Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

WORLDS COLLIDE 8.4

He was asleep when he heard the commotion. A new wave of slaves arrived in the underground hall. Pli greeted them with open arms. A silent circle formed around them. They were given water and food.

"How is this possible?" Asked the rebel leader, confused.

"It was the Emperor, he freed us. He actually told us to go back to our masters, but he assumed we would come here."

"Emperor? I thought Helibel was the empress," said Fleas.

"She was, but she died. She was replaced by an older man with unkempt gray hair and a beard. And a worn red cloak."

Fleas opened his eyes, ran to his corner and brought the painting.

"Is that him?"

"Yes, that's him. I don't remember his name. He gave us a message."

"If he thinks he can intimidate us..."

"No, Pli, a message just for you. He said he wanted to free the slaves, but it would take time. He also gave us rights and said that if you surrender and swear allegiance, you will be the enforcer. A kind of warden or something."

Pli looked at Fleas.

"Can we trust him?"

Fleas thought for a moment. The last time he had been in the castle, the empress had been fine. And Dannke seemed very upset when he left. As he left the room and locked it, he found himself ready to do something. What was it, and why had he locked him up? Did he know that he intended to run away, or did he want him for something else? Dannke was strange, sometimes Fleas felt a certain nobility in him, but at other times...

"Do you know how the empress died?"

"You are the hyaenid, aren't you? I hear you helped many of our people escape. There are even several wanted posters of you in the streets, "he thought before answering. "It was a strange disease, it killed her in a few days."

"Before I was captured," a gnome added, "my master, a doctor, told us that he had treated her and that her body was dry. She wouldn't drink, no matter how hard they tried to give her water. According to him, it was some kind of curse, because there was no rational explanation for what was happening."

Pli noticed the realization in Fleas, the darkness in his eyes, and asked him what was going on.

"I think Dannke killed the empress."

"How?"

"If you go to him and he offers you a drink, refuse."

He nodded without further questions. Had Dannke learned how to use the shell? How, if he had never told him?

"Is there a way out of the city? Through a sewer or a tunnel?"

Pli shook his head.

"The sewers don't go beyond the wall, and the trolls refuse to tunnel through the moat. They are afraid of the water, and we are above a filled in lagoon over which they built the city. Why do you want to go out?"

"I have to talk to my people."

Pli thought for a long time.

"Maybe there is a way, but if you want to help them, I need to know. There are people here whose lives could be in danger if the city is taken, remember?"

Fleas didn't know what to do. He walked in circles, trying to collect his thoughts. He wanted to confront Dannke, but after killing the guard to help Pli, he knew he would be locked up and condemned as soon as he was seen, no matter who the emperor was now. He also wanted to prevent Dannke from using the shell against his kind, because although they had treated him miserably, they were his own and he held no grudge against them. But helping them meant that humans would die, even those who were enslaved or innocent. He was completely trapped. No matter what he chose, the consequences would be terrible. He lay on the ground and watched the rocks dance as his eyes filled with tears. Pli put a hand on his shoulder.

"What is wrong with you?"

"I am selfish... I want to see her. I want to get out of here."