A thunderous cheer rose up from the crowd as their princess climbed atop her white horse and lowered the visor on her helmet. On this day she was dressed in a full suit of shining white armour with gold and purple trim. On her left arm she wore a shield with the sigil of her kingdom; the shield was purple with gold trim and in its centre was the symbol of a white lion with its paws raised. Some called this sigil the ‘Rampant Lion’ and it represented the ferocious nature of the tough warriors of Onellia. Of course, many in the kingdom also said it represented their mighty princess Artema, the greatest warrior among them.

She sat atop the horse, sword sheathed, and one hand gripped tightly to the reins. Artema seemed to be waiting for something. Her eyes turned to Jonas, who stepped into the middle of the arena and looked up at the crowd.

With a knot in his stomach, Jonas swallowed hard. Why did I volunteer for this? he thought to himself. I don’t do well with crowds. Oh well. They’re waiting for me now.

Jonas cleared his throat and began pacing back and forth. “People of Onellia,” he said. “The grand warrior before you needs no introduction,” he said, gradually finding his speaking rhythm and raising his voice.

“You know this warrior as one of your own. Unbeaten in battle, never unhorsed in a joust, never have you seen her fall in a duel. This warrior need not be introduced for her skills speak for themselves. People of Onellia, you know whom your eyes see before you in all her glory. But we still speak her name. Nay, we don’t just speak it. We sing it! We praise it! You know your princess, Onellia. You celebrate her many victories, her great strength, her unfathomable skill in battle!”

Jonas raised his voice further, now speaking with an impassioned fervour. “Unleash the dragon, stronger than a bull, more ferocious than the lion adorning her shield! The tower of power, the greatest warrior in Esterlin, Princess Artema!”

He couldn’t help the wide smile that crossed his face when the people in front of him gave another thunderous cheer. But he smiled wider when he saw Lanala jump to her feet, more excited than anyone, when Jonas finally shouted her name.

There was only one person who remained unmoved at the sight of the glorious warrior in the arena that day. Across from her, riding a dark brown horse, her faceless opponent remained resolute and still behind the helmet that concealed their face.

They wore dark maroon coloured armour, trimmed with gold, and holding a heavy shield in their right hand. It matched the armour the person wore but the sigil upon it was gold in colour and depicted a snarling griffin in flight with its talons outstretched.

Nobody knew who this warrior really was as they had never shown their face. People knew the person as almost a sort of folk hero who had recently been wandering the land and battling the brigands that plagued Esterlin. But there were a few who believed this person was perhaps someone with a more sinister goal in mind, which was why they never showed their face. The theory was they were hiding their identity to operate from the shadows and unite the brigands into a massive army so they could rule all of Esterlin themselves. But none truly knew the intentions of the person, known only as the Griffin Knight.

Prince Jonas, however, did claim to know this person from the past. But, as a favour to them, refused to reveal their identity to the Guild until the Griffin Knight themselves chose to show their face. This did not earn Jonas any favours but Artema was at least understanding about it, not wishing to press the issue. She trusted Jonas and, if the Griffin Knight was a friend of Jonas then Artema decided they could be trusted.

For now, though, they would have to do battle. In the quarterly Onellian tournament, Artema had found herself in the final fight without too much difficulty. Jonas did not lie when he said that Artema had never been unhorsed or beaten in a duel. In fact, she had won the last four consecutive tournaments with a perfect record. But this time, for whatever reason, the Griffin Knight chose to enter the tournament. And they quickly proved themselves to be a truly formidable opponent.

Unhorsing warriors in a single charge, winning duels in less than ten seconds, and just decimating the competition, the Griffin Knight had made it look even easier than Artema. With their progress, the two were destined to meet in the final fight. Artema didn’t say it but she was excited at the idea of a proper battle. No one had challenged her to this point. The Griffin Knight would certainly change that.

Jonas stepped closer to his mysterious friend and addressed the crowd yet again.

“And now you know this warrior as well. Without precedent, this warrior has besieged the Onellian competition with an unstoppable onslaught of skill. Here you have seen the masked warrior unhorse the great Ghalan the Bull. You have seen them lay the great Niklas of the Sea low to the ground with a single strike. Thalia the Bold, Victor of Unos, Fraya the Wolf, Aldan the Hammer, all have been bested by the warrior you see before you. It was no trick of the eye, people of Onellia. To face your princess, one cannot think of a more worthy opponent. Here, on this battlefield, we shall witness greatness. Lay your eyes upon the challenger, The Griffin Knight!”

