"The northern gate has been breached! Anyone and everyone that can fight, grab a weapon and keep them from getting inside townhall!"

Quickly scrambling down the ladder I ran towards the fallen and helped them up before moving those too injured to fight into the barracks with the assistance from those who weren't too injured before quickly rushing towards the gaping tunnel and held my ground as I knew that it will take a minute or two for any nearby help to get here to make a difference. With longsword in hand and the determination to delay the enemy as long as possible to keep those I have been put in charge safe from harm, I gave those who could still fight to defend the barracks and to not let any diamond dog in no matter what.

The first couple dozens of diamond dogs to pour out of the tunnel were just like the rest that I have killed, leather vestments with rusted and chipped weapons and the occasional wooden shields. When they all came rushing out of the tunnel, I was expecting them to overwhelm me with sheer numbers and have me trampled to death but instead most of them climbed over the sides and ran in all directions while a few kept me busy and distracted.

Cutting down a dog that kept its sword arm in the air for far longer than it should have before grabbing the dead dog and pushing him in the path of another dog's axe swing as the corpse took the hit for me as I angled my sword and stabbed through the gap in corpse's arm and impaled the dog behind it. Pushing the dead pair back I ducked in time underneath the swing of a dog on my left and as I did so receive a face full of foot from the dog beside him who was running up the ramp, making me spin around from the impact and fell to my knee, my vision filled with stars and blurred figures but with a shake of my head and a quick rebound and swing I lopped off the leg from the dog whose blade I ducked under.

The diamond dogs continued to pour out from the invasion tunnel they dug and for the most part I was being ignored by the majority of them as they were dead set on raiding and pillaging everything around them as I saw many of them kicking in doors or jumping through windows that broke from when the ground exploded or from the arrow volley. Cleaving a dog in half I watched as three dogs come waddling out with what looks like armfuls of random assorted food and objects as they marched over to the gate entrance as another group of diamond dogs dislodge the tree from the gate itself as the doors shudder and fall over onto the floor, nearly crushing one of the dogs as they all let out howls of victory as those with loot scurry off towards the forest while those that broke down the gate went back to the pack.

Bobbing and weaving between dogs and cutting down those that crossed my path I did all that I could to slow them down but I am just one person against what felt like a never-ending wave of canines until I heard the sounds of battle happening further down the street as I saw Tychus leading his group of guards and militia towards me but they have stopped as they couldn't advance anymore forward due to the number of dogs clogging the path. Keeping my back facing friendly forces I had to slowly inch my way to them as I didn't want to get bonked on the back of the head by a dog and be captured for yet a fourth time this year.

Cutting down more dogs along the way I started shouting as loud as I could to try and alert as many people as possible that might still be holding up in their homes hoping that they won't be found.

"Everyone that is a non-combatant get to townhall at once! Your homes and businesses can be rebuilt and any belongings can be replaced but your very lives can't! Don't throw your lives away thinking that the diamond dogs won't find you because they will! Just get your collective asses to townhall and we will keep you safe! Don't even bother taking anything with you that isn't a weapon or some form of shield as everything else won't save you!"

But nobody who stayed behind in their homes made a move, this was the hill that they were willing to die on, to stay in their house thinking that the dogs won't check their home and find them before dragging them off to a fate worse than death.

Eventually after cutting down several more dogs, I reached Tychus and saw that he was just as tired and worn down as I was as were the rest of the griffons and ponies who stood beside him, the young griffon guard looked at me and tried to look around me to see where the rest of my group was with a look of worry on his beak.

"Where are the others? Are they...?"

"They are still alive but a few are in critical condition, they were at ground zero when the ground ruptured and they will need medical attention as soon as possible with those that barely got hurt are holding the barracks to prevent any dogs from getting in. We have to drive find a way to get through to them but with how many there are and the fact that they keep pouring out and that the gatehouse has fallen to their control so they are coming in from two entrances."

As I said this, I watched the emotions on his face flashed before settling to that of defeat.

"Sir, we can't win this...can we?"

Shaking my head at him was all I could do as I focused back on the fight as another diamond dog took a stab at me but he failed as I deflected the strike to the side before kneeing said dog in the gut and swung down cutting his head off.

"Without some sort of divine intervention making the nearby legion fly faster than they possibly can or that they were already flying our way when we sent the Pippin out to get help? Then no, we are fucked as fucked can get for we are on our own now Tychus."

As the fighting kept going, we started to take casualties and we kept backing up and moving towards townhall as a griffon had to help the wounded get back to safety before finally on got to the point where we were now surrounding townhall as the other groups were arriving as well with their own diamond dogs chasing after them. With each group that arrives the defensive line surrounding the entrance of townhall grew deeper with each additional griffon and ponies holding the line with those getting injured being hurriedly brought in along with those who quickly left their homes that were led by the groups returning.

