Again they left home to go fetch some more of their companions for this venture. And again Dawn found it somewhat amusing watching the way her griffin wanted to preen Raven, and the confusion on his face when it happened.
She was very careful when she landed in the capital of Jarenkul. When a kingdom was known for its crime rate it made it very necessary to make sure to protect your belongings from thieves, and she did not want anyone stealing the griffon Arrion had gifted her. Afterall any gift from her beloved was special to her. Maybe she should even name it…
Raven offered to keep watch over her mount as he noticed her nervousness of leaving the bird-lion alone. She thanked him and then went in to see the queen of Jarenkul.
Jarenkul's queen was named Serendiah. She was an unmarried woman of twenty-five. Long black hair hung down her back, almost blending into the leather armor she wore. The woman monarch greeted Dawn as she sat on a obsidian throne.
"Greetings to the Sun Queen." Hearing that title caused Dawn to frown. It had started as a joke that Arrion had made and then became a way of teasing her. "I have had several of my people volunteer. Whatever else our reputation may be no one can deny that we do have a thirst for danger."
"Aye." Dawn smiled, "I thank you."
"No need." The woman waved her hand dismissively. "Our Alliance alone demands us to help out. Add to that the fact that they wounded my ward I am more than happy to accommodate you, for free even."
That got a soft chuckle from Dawn. That was another thing that Jarenkul was known for. The were mercenaries and would hire themselves out rather easily for jobs. Which meant they and Varenduil were the two kingdoms that tended to know Nix'Ryl the best.
Serendiah called in three people for Dawn to get a look at. Two females and a male. She introduced them. "These three are each rather enthuastic of going with you. The slender leather clad girl is Vixen. The two covered in hide are Lowks and Tira. Vixen specializes in traps while the other two are excellent trackers."
"Perfect." Dawn smiled and accepted them. The rest of the visit was mostly pleasantries before she brought them to ride back with her.
Dawn smiled when she saw Raven waiting on her and strangely enough talking to her griffon. He was holding its head under its chin and rubbing its beak with affection. She felt pain go through her chest as it made her think of Arrion as her husband had always had a great fondness for animals. The more dangerous the better.
Vixen brought her back to the present when she walked over to Raven with a huge grin on her face, as she purred, "Hey handsome, I don't think we've met before."
Raven hardly reacted, as if he had no clue, she was talking to him. Dawn almost laughed at how Vixen looked taken aback at being entirely ignored. "This is Raven. Raven this is one of our companions Vixen."
"Hello, miss." Raven inclined his head towards Dawn, "And no one even tried to steal your griffon, my Queen."
"Good," She smiled, "Alright everyone climb up, but do be careful not to hurt my precious baby."
Vixen attempted to sit behind Raven but Tira pulled her away and hissed, "No harassing the blind man. That would just be low."
Vixen sighed but let Tira arrange her as she pleased. Dawn had Raven sit up front with her in order to protect him from the young woman as she did not want him feeling uncomfortable.
Dawn's griffon was a rather strong beast, but it was at its limit carrying this many people on its back.
They arrived back in Lumna and she left the new companions to get some rest and went to prepare for the setting out. They would leave on their journey tomorrow.