Gnoll Boyfriend Thanyx (complete)

    I pound my hands down on the desk. “What do you mean again?”

    My twin cousins flinch and take a step back away from me. They look at one another, both trying to decide which one should be the sacrificial lamb to the slaughter.

    I huff, easing back into my chair and I fold my hands on my desk. I huff, irritated beyond hell. This is the third time our supply caravan has been raided. Someone along the Gravelmeuse mountain path and the new Unified Road. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Ever since I took over this shop, I’ve been burdened with all the bad news. I had no idea about the stresses the store was suffering, it had all been swept under a rug, and a facade had been put on for most of us.

    These raids were nothing new. Apparently, there had been reports of them happening for quite a while now, they had only just started to hit Obresh as of recently. 

    “Luckily you had the forethought to get insurance this time,” Edmond says.

    Oliver nods in agreement. “So we should be getting out money back.”

    “We need the supplies the shelves are fucking empty!” I roar, and the twins step back from my desk again.

    I huff, adjusting my glasses as I look over the reports. “If we don’t get these supplies we are sunk. We’ll go under. People will go elsewhere and do their business. We need them in this store, not other people’s stores!” I stand up and look out the window. 

    I’m always marveled by how much Obresh has grown. Back during the War of Crown Jewels, it had been a good port, but now it was a bustling metropolis of activity and culture. I was fifteen back then, now twenty years later, I had taken over the family business and was doing trade and commerce with people from all over the world. Back then, my father’s store had been nothing more than a tiny general store with barley flour on the shelves.

    “I’m going this time,” I snap.

    “Thora,” the twins gasp.

    I turn to them. “I’ve had enough of this bullshit! I’m going to see with my own eyes what the fuck is happening.” I stride over to the books. “You two can take over until then. I’ll know if you fuck up anything too.”

    The twins look anxiously at one another then back at me. “You’re going to go all the way west for supplies?”

    “Where else would I go? On vacation?” I slam my hands to my waist as I stand before them. “I’ll hire a crew to guard the cargo. No way am I going to let all this hard work go to nothing just now. Coronations are happening just about every day now. More ships, more travelers, and lots and lots of money are passing us by! All because some drunks on a roadside keep stealing out shit!” I stomp my foot.

    “I don’t think it’s drunks on a roadside, Thora,” Edmond replies timidly.

    Oliver nods in agreement. “If anything, it’s that same band of raiders that’s been traveling all over the continent for the past twenty years.”

    “That’s a fucking fairy tale,” I scoff. “Who would believe that? The same gnoll loyalists have been going all around, raiding caravans and stealing supposed information for an Empress who died?” I roll my eyes. “The stupid really will believe anything,” I scoff as I walk away.

    “Plan my trip,” I snap back at them. “I’ll find mercenaries when I get there,” I grumble as I go home to pack.

    The trip west towards the coast was grueling. I am not one for travel as I get motion sick very easily. I have barely ever left Obresh since I was a child. My parents had settled there after having escaped Veleryn when Reginald took over. I grew up in Obresh, watching my father’s many attempts at building a business. The problem was that my father was far too kind. He would trade food and supplies to those in need for what they had, so it gave him nowhere to grow. Sure, he was well loved in Obresh, but his businesses kept failing. If it wasn’t for the port becoming a massive hub, he might not have ever made it. Thanks to the massive influx of travel once the Unified Road was built, we had nowhere else to go but up. So the family came to work in the shop. Little did I know that my father was giving money away left in right so that when I took over the books and accounts were in dire straits.

    Now, if I cannot get these supplies to the shop, we’ll go under. We’ll have no money to operate, and we’ll have to sell the building to pay back our loans. 

    Once I get to our supplies in the west, I’m a shell of a woman. Having thrown up so many times on the journey I had barely eaten at all. I was lucky to keep down the water that I had been drinking. I didn’t want to go in look frail and ghastly, but I knew my bravado would be enough for me to get by.

    I talked to the owner of the shipping company and showed them our insurance. He assured me the next delivery would get there, but I was impressed by his constant sweating. I left, going out to find myself mercenaries for the trip.

    I found myself at a seedy little pub that once I walked inside, it went silent. I was given the stink eye from all directions, but I was used to it. I walked right up to the bar and ordered a drink. The glass was dirty, but I did my desk to ignore it. I knew if I took a drink my empty stomach would never forgive me, but I had to.

