Chapter 228 - Gnoll Welcome

Wasn't quite ready with this one yesterday. The last few chapters have been about 50% longer than usual, and this one just needed another pass. Hope you enjoy!

The chieftain stared at Hump with expectation, though Hump wasn’t sure how to respond. Celaine had already said she knew the way to Drakalyn from here. The gnolls had served their purpose. They were through the Charred Heights, and deep within the Fallen Lands now. Though, that posed its own risks. Even this close to Drakalyn, the lands were dangerous. An escort would probably be useful… probably.

The logic made less sense with a circle of staring beasts surrounding him. Hump couldn’t help but feel on high alert. The pack snarled, cackled, but above all, they had a stare to them that made him feel like he was standing amongst predators.

Yet, good sense told Hump that was hardly a reason to decline the chief’s offer.

“Give him my thanks, Rehk,” Hump said. “We must reach Drakalyn as soon as possible. Any help your people can provide would be appreciated.

“Hold on a sec, kid,” Walt said. “I don’t trust these guys. I don’t know if you’ve noticed… but they are gnolls.”

The gnolls went into a more upright stance. They cackled and screamed, bringing their weapons to bare and pointing them at Hump. The noise startled Nishari inside her pouch, and Hump could sense the fear coming off her. He tried to reassure her, but it was hard to keep his own fear hidden. No. This wasn’t okay. He was not prey. If the gnolls wanted a fight, he and Celaine would give them one.

Driven by instinct, Hump readied his essence. The runes of his staff flared brightly, causing the gnolls closest to him to stop back. Aggression wasn’t the goal. Gnolls respected strength, so Hump had to show him the risk of picking a fight with them. Celaine pressed her back against his, her body tense. She had his back covered.

“Tell them to back off,” Celaine shouted. Predator’s Intent radiated from her, and aura of supreme confidence and killing intent. A few gnolls quietened, a nervous whine escaping them, but most just shouted louder, cackling and wailing in some strange challenge.

Rehk snapped something in her tongue, but the chieftain cut her off.

Hump hammered his staff against the ground, sending a jolt of earth essence through the base of it. There was a loud crack, and the gnolls quietened. The chief stared at Hump, eyes furrowed.

Hump met the chieftain’s gaze without looking away. “If they don’t back off, Rehk, you can’t blame us for what we’ll have to do.”

Rehk and the chief entered a fierce exchange. After what felt like a minute, she managed to calm the situation down. The silver-furred gnoll snapped off an order and his pack backed off a few more steps. Two smaller packs split off to monitor the pass once more, though Hump didn’t expect more undead to come. The dark clouds of the lich didn’t extend beyond the mountains, and Hump suspected most of her force couldn’t step out into the sunlight.

“What bothered them?” Celaine asked.

“Evil spirit,” Rehk said. “Chief think you spies for Dead Queen. Angry.”

“I’m not a spy!” Walt protested.

“Hush!” Rehk growled. “No speak.”

“How did you convince them otherwise?” Hump asked.

Her lips curled back to reveal her teeth in an expression Hump recognised as a smile. “Said you breathe fire over pack if chief challenge you. Pack respects strong. You are Giant Slayer.”

“Oh.” Hump raised an eyebrow. So she threatened them. “Thanks.”

“Can you tell them to find our horses,” Celaine said. “And unharmed too, or we really might just start breathing fire.”

Rehk snapped something to the chief, who barked, a hungry grin breaking his face.

“He get,” Rehk said.

“Why did he look hungry about it?” Hump asked.

“Says for feast. Will let find, then talk out of. No worry.”

Hump let out a long sigh. “They’ll have trouble if they try anything.”

Rehk gave him a long look then nodded. “No worry.”

Hump watched them work. At fifty members strong, pack hardly seemed to justify them. They were a warrior tribe, and far beyond the organisation for what Hump had been informed were a bunch of savages. He wasn’t sure how to feel about their new companions. They were hardly the most trustworthy band. Not to mention the smell. He’d spent his years surrounded by adventurers and was no stranger to foul smells, but this was something else. A cloud of rot and wet dog clung to them, stinging at Hump’s nostrils.

The horses were found quickly and dragged back by the gnolls, the poor creatures frantic. Celaine approached them in a hurry.

“Hand them over,” she demanded.

The gnoll stopped and looked from her to its chief. Celaine didn’t wait, reaching for the reins which it pulled back. Before Hump could blink, she sent a kick to the gnoll’s stomach. It sent the creature toppling to the ground, rolling and groaning on the floor. Dragon-blooded strength was a terrifying thing.

Around her, the gnolls cackled. Hump couldn’t tell if it was amusement or aggression, though they did not draw their swords. He approached, taking Prancer’s reins from a second gnoll. This one did not try to resist. It seemed they had realised that messing with them wouldn’t end well.

The chief’s own cackle brought the noise to a stop. “Your strength true.” His voice was so growled it too Hump a moment to realise he was speaking the common tongue. “Come. We show home and make feast! Tomorrow, to Land of Huntress!”

