476 lines
29 KiB
Plaintext
476 lines
29 KiB
Plaintext
+-+ +-+ +-+
|
|
+-+--+-+--+-+ VOLUME THREE NUMBER FOUR
|
|
| | ==========================================
|
|
+___________+ FFFFF SSS FFFFF N N EEEEE TTTTT
|
|
| ++ | F S F NN N E T
|
|
| ++ | FFF SSS FFF N N N EEE T
|
|
| | F S F N NN E T
|
|
|_________| F SSS F N N EEEEE T
|
|
/___________\ ==========================================
|
|
| | BITNET Fantasy-Science Fiction Fanzine
|
|
___|___________|___ X-Edited by 'Orny' Liscomb <CSDAVE@MAINE>
|
|
|
|
<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>
|
|
|
|
CONTENTS
|
|
X-Editorial Orny
|
|
Narret Chronicles, Book 3 Mari A. Paulsen
|
|
The Acquisition, Part 3 Roman Olynyk
|
|
|
|
<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>
|
|
|
|
X-Editorial
|
|
Well, I had this issue all set to go out before Christmas, and
|
|
then Yale went down for vacation. Sigh. Well, I guess late is better
|
|
than never. In this issue we continue with both the Acquisition and
|
|
the Narret Chronicles, thanks to Mari's staying up until 3am to type
|
|
it in. I hope you enjoy them. There will be one more issue in Volume
|
|
3, which will follow on the heels of this issue, before we start
|
|
Volume 4 and the Dargon writing project. By the way, I've rewritten
|
|
the FSFnet sending program again. Anyone who wants to change the
|
|
program I use to send their issues please mail me. You may choose
|
|
from: DISK DUMP (class N), PUNCH (noheader class m), and SENDFILE
|
|
(netdata). If anyone is really into CARD DUMP, I'll even use that!
|
|
For those of you who haven't heard, and didn't notice, FSFnet is
|
|
being sent out from a new id - CSDAVE at MAINE. Due to the work I do
|
|
on CSNEWS, NMCS025 has been changed to CSDAVE. FSFnets will continue
|
|
coming out, but from CSDAVE. NMCS025 is no longer in the CP
|
|
directory, so please forward any mail or messages to either CSDAVE
|
|
or LISCOMB at MAINE.
|
|
Finally, just when you thought it was safe to write a Thieves'
|
|
World review, TW 8 has just been released. More details (and a
|
|
review) as soon as possible!
|
|
-Orny <CSDAVE @ MAINE>
|
|
|
|
<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>
|
|
|
|
The Narret Chronicles
|
|
Book the Third
|
|
"Dr. Ht this is Dr. Terrence Seni of the Armed Forces Institute
|
|
of Pathology at Sir Walter Reed Medical Center, and Dr. Adam Tristy
|
|
of the American College of Surgeons. They will be examining you,
|
|
with your permission of course."
|
|
"Surely." said Samo
|
|
"Dr Seni is the nation's foremost pathologist, and Dr. Tristy is
|
|
one our most prominent bio-physicists."
|
|
"Really, well this is quite a reception... Pleased to meet both
|
|
of you gentlemen. You can examine me if you wish, but I'd rather
|
|
provide you with the data myself. You see, I have all the pertinent
|
|
information on our physiology stored on tape in my craft. Allow me a
|
|
moment will you and I'll be back with the data you wish for in
|
|
several of your languages.
|
|
"Here you are, 'Yarg's Complete Physiology of the Narretan' a
|
|
Narret classic physiology text. The best ever produced! That should
|
|
answer all your questions concerning our physiology, but I'll bet
|
|
you still want to know about my AND molecular structure. That I'll
|
|
leave up to you."
|
|
"Could we take a small blood sample to help us study the makeup
|
|
of your circulatory, respiratory, lymphatic, and immune systems?
|
|
Such a sample would provide us with the AND molecular structure data
|
|
we also desire." asked Dr. Seni.
|
|
"Sure." said Samo "I'd be glad to help in any way I can. I'm a
|
|
scientist myself. I was only kidding when I said I hate needles. I
|
|
was just trying to get a laugh."
|
|
"Make a fist," said Seni as he searched Samo's arm's densly
|
|
packed molecules for a vein. "This may pinch a little."
