The Prisoners Are Returned

Between the Bravos and Robin’s packs, which had been left in the woods before the combat, they had found enough clothing for themselves and the prisoners. Fuu had taken what was usable from her companions' packs and left the rest in a cache she could come back for later.

The prisoners had given Fuu the same information Robin had deLivered along with directions to where to find the actual witness. The only difference in the stories was that Robin said the Gnolls had ‘escaped’ but the prisoners said they ‘disappeared’. If the village girls were correct in their interpretation, then Fuu didn’t have a choice but to meet with the Gnoll. If the Gnolls disappeared like magic, then Fuu would have no luck tracking them herself.

Fuu had managed to convince the corrupted girls to return home, with some effort. They were angry about the death of their ‘masters’ but Fuu’s blank reaction seemed to unnerve them enough to listen to reason.

So, after a tense trip from the cave to town, the girls were returned to their homes and families. Fuu had wanted to leave almost immediately to go meet her contact, but Robin pushed her into taking the blacksmith's offer to room at the inn until they were ready to travel again. Fuu’s body had revealed more and more sore muscles since she woke in the morning, the potions only taking away the damage but not the soreness.

Fuu was praying when Robin entered her room that night. Fuu would always be grateful to her Goddess. She had overused her gifts and was still allowed to keep them. She thanked her patron and then prayed for the Lives of her friends. She would find them and do everything she could to heal them from whatever the Gnolls would do to them.

Robin waited until she stood before speaking. “We should give it a few days before tracking down that Gnoll. Your arms need more time to heal.”

Fuu knew she was being considerate, but she refused to wait any longer than she had to. “That does make sense. Perhaps we can do some scouting tomorrow.”

The younger woman beamed at her. “That sounds good. It should be easy to find the cave if the directions he gave the girls are right.”

Fuu nodded and gave the girl a small, fake smile. After a few minutes of planning, Robin left and Fuu pulled out the supplies she pilfered from her friends bags.

From Liv, Fuu took some of her leftover bullets. Liv’s rifle had been taken with her so, when Fuu found her, the sniper would need ammo.

From Emmaline, she took some of her jewelry, if her cache was found and pilfered, Emmaline would be distraught at the loss of her baubles. Fuu would be sure to hand them over when they reunited again.

From Becky, Fuu took her notebooks. She could not leave them behind to be lost to time. All of Becky’s knowledge was poured onto the pages of her notebooks. Fuu flipped through them, not understanding most of the words she found until she reached the last book.

Becky had begun a diary of the adventurers of the Bravos Feminine. She wrote out her thoughts and feelings of the new people she was meeting and how she was excited to travel around and learn more. Fuu had to hold the book away from herself to stop her tears from destroying the pages. Fuu carefully gathered the last bits of the Bravos and stored them away. She would get as much sleep as she would allow herself.

Fuu had woke before dawn and had written a quick ‘thank you’ note for the Blacksmith before sneaking out of the building. She knew Robin would likely try to come with her, but the poor girl didn’t need to be dragged into their nonsense any more than she already was. Fuu would travel upriver to find the cave that held the Gnoll she needed and get the information, regardless of what it cost her.

The beast knew he would be her only source of information so there was no telling what he would demand of her in exchange. So long as she was allowed to leave after ‘paying’, Fuu would bear it. She is the one who failed, so she would walk through the trials to reunite with her friends. Fuu took a deep breath at the village gates and began walking toward the river.

“Don’t you dare try to leave without me.” Fuu turned to find Robin leaning against the wall of a nearby building, her pack beside her.

“You don’t have to-“

Robin waved her off as she shouldered her pack. “I know that. I want to help. I want to finish what I started and help save your friends. Will you let me?”

Fuu paused for a long moment before nodding and walking off into the woods.