A mixture of cheers and jeers rained down from the crowd. With their fighting prowess, the Griffin Knight had earned a great deal of support. But, of course, being an outsider to Onellia there were many who wanted to see the Griffin Knight fall. And the jeers were loudest now that the knight was faced with Onellia’s own princess.

“Prepare for the joust of the century!”

Jonas stepped back and let the cheering crowd continue, feeling a little silly for his last statement. Maybe I got a bit too into that... he thought.

A tall young girl, acting as Artema’s squire, helped her get a grip on the long lance in her hand, strapping it on to her left hand so she couldn’t lose grip. The white horse snorted and clawed its hoof into the dirt, eager to set off.

“Easy,” Artema said to calm the horse.

The Griffin Knight, emotionless and staring down their opponent, allowed a young boy to strap a long lance, painted a maroon colour like their armour, to their right hand.

Both combatants readied themselves. Artema’s horse still panted and snorted, sensing its rider’s restlessness and adrenaline. The Griffin Knight and their horse remained still and calm as both rider and steed betrayed no emotion.

Jonas, again, stepped forward to the waiting crowd, holding one hand in the air. “For the prize from the Royal Purse.... begin!” Jonas lowered his hand and darted out of the way as both armoured figures spurred their horses forward.

Artema’s mighty arm bore the weight of the heavy lance like it was nothing. She held steady and slowly lowered it in front of her, taking aim at the centre of the Griffin Knight’s chest.

The Griffin Knight, though just as effortless, moved their lance into position slower than Artema and realized there was no time to aim. Knowing where Artema would be aiming her lance, The Griffin Knight raised their shield in the other hand and held it forward.

Both horses at full gallop, the riders finally met in the middle of the list with nothing but a wooden railing separating their horses. Though each lance was roughly equal in length, only Artema’s was properly aimed during the first tilt. But with the Griffin Knight’s quick thinking, they were able to remain in the saddle as the wooden lance shattered against their shield, eliciting a thunderous cheer from the crowd. Though it was a glancing blow, the first point was Artema’s.

A bit startled at her speed, The Griffin Knight had completely missed their target so their lance was still intact. Artema’s squire had to remove her broken lance and help fetch a new one. With the knew, purple and gold lance attached to Artema’s left hand, the second tilt could begin with the riders now at opposite ends.

With one of the three tilts already in Artema’s favour, The Griffin Knight would not misjudge her speed again. Jonas stepped forward again.

“Second tilt! Begin!’

The crowd thundered again and a few gasped when The Griffin Knight boldly dropped their shield and charged forward. The horse was now able to reach full gallop with the lesser weight. Now moving faster than Artema, The Griffin Knight was able to steady their lance much quicker without the added weight of the shield.

Artema had less time to react and her eyes widened when she realized she had no time to bring up her shield. Their aim careful and true, The Griffin Knight knew where their lance was going this time.

Both horses charging once again, the two combatants met and the crowd gasped again when The Griffin Knight’s lance exploded to splinters when it hit dead centre of Artema’s cuirass and sent her reeling backward. Artema fought to hold her balance but her heavy armour and shield weighed her down and she simply could not stop gravity from pulling her down.

She could feel it happen almost as though it were in slow motion. Artema tumbled from the saddle and she could no longer feel the horse beneath her. It wasn’t long before she hit the ground as her horse continued on without her. The Griffin Knight continued on as well, stopping back where they had started, their squire removing the shattered lance from their hand.

Utter silence pervaded the arena as the onlookers remained stunned by this outcome. Just who was this Griffin Knight and how could they have unhorsed the great Artema? It was a question none of them could fathom.

A bit stunned herself, Artema climbed to her feet with a smile on her face. “Finally...” she said to herself. “A real challenge.”

Still reeling a bit from the massive hit she had taken from the lance, Artema drew her sword as The Griffin Knight climbed down from the saddle.

With the joust emphatically won by The Griffin Knight, Artema’s only hope of evening the odds would be to best them in the duel. Then they could settle it in a tiebreaker.

“Unbelievable!” Jonas said, stepping forward again. “And now the titans clash with their blades! Let the duel commence!”

A much more muted cheer rose up from the crowd this time, now unsure of their princess’ impending victory. What they were witnessing was impossible and without precedent.

