King of the Vale: Commander of Legions

The Griffins

The group feasted on all manner of Vale food all but Gideon was unfamiliar with. Gideon donned his armor and his cloak when night finally rolled around. Daphne noticed how clingy Seelia was with Gideon, and a fire inside her burned with jealousy. Daphne couldn't compete with a women of such beauty and grace, but at the same time she couldn't help but notice how he brushed off some of her more touchy advances. They had a strong bond of friendship, but it appeared that there was nothing more.

At one point Seelia asked Gideon to tell the tale of his latest explorations of the Vale. Gideon's eyes lit up as he had the opportunity to tell of his adventures. Daphne couldn't help but see a new side to Gideon every time she turned around.

Gideon started his tale, "Last time I went into the depths of the Vale I found new and marvelous things along with all the Dangers that we are familiar with." The entire room fell to a hushed silence. "This time I went further north then the maps would lead you to believe. Where the humans would have you believe there is ocean, the forest changes. The Humans believe the forest would stop at the crashing wave s of the ocean, but the prowess of the Vale finds a way to combine with the mighty waters, sturdy trees that look like as thick as the redwoods, and as white as chalk with the luster of polished marble. They rise out of the water like shimmering towers, and in their tall and lofty branch's they hold islands the size of the Castles of kings and larger. There, new and strange creatures make their homes for as far as the eye could see. Connected by large vines, as thick as this room, that create impossible bridges. I made my way halfway up one of these bridges before I was discovered."

Gideon was on the table at this point he made grandiose motions with his arms to emphasize the sizes and glory of his findings. When he mentioned being discovered, the entire room held their breath. "For the longest time I have heard of creatures of myth: Roc's, giants, banshees, nymphs, werewolves, and harpies. Every time that I think I know that these creatures are myth or have faded into legend, the Vale proves me Wrong!" There was a light aglow in Gideon's eyes. Daphne was impressed not only Gideon's ability to tell his story but also fascinated by how little she and her people knew about the Vale and how little they could grasp about its vastness. "I now find some of my dearest friends and bitterest rivals in the creatures the world of men is ignorant to. On my journey to the floating islands I found the long reclusive society of the roosting Griffins," the room gasped, Daphne found herself dumbfounded at such an extraordinary claim. After all that she had seen in such a short amount of time, how could she deny it? She was feasting with a grand hall of nymphs who greatly respected a single man. A tale that could have her hanged even in her own kingdom.

Gideon continued, "Half Eagle and half a creature I have not laid my eyes on before, they swooped down and blocked my path. I stood my ground as three beasts twice my size towered over me. Their noble stance was both magnificent and foreboding as they stood as the Guardians of their land. They warned me to that to proceed would be considered an act of war. I was surprised at their civilized accent in the tongue of the Vale. For two days I sat in conversation with the mighty guardians unable to proceed any further. The one thing I discovered that I found noteworthy to mention, is that they are extremely religious and they await the Quintessence to reclaim their throne, only then will they see fit to mingle with the rest of the world and mingle as its greatest army, or so they say. Unable to persuade them to allow me to pass we parted ways as civil residents of the Vale." The rest of the evening until they had to leave Gideon answered questions about his travels and the Griffins, even Elsie was fascinated by his tales.

By the time they left the nymphs were begging them to stay but Gideon always remained conscious of his job as their guide. It was also incredible to see both Gideon and Zeke immune to the beauty of the Nymphs who seemed to be genuinely infatuated with them.

** ** **

Once Gideon's crows told him that they were out of the range of the nymphs Gideon couldn't hold it in any longer.

"They are SO PRETTY!" Gideon whispered excitedly to Zeke.

"I KNOW! Did you see the blonde ones checking me out?" Zeke responded

"I saw you around the pool with your shirt off, all of them where checking you out."

"What about you? When you were talking about the Griffins, there wasn't a girl in the room that wasn't fawning over you."

"Well Elsie couldn't take her eyes off of you all night." Gideon nudged Zeke playfully.

"Oh come on you had Seelia all over you, I don't know how you resist her, she is gorgeous!"

"It is easy, she is controlling and overprotective, I would never get anything done or explored if we got together. Can you imagine her coming on hunts with me, trying to kill the Deaza for me. Exploring with her would be a nightmare and if I ever went alone she would accuse me of every sort of unholy activities, or just never let me leave." Gideon sighed," she is beautiful, but I have my eye on another treasure at the moment." Gideon looked back at Daphne.

"You have to be careful with that one, she comes with baggage." Zeke would never have guessed that the one girl that Gideon would show interest in would be Daphne.

** ** **

"I thought we were done with the whole talking in a different language thing?" Elsie sighed as she and Daphne watched the boys talk in fast and in hushed tones.

"I think it is obvious that they are talking about the nymphs, they haven't been this chatty in a while." Daphne said. "Plus I think they are also talking about you I heard your name come up," Daphne winked. "So what did happen to you and Zeke, I could have sworn I saw you two actually having fun, which is so not like you." Elsie blushed but before she could respond Gideon stopped in his tracks.

Gideon stopped and turned around, Daphne froze as he pulled his sword out and threw a knife into one of the trees behind them. A man dropped out of the tree, his clothing was a curious sort as he wore a mix of foreign clothes and skins.

"I have been waiting for you." Gideon said.

"I am impressed, for a moment I thought that you may have let your guard down." The man said twirling the knife in his hand.

"Stay behind me girls. This man isn't what he looks like."

"Oh please, Vale Master. I simply wish to talk." He tossed the knife at Gideon's feet. "I have a Proposition for you."