Book 8: Chapter 49: M Revised


    It is a terrible thing for a child to exceed their parents. It probably happens to most children, if only in terms of physical strength or something as vain as beautywhen the child eclipses the adult. However, sometimes it bes even more painful than that. The child aplishes something truly extraordinary, and then their parents reveal they are not the all-perfect, superior force, but wed people.


    Even if you love them. No, <i>especially</i> if you do. The worst thing is when they see it that way and treat you likesomething else.


    She had known that feeling for a while. It was stronger now than ever, and not deserved.


    <i>I have not done anything amazing yet.</i>


    Which was an arrogant statement in itself, because she hoped she would. She dreamed of it, longed for the chance, and feared she had missed itfeared it would nevere again. That she was famous now? It feltundeserved. Borrowed fame. Illusory.


    She turned the weapon around in her paws, a killing edge on a beautiful handle. She was deathly afraid of it, but she had already cut herself once with it by ident and her flesh had not mortified; her body had not begun to rot. Perhaps, as the owner, she was immune to its effects.


    Nevertheless, there it sat. A strange, eerie metal formed seamlessly into a translucent de, so fine and deadly it could cut through every material she had tried it on. So thin, glittering like someone had stolen a shard out of midnight.


    Diamond. An onyx-colored de, but not onyx in nature. One of the worlds most valuable minerals, smelted or <i>forged</i> somehow into this dagger. It would be a weapon worthy of any [General]. Yet it was more than mere ornamentation.


    If she put the little carved sigil to her ear, Feshi could swear she heard it whispering. She told herself it was nonsense. But the Diamond Dagger of Serept did contain


    <i>Souls.</i> If she called for them, they woulde. Great warriors, long deceased, guardians of Khelt who would protect and serve anyone who bore the de. More than that, the edge could corrupt any wound it caused. Those struck dead by it would rot away and rise as Ghouls in service to the master. She had not known thatst part until she had been told, and it made her fur crawl.


    Here was a dread de. Here was a weapon worthy of a warlord leading a legion of darkness. Yet it was hers. Hers and not hers; it would return to Khelt after she died, as she had promised. But she owned it, and it was hers because of her adventure at sea. But it wasnt <i>hers</i>not really. It was Wils. She had tagged along on their grand adventure, following his map. She had won this dagger entirely by chance.


    <i>Its just more proof youre meant to be the greatest Weatherfur of our generation.</i> So her parents had imed. They were beyond proud of her. The [Strategist] who attended the Titans Academy on schrship. The genius of their tribe.


    Feshi Weatherfur turned the dagger over again, then put it back in the magical sheath custom-made to hold it. She rose from her tent, festooned with books, maps, gifts, possessionsa yurt just for her. An honor for someone so young.


    Everything was an honor. Feshi shook her head unhappily as she emerged from her tent. She looked about and saw some of Weatherfurs guards spot her.


    Feshi wasnt tall by her peoples standards. Humans remarked on it, as did Lizardfolk, who were quite short until they became a variant of Naga. Feshi had white stripes mixed with russet fur, and that normal pattern of Gnoll fur was changed again by colorful patterns of yellow, blue, and even hints of green or purple. Mostly the first two colors, patterned on her arms.


    Weatherfurs Gnolls were more colorful than most youd find at the Meeting of Tribes because they had ess to plentiful dyes and loved to apply them to their fur. They didnte out with water, so Feshi only had to reapply them once a week. Plus, she wore long earrings, two links of beads dangling from her right earnone on her left. That had a meaning too, although it was only here, at the Meeting of Tribes, that she wore them.


    Earrings could be torn out in battle, so she had wisely removed them in Baleros.


    She missed the Titans Academy. There she was a student among peers. Here?


    Honored Feshi, the Chieftain is meeting with Gaarh Marshs Chieftain and Shaman regarding what should be done about the <i>Drakes.</i> Do you wish to join your Aunt? We shall escort you if sothe Meeting of Tribes is hectic.


    One of the [Guards] addressed her, with even a slight nod of the head. <i>Honored Feshi.</i> She grimaced.


    I do not wish it just yet, no. Thank you.


    He bowed his head to her. Feshi cast her eyes around. The Great ins of Izril looked beautiful by dawn, as light changed the color of the grasnds. Golden dawns light dripped over thendscape, like an inkwell slowly spilling over a world of green. It was not monochrome like the steppes, but had a bounty in nts fighting with the grasses, medicinal herbs, magical seedlings, forests andkesall interspersed across thousands upon thousands of miles.


    So few cities, and only on the border of thisnd. It smelled like cooking, all the busy scents of a camp, hung mints and other odorizers to eliminate the bad smells from outhouses and such, but if you walked just a little ways out there, you would inhale a hundred different things, from Corusdeer herds to little rodentsthis was home and Feshi usually smiled.


    But she caught the sour note in the air where people dwelt. A lingering memory of angerand anger was a smell, unpleasant, harsh. Anger andshe turned and looked around.


    Has anything else interesting happened?


    One of the other [Guards] snorted.


    Beyond fights and arguments all night? Everyone is finding out whether they have any magic and waiting for the Chieftains to make a full decision. Tempers are tensebut I would say ask your friend Honored Yerran. She is breaking her fast there, yes?


    He gestured toward one of the mess tents and Feshi gave him a nod of thanks. She went in that direction, but it was a sign of who she was that they asked her and would have even taken her orders. Her parents? They were a [Gatherer]-[Fletcher] couple. Her parents werepletely enamored with Wil, Venaz, Peki, Merrik, and Yerran.


    The two had a lot of respect in the tribe thanks to her. But it meantwell. Sometimes it felt like she was the responsible one, for all they had jobs. She could give their Chieftain advice, though at least Chieftain Torishi would take it as merely <i>advice.</i>


    Here was a stupid fact that none of her friends had understood but that exined everything about Feshisplicated position in her tribe: the [Guards] had referred to Chieftain Torishi Weatherfur as Feshis Aunt. Which waspletely true, and Feshi did use that term, and they were indeed close.


    But technically, Feshi was Torishis first cousin five times removed. Not exactly close in the tribe, given that Weatherfurs Gnolls shared amon bloodline. Most Gnolls could probably boast something like that of all their Honored members. Why did it matter? It didnt unless someone said it. Then Feshi was the niece of the Chieftain, [Strategist] of the Titans Academy, as if he didnt graduate countless [Strategists]


    She was obsessing, Feshi knew. It was a bad habit of hers. And of her tribe, really. She moped over to the open tent and seats where a somewhat silent, istedGnollwas taking her breakfast. Her arm trembled a bit as she ate some kind of toasted baguette. Her features were very pale under her fur, to the point where it was noticeable. But Feshi took that as a good sign.


    Yerra, how are you feeling?


    The Selphid grinned with some of her former vitality.


    Better. Now that I cant hear Venaz snoring from two tents over. Although Pekis worse. You know, every Gnoll moved their tent two dozen paces away after the first night?


    Feshi put on an air of mock-solemnity as she shook her head.


    We want to give you space as Honored guests.


    Hah! I like that. My people would probably be too polite to do anything. Nowait. Wed just turn our ears off at night.


    Yerran cackled, and Feshi was d to see it. She gave Yerran a quick nce, but the Selphid seemed like shed had a full meal.


    Which was to say exactly half of what Feshi would eat for breakfast. But that was a bursting meal for a Selphid, whose body mass was simply lower than any other species but a Fraerling. The only times Yerran aterge was when she wanted to taste somethingor if her body was so freshly dead she could make its digestive system work.


    Busy day, eh?


    Yerran carefully poured herself a cup of something strange. It looked like off-white tea at first, but it had a dark blue <i>glow</i> underneath the creamy substance at the top. Her medicine.


    Yes, though Im not sure what my part is in it, no.


    Feshi sighed. She hadnt been <i>there</i> at the Meeting of Tribes when Krshia Silverfang revealed that Gnolls could use magic. Or when Ferkr broke in to prove the truth of it before the disbelieving Chieftains. She had heard, of course: every Gnoll in the Great ins had heard, though it was only a day since.


    Some were making stories of it, a grand production, and the name Krshia Silverfang was on every Gnolls lipsalong with Chieftain Akrisas and Ferkrs. They were famous.


    <i>And I met Krshia Silverfang. She seemed</i><i>nice.</i><i>Intelligent.</i>


    How strange for Krshia to suddenly be so famous and important. But thenit had happened to Feshi after Daquin. Yerran too. Even now, after nigh on a month of resting at the Weatherfur camp, the Selphid got looks from children and adults. The wounded [Strategist], the Selphid whod been at Daquin.


    She bore it well, drinking her special medicine from Otesliaa powerful painkillerthe antidote for the poison still eating at her.


    Two very important people, international celebrities, if minor, at the Meeting of Tribes. And, Feshi felt, about as useful as ticks on a Stelbores ass.


    Yerran nced at Feshi.


    Fesh, youre spiraling again, arent you?


    No Im not.


    Feshi jerked her paws away from her belt, where she was fiddling with the diamond dagger. Yerran rolled her eyes.


    Oh, sure. Youre <i>not</i> sitting in your tent, brooding over your dagger and obsessing over bringing worth to the tribe. Sure. I believe that.


    Im needed here. I should obsess a bit.


    Feshi turned red under her fur and crossed her arms defensively.


    But Yerran was a devious attacker, even socially. Like her strategy, she loved tricks and feints.


    Absolutely. Which is why I know youll do your best work when youve spent three days straight trying to crack the Professorstest chess puzzle, or when we find you hunched in the library, red-eyed and snarling at everyone whoes close while youre reading books.


    Feshi wished <i>she</i> could turn her ears off. She coughed, flushing under her fur.


    Im just focused.


    Obsessive.


    That was true. Feshi had a bad habit that was really a Weatherfur trait. It was that she<i>focused</i> on something. A passion, a hobby, an idea. She never let it go until she seeded or something else wrested her attention away. It was one of the reasons why shed attracted the Titans attention; shed learned chess by ying it to the point of obsession when it came out. Simrly, she could focus on homework or a problem to the point where even Venaz thought she was too dedicated.


    It was a w, but it had led Weatherfurs Gnolls to do great things. Garusa Weatherfur had been one of the few [Generals] ever to be employed by a Drake city, and Torishi was a [Shaman] turned [Chieftain] by dint of her amazing proficiency with weather magic.


    Her friends took her out of such obsessive states when they saw her in them, but Feshi knew shed been bad ofte.


    I just feel like Im not adding enough. Weatherfur can boast of our trade deal with Pheintor at least we can if Pheint isnt eaten by Ailendamus in that sted war.


    Dont let Wil hear you say that. Hes already agonized enough. Im d they took him to find the Professor.


    I wish Id gone. Imagine if I brought him <i>here?</i> I should have. Why didnt I go? You should have let me talk Chieftain Torishi into it. Im just


    Hey. Rx, Feshi.


    Yerran grabbed her friends shoulder. Feshi kept muttering.


    Hey! <i>Rx</i>, Feshi.


    Yerrans second admonition was apanied by a friendly <i>kick</i> to the stomach. That snapped Feshi out of it. She curled up on the ground, holding her stomach for a second.


    Thank you, Yerran.


    What are friends for? Want breakfast?


    No, thanks. My stomach hurts.


    Gee, I wonder why?


    The Selphid grinned. She was like that. Well, it was one of the reasons why they liked each other. Yerran was friendly but could be blunt if she needed to, yet she always came from a good ce. She was likable but adaptable.


    Unlike Venaz. Even Kissilt was better since they could talk about Izrilbut Venaz was a pain. Yerra pointed ahead.


    Lets go for a walk. You can obsess and I can stretch my body. Im feeling better.


    Feshi smiled a bit. Her friend couldnt feel the agonizing pain anymore, but she still grew tired too fast. Too fast to go on an adventure with the mercenaries of the Wild Wastes tribe to find the Professor to the north. Still, Yerran was chipper today.


    What shall we do? Enjoy more Gnollish festivities? Flirt with handsome or cute Gnolls? Demonstrate how much better at chess we are?


    Yerran spread her arms wide, beaming, as the two left Weatherfurs central camp. Feshi made a face.


    Im not in the mood to eat or y games. My stomach hurts.


    I wonder why?


    Theres more to life than games and romance. Everyone else can do it, but I need


    <i>Worth! </i>So lets <i>find</i> some rather than specte!


    So they did. They made a good team that way. Yerran directed Feshis focus, nudged it, then went ahead when Feshi found a good idea.


    Lots of fallout from yesterday. I couldnt sleep, and I heard there were over a thousand fights.


    Only a thousand?


    Hyperbole, Feshi. Underbole, or whatever you call it.


    Yerran pointed around themunal area, showing Feshi damaged stalls, denuded of goods and treats for sale, trash on the ground, torn fabric. Feshi could smell a bit of blood, alcohol, and the remnants of adrenalinewhich was a smell, just as fear was.


    Gnolls had been fighting. Of course they hadthe news that <i>magic had been suppressed by the Drakes for countless years </i>tended to rile people up. But they had no concrete proof. Only the giant crystal that everyone <i>knew</i> was probably part of Fissivals ancient teleportationwork. The Drakes denied that it had any connection to the problems the Gnolls were having with magic or anything else.


    Feshi, like every Gnoll at the Meeting of Tribes, wasnt in the mood to have a nice discussion about it.


    It could be war, you know. Did you hear anything like thatst night?


    Feshi had been upte, talking with Torishi about what it all meant. Yerran shrugged.


    Hotheads howling about itId be more worried about what your Chieftain thought.


    Shes not pleased.


    No. I thought shed be high-fiving Drakes left and right.


    Feshi snorted at Yerrans dry look.


    She doesnt want war. At least not all-out war. Weatherfur has too many ties to Drake cities. Shes all for putting it to Fissival, but if one Walled City fights


    The rest gang up and kick the Selphid out of you?


    Thats how it goes. There are enough tribes here to fight every Walled City, but if other Drake cities get drawn in


    All-out war. Right. So what are we doing, stopping the war or getting ready?


    I dont know. Im mad as aas Venaz, Yerra. But I know what the Professor would say. Bide your time, wait for vengeance if its appropriate.


    Mm. So why dont you join your Chieftain and say that to everyone?


    Because <i>she</i> can say it. She doesnt need <i>me.</i> Anyone who listens to Weatherfur will listen to her.


    Yerran skipped around a little Gnoll staring at a scrying orb with a group of others. They were watching as Drassi introduced two Gnolls on the orban Elirr of Liscor and a Gnoll of Passto discuss the magic-suppression incident. Feshi wanted to listen, but Yerra kept them moving onward. She was d they were getting magical coverage on the television, though.


    And were back to looking for worth again. All right, I see what you mean. You want to be <i>special.</i> Hit the Chieftains from the other side.


    Theyre not my enemy.


    Feshi snagged a stick of free goats meat since her stomach had stopped smarting. She gnawed on it, savoring the bite, and thanked the Gnoll minding the booth. Yerran tapped her chin.


    Hit them politically. Where do we start?


    Feshi swallowed.


    Well, thats easy. The most important Gnolls in the entire Meeting of Tribes would be the ones who can sway minds. And they would be


    Ferkr of Pass, Grimalkins apprentice; Krshia Silverfang, and Akrisa Silverfang. Yerran knew the way to their tribes camp as well as Feshi.


    When they got there, they found a sea of Gnolls all thinking the exact same thing as they were. The [Guards] at the Silverfangs camp were keeping a wave of them back, all of whom wanted to talk to the Gnolls in question. A Chieftain broke through the throng.


    Daemonbanes tribe to see Silverfangs Chieftain and Krshia Silverfang!


    The [Guards] let them through. Yerran and Feshi watched as the Gnolls were admitted, the Chieftain and a small retinue. Yerran shielded her eyes, smiling cheerfully.


    Well, theres the Silverfang camp. Whos <i>Daemonbane?</i> Thats not a Gnollish tribe name.


    It was awarded to them. They went to Rhir.


    What, <i>all</i> of them?


    Feshi twiddled her thumbs, trying to recall, before nodding.


    Yep. Went, fought for three generations, came back. They kept the name. Theyre fairly important. Everyone wants to talk to Silverfang.


    Hm. Well, unless you think we can rely on our names, how about marching up there? You go, Im Feshi from the Titans Academy! Let me in!


    Some heads swung toward them even at Yerrans promation. Feshi groaned.


    No thanks, Yerra. Even if Krshia hears me first, were working at cross-purposes. Too many officers for a single battalion. Rememberhit them where you do the most good.


    Professors words of wisdom, right. But he also says, Kick them in the face sometimes just so you have their attention.


    The Professor had a lot of funny sayings. Feshi and Yerran circled the crowd, grinning and trading a few. Yerran eyed the circr Silverfang camp and its hide walls.


    You know, if you <i>really</i> wanted to get in, we could cut a hole through the walls. Its just hide and wood, right?


    Its probably enchanted, and its tough. Even with my dagger it would be a pain. And thats destruction of property, Yerra.


    The Selphid stepped back and eyed the tops of the walls, far too high and steep to see over.


    Well, what if we jumped over?


    Its an <i>eight-foot wall,</i> Yerra. Who can jump over that?


    I could. If I Rampaged, I think.


    Well, I cant.


    Thats what <idders</i> are for. Im just saying, if you wanted a private word, we


    The two were arguing, more for fun than anything else, as Feshi looked around for another way to meet someone important. They walked around the back of the Silverfangpound. Feshi heard some loud voices past the wall, pounding footsteps. Yerran might not have heard, because she was inhabiting a dead Gnolls body with atrophied senses. But then Yerran heard a shout.


    <i>Gireshia! Dont you dare</i>


    A giant hurtled <i>over</i> the wall, from the inside, tond just past Yerran and Feshi. In a single bound. Nine feet tall, her red-brown fur gleamingthe tallest Gnoll, save for one, that Feshi had <i>ever</i> seen. She leaped over the wall like a high jumper, arcing her body so it <i>just</i> cleared the top of the stakes hammered into the ground.


    Feshis and Yerrans jaws dropped open. The giant Gnollnded as light as a cat. She spotted the two on her way down and avoided Yerran, who jerked back.


    Excuse me.


    Gire muttered apologetically at the two, then <i>sprinted</i>. She barely stopped as shended, but transitioned into an athletes run. She was nearly a hundred paces away before Feshi and Yerran had even turned.


    Dead gods. She just


    <i>She jumped over the wall! How did she do that? Magic? A Skill?</i>


    I thought you said you could do that!


    The Selphid grabbed at her ears.


    Yeah, but <i>Im</i> a Selphid! Look at that <i>body!</i>


    Feshi saw the distant Gire <i>racing</i> across the Great ins and knew which tribe she was from. Even if she hadnt known Gireshiaand she was hard to forgetshed know an Ekhtouch anywhere.


    Sure enough, her pursuers looked much like Gire herself. One was only seven and a half feet tall, and he clearly had to use a jumping Skill to clear the wall. The rest had to climb over; one was boosted up, and the others, no less than six of them, swarmed over it.


    There she is! <i>Gire,e back! This is the Chieftains order! Come</i>


    They raced after her. Thest ones over the wallpletely ignored Feshi and Yerran. They cursed as they pointed at Gire.


    Shes running! Well never catch her without Skills. Stubborn[Marathon Run]! The rest of you, get some horses!


    One of the Gnolls <i>elerated</i> but barely seemed to break even with Gires pace. The two [Strategists] watched as the others sprinted withmendable form, off to get horses. Yerra turned to Feshi.


    Whats <i>that</i> about?


    The Gnoll hesitated, but before she could answer, she heard a voice.


    What are they doing to her, Tkrn?


    I dont know. Here. Let me just get ovlet meuh


    Someone <i>smacked </i>into the hide wall, scrabbled at it, and then jumped a few times. Yerran and Feshi heard a grunt.


    Maybe you can get up there. Here, Ill boost you, Inkar.


    Okay<i>argh!</i> Dont drop me!


    Well, its hard! Do you have a handhold?


    <i>Yes</i>


    Someone pulled themselves up, red-faced. Feshi saw a Human face turn, nearly fall over the wall, and then try to haul someone else up.


    Youre too heavy! <i>Let go, let go! Youll pull me</i>


    Inkar disappeared back into thepound with a scream, and Feshi and Yerran heard a <i>crash</i> as she fell on top of whoever was on the other side. Yerran looked at Feshi.


    Hey! Anyone need a hand over there?


    Yes, please!


    That was the female Human. Yerran did a little hop, then a <i>big</i> jump, and nimbly hoisted herself up onto the wall. Feshi knew her friend had <i>Rampaged</i>exceeded her bodys natural limits, tearing muscle, but giving herself amazing strength. There was a voice, male and mystified.


    Whos that? Thats not one of the Ekhtouch


    From her position on top of the wall, Yerra reached down, hauled up the two figures with ease, and Feshi was once again reacquainted with Inkar and Tkrn.


    Dont I know you? From the brawl


    Thats right! Inkar, and this is Tkrn.


    Hi.


    The Gnoll was a bit breathless from getting over the wall. He looked shamefaced as Yerran helped Inkar down to the ground. He tried to jump down, but Feshi opened her mouth.


    I wouldnt


    She heard the <i>click</i> and saw his face as the Gnoll [Guardsman]nded from a nine-foot drop onto his haunches. But the force of thending had turned his squat into more of a rapid sit-down, so fast that he kneed himself in the chin. And all the weight and force of his hitting the ground went right into


    Tkrn rolled over.


    Healing potion! Healing potion! I just broke my legs!


    Inkarnded with Yerras help and fished out a potion. Tkrn sat up after she helped him fix the torn muscle in his legs, not actual bone. Tkrn sat up, panting.


    Okayhow does Gire <i>do</i> that? Where did she go?


    The two were clearly after the same Gnoll. Feshi and Yerra pointed, but the other Gnolls were almost out of sight, mere dots on the horizon. Feshi shaded her eyes, frowning.


    Whats happening? Thats Honored Gireshia, isnt it?


    Its Gire. But I dont know whats happening. She was just ying withand then the Ekhtouch Gnolls came and said she had to pass a <i>Trial </i>and she ran for it.


    Yerrans eyes lit up, as they did whenever she found something interesting.


    Ooh. Feshi, whats a Trial?


    She turned to her friend. The Weatherfur Gnoll scratched at her head.


    I have no idea. It must be an Ekhtouch thing. I cant imagine that its pleasant if she ran away. What was she doing in the Silverfang camp?


    She thought Gire might have been there on Ekhtouch business, but Inkar and this Tkrn had made it sound different. Indeed, Inkar was worried.


    We have to find her! She sounded terrified! Shes only fifteen!


    <i>What?</i>


    Yerran and Feshi started. But hadnt Venaz said? Feshi saw Tkrn look around.


    Lets get some horses. Thanks for your help, um


    Yerran. And this is Honored Feshi, of the Games of Daquin. <i>Greatest Gnoll [Strategist] to ever</i>


    Feshi stomped on Yerrans foot. Since she knew the Selphid had no pain receptors, she also had to cover Yerrans mouth. Inkar and Tkrn recalled who their acquaintances were and did that staring thing, but only for a second.


    Yerran was beside herself.


    Can wee and see whats happening? This sounds <i>amazing</i>.


    Inkar nced about the area.


    Only if you can find horses.


    I can do that!


    The Selphid dashed off with Tkrn. Which left Feshi and Inkar standing together. The Gnoll nced at the Silverfang camp, then at Inkar.


    Now, here was another <i>interesting coincidence</i>, like meeting that Lyte at Oteslia. A Human who just happened to be a rather important guest of Longstalkers Fang, in the Silverfang camp, <i>and</i> friendsor at least concernedwith Honored Gireshia of Ekhtouch? There was an exnation for it, obviously, but the <i>why</i> of it made Feshis fur tingle.


    Im Feshi of Weatherfur. Pleased to see you again, Inkar.


    She held out her paw, and Inkar took it.


    Thank you for your help again, Miss Feshi. We meet when people are fighting each other or running around, yes?


    There was a twinkle in her eye as she used the Gnollish inflections, and Feshi grinned despite herself.


    Hrr, yes. Lets find Gire. It shouldnt be too badand then maybe we can talk? Im interested in Silverfang, as everyone is.


    Perhaps <i>this</i> was her moment?


    Tkrn and Yerra came back with four horses, including Inkars own horse, and Feshi and Inkar mounted up. They sped off to find Gire and discover what was so bad about the Trials.


    But Feshi was more concerned with what theyd do after that. Shepletely failed to understand what Ekhtouch <i>Trials</i> meant.