The Griffin Knight drew the longsword at their side and gripped it in both hands, planting themselves in the dirt. Artema still had a shield on her right arm so gripped the one handed sword in her hand tightly, raising her shield, and slowly approaching the only person ever to unhorse her in a joust.

Still smiling at the welcome challenge, Artema struck first, keeping her shield forward, and attempting a cut to The Griffin Knight’s shoulder.

Deftly raising their sword to block, The Griffin knight quickly stepped back and countered with a heavy swing toward Artema’s sword arm. The strike glanced harmlessly off Artema’s shield as she stepped into it and kept the blade at bay.

The Griffin Knight, though, continued their assault and rained down strikes onto her shield, forcing her to back up. Watching their princess on her heels, the crowd almost collectively held their breath at the relentless tenacity of her opponent.

Artema let them come, however, waiting for the right moment. Finally, she deflected the sword aside, swiping with her shield, and countering with her own sword. She connected full on with The Griffin Knight’s right shoulder, making them stumble backward.

A short and still muted cheer erupted from the crowd, still tense, and not knowing whether to get their hopes up.

But the fight was far from won as The Griffin Knight recovered quicker than expected and now Artema had left herself open with her aggressive shield work. Unable to react in time, Artema felt the heavy hit of steel against her shield arm and now the weight worked against her as it slid off and hit the ground beside her.

Keeping on the attack, The Griffin Knight did not allow Artema to regain her best defence and battered the Onellian princess with a barrage of attacks. Artema was able to parry and deflect the longsword with her own, now switching to a two-handed grip to better fight off the tenacious Griffin Knight.

But now Artema realized that her opponent had a reach advantage with the longer sword. Though at least now Artema could better use her speed without the shield.

It took quite an effort but Artema backed up far enough and fast enough that the barrage of attacks ceased when she was out of the Griffin Knight’s reach. Now faced with a quandary, Artema tried feigning and fake attacks to get her opponent to drop their guard. The Griffin Knight refused to fall for her tricks and faced her resolutely, swiping with their sword on occasion to keep Artema off balance.

The crowd gasped and squealed with every clash of the two blades but now it seemed they were at a stalemate.

Still feeling the crushing hit of the lance and now growing tired from The Griffin Knight’s constant barrages, Artema’s mighty muscles were now beginning to turn to rubber. It was getting difficult to even grip the sword anymore.

The Griffin Knight sensed Artema’s waning energy and rushed her before Artema could react, raining down more attacks with the longsword. Her grip finally gave in as The Griffin Knight struck out with all of their tremendous might and connected with Artema’s sword near the hilt, finally dislodging it from her grasp. Now defenceless, Artema could only watch as The Griffin Knight stood tall and, with one hand, held the tip of their sword inches from her throat.

“Yield,” an enigmatic voice said. Artema could not discern the gender of the person behind the helmet. The voice echoed inside the helmet and seemed to distort somewhat, though the voice was clear and confident.

Artema bowed her head and removed her own helmet, placing it on the ground at The Griffin Knight’s feet. “You have won,” she said. “Take your victory.”

The Griffin Knight simply nodded as Artema bent to one knee and bowed her head, closing her eyes. The onlooking crowd was silent again, unable to fully process what had just happened.

When Artema opened her eyes again, she was surprised to see a hand there waiting for her. The Griffin Knight had sheathed their sword and was now reaching out to help Artema back to her feet. Artema took the person’s hand, noting their solid grip, and stood back up.

“Well fought,” the Knight said, no emotion in their voice, and still holding on to Artema’s hand.

“You as well,” Artema said, unable to hold back her smile. It had been a long time since anyone had managed to beat her in a fight. Not since her training days, anyway. To finally meet someone with the skill to do it, and with a sense of honour to boot, made this person earn the utmost respect from the great warrior princess.

Jonas, just as stunned as everyone else, stepped forward again and put himself between the two warriors. He cleared his throat as he tried to find the words. “We... we have a champion. The winner of the Royal Purse and holder of the Golden Rose is... The Griffin Knight!”

Jonas took the Griffin Knight’s hand and held it aloft for the crowd before them. Despite it all, they cheered for their new champion. Jonas handed a golden rose to The Griffin Knight and allowed the final part of the ceremony to take place.

Usually, the champion would choose someone from the crowd to hand the rose to as a sign of courtship or the like. But, strangely, The Griffin Knight turned to their opponent and extended the rose forward.

“For a grand duel,” the Knight said.

