Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

THE GREAT WALL 5.10

It was the second time she had seen the Great Wall. But now it appeared even higher, so much so that the shadow it casted enveloped every rock in the savannah, trying to swallow the sun. The march had stopped. As soon as it resumed, the slaughter would begin.

The silence was broken by the thunder of dozens of trumpets. Then the rain of arrows began. The ballista fired once, but the projectile fell weak long before it reached them. The Wind Paws had broken them. They had also snapped several of their bows and crossbows, but not all.

"This is going to be more complicated than I thought, with the broken ballistae and all," confessed Zanarah, who had insisted on going with them. "If the plan was to sneak in at night and open the gates, we can throw it out now."

Scourge looked straight ahead. Not looking away, he added:

"You are right, daughter of Zeppel. If we approach the wall, we will receive nothing but arrows from above and spears from within. Climbing will be impossible, and even if we succeed, I see only two ropes on either side. As we climb, we will be eliminated, assuming they don't cut them first. There is one thing we can do," Scourge looked at Kkelea, "I need you to use your protective scream on me."

Kkelea took a few steps back.

"It's just that, I don't..."

Scourge grabbed her shoulders and insisted.

"I can lift the fence. I have the strength and endurance. But even with my hard skin, I couldn't withstand the attacks. If you use your scream, I can do it, and we'll get in easily."

Kkelea looked away. Though he had removed his hands from her shoulders, she still felt its weight. Scourge was the most powerful warrior in the Empire. He was the one who kept Ewik on his throne and the wildest, most animalistic hyaenids under control. One mistake on her part and it would all be over.

Zanarah stood before her, dropped to her knees and embraced her.

"I believe in you, little sister."

Kkelea was so surprised that she could not return the hug. Now she understood why she had insisted on going with them. Why Zanarah had clung to her, grumbling but always understanding. They really were sisters.

Kkelea looked at Scourge with conviction in her face. The taurid smiled and turned his arms to stretch his muscles.

Kkelea loved them, deeply, all of them. She felt the warmth in her chest again, in her lungs filled with air. She felt the desire to protect them, to keep them from harm. And that same desire spewed from her mouth like a sonorous manifesto to the gods, demanding that they not be touched.

A vapor swirled around Scourge, but also around Zanarah and the warriors around her. Everyone but herself, so she decided to stay back as the first invincible wave advanced fearlessly. Arrows, rocks, spears, and other projectiles rained down on their heads. For a moment, Kkelea feared, but when the dust cleared, she saw them safe and sound. Then the gate opened for a moment, and a dozen riders and their mounts galloped out. At that, the warriors scattered to protect Scourge as he charged forward without stopping, like a raging bull, of course.

Her mother approached and whispered in her ear:

"We have our differences, but I am still proud. We should march with them now and support them. You must give the order, for you are the Emperor's advisor."

Kkelea nodded and did so. While the Voices of Rock sang their war songs and warred the hearts of the warriors with their shouts, the avians flew to the wall to stop the archers. They were not very strong, but they were fast and hard to catch in the air. They pushed the humans into the void. After shouting, the Voices of Rock moved forward, forming a defensive line with their great shields, while the Distant Teeth marched behind, ready to hurl their javelins at the enemies. Kkelea readied her axe.