JAN 29 Monday.

I sit inside my workroom double checking that I have everything I may need for this lengthy trip.

After a bit of thought, I realized my train ride might be longer than ideal. The last time I went to Griffonstone I was on a fast-moving train and it still took two days, so with a normal train ride it will take around three days. That's why I'm leaving a bit earlier than maybe necessary.

Right now I'm busy gathering everything I'll need, which is probably a lot less than expected. I can make a lot of things with my life magic and spells so I only really needed a few simple items and supplies. I'm not even bringing a tent, just a bedroll that I can place down when needed.

Most of the empty space inside my saddlebags is actually taken up by bits, I'll have to keep applying an overpowered Lightening spell to them every day or two but that doesn't take much magic so it's fine. With my list done and everything packed away, I make my way to my apartment door in the early morning and leave.

My friends already know I'll be leaving and we even had a game night yesterday to send me off. I've asked Daisy to watch my plants and everything else can take care of itself just fine. I let Entropy ride on my back as I started to walk towards the train station through the busy streets.

I spent the last two weeks like I've spent most of my time this month, practicing Spatial Cut and preparing. I've also completely cleared out the backlog of notes I normally keep in my illusionary notebook inside of my bracelet. I have plenty of space to make notes when needed now.

The only other things of note were the Redwood Tree seed I've been slowly working on and my staff. After timing it a few times the staff takes around three and a half complete days to charge to full from empty, not the best but still pretty decent all things considered.

I stop my thoughts for a moment to find the right train, and after a bit of walking, I find the right one and buy a ticket before boarding it. I bought a full trip to Griffonstone so I find the compartment with the same number on my ticket and quickly make myself comfortable inside, while Entropy looks around curiously and does much of the same.

As for my little seed project? Well even after two full weeks when I try to improve the seed with my life magic it still consumes a large amount of my magic. So something is still happening, if it will work is still unknown but I picked all the seeds to test when I get to the Dragon Lands.

I settle in with a book I bought for some reading as the train starts to slowly shift out of the station. I look out of the window as Entropy sits to my side and I flip open my book, it seems I'm in for a boring few days.

time skip

FEB 1 Thursday.

I pass Entropy a slice of apple I just grew from a seed and look out the window again while putting down the book I've read through a few times at this point. The book was supposed to be a complex story you have to unravel over time, it was disappointing and the last few days have been more boring than anticipated.

At last, though I can finally see Griffonstone in the distance, it's been a little less than two years since I've been here, yet it feels like forever ago and yesterday at the same time. I slowly exhale and start to gather my things so I can disembark quickly, while also pondering something I've been thinking about for the duration of my trip.

After some thought, I decided to take a very specific dagger with me, a dagger with a Griffonstone royal seal on it. At first, I thought I'd take it just in case it was needed, but considering it's already almost dark I'm probably going to spend my night in the city, and if I'm doing that I might as well visit some distant maybe-friends.

I know it's a vacation, but it can't hurt to strengthen relations with Griffonston's king by accepting the invitation he gave me last time. I am tempted to just ignore this option and find an inn, but if the king finds out I just passed through without saying hello he might be a bit miffed. I just don't want to deal with that potential mess.

I never got a great feeling for him and I'm not sure how he'll react, so I'm once again taking the safe option that also makes me uncomfortable at the same time. I sigh a bit but smile as while it was draining at the time I did enjoy my last interaction with the royal family. I cast my wing spell while leaving my compartment and left the train before flying up into the air.

I can't fly to the top branch directly so I stop at the second to last, with Entropy enjoying the evening flight as we fly up higher and higher. When we land on the second to last branch I put on my cloak and start to ascend the stairs even higher. "Pretty, view," Entropy says as we come out onto the tallest branch.

I turn to see the sun setting over the distant land that stretches out far into the unseen world. I pet her, "Agreed, now remember the rules. No stealing food and be nice." I remind her again as I walk over the gate guarded by armored griffons.

One walks forward at attention and looks me over for a moment. "State your name and your business here." The blunt and short question is about what I expected and is asked in slightly rough Pony.

I take out the dagger and give them a clear view of it while shifting the dagger so others can't see it. "Shade Evergreen, I'm here to visit." I speak Griffon and be just as blunt while leaving out unnecessary details, I also speak quieter so the other Griffon guards can't hear us.

