Zenkoh's Adventure

Chapter 13

Irya was running as fast as she could in the direction of their camp. If she could make it back to Zenkoh then she should be fine, trying to fight someone with venom alone was too much of a risk. Just as she thought was far enough ahead, Irya was caught off guard by Alma lunging at her from the side.

Alma: Traitor! I trusted you, and then you betrayed us, betrayed me and killed my friend!

Irya: I did what was right! I wasn't going to let him get away with what he was doing again! I am sorry Alice died but it was her or my friends.

As they stared each other down Alma bared her fangs, causing Irya's nervousness to shoot up. If she got bit it would be over, Alma was known for her venom being deadly.

Alma: I'm going to make sure I pump you with enough venom to stop your heart!

As Alma said this she lunged and pinned Irya to the ground, before being kicked off. Alma pounced again, pinning Irya to the ground again.

Alma: DIE Traitor!

As Zenkoh was trying to navigate the forest with her sense of smell she thought she heard something. It was yelling!

Alma: I'm going to make sure I pump you with enough venom to stop your heart!

Pinpointing where that came from Zenkoh took off at full speed, she needed to hurry! As she continued to run she could barely make out someone pinning someone else. As she got closer she could see that it was Irya that was pinned.

Alma: DIE!

As the viper reared back hood flared Irya closed her eyes and waited for what was going to happen, but after a moment nothing happened. She opened her eyes only to see that Zenkoh had managed to just barely arrive in time to stop her!

Zenkoh had a hold of the viper by her neck from the back, gripping hard enough to cut off her airway. As she lifted the viper up by her neck Alma tried to use her claws to force Zenkoh to let go, but nothing she could do would force the gnoll to let go of her. Zenkoh slowly started to increase the force on Alma's neck, how dare this viper try to kill one of her pack! She should snap her in half right now!

When Irya looked up she could see Zenkoh's face, but it was like nothing she had ever seen on the gnoll's face! This wasn't just anger, this was complete and pure hatred and aggression. It sent a chill up Irya's spine since that could have been her being held by Zenkoh with that look on her face not too long ago.

As Maria arrived she could see Zenkoh had a hold of the viper. Once she could see Zenkoh's face she knew what had happened, Zenkoh's protectiveness was a dangerous thing and was why she herself tried to stay out of as much danger as she could, she didn't want Zenkoh to do something she would regret later in her defense. Maria thought about stopping her, but decided against it since this viper likely wouldn't stop and would be a constant danger.

Alma tried desperately to pry Zenkoh's hand off of her. Nothing she did worked, the pressure on her neck was increasing and she was losing her vision! If she couldn't do something she was going to die!

The silence was broken by the sound of snapping bone, then a body crumpling to the ground. Then without a word Zenkoh picked Irya up and brought her back to the camp, Maria followed behind.

Zenkoh: Are you okay?

Irya: Yes, I'm fine but only because you showed up on time.

Upon arriving at the camp Zenkoh put Irya down and tested the broth. It was close to being done but not quite.

The next morning they had started their trip to Foxpine. As they made their way they had to cut through the plains to save time. When cutting across the plains they saw deer and other wild animals around, as they didn't need any more food they left them alone. As they reached a river they could see the town of Foxpine in the distance on the other side. They forded the river with little issue and took a short rest on the other side so as not to wear themselves out.

Irya: Looks like we finally made it to Foxpine! What do you think they have?

Zenkoh: Hopefully some form of work.

As they make their way into the all vulpine town, they see: The Twelve Fox Inn and The Wild Traveler Tavern. Out front of The Twelve Fox Inn there was a job posting board. As she was looking it over Maria got her attention.

Maria: looks like it's just the normal stuff. We might actually get to rest for once!

Kenzo couldn't believe the report he was reading! Not only have they made it to Foxpine, only leaving a forest between them and the fort, but Alma failed. Alma, who had managed to deal with more than enough of the particularly dangerous jobs, had lost even with the two she took with her. They found Riya unconscious but alive having seemingly suffered from severe blood loss. Seth's body wasn't able to be found so there is no way to know what happened to him.

What bothered Kenzo the most however is the condition they found Alma's body in! Her throat had been crushed, so much in fact it was hard to believe anything alive did it. They had also found that Alma's spine had been snapped in half and her ribs were completely shattered! It was clear that Irya couldn't have done this, It had to be the gnoll she was with. Such monstrous strength and yet the gnoll seems to try to be anything but.

Kenzo was fed up with this thorn in his side. He was going to be setting up an ambush in the forest, paralytic venom, poison, and whatever else it would take, He would be capturing them and stopping them from getting in his way anymore!

As Zenkoh, Irya, and Maria were getting ready for the night at the inn Zenkoh was still worried.

Zenkoh: Are you sure you're okay Irya?

Irya: yes I'm okay, that is the third time you have asked that.

Maria: I'm curious Irya, why do you prefer the rapier?

Irya: Oh, that's easy, it's the ability to exploit weak points of those in heavy armor such as plate or chain armor.

Maria: Makes sense.

Zenkoh: We need to get some rest, tomorrow we have to make our way through the Stoneleaf Forest.

After waking up the next day they purchased the necessary supplies they felt they were going to need to traverse the forest. As they started their trek into the forest Maria was getting an uncomfortable feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

Kenzo was hidden behind a tree halfway through the Stoneleaf Forest, along with several dozen archers and fighters. This was going to be it, he was going to rid himself of this nuisance once and for all. Just then one of the kobold scouts reported they were in the forest.

Kenzo: Get ready here they come, ready the envenomed arrows!