Nadeem the Gnoll (complete)

    Ever since I left Culuweth, turning my back on the Gnoll Empire and Bethsabe, the Rakshasa Court has become my home. For years I hated the Rakshasa, ever since I was little I was told how they were selfish, lazy, and greedy. I had been forced to believe the Rakshasa was lesser than. But when I came here, I pushed my prejudice aside and came to King Amit with all I had.

    I turned traitor on my own country for one I used to hate. But here, I have never felt more at peace with myself. I married here, taking the hand of my beloved Eliza. She received such excellent care here. It was because of her I turned my back on the Gnolls, on my family. For years I had struggled with myself, I was unhappy with the way my cousin the Queen, Bethsabe was treating me. I was displeased with how she was running her military and the kingdom. It wasn’t until Eliza I fully opened my eyes. Under Queen Mythri’s hand, I married her, and we’ve been in bliss ever since.

    For this safety, I traded all my knowledge about Bethsabe and her strategies to King Amit. He took my own personal expertise and asked me to join his military. Under the guidance of General Kalidas, I felt I was finally putting my skills to good use. 

    “If someone had told me I would be working alongside a Gnoll, I would have called them insane,” Kalidas smirks at me one day during training.

    It’s been a long time since I’ve had to go through such rigors, so I’m a bit out of breath and tired. “I feel the same way,” I force out a chuckle between heavy breaths.

    Kalidas chuckles and throws me a towel. “My grandfather was a slave,” he tells me. “He fought in the uprising and the war against the Gnolls.”

    “Oh,” I gasp. “Kalidas I’m-”

    “I never thought we’d be at war with them again,” he sighs.

    “War is inevitable,” I answer. “It will always exist no matter who we like and who we hate. It will come eventually in our lifetimes.”

    Kalidas shakes his head. “With all that is happening in the Ruby Empire, I feel as though there is too much change coming. His ears then twitch, and he looks up with alarm and concern. I turn, seeing Foluke come in with three strangers standing beside him. There are two Sabertooth Tigers and one young woman. The woman bears a frightening similarity to Queen Mythri, and I have to double take.

    “What’s going on here?” Kalidas asks as he steps towards them.

    Foluke hands out a letter with a royal seal. “These three come with news from Imani,” he replies.

    Kalidas takes the letter and looks it over. His ears go flat to the back of his head, and his eyes widen. “My god, is this true?”

    “The Gnolls are planning an attack on the Rakshasa Court, specifically targeting King Amit’s kingdom while he’s away,” the young woman replies. 

    “We knew that,” I say coming forward, and the woman glares at me. “I’ve already told them all this.”

    “So you know about the dragon?” The young Sabertooth asks.

    I feel my entire body go cold. I feel as if time is moving slowly around me. “Dragon?” I rasp. “What dragon?”

    “Bethsabe has one under her control,” the girl says. “She plans on using it to attack.”

    Kalidas looks at me with an angry glare on his face.

    “Tell me,” I gasp at her. “How do you know Bethsabe has a dragon?”

“I saw it,” the young Sabertooth speaks up. “The one controlling it spoke directly to me in a vision. He worships Bethsabe and is doing everything she commands. This dragon is somewhere in Rakshasa country.”

   “Of course this happens while Amit is away,” Kalidas snarls.

   “What do we do?” Foluke asks.

   “We’ll join Imani’s army,” Kalidas replies. “Like she says in her letter. We’ll search for this dragon and make sure we put a stop to it. It’s obviously here because Amit isn’t,” he growls. “This Bethsabe plans to strike down Amit while she can.”

   I shake my head slowly, taking deep breaths.  “I never knew about this,” I whisper. “In all the plans and maps…my god…she hid this from everyone.”

    “What do you mean?” The girl asks.

    I look up at her, feeling as if I am looking into the eyes of Mythri. It is uncanny how similar they are. “I came here and gave Amit all the information I had. I was the General of the Gnoll Navy,” I shake my head. “I thought I knew everything she had up her sleeve.”

    “She hid this for a reason,” the older sabertooth replies. “That much is certain. She obviously knew she would be betrayed at some point.”

    “I feel sick,” I growl.

    Kalidas eyes me strangely, and he turns back to the others. “Send out word Foluke. Maybe we can get word to Amit and Mythri in time. We’ll start preparing our military. Imani’s troops should be arriving soon.”

    “We’re staying as well,” the older sabertooth replies. “We’ve brought some of our men with us. We plan on helping protect the palace.”

