Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

WHEN FLEAS BITE THE DOG 7.1

Pli, the gnome, slipped through the intricate sewers until he was near his former home. He used his eyes, which saw in the darkness, and his small frame to move easily. Parts of the structure, being so old, had collapsed. Others were flooded, but not enough to cause a problem. All gnomes and goblins were familiar with these sewers. Since their kind slept little, they used to gather in them before dawn. They had even repaired them in places. Their plan was to use them for when the rebellion started, or as a refuge if they had to flee.

He moved some bricks that led to a cistern and climbed to the surface. He was only a few paces from his owners' house. He could see, in the blackness of the night, the torches moving from one side to the other. Would they be looking for him? So soon? He untied the bucket and held it in his hands. When a light approached, he covered himself with it, as if it were the shell of a turtle. Soon he came to the house where his fellow slaves slept. His masters' house was a little farther away. He slipped inside, woke Gle, Tin and Fly, his sons and daughters, and Bla, his mate. In the darkness, he heard a high voice that was all too familiar. It was Syssi, the middle daughter of the family that owned them. She had been raised by the human slaves and when she couldn't sleep she would sneak out and sleep with them.

"We have to go," Pli whispered to his family.

"No, dad, you don't know what's happening. They are taking everyone away. Soon they will come for us. If we're not here, the masters will be in trouble."

Pli suspected that something like this might happen. When they discussed the possibility of rebelling, one of the reasons they had not done so was that although they lacked freedom, many of them had developed a good relationship with their masters. This was the case with Pli. He had never been whipped, denied food, or a day off when he felt unwell. His masters did not deserve to pay for his rebellion, but neither did he want to sacrifice his life or that of his family for them.

"All the more reason for us to leave. Surely they want to kill all non-humans right now."

Little Syssi was awake. She rubbed her eyes. When she recognized Pli, she ran to his side and hugged him tightly. This caused the five humans to get up as well.

"Pli, I can't believe it. They let you go?" Asked a middle-aged man.

"Something like that. Is it true that they're hunting non-humans?"

"That is so," replied the man's partner, the cook. "I heard it at the market. They plan to kill everyone in the central square. I don't know when they'll come here, but it will be soon."

"I understand. I will escape with my family. We can use the sewers to find a way out."

"Wait," said little Syssi. "I want to go with you."

"Don't even dream of it," the cook scolded her. "You needn't be afraid, you're not a slave."

The little girl started to sniff her nose and held back a cry. Pli thought for a moment and came to a conclusion.

"Come, all of you."

"You're out of your mind," the man concluded.

"No, think about it, if the invaders succeed, they will kill all humans. That includes you and Syssi. I heard it from the guards, the few humans who managed to flee the cities said the savannah tribes wouldn't leave a single human alive. It is a war of extermination."

The man dropped to his knees and stared at the girl.

"If we are to leave, it must be now, without alerting anyone, not even your parents. Do you understand?"

The little girl weighed the information and nodded with a slow shake of her head.

"You have to be strong, Syssi. We will protect you," Pli swore.

They slipped away at a slow pace until they came to another entrance to the sewers. The humans carried candles and torches that they lit to guide them in the darkness.

"There is a kind of hall just below the temple that widens out and is dry," Pli explained. "We gnomes used to gather there at night. If we weren't the only ones to flee, we're sure to find others in there."

"How will we survive?" Asked his son.

"As best we can. At least we have a chance."

Pli entered the central hall. As he had imagined, several gnomes and trolls had gathered there. But also humans. Many, slaves, some not. At the sight of him, the gnomes euphorically threw themselves at him.

"Pli, I can't believe it. What a joy."

"Hisc, Liv, I'm glad to see you, but this is no time to celebrate. Are there more of us coming?"

"Eight. They went out to get food."

"As soon as they arrive, we'll all gather. In the meantime, regain your strength."

"Why, what are we going to do?"

"Save as many as we can. The slaves will be rounded up in the central square. If we can clear the way, we can save some of them."

"But," Hisc hesitated for a moment, "that path is very unstable."

"I know, that's why it will take many of us. And we will need the help of the trolls. For now, let the humans take care of the supplies and those left behind."

They all nodded. Pli thought of Fleas. He wished he could save him as well. "We're all fleas right now."