Chapter 13 Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel crashed their way through the underbrush. There was no bother being subtle. He was onto their scent. “Careful he is catching up on your right!” Gretel whined.

“I know!” Hansel barked, “Keep going!”

“We should head back out. Turn north!” Gretel veered to avoid the thorn bush ahead. Something swiped and took off a chunk of Hansel’s fur from his shoulder. He barreled on forward. When he sensed the next swipe coming he made what must have been the fastest change of his life. From beast to boy not lacking in strength he gripped his attacker’s wrist and underarm catapulting the much larger opponent by the fulcrum of his own arm into the bush. Hansel twisted away knowing the key was not getting caught up in such an attack. Outcries of out rage bellowed forth luckily the bramble had its new guest well occupied. The change back for Hansel was more painful due to the added swiftness of the first. Immediately he took to the south. When Gretel appeared next to him from the left he nearly took her head off. His adrenaline was pumping and the blood lust was in him. She snapped at him. “It is me! Why did you not follow?”

“You cannot guess? Besides, I will not let him drive us back out to the Frost.” They slowed cautiously to a trot. No sounds of pursuit were heard.

“We have to leave and gather more forces.” Gretel growled nervously. Her ears back. Her teeth bore.

“You are the one who wanted to come in and find him without any interference.” Hansel’s voice lost its emphasis for he yelped when she coarsely licked his wound. The moment her tongue retracted the gash was gone.

“I was wrong. I had grown impatient circling on the outside in the snow.” Gretel protested.

“Come dawn he will be forced to retreat.” Hansel reasoned, he hated giving up, they were so close. A part of him suspected that this far in they were not going to be let out again this time. The witch was tired of their meddling; she had cursed the borders. Together they crouched keeping under cover of whatever they could find. Not too far ahead was a brief clearing. It would slow them up. Going through it would be suicidal. They would have to go around.

“We are no match for the hunter covered with his wards come day.” Gretel’s head turned towards a snap.

“Better to chance that than a frozen slumber. I have an idea of where to go.” Two doves flew right over their heads.

“He has taken to the trees.” Hansel looked up warily. The crackling of branches seemed to answer in response and another noise like soft tinkling bells. The canopy above became a flurry of movement. The doves circled a silhouette receding into darkness so deep that even canine eyes could not follow. Then what once was a moss covered branch revealed itself as a furry claw snatching one of the birds from mid air and delivering it to a pearl toothed maw. Blood spurted, feathers flew, Hansel barked with rage.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

As soon as he revealed their location he regretted it. Fearing for Gretel he leapt into the clearing to make sure he was the only one spotted. Great metal teeth clamped tight around his leg. He howled not only in grief but also in agony. The gleam of the silver prevented him from even attempting to gnaw his leg off. The silver was not just repelling him. His opponent also stayed at bay.

Gretel felt disgusted with herself. She should have kept her brother from leaping in foolishly had she thought it out. The Hunter always preferred clearings for traps. This is why the other had taken to the trees. The enemy retreated knowing there was nothing more to do. He had herded them to the desired spot. It was no longer his job to dispose of them. She hoped some part of him still recognized them and did not wish to finish the deed. Should she despair? Was her brother truly lost? For it was a certainty she could not remove this serrated shackle. And if she stayed two would be captured.

The crackling of trees started up with a swift and bitter breeze. Gretel realized the chill she felt was not just in her mind. In the clearing her brother froze. Only Hansel’s eyes darted from side to side fervently. The creature landed from above with the sound of snow thudding to the ground. A soft tinkling that they had heard earlier as it moved towards Hansel. The young wolf shivered uncontrollably in response to the approach which appeared slow but sudden. All at once the white deity was upon him slashing. The searing pain in his leg was astonishing. As if he was being burned. The severing was swift.

The shaking was a natural response as his foot tried to grow back. The creature still hovered over him observing. He seemed curious as the quill icicles of his back stood on end. Gretel took a chance, changing into a girl she quickly reached out dragging Hansel back not only from the hovering creature but from the silver which surely was counteracting his body’s efforts. When she looked back up the being with the dew drop head had retreated at an unreal speed, walking backwards up a tree.

When he was gone Gretel growled, “How is it that Frost has come so far in?”

“Father Winter must be tired of laying siege to the outside.” Hansel swung his head to indicate which way they should retreat to.

“The rules have not changed. She must still be making sacrifices and brewing spring mead.”

“Do not be a dolt. He is traveling along the river path that is made cool by the water. He creates the rules.” Hansel gritted.

“By the end of tonight the Lueda Yenka will know his way of entry and lay traps for him.Our bad brother surely knew he was here.” Gretel shook her head.

“Did not seem to bother the Old Jack in the slightest did it?” Hansel winced once more a boy examining his foot. Dawn was not too far away.

“Why do you suppose he helped us?” Gretel mused, tossing her soft hair over her shoulders.

“Bother trying to figure those things out.” Hansel rolled his eyes. “All I know is I hate this wood. So I say it is time we leave it."