    I was used to stiff drinks. Growing up around orcs would make sure your constitution was fortified for the strongest of liquors. I was able to down the glass and look at the bartender with a little more confidence.

    “I need someone to guard my caravan,” I tell him. “Three times it’s been raided. To be honest, I need people not afraid to kill on sight.”

    The bartender chuckled. “Ladylike you? Ain’t you afraid of getting your fancy gloves dirty?”

    I wrinkle my nose at him. “Obviously not,” I snap, “or I never would have come inside.”

    He laughs and points over to the corner booth. “Those men over there.”

    I notice one is a Gnoll and that makes me a bit uneasy. I can still remember when Veleryn was overrun with them taking women and children off the streets to sell to the highest bidder. I took a deep breath and made my stride as powerful as could be.

    “Excuse me,” I say as I stand before them. “I don’t mean to bother you, well that’s a lie, I do,” I frown. “I need guards for my supply caravan,” I look the gnoll in the eye. “I have the money,” I lie, I really didn’t. I had sold all my jewelry and taken the money from the insurance to have anything to show off.

    The gnoll smirks. “Let me guess, raiders between Gracelmeuse and the Unified Road?”

    “Obviously,” I say with a nod.

    “Today is my lucky day,” the gnoll stretches out his hand. “Edragon, master to none, searching for these exact same raiders.”

    I put on a stiff upper lip and shake Edragon’s hand. “Thora of Obresh,” I tell him.

    Edragon chuckles. “I was looking for these raiders anyways,” he tells me. “Now I get to get paid for it.”

    “I don’t care if you kill every last one of them,” I tell him. “I’ll pay you everything I’ve got if I have to.”

    Edragon looks me up and down with a smirk on his lips. “Everything?”

    I flinch in revulsion but collect myself quickly. “I don’t like you untowards tone, sir.”

    “And I love uptight women like you,” Edragon sneers. “I like to snap their strings.”

    I scowl at him. “I’m not part of this bargain, sir,  just money. And if I hear you speak in such a manner to me again, I’ll see my friends in Obresh have their way with you before you go. I’ve made friends with many an orc there, and they’d be happy to grapple a beast for me.”

    “Fuck,” Edragon bites his lip. “Babe, you got me hard as a rock.”

    I slap him. “Be at the shipping yard by dawn. I’ll pay you half if you even show up.” I stride out of the building, already weak from the journey, but feeling even sicker now.

    I’m at the shipping yard to watch over the caravan as it’s put together. I see Edragon, and his mean approach and I go to meet him.

    “You got my half?” Edragon asks.

    I shove the bag into his hands. “That’s it,” I say. “Now get to work.”

    “As the lady wishes,” Edragon bows low. His men chuckle and laugh, going over to help the rest of the members of the caravan.

    I dread the journey, mainly because I have thrown up everything inside me and it’s getting even harder to keep water down. Edragon and his men make me uneasy too. I’m not sure what it is, but there is something that sets my teeth on edge when I’m around Edragon. I have dealt with men like him before, but there is something else about him. It feels almost sinister. 

    Once we set on the path through the Gravelmeuse mountains, that’s when Edragon and his men are put on high alert. They keep their guard up all day and night, taking turns watching over the cargo.

    It’s early one morning, and we’re just getting ready to leave after a rest. I’m by the trees, dumping out ashes on the roots.

    I’m grabbed from behind as a blade is placed at my throat. “Stay still,” my captor whispers into my ear. “I don’t want to harm you none.” He puts his paw around my mouth. “Stay quiet now.”

    I look up, seeing I’m being held by a gnoll, but there is something strange. He’s dressed in an old uniform that looks threadbare and worn. There are patches on the elbows and chest, the thing looks ready to give up and fall apart. The gnoll is older as well, but he looks clean cut and swarthy, unlike Edragon.

    I hear the ambush at the caravan as the fighting starts. The gnolls drag me out to the front, using me to get up close.

    “Let us pass,” he says as he holds me out. “Or your meal ticket dies.”

    Edragon pushed to the front. “Let her go old man.”

