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“Yes yes, and here she is, of course, Miss Skeks Kestra, I hope I have it right." Samin was in a pleasant mood for the meeting, the man always was on for the correct circumstances. A few words in the right ears ensured that by morning everyone in town knew the mayor was receiving the hero gnoll, sole survivor of her pack and savior to the tot currently in the care of the realm's best. The walk to his office was just as much an attraction as anything could be in Husinbiu. These were good farm folk, so naturally they were out on necessary morning business, the neighbors and businesses they were visiting just happened to be on the route between the camp and the mayor's residence. Purely by coincidence mind you.

Skeks, it seemed, liked the attention about as much as Ferad did. The only good to come of the fanfare was Shield's presence, with her house being among the first to catch wind of the scheduled event. Before they left the camp, Ferad gave solid council, walk with authority and confidence, but not to the point of intimidation. Skeks was having problems with the last part, she wasn't hostile, but she wasn't what anyone would call approachable either. Aloof maybe? While Ferad pondered the proper wording for the situation, Skeks was left facing the rather squat mayor whose head just barely topped her stomach in height.

Shield filled the awkward silence, "Yes mayor, this is Warrant Officer Kestra, though you'd have to ask her if Skeks would be fine." Ferad had a simple hands off approach, if things looked like they were heading in the wrong direction, he'd nudge them back on the right course. Braxton seemed of similar mind, but the Sub-commander was taking a more hands on approach in her coaching this situation.

The smile broadened under the thin mustache, Samin had even waxed the ends into a fine curl, “Of course, of course, no disrespect intended. I just hadn't heard your rank until this moment." The mayor took hold of her hand. To her credit, Skeks didn't immediately yank it away, but his actions had earned a slightly curled lip, of which he was blissfully unaware, “But do let me know your preference, as I would be horrified if I gave offense."

“Just Skeks," though tense, she was making allowances for his unknown transgressions. Taking the hand of a lady you've just met was only within manners for those of high station. The average person wouldn't be so forward, and whatever the norm was for gnolls, Ferad was pretty sure this wasn't it. Samin was used to dealings with merchants of house and minor nobility, not someone with a completely foreign culture.

“Ah, then Miss Skeks, please do come in and tell me of your yourself and your adventures over tea." Samin linked his arm through hers, a gesture which was both not appreciated and comical given the difference in their height. As the mayor led the group from the foyer he looked back briefly, “Of course, the Commander and his staff are all welcome too."

Once the mayor turned back, Shield gave a worried glance in Ferad's direction. While the man had probably marched across every line of acceptable behavior, he'd done so in complete ignorance and without malice. Ferad shrugged, there wasn't much he could do apart from letting things play out. Skeks would have to determine what she found to be beyond tolerance as well as the best way to handle the situation should it come to that point. So long as she didn't hurt the mayor, much anyway, the best thing was to leave it to her discretion.

* * *

“And, if you have any questions about our village, anything at all, please don't hesitate to stop by. I'll, of course, see to it myself." Samin ended his little speech with a flourish and bow. Skeks nodded politely, if hurried, and turned. As she walked past Ferad, the look she gave was anything but pleasant.

“Mayor, thanks for your time and hospitality." It wasn't flowery language by any stretch, but short and sweet got them out quickly and Ferad wasn't about to keep his new Warrant Officer in the mayor's presence any longer than necessary.

Once they reached the camp, both Braxton and Shield excused themselves, camp duties for Braxton while Shield was still on leave, which left him to deal with the situation. Skeks had managed to keep her growl only barely audible during the walk back. Her manners during the meeting were perfect from his point of view, she'd even humored Samin's request to go on a walking tour of the town. All in all, a far better success than he thought would happen.

As they stepped through the tent, she turned around, fierce, angry and snarling, but stopping short of actually going at him. Aside from far more pomp and circumstance than needed, the mayor hadn't really done anything untoward that he could see, far from it actually. “Mind telling me what's got you worked up?"

“Once, but never again," Skeks nearly spat the words, Gods was she livid. “He has no right, you either!" The last was punctuated by a snarl mere inches from his face. “I may be packless, but am no one's prize, I will not be passed off and shown like one." She began pacing, muttering to herself in whatever tongue gnolls used outside of human influence.

“Skeks," she didn't even hear him. When had her mood first soured? Come to think of it, she hadn't been at ease since the very start of the meeting, right at the introductions. Was that it? Ferad braced himself and reached out as she was about to stalk past him, taking her by both shoulders, “Skeks."

She knocked one hand loose and grabbed him by the shirt collar, pulling him face to face, “Don't touch me." At least he had his answer. Her growl began to subside, but she wasn't any less enraged, “You are not of my pack, an Alpha would never have done that."

Ferad glanced down at her hand. Had anyone else tried that stunt, they'd be picking themselves up off the floor, gnoll, human or otherwise. “Skeks, I'm going to forget that just happened, but you're going to reign it in, and I mean right now." His own intensity matched hers, a situation like this one could cause all kinds of problems later on depending on who was on the receiving end. “First off, let go." He waited until she finally released his shirt. He took a moment to smooth it out, this gave her a bit of time to regain her composure as well. “Now then, if I thought for one second Samin was slighting you or doing anything underhanded, I'd punt him hard enough he'd roll ass over end a few times, especially since I'd chatted with him yesterday."

Skeks watched him intently, probably trying to see if there was any deception in his words. Perhaps he'd done more harm than good in testing her, but at least he knew she was capable of restraint, and she'd shown as much in not dealing with the mayor directly in spite of what had been building up.

Ferad took a deep, slow breath, letting the tension leave his body. “I think I have the full of the matter." Now how was he supposed to explain it, did gnolls even have a class structure? “Samin was treating you as he would a noblewoman. For people that run in those circles, politeness is pretty hands on compared to what you or I deal with." Ferad shrugged, “The hand holding, arm linking, all of it. And yes, he was using you to bolster his image, but that's because you're the person of the hour, not that he's trotting you out like a show horse. I think the contact is supposed to be building familiarity or something of the sort anyway, maybe taking the time to be a proper escort. Personally, it's a bit forward for me and another reason I don't do well in politics."

Skeks waited for him to finish before shaking her head, “This is not how packs work." As his explanation continued she began to calm down, her hackles were no longer standing on end, but she was still displeased. “For us, only our pack, and then only those very close, are allowed that kind of contact." Her ears went back, “Being led around like that is what happens to those that are broken. Displayed as possessions and used as such."

Ferad scowled at the term. Among the Scourge were those whose specialty was to destroy the free will of a captive and make them a more than willing slave, mind-breakers they were called. People that had been broken, as she put it, were subjected to all manner of mistreatment, and the worst part was their minds were twisted to the point they couldn't function outside of those circumstances. It wasn't uncommon for freed humans to flee their saviors to return to the packs. “That was the part I wasn't aware of. Next time, if something like this happens, talk to me. Let me know and I'll deal with it. I can see why it wouldn't sit right, but we don't know much about how the packs behave, apart from the battlefield, and Samin had the opposite intent."

