{"id":6579,"date":"2019-08-31T16:15:39","date_gmt":"2019-08-31T16:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=6579"},"modified":"2025-12-24T01:00:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T01:00:23","slug":"interlude-two-rats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2019\/08\/31\/interlude-two-rats\/","title":{"rendered":"Interlude – Two Rats"},"content":{"rendered":"

(The Wandering Inn’s audiobook is available for preorder here!<\/a> It comes out September 10th!)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tell of it to those who would marvel at tragedy, their fates. Those who would understand mercy and rage and the redemption of sin. Of honor, of family, and all things which are worthy\u2014tell their story.<\/p>\n

Not of the [Innkeeper], who had by now created an inn whose fame spread for hundreds of miles, who had come from another world and endured death and seized triumph by kindness and friendship. And yes, whose inn yet endured despite destruction and the threat of war.<\/p>\n

For to understand her, to understand the [Princess] far from home or the last child of the Stone Spears tribe, the fate of the Minotaur who had betrayed both his team and honor in madness and the darkness of below, think only of their story:<\/p>\n

That of two rats who crawl across the ground. The two rats as fair as snow and as grey as slate, the pair alone. Let dead gods and fallen nations lie. For on a day when the wind blew cool and the smell of spring lay fragrant upon the earth, in an inn, known to some as The Wandering Inn, the two rats began their story.<\/p>\n

They had been born and lived in the darkness. And it was the darkness they called home. Dark, but not absolute. By the sounds above them and the cracks of light in the ceiling of their world they lived, in fear, in debauchery, in plenty\u2014for there was always food\u2014and sometimes, yes, in competition with other rats. But the pair were brother and sister, and perhaps it was that which kept them from gnawing on each other as prey.<\/p>\n

So sing of the rats. And do not weep for tales untold, of the Necromancer who plotted and made monsters out of flesh and bone and the ichor of legends. Nor weep for the fate of a [King] or a land imperiled by darkness, Rhir, the cursed, blighted lands. Such tales would be told, and yet, it was two rats who deserved the songs of muses this day.<\/p>\n

For they were rats! The passing of [Kings] meant nothing to them. Yet, would they call their fates any less than a Human [Emperor], a sovereign Selphid ruler of old? No! They were rats<\/em>, and their quest to find something to nibble on matched that of a Dragon\u2019s fate.<\/p>\n

They scurried across the floor, sniffing. They searched for food, although food was to be had in plenty. But a rat, in the way [Philosophers] and [Sages] were never content with the limits of their knowledge, continually searched for more food.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it was a longer plan, an understanding of the tenuous game of life and death that was the fate of all animals and people that drove them to this; a planning against the future that was the basis of conscious thought. Maybe they were just tired of eating grains. Either way, they searched.<\/p>\n

One was white. The other grey. They bumped into each other and squeaked<\/em> quietly. One, the white, twitched his whiskers at his sister, the grey. She vaguely moved to one side. They sniffed at each other. Then they went back to the bag.<\/p>\n

The fount of life sprang forth there. Accordingly, the numbers of the rats had multiplied once, then again and again! With each generation swelling, and so they endured. The chosen rats of the dark place, who were surely blessed above all other rodents. They swarmed the bag, nibbling at the coarse exterior, fighting for the fat grains that spilled forth. The two rats joined the conflagration and ate. And then they were full and so wandered off to rest.<\/p>\n

This was the tale of two rats. They dozed, full to bursting with food. In time, perhaps they would seek a mate; they were young, even for rats. Perhaps they might consummate their lineage with incest in full tradition of Grecian tragedy. Or maybe they would seek mates further flung; the People of the Grain Sack were descended of only a few rats, so it was all frankly somewhat incestuous.<\/p>\n

But such was fate. Either way, the two rats slept, growing fatter. When they woke, they might excrete or eat again. Or\u2014search once more for another tantalizing morsel in the darkness. That was their existence.<\/p>\n

\u2026And that was about it.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Enough of rats! In her inn, a young Gnoll with white fur awoke. She yawned, stretched, and smiled. Her name was Mrsha, and she was very happy with herself. She woke from her nap and rolled over. On her back, she stared up at her paws.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d done it. She\u2019d leveled up again. She was the best, most clever Gnoll child in the world. For who could match her? The Gnoll sat up and remembered.<\/p>\n

Level 4 [Druid]. That was right. She was level four.<\/em> And she was only\u2026Mrsha had to count. Six.<\/em> Or was it seven? Plains Gnolls didn\u2019t generally count birthdays by exact dates, only the passing of years by the winter. By that standard, Mrsha had already become seven, but she decided she was still six. Because Erin had promised she\u2019d have a party<\/em> on her birthday. With cake.<\/p>\n

The thought of cake made Mrsha\u2019s tail wag. But since it was already wagging, that only amplified the motion. Because she\u2019d done more<\/em> than just level! Or rather, there had been a reason for her to reach Level 4.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d learned a spell. A whole new spell. It had been very hard work, and Mrsha had learned it just this morning. It hadn\u2019t been from the special spellbook Krshia let her read when she visited the [Shopkeeper]\u2019s house. Oh no. It had been from her special teacher.<\/p>\n

Mrsha looked around for him. Normally, he was easy to spot, but Moore must have moved while she took a little<\/em> nap in the sun of one window. Mrsha got up and sniffed. Where was he?<\/p>\n

In the outhouse. Of course. Mrsha\u2019s nose was as sensitive as they came. Her ears too. She was a Plains Gnoll after all, and she could track a rabbit through the grass with her eyes closed. Moore, by contrast, was easy<\/em>. She raced over to the door, hearing heavy footsteps outside. When the door opened, there he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, hello, Mrsha. Did you have a good nap?\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Giant blinked down at Mrsha as he came in from outside. His hands were still wet from washing in the trough Erin had installed with complimentary (mandatory) soap outside. Mrsha waved excitedly up at him and then did something new. She put her paws over her mouth and then spread them wide with a huge smile.<\/p>\n

It was a special word. A sign, a language Mrsha was developing on her own that her special people knew. Erin, Lyonette, Numbtongue, and Moore as well as a handful of others. The gesture Mrsha had used was a special hello for when she was happy. It meant \u2018I love you, hello!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

And Moore knew it. The half-Giant\u2019s face lit up. He bent, his huge expression beaming with the pleasure of Mrsha\u2019s compliment. She smiled too, because Moore was one of her special people. He was big, strong, nice\u2014he always gave her bits of his food\u2014and he had saved her from the Raskghar. He could be scary. But never to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for the lovely greeting, Mrsha. But what\u2019s made you so happy? Your nap? If only everyone could do that. Seborn, for instance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Giant chuckled. He blinked as someone coughed<\/em> behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, pardon me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moore and Mrsha realized he was still standing in the door to the inn. Embarrassed, Moore shuffled to one side, and a Drake walked past him, sighing. Moore flushed and carefully motioned Mrsha to walk back inside. She stared with narrowed eyes at the Drake and then sighed. Silently.<\/p>\n

She followed Moore back towards his table, which she\u2019d been napping on. And as she did, she navigated around a pair of Dullahans standing and discussing politics, a Garuda (not Bevussa) heading for the outhouses, tables full of guests, Ishkr making the rounds with a platter full of drinks, and a spilled puddle of ale.<\/p>\n

The inn was still full. Since it was her inn\u2014or rather, she thought of it as her inn, her place\u2014Mrsha was a bit aggrieved by it all. It had been fun the last few days, but now it was almost claustrophobic.<\/p>\n

Guests from Liscor and Pallass circulated the tables, talking, chatting, watching a play in the background\u2014all while the staff tended to them, exchanging alcohol and food for money. Which was all very well and good, but it got in Mrsha\u2019s<\/em> way. And the noise had been really hard to get to sleep in. Mrsha had had to come up with her own solution to that. Which was\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Moore exclaimed on reaching the table. He stared at a patch of magical grass blooming from the wood. Mrsha leapt up, put her head back in the soft grass, and felt some of the ambient noise die out. She\u2019d conjured it herself. With her<\/em> magic. Because yes, Mrsha was a [Mage]. Or [Druid], rather. She was magical.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s something. But Mrsha, you shouldn\u2019t do that to Erin\u2019s tables.\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Giant gently scolded Mrsha. She exhaled through her nose dismissively. It was just magical grass! It would disappear soon. And it was soft and made a nice pillow. She looked up at Moore, and the half-Giant couldn\u2019t find it in his heart to lecture her. He sat down in one of the extra-large chairs Erin had bought just for people like him (and Maughin) and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. I\u2019m getting a bit spoiled staying here. Not that I<\/em> mind, you understand? I think we deserve it after the dungeon, and it\u2019s hardly expensive staying here! But Seborn wants to get on the road, and Jelaqua\u2019s, um, involved with Maughin. But it will be hard going back to the road or sleeping in a barn after this.\u201d<\/p>\n

He sighed, and Mrsha sniffed sadly. She didn\u2019t want him to go. He\u2019d left once, and that had been dreadfully sad. The half-Giant avoided her gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to, Mrsha. In time. Not today, of course. And I promise I\u2019ll be back. Now, er, what had you so excited?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at her. Mrsha looked up, excited again. That was right! Her new spell and<\/em> her level! She had to tell Moore. Only\u2014she paused. This would be tricky.<\/p>\n

This was what Mrsha did. She waved for Moore\u2019s attention, then solemnly put her paw on her chest. Then she raised one paw while the other pointed a furry finger at her head. And she pointed with two paws to the side\u2014one flat, the other sideways as if gesturing to something\u2014and ended it with one finger moving in a circle from the bottom to top and ending with a flick. Moore stared at her blankly.<\/p>\n

The entire message was: I-level-because-spell.<\/em> Each series of gestures had their meaning, and Mrsha had worked very hard to make her own words! Unfortunately\u2026Moore hadn\u2019t been around when she\u2019d labored over them with Erin and Lyonette gently helping and encouraging. His forehead wrinkled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026something\u2026something\u2026something? I\u2019m sorry, Mrsha. Can you explain to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha sighed again. But she patiently reenacted each part. The worst was \u2018because\u2019, the two paws pointing like an explanation. Moore couldn\u2019t get that. Or the first part.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re pointing at your head. You think? You\u2026raising something. You want to raise something? You want me to lift something up. No?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked apologetic as Mrsha lost patience and switched to the last bit. The finger swishing was shorthand for \u2018spell\u2019. But Moore eventually got it when Mrsha pulled out her wand and performed the same motion.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh! You learnt the spell! Yes, you did. You\u2019re very smart, Mrsha. A genius!\u201d<\/p>\n

He beamed and patted Mrsha gently on the head, his hand very, very light. Mrsha sighed a last time. Close enough.<\/em> She nodded, and Moore beamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you show me again? Just like I taught you. Focus\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha ignored the rest because she\u2019d already learned the spell. It was so much easier than trying to learn from Krshia\u2019s spellbook. Maybe it was because Moore was a [Green Mage] himself, but she\u2019d copied his spell after only two days of teaching! And without getting nosebleeds or headaches that made Krshia ban Mrsha from reading from the book. Now Mrsha concentrated, remembering what Moore had shown her. She raised her paw\u2014<\/p>\n

And a huge thorn<\/em> sprouted from the pad on her paw. Moore applauded, and Mrsha beamed, sweating with success.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done, Mrsha! [Thorn Hand]! Or rather, [Thorn Paw] for you! That\u2019s exactly right. Can you grow another?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha did after a moment of concentration. Now two pointy thorns protruded from her paw, one from her palm, the other from the back of her paw. It was ungainly and a bit heavy; she poked a thorn into the table experimentally. The wood of the table gave as the thorn gouged a bit into it. Moore nodded as Mrsha touched the thorn and found it wasn\u2019t sharp\u2014to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. You made the thorns like I showed you, so they won\u2019t cut you<\/em>. That\u2019s an important lesson for [Green Mages]. And [Druids]. That\u2019s why I taught you it first.\u201d<\/p>\n

He winked conspiratorially as he whispered Mrsha\u2019s class. She beamed up at him. It was<\/em> important! The thorn was just dull and hard, but when she waved her paw\u2014Moore leaned back hurriedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCareful, Mrsha! I told you, you must be very <\/em>careful with that. You can cut someone badly with those thorns. Remember your promise?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked as stern as he ever did with her. Mrsha nodded solemnly. The half-Giant nodded slowly. Then his face turned a bit despondent. He reached for his mug of fresh cow\u2019s milk and drank what would be the equivalent of an entire cup for Mrsha in a single gulp.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if it\u2019s wise to teach you a combat spell. But this is the kind of reality we face. And you\u2019ve seen worse. But promise me you\u2019ll be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha nodded again. Moore exhaled and smiled. He wiped at his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you will be. And remember, that spell is a gateway to grander spells. It\u2019s technically Tier 0, but much harder than [Grow Grass]. In time, you can cast [Thorny Fist] or even [Armor of Thorns]. [Barrier of Thorns]. [Thorn Spray]\u2026you\u2019ve seen me use those spells, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

The little Gnoll nodded eagerly, her eyes shining. She\u2019d seen the Halfseekers covered by the [Armor of Thorns] spell. Moore saw her signal for a story: opening her paws like a book, and he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cA story? Oh, about the spells? You want to know how they\u2019re used? Well, you saw my [Mass Armor of Thorns] spell, didn\u2019t you? Jelaqua and Seborn and I get covered by them. They don\u2019t restrict movement much if I use them, and they cut anything we run into. It\u2019s good extra armor; we used it one time fighting Ogres and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoore! Hey, Moore!<\/em> Get over here!\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Giant cut off as a voice interrupted him. He looked up, and Mrsha saw a pale hand waving. There sat Jelaqua, who changed bodies like other people changed clothes. A Human woman today, waving from her seat next to a Dullahan as large as Moore. A Drowned Man sat at the table, his arms folded, looking characteristically grumpy.<\/p>\n

Moore hesitated and broke off from his tale. He glanced at Mrsha and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing, Jelaqua! Sorry, Mrsha. She wants me to talk with Maughin. I\u2019ll tell you the story later, alright? Why don\u2019t you come with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

He beckoned, smiling. Mrsha hesitated and peered at Jelaqua and Maughin. Her eyes narrowed. They were sitting next to each other, and Jelaqua was leaning down to smile at the Dullahan\u2019s head resting on the table. They smelled of sex and looked like any young Gnoll couple back in the Stone Spears tribe.<\/p>\n

Mrsha was, after all, a Gnoll, and not many things were secret when you lived in a small tribe with ears better than most dogs. She got the same vibe from Jelaqua and Maughin. They were going to be like young Gnoll couples. The kind that no one<\/em> liked in a tribe, who had to use the furthest-away tents because they were so noisy at night. And who constantly looked at each other and never played with Mrsha. She turned up her nose, and Moore sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo? I\u2019d like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even then. Mrsha turned her head and waved her paws, shooing Moore away. He got up with a groan.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t blame you. Coming, Jelaqua! Don\u2019t throw things! Stupid lovesick couples\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He took on a bit of Seborn\u2019s grumpiness as he left Mrsha by herself. A bit put out, despite having made what she considered the wise decision, Mrsha grumpily yanked up her magical grass and watched it begin to dissipate. She looked around the crowded inn.<\/p>\n

Normally, she\u2019d enjoy such a sight. But sometimes, yes, sometimes, Mrsha liked the quiet of the inn. Because that meant Drassi had time to play with her, or Ishkr would let her help in the kitchen. She could roam from table to table in the huge [Grand Theatre], play tag with Apista. It also meant Erin and Lyonette had time for her.<\/p>\n

Numbtongue too. He was nice. Even if the other<\/em> Goblin, the one named Pyrite, was in him too. But Numbtongue, like Mrsha, didn\u2019t like the crowded inn, so he was in Celum with Octavia. Mrsha would have gone with them, but she was banned from the [Alchemist]\u2019s shop. As if she\u2019d knock over potions by accident! Mrsha just wanted to learn alchemy. But no\u2026<\/p>\n

Grumpily, Mrsha crawled off the table and slunk to the floor. It was immediately occupied by a pair of Dullahans. They stared at her as they removed their heads. She stared up at them and walked on all fours.<\/p>\n