Eventually the fighting grew to a fever pitch when all of townhall was surrounded and that the dogs were now trying to force their way inside by trying to break through the windows but with all of them locked and barred from the other side they soon enough resorted to rushing the entrance we were defending and it became a bloodbath with casualties rising on both sides. With each griffon and pony that falls and succumbs to their injuries and have to be rescued the smaller our defensive perimeter becomes until finally there was only fourteen of us left.

Tired, injured, sweaty, bloody, covered in the gore of those I have killed or helped get to the safety of townhall, I was exhausted as I stared down the same diamond dog that had come to demand our surrender, the look of smugness on his face as he crossed his arms and simply barked at his dogs to stand back and away from us as a large circle formed around our last safe refuge.

Taking a step toward us I watched as the diamond dog in intricate golden-bronze metal armor stopped half way before us, looked at us all individually before settling his eyes on me before giving a nod. The armor this dog wore was a combination of scale mail and splint, the scales covering the riveted metal strips offered more protection than either of the two different armor suits when separate, the helmet on his head covered his head almost completely with the exception of his face as it covered his neck to prevent any easy decapitations. On his waist was a thick looking belt that kept his armored trousers on was a pair of swords in ornate scabbards, one of them strangely enough looks like it is made from bone.

"Such brave fighters you all are, fighting to the very last one standing, it is such a shame it has come to this but alas it has because your leader and his knight refused to bend the knee and surrender. I would have treated you well for your services rendered to the rising kingdom my master has created, but you spat on our offer of peace so now you must get the lash." the diamond dog leader said as he waved a hand at us, seemingly secure in his position that there is nothing that we can do to stop him from simply steamrolling over us with his army at his back.

Tychus was having none of it as he tried to approach the diamond dog but was stopped by me when I grabbed him by the collar of his armor and held him back but not without him snapping out some words in anger.

"Hah yeah right! I have seen what your 'peace' offers have done to those that we have rescued from your warrens! Starved-thin bodies, hollow empty eyes, broken spirits and minds and griffons who no longer wish to live anymore! Your peace is nothing more than a lie that you peddle to those that foolishly want to believe in it only to realize that they have been tricked into slavery with no way out other than their own death!"

This got the diamond dog's attention as he turned his head to look at Tychus before letting out a gruff snort and shook his head at the angry bird.

"For one who thinks that slavery is wrong, one must only look at their own history to see the hypocrisy. Ancient Griffonia had its fair share of slaves throughout its empire and even today you have indentured servants who will never know true freedom because of their debts continue to grow and never shrink no matter how much or how hard they work. At least with the rising of our new kingdom those who work will earn what they are owed, and those who are conquered or absorbed into the fold will earn their freedom when they have worked to earn it." the diamond dog said as he spoke about Griffonia's past as if he truly knows it which only served to anger Tychus further.

"Slavery by another name is still slavery, you may think you are liberating them but you are just putting a tighter yoke around their necks in which to control them." I snapped at the diamond dog, clearly knowing that this was probably just a ploy to buy the dogs enough time to either burrow their way under townhall to breach through the hidden tunnel or to break down the windows to get inside to the vulnerable innocents within.

Still staring at us with that smug grin the leader of this raiding party barked out another order, this time the dogs lowered their weapons and took a few steps back, enlarging the distance between us and them.

"You have one hour to collectively surrender yourself to the new order rising in these lands and if you do so than all shall be forgiven and your pain will not be so great, refuse to do so then there we will be burning this village to the ground and all of you will be dragged away in chains. This village will be the first of many to fall and bow before the good graces of our King of the Undermountain, and soon all shall be right with the world when we make our presence known to our oppressors of ages past and I, Rubrico the Second, Alpha of Clan Halistro will be the one to deliver the first blow against the decrepit griffon empire!"

And with those words said the dog leader took a few steps back and watched us as at first, we did not move an inch but after a minute of nothing happening, I realized that he was actually going to give us an hour to either get everyone to agree to surrender or to prepare ourselves to resume hostilities and get our collective anal cavities stomped.

"Before you part ways and tell your village elder my gracious offer, I have words for the diamond dog in armor that stands with you, a hound that came from Clan Fel Brass am I not correct? You and I will talk as the information cannot be shared within earshot of our oppressors."

This raised an eyebrow from me as I am once again mistaken for a diamond dog but also that he knows about the diamond dog clan that I was with when I taught that young pup how to somewhat read, write and the basics of math, but what I am wondering is how does he know about that?

Standing my ground I gave a nod to the others to go back inside as I kept my longsword out but at the side, a clear sign that I still do not trust him and that if things turned ugly that I would be ready for it.

