Leon and Riya: How to Raise a Gnoll

Chapter 9

It had taken Maria days to go through all of the various documents Kenzo had stockpiled here who knows how long ago. There was one about how different powerful artifacts could do different things, one such artifact he had been researching supposedly could bring back the dead. Witherlings were one thing, but being able to bring back a Vulpine was different. So either this supposed shaman had such an artifact or they really were just that powerful.

If that was the case then that would mean that the Vulpine that attacked them would be...no that wouldn't make sense, how would they know where he was even buried. But he was the only pink Vulpine she was aware of, on top of that he knew her. If it really was him then she needed to tell Zenkoh and hope it didn't break her.

With that Maria began getting her things ready to leave for Gloomfang Citadel. She was going to need to have one of the Gnolls here escort her since the enemy was still out there somewhere, likely just waiting for one of them to make a mistake. After some thought Maria decided to ask Valka to escort her.

Leon was watching Riya and Rose spar, Riya had insisted that she make sure that Rose would be able to handle what they were going to be up against. As he was occupied with this Azur came up alongside him.

Azur: I've taught Rose everything I can, now it's just a matter of her continuing to train and honing what she knows.

Leon: Thanks, it really does mean a lot, both to me and her.

Azur: I know. Besides, I had been looking for an excuse to come out here anyway.

Leon smiled at that.

Leon: It was good to see you again, but I'm sure you need to be getting back to Foxpine.

Azur: As much as I like being away, they tend to not be able to function very well when I'm not around. It was nice to see you, Rose, and Riya but I have to get going.

With that Azur takes his leave and makes his way to the front gate. Just as Leon looked back to where Riya and Rose were sparring he saw Rose use her gauntlet to deflect Riya's swing and place her sword to Riya's neck, Rose beat her. Once they had returned to a neutral stance Riya started smiling.

Rose: I...I did it? I won?

Leon couldn't help but smile as well as he made his way over.

Leon: That you did. You really did learn what Azur taught you pretty quickly.

Rose started to beam and couldn't help herself as she picked her dad up and started hugging him.

Rose: I did it! I did it!

Riya watched with a smile on her face as Rose practically spun in circles while hugging Leon.

Riya: Why don't I make something for us to eat.

Rose stopped celebrating to look at her mother.

Rose: Could it be meat pie! Please!

Riya couldn't help but laugh.

Riya: Sure, why not.

After she said that the three of them started to make their way to the dining area.

It was early morning, Maria and Valka were almost at Gloomfang Citadel when Valka had Maria stop.

Valka: Do you hear that?

Maria was trying her hardest but she couldn't seem to hear anything. At the last second both her and Valka jumped out of the way. When she looked where they were just a moment ago she saw that a Witherling had dug underground and had tried to come up underneath them. When that Witherling pulled itself from the ground several more followed it.

Valka: We can see the citadel from here, run!

Doing as she was told Maria ran for the citadel with Valka slightly ahead of her with the large group of Witherlings just behind them. Just as they got within range of Gloomfang Citadel the Witherlings stopped chasing them but Maria and Valka didn't stop running until they were at the gate. Valka proceeded to say something in Gnollish and the gate was slowly opened for them to come inside.

At the entrance Thorn was there to greet them.

Thorn: Valka and Healer Maria, what might you need?

Maria: I need to speak to Zenkoh, it's important!

Thorn: She is in her quarters at the moment, I trust you still know where that is?

Maria nodded and started to make her way there. Once she had arrived she knocked on the door, she noted it looked like something quite heavy had seemed to have slammed into it and damaged it.

Zenkoh: Enter!

Maria opened the door and went into the room. Inside she saw Zenkoh behind a desk looking through parchments, she looked haggard.

Maria: Are you okay?

Zenkoh: Yes, just not sleeping the best that's all.

Maria had frowned.

Maria: What I am about to tell you I don't say lightly, it looks like the Vulpine that has been seen leading the Witherlings...is Leiko, your father.

Upon hearing that Zenkoh froze.

Zenkoh: What?

Maria's sad expression deepened.

Maria: He attacked Fort Stoneholde and managed to scale the wall. If not for Irya he would have possibly killed Leon. He is the only pink Vulpine I know of and he knew me, in fact he ran once he saw me.

Zenkoh was silent for several minutes. When she did speak her voice cracked and was hoarse.

Zenkoh: You're...you're sure of this?

Maria: Yes.

Zenkoh took a deep breath to steady herself before she spoke again.

Zenkoh: Then what do you propose we do?

Maria wasn't looking forward to saying this but if they were going to get anywhere fast it was the only choice.

Maria: We're going to need to...contact your mother, Varna.

Upon hearing her mothers name Zenkoh became visibly angry in an instant.

Zenkoh: And why the hell should we do that!

Zenkoh shouting startled Maria but it wasn't a surprising reaction by any means, her mother had nearly killed her, Irya, and Zenkoh, along with all the other awful things she did.

Maria: Because she is the only one that I know of that has extensive knowledge of Witherlings and anything similar. If we want a chance to be able to win we need to do this.

As much as Zenkoh didn't want to admit it, Maria was right. She was the only one with that knowledge that she was aware of. After several minutes of silence she responded.

Zenkoh: Fine!