Skeks nodded, “I know this now, but should have realized before." She sighed heavily, choosing to sit on the bedding. “For us, pack is everything, our family as your kind say, and I have none." Her soft high pitched laughter held no warmth, “You honor an honorless position, the last survivor of a pack is one who lives by the sacrifice of her packmates. Every time this is mentioned, it is a mockery, even if by accident."

At first using Kestra for her last name just seemed like an obvious choice, and later he thought it was a nice little reminder that the Scourge failed, should they ever hear of it. That she'd see it in this way wasn't even something he considered. “Skeks, let me ask you one question. The humans, they hired the Kestra as guides, didn't they?"

“Escorts. They already knew their route but feared bandits. We numbered seven, enough to hold against what they feared." What she left unsaid was that the Kestra lacked sufficient numbers to defend against the Scourge. If the travelers were being hunted, and it wasn't just shit luck they encountered them rather than normal bandits, not telling their escorts the entire situation was the likely cause of their end.

“I see." Ferad watched for any sign of her reactions as he spoke, “There's not much I can say about how your people would view this situation. I can, however, tell you a few things as a Commander. I've been reading battlefields for a long time, and there's no disgrace to be had by you or your pack. You finished off three, maybe four, by yourself at the end alone. That's no small feat, and it's all the harder when you include keeping the kid safe. Before that, the Kestra were outnumbered and trying to defend soft targets. It's not a situation anyone walks out of. That's the reality here." Ferad's memory of the field combined with the knowledge of her pack's insignia had given him enough to know how the combatants aligned and a fair recreation of the events that night. “This may be from a human perspective, but you should be damned proud of the Kestra and of yourself, so keep their values living and carried on with you."

Skeks said nothing, not that he expected her to, but it still made it difficult to judge how she was taking his words. She was visibly drained, physically and emotionally, and on top of that, he was an outsider trying to tell her how she should feel. He wasn't made for this kind of situation, hell even Braxton would probably handle it better. For better or worse, he was a Commander first and foremost, and somewhere far behind that were a few shreds of humanity being dragged along.

As Ferad turned to leave the tent, one thing came to mind that he could do, “Whatever last rights your people observe, you'll be able to see to them tonight." Everyone deserved this much, a chance to pay respects to their fallen comrades. "If it's not against your ways, I'd like to be there." The Kestra had fought and died to protect humans, so it was fitting one should be there to pay tribute if her traditions allowed it.

Skeks shook her head, “Tonight and tomorrow both. You help." Whatever else her thoughts on the matter were, they remained her's alone.

* * *

Ferad pressed his seal against the folded parchment, the last section of his report on the past three days was finally complete. It'd taken the better part of several hours, but the kingdom would need enough information to decide exactly what their response, if any, should be to this situation. Naturally, his decisions regarding Skeks were included. If anything reached the eyes of the King, this would, and at the very least it'd be discussed within the higher ranks at the capital. Ferad stood from the table, taking a moment to stretch before placing the documents into the satchel that he'd taken from the camp. His house was the only place quiet enough to finish the reports in any reasonable amount of time, anywhere else and he'd be dealing with non-stop interruptions for less important matters. The only thing amiss was his front door, but the town's carpenter had assured him it would be seen to in the next day or so.

Skeks had been out and about during the afternoon, visiting the few shops the town had to offer though she hadn't any coin to spend yet. The mayor's tour, though infuriating, had at least provided her with an introduction to the shop keepers. Part of his report included a request for a recruitment bonus, armaments and small amount of personal funds would go a long way towards easing Skeks into life within the command. Braxton had done an admirable job of keeping track of her without intruding on her person, a skill necessary to occupy as many beds as he did and not get in trouble on a daily basis.

The sky was beginning to change color as Ferad entered the camp, the evening drills were concluding right on schedule. Holding formations and being in the right position was as important as knowing how to swing a sword properly when it came down to winning a battle, and his training methods reflected this. Braxton saluted quickly as he approached, “Evening Commander. Same as this morning, no issues with the patrols. I've held the last messenger as ordered."

“Good. I've got my report here. It goes straight to the capital." As he passed the satchel over, he figured the time frame for an answer. Three to four days one way, add a day or two for the ministers to decide on a course of action, and another four days back. Then round up for anything unexpected. “Send word that we're here for another two weeks to the fort. The WO and I will be surveying the field tonight and all day tomorrow. Let Shield know."

“I'll see to it. Officer Kestra's already back at your tent, scouting packs are ready to go too."

* * *

“No." Skeks looked dubiously at the dried meat. In truth it was barely stomachable for him too, but this was what came in the scout packs. No preparation, quickly edible, and bland enough to leave virtually no smell behind. In the right circumstances it served its purpose well, but here they had a choice in the matter. While gnolls were infamous for being able to eat just about anything, it didn't mean they lacked preferences. “We will hunt before much longer."

Ferad had both spear and crossbow along with his scout pack, while Skeks had elected to forgo gear altogether apart from her armor and the the small bits she kept in her belt pouch. She had been scenting the air periodically for the past few miles, head held high and sniffing from time to time. The road's proximity to the forest increased their chances of encountering wild game. Animals would occasionally cross the treeline to take advantage of the softer grasses. By treaty those in the forest were under the protection of the elves, but the animals which left its borders were open to the hunter's bow.

“Can you use this?" Skeks eyed the crossbow which hung from the side of his pack. Ferad wasn't an archer by any stretch, his own skills were rooted firmly in the staff, but he practiced the crossbow on occasion and knew how to load and aim the thing.

“Well enough, but it takes a bit to set up." Experts could manage two shots a minute, and he wasn't one.

“Then don't miss." Her grin and soft laughter told him enough, she had scented something and he was given the task to bring it down. Gnolls hunted in packs, running their prey and harassing it as wolves did if scavenging wasn't an option. In smaller numbers, flushing prey toward a waiting ally was also a common tactic. The wind was with them, coming from the southwest which brought the scents from the forest to them and pushed their own away from whatever was ahead.

Ferad moved away from the road, ducking down in the taller grasses and readying the crossbow. He watched as Skeks slunk along the roadway, circling wide to the east before her shape merged silently into the darkness. Whatever she had found better be of size, the bolts could go through a man and still kill the one behind. Apart from landing the killing shot, his other duty was to remain quiet, still, and unseen. Several minutes had passed, there was little else stirring as he knelt in wait save for the sounds of the insects.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as that high pitched laughter broke through the silence. Even though he wasn't the one being hunted, the sound still unnerved him. It was entirely different from when she'd found mirth in their conversations, this rendition lacked any warmth or charity, only the promise of a fierce engagement and death. His mind was brought back on the task at hand by the vibrations running across the ground. She'd managed to get behind a deer herd, and was driving it straight along the roadside. He was just able to make out the bounding shapes heading toward him in the moonlight, catching sight of antlers on one of the animals. The crossbow was level with the top of the grass, hidden but ready. He waited until the bolt lined up just left of center from the buck's chest before pulling the trigger.