    During the Meeting of Tribes, even though the participants were angry, wrathful, talking, and full of unrest after yesterdays drama, there was <i>always</i> fascination. Always delight and chaos.


    In fact, perhaps more now than ever. Because all the Gnolls were so upset, the tribes had pushed together some festivities nned forter that week. So here came a raritya Gnoll [Performer], no less than one of Weatherfurs own. She did a <i>flip</i> into the air and threw three daggers.


    They hit three targets tossed up by helpers. Shended,ughing, and in swept a Gnoll band ying merry music on flutes and drums.


    Lets have some cheer! Who wants to learn how to throw knives? How to bnce on the very tip of a pole, like so? Well, if you can hold your bnce for ten seconds, Ill give you a prize!


    The [Performer] shouted down at the adults and children. She stood on a narrow wooden pole with one foot, the other raised behind her, arms outstretched, grinning with the light of a challenge in her eyes. Then she winked.


    If you can do <i>this</i>, Ill give you my ss!


    And with augh, she did a front flip from her standing position andnded again, in the same pose.


    Children pointed and <i>oohed</i> and gathered around, because there were also traditional Gnollish sweets being passed out in huge baskets, along with more food and nonalcoholic drinks. The sights and sounds were all a wee distraction.


    Some Gnolls didnt even have to <i>try</i> to be exciting. Garsine Wallbreaker just walked past the others, but the eleven-foot-tall Gnoll was enough to dumbfound a little Gnoll cub clinging to an adult Gnolls paw.


    Some people hurried to eat or let the children y; many only drifted about, still furious, still talking. The air was tense, and as a result, more than one child and adult pitched a fit.


    One big child in particr threw up her hands,y down on the ground, and wailed.


    <i>I dont want to! I dont</i> want <i>to!</i>


    It wassomething. Feshi felt embarrassed, astonished, awed, at the sight of a nine-foot-tall Gnoll, whom she had taken to be fully grown, throwing a tantrum, pounding her paws and feet on the ground, wailing, her nose running as the Ekhtouch adults tried to get her to be quiet and others watched.


    She <i>was</i> a girl, and the tantrum drew no less than Firrelle, Chieftain of the Ekhtouch, to her side.


    <i>Gireshia! Calm yourself!</i>


    <i>I dont want to do a Trial! I wont! You cant make me!</i>


    Gire had been hauled back by the time Inkar and the others caught up with her. Hauled back in a, wailing. What <i>was</i> this Trial? Well, the other Ekhtouch Gnolls of their small tribe were already setting it up.


    Firelle was furious.


    Gire, this is meant to be an exhibition. You are embarrassing all of Ekhtouch!


    To which Gire just sniveled.


    I dont care! <i>You</i> do it! You cant! Its scary and I dont <i>want</i> to!


    The Chieftain looked exasperated. Then a Gnoll couple came over. We couple of Gnolls, as in two. They were not a married pair.


    Gireshia, you are more than capable. Do not embarrass Ekhtouch. You must seedonly then can you level. You know this.


    Yes, do it for our tribe. Do it for us, Honored Daughter.


    A tall male and female Gnoll smiled down at Gire. She sat up, sullenly, and Feshi realizedthey were her parents. <i>But what an odd rtionship.</i> They coaxed Gire until she stopped crying, but not once did they give her true orders, only cajoled and pleaded. Even Feshi found itdisconcerting. Inkar pointed at the two.


    Those are her parents?


    Tkrn was watching, just as bemused. Gire bowed her head as the Ekhtouch tribe finished moving other Gnolls back, creating a kind of enclosure with what looked like a magical powder. One of them ced an odd-looking marker in the centerFeshi narrowed her eyes.


    Yerra, you see that? It looks familiar.


    Gire looked up when she saw the strange long strip of paper delicatelyid out on the ground. She stood in one movement and ignored her parents. She looked around.


    Dont I get <i>anything?</i>


    One object.


    Then I want a spear!


    An Ekhtouch warrior instantly went to arm her, but Firrelle didnt offer Gire her own spear or any of the fine enchanted spears her warriors carried. Rather, someone hurried off and came back with the most in <i>iron</i>-tipped spear that Feshi had ever seen. It wasnt a training weaponexactlybut that was all it was good for, in her eyes.


    Yerran was focused on the item Feshi had spotted. She frowned.


    Yeah. Ive seen it before. What is that? I cant remember where


    Feshi had the exact same impression. Her eyes widened, and she pped her paws together.


    Oh! I know! Venaz has some!


    The Selphid gave Feshi a look ofprehension and snapped her fingers.


    Yes! Its one of those weird summoning things! He said they were from <i>Drath</i>, remember? The same things he used at thegamesof


    Her voice trailed off. She and Feshi both slowly rotated and saw one of the Ekhtouch Gnolls make a gesture and speak.


    <i>Ramish! Arise!</i>


    The talisman <i>glowed</i>, and the magical paper unraveled. Something <i>rose</i>, glittering, taking shape as spectral energy moved to create a replica of the real thing. No less deadly, but made of magic. Conjured to create


    A Manticore.


    Feshi leaped backward, the Diamond Dagger out of its sheath before she processed anything. Gnolls fled backward, shouting in rm as the <i>massive</i> Manticorewith the face of a lion, a tail like a stinger, and wings like an eagleroared into the enclosure. It was <i>far</i>, farrger than any normal lion. Gireshia made a whimpering sound.


    The Manticore, even without the stinger, had a mane slightly taller than she was, and it outweighed her. It paced left and right, snarling.


    What the


    Tkrn had his sword drawn but was trying to shield Inkar. However, she, Feshi, and Yerran were all looking at the Ekhtouch warrior who had summoned the beast. The Gnoll was looking at Firrelle, and the monster didnt attack.


    The Chieftain called out, frowning, at the lone Gnoll with an iron spear facing down what Feshi <i>knew</i> was considered a Gold-rank monster. As inno Silver-rank adventurer was ever expected to be able to handle one alone. A Silver-rank <i>team</i> could, but Manticore packs required Gold-rank teams, multiple teams, to quell. Firrelle surely knew this, but she only shouted to Gireshia.


    <i>Five minutes, Gire! </i>Three blows!


    I dont <i>want to!</i>


    The [Paragon] howled. But Firrelle ignored her and lifted a paw.


    Now.


    <i>Attack!</i>


    The Manticore sprang forward at the Gnoll warriorsmand. It bit and struck with paw and stinger, all at once.


    Feshi cried out. That was as vicious as the real monster! She had assumednaivelythat it would at least hold back or be a lesser copy. But it struck like a serpent, nearly as fast.


    Gireshia was too agile for it to tag her. She swung left, and her spear <i>stabbed</i> the Manticore along the shoulder, aiming for the ce where the muscles were grouped. She swiped the spear left and backed up, circling. She was <i>still</i> sniffing, but she kept her eyes on the Manticore. And that stinger


    <i>This</i> was an Ekhtouch Trial, Feshi realized. She was not the only Gnoll to stride toward Firrelle, who was watching Gire do battlestriking from range, dodging back as the stinger shot forward again and againwith every sign of approval and calm scrutiny of Gires performance.


    A panting Chieftain, Eska of Longstalkers Fang, was the first Gnoll to appear, racing up with her bodyguards. She pointed at the contained battle within the circle the Ekhtouch had set up.


    Chieftain Firrelle! What is this madness?


    A demonstration, Chieftain Eska. I told you we would keep training Gire and other warriors. They will go through the same, but she must be first, even if she throws tantrums.


    Firrelle replied calmly, nodding to acknowledge the other Chieftain. Eska looked appalled.


    <i>Tantrums?</i> Shes fighting a Manticore with an iron <i>spear!</i>


    Yes. In the next Trial, she must climb a mountain in a day. Or, if we have time, swim up a river. If we find monsters of the correct type, perhaps she will battle them. Without weapons. She is doing too well, battling too easily.


    She turned to one of the Ekhtouch Gnolls analyzing Gires performance.


    You see, Gorekh? She does not <i>try</i> in sparring.


    I see.


    Feshi nced back and saw one of Ekhtouchs veteran [Warriors] watching, arms folded. Gire had somehow kept out of range of the Manticore, baited two charges, and stabbed it repeatedly in the same ce. The magical summoned monster was now limping on its right foreleg, and Gireshia was keeping out of range, circling and striking.


    ThisI would not ask the greatest warriors of Longstalkers Fang to do this! And Gireshia is a child, no?


    Firrelle looked overly patient as she replied, still in that maddeningly calm tone of voice.


    She is. But she is also a <i>[Paragon],</i> and her Trials must exceed any other. How else would she level?


    Eska stared at her, then at Gire.


    You put her in this kind of danger?


    There is no leveling without some danger. Rest assuredwe would step in if she looked truly in danger of losing life or limb, but there must be <i>challenge</i>. Please, Chieftain Eska. I understand that our ways seem difficult to you. But the greatest of Longstalkers Fangs warriorsskilled as they areare not Honored Gireshia.


    Now, <i>there</i> was a statement to take Feshis breath clean away. The worst part was that Firrelle didnt even seem to think shed given Eska an insult. Eska just stood there until her ears ttened. Then she moved toward Inkar. The young woman was watching with horror, looking for a way to stop the Trial, but Gire was winning. Even soFeshi nced at Gires parents, who were watching with eager approval. The [Strategist] noted Firrelles calm judgment and murmuring with her people about how to make the Trial <i>more</i> challenging.


    And she had thought her tribe had terrible expectations of <i>her</i>. Feshi gripped the dagger at her belt.


    So this was the Meeting of Tribes? She looked around at the Gnolls watching this exhibition of talent, arguing over the revtion from the Chieftains gatheringand watching the scrying orb, where Drassi was covering the news.


    The news about <i>them.</i> In this great gathering, which came only every <i>twenty</i> years, somehow the news was all about themand not about them. It was about Ailendamus, the [Knight] charging Ailendamus armies, and the Drake conspiracybut not about <i>here.</i> As if the Gnolls, even at their peak, were a sideshow to the real events taking ce.


    That should not be. Feshi had to bring great worth and deed to Weatherfur. It urred to her, in that moment, that it should also be Weatherfur, Krshia Silverfang, and even poor Gire whose names were called across the world. This was no less fascinating, for ill or good, than anything she saw on the scrying orb.


    So why wasnt it <i>there?</i>


    While Gires Trial was going on, elsewhere in the Meeting of Tribes, Chieftain Mrell had an answer for Feshis question, though he didnt know shed asked it. They had simplye to the same conclusion.


    We are an insr people, Chieftain Iraz. We do not look like it, because we travel widely. But I tell youGnolls, in their way, are even more resistant to change and sharing than Drakes are.


    Not a popr opinion, Chieftain Mrell. Especially given how sharing space has worked out for our people.


    Mrell had to own that was true. He sat in his small Chieftains tent. Smallpared to some of the tents of the grand tribes. But it was <i>his</i>, and he was a new Chieftain. Not as famous for war as Woven degrass, but the fact that his tribe was consorting with famous tribes showed everyone how far theyde.


    He was Chieftain of Demas Metal. The tribe that had risen by sheer dint of the new metal they had created. Mrell was young, in histe <i>twenties.</i> Yet he was Chieftain, having created this tribe by himself. For one reason alone. Because it would change this world.


    Because it was the only thing he had left that mattered.


    Demas Metal. Ity before them, a deeply blue alloy that had the magical luster that regr metals, even gold,cked. Like Mithril, Adamantiumwhen processed and smeltedand other fantastical metals, it had a power to it.


    But such metals were few and far between. Demas Metal? Iraz had the de that Mrell had presented him with. He flicked it up and caught it, the light glinting off his own steel-gray fur.


    Mrell admired Iraz. Here was a Chieftain that Mrell wanted to be like. Iraz too had created the Steelfur tribe by dint of his Skill, which gave them all fur like steel. In fact, Mrell felt amonality, and Iraz clearly seemed to think there was some value in speaking with the new Chieftain, hence their breaking bread togetherand dipping it in silkapthis early morning.


    I will admit, Chieftain Mrell, there is some weight to your words. But I assume you have a point?


    They were debating, as Gnolls did, although in private, without an audience. Mrell inclined his head eagerly.


    I would not say something so provocative without proof. And my proof is this: Demas Metal. It was not a creation I could havee up with alone. I did not, in fact; though the final creation I im as a stroke of inspiration. But I learned my craft from another species.


    Really.


    Iraz set the de down. He admired the strange alloy.


    It is not purple, like Orichalcum. But it has the same qualities. Cloud blue to dark violet, depending on the weather. Hard. Strongbut that tells you nothing. Even steel can be sharp as can be with a great [cksmith] behind it. <i>This</i>, though?


    Iraz made a shing motion, very quick.


    Mrell was d he didnt jump. He stared at the fine <i>line</i> that followed the tip of the de, then vanished a heartbeatter.


    Is it a magical effect?


    Just the metal, Chieftain Iraz. If you <i>strike</i> a shield or piece of armor made of the stuff, it leaves the sameafterimage. It doesnt harm, but Demas Metal has many qualities. It is superior to steel, heavier than Mithril, but just <i>as strong.</i> And as you know, it has another grand secret besides being beautiful when swung.


    Iraz grinned his warriors grin, and his eyes lit up. He put aside the de and refilled his small bowl. They were eating from Mrells prepared snacks, and the Chieftain of the Steelfur Tribe did not eat <i>silkap</i> on bread or crackersnot when Mrell had treats out. Everything from pickled herring, cheeses, and even odd treats like roasted plums to fill voids in the conversation.


    Yet it seemed Iraz had a fondness for Chandrarian dates; he had already eaten sixteen of the sweet fruits. Unlike regr dates, these were not a brown or purple, but remained yellow and even red or <i>blue</i>, despite being wizened. They also had a mix of drinks; in this case, Amentus wine, sweet and only a bit heady this early.


    Yes. I found out when testing it. I could have remained ignorant.


    Mrell smiled too, deeply pleased.


    I knew youd discover it. And how else to show what a <i>gift</i> it could be in the hands of enough warriors?


    Chieftain Iraz agreed slowly, taking Mrell and his tent in. The younger Chieftain had a tent decorated with his research notes. Books, of all things; guides to cksmithing; even what was akin to an [Alchemist]s workbench devoted to metallurgy.


    It is notplete, though. You said there were improvements to be made.


    Mrell spread his paws helplessly.


    <i>Steel </i>has many alloys, many forms, Chieftain Iraz, and we have made and used it for countless ages. I cannot im this is the <i>perfect</i> Demas Metal. But it is my alloy, and if it existed in times past? Well, the one who beheld it and helped meplete it told me that othersonly the true ancients of our worldmight know how to make it to perfection. That <i>I</i> discovered the makinghe told me I would usher in a new era on the strength of it alone. And he was a Dwarf.


    Iraz was leaning forwards, hooked on the story, and caught himself, sitting back. He slowly lifted the sword he had been given and pondered it. Then, carefully, slowly, he took out a simple water sk and dribbled water onto the de. Mrell watched, knowing what would happen.


    Rather than simply dribble down the de and onto his floorcarpeted with beautiful depictions of Gnolls in battle, tapestries of triumph and tradition, a careful nod to this Meeting of Tribes, which hed paid for just this effectthe water <i>pooled</i> along the de. Coating it. It formed a second edge, as fine as a razor. Iraz moved the de, and the water rippled but did not fly away.


    It would if he swung it hard enough, though.


    Fire does the same. Does lightning?


    I havent dared hold it up in the middle of a storm, but a little shock spellyes. Though itsts for seconds at most.


    Incredible. You saida Dwarf helped you make it?


    Mrell sighed.


    Yes. This is a great secret, Iraz. But I tell you this because I hope you will buy many des from me, and our tribes might work together. After all, Demas Metal can be made far more plentifully than Orichalcum, which we put into it, but it will not ever rece steel. Perhaps, though<i>steelcloth</i> and Demas Metal together?


    The Steelfur traded their fur, which could beboriously processed into metallic cloth, to other ces. Iraz nodded.


    It is rare that we offer trade concessions to any tribe but therge ones, like ins Eye. But you have my full attention. So you met a Dwarf? When?


    Mrell exhaled. He chose his words carefully, telling only what needed to be told, though his face grew somber.


    On my journeys. I left my tribe, you see. I became a wandering Gnoll. Not ins. Or City. It was not pleasant, alwaysI shall spare you the details. But the crux of the story is only this: I met a Dwarf on my travels. I never expected to meet him, for we both were seeking Orichalcumthe very vein my tribe uses for Demas Metal. Well, I say we, but he had found it. He lived alone, in a cave, in misery, a <i>master</i> beyondpare.


    Iraz murmured, cing his paws under his chin.


    I have heard of such reclusive masters. Although they are the stuff of legend.


    Mrell lifted a paw.


    This Dwarf was not there out of some great training journey or because the istion suited him, Chieftain Iraz. He was in exile. Anddying. I forged under him for three years, until he passed, and that was when I made my discovery. He did not give it to me, you see. He told me I had surpassed every expectation in discovering the alloy. Shortly thereafter, he passed.


    A strange story. What was he doing there?


    Mrell stared back, leaning to look upwards at a memory.


    He never said. Only that he had betrayed the heart of the craft he and I both pursued. I named the metal after him. Demas. Demastel was the only name he ever gave me, you see. Without his guidance, I would have never had the skill to create this.


    Honorable of you. So your tribe will work the vein, make more Demas Metnd make it better still. What do you intend?


    Mrell lifted the de Iraz offered him and smiled.


    Simply to redefine the world, Chieftain Iraz. I do not know if Gnolls will take my metal and create great tribes or armies. I am a [Smith]. I do not know if this heralds some great new erabut I do know this. Demas Metal will sweep this world. In ten years, it will be sought after by every Gold-rank adventurer. We have the means to make more. We have the resources. Unlike Mithril, Adamantium, and Orichalcumof which there is enough only to arm a small group, or one personDemas Metal will arm <i>armies.</i> And I will sell it only to the tribes, or let them sell it to others. But I do ask a fair price.


    Iraz was agreeing as he listened to Mrell.


    That is fair, Chieftain Mrell. And Steelfur will be honored to support and bid on your items.


    Indeed, this was what many Chieftains said, although Iraz was refreshingly direct. Mrell smiled and offered Iraz more food, but the Chieftain had already eaten his fill. Iraz took some to be polite, and Mrell saw him eying the de. Everyone, from Greenpaw and Orelign to Steelfur, <i>wanted</i> Demas Metal. Ifand only <i>if</i>it could do everything Mrell said it could.


    There had to be a catch. A plentiful metal exceeding steel? It had to have some weakness or w. Thats what they thought in private, where they tested Mrells gifts. But here was his dirty, dark secret:


    <i>There wasnt one.</i> Not one w that he could find. It didnt dissolve if you sneezed on it right. It didnt have a crippling weakness. Krshia Silverfang had upset the Meeting of Tribes with her announcement, and rightly so; Mrell himself was shaken by the news. But the announcement of his metal would be just as grand. Demas Metal was simply a revolution.


    The two Chieftains toasted the sess of Demas Metal. Then Iraz asked a pointed question.


    If I were to ask fortwenty des, each custom-made for my best warriors, could you produce them?


    I have the ingots here, Chieftain Iraz. I can have my best [Smiths] work on them, and I would personally forge your de myself. They cannot stand up to the greatest artifactsso I can offer you nothing worthy of a Chieftains de. But perhaps armor?


    You could wear Demas Metal without it affecting other magical gear, which was a huge plus, and he was talking Iraz intomissioning some chainmail. Which was damned annoying to make, but if Chieftain Iraz wore it and when people saw how it worked in battle


    The two Gnolls were about to seal the deal with a shake of the paws when Mrell sniffed something. He closed his eyes as an acrid odor assailed him.


    <i>Dead gods, not now.</i>


    Iraz sat up, smelling the exact same thing and hearing what Mrell did. A faintpattering sound.


    What is that? Some smith or?


    No, it was not that, and he realized what it was just as any Gnoll would. Both stood up, and Mrell strode out of his tent.


    He didnt post guards around his tent because his tribe was too small to need them, especially during the Meeting of Tribes. But it urred to him he needed them now, not because of the threat of assassination, but to deter


    A pair of Gnolls stood to the side of the tent. Both female, and both with markings on their fur from a tribe neither Iraz nor Mrell belonged to. One Gnoll had just adjusted her loincloth.


    She was currently peeing on the side of Mrells tent. She and herpanion froze when they saw the two staring Chieftains. They hadnt expected Iraz.


    <i>Uh-oh. Thats the Chieftain of thePrha, run!</i>


    The other Gnoll yelped, redid her loincloth, whirled around, and took off. Chieftain Iraz stared at the stain on the side of Mrells tent. The Chieftain of the Demas Metal tribe had his face in his paws.


    Why are two Gnolls from the Sofang tribe peeing on your tent? Iraz asked. He recognized the markings of a distant coastal tribe. Mrell didnt have the heart to answer.


    <i>Hey! You two!</i>


    One of the camp [Guards] <i>finally</i> noticed the two intruders and chased after them. The two Gnolls, one of whom was exactly Mrells age, shook her fist back at Mrell.


    <i>Take that, you worthless furball!</i>


    She fled with herpanion. Iraz peered at Mrell, trying to hide his amusement.


    I take it you two know each other?


    She was my partner. We had a falling-out. Illmake a formalint to Sofang.


    I shall as well. Disgracing a Chieftains tent


    Itsplicated, Chieftain Iraz. She has a right to beupset. Perhaps shell stop.


    Hugely embarrassed, Mrell led Iraz to the cksmiths tents, where they could finish their talks. Yes, that was from his past. He cursed running into Prha here. He wanted to just move on. But here they were.


    Mrell turned his mind back to Demas Metal. That was all he could focus on. His great gift to Gnolls and the world.


    It was all he had left. If he could go back in time, he would have saved what mattered. But he couldnt.


    Feshi was beginning to happen upon an idea, but it wasnt concrete. She passed by some of the [Merchants] trying to buy and sell goods. Especially some of that Demas Metal, although most pieces werent sold as such; they were gifts.


    But it could damn well change the world.


    It was how two tribes saw value. Demas Metal put its faith in a change in the market, metallurgy; a new metal. Ekhtouch? They believed in one over all.


    Gireshia, a [Paragon] of her kind, had bested a Manticore in under five minutes, and with less than three blows taken, just as her Chieftain demanded. What could she have done if she had been equipped with Demas Metal?


    Despite both amazing achievements, Feshi noticed something. There were no scrying orbs <i>here. </i>Rather, they were all showing images of other ces. Wistram News Network had broadcast a few views of the Meeting of Tribes once and left it at that.


    And that was because Gnolls and Wistram had been feuding, and Gnolls were insr, and so on and so forth. Yes, <i>yes.</i>


    It did not mean that there were no non-Gnolls here. Look at Yerran. Look at the truly intelligent [Merchants], [Traders], and emissaries who came here. Justno movers and shakers.


    Im sorry, none of it is for sale. Chieftain Mrell of our tribe sells itbut no pieces for non-Gnolls.


    Oh,e on, now. Im a reputable [Arms Dealer] across Izril <i>and</i> Baleros! This is your chance for your tribe to break into a huge market!


    An upset [Merchant] was trying to badger a Gnoll [Smith] into selling some hed been letting passersby try out on practice dummies, but the Gnoll didnt move. Feshi sighed. Apart from Demas Metals politics, she was bothered by how the [Merchant] was speaking to the [Smith].


    <i>This is me, doing you a favor.</i> No wonder the Gnoll wasnt receptive.


    I tell you what. [Name Your Price]. Just do it. Name your


    The [Merchant] resorted to another bad but understandable idea. Which was using a Skill. The Gnoll [Smith] stiffened, and his mouth opened as he held out the shortsword he had been holding back. Which meant hed have to sell it if the [Merchant] met his price, probably at a high markup.


    But it was a bad idea because every other Demas Metal Gnoll and others whod heard the Skill being used were looking around <i>very</i> unhappily. Feshi wondered if shed watch the [Merchant] and his nervous bodyguards being dumped out of the Meeting of Tribes in a wheelbarrow.


    However, the [Merchant Armsdealer] was saved from being beaten senselessby someone giving him a knee to the stomach. Feshi winced in sympathy. There seemed to be a <i>lot</i> of that going around.


    [By That], Merchant Equed. You know better than to <i>force</i> a sale. Especially when every Gnoll in the Great ins will beat your caravan senseless and take the des back. Youre tactless. Please excuse him.


