Chapter 16: A Knight's First Quest.

(The Iron Gryphons Guild Hall - Stables)

Finn, the junior stable boy, cautiously pushed a wheelbarrow filled with expensive, imported fish towards the largest pen. Inside, General Fluffington, the guild's majestic gryphon mascot, sat hunched on his perch. His magnificent eagle head was bowed, and his lion-like body was tense. His normally shimmering golden feathers were dull and ruffled in patches.

"Come on, General," Finn pleaded from a safe distance. "It's your favorite. Silverfin from the Crystal Lakes."

The gryphon turned its sharp, intelligent eyes on him, let out a low, rumbling squawk that sounded more like a complaint than a roar, and looked away, completely ignoring the offering.

Gilda, the warrior, stood nearby with her arms crossed, a worried frown on her face. "Still no good?"

"No, ma'am," Finn said glumly. "He's snapped at everyone who's gotten close for a week. The Guildmaster is worried he's fallen ill."

It was at that moment that a small, two-foot-tall figure marched into the stables with an air of immense purpose.

It was Sir Crumplebuns.

Finn stared, his jaw dropping. "Is that... a doll?"

Gilda sighed, a sound of both hope and deep embarrassment. "The Dungeon Core sent... him. He's supposed to help."

General Fluffington lifted his head, his sharp eyes fixing on the tiny plush knight. The giant beast ruffled its feathers and let out a low, intimidating hiss.

Sir Crumplebuns was not afraid. He stopped in the center of the stable, struck a heroic pose, and drew his floppy fabric sword.

"Fear not, noble beast!" he boomed, his voice echoing in the large space. "I am Sir Crumplebuns of the Fluff Guard! I have come to vanquish the foul demon of grumpiness that has taken hold of your heart!"

The giant gryphon just blinked. It tilted its head, its expression of irritation replaced by one of pure, utter confusion. This was clearly not the kind of threat it was used to be.

Sir Crumplebuns put his sword away and presented the small wicker basket he was carrying. He opened the lid, and a warm, magically sweet scent of cherries and fresh pastry filled the stable.

The gryphon's eagle-like nostrils twitched. Its head, which had been drooping, lifted higher. For the first time in weeks, it showed a genuine interest in food.

"Partake of this enchanted pastry, my friend!" Sir Crumplebuns offered bravely, holding the basket up. "Let its sweetness banish your sorrows!"

With a surprising delicacy, General Fluffington leaned his huge head down. His massive, sharp beak gently plucked the 'Cheer-Up Cherry Tart' from the basket and tossed it back into his gullet in a single bite.

The effect was almost instantaneous. A soft, warm golden light seemed to glow from within the gryphon. Its tense muscles visibly relaxed. Its feathers gave a happy little fluff, suddenly looking healthier and shinier. It let out a soft, contented coo, a sound no one had heard from it in a month.

The gryphon now looked at the plush knight with curiosity. It nudged Sir Crumplebuns gently with its beak, a gesture of thanks.

Sir Crumplebuns, seeing his moment, performed his ultimate move. He reached out with his soft, plush arms and gave the gryphon's giant, feathery leg a firm hug.

General Fluffington, overcome by the magical tart and the sheer, absurd comfort of the situation, lay down on the clean straw. He rested his great head on his paws and, with a final, happy sigh, closed his eyes.

Finn and Gilda stood in stunned silence. The grumpy gryphon problem that had baffled their best beastmasters for weeks had just been solved by a talking doll armed with a pastry.

(The Comfy Corner)

Back in the dungeon, FaeLina paced nervously in the air.

"It's been over an hour," she fretted, wringing her tiny hands. "He's been eaten! I just know it! They're probably using his stuffing for kindling right now! Our reputation is ruined!"

Have a little faith, FaeLina, I projected calmly. I was confident in my knight's abilities. I focused on managing the dungeon's ambient lullaby for a few new adventurers who had just settled down in the Hibernation Hollows. The waiting, I was discovering, was the hardest part of being a manager.

Suddenly, a series of cheerful, green notifications appeared in my consciousness.

[Quest: 'The Grumpy Gryphon' has been successfully completed!]

[Reward: 10 Gold Coins, 150 Dungeon Points.]

[Bonus Reward! Item received: 'A Single, Perfect Gryphon Feather'.]

[Reputation with 'The Iron Gryphons' has greatly increased! New status: Cherished Friends (85/100)]

FaeLina stopped her panicked pacing and stared at the rewards. "He did it? He actually did it?"

A short while later, our hero returned. Sir Crumplebuns marched back into the dungeon, looking triumphant. He held up the now-empty basket.

"My lord!" he boomed. "The demon of grumpiness has been vanquished by the undeniable power of friendship and baked goods!"