Fippy's Odyssey

By Ferrel

Chapter 7 - The Snow Storm

With tears of pain pooling in his eyes, Fippy began to walk off into the icy waste. He wasn't sure where to go, but he knew he must find the gnolls who lived here. He heard Lisika following behind; she did not try to hide her footsteps.

“You don't have to come with me. I know you'd rather go search for some trinket or treasure.” he barked at her, wiping a cold paw across his forehead.

“I know,” was her reply and she kept her pace behind him.

The pair walked silently all day. Fippy looked for the signs of his kind and found none. Lisika tagged along behind, tugging her cloak close. Their search soon became futile as ominous gray clouds drifted into the sky, blocking the sun from view. It wasn't long before they dumped their frozen contents onto the travelers. Lisika called, “Fippy, we should stop and wait for the storm to pass.”

The gnoll shook his head and continued to walk, remarking, “You stop then, I'm going ahead to find the gnolls and save my people.”

Bowing her head, Lisika hurried to Fippy's side. She turned in front of him, forcing him to bump into her and stop. “You wont find them if you're dead. I know you're hurt but please… don't throw your life away. It wont prove anything to me, only hurt me.” she said, turning her head.

“Like you hurt me?” the gnoll asked. Sitting down on a rock, he sighed, “But you're right. I suppose we should hide among this outcropping until the storm breaks.”

Nodding, the rogue settled with him. Reaching into her pack, she pulled out some cold bread and offered it to him. “I still care you know,” she began. “If I didn't, I wouldn't have been honest with you.”

“I appreciate your honesty, but that doesn't make it hurt less. It changes everything our relationship is based on.” he said, unhappily munching his meal.

Fiddling with her ring, Lisika nodded. “I know Fippy. I know. I'm so very sorry. Perhaps in time, you'll forgive me. For now, just consider me your escort, sent to help you.”

The gnoll nodded and drank from a bottle he had kept in his pack. Offering it to her, he yipped, “Truthful or not, you're all I've got now.”

Drinking from the bottle, Lisika's eyes crossed and she fought to keep the liquid down. “What in the name of all that is good is this?” she sputtered, offering him the bottle.

Fippy laughed. “Blackburrow stout, too much for you hmm? It will keep you warm and make your fur grow!”

“I don't have fur!” she replied. “Nor do I want any. It might be good and well for a gnoll, but it doesn't suit a half elf like me.”

Shaking his head with a smile Fippy drank from his bottle. “Fine then, more to myself.” he said grinning.

Lisika turned and began poking about the rocks. “I think there is a small space between them. I'll hang my cloak over it and we can crawl inside.” she said as she clambered up to the top to begin tying her cloak into place. Fippy watched with interest, slightly envious of her dexterity and agility. “That looks fine!” he called as she finished. Picking up their packs, the gnoll slipped inside, waiting on his companion.

Lisika followed soon after and caught a look Fippy was giving her. “What?” she asked.

“Are you sure you're not some sort of woods woman?” the gnoll asked.

“Why?” she said with a tilted head. “I dated one once.”

Nodding in understanding, Fippy laughed and nestled into the improvised shelter.

“What?” Lisika asked again. “Tell me!”

Laughing, Fippy just shook his head. “Nothing! Nothing at all. Consider it punishment.”

With a pout, she settled in and waited.

The storm lasted the rest of the day and the next. When it had finally passed, the pair were frozen solid, having not been able to build a fire in the confines of their shelter. Crawling out of the manmade cavern, Fippy shivered. “Lisika, if we don't find something better then this soon, I'm afraid what might happen.”

Lisika had faired far worse, lacking fur. She trembled as she followed him, the feeling in her fingers and toes gone. “You're right.” She put her hand on the gnoll's shoulder. “If what we're afraid might happen does, know that I was glad for it to happen with you.”

Fippy's paw closed over her hand. He felt the cold, the lack of life and suddenly became very concerned. “Hush now, don't talk that way. We'll be fine. Come, we need to be moving.”

The rogue nodded and collected her things. Within a few minutes the pair was traveling again.

Walking through the deep snow proved very difficult and the pair made only the slowest of progress. Fippy heard Lisika groan as they approached another large snow dune. “Come on… just over this one, I know there is something. Don't you think so Lisika?” No reply came. “Lisika?” the gnoll asked as he turned around. “Lisika!”

Lisika had fallen face down in the snow and was unmoving. Fippy rushed to her side and shook her softly “Lisika! Get up! Please, you have to get up!”

Looking up with forlorn eyes, the elf shook her head. For the first time, the gnoll saw her blue lips, pale face, chattering teeth. A wave of terror washed over him and he hurriedly picked the girl up into his arms. She tried to protest but was to weak. Carrying his fallen friend, Fippy drew all of his courage and began to climb the hill. The way was tough and slow. He thought of stripping Lisika of her chain mail, but decided it would take to much time, time she did not have.

When he reached the crest of the hill, the gnoll staggered and almost fell. Lisika slipped from his grasp and fell softly into the snow. Going to his knees, Fippy yipped in defeat. Shaking his head slowly to clear the haze, he noticed something in the distance. “Smoke! Lisika, smoke!” the gnoll shouted with new energy. He laughed with glee, his body charged with adrenaline and the thought of saving his friend and himself.

Lisika stared at him blurry eyed, not really certain what he was so excited about. She smiled at her friend, the last thing she saw before the darkness consumed her life.

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