    The [Merchant] doubled over as someone pushed him over, cancelling his Skill. Gratified, the Gnoll [Smith] bowed to the woman.


    Thank you. Im afraid the Demas Metal isnt for sale. Not to


    Non-<i>Gnolls.</i> Which I quite understand! Might I try holding the de, though? I havent had a chance.


    Of course.


    Merchant Equed was pulled back by his bodyguard as he spluttered in outrage, but Feshi saw someone pick up the de and thenFeshi turnedexecute a marvelous cross-cut technique. Even the [Smith] was impressed, having seen a number of [Warriors] with varying levels of expertise try the de.


    You have a fair hand with it, Miss Human.


    A woman with colorful hair tossed it back andughed.


    Thank you! Its a bit heavier than I thought, but it <i>feels</i> wonderfully bnced. Can I try that trick with the oil?


    Of course. <i>Hey, bring the pot over!</i>


    The strange female [Merchant] dipped the de in the pot and admired the odd oil-coating on the Demas Metal de.


    I know people who would buy this just for that effect. You could sell little toys to children! I want some.


    The Gnoll opened his mouth, but she raised a hand.


    Yes, I know. No non-Gnolls. Wellwould your Chieftain consider selling <i>to</i> a Gnoll? Another [Merchant]?


    The [Smith] raised his brows.


    I dont see why not. He has many meetings at this time, but surely so.


    Would he entertain an offer for a thousand pieces? Because I will back that price. And thats just <i>my</i> order. <i>Hey, Qwery! Look at what I found! And I just got here!</i>


    Ysara Byres raised her voice and raised the de overhead. And in answer


    Feshi nced over and went momentarily blind as the most <i>glittery</i> Gnoll in the world whirled and dazzled everyone in a disy of light off her golden fur.


    The Golden Gnoll of Izril herself descended into the Meeting of Tribes like a lightshownot a performance, but her caravan hade in and was in the middle of unloading. She strode over, ignoring the looks from other Gnolls.


    Ysara, whats that?


    Demas Metal, Qwera. Apparently sold <i>only</i> to Gnolls. But I want some. I think its a marvelous metal. Ill have to put it through its paces, but I have a good feeling about it.


    If you have a good feeling, Ill buy it. And sell it to you at, oh, a 5% markup. How could you get a better deal? You cant.


    What if I threaten to kill you?


    Ysara held the de out across Qweras throat, a bit teasingly. The Golden Gnoll gave her a grin that showed every tooth.


    Then you can get 3% off the regr sale. This Demas Chieftain can sell to me, and Ill sell to you. You can take your half to Chandrar and stay out of <i>my</i> business.


    Ysara narrowed her eyes.


    I hate you. Well, lets find this Chieftain. Just as soon as I do a few more tests with this. Does it work on anything other than oil?


    The Golden Gnoll turned back to the [Smith], but she kept her attention on something out of the corner of her eye. Qwera saw that, atst, the little Gnoll cub whod been <i>staring</i> at the giant Garsine Wallbreaker passing by finally broke out of her stupor.


    She yanked urgently at the paw of the adult she was holding hands with. He groaned, massaging his back.


    What now? Over there? FineTesy, you hold her hand. My <i>everything</i> hurts.


    Hmm? What was that, Vetn?


    Nearby, Tesy, a Drake with brass scales, stopped doing a quick sketch with charcoal and a bit of parchment. He held out the rather fine image to a Gnoll, grinning and posing in ce.


    Three coppers. Here you go. Thank you.


    The Drake stood up as Vetn hobbled over to Qwera, clutching at his back, then his legs. He was obviously in a considerable amount of muscr pain, despite having taken one healing potion already.


    I want another potion, Qwera.


    The Golden Gnoll had lost her patience.


    Well, go<i> get </i>one.


    Vetn whined.


    I want <i>you</i> to pay for it.


    Hmno. I already paid you. Its <i>one potion.</i> Dont be stingyuse one of yours.


    My own money?


    Qwera raised the Paw of pping-idiots-on-the-head, and Vetn hobbled away quickly.


    Then the little Gnoll cub, her fur a in, ordinary brown, just as it had been on the day she was born, spotted the Demas Metal de. She raced over to Ysara and began jumping up and down.


    <i>Give me! Give me! I want to hold it!</i>


    Her meaning couldnt have been more in if she were shouting. The [Smith] chuckled as Ysara held the de high overhead.


    Oh, no. Im not going to have someone sever a hand on my watch. Qwera


    Thats it! Move back, you. Vetn, I said <i>dont let go of her paw.</i> One of you holds it at all timesyou or Tesyor I make both of you do all the unloading for my caravans.


    Tesy hurriedly grabbed the little Gnoll girls paw.


    The cub looked reproachfully up at Ysara but remained oddly silent. Then she lowered one paw to her side, pressed something hidden on her belt, opened her mouth, and spoke.


    I want that. Please?


    What apletely ordinary thing for a Gnoll to say. Ysara instantly refused.


    No, Mri. You cannot.


    Pretty please?


    Absolutely not. Vetn, would you mind giving me some room?


    Pretty please?


    The [Smith] was too busy admiring Ysaras excellent deswomanship to notice it, but something was off about the second time the girl said that. The little Gnoll girl said it<i>exactly</i> the same way. Intonation, pitch, and volume.


    Qwera noticed. She let Vetn drag the girl back, then bent down and grabbed an ear.


    <i>Dont be silly, Mri. </i>And dont think about touching one of those des! Im not exining to your mother why youre missing a digit.


    She added that for the benefit of the listeners, then went back to haranguing the workers who were unloading her caravans.


    The little Gnoll girl with brown fur, a curious pattern on her arms and chest, and two gold-painted ears pouted. She was clearly in thepany of the Golden Gnoll herself.


    She took her paw away from the tiny activation runes shed been given. No one would really think twice about the gaudy gemstone set into a fancy ne hanging from her neck. It was still a risk to use, but if people didnt look <i>too</i> closely, they wouldnt notice that the voice of the girl hadnte from her mouth but from a little bit farther down. Or that she could only say a few things.


    I want food, Vetn.


    The Thief of Clouds patted his stomach.


    I want food too. Qwery, can we have food money?


    Mri pped her speaking rune.


    Pretty please?


    Qwera spun with the wrath ofQweraand both Gnolls hid behind Tesy. Qwera pointed at Tesy, also known as Sellme, the Magical Painter, who looked around for someone to hide behind.


    Tesy, take these two <i>children</i> around the Meeting of Tribes. Not farand if you get into mischief, I will break your favorite paintbrushes with my own two paws. Get some food. Buy it if you have to.


    Can I have an allowance?


    Make Vetn pay. Ill pay him back. Five gold pieces.


    Mri brightened up, as did Tesy. Vetn just sulked.


    No, you wont.


    Damn right I wont. <i>Get lost!</i>


    Tesy, Vetn, and the little Gnoll scampered off despite that, and Qwera went back to unloading her caravan. It was oddshe had publicly dered that she wouldnt bother attending the Meeting of Tribes, but one supposed she had learned of something worthy of changing her mind. Demas Metal already seemed promising.


    Ysara wasnt much of a surprise, either, given her status as another [Merchant] who sold both arms and ingredients depending on her location and inventory. Vetn, Tesy? Childhood friends, just one Gnoll and Drake out of many in the Meeting of Tribes.


    So there they were. A small gang to join the great, wonderful, eye-catching Meeting of Tribes. Qwera, Tesy, Vetn, Ysara, and Mri, the little Gnoll girl.


    Or ratherMrsha. She clung to both Tesy and Vetns hands, making them <i>swing</i> her off the ground rather than walk as they groaned and held her up. Beaming, eyes popping with everything to see, the interesting sights, smellsshe was here.


    Shed made it.


    It was all part of Qweras master n. With ins Eye Gnoll hunters stopping everyone on the roads, ready to pursue even one child close to Mrshas age, even in her caravan, she had decided there was only one ce to hide Mrsha.


    Among as many Gnolls as possible. Of course, everyone had said it was dangerous. But Qwera had pointed out that their options were slim. More important, Mrsha had allies here. Krshia Silverfang, even her mother, had intended toe here.


    To get Mrsha out of the city and past the checkpoints, shed made Vetn do it. The Thief of Clouds had been hired to <i>steal</i> Mrsha away from Ysara. Which he had done. It somehow let him use his Skills, and so he had run with Mrsha in his arms on one breathless night.


    She thought Wanderer was fast, but he was like <i>nothing</i>pared to the Thief of Clouds. The Gnoll had raced <i>up</i> a wall, leaped past two [Guards] while they were distracted in response to a little noise spell hed used, andnded on the other side in a moment. Then he had <i>raced</i> across the grasnds.


    Hed avoided the ins Eye hunters too. Invisible, soundless, he had sped Mrsha low through the grass, leaving no trail, <i>leaped</i> over a gorge, shadowed a galloping City Runner on horseback at night, and run and run to deliver Mrsha back to Qwera, who was waiting to take her to the Meeting of Gnolls


    And he had been confined to bed for nearly two days straight with muscle pain. He refused to take a potion for it, iming that it would build up his body. Despite Qwera having paid him five thousand gold pieces to steal Mrsha, he wouldnt spend so much as a silver coin on a healing potion.


    Mrsha thought he was funny. She liked Vetn, even though he was cheap and whined about spending five gold pieces out of his fortune on snacks.


    Dont be stingy, Vetn. Mris never been here. Neither have I! Do it for ue on. <i>Pwease?</i>


    Tesy, I swear


    The Drake rested his head on Vetns shoulder and gave him a fairly good Mrsha-eyes impression. Mrsha copied him, and Vetn scowled.


    <i>Fine.</i> Well take four.


    He paid for some delicious-looking dough-fried meatballs in a small container and got an extrarge one for himself. Tesy and Mrsha began to gobble theirs, using a little toothpick to pop them into their mouths.


    Hey. Whyd you get more than us?


    Because I exercise and deserve more food.


    <i>I paint all the time!</i>


    Thats your arms.


    And my brain! You know how much energy this thing takes?


    Tesy jabbed his head repeatedly. Vetn muttered under his breath.


    Not much.


    Tesy looked hurt as Mrsha nearly snorted meatball out of her nose. Vetn elbowed Tesy.


    Im <i>joking.</i>


    I knowso give me a meatball.


    <i>Hey! You have yours; I have mine!</i>


    It was amazing how outraged the Thief of Clouds could be about someone stealing one of his meatballs. Tesy rolled his eyes.


    Fine. Have one of mine. Hes going to sulk all day if you even steal one.


    Mrsha, who had been eying the big basket of meatballs, had been contemting the very same thing. She saw Vetn glowering, but Tesy poked a meatball from Vetns own basket and pushed it at him.


    <i>Here.</i>


    Vetn chomped it down. Tesy went for another of Vetns snacks, and the Thief of Clouds pped his w down. They were having a good time. Mrsha beamed. She tapped one of the runes shed been given.


    This is fun!


    Vetn and Tesy nced down at her. The prerecorded message was in fact a little Gnoll girl in the city theyd left who, in exchange for some coin, had happily recorded all the lines in a song crystal, the kind Qwera sold.


    It is. Vetn, I dont understand why you uhleft.


    The Thief of Clouds gave Tesy an angry wide-eyed re, and Mrsha recalled that hed actually stolen something from this very ce. Vetn gulped down more food.


    Is that Velrusk free? No? How much for otwo? A silver and? All right, fine. Two, please.


    He sipped from his drink as Tesy took one with delight. Mrsha reached out for one and red when it was clear that she was not going to be the benefactor of either. Tesy snagged a cup of goats milk for Mrsha, which mollified her.


    I left because I have better things to do than eat and stare at things all day. Which is what happens here.


    I thought the most important Gnolls made big decisions.


    Vetn sniffed.


    Maybe the Chieftains do. I havent heard it changes <i>that</i> much. At leastuntil recently.


    Mrsha thought he was a <i>fool.</i> A damned fool! There was food and drink that was <i>delicious</i>, plus amazing Gnollsshe knew the legend of Garsine Wallbreaker, and she had been <i>right there!</i> And a [Performer]! And some Gnoll had been poking a Manticore with a spear! And she was huge! <i>And</i> there was Demas Metal, which she was going to buy. And, and


    And she was <i>here.</i> She had been so worried and afraid for a long time, ever since Wer had taken her from the inn. Ever since Bvierr. Mrsha was still nervous, so she made sure Tesy held her paw, even as they moved along. Vetn had to juggle two mugs and his own snack tray. She knew this was a dangerous ce, but she had Wers fur dye and Qweras gold disguise on, <i>and</i> she had the speaking crystal so no one thought it was strange that she was silent.


    She was very proud of her brown color. Shed asked specifically for it to be the same brown she used to be when she was growing up, but as an added bonus, shed had Qwera and Tesy help her do a very ins Gnoll thing, which was apply the markings of her tribe.


    Stone Spears. The gray pattern on her arms and shoulders was <i>technically</i> for older Gnolls, but who else but Mrsha could wear it? It made her sad, but Qwera had approved. She was thest of the Stone Spears in this world. Stone Spears should be at this Meeting of Tribes. Even in secret. And it made her look like a real ins Gnoll.


    Mrsha was proud, and happy to be eating, but she was alsotired. She just wanted respite. She wanted Lyte toe here and to see Krshia and for the adult to say that everything was going to be okay.


    Why dont we find a ce to sit, Vetn? Or should we look into, yknow, the Silverfang thing?


    Mrsha had been thinking the same thing. Vetn shrugged.


    We can try, but I saw a huge crowd around the Silverfang camp. You know, because of the news.


    Mrsha frowned darkly. Oh, yes, the news. Tesy and Vetn circled back with Mrshabut only after they picked up some <i>nali</i>-sticks being sold by the Gaarh Marsh tribe. And the news was on every tongue.


    <i>They stole our magic. Stole it. The [Shamans] are saying thats why no Gnoll can cast magic.</i>


    <i>Well, now that the crystals gone, surely we can all be [Mages]</i><i>?</i>


    <i>No. Its deeper than that. See?</i>


    Mrsha idly looked around. Then she <i>dropped</i> her meatball snacks. Vetn cursed, and Tesy bent.


    Oh, no. Whats


    But Mrsha was staring, open-mouthed, atof all thingsa Gnoll standing there. Holding a magic wand. Then she looked around and realized. It wasnt just one Gnoll.


    Do you have a spark, Honored Qwera?


    The Golden Gnoll of Izril put her hands on her hips.


    I have <i>plenty</i> of sparks. Which one are you referring to?


    One of her fellow Gnoll [Merchants] whode to visit gave her a grin and held out a wand. It had been dead in his paw, but the instant Qwera took it with a frown, it lit up.


    A faint glow, but faintly orange. She blinked at it, and he sighed.


    You <i>do! </i>Congrattions.


    Thank you. Now, for what and why should I care?


    Heughed.


    It means you have magical aptitude! For [Mage]-magic, that is. All of us could be [Shamans]well, all those in a tribe. But our magic was suppressed. Inhibited. Apparently, if we were born close to one of those magicanti-magic things, we might have lost our mana wells entirely.


    Damn. Thatsbeyond heinous. So they took away your magical capability? Not just your ability to cast it?


    The Gnoll red at the wand as he took it back, which turned nk when he held it. He shook his head, face bleak with loss.


    Look. Its just a reaction, they tell me. The wand draws out manaa Grand Magus from Wistram developed the spell to test whether we have a mana pool. Apparently, most of us will not. Honorable Qwera must be lucky.


    I wasnt a ins Gnoll growing up. So yes.


    Qwera brushed at her paws, then looked around. She snapped her fingers.


    And thats why every third Gnoll has a wand.


    Indeed, it was a craze. Every third Gnoll had a wand, or was trying out this test, or trying to cast [Light], or [Spark], or another Tier 0 spell. It gave Qwera an idea and she whirled.


    Hey! Stop unloading the rest of the cargo! Get me every magical object weve got! <i>Wands! Staves! Orbs!</i>


    Her team rushed to the caravan, and Qwera smiled like a [Bandit]. Ysara rolled her eyes.


    Dont you have better and more important things to do, Qwera? Like help Mri?


    I can be an altruist <i>and</i> make a profit, Ysara.


    I think thats actually impossible.


    Well, then, forget the altruism. Besideswe have to be subtle about this. Well get Mri to the people she needs to meet. We just have to keep her out of sight.


    The daughter of House Byres nodded. She nced around.


    And you did that by entrusting her to Vetn and Tesy?


    Qweraughed.


    You may think theyre idiotsand they arebut they havent stayed alive this long by beingpletely inept. Now<i>hello, my golden darlings! The Golden Gnoll is here, and I have wands to sell! Magic staves! Even spellbooks! Who wants to reim their magic?</i>


    She began shouting, and Ysara rolled her eyes as a panoply of magical items spilled forth around her. Yet she had to admitQweras n had made Mrsha one in a crowd of literally hundreds of thousands of children.


    However, she couldnt help but worry. Ysara set off to find the group, because she remembered the way Yvlon talked about The Wandering Inn in her few letters. Exasperating, wonderful, friendlybut it seemed like it drew events like a maic stone drew iron fragments. She had a bad feeling that Mrsha might have learned from the best.


    Ysara was half right. She should have watched out for Mrsha, but she had forgotten that Mrsha wasnt the only actor on this stage. And if Mrsha had learned from Erin Solstice, there was another student who had learned from <i>this</i> worlds finest grandmaster.


    Feshi Weatherfur was striding around themunal grounds of the Meeting of Tribes, lost in thought. Obsessingbut only a little bit. She was on to something.


    She hadnt been at the center of the negotiations with Fetohep or the adventure at sea. She was not with Venaz, Wil, Peki, or Merrik, searching for the Titan. This was her hour, but she was not the leader of the Meeting of Tribes, far from it.


    Nor was the Meeting of Tribes at the center of the world. Rather


    <i>And now, my next guest has an opinion about the Gnoll-Drake magic-suppression allegations. And I am saying allegations because its not proved, and Im letting people speak. Even if their opinions sound stupid. The Drakes did nothing wrongis that what Im understanding here? Whatnothing ever? And we had no motivations for doing this, is this right, Wall Lord Dragial? Or should I say former Wall Lord of Fissival?</i>


    A rather disgruntled Drake appeared on the scrying orb as Drassi gave her rather biased introduction to him. But that was why Feshi liked her.


    Just then, a Gnoll standing next to Feshi and watching the orb began choking to death.


    <i>Itgh hm! Ith hmm!</i>


    Herpanions had to save her from dying and get her to spit out the mouthful of popcorn that had been clogging her windpipe. Feshi saw that it was none other than the Stargnoll herselfLehra Ruinstrider, who pointed as Wall Lord Dragial, her mortal pursuer and nemesis, began to defend Drakes for doing <i>nothing</i> to Gnolls.


    I nearly choked to death. <i>Damn you, Dragial! You nearly killed me, but I survived!</i>


    Lehra pounded the ground with her fist. Suxhel, her Gazerpanion, stared at Lehra.


    Youre ming him for the fact that you nearly choked on popcorn?


    Wellyes?


    Lehra coughed out another kernel and saw Feshi watching.


    HeyFeshi, right? Its Lehra. Havent we met?


    I think we have. Its an honor, Lehra. And Suxhel?


    The Gazer [Wizard] bowed slightly. Feshi eyed the scrying orb with renewed interest.


    That must be Wall Lord Dragial. The one who ims the de of Mershi is his.


    Yep. Look at that smug bastard. Hes attacked more Drake cities, Gnoll tribesand he has supporters. He shouldnt be allowed on Wistram News Network!


    Not even to voice his opinion?


    Well, hes lying, Suxhel! You know he lies! Unless he uses the truth to lie harder!


    Lehra threw up her paws as her friend rolled all her eyes. The Gnoll stalked off to eat something in a huff, tail furiously wagging.


    Feshi sort of understood what Lehra meant, but it was aplex situation. <i>Technically</i>and she didnt voice this aloudLehra had taken the item that Dragial had paid her to recover. So he had some im to it, although it was true that it seemed like the de of Mershi had chosen its owner.


    Anyway, it just went to show that <i>this ce</i> had as much to fascinate as what was on the news. So why werent they recording the Meeting of Tribes?


    The answer: Gnolls didnt like Wistram. They had no Wistram [Mages] here. Ergo, there was little motivation for coverage.


    But we need attention. We deserve it.


    Whats this about attention we deserve?


    Lehra popped over, full of nervous energy after eating six nali-sticks in quick session. Feshi jumped.


    ErIm sorry. I was just thinking out loud, Lehra. I was thinking that we need the spotlight. Why is Wall Lord Dragial talking


    Exactly! Shut him up! Arrest him!


    when Drassi could be interviewing Chieftains here?


    Lehra grabbed Suxhels shoulder excitedly.


    Thats a great point. Why <i>cant</i> we be on the news? Ill tell everyone what Dragial is doing!


    Suxhel gave Feshi an appraising look. By now, Yerran had edged over. Shed run off for a second and hade backwith an armful of autograph squares.


    Excuse me, Lehra. Im a <i>huge</i> fan. And I have family, cousins, friendscould I ask you to autograph these for them?


    Lehra happily began signing as Suxhel addressed Feshi.


    I believe you are right, Strategist Feshi, but television strikes me as being like the Clock of Eyes. It swings the worlds attention to whatever is loudest, not to what is most pressing. To swing the gaze here requires great urgency, which we havebut perhaps also something else. Something more.


    The Clock of Eyes?


    Suxhel raised her oddly segmented fingers.


    Pardon. Its a Gazer creation. A trap that stops all it sees. It is a simple thing, albeit deadly. I only meant that if you wish to have Wistram News Network feature the Meeting of Tribes, it must have an interest in the meeting. And Wistram and Gnolls are historically divided.


    Feshi agreed.


    Yes, although one Grand Magus seems like hes sympathetic toward us.


    An idea was taking shape in her head. She might not be Niers Astoragons most aggressive student, or fastest, but she was one of his best. And although she didnt have a specific genius, like Wils in logistics, she had a talent that had bested Venaz more than once.


    <i>She</i> remembered the lessons shed learned and never made the same mistake twice. Now she thought she was internalizing a lesson he had begun to teach them, but in a type of war new even to him.


    Yerran gestured at Feshi as she overheard their conversation.


    Youre referring to Grand Magus Eldavin. If our group heads to Chandrar after this, we should try to stop by Wistram. I know its sort of an odd route, but it seems too good to miss, if theyll let us in. Ill sign autographs if it helps.


    Lehra nodded eagerly. She eyed Feshi, and leaned in to whisper, far too loudly.


    Oh, yeah! I forgot you were bound for Chandrar! Dont you have the Diamond Swords of Serept?


    Heads swiveled, and people stared at Feshi and Yerran, reminded of that bit of recent history. The Gnoll [Strategist] hesitated and put a hand on her belt.


    I only have one. The rest are securely locked awayaside from Wils and Venazs.


    The Named Adventurer looked excited; artifacts like these were what her kind lived for.


    They have the ones that make you move super fast and make copies, right? What was yours? The necromancy dagger?


    Yes.


    Feshi winced. There was a reason she wasnt <i>proud</i> of the dagger. Gnolls did not like necromancy. Something about, oh, a certain Necromancer killing one of their beloved Chieftains, a general dislike of the undead, and so on.


    Yet Lehra was fascinated. She held up the glowing armguard with the gem, the de of Mershi.


    This is my artifact. I can make it turn into a dagger. WellI have to transform, <i>then</i> it turns into a dagger. Want to see?


    Ermaybeter, Honored Lehra.


    Feshi was conscious that they were attracting a crowd. But now Lehra was staring at the hilt of the Diamond Dagger of Serept.


    Can I see the dagger? Do you die if you touch it?


    There is a curse. I dont think its on anything but the chesthere it is.


    Feshi drew the Diamond Dagger, and Suxhels eyes focused on it. Lehra <i>oohed</i> at the beautiful de, and Yerran smiled, but painfully. She had sacrificed the most of all of them for that adventureand yet not one of the des had gone to her. Feshi gave her a guilty look, but Lehra was already asking for another favor.


    You can summon the undead with it, cant you? Would you mind summoning one for me? I want to know how strong it is.


    Lehra, youre being rude.


    Suxhels voice was stern, but Lehra didnt let go of things easily. And to be honest, Feshi was tempted.


    <i>How strong is one of the undeadpared to a Named Adventurer of Lehras level? </i>It was the kind of battle data youd rarely get. And if it meant a favor or two? Slowly, Feshi raised the Diamond Dagger.


