The rite of passage 5- Finding druid's shelter
Shonah spent the night perched on the tree branch.
Even though she no longer heard the sounds of the monstrous creature, and throughout the remaining daylight hours she hadn't caught sight of it, she dared not trust herself to descend.
Shonah fought off sleep, terrified of slipping off the branch; she tried every trick to keep her eyes from closing, and several times, she teetered on the edge of surrendering and plummeting to the ground. Her arms were etched with scratches, oozing traces of blood. As dawn approached, fatigue and hunger gripped her. Her body trembled uncontrollably; the night's cold had been unforgiving, leaving her muscles contracted.
She needed to summon the courage to descend. Clinging to the top of the tree wouldn't resolve anything. Yet, the image of that wolf remained seared into her mind. Those red eyes exuded a bloodlust, a malevolence she had never before witnessed.
On one hand, she yearned to sprint back to the village with all her might, while on the other, she longed to locate Selior's shelter and find respite. Neither option seemed ideal... At present, she lacked the strength to evade any creature, whether it be a boar or that bloodthirsty monstrosity...
Clutching the tree branch once more, as if seeking solace in her own grasp, Shonah spent a little while longer before summoning the resolve to descend. Eventually, her feet met the ground again.
Her first instinct was to approach the bear carcass. Perhaps she could salvage something and avoid a direct confrontation with a bear. After all, as per her conversation with Selior, what mattered most was finding a way to pass the test, by any means necessary.
Though not even half a day had elapsed, the bear's body was nearly decimated. Through the night, Shonah surmised, other creatures—wolves and the like—had likely descended upon the bear's remains once the monstrous creature had moved on.
Only a few intact parts of the bear's body remained. Bones jutted out, adorned with tatters of flesh, emitting a strong, pungent odor that permeated the air. Shonah diligently collected evidence that would serve as proof of her success in the village.
The bear's claws were the most crucial, and with the aid of her flint, she carefully pried them from the paw. With nothing to carry them in, she held them firmly in her hand. As she was about to depart, a thought struck her: the bear's head had been blown away. She was relieved to discover it a bit farther on, albeit severely damaged. One ear was missing, and sections of the face had been torn away. It would have to do. As for the body, some other creature must have claimed its share from the head.
Despite the imperfections, it was still a suitable trophy!
Now, all that remained was to transport it back to the village... Suddenly, she glimpsed shadows in her peripheral vision. Reacting swiftly, she sprang to her feet. One...two...three... A pack of wolves, in the distance, were advancing towards the village. Without a second thought, Shonah seized the remnants of the bear's head and sprinted in the opposite direction.
Shonah sprinted through the forest, her breath ragged. When it became too much to bear, she pressed herself against a tree, stifling her gasps to avoid drawing attention.
She hadn't heard any pursuit, thankfully. It seemed the wolves were more interested in the bear's remains than chasing her.
Once she regained her composure, she focused on the head cradled in her arms. It was clear she couldn't carry it with her while searching for shelter; it was far too unwieldy and heavy.
With determination, Shonah decided to move the head a bit further, then dig a hole beneath a tree. She marked the tree with five lines to identify it later. Burying her prize required improvisation, using her stick and hands to dig. It took longer than anticipated, but eventually, there was a hole deep enough to conceal the bear's head.
Carefully, she laid down an assortment of leaves, creating a makeshift mound. If the leaves remained undisturbed, they would serve as an additional marker. With any luck, other creatures would be preoccupied with the bear's body, and the head, separated from the rest, would go unnoticed.
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To be on the safe side, Shonah decided to keep the artifacts she had snatched from the bear. As she rose, she studied the surroundings and took a mental note of the tree and its distinctive features, ensuring she could easily locate it again. The effort of digging the hole had drained her more than she anticipated, and now, more than ever, she needed to find the shelter swiftly.
Moving closer to the rocky side of the forest, time seemed to pass quickly, and soon the sun began its descent, casting long shadows. Nightfall was approaching once more, and Shonah was teetering on the edge of exhaustion. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, and sleepiness weighed heavy on her eyelids. Her body seemed to move of its own accord, no longer responding to her commands. She yearned to collapse onto the forest floor and surrender to sleep, but she knew that doing so would be a death sentence. Any passing animal could easily find her vulnerable form.