The Griffon's eyes widen a bit before he nods slowly as I put away the dagger. "Follow me, Sir." With that I fall into step behind him as we quickly move past the gates. I get a few interested looks from the guards but most just don't seem to care as we move down the street and approach the palace.

Unlike last time most of the area is lit up with magical lights, it seems trade has been booming indeed for them to import so many. We quickly make our way into the palace and through some hallways leading to a large pair of double doors. "Wait here, Sir." I nod and a moment later the guard enters the room quietly.

After a minute they come back out with a more respectful stance and look more professional. "You may go in, Sir. His Highness wishes you to join him for dinner." I blink for a moment as they walk off and leave me alone. :It seems I've interrupted them, fuck it lets see how this goes:

I steady my body and mind, I then take my cloak off and push the door open to see an elegantly decorated dining room with a wooden feel to it. I spot three beings at a table sitting next to each other and eating, two Griffons and a small Hippogriff. I give them a quick bow, "I apologize if I was interrupting you all." I greet them.

Phelix looks me over with a blank face for a moment and nods. "You've grown. Come, eat." The gruff old Griffons motion me over with a calm look and I turn to King Thelis for a moment to also get his permission. He has a large and noticeable smile on his face as he inspects me before also motioning me over.

I pause for a moment while walking over to place Entropy on my upper back so I can sit. "Shade Evergreen, it's been a long time now. It's good to see you remember our invitation, he is right, come join us and your friend there too." He greets me with a warmness that is surprising to me while still keeping his royal feeling.

The last member at the table looks me over for a moment and tilts her head as if trying to remember me. But her eyes light up after a moment and she lets out a slightly excited chirp. "Grandsire's friend! Hi!" She waves happily and stares at me tiredly as I join them at the table. "Do you like fish? We have some really good salmon. What's their name?" She excitedly asks me questions but seems to be tired and is silenced by a look from Phelix.

I take a seat at the table and smile politely at the filly who's grown a fair bit since I last saw her. "Thank you for the hospitality Kin-" My words are cut off by Thelis giving me a slightly sharp look. "Thelis, it's good to meet you again." I quickly correct my tone and use his name to something a bit less formal while trying to relax more.

He smiles in response and nods approvingly as I turn to Silvis to quickly answer her questions. "Hello Silvis, you've grown like a tree. I'd love some salmon, this is Entropy and she'd also love some salmon." I answered her, enjoying the adorable happy expression she showed me afterwards.

I sit there for a moment before taking a few dishes from the table and making a small meal for me and Entropy. All three seem curious about me eating meat so happily, but the salmon is actually pretty good so I can't complain and they don't question me. Thelis looks to me after finishing the last of his food. "I wasn't aware you had a companion, did they join you recently? An interesting name as well." He says while settling in and making some small talk.

I expected questions but I didn't mind too much. Things are already going well and I've gotten a very warm welcome from them, it's like I am an old friend. I guess that's just how this family acts to those it considers friends. "I raised her, she's been with me for around four years now." I answer simply.

Phelix looks at me and Entropy again and seems to really study me for a bit. "Hmm, you hold yourself well, better than before." I'm not really sure how to take those words, but his tiny smirk is enough to know it's a compliment of some type. "What brings you here?"

Thelis also pays attention to our words. "Nothing official, I'm just on vacation. I was passing through so I thought to say hello." I tell the complete truth as lying will do little for me. "I'm heading down the coast after this, I'll probably set out tomorrow actually." I say getting the feel for this far less formal conversation than the last time we talked.

That seems to satisfy Phelix as he nods and goes silent before smiling a bit more as Silvis finishes her food and brings out something to draw on. I notice she's improved a lot in her drawings since the last time I was here, they are still pretty simple overall though as she's probably six or seven years old at most.

Thelis also smiles again before looking at me levelly. "Well then, I insist you let us provide a room for you. I won't have a friend sleeping out of my home when they come to visit." I can tell he won't take no for an answer so I just nod in silent agreement. "Good. So, where are you headed? Escaping the cold of winter?" He asks curiously.

I pause for a moment and tilt my head a bit. "Not really anywhere specific, just south." That's a half lie as I don't really have a specific destination besides the Dragon Lands. "Thank you for the meal, it seems we both enjoyed it." I finish my small meal and give the last piece of salmon to a happy Entropy.