    Gnolls broke off from watching the scrying orb and stepped back. Yerra stepped toward Feshi, supporting her friend.


    I will summon one. Everyone, stand back. Lehra, are you sure?


    Im sure.


    Feshi hesitated, then said the words Fetohep had taught her. Which one?


    <i>I call upon the defenders of old! From Khelts vaults, from thends of the dead, a warrior to do battle in my name! Come forth, champion of forgotten fame!</i>


    She felt silly, holding the dagger slightly up, reciting the ostentatious-sounding summoning oath.


    Yerran sniggered.


    Youre going to have to practice that, Feshi.


    The young Gnoll womans cheeks burned, but then a <i>hole</i> opened in the ground. Gnolls raced away and pointed as a perfect circle opened, a chasm of ckness ringed by a dark circle of ck magic, like the Diamond Dagger itself. And out of it rose


    <i>Glowing blue eyes. A face of bonenot a Humans but, of all things, a Minotaurs. Ancient armor but still burnished, glowing faintly white. A long halberd with a wicked edge.</i>


    The Skeletal Champion rose, ascending out of whatever ce it had been summoned from. It looked like a creature from stories or nightmares, but it was not <i>malevolent.</i> Not to Feshi. If anything, as it looked at her, she felt <i>guarded.</i>


    <i>Here is something that will die before I do. </i>Feshi sighed in relief. And she realized she was the only one to do so.


    Every Gnoll in sight had frozen at the appearance of the Skeletal Champion. A dread hade over their faces, and Yerra grabbed Feshis arm.


    Dead gods, Feshi! Its <i>terrifying!</i>


    It was just a skeleton in armor. But Feshi realizedseeing that even Suxhel had readied her staff, though she knew the skeleton was under Feshis controlthey were not seeing what she was.


    Terror ran around the gathering. Lehra had gone still; the young Named Adventurer had stopped her excited wavering about. Now her eyes locked on to the Skeletal Champions, and a smile yed over her face. Confidence. A challenge. She took a breath, then lifted the arm with the armguard over her head.


    My turn. <i>In the name of the City of Stars!</i>


    Then there was light. A blinding sh, as the de of Mershis gemstone glowed. It covered Lehraand transformed her. When Feshi stopped shielding her eyes, there Lehra stood.


    A figure covered in the strange metal of the de of Mershi from helm to tail. A <i>Drakes</i> tail armorscaled, flexible, stronger than any other armor. And in Lehras hands were a longsword and shield.


    She saluted the Skeletal Champion. Yerran gasped, and her grip loosened on Feshi. The horror of the undead seemed to have been sted to pieces by the Stargnolls artifact.


    Hey, Feshi.


    Yeah, Yerra?


    <i>Thats</i> how you use your artifact and look good.


    Well,e on, you undeaduhthing. Lets see how good you are.


    The Skeletal Champion had not taken Lehra for granted. It had readied itself subtly as she used her artifact. Now its head <i>turned</i>, and Feshi got the sense it was waiting for her. She hesitated, then waved it forward.


    Instantly, the halberd swung down, and Lehra tensed. But the long-dead champion of Khelt did not attack at once. Instead, the Minotaur champion <i>saluted</i> Lehra in return. The Stargnolls eyes widened, then she raised her sword and swung the longsword down, readying herself.


    A secondter, the skeleton <i>leaped</i> forward, and the Named Adventurer brought up her shield. The first impact sounded like a <i>gong</i> ringing through the Meeting of Tribes. Then they began to fight, and Gnolls spread out to watch a Named Adventurer doing battle with Khelts champion.


    <i>Three gold on Lehra!</i>


    Yerran was the first to speak, as the Gnolls pushed out to create a very respectable semicircle around the amazing battle.


    Six on the skeleton.


    <i>Suxhel!</i>


    Lehra yelped, then <i>ducked</i> a two-handed swing from the halberd. She dodged back, rolling to avoid another swing. The Minotaur whirled his halberd, and she blocked a swing.


    <i>Uhhes strong.</i>


    Indeed, the Skeletal Champion was <i>swinging</i> the halberd around, and despite Lehras magical shield and armor, the impacts were making her stagger. Still, she ignored a blow that Feshi thought would make Venaz fall over and lunged in with her longsword, stabbing. Against which the undead warrior spun his halberd, deflecting her sword with the shaft, then <i>drew</i> the de back. Lehra spun left, swearing, as the tip of the halberd nearly struck her from behind. Thenthe tip of the deadly shaft swung up in a precise <i>chop</i> under her right armpit.


    <i>Chieftains fur!</i>


    Lehra blocked it with her shield and moved back, trying to get out of range. The halberd began to stab in a flurry of thrusts as the pike on the end aimed at her.


    [Deflecting shes]<i>whoa!</i>


    The first blow skated off her armor, even though her Skill knocked six previous strikes aside. Feshi blinked. Had she just seen the undead warrior?


    She <i>had.</i> He cut a dizzying zigzag in the air. So fast that Lehra threw up her shield, and a cascade of magical sparks or conflicting energies flew upwards. The Minotaur brought down a two-handed chop, then turned it into a horizontal cut halfway down, feinting so well that it caught Lehra by the side and <i>tossed</i> her several feet, though it never broke her armor.


    <i>Lehra!</i> Stop


    No, Im fine! This guys sort of tough. Ive got him.


    Lehra got to her feet, unharmed. She stared at the undead warrior. Suxhel and Yerra both saw what Feshi had.


    The Minotaur skeleton was <i>smiling.</i> Of course, all skeletons grin. But this one was definitely


    Lehras eyes narrowed. She abandoned the longsword and shield. There was a <i>sh</i>, and Feshi saw in the next moment the Stargnoll holding a halberd.


    Lets see how you like it.


    Suxhel shouted from the sidelines, exasperated.


    Lehra, you dont know how to use a halberd!


    Its sort of like a spear! Let me see<i>aha!</i>


    Yerran watched as Lehra charged in and the skeleton blocked the blow, almost contemptuously. It seemed to know this was a spar, or else Feshi suspected it would have punished the huge overswing. Then the skeleton stopped smiling. Its one-armed block began to waver, and it grabbed the halberd with a second arm, forcing Lehra back. It seemed <i>she</i> was strong too.


    Even so. The audience realized this was a closer match than theyd thought and began betting in earnest. Yerra anxiously turned to Suxhel.


    Uhcan I redo that bet on Lehra?


    No.


    Yerra winced as Lehra yelped and dove out of the way of a return chop.


    <i>Halberds arent my style! Mace! No, wait! Greatsword!</i>


    The Selphid addressed the [Wizard].


    Hes a lot better than her. She. Whatever this champion is.


    Suxhel nodded slowly, her eyes flicking to track the fightbothbatants at once, look at Yerran, <i>and</i> survey the crowd, all at once. It made some people nauseous even to see, but Yerran had met Gazers before and conversed as naturally as could be.


    She trains with Emper and Elgrinna, but shes not at their level yet. If it wont kill her, please have your undead beat her bruised, Feshi. It will be a good lesson in overconfidence.


    I think I can do that, Suxhel. Im sorry about this.


    No. It isnt <i>your </i>fault. Lehra thinks she can beat anyone just because she has the de of Mershi. Shes done this before.


    <i>And why, pray, is a Named Adventurer sporting against one of Khelts greatest champions? Poorly?</i>


    Yerran turned her head. She looked at a bouncing little Gnoll with gold ears, pointing with open mouth as Tesy and Vetn held her paws and ced bets with a nearby Gnogainst Lehra. The girl was gaping at Feshi. The [Strategist]bed her fur, embarrassed. Yerran replied absently, still looking around.


    Well, Lehra wanted to see if she could win, and weve never tried to use the Diamond Dagger and


    Her voice trailed off. Slowly, one of Suxhels many eyes rotated downward. So did Feshis and Yerrans. They all had a thought.


    <i>Who was speaking to them?</i>


    They all looked down at the dagger Feshi held. From there hade the voice. Now came the icy reply.


    <i>I see. I granted you the words of greater summoning, Strategist Feshi Weatherfur, to call forth the greatest souls contained within the dagger when your need is most dire. You could have summoned a lesser shade of Khelt, but you have chosen its greatest warrior. I take offense.</i>


    Your Majesty?


    Feshi had heard that tone before. The dagger <i>shed</i>and sand billowed up. A figure appeared, and Yerran backed away.


    A skeletal monarch made of sand stood next to Feshi and regarded Lehra shing and parrying the Minotaurs blows. He slowly twisted his head, and even though he was made of sand, his simcrum conveyed the shing of his deathly eyes, his displeasure.


    <i>My displeasure is not that the tools of Serept are being used for frivolity. He would</i><i>enjoy their usage, I think. Rather, it is a disservice to the great soul of this warrior to pit him against such an amateurish foe, even if shes armed with a relic of her own.</i>


    Lehra kept fighting as the figure appeared, summoned by the power of the diamond de. Feshi <i>saw</i> thest glittering piece of the puzzle slide into ce in her head. But for a second, she was just standing there, wordless. The Gnolls were frozen by this casual disy of great magic.


    The Stargnoll kept fighting for a few seconds until she spotted Fetohep of Khelt in the sand. Her guard lowered, and she blinked.


    Hey, is that F


    The halberd caught her on the side and <i>threw</i> her, spinning, fourteen feet, where she crashed into the crowd. Shey there for a second before springing to her feet.


    Im okay!


    And there he was. Larger than life! Mrshas mouth was open so wide she could have eaten one of Erins cakes whole.


    <i>Fetohep of Khelt! </i>He was speaking to Feshi, who was bowing, holding the diamond dagger out. And there, at her side but unharmed, thanks to her armor, was <i>Lehra Ruinstrider!</i> The Named Adventurer!


    Mrshas heroes. Gnoll heroes. People shed seen on the scrying orb! Feshi, Yerran, Lehra


    <i>Can we get closer? Please?</i>


    She had to hold up the card so Vetn would see her question. He eyed the undead with great apprehension.


    I think this is exactly the kind of thing Qwera wouldnt want us to get near. Besidesthat undead


    Yeah.


    Tesy shuddered. Mrsha stared nkly at the undead Minotaur, who had abandoned his duel to kneel to Fetohep. What? It was just one undead. Flesh Worms were a lot worse. Although she had to admitit was a lot <i>cooler</i> than any of Pisces undead. Except the Frostmarrow Behemoth.


    Your Majesty, I apologize. I didnt realize there was a distinction between the undead summoned by chant andnot. I will refrain from doing so again.


    Feshi was speaking humbly to the apparition of sand. Fetohep inclined his head.


    <i>And I shall ept your apology. The de is yours to use. Moreover, I shall not interfere with mortal concerns. This is but thest remnant of the enchantment upon the Diamond Dagger for protection. I took advantage of its activation to make certain inquiries of the Meeting of Tribes.</i>


    Of course, Your Majesty.


    Fetohep produced a list as Mrsha <i>dragged</i> Vetn and Tesy forward, and they dragged her back.


    <i>I would like to obtain a rare reagentcking even within Khelts vaults. It is my understanding the ins Eye tribe and Gaarh Marsh, or another tribe, may have instances of it. I shall reward whoever secures it for me with great wealth. It is a specific mushroom known to possess ghostly capabilities</i>


    Mrshas ears perked up. She had no idea what this was about, but on general principle, she approved of the idea of traveling across the world and appearing out of a magical dagger to get your shopping list taken care of. She wondered if she could get this guys autograph.


    <i>Shes strong. Vetn, help me hold her back!</i>


    Tesy was dragging Mrsha away. Which was funny, because despite the fact that this amazing moment was sure to be a piece of history or an adventure, no other Gnoll was running over and asking for an autograph.


    By rights, they would after Fetohep was gone, but no one could quite find the audacity to insert themselves in this conversation. Who would dare? Who would just stroll over, go, <i>Hey, Im Erin, whatcha talking about?</i>


    WellMrsha had a different perspective on what you were allowed to do. But Fetohep was already departing. Except that Feshi had interrupted.


    Your Majesty, if I mayI wonder whether you might do me a favor. One that may benefit glorious Khelt.


    He reformed himself out of the copsing grains of sand, raising one eyebrow on his emaciated face.


    <i>How intriguing, Feshi Weatherfur. It would have to be something desirable indeed, for my time is limited.</i>


    Feshi was bowing, but she had a glint in her eyes.


    Yes, Your Majesty. But I hope you might agree it is of interest. Its


    She began to speak, but then the Gazer cast a spell and Mrsha couldnt hear! She <i>strained</i> forward, kicking at Vetn and Tesys hands, but they were too


    Hey, whered that Minotaur go? Im up for round two! Im not dizzy at all. The worlds just tilted a bit.


    Lehra stumbled past them. She stopped as a little Gnoll <i>froze</i> and was yanked off her paws by two adults. Lehra nced back as Mrsha waved her arms frantically.


    Oh, hey, whats this?


    <i>I like this! I love this!</i>


    Mrsha pped her magical gemstone and held up a card.


    <i>Autograph, please!</i>


    Lehra looked at the card, then burst outughing.


    Why not? Who am I writing it to?


    Mrsha nearly wrote her own name. She hesitated, had an agonized moment, then scribbled.


    Ekirra? Is that your friend? All right. To Ekirramy biggest fan! There! Hope you like it! Now, wheres?


    Lehra winked at Mrsha. <i>At Mrsha.</i> The Gnoll wanted to ask her how she found the de of Mershi, if she had ever considered an apprentice, if shebut Lehra was already heading back to her group. Mrsha clutched the autograph, tucking it into her bag of holding. Ekirra owed her <i>huge</i> for this. He was almost as big a fan as she was.


    Fetohep of Khelt was already disappearing. Lehra hurried over.


    Hey, youre Fetohep, right? Can I ask?


    The undead monarch swiveled his head.


    <i>No.</i><i>I shall also add, Lehra Ruinstrider, that the halberd is a superior weapon. You may wish to improve your training.</i>


    He paused. His features began to disintegrate as the sand fell back, dissolving. But he got onest word in.


    <i>Train at all, that is</i>.


    Then he was gone. Lehra stood, cut deeper than shed been by the blows shed sustained in the brief sparring match. Suxhel looked at Feshi with great respect, and Yerra hugged her friend.


    Feshi, you mad Gnollwoman! You genius! Do you think itll happen?


    Lets find a scrying orb.


    Feshi was grinning with delight. Mrsha stared at them as Vetn muttered to Tesy.


    If Qwera hears that Mri nearlywith Lehra, our ears are <i>toast.</i> Lets get out of here.


    The Drake nodded nervously, and they scurried away, dragging Mrsha, who was trying to cling to the ground.


    Not that it mattered. Countless Gnolls and onlookers took this moment to flood forward, to ask, to be part of the momentafter the moment had passed. Lehra was also the right person for Mrsha to ask for an autograph, because of all the keen-eyed, intelligent, sharp people here, she gave no thought to a little Gnoll who uttered suspiciously few words and wrote her requests down.


    It didnt matter. It was all fine, and Mrsha was being spirited away by Vetn and Tesy, kicking and struggling, as Feshi turned. There were more acquaintancesing their way. Just a mornings incident during the Meeting of Tribes.


    You can y on my phone all day, Gire. I promise.


    You <i>promise?</i> Did we miss the fight?


    Two voices entered the conversation, drawing nearer. Feshis ears perked up. She smiled, spotted the group, and beckoned over two friends.


    Inkar, Tkrn! You wont believe what just happened!


    Lehra broke away from Suxhels berating her to frown at the group and grin.


    Hey, is that Tkrn and Inkar? Didnt I sleep with one of you?


    Mrsha stopped as a giant Gnoll, nine feet tall, wiping tears from her eyes and holding Inkars hand with her other paw, passed right by her. They were both followed by a rather in, ordinary Gnoll in [Guardsman]s armor bearing a familiar crest. He scuttled over as heads tracked him, embarrassed.


    What a scene. Tkrn looked straight past Mrsha, the brown Gnoll with golden ears, not at all her familiar white-furred self, toward Lehra, Feshi, and the others. Inkar hurried over, still fuming at the way EkhtouchEkhtouched.


    Feshi, what happened? Gire is a bit upset. She wasouch. <i>Tkrn!</i>


    The Gnoll started. Hed just stepped right on Inkars heel with his big guardsmans boots. He blinked.


    Sorry.


    Well, everyones here. Except for Venaz. Where is he? Waitwait. Wasnt there another Human? And that Gnoll made out of metal who kept staring at me? Remember him, Suxhel?


    He was using a Skill on you, Lehra.


    The Stargnoll was rubbing at her chin, having fun, in the thick of it. Feshi was whispering to Inkar about what was going to happen next. Tkrn? He sniffed the air. He frowned. He looked back and saw a brown Gnoll with gold painted ears.


    Completely different. Unusual. Unfamiliar. Except for her face and body, which he recognized. And her scent, which was returning even with de-odor tonics. And her eyes.


    Just as youd notice someone who looked the same as a friend, with the <i>exact</i> same features but a different hair color. Tkrn stared. Rubbed his eyes.


    Is he flirting with me?


    He was walking into Lehra, nkly. Tkrn looked at her. Then he looked back at the wide-eyed Gnoll girl. He pped his face. Stared at his paw. Rubbed his cheek.


    <i>And then he went tearing toward Mrsha. He lunged and grabbed her.</i>


    What the


    Vetn yelped. Tesy whirled, paintbrush in hand, and <i>bonked</i> Tkrn on the forehead.


    Let go! Whats happening! MrMri!


    Youyoure


    Lehra, Inkar, and the others turned. The crowd was confused; they didnt see who Tkrn was grabbing, and all three adults and Mrsha fell down. Vetn was instantly rmed. He grabbed Mrsha, trying to tear her away. Tkrn was breathless. He was <i>speechless!</i>


    <i>What happened?</i>


    <i>Whered Tkrn go?</i>


    <i>Hey! Clear a path!</i>


    <i>Gire, help me</i>


    Voices from behind. Mrsha was lost for words herself, but that was how Tkrn knew who she was. He held on to her, squeezing her <i>tight. </i>Him? Silly, stupid Tkrn? Mrsha from the inn, stealing food?


    Home?


    Them? The cells with Calruz? The right thing? Two rats.


    The Wandering Inn.


    You?


    His voice cracked. Mrsha reached out to him. Feshi spotted the little Gnoll girl that Tkrn was holding on to. Her brows snapped together as Gireshia reached down to clear the knot of fallen Gnolls.


    Then Vetn, understandably,mentably, and with perfect aim, cursed, pulled a little pouch out of his bag of holding, and <i>hit</i> Tkrn in the face with a smoke bomb.


    Tkrn let go with a shout of pain. Vetn lost hold of Mrsha too, and so did everyone else. She hit the ground as smoke billowed up.


    <i>That fool!</i> The Thief of Clouds had thought someone had spotted Mrsha. Which Tkrn had, but Vetn thought it was someone <i>bad.</i> She moved left, dodging out of the press of feet trying to stomp her. Well, shed exin everything. And Tkrn! He could take her to Krshia! He knew she was here! She hoped he wouldnt say anything.


    She heard a babble of voices.


    <i>Mri! Wheres Mri</i>


    <i>Tkrn! What was that?</i>


    Mrsha backed up from the stomping feet. She was in the press of Gnolls now, cursing silently, and it seemed like half the Meeting of Tribes wasing over here. Why not, after the Stargnoll, famous people, and Fetohep himself had been sighted?


    <i>It wasI saw M</i>I s<i>Inkar, I have to find</i><i>my Aunt</i>


    Tkrn was babbling, unable to make the wordse out fast enough. Everyone was focused on <i>him</i>, not the other voice lost in the babble.


    Hello. Hello. Hello. Im Mri.


    Mrsha pped her voice-ne, trying to jump up and be seen. Damn you tall people! She was waving her arms as the smoke cleared when someone spoke and the ground <i>shook</i>.


    Stop. We shall have calm.


    A tremor, but then it was like the world grew still, and everyone stopped babbling, and it was allpeaceful.


    Mrsha looked about. The crowd broke up, and she backed up. She peeked out of the tangle of legs and saw two Gnolls standing there. They must have heard themotion, and like the multiple Chieftains and Shamans in the mix, had decided to restore order.


    The Gnoll who had tapped his staff on the ground was a [Shaman] with a normal brown eye and a strange other eye. It had a depth to it, a winding maze of the kind Mrsha had only seen once before. That eye seemed to see all things.


    Yet it missed her because it was aimed at Lehra, Feshi, and the others. The [Shaman] spoke, and Mrsha, who had been about to jump out into Tkrns arms, or find Vetn and Tesy, froze when she heard the name.


    Chieftain Xherw. Your words?


    Standing before her was Chieftain Xherw of the ins Eye tribe, the same tribe that hunted white Gnolls, Doombringers, one of the most powerful [Chieftains] in the world.


    Thank you, Ulcreziek. Honored Feshi, Lehra, and the guests and friends of the Meeting of Tribes. Is all well? We saw themotion.


    Lehras ears drooped.


    Chieftain Xherw. Sorry. It was my fault. Again. I just had to challenge Feshis dagger thing. And then Fetohep of Khelt appeared!


    Did he really?


    The Chieftain raised an eyebrow. His fur was dark, with lines of silverrather nice looking. He wore the Raiment of the ins, a light artifact made with beautiful colors faded by time, despite the enchantment. It bore the ins Eyes motif, which included eyes, among other symbols.


    None of this was bad. In fact, if she had not known him, Mrsha would have thought he was a bit ordinary, although she would have known he was a Chieftain. He was not super tall, but he did look like a warrior, or a former one.


    However, as every Gnoll who had ever stood near him knew, something walked with Xherw. A presence.


    It hung in the air, hundreds of feet wide, making you <i>feel</i> its weight, unseen. Not on your shoulders but somewhere else. It was not necessarily unpleasant, though it felt that way for some; for others it was inspiring. A shadow of something in the world; a mark of power.


    It was not an aura, though. And, like Feshis undead, it had only a small effect on all those in attendance, reminding them that they stood in Xherws presenceall those in attendance, that is, except one.


    Xherws eyes roamed the Gnolls, who looked variously abashed, impressed, amused by Lehras antics, annoyed by the incident, and everything in between. Of course, he looked around at head height.


    So hepletely missed the little Gnoll girl, lost amid a sea of legs, cowering and hiding her head with her paws. She didnt know <i>why, </i>but she stopped jumping up and down, and suddenly hid herself deeper in the mix of people<i>. </i>She didnt have a good reason. Only that, suddenly, without even needing to remember he was the ins Eyes Chieftainshe was terrified.


    <i>Dont see me. Dont look at me.</i> She hid her face, as if not seeing him meant that he would not see her. She was shaking so badly that she missed what was being said.


    moment like any other. Spirit is well, but disturbance


    Yes, Shaman Ulcre.


    Lehra was being lectured. It was so ordinary. Xherw smiled, and the crowd wasughing, already beginning to break up. Yet as he looked away from Tkrn, who had gone as stiff as a statue, Xherw paused.


    Where to, Ulcre?


    Xherw nced over his shoulder, looking around as if something had distracted him. The [Shaman] sighed.


    We are due to meet with Wild Wastes next. Then Daemonbane. We shall not have war, and at least Silverfang agrees. Their words could push us into it.


    We must not. Some censure, buta moment, Ulcre.


    Xherwid a paw on Ulcres shoulder. He frowned, his head dipping, his eyes searching.


    Something the matter, Chieftain Xherw?


    Mrsha was frozen. It was as if a spotlight were roaming the crowd. It kept missing her because it was at the wrong angle, but if he saw <i>her</i>


    She began crawling away, hoping to find Vetn so he could steal her away. Or Tesy, so he could hide her! Someone! Someone


    But Vetn and Tesy were desperately looking around for Mrsha, unable to slip away so close to Tkrn, who had a grip on Tesys arm. They were not enemies, but they didnt know that!


    Mrsha was alone. Now Gnolls <i>were</i> noticing her, but to them, she looked like just another young Gnoll refusing to walk on two legs. They gave her room, which was thest thing she wanted. Mrsha was panting wildly. Xherws gaze was swinging downward. She heard an exmation.


    <i>Whose cub is this? Ahexcuse me.</i>


    <i>Did I miss the fight? Is that Lehra Ruinstrider?</i>


    <i>Chieftain Xherw, no less. I might have to excuse myself</i><i></i>


    Thest few Gnolls broke up. And now Xherw was homing in. He paused for that little moment in time when a single look could change everything. So many people, alling here.