    I feel faint, the excitement and fear of everything is getting to me. I haven’t eaten much in days, and I haven’t had any water since before yesterday. I start to swoon and stumble backward. I look up at the sky as my vision starts to go to a pinpoint.

    “Papa?” I whisper before it all fades to black.

    I hear the sound of children playing, voices calling out. I sit up, looking around the tent I’m placed in. My head is throbbing and aching, and my whole body feels weak.

    “Awake now, princess?”

    I look up, seeing the Gnoll who had taken my hostage before. He’s sitting shirtless before me and holding his saber in his lap.

    I frown at him. “You took my caravan again,” I growl.

    “Not this time,” he says. “You’re hired men have it.”

    I sigh at the news, and I’m a bit relieved.

    “But I have you,” he says and stands up. “And you have the remaining half of the money they want. So they’re willing to trade.”

    I moan and fall back on the bed. “I don’t have it!”

    The gnoll is shocked. “Excuse me?”

    “Without the cargo, I don’t have the money,” I whine. “You’ve taken my supplies so many times my business is crumbling to the ground.” I then groan and dry heave.

    The gnoll comes up beside me, he lifts my head and forces a flask to my mouth. He feeds me water, making me take tiny sips. 

    “You’re dehydrated,” he says.

    “Traveling makes me ill,” I melt back into the cot. “You might as well kill me,” I close my eyes and spread out my arms. “I’d rather die than sell my father’s store.”

    “You’re a strange woman,” the gnoll says. “Who are you?”

    “Thora,” I sigh. “Of Obresh.” I open my eyes and look up at him. “Who the hell are you?”

    He bows. “Major Thaynx,” he says. “Commander of Empress Bethsabe’s special forces.”

    I furrow my brow. “Empress Bethsabe?” I start. “But she’s-”

    The tent opens, and a young gnoll comes up, whispering for Thaynx. The two leave the tent together, and I gather my strength. I get up from the cot and open the tent, looking outside. There’s a huge encampment all around. Children are out playing in the grass, and there are more people than I expected. There are lots of Gnolls, but I see humans, Orcs, Rakshasa, and others mingling together. Some of them are wearing the same old uniforms that Thanyx had. There were even war banners that hadn’t been raised since Bethsabe had perished. 

    Thanyx approaches the tent again. “Well enough to try and make an escape, princess?”

    “What is this place?” I whisper.

    Thanyx places me back in the tent and sits me down on the bed. “What was once a small army of young men is now a community,” he tells me. 

    “So it’s true,” I whisper. “Those stories about the raider group that have been traveling all over since the war ended...it’s not some stupid fairy tale?”

    Thanyx smiles proudly. “I cannot end my duty until the Empress commands it,” he says.

    “But Bethsabe is gone,” I urge. “Your duty is over, Bethsabe has long been in the ground! Why still do this?”

    “There is still someone ruling over Culuweth, correct?” Thanyx asks.

    “Emperor Nadeem,” I say quietly.

    “Then that is who can only end my duty,” he replies with a stiff nod. “But that is not the point. Your men have made an offer.”

    “And that is?” I ask.

    “They don’t want you,” he replies with a hushed tone. “They want me.”

    “Excuse me?” I bark.

    “Apparently you hired the wrong men.”

    I nod slowly. “Apparently.”

    “I’m not going to kill you, Thora,” Thanyx shakes his head. “But I need to know everything you know about this Edragon.”

    “I know nothing,” I say. “I was looking for me to hire to protect my cargo and I was led to him.”

    “He spoke of nothing while you traveled?” Thanyx asks.

    “I told you, I don’t travel well. I was throwing up most of the time or was too sick to pay attention.” I shake my head, “When I first talked to him he said we was lucky. I was paying him to find raiders he was already looking for.”

    Thanyx folds his fingers under his chin. “He was already looking for me then.”

    “He said he had come from Culuweth,” I say, remembering something I had overheard while trying to sleep. “Said he was pure of blood...something wussy.”

    Thanyx’s ears perk. “Son of Wulsi?”

    “I think so,” I take his flask again and finish off the water inside.