Artema hesitated, spotting Lanala in the crowd. The two locked eyes for a moment. Lanala was just as stunned as everyone else but nodded to her wife. Artema nodded back and accepted the rose, hoping it was not some gesture of romance.

“Thank you, good knight. Might I ask your name in return?”

The Griffin Knight exchanged glances with Jonas, who could only shrug, and then looked back at Artema. “In due time,” the Knight said. “But you, great warrior, shall be the first to know.”

“Second seems more accurate,” Artema said, shooting a sharp look toward Jonas.

“It’s not my choice,” Jonas said. “I’m sorry.”

“You are correct. First to know after him,” the knight said.

“And how do you know this knight, Jonas?”

He and The Griffin Knight exchanged glances again. “I... don’t think I can tell you that. Not yet.”

Artema rolled her eyes. “Fine. You do have honour, knight. And you have earned my respect. Go in peace and continue your quest.”

“You as well, Princess Artema. Be well.”

The two warriors separated and formally ended the quarterly tournament on a shocking note. But now Artema could do nothing but think of the mighty warrior who had bested her. She just had to know who they were.

...

Lanala still couldn’t believe that Artema had lost. She had greeted her wife after the tournament, reassuring and encouraging her after her shocking defeat. But the Griffin Knight was what worried her most. Why had they given Artema the rose? And was she really getting jealous?

Artema had done nothing but reaffirm her love for Lanala, hugging her tight and planting a long kiss on her lips when she left the arena. Perhaps it was part of the power that still lingered in the back of her mind. Something there had made her jealous of this Griffin Knight and she sought to know more about the person.

But when she left the Guild’s fortress, Taria would not let her go on her own. Curious about the Knight herself, Taria followed Dosette’s princess into the forest, All reports of the Griffin Knight had them appearing from behind the trees to battle and defeat entire clans of brigands.

Taria herself felt like thanking the Knight for helping to curb the threat on her own kingdom. But she was just as curious about the identity of a warrior skilled enough to defeat Artema; something Taria had never done. Not even in sparring did the quick and lithe Taria manage to even disarm their mighty leader.

Having joined the joust herself, Taria had lost to a huge Onellian warrior called Aldan the Hammer. She gave him a long fight once they met in the duel but was ultimately forced to yield when he disarmed her. And with the joust at two to one in his favour, she had lost before getting the chance to face The Griffin Knight. She had been well on her way, too, and that semi-final match was a fight she wanted badly. But after seeing Aldan beaten like he was a little boy in training, Taria knew she would never have beaten the Griffin Knight.

Now travelling through the forest, Taria and Lanala searched high and low for the warrior in maroon armour. The mysterious knight who battled brigands and apparently won tournaments was nowhere to be seen, however.

Listening carefully, Taria held up one hand to stop Lanala behind her.

“What is it?” Lanala asked.

“Look there,” Taria whispered, pointing toward a small clearing in front of them. “I think someone’s set up camp there.”

Lanala took a careful look at the clearing and spotted a fire first, crackling away in the centre, before she noticed several shadowy figures in a circle around it. They appeared to have linked arms and were swaying back and forth.

“Um... Taria? I don’t think that’s someone’s camp. And there’s no way it’s the Griffin Knight. At least, I hope not.”

Taria eyed the clearing closer as well and realized that Lanala was right. “What is that? Some kind of ritual?”

“Looks like it,” Lanala said. “It’s probably best if we steered clear of them.”

They both jumped when a voice echoed and boomed from all around them. “Why would you want to do that? Come and join us, Lanala. We’ve been waiting for you!”

Lanala furrowed her brow and she felt her anger rise. At the same time, Taria stepped back as Lanala’s eyes flashed black and electricity sparked from her hands as she clenched her fists.

“Aurora!” Lanala said, fighting back her rage.

Yes the voice said in her mind. Feel it. The anger. The power. Destroy her. You know you want to.

“Well,” Aurora’s echoing voice said. “Something is different about you, Lanala. I can sense such... wrath in your voice. What’s going on? Is little old Jhana getting to you?”

Lanala growled under her breath and the sparkling electricity around her hands grew more intense. Her eyes began to turn dark. “How do you know about that!?”

“I have my sources,” Aurora said. “I must say, you’ve become very interesting. I’ve always liked the dangerous ones. I must know more about you.”

“Stay out of our way!” Lanala said, still fighting back the power. But it was winning. She was starting to feel strong, unstoppable, and it all felt very good.