    Drawing together. Xherw nced down as Ulcre, his [Shaman], waited.


    Chieftain?


    The Chieftain of ins Eye blinked, shook his head. He saw nothing out of the ordinary. He thoughtfor a second, hed thought hed <i>sensed</i> something, but it had vanished. And he had experienced tricks of the mind like that before. It wasnt even intuition. It would have be intuition if hedid eyes on


    Never mind, Ulcre. Today will be a busy day, and I am beyond distracted. Where were we?


    He walked on. He had missed Mrsha. Somehow, incredibly, his eyes had alighted on her for a <i>fraction</i> of a second and swept past. But she had been shielded.


    Mrsha was frozen, terrified, but she wasnt on the ground anymore. Something had blocked her from Xherws sight for that fraction of a second, which changed everything.


    No. Not something. Someone.


    In a gathering of countless Gnolls, someone had picked the little girl up. Not Tkrn, who was arguing fiercely with Vetn behind a magical shield, drawing in Gire, Feshi, Inkar, and the rest. Nor was it Krshia, who was far away elsewhere.


    Someone had recognized Mrshas face, as Tkrn had, though it was only possible for someone who, like Tkrn, knew Mrsha. Who could see past the painted gold ears, past something as transitory as the color of her fur, and look at her face. Her features. Even her build, her eyesand hesitate. And recognize her.


    Mrsha was unsure how she had been saved. She looked up, and someone recoiled and breathed out a single word that no one else heard, and it made her start. It was just a word. But the one holding her knew it.


    <i>Mrsha</i><i>?</i>


    Recognized. Not because she had brown fur instead of white, although that helped. Because that was how she had looked, once. The eyes stared down at the markings. The markings of a tribe


    And that was how, through many coincidences, an adventure, a flight, travails, the bravery of friends, and her own luck and determination, her parent finally found her, though it had taken so long and it had nearly been toote. At longst, her father finally found her.


    Mrsha stared up into Chieftain Mrells eyes, nkly, and wondered why his face seemed so familiar.


    <i>It all began to draw together.</i>


    It began with Fetohep of Khelt.


    You needed Fetohep of Khelt for it to work, even if you had a great idea like Feshis. She was arguably in the right ce to make it happen.


    She had seen variations; she had studied with a master at grabbing peoples attentionthe Titan himselfbut even so, she didnt have a chance without Fetohep.


    Because of two things. First, once you had Fetoheps approval, you had his expertise in making things happen. Monarch of eternal Khelt he might be, but he did not like waiting around.


    Second? Fetohep of Khelt was a name to respect, especially now. When you had Fetoheps name, you hadparadoxicallya fairly neutral party, but one that made <i>everyone</i> sit up. They could ignore Feshi, even if they recognized her name. They could rebuff Chieftains, depending on how much they respected Gnolls.


    But Fetohep? His name opened doors. And he was part of what Feshi was trying to create. Or, rather, in this case, what she was trying to <i>re-create. </i>Which was why hed agreed, of course.


    Drassis segment in which she cleverly gave Gnolls and a few Drakes a voice on the contentious issue of magic suppression had been going strong all yesterday and today. But it was suddenly, abruptly, and instantly cut short. She had five seconds to interrupt the interviewee, Wall Lord Dragial, her most controversial speaker yet.


    <i>Im sorry, Wall Lord, Im being told were being kicked off thework. Stand by forI have no idea</i>


    Feshi was hard at work, still, practically shouting into a speaking stone. Multiple stones.


    Yes, this is Feshi. Um, in the Professorthat is, Niers Astoragons ss? Id like to speak to Professor Perorn on a matter of great urgency. Or Commander Foliana! Its <i>highest</i> priority.


    Strategist Feshi?


    The [Mage] was surprised but agreed to ry her request. Feshi breathlessly spoke into the next stone; sweat was dripping down her fur.


    Yes, if I could put in a [Message] for His Majesty? No? OkayYerra, call another!


    Im trying. Most dont even want to hear it. Hey. <i>Priority</i> [Message]. Thats right. Its meYerran. What do you <i>mean</i> you dont know who I am? I got poisoned by a giant blowfish!


    The Selphid was arguing with a [Mage] on the other line. But then the scrying orb lit up.


    It began. It was simple. <i>Iconic.</i> Despite not being readyno, he must have anticipated that, because Fetohep began the process in order to help Feshiplete it, if that made sense. He had everything Niers would want in a student. A ir for the dramatic, an understanding of how to move people.


    The ruler of Khelt appeared, eyes shing dramatically, in a world of ckness on the scrying orb, recing Drassi. His eyes shone bright gold, and his undead features were rming. He sat there on his throne, with his great throne room as the backdrop, poised, a goblet hovering by one hand.


    He sat there as Feshi and Yerran turned, astounded. He was in the scrying orb, but not full frame. Rather, he was in only <i>part</i> of the scrying orbthe center, but his image was small, as if someone had shrunk him into that section.


    Why? Well, the first thing that sprang to mind was that they were looking at a picture-in-picture, as they were when thementators showed a battle but wanted to have themselves in the background. OrFetohep conjured this because he had been <i>there</i>, the one other time this had happened.


    He just sat there, patient, eyes dancing with golden mes, unmoving. With such poise that even his fellow undead rulers had to give him a grudging seven out of ten. He didnt move. Said nothing. And that was more fascinating than <i>anything</i> he could have done, especially since the audience wondered if someone had made a mistake. In which case, this was even <i>better.</i>


    His silence onlysted a few minutes. Then someone else appeared, in another part of the ckness.


    A square of light opened into the world, and there stood a figure surrounded by stars and the whirling ether of magic. It was an impressive effect, yet he, like Fetohep, held still. But he was not undead, so the impressive figure, the Half-Elf with white hair and mismatched eyes and shimmering robes, spoke.


    It appears we are early.


    One of Fetoheps brows arched.


    Indeed. Grand Magus Eldavin, I greet thee in the name of Eternal Khelt.


    The Grand Magus inclined his head.


    From the halls of Wistram, I offer you the aegis of magic, thou immortal scion. So long as sand shifts, let not Khelts deeds slip away. For every grain of sand called <i>Khelt</i>, every breath of air and drop of water is magic and Wistrams blood.


    He never wavered in the address. There was an infinitesimal pause, then a sigh. An approving sigh.


    <i>Ah</i>. Now, that was worthy of a magus of Wistram. We are well met. Greatness conducts itself with due dignity.


    Eldavins lips moved upward in a ghost of a smile.


    On that, Your Majesty, we may well agree. I believe the next to arrive will be one of the Chieftains. Whom else may Wistram expect?


    Fetohep lifted a finger as the audience began to catch on. Casually, he captured the floating goblet and sipped his ethereal drink.


    That would depend on the discretion of one Strategist Feshi Weatherfur, who requested my presence. I believe we shall not wait long, although it would not be me to let fellow attendees wait without refreshment. Grand Magus, will you take a vintage? A bouquet of any vineyard in thest thousand years, perhaps? I shall teleport it to Wistram directly, if the dy does not distress.


    The Grand Magus stroked his beard.


    Though Wistram has fine wine cers, I confess that if you had a bottle of Gths Depthsa genuine Drowned Folk vintage from around a hundred and three years agoI would be quite able to teleport it here directly.


    I believe so.


    Then I am in your debt, Your Eternal Majesty.


    Fetohep smiled.


    A trifling matter. It shall appear forthwith.


    Indeed, in the time it took for the next person to appear, Eldavin casually murmured a few words, and a wine bottle, glowing with preservation runes, <i>popped</i> delicately out of the air. He made it hover and poured himself a fine ss of a deep blue, almost ck liquid. For there were kinds of grapes undersea thatndfolk had never even heard of.


    Two more attendees. Then, abruptly, <i>four.</i> A Gnoll appeared in front of a tent, looking rather<i> nervous.</i> Someone else hurried out of frame, and a secondter there was another.


    Gnolls. Two of them. One was no less than Torishi Weatherfur. The otherand Feshi felt a bit bad about this, but shed epted the invitation, of course she hadwas Akrisa Silverfang. She had her [Shaman] standing next to her, and it seemed there were more Gnolls all waiting in the background of both frames.


    Ah.


    Fetohep inclined his head.


    Khelt greets thee, mighty Gnolls of the Great ins. For as long as sand endures, your people have trod everynd. Wayfarers, the great travelers of Izril. It is my pleasure to meet Chieftain Akrisa of the Silverfang tribe and Chieftain Torishi of Weatherfur. I also note Shaman Cetrule of Silverfang.


    He <i>was</i> good. Feshi hadnt even told him who was attending. Grand Magus Eldavin wasnt any slouch either. He made a gesture.


    Indeed. Upon Wistrams name, I invoke the Archmage of the Eternal Grasnds, Archmage Kishkeria, and the second, Archmage of Izril fifteen centuries past, Archmage Dreosh. Let Wistram never forget that Gnolls have shaped magic across the ages. I greet the Great ins and let them sing the names of their magical kin forevermore.


    He leaned forward as the two Chieftains waited.


    And may I offer, once again, my deepest apologies on behalf of Wistram for our part in this debacle? I take responsibility for Wistrams culpability in thismaniption, intentional and ignorant by turns. It does not behoove Wistram. It will end. This is but a poor gesture, but I shall personally ensure that all wrongs are righted.


    The two Chieftains exchanged a nce. Akrisa opened her mouth, then Torishi spoke. She drew herself up. She was no immortal or half immortal, but she was as dignified as Feshi could have hoped. Even indoors, the sun shone around her, her permanent aura. When she was wrathful, the air was charged; when she was sad, it rained. Right now, the sun shone, but it was expectant. A prelude to something else.


    Your words honor us, Your Majesty Fetohep, Grand Magus. The tribes of Izril know your names. They shall echo across Izril. This day shall not be forgotten so long as memory endures.


    Of that I am sure.


    The Grand Magus bowed his head. Then his tone became a hair more casual.


    Might I offer you His Majesty Fetoheps fine vintage? It does quite the honor of the asionunless you would care for something else? Courtesy of Wistram, by delivery, and great Khelts limitlessrgesse, naturally.


    He toasted Fetohep, who smiled.


    Naturally.


    Akrisa hesitated. She seemed a bit mesmerized by the grace and impable <i>ss </i>of the speakers. Her open mouth finally moved.


    Wine? I, ahahwouldnt mind some.


    Feshi thought someone had tossed something and bounced it off her legs just out of frame to prompt that response. Perhaps her sister? But even Krshia Silverfang surely didnt expect Eldavin to smile, gesture, and <i>port</i> a floating bottle into their frame. Akrisa nearly leaped into Cetrules arms, and he nearly leaped into hers. They gingerly looked at the floating vintage, which had recently been in <i>Khelt</i>, then Wistram.


    Now, <i>this</i>, as even Drassi would agree, was television. This was the kind of disy that would glue everyone to their scrying orbs. If all Izril had been watching the events being covered before, the entire world was watching this nowor being told, <i>Drop what youre doing and grab a scrying orb!</i>


    If you still didnt get it, you either missed thest broadcast or had a memory like Swiss cheese. Eldavin was calmly conversing with the two Gnolls.


    at least two from Chandrar, I believe, but this is a global affair. Hence a global discussion.


    Ah, thenmore from Wistram?


    Fetohep managed to convey a nuanced interest that indicated a <i>hint </i>of disapproval. Eldavin was quick to shake his head.


    I was personally invited by Strategist Feshi, but Wistram shall simply host this august meeting; we are fairly culpable, as I shall admit readily. I believe at least two from Balerostwo from Terandria, and the rest of the seats will be given to Izril. Or perhaps to a few other parties? I cannot imagine the Blighted King has the time for such frivolities.


    No, indeed. Well, then<i>ah.</i>


    Incidentally, simultaneously with this discussion, the smart ones had begun answering Feshis calls. The <i>really</i> smart ones had begun calling <i>her.</i> But Feshi had a list, and it was firste, first served.


    Everyone watching realized what this was when the fifth personage appeared. She did not fit. Or did she? If she fit, and if Feshi had asked for her specifically, it was because of recent deeds.


    Jecaina of Jecrass sat on her throne and stood to greet the others. Fetohep <i>was</i> smiling, and the Chieftains saw it, as did Eldavin, who had sounded quite approving when he agreed to this.


    <i>The Arbiter Queen and her council of judgment ride again! </i>Only this time, the crime was greater. The personages weightier.


    You could not <i>hold</i> the excitement in the Meeting of Tribes in any container. Feshi was kicking people, telling them to <i>shut up</i> as she organized the rest. All she had to do was speak a name and Eldavin made it happenor, rather, one of his aides did.


    It was an intoxicating amount of power. And here they came.


    What was noticeable, and what made an entire continent nearly <i>flip</i>, was who <i>wasnt</i> part of this council. For instanceno Treespeaker. No Flos Reimarch.


    Not even Femithain.


    Flos, the King of Destruction, would have attended if he had not been a crisped piece of bacon incapable of speech. Feshi had called, and someone young and female had told her, over the sound of some furious, iprehensible noises, that it was impossible.


    She <i>did</i> bring Queen Yisame into it. Because Nerrhavias Fallen had been in thest one, they were hugely powerful, and Yisame was the most important of the other rulers. No Orjinmuch to his reliefand that was all of Chandrar.


    Three from Chandrar.


    <i>Two</i> from Baleros. Feshi invited two, and two came. She had a hard time at first, but then


    I see two of the Great Companies have elected to send representatives. Greetings. Nerrhavias Fallen has always heard of Baleros might. Might and wisdom personified, then.


    Queen Yisame spoke behind a fan, as two groups appeared. The first group Feshi knew well, and it was with a <i>pang</i> that she saw not Niers Astoragon, with his huge hat, striding into frame butwell.


    A giant squirrel-woman with eyes to match Eldavins and a bushy tail. An <i>aghast</i> Centauress grabbed her.


    Foliana, this way!


    Mm. Hello.


    The Three-Color Stalker, Foliana of the Forgotten Wingpany, was the Orjin of this council. She was unapologetically chewing on a raw m, dipping the meat in sauce. Queen Yisame faltered on the rest of her address, and Akrisa did a double take.


    The Three-Color Stalker herself. A [Rogue] of unsurpassed ability. From Khelt, <i>hail.</i>


    Fetohep had begun addressing people less formally, but there was a way to do that in style. Foliana stared into the camera nkly.


    Why am I here?


    To discuss


    Perorn whispered furiously as Yisame collected herself to finish her greeting; she had elected to make the next address after greeting the others and receiving the bottle of Khelts wine that was being passed around. But she never got the chance.


    The figures in the <i>other</i> frames arranged side by side across the projection were two of the same species, unlike Perorn and Yisame. However, they were <i>not</i> alike in size. One was a gleaming figure that made Feshi feel a cold sh run up her back. One of the greatest [Strategists] to walk Baleros, including the Titan. His armor shone with a light beyond silver.


    <i>Tulm the Mithril.</i> Yet he, who had his head in his hands, was nothingpared to the <i>giant</i> of metal whose head rested on a pedestal. The figure waved an armored hand.


    <i>HELLO. CAN OUR VOICES BE HEARD? THE IRON VANGUARD COMETH.</i>


    Everyone went temporarily deaf as Eldavin hastily lowered the volume. The Seer of Steel, the leader of the Iron Vanguard, spoke, but even turned down, his voice was a <i>shout.</i>


    APOLOGIES. I SPEAK WITH THE WEIGHT OF DULLAHANS, BUT THE LACK OF TACT IS MY OWN. TULM IS THE BETTER VOICE, YET I ATTEND FOR THE MOMENT AND OFFER MY RESPECT FOR THE GNOLLISH PEOPLE. THREE-COLOR STALKER, I GREET YOU.


    Foliana nced up. She had wedged two fingers in her ears and was trying to eat the m out of the sauce without the use of her hands. She unstuck one ear.


    Its you again. Didnt I stab you one time?


    IT DID NOT WORK.


    That was for Baleros. Of course, Maelstroms Howling was <i>not</i> happy, but Tulm had beaten their representative and told Feshi they could get both in one room faster than anyone else. Sothat left two ces.


    Izril and Terandria. For Izril had onest representative to field. That one was a while ining, but Terandria got its showing.


    By now, there were so many people that the screen had to flick between them, holding on a speaker before changing to another point of view.


    Jecaina, Eldavin, the Iron Vanguard, the Forgotten Wing, Silverfang, Weatherfur, Fetohep, and Yisame.


    Eight, and two more continents left to go. But while there were too many to speak at once, it was important that they each have a chance to speak. More important? Their being here added so much weight.


    <i>Every continent except Rhir represented in power.</i> And for Terandria? Well, Feshi had to admitshe was a tiny bit spiteful.


    <i>None</i> of the Terandrian monarchs save one had given her the time of day until this had begun. So she got a spotalthough Krshia might have had something to do with it, since she had suggested the man who ryed the unusual request to her. As for the otherwell, she thought Wil would thank her.


    Pheints [King] had done his best and was among thest to arrive, mainly because he had made the odd, and unfortunate, choice to array his royal court around him. They looked impressive, waiting upon his regal words. But so many people had to stay in frame, and you could see them fidgeting, coughing, or whispering every time the image changed to them.


    Nevertheless, Pheint spoke, whereas <i>Ailendamus</i> was toote to join in. And thest Terandrian was


    Queen Geilouna of Desonis, who arrived third tost. And after so many impressive entrances, it seemed she could not upstage any of them; even Pheint looked good. However, she had some of Folianas genius. Or Orjins madness.


    She appeared, legs folded, reclining horizontally on a royal <i>couch</i>, a slice of cake on a te in one hand, a fork in the other. On top of the couch rested one of her cats, idly staring at the people. And there, by her feet, was a sweet little Sariant Lamb, who made adorable eyes at the camera.


    Fetohep, Tulm, and Eldavin <i>stared</i> so balefully that the littlemb fled, shivering, behind the couch, mewling cutely. It kept poking its head out, stealing the focus, until Earl Altestiel nearly <i>kicked</i> it identally as he stood behind his Queen. Because he was naturally in the frame. Queen Geilouna lifted one hand,zily.


    Hail. Desonis rests with me. I wonder, shouldnt you all find a seat or somewhere delightful to rest? I cannot imagine this will be a <i>short</i> discussion. I would <i>love</i> some wine, if its being offered. Would anyone like cake?


    Geilouna waved her fork at Eldavin, who was standing, and at the Duhans and others. That was almost as charming as watching the Earl of the Rains sweep a bow to Perorn and Foliana.


    May I trouble you with apliment, Lady Foliana and Strategist Perorn? I am a deep admirer of your campaigns and of the Titan himself. I hope you will remember me to him?


    Foliana muttered.


    Mm. Sure.


    A greeting to you as well, Earl of Desonis. I have heard of the warmander who strikes like a storm.


    Tulm inclined his head a touch frostily at the Earl, who begged his forgiveness for the slight. The others were chattering, sometimes together, sometimes apart.


    Yes. An invitation to any Chieftain and tribe! Nerrhavia wees thee!


    Yisame tried to raise her voice, speaking to the Chieftains. Meanwhile, Pheints King had the misfortune of speaking to Fetohep and Jecaina, because Fetohep was in a nostalgic mood.


    And while Pheints spires of light no longer exist, murals still stand of that great edifice. So for war, victory. For wave, smoothest sailing. For sky, rity.


    Fetohep was reminding Pheint of their glorious past, and their [King] was trying to signal his court to <i>find him a [Historian]</i> who could remember the <i>fallen</i> lighthouses rather than the ones that had been around here forever.


    What a magnificent disaster. What a <i>triumph</i>! But the audience members, who were already on board with this gaggle of personalities and ces, were not to be disappointed by thest two to arrive.


    After all, when the second-tost frame was filled, it was no ordinary monarch who appeared. No ordinary monarch could <i>lift</i> the ax that sat next to her throne. She wore no crown. Nor was her throne made of anything but simple carved stone.


    Yet when the King of the House of Minos stood, she silenced all.


    The House of Minos has been called to stand for judgment. I am the King of Minotaurs. These are not my people. Yet I shall stand witness and judge the alleged crimes against the Gnolls by the Drakes. I shall take no side but truth andw and hold every person present to that standard. What say you?


    The thunderous address had a gravity apart from its sheer volume. The other rulers and leaders fell silent. Then Fetohep rose slightly.


    King of Minotaurs. Your Majesty, Inreza of the House of Minos. I greet the Arbiter of Minos. Your house has made war on this worlds enemies. It has marched to every shore. Brought low kingdom and wall, battled Dragon and Giant, Archmage and Djinni. No more fitting ruler to judge and speak can I name. Strategist Feshi has chosen well.


    The King of Minotaurs, despite her gendersince it didnt matterdid not seem ufortable for her first worldwide appearance. It was the first time Feshi had ever seen her, though she had known the King was female.


    Even so, Inreza <i>was</i> striking. She was a warrior, just like Flos and Fetohep. But the difference was that she was a living one. She was old, for there was gray in her hair. But what you saw most were the <i>scars</i>.


    A massive one ran across her chest and down her side. Even as she breathed, you heard a <i>rasp.</i> And yet the giant ax by her throne was a copy of the one Feshi had once seen. The one she had <i>thrown</i> from the House of Minos. The one her [General] had borne into battle and returned to her at his end.


    The King nodded to Fetohep, her eyes unwavering.


    I thank you for your address, King Fetohep. Pardon me for insult caused. As to your wordsthere are other rulers more eloquent. Others with fairer minds. Deeper understandings of morality andw. Yet you have the heart of it. The House of Minos has made war on great aggressors as we deem them. We have battled Creler and Goblin King. We have gone to war against the King of Destruction and Khelt when its ambitions grew to conquest. We have stemmed Baleros armies and sieged Wistram. We have fought across Izril and doomed Terandrian kingdoms.


    Her eyes flicked across the frames, and the rulers went silent. Fetoheps eyes shone in their sockets. He spoke, slowly.


    Yes. King His-xe of Khelt wouldremember the House of Minos. As would Queen Akhta. Would you like to know the words of the dead, if they could but speak, Minotaur King?


    She looked at him.


    I will ask them when I see them, Your Majesty.


    Well said.


    Fetohep sat back. The Minotaur King inclined her head, and now there was a sense of expectation. It was Eldavin who spoke into the silence.


    To those who do not yet discern the crux of this gathering, it is simple. As before, a Gnoll, Feshi Weatherfur, has petitioned those gathered to make a ruling upon a great crime. The details shall beid out, evidence given, and debated, as the Arbiter Queen once did.


    He indicated Jecaina, who inclined her head slowly. Eldavin shifted his gaze to thest panel, hanging silent and dark.


    But every judgment, in fairness, requires both defense and prosecution. Two Gnolls speak for this crime. One from Izril will defend these actions and allegations.


    Everyone leaned forward. <i>Who would it be? </i>Who had the wherewithal, the courage, and the understanding to stand in front of this decidedly <i>unfriendly</i> audience and defend what seemed very clear? Feshi had debated the names in the brief time she had, then the rity hit her.


    She had seen only one fit name. Well, a few, but her first choice had obliged her. He appeared without fanfare, sitting in, of all ces, an empty bar.


    Tails and Scales, the beautiful bar that had seen grief and destion, but rallied. Pass most famous bar no longer looked <i>empty.</i> It had been cleaned top-to-bottom, re-varnished, and the perfectly-worn seating inviting you in hadnt been touched, but the menu and bar had been reorganized. It looked like it was waiting. For new and old customers.


    <i>For a new start.</i> Yet only one person had rented it today. The Drake sat amid style, yet had refused to let anyone light the ce up. He looked like thest customer after midnight into dawn, hunched, a single [Bartender] in the background.


    He had a curious drink in front of himone named after him. A strong spirit with a floating ice cube of sour liquid. If anything, it was impressively calcted. But the most impressive thing was that Rufelt hadnt spit in Chaldions drink.


    Chaldion of Pass, the oldest Drake Feshi had ever seen, raised his ss slightly. Akrisa stiffened. Torishi red, and the other rulers murmured. Someone clearly whispered in Desonis frame.


    Who is the Cyclops of Pass?


    Everyone was silent as Chaldion slowly lifted the cup to his lips. He took a sip; no wine bottle was passed around here; it was long empty, and two more had already been decanted and passed out anyways. He spoke in his low, gravelly voice without even the <i>pretense</i> of looking happy to meet everyone.