    Thanyx closes his eyes and goes silent. He doesn’t ask me any more about Edragon. Instead, he places me in the care of some of the women of the camp. From them, I learn that over the past twenty years Thanyx’s men had started at a hundred. The special forces had been sent by Empress Bethsabe to gather information and disrupt supplies in order to hinder any of Demir’s efforts. Once Bethsabe died, the special forces was cut down to twenty, including Thanyx and those still loyal to Culuweth, the others left, fearing what would happen if they kept fighting now that Bethsabe was gone and new power was ruling Culuweth.

    Thanyx continued his mission, disrupting trade routes, supplies, and caravans for the high points of the empire. All the while he and his men too in abandoned Gnoll colonies. Escapees and refugees from the battles, and even run away soldiers joined him. Eventually, the camp grew to well over three hundred people. To keep his people safe, Thanyx had been constantly moving the camp in order to ensure they were never captured or found.

    “He’s a very good man,” one of the ladies say. “But I’m afraid he’s lost. Without knowing Culuweth anymore, he’s lodged in the past.”

    “Now that this Edragon has shown up I think he’s in a battle of conscious.” Another lady replies as she nurses a baby.

    I haven’t seen Thanyx at all since he handed me over and since then I have heard nothing but good things about him. If anything, his people are starting for feel sorry for him, but he is so strong in his loyalty to Culuweth and now these people he won’t back down for anything.

    One evening I go to his tent and find him staring down at his sword.

    “Excuse me.”

    He looks up and sighs. “Oh, it’s you,” he walks over to the entrance. “What do you want?”

    “What are Edragon’s demands?” I ask.

    “It doesn’t matter to you,” he answers me.

    I step inside. “It does matter. Your people are worried for you, and my cargo is still being held captive,” I cross my arms against my chest. “Now listen, I’m good at making deals. Let me help you. I know how to bargain, and I do it well.”

    Thanyx scoffs and laughs. “This isn’t something you can help with, princess.”

    I growl and roll my eyes. “Stop calling me that!” I stomp over towards him. “And you need to listen to me. Whatever Edragon wants from you he isn’t going to go away. He’s holding you and all your people hostage, Thanyx! All these children and women here are counting on you. If you don’t do something, then these past twenty years have been fruitless!”

    Thanyx looks me over. “They told you.”

    I roll my eyes. “Let me help you find a way out of this.”

    Thanyx sighs and sits down again. “Edragon want me and my men to join him in overthrowing Emperor Nadeem and reclaiming Culuweth.”

    I shake my head. “But he’s just some mercenary scum.”

    “No,” Thanyx grunts. “He isn’t,” he looks back up. “He’s the son of Wulsi, who was once one of Bethsabe more loyal and fervent followers. Wulsi tried to create an uprising before, but he failed and was executed by Queen Mythri.” He then hangs his head again. “Edragon is much more prepared than Wulsi ever was. He wants me to join his army but I can’t.”

    I sit down beside Thanyx. “Why not?” I ask. “Weren’t you loyal to Bethsabe too?”

    “I am loyal to Culuweth,” Thanyx replies. “I am loyal to the sovereign ruler there, and right now, the one in power is who I serve. Edragon wants me to join him to save Culuweth, but I am not sure it needs saving.”

    “What will happen if you turn Edragon down?” I ask.

    “Kill me, I’m sure,” Thanyx sighs. “And I cannot serve him. I have not been relieved of my duties, and I am still loyal to Culuweth and the emperor in power.”

    “But-” I hesitate as I think about the people who depend on him.

    “Tell me, how can you help me know?” Thanyx asks.

    I’m not sure why, but I reach out and squeeze Thanyx’s hand. “I know Lord Jasper,” I tell him. “Back when he and Aisling were in hiding in Obresh, I knew them both. I can contact them,” I say. “We’re still near the Gravelmeuse pass. Let me and some of your people go and contact them. They can send help and send word to Emperor Nadeem.”

    Thanyx furrows his brow. “Of all the people-” he whispers.

    “I may not travel well, but please let me do this!” I snap at him.

    Thanyx smiles softly. “And what if you cannot succeed?” He asks.

    “I was going to die anyway,” I grumble.

    Thanyx agrees and sends me off with a few of his men. We arrive at Aisling’s palace where she accepts my pleas. She sends with me fifty of her finest soldiers and quickly sends word to Culuweth by one of her Ifrits. 