With fervent prayers to the spirits for support, she pressed on in her quest for shelter. More time slipped away, and Shonah's steps grew unsteady. Her vision blurred, and she felt herself on the brink of collapse. It was at that desperate moment that her outstretched hand, grazing the rocky surface, brushed against a small groove.
As if jolted awake, she focused her attention on what she had touched. It was a distinct symbol, reminiscent of those she had seen in the underground room of the temple. She had found it!
The shelter had to be there... But how could she open it?
Then, in a moment of revelation, Shonah noticed that the blood from her scratches began to flow horizontally. The droplets of blood ran down her arm, reaching her hand and falling onto the symbol carved in the stone. To her astonishment, the blood was absorbed by the groove.
Suddenly, a loud noise jolted her. Before her, the rock wall began to open.
She was left utterly speechless. Had her blood truly opened the stone? It must have been Selior's work, but how had he managed to create such a mechanism?
Exhausted as she was, Shonah would have liked to ponder the possibilities further, but the stone door beckoned to close. Choosing to risk entering rather than remaining exposed in her current state, Shonah leaped into the opening.
As she stepped inside, the door finished closing behind her, enveloping Shonah in darkness. The air was close and stale, similar to the atmosphere she had encountered in the underground part of the temple. But given the scent she carried with her, it was almost a breath of fresh air.
In the embrace of exhaustion, Shonah surrendered herself to the ground. The longing to search for a bed, to ascertain if it was safe to remain, was overridden by the sheer fatigue coursing through her. She relinquished all she had been carrying to the ground and, resting her head against the hard rock, she closed her eyes and surrendered to slumber.
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She stumbled to a stop, her heart pounding in her chest. The sudden shift from the forest to the open field was disorienting. Shonah's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
The two dark figures still stood in the distance, their forms only slightly clearer now in the open. Shonah felt a mixture of fear and curiosity coursing through her. What were they? Friends or foes? Her hand instinctively moved towards the flint at her side, ready to defend herself if need be.
Taking a deep breath, she cautiously moved forward, every step deliberate and measured. She couldn't afford any missteps now. The moonlight illuminated her path, casting long shadows across the field. It was eerily quiet, save for the distant figures and the rustle of grass beneath her feet.
As she drew closer, she strained her eyes, trying to discern any details about the figures. They seemed humanoid, but that was all she could make out from this distance. Shonah's instincts were on high alert, ready to react to whatever might happen next.
Choose, child of the flame
a voice echoed through the surroundings. Yet, Shonah was so fixated on the two enigmatic forms that the source of the voice eluded her. Abruptly, one of the figures ascended, its colossal frame looming. It raised its grand head and met her gaze. In the obscurity of the night, two piercing crimson eyes bore into her own.
Shonah's eyes snapped open, her breath coming fast and beads of sweat clinging to her brow. The remnants of a nightmare clung to her, a foreboding weight settling in her chest. It was a superstition, an old saying passed down through the generations: dream of your fears, and they might just find you in the waking world. She hoped fervently that this was not one of those moments. The memory of that monstrous creature was vivid enough.
Her heart continued its rapid beat, a rhythm that seemed to define her days of late. With measured breaths, Shonah willed herself back to a state of calm.
In the shrouded darkness, recollections of entering Selior's cave flooded back. The bizarre yet effective mechanism—offering her own blood to a carved symbol. It was unsettling, yet it had granted her refuge. Fatigue was replaced with determination. Shonah resolved to rise, to explore this sanctuary, and most importantly, to secure sustenance. This refuge, crafted by Selior, had surely been provisioned for such unforeseen circumstances.
With this thought, she reached for her belt and grasped the flint hanging there. It was the only item she had been allowed to carry. It served multiple purposes, from fashioning weapons to igniting a fire. At the moment, she lacked the materials to create a proper blaze, but that was of little concern. In reverence to the four great spirits, every member of her tribe was trained to commune with one of the four elements. Shonah possessed this knowledge like any other villager, albeit at a basic level. If she could have managed to preserve that initial spark from her flint, perhaps she could have conjured a small flame using the leaves she held in her hand.
