Clearing the Shaman’s Den

Emmaline tossed a small ball of flames between her hands, sending wild shadows over the tunnel walls as they traveled. She was almost disappointed when Gruul didn’t tell her to stop. Perhaps he could see well enough to not be bothered by the bouncing light source. Or maybe he didn’t want to get on the Bravos’ bad side. They had made it to the crossroads and moved west.

Emmaline stopped moving the flame around as they traveled down the darkened corridor. Intermittently, Gruul would tear down a fetish mounted to the wall. He didn’t tear all of them down though. “Why are you only destroying some of them?”

Gruul didn’t look back at her. “I am just destroying the Kin-Eater fetishes. Anything else doesn’t deserve my anger.”

Emmaline hummed to give an answer but she didn’t really get it. She was familiar with religious ceremonies but she was by no means a divine scholar. Since he was talking, she decided to start digging. “So there is some magic that makes you infertile?

Gruul paused and chuckled darkly. “No. Nothing so simple.”

Emmaline felt a chill on the back of her neck. “Well? Don't leave me in suspense now.”

Gruul’s voice had no emotion in it. “The Kin-Eater feeds on the souls of children.”

Emmaline stopped. Hadn’t Gruul just said they killed his child. Emmaline jogged to catch up, not wanting to touch that particular bit of information. “How does that lead to sterility? That seems like the opposite.”

“It feeds on the potential children. Those cursed by the Kin-Eater are just as virile as those that aren’t, but the seed will never take root. As soon as it does, the Kin-Eater claims that potential child and rewards it’s followed with power.”

Emmaline moved to get closer to him as they entered into a large open room with a but in the center of it. “So all of those girls can never have children?”

Gruul moved to the hi and started to ransack the places “Being blessed is voluntary and I doubt the Shaman would want the prisoners to gain power. The Gnolls themselves would be better off with only then gaining the power.”

Emmaline increased her flame, revealing runes carved deep into the rock around them all the way to the top of the vaulted ceiling. “So, Fuu might be pregnant.”

Gruul paused and slowly turned to her, looking horrified. “What are you talking about? I am cursed by the Kin-Eater. I will never have children.”

Emmaline looked at him. Was he actually certain of that? “Are you sure?”

He turned and began to tear at the wall panels. “Of course, I’m sure”

“But you still have your name.”

He paused. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you knew all of them, right. You can’t possibly be the only Gnoll with a name right?”

Gruul groaned. “Yes, very astute Ms. Dancer. They sacrificed their names and identities to the Kin-Eater. What of it?”

Emmaline smirked. “If you aren’t as far gone as them, whose to say your time away hasn’t made you capable again?”

Gruul spun around, pointing a finger at her. “Fucking stop!” Emmaline blinked at the outburst but Gruul continued. “Why are you so invested in your leader being pregnant?”

Emmaline lied as easily as she breathed. “I’m not. I just want you to think of the possibility.” Emmaline was darkly curious on seeing Fuu swell and give birth to a little fuzz ball of a Gnoll baby. The monk with a baby strapped to her back was an adorable image as well. Even if she wasn’t pregnant now, there was still time. Maybe they can travel with Gruul. That could give her endless teasing opportunities.

Gruul grumbled and turned around. “Like she would keep it if she were.”

Emmaline frowned at the sentiment and even more when she caught the tinge of sadness in his voice. She had pushed too hard and now she was also sad. She reached for the wall. “Let’s torch this place.”