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Gorion read through the scroll for the third time. That didn't make it's contents any easier to digest, but it gave him a few more seconds to calm himself and think.

Twenty years. Twenty years since that fateful raid on the cult of Bhaal. And he'd never quite managed to forget the screams, the blood, the crackle of magic and the roar of a gnoll warrior.

He had moved on as well as he could. Gorion had embraced the experience and leaned into being an ally of the Harpers, accompanying their agents on other missions. He'd seen other frightening things in his time with them. Once he had helped dig out a slaver ring in Athkatla and exposed its master to the city guard. The sight of poorly treated slaves had been painful. Once when delving into the ruins of a fallen temple, he had answered riddles from a spirit that would surely have flayed the skin from his bones should he answer incorrectly. Several years back he and some other friends had raided the lair of a red dragon, stealing some of the beast's treasure and leaving injuries that it would not soon forget. And while these experiences had left their mark on him, none had truly shaken him like that night twenty years ago.

And now here he was, warned that time was up and that fateful day was coming back to haunt him.

Gorion sighed and leaned back in his carved wooden chair. Taking his glasses from his face, he wiped them off on his sleeve and glanced around him. His room was small but cozy, well lit with plenty of books set up on shelves covering all kinds of topics. He had been looking forward to spending much time in here in the coming years. He wasn't a young man anymore. He had hit his sixtieth year a few months ago. And yet he didn't seem to have a choice anymore.

There came a knock on his door, catching his attention. "Come in" he called out and got up to his feet, brushing his hands over his plain scribe's robes. He cracked a smile and waited as the door swung open and his son shuffled inside.

Savan had to duck his head going through the doorway. The young man had got big. Straightening up, he turned to Gorion and he smiled, lips curving back on his muzzle to show his big sharp teeth. The now adult gnoll growled to the elderly male and clasped his big paws before him. He positively loomed. That's what happened when you filled out, of course. A good six and a half feet tall, Savan had got bigger and stronger from years of chores and working every day with Captain Jondalar and the Candlekeep guards. His shirt was long and loose to hide his frame and fall over his tail, and likewise his trousers. He wore thick leather boots to hide the shape of his feet, though for now his hands were free. All and all, even the fact that he was a gnoll couldn't change the fact that Savan had grown into a model young man. Though perhaps that was fatherly pride speaking to Gorion.

"You sent for me father?" Savan rumbled, ducking his head as he habitually did around the older male. "Is this about today's lesson plan?"

"No, I'm certain that you've had enough of numbers and theorems", Gorion said, his smile turning wryly. Rising from his chair, he reached out to set his hand atop Savan's head, gently ruffling his neatly trimmed mane. Searching in his eyes for...something. Normally they were a normal muddy brown colour. But he remembered the first time their eyes had met and he'd peered into them. When the gnoll had been an infant with bright, golden eyes.

"It's about something much more serious that I need to talk to you today" he went on, bracing himself for the talk they needed to have.

Savan pricked his ears up and tilted them forward. Curiosity clear in his eyes and leaning forward with interest but keeping quiet. Waiting politely for Gorion to tell him what he needed. And the moment passed on quietly for a few more seconds. The older man procrastinating just a little while longer. Twenty years. Twenty years, he had watched the cub grow into an adult. And now...he had to be the one to jolt Savan out of his happy and sheltered life.

"Today I'm suspending your lessons" Gorion explained, "And I want you to spend your day gathering anything you think you'll need. Tonight, at dusk, we're going to be leaving Candlekeep. We have a trip to make."

Those ears quickly splayed to the sides, betraying the gnoll's surprise. Then folded back. After twenty years, Gorion had got good at recognising his son's expressions. "Leaving...?" the gnoll repeated. "Leaving...Candlekeep?" He looked puzzled and troubled. And well he should...he hadn't left the keep before. "...For how long?"

Gorion smiled gently and moved his hand from Savan's mane to his cheek, patting his muzzle. "I don't know" he admitted. "This is very sudden, I know. But there are things that you need to learn. About life and your place in the world. And while Candlekeep has been your home for your whole life, you've learned everything there is to know here."