"Now then, let us get down to business, yes? I know that you are harboring a group of minotaurs that we have ambushed within the safety of this village. You and I both know that they told you some story about how they were hunting a creature that was harassing their home and that they were hired to take care of it? That little tale they spun to fool those that question them is nothing more than a lie for I know the true reason as to why they came all the way down from their mountain fortresses." The alpha dog said as his posture relaxed a bit, thinking that he can speak more openly with a fellow dog that he can flip to join his side.

The surprise in store for him is going to be a big one when he realizes what I really am.

"And how would you know if what they said is a lie?" I said to the alpha as I maintained my defensive posture, I was not willing to let these dogs get the drop on me so easily.

"And how would you know if what they said was the truth?" The alpha shot back and it was here we came at an impasse.

"We both weren't there and we both don't know all the facts, so either of us could be right or wrong."

"Ah that my dear lost hound, is where you are wrong. You see while we have indeed attacked them on their journey south into the griffon territories, they were looking for a particular being who has caught their attention in such a way that they were willing to cross our lands and those belonging to the griffons to find and acquire this individual for their own ends." The alpha said and it was with those words that caught my attention.

"What do you mean they were looking for one individual?" I said as I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity peaked as they said 'individual' instead of 'griffon' or 'diamond dog', so they clearly were looking for someone that wasn't a native to these lands.

Which could only mean one thing.

"It means as exactly as it sounds poor hound, they were sent by their king to find the one person who has discovered the means of recreating griffonian steel and were told to find them, bribe them with everything their king has given them, and to bring them back to the minotaurian capital of Minos Prime."

These minotaurs were sent here to look for me, and to take me back with them.

"And how would you know about this little plan of theirs? Unless you were secretly spying on them when this deal was made then you are simply turning on your master then this is nothing more than a lie you have fabricated to get me to be swayed to your side." I said and snarled a bit, trying to use words to twist and weave lies to allure me to join him had failed, and for the moment it looked like I was in the clear. Until...

"That is where you wrong once more little lost hound, for here with me is the proof of their deed." and with that I watched the leader clap his paws together twice and within a few seconds a pair of diamond dogs wearing chainmail waddled behind their leader and in their paws was a fairly large and heavy looking footlocker-shaped lockbox before placing it down in front of their leader.

I knew what was inside that lockbox if the sound of metal bars clanking against one another was of any indication, but to think that the knowledge that I knew how to create steel would quickly spread to our neighbors let alone to the primary sellers of the stuff that the empire buys it from. They wanted to buy my silence and quite possibly purchase me to prevent the griffons from ever recreating their lost art of steelmaking and their superior version of the metal alloy that would put a massive hit to the minotaur's steel trade monopoly. There is a leak within the royal palace and there are few people who know about my assistance on the matter and now I have to tell the king that there is someone within the walls that is selling us out for minotaurian coin.

"So, you bring me a lockbox of your own design to try and persuade me to think it belongs to the minotaur's?"

"No, this is of minotaur design as we have tried to force it open with hammer and spike but the locking mechanism has destroyed our attempts of brute force, only the minotaur leader who survived the attack has the key to open it up, and he is residing within that very building behind you. I will wait for you to go back inside and claim the key to see the truth for yourself and for all those that are watching to know that they were pulled into this mess to begin with."

"Wait...you mean all of this death, all of this destruction, was because we were harboring your enemies?"

"In a way, yes. We were originally going to be conquering and reclaiming our lands from the minotaurs first but they crossed into their borders and we couldn't let them warn the griffons ahead of time. But now here I am offering you, little lost hound, a chance to not die here and to not be led away in chains."

"I am offering you the choice, you can remain fighting for those griffons, our oppressors, and become a slave that has aided our enemies, or you can join Clan Halistro and never have to fear the wrath of our king." and with that said I watched as the alpha raised a paw to me and extended it out to me.

An offer of peace, an offer made only for me as he thinks that I am a diamond dog that is nothing more than a lost hound looking for a place to belong to. But he is wrong on so many levels and he is about to find out why.

Backing away from Rubrico I made my way back to the entrance of townhall before turning to look at the alpha one last time as I sheathed my sword.

"I will discuss this with the elder, we will have your reply."

And with that said I entered the building as four guards took up positions by the door, waiting for anyone to make a move.

Once I was back inside, I made my way to thirteen that was left and told them to assemble by the door before making my way to the elder to give him the same words that the alpha said to me and the expressions that crossed his face made me take a step back as he hobbled over to the door in a hurry. As soon as he got to the door he angrily muttered to his personal guards and with some angry pointing and even more angry words that grew in volume I watched as his four guards gave him a salute before running off towards where the minotaurs are staying.