The buck reared up in surprise causing the rest of the herd to scatter to either side. Ferad knew the shot was good, he heard it make contact, but beyond that he couldn't say. The huntsmen had always advised going for a lung or heart shot, and this was his intention, a quick clean kill. Ferad readied his spear in case the buck charged, they could run after being hit and he was fairly sure those antlers were turned in his direction.

The buck's attention was focused on him as it lowered its impressive rack. The blasted thing should have dropped by now, but his aim might not have been true after all. Even though his spear had reach, a full charge could still be a threat from momentum alone and the stag had running room. Its ears were flat back against its skull, mortally wounded or no, the thing was pissed and refused to go down quietly. Ferad stood, waiting for the charge as it stomped out its challenge.

The first thing Ferad saw were the outstretched claws followed by glinting teeth. Neither he nor the buck had heard her approach, her paw like feet blended in too well with the sounds of the scattering herd. The stag didn't even get the chance to raise its head before she had bitten clear through the back of its neck, bone and all. Gnoll and deer slid to the ground from the impact, the deer's body going instantly limp while its head twisted at odd angles as the antlers dug into the earth.

Skeks stood from beside the kill, brushing off the dirt and grass which had been kicked up in the buck's final moments and gave herself a small shake to loosen whatever else remained. She gave him a rather curious look as she crunched down the swath which had been removed from the deer's neck. Gnolls were thought to be a mix of hyena and demon, their own religions said as much, and they retained the massive bite force and teeth of the former. Skeks had put both on full display bringing a swift and violent end to their hunt.

Ferad realized that he hadn't moved, the spear was still held in a guarded stance and his own posture was defensive. “Shit. That's one way to make sure he doesn't run off." He forced the tension to leave his limbs, she hadn't done anything wrong, hell she'd made it possible for them bring down the deer in the first place. Hunting near the forest brought the possibility of conflict with the elves, especially deer which could travel several hundred yards before falling. Making sure it didn't bolt was the best course of action.

Skeks swallowed then ran her tongue across and over her blood stained muzzle. “I'd normally use net or bow, but lack these." She'd seen through his rather lame attempt at covering his reaction. “First time on the hunt?" The black orbs regarded him thoughtfully but she didn't seem particularly put off.

Ferad sighed and knelt down to retrieve both the pack and crossbow and get everything stowed properly. “With a gnoll, yes." Perhaps his blunt nature was better here. “Usually I'm on the receiving end of that." He'd been attacked at night several times while on patrol during the conflict, but his adversaries hadn't been able to sneak in that close undetected. “Sorry Skeks, I've been fighting against the Scourge for years and that surprised me," he glanced over at the lifeless buck, “him too for that matter."

Skeks blinked at him, ears pricking forward, “I've been guarded too. While I've had no recent scent, the Scourge were near here just days ago." She stooped down beside the deer, turning it over on its back. “Being caught off guard can be deadly." She laughed softly as she started dealing with the carcass, “Or tasty, if you're not the surprised one."

Hunting with Skeks proved to be eye opening regarding her skills, her species, and his own instincts. It also highlighted how different her people were from his own. Based on his admittedly few experiences hunting, the animals taken were hauled back to camp fairly much in tact and prepared there. Skeks, however, wasted no time in opening the deer's cavity and removing the organs with just claw and tooth. “Hungry?"

Skeks looked up from her task, surprisingly free of gore save for a bit of blood, “Yes, but heart and liver are best eaten quickly regardless. These we share, humans find the rest difficult. The meat we take back." She returned to her work, producing the deer's heart within moments. “Good aim. Right lung hit, clean exit."

“I was wondering, that should've dropped him quickly." There was little wasted effort in her motions, a sure sign of a practiced art. “Done this much?"

“The Kestra work as guides, so yes." She looked up, nodding toward his pack. “You have lamp and oil. You'll need fire unless you are fine with eating these raw. I smell no sickness." Skeks looked down at the liver and weakly quivering heart.

* * *

Ferad gathered tinder and smaller sticks from the forest's edge, though finding anything dry enough for use required a fair amount of searching. The lamp oil made it possible to get a small fire started. Skeks had cut his portion into small strips, quick to both sear and eat, but her's had been spared the fire altogether and consumed raw along with the rest of the innards she considered edible. While he did trust her judgment, a gnoll's sense of smell rivaled that of any hound after all, his own sensibilities required meat to spend at least some time over a fire's heat.

The reason for her lack of gear was simple, hauling both a full pack and the buck would have been cumbersome. The deer was a welcome addition to the camp's food stores, even if it had arrived well past midnight. In exchange for the added provisions, Skeks requested the thighbones from the deer. The cooks were fine with this, though the bones would have made decent stock. Their efficiency in dismantling the deer matched her own back in the field and in short order the bones were handed over.

It was nearly light again by the time they reached the site. The forest bore no signs of the events which passed only days ago. The pyres had been set east of the road, opposite the forest, and a fair distance away at that. Human and gnoll remains had been burned separately, the practice going as far back as the Northern Wars. A temporary stone marker was placed where the human remains had been handled, what ashes could be retrieved from the site had been, with nothing but a mound of upturned earth marking the final resting place of the gnolls. At the time it seemed the proper thing to do, but the Kestra and Scourge had been burned together and intermixed. In truth, there wasn't much they could have done differently, humans certainly wouldn't be able to tell the two apart given the conditions the remains were in. When they returned to the camp, he'd see that a marker was made for the Kestra, the Scourge could remain forgotten and nameless.

Skeks had been quietly working the bones as they walked, both were completely bare by his standards, but she was still finding small bits of tissue here and there to gnaw off. Ferad set his pack down, looking across the field. The patrols passed by here on a semi regular basis, a few hours apart at the most. Beyond that, there wasn't much traffic along this road. The soldiers which fought against Mahozarm's forces would know the feeling of losing someone, a patrol seeing her mourn for the fallen would put her that much closer to themselves.

“You've probably already been by here, but that's where we put everyone to rest." Ferad motioned towards the pyre sites, “The one to the south is where we took care of what remained of the humans, to the north is where the Kestra are. As far as I'm concerned this is your time, so you let me know how this should go. We saw to the needs of the humans as we would handle our own people." He managed to hold his yawn until he finished his thought. They'd been going for a full day, much of it on foot save his writing of the reports, and it was catching up to him.

“We camp and rest for now. The hunt has been made and we stand vigil tonight." Skeks started walking toward the mound, she hadn't so much as glanced back toward the forest. Since they left the camp the second time, she hadn't said much of anything, this being all for the entire distance.

“There's some relatively packed ground around here, might've been a homestead at one point. The fields seem like it anyway. One of them would make a fairly good place for the tent and a fire." In answer Skeks sniffed the air for a few minutes, then looked back and nodded. Ferad shouldered the pack and headed for the spot closest to the sites, just northwest of them.

