With a wet thump, one of the snarling dogs in the distance is silenced, and then you hear a crack like a distant gunshot.
Haamid growls a low growl of warning, something Naajy recognizes as a response to another predator.
We'll need better equipment. Large backpacks, tents. Will there be a city nearby?
"Then let's check what's causing this commotion." said William, advancing cautiously.
"Something is coming. A predator of some type. Everybody prepare yourself"
Putting himself behind Haamid, Naajy readies his rifle
William moves up the path a bit and vanishes into the concealing boughs of a pine. Just around a bend, the path descends sharply. At the bottom of the hill below him, a strange scene plays out. William sees a heavily bundled human wearing a fur coat something like an Inuit might wear. She stands behind an overturned dog sled, pointing a long spear at a massive bear. Wait, it isn't quite a bear. Where a bear's maw would be is a massive beak, and instead of a bear's eyes the face holds the massive golden eyes of a bird of prey. The bear-thing stands just next to a fallen young man wearing a British Army uniform. It doesn't take a doctor to see that the boy has been eviscerated.
Another British soldier stands not far away, holding a rifle like a club.
As Naajy points his rifle at the bend, waiting for something to come around, a massive dog or wolf rounds the corner.
Seeing that the woman is ill-prepared to deal with such a creature, Fang explodes through the trees and back onto the road with a roar of defiance at the massive beast.
Not seeing the wolf as a threat, Digger moves to a good shot at the weird bear and fires his rifle.
At the sight of the uniform, William cries out his old battlecry, moving to get a clear line of fire and shooting inaccurately at the beast. "Victoria, England and Saint George!"
Seeing the reinforcements, the Brit cries out, "Qui Audet Adipiscitur." Keeping the rifle on guard against the bear-thing, he moves into the woods toward William.
The woman behind the dog sled lacks a rifle, but wields a recurved bow that matches her height. She nocks an an arrow and lets fly at the beast, but the arrow flies wide of the target.
The bear thing rears up at Fang's challenge, then lowers its head a lopes toward him at frightening speed. Its massive claws pass through the air as Fang neatly avoids its lumbering attack.
Naajy calls out
"I think the dog is afraid. Do NOT attack it"
He then advances and tries to shoot the bear-thing
Missing wildly
Digger moves forward and shoots again and the horrible beast.
Bears. Fang hated fighting beasts. They had an unfair advantage. He carried a scar across one shoulder from a trained attack bear, and his right calf sported bitemarks from a half-dozen wolfhounds.
Fang drops the chest and smashes both his fists into the bear, teaching it why he was undefeated in the ring.
William's second shot at the bear thing was more accurate. What could bring such a repugnant creature into being? This is ridiculous. I'll wake up in a sanatorium.
Naajy advances and shoots the bear thing
Under the onslaught of your modern weapons, the strange creature bellows and slumps to the snow. For once, ordinary red blood spills into the snow from its wounds. At least that is comforting.
The soldier moves toward Dr. Johnson, now using his rifle to support his weight, and you notice that he is limping heavily.
To Dr. Johnson, he says, "Cadet Lewis, E Company, Officer Cadet Battalion of Keble College. Are you some sort of expeditionary force?"
---
The woman in furs moves to Fang and the others. "Thank you strangers. One does not expect kindness from strangers here in the Hoarwood. I am Nadya Petska." She reaches her right hand to you, keeping her bow in her left. At her side she wears two hand axes.
The dog sled was heaped with stocks and supplies that are now scattered in the snow.
William's desire to examine the creature is superseded by the sight of the soldier's limp, and he makes the cadet lie on the ground. "Surgeon-Lieutenant Johnson, formerly Medical Corps. I'm afraid we are just some strange fellows dealing with things beyond their comprehension. Let me check your leg."
Grabbing bandages, gauze and antiseptic, he sets to examine the wound.
His leg isn't broken, just severely sprained. "I thought you must not be standard army, with such a strange mix of fellows." His accent is pure Oxford, but with a foundation in Belfast. "Things beyond comprehension. That is a nice turn of phrase. I wouldn't admit this if there weren't a bear with a beak over there, but the other lads and I followed an absolute satyr from Greek myth into some snow and ice before we stumbled on the lady over there."
"Where is Keble College located please. Oh. I'm Major Singh of the Dogra Regiment"
"Parks Road, near The Parks. We were on a constitutional run up here."
Fang nods to the woman and says "You are welcome Nadya. I am Fang Zahn." Fang then shakes her hand, clearly remembering that this was a white man custom too late to avoid making it awkward.
"Why have you come to the realm of the Oni?"
