***

Warm sun was at it's peak in Griffonia. Rare white clouds at the blue skies and a light breeze of wind blowing from time to time. Good august day in the capital of the country - Griffinstone. Clear cobblestone roads with two-story houses at the both sides, swarmed by green leaves of the trees and bushes. A rare citizen can be seen on the porch of their houses, walking down the road or tending to their little gardens with roses, lilies, tulips and other kinds of flowers and plants.

One particular griffin chick was different from the citizen. She wore black and red armor, two swords on her back, secured by straps in sheaths. She looked young, maybe 20-22, musculine but slim body, snow white unkempt hair with purple streaks, beautiful yellow eyes with a note of worry. Said chick held a letter in her left hand, yet not opened. She's going to open it at home. A lone sweat bead run down from her forehead.

"Why I didn't took it later after the lunch time?.." - she toght, heavily exhaling, dreading the upcoming talk. She knew that her mother would be displeased at her behaviour. Last thing she wanted is to make mother frown at her.

Turning left and stepping over the steps of her porch - she grabbed the handle and slowly opened the door. Walking into the house - she was immediately hit with a strong smell of cooked fish and vegetables."Yep, she's definitely at home. It's only a matter of time before-"

"GILDA VON EVEREK! GET YOUR ASS IN THE KITCHEN RIGHT NOW!" - bellowed woman's voice from the depths of the first floor. Oh, she was angry.

Gilda's heart leaped at the tone of her mother. She heard that volume only at the training grounds and/or when Gilda screwed up. Nothenless - young chick walked trough the corridor of the first floor and stopped in the doorframe of the kitchen. In here, turned back at Gilda was her mother - Olga Von Everek. She looked no older than 35 years. Shaved temples, short, straight, ginger hair combed to right side, athletic, tall, musculine figure with couple of tattoos of wines with thorns and roses at her hands that cowered battle scars, simple silver erring in left ear. She wore white shirt with rolled up sleeves, black pants that were wide in the hips, simple boots and grey apron. Currently she was busy chopping peeled potato for the fish soup and judging by the colour of the fillet and the smell - it was salmon.

"Sit at the tabel." - Olga said, looking behind her right shoulder at Gilda with piercing green eyes.Young grif obeyed and sat at one of the four available chairs, laying the letter at the table before her. In couple of seconds chopped potatoes was at the pot and left to boil in soon to be soup. Olga turned to face Gilda, crossing her arms under the breasts, disappointment at her face. Gilda was looking down at the table, not daring to look her in the eyes. With tired sight, Olga calmly walked to Gilda and sat down next to her.

"Gilda..." - she started calmly this time, the look of disappointment changed into concern. - "Why did you skipped your last lesson today?" - The woman calmly asked.

"I-I didn't thought that I could pick up the letter after the lunch. I was too curious, because this letter from my friend in Equestria. Last time I saw her at the end of a Flight Camp. Recently we started to write each other." Right after those words two strong hands embraced Gilda, one at her back under her swords and one at her nape, pressing her rosy left cheek at Olga's midsection.

"Oh my dear Gilda, I was so worried about you." - whispered Olga to her daughter. "I thought something happened to you, or you didn't wanted to train and bailed from the class. I'm sorry about the tone of my voice, Gilda."

Gilda, embracing her mother and pressing her fingers to her back silently shaking her head, taking unsteady breath. - "No, it's my fault, mom. I needed to stop and think, but I acted without concidering everything. Sorry that I make you worry about me."

"Oh Gilda..." - Olga said, backing up a bit and caressing her palm from Gilda's nape to her cheek, looking in her eyes. - "I'll always was and will be worried about you. No matter what."

With that said, Gilda give her a small smile, that was answered with soft kiss on the forehead. - "Now, go and wash up, dear. Lunch will be ready soon. I know you like salmon." - She gave Gilda a warm smile, breaking the hug and standing up, returning to the crystal-powered stove with a slowly boiling soup. Young grif left the letter at the table and exited the kitchen, walking to the stairs and going up to the second floor. Left at the kitchen alone - Olga tasted the soup with the spoon, checking the potatoes and salt. While she was finishing preparations - she was thinking about Gilda - her adopted daughter.