This was no good. No, not at all. Too crowded! As she thought that, Mrsha glanced up and saw the sun shining through some of the windows. Look at that. It was a lovely spring day, and Mrsha could smell<\/em> the outdoors each time someone went outside. She glanced at the bright skies and came to an immediate decision.<\/p>\n

It was time to go outside. Yes! Of course! Why hadn\u2019t she thought of that? It was far too nice to stay indoors any longer. And Mrsha, no, Mrsha the Adventurer<\/em> knew exactly what she could do outside.<\/p>\n

Memory stirred. And Mrsha, Mrsha the Brave, recalled another time when she\u2019d gone outdoors. There had been trials then. Trials and tribulations when she got back and was punished. But it had been an adventure<\/em>. The best kind. She had been a hero. She had gone out with her trusty companion, Apista, and defeated Crelers<\/em>. With her allies.<\/p>\n

The wind blew. Inside, Mrsha jumped up onto another empty table and stared out the window. Her blood began to boil\u2014metaphorically\u2014as she recalled those glory days.<\/p>\n

Once, Crelers had threatened the land guarded by Mrsha the Wise and Magnificent. They had made an incursion into a cave. Laid waste to the lands. Killed the inhabitants and thrown the realm into peril while evil Poo Slimes had terrorized innocent Healing Slimes. Against those odds, who could triumph?<\/p>\n

Mrsha. But it had not been just<\/em> Mrsha. A brave alliance, a desperate fellowship had been formed. Mrsha, Apista, the Healing Slime, and the doughty Fortress Beavers of the cave had teamed up with the ambivalently evil Shield Spiders of the pits to drive the Crelers back. What had become of them? Mrsha stared out a window, ignoring a Garuda asking if she could move.<\/p>\n

How had the truce between Fortress Beavers and Shield Spiders fared? Had the brave and glorious defenders kept their ancient, desperate alliance or fallen into treachery and decay over the past\u2026months of peace? Yes, perhaps they had. For the memories of spiders and beavers were short. The Guardians of the Cave, as they were surely known, may have forsaken their charge, passed into complacency and forgotten the lessons of old.<\/p>\n

But Mrsha the Great and Terrible had been there. Mrsha the White with her wand of magic. And if evil threatened, surely it was up to her to rally the species. Slime, beaver, and spider. So Mrsha turned. Excited, filled with the call to adventure, she leapt off the table where the Garuda was sitting, staring at her.<\/p>\n

The Gnoll cub padded towards the door. As she did, she waved to Apista. Her sworn companion and defender! The Ashfire Bee flapped one wing.<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t move, hopped up on Faerie Flowers. Mrsha glared. Reluctantly, Apista abandoned the flower boxes and flew over and landed on Mrsha\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

That was better. Mrsha the Tamer of Bees reached for her wand and proudly removed it from the secret holster on her side. She waved it over her head and thought about her new spell. Yes, it was time for an adventure! She was not the [Mage] she used to be, but a powerful [Druid]. One ready to face an even greater threat! Like Rock Crabs?<\/p>\n

\u2026Okay, not Rock Crabs. Mrsha the Prudent walked unsteadily towards the door on two feet as a Drake opened it, adjusting his trousers. Then she gave up and put the wand in her mouth and bounded forwards. The sun-filled Floodplains called to her. It was time for the second adventure of Mrsha the Brave and Glorio\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you don\u2019t, young Miss!\u201d<\/p>\n

A pair of clawed hands snatched Mrsha. Alarmed, she twisted and saw a foe! Drassi! Drassi the Talkative! The [Barmaid] and [Gossip] frowned at Mrsha, looking uncharacteristically strict.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha squirmed, trying to wriggle free. She couldn\u2019t be held here! Adventures called! She went limp, but Drassi, growling, managed to secure Mrsha. She swatted at Apista as the bee lazily flew around her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha! Don\u2019t be uncooperative! You know you\u2019re not allowed outside without a minder. Remember the Raskghar? The Creler eggs? No way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flee!<\/em> Mrsha pushed at the hands. Drassi nearly lost Mrsha, but she was too strong! And then she turned, and Mrsha heard her call out.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me, Lyonette!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Uh oh. Mrsha went still. She looked up innocently as a fair, red-headed girl turned. Lyonette spotted Drassi holding Mrsha back from the open doorway and made a beeline towards them. Mrsha gave the [Princess] her most loving smile. Lyonette frowned and looked at Drassi.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s Mrsha done this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe tried to leave the inn. Unsupervised. I don\u2019t want to put her down or she\u2019ll bolt for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Drake and Human turned a severe eye towards Mrsha. The Gnoll cub immediately changed plans. She looked up as Drassi let her down and sat. She turned her back towards the invitingly open door and looked up innocently. Lyonette folded her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Well, it seems like someone\u2019s in need of some lessons. I had them planned for this evening, but I can take a break. Drassi, let Erin know I\u2019m taking over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t. She\u2019s in Liscor with Krshia! The debates are still happening, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Well\u2014Drassi, take over and give me a short break. I\u2019m going to have a word with Mrsha here.\u201d<\/p>\n

So saying, Lyonette carried Mrsha upstairs. The Gnoll child wriggled until she was in Lyonette\u2019s room. Then the [Princess] put her down and placed her hands on her hips. Mrsha sighed as she looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you want to go out, Mrsha. But you promised<\/em> to stay here. Don\u2019t you recall?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha avoided Lyonette\u2019s gaze. Well, yes, she did recall that promise in a vague sense. But she\u2019d made that ages<\/em> ago! And today was so nice\u2026she would\u2019ve just gone a little bit away. A mile at most. Maybe two.<\/p>\n

The [Princess] sighed, seeing Mrsha turn her head somewhat sulkily.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha, the inn\u2019s been busy. I\u2019m sorry about that, but we\u2019ve been making lots<\/em> of money. And we\u2019ll put it to good use! You\u2019ve seen my designs for the new inn, right? And the Antinium at work?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll nodded reluctantly. Lyonette nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, it won\u2019t be forever. I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll die down soon; we\u2019re already getting fewer crowds over on Pallass\u2019 side. Can you be a good girl and wait? Inside? Without causing as much trouble as Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha considered it. She could<\/em>. But\u2026she was bored! She signaled that to Lyonette. The [Princess] frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026am\u2026oh, Mrsha, I know you\u2019re bored. And I promise, we\u2019ll have some fun tonight! We can even skip the lessons today. Alright? Why don\u2019t you sit with\u2026Moore? Or watch a play?\u201d<\/p>\n

But she\u2019d seen all<\/em> of them. Mrsha grumpily folded her arms and looked at her paws. She felt like she was back with the Stone Spears tribe. Only, there\u2019d been other Gnolls there. And Urksh always had something useful for her to do. Here, Mrsha wasn\u2019t allowed to roam. Or even go to the city! She pointed that out\u2014by pointing out Lyonette\u2019s window. The [Princess] nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, you can\u2019t go to the city either. Because of the crowds and Krshia being busy. But in a few days, this election nonsense will be over! And then\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She frowned as Mrsha swiveled the entire way around to stare at the wall. A few days? That was forever<\/em>. Lyonette sighed, raked at her sweaty hair with her hands, and groaned as she heard something crash<\/em> downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha, I\u2019m so sorry. But you can sit with anyone inside\u2014or if you promise, you can go outside and only<\/em> watch Ceria being boiled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha sniffed disparagingly. Listening to Ceria scream insults as her team boiled her in her tub was only interesting for the first twenty minutes. Lyonette didn\u2019t understand.<\/em> Mrsha had to run about! She didn\u2019t get it because she was old. Because she had red hair. Because she was a [Princess]. Because she was Human?<\/p>\n

But of course, Mrsha couldn\u2019t convey any of that yet. All she could do was look fed up and fold her arms. Which she did. Lyonette sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay. How about this? You stay inside, and if<\/em> you don\u2019t cause any trouble, we\u2019ll go into Liscor tomorrow and buy you a new toy. How about it? I\u2019ll ask Erin to manage the inn, and we can go for a walk in Celum. Or even outside the city!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha perked up. That did sound nice! She nodded, and Lyonette stuck out her hand and extended a pinkie.<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha lacked the length of her fingers and a Human\u2019s dexterity, but she managed to do the pinkie promise that Erin had taught the two in the end. She looked up at Lyonette, still a bit woebegone, and the [Princess] had to hug her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,<\/em> sweetie. But I\u2019ll hire more staff. And\u2014and like I said, this inn\u2019s going to change! I\u2019ll make sure of that. And I promise you, you\u2019ll get to go outside! I just need to get some things from Zevara. If I had my family\u2019s cloak, I\u2019d be happier with letting you roam close to the inn. Just be good today, alright? Someday soon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She paused, her voice trailing off. Lyonette stared at Mrsha, then turned to look out the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeday. Someday\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t complete the sentence. Lyonette only blinked when Mrsha jumped into her lap. She yelped and scolded Mrsha, but gently. And Mrsha occupied her so Lyonette wouldn\u2019t be lost in thought again. Or say that word.<\/p>\n

Someday.<\/em> The word scared Mrsha more than any dreams of Raskghar or monsters or even Goblin Lords. Because it lay ahead. Because one of the great secrets Mrsha had been told was that Lyonette was a [Princess]. A true [Princess] of a kingdom far, far away. And she did not belong in this inn.<\/p>\n

Someday, she would leave. Just like Ryoka. Even though Lyonette was better than a real mother. But she was a [Princess].<\/em> Mrsha didn\u2019t want to think of that. So she let Lyonette scoop her up and hug her tight.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are my sweetest little Mrsha. Yes, you are. And I\u2019ll never let you go. Now, be good and find something to do, okay? If you want, I\u2019ll get you something nice to eat. Like a little salad?\u201d<\/p>\n

Those were just leaves<\/em>. Mrsha wrinkled her nose. Lyonette let her down, chuckling, and Mrsha reluctantly went downstairs. She had promised, so she kept her word, even though she cast three longing glances at the door. Lyonette was keeping an eye on her, though, even as she supervised an accident involving a bunch of broken tankards at the bar.<\/p>\n

Eventually, she stopped watching, and Mrsha wandered around the room. Moore was there. And Jelaqua and Seborn and the big Dullahan named Maughin. So were some Gnolls that Mrsha knew. Among them was Raekea the [Armorer], taking a break from arguing in Liscor.<\/p>\n

Mrsha wished Xif were here; maybe she could sell him more fur! Or\u2014or he could show her how to make a potion. She was just debating going over to Seborn and seeing if she could steal a dagger from the sheath at his side when she heard it.<\/p>\n

A tiny squeak <\/em>amid all the noise. Mrsha\u2019s eyes went round. Then she smiled in delight.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The light shone down, breaking up the world of the People of the Grain Sack. It was a harsh light, unfamiliar in the darkness. And the people fled, fearing the noise and light from above. But the two rats, white and grey, were yet new to the world. In their incaution, they wandered closer to that bright place and the tantalizing smells from above.<\/p>\n

It sealed their doom. For no sooner did they scurry forwards, brother and sister, then a harbinger of the end fell from above. Down she came, leaping down the cliffs of wood. And the two froze and then fled.<\/p>\n

Alas. They had paused too long. Moved too slowly. In a single bound, she was on them, and they turned, squeaking<\/em> in alarm. For pity. For salvation. But the People of the Grain Sack, the rats, were cowardly and hid. And the two were lifted up, up<\/em>, and caught in a paw almost as large as they were. They wriggled, trying to break free, but a vise stronger than steel surrounded them, carried them away through the air.<\/p>\n

Oh, what cruel fate! What tyranny! The rats wriggled and squeaked<\/em>, expecting their demise at the paws of the white-furred titan, the giant monster. They bared their teeth in defiance before their descent into hell\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mrsha plonked<\/em> the rats on the ground and happily pinned one with a foot as she inspected the other, holding it up by the tail. They squeaked<\/em> and wriggled, and she grinned. Look what she\u2019d found! She glanced about and saw more scurrying. But since she only had two paws, Mrsha decided these two were enough.<\/p>\n

They were lovely rats. Young, but fat and very active! Her eyes lit up as she shook them and saw them try to scamper away despite being pressed down. Now this<\/em> was entertainment! She loosened her grip, and one of the rats, the grey, shot away. Mrsha leapt after her and nearly dropped the other.<\/p>\n

Whoops! They were quick! And Mrsha was well aware that, if they ran, they\u2019d probably disappear. She considered the problem, and then her eyes lit up as she remembered something from her old tribe. It didn\u2019t hurt to remember them as much. And this was something she\u2019d used to\u2026Mrsha bent over her captured prizes, and they writhed<\/em> and protested as she grabbed their tails.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was a small knot. But it was all that was needed. As soon as the titan let go, the two rats felt and saw what had happened. Where one\u2019s tail ended, the other began. A knot captured the two. Yet, in that same instant, the constraining paws let go! They could flee!<\/p>\n

But hubris and the mortal tale of self-interest was the truer captor. The two rats fled\u2014in opposite directions. And they both felt the sting<\/em>, the pulling pain, and stopped. They were trapped by their own tails. Trapped by each other! They turned, snarling. How quickly did the bonds of siblings fall away? And the giant scooped them up.<\/p>\n

What savage playacting at godhood. What contempt for mortal foibles! The two rats looked up and realized they were bound. Captive. They raced about, intertwined, two separate things made into one dysfunctional whole. The giant smiled.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This was really<\/em> fun. Mrsha watched as the two rats tried to escape and kept pulling at each other. She prodded one, and it recoiled, bumping into the grey rat. They tried to scurry off in tandem; Mrsha snagged the linked tails. They weren\u2019t nearly as fast, tied together! She put them down on the steps and watched one trying to pull the other down.<\/p>\n

Fun, fun, fun!<\/em> She had new pets! Mrsha wanted to show everyone. Moore and Lyonette and Drassi and\u2014she looked up and scampered with the two rats in her paws. She looked around the crowded inn when she returned to the light and kicked the trapdoor shut. The rats were still in her paws; they were quivering. Mrsha gazed down at one and realized it had pooed in her paws! Annoyed, she wiped her paw on the rat and looked about.<\/p>\n

Now, Lyonette wasn\u2019t here\u2026probably in the kitchens, and Drassi was busy. Moore was over there<\/em>, but there was where Jelaqua was. And Maughin. Mrsha frowned impatiently. She wanted to show someone else! Who\u2014<\/p>\n

Then Mrsha saw her. Sitting at a table with a Drake. She hurried over and tugged at a furry leg. Raekea, the best [Armorer] in Liscor, looked down and blinked at Mrsha. The little Gnoll hesitated, but Raekea\u2019s smile lit up her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Mrsha, yes? Hello! And what\u2019s that you have?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha brightened. Some Gnolls were still scared of her. In both Liscor and Pallass; you could smell it. Even the nice Rufelt had been a bit uneasy. Xif hadn\u2019t been, and Krshia and Elirr and a lot of the others weren\u2019t, but some still looked at her white fur and whispered the word. Doombringer. Mrsha didn\u2019t like that. She hated it, and it made her feel awful.<\/p>\n

But Raekea just smiled, and she smelled only of coal and smoke and iron. She and the Drake sitting next to her looked down as Mrsha jumped onto a chair and placed her prize on the table. The Drake paused, stared at the two rats tied together scampering about on the table, and dropped his fork with an exclamation. Raekea just chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cHah! Two rats! Now where did you find those? Wait\u2014you\u2019ve tied them together by the tails?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEurgh! Are there rats<\/em> in this inn?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake looked horrified. He was eating a steak and hurriedly pulled his plate back as the grey rat dragged her brother towards it. He was trying to make a flying leap off the table. Raekea wasn\u2019t bothered at all. She looked at Mrsha\u2019s hesitant face and slapped the Drake on the shoulder casually.<\/p>\n