    I return to Thanyx’s camp, Aisling’s soldiers with me. When I arrive, I learn that Thanyx has been called by Edragon who has become impatient and he has gone to sacrifice himself for the good of Culuweth.

    I take the soldiers and go to where Edragon and his men are in wait. Thanyx is kneeling before him, ready to lay his sword down.

    “Stop!” I cry out as the soldiers stand in ready behind me. “Thanyx of Culuweth, get off the ground!” I roar at him. “Culuweth needs you!”

    He turns and looks at me, his eyes wide with bewilderment. “My god...you did it.”

    “Word has been sent to Emperor Nadeem,” I continue. “He knows of Edragon and his intentions.”

    Edragon snots and laughs. “He’s known of me for some time,” he poses, placing his hands on his waist. “He knows what I am after and what I intend to do. What he doesn’t know is who the real power is behind this uprising.” He turns to his men. “This isn’t worth it. Sanguis made this old timer seem like he was worth the trouble, but he isn’t.” He then spits on the ground. “Take the cargo and let’s go.”

    I watch in agony as my supplies get taken away. I bow my head as Thanyx comes up to me.

    “I’m sorry,” he whispers. “You risked all on me.”

    I shake my head. I know the sacrifice of my father’s business for the sake of these people was uneven from the start. It was the right choice to make, but it hurt all the same.

    Thanyx takes me into his arms and hugs me. “I’ll never be able to repay this kindness,” he whispers.

    I continue to stay at the camp, I am afraid to go home and face my family, but I know I will have face my responsibilities soon. One day, a letter arrives from Culuweth delivered by one of Aisling’s messengers.

    Inside is a royal decree signed by Emperor Nadeem himself. He has relieved Thanyx of his duties and wants him to return to Culuweth at once to receive his new orders. He has also invited the entire camp to join and become full-fledged citizens of Culuweth where they will be accepted with open arms. It is a wonderful blessing, one that Thanyx had never thought would arrive.

    Thanyx cries, falling to his knees in joy as he clutches the letter to his chest. I kneel beside him, stroking his back and watching the relief on his face.

    “I can go home,” he cries. “I can go home.” He turns, grabbing me and kissing me.

    I am shocked at first, and I push him away only to grab him and kiss him again.

    “Come with me,” Thanyx gasps.

    “What?” I shake my head. “Thanyx, you know I don’t travel well,” I laugh nervously.

    Thanyx kisses me again. “Please. I’ve grown so fond of you, princess,” he whispers to me. “Come with me, start a new like in Culuweth. Marry me.”

    I push away from him.  “As wonderful as that sounds and as much as I want to, Thanyx-” my voice grows weak.

    “You can’t,” Thanyx sighs.

    I shake my head and force a smile. “I have to go to my own home and face the music,” I reply. “I have to see it to the end and take care of my family.”

    Thanyx kisses me again, this time with urgency and need. “I’ll never find another woman like you again, Thora.”

    “I hope you don’t.” I clasp his hand to my cheek. “I hope you find someone who will stay with you.”

    Thanyx kisses me again, and I wrap my arms around him. I look into his eyes, and we both grow still for a moment.

    “Just one night,” I tell him as I touch his bare chest. “That’s all we can share.”

    “Is it even worth it?” Thanyx kisses my hair and nuzzles there.

    I pet down his stomach and place my palm between his leg. “It’ll last us,” I assure him. I rub his growing bulge, and he moans into my ear. His voice is soft and low. He places his hands around my waist, standing up with me as you move to the bed. He lays me down, removing my dress from over my head.

    Hi, spaw strokes down my body, admiring my large thighs and breasts. He leans down, kissing between my breasts and nuzzling between them.

    I whimper softly as his coarse fur rubs to my skin. I reach between us, feeling his cock rub against my soft belly. I stroke my hand over it, running it along his length. I shudder as he kisses me again, wanting to feel him close to me for as long as possible.

    I wrap my legs around him as we kiss. He grunts and moans as his cock slides along my slit. It pushes through, rubbing to the direct heat instead of the plumpness outside. He growls in my ear, and I urge him forward. I can feel his tip start to prod. It slips in, and I gasp loudly. Arching my back, I press my soft body to his strong form.