"Feels like only yesterday she said her first word - mama - and now she almost grew up into a beautiful young griffin. She still had half a year before being concidered an adult and could leave the house, live by her own. Maybe find love if she didn't already... It's hard to have relationship with your mother in the house after all. Of course, if she didn't do that in her lovers house. Or in the field of maize couple of miles to the north-east- No. It's her life, her achievements and mistakes. If she needs my help - she would ask me... I hope..." - Olga thought to herself, pouring steaming soup into the bowls. Placing them at the table - she returned to the cooking spot and cut freshly baked bread, serving him to the table too. Removing her apron and placing it on the back of her chair Olga sat down, tracing pretty big cicatrix on her left arm with fingertips, looking at it in deep thought.

"I wonder - how she's doing right now? Ruling a county is not easy. I heard that the Elements of Harmony showed up and helped her sister couple of months ago. Good for her..." - She toght with small smile on her face.

Gilda came back in the same outfit, not letting her mother drift too deep into her thoughts. Walking to Olga - Gilda gave her a tight hug and a soft kiss on the cheek. Sitting down - she eyed their lunch with content smile. - "Do you have plans for today?"

"Hmm... Yes." - She nodded, taking a spoonful of soup - "Mayor wanted to see me and asked that I come to his office after lunch. Probably something about scavens in the caves south-east from Griffinstone or another manticore in the local woods. Other than this I have no plans, dear."

"Well... Maybe we could spent some time together?" - Gilda asked hopefully, looking at Olga - "I thought about going on a little family outing. Just you and me in a different city. Maybe we could visit my friend from Equestria. I would love her to meet you."

"Then let's do it like this then : if mayor doesn't give me any serious job - we will go on vacation. If he do give me an important job - we will do it together, collect our payment and then bail out of the city. How does that sound?" - while they talked - they ate their lunch with a good amount of speed. It's hard to break a working habits.

"Yeah, sounds perfect." - just like that - soup and bread was eaten. Gilda collected empty bowls, put them in the sink and turned the valve with hot water, doing her part in cleaning the dishes - "Um, mom?" - When Olga looked at her - young grif gave her a sincere smile - "When you said that I don't want to train - you were very wrong. Training to become Griffin Beasthunter is one of the best things that happened to me. Instructor goes in length about your achievements and how "The Goddess of War finished Griffonia-Equestrian war in one duel"." - she giggled, after imitating the tone of her instructor.

Olga gave a good-hearted laugh - "By my ancestors, they still saying that after 494 years? Oh my, Gilda! Pwhahaha!" - She continues to laugh, Gilda joining in, giggles turned into full-blown guffaw.

***

When the laughter died down and the dishes were cleaned - Olga goes to her room for a change of garment. She wore the exact same armor as Gilda and any other member of Griffin Beasthunter. The difference being that she had more useful stuff attached to her armor. Couple of strong healing potions on her belt, along with the tube for documents, sheath with 7 inch hunting knife, little ring with couple of keys, hook for trophies and little bag of talons - Griffonia's currency. Her swords, named "Risk" and "Reward" were always sharpened, her armor clean, showing couple of battle scars on her midsection, and her tools in place. Leaving her room and going down to the first floor - she finds Gilda in the kitchen, reading the letter. Olga smiled with one side of her mouth, knocking at the doorframe with her knuckles. Gilda jolted up and locked at her, the look of spooked chick turning into one of small smile - "I always liked how you looked in your armor, mom. Ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'm gone... " - She winked at Gilda, making her blush. But before she depart - the woman came close to Gilda and whispered into her ear - "...my little Gilly."

"Mooom! You called me like that when I was 5!" - whined Gilda, covering her ears with hands and burying her face in the table.

