The Bravos Get Into Position.

The new allies finished the cooked venison and left the remainder to dry over the smoldering fire as they prepared. Emmaline was drawing the eyes of the others from their own preparations as she stretched and contorted herself. She had said it was to make sure she was flexible enough to dodge any grabby Gnolls they encounter during the conflict. Liv was pretty sure she just wanted to show off her body.

Becky was sitting next to Gruul explaining her potions to him. She was going to try and increase the Gnoll’s Fighting prowess with her defensive potions. Liv doubted Becky needed to be as close as she was. The doctor was practically pressed into the Gnoll. Gruul was either oblivious or ignoring her body, though the tent in his loincloth had returned.

Liv wondered if he produced some kind of pheromones. If it was similar to his semen, Liv could understand why Becky was so close.she would never admit to that though. Liv tried to focus on her own task, cleaning and preparing her rifle. If things didn’t fall to shit this time, Liv herself would be the one to free Fuu. Until Fuu was free the Bravos would have to rely on the Gnoll and his insane plan.

Suddenly, she realized something that none of the Bravos had thought about. What would they do when they succeeded? With Fuu back, they might be able to clear out the tribe. What about Gruul? What would they do with him?

He was a monster, just like the others. Liv didn’t have any proof he was a **** like them, but she could remember him rubbing his cock on her face. Maybe it was accidental, but Liv couldn’t trust that. He could try and pull something when they were tired. Kidnap or capture any or all of them if he could. Maybe he was one of those beasts that liked solitude with his harem of breeding sluts.

Liv shook her head before she could conjure any cursed images. She would let Fuu decide. Fuu hasn’t spent time with him to get influenced. Liv would just need to be ready to follow the order immediately if she was given it. Liv took a calming breath and zoned out, reassembling her weapon smoothly as she had done dozens and dozens of times before. As she finished she closed her eyes and pressed the side of the weapon to her forehead, breathing in the familiar smell of wood and gunsmoke.

“Is your weapon ready?”

Liv opened her eyes and turned to the side to come face to face with Gruul’s tented crotch. She looked up at him, forcing the blush from her face. She hadn’t thought he was paying attention. “Yeah. I’m good to go. You?.”

Gruul smiled and nodded. “Should be.”

Becky’s voice pulled both of their attentions away. “Okay! The plan is Liv finds a good hiding spot where she can shoot the Shaman as soon as he steps out of the cave. Emmaline and I will be hiding in the brush nearby the cave to join the fight when everything kicks off. Gruul will be doing his challenge to start. We will get Fuu back and we will all make it out alive. Right Gruul?” Becky gave the Gnoll her best disappointed doctor look. She could be pretty intimidating when she wanted to be.

Gruul cackled. “I’m good so long as you know to not save me if things look like they are going bad.” Becky looked upset at the idea and Liv didn’t like it either, despite herself. Gruul shook his head. “Remember that Fuu is the priority. As long as no one knows you’re here, they can’t use you against her.”

It took a few moments of silence but the Bravos agreed in the end. There were silent gestures between them as they slowly split off. Pats and smiles of ‘good luck’ that raised Liv’s spirits as she silently climbed into a perch and laid herself across a thick branch. She moved leaves aside to give her a clear view of the cave entrance, getting herself into a position to stay perfectly still for as long as possible. She settled her breathing, calming her mind and focusing her attention as she watched Gruul approach the entrance. The guard posts were still in burned splinters and no guards have been set to replace the ones Emmaline killed.

The Pale Gnoll sniffed the air, stretched his shoulders, and hunched down. He began to howl, shifting up into a standing position as the howl elongated. After a moment, many more howls answered him.