    “Go with Foluke then,” Kalidas replies. “He’ll help you get everything sorted.” He then turns to me. “You,” his voice is low and grave. “I need to speak with you alone.”

    He takes me aside, leading me into a secluded and dark hallway. “Look me in the eye and tell me you had no knowledge of this.”

    I look into his eyes. “Kalidas, I swear to you, had I known about this dragon it would have been the first thing I brought to your attention.”

    His lip curls and he lunges at me. “I am still trying to decide if I trust you,” he tells me. “All this time, I’ve been worried you’ve had a knife for my back.”

    “I don’t!” I argue. “Kalidas, I came here out of fear! Bethsabe is unstable, and her plans are catastrophic! The fact she had this dragon and hid it should be proof of that!”

    Kalidas backs down, but his tail still swishes back and forth behind him. “I want to trust you, Nadeem, but this knowledge makes it hard.”

    I want to look away, but I keep my gaze on his eyes. “I know this. I know that this dragon adds tension to everything. But I swear on my life I am loyal to Amit and this court. I cannot stand with Culuweth anymore.”

    Kalidas sighs. “For now, I have no other option but to trust you. Let’s hope that doesn’t change.” He walks away from me, and I remain there in the shadows.

    I return to my quarters where Eliza is waiting with food. “Is something wrong?” She asks me. “You’re quiet.”

    I reach out and wrap her up in my arms. Her small, warm body comforts me, but I am still horribly uneasy. 

    “Nadeem?” She murmurs. “What’s wrong?”

    “I am scared,” I whisper to her. “News arrived today, news about Bethsabe.”

    “Tell me,” she murmurs. 

    I sigh and sit down, and she sits beside me, taking my hand and holding it tight. “Members of the Sabertooth tribe arrived today. They rescued a convoy belonging to Queen Imani. It was attacked by Gnoll slavers.”

    Her mouth drops open. “They’re already here?”

    “Worse,” I growl. “She has a secret weapon I didn’t know about.”

    She puts her arm around me and holds her breath.

    “She has a dragon under her control,” I whisper. “Someone with power over creatures worships her and has captured her a dragon.” I hang my head in my hands. “I look like an enemy to Kalidas,” I whisper. “He thinks I am still loyal to Bethsabe.”

    Eliza puts her arms around me and pets the back of my head. “He’s scared,” she whispers. “Just like you are.”

    I hold her tight. “What am I to do? Bethsabe plans to attack while Amit is gone.”

    Eliza places her forehead against mine. “You fight with them,” she whispers. “You fight with your new brothers.” She then gives me a soft smile. “You will protect your home and your new family. You are strong and dedicated.” She kisses the tears on my cheeks. “Stand beside Kalidas in battle.”

    I sigh and nod. “What about you?”

    “I’ll worry,” she answers. “But I will be proud of you, and I will be safe here.”

    I enveloped her in my arms again and held her tight, saying a silent prayer.

    Over the next few days, Kalidas evacuated the city. He sent the civilians to protective, underground bunkers that Amit’s grandfather had built. He is doing an admirable job and commands like a real leader. 

    “Amit would be proud of you,” I tell him as he agonizes over maps and plans.

    “Would he?” Kalidas growls. He is focusing on the West Sea, but because of the dragon, he fears an attack could happen from anywhere. “We have Chiyo and her archers,” he replies. “That will give us our first line of defense once they start advancing on the walls.” He then growls and shakes his head. “But the dragon-”

    “The dragon can spill blood just like any of us,” I tell him. “Dragons are powerful, but that is not undefeatable.” I kneel before Kalidas. “You cannot let fear and doubt rule you. You must use them to your advantage, General.” 

    Kalidas looks at me, and I see the exhaustion in his eyes. “You’ll be fighting your own blood, you know that right?”

    “I am wearing the armor of a Rakshasa, that is what matters to me right now.” I stand up and look over the map. “Even with the dragon, knowing the planning prowess of the Gnoll military let’s still expect them to come from the Western Sea,” I tell him. “We can prepare extra archers at the south for the dragon if you think that is what will happen.”

    Kalidas stands up. “I agree. We’ll get our main troops here. We have extra troops from Imani we can place here. If they’re foolish enough to try and advanced towards the south, they’ll have to deal with Czar Gregori and his bears.” He looks and me and smiles. “Thank you, Nadeem.”

    It isn’t long before the horns start sounding. The watch at their posts is signaling down the line, warning us that the Gnolls are approaching. I go with Kalidas to the front of the lines, wearing the armor of a Rakshasa.

