Fulminatng Fleabags

[Grimm0256w]

A beatiful soft mist flowed over the valley. The tree leaves heavy with rain shimmered like jewels in the early morning half like. As I made my way deeper into camp pondering the day and the wonders to be had, a sound reached me. This sound is unlike any that one hears of dismisses. This is a sound that rolls through the air like a spectral storm a storm that raises gypsy adults from their beds awash in the sweats of night terrors. It was the thunderous primal sounds of the gnolls. Drums rolled , horns blared. I made for the circle no gali save myself was to be seen. As I reached the circle the sound of thunderous footsteps and panting reached me, I wheeled it was men tumultuous quiries assailed me, before I could answer the horns blared once more began to rolls as hellish thunder. I issued but one word "gate". What gate they said, no time I sped for the gate that seperates us from the gnolls lands my fevered prayer was the gate still held and had not been breached. As we rounded the cliff face the sounds of men yelling and gnolls screams rent the air. The guards still stood, hope of hopes and praises lifted in me. We must hold that gate . They will not live to pass into camp. Now we were many , Arsmyth , and many of us took the point to the side of the gates. Hojichi with a company of men took to the bridge. "HOLD THE BRIDGE" I bellowed, they must not cross the bridge and again to hold the bridge. With the exception of the guards none with me had ever fought the menace so I found myself
yelling shoot the witches they die first and such. I had just unleashed another torrent of rales agains the gnolls with Minotaurs appeared within the gnolls. My heart sank, no judge of my comrads, but I for one can say but Minotaurs in the mix was a bad sign , we were done for. It is then a most wonderous thing occurred. The minotaurs were not fighting us as has been known in the past but fighting with us. It was but a split second my bow was heald in mid strike my mouth agape. The fight continued archers firing vollies of arrows, warriors holding the gateline and this time minotaurs wading in the thick tossing gnolls as though they were no more then a childs doll flailing down into the ravines, brutally rending parts from their bodies the air was a thick stew of scents. Human sweat , mangey dog, Minotaur and the redolent coppery smell of blood. Gnolls spurting blood attenpting to fight without limbs that had been brutally rent from their body. It was a scene of horror that words fail to describe.
Suddenly it ended the men on the bridge stood as did the Minotaurs face to face, so quiet so still. The stillness was palpable and no one person spoke. I must thank them, I have to try to make an allie , so long our enemy if there are even renegades from their kind I must try to nurture some friendship. With no more thought I hastily insinuated myself through the line to the front , moving with speed mostly so that I could not be grabbed and detained. I halted inches from the huge beast and begin a statement of humble thanks and praise. Some of the crowd was uneasy at my nearness, unarmed in the presence of the beast and his 4 brethren
but I had to know . The apparent leader stood before me then roared, I trembled inside. Weaponless or weapened I stood no chance against this beast if it should turn .I gave much praise of them and thanked them in the behalf of the Gali. Also asking if any aide could be given to remunerate the act. There I stood with palmer surfaces to the beast waiting for some sign and then he spoke. A low growling voice issued from him and the dance began. As we talked Sylith as I now know him and his brothers were slaves of the ogres and fleeing captivity . The wished to leave the camp in freedom. As I obtained a word of peace from him I gave him my word of safe passage. Hjoichi I believe was the one who suggested we all should escort them out , and warn the campers should any be at the fires. I nodded at the sound plan. That part inplace over the bridge I come behind me a parade of five minotaurs who were flanked by men and women of arms. The fires were silent not a soul moved as we made our way to the entry of camp. I would have thought time stopped had we not been moving. Outside the entry I gave the Minotaurs Venison that I had hunted that day and cooked and some wine.
I asked them where did they plan to go and was met with the unsettling answer of we shall walk the road. Oh dear what to do now, I pondered. Next I blatantly broached the fact that I personally would feel better if I could escort them to some destination rather then them roaming the road in possible harms way. It was at this time that Sylith raised his nose and his ears swiveled. He said he most go to , what we were able to decern as Oscura. Off we treked a mixed band of warriors and 5 minotaurs. People stepped from the road as we passed and seemed unable to respond to the simple good day I spoke,with some much as a nod. Once within the caves , "the call of the hammer" as Sylith called it became more intense to him.
He followed this call we trailed along, at the gates of the city we paused , Sylith asked what lay within I said a city, people. He said "I go" and with an inward groan I followed 5 minotaurs and a rag tag force of fighters,it was then that a woman named Le proved most helpful , she had much knowledge of Oscura and apparently was blooded. We were allowed to enter the city and roams its warrens. I was relying solely on her knowledge and Syliths calling. Eventually after some false clues it was decerned to be coming from the undercity . We made our way to the gates and Le secured entry for them to see something called "the forge" and it was at these gates I watched the massive backs of my lumbering companions disappear with new escort into the merky gloom of the oscuran depths with out so much as a backward glance. As I made my way with El to the surface I issued silent prays deep within my soul of thanks and praise for the safety of all who aided in this endeavor and fought valiently at the gates and hope for the new found allies of the gali people, may the live and prosper.
On a side note, never make a minotaur smile, it is scarey and makes them look as though they have gas.