With her hands on the rock wall, she began striking the flint against it. After a few attempts, she finally produced some sparks. Shonah tried to capture them with her free hand, but as she unfurled her fingers, she discovered only crushed leaves.
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Alright, it wasn't as straightforward as she initially thought. Perhaps she needed to establish a connection with the spark even before it reached her palm. Shonah had never attempted something this intricate before. Typically, elemental communication was reserved for village festivities. For instance, some members would enhance air currents within the borodos, instruments with holes that produced a resonant sound when the wind passed through.
Igniting a fire without any suitable tinder was a challenging feat. The initial tries didn't yield the desired results, but Shonah refused to be discouraged. If it could be done simply, it could also be done through perseverance.
She pressed on, often finding the spark extinguished in her hand just moments after catching it. However, she persisted. After numerous failed attempts, Shonah finally held a brilliant spark. Before it could fade, she quickly gathered all the crumbs of tinder she could find around her. A wispy trail of smoke began to rise from her hand. The spark was taking hold in the material.
Focusing intently on the spark, Shonah closed her eyes. In the depths of her imagination, she summoned the image of Kesk'Rim, the mighty nocturnal with wings of fire and a flame that never waned. This was the fire she sought to create. She concentrated this thought onto the spark nestled in her hand, willing it to flourish.
With careful precision, Shonah reopened her eyes. In her grasp danced a small flame. It didn't burn like ordinary fire; it pulsed with vitality, exuding warmth. Shonah knew that this connection required serenity and unwavering focus, so she maintained her mental link until a faint tingle vibrated in her hands. Reveling in her success, Shonah gazed at the small, living flame. She had done it!
Thank you great Kesk'Rim
With newfound light, Shonah ventured further into the cave. The cavern was much larger than she had initially anticipated. She walked over ten paces on the stone path before reaching the true heart of the cave.
At the second entrance, she discovered a plate filled with coal. Without hesitation, Shonah nestled her flame into the coal. Instantly, the embers sparked to life, birthing a new flame. As if in synchrony, the other plates followed suit, each igniting with a smaller, yet still illuminating, fire.
Her eyes scanned the room. Three chairs sat around a table, a cupboard-like structure, and... a chest? That had to be where the provisions were stored. Without a moment's hesitation, Shonah hurried toward it.
No matter how hard she tried, the chest wouldn't budge. After a few more attempts, Shonah noticed a symbol on the lid that closely resembled the one on the stone entrance. Taking the flint, she made a small cut in her palm and let the blood trickle onto the symbol.
As expected, the blood slid toward the symbol, and soon after, the chest creaked open. Alright, it was useful, but did Selior have to incorporate that symbol everywhere? Shonah couldn't afford to bleed herself every time she wanted a simple piece of bread.
All those thoughts vanished at the sight of fruit, wheat, and provisions inside the chest. Hunger had started to gnaw at her, and the cramps were nothing compared to the emptiness she felt. She picked up a slightly oval fruit and devoured it. She didn't even know what it was, she had never tasted anything quite like it, but right now, she didn't care. She grabbed whatever she could get her hands on - berries, mushrooms, roots, and bread.
She coughed from the haste at which she devoured the food and had to search the chest for a pitcher of water, which she found. She drank deeply, allowing the water to soothe her parched throat.
With her hunger sated, Shonah took a moment to look around the room. She had to admit, for a makeshift shelter, it was quite impressive. The walls were etched with runic symbols, similar to those in the temple, or at least that's what it seemed like to Shonah, who had no objective knowledge of these things. The floor was covered with a woven wool rug, much like the ones she had seen in the temple.
It seemed that Selior had brought everything he deemed necessary to this place. A wise move, as now he had a convenient refuge in case of emergencies. She couldn't help but feel grateful. If it weren't for this shelter, she might have been left defenseless in the open, at the mercy of any beast or monstrosity. A shiver ran down her spine at the memory of the humanoid wolf's red eyes.