|
|
"No sweat," said Samo. "What you gentlemen will really be
|
|
interested in though, is the fact that in the counter-universe, we
|
|
are not solid creatures at all, as you know it."
|
|
"Really?" queried Tristy as he took notes.
|
|
"Yes, really." said Samo. "At home, on Amrif Arret, we are by
|
|
our own nature of a gaseous form. As your molecular forces are
|
|
attractive here, ours are repulsive, thus, we are all perfectly
|
|
non-solid, as opposed to your solidity."
|
|
"How extraordinarily fascinating!" exclaimed Tristy.
|
|
"In fact all our worlds, stars, everything is unbound but space,
|
|
which is the solid through which we all pass. That is why I can get
|
|
here so much faster in our system of time, our entire concept of
|
|
time is based on density of our solid space, rather than the
|
|
vacuousness of yours. It is far easier, I assure you, for a plasma to
|
|
pass through a solid than a solid to pass through a vacuum."
|
|
"Ahh, I got all but that last bit then I lost you, could you
|
|
clarify the part about easier..." started Dr. Tristy.
|
|
"Surely," Samo interrupted "You see, when we pass through the
|
|
solid form of our space, we use the actual binding forces of the
|
|
particles in motion of the spatial-solid in order to propel
|
|
ourselves. Thus we can utilize the very nature of our 'space'
|
|
itself, as a means, or force of propulsion. Do you understand that
|
|
better, doctor?"
|
|
"Much better, thank you. I must say this is all quite astounding.."
|
|
"Not at all, simply the state of nature doctor. Which reminds
|
|
me, I wish to make a statement on the wisdom of our physicians in
|
|
the Narret System. If you would be so kind as to record it doctor,
|
|
I'm sure all of humanity will find it of great use."
|
|
"Surely, any advice you can give would be held in highest regard
|
|
by our scientific communities." said Dr. Tristy
|
|
"It came to pass, through the thousands of Losar Cycles (what
|
|
you call years) of our existence, that our physicians began to use
|
|
the fundamental laws of nature in their favor. Rather than fight the
|
|
immune system for example, they found ways of strengthening it,
|
|
bolstering its abilities. Cancer, as another example was found to
|
|
contain cells of a much stronger variety than those said to be
|
|
normal. What our physicians did was to retrain the immune system to
|
|
work on the AND structure within the Cancerous cells, so that the
|
|
dominant Cancer cells were effectively "programmed" to conduct the
|
|
function of the tissue it replaced. And this new, Cancerous
|
|
super-cell was stronger and better than the original cell it
|
|
replaced, because it lives longer and is less suceptable to other
|
|
diseases. Therefore your physicians should also learn to work with
|
|
and not against nature."
|
|
"Thats absolutely astounding. You've just helped us realize how
|
|
far we've set back Cancer research in the last 50 years. We've been
|
|
trying to eradicate it for so long we completely overlooked the
|
|
possibility of trying to turn it into something useful. Incredible!"
|
|
"I see you're rather enthused at the prospect." said Samo.
|
|
"Enthused? I'm simply overjoyed at the possibility that there's
|
|
a cure for our worst killer. Cancer claims millions of lives here
|
|
each year."
|
|
"Yes, I know..." stated Samo.
|
|
"Dr Ht. you have no idea how much just that little information
|
|
you just shared with us means, how many millions of peoples lives
|
|
this few minutes you've shared with us will save. Mankind shall be
|
|
forever in your debt."
|
|
"Oh, I think I do." said Samo "Remember, peace and understanding
|
|
throughout these universes is what I came here for. And sharing a
|
|
little scientific knowledge in the process is the least I can do. If
|
|
you gentlemen will excuse me, I see the colonel at the door. I have
|
|
another speech to give, and I hope if everything goes well, you
|
|
gentlemen may get a little more time to work on your medical problems."
|
|
-Mari A. Paulson
|
|
|
|
<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>
|
|
|
|
The Acquisition
|
|
The Hut
|
|
In the morning, bright and early, Banewood and Sod were woken by
|
|
the sound of little marching feet. A troop of gaily dressed Ludki in
|
|
tall, feathered hats approached them.