He retreated the words in gnollish, and his warband howled their agreement.

Hump grinned. “Thank you, chief.”

“Rakar,” he said, tapping a claw over his hand.

“Your name is Rakar?” Hump asked.

The chief’s lips pulled back into a lupine smile as he nodded.

Then they were moving. Hump and Celaine were swept along. Their pace was a brisk jog for Hump, but through the thick forest and with Prancer so spooked, he didn’t want to risk riding. Other than the chieftain, there were other leaders amongst the rank, commanding their smaller group.

The gnolls spread out in a line, yipping war cries filling the forest as they quickly distanced themselves from Fire Pass. Hump watched them caution, ensuring that none came too close. His battle robe and cloak offered reasonable protection from their weapons, but he had nothing to prevent a blow to the head. If they were turned on, he didn’t want to be caught off guard. A few grinned in his direction with yellow teeth as large as his thumb. Whether friendly or hungry, Hump could not tell the difference.

Hump rounded Prancer so that he came to stand beside Celaine, the two of them given some privacy between the two horses.

“The way I see it,” Hump said quietly. “We have two options. We go our own way, or stick around for the feast and then take them up on their offer of an escort.”

“There might be another option,” Celaine said. “I saw a dragon a few minutes ago. They were to the east.”

“You think they sensed the lich?” Hump asked.

“They definitely sensed the lich,” Celaine said. “Though I think it might be me they’re after. Owalyn must know I’m close. She may have sent her Keepers to find us.”

“Brilliant.” Hump peered up at the sky through the canopy, suddenly finding the gnolls good company. From everything Celaine had told him so far, they wouldn’t exactly be happy to meet him.

“Look on the bright side,” Celaine said. “At least we get to skip the gnoll feast.”

“If they find us,” Hump added.

“Oh, they’ll have found us already. The question is whether or not they’ll choose to come meet us. This is the Fallen Lands. There’s always risk when landing the dragons.”

“If it helps, I’m in favour of the dragon people,” Walt said.

The gnolls slowed their pace after half an hour. They reached a river, and the forest thinned out. At some point, a couple of the creatures had returned with deer carcasses over their shoulders, though Hump had not even noticed them split off. It wasn’t long before Hump smelt smoke, and searching the sky he spotted trails rising nearby.

He wasn’t sure what he’d expected to find from the gnoll encampment. He’d seen the kobold village in the dungeon, and in many ways, it was similar to that. The gnolls had settled along the river’s edge. As they arrived, elders and children emerged from huts made of wood, bone, and animal hide. They greeted Rehk and Tokdaar eagerly, huddling in around them in a frenzied greeting. A chain of excitement went out amongst them at the sight of the deer.

That excitement simmered down at the sight of Hump and Celaine. The children in particular stared with intense eyes.

Rehk returned to Hump’s side. “Not seen human before. Excited for feast, but curious.”

“I’m curious too,” Hump said. “This is my first time seeing a gnoll settlement too.”

“Do not stay long,” Rehk said. “Dead Queen forced out mountains. Pack go north. Now come. Must meet pack properly. Have no fear here. You are welcomed.”

It was an experience Hump never expected to have, and one he struggled to comprehend even as he sat amongst the gnolls. The deer was skinned and butchered into accessible cuts, before being roasted over the fire. They cooked with exotic spices and herbs, including a number of vegetables Hump hadn’t seen before. Clay pitchers of a strong smelling alcohol were passed around. Rehk explained that it was made using fruit found in the forest.

They were seated on a blanket around the fire, and Hump tried to appear at ease as he waited for food. Celaine shifted beside him and Hump noticed her gaze go to the sky.

“What is it?” Hump asked.

“Owalyn just spoke to me,” Celaine said. “The Dragon Keepers are coming.”

She pointed toward the mountains they had just passed through, and Hump spotted three faint dark forms in the distance. They looked like large birds to Hump’s eyes.

The gnolls stood up around them to look too, their cheer and revelry traded for quiet talking. The dark spots grew closer quickly. In minutes, the dragons were clear, their powerful dark forms racing through the sky. The gnolls spoke loudly, sounds of anger and concern spreading around the encampment. Chief Rakar grew angry, snapping something in gnollish that Rehk translated.

“He calls you traitors,” Rehk said. “Says you bring death us.”

“They will not harm you if you don’t give them reason to,” Celaine said. “You are hunters of the Charred Heights. Your claim to these mountains and forests is as strong as ours. It does seem we may be unable to partake in your feast.”

Hump had to admit, he was a little disappointed at that. He was curious to try the ingredients of the Fallen Lands.

Rehk translated and seemed to appease the chief.

The dragons arrived with a howling wind, their wings beating above.

