Page 39 of Queen's Griffon

As Griff left, he noticed Lonny’s stall wasn’t the only one selling miniature statues. Three others appeared to be setting up displays. He’d probably hear them all whining once they realized they’d all stocked the same item. A city their size wouldn’t have the buyers for so many frivolous items. When they came to complain, and they would—the part of leadership he despised most—he’d explain it was not his problem. Griff couldn’t control what people purchased, and whether or not another vendor sold the same thing.

Kreed caught up to Griff on his way to the castle.

“Hey, Cap.” Kreed slowed his stride to keep pace. “You’re looking serious. What’s preying on your mind?”

His friend knew him so well. “If I were to agree to take the little queen to Verlora and go ashore with her, would you promise to take care of the ship and Saarpira if I don’t return?”

Kreed tripped. Unusual for a man light on his feet. Griff waited while his friend picked himself off the ground.

“Clumsy. That’s not like you,” Griff remarked.

“Yeah, well, what do you expect when you throw a verbal smack at me,” Kreed groused.

“Hardly a punch. I’d have said it was an honor that you’re the first person I thought of to take over after me.”

“Let’s back up a second. You’re going to Verlora? Since when?”

“I might be.” Griff paused to better explain the sudden change of his mind. “It occurs to me that I’ve been in a holding pattern for far too long, waiting for something to change. Verloraisn’t going to fix itself, and the first person I met who claimed she might be able to effect change, I blew off.”

“Because going there is dangerous.”

“Yup, the excuse I’ve been using my whole life. But here’s the thing, it won’t stop being dangerous until someone acts. Just like I’ll never know the truth if I keep avoiding it.”

“So we’re going to Verlora.”

“Technically, only me and Avera. I’ll want everyone else to remain on the ship,” Griff insisted.

“You can’t be serious about going alone.”

“Avera’s a good fighter,” Griff reminded him.

“You’re just two people.”

“Exactly. I’m thinking a small group might be better able to sneak in.”

Kreed stared at him. “You’re fucking serious.”

“Very.”

“What happened to Verlora being a lost cause and anyone who goes will die?”

Griff rocked on his heels before answering. “Maybe it is false hope, and maybe I will meet death, hence why I asked you to take over if I don’t return. but you know what’s worse than dying? Not knowing. Not truly living. Being afraid of the truth. I want to find out what happened to my father. What caused Mount Etna to blow. What’s hiding on the isle, killing those who dare walk its shores. I just can’t believe it took a ballsy little queen for me to realize I needed closure.”

“I know as your friend I should tell you to give your head a shake, but honestly, I agree. You ain’t happy, Cap. I mean, you’re good at the pirate thing and all, but this isn’t the life you were supposed to have.”

“But it is a life. Doing this might very well end it.”

“Or you’ll do something so epic they’ll be singing about you for centuries.”

“That’s not exactly a selling point.” Griff grimaced.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the ballad is wildly inappropriate.”

“Not helping.”

“It will be great. Maybe we’ll have a verse along the lines of, ‘He swung his very big weapon, and felled the mighty beast. The queen was so happy, she gave his sword a squeeze.’”

Griff winced. “Really rethinking my decision.”

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