He nods seemingly satisfied. "You are a friend, and are always welcome." He stands up and nods to Phelix. "I apologize for the short talk, but I must get this little one to bed, Father if you wouldn't mind?" We both nod and Silvis looks displeased at this and gives her uncle a pleading look. "No little feather, it's time for bed." He says a bit firmly.

She sighs and looks at me with a happy and tired stare. "Nice to see you, and you too birdy." She smiles at us both and starts to gather her little drawings. She's still very friendly and energetic, but it seems she's tired enough to not put up much of a fight. "Goodnight." She waves to me as her uncle picks her up and carries her out of the room.

After they leave Phelix stands up before motioning for me to follow him, so I fall into step as we leave the room and move down a few hallways. "She's had a big day, wait until tomorrow. She'll be much more to deal with." He says seriously and I chuckle a bit while nodding. "Got that game with you?" He asks while leading us into a smaller room.

The inside is a mostly plain-looking bedroom with a large bed to one side and a few empty shelves, a guest room I'd guess. I nod once again and take out my chess board as we sit at a small table to one side. "I think I might be more of a challenge as well, I've had a good opponent to practice against." I say while setting up the board with my hooves as Entropy moves to sleep on the bed.

He eyes her a bit and looks a tad bit curious. "You trained them well, as you've trained yourself." He looks over my form again. "How old are you?" He asks a bit abruptly while I make the first move of our chess game. I notice he looks a bit older than the last time I saw him, with a few more silver feathers here and there.

"Fifteen, sixteen this year." I answer bluntly as it's not a hard thing for him to find out if he wanted. "I think so, but raising anything can be a mess, bird or filly." He huffs out a dry chuckle at that and hums in agreement but looks a bit surprised at my age. The silence stretches out for several minutes until I checkmate him in our first match.

He looks curiously at the board as I've beaten him much faster than I did the last time we met. "Hmm, you got better. Good, this is a proper challenge." He says to me and resets the board before moving his piece first. "Who did you train against?" I thinly smirk back a bit at his blunt nature of speaking.

I always liked how blunt and straightforward he was with me. I shrug, "A friend back home, she is much better than me. Last time we played the score was Eleven point five to seven hundred and twenty-three." I answer back bluntly without giving much context.

He knows I'm not giving him details on purpose, but he just nods in acknowledgment and laughs a bit, breaking his mask again. "Good, you earned that skill then. I'll have to try more." He says with a level look as we settle in for a few more intense and focused games of chess with very few words in between each game, just like all those years ago.

Eventually, it gets late enough and he leaves with a simple nod and a larger smile than normal. I just finally went to bed, happy that things went well enough.

time skip

FEB 2 Wednesday.

I'm woken up at the crack of dawn by the sound of a knock on the door. I spend a moment gathering my things and waking up Entropy before answering it to see Thelis standing there with a friendly expression. "Good morning, sorry to wake you, but I thought you might like to join us for breakfast before you set off?" He asks in fluent Pony and makes an offer we both know I won't refuse.

I'm curious about the change in language but nod and follow him down the hallway, ignoring how a few Griffons look at us as we walk. "It'd be a pleasure to join you. Thank you again for letting me stay the night." I say while trying to drag my mind from sleep quickly enough to not act like a fool.

He walks next to me also ignoring any stares. "It was no trouble at all. I rarely get friends as guests and it's a pleasure to host them." He says with seemingly genuine intentions. "And I don't get to practice the pony tongue too often either." He adds as we enter the same dining room as before.

I see the hyperactive filly is much more attentive than before and smiles widely at me while sitting on the other side of the table this time. "Good morning! sleep well?" The filly asks while already drawing something as a few staff Griffons bring out different types of food.

I look around and notice Phelix is absent from the table this time, it seems he has other business. I give her my best smile in return and nod exaggeratedly. "I very much did, thank you for asking. What are you working on? A mountain?" I guess while sitting near enough to her to see what she's drawing at the moment and switching back to Griffon.

Entropy hops from my back to sit on top of my head and the little filly giggles at the sight while Thelis watches us interact. "She's funny." Silvis says bluntly and Entropy chirps in agreement making the filly giggle more. "It is a mountain. But the shadows." She mumbles the second part to herself while holding up the drawing for me to see.