A howling wind heralded the arrival of the dragons, their wings beating above. Black scales glistened in the light of the sun, and their eyes swept over the gnoll encampment, a mixture of amusement and intelligence that Hump recognised from Nisha. The majestic beings descended upon them, their presence igniting a primal awe in Hump’s heart. The world seemed to go still, everything transfixed on the beasts, held captive by their magnificence. Two were smaller, while the largest at the centre rivalled Nisha’s mother, Vindari, for size. The great creatures prowled forward, tails whipping behind them, a rider on each of their backs.

The riders were armoured in what could only be black dragon scales, coating most of their upper body. They wore no helmets. The one Hump took to be the leader was a woman riding the largest of the creatures. She was older, her hair grey and tied up into a ponytail. Two men flanked her, one of which appearing young, perhaps only a few years older than Hump. Each of them carried long wooden spears tipped with bright silver blades. The sight of them filled Hump with a sense of their strength. If Celaine’s bow was to be used as an example, the weapons were likely divine, the shafts crafted from the Great Tree of Owalyn.

The gnolls backed away, weapons ready. Their yips and cackles were quickly shut down by the roar of one of the dragons. It filled the air with a thunderous sound, sending a shiver down Hump’s spine. He held his breath, marvelling at the creature. He sensed that same marvel coming from Nisha, along with fear. She didn’t poke her head out of her pouch, suddenly turned shy.

“Celaine!” A man called—he appeared the youngest of the group. He slid easily from the back of his dragon and strolled over, a long metal spear in hand that seemed at home in his grip. He was tall, good looking, and armoured in scales and leather. “It has been too long. You’ve been missed. We came as soon as Owalyn instructed.”

Celaine smiled. “It’s good to see you, Finnian.” She nodded toward the other man. “Owain.” Then bowed to the woman. “Tessa. Thank you for coming to find me.”

Tessa smiled broadly at the sight of Celaine. She had long, grey hair bound in a ponytail. While she appeared old, her body was toned.

“We have been awaiting your return, Cela. I see you have found quite the company. Who is your friend there? The boy, not the gnolls.” She laughed, undisturbed by the curious gazes of the gnolls around her.

“This is Wizard Humphrey,” Celaine said. “He’s the—”

“He’s the bastard that stole our egg,” Finnian growled.

Hump raised an eyebrow at the man’s sudden anger. “I hardly stole it. I had to pick it up to keep it safe and it bonded to me.”

“Why have you brought him to our lands, Celaine?” Finnian asked. “Just end him and be done with this.”

He tried to step toward Hump, but Celaine blocked his path. “You will not harm him.”

“You would protect this boy?” Finnian asked.

“He does not need my protection,” Celaine said. “I would just have you use your head instead of whatever this overbearing display is. Wizard Humphrey has come to face the Dragon Keeper Trials, as promised. I presume Vamir returned to you unimpeded.” She looked to Tessa for an answer.

“He did, Cela,” the woman said. “And he stirred up quite a bit of trouble in the process.”

“Well the egg is hatched,” Celaine said. “The hatchling is bound to him and growing well.”

“That’s your cue,” Hump whispered, opening his pouch to see Nishari curled up inside. She looked at him nervously, and Hump reassured her through their bond. Come on out.

Slowly, she climbed from her pouch and onto Hump’s shoulder, nestling against his neck.

“This is Nishari,” Hump said. “Daughter of Vindari. And as Celaine said, I am Wizard Humphrey. It is an honour to finally meet the Dragon Keepers I have heard so much about.”

“You are not welcome here, outsider,” Finnian said. “You have no claim to the title of Keeper.”

“Of course I don’t,” Hump said, bewildered at the statement. “That’s why I’m here—to prove myself worthy. Believe me, I didn’t spend the last half month in the Fallen Lands for the fun of it.”

“This is poor form, Finn,” Tessa said. “It is not for any of us to decide. Only Owalyn can choose her Keepers.”

The woman slid casually from her dragon and approached. She moved with the same sway as Celaine, almost like she was prowling. Her footfalls were silent, her presence difficult for Hump to pinpoint. He could see her there before him, but he could not sense her.

She extended a hand. “I am Dragon Keeper Tessa, sixth circle, and Chosen of Owalyn. It is good to meet you, Wizard Humphrey. I am curious to see if a man of Alveron has what it takes to become a Keeper.”

“I’m rather curious about that myself.” Hump shook her hand, though he did not miss the fact that she didn’t apologise for Finnian’s behaviour.

She smiled, then her eyes turned to Nisha. “And you, little one, are beautiful.” She extended a hand, giving her a chance to sniff it. “It is rare to see such gold colouring on a wolf dragon.”

Nisha pressed her face against the woman’s hand in acceptance, then her eyes went to the adult wolf dragons before her. Hump only now realised the creatures were watching her too, excitement in their eyes.

“They wish to meet you, little one,” Tessa said. “Before that, however, shall we leave our gnoll friends in peace? Wizard Humphrey, I suppose you have never flown on dragon back before.”

Hump took a moment to process what she’d said then shook his head, excitement already building in him. “I haven’t.”

“Then allow me the honour of your company. You’ll find travelling the Fallen Lands far faster from dragonback.”