    “It suits you,” Kalidas smirks. “How does it feel?”

    “I’m shitting myself,” I answer truthfully. “But I feel I am standing with a military I can believe in.”

    Kalidas claps his hand on my shoulder. “Have you ever fought in a war before?”

    I shake my head. “Not a war, General.”

    “You won’t get used to it,” Kalidas then turns, and I see the smoke on the horizon. I smell fire and blood, and I hear the whooping war cries of the Gnolls. “Good luck,” Kalidas whispers as he removes his saber from his belt. “I won’t my promises. But I pray we see the morning.”

    I take out my sword and nod. “Agreed.”

    “Fire!” I hear the scream from above. I then see the hellish fire of arrows come down like a wall before us. It slices through the advancing line of Gnolls, many dropping before they even set foot before us.

    Kalidas roars, thrusting his saber into the sky and our troops rush forward. A dark shadow moves in the clouds above us. The breath of the dragon ignites the sky and sends sparks and smokes down all around us. The beat of his wings knocks the arrows off path, and he heads straight for the castle.

I have no time to worry or doubt, all I can do is fight off the Gnolls that are invading. My sword tastes blood, I taste blood. I am beaten and wounded, but I do not falter. I keep charging forward, protecting this land.

    I hear a painful scream, and I see Kalidas ahead of me, knocked to the ground with a sword in his leg. The Gnoll over him is yipping and laughing, and to my horror I recognize him. Ludovic, he was a friend of mine, we had grown up in the academy together, and we had worked side by side many times.

    “Traitor!” I hear him bellow when he sees me. 

    I stand still, feeling cold again.

    Ludovic laughs loudly. “Working for the pretty kitties now?” He twists the sword in Kalidas’ leg. Kalidas roars in pain. “You’re such a disappointment Nadeem,” Ludovic snarls.

    I hold my sword out before me. “Let him go.”

    Ludovic yips. “That’s funny you think I give a fuck about these cats.” He rips his sword from Kalidas’ leg. “It’s funny to think you give a fuck.” He looks down at Kalidas then back at me. “You will be much more fun to kill.”

    “Try!” I snarl as I charge at him. Our swords clash, and he fights hard. He is bigger than me and has always been stronger. We struggle for the longest time, clashing and missing one another. He eventually knocks me down and readies his sword to strike me. I think about Eliza at the palace. I pray the dragon doesn’t find her. I pray she doesn’t mourn me long. 

Ludovic starts to laugh as he raises his sword above his head. I close my eyes and wait for death. But a saber punctures through his chest. He coughs and heaves, staring down at the saber. I open my eyes as he falls over. I stare in awe, seeing Kalidas standing there.

“General!” I gasp.

Kalidas rips his saber back out and falls back. “You’re lucky,” he pants.

I go to him and help him up. “You saved my life.”

“You distracted him,” Kalidas laughs then snarls in pain. “He would have killed me first.” I help Kalidas get onto a horse.

“Get back to the palace,” I tell him. “I can lead from here.”

“It’s far too late,” Kalidas pants. “I might as well stay here and-” the roar of the dragon cuts him off. We both look up, seeing the dragon come swooping down towards us. “Can I say I’m dying with a friend?” Kalidas whispers.

“You may, General,” I reach out and take his hand and he squeezes it back.

But the dragon glides over us and heads directly into the Gnoll army. His fire cuts through them, and he eats those that escape the flames.

“What is happening?”Kalidas gasps in awe. 

I laugh. “A miracle!”

“Then we must not waste it!” Kalidas takes the reigns of the horse. “Advance while you can! I’ll tell the troops to keep pushing forward!” He gallops off, and I race ahead. I commend the men on the front lines to follow behind the dragon. 

    I then see her, Chiyo, the girl from the Sabertooth tribe. She rides astride the dragon, commanding him and guiding him through the Gnoll army. As the Gnolls retreat the dragon lands and Chiyo steps off. Kalidas approaches on horseback.

    “You?” He is stunned into near silence. “What is this?”

    Chiyo looks up at him, and I see in her eyes something I’ve never seen before. The grief and pain she is in, the rage she feels, all mixed with a stoney sense of calm. This was what real warriors looked like.

    The dragon lays its head on the ground beside her, and she stands protectively before him. “The dragon is no longer under Gnoll control,” she says, and her body sways. I rush forward and grab her before she collapses. “He’s on our side now.”

    I look at the dragon. “Is this true?”

    “She saved my life,” he replies. “I owe her a great debt.” 