Despite her recent encounter, she laughs aloud, a hearty sound that isn't quite a snort. "I'm afraid you are lost, Fang Zahn. This is the Land of the White Witches, Irrisen. Not sure what a Oni is, but unless the Witches brought them here. But as for why I'm here, I was bringing supplies back to Waldsby. It isn't far from here, just down the trail."
"Perhaps you'd be good enough to take us to Waldsby? We're strangers here and I think we need to get some more information and supplies before moving on"
Yes, of course. There is store and I have cabin where you can stay. It will be cramped, but we can get warm. Will you give me a hand with the sledge?"
She moves to the sled and rights it, re-stacking the boxes and bags.
At the same time, she whistles loudly, two fingers in her mouth, and the frightened dog re-emerges from the woods.
"Your leg'll be fine, as long as you don't walk on it. We can try to fashion a couple of crutches."
William cocks his head to one side, looking at the woman. "So I assume you are native of this realm? There is so much I need to ask you. What was that creature over there?"
Naajy helps pack up the boxes and bags
"Can we put the injured man on the sled? We'd be able to make much better time that way"
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Fang helps the woman as well. "Wait, you said white witches? How did people who can control their hair rule a county?"
The young man replies, "No, I've got to return to quarters. I'll be a deserter if I don't get back soon."
The woman begins lashing the supplies back onto the sled. "The beast is Owl-bear. Not so uncommon here in the hoarwood. Nor the worst beast. The boys here were struggling with it when I came upon them. Without your help they may all have died. Owlbear is agressive and vicious. And yes, I was born here in the Wood. You must be from city to the South, I would guess." She finishes he work. "Yes, put the boy on the front of the sledge." She harnesses the dog.
"Owlbear. Charming name, straight to the point."
William turns back to Cadet Lewis. "Your fellow soldier was murdered by a beast that can't be found on Earth, especially not in Parks Road. Are you certain you want to come back? Can you locate the rest of your company, in case?"
"Not on Earth... Not..on..Earth." If anything, this thought increases his motivation. "I can make it. The trail we were following is just through there." He points at a smaller side trail you hadn't noticed that joins the larger one you were on. "It can't be more than a few miles."
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If no one stops him, Lewis wanders off into the snow shrouded tree trunks. It will be another 20 years before he thinks to turn his experience into a novel.
Nadya stares after the boy, thinking he isn't likely to make it. The sledge loaded, she says, "We are only hours from my home in Waldsby. You will be slower than the sled, but we will be warm soon."
"Doc, you notice all the ravens watching us?"
"I am sure there are birds in trees, you silly white man. That is their natural habitat."
If no one stops him, Lewis wanders off into the snow shrouded tree trunks. It will be another 20 years before he thinks to turn his experience into a novel.
On the way back, Naajy will converse with Nadya
"I have so many questions I hardly know where to start. Do animals like Haamid exist here? What kind of government do you have? What is the relation between this place and Irrisen? Is Irrisen close? Do you have ANY idea how portals from here to our world could possibly have been created?
Sorry, asking so many questions is rude. Do you have any questions for us, or about where we came from?"
Nadya seems confused by your questions, but shrugs off your strangeness. Perhaps you are not the strangest things she has seen. "Do you mean are there animals? Of course, there are animals in Irrisen, even some big cats. But they are spotted mostly, rather than striped. There are much larger striped cats to the east, where the Mammoth Lords hold sway, beyond the line of Walking Huts. Irrisen is ruled by a Queen, a white witch, daughter of Baba Yaga, may the mother turn a kind eye toward us. This place is Irrisen. All that the snow touches. I have heard that the elves can travel through gates between worlds, but it seems more likely that any powerful magics here were created by a White Witch. And before you ask, the nearest Witch is in Pale Tower, northwest of Waldsby."[b]
[b]"The only questions I have for you are where are you from, and why are you here? I am guessing Korvosa or Magnimar. Or possibly you are one of those nosey Pathfinders. You and the Fang have strange features, like maybe have elf blood or even might be Hellborn, given your skin tone. I do not know, have never seen Hellborn, only heard stories."
"I am not an demon. I am Chinese." says Fang, clearly put out to be compared to the supernatural creatures the group had fought so far.
"Are you one of these White Witches? And why are the witches called witches? Do they have magic like Baba Yaga does. In the tales from my world, Baba Yaga has magic powers. A hut that walks, a cauldron that flies. Do such things exist here? What do you mean by "powerful magics"?"
After Fang speaks
"I am also not a demon nor do I have any in my ancestry. Although, in the far and distant past, it is said that my ancestors DID have congress with the Gods"
"It's possible that this is normal behaviour for them, here. Ravens are fiendishly smart, after all."
