Fippy's Odyssey

By Ferrel

Chapter 3 - In Search of Friends

Fippy hurried through the burrows, eager to reach the council chamber early. Tonight was special, it was his night. “Where is Lisika?” He asked himself.

Reaching the door, Fippy gave a halfhearted greeting to the two guards and rushed inside. “Excellent!” The gnoll exclaimed. “I am here first.” Pausing for a breath, Fippy basked in the feeling around him. All of the gnoll elite would be in the room tonight and they would honor him. Sitting down in his predetermined place, Fippy daydreamed about what would happen, unaware of the figure hidden in the corner.

Slowly, from its hiding spot, the figure slithered without a sound. Inch by inch, it moved along the wall, working it sway behind the little gnoll. With painfully slow movements, the shadow reached out of the darkness.

Fippy gasped as two hands clasped over his eyes, shrouding his world in darkness. “First here huh?” asked a muffled voice.

“Lisika…” the startled gnoll breathed. “I should have known you'd be here already. You just scared a year of my life away!” Reaching up, Fippy removed Lisika's hands.

Smiling brightly, the darkly clad rogue slipped into the seat next to Fippy. “I wouldn't miss tonight for all the platinum in Norrath.” She said with a wink. Elbowing the gnoll in the ribs, she chuckled, “You should be used to me dropping in like that by now.”

Fippy turned and smiled, eager to discuss that. Just as he opened his mouth, the chamber door opened. Both Fippy and Lisika stool up, as gnoll commanders, high shamans and nobles entered. Lisika's brow rose as Splitpaw commanders followed behind the Blackburrow gnolls. Finally, Tranixx Darkpaw and Lord Elgnub arrived.

Lisika whispered to Fippy, “The Splitpaw nobles and their leader are here?” Fippy answered her question with a nod, leaning close to whisper in return; “Tranixx and Elgnub have come to some kind of agreement. I am certain we'll hear of it tonight.”

Lisika nodded in approval. With the two gnoll clans united, they would accomplish far more. As she mulled the possibilities over, Tranixx stood up.

“Thank you all for coming. I am pleased to inform you that the members of the Splitpaw and Blackburrow clans will now act as one. We will be assisting each other with our two current problems. “ Gesturing in a random direction, Tranixx continued, “Once Qeynos is reduced to rubble, the clans will make a united attempt to liberate the burrows of Splitpaw from its current owners!

All in attendance cheered in approval. Tranixx motioned for quiet and continued, “Speaking of reducing Qeynos to rubble, we are also here to honor the gnoll who has so recently furthered our cause. He is my cousin, Fippy.”

Fippy stood up slowly, as proud as he could be. Again the gnolls cheered and clapped. Bowing slightly he yipped, “It really wasn't a great feat, I did what any gnoll would do.” Looking down to Lisika, he added, “And I could not have done it without Lisika showing me the way.”

Tranixx looked around the room and nodded dismissively when Lisika was mentioned. “Regardless, Qeynos did burn! For that, you shall be rewarded.” Reaching into his pack, the gnoll chief produced a spiked collar. Walking around the table, he stopped behind Fippy. “Fippy Darkpaw, I bestow upon you the rank and privileges of a gnoll commander.” As he spoke, Tranixx slipped the collar around Fippy's Neck and buckled it tight. All in attendance stood and applauded.

Almost glowing with excitement, Fippy shook Tranixx's paw and bowed to the crowd. “Thank you sir, I am greatly honored!” he barked.

As the applause died down, both Fippy and Tranixx returned to their seats. Lord Elgnub stood up and produced a scroll from his belt. Unrolling it, he spread it out on the table before him. “I have here a map brought to me by one of my long range scouts. As you know, the Splitpaw clan has been searching far and wide for a new home. While unsuccessful in that endeavor, we have found something else of interest.” Pushing the map further down the table for all to see, the white furred gnoll pointed at a spot of desert. “My scout told me that the gnomes have discovered a new world. A world of snow and ice, where it is rumored that a clan of gnolls live.”

