Doctor Becky

Becky probably should have been more worried being left alone with Gruul, no matter how friendly he seemed. She couldn’t let herself be frightened though. This Gnoll was the best chance they had at getting Fuu back and she needed to make sure he was in fighting shape.

After he started the fire, Becky made him sit down so she could kneel next to him and check his shoulder. Becky had seen creatures hit by Liv’s rifle before and it seemed Gruul was very lucky. The bullet passed straight through without hitting any major arteries or bones. The simple poultice had staunched most of his bleeding already.

Gruul watched her as he tossed another bundle of branches on the fire. “Are you sure you want to spend resources on me?”

Becky was irritated. She had other patients say similar things in the past. Those were usually critically injured people who just wanted things to end. Gruul was far from that. “You are our front liner. You need to be in top shape.” She pulled out her needle and thread. She decided to keep him focused on other questions as she worked. “Do you think a fire is a good idea?”

Gruul slowly moved some of the meat onto a stick and placed it near the fire to cook. “The bastard won’t send out a patrol for a little while. If he wants to keep Fuu on a leash and not lose more minions, he needs her to believe that you were given the opportunity to leave. A fire should actually help convince him you haven’t left yet.”

Becky moved smoothly with her stitching. “So we should be safe for now?”

“Assuming he can contain his ego.”

Becky side eyed him for a moment. She had to remember that Gruul did live with the other Gnolls for at least a little while. She didn’t know why he was exiled, but she shouldn’t believe he wasn’t potentially dangerous. “What do you mean?”

“He is smart but also he tends to have his ego interfere with his plans. If he is smart and wants to keep Fuu compliant he won’t send out patrols until he has her under his control somehow. With her resistance to his magic he will have difficulty with that. If his ego gets ahead of him, he will try to break her for fun and send out patrols to capture you.” Gruul turned to look at Becky, turning the meat on the fire. “I wish I could give you a solid answer.

“I appreciate the honesty at least.” Becky took a calming breath. Gruul kept his movements slow to make Becky’s job easier, only occasionally wincing as she used drops of healing potion to seal the wound closed.

After several minutes with only the sizzling of meat for sound, she was done. “You should be okay. Take a few minutes for the potion to close the wound inside or you’ll tear something.”

Gruul nodded “Thank you for tending to my injuries.”

Becky scratched at her cheek. “Don’t mention it. After all, we were the ones who injured you.”

Gruul cackled before turning back to the fire. “So are you going to handle yourself now?”

Becky blushed. “Well, I can’t exactly wander off alone in the woods.”

Gruul nodded. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Becky didn’t reply and simply walked off behind a tree. She could feel the throbbing in her core now that she was no longer next to Gruul's warm body and warmer fire. She leaned her back against the tree and slid down to the ground, face blazing scarlet.