Grig - Chapter 3: Cloudburst
A shadow fell over Gicha village, growing larger and larger until it covered the main road of the village, causing Kefi to gasp, scream and run in all directions in a panicked frenzy.
An immense black shape landed in the center of the city. Its thick, sharp claws clacked on the cobbled streets, and a gust of wind buffeted the houses on either side as its wings flapped once more before settling.
A wide yellow eye swept the village in one direction, then the large black head and long sharp beak twisted in the other direction, regarding the rest of the city with seeming indifference.
The beak opened and an abrasive voice broke the uncomfortable silence.
“AWWK! Kaw-Kssh! Where I find Grig Solly?
The citizens of Gicha peered out at the tall imposing Grackle in a paralytic panic, unsure of how to answer the bird but scared to stay silent.
At the same time, the water in the fountain in the center of the town shuddered, an unnaturally large ripple spreading across its surface. It began to ripple again, and again and again, the disturbances increasing in intensity and speed.
All of sudden, the surface of the water burst open as a thick green shape launched itself out of the water, landing near the dark shape without making a sound.
This was too much for the inhabitants of Gicha. They stayed wherever they were, either hiding or lying as still as statues.
A tall, muscular frog now stood beside the grackle in the center of town. Thick black boots covered his feet, and he wore a large blade of some kind on his back.
As if all of this wasn’t strange enough, the grackle’s back began to wiggle and shift. Two dark shapes emerged and fell to the ground on either side of the bird.
On the bird’s left side, a monstrous gray rat stood at attention. His thick limbs bristled with muscle and his bearing radiated menace.
On the right side, a tall jet-black mouse rose, a wicked-looking serrated blade in each paw.
After a brief moment, he realized frightened Kefis posed no threat and placed the blades in crisscrossed sheaths on his back.
Brier approached the unusual group, with Grig a short distance behind him. The young Kefi’s eyes were wide as saucers.
“It’s only fair you meet the creatures who are going to protect you,” Brier said, indicating the group with his miniature rapier.
His blade flicked to the massive black grackle. The bird’s yellow eye bulged and darted in all directions as Brier spoke.
“This cheerful fellow is Aras. His father and two of his brothers were murdered by Neslah out of boredom. He is here to protect you and make the Neslah suffer as his family has, blood for blood.”
Grig stared up at the towering bird, nodding without realizing it. Aras stared unblinkingly back at him.
Brier moved his blade to the muscular frog standing next to Aras.
“This is Rigba. He is an elite warrior chosen by his people to avenge the Neslah’s atrocities. They will pray for death before he’s finished with them.”
“This bruiser’s name is Kartax,” Brier said, pointing up at the imposing rat. “He volunteered to help bring you to safety as a gesture of goodwill from the Hyra Sika tribe. His skill with the spear is legendary. He will be our rearguard.”
Kartax rolled his thick gray shoulders and nodded in their direction. Something about his intense stare made Grig involuntarily lower his eyes.
The final creature cleared his throat and began speaking in a raspy voice before Brier could introduce him.
“I am Prince Adrin of Malethoth, nephew of Eshak. I serve at the pleasure of the king of Mawroi.” he bowed low, rose, and advanced toward Grig, extending a black paw. Grig looked at the paw quizzically for a moment before grasping it.
“Thank you all.” Grig said, “I will gather my things so we can leave as quickly as possible.”
Brier looked up at Grig and nodded.
“We do not wish to bother your people any longer than we have to.”
“What if they bother us?” Kartax said in a deep, sibilant voice.
Brier’s eyes narrowed. He marched forward until he stood directly in front of Kartax. The tiny rodent looked somewhat comical standing in front of the gargantuan rat.
Kartax looked down at the shrew who pointed his rapier in between the rat’s eyes. A moment of tense silence hung between them. Brier spoke first.
“Control yourself, Sik. Don’t make me tell you again,” he said in a terse whisper.
Kartax’s large eyes widened for a moment, then he began to laugh uncontrollably, wiping his eyes and trying to catch his breath. After a moment, he composed himself and said,
“Thanks, teacup, I needed that.” As he spoke, his expression hardened. “You don’t have to worry about me. I know my place.”
Brier blinked up at Kartax for a moment longer before cautiously placing his rapier back in its sheath.
As the tension lifted, Grig realized he’d been holding his breath. He let it out, calmed himself, and was about to speak when the air around him vibrated with an intense peal of thunder.
Grig looked up. The morning sky was crowded thick with black clouds barely holding on to an impending deluge. A thick drop struck his face and two more thudded to the earth on either side of him.
Grig gestured at the group, and all but two of them ran after him as the drops increased in number and ferocity.
Aras looked skeptically at Rigba. As the drops slammed down faster and faster, the frog stood perfectly still. Then a particularly large drop slapped against his beak.
“Craw this!” he said.
Aras flapped his wings and pushed off the ground, seeking cover in the dense foliage that enveloped Gicha village.
Rigba looked above him, extending his thick green arms to the sky. In seconds, he disappeared entirely in the thunderous surge of water.
.