It was a poor excuse, and Gorion was certain that Savan would see right through it. Maybe he did. He had quick wits, after all. The gnoll mulled it over while he nipped and nibbled at his father's fingers, keeping his thoughts to himself for now. Eventually though he nodded and straightened himself up some. "Well, I could do without any more math lessons." He snorted and smiled, and the trust in his expression made Gorion's heart ache. "But if you say we must go, then it must be true."

This was said with such faith that Gorion couldn't help but chuckle. "We'll need to travel light" he warned. "Take today to prepare. Here." The wizard reached into one of his robes' many pockets and pulled out a pouch full of coins. Savan accepted it and peered inside, ears twitching curiously. "You'll need that to buy weapons and armour, son. The roads aren't as safe as they once were."

"I heard about bandits" Savan murmured, picking out a couple of coins to peer at them closely. "Something about an iron shortage, and bandits stealing ore shipments. Captain Jondalar was talking about it to Hull."

"Ah, you've been keeping informed." Gorion nodded in approval. "Then you know to prepare thoroughly. And be ready to travel light."

"I will!" Savan started to smile. Then a thought came to him and his smile turned to a frown. "People are going to panic when they see me..." He looked down at himself ruefully. He was big. He was brawny. And he was, no matter how he tried to fit in, inescapably a gnoll.

But Gorion had planned for this and smiled encouragingly. "Leave that to me. I have a plan. For now...you just get through the day, and tonight we'll head out into the unknown."

And maybe, he thought behind his smile, he could keep his son from being killed.

/////

Gorion was right about Savan's line of thought. He was surprised. Confused. Worried. Frightened about seeing what lay outside the monastery walls. And afraid of being seen as he was. He couldn't imagine what Gorion had in mind that could help with that.

But at the same time a part of him was excited. Was there any truth to these rumours of bandits? What sorts of things would he learn with his father? What DID lie outside the monastery walls?

He could feel the fur prickle on the back of his neck as the thoughts whirled round and round in his head. Excitement put a spring in his step, and he practically pranced his way through the halls of Candlekeep. A big toothy grin had crossed his face, and he was sure he spooked one of the maids as he passed by. But he didn't really care. Because...he was getting to go out and see the world for the first time in his life!

It wasn't until he had shut his bedroom door and got past his initial excitement that he looked over his room and his possessions and realised the scope of his situation.

Just how the Hell did one pack?

Savan frowned quizzically as he looked over his things. A wardrobe full of clothing, mostly browns and greys like he was wearing now. His study books, worn from many years of pawing through them. Assorted stuffed animal and leather straps. Wood carvings that he had made with his own hands. Gew gaws and thingamabobs that caught the light in ways that he enjoyed watching. All of it was a part of his life. But...he couldn't take it all with him, right?

So...where did he start?

...His ears twitched and a familiar scent brushed his nose. Savan snorted and shook his head before walking over to his bedroom window, undoing the latch and throwing it open to let in the fresh air. That done, he stepped back and crossed his arms, waiting.

For a second or two nothing happened. Then a red headed young woman poked her head into his room.

She grinned impishly at him, and Savan arched an eyebrow, waiting. Eventually seeing that no greeting was forthcoming, she invited herself inside, crawling nimbly through the window and seating herself on the edge with her booted feet clomping on the floor. "Heya! It's me!" she greeted him cheerfully."

"Imoen." Savan nodded in response and looked to his window. "I do have a door."

"Ah doors are boring."

"Uh huh."

Imoen snickered stepped on over to him. Like Savan, she'd grown from the little girl who'd climbed through his window and stole cookies. Now she was a young woman who climbed through his window and stole cookies! And she had a sense of style too! Wearing a bright purple tunic under some protective boiled leather didn't seem to be very 'thief-like' to Savan, but what did he know? "So what brings you on by- mmph...mmmm..."

