Grettir was moaning to Paradoxides about not finding a Sphinx to ride. “Why don’t I take you to the 5th Circle of Hell”, says Paradoxides, “There’s bound to be one there.” “Er…. isn’t that where Gerion hangs out? You know, the Demon Lord we thwarted in the matter of Ptah. We killed his Lieutenant.” “Well, yes,” says Paradoxides, “That’s how I know I can get there. We took artefacts from that realm in the loot. I’m sure he won’t notice us if we are discreet.” “Ok then”, says Grettir, who really does want that Sphinx. The loyal Samuel insists on accompanying them.
They spend five nights in the 5th Circle of Hell. It is not a lovely place – rugged, bleak, desolate. It is hot in the day, cold at night and they make good use of the Imperial tent that they took from the Hand. At least Gerion does not find them. During that time:
- They spot three cities in the distance but choose not to explore them.
- They encounter a tribe of primitives – lizardmen or troglodytes – and befriend them by slaying a Fire Lizard that terrorises them.
- They learn from their new friends that they are in the Plains of Urmat. They know of Gerion but have never seen him.
- The adventurers further earn their goodwill by supporting them in a revolt against a stronger tribe that oppresses them by taking tribute.
- They leave carrying some bales of strong weed, for which Grettir, always on the look out for a commercial opportunity, has swapped a plain iron knife.
- They encounter a small flying demon that can no longer fly. It tells them that Gerion cut off its wings as a punishment. Paradoxides makes it his servant and iconises it into a small venomous blade.
Each morning Grettir blows his whistle, but no sphinx appears. On the third morning he does spot three winged beasts circling above them, but they seem to have the heads of raptors and do not resemble sphinxes. On the fifth night they sleep amongst a group of rocky outcrops. In the morning Grettir blows his whistle as usual. Sometime later he becomes aware of some sort of demon perched on one of the rocks above looking down upon their camp. It has the head of an eagle, with a cruel hooked beak. Its wings, currently folded along its back, also look like those of a raptor. The remainder of its and what appears to be the body of a great cat and is striped like a tiger. It looks hungry and a bit ragged, as if it has seen better days.
“You called me”, says the creature, fixing him with one beady eye in the manner of a bird. “What do you want?” “You’re not a Sphinx,” blurts Grettir. “Shows how much you know,” sneers the creature. “I am an hieracosphinx,” it says, with a note of pride in its voice. “Now, what do you want?”
Grettir thought on it for a few moments. Its aura was not jet black, but nor was it white – more a dirty shade of grey. In fact it in an odd way it reminded him of Kolgrim. Grettir knew that his huscarle was a pretty dark magician, fond of Black Magic, who sneaked off to do unspeakable things that probably involved human sacrifice at key times in the year (Grettir had made sure he didn’t know exactly what). However, he was brave, resilient and loyal to a fault. Grettir had just assigned wicked Uncle Kolgrim as a bodyguard to his youngest daughter in Lydius without a qualm. He made his mind up.
“I seek a Sphinx to serve me. The Sphinx raised a feathery eyebrow and they set to negotiating. It’s opening gambit was to ask if he could eat the magician, looking at Paradoxides. Grettir said “No” (in truth he doubted that the Sphinx could anyway). In the end the Hieracosphinx accepted the bone that Rebecca had given Grettir. He would serve Grettir faithfully until death or such time as both wished for the relationship to end and during that time not eat anyone without permission. Grettir in return promised to treat him like one of his huscarles, give him gifts, attend to his welfare, keep him adequately fed. This meant creatures with souls but Grettir thought there would be plenty of legionaries, and a squad mage would be a tasty snack. It would prevent them from being recycled into service by Anubis. Grettir also promised that when mating season came upon the sphinx, he would help him find a mate. Grettir asked when that might happen but he was vague on the timing – he would know when his plummage changed colour.
The hieracosphinx swallowed the bone. He gave his name as Sadat and asked whether he could eat the magician now. Grettir once more said no, but he got the impression that Sadat was something of a dry wit, and was simply teasing. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.
G-25
OE Date: May 695
Characters: Grettir, Paradoxides NPCs: Samuel
Real World: 23rd March 2012; Where: Maisemore