Zenkoh's Adventure

Chapter 19

As they got closer to the ruin they could see it in the distance, it looked like a giant castle from this distance.

Zenkoh: That's awfully large! Trying to find Kenzo in a place like that is going to be hard.

Maria: It's definitely bigger than expected. That should hopefully mean Kenzo will have trouble navigating as well.

Irya: He never was the best at navigation, he usually had others handle that kind of stuff.

As Maria, Irya, and Zenkoh got closer the ruins only got more imposing as they loomed over the group. Eventually as they reached the entrance they noticed that the ruins were covered in moss and vegetation, the ruins hadn't been inhabited for some time. Out of curiosity Irya had started to remove some of the moss.

Irya: Hmmm...I can't seem to read what this says. Maria, do you maybe know how to read this?

Maria made her way over with Zenkoh to see what Irya was asking about.

Maria: No, I haven't seen that writing before. I have no idea what it says.

Zenkoh gave them both a confused look before speaking her mind.

Zenkoh: What? It clearly says that this is the Gloomfang Citadel.

Both Maria and Irya simply stared at Zenkoh before finally speaking.

Irya: Wait, you can read this?

Zenkoh: Yeah, it's written in Gnollish.

Maria: You never mentioned before that gnolls had a written language!

Zenkoh: It never really came up.

Irya: So what you're telling me is that this used to be occupied by gnolls! There aren't any records of gnolls being out here at any recent point in time though.

Maira: I mean, you can see all of the moss and vegetation growing all over it can't you? It has to be ancient.

Zenkoh: That's not what's really important right now! We need to hurry up before Kenzo finds what he is looking for.

As they entered the ruins they saw just as much foliage covering the walls and floor on the inside as was on the outside. As they continued on their way they came upon a split to the left and right, on the wall was a moss covered plaque that Zenkoh wiped off.

Zenkoh: It says that the right leads to the barracks while the left goes to the mess hall.

Maria: I would say we go to the right. I doubt the mess hall will have what he is looking for.

With no one disagreeing they made their way down the right corridor. As they reached the doorway Zenkoh was the first to see what seemed to be a mostly empty room with what appeared to be some rotting wood in various places on the ground. The musty smell of the rotting wood permeated the room making it impossible for Zenkoh to see if she could track Kenzo's scent.

Zenkoh: I can't smell anything other than rotting wood in here! We just have to hope this is the right way.

Kenzo had been making his way around this ruin for hours! Not being able to read anything in this place made it difficult to navigate. He could have sworn he had gone in circles several times trying to make his way to the supposed artifact. He needed to find it before those three found him. As Kenzo entered into the next room at the end of the hallway he saw what looked like a pedestal with something on it, but next to the pedestal was a gnoll, looking away from him and in the direction of the pedestal. This gnoll had a maul instead of a tower shield so he knew it wasn't the one chasing him, perhaps they might be willing to make a deal.

As Zenkoh, Maria, and Irya were making their way down a flora covered corridor Irya spoke up.

Irya: I just thought about it but all the writing and everything would imply that gnolls were more civilized than they are now wouldn't it?

Maria: I think it more implies that they used to be less nomadic than they are now, they used to have forts and possibly even cities.

Zenkoh: Gnolls don't really use written language much anymore, the only reason I know it is because my mother was the clan leader, so on the off chance I took over I needed to know the written language.

As they entered the next room all they saw were some rotting boxes and barrels.

Zenkoh: I am really getting tired of the smell of rotting wood! I can't track anything like this!

Just then they could hear walking coming from the exit of the room. When the walking stopped Zenkoh could hear what sounded like giggling or laughing except she knew better and could even recognize who the sound was coming from, her mother was in the ruins blocking their way forward.

Irya: Is someone laughing?

Zenkoh: No. That is a gnoll, even worse it's my mother.

Maria: What? Why is your mother here?

Zenkoh: I don't know but it won't be for anything good!

Irya: Wait, how can you tell it's her?

Zenkoh: Each gnoll laugh is distinct, it gives information on who they are and what their rank is as well as whether they are excited, frustrated, or upset.

As the laughing stopped the sound of walking picked back up until they saw someone enter from the opposite side of the room. Varna entered the room scanning around looking for something until her eyes locked with Zenkoh's. There was silence for several moments.

Zenkoh: Why the hell are you here?

Varna: I was originally here to see if I could find anything useful, but then I ran into someone that told me you were here!

Zenkoh: I am going to ask only once that you move out of the way. As much as I hate you I don't want to have to kill you.

Varna: You disobeyed me and then had the audacity to come back after being exiled, on top of humiliating me in front of the entire clan, and now you have the gall to tell me to do something again. I am going to do what I should have done when you were exiled!

As the tension grew thick enough to cut with a knife Varna lifted her maul over her shoulder preparing herself to swing at a moments notice while Zenkoh braced her tower shield waiting for Varna to make the first move.

Maria: Irya lets go, we need to catch up to Kenzo, Zenkoh can take care of herself!

Irya: Right!

As the two left Varna ignored them, she was only concerned with putting down her insolent daughter!