"When we survive this madness, I will make sure their heads will roll and decorate the gates leading to their lands! I knew their story wasn't adding up when I heard it myself as I know it only takes three minotaurs in the same battle gear they were talking about to handle a bugbear, and for them to send such a large team it means that they were escorting something more of value and importance!"

"Aye, they deserve to die for dragging us into their war but now isn't the time for such things, right now we need to start sending people through the hidden emergency exit and to get as many people out of here as fast as possible all the while doing it as quietly as possible so they don't hear any of you escaping underground. The fourteen of us will stay behind and we will fight as long as we can and do everything, we can to ensure that they do not get inside." I said and as I turned around to leave, I thought to myself on the few lessons I myself received from the alpha's wife, certain rites and challenges a diamond dog can throw at another, ways to climb the ranks aside from working for it... and ways to challenge those in another clan for expansion.

But for now, that can wait, I have a certain minotaur to talk to, or if possibly, pinch a certain key that is hopefully still on his person.

As I walked towards the section of the townhall where the minotaurs were staying in, I bumped into one of the few medically trained people in this town and this hen looked a bit peeved at me at the moment. The griffon standing in front of me in a bloodstained dirty white apron with beige fur and blackish blue feathers, this hen was giving me a withering glare as she stood on her hindlegs and poked me in the chest, her talon making a tink sound as it bumps into my breastplate.

"You have a lot of nerve coming here after you sent my precious Tychus out there and he came back with an injured wing and an arrow in his backside!" the hen said as she poked my chest again, this time putting more force into it as I slightly took a step back.

"Yes, I do have a lot of nerve because I know that he can handle himself and that I had trust in him to lead his group effectively and efficiently unlike some griffons and ponies that would have made mistakes and gotten others and themselves killed." I said in a flat tone as I looked this griffon in the beak, clearly not amused with her already.

"You! Hah! This is why I left the legion in the first place! Knights and Captains who don't even remotely care about those beneath them, only caring about themselves and their little toadies that say yes to every command they say!"

That struck a nerve as I glared down at the griffon and started to bare some teeth at the now fuming hen.

"You may think of me however you want but I do not sacrifice people. I am trying my best to lead these people and to keep them alive while we are under siege, you should do well to remember that simple fact that if it wasn't for me making the plans and having them carried out, those dogs would already be in these walls and carrying everyone off and your pretty little beak being carried off as well, but with your combative attitude and hostile nature, they will probably just run you through and leave your corpse on the wayside."

My tone of voice and the words I said made the insufferable hen back off as I straightened out my armor and calmed myself down and gave one last look down at the hen.

"Now if you can excuse me, I have a job to do and that is to find out the truth as to why these diamond dogs are here and that means finding out whether or not the minotaur's had a key on them."

With that said I started to walk past the nurse but as I barely got around her, I felt a talon grab my right hand I turned to look at the hen and I saw that she just looked tired and a bit remorseful, seems like she has some regrets with what she has said.

The hen was looking away from me and for the most part only looked more tired as she let out a sigh before turning head to look me in the eye as she tried to apologize to me but couldn't up with the words so instead, I watched as she reached into her bloodstained apron and pulled out an ornate hexagonal key and handed it to me.

"This was on the minotaur leader you dragged to my mentor's residence, I thought it was odd to be carrying a house key so I relieved it from him so he wouldn't sleep on it and then complain about something prodding him in the back."

Taking the key in hand I gave it a quick look over before pocketing it and finished up any and all last-minute things that needed to get done before heading to the door one last time to have a date with destiny.

Walking to the entryway of townhall I rejoined the other thirteen griffons and ponies standing barely inside, getting their injuries tended to and whatever armor they have available being strapped onto them. All of them have a grim expression on their collective faces, all of them knowing that tonight will be their last night alive and that they have all accepted this as fact while others have gone to their families and told them that they loved them very much before returning back to us.

"This is it everyone, this is our final stand and I know that none of us had ever thought that this day would come but here it is. I know that many of you would rather not be here right now and be with your families to wait for oblivion together but I refuse to sit here with a thumb up my ass and wait for enslavement to come place its chains on me. I am going to go out there and carve out that bastard's guts and show it to him and the rest of his fucking clan that this lost hound is not to be fucked with! We are citizens of the empire and we will not be bullied or enslaved by those that think that we are weak and undeserving of freedom and life! To arms my friends, tonight we dine in Elysium!"

As I gave this speech the griffons and ponies around me started to thump their hooves in an applause with the griffons clapping their talons together and cheered. I knew that this was all nothing more than a cover to hide how actually scared I am at what lies just outside those doors and what they are going to do to us should I fail, but I know that if I do nothing than I would have failed my friends and send them to a fate worse than death.

Since I have been adopted by Clan Fel Brass, a mentor to them, it has granted me certain...perks, perks that will give me one chance to tip the balance in our favor this night.