Savan had known what was coming. Every chance she got, Imoen would reach for his ears and start to scritch and play with them. And every time she did it was like his brain shut off and the sheer euphoria of pleasure stole his ability to talk. So he'd tried to get the words out and...had mostly succeeded before he felt her gentle touch. Crossing his eyes, the towering gnoll huffed and swished his tail, hands curling into loose fists as Imoen fearlessly stroked his fur.

"Oh, I just wanted to talk. To wish you well, you know. I...heard."

"Mrrrrrr...heard...?" he mumbled. Trying to think through the incessant scratching.

"Yeah. That you're...going away..." Imoen frowned and bit her lower lip. Then smiled and arched an eyebrow. "You're so lucky, you know that? Getting to go out there, see the big ole world. I'm happy for you! And I wanted to tell you myself, instead of miss you..." Leaning in, she planted a kiss on the top of his broad head.

Savan grunted wordlessly but didn't try to stop her, instead splaying his ears out. Hesitantly reaching to give her an awkward hug. Even now, it surprised him how little fear she had of him despite his teeth, his size, his weight.

"It's gonna be so boring without you, Snapper" Imoen went on, huffing a sigh. "I really wish I could go with you."

"I wish you could too" Savan admitted. "You're my only real friend here...and certainly the only one who likes spending time with me."

"Aww. You're exaggerating, silly. ...Even if I am pretty great sometimes." Grinning, Imoen stepped back a bit, moving her hands from his ears to pat him on the cheek. "I hope that Gorion brings you back soon. Old Puffguts always has more cookies to filch!"

Savan snorted and rolled his eyes. "You know, it's still always easier to just ask for some cookies at the inn" he grumbled, squeezing her a bit tighter. That memory still felt sore to him.

Imoen's smile widened and she poked him on the nose. "Yeah, well it never stopped you from helping me out every other time!"

"Well, like I said. You're my only friend. I have to stick with my friend." The big gnoll chuckled and smiled to her. "I'm gonna miss you too, Imo...en..." He trailed off as it clicked with him and he understood what had been prodding his brain. His eyes went wide and his ears pricked up, and he cocked his head at the thief. "Wait! How do you know about this anyway? I just found out from father myself!"

Savan watched Imoen's eyes widen. Her smile stayed put but took on a somewhat guilty look, like she'd been caught red handed stealing cookies. "Um..."

"Imoen..." Savan glared at her and released his hug.

She sighed gustily, "Fiiine... Well, I know Gorion got a message. And I MIGHT have snuck a look at it earlier. You know, out of curiosity. Really, he shouldn't have been all suspicious about it, if you think about it!" She winked and cocked her head, giving him such a winning grin that Savan could only sigh in response.

"Damn it Imoen..." Savan heaved a sigh and splayed his ears out. "If you'd been caught then you'd have been horse whipped!"

"Oooh, you think so?"

"That's not...ugh!" Savan clapped a palm to his forehead and growled. And grumbled when Imoen just giggled and pulled him into a hug. "You're in-fur-i-a-ting..." he grumbled, pronouncing the word carefully.

"I do my best." Imoen snickered and nuzzled into her best friend's furry body. "Mmm...I'm sorry, I know I'm awful. Hey, listen. How about I tell you what was in the letter? Make it up to you a little. It mentioned you, after all!"

"Oh no, I'm not going to stick my snout in this!" He wasn't curious. Really, he wasn't. "But if you do want to get on my good side then give me a hand packing. I've got only so much time, and I have no idea how to get started!"

"Well, do you have a pack?"

"..."

"Maybe start with there" Imoen suggested. "Puffguts probably has everything you need to get started! He does have the only store in Candlekeep, right?"

Savan grumbled wordlessly and looked away, feeling dumb. Well...that was certainly a start. He'd best head there and see what the older human had in stock.

"Tell you what. You go down to Puffguts, and I'll go looking through your stuff" Imoen suggested. "I'll sort things through for you and when you get back we can decided what to finish up with!"

