Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

THE ONE THING I HAVE 1.8

Before his eyes rose the imposing wall, so high that it seemed to touch the sky, and so perfect that it would be impossible to climb it with a clean claw. There seemed to be no end to it on either side. When they caught sight of the entrance, they heard a shrill sound coming from above. Later he learnt they were trumpets. Archers from above were ready to fire at the slightest provocation. The matriarchs halted the march and called everyone to speak a few words. The task of speaking fell to Fizkwik the Shout.

"Contrary to what they say, humans are not afraid of death, guts, or violence. But there is one thing they will not tolerate: nudity. They cover their sex with rags, and to enter their world, we must do the same."

Four hyaenids brought the matriarchs two rather large wooden chests. From them they took out cloths like those used for awnings, but smaller.

"Cover your tails, genitals, and nipples," Fizkwik explained, showing them how to do it. "Don't fight with them, don't growl, don't howl, don't even look at them twice. Remember, we are not welcome and we will be watched all the time. Don't give them an excuse to chase us away or kill us. When we break through this wall, it will no longer be our world. Also, do not hunt animals. If you want to eat even a rat in one of these buildings, ask its owner first," they all looked at each other curiously. "Finally, to get anything, you will need coins or valuables. You will see that this, which is called a belt, has a small leather pouch, similar to your balls, in which you will keep these coins that we will give you. You, cubs, do not give a single coin without consulting us first. Humans are cunning and deceitful, and they will try to take advantage of you, is this understood?"

They were all silent.

"That's the way I like it. Let's go."

Fleas found it hard to walk. The cloth felt strange and tickled him. In addition to the fleas biting him, he had to stop every now and then to scratch himself.

The humans, dressed in metallic clothing from head to toe, stopped them just before they reached the gate. There were at least ten of them, pointing spears at the tribe. Fleas, being small and stepping quietly, was able to slip away and hear what they were saying.

"Wildlings, give us a reason not to fill your hairy asses with arrows."

"You know the reason," Kkrya replied, "or you would have shot us already. Am I wrong?

"Oh, you speak our language. Should I be flattered or insulted?"

The human frowned. Fleas had trouble understanding their anatomy. They were hairless, but not from mange or disease. They had no snouts either, but a tiny mouth with flat teeth, like the bricks in the wall. Some had sparse, misshapen fur growing under their strange noses. Others did not. Nor did they have tails, claws, or strong legs. Fleas did not understand how such a species could be so powerful. Could it be because they lacked sharp teeth, powerful claws, and strong legs, yet they had invented sharp weapons, tamed powerful animals, and built strong walls?

A hand sign from the human caused a sound to be born from the grid, and it slowly rose. The entrance was so high that ten hyaenids could stand on top of each other and still not touch the top arch, and so wide that eight could pass through in a row. The shinier metallic human led them to the inside of the wall and forced them to leave all their weapons there. Tension arose when one of them tried to take Kkelea's silver rapier and she refused. Finally, her mother intervened and forced her to leave it. The chests they did not leave were checked several times to make sure there was nothing dangerous inside. It was all so useless, since a hyaenid, even a male one, could easily kill an unarmed human.

Another large gate opened, this time made of wood, and after crossing it they could see many buildings, similar to the wall, but small and square. They were like their awnings, but more solid. Although they could not move them if they wanted to leave. A crowd of curious people gathered around them. Fleas confirmed that everything Fizkwik had said was true, that they were ashamed of their bodies and covered themselves with cloths. The hyaenids covered themselves only to protect themselves in battle. The matriarchs, for example, wore pieces of armor very similar to that of the metallic human, but more rusty, only on the shoulders, arms, neck, and chest. Another thing they noticed was that the females were smaller than the males and less hairy. Also, the fur on the top of their heads was of different colors. Some darker, like the starless night, others lighter, like the gold coins the matriarchs had distributed. Their ears were ugly, small and set very low. They must not have had good hearing. Humans did not live alone in this place. Dogs approached in droves to bark at them, but they kept their distance. He also saw horses, majestic creatures unknown in the savannah, but resembling zebras. They were very frightened at the sight of them and whinnied. There were sheep and rams grazing on the hard grass. Cats, too, resembling lions but very small, hissed angrily at them. Chickens ran back and forth. And, of course, rats. Lots of rats, hiding everywhere. People couldn't see them, but the hyaenids could smell them. A melting pot of species the fleas hadn't expected, all living together. Perhaps the humans were also living in nature in their own way, an artificial one, but no less real than the savannah.

To their delight, they had cleared a fraction of the land they were allowed to stay on. They were not alone, always a dozen metallic humans watched their every move. The tribe decided not to split up because, as he had heard the matriarchs say, it was very important to keep the peace. Fleas didn't really know what they would do there, the whole situation amazed and frightened him at the same time. Being in another world, with rules different from his own, was like walking on the edge of a cliff. He was high, but the fall could kill him.