Most in attendance gasped and looked around at each other in surprise. Soft chatter immediately sprung up. They all remembered the last time they had found a lost clan. To this day, the Tesche Val held Splitpaw in their tainted clutches.

Elgnub continued, “Tranixx and I have discussed this matter into the dirt. While it is very risky, the reward of finding a new clan would be quite large. Perhaps these gnolls have a home that is untouched by humans and maybe they will help us fight for ours!”

Standing beside Elgnub, Tranixx barked, “We have decided to send a messenger to speak with these gnolls. As we also have some other business that needs attending far away from here, someone would already be near the area to begin with.” Tranixx motioned to Fippy, “Commander Fippy, I would like you to handle these tasks. You may take your companion along to assist you.”

Blinking in surprise Fippy set both paws on the table and pushed away from it. “I don't know what to say! Of course I will go. Thank you for trusting me with something so important.” Turning to look at Lisika, the gnoll's confidence rose as she nodded her agreement.

“Good!” Exclaimed Tranixx. “If you will stay after the meeting, I have something that will help you along the way.”

Nodding vigorously, Fippy settled down for what he thought to be the longest meeting of his life.

When the meeting was finally over, Fippy found himself alone with Lisika and the two gnoll chiefs.

“Fippy, since this is such a dangerous task, we've put together a few things for you,” began Tranixx as he walked over to a small trunk. “We've managed to throw together a full suit of chain mail armor, a fine steel long sword, some maps and close to a hundred platinum coins. Besides some rations, anything else you need, you'll have to find on your own.”

Staring in wonder at the bounty of equipment, Fippy nodded as Elgnub spoke up. “As Tranixx said, we have another task for you as well. Since we were pushed out of Splitpaw, we've lost contact with the Mucktail clan in High Pass. We would like you to enlist their aid in our cause as you pass through their lands.”

Tranixx offered a belt pouch to Fippy and added, “I have written their chief, Ro'Vor, a letter. It should be all you need to convince them. Once you've done that, there are some other, less important orders in here as well.” As Fippy took the pouch Tranixx stretched and gruffly murmured, “We'll leave you to let this all settle in. You leave first thing in the morning.”

Fippy offered a stunned salute, “Thank you Tranixx… oh and goodnight” as the gnoll leaders left. Standing alone with Lisika, the little gnoll knelt by the trunk.

“This won't be easy Fippy,” began Lisika. “I know it sounds glorious and noble, but Norrath is a harsh land. I am willing to go though, since I know nothing can stop you.”

Smiling, Fippy barked, “Perhaps, but I am very excited anyway. I have never really seen Norrath.” Plucking the sword from the trunk, Fippy admired the perfect blade. Most gnolls never see anything better then sharp sticks and rusty weapons he thought. “Besides, you're with me and we're just going to be delivering some messages. How dangerous can that be?”

Lisika shrugged and stood up. “That is hard to argue with” she agreed. “Come, leave that there, we'll get you suited up tomorrow. We best sleep since we're going to be up with the sun.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” said Fippy as he reluctantly placed the sword back. Closing the trunk, he stood up and followed Lisika out.

The next morning a fog hung over the Qeynos Hills as two cloaked figures appeared in the entrance of Blackburrow. The guards saluted as the pair passed, alerted to their presence by the soft clink of the larger figure's armor.

Once they were out of hearing, Fippy asked, “How is it you make no sound when you walk, even though you wear chain mail too?”

With a smile and a shrug Lisika said, “Practice. Besides, this isn't normal chain mail, it is magic armor.”

Nodding, Fippy continued on, shifting uncomfortably against the foreign feel of armor.

Back at the entrance to Blacksburrow, two large gnolls stood and watched the pair disappear into the fog. “I hope they find what we're looking for,” said the dark furred one. With a simple nod of agreement, the light furred gnoll turned and entered the burrow, his mind filled with prayers.

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