"You'd do that for me?"

"Yeah! This sort of thing takes a girl's touch to organise, and you DID want me to help out, so..."

Savan huffed some. He splayed his ears out to the sides and he smiled...being careful to hide his teeth. "Thank you Imoen" he'd say, awkwardly patting her on the shoulder some.

"Aw, think nothing of it Snapper" Imoen said with a smile, reaching slowly for his ears.

///////

Savan ducked his head as he stepped through the door frame, straightening when he was out of the light of the mid day sun. It was a busy day in the Candlekeep inn, but he spotted Winthrop there behind the bar as he always was. Squaring his shoulders, he nudged his way carefully through the tavern goers and took a seat at the bar, smiling and ducking his head as the older male chuckled in greeting.

"Well hello there, Snapper!" Time had given Winthrop a more grizzled air and taken most of his hair, but he still had the same friendly smile as always. "Come to visit yer old friend Winthrop, eh? I hope you didn't forget the door price. Ten thousand gold pieces a head these days."

"Or a rare tome." Savan smiled and chuckled at the old joke. Part of why Candlekeep was so isolated was how high the price for entry was. "I'm a bit short today..."

"Ah dear. Well, I'll have to put it on yer tab." Winthrop took a moment to inspect a glass he had been polishing, making sure it was spotless before moving on to the next. "Well then, in that case what can I get you?"

"Ahem." Savan cleared his throat and set his hands on the bartop, tapping his claws lightly against the wood. "I...I'm going on a trip. Outside Candlekeep." He paused to dwell on the thought and splayed his ears out to the sides, undeniably pleased by the thought. "So...I need to buy some things to get ready. But...I've...never been outside before, and..."

"And ye don't know where to start" Winthrop finished for him, smiling as the young gnoll nodded wordlessly. "Well then young man, ye've come to the right place. It's been a while since I travelled myself, but I suppose I can give some pointers. And my prices are as fair as any others in Candlekeep."

"...You have the only prices in Candlekeep."

"Har! Such a joker." Winthrop chuckled and set down the glass he'd been polishing and eased himself back from the counter. "Ye wait right here. And I'll see if I can find some of what ye'll be needing."

Wait right there is what Savan would do. While Winthrop turned and left the bar for a moment, the gnoll would pull a stool out and settle himself down. Smiling to himself, he turned about and look a look around the commons. At the comfortable furniture, at the stuffed moose head on the wall, at the bustling crowd of monks and workmen and guards. He sighed and folded his ears back, remembering times that he'd spent here just listening to people talking about news and gossip. Times that he'd spent curled up with a good book, or with some wood and a carving knife.

He...was going to miss it all. The inn. The monks. The stuffed moose. Everyone. Was he ever going to see any of them again? Savan peered around the commons, looking at everyone and remembering.

There was Phlydia, the absent-minded mage. When she didn't have her nose buried in a book, she was looking for where she'd misplaced it. How many times had he found her reading material in some odd, out of the way space? The last time had been just yesterday, when he'd found a treatise on elven history in the stables.

Then there was Firebeard, the travelling mage who was often away searching for rare tomes. Always jovial and sociable, he was happy to cast minor enchantments on young people in Candlekeep, to protect them from splinters and bruises and whatever other dangers they may face. Maybe he'd be willing to do so for Savan afterwards?

And then there was Hull! The jovial guard was always friendly and sociable, and was one of the few people that Savan felt comfortable around! After a day of training himself, working with weapons, and burning out all his energy, Savan would sometimes sit by the older man and listen with interest to his somewhat drunken tales about the world outside the monastery walls.

And then...oh. Oh...

Looking through the tavern commons, Savan's eyes eventually settled on another young man, a bit older than he was. Human. Familiar. And certainly NOT someone that he was going to miss. And he was looking right at him.

The gnoll carefully squeezed his muzzle shut as Carbo got up from his table and headed towards him, the human scowling with dislike. Savan kept his eyes on his face and kept quiet, though he was resigned to the fact that this was going to be an unpleasant discussion.