\u201cJekss, hush! They\u2019re just rats<\/em>. Tiny ones! They couldn\u2019t hurt you even if they bit through your scales.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are they tied together?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm. Because it\u2019s funny to watch them try to run about? I used to do the same thing when I was a cub, Mrsha. Did you only find two? When I came to Liscor, when I was young, I would get as many as I could and tie them all together! They call them rat kings. Did you ever do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at Mrsha as the Gnoll shook her head, delighted. She hadn\u2019t! But then, she\u2019d only found a few rats in the wilderness, and they were a lot faster and harder to catch. Raekea laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well, it is easy in cities, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRats. Can they not be on the table?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake groaned. He was fairly slim, although his arms had lots of muscle. Raekea gave him a reproving look.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be rude. Little Mrsha is showing us her prize! It\u2019s what Gnoll children do. You should say how good it was of her to catch them! I was a Plains Gnoll, you know. Don\u2019t be stifling.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake opened his mouth, saw the glint in Raekea\u2019s eye, and heaved a big sigh. He eyed the rats and Mrsha, who was looking at him expectantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cEr, good job, Miss Mrsha. Nice rats. Now\u2026Raeky, treasure of my hoard, I\u2019m eating.<\/em> I don\u2019t want to have to look at those rats, fond recollections or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at Raekea, and she rolled her eyes, but affectionately. He was Raekea\u2019s husband, and so she winked at Mrsha, and the Gnoll took them off the table. The rats quivered in her lap as she grinned up at the big Gnoll.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere. Nasty rats are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re still there. I know they are. I\u2019m almost off my lunch. Almost, <\/em>I said. Don\u2019t touch my steak.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jekss grumbled. He speared a bit of cut steak, and Raekea plucked a morsel off his plate. He sighed as she took another and offered it to Mrsha, who joyfully accepted it. He balked when the third piece went to the two rats.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come on, Raekea! That\u2019s my lunch! I came here to support you, not feed rats!\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Armorer] snorted and flicked her husband\u2019s neck spines with one paw affectionately.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou came here because I told you they sold steaks at any hour, made well, yes? Don\u2019t lie. And if it bothers you<\/em> so, I can take little Mrsha into the city. Honored Krshia wanted me to anyways. This inn\u2019s too crowded for a Gnoll child. She should run free for a bit, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

She winked at Mrsha. The Gnoll nodded rapidly. Someone understood!<\/em> She wagged her tail as the two rats squeaked. Raekea smiled at Mrsha again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been meaning to talk to Krshia about this. I know she lets little Mrsha come to her apartment, but we should let her visit more of us. Would you like that, Mrsha? You are a Gnoll after all. And it is not good to be apart from your true people. Ishkr and the others are fine, but you are also a Plains Gnoll, born and true. Some of us in Liscor are such, and you should be with us more often.\u201d<\/p>\n

She held out a paw, and Mrsha, beaming, took it. Both [Armorer]\u2019s and [Druid]\u2019s tails wagged, because it was true. They were both Plains Gnolls. Raekea saw Mrsha nod excitedly, and she stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, why not now? I\u2019ll head to Liscor with Mrsha, husband dearest, to spare you from fear of rats. Better hide them too, Mrsha. Or else Miss Lyonette might kick up a fuss! Humans and Drakes are weird about rodents. But they don\u2019t mind rabbits.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed, and Mrsha laughed silently too. She ran to get her belt pouch, overjoyed. She\u2019d get to go to Liscor! Raekea bent down and kissed her husband on the cheek. He smiled at her, but then called out as they left his table.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just me being picky about rats, Raeky! It\u2019s you Gnolls being weird! It\u2019s not\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked around for confirmation. Unfortunately, he met the eyes of the red Garuda who was enjoying a hamburger at the next table. She shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I<\/em> like rats, Mister. Don\u2019t know what your problem is.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake [Blacksmith] sighed. And Mrsha, after some debate, held Raekea\u2019s hand as she hid the two squirming rats in her special belt pouch. Lyonette sighed, but nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can go, Mrsha. But don\u2019t make trouble for Miss Raekea!\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned to the female Gnoll.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do appreciate it. I\u2019d take Mrsha myself, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette indicated the busy inn. Raekea bared her teeth in the big Gnoll grin. Drakes did it too; only Humans got nervous when they saw all those teeth. She nodded as Mrsha held her paw.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Mrsha will be fine, I promise. And we will be among our own kind. I will let her play in the park.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our own kind<\/em>. How long had it been since she\u2019d been accepted by other Gnolls? Not since her fur turned white. Mrsha\u2019s heart leapt, and she smiled proudly at Raekea. The [Armorer] winked as Lyonette nodded distractedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds great! I\u2019ve got to run. Tell Erin I need her help, if she\u2019s not busy! If she\u2019s causing a scene, don\u2019t tell her I said that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the city, Mrsha walked with Raekea, carefully holding her squirming belt pouch with one paw, Raekea\u2019s paw with the other. She walked on two legs as the older Gnoll gently led her through crowded streets. Raekea chatted to her as only a Gnoll could.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be a grand thing for you, Mrsha child. This Meeting of the Tribes. Not only will you come, you will be the honored guest of the Silverfang Tribe. Ours<\/em>. I think I will go, if I can. Krshia will, of course, and some others from the city. But you will be with us. You must!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha looked up anxiously. Among so many other Gnolls? Raekea just smiled and squeezed gently. Her paws were rougher from swinging a hammer, but her smile was very kind.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. You know magic.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She whispered the word so quietly not even other Gnolls walking down the street could have heard. And the [Armorer]\u2019s eyes shone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a thing we thought Gnolls were cursed by. But not only you; I hear this Ferkr of Pallass has gained it. Two [Mages]! Perhaps\u2014perhaps it may take away from the worth of our gift. But the spellbook speaks for itself. And we have more to offer. Things we learned from your Miss Erin and, hopefully, the worth of Krshia Silverfang being part of Liscor\u2019s Council! That would be hugely valuable in itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha nodded seriously. But her heart still fluttered at the idea. In Liscor, people had feared her as one with white fur, the sole survivor of a tribe, marked as a Doombringer, a cursed one. And those were City Gnolls. Those who lived in tribes, the Plains Gnolls, would be even\u2026but Raekea was holding Mrsha\u2019s hand tightly and reassuring her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be fine. Perhaps Krshia might even ask our Chieftain, her sister, to name you as one of our tribe. Not to forget the Stone Spears, of course. But what she plans is to show the others that white fur is not cursed! The Raskghar prove that. You saved our people. Come to that, we will bring some of the dead bodies. Proof of our hated foes. That too is great worth. Although it is not something to be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shuddered, and Mrsha did too. She had been there. Raekea paused and bent to nuzzle Mrsha with her furry cheeks. It was such a Gnollish thing to do\u2014Mrsha couldn\u2019t remember when that had happened last. With Urksh? She clung to Raekea, and the [Armorer] whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I should not have brought that up, no. You still have nightmares? Elirr tells me he does. But they are defeated. And if they should return\u2014no\u2014we will erase them from this dungeon and wherever they hide. The Pride of Kelia, they have sworn to Krshia to hunt down the Raskghar, yes? The adventurers will find the last of them in the dungeon and destroy them.\u201d<\/p>\n

That made Mrsha feel better. But she did still dream of the Raskghar. Of Nokha and the ritual. And yes, sometimes she woke up in fear, thrashing, until Lyonette held her. It was almost as comforting to see Raekea\u2019s face. Because they spoke as Gnoll to Gnoll. Raekea paused, then pointed at Mrsha\u2019s belt pouch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour little rats might be suffocating. Take them out, yes? No one will mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha did just that. The two rats came out, blinking in the daylight. She poked one, and it squeaked<\/em>. The look on its face and the timing made both Gnolls giggle, Mrsha silently.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Air!<\/em> The sweet rush of it filled the rats\u2019 lungs. And daylight! A foreign land lay before them, one made of light and giants! Had they reached some land of titans? The two tried to flee, but their captor held them tight.<\/p>\n

What irony! That they should find a land beyond which they had ever dreamt of, with sights and places unimaginable to go! Yet they were captive. Prisoner. Above them, the largest titan chuckled as the small one tossed the rats up and down.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, let us find the one we seek. For we may be Plains Gnolls, but we do battle as City Gnolls here, Mrsha. And with words, we must take a place on the Council. It is power and respect and, yes, benefit to the city that drives us. Not vanity alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The white Gnoll nodded, and the two walked until the drifting people of the city of Liscor became thick as flies, then a living, breathing mass. A crowd, listening in a place where four streets met. And in that place, two sides argued, one Gnoll and one Drake.<\/p>\n

So spoke the Drake, with fury and ire.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Antinium cannot be trusted! Don\u2019t you see the lies in the web they weave? The insects would take your city and drown you in with gold and pretty gestures. Let us build a city alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

More than one person in the crowd listened and was troubled by his words because they made sense. Not long past were the Antinium Wars. But standing opposite him, a Gnoll replied in words no less eloquent.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you say alone<\/em>, Lism. But who can be alone? We are Gnolls and Drakes. And here has come Pallass, flooding into our city to acknowledge it! Not because of any one Drake or Gnoll. But because of a Human! The very ones you rail against. Antinium held our walls. Antinium died for us. But it is all<\/em> species I say Liscor should accept! And I say you would drive all but Drakes out!\u201d<\/p>\n

Those words stuck in the Drake\u2019s throat, and he choked, and the crowd murmured. But thus went the debates. As Raekea paused with Mrsha on the edge of the crowd, she whispered to Mrsha.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems to be deadlocked. No, in our favor. It is your [Innkeeper] who tilts the scales. And a truer friend to Gnolls we have yet to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

So she pointed, and Mrsha saw Erin Solstice standing in the front. Lism ignored her, and as his nephew, Olesm, for whom Mrsha saw as both good and evil, whispered to him, he replied. Or at least, tried.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are deflecting from the point with each statement, Krshia Silverfang. It\u2019s not about other cities or even Humans\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s me! Hi, Lism! Remember me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014Humans, as I was saying\u2014it\u2019s about one thing alone. Antinium. And I say again: have Klbkch, Klbkch the Slayer<\/em>, swear that the Antinium offer Liscor no threat. I\u2019m all for other species\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcept me! Do you remember how we met? You ripped me off! I paid a gold coin for a cloth bag!\u201d<\/p>\n

At that point, Lism closed his eyes and gnashed his teeth, and Mrsha and Raekea both laughed in delight, for Erin was being Erin and had a [Loud Voice]. The Drake went on, huffily, but losing momentum with each word.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you think the Antinium won\u2019t turn on the city when it suits them\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember trying to rip me off after that? By making Olesm play chess with me? Hi, Olesm!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up! <\/em>This is not about you, Human! So be quiet while we debate the real threat!\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps the spittle that flew struck even eight rows of the people standing closest; it sprayed those in front. But it did not stop the [Innkeeper], who replied to the outraged Drake without missing a beat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou say it\u2019s all about Antinium. But all you\u2019re doing is painting them in a bad light. There are bad ones and<\/em> good ones. So maybe Klbkch won\u2019t swear he never thought of doing Liscor wrong. But can you tell me Liscor<\/em> has no plans to destroy the Antinium Hive? Seems to me you\u2019re a hypocrite, Lism. And a really bad guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

On his stage, the Drake spluttered, and some of the crowd laughed. The white Gnoll laughed in silence, the [Armorer] with her voice. But the [Strategist] who stood at his uncle\u2019s side only sighed. Olesm Swifttail stepped up and, in a quiet voice, delivered his counterstroke. Whispered words that made Lism\u2019s eyes light up and announce as loud as could be.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Erin, it seems to me you have affection for the Antinium you call friends. But they are a handful, a few, a fraction of a larger whole. And the Grand Queen is no Human\u2019s ally, nor Drake nor Gnoll\u2019s. Can you call Antinium anything but slaves<\/em> who will obey when she points them to war? Can you claim they will not obey her when she speaks?\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd swung back and forth. But Erin spoke again, and Krshia next, and they swung closer towards her than the Drake\u2019s side. Because the crazed Human [Innkeeper] stood there<\/em> with Pallass\u2019 [Senators] and Gnolls, and that was plain to see. So the Drake, in desperation, promised more and more. And offered less and less.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll build the walls twice as high!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll laughed and shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith what budget? Don\u2019t make promises that you can\u2019t keep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, I\u2019ll call for even more companies from Liscor! Bring our army back!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo do what? Guard our sheep?<\/em> Where were they months gone past? They sent a hundred when we needed all and more!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake ground his teeth. Mrsha, restless in the crowd, looked up at Raekea and tugged on her hand because she was sure Erin would win and wanted to run and play. And turning, with the two rats in hand, she heard the Drake\u2019s last, desperate pitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, I\u2019ll execute the damned Minotaur as soon as I\u2019m elected! No\u2014I\u2019ll have him drawn and quartered! Vote Lism for justice and a horrible death! Vote Lism and I\u2019ll see justice<\/em> to every Gnoll who was wronged by him!\u201d<\/p>\n

The rats gasped<\/em> with the Gnoll as she squeezed them tight. And turning back, Mrsha looked up. And her eyes were round with memory and fright.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cExecution.\u201d<\/p>\n

The word came from Krshia. Quietly. Mrsha looked up at her and remembered.<\/p>\n

A bloodstained altar. Gnolls being dragged by Raskghar. A bloody rock. A Minotaur, eyes red with madness. A half-Elf pleading.<\/em><\/p>\n

Calruz.<\/em><\/p>\n

And the thought of him filled her with true fear. Because his was another face of her nightmares. Raekea turned too, and Lism, sensing the break in the deadlock, leapt onto it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course! He\u2019s been sitting in our prisons for months! Too long! What\u2019s the hold up? What\u2019s the delay?<\/em> Let\u2019s execute him already! I think I speak for all of us that it\u2019s overdue; vote for me and I\u2019ll execute him by drawing and quartering! No, by fire!\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked around, raising his claws, and there were shouts of agreement from the crowd. Just shouts. But no one looked ready to object. Krshia just sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaltry promises, Lism. That\u2026Minotaur<\/em> will face justice for his crimes. It\u2019s not a matter of how, but when.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think so, Silverfang? Then why isn\u2019t he already dead? He should have been strung up the moment we got him! Along with any Raskghar\u2014if we\u2019d taken those beasts alive! I\u2019ve heard he\u2019s being kept because our Watch Captain needs proof he wasn\u2019t enchanted or some nonsense. Phsaw!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Lism spat. Someone in the crowd shouted in disgust. He paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry about that. Anyways, I say let there be justice\u2014now! No waiting! Only a monster<\/em> could do what that Minotaur did. Not only was his team one of the ones that released the undead from the crypts, he sent the Raskghar to attack our <\/em>citizens. So I say\u2014let\u2019s kill him and make it something that would give even those beasts nightmares! Kill that Minotaur! Kill that Minotaur!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

His supporters took up the chant. On stage, Krshia folded her arms, looking annoyed. And in the crowd, Mrsha saw Raekea bare her teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something I could agree with. What\u2019s taking Watch Captain Zevara so long? Shut up that Drake, Krshia.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Shopkeeper] clearly intended to. Mrsha saw Krshia waving for silence. She also saw Erin waving her arms in the crowd and making her way to the platform. Krshia didn\u2019t see as she snapped at Lism.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re quick to change your tune, Lism! I thought this was \u2018about the Antinium\u2019. You\u2019re just throwing anything you can out in hopes you can distract from the real argument! But if you like, I\u2019ll personally guarantee that if I take office, I\u2019ll have that Minotaur executed as he should be. Are you satisfied with\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She broke off, frowning. Mrsha heard the voice, quieter, but distinct. Erin. She was shouting up at Krshia on her platform. And Mrsha saw Erin\u2019s wide eyes and the look on her face. Krshia bent. Her expression told Mrsha many things.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that, Silverfang? Lost your tongue?\u201d<\/p>\n

Krshia didn\u2019t reply. She\u2019d turned off the magical enhancement to her voice. But Mrsha and Raekea\u2014all of the Gnolls in the crowd could hear what Erin and Krshia were saying. Mrsha paused. Raekea stared.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet him live?<\/em> What on earth is your Human saying? Mrsha\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked down. The white Gnoll was trembling, holding onto her rats. And Krshia was snapping at Erin. But the [Innkeeper] was raising her arms, making an \u2018x\u2019. The look on her face was set. Krshia straightened and stared blankly for a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lism was crowing. Because Olesm had seen the back-and-forth. And he\u2019d stepped forwards to whisper in his uncle\u2019s ear. Because he could see it. No\u2014Mrsha could see it. The rats could see it.<\/p>\n