The scout tents were simple constructs meant for providing quick shelter against the elements and little else. There was room for two if the situation needed it, at least where human soldiers were concerned. Ferad had the tent up in only a few minutes and a small fire pit dug out about fifteen feet away. He'd need some stones to complete it, but with an entire day ahead he had plenty of time before it was needed. He pulled out the bedroll and lamp, laying the former out within the tent and setting the latter aside. “Camp's set. If we're going to make it all night, we should probably get some rest, maybe catch something smaller this afternoon for food."

Skeks had sat at the dirt mound, motionless save for her breathing and every once in a while looking up at the morning sky. She might not have even heard him. He didn't know what thoughts were running through her mind exactly, but if she was anything like a human, it'd be a jumbled mess. Unlike most humans though, she would do everything she could to not show it. Ferad had his own demons in this regard, the shock of losing your entire family left its mark in far too many ways to count. Skeks at least knew where her pack was put to rest and how their remains had been handled. It was more than he had.

Her gaze shifted absently to him as he placed his hand on her left shoulder, “You ok?" She hadn't responded to him at all, even as he approached from the tent she remained perfectly still. Normally her ears would have turned to catch the sound of him moving through the grass.

Skeks blinked, giving her head a small shake as her eyes regained their focus, “Yes." She eventually noticed his hand, placing hers over it briefly, “I'm fine." She stood up, taking note of the surroundings and scenting the air. “It is as you say. We rest for now."

* * *

Ferad woke to the smell of roasting meat and the pops and crackles of a small fire. Judging by the brightness outside, it was mid afternoon. While another hour or two wouldn't have hurt anything, he did feel refreshed. As he emerged from the tent, he noticed the fire pit had been finished out. A small ring of stones lined its outer edge along with some thin branches which were employed as a spit for two unlucky rabbits. The deer bones were set just beyond the spit. “Couldn't sleep?"

Skeks looked up from the fire, “I did, just not long." Considering everything she'd done, it couldn't have been more than a couple of hours and probably far less. She was sitting only a few feet from the stones, keeping the spit within easy reach when it needed turning.

Ferad worked the stiffness from his joints, it'd been a while since he'd slept in a bedroll on any regular basis and his body was complaining at the change. “I can tend to those, it'll be a while before they're done. If it'd help, you can use the tent." Judging by the coloring of the rabbits they'd need about another hour at least before they'd be done.

Skeks watched him for a moment before turning back to the fire, “I'll stay outside, but the rabbits are under your watch." She stretched out along the grass, her head resting on her arms so she could watch the flames.

Ferad nodded then gave the spit a quarter turn before he sat down across from Skeks. Cooking using a spit meant watching over the meat to make sure it didn't burn, and it wasn't a quick process. Several times Skeks drifted off to sleep, lulled by the crackling and flickering lights, but each time she startled awake after only a few minutes.

The rabbits had turned a dark golden-brown color when he pulled them from over the fire. They'd need time to cool before being removed from the spit completely. Skeks sat up, yawning widely, while Ferad rummaged through the scout pack producing a wooden plate and wineskin. Braxton had arranged the pack so the wine would have been thinned down slightly but strong enough to stay a while without going bad. It wasn't high cuisine by any stretch, but the wine would compliment the rabbit meat nicely.

Skeks ate in relative silence, carefully picking out the larger bones and tossing them into the fire as she made her way through the meal. The meat had been piled onto the plate, the rabbits having been roughly quartered once removed from the spit. Ferad gave her a curious glance about half way though, normally a gnoll ate everything, crunching down bones and all. This was an unusual change of pace. After he explained his concern, she laughed softly, “Cooked bones splinter, raw breaks clean."

“Ah, sharp edges then." Having a bone stabbing your esophagus wasn't part of a decent meal. “Wine?" He held the wineskin out. She had provided the rabbits, the least he could do was share the drink.

Skeks hesitated before answering, “Not now." She'd downed several tankards of ale back at the inn. Perhaps it had something to do with the vigil, or perhaps she just didn't care for wine.

“I'll save you some for later then." Ferad took another section of meat from the plate. In truth he was worried about his companion. She'd had moments where her attention wandered, usually late in the evening or early morning, but today she had been especially distracted, even sleeping seemed an impossible task. Skeks took the last section of rabbit, disposing the small bones in the fire and turning her attention to the plate after the meat was gone. He'd wash it later.

She looked up at him after setting the plate down, running her tongue over her muzzle. “What worries you?" She noticed he'd been paying fairly close attention to her throughout the meal.

Ferad sighed, “Honestly, you." Her head turned slightly sideways at his statement. “I know you've said you're fine, but you're not, well, here half the time. Your mind is elsewhere at the very least."

She gave a small huff of annoyance, her ears going back, “And I am fine."

Ferad shook his head, “Skeks, you can't even sleep more than a few minutes at a stretch. That's not normal..."

“For a human, Ferad, yes, it is not normal," she cut him off, venting her frustration in a rather loud exhale. “But remember, I am no human." Skeks locked her gaze with his, “You know of our origin, we are not creations of this world."

“Skeks, the only histories I know are stories passed down from the time of the Northern Wars." Not much of the human kingdoms from before that time survived, even the elves had lost vast libraries. “But it's pretty clear that humans here had never seen gnolls before then."

“Yes, though the elves knew on sight what we were. Even now they are repulsed." For the first time since they arrived she looked back toward the forest, her lip upturned in a snarl, “This is why they did nothing. Demon fought demon, and the humans fools for being involved." Skeks looked back to the fire, “And they are right. Our blood is tainted, Ferad. It is demon's blood which gives us our form, but it is a sword of two edges. On the one, knowledge, cunning, and reason, and on the other cruelty and madness. Most use both edges freely and so follow the path of the Scourge. The Kestra fight with a single edge, though the other is always present as it is for all Light Touched."

Ferad knew well enough what the elves thought, he had researched all the creatures in Mahozarm's forces during his time in the capital. The first known appearance of the Light Touched happened several centuries after the Northern Wars and only a handful of instances were recorded in Alkat. While humans adopted the term readily, the elves still debated if it was even an accurate description.

“Do you know what it is that drives us in battle?" Skeks faced him again, the fire light reflecting in those black orbs.

“I'd always figured the smell. The more blood, the worse things got." Each time he fought against them, the Scourge were driven to a frenzy as the casualties mounted. His experiences in the field matched the histories he'd read in this regard and most attributed it to pure bloodlust.

“That is only half true. The scent of blood carries far, and while this may lead us somewhere it is not what pushes us." She kept watching him, perhaps she was taking note of his reactions, “We can hear outcries of the dead and dying. Nothing as clear as words, we cannot read minds, but fear, anguish, and pain. These are particularly loud." As she spoke, a growl formed just under her words, “To the Scourge, it is a savage offering to their god. I will not describe what happens when the breakers work, but it is far worse than the brutality of the fray. Be glad of what you cannot hear."

