The gnoll burst open the door, destroying the latch. The sound was explosive, those huge meaty fists shaking deep dust out of the pores of the wood. The thing had to duck to step into the room, its club scraping along the floor behind it.
Parry realized looking at it just how misguided his first plan had been: the gnoll could have reached into the chimney, grabbed his ankle and dragged him down and out. Those long arms, the hyena-like strength and build, there was no safety anywhere from a monster like that.
You've been a tamer dozens of times, Parry tried to reassure himself, wrestling the instinct to scream and run. You just refreshed your memory, the friendship spell is right there in your hands. You can do this!
So much of magic depended on frame of mind. How was he going to think of this slavering, fiendish gnoll (whom Parry could swear was smiling with hunger and anticipation) as a friend? Panic won't hold hands with sympathy, but that's exactly what he had to attempt.
In both hands, he raised the coil of sausage like an offering. Not a bribe! Remember the dryad's words, it's not a contract, it's an offer. He poured hope into it, not the hope of survival but the hope of friendship.
The gnoll stood just inside the doorframe, eyes locked on the boy sitting there on the crate. Torchlight from the hall back-lit the enormous creature, limning the fur a flickering orange-yellow. It didn't immediately attack.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Yes, this is for you. You must be hungry. It's good to share, you don't have to fight for every meal, it's safer this way. Parry fought to present himself as an equal, absurd as that felt. He wouldn't meet the monster's eyes (could be seen as a challenge), but he squared his shoulders and forced any hint of submission out of his posture. No prey here, no invader, no danger, look, we're together, we'll share and watch out for each other.
That tingle was present, and though the sausage resisted, still the magic soaked in. Maybe friendship responded to the affection Domo cooked into it?
The moment stretched, waves of uncertainty and doubt rolled through him as he watched the gnoll. Parry had no backup plan. It was this or nothing.
In a moment of inspiration, Parry broke off the tip of one link and chewed on it, offering up the rest. It's not a baby you're teaching to eat, this is a gnoll the size of an oak tree!
The grind of metal studs against the flagstones almost startled Parry out of the casting--the gnoll was coming closer, reaching him in two lanky strides, club scraping behind. It reached out...
...and took the sausage, cramming it into its terrifying maw. The spark of friendship passed into its eyes.
"I don't believe it," Styak mentally whispered from its hiding place in a deep dark memory cell.
Parry risked a small smile, lips closed to hide teeth. He ate a little more sausage. So did the gnoll. The store room echoed with the sounds of chewing and breathing, a mix of horror and absurdity and relief so strong he nearly burst into laughter, but he bit it back. This was no bunny rabbit, anything could break the tenuous spell.
Instead, quietly, seriously, he ate what could have been his last meal with his new friend.