PHOTO PROMPT – © Dee Lovering
Queen Maria surveyed the nearly finished Customs House, and looked at architect Pere Garcia.
“That’s quite beautiful Garcia; you have planned for almost everything except the gold we collect. That much gold is surely going to attract the raiders”
“We have planned for it my majesty.” fellow architect Sagner informed. “I have a Greek Trader bring in a special live cargo from India.” He presented a scroll with the Cargo details.
Queen Maria scanned the document and smiled.
Soon workers and visitors of Barcelona Customs House got used to the occasional screech and whiffs from the wings of four pairs of Gryphons protecting all the gold.
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The pic in the prompts said its from Barcelona. And what caught my eye was the memorial to Columbus and the Griffins / Gryphons on the top of the building at the left hand corner. I googled, and then took a tour of the area by Google Street View and found that the building is the old customs house build in 1895 by Sagner. And voila !
This is for Friday Fictioneers hosted by tireless host Rochelle and the rest of the fictions are at the froggy ink below:
Abode of Horus 
Nice – actual griffons was not what I was expecting. An interesting twist.
KT
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🙂 thx KT!
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No one’s gonna argue with a griffon! Nice one.
Rosey Pinkerton
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You bet they wont! Thanks Rosey 🙂
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Enjoyed this one.
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Thanks ! 🙂
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Extra points for all the research. You crafted your story so cleverly around some historical facts.
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🙂 Thanks for that extra point Loré !
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I really have to see this Gryphon someday…Please post a picture. Nice historical piece.
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You stay around to Barcelona? I have included a link to the site of the building in my post which has pics of those Gryphons – http://www.enricsagnier.com/en/la-obra/nueva-aduana-passeig-de-josep-carner-27-barcelona/
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I love reading what leads people to their stories.
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🙂 I love giving that lead too 🙂
Thanks Louise
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And Voila, you took us along for the ride.
Thanks, Tracey
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Hope you enjoyed the ride Tracey 🙂
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That gold is well protected, and that story is well researched. Great story.
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Thanks for liking it Gah !
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That’s a great use of the picture. I didn’t even notice them over there. As soon as I finished reading this, I looked at the picture, trying to find them, so I’m glad you pointed them out. 🙂
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🙂 Wow – coming from you its a prize comment!
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Hmmm . . . Well, I suppose if those gryphons came to life, they would be quite terrifying indeed.
All my best,
MG
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Great research and story to fit. I know I wouldn’t mess with gryphons. I know slightly more about Barcelona now than I did before.
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Thanks for your praise Irene – glad that my writing helped to add to your knowledge 😀
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Great research. I like how you combined it with fantasy.
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Thanks Lillie – that’s my love for fantasy 🙂
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It was an enjoyable read. It made me think of the Liver birds in Liverpoole.
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Wow. Yes a pair of griphons would be almost as effective as the chimeras I would have picked.
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Not too bad an option – but Chimeras are bad omen for storms and shipwrecks, and Gryphons have an affinity to protect gold – so… they chose Gryphon’s for the seas side custom house 😉
Thanks for your comment Björn !
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A fascinating bit of historical fiction, and I love the live cargo of gryphons. Great description of their ‘screech and whiffs’. I like that phrase very much.
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Thanks Margaret – nice to know you liked ’em !
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Dear Horus,
You know me and historical fiction. The research is half the fun, isn’t it? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know Rochelle and yes the research does make it more rewarding !
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Nicely done! A good eye brings out a great story.
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Thanks Alicia !
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