A flaw. There stood Erin. On her face was written one thing. And all of the things she\u2019d brought\u2014the Pallassian [Senators], the door to the Walled City itself, her support of Krshia\u2014it all teetered. The Gnoll stared down at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI must discuss this. Excuse me, everyone. I will not be long.\u201d<\/p>\n

She muttered with her enchanted voice and then turned it off and leapt from the stage. Lism and his four cohorts crowed in exultation, and the crowd murmured. The Gnolls especially. Mrsha just stared as Krshia grabbed Erin, and the two began to argue fiercely as Selys hurried over.<\/p>\n

It couldn\u2019t be. But Mrsha knew Erin. She knew Ceria. Sometimes, the half-Elf came back, smelling of Calruz. But it could not be.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet him live? Was that what she said?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Raekea\u2019s growl of fury made even some other Gnolls shrink back. The [Armorer]\u2019s arms tensed, and Mrsha saw heads turning to Lism. He certainly wasn\u2019t about to give Krshia a break. On stage, he began shouting, free from interruption.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard it, folks! Honorable Krshia would let that Minotaur remain in jail, free as a damned bird, for killing our citizens!<\/em> No\u2014worse! Have you heard what he did? Would any of you let that monster walk free another second? I say let\u2019s kill him, but make the execution fit the crime! Get some oil, boil it, and boil him, <\/em>one inch at a time for a day!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right!<\/em> Justice for Liscor\u2019s Gnolls!\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the Drakes standing besides Lism howled, and it was Gnolls and Drakes who shouted with him. Not one Gnoll in the crowd would argue against that. Mrsha was trembling. She stared at Erin.<\/p>\n

No. But yes. Erin was shaking her head. Krshia was tearing at her fur. Selys looked conflicted. And Watch Captain Zevara\u2014every head turned towards her as she climbed onto Krshia\u2019s vacated stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cShopkeeper Lism! What did you just say you\u2019d do to <\/em>my prisoner?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She bellowed straight into a speaking gem she\u2019d snatched from Elirr. The crowd winced<\/em> because Zevara barely needed the gem to begin with. Lism hesitated, but, like him or hate him, he didn\u2019t back down even with the Watch Captain shouting at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch Captain Zevara, I admire your restraint! But this is a matter of public decency! Of justice! That Minotaur\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShopkeeper Lism!<\/em> I don\u2019t recall seeing your face in my damn mirror this morning!\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara\u2019s bellow cut Lism off. She was actually better than Krshia at rendering the Drake speechless. Zevara went on; her scales flushed darker as she shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor your information, the Silver-rank Adventurer known as Calruz has not<\/em> been held to justice for one simple reason: we are not certain<\/em> he was in control of himself when he committed the crimes he was imprisoned for!\u201d<\/p>\n

A murmur ran through the crowd, but a discontented one. Lism frowned and shouted back.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven so, Watch Captain. That doesn\u2019t excuse any of what he did. That Minotaur is a criminal!\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Mrsha felt a leap in her chest. She agreed with the nasty Drake! But Watch Captain Zevara just glared at Lism.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a matter for the election. Nor is it a matter for the Council to decide. I am Watch Captain, and unless you\u2019d like to relieve me of my post, the fate of Calruz the Minotaur is my<\/em> jurisdiction!\u201d<\/p>\n

She threw the speaking stone at Elirr and stormed off the stage. But she\u2019d gotten no further than ten steps when Lism spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, people of Liscor. That was our Watch Captain, and a finer arm of the law we couldn\u2019t ask for. But there\u2019s law and there\u2019s justice<\/em>, and I think her tail is tied by the former. Therefore, if I\u2019m elected, my first action as a member of Liscor\u2019s Council would be to order the Minotaur\u2019s execution. What say you, Krshia Silverfang?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara whirled, her eyes flashing with fury. But Lism, on stage, gave her a look as solid as stone. And she hesitated. So did Krshia. The Gnoll looked up, glared at Erin with fury and\u2014Mrsha saw with disbelief\u2014disgust, and turned away. Lism nodded slowly, and victory lit up his gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere you have it. It\u2019s not just about Antinium. It\u2019s not just<\/em> about other races. It\u2019s about justice. Vote for Team Lism, and we\u2019ll make sure that Minotaur dies<\/em> screaming!\u201d<\/p>\n

The roar that followed his words was the loudest yet. The crowd had heard every facet of the debates. The back and forth. But that was argument over minutiae. The rights of Goblins. The presence of Antinium. This was a calling for blood. And the Gnolls who shouted had forgotten who they were cheering for.<\/p>\n

The Minotaur.<\/em> Mrsha felt her insides trembling with fear. But hate was breaking the frozen flow. Hatred, beating with fear in her veins. She looked up as the rats froze, trembling. And Raekea\u2019s teeth were bared. Then the [Armorer] caught herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t good. What is Krshia thinking? Say she\u2019ll kill the Minotaur too! Unless\u2014is it really Erin Solstice? She\u2019d protect him?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked disbelieving, shaking her head. But Mrsha remembered. Ceria, the Horns of Hammerad, were a guest of Erin\u2019s inn. Calruz had been one too. If Erin had a flaw, it was that she loved people. She was too nice.<\/p>\n

But not him. Never him. Mrsha let go of Raekea as dark thoughts overwhelmed her. She was in the cage! The Raskghar were there, snarling, in the darkness. Facestealer was there<\/em>. Calruz reached for her as Nokha laughed<\/em>. Mrsha trembled, holding the rats as they squirmed. And Lism was shouting words. Words she wanted to hear.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I have any suggestions? We don\u2019t have a [Headsman], but we can always find a dull axe! Boiling in oil! Burning at a stake? Drawing and quartering, a classic! What about death by exposure? Long, but I hear it\u2019s agonizing<\/em> towards the end!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToss him to the Shield Spiders!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the Drake candidates was shouting encouragement. He turned, caught up in the moment as he raised his arms. Lism glared, taken out of the spotlight as the Drake went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014let\u2019s do more than that! I say, let\u2019s chop him up piece by piece and make sure he remembers it! Or find a few zombies and let them gnaw on him! Or\u2014I\u2019ve got it! Let\u2019s eat him!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd, which had been roaring their approval, fell silent. Lism stared at the Drake standing next to him. The Drake lowered his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2014okay, maybe that was going a bit too far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of lame-brained\u2014get off the stage, you idiot!<\/em> Sorry about that, folks. Ahem. But spread the word! This is about justice!<\/em> And I, Lism, guarantee\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha could hear no more. She backed away from the crowd, shaking. She didn\u2019t know which was worse: Erin clearly pleading with Krshia or the fact that Lism was saying what she wanted to hear. She wanted Calruz, the Minotaur, dead<\/em>. Him and all the Raskghar. He\u2019d killed Gnolls. He\u2019d sacrificed them, and the Raskghar had laughed and laughed and\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cOut of the way! Guards! Keep this crowd under control! If Shopkeeper Lism tries to incite a riot, arrest him! I want a doubled guard on the prison! I\u2019m going to yank that idiot\u2019s tail off\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

A voice snapped, and Mrsha saw the crowd parting. Watch Captain Zevara strode past her, her scales pale with fury. A few [Guards] trailed after her, Drakes and Gnolls both. The rest stayed in the crowd. Even they looked like they\u2019d taken Lism\u2019s side. Mrsha heard one of them, a Gnoll, growling at her companion, a Drake.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Captain\u2019s out of her mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up. Don\u2019t let her hear that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why are<\/em> we keeping that thing alive in the cells? We have to empty his cage, feed him\u2014I agree with Lism! And I never thought I\u2019d say that.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake sighed. She looked no happier, although her Gnoll companion looked far more furious. Of course she did. It had been Gnolls<\/em> the Raskghar attacked. The Drake answered after a pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard her. It\u2019s about figuring out whether he was enchanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if he was? You think he was \u2018magically\u2019 mind controlled and did all that? I wouldn\u2019t believe that if you got an [Archmage] here to say it! No matter what, he deserves to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not arguing with me! Stop snapping! Just don\u2019t let Watch Captain Zevara hear you say that! You know what she\u2019s like about rules. She\u2019s principled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard she goes and talks with him. She thinks he\u2019s innocent! Her and<\/em> that half-Elf.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop. Snapping. At. Me!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake and Gnoll glared at each other. At last, the Gnoll [Guardswoman] subsided. The Drake nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s personal, Merka. But\u2014hells, at least this way if Shopkeeper Lism wins, you get your justice. The Council could probably force Captain Z to execute the Minotaur.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t call her \u2018Captain Z\u2019. What are you, Relc?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll growled, but she was mollified a bit. She cast around and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if he doesn\u2019t win? If Krshia wins and that Human<\/em> makes her keep the Minotaur alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess he stays alive. Does it look fun being cooped up in that cell? Come on, let\u2019s patrol a few streets over so we don\u2019t have to listen to this. I\u2019ll buy you a snack, so calm down, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two [Guardswomen] walked out of the crowd. Mrsha, listening, saw the other [Guards] on the street talking as well. One of them she recognized. It was Tkrn. He was standing with a group of three Gnolls and a Drake. And all of them looked even angrier.<\/p>\n

With Lism shouting in the background and the angry discussions in the crowd\u2014all of which had the same content as the one between the two [Guardswomen]\u2014it was hard for even Mrsha\u2019s ears to pick out any one phrase. But the Gnolls and Drake were talking. She heard\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026exactly. If Honored Krshia wins\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026matter\u2026we\u2019ll make sure that Minotaur suffers\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026that Minotaur what he deserves\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The last came from the tallest Gnoll, who had a pale stripe across one ear and down to his chin across his tan fur. He gestured, and the [Guardsmen] and two [Guardswomen] followed him in the same direction as Zevara. Mrsha stared. Then she saw Tkrn\u2019s face, the bared teeth. And she, curious, trembling with pain and fear and smelling<\/em> their intentions, followed.<\/p>\n

Raekea didn\u2019t notice. The [Armorer] was pushing her way towards Krshia, trying to weigh in on the debate between Erin and Krshia. The [Innkeeper] was shouting in Krshia\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! No, no, no!<\/em> Ceria says\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is justice!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Krshia shouted back. The [Shopkeeper]\u2019s eyes were wide with fury, her paws clenched. Erin glared back.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you\u2019re wrong? What if you\u2019re wrong?<\/em> Ceria says it wasn\u2019t the same Calruz she knew, and I believe her! If there\u2019s a chance, it\u2019s murder!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been tested for magic!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if it\u2019s not magic?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, what if it\u2019s him?<\/em> Erin! Lism could win on this issue alone! Would you really destroy all we\u2019ve worked for? For this?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Raekea pushed her way forwards, past Elirr. Erin took a deep breath. She looked at the Pallassian [Senators], at Krshia, at Selys and around. And she slowly nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want my help, Krshia? Let Zevara<\/em> decide if Calruz dies. Let there be law. Not him being tortured to death! Let\u2019s talk to her. Otherwise, you can go try and beat Lism by saying you\u2019ll do the most horrible things to Calruz. And when you do, I\u2019ll walk back to my inn and slam the door to Pallass. And if you think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She cut off as Raekea thrust an arm out and grabbed her. Selys\u2019 eyes went round in alarm, and Krshia turned.<\/p>\n

\u201cRaekea\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow dare you! That Minotaur killed my people! He sacrificed them and worked with the Raskghar!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Armorer] howled. Erin glared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I haven\u2019t forgiven him\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cForgiven?<\/em> He can\u2019t be forgiven!<\/em> He can only be killed! How dare you argue otherwise? In front of the Mrsha child no less\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Raekea\u2019s furious paw pointed down at her side. Erin blinked and stared. So did the other Gnolls. Elirr, Krshia, Selys\u2014they all stared at the blank bit of street. Raekea paused. She looked down. Then behind her. Then amid the milling crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha? Mrsha? Where did you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at Erin. Let go of her. Then Raekea panicked.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

There he sat. There he stood. As time passed, he knew the cell of his world. And a small world it was. The magical field that held him pulsed. The cell was small. Large enough for him to pace in, even exercise.<\/p>\n

Small for a world. Smaller still with months spent here. So small it wore him into pieces. Until death was welcome. And if death could erase dishonor, he would have taken it.<\/p>\n

So he waited. When the Drake stormed into the prison, he looked up. And she told him of his doom.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will kill you. Slowly, by the masses. And they will do it if Lism wins.\u201d<\/p>\n

And the Minotaur smiled without rancor. Without fear. He spoke with thought, forethought, afterthought, with the measure of a prisoner for whom time had different meaning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell and so. It would be fair.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Watch Captain paced in front of the cell. Smoke hung in the air, her fiery passion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe City Watch and the law aren\u2019t tools for politicians to use. Nor are lives of prisoners. And if Erin has her way and I mine, this will never be so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if I am guilty? If the [Mages] find nothing wrong with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I will consider your crime. But I am the law. And I judge. And I do not see the monster you would die as.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The words were fire. They warmed even the Minotaur\u2019s heart. But he put one palm on the magical wall of his cell. His one arm, straining against ensorcelled air. And he longed to see the sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would rather die. Let them have their vengeance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever. Not so long as I remain.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake bared her teeth. And the Minotaur bowed his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut a prisoner I stay. And I would rather die than sit here another day.\u201d<\/p>\n

To that, there was nothing she could say.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

At last, Zevara stopped pacing. She leaned against the wall of the cell. Calruz waited. His eyes were fixed on her. He stood as still as a statue. And when she looked at him, Zevara saw a Minotaur.<\/p>\n

Just a Minotaur. Haunted by what he had done. But she did not see the monster who had led the Raskghar. She had<\/em> seen him when Erin had brought the battle to the Raskghar far below. And she remembered a monster.<\/p>\n

That was not the person who pleaded for death. Though Calruz\u2019s words chilled Zevara, she could not answer his request.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis goes beyond what you want, Calruz. This is a matter of a threat to Liscor. If something in that dungeon got you, I want to know what it was. If it wasn\u2019t your fault\u2014you deserve to clear your name.\u201d<\/p>\n

Was it a lie at this point, or the truth? Zevara was afraid, very afraid, that she was letting her feelings cloud her judgment. Because she liked the Minotaur in the cell, damn it! He understood what it was like to be her. When he spoke of honor, she understood. What honor was to him was law to her.<\/p>\n

But Calruz just shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one has suffered my fate. No one. No magic was found on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you didn\u2019t see<\/em> some of the monsters in the dungeon. There was something in the water.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA spell. It doesn\u2019t matter. The adventurers are still clearing the dungeon. Have any of them gone mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara didn\u2019t answer. She turned away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not debating this with you, Calruz. I just wanted you to know what was happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned to go rather than face arguing with the Minotaur. Calruz spoke as Zevara was leaving.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you fight so hard for me? I don\u2019t deserve it, either way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara hesitated. She walked back to the cell, the magical barrier. She had no fear of it breaking despite Calruz leaning on it. It had been made to hold Gold-rank prisoners. He could strike it even with a magical weapon as hard as he liked, and she doubted it would break. Although she wouldn\u2019t risk that. She hesitated\u2014and then reached through<\/em> the barrier and touched his arm.<\/p>\n

The cell could be configured, so Calruz could pass through the waste bucket or receive food. If he tried to grab her, on the other hand, she wouldn\u2019t budge. He started at her touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you are guilty. Maybe you\u2019re innocent. I cannot tell. But I know this: letting Lism lead a mob to rip you apart is not how the law works, Calruz. And I will be certain before you die.\u201d<\/p>\n

He breathed in and out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I will abide. My confinement is no more than I deserve. Rather, I suppose it\u2019s a fitting punishment until my fate. But, Watch Captain Zevara. Remember what I have done. No excuse will change that. Even if I was truly ensorcelled.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was true too. Zevara nodded and stepped back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. But I just can\u2019t put an honorable person to death. If I did, I think I\u2019d lose my class.\u201d<\/p>\n

