Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

WORLDS COLLIDE 8.8

Fleas peered through the crack and waited patiently. The troll behind him said nothing. They were a quiet species, who appreciated the silence, the sound of the wind slowly eroding the structures, the movement of the earth imperceptible to the non-patient, and the sunrise and sunset.

Pli walked past him and gave him a light tap on the shoulder as a final sign of friendship. He was followed by a small retinue of slaves who had left the safety of the sewers. As they had suspected, the movement called out to the guards, who gathered around them. Fleas did not hear the voices; if all went according to plan, he would explain that they wished to speak to the Emperor about the treat he had offered. After an exchange of words, the slaves were led away.

"Now," the troll said after waiting a while. He felt the earth around him and knew when there were no humans around.

They approached the wall and with magic he made a crack appear. Fleas stepped out and felt his escape route close behind him. Ahead of him lay his greatest challenge: the moat. He remembered his experience at sea. Then he had sunk because he did not understand the nature of water, its capacity and its capriciousness; but after talking to the naiad and watching her unfold in the liquid element, he got what he needed, and fear was replaced by respect. So he jumped and braced and kicked as hard as he could. Though he swallowed water, he made it across. Now all that remained was to get around the wall. He ran and ran, on all fours as he liked, and reached the bridge. At last! But... no one was there. Wasn't Les Iuria under siege? He looked in all directions. There were scents and fresh tracks. Tracks of hyaenids, but also of horses' hooves. He heard a metallic sound through the sparse foliage.

"Whoa, stop right there!" A human shouted.

Fleas made a run for it, but when he heard the whinnying, he knew he had no chance. He stopped and raised his hands. Six riders surrounded him.

"Leave him to me," one said as he dismounted.

"Stop, look at his clothes," another stopped him. "And he is small, he must be the one who fled from His Majesty. We will take him with us, perhaps he will reward us."

"No, please, I must..."

He felt a blow on the back of his neck and the thick darkness enveloped him.

He awoke on the horse's back, bound hand and paw and in great pain. He was also gagged to prevent him from screaming. He recognized the streets of Les Iuria, the entrance to the inner wall and the gates of the castle. One of them picked him up, hoisted him over his shoulder and, after a short walk, threw him at Dannke's feet. Fleas cried. He felt useless. He just wanted to see her again. That smile full of fresh blood, that strong and captivating smell, those eyes as dark as the deepest night...

"Well, if it isn't my old squire. I regret that events have brought us to this, dear Fleas," Dannke approached him and drew his sword. "By the power vested in me, and in consequence of the crimes of which you are guilty, I sentence you to death. Bring him to his knees."

Two men picked him up. They did not have to push his head down because he did not want to lift it. Perhaps it was best to die. He regretted that he would not be eaten according to the hyaenid ritual. Though, in truth, he had never felt a part of the tribe.

"Stop!" he heard a familiar voice, it was Pli. "I must remind you that you appointed me magistrate of the slaves. You gave me the power to attend the trials and defend the lives of the accused. That was the price I paid for stopping the rebellion and helping you."

"There is nothing to defend, the accused murdered a guard and the librarian, besides cursing my sister and the captain of the guard."

What was he talking about? Except for the first, the rest made no sense. Fleas shook his head while making sounds that could be translated as denial. Pli understood the situation and added.

"I believe your slave wishes to defend himself against these accusations."

Dannke approached Pli and frowned.

"Do not mistake my kindness for weakness."

"Nor do you mistake the state of rebellion. This is my first act as magistrate; to deny it would be to confirm our suspicions and rekindle the fire. And do not think that killing me will solve anything. I am all slaves and all slaves are me."

Dannke bared his teeth and sheathed his sword.

"Take the traitor to the dungeon. Keep him gagged, any word from him would spread deception or curse."

The guards dragged him away and locked him up again. Before closing the cell, they kicked him in the stomach. Fkeas' jaw ached, and the rope tightened around his wrists. But he had not urinated. He felt no fear, only sadness.

A familiar smell flooded his nose. He approached the bars and looked across. Beaten, bloodied, and barely breathing was a hyaenid. Fleas wasn't sure, it had been a long time, but he thought it was one of the matriarchs. When she saw him, her body straightened and her eyes filled with tears. Why, if no one cared about him?