"Did I hear you right?" No greetings, no smile, Carbo just fixed him with a scowl and glared. "You're finally getting kicked out of Candlekeep?"

Savan thought about not saying anything at all. But Carbo didn't look like he was going any time soon. So Savan just sighed and shook his head. "I'm not getting kicked out. Father is taking me out of Candlekeep for study. We'll be back one day."

"Not likely." Carbo snorted derisively. "Not without some rare tomes. Not even Gorion can get you back in Candlekeep when you leave. You're finally going to be gone from my life!"

Savan cocked his head and regarded the older man. "...You don't seem very happy about that" he noted."

"I'd rather see your head on the wall."

"Right..." Ah. Of course.

Carbo looked the gnoll up and down and sneered. All the time spent doing chores in Candlekeep had been kind to him. Lifting and tossing hay bales, moving crates about, in general handling all kinds of hard work had left him fit and strong. Though now Savan was the one who loomed between them. And Carbo didn't try poking him.

"Why you?" the human snarled at last.

Savan blinked and pricked his ears up. "...What do you mean?"

"What makes you so special?"

"I don't..."

Before Savan could finish the question Carbo growled in frustration and pushed past him, giving the gnoll a shove on the shoulder and storming past and out the door. Savan just sat there, eyes wide and confused. He turned in time to watch the door swing shut behind him, briefly drowning out the commons as it slammed in place.

For a moment the conversation in the inn died down some. Slowly it picked up again. Leaving Savan to watch in silence. Not quite sure what had happened.

"Now, what was that all about?"

Savan turned back, ears splaying as Winthrop returned, a wooden box full of paraphernalia in his arms. "I...I don't know."

The elderly innkeepers eyed the door and then the gnoll, who hunched in on himself to try and look smaller. "Did he say something to get under yer skin again?" he grumbled. "He never learned, I guess."

Savan shook his head and huffed. "I guess... He wanted to know...what makes me so special" he murmured. "Why me?"

Winthrop didn't answer. Not right away, anyway. He just sighed gustily and set down the box on the bar top, before reaching out to pat Savan on the shoulder. "Look, Snapper" he began. And paused for a moment to consider his words. Used to pauses like this, Savan waited patiently. Sometimes the adults would continue speaking, deciding that they could talk about it to him. Sometimes not. In this case Winthrop just sighed and smiled, hand returning to the counter. "He's just jealous of ye, that's all" he said. "Put the git out of yer mind. And let's see about getting ye prepped for a trip."

"Ah, alright." There was more to it, he was sure. Savan didn't understand what. But then he supposed it didn't matter anymore, with him leaving. Leaning forward, he peered at the box of items. "What should I pack?"

/////

As it turned out, Savan had wound up packing plenty. Spare water bottles, a bedroll and blanket, flint and steel for making campfires, an eating kit for eating whatever he managed to cook, a small jar of bug ointment, another to help avoid riding callouses... Would they be riding? Savan hoped not...he and horses did not get along. Clothes, a brush, some needles and thread, some knives and daggers. A thick cloak with a hood to help ward away foul weather and hide his bestial features. Some studded leather armour to be cinched around his thick frame. The list went on. Winthrop had a lot of gear for travellers. And peering into his backpack as he strolled along through Candlekeep Savan couldn't help but think he'd bought too much.

Was he really going to need half of this stuff...?

Well Winthrop had travelled before. So surely he knew best. That settled, Savan fished his snout out of the backpack and did up the buttons. Slinging it over onto his shoulders, he let the weight settle in place and peered about the grounds.

There was the church of Oghma and the temple of Gond, and temples to other gods. There were the stables where seekers of knowledge kept the horses that tormented him so. There was Winthrop's Hearth of course, and the Great Library where all the knowledge in the world was stored. There was the Court of Air where monks would walk past or pause to eat their noon day meal, and the guard barracks where he had trained with captain Jondalar for the last ten years.