Being eaten alive was horrific, though it was far from the worst thing which could be done. “You're right, I can't hear what they've gone through," it was futile to even try to prevent the images from pushing into his mind, “but I've seen it etched in their faces. Both after and during." More than once his attempts at rescues were aborted in favor of a crossbow's mercy. It was doubtful her pack had that option at hand, just how many times had she been through this?

Skeks refused to say anything more on the subject, her ears were flat back against her skull as she stood, taking the deer bones in hand. “You asked why I am distracted. My pack is everything to me. This is true for Scourge as well, but I don't know what they do, if anything, for their own." She handed one of the bones to Ferad, then bit the other into sections while walking toward the upturned earth. A single loud snap sounded as her teeth broke through with each bite. “What we hear from our fallen lingers." She knelt down carefully placing each section on the mound. “If this is because of our closeness as pack, or because of the demon's taint, I do not know. This will tell them our hunt was successful and our pack continues." As she set the last piece down, she looked back, “That is yours to do with as you will."

Eight years ago, Ferad stood at an empty grave. The small stone marker was purely symbolic in nature. Naji's name was on it, and it mentioned their unborn child, though nothing of them was laid to rest there. He turned away from the mound, standing next to the fire with his knife in hand. It took him a fair bit of time, he wasn't versed in carving to begin with, let alone working with bone, but it was at least legible by the time he finished.

Skeks watched quietly as he worked, choosing to sit back in her original spot after completing her task. Ferad brushed off the finished work, blowing the dust and small fragments off as he stowed his knife and sat down next to her, “There we go." He glanced down at the bone, “I can't break this like you can, but if we're sending messages, then it's the best I've got." A rough representation of the Kestra's symbol sat one one side, while the other carried his wife's name. “Since your pack seeks the Light's guidance, they'll be able to find Naji. She can tell them all about the kind of person you've found, and in the meantime, they'll know you're not hunting alone."

Ferad held the carving out to her. It took up far less than a quarter of the bone's length but she studied it for some time, tracing her fingers over the lines and turning it over slowly. Skeks didn't take her eyes from the carving when she spoke, “Was Naji of your pack?"

He knew she'd ask the moment he set to work on the carving, but her losses mirrored his own in too many ways. Even still, he hesitated before answering, “Yeah." Ferad looked down at the fire's glow, trying to focus on anything besides the visions in his memories, “We were childhood friends and married only eight months before Mahozarm attacked Meshra. The initial force was the Scourge, and I was an hour's ride away from the village, training at the garrison."

A sharp snap broke the silence that followed his explanation. He looked over just as Skeks bisected the remaining bone, leaving the carvings sectioned off on their own. She held the piece to him, ears forward and watching him intently, “The message may be from a human, but one of their pack has marked it. It will reach."

Ferad nodded then took the offering to mound, burying it only a few inches below the surface as Skeks remained focused on him. The sudden change in her demeanor had caught him by surprise. He wasn't sure how she viewed his attempt to pay respects to the fallen, but the feeling behind it was genuine. If the rest of the Kestra had been anything like Skeks, Naji would find herself with some rather interesting company.

* * *

Ferad placed another log on the fire causing a bloom of cinders as it settled atop the blaze. Skeks had spoken freely about the members of her pack throughout the night, giving him a glimpse into her world prior to the attack a few days ago. The patrols were running roughly in line with what he expected, three having passed since sundown and it had been about an hour or two since the last rode by, It wasn't as accurate as a clock, but he was keeping time by their passage. The vigil lasted until daybreak, perhaps another three hours remained, and it was time well spent as far as he was concerned.

Skeks held out her belt pouch, turning it over so he could see the leather work, “This was made by Tarkuk three years ago. His skill with leather improved since then." The stitching was well done, if a bit simplistic. It was obvious that the piece had been made with care, and that marked another difference between a Scourge pack and the Kestra. While the one had members that constantly jockeyed for position, the other acted more like an extended family. “This celebrates my joining the hunt."

Ferad looked up from the pouch, “Skeks, just how old are you?" He hadn't taken her for a youngster, but then again, he didn't have much to go on in judging a gnoll's age.

Skeks turned her head to the side, clearly she wasn't expecting such a question. “This is my ninth year." As his own confusion grew, a look of understanding flashed across her features before she laughed softly, “I thought you knew more about us, but I see not in everything. It is a mistake most humans make."

“I just didn't expect you to be so young." She carried the skills of a seasoned warrior, not someone just starting out. It wasn't helping matters that her laughter intensified at his remark.

Skeks shook her head forcing herself to contain her mirth, “And you continue in your mistake. I am old for someone without child, Ferad. We mature far faster than humans do, but we also do not live as long." She took a deep breath, finally putting the last of her chuckling aside, “We can bear young by five years and have full rank in the pack by six. It is rare for us to live much beyond thirty." Skeks put her ears back, “As for me, crossing paths with another Light Touched pack, or even loner, is rare and our numbers have always been too few to find a suitable mate within."

“Learn something new each day, I suppose." It went without saying that part of the problem was the constant threat of the Scourge and the toll they took.

“As we all should." Skeks stood and stretched, forcing her ears to a neutral position and giving herself a small shake. Earlier in the evening she told him the vigil was to remember the fallen and give them assurances the pack lived on, not bother them with the concerns of tomorrow, so she was trying to not dwell on things.

The added log was beginning to come up to temperature, it hissed and smoked as the moisture from the rains was forced from it. Skeks took one of the smaller sticks and poked at the fire, rousing more cinders from its base. Her rounded ears swiveled at the sounds of the night and he could she her sniff the air briefly before sitting down again. Any trace of relaxation had vanished, though she was doing her best to not show it outright.

“Well?" He posed the question quietly, if any were close enough to hear it, they were already in trouble.

“I have another piece to show you, but it's within the tent," Skeks rose again, keeping her pace deliberate as she headed to the tent. If they were being watched, her ruse at least stood a chance at keeping the enemy unaware. Ferad stood, stretching for a moment before following her. He might as well loosen up a bit, it was probably going to be another long night.

As he crouched down and entered, Skeks was sitting and had already pulled her armor over her head and was sliding it in place, “Do not take hold of your spear until we are ready. I suspect we are surrounded, but do not know for sure. It is another pack."

For his part, Ferad had only his padded shirt stowed, for warmth if needed, but it did offer at least some protection. “Listen, we have two things in our favor, the patrol will be here soon and Shield will have picked up on them before now, we just need to hold."

“Do not count on the first," Skeks pulled the lacing taunt on her gear, tying it swiftly. “It was faint, but I scented both blood and gnoll."

Ferad finished pulling the shirt over his normal wear, “Shit." Not a good start. “Assume they caught the patrol and it's not something else. It may take fifteen or twenty minutes for our people from the camp to arrive. Take the dagger from my pack if you're comfortable with using it, the rest we'll come back for."