    Hail, salutations, and so forth. Need we stand on ceremony? Or shall we retread evidence? Lets begin.


    His eye patch was off, and a bright cloudy white gemstone eye stared at the audience before he calmly lowered the bit of cloth back into ce. He never flinched as he met every gazehis peers gazes ranging from hostile, impartial, and curious to amused.


    If there was anyone who could defend the Drakes, Feshi had to admit, it was Chaldion. She might have done the Walled Cities a favor. The Dragonspeaker of Manus might have tried diplomacy. The Serpentine Matriarch would have <i>certainly</i> lost her temper, and Fissival was too close. Szsar, a [Senator] from Passbut Chaldion was a [Strategist]. Did he <i>see</i> a [Path to Victory] here?


    But here it was. Feshi sat back, shaking, as Yerran massaged her shoulders and gave her a hug.


    You did it. There we are.


    Gnolls. They were in the Meeting of Tribes. Akrisas frame was moving, showing the Meeting of Tribes, Gnolls who wanted to get a word in. Very clever, that. Had Krshia thought of it? Finally, the world was doing what it should. Focusing on the Meeting of Tribes, rulers debating what had been done. Laying it out. Passing judgment.


    Was it real? Was it just glorified attention with no real effect? Nofor once, Feshi believed that this would be drama colliding with reality. Consequence meeting news and artifice. She bared her teeth.


    The Professor had <i>better</i> give me a good grade for this one.


    She was sure that, if he could see this, if he was alivesomewherehe was watching all this, swearing that he wasnt part of it.


    Anughing.


    There was a war going on across the televisionworks. A war, but no amount of [Soldiers] would save you, no relics. Countless Drakes and Gnolls and people around the world watched a brutal battle in which the enemy was gutted and left to rot.


    But what an unfair war! [Messages] were storming Wistramonly a fraction of them reaining that people had no <i>voice.</i> Which was always how it worked. But the Drakes, as a species, were used of having manipted magic and having suppressed the Gnoll poption for generations.


    And it was an ugly battlefield for them because they looked <i>incredibly</i> guilty, and popr opinion was part of this war as much as fact was. Also, Feshi had chosen her battleground and set it to the Drakes disadvantage.


    Of course she had. She had invited one member of their poption, two Gnollsand a bunch of species and nations across the world who had every intention of being fair. Which meant they were probably <i>not</i> going to take the Drakes side automatically.


    One defender. One Drake had to take on everyone else, defend his species actionsthe magical crystal that just so <i>happened</i> to be there, and then, when destroyed, let Ferkr cast magic. You could make a stupid argumentand the Drakes hadthat it was coincidental, Gnolls casting magic. That it was corrtion without <i>proof</i> of causation. Gnolls <i>might</i> have been able to cast magic before that shiny rock was destroyed. How can you prove it?


    Well, that kind of argument yed well in a sympathetic crowd, but it got the Drakes <i>ughtered</i> here. Grand Magus Eldavin proved that in the opening salvo. He adjusted some reading spectacles, held a scribed [Message] out like it was a bug, and spoke.


    I see a Sir Relz of Pass has the courage to dignify this twaddle with his name. Regrettable, that. How can we prove the two are linked? Perhaps with something as simple as <i>our minds</i>, you imbecile. I do not need to prove every single thing beyond a shadow of a doubt. If you breathe, you can <i>infer</i> there is air. Arguing forplete proof is a childs gambit.


    He burned up the [Message] with a flick of his fingers.


    Furthermore, I, as Grand Magus of Wistramand I will call upon no less than four Archmages to lend credence to my words if you likedere that the magicore crystal located underground, as observed, was, to the best of my knowledge, <i>generating a magical suppression field.</i> That is my testimony as magus, bolstered by the historical <i>fact</i> that Fissival has long had awork of such stones buried across Izril.


    Earl Altestiel raised an eyebrow.


    You could make the argument that, er, someone else buried the stones to implicate Fissival, Grand Magus.


    Under Azmuzarres nose?


    That sneering remark came from Chieftain Torishi. Eldavinhe was in charge of giving those who asked for it time to speaklooked at Altestiel. The Earl bowed slightly to Torishi.


    I wouldnt hide a single [Archer] behind an excuse that foolish, Lady Chieftain. But I am speaking for all hypotheticals.


    Eldavin conceded the point.


    We will consider it. But I will say, in my opinion alone, that the rest of these anciry arguments are idiotic and should be ignored.


    The half-Elf swept back toward Chaldion, who had been silent as those anciry arguments, sent in by Drakes, wereid out. The lone Drake with a perspective had merely grimaced when some of the really stupid arguments were read.


    Weve set the stage, debunked foolishness. What say you, Grand Strategist of Pass? Will you deny this, as some of your people do?


    Yisame was in full sway, fan open, expressing her opinion by expression even when it wasnt her turn to talk. The Grand Strategist sat there, his one good eye glinting as Izril held its breath.


    How could he defend the Drakes? How could he exin this? When Chaldion spoke, he revealed why they called him the Cyclops. Like Tulm the Mithril, like the Titan.


    The Drakes great monster.


    Proof is an onus thats a pain to produce. A judiciary will struggle to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Gnolls ims are true. Id question that. But as a bit of propaganda, for public perception, why not?


    He waved that off, <i>insolently.</i> Yisames fan snapped open to cover her nose and mouth. Not to be outdone, Pheints [King] snorted and sat back, arms folded. Which didnt mean he wasnt outdone, but he tried.


    Chaldion ignored both of them. He looked quite deliberately at Torishi, then at Eldavin, then at the King of Minotaurs, eye steady. He took a sip from his ss, exhaled softly.


    Proof is such a tiresome thing. You will never get it fully, and even if you do, I assure you, the Walled Cities will deny it. Drakes will not believe you, and they will not be wrong. <i>They</i> didnt have a w in this. Drakes in cities far from Pass, Fissival, Manus, and the rest will rightly say it wasnt their doing. So lets reframe the question. <i>Why</i> was it done? And now, ask yourselves this: By whom? Because lets just say that one Walled City would not be enough.


    Dead silence. Yisame dropped her fan. Jecaina sat forward, and Fetohep waved away his goblet, looking as if even the immortal drink had soured on him. Torishis eyes widened. The Queen of Desonis <i>gasped.</i>


    The sound was cut off a secondter by thunder. The Seer of Steel had mmed his gauntlet <i>down</i> on the table. The babble of voices was so loud that Eldavin silenced it all.


    And there sat Chaldion. If Feshi, watching, had ever doubted he was a monster like the other great [Strategists]well. She had just watched him throw part of Izril to the wolves. And so <i>brilliantly</i> that she almost wanted to apud him.


    Grand Strategist Chaldion! Are you implying that you know for a <i>fact</i> this was orchestrated by the Drakes?


    Chaldion raised his eyebrows as the King of Pheint rose to his feet. He didnt answer immediatelybecause someone was <i>hammering</i> on the door to the bar.


    Excuse me. It seems someone objects. That may be Fissivals ambassador. Or a mob. Keep them out. Send for Magus Grimalkin and General Duln if they attempt to break in.


    He gave orders to an off-screen person, then focused back on the scrying orb.


    Excuse the noise. I am here as Grand Strategist of Pass, Your Majesties. In the interest of Drakes, I must keep my peoples best interests at heart


    He took another sip, from the second ss in front of him, water, and grimaced.


    But it urs to me that saying nothing is worst of all. SoI am under truth spell. Skills, I have no doubt. Hypothetically, if I knew about any plot


    Torishi roared.


    <i>You knew?</i>


    Chaldion waited, sipping his drink, and Eldavin silenced her section, though she began hurling things.


    Chieftain Torishi, you will have your moment, I promise you. Grand Strategist?


    Thank you, Grand Magus. Lets say I knew. Or uncovered it. Under truth spelllets say I knew of some <i>foolishness</i>. Something I would go as far as to say was the most idiotic nand I know idiotic ns. It is not in my interest to unveil it, even if I could do so without waking up with a dagger in my chest.


    Chaldion yed with his drink.


    But if it came to light, and I sat before a grand jury, I might be able to admit I knew. Certainly that one Walled City maintainedsomething. And another Walled City, not Passled the co-venture.


    Waxworks. The Minotaur King was leaning forward. Foliana actually picked up her orb to give everyone an unparalleled view of her ear.


    <i>Which two cities?</i>


    Now, that would be a military secret, Chieftain Akrisa. But then I might tell you that every Walled City knew, or learned. After all, this is a grand enterprise. An undertaking, a n that takes <i>decades</i> to set up. It would require the cooperation of local Drake citiesthe Walled Cities with the means to do this and finance such a powerfulwork, as Im sure Wistram could tell you.


    He nced pointedly at Eldavin. The Grand Magus was just waiting. Chaldion sipped his drink one more timethe ice was melting, and its green melded with darker colors.


    And help from groups in starting the deception and keeping it going. Which, to be clear, under truth spell, wouldnt be Walled Cities. Or Drake cities. Or Human.


    He waited.


    Feshi suddenly felt like shed been stabbed by her dagger. Her paws flew to her chest. She had just realized something, seconds before he said it.


    You clever old


    Torishi stopped bellowing curses, and suddenly her head rose as if she were <i>hunting</i>.


    Did you just imply


    Excuse me, Ill have a refill. I cant say anything, Your Majesty of Nerrhavias Fallen. I am Grand Strategist of Pass. Excuse me while I cough and look away. If I point as Im doing it, think nothing of it.


    A few heads followed the Drakes w, which was pointed at a very sweaty monarch of Pheint, despite his having done nothing wrong. Until they realized that Chaldion wasnt being literal.


    Somehow, uncannily, Chaldion had gone from being put on his back foot and outnumbered to having everyone waiting on his words. He was on the offensive.


    If you are aware of who is to me, speak, Grand Strategist. Or damn Pass by omission. You have already indicated that the City of Inventions <i>knew</i> of this action, admitted what has been done. You prevaricate to throw me askew. <i>Well done. </i>The House of Minos shall remember all that is said.


    The King of Minotaurs hand tightened on her thrones stone armrest, and Chaldions eyes narrowed for a brief second.


    Well, then, Your Majesty, I will be as straightforward as I am able to be in my position. Injustice was done. A conspiracy, some might call it. Analogous to the Circle of Thorns in the north. Hah. Every powerful entity makes ns in secret.


    He waved a w, but the Seer of Steel interrupted.


    YOU MAKE A TOPICAL COMPARISON LIGHTLY. BUT IT SUGGESTS SOMETHING. DOES THE NORTH HAVE ANY INVOLVEMENT? OR DO YOU MERELY PUT THE IDEAS TOGETHER? ANSWER DIRECTLY, CHALDION OF PALLASS.


    Again, the Drake grimaced.


    Merelyparative. Very well. What I am sure about is this: no Walled City could do this alone. As I said, holding the Walled Cities as a whole, or Drakes as a whole, responsible for any actions taken is impossible. Misguided, though understandable. They had no role to y in orchestrating or implementing anything that might have been done. In the same waythere were beneficiaries of even ostensibly hostile actions against the Gnollish people atrge.


    Chieftain Torishi choked, barely able to speak.


    You are suggesting<i>tribes</i> were culpable in this?


    Chaldion flicked a w back and forth, as if swatting at a gnat.


    I am not suggesting anything. Merely illustrating, Chieftain Torishi. Let me rephrase my statement. There <i>was</i> a benefit. To whom? Drakes alone? I can say definitively<i>no.</i>


    You are muddying clear waters. When a crapfish stinks up the catch, I do not me it on <i>shrimp.</i>


    Queen Geilouna narrowed her eyes at Chaldion. Some of the others winced at her metaphor, but Chieftain Akrisa was quick to agree.


    You must offer proof, Chaldion. You cannot simply<i>hint.</i> Who benefits? Why?


    Her eyes flickered. Tulm the Mithril hadnt said a word, but he was holding his head, and his eyes were distant. He was thinking. So was Perorn, who had gone uncannily still, especially given the way Centaurs usually move around.


    Sounds tricky. I think she knows.


    The voice was a mutter. Eyes snapped sideways. Foliana blinked. Chieftain Akrisas fur rose.


    I dont know what youer, Three-Color


    She trailed off, unsure how to address Foliana. And, moreover, because she was caught.


    The giant Squirrel Beastkin chewed on her raw ms, inspiring paranoia in every person who loved ms. She stared back at Akrisa as she replied, that disconcerting stare of three colors.


    Yes, you do. Suggesting. You have something in mind. There. I was clever. Can I go now?


    Akrisa paled, but another voice interrupted, for the first time since this had begun. Despite her name, the youngest member of this group had been still, listening, and she chose her moment to voice her opinions well.


    I do not know this Grand Strategist. Nor am I as gifted in diplomacy as some of my peers. But it seems to me this is quite cunningly using Gnolls of conspiring. It astonishes me, frankly, Grand Strategist, that you would dare.


    The Grand Strategist raised an eyebrow at Jecaina.


    Your Majesty of Jecrass. Is the truth limited to your personal feelings?


    She flushed slightly, and lifted her chin. Fetoheps golden eyes shed a moment, but he waited. Jecaina could take care of herself.


    I do not think it is my personal feelings that change the truth, Grand Strategist. We have seen Gnolls ughtered on Chandrarian ground without mercy, and a nation burned for it. I do not even know if the King of Destruction was wrong in his wrathonly how far he took it. We have seen innocent tribes ughtered, a people deprived of magic, and clear culprits. Only, you have the gall to turn the me back on Gnolls? Without<i> proof? </i>Let us have some, or we should call every statement into doubt. As well as your feelings, if any, on the people you share this continent with.


    Chaldions expression was unreadable, but he didnt look quite as sanguine as before. He danced like a striking viper, but the others hads, and some were experts at this.


    Proof. If I said a name at this moment, it would be war.


    And like a [Magician], everyone was back to listening to Chaldion again. The Grand Strategist pursed his lips. <i>It was on the tip of his tongue, but he refused to speak.</i>


    Lets say there was a n. There were names. I remind you all that everyone who took partinitiallywould be long dead by now. I advise you to think historically. Let me also be up-front. There have been times when the facade cracked. Actions were taken.


    He forestalled another furious outburst.


    Here is one such point in time. One moment.


    Chaldion had pulled something from his pocket. He slowly lit a cigar and blew out some smoke.


    <i>Wistram.</i>


    We have no involvement in a Gnollish conspiracy. I will swear on behalf of every current Archmage and have each one attest to that. No faction in Wistram was aware of this, and I have conducted an internal purge and review.


    The words were out of Eldavins mouth in a second. So fast that most people failed to check his words fully. Chaldion gave him a slight nod.


    Yes. But Wistram <i>was</i> involved. Four decades ago. The Wistram-Gnoll rift.


    Queen Geilouna muttered darkly.


    Which hampered magical trade and made it harder for Gnolls to


    Chaldion raised a brow again.


    There was groundwork before. The idea that Gnolls couldnt be [Mages] was already quite prevalent. Rather, if you recall history, that was an attempt to send a Gnoll to be a [Mage]. It failed. Why? There is a secret here, isnt there, Grand Magus Eldavin?


    Yes. It seems so. And it seems that it behooves anyone curious to investigate this incident.


    Eldavin flicked his eyes to the side. Chaldion let the cigar heat up; it would notst as long as it was meant to. It didnt matter. Now he spoke more quickly.


    So. A conspiracy longid. Walled Citiesother parties. You dont know how. And you dont know <i>why.</i> Something was gained. There was arger reasonwell, I suspect the Walled Cities saw it as straightforward. But what would someone else gain?


    Queen Yisame could hardly contain herself, eyes shing with what could be read as fury or excitement.


    <i>Tell us already, and spare the secret! No mysterysts forever! Skip to the end!</i>


    Chaldion paused. He seemed to take umbrage with Yisame above all others; as if herck of a concise verbal jab was more offensive than her pressing him.


    Your Majesty. I am protecting the interests of the Walled Cities. Should I be more direct, it would be dire for my people and cities.


    The Queen of Nerrhavias Fallen threw back her head. Her eyes opened, and behind her, six [Handmaidens] snapped open their fans like the wrath a small hurricane.


    Dire? More still than everything you have admitted? Do not presume, Grand Strategist. You are here before a council of judgement.


    In what court? I see only arbitration. There is a difference between public opinion andw, Your Majesty. Nerrhavias Fallen does notmand Izril.


    Chaldion was turning away when Yisame spoke.


    No secrets lie buried forever, <i>[Strategist]. </i>Tyrants die, even if immortal, even if we must w and tear them from their thrones, and kill them a thousand times. This is the very truth my kingdom was founded on. So speak your truth. Or else Nerrhavias hordes will pry it out. Not as invaders, but because we were invited by the rulers of thisnd. Just so as we march shoulder to shoulder with the House of Minos, Duhans, and Humans.


    The Grand Strategist of Pass stopped, a w on his cup. He looked back, and a light shone from under his eyepatch. Yisame looked straight past him, fanned idly by an attendant.


    Forgive me. That overreaches. After allI did not ask those with the authority, nay, the right. Chieftain Akrisa, Chieftain Torishi. What will you? May I offer you an armada?


    She smiled, as the other leaders looked at Yisame, and her vainglorious nation cheered their [Queen]. Yet of the two GnollsTorishi spoke.


    Your Majesty. Not yet.


    Chaldion saw Torishi rise. The Chieftain of the Weatherfur tribe looked at Chaldion.


    Grand Strategist. You y with words well.


    Thank you, Chieftain Torishi.


    She gave him a bitter look.


    You hide dark truths well, until it bes convenient for you to tell all. I wish I could say this was Pass, and turn the wrath of empires on you. But it is <i>not</i> Pass, as you so carefully say. You throw other Walled Cities on the pyre, and <i>hint.</i> I expect no great revtionsnot inmon words from you. Nor can I ask for armies and war, because my heart does not want these things. Not now. Not until great decisions have been made, and you will not guide us far, only <i>hint.</i>


    Chaldion frowned, because there was no direct opening there. Torishi just looked at him.


    Would that I could say this was Pass way. Crafty and maniptive. But I know Pass. My tribe will not forget this day, nor your part. You are not Pass, though, because we have shed blood with Pass. Our great daughter, Garusa Weatherfur, fought with Thrissiam ckwing against the Goblin Lord and perished there. She did not run. Nor did herst letter to me ever say she found Pass [General] wanting. We have known Walled Cities as enemies and friends. This day? I say the Cyclops of Pass sullies its name in my eyes. <i>Speak</i>.


    It stuck. Everything else had slid away. Water on oil. Arrows bouncing off a magic shield. Save for this. Chieftain Torishi sat, cross-legged, and looked at the old Drake with the hope of exactly nothing in her gaze. He frowned. Choosing his words, displeased. Perhaps it changed nothing in what he said next. Perhapseverything.


    Across Izril, Drakes were waiting. The High Command of Manus, the Serpentine Matriarch, Wall Lords and Ladies of Szsar, Oteslias First Gardenerand far moreappraising Chaldion. Was he selling them out? Or doing the only thing that could be done?


    He hesitated, and it seemed to those watching that this was the moment when he was truly conflicted.


    The Walled Cities have known many things for a long time. They buried this secret. Quite literally. Other groups helped them. Something was lost. Something was gained. Even Im not sure of theexact price. So when you go digging, ask yourself what was traded. Gnollish magic for centuries. A suppression field can hold it back, but the energy still went somewhere. <i>Where?</i> Perhaps someone hid something. Perhaps its needed. Used. Every Walled City has a secret.


    His one eye swept across the camera. Someone quietly breathed an oath.


    Traitors scales. Does he know?


    Dragonspeaker Luciva rose slightly. She looked around the High Command of Manus.


    Does he? Is he referring to Rafaema? Or


    She swung her gaze around. Was it <i>this?</i> How far would Chaldion go? But even the other Drakes and Gnolls looked at her. <i>What</i> was he talking about? Manus? Or something else?


    Too many secrets.


    The Drake grinned like a devil in the dark bar as he spoke. Light shone from under his eye patch, and his scarred face twisted. He looked at Torishi and nodded once.


    Lets have somee to light. Weve known too much. Leaders. Itsing out. We have always known of things like this. Now you see a buried crystal. But you already had the first hint. Or havent you looked into it? They were right there, too. Buried but never forgotten. One after another. You found them first. The greatest enemies of Gnolls. Greater than Dragons. Do you know what Im talking about?


    Heads tilted. For once, no one did know. Akrisa and Torishi slowly blinked, then grew visibly uneasy. You could <i>see</i> their fur beginning to stand on end.


    Geilouna whispered to Altestiel.


    What is he talking about?


    The Earl of the Rains nced up and realized that if he spoke, it would be to the entire group.


    Fetohep knew. He focused on the others, seeing who else did.


    Tulm the Mithril was nodding, like someone watching a masterpiece beingpleted. Perorn got it with a quiet snap of her fingers. Outside of Izril, the only other person to put it together in a sh was Eldavin, who cursed. The rest didnt know because it wasnt yet a word spoken aloud. Chaldion drew it out, a single word, in an exhtion of smoke.


    <i>Raskghar.</i>


    Someone dropped a mug. The sound of shattering ss was the perfect note to fit that moment. Chaldion nodded.


    Ask yourselves who forgot they remained. Gnollish memory is a famous thing. Someone has taken a quill to it, which I quite apud. I couldnt have done so well myself. That is my testimony. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I may soon be court-martialed or summoned before the Assembly of Crafts. Good day.


    He cut off the image of himself before anyone could speak a word. Then it was madness. Then everyone was speaking, demanding that Chaldion be brought back, demanding that other leaders of Drake cities, who were suddenly <i>very </i>reticent, be put on. It was done. Some people watchingeven enemies, people who found the entire business as reprehensible as could bestill felt the urge to stand up and apud.


    Earl Visophecin of Ailendamus and the Blighted King even did. Apud a craftsman on the stage, an artist of intention. That took all the momentum in the world and trained it


    Where? Drake plots. Lack of magic. Traitors?


    <i>Raskghar.</i>


    Somehowhe had thrown water into the air. And now they saw it. Like the Stitch Witch of Terandria, who decided she had an interesting project as well. Who smiled. They all saw it. Glittering drops of water on a tapestry of very different things.


    Allsomehowconnected. Now tug at one string and find out where it led.


    If you dared.


    Every Gnoll in the Great ins was practically glued to the drama unfolding between Chaldion and the council Feshi had convened. It was about them. It was a clue to a greater story. Treachery and betrayal and mystery.


    And why not? It was the most important thing that could happen today. For almost all of them. What could be more important than that? What could be?


    Mrsha?


    It was just one word. A question. A name.


    Her name.


    Mri was her name. The little Gnoll girl wasnt too attached to it, but no one had actually said her real name since they hade to the Meeting of Tribes. Her <i>real </i>name was dangerous. Who knew it?


    Well, anyone whod heard Drassis broadcast, maybe. But Mrsha wasnt that spectacrly rare of a name for a Gnoll. Why apply it to her?


    For that matterwho could recognize her? Tkrn had recognized her face because he had visited the inn where she stayed for a long time, saw her face every time she was there, up close. He was an exception. With her brown fur, the Stone Spears tribe markings, who else could?


    The strange Gnoll had picked Mrsha up. Shed been so terrified of Chieftain Xherw that she hadnt moved, just grateful that he shielded her from Xherws gaze somehow.


    Becausehe was a Chieftain himself? The Gnoll had the appearance of one, though she didnt recognize the blue dye and markings of his tribe. But he had a bodyguard, and hed been right next to another Chieftainthe famous Chieftain of the Steelfur tribe, whod gone off without giving Mrsha a second nce.


    Yet this Gnoll had gone pale.


    He had picked her up, spoken her nameand now he grabbed her and hurried her off. Mrsha didnt know if she should fight back or not.


    <i>How did he know her name?</i>


    She began to squirm as she realized she was getting farther from her protectors, Vetn and Tesy, but the Gnoll had her firmly in his grip.


    Excuse me. I have to go. Please. Please.


    The Gnoll Chieftain started. He almost dropped Mrsha, then swiveled her around.


    Thats impossible. You cant


    He <i>almost</i> let go of Mrsha, but then his eyes focused on the speaking-crystal ne. He stared at Mrshas fur.


    You cant speak.


    Mrshas eyes widened. She <i>definitely</i> didnt know this Gnolldid she? He wasnt from Liscor. But how did he know she couldnt speak? She hesitated, but if she triggered her speaking crystal, her canned speech would be obvious.


