Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

A SLAVE, AN OLD MAN AND A MOUNTAIN GOAT 2.3

They finally secured shelter. A couple, who must have been about his age, were very friendly and enthusiastic about the request for two beds. Their faces changed when they saw who one of the beds was for. Dannke had to pay double. There were fewer and fewer coins left in his pouch. He hoped he would not have to return to Les Iuria before his mission was accomplished.

Shortly before midnight, the lady arrived with two plates of veal stew. Dannke hesitated, for he had not seen many cows in the area, but a meal was a meal. Fleas separated the vegetables as best he could and ate only the meat. You could tell from his expression that he didn't like it.

"You hyaenids don't eat that, do you?"

"Humans eat everything hot and cooked. We don't, we hunt and we eat the red meat. And we leave the plants for the animals we hunt. It's a pity, I'd like to eat the rats that live in the cellar.

"I don't think there are any rats. I haven't seen one since I arrived."

"You can't see them, but they are there. I can smell and hear the seven rats gnawing under the floor."

Dannke stirred the spoon and smiled.

"I think I have an idea. Tomorrow we'll sleep for free and you'll eat what you like."

The hyaenid smiled too, although Dannke wasn't sure if he understood what he was planning. Before the candle burned out completely, the old knight asked:

"How come you speak our language? I had a feeling that you would have your own."

"The matriarchs insisted. Ever since I was born, they have spoken to us in human language. We learned since we were very small. Some of the big ones don't speak it. I even got a few slaps for speaking it in front of the elders. Many hyaenids were against us learning it."

"And what is your language like?"

He thought for a moment.

"It's not words, it's like sounds. For example, when you're angry with someone, you don't insult them, you growl, ruffle your hair and show your teeth. When we celebrate a special situation, we sing. When we are sad, we cry. We use only a few words. I remember..."

The little boy made a strange sound laughter like, but it sounded sad.

"It means death, loneliness and silence. All at the same time."

Now he understood why it was so hard for him to speak sometimes.

"You communicate like animals. That might be the best, words leads to confusion. Since we invented them, we do nothing but move forward into a mysterious future without caring what we step on."

The little boy yawned. The old knight also yawned. Without words it was understood that they were both tired. This confirmed his theory.

"Rest, little cartographer. Tomorrow will be a big day."

He laughed, thinking of the anger the little one's presence would cause. Though his mission was diplomatic, he did not forget his warrior origins. It was a pleasure to see an angry face from time to time. That joy was gone the third time the hyaenid woke him. He twitched as if he had been stabbed in the back and cried like a wounded puppy. At least he didn't scream like the night before.

At dawn, before they left for the stronghold, they talked to the owners of the house. Dannke explained the benefits Fleas' sense of smell and hearing could bring them. Offended, they claimed they had not seen a rat in many winters. After a demonstration and the animal squealing desperately in Fleas' mouth, they apologized and agreed to reduce the price of their stay. Fleas gritted his teeth, the animal squealed loudly and stopped moving. When they went outside, he ate it in two bites.