That made Calruz smile bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. So we\u2019re both bound by our honor. I cannot be sure it was me that was the monster, entirely sure, so I am not allowed to seek my death. And you cannot give it for the same reason. It\u2019s harder than I thought when I was younger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHonor.\u201d<\/p>\n

And there was nothing Zevara could say to that. She moved back. She knew she had to return. To tell Krshia\u2014something.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll check back on you. And I\u2019m doubling the guard on the prison in case Lism stirs up trouble. No\u2014when he does.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Minotaur watched as Zevara strode away. Then hurry back. He looked expectantly at her. Zevara snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of Skills does a [Prisoner] get? It had better not be lock picking Skills or\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing like that. The first Skill I gained was called [Peaceful Rest]. It helps with the stone floor. And then [Efficient Metabolism].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in the name of the Ancestors is a metabolism?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. But I get hungry less.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara considered it. Then she stalked off. Calruz watched her go. He whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then I gained [Recall Guilt]. And I remembered half. But the rest was a dream. So maybe you are right. But half of it is enough. Too heavy by far.\u201d<\/p>\n

He leaned on the cell\u2019s wall, and Watch Captain Zevara did not hear the last. She strode out of the prison, snapping at the [Guards] on duty.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep an eye on the cells.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

They watched her go. If their eyes lingered on her back and tail, she didn\u2019t notice. The Drake left the prison, hurrying back down the streets. She didn\u2019t notice the other Gnolls and two Drakes filing into the prison after she\u2019d left. And they<\/em> were so busy keeping an eye on her, they never noticed the little Gnoll creeping after them.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHey. What was she doing in there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame as always. Talking with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t listen. Look, you want to do this, I\u2019m staying out.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was seven. Five Gnolls, two Drakes. Tkrn among them. Mrsha watched Tkrn shift as the Gnoll with the stripe conferred with the [Guards].<\/p>\n

One of them folded his arms. He was a Drake and looked\u2026uncomfortable. Mrsha didn\u2019t know what they were discussing, but of the three [Guards] on duty, one was \u2018in\u2019, one wasn\u2019t, and the last, another Gnoll, was undecided. She looked from the Gnolls to the two Drakes, and her expression firmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in too. Tkrn?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. If Watch Captain Zevara finds out, it\u2019ll be our tails\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Tkrn fidgeted nervously. Mrsha could smell his anxiety. Her paws held her rats as they squirmed in her belt pouch. She could smell<\/em> the prison. It stank. But she could also smell him<\/em> in there. And she hated and feared that smell.<\/p>\n

Hate was all she smelled from the Gnoll with the stripe. Hate and fury. It reeked from all of them. Mrsha wanted to scrub her nose. But she held still, listening. The Gnoll with the stripe was glaring at Tkrn and the Drake who wasn\u2019t \u2018in\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf<\/em> she finds out, it\u2019s because one of us let on. You don\u2019t like it? You keep watch. Or leave. Take a walk; we can cover for you. Lassil. Are you going to turn on us?\u201d<\/p>\n

He stared at the Drake. Lassil glared back.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. But I\u2019m not sticking around for this either. Nothing\u2019s coming from me. But I don\u2019t want to hear anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stalked out of the prison. The others watched him go silently. The Gnoll with the stripe nodded. He pointed at Tkrn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou staying or leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen keep watch. You smell Zevara coming or anyone else, signal us! Now move; we don\u2019t have all day before the Watch Captain checks on us. Or one of the Senior Guardsmen. Especially<\/em> Klbkch.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others nodded. Tkrn took up his post outside the prison, and the rest went in. Mrsha couldn\u2019t hear or see what they were doing. But she had to know. So she crept forwards. Tkrn was muttering to himself under his breath. He seemed conflicted. He barely smelled Mrsha until she was right up on him. Then he jumped<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho<\/em>\u2014Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n

He stared down at her. The little Gnoll looked wide-eyed up at him. Tkrn stared. Then he looked at the prison.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you get\u2014did you hear\u2014go away. Go back to Krshia. Or the inn! Shoo!\u201d<\/p>\n

He motioned her back with the butt of his spear. But Mrsha was close now. The door to the prison was iron, but she could hear sounds coming from within; it wasn\u2019t fully closed. The sounds of voices. Something hitting something else. She narrowed her eyes. Tkrn hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m warning\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Too late. Mrsha jumped forwards on all fours. She raced through the door, pushing it open. Tkrn cursed and grabbed, but he was cumbersome in his armor. Mrsha ran into the prison. Rows of silent cells, mostly empty, greeted her. Two prisoners stared out. A Gnoll and a Drake. The Gnoll was baring his teeth. The Drake was listening in silence.<\/p>\n

At the far end was his cell. And him. Mrsha stopped as the Drake and Gnolls turned. She saw one of them lower the butt of their spear, whirl.<\/p>\n

\u201cTkrn! I told you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll snarled. Then he saw Mrsha and stopped. He took a step back with two of the Gnolls.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoombringer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just Mrsha! She slipped by me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Tkrn raced after Mrsha, panting. He caught her, but the Drake made an agonized sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou idiot<\/em>, Tkrn! Just a kid? She\u2019s seen us!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha did see. She saw a Minotaur pulling himself upright. His broad nose was bloody. His fur dislodged. And he was being struck.<\/p>\n

By the spears. A pair of [Guards] held them. They were jabbing them into the cell, using the blunt ends. There wasn\u2019t much Calruz could have done to stop them if he\u2019d tried. But he hadn\u2019t. He\u2019d been standing still. Now they lowered the spears. Tkrn turned pale.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take her out. Mrsha, you can\u2019t tell anyone. You didn\u2019t see this. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

He tried to pull Mrsha back. But one of the Gnolls, the one with the stripe holding the spear, stopped her. He looked down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait. She was there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others looked at Mrsha. She stared at the Gnoll [Guardsman]. Then at the Minotaur. She shrank back. But the Gnoll just raised his spear and jabbed<\/em> it into the cell. Reflexively, Calruz twisted, but the spear struck<\/em> him in the chest. He barely moved. Just grunted. But Mrsha knew it had to hurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll turned to her, his teeth bared. He gestured. Mrsha saw the Drake turn. She was panting. Her eyes were locked on Calruz\u2019s. And she smelled of hate. The Gnoll looked down at Mrsha.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re punishing him. We should have done it long ago. Only, the Watch Captain keeps visiting. But we\u2019ve had enough. Lism is right. Election or not, we\u2019ll make sure this thing doesn\u2019t sit happily in here, eating and shitting while we clean up after him. He\u2019ll pay. My brother was one of the ones the Raskghar sacrificed. Everyone here knows someone who was taken. And you were there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tkrn was frozen. And the worried Drake looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cUlkel! Don\u2019t tell her\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Paiss. She gets it. She was there. You think I\u2019m right, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll squatted down. Mrsha backed up. But then she turned her head. Calruz stood in his cell. He stared at her, his blue eyes calm. Unwavering. She recognized him at the same time he recognized her.<\/p>\n

His eyes widened. She shook. The memories hit Mrsha. The smell. The fear. She bared her teeth, and little thorns grew from her paws. The Gnoll nodded. He held the spear out.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere. You want to try?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was too large, too heavy for her. Mrsha hesitated and grabbed at it. She tried to lift it. The prison was silent. Her arms shook; she stumbled. She was too weak to lift it and<\/em> stand on two feet. Tkrn muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cUlkel. She\u2019s a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? If she can\u2019t do it, she knows what we\u2019re doing. And she won\u2019t tell. Right?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll looked at Mrsha. She met his eyes, and then she looked at Calruz. Hate.<\/em> Hate, hate, hate\u2014she bared her teeth and shook her head. The Gnoll nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone got a dagger?\u201d<\/p>\n

At that, Calruz stirred. He broke off from staring at Mrsha. He looked up. And his voice was low. It was familiar.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep the child out of this. She does not need to see my face ag\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He grunted, and his head snapped<\/em> back as the butt of the spear struck him. The Drake lowered it and spat.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up. Tkrn, take the kid out of here. And shut<\/em> the damned door, you idiot!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tkrn muttered as he bent down and grabbed Mrsha. She didn\u2019t protest as he pulled her out. But neither did she take her eyes off the far end of the prison. The Drake and Gnolls were taking turns striking with the spears. And Mrsha wanted to see it. She trembled. She hated the Minotaur in the cell.<\/p>\n

The last thing she heard was the Gnoll pulling a potion from his belt. He was talking to the Drake.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure to splash the healing potion on him afterwards. And mark me, Minotaur, you\u2019re going to earn every drop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then the door closed. Mrsha felt two paws put her on the ground. Tkrn waved a paw in her face. She looked up at last. And he stared down at her. His eyes were bigger. Worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha. About that. It was\u2014we\u2019re just\u2014it\u2019s Captain Zevara.\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t respond. Tkrn went on, clearing his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a good Watch Captain. One of the best. But she doesn\u2019t understand. She\u2019s not one of us. Don\u2019t tell her. Don\u2019t tell Krshia. Or anyone else. This is\u2014justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hunched over his spear. And she smelled his fury too. Tkrn held her gaze. Mrsha nodded slowly. He relaxed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll make him pay. For you and Honored Elirr and everyone else. Don\u2019t tell. Now go before someone comes looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha went. Slowly. Gazing back at the prison. She kept remembering the sight. Part of her was afraid. Still afraid, even with the Minotaur in the cell. The rest of her wished she\u2019d been strong enough to lift the spear, that Ulkel had given her a dagger. She shivered with hate.<\/p>\n

That was how Raekea found her with Erin. They scolded her, worried, and Mrsha was whisked back to the inn in disgrace. She didn\u2019t care. She had seen a monster. And she had seen him being punished.<\/p>\n

It still wasn\u2019t enough. But it was a start.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This was still the tale of two rats tied up in Erin\u2019s inn. They found themselves there, freed from the captivity of a place darker and smaller than any they had known. A place where they couldn\u2019t breathe<\/em>, where they were trapped.<\/p>\n

And even in the light, in the air, a captive they remained. Tethered by their tails. By hope, perhaps. For one might have gnawed off their tail and saved the other. But neither brother nor sister had the will. The daring. They hoped, and so they remained wandering around on the floor, pulling one, then the other.<\/p>\n

Captives of the child. And she stared at them. All the fun was gone.<\/p>\n

She had been scolded and reprimanded. Brought back in disgrace. But that was not what consumed her heart. It was memory and agony. It was vengeance.<\/p>\n

Vengeance.<\/em> The paw came down, and the grey rat skittered away, fearful of the wrath that would have laid low mountains. She tugged,<\/em> and her brother squeaked<\/em> and scrabbled over to bite her. Oh, how they turned. While, above them, the child pondered.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In her head, Mrsha saw the Minotaur in his cell. Alive. Whole. While the dead Gnolls, her kin, lay in the darkness. On the altar. The [Guards] did what was right. What Mrsha would have done.<\/p>\n

They jabbed him, struck him again and again.<\/p>\n

Part of her wished she\u2019d held the spear. Part of her wished they\u2019d used the other end. Mrsha\u2019s paw landed with fury and grief, and a rat squeaked. <\/em>The sound was funny, and it almost made Mrsha smile. She paused and did it again.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A hammer fell. The blow crushed the grey rat to the floor. She wailed, but such agony she felt only came out in air, in a sound. And above her, the child laughed. Her brother scurried away, faithless, afraid. And the sister felt her breath explode as the paw shook her.<\/p>\n

Oh, tragedy. Oh, wrath. What had they done to deserve this? The two longed for the darkness. For their kin, the People of the Grain Sack. The paw, the dreaded thing, lifted them up, and they beheld two brown eyes.<\/p>\n

Tyrant! Fiend!<\/em> At last, they realized this was not some impartial architect, but a thing! No rat. The not-Rat was giant, but mortal still! It could be felled! So they set to with tooth and fang, striking a blow against their captor. Though they might fall, it was worth it to fight back against the instrument of their fate\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mrsha stared at the wriggling, squeaking<\/em> rats as she held them up by their connected tails. They rotated, lashing out with their tiny claws. She giggled, forgetting about the Minotaur for a moment. Then she heard an exclamation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha!<\/em> What is that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a horrified female voice. Guiltily, Mrsha tried to hide the rats behind her back. But too late. Lyonette stared at the wriggling rats in horror.<\/p>\n

\u201cRats?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Her exclamation made a number of the inn\u2019s patrons look around. Lyonette hesitated, then bent over.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrow them out at once! Wait\u2014what have you done to\u2014Mrsha!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked horrified, mainly by the knot in the tails. Mrsha looked up, suddenly afraid. She didn\u2019t want to be scolded! She looked around and then raced over to a group of Gnolls. Raekea looked up from her furious discussion with a group of Gnolls who were all set on arguing with Erin. The [Innkeeper] herself was talking with Rufelt and Lasica at the bar.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha, come back here right now, young Miss!\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette stormed after her as Mrsha hid behind Raekea. The [Armorer] looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has two\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette hesitated and lowered her voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo rats<\/em> in her paws! It\u2019s filthy! I don\u2019t know where she got them\u2014Mrsha, give me\u2014no, put them outside! And why are their tails in a knot?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Raekea looked down at Mrsha, who was peering around her legs, wide-eyed. She laughed and patted Mrsha reassuringly on the head. Emboldened, Mrsha crept out and held the rats up. Lyonette recoiled. But Raekea just snorted, and some of the Gnolls did too.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Lyonette, they\u2019re just rats. And the tails are a common thing. Have you not heard of rat kings?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard of rats. And I know [Kings]. What\u2019s this about a rat king?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, it\u2019s a childhood thing! Do Drakes and<\/em> Humans not\u2026? Well, when I was a child\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette listened to Raekea fondly reminisce about doing what Mrsha had done in disbelief. One of the other Gnolls smiled fondly as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, that brings me back! I used to do the exact same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI kept them and fed them to my dog.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBah! The trick was to find as many as you could. What was your record? I got sixteen, but then\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnolls happily broke out into a debate. They laughed and patted Mrsha\u2019s head, flicking their paws and sending the two rats scurrying across the table, bumping into each other. Lyonette shook her head at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat may be so, but in this<\/em> inn, those rats don\u2019t belong. They\u2019re filthy, and they could bite. Mrsha, remember Erin\u2019s lesson about hygiene? Throw them out at once!\u201d<\/p>\n

She pointed. Mrsha looked up, her mouth and eyes widened in silent protest. But she wanted to keep them! They were funny, and they didn\u2019t fly off like Apista. She patted a rat to demonstrate, and it went squeak!<\/em><\/p>\n

The Gnolls laughed heartily, enjoying the distraction. Raekea turned to Lyonette, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Lyonette, rats aren\u2019t nearly as filthy as you might think. If these haven\u2019t been living in a sewer, why not let little Mrsha keep them? She\u2019s a Plains Gnoll, and I\u2019m sure she did this in her tribe. Come to that, she deserves to run about! That\u2019s probably why she got them to begin with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha nodded rapidly up at Lyonette. The [Princess] frowned. She opened her mouth, hesitated, and put her foot down in both senses of the word.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in my inn. And Mrsha\u2019s my<\/em> responsibility, thank you, Miss Raekea. I\u2019ll decide what she can and can\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll [Armorer] frowned. She glanced at Mrsha. The Gnoll sulkily held the rats to her chest. They were trying to bite and scratch her fur. The older Gnoll turned back to the young Human woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Lyonette. I understand you take care of Mrsha. But she is<\/em> a Gnoll. There are some things she should do differently. We are her people; we understand. Let her keep the rats. She\u2019ll tire of them, but she should be free to do things as we did. She is a Gnoll.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She emphasized the word again, and the Gnolls around her nodded. Lyonette hesitated. She glanced at Mrsha and bit her lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

And that was it. Into that gap, all the Gnolls spoke at once, stories about when they were young, things Mrsha should be allowed to do. Raekea winked at Mrsha, and the little Gnoll beamed at her. She clutched the rats and hurried off. Lyonette nearly followed her, but the Gnolls held her back, arguing, cajoling.<\/p>\n

