Next day we packed up early and left the edge as the sun rose in the sky. Nothing much happened the week it took for us to wander home. We avoided crowded roads and settlements when we could, foraged the forest for food, stopped half a day at a river to fish. Our numbers deterred most trouble, our looks and attitude deterred the rest. My hagravens hid under robes and cloaks, their kind were not really popular in most places. Our leisure stroll ended when we traveled into the mountain range.
We stayed together and occasionally had two or three scout the road ahead. The mountains were our backyard but we shared it with less desirable inhabitants, such as bandits and the like. We traveled throughout the day and into the night. At early morning we reached our destination; a small lake with a waterfall. The tension we had held throughout the night loosened with the sight of the familiar space. One of my hagravens raised her voice, reminding people not to get too relaxed for we had not yet entered safe grounds. Grumbles and complaints could be heard among many, I was satisfied that none of those voices were our veteran brethren. Since her words were only half effective I reinforced her words with my own.
“Do you let your guard down when we’re on the road? Our road doesn’t end until we are inside.” We had to circle right around the lake to reach the waterfall. With the heightened guard, I ended up encircled. I silently remarked with my hand to those around me that I would walk up front, and quickened up my steps. With a better view of my surroundings I noted that there did not grow much on the makeshift road we walked on. I put to memory to have someone fix it later. While it was common knowledge that this mountain range was full of hidden bandit treats, we did not need to make it obvious where we lived. An old overgrown road threw most off-track, and those who saw past that could find us through other means. I smiled at the thought of our entrance; none had ever found their way inside. I smiled even more when I thought of what was behind the entrance; home.
The waterfall itself wasn’t impressive. It flowed from a cave mouth higher up the steep mountain side, far from our reach. To correct myself, far from others reach. I didn’t pay attention to anything other than where I placed my feet and the cave above. If someone was to ambush us I wouldn’t notice them until they were on top of us. Many of my comrades were far better suited to smell out danger than I would ever be. We were not far from the base of the fall; the pour of water grew louder by every step. The cave mouth was far off, yet I whispered to it like so many times before. I whispered of silent secrets, and I knew it could hear me. Who can resist the temptation of knowing the secrets?
Right beside the waterfall, where forest, lake, rocks and fall met, we came to a halt. I plunged my hand into the fall and it accepted all the secrets. In front of our eyes, the immovable cave mouth moved. Rumbling it lowered itself to our level and moving sideways so it was no longer above the water. With the cave’s desire for secrets satisfied, it no longer spilled water from its mouth, granting us easy access unto the heart of the mountain. My crew didn’t need encouragement to enter, they leapt in. While most continued into the cave, some stayed a few steps inside waiting for me who had to enter last. After I entered and we walked inside, the cave rose to its original position, leaving no clue it had ever moved at all. The walk through the cave seemed endless for the short time we spent in there. Soon the darkness parted way for the dawn on the other side.
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We didn’t call our village anything else than home. Located in a closed off mountain valley, with unclimbable mountains on both sides, houses built from one slope to the next with gardens, pathways, and various decorations. This was one of the most wonderful sights I have ever laid my eyes on. Not because of the beauty, but because of the nostalgia of returning home. I would never get tired of it. A few moments was all I got to enjoy before my crew asked for my attention. Most looked like they would keel over any minute, a hard day and night’s walk does that.
“You know the drill. Spoils to the common house, now or after you have slept, makes no difference. Just make sure it gets in. Pay when the spoils are accounted for. Have a good day’s sleep.” Everyone replied in their own way and walked off to their house and families. I grabbed my own bag and made sure my treasure bag was still closed and secure. Before I could walk off the hagraven from the village stopped me.
“Baba, if may I ask. What will you do with that orb? It will not be put into the spoils pile, no? Something like that has to be worth…” She left her sentence unfinished and waited for me to speak. I couldn’t say I liked the question and while I could tell her to mind her own business, it would leave a bitter aftertaste for both of us.
“This orb is not worth anything more than the material it is made of. As Baba Yaga, I will take this from the spoils in advance and to substitute the difference, my share of the pay will be slightly less.” My tone wasn’t the best, but neither was my mood. I would bet those hagravens could stay awake another two days before they needed any sleep. I waited for her to answer me. I was fully aware about my bad mood and my body’s need for rest but I refused to let it out on the hagraven. It was not her fault, after all.
“Is that so, a pity. Then I suppose I must let it slide fo-“
“You will not let it slide, you will let it go. Go join your sisters, hagraven. ” She looked like I stepped on her face. When she did not move I mouthed the word “go” and waved my hand at her. Reluctantly she turned away and walked off, glancing backwards now and then. I watched her ‘til I could see her no more. Then I turned and walked the opposite direction up a path to the so-called mansion at the top. My crew liked to call it a mansion even if most of them owned bigger houses than me. I was the leader so I had to live in a mansion, a poor argument but if it pleases them so why not. The house had little more than a bedroom, a kitchen and a private study. I did not need more from my private house; the village business and outings was run from the big house. I unpacked my bag as quickly as I could, placing everything in its own place. However, I did not remove the orb from my treasure bag, but put it in a drawer in the bedroom. My mind desperately wanted to open it up and check so it truly was left in there while my body wanted no more than to sleep. I got out of my traveling clothes and armor I wore, and laid down in bed. I knew nothing more of that day.
In the evening I was awakened by the acting chief, so I had to get up from bed. Luckily for me he brought me breakfast that I ate while we conversed about what had happened in the village when I was away. In turn I told him how our road had fared and the comrades we lost, and one lucky lad we recruited. Of course the vice leader of our outing had already told him this before he retired for the day. After a few hours of discussions, and me mentioning the road outside needing maintenance, we said goodbye. Next time I awoke was when the dawn shined through my window.