Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 129: The Griffin’s Nest I

Chapter 129: The Griffin’s Nest I

True enough to Atticus’s claim, the thornhound was certainly not at all any bit of a threat even without Atticus’s magic aiding him. The animal had barely even gotten close when Atticus leaped forward, slicing it cleanly across the neck before it even had the time to react. Just like that, the beast collapsed, lifeless.

"That does not look any bit like a hassle," Daphne commented, walking over.

"It is," Atticus replied. He flicked his weapon, trying to get the bits of blood off the blade. "It’s a hassle to clean my sword after we’re done and dusted with all of this nonsense."

That caused Daphne to roll her eyes as she took the pouch that Atticus held out, placing it over the dead body while Atticus busied himself with his weapon. Just like many times before, the animal turned into dust before disappearing. Even after all these kills and new additions to the enchanted pouch, it still weighed no more than it did before.

When she tried to hand the pouch back to Atticus, she was stopped by the latter who shook his head.

"Why not you hold onto this, sunshine?" he suggested. "It will be much more efficient that way."

"Are you not afraid that I might accidentally lose it?" she asked. This pouch contained all of Atticus’s hard work. If she lost it, she wouldn’t be able to face him.

"You’re not a ditz like your sister," Atticus said with a deadpan voice. "I think you can look after one pouch just fine."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Daphne said dryly, even as her heart warmed at his words. "I’ll look after this even if it kills me."

"Do not!" Atticus declared hotly, his eyebrows scrunching together. "Daphne, if it comes down between the pouch and your life, please pick your life."

"Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that," Daphne quickly replied, not expecting Atticus to take her words so seriously. "Don’t look so upset."

Atticus relaxed slightly, but he still kept a careful eye on her as they traversed through the maze, looking for more prey to hunt.

"Do you think we’ll meet the other competitors?" Daphne whispered.

"It’s very likely," Atticus said grimly. "Sunshine, I think you should hide the pouch somewhere on you. I wouldn’t put it past some of them to steal our kills the moment we get distracted. Dear Prince Nathaniel didn’t mention anything about stealing other people’s hunts."

Daphne’s mouth fell open in surprise and she hurriedly did as Atticus asked, stuffing the pouch inside her tunic. With the corset covering her chest, people wouldn’t notice the extra fabric. What’s more, no one would dare to search such an intimate part of her body, to begin with. She could think of no safer place.

Meanwhile, Atticus nearly choked in surprise when he saw his wife unbutton her tunic. He hurriedly turned around to give her some privacy, but he could still see her tuck her pouch within her camisole. He swallowed thickly as he got a glimpse of her creamy white skin and the soft roundness of her chest.

In no time at all, Daphne was done hiding the pouch and Atticus willed himself to focus. He couldn’t afford to be distracted now when he had to be responsible for her safety.

They heard a loud screech reverberate through the air. Daphne flinched, her ears aching from the sharpness of the cry.

"Is it some sort of bird?" Daphne asked worriedly, looking up at the skies.

"It sounds like a griffin," Atticus said, and his eyes lit up with glee. "If we manage to slay one, we can leave the contest immediately."

"Really? Then we’d better hurry," Daphne said urgently. "Before anyone else decides to get it before us."

As they jogged towards the direction of the screech, Daphne and Atticus soon heard whispered voices from the corner. Atticus pulled Daphne back and the both of them quickly hid themselves behind the hedge wall.

"Brother, are you sure about this? It’s too dangerous. This isn’t just one griffin," a familiar voice asked, concerned.

"Exactly, sister. It’s not just one. We’ll kill the parents and take their young for ourselves. Imagine... if we slay an entire nest, there’s nothing anyone can do against us. We can’t miss this chance! That oldie Calarian already got the better of us when he made off with the vineshark, and god knows what that bastard Atticus had already slayed."

It was Drusilla and Alistair, and they were clearly planning to hunt the griffins. Daphne shot Atticus a panicked look― did this mean they were too late?

But Atticus merely remained calm, a finger on his lips as he watched the duo make their way to the nest. When they got far enough to not be overheard, Atticus whispered.

"Let’s tail them first," he said grimly. "If there is a nest, they’re not going to be successful in making it out alive."

After all, griffins were notoriously territorial, and they were also very protective of their offspring. Two magic users weren’t going to be enough, especially when they weren’t even allowed to use magic.

Daphne paled. "It’s that dangerous? And why do they want to take their young?"

"The feathers of a young griffin are priceless," Atticus said. "Not only are they beautiful, people claim they can help see through illusions and protect one against magical attack. That’s why adult griffins get so aggressive during nesting. Sunshine, you must not leave my side no matter what, do you understand? Keep a hand on the clear quartz."

Daphne nodded gravely, and they followed after Alistair and Drusilla. Her mouth opened as she caught sight of the nest. It was resting on a massive, flat-topped rocky plateau, surrounded by tall trees. Atticus frowned.

Something wasn’t quite right. Griffins were rare enough on their own; to find an entire natural nest was practically unheard of. Was Prince Nathaniel smuggling these creatures from the black market? How else could he possibly have gotten his hands on a family of griffins for this event?

There was no way anyone would give up a chance to slay a griffin. At this rate, countless lives would be lost!

"Prince Nathaniel. What a bastard," Atticus declared fervently.

Daphne shot him a curious look, but he quickly shook his head. They crept around the perimeter, trying not to draw the attention of the griffins who were already engaged in combat with Drusilla and Alistair. Their screeching had intensified in volume, and Daphne felt her head ringing at how shrill they were.

Atticus threw out a protective hand, shielding Daphne from the sudden spray of feathers and blood. A griffin flew over them, one of its wings broken. It spun wildly in the air, trying to avoid the arrows shot towards it.

"I have this!" Alistair declared confidently. "Sister, get the babies!"

Drusilla nodded, and quickly ran towards the nest. But a shadow fell over her and she could only scream in fear as she whirled around, catching sight of another pair of beady golden eyes.

In her haste and greed, she failed to remember there was a second adult griffin. Drusilla collapsed to the ground as she desperately tried to fire arrow after arrow at the griffin, who batted them away carelessly with its talons.

"Someone... Someone save me!"