Snippet #2647232

Drifting from air current to air current, gliding across the desert sands, flew the griffon. It flew more like an eagle than a raven, flapping its great wings only to add a burst of speed to the next updraft as it picked its way through the sky, ever onwards to its destination. The greatest downside to this however was for the human perched on the griffon Mavegens back, clad from head to toe his bright steel armour, small stars and diamonds gave away where the metal had been folded over and over many times in its construction, a rare skill indeed. The simple act of moving from warm spot to warm spot in the blistering heat of the desert meant that the Rider Trytheus Morrela, was essentially being slowly roasted alive in his suit, with the only small bliss being his open visor- yet that did not prevent the odd stray specks of sand somehow managing to fly the half mile up to land in his eye, a worryingly frequent problem.

He rode in silence, unlike the other Riders, man and beast had no telepathic link to communicate- griffons were far too proud for that- instead they learned over the long years, how to judge each others body language, so that they needed to only glance at each other to speak to each other. Even know he could tell that Mavegen wished to be done in the desert, her shoulders rolled in their sockets and her head turned constantly on a swivel. He had to admit to himself that he shared the same sentiment, indeed a part of him wished to remove at least some part of his shining armour, he was far too stubborn to actually contemplate doing it, so instead he enduring the blistering heat as the sunlight bounced off his grieves and his long red and gold cloak fluttering loudly in the wind behind him, even as it howled in the gap in his helm.

He had to admit to himself that the very nature of this was folly, he was needed in his kingdom now more than ever. The Kingdom of Amstra had ever been a realm under the threat of turmoil, its economical power also made it a ripe target for criminals and lawlessness, no matter how many the Amstrian army stamped out or the Forge Knights removed, in a matter of years they would simply reform, usually smarter and larger than before, as if something had decided that Amstra had to be limited, he couldn't help but recall the audience he was holding a week ago before he departed.

"And so your Grace, it has come to my attention that the very same band has been raiding my own lands as well as those of Lord Vais." The fat man droned on. Lord Vais and the current speaker, Lord Rikkar, were two minor land holders on the southern border of Amstra, though they had both been encouraged many times before to expand their lands further south into the unclaimed lands, they often cited many reasons not to, ranging from monsters to bandits to a lack of funds, personally Trytheus simply believed that they wished to spend more time in the capital rather than empower the kingdom.

Like many things in the Smiths Keep, the forge imagery was ever present, be it the hammer wielding Forge Knights, or the fact the very throne itself was designed to look like a giant, multitiered anvil, the whole motif was unavoidable. Sat on that throne was Trytheus himself, though his full title would be King Trytheus Morrela CCCXXXII, King of Amstra and Griffon Rider, Lord Commander of the Order of the Forge and Lord Millitant of the armies of Amstra. He now presided over the third time the two lords had sought an audience for the same issue.
"I have no doubt that these bandits and brigands are a realm threat, my lord, though twice I have ordered support to be lended to you. What happened to them? Was my aide waylaid? OR was it simply ineffective."
"Of course not, your Grace." Lord Rikkar spluttered, narrowly insulting the crown. "The fault was ours, we underestimated the strength and underhand guile of these outlaws."
"I see." Trytheus sighed, the growing incompetence of the border lords was a worrying issue, he had begun to wonder if a number of them were beginning to brew rebellion in their distance lands. He was about to simple send them away when he felt a twinge in the back of his mind, like a mental slap in his head, glancing down at Mavegen, was slept at the foot of his throne, he saw that she had awoken and the two of them locked eyes, it appeared they had been summoned.
"My lords Rikkar and Vias, I shall send to you a contingent of Forge Knights to assist in the removal of any unwanted troubles to the kingdoms security." The threat there was clear, yet they naturally couldn't complain about it, they had gotten the support they wanted and were swiftly ushered from the throne room. "Chancellor Vex, you are my regent until my return, I trust you will keep things in order." The Chancellor was a former Forge Knight, whose days in his armour had long since passed.

Trytheus was quickly brought out of his reverie by the swiftly approaching House of May and Meg, as well it would seem the presence of three other riders, once more he was cured to be the fourth to arrive. Mavegen landed a short distance away from the others and Trytheus swiftly dismounted, a quick glance back was enough to tell him that Mavegen was more than happy for the armoured weight to be removed from her back. He strode across the desert sands, his feet sinking slightly under him, before halting before the Gemini twins and bowing before them as tradition dictates.
"Greetings, Ladies Gemini. It is an honour to finally meet you in this life."
"Greetings to you, Griffon Rider. You are the fourth to arrive."
"Greetings to you, Griffon Rider. You are the fourth to arrive."

With an inclination of his head, he stepped past the two and headed inside, pleased to be out of the ever present sun. Once inside he cast a quickly glance at the other riders, though he did not know any of them personally, he had of course read all about them. Though he did not try to make himself overly comfortable, he did permit himself to remove his helm, and to shake the stray snad from his hair.