Skeks pulled the sheath from the scouting pack and attached it to her belt. “They may try to drive us northeast with the wind."

The longer they stayed in the tent the closer their enemies would be when they emerged. Ferad pulled a small piece of cloth out and tied it around her upper arm. “It's my tent banner, I don't want anyone mistaking you for Scourge." He took one deep breath to ready himself, “We push straight north along the road, break through and defend while moving. It won't be much but it'll shorten the distance to our troops and we may draw out the time between their attacks." He grabbed the spear and headed through the tent flap, Skeks issued her own challenge just behind in that insane laughter.

The answering calls sounded from many locations, though none were close enough to be seen. At least ten groups responded, leaving silence in the northeast. Skeks had been right about the ambush. If anything were to come of the ones lying in wait, it'd be a heavier force arriving from the east as they pushed forward rather than a surprise assault. Skeks stayed just behind him, matching his pace. She ran low to the ground, ears back and hackles raised.

A single gnoll stood in the road ahead, barking its challenge toward Skeks in what Ferad only knew as the gnoll's tongue. Skeks maintained her pace, responding in the exact same tone she'd used during the hunt. She laughed at her enemy as though they mattered little more than the deer.

It was odd, being on the other side of that laugh and watching the consternation build on the part of their adversary. How many more were concealed didn't matter, it'd be known soon enough. For now the bastard in the road was their prey, only he didn't know it yet. Ferad raised his voice, adding his own battle cry into the mix while charging forward. Watching the consternation descend into a snarling fit was worth it.

The trap was sprung several yards from where the gnoll stood fuming, his packmates lunging from the tall grasses on both sides of the road. If they expected Skeks to be handicapped by having to guard a human, they were sorely mistaken. Ferad swung the weighted end of the spear into his attacker's ribs with the entirety of his strength. It wasn't as loud as when Skeks bit through bone, but the initial thud and subsequent cracks told him all he needed to know. Skeks surged ahead, veering in front of him right after his swing. He spun, building on the momentum from his first strike and converted it into a slashing attack aimed at his opponent on the other side of the road. The gnoll's charge ended abruptly as it collapsed on the dirt, the spearhead having nearly split the thing in twain.

Skeks remained focused on the leader of the group, trusting in Ferad's ability to deal with the other two. She had closed the distance between them and drawn the dagger in a wide, slashing arc. Her target had little choice but to dodge backward, not doing so meant losing both hands, though this left its middle wide open. Skeks lunged forward, her teeth latching onto the base of the gnoll's throat as the two collided in mid air. She dropped the dagger just before they landed, grabbing her opponent's shoulders and bracing for the impact.

Ferad sprinted forward, glancing back to make sure both his adversaries were dealt with. While the second was sprawled and motionless, the first was trying to rise, a ragged and gurgling growl spilling forth at the effort. Neither posed a threat, and the one alive would hamper the pack's advance if they treated wounds.

As he faced forward, he saw Skeks had the gnoll pinned to the ground, her claws and teeth anchored in the other's flesh. For a moment, Ferad could hear the growled words of defiance from her foe, but that ended instantly as she pushed down hard and reared her head back, pulling and twisting. He could hear the hide and muscle tearing under her jaws as her opponent tried in vain to break her hold. Skeks lunged again, clamping down just above the first bite. This time she planted her foot in the gnoll's stomach before rearing up. In the middle of the violent twisting and shaking, the gnoll's throat gave completely.

Ferad picked up the dagger as Skeks spat out what was rent loose. Thankfully this encounter had been brief, “That's three, but we need to get moving." He held the weapon to her after wiping the dirt from its blade.

Skeks took the dagger and sheathed it, looking back at the would be assailants, “These knew not of your abilities, or of your spear, those that follow will." She swiped her tongue across her muzzle clearing away some of the gore, “When your spear tasted blood, he was distracted by its call. Had I not known of it, I would have been just as surprised." Skeks glanced at the spear, more with curiosity than anything else before looking back down the road. “You are right though, we must move before they overtake us."

Ferad nodded then resumed his previous pace, Skeks taking her position just behind. It wasn't the fastest he could run, but he had to balance their escape against his ability to fight without being winded at the onset. The night was far more suitable for a gnoll's eyes than his own, but even in the darkness he could see the shapes running toward them from the east. Ferad pointed with his spear as he ran.

Skeks moved to beside him, “These may only aim to hold our attention or delay us." She was already looking ahead, perhaps concerned about a second group further along the road. “There are five from the east. What worries me is that I know nothing of this pack, it isn't the same which attacked the Kestra, their smell is different."

That bit of information was worrying indeed. It meant that at least two packs were coordinated, and that the first attack wasn't a random occurrence. There was much to consider later, but their focus had to be on making it through this trial for now. “We'll meet them on the road here. Let them come to us, I'm tired of running anyway." Ferad slowed his pace to a walk, taking the opportunity to control his breathing and ready himself. He'd been watching the group as they approached. There was no stealth, no formation, this was a full on charge and every bit the fools ran at them meant less energy for fighting when it started. Ferad stretched a bit as if warming up for a sparring match, if his dismissive attitude made them enraged, all the better for it.

Skeks slowed as he did, glancing between him and the opposing pack, a malicious smile forming across her features. She reared her head back issuing a laughing challenge which carried a vastly different tone from her previous one, “You speak as an Alpha, so I called to them as one would to a junior with too much ambition. This is your territory after all."

Ferad couldn't help but chuckle at her audacity, it nearly matched his own. “How pissed off do you think they'll be?"

Skeks shrugged dismissively, “Does it matter?"

“No, I suppose not." He turned toward the Scourge and readied his spear, “Commander's orders, every last one of the bastards gets put down." He caught her answering nod out of his peripheral vision just before the first of their foes burst through the grasses.

One charged directly at him, snarling in a fit of rage and hatred. He'd seen this many times on the battlefield, the gnoll's mind was completely given over to savagery. At this point, the entire reason for its existence was rending him limb from limb with no room for other thoughts. Ferad ducked low and thrust diagonally upward, catching the beast in the chest just as it lunged. The outstretch claws flashed mere inches from his face as he planted the weighted base of his spear against the road and leaned back. It was usually a last ditch effort as the force would snap or bend the shaft of nearly any other spear. As it was, the gnoll's momentum buried the spearhead almost completely before Ferad pulled the spear free from both the road and body.

Skeks stood over her foe, barking in defiant laughter at the remaining three. Though she had a ragged gash in her right ear and several deep slashes in the back of her armor, her muzzle and claws dripped with fresh blood. Ferad glanced down piecing what happened together in an instant. She too had attacked low at the initial lunge, but without the range of a spear or even sword, this left her back exposed. Her opponent, however, had fared much worse. Its innards lay strung across the roadway where she had ripped open its abdomen. Gods, the thing was still feebly trying to move, he could hear the high pitched whine just above her laughing taunt.