Walking towards the entryway I pushed the double doors opened and marched towards the halfway point between myself and the Clan Halistro Alpha as I drew my sword and pointed it at him.

"Rubrico the Second of Clan Halistro, I, Ian Wilkinson of House Wilkinson of the Griffonian Empire and Mentor of Clan Fel Brass, challenge you to the Rite of Authority for control of Clan Halistro!" I shouted this as I approached my opponent, the look of shock and surprise on his muzzle was clearly visible for all to see but the wave of shock spread throughout his ranks as the diamond dogs around him all began to speak and grumble, hell some even barked in anger that an opposing dog is bold enough to even declare such a challenge.

The alpha dog himself stared at me as if I grew a second head and simply started to laugh as if what I said was a joke and that it was nothing more than a diversionary tactic.

"You lie, I know that Clan Fel Brass has fallen on hard times and cannot afford the fee to hire a mentor let alone have one called upon from the Undermountain! You are no mentor, you are nothing more than a lost hound that has found refuge with those that have oppressed our people for centuries!" the dog said and with it the crowd around him all started to nod and agree with him, some even saying that Fel Brass is no more and that it will never recover.

It is time to show them wrong.

"You want proof of my station Rubrico? Then here is your proof!" and with practiced motion of reaching into the neck area of my armor I pulled out the necklace of small bronze chains with the symbol of Fel Brass, a brass cogwheel with twin pickaxes and a hammer in-between the two, this was discreetly given to me by the alpha as he didn't want the others in his clan to know that he made me a mentor without doing the proper protocols.

In essence he gave me a promotion without even doing all the paperwork or getting approval from his boss.

The resounding number of gasps and barks of surprise and anger surrounded me on all sides as every single diamond dog started to heckle me and a few were growling and barking for my head but their alpha raised a paw and they all quieted down before he took a few steps forward.

"How did you...but they have fallen on hard times and lack the funds to even hire a mentor! How did you come upon this most precious of positions!?" spittle flew from his mouth as barked out his words, clearly he isn't pleased to know that from my position that I was technically fourth in line to take over Fel Brass in the event the Alpha and his family ever suddenly died.

Tutting at the diamond dog I put the necklace back on and gave my sword a brief twirl before resetting my posture to the diamond dog so that I would be ready for him. "That is for me to know and for you to find out on your own, but you still haven't answered my challenge, do you accept it or do you deny it and be known as a coward?"

All of the diamond dogs in attendance became silent as they all turned their heads to look at their alpha, waiting to hear his answer to the challenge as they know that if he refuses, whoever is his second-in-command at the time assuming the one big dog I killed earlier in the day was it than his third-in-command, would be taking his place and seeing how many of these dogs are dumb as bricks I fear that they would just burn this entire town to the ground and enslave or kill everyone just because no one with a functioning brain is in charge.

For a few moments I honestly thought he was going to back off and just send every single dog in to silence us but after showing proof of my station within diamond dog hierarchy he couldn't do that anymore, which left him in between a rock and a hard place.

"Bah, fine, I accept your challenge Fel Brassian Mentor, but know this that when you fall, your rights of mentorship will be stripped from you and I shall cast you into the darkest depths for you to toil in for daring to make a mockery of my name." and with that said I watched as the Alpha hefted a shield from a nearby diamond dog and unsheathed his sword from his belt.

Being drawn from its bony sheath was a long-bladed weapon that held an ominous glow to it for a few moments before fading away, I think it was just a trick of the light as the metal that the blade is made from isn't that of copper, bronze, iron or steel as it was black in appearance yet it wasn't glassy and chipped looking like obsidian, I'll be keeping an eye on that blade for the time being.

With the two of us ready we waited for the other to make a move.

The rules for a Rite of Authority were simple, two diamond dogs enter a fighting ring with their weapons and armor if they have any and they fight till either dog is dead by the others blade or paws or either dog surrenders. Surrendering to diamond dogs is seen as the better option as it gives them a chance to redeem themselves in the future when they go to challenge the dog who took their position from them or in some cases, a chance to escape and regroup, while death is seen more as getting rid of a rival that they would rather not have to deal with in the future.

But if during the rite that a diamond dog wishes to surrender and their opponent refuses to honor that request? Well, I hope that dog who just died didn't have any friends because then they have just made an enemy of all those that dog was associated with.

But right now, for me, I am going to kill this dog regardless if he asks to surrender, he is directly responsible for the sacking of Talon's End and for the lives that have been claimed by him and his forces.

"Tonight, I shall shame Fel Brass by defeating you and send them further into obscurity, within the generation they will be forgotten by our scribes and none will even utter their name ever again." Rubrico said as he gave his blades a flourish and charged at me, and just like his dumb brick of an officer that I killed he was bigger than me and had a hard time coming to a stop but what caught me off-guard was that he knew about this inherent weakness and slowed himself down just enough that when he got to me, he was ready and swung at me in an overhead chop that I managed to block but was forced backwards from the force of the blow.