|
|
"Hey Hyssop! Hey Burdock!" shouted Stickleburr as he clapped his
|
|
hands. Immediately, two little people ran forward. Stickleburr
|
|
addressed Banewood and Sod.
|
|
"Good morning, unless it's already mid-day. My two sons and
|
|
myself will accompany you to the borders of our realm unless you
|
|
don't wish to be accompanied. First, though, you must have breakfast."
|
|
Stickleburr clapped his hands again and several Ludki approached
|
|
with steaming plates of food. The travelers ate with relish, though
|
|
there wasn't any. From a nearby keg they filled their flasks with a
|
|
light mead and they were ready to depart.
|
|
Banewood and Sod followed the Ludki as they marched off, their
|
|
pace marked by the rhythm of the Ludki's singing. Hyssop and Burdock
|
|
marched ahead while Stickleburr walked and chatted with Banewood and
|
|
Sod. He told them about the paths ahead and how they must not stray,
|
|
lest they tread paths unknown. He told them to be on their guard for
|
|
the Silvan Lord, for these were his woods. The Silvan Lord, or Lessy
|
|
as he was better known, would lead them astray with his lies. Lessy
|
|
was a liar at heart and he delighted in deluding the hopelessly
|
|
lost. He would draw them to one point and then to another, then to
|
|
another and yet another. However, there was one way of outsmarting
|
|
the Lessy. It was a method known only to the Ludki, and it was
|
|
Stickleburr's parting gift to the travelers.
|
|
"Lessy is a liar," said Stickleburr, "for he can't tell the
|
|
truth. To get to the truth, if it's lies you don't want, you must
|
|
wear your clothes inside-out or outside-in if they're already
|
|
inside-out. Your shoes you must wear on the opposite feet unless, of
|
|
course, your feet are already opposite. Then you just wear your feet
|
|
opposite."
|
|
Banewood and Sod laughed aloud at Stickleburr's foolish words.
|
|
"It is worthy of a children's rhyme even though it doesn't
|
|
rhyme," Banewood said.
|
|
They all laughed again at the strange paradox of Ludki speech.
|
|
After their having walked away the longest part of the day, and
|
|
after their having heard innumerable anecdotes from Stickleburr, the
|
|
two travelers parted company with the Ludki. Banewood and Sod
|
|
marched on at a much faster pace, since they needn't keep time with
|
|
the short-legged Ludki. Once again, the brightness of sunlight and
|
|
companionship dimmed as the travelers departed the realm of
|
|
civilization. The dark forest seemed darker without the chatter of
|
|
the little people.
|
|
A dark, sinuous path pointed out by Stickleburr led in the
|
|
direction of the setting sun. The roots of gnarled oaks lay twisted
|
|
across the path, occasionally catching the carefully placed feet of
|
|
the plowman. Spider webs built across the gaps of branches often
|
|
ended up in the faces of Banewood and Sod, tickling their noses and
|
|
generally making their way unpleasant. Pale mushrooms of the deadly
|
|
varieties could sometimes be seen lining the edge of the path.
|
|
Strange animal sounds echoed through the trees.
|
|
After hours of walking, the travelers still had not found a
|
|
resting place suitable for a night's encampment. Though the sun was
|
|
possibly an hour away from setting, the way had become dark and
|
|
difficult to navigate because of the forest canopy. At length,
|
|
Banewood and Sod stopped to decide which way the path was supposed
|
|
to lead. The forest seemed more alive at this dusky hour than it had
|
|
earlier in the day. Birds chirped and strange animals chattered
|
|
beyond the distant trees.
|
|
"I don't know," said Sod, "maybe we should stop right here and
|
|
wait until morning. I just can't be sure of keeping on the right
|
|
path if we go on."
|
|
"Oh, don't worry, I'll show you the way to go from here," a
|
|
strange voice answered.
|
|
Banewood and Sod quickly drew their weapons and stood ready.
|
|
Wolksmert glowed reddish from the light of the evening sun. Before
|
|
them stood an eerie sight. A greenish man, or something resembling a
|
|
man, though much taller, stood a dozen paces before them. His eyes
|
|
had an orange, malevolent glow. They appeared cat-like. Banewood
|
|
feared the worst, for to his inexperienced knowledge, the eyes
|
|
reminded him of Baba Yaga's. The apparition was dressed in what
|
|
appeared to be leaves. A bird nest was perched upon the shoulder.