Ferad looked back at the remaining three. They had paused at the quick defeat of their packmates, perhaps awaiting others to join in. If their aim was to delay, this standoff was certainly one way to do it. Had they all charged in at once, the outcome could very well have gone differently. Ferad caught a flash of movement from Skeks and the whine went shrill for a moment before ceasing completely. She had plunged the dagger through the gnoll's skull, pinning it to the road.

“It is better than they would have done," pure contempt dripped from her words. “Had it been you or I instead..."

“I know," Ferad didn't need her to finish the thought.

The three remaining Scourge exchanged glances before shifting positions, the one in the center held its ground while the other two began circling wide on either side, keeping a distance of about thirty yards. Their moment of hesitation had vanished, replaced by renewed confidence as they began their own laughter, it was similar to what Skeks used when hunting, though it carried a far deeper note. It took a moment before Ferad realized why. The first two were smaller, lighter and faster than these. They'd taken out what essentially were the scouts of the five. The remaining three were bulky by comparison, heavily muscled and probably fairly experienced fighters as well, given their scars and conditioning. Skeks was by no means small, but these were far above average in height and build. Each had a necklace of sharp canines, probably those from rivals or hunted packs like the Kestra.

Skeks stepped on the fallen's neck then grabbed the dagger's hilt. As eerie as the Scourge's call was, what replaced it was even more so. The blade screeched as it slid against bone, a high pitched wail that cut through their mocking cries until it was pulled free. The sound forced each of the gnolls' ears back, save for Skeks who seemed to revel in the moment. “I speak the human's language so my packmate will understand. My blade cannot call as his does, but its meaning is clear enough as it cries for your lives. It promises death to all Scourge, the prophesy of your false god broken."

“Words and nothing more," the one in the center snarled the response through jagged teeth, perhaps it was the leader of this group. “How weak you must be, claiming that as pack. Before the next two suns, I will be your god." The snarl morphed into a malicious grin of sorts, “Should your cries entertain me enough to let you live, that is."

Whether or not their enemy knew it, the Breakers were an especially sore point as far as Skeks was concerned. Ferad put his hand on her shoulder as he chuckled, diffusing her mounting tension, “That's pretty funny coming from someone that won't see the next sun, let alone two from now. I mean, shit, I'm just a human, but you," He stepped forward and pointed his spear right at the leader's eyes, “you should be hearing the dead bastards we've already cut down." He turned his back to the gnoll, the spear slung across both shoulders though he kept his voice raised loud enough for all to hear, “What is it, five now?" He could hear the growl build, a lowly human, little more than food for the Scourge, disregarded it completely. Besides insulting their leader, his little show also kept the other two in view.

Skeks glanced between Ferad and the gnoll behind, her ears slowly righting themselves after having shot back at mention of the Breakers. She sheathed the dagger, a softer low pitched laugh forming, “Yes, five." Fighting on raw emotion would more likely than not get them both killed and the same ran true for their foes. “Perhaps after these three are added the ambitions of the rest will be checked." The growl from behind was deepening as their conversation continued. Skeks added quietly, “This one will be my example to the rest."

Ferad nodded and set his arms loosely over the spear, “You know, the thing I'm curious about is who they call master," it had bothered him since she said these weren't remnants from the previous pack. What they did need was more information though it was doubtful any of these three would give up much, “I'll have a little talk with them about letting their mutts run loose after we finish up here."

The gnoll which had circled to the south was beside itself, its tail was almost straight back and its ears were shifting constantly, never mind the heightened growling and aggressive posture. Ferad guessed the only thing which held it from attacking outright was the presence of its alpha. Probably younger then, and far too eager. This would be the one to fall first.

Skeks gave him a sidelong glance, it was a rather base insult he just used. “Many fail to realize we are not dogs, even those of my kind." She huffed in annoyance, “Though ones like these do little to disprove the notion." Skeks looked past Ferad, her scowl at the remark deepening into disdain as she glared, “I shall ask this plainly. Who do you run to when called?" She waited just long enough for the growl to change tone before cutting the reply off, “What is clear is that you don't understand your position. My packmate has killed three of you, and I two. The Scourge believe the weak perish, and so it is with your pack, weak willed and feeble as you are." Skeks let the laughing tone back into her voice even as the other three gnolls rumbled with barely contained fury, “Answer my question, and I may let you live. If your submission entertains me, that is."

Of the two, the one to his left was the most excited, while the right would hold until either of the others moved judging by the way it glanced between them. This one was the lowest in station, which worked in Ferad's favor. If the one on the left attacked him first, the other would follow its lead. That left Skeks dealing with their leader which is what she wanted anyway. Ferad pulled the spear from off his shoulders, the motion carried through till the weighted end rammed against the packed earth of the road, and concentrated on staring down his target. “Careful with your demands Skeks, if he rolls over and pisses himself it'll go all over the place." He sneered at the gnoll, a human speaking that brazenly about his pack's alpha should be intolerable, “Probably smell bad too, wet fur and piss."

That last bit was the final straw, the insults and bravado had finally broken through whatever self control the gnoll possessed. Its hackles had raised as Ferad's spear left his shoulders, but the moment it's control broke loose the thing went berserk. Grass and earth were flung from it's feet, it was practically scrambling on all fours to get at him faster. It's companion stared for a moment before following. This would at least stagger their initial attack and Ferad's plan had worked, both of them were focused on him. He sidestepped to his left, it prevented him from being flanked and it'd also draw them away from Skeks and her foe.

Crazed as the gnoll was, it wasn't lunging in like the others had. This one was experienced and it had seen one of its own taken down already. Ferad struck first, he had an advantage in range, but the difference wasn't much. The gnoll raised its arms just before the spearhead made contact with its head. Ferad heard a metallic clang as the spear was deflected upward. A faint orange glow emanated from a dark bronze bracelet on the thing's wrist.

Ferad jumped back just as it countered. The claws slid through his padded shirt effortlessly, the pain registering a split second afterwards. It wasn't deep, but he still cursed himself for not dodging faster. The bastard had some fairly decent gear, enchantments like that weren't cheap at the least, and he hadn't seen the bracelets against the darker fur of its forearms. What angered him more than the scratches was that the damned thing started grinning like it had already won. The gnoll was fast, he'd give it that, but the spear wasn't a common weapon of choice and chances are it hadn't fought someone skilled with one before. Ferad slashed at the gnoll's face again, deliberately keeping the strike shallow in an effort to draw the thing's guard upward and followed it with a low thrust aimed just above its hip.

The gnoll fell for the initial feint, but it's reactions were fast enough to partially deflect the follow through. Rather than spearing the gnoll's mid section, the strike landed deep into the gnoll's thigh. It didn't even react to the pain, instead it grabbed the spear's bloodied shaft with a look of triumph. It's partner was nearly upon them and Ferad didn't have a backup weapon. He jumped back once more, this time pulling hard and leaning back. At first his hands slid across the spear until they came up against the weighted end. The edges of the spearhead were razor sharp, and fast reactions or no, the gnoll lost most of its right hand and several fingers on its left in an instant. It still had its teeth, but it was too busy yowling to put them to use.