“No no no, Lanala. We can’t have you summoning that power here. How else will I make you and the rest of your Guild my very own?”

The circle of shadows dissipated from the fire and quickly surrounded Lanala and Taria.

“Fight it, Lanala. We need you to be... well, you. We’ve got trouble!” Taria said.

Lanala grimaced and clenched her fists so tight she thought she would cut her palms. The voice in her mind still spoke to her. Let it all out. Go on. Destroy them all! Take it all for yourself. Do it!

“No!” Lanala shouted, refusing to give up the fight. “I... won’t...”

While she was fighting the power within, Aurora’s shadows quickly pounced on her and knocked Lanala to the ground. Taria tried fighting them off but more of them surrounded her and wrenched the sword from her grasp.

Soon both princesses’ limbs were pinned together by the combined strength of the shadows. Finally, Aurora appeared from between the trees. Being held back by the creatures, Lanala felt her strength surging when she laid eyes on the Thief Witch.

“Please...” Lanala said. “Don’t come any closer.” She shut her eyes and still battled the power inside her. One thought the voice said. That’s all it will take. Let it in and this witch will be turned to dust. No more will she be in your way. Take what is yours, Lanala!

Lanala growled again, grimacing, fighting with all her might to keep the power at bay. “You won’t... win!”

Aurora chuckled. “And just who are you talking to, Lanala? Is it that voice inside you? I know it’s there, whispering, calling your name, begging you to let the power out. You could have everything you ever wanted. And yet you refuse it? That’s why it is you who will never win, Lanala. This power of yours is a missed opportunity. Because, for instance, you could do things like this...”

Aurora waved her hands in the air and endless coils or rope snaked down through the trees, beginning to wind themselves around Lanala’s body.

Don’t let her win! the voice said. Do it now! Destroy her!

Knowing what she would become, Lanala still fought off the power and let Aurora’s ropes wind around her body. There was no other choice for her. She and Taria would have to escape on their own. She wouldn’t let any power take her mind from her. Not again.

The ropes Aurora summoned tied Lanala’s legs together at the ankles and just above the knees. A long coil wrapped around her arms and torso, wrapping around her from the elbows to just below her breasts. Another coil wound above her breasts and further pinned her arms. One final coil wrapped itself around her waist and crossed her wrists behind her back, attaching them to her lower back.

Now fully bound, another wave of Aurora’s hands turned one of the leaves above her into a thick white cloth that forced itself into Lanala’s mouth. Another leaf became a longer white cloth and wrapped tightly over Lanala’s mouth, tying on behind her head.

The voice began to fade as Lanala calmed herself, now beginning to feel the tight ropes around her body.

No! Don’t fight it! Let it all go! Free yourself! Destroy them! Destroy it all! Burn the world to ashes! It is your birthright!

“Mmmmpphh...” Lanala sighed, letting the voice fade away. Its presence remained in her mind but she had fought it off, for now. Of course, there were now other problems to deal with.

Taria lay squirming beside her, bound in the exact same way except for the black cloth covering her mouth in a tight gag.

“Mmmmph!” Taria said, battling the ropes and stamping her bound feet on the ground in anger.

“I did miss that feisty anger,” Aurora said, staring at Taria. “I think I’ve said this before but you ladies really do look better in ropes. And that’s precisely how I’ll keep you.”

“Mmmmrrggh! Nmmm! Lmmt mmph gmmm!” Taria said, struggling furiously. Despite her escape skills, these ropes were proving impossible to untie. There were no knots, since they had manifested from the trees themselves, and they held on very tightly and weren’t about to let go.

“Go on and take them to the tower,” Aurora said to the surrounding shadows. “You know the one. Where my last captive awaits...”

“Hmmmph?” Lanala said, suddenly interested in what Aurora was saying.

“Oh, don’t worry Lanala. You’ll find out soon enough. Take them away please.”

The shadows around them picked them up with lean and wiry arms, carrying them deeper into the dark woods. It took no time at all for the sky above them to be obscured by the thick canopy of the forest. The trees did clear in the distance, however, for a stone tower looming up into the sky. As they were carried off, Lanala could only wonder who it was that was inside...

...

Artema pulled out all the stops. With her wife missing and potentially battling away at the power inside, there was no telling what danger she or, indeed, the world might be in. On short notice, she managed to gather up everyone who was at the tournament to travel with her. Jonas was beside her, keeping his eyes on the distance as he always did.