In another corner of the inn, Mrsha lowered the rats when she felt a tug at her fur. The grey rat was biting a tuft of her fur. Mrsha, amused, pulled at it, but the rat refused to let go. She frowned as the other rat dangled and pulled.<\/p>\n

Ow!<\/em> The rat had her hair and was chewing at it. Mrsha fumbled with her paws, trying to remove the tiny mouth. As she pulled, the grey rat suddenly let go. She twisted and, before Mrsha could catch hold of her, bit<\/em> Mrsha on the paw.<\/p>\n

It hurt! Mrsha dropped the pair of rats with a silent cry. It drew the attention of few people, but one [Innkeeper] broke off from her conversation with Rufelt and Lasica and looked up blankly for a second. In her corner, Mrsha felt at the small bite and saw it had drawn blood!<\/p>\n

Just a little. But it hurt<\/em>. And Mrsha was suddenly furious. Bad rats! She raised a paw and smacked<\/em> the grey rat. It tried to pull its brother away. She smacked<\/em> it again. Bad things deserved punishment! Like the Minotaur. She smacked the rat and then the other one as he tried to bite her paw.<\/p>\n

This was discipline! She swatted at them, hearing them squeak<\/em>. Again and again\u2014<\/p>\n

Until the [Innkeeper] called her name.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

So fell the blows. From above. Light taps from a child. The rats squeaked<\/em> with each impact. And it was a cute sound, the noise to amuse. To make Gnolls laugh. And in the Gnolls\u2019 story, it was just a cute sound, a little rat\u2019s bite.<\/p>\n

But in their story, the rats screamed. Far from home, desperate, they writhed. Their tails were agony. And they screamed as the blows crushed them to the ground, pounding their organs, grinding their bones. They cried out, but they had no language. No words for mercy. There was only now. And now was pain.<\/p>\n

No one cared. The Gnolls saw only toys. Lyonette saw only pests. And the rats were rats, tied, screaming. Until the girl known as Erin Solstice came. She looked down and saw what Mrsha held. So paused Erin, and her expression was caught betwixt horror and confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha! What are you doing? What have you done?\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, the Gnoll had no words to explain. But she had signs and a voice without. But neither she used. For she was wroth. And her fury came out in a look. The reproach in the child\u2019s eyes that said more than any words. And Erin bent.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you heard. I have my reasons, Mrsha. And they are good and right. Even if I am conflicted. Can you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

The child did not want to understand. She swatted a rat, and it screamed in a voice that was comical. But Erin looked down and heard it. She caught the paw before it fell again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing? Why are you doing this? Can\u2019t you see they suffer? They hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha looked up blankly. For rats were rats. Why did they<\/em> have feelings? Erin squatted down, staring at the rats. At the tails. And she shook her head, greatly disturbed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this is wrong, Mrsha, don\u2019t you see? These rats don\u2019t deserve such a fate. Set them free! And untie them first! Animals deserve kindness, the same as people. You should know this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her words stung and bit. The Gnoll child hated to hear them. She would speak for rats, but not Gnollkind. She would save even a Minotaur. For she was too kind.<\/em> So Mrsha defiantly put a paw on a rat.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young woman\u2019s voice was as sharp as her knife. Mrsha paused, for she had not heard a tone like that. But she looked up and down, and the rats squirmed. They were hers, Raekea had said. So that was that. She lifted the rats up by the tails. It was a simple thing. But she had not considered what it would feel like if someone were to do that to her or a Drake.<\/p>\n

The two squirmed. All they knew was pain. The Gnoll who held them yanked<\/em> defiantly again, and the [Innkeeper] heard the rats scream. Erin\u2019s eyes widened, and she reached. But back Mrsha scampered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha lifted the rats triumphantly, in hubris, in vengeance misplaced. And they screamed, a pitiful sound. Mrsha dared Erin. She hated her. She hated the Minotaur. She raised the rats high, squeezing hard because she wanted to hurt him. She wanted to hurt them.<\/em><\/p>\n

And stopped. Because Erin was staring right at her. And the inn shook.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The [Actors] on stage paused. On the bar, Rufelt\u2019s drinks shook in their tumblers. The guests of the inn looked up. And the weight<\/em> that pressed down was smothering. The air was hot.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut. Them. Down.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin\u2019s voice ran through the inn. It was thunder. It was a shout. Mrsha froze. And her arms lowered. She put the rats down, and they clung to each other, shaking. But no more than Mrsha. Erin stared at the little Gnoll. And her face\u2014Mrsha shook.<\/p>\n

One second the pressure was crushing<\/em>, the next, gone. Erin blinked. She reached out.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll fled. She raced upstairs and slammed<\/em> the door to her room, then pushed a chair in front of the door under the knob. Then she fled under the bed, crying. Afraid. Because she knew Erin was coming. She heard nothing as she hid in a corner, quivering. Nothing from outside. Mrsha heard someone rattle the knob.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha? Mrsha, open the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Lyonette\u2019s voice. Mrsha didn\u2019t move. She knew she was in trouble. Big trouble. But she was too afraid to open the door. She hid, curling up and trembling. The door knob turned and rattled, and someone pushed. <\/em>But the door remained closed.<\/p>\n

A minute passed. Then two. Mrsha hid. She\u2019d stay here forever. Even if she got hungry. She\u2019d stay and stay, and maybe if she stayed here long enough, Erin wouldn\u2019t be so<\/em> mad. She stared at the door, trembling.<\/p>\n

And then\u2014Erin climbed through the window. She looked around and spotted Mrsha. The Gnoll went still with fear. Then she tried to run for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice was quiet. Mrsha halted. She couldn\u2019t help it. She turned, shaking, as Erin walked over towards her. She could read nothing on the young woman\u2019s face. Erin paused, standing in front of Mrsha. Her eyes were very terrible. Disappointed. And sad.<\/p>\n

Mrsha trembled, expecting a blow. Krshia would spank her. Lyonette had once, too. Erin reached down, and Mrsha flinched. The young woman paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would never spank you, Mrsha. I could never.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then what? Mrsha looked up. She was already crying. And she saw that Erin was angry. As angry as she ever saw. Angry and disappointed and sad. The [Innkeeper] spoke softly as she sat down cross legged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a bad thing you did, Mrsha. You hurt the rats. Why\u2019d you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

She waited. But Mrsha just looked away. She was crying. And it was frustrating because she didn\u2019t feel bad! They were just rats! But there was Calruz and\u2014and Erin wasn\u2019t going to kill him. Somehow, the [Innkeeper] sensed it all. She moved to look at Mrsha, and the Gnoll turned around again, shaking and sniffing and crying.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha. Rats feel pain. They hurt. When you smack them, they hurt. I know they\u2019re pests. And I know what Gnolls do. Raekea told me. And I understand that you didn\u2019t mean any harm. But if I\u2019d seen it earlier, I\u2019d have told you to stop. I\u2019m not angry about that. I\u2019m sad that you started hitting them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha defiantly looked at Erin. So what? They were rats.<\/em> She was still crying. She wished she wasn\u2019t. But she was sad. Sad and mad. She pointed furiously at Erin, signaling. Erin didn\u2019t understand until Mrsha made a pair of cow horns.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Calruz. Mrsha\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll spat. She bared her teeth. Erin waited as Mrsha\u2019s mouth opened and closed. She waited. Then she spoke as Mrsha was panting, shouting without a voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I haven\u2019t forgiven him either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha paused. Erin stood up. She sat on the bed. She looked at Mrsha, and her eyes were sad. And bleak. She smelled of anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t forgiven him. I know he took you. I know he took Elirr and he killed the others. I know. I remember. I haven\u2019t visited. I haven\u2019t forgiven him. But he might be innocent. It might not be his fault. That\u2019s what Ceria says. But she could be wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

She paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if she is, he\u2019ll die. But it will be quick. That\u2019s how the law works here. Back home, we\u2019d keep him in prison until he died. Multiple life sentences perhaps. But that\u2019s home. I don\u2019t know which is meaner. But that\u2019s Calruz. Those rats are different. And the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were not<\/em>. Mrsha rubbed at her wet eyes. She shook her head. Erin looked down at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha\u2014Mrsha\u2014listen to me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha just shook her head. She didn\u2019t want to hear. She went to a corner and sat in it, still crying. Erin sighed. She looked at the little Gnoll curled up. And she stood up and approached Mrsha. She paused there. Then she bent.<\/p>\n

And she hugged Mrsha. She grasped the Gnoll child softly and lifted her up. Mrsha tensed. But all Erin did was hug her softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

She hugged Mrsha. That hurt more than any spanking Krshia had ever given her. When Mrsha looked up and saw the tears in Erin\u2019s eyes, it was all the worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019re sad. And mad. Listen to me. I\u2019m sad too. The rats are one thing. Calruz the other. But listen, Mrsha. One is<\/em> like the other. Because both are weak. I know Calruz did horrible things. But he\u2019s in a cage. And the rats are small. They can\u2019t do anything. If you hurt them, if you tie their tails together, that\u2019s bad. I know you didn\u2019t know. But I\u2019m telling you. It\u2019s not okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha pushed at Erin\u2019s chest weakly. She didn\u2019t want to hear it. Erin went on, holding her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a good girl. I know that. And I know it\u2019s different for Gnolls. I know that in this world, you don\u2019t see animals like that. But listen. What would you say if you heard a dog make that sound? Can a dog feel? Can a dog cry?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha buried her head in Erin\u2019s shirt. She knew a dog could yelp and cry. But rats were different<\/em>. Erin held her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the difference between a dog and a rat? Between you and me? They hurt, Mrsha. They hurt. A Goblin hurts. I hurt. It wasn\u2019t good to do that. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

But they were rats.<\/em> And he was a Minotaur. Mrsha couldn\u2019t say either. She clung to Erin\u2019s shirt, wiping her eyes and nose on it. And Erin hugged Mrsha. She looked so sad. She was crying too, and it hurt Mrsha like a knife. Sometimes she shone too brightly and with such goodness<\/em> that it hurt.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

When she came below, a dozen Gnolls were ready to argue Mrsha\u2019s case. They were mad at Erin for shouting, and Lyonette was angry too. But Erin met them all with Mrsha in her arms. And she said the same thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cA rat feels pain. And to hurt it is a shame.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnolls scoffed and laughed or disputed the case. But they fell silent when Elirr the [Beast Trainer] showed his face. The Gnoll listened and looked at the little rats lying on the ground. They squeaked in terror and fled when he reached down.<\/p>\n

The others laughed. But the Gnoll lifted the two, and they looked up in fear and pain. When he opened his eyes and stared about, there was anger plain. He spoke like this to the others as he gently held the rats. And they looked up and felt his connection with them as he gently untied them and fed them a snack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho says rats have no feelings? Who laughs? I have seen children throw a rat. And they laugh when it goes splat. But I\u2019ll tell you this for a fact. Rats are animals, and they\u2019re all the same. They have wills and feelings, if not thought like us. Yet the largest dog is still a pet. And be it dog or cat or rat, they deserve respect and dignity<\/em>. Until you learn that, you and all the others are banned from my shop, Mrsha who is dear to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked sternly at the child who clung to the [Innkeeper] and cried. But it was the [Princess] who took her and glared into the [Beast Trainer]\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had no idea. Don\u2019t you dare lecture her! She did not know. And they\u2019re just rats<\/em>. I\u2019d kill them and go.\u201d<\/p>\n

She pointed at the rats, and Erin argued and Elirr snapped and the Gnolls snapped back. Below, on the table, the two looked up, grey rat and white. They waggled their tails and then took flight. Erin shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter them! Don\u2019t let them get away! They\u2019re going to the\u2014basement?\u201d<\/p>\n

And just like that, a rat dove through a crack. And when the trapdoor opened and they descended below, the Humans and Gnolls recoiled. For the People of the Grain Sack were caught in the light. The [Innkeeper] and guests saw nearly a hundred rats having a snack. From a bunch of stored foodstuffs, perfectly preserved.<\/p>\n

So Erin stood in the basement with a hammer, and Lyonette with a bag. They looked at each other, one queasy, one pale. But both could agree: the rats had to die.<\/p>\n

\u201cEr. Okay, they\u2019re rats. And they\u2019re a pest. So\u2026let\u2019s smack them with a hammer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy ourselves? Didn\u2019t you say rats deserved our respect?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Princess] was horrified and amused by turns. The Gnoll cub stared around and folded her arms. And Erin threw up her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said that! But a pest\u2019s a pest! Now help me kill this stupid nest! They\u2019re eating my stuff! What I said applies. They\u2019re alive. So\u2026kill them quickly so it doesn\u2019t hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

So saying, she tried to raise the hammer and chase a rat. But when it came to splatting one, she couldn\u2019t. So the hammer went to Lyonette, who looked queasy and upset. And Erin turned and looked snide.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were on the \u2018squish the rats\u2019 side?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes, but it\u2019s one thing to hammer them flat! Why do I have to do it myself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause they\u2019re just pests. And if they didn\u2019t feel a thing, why do you feel bad? Because it\u2019s gross? Or because you think that when they scream, they scream?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The two began to quarrel as Mrsha sat on the ground and sobbed. Lyonette glared and pointed at the rats.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if rats could speak, would you save them from the world? If rats could weep, would you say they were like Goblins?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin had no answer to that. And so the [Princess] threw down her hammer, and a rat went splat.<\/em> The two stared at it, and they heard a rat scream. It wailed and shrieked, and they both turned green. And there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth, none of which Mrsha took part in. Until a Hobgoblin came down the basement steps. He stared at the two young women crying over the dead corpse of a rat and the bloody hammer. Numbtongue paused. Then he pointed and asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you making rat soup?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hobgoblin listened as Erin told him rats could feel pain. And Lyonette and the Gnolls disputed that they should feel shame.<\/em> In the end, Numbtongue pointed at the rat. It was screaming, and the Goblin snapped its neck with one foot. He looked up and at Elirr.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels pain, just like you or me. But it is not like you or me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at Erin and Lyonette and Mrsha too. And she asked him if a Goblin was like a rat. The Hobgoblin paused and stared down at the ground. He shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cRats are not Human or Goblin or anything but rats. When one talks, I\u2019ll think about it. But I know this: when you kill something, you kill it fast. And here\u2019s a plague.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pointed. All said that was true. The People of the Grain Sack poked their heads out of every space, and Erin shuddered. She looked at the hammer and then at Lyonette. Then she poked her head out of the basement and shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIshkr! My favorite employee!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll with prescience instantly looked up and shook his head. Drassi hid, but Ishkr just spoke with a common-Gnoll\u2019s wisdom.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Miss Erin, you have money. Use that and not us. For if we scramble and swear and run about, the rats will escape, and we will all be upset. But now, in Liscor, the city, there are plenty of ways. [Exterminators] and [Hunters], and do you know what else? Honored Elirr trains the best ratters, both dogs and cats.\u201d<\/p>\n

And all eyes turned to Elirr, and the old [Beast Trainer] sighed. But they were<\/em> pests. So he went and called for his dogs as Erin picked up the white rat and grey rat that Mrsha held in her paws. She stared at them, and Numbtongue lifted the hammer. But Erin protested, and so the two were saved.<\/p>\n

From tragedy to grief. The two shuddered at the blood. And the People of the Grain Sack saw their kindred being taken upstairs, into the light, by the titans. They did not protest and instead hid, thinking themselves safe. Until they heard the barking, meows,<\/em> and the click <\/em>of ivory on wood.<\/p>\n

Then the People of the Grain Sack knew the last age had come, and they took to flight. But down poured a multitude of beasts, led by a Gnoll who spoke of peace. And he meant every word. To kill a rat was one thing. To torture it, sheer cruelty. The People of the Grain Sack screamed and fled either way.<\/p>\n

And lo, there was great lamentation and terror. Beasts of fang and tooth, made larger or smarter by a [Beast Trainer]\u2019s craft, fell upon the basement, pouncing, biting, and tearing. The People of the Grain Sack fled into every cranny and hole. To no avail.<\/p>\n