|
|
Sod felt the hilt of his sword slide through the sweaty grip of
|
|
his fingers. His hand clenched Wolksmert tighter. He wondered about
|
|
what action he should take. Quickly, he decided that it would be
|
|
safest to let the creature make the first move.
|
|
The green figure stood before them and made a chirping sound
|
|
like a bird. He clapped his hands and then smiled. It was a
|
|
friendly, disarming smile.
|
|
"Take the path straight ahead until you come to a fork," said
|
|
the strange apparition. "Then, bear left until you come to a large
|
|
boulder and proceed to your right until you come to an old tree.
|
|
>From the tree, go left until you meet the next tree, then take a
|
|
sharp right to the first stream. You can't miss it."
|
|
"Uh, excuse us for a moment, if you please, sir." Banewood
|
|
tugged at Sod's shoulder and pulled him away.
|
|
"Oh yes, most certainly, yes, yes." The green man laughed,
|
|
clapped his hands and chattered like a tree rat.
|
|
"What's the matter? Who's that? What are we doing?" Sod's
|
|
questions came quickly and nervously.
|
|
"Shhhh!" hissed Banewood as he led Sod out of sight of the green
|
|
man. When they were safely out of sight, Banewood said, "That must
|
|
be Lessy, the Silvan Lord. Stickleburr warned us of him. Remember,
|
|
he'll lie to get us lost. Let's hurry and turn our clothes inside out."
|
|
As quickly as they could, Banewood and Sod pulled their clothes
|
|
off and reversed them. They turned the insides outside and helped
|
|
each other button-up from the back. They did the same with their
|
|
britches. Then, they pulled off their boots and placed them
|
|
opposite: left boot on right foot and right boot on left foot. When
|
|
they had finished, they smiled sheepishly and stepped back out into
|
|
the open. Lessy was patiently waiting, whistling to himself and smiling.
|
|
When the Silvan Lord saw how Banewood and Sod appeared, his
|
|
orange eyes opened wide and bulged. He stood stiff with his fingers
|
|
out-stretched.
|
|
"Eeaarrgh! Owwww!" Screamed Lessy. He jumped around and emitted
|
|
more strange sounds.
|
|
Sod stood nonplussed, unable to move during the exhibition.
|
|
Banewood took the initiative and said aloud: "Tell us, Silvan
|
|
Lord, which is the way to the hut of Baba Yaga."
|
|
"Eeaarrgh! Owwww! I'll talk, I'll tell you the truth, I promise!
|
|
I'll tell you anything, but pulleese! Straighten-out your clothes!"
|
|
Banewood and Sod felt sorry for the Silvan Lord. Evidently, the
|
|
truth was so foreign to Lessy that it caused him great discomfort.
|
|
When Banewood and Sod had put their clothes back on outside-outside,
|
|
they returned to Lessy. The Silvan Lord was now docile, almost
|
|
subdued; he was saddened by his loss of victims to his trickery.
|
|
"Yes, most certainly," said Lessy, "I will show you the way to
|
|
Baba Yaga's hut. Yes, then you'll wish you were lost! Follow me."
|
|
Banewood and Sod walked behind Lessy as he led them through the dark
|
|
forest night.
|
|
Since they had first met the Silvan Lord, the sun had set,
|
|
changing the long shadows to a solid smear of blackness. The two
|
|
travelers were both stabbed by the sharp pang of doubt as to whether
|
|
Lessy could be held to his word. Whatever the status of Lessy's
|
|
honor, Banewood and Sod realized that they were both in the hands of
|
|
the Lord of the Forest.
|
|
Lessy strode before them, mumbling to himself and emitting more
|
|
strange sounds. More than once, Banewood and Sod had tripped on tree
|
|
roots and stumbled to the ground. Low branches snapped back by Lessy
|
|
often caught Sod in the face and chest, leaving him sore and scored.
|
|
The long hours of night were unbearably drawn out in this manner.
|
|
When the slender rays of first morning light pierced through the
|
|
trees, the three travelers found themselves on the edge of the
|
|
forest. Sod felt a heaviness in his stomach when the first
|
|
realization of their plight hit him: How were they to return?
