Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

INSTINCTS 3.4

The corpses were piled up like rotting logs and swarmed with flies before the first flame. Many of the carcasses had been consumed by carnivorous species such as hyaenids or avians. Non-rational animals had also feasted, including dogs, cats, rats, and even pigs. Scourge knew that restoring balance would be a titanic task, that the struggle between carnivores and herbivores (the latter a minority) was perhaps the greatest threat to the stability of the Red Moon Empire. Regardless, their mission was clear: to wipe out the oppressive forces. Once accomplished, each species would do as it pleased.

His subjects were silent. He approached and drew the flaming sword that had belonged to the one brave human. With it, he set fire to the wood, which in turn charred the mutilated bodies. The ashes would scatter in the wind and never harm another living being. The light of the bonfire made the stars disappear. Shouts, screams, and cheers could be heard. He raised his sword. The species fell silent.

"In three days, we will leave behind every fetter, every cage, every chain. Beyond the savannah stands the last human wall. When it falls, we will wipe this foul species from the face of the earth. Only then will we be truly free."

The screams flooded the anihilated kingdom as the fire illuminated it. His arms were wrath incarnate, with which he would destroy those who had wronged him. "Mother, father, brothers," he thought, "I hope you can rest in peace after my victory."

Five trolls caught his eye. They looked tired, their limbs cracked and their colors dull. He approached them.

"Sire," one of them spoke in a slow voice, "we understand your goals, and we share them. But we know ours. They live quietly in the mountains, unaware of the threat the humans pose. They will not agree to join this crusade."

"We need their strength, their toughness, and their magic. Do you think you can convince them?"

They looked at each other. The one with the half-broken face nodded.

"Then go now. Your steps are slow, but your flesh is strong. We will meet at the wall on the winter solstice."

The trolls left. When they were far away, the hyaenid called Huauau, one of the instigators of the rebellion, approached.

"I don't think this is right. Surely they will return to the mountain and shut themselves in the darknes to look for their precious stones, leaving us to bear the whole burden of the war."

"I will not mistrust my people," the taurid replied firmly, but without raising his voice. "If they retreat to the mountain, it is their choice. I would rather lose five allies at the risk of gaining many more than keep them at the cost of their loyalty. You will do well to remember, Huauau, if we discriminate against others, we are no better than humans."

He entered the castle, looked at the throne for a long time and finally, with his sword imbued with fire, he cut it into a thousand pieces. Scourge went out and lay down in the stable. He felt better under the straw; it reminded him of the grass on the mountain, although he could not smell the flowers, only the burnt flesh.