Not one of four generations survived. They died in the basement, and Erin poked her head in and decided it needed a wash. Poor Ishkr got that job. For overtime pay and triple the hour. He sighed and got to work as the ratters washed their whiskers and gleefully filled their bellies.<\/p>\n

The Goblin watched it all. Did he think of his kindred in that moment? Or of the death of Goblins played out a hundred ways in a hundred times? Did he see kinship between the rats and he as they fled from the predators that toyed and killed indiscriminately?<\/p>\n

No. They were rats. But privately, the Hobgoblin thought it would have been kinder to use a hammer and make them go splat<\/em> rather than use a bunch of dogs and cats.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

So ended a people. In terror and fear. And the last of the rats quivered in Mrsha\u2019s paws. The Gnoll stared down and felt them shake. And they were an echo of her. It made her fear Erin was right.<\/p>\n

It couldn\u2019t be. But it was. The [Druid] saw Elirr\u2019s face. The Gnoll wasn't bothered by the death of all the rats in the basement. He\u2019d been angrier when he saw the two rats tied together. Now he just seemed miffed as a cat tried to crawl up one leg. He shooed it off.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stupid cats! That hurts! Climb somewhere else!\u201d<\/p>\n

Half the cats licking their bloody paws looked up. And all of them decided to flip their tails up and show their butts to the [Beast Trainer]. He glared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate training cats.\u201d<\/p>\n

But that was a lie, wasn\u2019t it? One of the ones adults told. Mrsha turned to Elirr. And he gazed down at her. She sniveled. Her nose was still running. He bent down. Lyonette was giving him a death\u2019s glare. The Gnoll ignored it as he bent down to the Gnoll cub.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, little Mrsha. I know I was harsh. But I mean it. You can feel them, can\u2019t you? You know<\/em> they hurt. It\u2019s unkind. But Plains Gnolls are often unkind. That\u2019s how we have to be. We kill Corusdeer or cows or even, yes, cats!<\/em> You hear that, you fleabags?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shouted at the cats, and they scattered, yowling,<\/em> as Ishkr glumly mopped up the bloody basement and rat corpses. Elirr spoke to Mrsha.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difference is that, if we have any decency, we do it quick.<\/em> Have you ever seen a [Hunter] letting an animal bleed out? Or stabbing an animal and letting it die slow? Those are monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha shivered. She could picture that. She tearfully stared down at the rats. Did that make her one? Elirr shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. No. You didn\u2019t know. But remember<\/em> it, child. I do. And perhaps other Gnolls should too.\u201d<\/p>\n

He glanced around sternly, and Erin nodded. Raekea and some of the Gnolls from Liscor glared back. One threw up his paws.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re rats<\/em>, Elirr. Dead gods! Rats!<\/em> All of you are making a big fuss over rats<\/em> when it was the Minotaur who\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He paused. Elirr\u2019s eyes glinted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Tell me all about what the Minotaur did. I haven\u2019t heard that one. And surely I do not <\/em>know good from evil, yes? Tell me, Kelc. Tell me all about the Minotaur.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll fell silent. Elirr straightened, rubbing his back. One of his huge war dogs trotted over and dropped a rat at his feet. The Gnoll blinked down at it and bent to rub the dog\u2019s ears. In her paws, Mrsha saw the rats wriggling in agitation, squeaking<\/em>, no, screaming in their language.<\/p>\n

And Mrsha, the [Druid], wondered what it was like for them. To see their entire family, their tribe, slaughtered in front of them. If they were Gnolls\u2026<\/p>\n

The world swam. The little Gnoll listened to the rats as they shrieked. If they were Gnolls\u2014the white one was biting at her. And she saw a little Gnoll biting at a Runner. On a field of falling snow.<\/p>\n

Mrsha dropped the rats. Elirr snatched the dog\u2019s collar before it could grab them. Numbtongue bent and snatched the rats up casually before they could escape.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin was scolding. But she stopped when she saw Mrsha\u2019s face. The little Gnoll put her hands on her stomach and threw up. Then she began crying again.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

That night, the Minotaur looked up. He saw the [Guards]. More than just them. Gnolls and Drakes. More Gnolls than Drakes, but both of each species.<\/p>\n

They did not hold the blunt end of spears this time. This time, they carried pokers. The kind you\u2019d use to tend to a fireplace. Long blades. And coals.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you afraid, monster?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll with the pale stripe across his face held up a glowing poker. One of the Drakes was a [Mage]. Calruz looked at it. Then he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he addressed the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember your honor. Do what you will with me. But remember your honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

They hissed<\/em> and growled<\/em> at that. They would have roared, but they were not supposed to be here<\/em>. So instead their hatred made them quiet. When the first burning poker came through the cell\u2019s walls, Calruz stared at it. He did not move.<\/p>\n

And he tried. He tried, with a [Warrior]\u2019s discipline, with all his strength, to make no sound. His flesh burnt. But when it began to turn black, he groaned<\/em>. That only encouraged them. They crowded around his cell, faces twisted, egging each other on. Shouting. Forgetting to be quiet.<\/p>\n

The Minotaur held still. Until he couldn\u2019t help himself and retreated. But they hounded him, attaching the pokers to long poles, hurling spells.<\/p>\n

He began to bellow in agony. Then scream. And the little Gnoll covered her ears as she listened outside the dungeon. She looked up at Tkrn, and the Gnoll\u2019s face was pale. She waited for him to call it \u2018justice\u2019, but he couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

So Mrsha fled, for there was no justice there. Only bad deeds and hate.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mrsha did not sleep that night. Even after she snuck back into Lyonette\u2019s room where the exhausted [Princess] was passed out. She could not shake the memory of the Minotaur\u2019s screams out of her head. And when she looked at the little cage and the two rats, she began shaking.<\/p>\n

It was not right. Perhaps some part of her had known that. Or maybe it was Erin telling her. But it was not right.<\/em> If she could go back, Mrsha would have used her [Thorn Paw] spell and cut Calruz apart. If she were in the dungeon. If the Raskghar were there.<\/p>\n

But now? She looked into the cage, and the two rats fled from her, squeaking<\/em>. Crying. And Mrsha felt like they were Calruz. What had Erin said? It wasn\u2019t right. Because they could cry. Because they could scream.<\/p>\n

But who could she tell? Krshia? Elirr? Lyonette? Erin? Mrsha thought about each one as she sat in front of the cage. Which ones would get the Gnolls and Drakes in trouble most? Least? Because there was something else at stake.<\/p>\n

They were her people. Raekea had said it. Mrsha was a Gnoll. She had called Mrsha one of her own. The Silverfang Tribe might take her in. But would she if Mrsha told? If she\u2014Mrsha stared down at the two rats. Their tails were still bent, even though Erin had given them a drop of healing potion each.<\/p>\n

Somewhere out there, a Minotaur was screaming. And it had been bad when they started. It would be worse before the night ended. Mrsha shook in place. She looked at Lyonette sleeping in her bed. Some part of her was still in the prison. And it knew the Gnolls and Drakes hadn\u2019t come there to stop. They were going to do a bad thing. Trembling, Mrsha bent over the cage.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Watch Captain Zevara sat in her office, too furious to work but too annoyed to stop. She was trying to go over the inventory for the City Watch, calculating her budget. But she was still furious over the day\u2019s deliberations. She\u2019d argued with Krshia until she was coughing smoke. And the Gnoll had barely, barely<\/em> agreed not to call for Calruz\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

It made sense. But Zevara was still furious. Lism had whipped up a mob. Zevara had half a mind to check on the Minotaur, but she\u2019d already done that and doubled the guard. The prison had been silent when she\u2019d walked past it this evening. No people loitering about outside.<\/p>\n

So the Drake sat. She stared at her quill until the ink was dried. Then she dipped it again. And stared. She was staring at the place to initial the document, knowing she hadn\u2019t actually read it, when she heard the scuffling<\/em> and the shout from downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! What\u2019re you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara looked up. She heard light padding and reached for her sword reflexively. Then something rattled the doorknob, pulled rather than pushed; Zevara heard pounding boots coming up the stairs. She inhaled as whoever was behind the door pushed at last\u2014<\/p>\n

And a little Gnoll tumbled into the room. Zevara paused as the fire in her lungs built. She stared at Mrsha as the white Gnoll got up. Zevara\u2019s head swiveled\u2014she turned, grabbed the window, and exhaled.<\/em> A plume of fire lit up the sky as she spat it out of the window. Then she whirled as the [Guardswoman] on desk duty burst into the office.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Watch Captain. I couldn\u2019t stop\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine. But what the hell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara began to snap and caught herself. She stared down at the white Gnoll and began to grow alarmed. The little Gnoll was panting, and her eyes were wide. She\u2019d run here. Zevara\u2019s mind instantly ran to her worst fears.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething\u2019s happened at the inn. Sound the alarm! Get Relc, Klbkch, put every [Guardsman] on the walls and get me a squad\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She paused. The Gnoll cub was shaking her head rapidly. Part of the alarm faded. Zevara stared, and the [Guardswoman] hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould I\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there a problem at the inn? Err\u2014Mrsha, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara looked down, trying to remember the little Gnoll\u2019s name. Her fur was beautifully white. She shook her head rapidly. But her wide eyes told Zevara something<\/em> was wrong. But she didn\u2019t say what it was. Instead, she began making a bunch of strange signs with her paws.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? What?<\/em> What\u2019s the problem? Come out with it already!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Watch Captain snapped as she tried to make sense of the signs. The [Guardswoman] stared too, but she knew a bit more than her Captain.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s, uh, I think she\u2019s mute, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is? Damn<\/em>. I forgot\u2014okay. What\u2019s the problem. Is it the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara stared at Mrsha. The Gnoll shook her head. She pointed; Zevara saw her bridge her arms like a wall. Then two arms up? Poking? A contorted face? Two paws over her head? The Gnoll kept doing that symbol.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea what you mean. Someone\u2019s hurt? Where? Who? Damn it\u2014can you write? Here\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s only a child, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that! Go stand watch and tell someone to check the inn for fire or monsters or something!\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara snapped at the [Guardswoman]. She stared. Mrsha was running about, frantic. She kept making the same symbol. Two paws, curved over her ears. Zevara frowned. There was something familiar about\u2014<\/p>\n

Horns<\/em>. The Drake\u2019s eyes widened. She looked at Mrsha\u2019s desperate expression. And her mind leapt to the worst conclusion, the right one, at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalruz? What\u2019s happening?\u201d<\/p>\n

She watched the pantomime. Then she charged past Mrsha, leapt down the stairs, and shouted the alarm.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

At some point, he\u2019d stopped feeling pain. He could still see it. Still feel the prodding. And then the retort, the snap of an arrow. They\u2019d progressed from burning. He was only glad the child hadn\u2019t been here to see it.<\/p>\n

He laughed as they killed him. Bit by bit. Slowly. It only made them angrier. More vicious. He would have stopped it if he could. Ended it himself. But he wasn\u2019t sure.<\/em> What was worse, far worse, was seeing the look in their eyes.<\/p>\n

It reminded him of the Raskghar. A vicious glee. No\u2014on some it was just pure hatred. He deserved that. But some hadn\u2019t come for vengeance. Or if they had, it had turned too vicarious. Too\u2026he saw them aiming, arguing.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo far! Enough!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

A Gnoll [Guardsman] and some of them were arguing with the Gnoll with the stripe. They were split as they pointed to Calruz. He was lying down by now. They\u2019d healed him four times, but\u2014he could have told them that a healing potion couldn\u2019t heal forever. Eventually, the body broke first.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough? Enough?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll was shouting. He had a spear, and Calruz knew it was meant for him. The Gnoll had never intended to leave him alive. The instant he\u2019d walked into the prison, Calruz had been sure today would be his last. He was only glad the child wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n

This was how he died. Without honor. Not in battle or surrounded by friends or family. In a dark cell. It was fitting. But bitter. The Minotaur waited as the Gnolls fought. Then the spear was raised. He sat up; a Minotaur should die on his feet, but they\u2019d stopped working. He saw the [Guardsman] raise the spear\u2014and then turn.<\/p>\n

Sound was gone. But Calruz saw him react. Turn, snarling. Then\u2014a flash of white. A little Gnoll cub tackled him, and a thorn protruding from her paw stabbed<\/em> into his leg. He howled\u2014then flames ripped down the prison. The white Gnoll child fled, and the Drakes and Gnolls fled, some rolling to extinguish the flames.<\/p>\n

Calruz sighed as he saw the Drake stalk forwards, full of honor, as the Gnoll whirled to face her, snarling. Because he knew he wouldn\u2019t die yet.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

She saluted them as she walked. Flames coated her every word. Fire of justice. Fire of rage. The other criminals drew back, but the Gnoll stayed. Blood ran from the wound and coated his fur. But he spat fury back.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave us be, Watch Captain! Leave us to justice! Leave me to vengeance!<\/em> Turn away!\u201d<\/p>\n

The little Gnoll saw the Drake pause. And her sword extended, glowing with heat as she shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop your spear, Guardsman Ulkel. For assaulting a prisoner, I am placing you and everyone present under arrest. Come quietly or I will use force. You have one warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou love that monster more than your people.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the law most of all. So drop your weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n

He never would. And the Drakes and Gnolls in the prison were split. Mrsha quivered as Zevara turned to guard her. A Gnoll moved, and Zevara turned. But it was Tkrn. He saluted her with his spear as he moved to guard Mrsha. And they held a moment.<\/p>\n

Traitor. [Guardsman]. Regret and shame and honor grasped at the last moment. So stood child and Gnoll and Watch Captain. She nodded and spun as Ulkel lunged.<\/p>\n

No poet would sing of that battle. Brief and short and filled with dishonor. Nor would anyone call it bravery as Mrsha hid behind Tkrn. But perhaps they might spare a word for the Watch Captain.<\/p>\n

In the moments before the rest of the Watch arrived, before Lyonette found Mrsha with Erin and the city descended to witness, the Watch Captain fought. She parried a spear thrust, put herself between the Minotaur\u2019s cell and a score. And she slashed and dodged and wove. Faster, more agile than any.<\/p>\n

A dozen blades came at her, half-hearted, aimed past her. Each one was knocked down. She even cut an arrow, breathing flame to set the [Archer] alight. She whirled and kicked<\/em> Ulkel\u2019s legs out from under him. And her sword aimed at his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Lawbreaker\u2019s Enemy]. You aren\u2019t [Guards] any longer. Throw down your weapons before I cut you down.\u201d<\/p>\n

A dozen blades fell. Gnolls and Drakes wept. And as he lay on the ground, Ulkel\u2019s voice rasped fury. He stared at Zevara. At Calruz. And at the Gnoll cub hiding behind Tkrn. He said only one word.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoombringer.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

A curse. A condemnation. Her nature. And the child wept. As the prison filled, as they were led away, the Gnolls looked at her. Traitor to their own. Doombringer. Only the Watch Captain paused. She walked through the Minotaur\u2019s cell as he gasped, the potion healing what could be healed. And she looked at Mrsha.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t listen to them\u2026kid. They brought this on themselves. No justice was done here. But the law is merciful. But there will be law. So long as I remain.\u201d<\/p>\n

The irony was she\u2019d forgotten Mrsha\u2019s name. But it didn\u2019t matter for soon it was shouted and whispered and said in reproach and regret. Gnolls ran into the prison. Krshia and Elirr and Raekea and more. Lyonette and Erin followed, breathless. And the Horns and all but a Hob who stared at a ring of [Guards] who\u2019d arrested him five steps into the city and glared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch Captain! This is not fair! These Gnolls and Drakes acted out of passion\u2019s sake! For justice, out of respect for their grief, I ask you give them a light sentence! Relief!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnolls cried for justice and stared at the Minotaur in hate. They argued with voices like thunder and snarls like lightning, coming, going. Mrsha crouched, and her eyes filled with tears. Betrayal.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha should have come to us. We could have handled it. This was a tragedy that could have been avoided.\u201d<\/p>\n

So said Raekea. Until Lyonette snapped. Lyonette shouted louder than the quarreling voices.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did what was right! What was just!<\/em> What I taught her to do!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is a Gnoll!<\/em> She is one of us!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll and Human glared at each other. [Armorer] and [Princess]. Lyonette swept up Mrsha in her arms. And it was a hug like no other, warm and fierce.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is not yours! How dare you claim her? Where were you when she first came here, when she was lost and afraid? When you judged her by her fur?\u201d<\/p>\n