Laughing, Olga exited her house with haste and stopped at the porch, taking deep inhale of fresh afternoon day. Exhaling, she put her everyday neutral smirk and walked to the street, mentally building a route to the mayor's office. On the road that took only half an hour she got a couple of "good day's" from random citizens and every guard on the way gave her a nod of respect except for young ones that didn't know her yet. It didn't sadened Olga not one bit. A lot of things in this country became a lot better compared to 50 years ago. Hell, even 10 years ago. Quality of life risen significantly, everygrif could live peacefully, free education for young, almost everygrif had his own living space, and there was work for everybody. With a good mood - she greeted guards at the doors of town hall, with a knock and "come in" behind it - Olga entered the mayor's office. In the center of a room was a long table, at it's head was mayor Silverbeak. He's currently was busy with the documents and didn't noticed that someone else was in the room. After Olga cleared her throat - mayor lifted his head and beamed.

"Lady Von Everek! I'm so glad that you came. Come, take a seat, please." - he gestured with his hand to the nearest armchair. Taking her seat - Olga looked Silverbeak over. He was a griffin in his start of a hundred. His short, steel like hair was combed, his skin cowered in small wrinkles. His soft cyan eyes dimmed with age. He was two thirds trough his life already. Time runs fast when you busy...

"You asked for me to come, Silverbeak. I'm not opposed to coming and talking casually with you, but last time it was half a years ago, when you were nervous about the re-elections and actually send me a note to come to you. So... Why am I here this time? If this is a contract - you know where our post is." - Olga said with neutral tone.

"Well, there is something very important, Olga..." - he answered, reaching in the stacked pile of papers and pulling beige colored parchment, laying it on the table before Olga. She reached for the parchment and took it in one hand, starting to read :

To the Headmaster of Griffin Guild of Beasthunter's.

In lights of current situation between Griffonia and Equestria, Princess Celestia expressed her worries about the situation of uncontrolled beast's within the borders of Equestria and asked King Goldclaw for permission to create similar guild to the Griffin Beasthunters in Poniville, Equestria. Thus, Princess Celestia asking Headmaster of the Beasthunters to travel to Poniville and take residence in here, while main building of the new guild will be built.
After he/she train first group of the new Hunters, she could return back to Griffonia with hefty pay and/or stay as a guest of Equestria.

Signed, King Goldclaw

Olga read the letter couple times over before putting it down and letting out an annoyed breath. After that, she looked at Silverbeak, who stared at one point on his table with locked fingers. - "You know, Silverbeak? I love my country, I really do. But what I don't like is when someone using me as a tool."

Silverbeak closed his eyes and exhaled. Looking back at her he started to say - "Olga-" - but couldn't finish his sentence, she interrupted him. Smashing her fist into the table.

"Don't Olga me! You know as well as I am that they just jealous about our Hunters! To top it all off - third of the ponykind hate griffin's! Unicorns hate us because griffin's high resistance to magic! This is such focken' bullshite!" - She raged, scowling.

"I know Olga, I know. But this is king's order and you, being one of the higher ups, will obey him. I'm sorry, Olga. I really am."

"I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the situation. And I hoped that I could spend couple of days alone with my daughter..." - She exhaled. - "You know what? Fine. I will do it. Not because I like the idea, but because Gilda wanted to get out of the town. What a fucking joke..." - She spat.

***

"So let me get this straight. We will go to Poniville for aproximetly 4 years to train ponies how to be Beasthunters by king's order?" - Gilda asked perplexed. She and Olga was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking wine, because good mood evaporated out of the Olga after that message. And also because she didn't wanted to drink alone and Gilda expressed that she wanted some wine too. It was late evening. After the visit to the mayor - Olga bought two tickets to Poniville for tomorrow train at 10 am sharp.

"Basically, yeah. I'm not thrilled to do this either, dear. But I have no choice." - Olga upped another glass of wine, fifth in a row, while her daughter was finishing her third. They often enough spend some time like that. When they had a problem with something or was stressed - they talked to each other, letting out steam.

"It's alright, mom. After all - we will get out of the Griffonia. New faces is almost always good." - Young griffin encouraged with gentle smile and rosy cheeks, alcohol already took a hold of her blood a little.