    “As do we, apparently,” Kalidas murmurs. 

    Foluke and I lead a sweep for the rest of the Gnoll troops. Meanwhile, back at the palace, there has been considerable destruction. We also learn there had been a plot to kidnap the princes and princess, but Chiyo saved their lives. 

    Eliza was hiding with the children when they were attacked. Luckily Brahmi, Kalidas’ wife, protected her. I go to visit them one day and see how Kalidas is doing. He insists on being kept with his men instead of in his private chambers.

    When Amit and Mythri return I feel a bit of relief. Having them here means our job was well done. Even if the palace and the city are in chaos, having them here made things feel like they could heal.

    I meeting is held with me, Kalidas, Chiyo, Foluke, Mythri, and Ravi, one of his soldiers who now works across the Cobra Strait. Also with us is Demir, the centaur warlord. He came to show his solidarity with Amit and offer his support for reconstruction. He called the meeting to discuss what to do about Bethsabe.

    “I cannot let this violence on my people stand,” Amit growls. 

    “Not just violence on you,” Chiyo replies. “But specifically targeted to you. Bethsabe wanted to hurt you the most.”

    Amit’s expression is one of such rage I feel suffocated just seeing it. I cannot imagine the storm raging inside his body. “If she had attacked me I could understand that. But she attacked my children.”

    “Bethsabe has never been afraid to hit her enemies where it will hurt most,” I reply. “She once executed the entire harem simply because he husband was feeding them apples.” I glance up to Amit. “She also holds family members of her inner circle ransom at all times, so they do not betray her.”

    “What about you?” Chiyo asks. “What did she hold over your head to keep you in line?”

    “Esdras, her king, he was once my best friend,” I answer with a low voice. “And Bethsabe was my cousin. She was my blood and only family. I loved them both and would have done anything for them.”

    “What do you think she will do now?” Ravi asks. “Now that we’ve stolen her greatest weapon and destroyed one of her armies, what does she have?”

    I shake my head. “She has nothing now.”

    “Then I saw we attack her on her own territory,” Foluke growls. “We grab at her as she grabbed at us! If she truly has nothing, then we topple Culuweth with Demir.”

    “But what will happen after we do this?” Mythri asks. “Bethsabe’s court is loyally devoted to her. Those who worship her will certainly try to overthrow whatever efforts we do. Even if we take Bethsabe-”

    “We will not take her,” Demir says cooly. “I plan on killing her and mounting her head on a spike for all to see.”

    I shudder, and Mythri touches my hand. 

    “I know you are kind, my queen,” Demir says to Mythri. “But would you show mercy to the woman who wanted to murder and skin your children?”

    “I wouldn’t,” she answers. “But we cannot plan on emotion,” she tells him. “We must think with tact and our future in mind. If we keep her alive, we can keep an insurgency from happening. Her loyalists are fanatical-”

    “You have a cult, my queen,” Ravi replies with a smirk. “You are a goddess, and she is mortal. “Who do you think will win?”

    Mythri scoffs. “That is not the point! Bethsabe is an incredibly intelligent woman. She knows we will want her dead, so she for sure will already have contingencies in place for when that happens.”

    “You sound so sure of that, my queen,” Demir says.

    “Because I would do the same!” Mythri snaps. She then shakes her head and holds back a sob. “I want her dead more than anyone! But bloodlust will not solve all our problems! It will only-” Amit places his hand on her back.

    “My love is wiser than I,” he says. “Like Demir, I wanted to storm her castle and take her head home with me. But we must act with grace to her bloodlust,” he replies. “Her loyalists will be a threat if we don’t.”

    “Then what do we do to replace her?” Kalidas asks. “If one of us stays it will do no good.”

    “We have her blood on our side,” Demir remarks coolly. He turns to me and smiles. “Cousin to Bethsabe, heir to the throne of Culuweth, what say you?”

    I sare back and forth at the faces in the room. I look at Amit and Mythri and then to Kalidas. “You would honor me so?”

    “You’re our best bet to keeping loyalists calm. It won’t be enough for most of them, but it will be more than if we let one of us do it,” Amit murmurs. 

    “I don’t know what to say,” I gasp.

    “Say yes, friend,” Kalidas replies. “For your country.”

    I take a deep breath. “For King Amit,” I whisper. “I will take this honor.”

    “Then we will leave at dawn,” Demir replies. “I will take Nadeem, Chiyo, and Amit with me,” he says. “Your lives are my responsibility. I leave my life with your partners.”