A Deal is Reached

Emmaline and Becky couldn’t see Liv behind the thick brush at the outer ring of the clearing. They knew she was still okay from her occasional sass at the monster on top of her, but every pause was worrying. Emmaline knew Becky was being careful. The beast was probably the second biggest of his kind Emmaline had seen and the longer he stayed on top of Liv, the more likely he was to stop being civil.

As the pale beast asked for an alliance, Emmaline couldn’t pass the easy opportunity to free Liv and jumped in over Becky. “Sounds good to us. How about you get off Liv and we can patch up your wounds while we talk.” She put a purr in her voice to try and keep his attention. She was used to dodging handsy men, when she wanted to. The more likely he would leap at her, the better.

The Gnoll bared his teeth at her in what it probably assumed was a smile. “A good start certainly Emmaline but I have a better start. I toss you Liv’s weapon and Becky tosses me a potion. If you don’t poison me, I’ll get off your friend.”

Emmaline pouted but Becky froze. Emmaline turned to her leader to see what was happening. Becky was tense as she reached into her cloak for a poultice. “You know us. An ally would name themselves.”

It was Emmaline’s turn to tense. How did he know her name? Liv had used Becky’s name but they weren’t talking that loud before he started dragging something into camp.

The smile was even more off putting the second time. “A fair ask. I am Gruul, exiled hunter from the pack you are hunting.” He lifted the gun and tossed it to Emmaline.

Emmaline was quick to catch it, knowing Liv would be furious if she dropped it.

Becky tossed the poultice to him. “Patch yourself up and we will all talk.” Emmaline was surprised at how confident she sounded.

Gruul quickly used the poultice to stanch his bleeding. He cackled as he lifted his once heavily wounded arm. “Amazing! I am always surprised by what you potion makers can do.” He shifted as he stood, eliciting a gasp from Liv.

Gruul dragged a deer out of the bushes and toward Becky as Emmaline ran over to Liv, who was getting shakily to her feet. “Are you okay?”

Liv was slightly breathless. “Yeah. Yeah I’m good.” She wiped at her face with one hand while she grabbed for her rifle with the other. Emmaline smiled and turned to return to Becky and their new ‘ally’. She didn’t notice Liv bring her hand to her mouth and just barely stop herself from licking her fingers.