|
|
Neither of them had thought of marking their way.
|
|
Lessy turned to face the exhausted travelers. The faint light
|
|
barely illuminated his gnarled and worn face. Banewood and Sod could
|
|
only concentrate on the eyes-- those strange cat-like slits
|
|
surrounded by an orange glow.
|
|
"Here is where I'll leave you," said Lessy. "The rest of the way
|
|
is before you. You'll probably reach the hut by mid-day." Lessy
|
|
chuckled as he pointed to the path before them. As quickly as when
|
|
they had found him, the Silvan Lord disappeared into the green
|
|
growth of the forest.
|
|
The path lay before them. Banewood and Sod stood on the edge of
|
|
the dark forest and before a vast expanse of scrub. Sod preferred
|
|
the darkness of the forest to what he now saw: a thin path leading
|
|
through a tangle of long-thorned trees which were so closely
|
|
interwoven that they seemed inpenetrable.
|
|
"Why don't you try Wolksmert on those branches," offered Banewood.
|
|
Sod drew his sword and swung lightly against the tangle that lay
|
|
before him. Sod was glad for the chance to draw his sword and test
|
|
its edge. The massive, thorny growth fell to their feet.
|
|
"Only Kathryn could walk a path like this," commented Sod as he
|
|
continued to slice his way through. "These branches are so sharp and
|
|
tightly interwoven that only the sow could manage to walk through
|
|
unscathed."
|
|
The plowman and the Shaman, however, could not pass through
|
|
unharmed. Even though the path was partially cleared by Sod's sword,
|
|
some branches remained to tear at their clothing and puncture their
|
|
skin. Punished and brutalized by the last leg of their journey,
|
|
Banewood and Sod proceeded slowly, their hearts heavy with fear and
|
|
anticipation. By noon, they had passed through the forest of thorns
|
|
and had entered into a wide perimeter of tall grasses and occasional
|
|
trees. Banewood sniffed the air and winced.
|
|
"Look," he said, pointing to a large copse of assorted and vile
|
|
smelling weeds. "This must have once been Baba Yaga's herb garden."
|
|
The expanse of foul-smelling weeds grew unbounded. They had
|
|
probably been untended for many decades, but they still held firm
|
|
against the encroaching forest and field. One fell weed pitted
|
|
itself against the other for dominance of space. It was an evil
|
|
looking tangle. Banewood hoped he could return by this path and
|
|
gather some of the herbs. A few were familiar to him; they were
|
|
shaman's herbs. Some plants had divinatory purposes, some had
|
|
medicinal uses. Other plants were total strangers to Banewood's
|
|
herbal. These were the most curious to the novice.
|
|
Reluctantly, the two pressed on. Because of the tall grass,
|
|
Banewood and Sod didn't see the hut until they were almost in front
|
|
of it. The hut of Baba Yaga loomed dark before them. Centuries old,
|
|
the hut was partially collapsed at one end; it appeared like an
|
|
apparition, grayish and fragile. The grass about the hut was
|
|
trampled-- signs of a current inhabitant. Banewood was shaken by the
|
|
sight; it was an eerie recollection of his divinatory dreams, minus
|
|
the malevolent red eyes. Sod sensed the nervousness of his companion
|
|
and gripped Wolksmert tightly. He glanced over his shoulder and
|
|
searched around them. The scene was quiet. Not even a bird song
|
|
could be heard. Sod turned and shook his companion's hand. It was a
|
|
farewell to their past and an initiation to whatever would befall
|
|
them in the moments ahead.
|
|
Banewood and Sod resolutely approached the hut. It looked weak,
|
|
but it stood in evidence of craftsmanship from a forgotten century.
|
|
Patches of straw, now grayish, were still attached to the roof. A
|
|
few strange weeds had taken residence on the roof in order to catch
|
|
extra light. On the roof's peak perched a dark bird. It was a raven.
|
|
It waddled about and croaked a few times, picked at the wood and
|
|
then silently winged out of sight.
