their breaths. They all instinctively knew

“Give it here,” The King requested beckoning me forward.

“Not before you agree to my terms,” I said quickly putting it away.

They all bristled at my words behind me I could hear the sounds of weapons unsheathing before the King put up his claw.

“State your terms mister Kane,” The King's voice boomed across the room silencing all other noise.

“The highest title you can give to one without noble blood and one duchy of approximately 500 square kilometres of land, it needn't be developed I shall do so myself,” I explained calmly making my demands.

The bristling of the king subsided completely before he chuckled. “Something I would’ve done regardless of your request, however, you must understand that with a title you will be bound to protect the kingdom whenever I deem it necessary should you accept a title.”

“So long as you do not interrupt my work I will do much more than protect this kingdom, I shall rebuild it into an empire spanning coast to coast,” I proclaimed loudly and resolutely.

For the first time in this interaction, the King cracked a smile as a glimmer of ambition sparked to life in his eyes, “Now that's something I look forward to seeing Mr. Kane.”