Savan felt a twinge in his stomach and folded his ears back reflexively. He was going to miss this...

For a few moments he just stood there. Hesitating. The twinge in his stomach turning to knots. This was...really happening. It was all so sudden, it barely felt real. But looking around at his home...

Savan bit his lower lip and ducked his head. Sucking in a breath, he turned abruptly and trotted off across the grounds. He...wanted to be alone for a bit. To think. Or just sit in quiet for a while.

So he followed his feet, and they took him to the priests' quarters.

At this time of day, they'd be empty, Savan knew. The priests were all out and about during the day leaving the living quarters free for any young man who needed to get away from everything. He'd wiled many a lonely afternoon away in here, dozing or reading or...just sitting and thinking. The priests knew, and they didn't mind. They didn't judge him. Though he did have some apologies prepared in case he was disturbing someone. Nobody made their appearance though, so Savan ducked under the door frame and slipped inside, shutting the door behind him. He shied away from the priests' beds and instead set himself up at a table in the corner. Setting down his backpack, he rested his muzzle on his crossed forearms and sighed gustily.

Excitement. Fear. Wonder. Curiosity. Homesickness. ...Could he even be home sick? He hadn't even left Candlekeep yet.

But here he was. Feeling his stomach shift in knots while his heartbeat quickened.

And when his heartbeat quickened, he could imagine that his blood was speaking to him.

Or maybe not speaking. Maybe...singing...was a better word for it.

He shouldn't listen. And ever since he'd mauled Carbo's hand, Savan had...mostly managed to ignore it. But it was times like this, when he was most...emotional...that it sounded the clearest. He could almost understand the words...

"Hey there Snapper!"

Jerking, Savan raised his head and blinked. Had he been dozing? How much time had passed? Who was that pushing their way into the bunkhouse?

Oh. Crap.

Shank smiled as he always did. Carbo didn't. And as they stalked over to him, Savan couldn't help but note that they were between him and the door that led out.

"Carbo tells me that you're leaving" Shank commented, planting a companionable hand on Savan's shoulder, making him tense up. "You were going to leave without saying goodbye?"

"The thought occurred to me." Savan grunted and smacked the hand away, rising to his feet. Taking a grim pleasure in making both men tilt their head back to watch him. He wasn't so little anymore.

"Aw, Snapper. I'm hurt. And here I thought we were friends."

Savan bit his lips to keep them from curling back and showing off his teeth. Snarling never helped. No matter how much he wanted to sometimes. No matter how much he bottled it up. That urge to just lash out at his bullies was there. Even though he could still taste Carbo's blood on his tongue, after all these years.

Looking back and forth between the two, Shank smiling as always and Carbo glaring at him angrily, he suddenly felt a load lift right off his shoulders. He was leaving. He didn't have to deal with this anymore, did he? Years of these two jackasses pushing him around and giving him a hard time were coming to an end. And the thought emboldened him. "We're not friends" he growled and folded his ears back, glaring at the two with his ears laid back. "We were never friends! Yes, I'm leaving...and never having to listen to your smug, stupid voice, or look at his ugly face is going to be the best part of it all!" He felt his cheeks heat up from his words, and his ears threatened to droop at his daring. The anger was still there though, burning past the awkward shyness, and he snapped at Shank, "Now, what do you want? Tell me so I can get to work forgetting that you two even exist!"

For a moment or two, silence filled the bunk room. Carbo's face got read as he squeezed his hands into fists. Shank, though, he didn't lose that smile of his, even if it didn't reach his eyes. And he hmm'ed to himself while tapping on his jaw.

"Well. Since you asked so nicely." Shank snorted and nodded to his companion. "Carbo really wanted to ask you something before you go off to your new life in the great unknown."

Savan turned his indignant glare onto Carbo and growled. "Well?"

"What makes you so special?" Carbo growled back, taking a half step towards him and glaring up at the gnoll.

"What does that even MEAN?!"