As appealing as staying in the cave sounded, she knew she couldn't. Sooner or later, she would have to venture out. Even though she didn't feel particularly brave at the moment, she understood the importance of returning to the village. She realized she had left the bear's claws at the entrance. She wasn't sure how convincing they alone would be in persuading Odn to believe her story. As for the bear's head, she could concoct a tale about its poor condition. It was a risk, but one she had to take.
The biggest problem was the monstrous creature. Shonah hadn't been able to track its movements after almost being spotted, and it was a constant source of worry. Her task had shifted from hunting a bear to stumbling upon a dead one. Now, her main concern was making it back to the village with the bear's head. She pondered which scenario was better.
Regardless, she needed a plan. First, she had to find something in the closet. Her idea was to fashion a makeshift sack from clothes to transport the bear's head. She'd discard the sack near the walls later. As she explored the cavern, she came across the closet, filled with clothing resembling both the strange attire Selior wore on her first visit to the temple and the druid's robes. Shonah chose a leafy cloak, despite the discomfort of the material scratching her shoulders. It perfectly mimicked the forest's colors and would serve as valuable camouflage.
However, she decided to don the cloak only when she left the cave. For now, she placed it carefully on one of the chairs. Next, she tore a piece of Selior's clothing to craft an improvised sack for the bear's head. Testing its durability, she filled it with more food from the chest. It seemed sturdy enough, and it was her best option for the moment.
Upon closer inspection, Shonah realized she had made quite a mess of the druid's closet. She resolved to apologize to Selior later for any damage she had unintentionally caused to his sanctuary. Right now, she needed to make use of whatever resources she could find.
After thoroughly searching through the closet, Shonah concluded that she had everything she needed. She closed it, satisfied with her findings. Ready to conceal and transport the bear's head, she contemplated the slim chance of encountering the humanoid wolf. She needed better weaponry than a mere stick. Perhaps Selior had something in the shelter that could aid her.
Scouring the cave, she came across three test tubes hanging on one wall, each containing different colored liquids. Shonah hesitated. The risk of adverse effects was significant, but was it wiser to take a chance or face an 8-foot-tall creature armed only with a stick?
She decided to take the risk. Using her flint, she fashioned small indentations in her belt to secure the vials. They held steady, allowing her to move without fear of them falling. The flames in the various dishes were dwindling, signaling it was time to conclude her preparations. She donned her cloak, slung the sack behind her back from her left hip to her right shoulder, and finally, grasped the staff in her left hand. With determination, she headed toward the shelter's exit.
With her right hand, Shonah approached the plate where she had originally deposited the flame. She connected with the fire present, and a small flame immediately illuminated her palm. Holding the bear's claws, she retraced her steps to the hall where she had first found them. After leaving them on the ground, she proceeded to locate the symbol that would open the door.
It took some time, but eventually, her small light source revealed the symbol. She extinguished the flame, then made a small cut with the sharp stick before placing her palm on the wall. As before, the symbol drew her blood, and soon the seemingly solid rock wall began to yield.
Anticipating the sight of a high sun, given the time she had spent searching the shelter, Shonah was surprised to be met with a faint light. It was a clear indication that dawn was approaching. As Shonah ventured towards the forest, her thoughts raced. It was intriguing how she seemed to have slept so deeply and still felt invigorated. Perhaps it was an attribute of the shelter, she mused.
Her focus soon shifted to retrieving the bear's head and avoiding any encounters with the monstrous creature. She considered her options for finding a safe spot to rest. A den of branches seemed plausible, but the risk of falling and sustaining injuries was too great. Digging a hole and using her cloak for cover was a more practical idea, though far from ideal.
As she weighed her choices, Shonah's senses remained sharp, ready to react to any sound or movement in the surroundings. Time was of the essence, and she couldn't afford to let her guard down.
Shonah held her breath, her eyes locked with the boar's. She knew the importance of not provoking it further. Slowly, she continued her retreat, each step calculated. The boar's gaze remained fixed on her, but it didn't make any aggressive moves.