Recovering from the chop I gripped my sword with both hands and swung at him as the dog parried it off to the side but wasn't expecting the fist that followed after it as I delivered a sucker punch to the jaw and with the momentum from the punch I spun in place and kicked him in the stomach before taking a step back to realign myself as Rubrico recovered from getting clocked in the jaw and the boot to the guts.

With the alpha staggering back a few steps I reach with my left hand and unsheathed the parrying dagger from my belt and twirled it around as I got into a proper dueling stance as I knew that this beast of a diamond dog will throw everything he has at me to make sure that the humiliation I have delivered upon him dies with me.

The both of us went back and forth trading blows and parrying strikes as neither one of us were going for damaging or killing blows as it became rapidly apparent that this was going to become a war of attrition.

Charging at the alpha I swung my longsword in an overhead arc that was telegraphed well enough that I watched as the alpha blocked it with ease with his shield but he wasn't expecting me too immediately twirl around his left side and when he was once more in view again I dragged my dagger across his left shoulder and my longsword across his back, the dagger only left a scratch on his armor while the sword actually managed to cut into his back if only to draw a small amount of blood as the alpha let out a yelp of pain before spinning around to face me with a snarl.

"Grrr, you will pay for that!"

Grinning at the diamond dog all I could do was blow a raspberry at the bastard as I ducked under a swing before quickly backstepping away as a foot almost clocked me in the jaw as I nearly stumble and fall on my ass but I caught myself at the last second and stood back up to face my foe.

The two of us circled the arena, trying to gauge the others intent and then the moment came when we both moved as one to the center of the circle, both of us swinging at the same time as our blades smash into each other as sparks briefly flew from the impact.

When our blades collide once more the both of us were trying to force the other to move back, putting our backs into the attack as we both struggled to gain any ground.

"You should have left this village alone and simply waited for the minotaur's to leave on their own accord, now you will pay the price for your actions!"

"And you should have taken my offer! Now you and every single griffon and pony here will die!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!"

With our swords connected with all of my strength I forced our blades upwards but he saw this coming as I felt an armored knee hit my gut which knocked the wind out of me before I felt his shield smash across my face as I tumbled to the ground and dropped my dagger and nearly my sword as well.

Gasping for air I quickly scrambled back onto my feet in time to see his blackened sword slice across my face, and if I was a little too slow when I was getting up that would have gone through my head as if it were nothing.

'Jesus Christ that was close! A second too slow and I would be dead as shit and I doubt my benefactor would be able to pull my ass out of the grave with that injury!'

The slight pain from my cheek getting cut was nothing but it was only a moment after receiving the flesh wound did, I finally figure out what the black metal blade did to flesh, it froze it. After a hot second from backing away the injury immediately felt like someone had dabbed it with liquid nitrogen and by the gods was it beyond fucking cold.

An enchanted blade? Here I thought that the enchanting arts were lost when the griffons lost their empire two centuries ago, but then again that art has been resurfacing here and there over the past decade but it's always been in a weak format since the griffons, minotaur's and ponies don't know how to actually apply a correct series of runes.

'That's an enchanted blade!? But I didn't see any runes on the surface of the blade?'

Its enchanted alright, but the runes aren't on the blade itself. No sir, those runes are placed directly on that sapphire that is embedded in the pommel and I must say that is one sneaky way of doing it so nobody knows whether or not its enchanted or absurdly sharp.

'Well, thanks for the heads-up, at least now I know that I am fighting against someone that isn't fighting fair.'

Then level the playing field ya big dummy! Fight down and dirty!

With what my benefactor said in mind I decided that now was a good time to put aside the noble griffon fighting style and to go for some good-ole fashioned beat down the human way, and what better way to start it off with...

Stabbing the tip of my sword into the ground I dragged it across its surface before quickly swiping upwards, flinging dirt, rocks and a cloud of dust into the air in front of the alpha as waves his shield arm to try and displace the cloud but when he managed to waft it away, I was already on his left side as I stabbed him right in the left leg before kicking it out from beneath him. As the alpha fell to the ground, I then proceeded to impale him in the left shoulder blade, forcing him to let go of his shield as he let out a howl of pain while I then proceeded to then kick him in the head, his helmet saving him from the worst of the kick.

With the alpha in a brief daze, I removed my sword from his shoulder and allowed him to stand back up which gave me time to study and analyze my target and I must say that I am happy to know that the damage I have done to him has already started to take its toll on his overall wellbeing.