    Twice confused by her voice, Chieftain Mrell stared at Mrsha. And again, his eyes darted to her face, with faint recognition but no true certainty. He saw <i>something</i>, but he wasnt certain.


    What he looked at washer fur. Her brown fur. And more than that, the gray markings on her shoulders and arms. Mrsha saw the look and went still.


    shes of gray, arrows in stylized patterns across her fur. Any Gnoll of age could apply them, though most only did as a matter of rank or for special asions. Mrsha had thought it would be an honor, a Good Thing. No one else knew what they meant exactly. Perhaps someone might recognize them, but the markings were those of her tribe. And her tribe was dead.


    Stone Spears. Its Stone Spears markings. And you


    <i>Yet he knew it. </i>Mrsha stared wide-eyed up at Chieftain Mrell. He looked at her, then recoiled.


    <i>Youre </i>the runaway child? You w


    He recognized her atst as the kidnapped girl! Mrsha squirmed harder, kicking at his arms, but now Chieftain Mrells head snapped around. He whirled,rgely unnoticed among the Gnolls chattering about seeing Fetohep of Khelt and the Stargnoll. Then he began to run.


    Chieftain Mrell? Something wrong? Whos the child?


    One of his guards spotted him as the Gnoll hurried with Mrsha still struggling in his arms. The Gnoll was panting.


    Inothing. I know thissend a messenger. Im returning to my quarters. No meetings with other Chieftains.


    A famous [Merchant]


    <i>Later.</i> This is important. I need you to send a runner to the Sofang tribe. Now. Tell them I demand that Prhae here <i>now.</i> To me.


    Yes, Chieftain.


    Mrell. Prha. Those were stupid names. Mrshathought they sounded familiar. But how?


    Something was stirring in the back of her mind, but she was reaching for it andnot. At the same time. What a curious thing. It was almost as if she <i>knew</i>. But she didnt want to.


    Was that why she let him carry her out of danger into a foreign tribes camp? Gnolls greeted this Chieftain Mrell, and he answered with strained casualness. He was clearly well liked, and it was a fairly prosperous tribe, from what Mrsha saw. Smallish, but it looked pretty wealthy. She heard a lot of hammering, smelled smoke and met crafting tribe?


    Seal the camp. No visitors. Imworking on a change to Demas Metal. Tell everyone I will see themter. Tonight, if I can. This is aguest.


    The Gnoll strode into his tent, issuing rapid orders. The guards stared at Mrsha, but they didnt question the orders. Mrsha found herself in a Chieftains tent, carpeted by expensive tapestries depicting Gnolls in battle. There was a single rolled-up cot and samples of that strange Demas Metal stuff.


    Was <i>this</i> the Chieftain behind the des? She sat there, staring up at him. The Gnoll went to the tent ps, closed them, fumbled with something, and hung it up.


    A [Silence] charm. Mrsha thought she should be worried. It was likely he had realized who she was somehow and was now going to kill her.


    Except that he knew her <i>tribe.</i> He knew her name. And she knew him. He looked back at her, atst, and she saw Mrell flinch.


    He wore a band of Demas Metal around one bicep, a Chieftains loose garments over his top, and a loose kind of kilt open at both sides, made with cotton and richly dyed. He smelled like coal and fire, and he was young.


    Older than Erin and definitely older than Lyte, but younger than Relc. That was how Mrsha thought of it. A Gnoll man out of his true young man years but as young as Chieftains got.


    He had brown fur, like trees in a forest, and ears that were forward and a bit pointy. Mrsha thought they looked familiar too. His eyes were brown, like every Gnolls. No odd rings or quirks. But they were wide.


    When he spoke, his voice was a growl, and sometimes he slurred his <i>r</i>s a bit more than usual, but he enunciated with care.


    Are youMrsha of the Stone Spears tribe? Child? Girl? YouI know you.


    He hesitated. Mrsha had hold of her speaking charm. She raised one arm to cover her mouth, pretended to cough, and triggered it.


    No.


    He <i>started</i>. Oh, how he jumped! He did not <i>expect</i> that, but then he stared. He crouched, slowly, at the other end of the tent, near the ps.


    No. Did you say that? Please, say it again. Are ydo you know me?


    His voice was so strained. Mrsha bit her tongue.


    <i>No.</i>


    Again, she hid her mouth. Chieftain Mrell squinted.


    Youre not saying that. You cant be. Not unlessits noting from your mouth. What <i>is</i> that?


    Mrsha bit her tongue. <i>Darn!</i> He was a Gnoll, and his hearing was too good. Even a Human could probably have understood where the voice wasing from with this much scrutiny. Yet


    <i>Im Mri. Hi. I have to go. Excuse me.</i>


    This time, he saw that her lips didnt move in sync with the voiceing from her speaking stone. He straightened, slowly.


    It is


    Mrsha nced around the tent. She could run. She could tunnel under the tent if she had toand Qwera had given her an emergency wand. Heck, she could howl and probably receive help if he didnt stab her within five seconds.


    Why did he look even more afraid of her now? This Chieftain Mrell hesitated, took one step forward and two steps back. It seemed to Mrsha that if she could but speak, he might bolt for the hills.


    There was a funny feeling in her stomach. Chieftain Mrell was speaking. He kept starting, stopping. Mrsha stared at his face. Was he handsome? Nah. She didnt care, and that wasnt it. His ears. Now, where had she seen ears like those?


    Please, listen to me. Youre from the Stone Spears tribe. YoureMrsha Stone Spears. Your name <i>is</i> Mrsha. Did you change it to Mri? When I heard there was a white Gnoll namedIve met Gnolls named Mrsha. I didnt think of it. I didnt want to think of it. Stone Spears is dead. They were wiped out.


    He knew her tribe. Mrshas eyes opened wide. She stared at him. This time, without opening her mouth, she touched one of the runes.


    Yes.


    Mrell jumped. He went on after a second, swallowing.


    Thyour Chieftain was Urksh. Chieftain Urksh, [Mining Chieftain]. He was in his sixties. A good Gnoll. He had a scar along his chin here. He was Chieftain of your tribe. Heraised you.


    Yes. Yes. Mrshas chest began to hurt. She remembered Urksh. Oh, it felt like it had been every day she cried and remembered him. When had she begun forgetting? When had she stopped thinking of him every second?


    She was exactly who he said she was. It came back to her, living along the High Passes, being scolded by Urksh, going hunting, the tribe moving from ce to ce. And then hade winter, and out of her boredom hade the most interesting person ever. A young City Runner, rescued out of the snow, followed by Winter Sprites


    <i>Then disaster. Goblins.</i>


    Stone Spears died. A Goblin Lords army wiped them out. Almost all of them. Zel Shivertail fought the Goblin Lord, but they all died there. Thatsthats what I heard. From thest survivors.


    Mrshas eyes widened. <i>Survivors?</i> Mrell hadnt blinked. She stared at him. Survivors?


    But now he was speaking.


    I know this. Imfrom the Stone Spears tribe. I was. Id know those markings anywhere. I thought the only survivors were a handful of children, and I met every single one. Believe me. I never thoughtLiscor? I saw a white Gnoll and never looked closethey only had a sketch of you on that Drakes report. Do you understand what Im saying? Do youknow?


    He was waiting for something. It was building behind Mrshas eyes. Something pounding in her head. She just held still. Sitting there in the center of his tent. Why did everything he say ring a bell? Ears?


    There was something in his tent that made her look around. Since it included a workshop, he had a number of things. Tools for creating powders, tools for working on the Demas Metal stuff, even books. And because he was at the Meeting of Tribes, he had formal clothesid out ready for use, and, of course, a mirror.


    No vanity like one Lyte would consider proper, or makeupjust something to remove bad scents, shampoo, a brush tangled with hair, and a mirror. A big mirror for a Chieftain. Mrsha looked into it.


    There were those ears again. She stared at them, quite puzzled. Now, how could that be? Her ears were smaller than Mrells, but they had the same shape. Gnollish ears had more variance than silly Human ones. And these were tipped with gold paint. They twitched as she looked at them.


    Her ears. Slowly, the little Gnoll in the mirror reached out. Mrsha felt her paws touch her ears. Then she looked up.


    Chieftain Mrell stood there. Like hed seen a ghost. Like he was incredibly afraid, incrediblyguilty. Mrsha looked at his face. His fur looked familiar. Normal for a Gnoll. She stared down at her dyed fur, a copy of the fur shed had growing up. It was close.


    His ears looked like hers. Now she listened to what he said. He was from her tribe. Stone Spears. Hewasnt anymore? It was rare for a Gnoll to leave a tribe. But it happened.


    If you wanted to go your own way. Or, sometimes, if you were exiled.


    <i>Stone Spears had always been good with stone. Mining. </i>Mrsha looked at Mrell.


    Urksh cast me out. You were too young to even walk on all fours. Me and Prha.


    What stupid names. Mrell? Prha? Why did they sound odd together? Almost like


    Slowly, the [Last Survivor] of the Stone Spears tribe, or so she had always thoughtthe girl who had received white fur for doom deferred, who had lost her people, her home; who had gone to faraway Liscor and found her mother, another home, friends, magiclooked up.


    Mrell stood there, pale under his fur, looking at her but unable to meet her eyes. She listened to what he was saying and finally, finally understood what he had not said.


    Was too ashamed to say.


    Slowly, Chieftain Mrell of the Demas Metal tribe, a new tribe started by a single Gnoll who had discovered a fantastical new metal, walked forward. Not directly at Mrsha. He sat down in a chair, legs copsing under him. He was shaking.


    He was an outcast. From the Stone Spears tribe.


    Urksh never talked about it. He had only told Mrsha about it a few times, and the others, even the children, didnt bother Mrsha about it. Urksh only told Mrsha, once, when she was very little, that her parents were gone.


    She thought that meant they were dead. The second time, he told her they had done a bad thing and been exiled.


    <i>She thought that meant they were dead. </i>Mrsha had never thought of them again. She had her tribe, Urksh. Later, she had Lyte, the inn, Ryoka, Erin, Numbtongue, Bird, Apista. When Stone Spears died, so had every connection to the old Mrsha with brown fur, Mrsha of the ins Gnolls.


    That was that. Never once had she expectednever had she dreamed of finding someone like the strange Gnoll standing here. Yet. Here he was.


    Her


    Youre Mrsha. My


    Mrell spoke atst, and she didnt know how long it had been. He didnt say it, either.


    The little girl looked up at the Chieftain sitting in his chair. She stared at him. Then, atst, she moved. She stood up on two legs, and he flinched.


    I


    Words failed him. Disbelieving, Mrsha took a step forward. She looked around.


    Chieftain of the Demas Metal tribe. Chieftain of a tribe she hadnt known, but a growing one. Come here to be famous. An important Gnoll. Here.


    Urksh hadnt known about him. She was almost certain. Thishe was just <i>here.</i> Out of nowhere. No warning. No signs. And now?


    She looked at him. Walked over to the chair. Stared up at him. Mrell looked down at her and didnt smile.


    He looked pale, shaky, like he was about to be sick or run. And as Mrsha looked at him, his head jerked to one side. He had stared at her so fiercely before. Now, up close, as he saw the light ofprehension in her facesuddenly Mrell turned into a statue.


    I


    She waited. Saw a brown eye flick her way, then skitter away and stare right at the tent ps. Mrsha waited. But he didnt look at her.


    Like Ekirra when he was being naughty. Mrsha reached for her speaking rune. Then she dropped it. She stood there, waiting.


    He never moved. He was frozen. Outside, Gnolls were watching the scrying orb where Chaldion spoke. Neither Mrell nor Mrsha moved. It didnt even matter.


    Mrsha waited. She counted ten seconds. Then twenty. Then thirty. Thenshe slowly spread her arms out.


    It was not a hug. It was a gesture.


    <i>Here I am.</i>


    She waited.


    Mrell didnt move. Mrsha stomped her foot, and he <i>jumped.</i> He almost nced at her. But he didnt.


    Now she was angry. The little Gnoll girl grabbed hold of another chair and yanked herself up. Now she stood there, right in front of him.


    <i>Im right here.</i>


    She couldnt say anything. But she knew he could see her. Yet those eyes didnt swing her way.


    Ididnt expect


    Mrsha <i>pped</i> her paws together as loudly as she could. Mrell started again. She pointed at her chest.


    <i>Look at me. Look at me when you speak!</i>


    Your mPrha ising. I sh


    He began to rise. Mrsha lunged forward. He jerked, and she grabbed his clothes. Now she was touching him. He looked downjerked again, like he was being zapped by a spell. He stared right over her head. She twisted the clothing.


    <i>Look down.</i>


    And he did not. He tried, but it was like a maic force was dragging his head up. His gaze darted around. Mrsha <i>punched</i> his shoulder. And still, Chieftain Mrell never looked at her. He nced at her face. He tried to say something.


    <i>He refused to meet her eyes.</i>


    <i>He didnt want to meet her eyes.</i>


    <i>He was afraid to meet her eyes.</i>


    <i>He couldnt meet her eyes.</i>


    Which was it? <i>Whichwasitwhichwasit?</i> How dare you? Her mouth opened and closed, but the adult sat there, unable to hear a word. Only a frustrated half sound. A coughing growl. She wed at her own throat, trying to make the words.


    He saw that and almost reached for her. But when she looked up, he flinched away again.


    Mrsha had nevernot Tkrn in the prison. Not the worst Drake. Not Lism or anyone else.


    She had never met such a coward. Him? He came <i>here</i> and just picked her up and


    Her head swung around. Now, <i>now</i> she saw it all clearly. She <i>looked. Saw.</i>


    What a fancy tent. How <i>rich</i> it was. She knew rich. She stared at his clothing, letting go of it. The armband, a signal that this was what he was selling.


    <i>Demas Metal.</i> Now, there was a name that screamed pride. Confidence that the name would one day equate to fame and fortune. Not Stone Spears. Her tribe had never been rich.


    She had never really cared, but she had known what it was like to want a bit more in the food pot, to have Urksh worrying about where the tribe would go. They had lived along the High Passes with dignity and pride. They hadughed and life had been fun at times, hard at others.


    This Gnoll? He was rich. He had a growing tribe and a special metal. He hade here, to the Meeting of Tribes, to be richer still. After he had left the Stone Spears tribe. Been <i>exiled.</i>


    She sniffed the air. It smelled like metal and burning and soot. Even that was like home. Stone Spears had always had a knack for minerals and mining. These were talents he had learned from her people. But he had no right to them.


    Urksh had cast him out. He had said Urkshs name, and he had <i>no right.</i> This Gnoll had been cast out of his tribe. If other ins Gnolls knew, would they want to join his tribe, buy his metal? He hadnt evenhed left


    Suddenly, Mrsha didnt want to be here. She looked at Mrell and let go of his clothing. She backed up. She stared at himthen bolted for the exit.


    <i>Wait</i>


    Mrell moved. He was out of his chair and after her in a sh. Mrsha was almost out of the tent ps when he grabbed her by the sides. She whirled, punched, <i>kicked</i>.


    <i>Let go! Leave me!</i>


    She wanted out! Begone! She wanted to find Vetn and tell him to bring her to Oteslia. Now! <i>Nownownownow!</i>


    Wait. Dont go. Im sorry. Mrsha, Im


    Mrell was desperate all of a sudden. He picked her up, and she bit him. She sank her teeth into his arm, and he cursed. Thenstopped.


    Mrsha looked up. Mrell had almost yanked his arm free, but he stopped. She felt his muscles tensethen rx, and his face took on a pained, reserved expression. As if it didnt <i>hurt. </i>As if he was going to just take it


    She bit with all the strength in her jaws and saw his face contort. Mrsha sank her teeth deeper, <i>gnawing</i>, as if she were trying to tear his wrist in two


    <i>Stop!</i>


    He tore his arm free. She tasted blood and spat a clump of fur out. Mrell stared at his bloody wrist.


    She snapped again, and this time he jerked his arm away. Mrsha kicked and punched, and he held her back. He had to drop her or shed have bitten his other hand. Shended hard, and Mrell moved toward the door. He already had a healing potion out.


    Please, listen to me. I dont know what to say, but


    Mrsha spat on his carpeted floors and watched the dribble of bloody saliva give the image of a Gnoll on the beautiful carpet a funny face. She snarled and looked for the entrance. She darted left, and he blocked the way. She could slip past him, but then the damned Gnoll spoke.


    Prha ising. Shes your mother. Mrsha. My daughter


    Her eyes widened with outrage. What did he just say?


    <i>My daughter. </i>Someone else had said that. And she had every right. Lyte, her mother, said that. What did he just


    Mrsha, Im your f


    She stopped going for the door. Mrsha put her paws over her ears. She saw his lips move. Saw him looking at her.


    He walked over. Mrsha got to her feet, tried to walk around him. She still had her paws over her ears. He blocked her way, said something.


    <i>She couldnt hear.</i> She would <i>not</i> hear. Mrell bent down. Desperately, he made a gesture.


    <i>Listen?</i>


    <i>No.</i>


    Mrsha tried to run left, but he was too quick and was blocking the way. He stopped her. The Gnoll man took her arms and tried to pry her paws from her ears. Mrsha began to kick at his groin, and he held her up.


    Stop it. Enough! I know you have every right to be angry. Let me exin.


    He had both her arms in his grip! So Mrsha <i>twisted</i> and kicked him in the chin. He dropped her with a cry of astonishment. [Relc Kick]! Relc


    He went to grab her again, and she tore a wand from its hiding ce under her fur and aimed it at his face. Mrells eyes widened, and he <i>ducked</i> as a single arrow of stone shot past him. It hit the wall of the tent, but the thick fabric only tore a bit upon impact.


    Chieftain Mrell dove sideways, wide-eyed.


    <i>Magic? How?</i>


    He went to tear the wand from her paw but then yanked his paw back. Because Mrsha had just <i>shed</i> at him with a huge, <i>sharp</i> thorn protruding from her paw. She snarled, shing, and he took a step back.


    They were frozen like that. With one paw, Mrsha menacingly waved the thorn shed conjured. She dropped the wand to fumble at her side.


    Mrell was unmoving, watching her. He saw the little girl fumble for her belt pouch. Her hands were trembling because she was so angry, but when he tried to move, just a bit, she shed at the air.


    Shed drawn blood. A sh across his shin was leaking red into his fur. Mrsha ignored it as she dropped something on the ground.


    Mrell saw the little girl spilling an assortment of strange objects. Crumpled paper, a roll of parchment, a bottle of ink, a quillshe grabbed the quill and unstoppered the inkwell after two tries, all while holding her other paw out. She wrote as fast as she could, but so <i>neatly.</i> Sowell.


    In a cursive script. It was aborious process that took nearly five minutes, handicapped as she was by one paw. But what she finally threw at himor tried towas a single slip of paper.


    Paper didnt fly. Mrsha had to blow on it, then crumple it up and toss the small wad at Mrells feet. She red at him as the Gnoll hesitated. He bent down and unwrapped it as she edged sideways.


    He read the beautiful calligraphy, albeit in smudged ink on crumpled paper.


    <i>I have no father. I have a mother, and her name is Lyte. Leave me alone, stranger.</i>


    Mrell stared at the piece of paper, then the girl moving for the exit. Mrell spoke, and now it was without hesitation, desperate.


    Wedidnt know what to do. We thought you were dead at first because you never cried. You couldnt. You howledbut the [Shaman] thought it was ill luck.


    She had been about to leap past him. Mrsha hesitated, every muscle tensed. She looked back at him, eyes wide.


    <i>What?</i>


    Prha and I were young. I was sessful. Rising in the tribe. We didnt know what to do, and the [Shaman] suggestedthere is a custom.


    <i>What?</i>


    I was a fool for even dreaming of it. But we did. Almost. Urksh found out right before it happened.


    The words spilled out of Mrell like a confession. Not one Mrsha wanted to hear, but she heard it, as if it were filling the air with poison. Faster and faster.


    He cast us out. Me. Your mother. The [Shaman]. A few other Gnolls who went with usI never went back. Your mPrha and I split up. We couldnt stay together. Not after that. I only met herter. I was wracked with guilt. I was. But I didnt deserve to go back. I became a wanderer, took up smithing. I founded this tribe.


    Mrell pointed at the ground, at the tent.


    It was luck. I thought of youwonderedbut Prha wanted nothing to do with me. Urksh wouldnt acknowledge me, even when I sent him a [Message]. I never went back. I meant to, after the Meeting of Tribes. I nned on meeting Urksh here, maybe eventhen I heard of the Goblin Lord.


    Mrell was panting now. Shaking.


    I was toote. I didnt sleep or eat for nearly a month. It was my fault. I looked for the other survivors of the Stone Spears tribe, but they thought you were dead, and Urkshthey told stories about a City Runner who brought the Goblin Lord and a blizzard andif Id known you were in Liscor, I would have found you. Mrsha. I am so sorry. Yourethe white Gnoll, arent you? The one all the tribes are hunting?


    She stood there, across from him, at the entrance to the tent. Just staring as his words came out, until there was nothing left, until they stopped. Mrell looked at her, reaching a paw out, but afraid to draw near.


    Mrsha. Just wait. Prha wille, and thenI dont know how you got here, but if one of the traditionalist tribes finds youwait. I failed my tribe and you and Urksh. But wait. Please.


    He looked at her, straight in the eyes.


    I will protect you.


    The little Gnoll girl stood there, staring up at Chieftain Mrell. Neither one moved or spoke. Then, abruptly, there was a voice that broke the bubble of magical silence.


    Mrell whirled, and a voice began speaking, higher-pitched, angry. It had an unusual cadence to it. Slower, then faster near the end of a sentence, especially when the speaker was angry. Which she was.


    <i>Mrell! How dare you summon me here! </i>I wont answer to you. Leave Sofang out of it. You


    A Gnoll came storming into the tent, a warrior of a tribe Mrsha didnt know. She was leaner than other warriors Mrsha had known and had a bow on her back, a shield and short-spear too. She had eyes only for Mrell, so she missed the girl standing there.


    If there was something familiar about her, it was probably her paws? Noher fur was the exact same color as


    Prha strode toward Mrell. She was snarling, furious. She saw Chieftain Mrells face and hesitated.


    Whats your problem? You look like youve seen a ghost. Did I ruin one of your precious deals?


    Prha. I found her. Look over


    Found who? Dont bring my tribe into this. You shouldnt have unted your famous Demas Metal tribe if you didnt want to see me. I hope your metal shatters in the forge. You


    Prha nced behind her and finally saw the girl with the gold-tipped ears standing there. She had been staring at Prha, face nk.


    Whos this?


    She turned to Mrell, but he just stared at her. Like hed seen a ghost. The female Gnoll lost some of her bluster. Prha looked back, focused on the girl, but it wasnt as if she could suddenly figure it out.


    Her mind focused on what was easiest to put together first. Her angry look turned to puzzlement. The little girl was doing something with her bag of holding, but what was that on her fur? The gold ears were one thing, but


    Are those Stone Spears markings? Howis she another survivor? Did you bring me here to


    <i>Prha.</i>


    The word was so strained and so intense that it stopped her again. This time, she looked. And like Mrell, she wentpletely still.


    She had the same look on her face. The one of sheer disbelief. It yed across her features. Shock, disbelief, and guilt were all there, too, just as they were on Mrells face. But Prha disyed a simple emotion above all.


    <i>Fear.</i>


    Her spirit haunts me.


    Prha whispered. Mrell jerkedbecause he had not expected <i>that.</i> So did the girl. But then Mrsha moved, made the thorn disappear, and rubbed at her left ear. Because it was itchy.


    That broke Prha out of her trance. She looked at Mrell. Then she cried out.


    <i>Mrsha?</i>


    The girl flinched. But she looked at the two adults. Two parents. Someone elses parents. Slowly, she brought out the object shed reached for. Looked at Mrell. That Gnoll woman.


    I can protect you.


    What audacity. What a terrible twist of fate. Mrsha was shaking. Her ears were filled with the sound of blood roaring, and she saw Prha saying someones name. She looked at Mrell, then lifted something.


    Her wrist. Both Gnolls looked down and saw Mrsha pour a single drop of something onto her wrist, onto the fur there. From a little bottle Qwera had given her and told her not to use unless she needed to change something.


    It sank into her brown fur, the fur she had had all her life, which she had inherited from those two. And, before all threes eyes, the fur on her wrist changed color. The brown of the forest turned pale. Then white.


    Pure white. Prha stared at the patch of white on Mrshas arm. Then she recoiled.