"Oh, please don't pretend you don't see it!" Carbo snapped back, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I've lived here just as long as you have... I've worked hard every day of my life...and the whole time that I've been cleaning out stables, or hauling trash, or fixing roofs, you've been sitting in the keep getting taught how to read and write! You get schooling! You get to leave Candlekeep and see things! While I'm stuck here for the rest of my life!"

Savan stared at him in disbelief. "That's it?! You've hated me all this time...because father teaches me sums and letters and how to find Baldur's Gate on a map?!"

In all the years that Savan had known him, Carbo had usually had this smug, giggling grin when taunting him. But he wasn't grinning or giggling now, as he leaned in and snarled. "Gorion...is NOT your father! You're a monster he taught to walk and talk, while us decent folk get shoved in the dirt! And he's a damned fool who could have done a lot more for us...for me than wasting his time on some beast that's too stupid and feral to appreciate it!"

Kill him.

"It's a sad truth, Snapper" Shank went on, barely speaking over the roaring in Savan's ears, "But you've spent your whole life living a lie. Some big furry beast taking up space that really should have gone to some better people. Thinking that you were a real person. While you should have been put down long ago." That too wide smile never changed as the human casually pulled a knife from his belt. "But it's not to late to fix that mistake, is it? Your head will bring us the respect that we never had. I don't know what you did, but someone's willing to pay a lot for your death."

Kill him.

"So don't go feeling down about it all!" Shank gestured dramatically, the knife blade glinting in the light while Carbo growled and drew one of his own. "Sure, you're a mad dog who's been living a lie. You've been taking and taking and leaving nothing for the rest of us. But you get to make it up to both of us. Right now!"

Kill him!

Savan could hear what Shank was saying. And on some level he understood what it meant, and his heart clenched painfully in his chest. But it just...wasn't as important to him as it should be. The rush of his blood through his veins sang to him. Roared at him. And demanded that he-

KILL HIM!

Savan shook his head and folded his ears back, struggling to clear his head and think. He couldn't listen to his blood... He couldn't listen! He'd promised father! He couldn't listen!

Then Shank stabbed him. He flipped his dagger up in his hand with a jaunty gesture and brought it down hard, the blade sinking into a thick shoulder. Carbo didn't bother with such theatrics, his face twisting in an animalistic snarl as he stepped in close, plunging the knife into Savan's chest.

Savan roared reflexively, pain exploding through his body. The scent of blood flooding his nose.

In the moment, he felt something slip.

His pupils dilated and he grabbed Shank by the arm without thinking. He yanked hard, practically hauling the man up off his feet. Opening wide, ignoring the alarmed yelp, he clamped his jaws down on the bicep. Blood spurted in his mouth and bone crunched beneath his teeth. Folding his ears back, he shook his head hard from side to side, and Shank collapsed to the floor in a heap, clutching the stump of his arm.

Another stab of pain as Carbo planted his dagger in his body again. Blood streamed freely from the gnoll, and his vision hazed over in a bright flare of red. He threw himself at the human, bowling him to the floor, and the pair grappled for a time. Again, hot blood exploded in his jaws. The pounding in his skull drowned out everything. There was only the blood. The instinct.

Then he blinked and was himself again.

Savan stared down at the mangled mess of what used to be Carbo. Once a human being, and now nothing more than a hunk of ragged flesh, torn by tooth and claw. Recognisable by...nothing. Arms and legs were broken and snapped, guts were pulled apart and thrown across the bunkhouse. It was a bloody mess. The wreckage left by a rampaging monster, with only death and destruction in its wake. In the corner Shank sobbed in horror, clutching the stump of his arm, eyes wide in terror. No smug smile from him this time.

Savan stared at him. And then the ruined corpse of Carbo. And then down at himself. Soaked in blood, both his own and the human's. And his ears splayed out to the sides as he slowly sat back on the bloodied floor. The pain of his wounds blooming in his body. But they were nothing compared to the rush. The sing of the blood as it surged through his veins.

It was pleased at what had happened.

And as he licked his muzzle clean, Savan felt the chill of fear.