It's good for her age and I see what she means as the shadows of the mountains don't line up with the rest of the drawing. "Here, let me show you another trick." I say helpfully and she passes me a quill with wide and attentive eyes watching me draw out and explain what I mean. "What do you think? Better?" I ask once I'm done demonstrating it to her.

She beams like a damned sun and her smile splits her face to a comical degree. She moves very quickly and takes her half-finished drawing on the table from in front of me. "It's perfect! Thank you! It looks so much prettier!" She says happily going to her very important work.

Thelis just smiles while passing her a plate of food and an empty plate for me to fill myself. "Yes little feather, our friend here seems to be the helpful sort." He compliments me while showing an approving look. "So, Shade, you are still leaving today then? I can't tempt you with a longer stay?." He actually jokes a bit and continues with his hospitality.

They have been much more friendly to me than I expected, and I'm a bit overwhelmed even with a good rest in between meetings. I shake my head, "Sorry to say I want to spend my trip wisely, I have much to see. I'm more than willing to talk over a good meal though." I say back and fill my plate more.

I notice Silvis glance at Entropy and study her every few moments before drawing more, I can see she's trying to draw the crow to some success. Thelis smirks at me slightly, "Well then, how about this? You are going to have to come back this way right?" I nod. "Perfect, then you can spend one more night here on the way back home." He says like it's already a done deal.

I'm starting to get a better picture of Thelis and his little family. He's a strong ruler, I've seen that before, but he's also very kind and happy with those he considers friends. I don't think I deserve such hospitality and friendliness so quickly, but it seems to just be natural for him.

I eat a well-made waffle with some cooked fish before turning back to him. "I'd be happy to, I'll make sure to stop on my way back then. Not that I wouldn't have anyway, you are the only place I can get some decently cooked fish. My compliments to the chef." I say with honesty as the fish is really well made.

He chuckles a bit and starts to talk more as we descend into a conversation about different meat dishes as we eat breakfast. But after we finish eating Thelis stands up and nods to me with a smile, "It was a pleasure to see you again but I must attend to my duties. I'll hold you to your promise as well, come back soon." His happy tone keeps the relaxed mood as I also stand up.

"It was a pleasure as well Thelis, and I'll make sure to do so. Goodbye, you as well Silvis." I say to the filly as she looks up at me with a slightly sad look.

She stands on her back hooves and holds up a drawing she's worked on while nibbling on her food. "Uncle's right, you, come, back." She says in an adorably bossy tone that nearly makes me laugh and gets a small chuckle from Thelis. "And... Here, for her." She says a bit shyly while passing me a drawing.

Me and Entropy look at the hastily made but interesting drawing of Entropy. The long thick strokes of black ink wind into a crow and remind me more of Entropy's real form, but it seems to just be artistic flare from what I can tell. It makes for a pretty interesting drawing. I'm about to thank her but am beaten to it, "Pretty, happy." Entropy caws out in Pony.

Silvis looks up with wide eyes and it looks like her entire day was just made with those two words. I smile down at her and nod in agreement, "She's right, it's amazing thank you. Goodbye, Thelis, Silvis." I say to both of them again as Silvis is picked up by Thelis, still looking a bit stunned and chatting insistently with him about Entropy as I move to a different door.

I scratch Entropy a bit as a reward and spend a few minutes leaving the palace before making my way outside and down from the tallest branch. Once I'm down to a lower branch I cast a spell and open my wings wide before jumping off and taking to the air, my destination waiting in the south.

As I fly away from Griffonstone I feel pretty good, it seems I'm in better standing with them than I thought, good to know. It’s always good to have more friends in the times to come.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. :]
Current year is 996

So, I know it's a lot more jumpy and quicker than normal and some wow considered fast paced by my standards, but it was the best I could do without dragging this pre-trip-visit on for two full chapters. I'm not sure if I'll do another one for the end of this trip because it's looking to be a lengthy arc, but we'll see.

I envision the Griffonstone royal family to be like those relatives many people have. The ones who, if your within a hundred miles, you are invited to dinner and WILL be attending. And while there you ARE family, so ya the real friendly type to those they consider friends and family.