Secondhand and Thirdhand

Fuu could only hear her own racing heart. She couldn’t breathe or see as panic wrapped around her chest in a death grip. It was only her years upon years of meditation that kept her conscious as her unconscious mind immediately began the meditation process. She couldn’t afford to panic. She had no idea which direction they went, how long it had been since they left, or even how many Gnolls were left.

When her vision returned, Fuu saw Moriah was back with the other prisoners. Two of the girls were still in chains and appeared to be unconscious but the other three were talking amicably. Robin hadn’t moved, watching her with a very worried look on her face. Robin opened her mouth as if to say something and then seemed to decide against it.

Fuu needed information. “Why are some of them still tied up?”

Robin looked over at the prisoners. “They say that those two are addicted to the Gnolls and have been giving themselves to them freely.” Robin blushed and looked down.

Considering how quickly her friends folded under the Gnolls’ assault, there was definitely some magic about them. Fuu’s voice was a hoarse whisper. “There is some enchantment on the beasts. Something to make their victims pliable. With time and repeated exposure, I’m sure the victim’s mind will find a way to cope.”

Robin looked back at her. “Can you help them?”

Fuu looked down and shook her head. “No. Becky could. What did they tell you?”

Robin looked away. “Not enough.” Her voice was tight, almost distraught. “They were chained when the Gnolls left to fight you, then there was a magical darkness that…” Robin blushed. Fuu put a hand on her shoulder and the young woman continued. “The darkness covered the caves and the prisoners were all raped. They said it felt like when the Gnolls did it.”

Fuu frowned. “Another magic user? Why didn’t he join the fight?”

Robin shook her head. “I don’t know. They said they woke up some time later to find a white Gnoll releasing them.”

Fuu couldn’t remember any of the Gnolls having white fur. A different tribe perhaps? “Did you see them?”

Robin looked ashamed. “No. Apparently he brought me into the cave when he released the others but I only woke up after he left. I’m sorry I couldn’t help more. I should have-“

“Stop.” Her rebuke held no strength, but the swordsman followed it. Fuu shook her head. “None of us were ready for that fight. We just need to recover. What do we know about the others?”

Robin took a breath. “Apparently, he said that there was a conflict between the darkness mage and the remaining Gnolls, the champion died, and then the other Gnolls escaped with your companions. I guess the ‘champions’ are the armored ones?”

“Probably.” Fuu’s frustration was building. She only had secondhand information or worse. None of it gave her a starting point for tracking down the Bravos. The only source of true information was another Gnoll. The same type creature that had plagued these lands and kidnapped her friends. Fuu didn’t know what she was going to do, but at least the prisoners were free. She could bring them home and then decide how she would proceed.