After what felt like an eternity, Shonah managed to put enough distance between them. She carefully maneuvered around the area, keeping a watchful eye on the boar to ensure she didn't inadvertently corner herself. Her heart raced, but she maintained her composure. The forest seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the next move. Shonah knew she needed to find an alternative route and continue on her mission to retrieve the bear's head.
Shonah stood there, panting heavily, staring at the lifeless body of the boar. She felt a strange mix of triumph and sorrow. This was the kind of test that could make or break a hunter in her tribe. She had faced it head-on and emerged victorious, even if it hadn't been by conventional means.
She took a moment to steady herself, then carefully approached the boar. She knew she needed to be quick in retrieving the claws, but she also needed to be respectful. She said a quiet prayer for the spirit of the boar, thanking it for its sacrifice.
Once she had the claws secured, she glanced around, ensuring she hadn't attracted any unwanted attention. The forest was eerily quiet, as if it too was holding its breath.
With a final look at the boar, Shonah turned and resumed her journey to retrieve the bear's head. The forest seemed to have grown even denser, but she pressed on, determination fueling her every step. She knew she was one step closer to completing the ritual, and the thought filled her with a sense of purpose.
If all went according to plan, if she could retrieve the bear's head and bring it back to the village, she would earn her place in the Clan of Fangs. From there, she knew she could bring about the change she had dreamed of. Time was fundamental. She couldn't afford to be caught in the forest after nightfall. Pushing aside the makeshift spear she had used to fell the boar, Shonah turned her steps toward her goal.
Some parts of the journey were a blur; fatigue and lack of sleep had taken their toll on her senses. Yet, she had carefully studied Selior's map, and by observing the mountainside, she managed to piece together a rough sense of direction.
The return journey felt swifter, aided by the guiding light of day. Shonah noted the marked difference in her pace now that she wasn't grappling with exhaustion. It was clear she had taken much longer on her way out, a testament to her sleep-deprived state.
Before long, she stood at the pit where she had buried the bear's head. There were no signs of disturbance, which meant that no curious animals had discovered it. Carefully, she cleared away the earth and leaves, revealing the bear's head. It had not been tampered with, but the soil had settled into the wounds, creating clusters of dried blood. It didn't look perfect, but it would have to do. Shonah was prepared to craft a convincing story to justify its condition. She'd claim she fought off a pack of wolves to protect it. She had plenty of ideas to spin a believable tale.
Wasting no more time, she secured the head in the sack she had fashioned, setting aside the food she had brought. With her prize now slung over her shoulder, she retraced her steps, making her way back toward the village.
Shonah moved cautiously, avoiding the bear carcass to prevent attracting other carnivores. With a stick in one hand, food in the other, and two fragile vials hanging from her belt, carrying the heavy bear's head on her shoulders left her vulnerable and unable to defend herself quickly. Her only option was to tread carefully and hope for the best.
She alternated between hiding behind trees, quickening her pace, and maneuvering through the bushes. So far, she hadn't encountered anything, but she remained vigilant, not wanting any surprises. As the sun began to set, Shonah knew she needed to find a safe place to take cover. Just as she was calculating the distance she still had to go, a distant howl pierced the air.
Her heart sank. She turned, only to find a pack of wolves rapidly closing in on her. She hadn't heard them coming—how had they tracked her? Had they caught wind of the bear's head? The situation was dire. Shonah knew she had to release the head and hope for a chance to escape.
Then, unexpectedly, the wolves abruptly stopped and fixated their gaze on Shonah. Confusion washed over her. She certainly didn't look threatening. Sadly, the answer became clear when the haunting sound she'd heard on the first night echoed behind her.
Fear gripped Shonah's heart, pounding like a drum. She didn't want to turn around, didn't want to face whatever was behind her. Yet, when she saw the wolves retreating, she knew she had no choice. She turned slowly, her eyes wide with terror.
There it stood, less than fifteen paces away, towering and menacing. The humanoid wolf, upright on its hind legs, its fangs stained with blood, and those piercing red eyes fixed on her. It was the same creature from that dreaded first night.
A sense of dread washed over Shonah. She couldn't help but feel that the spirits had turned their backs on her, leaving her at the mercy of this monstrous beast, which now advanced towards her, grunting ominously.