|
|
Sod held out Wolksmert and walked toward the dimly lit entrance
|
|
of the ramshackle hut. Fat spiders retreated to the shadows with the
|
|
approach of the plowman. Sod's heart quickened and his whole body
|
|
started to tremble slightly. He placed his feet carefully to avoid
|
|
making any sounds. With Banewood close behind, Sod craned his neck
|
|
through the doorway. It took an agonizing instant for his eyes to
|
|
grow accustomed to the dim light. Was there something inside? Had it
|
|
heard them coming? Where is it? Nothing stirred within. Lying among
|
|
the cloven tracks and defacation, however, was a flattened pile of
|
|
leaves-- Kathryn's bed. The stench from inside made Sod gag.
|
|
Confirming their worst fears, it seemed that Kathryn, the monstrous
|
|
sow which had rampaged through Gorod, was now living in the hut of
|
|
Baba Yaga. Signs of the monstrous sow were everywhere. Most of the
|
|
hut's interior was badly battered and decayed. Scattered debris on
|
|
the ground may have once stood for a chair. Few furnishings remained
|
|
distinguishable. In the far corner, though, near the bed of leaves,
|
|
stood a dark and mouldering chest. The brass straps and brads had
|
|
long since turned green and disintegrated from the moisture.
|
|
Banewood saw the chest and could not restrain his curiosity. He
|
|
entered the hut and opened the chest. Most of the wood was badly
|
|
decayed, and it fell apart when it was disturbed. Inside the chest,
|
|
however, the contents were fairly well preserved. Banewood unwrapped
|
|
a book-sized, oilskin-covered bundle which was on top of other
|
|
items. It was a book.
|
|
"I don't believe this," whispered Banewood in awe.
|
|
"Don't believe what," said Sod, not believing that Banewood
|
|
dared to utter a sound in the lair of Kathryn.
|
|
"It looks like Baba Yaga's book of spells. I can't make out some
|
|
of the writing; it's an old script. This is one of the books my old
|
|
master told me about. It contains the ancient secrets of sorcery.
|
|
This is an unbelievable discovery."
|
|
"Well, pack up your discovery and let's get out of here. This
|
|
place makes me nervous," said Sod. His hands began to sweat and he
|
|
could feel the weight of his sword sliding through.
|
|
Banewood hastily rewrapped the package and stuffed it into his
|
|
own sack. On an impulse, he picked up another small bundle, which
|
|
upon inspection, contained what looked like a Shaman's smoke
|
|
mixture. Banewood lashed the sack to his belt and the two retreated
|
|
back into the daylight.
|
|
When Banewood and Sod stepped outside, they saw that the
|
|
scraggly raven had returned. Seeing the plowman and his companion,
|
|
it cried out in a raucous frenzy. Through the cacophony, Sod and
|
|
Banewood heard another sound: a terrifying squealing and trampling
|
|
sound. Towering above the distant grass was a massive black shape.
|
|
Thin, gray hair lay matted on its back and around it's notched ears.
|
|
It was a wonder that such a large beast could have existed unnoticed
|
|
for so many years, but it is true: The forest hides many secrets.
|
|
Clouds and fumes emanated from around the creature's snout. It
|
|
reared its head up and Banewood and Sod could see a pair of blazing
|
|
red eyes.
|
|
"It's Kathryn," thought Sod.
|
|
"It's Baba Yaga," thought Banewood.
|
|
"We're in trouble," said the two aloud.
|
|
Sod was possessed by a grave doubt as to his future being. This
|
|
whole scene was a nightmare and he wished he could wake up. What
|
|
finally woke Sod up was the one thing which he had most feared. Like
|
|
a fish, Wolksmert's handle slid through the gripped fingers of the
|
|
plowman and fell to the ground. When Sod reached to pick it back up,
|
|
it immediately slid out of his grasp. Kathryn was charging and
|
|
spewing her fiery froth. Banewood loosed a Ludki arrow at the
|
|
charging Kathryn, but it glanced off of the sow's forehead. Sod was
|
|
distraught, to say the least. His sword would not remain in his hand.
|
|
Banewood, seeing Sod's plight, ran forward and shouted at the
|
|
charging Kathryn. A spray of singeing fire told Banewood that he
|
|
succeeded in getting her attention. He ran around the hut in an
|
|
attempt to lead Kathryn away from Sod, who was still pathetically
|
|
trying to grip his sword. A bit of Kathryn's breath caught the
|
|
corner of Baba Yaga's hut and ignited the tinder-dry structure.
