Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

SHATTERED TIES 6.3

Nothing but bones remained of what had once been the first human stronghold. The wall stood like the lifeless, inert carcass of a giant snake. The slaves had been annexed to the empire led by his only son. The battle had been brief, but that moment of blood and death had felt like an eternity. The humans knew their plans, and soon they would attack with all their might. All these ghosts lived in Fizkwik's mind and prevented her from enjoying the victory. Her son, Éwik, looked happy. He tasted the sheep meat with great pleasure and enjoyed the singing of the avians and the gnome dances around the campfire.

Fizkwik got up and retreated. She needed to think. She climbed to the top of one of the castle towers that had not fallen and looked up at the stars.

"Dizky, dear son, I think you would have enjoyed this moment. How I wish I had not been so weak, had not taken you from my side. Now I have a chance to make up for my mistake. If it is true what humans believe, and your spirit is watching me from the stars, then wait just a little longer."

She heard voices beneath the keep. Though she was not a Wind Paw she still tried not to make a sound as she peeked. It was Zeppel and Kkrya. She couldn't hear what they were whispering from this height, but she guessed it couldn't be good. She waited patiently for them to finish and climbed down, following Kkrya a few steps until she turned into another crumbling building. She was alone. Fizkwik took the opportunity to approach her and grab her shoulder. She was not surprised. She turned and crossed her arms.

"I may not see like I used to, and I may not hear much, but I still have my sense of smell. Tell me what you want."

"I want to know what you're planning against Éwik. I know you well enough to know you won't stand for this humiliation."

Kkrya rolled her eyes and sat up with difficulty.

"Now I know where my daughter gets these strange ideas. Sit down," she did. "Let's see, first of all, I have no desire to attack your little cub, nor did I wish for his brother's death. Nothing is more important to me than the tribe, Fizkwik. Is led by mele, female, taurids, or even gnomes I do not care. I may be conservative and believe that values are important, but they will never come before the welfare of my comrades."

"Is that why you told Kkelea you would prefer she not be your heir?"

For a moment, Kkrya looked sad.

"You never threatened your son with a punishment you would never mete out? I have a better question: do you really think I would do anything against my own blood? In this war, Kkelea has earned a place in the court, a place in the hearts of the warriors, and even a nickname. I wouldn't trade that for anything. How does your heart beat when you see Éwik at the top of the Empire? Does it do so with immense pride? Well, it pales in comparison to mine."

Fizkwik didn't know what to think. Did she feel pride or fear? For he who stands at the pinnacle will receive the greatest exposure and the greatest fall. Kkrya's words then took on new meaning.

"Kkelea does not hate you, but she holds a grudge against you. She distrusts you, as we all do. You claim to be genuinely proud of her actions. Have you ever told her that?"

"Yes, I have..." Kkrya thought and looked down. Fizkwik noticed that her gaze had changed, for the first time it seemed... real. "But perhaps not with the necessary emotion. It is true that I have wronged Fátrwa and said terrible things to Kkelea and to you. I don't know how much time I have left," her eyes glazed over, "I don't know if I'll ever see the savannah again, if my trembling hands will be of any use before the end. If that happens, will I be more than a piece of old flesh, a collection of mistakes to be forgotten? Will I be...?"

Fizkwik could hardly believe her eyes. Perhaps her stubbornness to cling to traditions was nothing more than a way to endure in time, now that she felt death breathing down her neck. After all, no one would want to live as the memory of an erroneous past in young minds. But as steely as she had always seemed, Kkrya was just another hyaenid, one who now wept heartbreakingly at Fizkwik's surprise.

She reached over and hugged her tightly. Her eyes were also drenched with tears.

"No one would ever think of you as less than what you are. If anything, we all respect you too much. You have held this tribe together through the strife, through the bickering, through Helirah. And now, more than ever, I will always remember your feelings because I know them. You should do the same with the others you have wronged. Open up, ask for their forgiveness, and you will see that you will live forever in their memories as what you truly are, not what we fear."

Kkrya let off some more steam, then laughed in relief.

"When did I get so stupid?"

"You have always been so strong. You can finally let the new generations be the strong ones and carry the weight of the future. It's a relief, isn't it? I am also afraid to see Éwik in that place, but thanks to the daughter you raised, I can feel more at ease. That's another thing I owe you."

"Thank you."

Kkrya stood up, wiped away her tears and changed course.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to talk to Fátrwa. Then to my daughter. I owe it to them. When I am done, I will move to the rear and leave the Distant Teeth in command of Kkelea."

Fizkwik nodded. She did not follow her, nor did she go to rest, but stood and watched as Kkrya's tears, soaking the parched earth, slowly faded away. Time is a merciless killer, better to face it without lies in your mouth.