    Thanyx whimpers and a nervous laugh escapes his mouth. He bites it back as he moves. His hips buck, and his thighs tremble. He pushes in and stills for a moment. I can feel all of him inside me, warm and hard. I squeeze him, and he growls, biting down on my ear. I cry out in pleasure, rolling my hips to feel more of him inside.

    Thanyx holds me still, grabbing my hips so that he can move to his pleasure. He grinds inside me, gyrating his hips in such a way he moves inside me but never leaves me. I cling to him, digging my nails into his back and singing out into the air. The tent has grown hot with our heavy breathing and has made a thick fog.

    Thanyx kisses me, and I can feel the heat growing. The rush goes through my limbs, making me weak and twitch. I arch my back and bury my face into his neck as I start to cry out. He snarls, rutting harder, pounding me down into the bed. Each thrust sends another wave over me. It crashes over and over again until I feel him let go inside me.

    He snarls and moans, a few more thrusts and he falls onto the bed beside me. We lay together in silence, knowing this is the last of us we will ever have.

    I leave as he falls asleep. I take one of the horses and go back to Obresh in the night, too afraid to say goodbye and knowing I may never see him again.

    Back home I set to work, finding that someone wants to buy the store but hire me and my family to continue running it. For a while, things are fine. But as the months pass, I grow to miss Thanyx more and more.

    One day, as I’m working on accounts, there is a knock at my door. “Thora, you have a visitor.”

    “Send them in,” I start to mark off my work, so I remember where I left off.

    “I’m glad to see you didn’t lose it.”

    I lose my breath for a moment, and I look up to see Thanyx standing there, wearing a brand new uniform.

    “Oh my god,” I whisper.

    Thanyx strides over towards my desk. “I was in Obresh on business. I figured I would test my luck.”

    I stand up and place my hand on my belly. Thanyx’s eyes go wide. “Oh,” he gasps and forces a painful smile. “Oh wow!”

    I smile as I look down at my stomach. “Would you like to feel?”

    “Oh uhm-” he looks around nervously. “Will the father mind?”

    I place his paw on my belly. “Do you?”

    Thanyx pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. “Do not joke with me!”

    I hold him fast. “There’s been no one but you, Thanyx,” I whisper. “I’m so happy to see you again.”

    “I’m being stationed on Obresh,” he then whispers. “Nadeem wants me to keep guard in case Edragon ever attacks again.” 

    I start to cry as I hold fast to him. We’re silent, we don’t need to say anything now. The baby kicks for the first time.

    I throw the table aside and scream out loud. I pull at my fur and stomp back and forth across the room while Sanguis watches me.

    “You done with your little temper tantrum now?” He huffs as he pursues through the wreckage of the what had been on the table. 

    “How can you not be enraged?” I roar at him. “We needed Thanyx! His regard and honor was what we needed to make our efforts seem legit!”

    Sanguis looks at me with a look of shock. His dragon-like face makes me anxious. Unlike the lizard-folk or the Kobolds, Sanguis’ features are much more primal, more draconian. 

    “Are you saying we aren’t legit?” He asks me, taking a step closer.

    I frown, standing my ground. “Of course not, my lord.”

    Sanguis slips his fingers along my cheek and neck. His fingers are like razors and are stained pitch black. “It sure sounds like it,” he snarls. “We don’t need an old soldier to make us look good. We have everything we need to do that.” He then chuckles. “And after that Tiefling makes his report, it’ll will be all the more fun!”

    I frown at him, turning my head aside as Sanguis picks up the table. He uses his robe to wipe the top, and he sighs. “Had I known you were putting so much faith in an old man I would have given you much closer council.”

    “No, my lord,” I gasp, “it isn’t that. I respected Thanyx, my father respected-”

    “And your father died,” Sanguis snarls at me as his eyes flash bright red. “Eaten. Gobbled. He was a mid-afternoon snack no more than a toenail.”

    I grimace and clench my fists tight. “My father was a-”

    “Impudent, trying, rage-filled mongrel,” Sanguis snarls. “You are better than he ever was. You are smarter, fairer, and more cunning than him.” He then smiles at me. “You are what we need to make our desires a bountiful effort.”

    My heart hammers and skips a beat. 

    Sanguis steps back forward, placing a kiss on both my cheeks. “You’re my shining star, Edragon. Your father fell, will you?”

    I grin. “Never, my lord.”