|
|
Evidently, however, Kathryn's fiery froth had a limit, for it
|
|
quickly decreased in range and intensity to the point of being a
|
|
caustic dribble. Banewood took advantage of this and became bolder
|
|
in his taunts. He loosed a few Ludki arrows at the enraged sow in
|
|
order to further torment her. It worked. Banewood saw a nearby tree
|
|
that he thought could hold his weight. He ran to it and limberly
|
|
pulled himself up the trunk. He had previously discarded his
|
|
backpack and other paraphernalia, but he neglected to untie the tiny
|
|
old bag which held the ancient smoking mixture. It ripped open as
|
|
Banewood shinned up the trunk, spilling its contents around the base
|
|
of the tree.
|
|
Kathryn was not an ignorant sow. She saw this grand opportunity
|
|
to harvest the tree's single fruit: Banewood. She ran headlong into
|
|
the sturdy trunk of the tree and splintered part of the trunk. She
|
|
tore at the ground around the tree with her hooves and layed her
|
|
forehead against the trunk in an attempt to batter it down. Kathryn
|
|
kicked up a cloud of the ancient herbal mixture torn from Banewood's
|
|
belt. Her two wide nostrils inhaled part of the cloud and Kathryn no
|
|
longer felt any pain. Hitting the tree with her head was easy; in
|
|
fact, it was fun.
|
|
Sod saw the impending danger that Banewood was in. It was Sod's
|
|
fault, he thought, that Banewood even came on this journey. He
|
|
couldn't let him die. Sod had decided to go into this quest, and by
|
|
his life, he would take it to its completion. He picked up a rock
|
|
and threw it squarely at Kathryn's rear. Kathryn turned about and
|
|
faced Sod. He taunted her with insults to her genealogy. Sod hardly
|
|
noticed that he now gripped Wolksmert firmly in both hands. He
|
|
spaced his legs, hurled another insult and waited.
|
|
The smoking mixture continued to work on Kathryn's brain. It had
|
|
a strange, numbing sensation. Colors burst before her crimson eyes.
|
|
Directly in front of her stood a tattered and sweaty plowman-- easy
|
|
prey and a quick lunch. Suddenly, though, she was faced by two
|
|
plowman-- no problem-- then a third. Three Sod's stood before the
|
|
eyes of an enraged and disoriented sow. Baba Yaga's mixture,
|
|
whatever it was, buzzed around in Kathryn's head like a swarm of
|
|
happy bees. Kathryn decided that the plowman on the left, Sod number
|
|
three, was the real one. It didn't really matter; she could always
|
|
come back and finish off the other two. She charged with full fury.
|
|
Distance between the two retreated with the sound of thundering
|
|
cloven hooves. Sod number two, the one in the middle, didn't quite
|
|
understand why Kathryn was veering so much to his right. No matter--
|
|
Wolksmert, guided by the plowman's strong arm, swung with the ease
|
|
of a baton but crashed with the weight of a boulder.
|
|
Blood poured from Kathryn's head. Blood ran to the ground in red
|
|
rivers and stained the dusty feet of the plowman. Blood dripped from
|
|
the shining blade of Wolksmert.
|
|
Kathryn was dead.
|
|
It was several minutes before either Sod or Banewood moved or
|
|
said anything. Sod stood alone with his sword dripping blood to the
|
|
ground. Banewood shouted from the tree.
|
|
"You killed her. I can't believe that it happened so quickly."
|
|
"Quickly?" Sod thought hours passed during Kathryn's charge.
|
|
"I owe you my life," said Banewood. "How can I ever repay you?"
|
|
"Don't worry," said Sod, who smiled for the first time. "It all
|
|
comes out in the wash."
|
|
Without having to discuss their next step. The two quietly and
|
|
deliberately set about gathering dried brush and grass for a fire.
|
|
It took nearly an hour to amass the giant pyre, but it was finally
|
|
built and easily set aflame from the embers of Baba Yaga's
|
|
smoldering hut. The evening light was brightened by the burning pile
|
|
of brush. A night bird sang vespers, and the wind whispered softly
|
|
over the plains, gently fanning the blaze.
|
|
-Roman Olynyk <VM0BA9 @ WVNVM>
|
|
|
|
<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>X<>
|
|
|