Meryn walked just behind them. She had watched the tournament but didn’t participate, saying she had a bad history with coming too close. Neither she nor the rest of them quite understood why she said it but they were suddenly all furious with Fa’rah for some reason. But now they had more important things in mind as they travelled through the forest, trying to pick up the trail.

None of them knew where Lanala and Taria had both gone but Jonas suggested looking in the forest in hopes of bumping into the Griffin Knight to see if they would offer some sort of assistance. It was the only plan they had but now they were pushing themselves deeper into the woods and seeing no trace of any living soul.

“So where did you say this friend of yours was hiding?”

“Not hiding, Artema,” Jonas said. “Patrolling. These woods near Trivalia are where the most brigands come from. You know that. I know that. So does The Griffin Knight. That’s why they’re out here.”

“You and your friend have a lot in common,” Meryn said. “You both like to hide.”

“It’s not hiding!” Jonas said. “It’s just... they’d be in danger if everyone knows who The Griffin Knight is. They’ve had a lot of trouble in the past when people have known they’re identity. That’s why now they don’t let anyone know.”

Meryn scoffed. “Sounds a lot like you, with your secrecy and your ‘not at liberty to say’ crap.”

Jonas sighed. “I thought we were over this lack of trust thing, Meryn. We’ve helped each other out. We’ve got each other’s backs. That’s clear now, right?”

“Maybe,” Meryn said. “But this friend of yours isn’t you. Ask yourself, who are they? Do you really know them if they have to keep themselves so well hidden?”

Jonas scoffed in reply. “Ask yourself that question, Ms. ‘Holy Sunlight.’ Or would you prefer “Gold-Eyed Maiden?’ You have valid reasons for hiding yourself too. You’re the last one to cast judgment.”

Meryn grunted. “Still don’t like this.”

“And you don’t have to. But you’ll learn when you meet the Knight. Speaking of which...”

Jonas stopped in his tracks and the two women stopped with him. He spotted a clearing in the trees where a stone tower rose up into the sky. He removed his spyglass from his belt and held it up to his eyes, trying to get a look through the trees. He nodded when he was satisfied. “I knew it,” he said.

“What is it?” Artema asked.

“It’s the Griffin Knight,” Jonas said. “They’re heading for that tower.”

“Probably hunting brigands then,” Meryn said.

“Maybe. But you and I both know that brigands don’t usually hole up in places like that. They often believe a tower like that is cursed.”

“Is the Knight closer than us?” Artema asked.

“Yes. They’ll be there before we will.”

Artema sighed. “Well I say we get over there and help them. My gut tells me Lanala is in there.”

“You’re not usually wrong,” Meryn said. “I’m with you.”

“So am I,” Jonas said.

“Good. Then hopefully we can help the Knight get in there,” Artema said.

“Speaking of, you still haven’t said how you now them,” Meryn said, turning to Jonas. “An old lover, maybe?”

“Not quite,” Jonas said. “We were partners, in a sense. We’ve worked together. It would take way too long to explain exactly how that worked. It’s easiest just to say we were partners.”

Meryn chuckled. “So you were the Knight’s sidekick.”

Jonas sighed. “Yeah... that’s probably more like it...”

They stopped speaking and picked up the pace toward the stone tower. They could only hope Artema was right and that Lanala was being held inside.

...

Furious grunting and helpless mewling surrounded Lanala from both sides. She was trapped, still tied and gagged, inside a small cell and she simply could not escape the ropes. But she had grown tired from struggling and was now resting against the back wall, trying to catch her breath.

From the cells on either side of her, the noise of struggling and moaning and growling would not stop. On her left, her fellow princess Taria was once again tireless in her struggle but the ropes without knots would not yield. She struggled and struggled, growling and groaning the whole time but even her tremendous strength, skill and anger could not free her.

“Mmmmph! Mmmrrrgh! Mmmmrrph! Mmmph! MMMPPHHH!” Taria’s voice echoed off the walls of the dungeon they were held within. But her muffled voice wasn’t loud enough to drown out the muffled voice of another woman tied and gagged in the cell to Lanala’s right.

She was a muscular, blonde warrior who had been the captive of Jhana only a few days before. She was tied with strong rope that held her wrists crossed behind her back. One rope was tied between her wrists and the two coils around her arms that perfectly framed her ample and impressive chest. Her legs were also bound at the ankles, calves, and thighs. A rubber ball gag with brown leather straps was pulled tightly between her teeth and covered with a thick grey cloth that matched her battle tunic.