"I wish I had your optimism right now. But alas, no such luck." - She exhaled tiredly - "Gilda, go pack your stuff, our train leaves tomorrow at 10 in the morning... I'll clean this up and will pack my gear too."

Gilda nodded to this and stopped midstep away from the kitchen - "Actually, mom? Can we... Can we sleep together tonight? I feel like I need it... As well as you do too... We could pack tomorrow." - Olga could only smile motherly to her and nod. It's good to know that at the end of the day her daughter always lifts her spirit and didn't afraid to show her - how much she was loved.

Disposing empty bottles of wine, not like Olga could get drunk from them - both residents of the house ascended to the second floor, entering Olga's room. What could you expect from her room? It was simple : comfortable looking bed with one side pressed to the wall, nightstand with little lamp, closet with her clothes, mannequin for the armor, shelfs with all kinds of trinkets, weapon stand at the door for her swords, table with armchair in the corner and finally - full body mirror. Gilda was a rare guest in her mother's room and always wondered - how long it took her to collect all of this? But that was not important right now. What was important is - she needed to be close today. There was always this warm feeling of comfort when Olga was close to her. At this moment, while Gilda kept eyeing the shelfs - Olga removed her swords, armor and half of her clothes. She stood in her pants at the door to the bathroom with her back pressed to the doorframe and balancing on one foot, trying to remove the pants. With a grunt she finally succeeded, throwing them at the basket for dirty clothes. This attracted attention of Gilda, and no more than a second later she started to remove her armor as well, remembering - why she was here.

• "You can lay them on the table, hun. There is nothing important." - Said Olga, leaning on the doorframe. - "While you keep undressing - I'm gonna steam the bathroom. Join me when you finish." - With that - the woman entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Couple of seconds later the sound of running water can be heard trough the door. No doubt she would put a whole bath for both of them. In a few minutes Gilda finally removed the last part of her clothes. Her skin was a pleasant peach colour, her undergarments was simple and practical. Ellastic bandage around her chest that tighten her breast and a simple white panties. Entering the bathroom - she was hit with the heat wave and the steam of a hot room. In the bath, in a relaxing pose laid Olga with a content smile. Her chest steadily risen and fallen with her breathing. Not wasting any more time - Gilda removed her bondage and panties, leaving them at the floor and carefully stepping into the massive bath. Olga looked up to young grif with the same content smile and offered her a hand to steady herself. She took her mother's hand and lowered her body into the water, leaning on womans chest with her back. The wave of calmness washed over Gilda, she let out steady relaxed breath, scooting closer to Olga.

"Hmm... I almost forgot how good it is to take a bath together, dear. It was so fun back at the time." - Olga stated, hugging Gilda around her belly and laughing silently, continue to talk at a half-whisper -"When you was just a little troublemaker, running around with giddy smile. And now look at you! You grew up so much and became a beautiful, strong griffin. If you could even begin to fathom - how proud you make me every day... but I'm ramble too much, let's clean each other and go to bed. We have a lot of work tomorrow."

"Mom, I wanna ask you something..." - When Olga didn't say anything - Gilda took it as a sign to continue - "It was always you and me. Didn't you ever fallen for somegriffin?"

"I'm afraid not, my dear. As much as it would bring me joy for you to have a full family - I didn't fallen in love with anybody. One day I will, Gilda. And I hope she would love you as much as I love you, while you hopefully do the same."

Reaching comfortable silence - Olga started to scrub Gilda's back, while she worked on her front. With a relaxing half an hour of bathing - mother and daughter was laying on the bed together, wearing their nightgowns. Gilda being little spoon pressed her back to the Olga's front. Hugging her daughter from behind - older woman pressed her nose into the crook of her daughter's neck, whispering - "I love you, Gilda."

Gilda's whole body was shaken with goosebumps from such sweet words, so she responded with a silent - "I love you too, mom." - Both holding a content smile - they fell into the states of a calm sleep full of dreams.

Author's Note

It was my first try on writing something. As you can see by my vast numbers of errors - I'm not a native speaker. But I will try to improve my skills. With that, the "pilot" chapter is finished, I hope you enjoyed and will come back for more.