Zenkoh's Adventure

Chapter 11

Irya had decided to tell them everything she knew about Null. She saw no reason to hide the information from them, Kenzo would certainly want her dead now. Irya still couldn't believe she had managed to kill a trained assassin by herself, her body just moved on its own.

Maria's map was still out as Irya had been showing them which towns Null was operating from. It wasn't that many but the one that would be the most problematic was that Stoneholde, the fort closest to the ruins, was taken over by Null. Not only that but that was where Kenzo was stationed, he had their best trained people to defend him.

Zenkoh: Are you sure you're going to be okay Irya? If we need to wait longer before making our way to Wildebell we can.

Irya: I'll be fine. We need to get moving if we are going to get there before dark.

As they got closer to Wildebell they started noticing abandoned and run down buildings, that was odd what had happened? Once they had reached what should have been the town outskirts all they could see was abandoned buildings.

Irya: What happened here? This should be a populated town.

As Maria was looking around she noticed something at her feet. She picked it up, it was some kind of parchment. It was blank on one side but when she turned it over she could see writing. It said something about hearing a strange sound at night. Just then a strange sound could be heard. Maria almost thought it sounded like laughing.

Zenkoh froze her fur standing on end. She recognized that sound, it was a sound she thought she wouldn't hear again!

Irya: Do you hear laughing?

Zenkoh: That's not laughing, there are gnolls nearby! We need to leave right now!

Irya: What? But what about-

Zenkoh: No! We need to leave, the town is gone.

Maria: I would have to agree, let's go before they find us!

As the three of them got further away from what used to be Wildebell the cackling laugh began to fade away. As the form of what is left of Wildebell disappeared behind them Maria took the map out. They agree to go to the nearest town, Sunshire.

They have to stop not long after this decision is made as it is now late evening. As Zenkoh is busy setting up the pot, Maria and Irya set up the tents.

Irya: Maria, what did you used to do? A cleric doesn't need to know how to fight as well as you do.

Maria: I...I used to-

Zenkoh: Food is Ready!

After eating, sleep was easy and uninterrupted. Upon waking up they quickly packed up and began the journey to Sunshire. On the path they pass an abandoned campsite. The camp has one tent and a smoldering pile of wood that used to be a firepit. As Zenkoh looks inside the tent she doesn't see anything. Zenkoh thinks she can smell something but she can't put her finger on what it is. After a few moments nothing happens so they decide to leave the campsite and move on.

*a few hours later*

They had arrived at Sunshire. From where they are they can see a cathedral and a blacksmith. As they make their way through the streets Zenkoh stumbles upon a notice board. After searching the posts she finds one from the innkeeper, they are asking for guards for the inn at night. It also says that room and board is provided.

Zenkoh: I say we see what this is about.

Irya: We needed to find somewhere to stay anyway.

After getting some directions from a nearby gray furred lupine they were on their way. Upon entering the inn they noticed the innkeeper was a completely disheveled looking female mousefolk with white fur.

Maria: Are you okay?

Lulu: What? Oh! I'm okay, just tired. My name is Lulu by the way

Irya: So why is it you need a guard for the inn?

Lulu: Oh, that. A group of pantherines came in here demanding to be able to stay for free. When I told them no they threatened that it would be a shame if something happened by morning. I'm worried they will follow through with that threat.

Zenkoh: well...let's get set up.

After clearing the main room of tables and chairs so that nothing would be in the way should a fight break out, Zenkoh was pacing around waiting for something to happen. Irya was sitting on one of the tables. Maria had gone upstairs in case someone came from one of the windows.

Irya: Zenkoh, do you know what Maria used to do before she helped you?

Zenkoh: No, I don't see why it matters. She knows how to fight, knowing why seems unnecessary. If she wanted us to know she would say something.

Suddenly two 6' male black furred pantherines burst through the front door. One was wearing black leather armor while the other was wearing half plate armor. Both had a shortsword drawn, they must be the ones the mousefolk was talking about.

Irya had already gotten off the table and had her rapier unsheathed, Zenkoh had her tower shield and longsword ready. If they came looking for a fight they were going to get one.

Without a word when the pantherines spotted Zenkoh and Irya they rushed over swords raised.

Upstairs Maria could hear someone messing with the lock on one of the windows. A few minutes later a female 5'8" black furred pantherine entered from the window in front of Maria. They looked surprised to see Maria waiting for them before a look of recognition flashed across the pantherine's face.

Zara: So...you are still alive.

Maria: I don't see why I wouldn't be.

Zara: Are you still taking the normal work?

Maria: I don't do that anymore! I'm just a simple traveling cleric now.

Zara: One does not simply stop being an assassin, you can't just unlearn your training or what it's like to take a life.

A look of regret crosses Maria's face.

Maria: That's not who I am anymore!

Zara: Look at you! You were one the best in our guild of assassins, a living legend. Maria The Crimson Blade, reduced to playing healer for that monster downstairs!

Faster than Zara could react Maria had already drawn a dagger and had it to her throat.

Maria: If you call her that again I will remove your head from your shoulders! Zenkoh lost everything she had because she didn't want to be a monster. I will not stand here and listen to you talk about her like that!

Zara: Fine, fine just get that away from my throat.

After a moment of thought Maria backs off. She kept a tight hold of her dagger in case Zara wanted to do something again.

Zara: Is there any way to get you to come back? Anything at all?

Maria: I'm sorry but no. I actually like my life now, I'm happy. I have no intention of going back to what I used to be.

Zara: While unfortunate it is understandable. I am sad to see you wanting nothing to do with who you used to be, but I can respect your choice. You really care about her a lot don't you.

Maria: I wouldn't trade being able to travel with her for anything. We needed each other a year ago, I needed some way to feel like I was making up for the terrible things I did and she needed someone willing to help her pick up the pieces and put her back together. Being exiled for a race so focused on being in a pack was a fate worse than death for her, until I showed her that she could create her own pack, that her pack members didn't have to be gnolls.

Maria gives Zara a small smile.

Maria: If you didn't know, gnolls will go to great lengths to protect their pack, they bond much more strongly than others realize.

Zara: Goodbye, Maria. I hope one day you might reconsider.

Then Zara left through the window that she came in from.

When Maria came downstairs she saw Zenkoh sitting on one of the pantherines while Irya had one knocked out on top of one of the tables. Maria smiled thinking about how she wouldn't trade what she had for anything.