And the Gnolls had no answer. But they looked at Zevara and the Gnolls and Drakes who would fill the very same cells. The [Princess] did not care. She held Mrsha to her and turned.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you dare call her yours. <\/em>Or Plains Gnoll. Or think you can tell me what she is. Because she is mine! My child, and I am her mother! Mine! My daughter!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She held Mrsha, and the child held her. The prison was silent. But the [Princess] didn\u2019t care. And the little Gnoll looked up. Of course, she knew it was true. Silently, in her heart, it had always been so. But sometimes it needed to be said now and then. That night, the [Princess] said it again and again.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy daughter, no matter what comes to pass. My daughter, no Gnoll\u2019s child but mine<\/em>. Mine, no matter your past.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that was enough. Enough to make a bittersweet end of it all. In triumph, in tragedy, the Gnoll held her mother.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This was the end of it. As Lyonette carried away Mrsha, who clung to her as if she\u2019d never let go, she glared daggers at Raekea and the other Gnolls. They watched her. Until she\u2019d left, bearing away the Gnoll who was brave. Who was brave enough to do what was right.<\/em><\/p>\n

Erin stood and looked down at the Minotaur. He was healing. But the marks of\u2014torture\u2014remained. You couldn\u2019t paint over that with fancy words. Burnt skin. Holes in him, poked by spears and blade. She felt sick.<\/p>\n

The young woman gazed at the Gnolls. And they were full of hate. At Watch Captain Zevara, her face grim, speaking smoke. At Tkrn, who\u2019d surrendered his spear to Relc.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisaster. Disastrous. This could all have been avoided. Look at it! Honest Drakes and Gnolls. And imprisonment? Stripped of their duties for doing what they saw as right? How can we call this justice?\u201d<\/p>\n

That came from a Drake sighing and clucking over the entire mess. As if it weren\u2019t his fault. Erin whirled, and Lism glanced away. And it was Olesm\u2019s face she met. Disappointed. Haunted. But not ashamed, per se. Erin ground her teeth together. Yet it was Watch Captain Zevara who paused and looked Lism\u2019s way.<\/p>\n

\u201cShopkeeper Lism. One more word and I will arrest you for this entire ordeal. This was caused by your<\/em> provocation. Your words.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lism opened his mouth to protest. Zevara spat smoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne word.\u201d<\/p>\n

He eyed her and closed his mouth. Raekea spat. She still hadn\u2019t had enough. From fury at Mrsha not telling Krshia first to hatred over Calruz, she smoldered with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t change what he\u2019s done<\/em>. Krshia! Are you really going to support keeping him alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I must. Although I see no goodness and rather much foolishness in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Shopkeeper] glared at Erin. And Erin glared back. She glared at her friend, who was right and also wrong<\/em>. If. If there was a chance\u2014<\/p>\n

But it was the same argument. The same old dance. Into that conversation, into the silence, stepped a Minotaur. He stood up in his cell. And his fur was burnt away. His blood still fresh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t deny my guilt. Kill me and be done with it all. It seems I bring dishonor to everyone I meet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnolls jerked, <\/em>and Lism turned a disbelieving head. Calruz looked around. And his gaze passed from Gnoll to Drake. From hatred to disgust. Then to Erin. And she shuddered. Because she had not visited him either. She could not. Calruz only nodded at her.<\/p>\n

He stood then, proudly, the Minotaur in a cage facing Gnolls, Drakes, a half-Elf, and a few Humans.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will not run from my crimes. I say execute me and don\u2019t look back. I understand this election is about my guilt. So. Let me say that I will embrace that fate. Do as you will.\u201d<\/p>\n

He spread his arm. And all of them, Gnolls, Drakes, Erin, and Zevara, all looked at him. Because they had not expected this. Calruz went on, his eyes burning<\/p>\n

\u201cBut let me die as a Minotaur dies. Give me a weapon. Any weapon! And give me an honorable death. I will cut my way through the heart of the city in the dungeon or die fighting one of those Rock Crabs. Or\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He paused. Ceria was there, of course, standing near the back. As soon as she\u2019d heard Calruz\u2019s name, in fact. He looked at her and bowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be an honor to die fighting a friend willing to look me in the eye.\u201d<\/p>\n

She couldn\u2019t. Not then and there. Yvlon could, and her gaze was stony. Pisces\u2019 was almost sympathetic. Ksmvr was scratching his antennae. The Gnolls growled<\/em>. Elirr, who had been on Mrsha\u2019s side, had no love for Calruz. He nearly howled as he turned on Calruz, snarling.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou speak of honor? You?<\/em> The thing I met leading the Raskghar had none. How dare <\/em>you demand the way you die now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz faced him. And Elirr\u2019s fury washed over the Minotaur\u2019s calm face. His voice. And that quieted Elirr. No\u2014it quieted everyone who was present, Erin included. Because she had been there the day they\u2019d fought the Raskghar. The Minotaur of now was not<\/em> the savage, wild war chief of the Raskghar of then. Calruz dipped his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not demand it, sir. I only ask for it. I am aware it is not my right. But I will say this: the Gnolls and Drakes that sought to kill me this night abandoned their honor. For vengeance, they did it. But if there is one thing I have learned, it is that there is no excuse for anything less than honor. I ask for it now. Not for my sake, but yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

His gaze swept the crowd. Lism spat on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen tell me, Minotaur<\/em>. Do you claim that you didn\u2019t commit those crimes? Lead the Raskghar? Slaughter innocent Gnolls and attack your own team? Because if you\u2019re innocent, why not plead for your life? If you\u2019re guilty, you could do us all a favor and bash your head in against a wall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz paused. He replied slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember. And I do not. But I know enough. Sir Drake, I only know how I wish to die. If the city wills it, bring the [Executioner]. Bring a noose. Or simply fill a pit with me inside. Feed me to Shield Spiders. If that would give you peace, do it. Otherwise, let us both remember honor. I forgot mine down there. I will never forget it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

He paused. And Lism opened his mouth, closed it, glared. Because Calruz\u2019s words were an echo of his own. Only, the Minotaur said them with an unwavering gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter. If magic doesn\u2019t find him guilty, how long do we keep him here? A month? A year? Ten years? How long is enough?\u201d<\/p>\n

Raekea snapped at Zevara, and the Watch Captain glared. Erin stepped into that. She turned on the [Armorer].<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil we\u2019re certain<\/em>, Raekea. Or is it okay to kill someone if there\u2019s even a sliver of doubt they might be innocent?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if we know<\/em> he\u2019s committed the crimes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone cast a spell on you, or used a Skill, would it be your fault?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria snapped back. Raekea inhaled, and Zevara bellowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked around the prison. The Watch Captain shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s late. I\u2019ve heard this debate a thousand times. And I am not certain Calruz is guilty.<\/em> Until that moment comes, magic or not, public opinion or not, Council or not<\/em>, I will decide what to do with him. And in this cell he stays. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pointed at Lism and Krshia. Both glared in unison. Calruz only sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant what I said. It would be easier for all if I died, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

He put one hand on the cell. And Erin looked at him. He stared back and shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d like me to live? After all I\u2019ve done?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. I guess. Hi, Calruz. Long time no see.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shoved her hands into her pockets. The Minotaur blinked at her. Then he shook his head again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can I make amends, Erin Solstice? For that depravity? For that horror? If I were to hunt down every Raskghar in existence, single-handedly open the dungeon, donate a fortune and a half to those who I murdered\u2014it would not be enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Somewhere behind them, Relc sniggered as he pushed Tkrn into a cell.<\/p>\n

\u201cSingle-handedly. Good one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Klbkch elbowed him hard. No one else laughed. Erin gazed at Calruz. What a mess. What a day. Mrsha, the rats, people torturing<\/em> Calruz\u2014she turned to Krshia and Lism and shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, Calruz. It isn\u2019t enough. And it won\u2019t be enough, no matter what you do. You\u2014you nearly killed Mrsha. And you killed good people. I haven\u2019t forgiven you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShush.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin closed her eyes. She waited, listening to the beating of her own heart. Then she opened her eyes and looked around. At the Gnolls. At her friends. At Lism and Olesm and the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know what I\u2019m going to tell Mrsha when I get back? I\u2019m going to tell her she did a really good job. Really. I don\u2019t care what you say. Any of you. She saw bad things happening to Calruz. And she stopped it. Because a Minotaur is like\u2026a bunch of rats with their tails tied together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz stared. His lips moved silently. Zevara, Lism, Olesm\u2014all looked at Erin strangely. The Gnolls growled. They got it. Erin went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe might be evil. He might be innocent. But hurting him because he can\u2019t fight back in a cell is wrong. Sometimes you kill Raskghar. But you don\u2019t torture them or you are <\/em>the Raskghar. And you know what? Yeah, maybe Mrsha could have gone to Krshia sooner. But guess who didn\u2019t? Tkrn! <\/em>Ulkel! All the others! And it was the hardest for Mrsha <\/em>to do. But she did it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She glared at Raekea. The Gnoll glared back.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know what being good is? It\u2019s not doing something you\u2019re supposed to do because it\u2019s easy. It\u2019s doing something you have to do because it\u2019s right. <\/em>So you know what, Calruz?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned on the Minotaur. He waited. Erin pointed at him, breathing hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way you\u2019d ever repay your debts, Calruz. Not in life. Or in death. But I think that if you ran away, if you let yourself be killed without trying<\/em> your whole life to repay people for what you\u2019ve done, that would be the most cowardly thing you ever did. And I think that if people line up to watch you die horribly\u2014that makes them no better than the Raskghar and their sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that was Erin Solstice. Love her, hate her, as the Minotaur\u2019s eyes widened and he straightened with anger and shame, as the Gnolls turned to stare at her wide-eyed with fury, you had to admit it. Erin knew people.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This was how the tale ended. The important tale, that was. It was with a half-Elf. A day later. The Minotaur still felt his healed wounds. He still bore the marks. Yet neither one talked about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the election\u2019s today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz looked up. He had been staring at a basket, a book, and a strange, symmetrical bar and round thing lying on the ground. It was made of metal and heavy when he picked it up. Ceria had pushed them through. The half-Elf shrugged self-consciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was later. Or rather, I had the impression it was an ongoing issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. It was only a week, remember? I guess this was the last big day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so my fate is part of the election.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Minotaur carefully inspected the basket. It was\u2026moving. Ceria smiled, her face pale.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe. You know, Lism dropped the line about executing you horribly<\/em>. But he\u2019s shouting about all the rest. So\u2019s Krshia. She told Erin in private that she\u2019d let you live if she was elected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHm. What\u2019s this object for, Ceria? And the book?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. I bought it in the market. It wasn\u2019t much. I think it\u2019s battle tactics or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Conquests of Tulm the Mithril, a History.<\/em> Hrm. It must be new. I haven\u2019t read about him. I know the name, of course. You got it from Pallass.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Minotaur picked up the book and opened it awkwardly with his one arm. Ceria smiled faintly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did. I can\u2019t believe I didn\u2019t think to bring them before. Uh\u2014Krshia said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you. What made her change her mind? I cannot imagine the Gnolls would want me to live. Isn\u2019t she taking a risk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes. She\u2019s betting on Erin\u2019s support. Wild, isn\u2019t it? But I think something else convinced the Gnolls to pass on demanding your execution as part of her winning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz looked up from the book and put it down next to his cot. He eyed the basket again.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Which is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou saying how much you\u2019d rather die than stay in the cell. Uh\u2014the Gnolls thought it would be better to let you live in that case. Some of them, anyways. Fancy that?\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Elf smiled. Calruz stared at her. Then he guffawed<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what they said?\u201d<\/p>\n

He laughed until his still-healing lungs wheezed,<\/em> and he sat down. He shook his head as Ceria stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. What\u2019s this heavy thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA dumbell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a weight. Something you lift to build muscle. There\u2019s also a bar with weights\u2014Erin said you need two hands for that, though. She asked me to bring it here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? I\u2019m\u2026grateful. It\u2019s an interesting idea. But why?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. She didn\u2019t want to come, but she said it was cruel to leave you without anything to do. And apparently, uh, the weights fit a prison? That\u2019s Erin\u2019s logic. Don\u2019t ask me to explain it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well. And what\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

At last, the Minotaur shifted his attention to the basket. He opened the lid and recoiled. Ceria grinned at his expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a\u2026problem from the inn. Lyonette decided they weren\u2019t allowed there, and we had no idea what to do. If we threw them out, they\u2019d probably come back to the inn. So it was Mrsha\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Gnoll child?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calruz glanced up, and an expression of pain crossed his face. Ceria nodded, losing her smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Her. She wanted to give them to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Minotaur stared down at the two little rats moving around the padded basket. One nibbled at a bit of cheese. The other looked up and inspected him warily. What new fate was this? What hell of tortures, what odyssey of strange lands?<\/p>\n

Nothing, for once. The Minotaur spoke a bit more with the half-Elf casually. Awaiting his fate if it came to pass. Then he looked down. And the rats stared up at him, and he stared back. They flinched as he moved. But the hand that had caused so much grief, the hand which had lost and then grabbed for honor, the hand scarred and worn and gentle<\/em>, reached down.<\/p>\n

And the rats nibbled at it, then climbed up it as it didn\u2019t move. Calruz lifted them up. One white, one grey. The lonely Minotaur breathed out. He stared at his companions and nodded. With a slow, careful touch, he stroked each\u2019s head with a finger and pointed at the white one first.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shall be Haldagaz, Vanquisher of Foes. And you will be Rhata, Trident-Guardian of the Harbor of Hammerad.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was all. The Minotaur lay back. And he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Erin Solstice lay back too. As she waited for the results of her election, she lay on the floor of Bird\u2019s tower. It was empty. In the distance, Liscor voted. Below, a little Gnoll followed her mother around. And that was a good thing.<\/p>\n

But the rest wasn\u2019t. Erin thought of rats.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was Mrsha growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n

She thought of Calruz.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Lism wins, what do I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

And then she thought of Mrsha running to Zevara. Instead of running to her. And risking her neck. No\u2014learning a spell from Moore. Erin frowned up at the sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many times is it so far? She just\u2026gets into trouble. What can we do? Get Numbtongue to guard her every hour of the day? Lock her in the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n

The sky didn\u2019t answer. A Razorbeak flew overhead, cementing Erin\u2019s point. She stared at the giant bird. And she thought of Goblins.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeday, it\u2019ll happen again. There\u2019ll be Rags. Or another Headscratcher. Or\u2026they\u2019ll die. The Raskghar might return.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sky made no response. Erin rolled over. She poked her inn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I\u2019m close. I can feel it. I\u2019ve had a full inn every day. And this is my inn. So\u2026this is my problem. I want a better door, alright? So it can teleport whenever! But Mrsha\u2014keeping her safe\u2019s more important. Her and everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no response. Erin frowned. She tried again, speaking, really speaking.<\/em> To the inn? Herself?<\/p>\n

\u201cHey. Inn. On my next level up, I want you to do something to protect them, alright? Mrsha. Goblins. Me too, I guess. Give me the power to save them from anything bad. Can you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

No response. Erin drowsily stared up at the sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Next time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She yawned. Closed her eyes as Liscor decided its fate. And Erin\u2019s head lolled back. And she slept\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

[Magical Innkeeper Level 39!]<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

She waited.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026And? And? And?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin sat up. She yawned, glared around blearily, and then smacked the floorboards.<\/p>\n

\u201cLevel 40, then. But it had better be good<\/em>. Time to grind some exp!\u201d<\/p>\n

She made to get up and lay back on the floor. Erin stared up at the blue sky. And in a place with no sky and little light, a pair of rats crawled around their new home. They were as happy as could be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(The Wandering Inn’s audiobook is available for preorder here! It comes out September 10th!)   Tell of it to those who would marvel at tragedy, their fates. Those who would understand mercy and rage and the redemption of sin. Of honor, of family, and all things which are worthy\u2014tell their story. 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