Lanala instantly recognized the voice of Fa’rah from her right, helplessly mewling and moaning, begging for release and pleading for help. Lanala rolled her eyes. For such a strong warrior, Fa’rah really became pathetic when she was tied up and gagged. She would struggle away, unable to free herself, and just become the biggest baby. All the fight seemed to leave her whenever she was tied up.

She didn’t know how Fa’rah had wound up in Aurora’s clutches but the Thief Witch had clearly stolen her away from Jhana somehow and now the three of them were her helpless captives inside the dungeon of this strange tower.

The tower seemed out of place but it looked nothing like the tower Lanala and Artema had rescued Elyn from. It was older, more weathered, and appeared to be disused. It must have been hidden by the trees for a long time before Aurora found it and decided to make it a place to store her captives.

Nobody could ever tell what Aurora was planning and Lanala was no exception. Whatever she wanted the Guild for, pleasure, entertainment, bargaining, it didn’t matter. Her newfound obsession with Elyn didn’t help matters either as it seemed to make her even more crazy. In fact, before she left them alone, Elyn was all she could mutter about. She spoke about how she couldn’t wait to have Elyn all to herself and that maybe she would come to save the two princesses she had captured.

Unfortunately for Aurora, Elyn had some political matters to attend to, working out a new trade agreement with Luna and Mirelle. Of course, putting Elyn and Luna in the same room was bound to create tension so she was still back in Sixellia, many miles away, unable to come to their aid.

What Aurora did not expect, however, was the gallant knight who rode up to the tower and hitched their horse, drew their sword, and charged up the stairs of the tower.

“Destroy... them!” Aurora said when she couldn’t discern the gender of the person coming after her.

But the Griffin Knight was simply unbeatable. Orange runes glowed on the impressive longsword they carried and the Knight was able to cut down the shadows Aurora sent after them.

Summoning forth endless ghouls, spirits, rabid wolves, even undead creatures did nothing to slow the Griffin Knight’s pace toward the top. They just cut down everything Aurora could throw at them.

Finally, they reached the top where Aurora had set up the dungeon that held her captives and she rushed there to meet the relentless Knight.

“Enough!” Aurora said. “You will come no further! I will destroy these prisoners if you do not surrender!”

“MMMMMPPHHH! NMMMM!!” Fa’rah squealed, squirming in her ropes.

“Mmmph!” Lanala exclaimed, surprised to see the maroon-armoured knight again.

“Mmmph! Gmmt hmmr!” Taria said, shouting muffled encouragement to the Griffin Knight.

“You won’t,” the echoing voice behind the helmet said. “I can see it in your eyes, witch.”

“You can see nothing! I will do it!”

“Stand aside,” the Knight said. “You stand in the way of justice. I shall not warn you a second time.”

Aurora looked back and forth between her captives and the impressive knight. How the Knight had seen through her bluff, she would never guess, but now she realized she had nothing. She wasn’t even certain her summoned ropes would stop this person. But she had to try.

“Then don’t bother!” Aurora said, waving her hands in the air. Ropes came down from the ceiling and rushed toward the Griffin Knight in an attempt to bind them.

The Knight ducked and rolled toward Aurora, spinning around and slicing through many of the ropes that pursued them. Then they ducked away and the ropes found a new target: the one who summoned them.

“No! Get off me!” Aurora fought back against the ropes but they had her soon enough, wrapping around her arms and pinning her wrists behind her back. Coiling around her ankles and above her knees, Aurora fell to the floor in a squirming and writhing mess.

“Gaah! Stop this! I will-mmmph!” She couldn’t get the spell started as the Griffin Knight knelt down and stuffed a knotted cloth in the Thief Witch’s mouth, pulling the cleave gag tight and keeping her silent. “Mmmph! Stmmp thmmt!”

The Griffin Knight stood up and, as soon as they did, several of Aurora’s shadows scooped her up in their arms and shuffled her down the stairs, still bound and gagged, but away from her captor. The Griffin Knight could only shake their head at the witch’s absurd escape but at least they had won.

Picking open the cell doors, the Griffin Knight untied each woman and helped them get to their feet. Fa’rah practically threw herself into the Knight’s arms and kissed them on the helmet.

“Thank every God in existence you let me go! I’ve been tied up for so long! Thank you thank you thank you!”