While none of his injuries are fatal or staggeringly potent enough to render him combat-ineffective, it has left him barely able to stand without being in pain or being able to raise his shield arm without significant suffering on his part. So, in all I can safely say that I now have the advantage in this little duel, and I plan on fully taking advantage of it.

Striding towards my wounded opponent I took a swing at him and as expected the alpha blocked it but instead of taking it head-on as he did before, he instead deflected it off to the side away from his body before another swing results in our swords again colliding into one another in a standoff.

Our blades once more clinch together, this time I can see that he is struggling to keep himself standing let alone keeping his blade from being deflected away once more.

"You have killed many innocent people, and put many more in chains, Rubrico. But here... you will die."

"When I am through with you, I am going to take my army and I will cut a bloody swathe through your precious griffons all the way up to Griffonstone itself, and when I get there, I will drag your broken body through its bloodstained streets and force you to watch as I butcher every last hen, cock and hatchling before your very eyes before I cut you down myself!"

"No, you won't."

Withdrawing our blades I went on the offensive, hacking and slashing at the brute of a dog with everything I had as I watched as he started to collect several cuts and knicks as his armor started to fail him, no longer being able to take the blows any longer as I finally started to see blood drip from the gaps and gashes.

Glaring down at Rubrico as he tried to fight on despite his steadily growing number of injuries, but hearing the steadily rising amount of dogs trying to join the fight but is being held back by other dogs, I realized that I have to end this fight quickly or else I will get swarmed by those that could care less for traditions and will do anything to keep their alpha safe.

Renewing my assault on the alpha I deflected a slash from his sword and as I moved in far closer than normal, I brought my right knee into his gut knocking some wind from his sails as I grabbed his right arm with my other hand before punching him in the face with my right hand that still held my longsword. As he started to recoil back from the onslaught to his body I finished it all off by disarming him of his only weapon by smacking it out of his hand with my left armored forearm from his weakened grip and quickly grabbed it in a reverse grip hold before slashing the blade across his muzzle and pulled myself back to take in my handy work.

The Alpha of Clan Halistro stood before me, bloodied, battered, weakened, and was barely managing to stay standing after all that I have done to him in front of his entire clan, the sounds of his struggling gasps for air, whines and whimpers of pain are all that I need to know that he is one paw in the grave and one paw on a banana peel. With growls and whimpers I watched the alpha try to walk back to his clan to be safe from me, but I wasn't going to let him have that mercy of being tended to by his friends and mates...

No.

I have offered him and his clan mercy from the long talons of the empire if he left these lands and to never return.

He spat on the offer and retorted that he was going to burn every single griffon town and village until he reaches Griffonstone before putting it to the sword and kill every single man, women and child.

Today, he dies here.

Gripping both swords tightly I approached the staggering alpha dog from behind and as he turned around to see what I was going to do to him, but that was the last mistake he was ever going to make on this mortal coil.

With both blades in hand, I thrust my arms forward impaling the dog in the chest as the enchanted diamond dog blade piercing through his ribcage, severing three ribs, puncturing his right lung and coming out the back while my griffonian knight's sword went between the gaps in the ribs and pierced through his heart and left lung. At the angle the blades went in, it went out the center of his back, severing his spine in two rending his legs forever useless. Looking the diamond dog in the eye I watched as he reached out to try and push me away to spare himself a cruel death, but instead all he saw was an enraged man staring back at him, my lips curled back in a snarl as my eyes stare into his own with unbridled anger and hate as he saw that his fate was sealed.

Twisting the blades inside his chest I let out a grunt as I heaved him into the air, his body sliding down my swords as his hands weakly grab at my shoulders to try and push himself off but all that does is make me twist the blades even more, forcing him to cry out in pain and whimper as he started to beg for mercy, begging that fell on deaf ears.

'Show you mercy? No, mercy would have been shown if you had simply fled and waited for the minotaurs to leave this village, instead you sacked it and killed several innocent griffons and ponies all in an attempt to smoke them out. Oh no, there will be no mercy for you Rubrico, there will only be death for you.'

Rubrico showed no mercy to this town and its people all because we took in a group of minotaurs that they had a dispute with.

I will show him no mercy in return, for it is only kind to pay evil unto evil.

Slowly pulling my left arm back until the enchanted blade was fully removed from the alpha's body only for me to drive right back in at a different spot, stabbing through meat and intestines before repeating this motion three more times before switching to my griffon sword and relocated it into the alpha's stomach and left it there before giving him one last snarl.

With a bit of a heave, I forced the diamond dog off of my blades and into the air long enough to get some distance away from me before I reeled my arms back and swung forward. Both swords glided past each other as they sliced through flesh, sinew and bone, cleaving the diamond dog in half at the waist as he let out a wail of pain before my arms doubled back and cut off his head at the base of his neck.

Everyone that was watching this duel was silent as the grave.