Ferad focused on the newcomer, it had expected a nearly unarmed human and had come in at full speed. He angled the spear's shaft and braced himself against the gnoll's charging swipe, shoving it to the right. Ferad swung immediately after deflecting the gnoll's charge, bringing the spearhead coursing downward through the back of the thing's neck. It crumpled to the road in much the same way the deer had though there was far less holding its head to the body. The spear was already back in a guarded position as he looked to where the first gnoll had been.

Shit. It had only been for a moment, but in the brief time he dealt with the second, the first had already recovered from its shock and was mere feet away. Ferad brought the spear up a split second before it collided with him. Its teeth grated against the metal shaft as they tumbled over each other with the gnoll ending up over him. The thing reeked of blood and foulness as it growled and snapped, what remained of its hands tried to push the spear out of position and pin him to the ground. Gods the thing was heavier than it looked, it took every ounce of strength just to keep the spear between his head and those jagged teeth.

Above the growling Ferad heard a low pitched throaty laugh that sent chills up his spine. Reinforcements now would mean getting torn limb from limb while he was pinned. Even worse was when the laugh fell into the gnoll's language. If he could just manage to get a little room, he might be able to get out from underneath the blasted thing. Ferad pushed against the spear with everything he had left, enough to actually raise the beast a bit. Getting to his feet and fighting now might give Skeks a chance to escape if she was in any condition to do so, hell he might even take a few more of the bastards down while he was at it. He pushed harder, growling with the effort, as his feet slid against the earth trying to find enough purchase to help throw the gnoll off.

He saw the bloody claws reach down and latch onto the gnoll's throat just below its jawline. Its attempts at biting through the spear ceased suddenly as it was peeled off of him, the snarl replaced by a high pitched whine. The claws scored deep into the gnoll's flesh as it was pulled back and thrown.

Skeks stood over Ferad, her tail on end and ears back, glaring at her enemy. It finally registered that the voice he heard was hers. She was still speaking in the gnoll's tongue so whatever she said was lost to him, but judging by the unearthly tone it wasn't meant for him anyway. There wasn't much left of her armor, a few bands of leather and shreds of tattered cloth were all that remained. Only his tent banner had stayed intact, tied on her arm exactly where he had placed it before they headed out to face the packs, just with some added red here and there.

Ferad sat up and pushed himself off the ground. He didn't know what shape the other gnoll was in, but Skeks had more than a few deep gashes and at least one bite had ripped open her left shoulder. His own wounds were very minor by comparison. “You alright?"

She didn't look back but nodded in response before stalking off to where the other gnoll was still trying to find its footing. Skeks kicked its arm out from underneath it and pinned its face to the ground with her knee and shin across the back of its neck. As she knelt, she pulled the dagger from its sheath and sent it through the gnoll's back clear to the hilt. She watched coldly as the struggles faded, “Now we get answers. Their alpha is defeated, but not yet dead." Skeks pulled the dagger free and wiped the blade clean on the gnoll's carcass before sheathing it again.

Ferard held his hand out to her, “Right now I'm more worried about us making it through this than anything else." There were still others of the pack out there and Skeks looked to be moving on sheer will and anger at the Scourge by this point. Whatever else happened, he'd see that she made it through this. “Sorry to make you come here for the save."

She took his hand, pulling herself up with a slight grunt, “No, if you'd had your dagger, it'd have been dead already. As it is, this allowed me to stop him," she nodded to the form barely moving in the grasses, “so the favor is returned." Skeks focused on the road behind them, a growl forming in her throat as her hackles raised once again.

Ferad looked back, “Well shit." No fewer than ten were running up the roadway with several more in the distance beyond. Skeks was in no shape to run, neither was he for that matter. They'd be overrun in a minute or two no matter what they did. He heard a faint laughter build from the grasses as the alpha raised its head, pushing itself up on its one working arm, though the hand and forearm were a mess. Skeks had mangled the rest of its limbs, but neither had called out in their fight regardless of the ferocity.

“You both will die here and my pack survives." It continued with its insane laughter, the grin disfigured by several missing teeth and a stubby nub where its right ear had been.

Ferad looked down at the fallen gnoll. Regardless of everything else, the damned thing was brazen to the last. He moved to just a few feet beyond its reach and squatted down on his haunches, “You know, I was just going to tell you to piss off and kill you right here and now," Ferad looked down the road, shaking his head before shifting his gaze back at the alpha, “instead you're going to watch as her and I kill every last one of them." He flashed his best inane grin and tapped the gnoll's head with the weighted end of the spear none too lightly, “Sit tight, furball."

Rage flashed over the alpha's face as it tried in vain to get its teeth anywhere near Ferad who had moved smartly away. Ferad could hear the thing barking and swearing in the gnoll's tongue from the roadway, further proof that he was a natural at making people furious. If anything, the thing's noise would alert the others to the state of their alpha, it might even make a few of them break.

Skeks had watched the exchange from where she stood, her ears pricked forward and tail swaying slightly in amusement. “I am beginning to see you never miss a chance." She spoke softly, he could barely hear her over the noise coming from the grasses.

Ferad raised an eyebrow and gave a slight chuckle, “For what, to be an ass?" He shrugged before turning to face the oncoming rush, “Never." He readied his spear and took a deep breath.

Three had broken away from the pack, their pace quickened by both the shouting of their alpha and the effects of his spear. He surged forward to meet their charge, swinging the weighted end of the spear directly into the closest one's jaw. Its face shattered in a shower of blood and teeth, though its momentum carried it forward, claws raking through to the bone of Ferad's right arm as it fell. In spite of the searing pain, he spun with the impact building on its momentum. The spear whipped around and scored against the second gnoll, slicing clear through the thing's forearm. Skeks latched onto its exposed throat, jumping in teeth first just after Ferad's strike.

The third gnoll lunged at Skeks, taking hold of her right arm in its jaw and raking furiously at her neck with its claws. Ferad thrust the spearhead straight at its face, putting all his weight behind the one handed attack. The blade screeched as it worked through the gnoll's skull just before he was tackled from the side.

The commander was sent flying back, the spear knocked free from his grasp and his head landed hard against the road as the massive weight of the gnoll drove him into the packed earth. Half dazed and pinned, he reached at the furred throat of his attacker with his left hand. His right arm had gone completely numb and he wasn't able to focus his vision, but he'd fight until the bitter end. The gnoll snarled at him, hitting his arm at the elbow. The impact reverberated through his entire body and a sickening crack sounded from the joint as it broke. Ferad's vision was getting worse, but he could still make out the teeth as the gnoll reared back and opened its maw.

The beast twitched once, then twice more in rapid succession. The bite never came, instead the gnoll slid limply to the side before falling off completely. Ferad tried desperately to move, but his body failed to respond to his will. His vision had faded completely as had the pain. Was someone shouting? He could barely hear anything…