His main questions for Nadya are asked by Naajy first, so he listens and takes in the information. "As for where we are from, we were spirited away by powerful forces from such a distant land that I am sure you never heard of it, just as we had never heard of Irrisen, nor the places you mention. Is this Waldsby a large village? Is there a, uh, scholar, or a scribe, something learned in the sciences?"
If he was going to ask question about the fundamental nature of the universe, William would rather ask them to a learned person.
She laughs heartily at the implication that she is a witch, "No, no. I am a simple trader and guide. A Witch would not be out here freezing with a dog sled. Yes, the Witches have much magic, and Baba Yaga is the greatest of them. Her daughters reign as Queens here in Irrisen, and every 100 years Baba Yaga returns to place a new Queen on the throne in White Haven. The Queen who rules now is Elvanna, but it is time for Baba Yaga to take her.
"As for Huts, yes, there are many huts that walk. They watch and guard the borders of Irrisen. The Witches can do, well...they can do anything with magic. Anything you can dream."
"Waldsby is large enough for here, not a true city like White Haven, and certainly nothing like the great cities to the south. Not a great place for scholar-ship though. You may be disappointed in that. "
"Yeah, guys, obviously A LOT OF HUTS can walk. You sound so ignorant ..."
"How does one learn this magic that you talk about? I am far, far more knowledgeable than most about what we at home consider magic but I've never heard nor seen anything like what you describe. Walking Huts are from legend, not things to be spoken of in a matter of fact manor. I'd love to learn these magics. Would these witches be willing to teach a stranger?"
"If you treat Huts as legend in Irrisen, one might rip out your innards. If you have money, or something worthy of trade, I will take you to border and you can see Hut for self. Or you can go to White Throne and see all manner of wonders. I doubt the Witches will teach you magic, but they might teach you some before they eat you. There is Witch in Pale Tower, near Waldsby. Maybe you ask her..."
After only another hour of travel, as the sun sits at the horizon, Nadya drives her sled into a small village that would not be completely out of place in western Russia or eastern Europe. The houses are huddled close together, mostly built of hewn logs, some with intricate trim or bright colors: blue, red, white.
Just before you arrive, Nadya strings bells across the frame of her sled, and the sound of the bells brings people forth from their houses, and especially from a long low building that must be some sort of common house or inn.
The villagers speak excitedly to Nadyna, "Did you find my...?" or "Did you bring back...".
Nadya waves most of them off, "Yes, yes, I have many things to you to give. But first I must get these Outsiders into a warm place. Unload the sled, and I will return to tell you."
She leaves the sled behind and leads you to a cabin that is as far as any from the rest as any. As she opens the door, two small beasts slam into her legs. It takes a moment, but you realize that they are human? children wrapped in furs.
"Orm, Mjoli, be calm. I have brought guests, so behave..."
There is a series of exchanges about sweets, and Nadya removes something from her pockets which the boys receive with squeals before regaining their composure. An older woman hunches by a fireplace, spooning out some sort of stew into wooden bowls. Hand torn chunks of hot bread accompany the feast.
The low log cabin contains only two rooms and a sleeping loft over the bedroom.
The older woman makes sure that everyone is fed, and Nadya settles you quickly, "I need to deliver parcels to storehouse and speak to people. You will stay here and warm by fire and eat. Go slowly with warming hands and feet by fire. Betimes they are so cold that they can burn before you know. Woman is Kashka, boys are Orm and Mee-o-lee. Feel free to cuff them if cause trouble. Kashka will see you to bed if you are weary."
"Thank you for your hospitality." says Fang before bowing low to her. He holds the bow until she responds to him.
"Thank you very much for your hospitality. Truly is it said that generosity is the gift that brings peace"
Trying not to be obvious about it, Naajy picks out the meat and gives it to Haamid
Nadya seems confused and then troubled by Fang's gesture. She waves the back of her hand in front of his face, making a clucking sound with her tongue. "No, no, in Irrisen do not bow to someone unless someone is higher than you in blood. You may offend if you give more rank to someone."
Once you are settled, Nadya heads back into the cold to take care of her wares. The boys stare at the lot of you with wide eyes. Kashka fusses over you, making sure you are warm, dry, and fed.
After dinner, Fang will ask for a place to sleep. When taken to his offered room, Fang will throw one bearskin rug on the floor and pull the other onto himself like a blanket.
"I'd like to sample the local pub."
"Hopefully they have a tea house here as well. Or, at least, some good wine. Hmm. What do they use for money here?"