“It is my duty,” the Knight said.

Fa’rah let them go and stepped back when Artema led her small group up the stairs. She nodded to the Knight when she saw what had happened.

“Looks like we weren’t needed this time,” Artema said.

“Mighty Princess Artema,” the Griffin Knight said. “I owe you the chance to look upon me properly.”

Jonas stepped toward his friend. “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, that one over there,” Jonas said, indicating Fa’rah. “She’s not the most trustworthy person in the world.”

“Hey! I can keep a secret! Especially when this Knight did what that bitch wouldn’t,” Fa’rah said, pointing to Meryn. “I still owe you for that one, Meryn...”

“Yeah, I’m shaking,” Meryn said, rolling her eyes.

“Enough!” Artema said. “Griffin Knight, I’m certain everyone here,” Artema said, glaring at Fa’rah. “Will keep your identity secret. If not, they shall be hunted down and thrown in a cell for the rest of their natural lives.”

“I trust your word, mighty warrior,” the Griffin Knight said.

Reaching up, the Griffin Knight began slowly pulling off their helmet. A tuft of red hair, a ponytail, was the first thing everyone saw poking out from under the helmet. It seemed the Knight had long red hair.

Finally, they all looked upon the face of a grizzled woman, scarred from many battles and wizened from many trials. Though her face was still youthful, the Griffin Knight’s sharp, green eyes, much like Artema’s own, looked angry and almost tired. Artema did notice that the look in her eyes was much like that of Jonas.

The green-eyed, red-haired woman was the one under the helmet; the one whose extraordinary deeds would surely be immortalized in songs for centuries to come.

“Everyone,” Jonas said. “Meet Starling.”

Meryn chuckled. “You mean like those annoying little birds?”

The Knight looked her way and Meryn, the master of the intense stare, shrank back a little at the gaze of the incredible Griffin Knight.

“Yes. Like the bird,” Starling said, her voice rather low and gravelled a bit, like Jonas. Though hers was still a woman’s voice.

“Oh. I see.”

Fa’rah chuckled. “Wow! Never seen Meryn back down like that before! You are a tough one, aren’t you?”

Starling whirled around and now Fa’rah shrank back at her stare. “I’ve heard of you. The rogue warrior they call you. Well, you are free to do as you wish. I would suggest a noble path,” Starling said. “Else you and I shall cross blades, Fa’rah. And I would suggest that you do not want that.”

“Errr... um... yes. Yes, of course. Won’t cross you, ma’am. I swear it.”

Artema reached forward and graciously shook Starling’s hand. “It’s good to finally meet you.”

“It was an honour to show myself to you, mighty warrior,” Starling said.

She looked to Jonas next and something like a smile played at her lips. “Fancy yourself a noble now do you, ‘prince’?”

Jonas chuckled. “In this world I am. Fancy yourself a knight again, eh?”

“Too many worlds I have done wrong,” Starling said. “It’s time to tip the balance back the other way.”

Jonas nodded. “You’re better than you believe. I think you’ve only done good. But, then again, I haven’t always been myself either.”

The Guild members all looked to Jonas, baffled at this glimpse into his past. “What... what are you? Both of you?” Lanala asked.

“It is difficult to explain,” Starling said. “But we travel between worlds. Like you have. Only Jonas and I have been through even more together.” She looked to him and stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Feels strange to call you by that name. Though it’s not the only one you’ve used, is it?”

“Perhaps it’s best we discuss this later,” Jonas said. “We’re confusing my friends and it’s impossible to explain.”

“You’re right. Let’s talk later. Be well, ‘prince’ Jonas.”

“You as well, ‘Griffin Knight.’”

With one final bow of the head to Artema, the Griffin Knight left the tower and the group of stunned women behind. Artema stepped in front of Jonas and looked down into his eyes.

“I know I know. I’ll explain on the way home. But it’s really not going to be easy to understand.”

“I’ll try,” Artema said. “Let’s go. And Fa’rah...”

Fa’rah turned around as she was leaving to face Artema. “What?”

“Stay the hell out of our way.”

Fa’rah remained behind while the others shuffled past her and left. She only exchanged glares with Meryn once before they were all gone. But now, free of her bonds at last, Fa’rah could begin to get even. And she never once considered listening to Artema’s words. Of course, she’d have to wait. But that was something she was more than willing to do. For now, she just needed a place to rest and get herself a warm meal. It had been a long time, after all.