Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V

The next instalement in the history of Kriv. Kava has decided to raise the gnoll, but as she expected, her companions are none too happy about this decision.

The first part of the story can be found here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3446487

Characters and story © myself
Setting material © Wizards of the Coast



The Civilized Savage Part II: Trust


Kava listened stoically to the firestorm around her, making the fire in the center of their camp seem a pile of cooled embers by comparison. As she had suspected, none of her companions were happy about her decision. Talon kept his bow in front of him, an arrow knocked as though he thought about shooting despite the fact that the pup currently rested gently across Kava’s chest. Panther had ceased his verbal complaints and set to snarling at her and the cub in the form of a panther. Shield, with a fire in his eyes, spoke of the evil and corruption to be had in dealing with demons and devils in any shape or form for any reason. Miranda somehow found herself in the role of mediator, the role which Kava herself often undertook.

“Will everyone just calm down for Sehanine’s sake!” Miranda finally cried out, drawing the other’s attention. For one of her skills, drawing attention to herself was not something she did with any regularity. “Look, I can’t say I’m exactly thrilled about this whole thing either, but I think it’s pretty obvious that none of you are really doing anything to change her mind. If she could hear what any of you are actually saying in your little shouting match. Besides, when’s she been wrong about stuff like this before?”

Thank you Miranda. Everyone had fallen silent at those words, as indeed no one could think of a time when an important decision of hers had led them astray. Not that she was perfect, but never before had she made a gross error in judgment, an accomplishment she was very proud of personally. The pup pawed at her armored breasts once again, distracting her from her thoughts. The concern that the pup would not receive adequate nutrition began to bother her, as she was unsure if trying to breast feed the pup would be healthy for him, or herself for that matter.

“It is dangerous enough,” Talon spoke into the stillness, “to try to raise a wild animal as a pet. But to raise a beast, its soul that of a demon, like a lost child? That is not only foolish, but an invitation of death.”

“Be that as it may,” Kava responded, speaking for the first time since announcing her intentions, “I can but try. I believe that no one is truly beyond all hope. Tainted his soul may be, but he is still only a child. I cannot kill him for the sins of his kin.”

Panther finally stalked of, silently disappearing into the woods. Kava let her be, knowing she would return in time. She understood that her decision went well against what was seen as common sense, but Bahamut had given her a sign that the child was to be raised under his protection, to be an example to all that the virtues of justice and honor could transcend anything. Talon eased the tension of his bowstring, marking a similar release of tension within the camp, further punctuated by his silent departure. Kava noted with interest that he departed opposite his sister.

“Kava,” Shield began once again urgently, “that may be well and good for an orphaned street urchin or perhaps even an infant orc, but this creature’s will is not entirely its own. Its soul belongs to Yeenoghu, the demon prince of slaughter. No matter how you raise it, it will seek to kill, maim, and brutalize all around it. It will not be able to resist the urges that drive it. Please Kava, we have known each other for some time now, please see reason.”

“I’m sorry Shield, but I must disagree with you this time. Bahamut has given me a sign that I am too see the child raised properly. If he can see the potential in this child than I will do everything in my power to help him.” Tired of fumbling at her chainmail, the pup finally tried biting where he knew the milk was supposed to come from, its teeth jangling the metal rings. “And my first priority in that is seeing this child fed,” she continued her smile equal parts amusement at the pup’s antics and concern for his hunger.

“Afraid I can’t help you directly on that front Kava,” Miranda called over. Kava noted with interest that she was rummaging through her pack. As usual, she hadn’t even noticed that Miranda had moved, a skill that proved annoying almost as often as it proved quite useful. “Don’t exactly carry around much for children.” She fumbled a little longer, and Kava recognized her motions as not simply rummaging, but of actively looking for something.

“There they are,” she called out a few moments later. “Knew they were in here somewhere.” Kava couldn’t make out what they were with Miranda’s back to her, but her motions hadn’t slowed down since the discovery. Shield seemed equally intrigued, and both sat quietly, with only the forest, Miranda’s activities, and the pup’s aggravated growling breaking the stillness of the night air. A few times Kava caught the glint of metal, and was sure Miranda was using one of her spare daggers. But, knowing the answer would come soon enough, remained silent.

“Here we are,” Miranda finally announced as she turned around. In her hands were two ladles bound together with strips of leather she used to patch her armor. The spoon ends came together to look like a bulb, and was where much of the leather was, with a bit of wood carved off to make a small nub at the end. Kava smiled brightly at her friend’s ever amazing ingenuity. “This should help with feeding the little bugger, and save your teats if you’d been thinking about it. You’ll have to figure out what to feed him though.”

“Bless you Miranda, and thank you. I can take care of the child from here. No one need assist if they do not wish to.” Kava, however, was relived that she would not be completely alone in this endeavor, nor would the decision to follow her faith cost her friends. There was one last thing she needed to do in order to truly begin. “Miranda, Shield,” she addressed both formally, “the child’s name is to be Kriv, and he shall be addressed as such.”

“It fits him,” Miranda replied. “A short sharp name, and yet a traditional name. It’s like he’s already your son Kava.”

“Perhaps he is,” Kava said, as much to herself as to those who would listen. “Perhaps he is.” She smiled down at the whining pup, what to feed him at the forefront of her mind, and just how she would raise him at the back. Her dangerous life was no way to raise a child, but she would not abandon him. But she had time. She trusted Bahamut to guide her in this time of uncertainty, as he had done so in the past.