The ponies, griffons and minotaur's that are hiding in the meeting hall and are looking out through the front doors and the windows are in awe, to witness a small diamond dog runt beating an alpha in combat is something out of myths and stories in the diamond dog clans to try and motivate the runts into working harder to get on par with the rest of their clan.

To the diamond dogs that was watching the fighting, they are a mixed reaction of sorts, some of them are in awe that a runt has slain their Alpha right before them in an honorable duel for supremacy over their clan and even though said runt is not of their clan, but of a rival clan that has gone into hiding. Others are frothing at the mouth in anger that a runt has killed their Alpha in such a disgraceful way even though their leader agreed to the duel of supremacy and that they are one step away from avenging their leader and utterly tearing the runt apart, while a few are afraid with their tails between their legs and are starting to back away from their new Alpha, afraid that this runt will now take his anger out on his new clan for who knows how many years he has been subjected to mockery, insults, random punishments and mistreatments.

Both sides were simply looking at me as I stood there covered in the blood of both myself and the ex-Alpha with his ruined remains on the floor before me as I took a couple of staggered steps towards the overwhelmingly colossal crowd of diamond dogs that are watching me.

"Dogs of the Ruby Mountains! Look at your old alpha! By the Rite of Challenge, I claim victory over your alpha! By your very laws I am your alpha!"

None of the dogs moved a muscle and simply stood there looking at me in disbelief for several minutes, none of them made a move until one took a few steps towards me, before kneeling before me, broadsword stabbed into the muddy earth as other dogs started doing the same thing with others backing away.

"Now hear me! Hear me and obey! Leave this griffon village, leave behind all that you have looted from their homes, release those you have captured and return back to the warrens!"

At first nobody moved an inch but after a while some of the dogs started to shuffle and move through the crowd, the more easily cowed and frightened dogs started to move through the crowd, doing as I have instructed while the rest simple stood there, staring at me. My guess is that the think that I will fall over and make myself an easy target for the next dog to claim the title of Alpha with the current one being exhausted and badly injured.

Soon more dogs began to turn around and leave, many of them were running through the gathered crowd of dogs as they beat a hasty retreat from the town as per their new alpha's orders along with telling their dogs to drop everything they stole and releasing their new prisoners before racing out of the town gates back towards their mountains. I don't know exactly how long I stood their trying to keep up the façade that my injuries weren't as bad as they appeared but with each passing second it was getting harder to remain standing.

Then when I fell to my knees from the pain, I heard the dogs all calling for my head, many of them making their way towards me with weapons raised and all of them going for the kill until I heard something pierce through the air that raised my spirits and brought hope to all of the townsfolks and absolute fear and dread to the dogs that remained within the town limits.

It was a loud, blaring war horn and what followed was from the sky a cacophony of griffon war cries as they divebombed from above as several griffons crashed straight into the diamond dogs, killing the poor bastards on impact. While the dive-bombers crashed and killed their intended targets the archers above rained arrows down around me, picking off those that got close while forcing the others to flee as I watched my saviors land around me, keeping me covered as they forced the diamond dogs into a retreat.

My saviors have finally come just as when I had finally accepted my fate, it was a griffonian legion came just in time to pull my ass out of the fire, I just wish they had got here a whole lot sooner.

The diamond dogs had little choice on what to do to survive this night, they could either surrender immediately to the sudden appearance of the griffonian military, retreat back to their warrens as I have instructed, or scatter themselves to the four winds, otherwise they could stay, fight, and die. Many of them dropped to their knees and surrendered immediately as they were quickly tackled to the ground and had manacles slapped on them, others just turned tail and ran towards the gates to try and escape imperial justice, while many others did indeed stay behind to try and fight and pillage while they still could.

I don't know how many dogs were captured or how many were killed, but all I heard around me was the screeching of griffons and the howls of pain and whimpers of the diamond dogs as I watched everything unfold around me.

Coming down beside me from behind I heard the lighter pitter-patter of paws and talons and I knew it was the griffon I sent out to get help.

"Sir! The dogs are retreating! We did it! We won!" Pippin shouted with glee as he quickly came over to me as I felt his talons clap me on the shoulder but that clap was all that was needed for me to finally give in to my injuries as I fell to my knees and let out a pained groan as I just let darkness take over my vision.

'Heh, it looks like I did it. I held out for as long as possible for them to get here just in the knick of time.'

'I can finally rest now...'

The last thing I hear is Pippin crying out for a medic as darkness laid claim to me once more.

Boy you honestly have got to stop passing out every time you lose a little too much blood!

Sorry it has been so long since a chapter has rolled out, between getting a job at Walmart and the shit hours they have given me I hadn't had much time to put words to screen but now that I got a more concrete schedule I can hopefully write more often.