    <i>Doomb</i>


    She stopped herself. Mrell himself stared at the white patch. Mrsha looked at them. She covered the spot with her paw.


    Mrsha, wait. Were your


    Mrell began. Mrsha whirled.


    <i>Toote.</i> She ran. She ran, and a secondter both her parents burst out of the tent after her. The Gnolls of the Demas Metal tribe saw a little girl running, racing into the Meeting of Tribes, as fast as she had ever run. Away, away from these impostors and this lie.


    Away.


    Revtion. Chaldion had spoken and put into motion an inevitable event. Nudged it in the direction he thought would be best.


    The tribes were full of voices. People stood around, stunned, arguing, disbelieving. They barely noticed the little Gnoll girl racing through the midst of themuntil a Chieftain and hundreds of Gnolls followed after her.


    At first, she just ran. Away from that thing. Then she ran for someone she knew, anyone. But she didnt know this ce, and she was terribly afraid that shed run into a hunter.


    Get her! Grab her!


    She heard Mrells voice. Desperate. Afraid. For her? She didnt care. Even knowing the danger, she didnt want to be anywhere near him.


    But it seemed that more Gnolls had heard and seen the chase and wereing after her. She dodged left as someone whirled.


    <i>There! That one!</i>


    Someone dove for her. She saw an adult warrior. <i>No.</i> Mrsha leaped over him, and now she was fleeing for her life.


    Another tribe had found her! She looked around for the one thing that would keep her safe. Silverfang. Or the Golden Gnoll. She had to find them.


    <i>That girl. Grab her, on the Chieftains orders!</i>


    And it was not a Demas Metal Gnoll who spoke, but another warrior from another tribe. A stranger. Mrsha ran left, wide-eyed. This was her end? She looked around for that glitter of gold. She saw something bright. Golden. Was that?


    No. Not Qwera. Mrsha desperately raced past Gnolls forming a wall and signaling others who joined in. She raced left, saw she was headed for another tribes camp, and saw more Gnolls running to block her in. She frantically spun around.


    There she is. <i>Get</i>


    Mrsha <i>leaped</i> as someone raced toward her. She <i>bounced</i>, pushed off a chest, and vaulted <i>over</i> the Gnolls head. For a second, she did a flip through the air, just as Wer had taught her. The [Grasshoppers Run]. She <i>strained</i>, though she had not the Skill. Fly. Back to her mother. <i>Let me l</i>


    A pair of paws caught her. Someone <i>leaped</i> and yanked Mrsha out of the sky. Paws dragged her to earth, and it was not Mrellwho stopped, suddenly afraidor Prha, or any Gnoll Mrsha knew. A Chieftain calmly caught Mrsha and held her up.


    Is this the one?


    Its her.


    Mrsha went still. She looked for that golden glitter, but it was only fake gold on fur. No Qwera.


    <i>Why, then, is there still gold? </i>She looked up and, through the clouds, saw something shining down.


    A golden ray of light. And the Chieftain who held her was illuminated by it. It yed over her dyed fur, and she smiled as she turned.


    Is this the girl, niece?


    Feshi Weatherfur exhaled. She looked at Mrsha and the little white patch, quickly blocked by Chieftain Torishi Weatherfurs paw. She nodded toward their camp and all the Weatherfur, Ekhtouch, Longstalkers Fang, and Silverfang Gnolls who hade searching for her.


    Thats her.


    Demas Metals here. I recognize Chieftain Mrell. Signal our people. He cannot shout, or it will be dangerous.


    Torishi murmured. She lifted Mrsha up, into the ray of light.


    I found the troublemaker! Alls well!


    Mrsha stared around. Troublemaker? <i>Me?</i> She saw a figure starting toward her, face filled with relief.


    <i>Mri!</i>


    Vetn? And there was Qwera, pushing through the crowd, and Tkrn, and that Human girl, andMrsha looked at Torishi, and the Weatherfurs Chieftain smiled.


    Hello. Dont worry. Youre safe. Are those Gnolls after you?


    She looked past Mrsha at Mrell and Prha. Mrsha didnt know what to say, so Torishi nodded in answer to her own question. She looked tired. Worn from her duties on the scrying orb council, though it was still ongoing. She jerked her head at Feshi.


    Lets go, Feshi. Come, child. Youre safe now.


    Mrsha didnt know if she was. But then Weatherfur Gnolls were around her, escorting their Chieftain to their camp and her private Chieftains tent, telling the others all was well. Andescorting Chieftain Mrell and Prha forward. They stood in her tent as Torishi spoke.


    Feshi, standing behind her Chieftain, Mrsha, sitting just behind the impressive Chieftain of the Weatherfur tribe. Warriors standing outside, and an audience behind them, lined across the entrance and walls, her friends, Vetn, Qwera, Tkrn, strangers like Inkar, all of them listening, trying to understand what was ying out before their eyes. Torishi knew. She looked at the two Gnolls standing in front of her, almost as if they were on trial.


    Chieftain Mrell. I trust you will listen first. Speak after. I do not know what you may thinkbut this child is under Weatherfurs protection. Weatherfur, Silverfang, Ekhtouch, Longstalkers Fang, and Liscors.


    Chieftain Torishi had Mrsha right next to her. She did not know everything. She looked at Mrell warily, and he didnt know what to say. So Torishi went on.


    Before you say anythingthis is a time of great change. Everything is unrest. If you dere heranathema, as some tribes might, I will not stand idly by. I would not have tribes do battle. So I ask you to listen.


    No, Chieftain Torishi. That wasnt


    Feshi nced at Mrell, who was lost for words. She was behind Torishi, eying the Weatherfur warriors who were far backbut would notice any slight gestures she made. Vetn had run off somewhere to tell Krshia, who was <i>still</i> with Akrisa, debating the issue worldwide.


    Krshia didnt know. Torishi didnt know, because the sun shone down as radiantly as the intense smile on her face, ready for trouble, a warning re. Such powerfully bright light. Her wariness was because she had no idea.


    And what could Mrell say? He looked at Mrsha.


    It is not that, Chieftain Torishi.


    Really? Then <i>what?</i>


    Qwera looked straight at Mrsha, bending down to whisper.


    Mrsha, are you all right? Did he do anything? Or are we gutting him?


    Mrsha shook her head, but she didnt know


    Mrell looked at Mrsha. He looked at Prha, who was shocked, unable to process it allthe tense Gnolls, Tesy with his paintbrush held in a threatening manner, Torishis intense readinessand then looked down at his paws.


    He still held something. A crumpled bit of paper. He stared at itthen, without a word, held it out. His paw shook.


    Torishi frowned. But she stepped forward, took the paper, and read it. The Chieftain of Weatherfur stared at the words.


    I hate cursive. What does this?


    Her brows furrowed together. She looked up at Mrell, twisted her head to Mrsha. It was not a hard thing to put together, but the message needed to be understood. Then she got it. She nearly dropped the bit of paper.


    Oh.


    Qwera didnt know what Torishi now knew.


    Ysara was here, and she had none other than the Demas Metal de aimed not so casually toward the very Chieftain who made it. What a funny coincidence. Ha. Ha.


    Qwera addressed the child.


    Mrsha, tell me what happened. Why are you shaking? Ysara, get ready to stab him.


    Qwera was watching as the little Gnoll child wrote. Trying to exin. Trying to encapste all that had happened in such a short amount of time.


    Mrsha looked up as Torishi sighed. Slowly. Painfully.


    Lower your sword, Merchant Ysara. This Gnoll is notan enemy. I think.


    Mrell looked up as Ysara hesitated. The woman raised a brow, but for answer, Torishi passed her the bit of paper. Feshi walked over.


    You couldnt understand until you saw the clue that put it all together. But the paper was one of the fastest ways to get it. That, the messageMrsha felt her shoulders shaking. She heard Feshi muttering, a gasp.


    Who are? You mean?


    Tkrn and Inkar walked over.


    Gireshia arrived, striding through the knot of guards like a giant. One drew their de on her, and she flicked it out of the warriors grasp.


    Peace! Ekhtouch is here to help. Where is the girl? Whats happening?


    She stopped, spotted the paper, read it backward through the transparent paper in Torishis spotlight, and looked around.


    Hm. You and you.


    Gireshia looked at Mrell and Prha. She seemed pleased with herselfthen realized she was going to have to wait for everyone else to catch up. She tapped Inkar on the shoulder and whispered to exin.


    Thats this girls


    Lehra Ruinstrider barreled into the tent a secondter with Suxhel, who did the same trick, immobilizing a guard before they could block her with one huge eye. The rest of her team slowed, but Mrsha heard none of the exnations, the chatter.


    She was trying to write something to Qwera, but she couldnt. She saw Torishi walk back toward her and crouch.


    Mrsha Silverfang? Or is itMrsha of The Wandering Inn?


    Tkrn must have told her. She had it wrong. It was <i>Mrsha du Marquin</i>. That was all she wanted, though she could do without the du.


    That was all she wanted. And nowMrell was looking at her. Prha was beginning to reach out but was held back by a wall of Mrshas friends and protectors. Torishi nced at them.


    I take it you two have never met.


    Chieftain Torishi. The story is


    Tkrn <i>gasped</i> loudly.


    <i>Hes the father who got exiled? I thought he was dead!</i>


    Mrsha flinched. Inkar looked at her, then instantly she and Lehra <i>stomped</i> on Tkrns feet. Gireshia raised her foot as well but decided against it.


    Now it came out: Mrell and Prha were in the center of another kind of spotlight. What else was there to do but exin?


    Mrsha didnt hear it. She heard him speaking, in a shaking voice, saying it less coherently than he had said it in his tent. She didnt listen.


    She had a quill in one paw and a bit of paper in the other. She was still trying to say something. She had dropped her activation rune. And that wasnt her voice anyway, just some prerecorded messages. Only what should she say?


    Herparentsthe Gnolls who had brought her into this world, rather, and then abandoned herstood here, in Torishis tent.


    Chieftain Mrell, who had saved her from being seen by Chieftain Xherw. Who looked guilty in his sessful tribe. Prha, who had thought Mrsha was a spirit.


    <i>I will protect you. </i>Words many people had said, that Chieftain Mrell had said. The thing he called himself. Which he had no <i>right</i> to say. Lyte had earned the right.


    Mrell was staring at Mrsha. Longingly. Desperately.


    Mrsha refused to meet his gaze. Now. Now, only nowshe began to write. Her paw began to shake. Her shoulders trembled.


    Tears fell out of her eyes. Only here, only now, as Chieftain Torishi, basking in the sunlighting through the top of her open tent, bent. She did not know Mrsha, but her face was kind.


    You have traveled a long way, Mrsha. Even here, much has happened. Too much in one moment. What is it you wish to say?


    Mrsha wrote, hand shaking. Tears rolled down her face, dripping from the fur around her chin. She held something out to Torishi. The Weatherfur Chieftain read it, slowly.


    Nowatst, this was the only thing Mrsha could think to write.


    <i>I want to go home. To Liscor.</i>


    She was done. She wanted to go home, now. With her mother. She wanted to go home, go back in time, lie in her room, and erase this ce from ever having happened. Even if it meant that she never would have met Qwera, Vetn, and Tesy.


    Torishi sighed. She looked back, and the sunlight was not the harsh light of warning. Even so, Mrell and Prha flinched. Urksh had looked like that once.


    It was the look of a Chieftain. But Torishi did not shout at them to <i>leave. </i>She looked at Mrsha. Then she walked around the tent, to the scrying orb that still broadcast the arbitration council, now engaged in arguments, debate about what should be done.


    There was dissension in the Meeting of Tribes. Confusion. <i>Anger.</i> Could there truly be traitors among them? Torishi looked at the white patch on Mrshas wrist. And therey an entire world of knowledge.


    When Torishi spoke, she sounded very tired. She did not address her words to Feshi, or to Mrell, or even to Mrsha alone. Just to herself and the tent. The world and no one.


    We are a bitterly cruel people. We put tribe in front of person. We quarrel, and we diminish in our smallness, our shortsighted pride. We have descended into madness. And we are hated, hunted by other species. We hate and hunt each other. There is little good, on those dark days, that I can say about Gnolls.


    She looked up at the sun, which vanished behind a cloud, then turned her head. Mrsha saw the light vanish. Rain did not fall. Torishi shook her head.


    But that is what I can say of every people who has ever lived. We try. Sometimes, in the trying, we seed. And we are glorious. Right now? I look at a brave girl who survived killersing after her. Who traveled across Izril and survived, despite all odds. Who has a story that stretches before and after her and already makes her something of a legend.


    She looked at Mrsha, then pointed to Mrell and Prha.


    Over yonder, I see two very small, very petty Gnolls who did what the worst of us have always done.


    One of the two stirred. Prha opened her mouth.


    Hey


    Torishis single nce made her fall silent. She walked back over to Mrsha. The girl did not want to look at either of her parents, and Torishi knelt.


    I know this is a painful moment for you, Mrsha. So listen to me. Close your eyes.


    Mrsha did. That was easy. Torishi murmured, very gently.


    There sits Chieftain Mrell of Demas Metal. And, I think, Prha of Sofang. You know what they are. What they im? You know that too. I do not know all of what they said. But you sit in my tent, in my tribe. So I say this: as you close your eyes, you do not need to open them and see them again.


    Chieftain Torishi


    Be <i>silent,</i> Mrell. Weatherfur is speaking.


    Chieftain Eska snapped.


    Torishi waited.


    If you do not want to, Mrsha, when you open your eyes, you will not see them. If you do wish toand I believe someday you shouldChieftain Mrell will be there. You will speak with him and he with you, if you so desire. But remember. No matter what you chooseyou do not owe either one of them anything. You do not need to love them. You do not need to listen to them.


    Mrsha listened desperately as that kind voice went on. She squeezed her eyes shut.


    Neither of them can take you or force you to do anything. They <i>can</i> hurt you, by kindness or thoughtlessness or cruelty. What you take, and what you give, is your choice. I only ask that you think. You do not need an answer for all these troubles. Just tell me when you are ready. What do you want, right now?


    Mrsha trembled. Because that was exactly what she wanted to be asked. She reached out, and a big paw let her <i>squeeze</i> it. Mrsha cried. She wanted to go home. And she wanted her mother.


    She knew what she wanted right now. Slowly, Mrsha wrote and gave Torishi a bit of paper.


    Feshi Weatherfur saw the others talking in her camp. Such an unlikely alliance. Ekhtouch, famously reclusive; Silverfang; Longstalkers Fangand Demas Metal.


    But not their Chieftain. He had left, as had Prha, to their own tribes, silent. Neither had the words yet to begin toprehend this moment.


    Only three Gnolls remained in the tent. One was Torishi, the other Feshi. Thest was the Gnoll girl with white fur, albeit covered by her fake brown fur. Feshi couldnt take her eyes off her.


    Tkrn had only said a few things. But his remarks had been like the Professors storieshere was a girl who had survived Goblin Lord and Raskghar.


    <i>Doombringer</i>no. Feshi listened. That was what Torishi had done. Feshi had been afraid of what her Chieftain would do, but now Torishi sat with Mrsha, who had stopped crying and was blowing her nose. Torishi was speaking, softly.


    I was once told there was a time when Doombringer was not the name they called you. But we <i>have</i> forgottenI know part of why we began hating your kind. Such terrible daysbut it was not your kinds fault, nor was it ours alone. It was a tragedy, and we must not let it repeat itself.


    Torishi had been a [Shaman]. Yet Feshi had known with every fiber of her being that Torishi would not kill a child, white fur or not. So she came over as Torishi stroked Mrshas head.


    But you shall not die. That is my promise. And it is written twice, because we were wrong about magic. Silverfang showed us the truth. So when Krshia Silverfang and Tkrn shout that we have been <i>fools,</i> I listen. Here is my niece, whom I trust. Do you know her?


    Mrsha looked up. Feshi bent over and smiled.


    My name is Feshi. Youre Mrsha, arent you?


    The Gnoll looked at the famous [Strategist]. Yet Feshi didnt think Mrsha was the one most impressed by the meeting.


    They had much to tell each other. But not now. Today was a day of great revtions. Great news. Thingsing together.


    Too much. So when Feshi took Mrshas paw and led her from the tent, the others blinked at the strange girl.


    She hadbrown fur. But someone had dabbed green and red on her and other colors besides. She had gold ears, courtesy of Qwera and Weatherfur.


    Inkar pped her hands together.


    Oh! How smart!


    Feshi had covered Mrshas white patch.


    Torishi came out of the tent.


    We have much to do.


    You have never said truer words, Torishi.


    Eska walked over. Torishi smiled.


    But not <i>we</i> as in, we here. You and I, Eska, we have much to do, yes? This child will go with Feshi. And I entrust her to her guardians, who will not let her out of their sight.


    Vetn and Tesy flushed, and Mrsha was amazed they still had their ears.


    Qwera nodded.


    I wont let her out of <i>my</i> sight.


    Tkrn promised too.


    Or mine.


    Torishi raised an eyebrow.


    All of you might be just enough. But I think we have less to fear now, yes?


    What? But Mrsha was right there, and she had her magic wand, her true nature hidden by paint, buteveryone looked at Mrsha, who rubbed one red eye. What did Torishi mean by that?


    As if in reply, as the light faded over the Meeting of Tribes, Torishi led Mrsha and Feshi out of the Weatherfur camp. And there Mrsha saw a sight to take her breath away.


    The Gnolls had stopped watching the council on the news. They had broken up, but they might reconvene tomorrow. Certainly Walled Cities and tribes would shake and tear apart over this. Something had begun.


    But anger and rage could onlyst so long. Right now, there was a feeling in the air. Solemnity. A quiet. But not <i>silence.</i>


    As light faded from the sky, and even as Torishis ce in a permanent spotlight of her own weather turned quiet and still, darkness fell over the camp.


    Yet no one lit torches or braziers. No one reached for a magicalntern or asked a [Shaman] to illuminate the darkness. Instead, Mrsha saw, in the crowd of gathered Gnolls, someone lift something up.


    It was a wand. Bought at a markup from the Golden Gnoll or donated by Wistram, found, and held in an uncertain grip.


    A Gnoll with a wand. Slowly, the tip began to glow with a faint green light. Not the green of any color Mrsha could name. Not the green of any artificial screen but a color mixed in a shade only produced by magic.


    It filled the darkness, touched the silent figures. One light. Others held wands. But there was nothing.


    Thensomeone lifted a staff. They raised it high overhead, nted it, and a shimmering small fire of blue insects, beautiful little insects that flew and melted, rose upward. Mrsha saw another Gnoll, standing on a tform, lift a crystal ball that began to glow from no power but the one in its holders hand.


    So few. So far between. Yet the light shone all the brighter because it was so dark.


    Mrsha saw more lights appear, each one different. And she saw a Gnoll looking down at her.


    Feshi smiled encouragingly. Mrsha hesitatedthen plucked something from her side. A hidden object that no Gnoll could use.


    Orat least until a moment ago. She raised it, slowly, as in the center of the Meeting of Tribes, Ferkr of Pass raised her paw skyward and conjured a vast globe of light.


    Mrshas wandwell, the wand shed stolen from Pisces, but technically he had given it to herterrose into the air. It produced a green-yellow light, like blossoms in spring. Torishi looked up and smiled as the tendril of light grew upward, like a nt. She called out as she and Feshi lifted Mrsha to their shoulders.


    Look upon this child of Weatherfur! Look and know the truth of it forever! Let them never lie! Never shall we forget this injustice! <i>Never!</i>


    Some Gnolls took up the call. Others just looked at Mrsha, many with tears in their eyes.


    In the distance, a Gnoll, a Chieftain, stood and saw the distant girl. Chieftain Mrells eyes fixed on her. Right there. So far away, yet so close.


    A little Gnoll girl. With a shining light from the tip of a magic wand.


    She gasped, and he heard it in that quiet moment. A small intake of breath, wondering.


    Mrsha du Marquin looked around, and there they were. So many faces smiling at her. For having magic. Despite everything that had happened, as she sat there on the two shoulders, she felt it. A beautiful connection with everyone here. Mrsha looked at Tkrn, at Vetn, standing next to Tesy as the Drake painted the scene and showed it to Gireshia, who was leaning over to watch, and Lehra waving Suxhels wand and grinning.


    She was among her people. Mrsha breathed out. And then she finally saw it.


    Gnolls, a group of them, pushing through the crowd. Led their way by a pointing Gnoll. One of them cried out and began running, pushing other Gnolls aside, racing toward her. Mrsha felt herself being lowered, and she ran forward so Krshia could sweep her up in her arms and kiss her and hug her properly.


    That was how Mrsha found Krshia. That was her first day in the Meeting of Tribes.


    That night, she ate with Krshia and Feshi, who were listening and reading the notes she passed around, as Vetn mmed up about his real profession and Gireshia yed with Inkars iPhone, listening to <iputer</i>, movie, and inn with ears that twitched.


    But everyone listened, putting together a story to bind all other tales together into one, connected by amon thread. And though there was much more that happened that was goodand she knew she would have to see Mrell again, and there was more to worry about and dofor today, this was enough. Mrsha fell asleep in Krshias arms.


    Not before she had done onest thing, though. Onest super-important thing.


    She sent a simple [Message] this time. No games. No plots. No cursive. It had one recipient, and it was something only that recipient would understand. To Lyte, in Oteslia, her daughter wrote:


    <i>Im here. Find me with everyone, Mother. I miss you.</i>


    <strong>Authors Thoughts:</strong>


    There exists a guidebook of grammar rules. I believe its Perdue or something. It indicates, among the many rules, that you should end quotations with punctuation inside the quotation marks. Like I write like this.


    It is disgusting, I refuse to do it, and I will not bow down to the tyranny of some random people who sound like a weird cheese you put into a fondue telling me how to write. Simrly, I do other things that are not grammarly correct, but are my style.


    Ahem. All this to say that I felt bad when Barbara got her edits back to me, because the one thing I did have to disagree with in her first draft <i>was</i> her notes on dialogue. And thats my fault because I have not told any of the three editors that I use a stylized dialogue with no tags. Thats not her fault; its on me and Im going to remember with those in the future.


    I also feel bad, sometimes, because when I write these edited chapters, Ive felt like Ive flipped a coin. Either it needs <i>huge</i> work and substantive edits on a plot/narrative level like Interlude  Pisces or it has really good bones like this one and Erins chapter.


    I dont write a meh chapter, I guess. But each editor has done something rather different and this time, I was introduced to an <i>amazing</i> line edit job. I dont know if thats the term, but if you looked at the original chapter and this one, I think youd find more differences on a line-by-line level than the other two chaptersbined.


    It had to be at least a thousandments, I think. So many that when I uploaded it to Google Docs, it actually started crashing the browser. It was a huge amount of work and I wonder if youll see the changes because I think it tightened up prose and changedprehension immensely.


    Which is a lot of what I learned. More than anything, I have a problem with a stato narrative and I sometimes forget to rify when I write for like 7 hours straight. Thatshonestly something I dont think I can fix on a first draft, but I will keep it in mind. And thats why editing is so useful.


    A huge amount of effort, such that I think that this kind of chapter would go really well with someone like Andrea reading it in audio because its just improved. Tightened up, things fixed. Except for the names. Nothing will save Andrea from Klbkchhezeim. Or NaltharNathIm going to introduce his cousin, Androitixculeoum-adus.


    The point is that I found that I could trust Barbaras edits, which was really good given how many there were. Signs of a good editor is that you can re-write in my narrative style, which she did. I was very pleased to work with her! However, I think the process had to be a killer for both her and meI spent four hours going through the edits and I cannot imagine how long it took to <i>write</i>.


    More than anything, this is what I want for a chapter that matters. And I think this chapter does matter. I hope you agree, and also rememberI wrote this <i>exactly</i> one week ago. This was fast editing, and good stuffs. Get an editor. Maybe dont pay them at a contest rate. I hope youre now looking forwards to the next edited chapterthey make me push harder and I think theyre all some of my best. Thanks to Barbara, me, and me and Barbara and not you because you didnt write this or edit it. But maybe thanks for reading.


    pirateaba


    <strong>Unedited Chapter and Cover Letter arebined in the following /2021/10/27/8-49-m-unedited/</strong>


    <strong><strong>Lyte by quenesu!</strong></strong>


    <strong><strong>Twitter: /qenesu</strong></strong>


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    <strong><strong><strong>Fetohep by Dr.replig8r!</strong></strong></strong>


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    <strong>Imani and Palt, Elir and Hexel, and more by /illudanajohns<strong>Commission info:</strong></strong>


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