"Maybe next time." The Fire Griffon exchanged communication runes with her first, drawing Menadion’s glare and ire. "I’ll let you deal with the Council Verhen. I’m sorry, but we are not interested in whatever Narchat does.
"Only in Jorl. Call us the moment you spot him again, and we’ll take care of Jorl and any ally he has. As for the tower, finder keeper." He said before bolting away with the rest of the storm.
"You know he’s only after your bloodline, right?" Much to everyone’s surprise, after the Griffons left, Crank spoke before Lith.
"I do." Solus sighed. "It’s the Verhens’ burden. Being Menadion’s heir makes it even heavier."
"Look at the bright side." Crank reverted into a honey badger and patted her shoulder. "That son of a snake Phillard left us high and dry, and the Griffons returned him the favor. He missed his reward."
"Serves him right." Solus said with a chuckle. "Now what?"
"Now I’ll gladly accept a ride home." The Hyperion took food out of his dimensional amulet and offered it to his guests. "I have an entire region to take care of and a mountain of paperwork that needs my signature back home.
"Can I leave contacting the Royals and the Council to you, Verhen? There are too many prying ears in my mansion, and all it takes to ruin our advantage is one nosy moron."
"I’ll talk to them and let you know their decision. I’ll also ensure you are properly rewarded, Crank." Lith nodded. "Speaking of morons, what about Phillard?"
"One moment." The Hyperion took his dimensional amulet and called the Lindwurm.
"Cranky! You’re alive!" The joy in his voice was honest, but Crank didn’t miss how fast the background moved.
Phillard was still running away at his top speed, just to be safe.
"Not thanks to you, you bastard!" The Hyperion said. "You can take your time going home. An entire storm of Griffons came to our rescue and drove the Upyrs away."
"Tell me another!" Phillard scoffed. "That’s too convenient. The Upyrs must have captured you and are trying to lure me back and get rid of the last loose end. Don’t worry, my friend, I’ll make you a great tombst-
"Wait a moment! Verhen did call the Griffons before we attacked!"
"And they arrived." Crank expanded the hologram to show everyone and the now-empty spot of the Black Throne.
"What about the reward?" The Lindwurm came to a screeching halt, his tail shaking in excitement.
"We’ll talk about that when you get back home." Crank replied. "Until that moment, don’t tell anyone about what happened. You know what would happen if people thought Narchat has a second mage tower, right?"
"Wrong." Phillard shook his head.
"We’ll talk about that as well then." The Hyperion sighed. "Until that moment, keep your mouth shut. Okay?"
"As long as dinner and drinks are on you, you have my word! Phillard out."
"What if he demands a part of your reward in exchange for his silence?" Lith asked.
"Then I’ll have to share." Crank shrugged. "Or I might just kill him. Whatever comes easier."
***

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