Emmeline the Gnoll (special preview)

I open my journal and go over the plans I have written down. “Lum Uglan is rich with the Orcs who protect Obresh.” I keep my voice low and tense. 

“You cannot expect them to fight your battles with you,” Habbar scoffs.

“I don’t!” I snap. “But should push come to shove-” I stop myself. “I believe this will work. If we keep his forces from reinforcing their comrades, it will allow our allies within to clear the city. If we can just make the Gnolls under Sanguis see,” I whisper. 

“They have not been loyal to Culuweth,” Thanyx replies. “I met with Edragon and his men, they are all young men who have grown up not knowing Culuweth and the Gnolls of today. They will not listen.”

“But they are Gnolls! We share blood and lineage!” I pound my fist to my chest. “If we defend Obresh and take all Gnolls loyal to Sanguis alive, perhaps we can steal them from his grasp. We can change things.”

“You are noble, Lady Emmeline, but this is not a time to be considering appearance,” Habbar says. “I would have agreed with you before, but after what I saw in Bastat, I fear we must be cautious.”

“Cautious?” I roar. “I will not be hesitant when my friends, my people, are being threatened! We owe it to the people of Bastat, to the people of Gravelmeuse!” I step close to Habbar and raise my chin. “We must put our feet down now and plant them firmly.” I stomp my foot so hard on the ground my knee aches. “We will show Sanguis Rex that we are not afraid of him and we never will be! We will show him the truth strength of the Gnolls, the honor of the Golems. We will firmly stand in his way and tell him as proudly as we can that we are not ones to be pushed over! We will do this, we protect the Golems, we protect the Goblins. If we are lucky we will even protect Charbagne and save Sothen! We will keep Obresh a free port for all Nations to traverse and use without fear.”

Habbar sighs and closes his eyes. “Your words are pure, Lady Emmeline.”

“Sanguis Rex is an infestation,” I continue. “He is a virus that will infect everything until it has become as rotted and vile as he is. I will not let that happen to these Nations. I have seen my father and far too many friends and family work to keep this peace alive. Demir died for it. I fear Dhaval will die too if we do not try to help him.”

“Would you rather die then?” Thanyx asks.

“I would,” I clench my jaw. “Culuweth has Ishmael should I fall.”

“Wait.” Thanyx stares in disbelief at me. “Are you going to lead the troops to Obresh yourself, Your Highness?”

“My father had me trained to fight when I was little. I can handle a sword better than anyone and I am fully trained with the firearms we make. I can use any of them without hesitation.” I glare up at Thanyx. “Culuweth and all Gnolls are my responsibility. My blood is their blood, and if I must spill it to save all Gnolls I will not stumble.”

Thanyx furrows his brow but he remains silent.

Habbar is silent for a moment but he comes forward and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I will gather my forces from the coal mine.” He then gives me a nod. “Once you are ready, we will leave for Obresh.”

I nod back to him. “Thank you my friend. I promise, I will not let you down.”

I worked with Thanyx on preparing our troops for the upcoming battle while Habbar went and prepared his Golems at the coal mines.

Before we were to leave, I decided to pay a visit to Charlee. If anyone knew the inner workings of Sanguis Rex it was her. Since she arrived with Esdras, she has barely left his side.