Treasure and Tragedy

From the fork in the tunnel, the pair followed the path of larger and more impressive pelts. “Where did you get all of these? Seems a waste to use them as carpet.”

“They are hunting trophies, some older than me. We used them to make our tents while roaming. When the Shaman took control, these caves were now a fixed home.”

Emmaline looked at the old pelts, once so carefully cared for and now being used as carpet. A tribal legacy literally left in the dirt. “Do you want to save any of them?”

Gruul paused for a moment before continuing forward. “No. I’m an exile so I have no claim to any of these anymore. You’re free to take any you think you could get any coin for.”

Emmaline took a closer look at the pelts but it was largely for show. Some might be salvageable, but it felt wrong to pick over them for some reason.

They continued in silence until they reached a set of iron doors. Before she could ask about it, Gruul lifted a set of keys he had been holding. Emmaline wasn’t sure when he picked them up or how she didn’t notice him holding them before.

Her confusion was quickly replaced by anticipation. “Did your tribe care about gold and jewels?”

Gruul laughed. “Not like you humans do but we do collect things valuable to other people. Easy to trade when you have gold.”

Emmaline cheered, getting another laugh from her companion as he found the right key. She slid up next to him, pressing herself into his arm with her flame-holding hand thrown wide. “Now, you don’t need any of that money, do you?”

Gruul shook his head. “I will accept a small fee for my services.”

Emmaline moved the flame into the room as Gruul opened the door. “If you take payment like you did with Fuu, I would be happy to pay-“ She froze, eyes widening in horror.

Her flames caused coins and gems to shine from a corner of the room to sparkle as light filled the space. There were bolts of cloth, maps, and even furs stored behind the door, but the treasure was not alone.

Chained to the back wall, inside of a painted arcane circle, was a Gnoll. Unlike the others, this Gnoll was female, but that wasn’t what was horrifying. The She-Gnoll’s throat had been slit with the blood pouring down and staining her white fur red. One look at the horrified expression on Gruul’s face confirmed it for her.

“Becky. Becky!” Emmaline spun around to scream for Becky, only for Gruul to place a hand on her shoulder.

Emmaline stopped and turned to find Gruul looking at her sadly. “Don’t. We are far too late.”

Emmaline shook her head. “We should still-“

Gruul gripped her shoulder lightly. “Don’t. Let me handle it. No need to lament for something you couldn’t have known.”

Emmaline nodded slightly. Gruul pushed her softly toward the treasure before walking over to the corpse. Emmaline stared at the treasure but all she could hear was the jingle of chains. Gruul spoke, trying to be quiet but Emmaline still heard it. “Why are you here, Sister?”

Emmaline didn’t know why he was still speaking the common tongue. Maybe he was used to it after spending all day talking to the Bravos. Emmaline didn’t care. She reached down, grabbing an armful of loot and bolting out of the room, coins trailing after her as she went.

Emmaline tried to hold in the tears as she made it back to the group. Liv had whooped and come to collect the loot from her, Emmaline let her. She felt numb, responding mechanically. No one seemed to notice her distress until Fuu came to congratulate her. She noticed right away.