Apostates and screamers part 1

Amidst the icy expanse of the Subut tribe's territory, Suomi found herself rejuvenated and ready to face the day. She stepped out of the yurt, enveloped in a borrowed fur coat, thick and warm against the biting cold. Her hands were soon busy, assisting in the construction of a scaffold, and contributing to the communal effort.

Before long, the local hunters and Amala emerged from the wooded area, laden with the fruits of their labor. The sight of fresh game in their hands signaled a successful hunt.

"You seem to be back in good spirits already," Rufus observed, his tone laced with relief as he addressed Suomi.

"Yes, I've made a full recovery," she responded, her voice steady. Amala, joining the conversation, chimed in with curiosity, "What exactly was in that medicine?"

There was a fleeting exchange of glances between Amala and Rufus, a silent conversation passing between them before Rufus tactfully shifted the focus.

"Show us your catch, Amala," he prompted, eager to divert the attention away from the previous topic.

Without hesitation, Amala presented their prize: a large, woolly rhino, its fur a pristine white. It lay motionless, being dragged along by three local hunters, its massive form easily surpassing 400 kilograms.

"The forest abounds with beasts, and with the karkuks no longer a threat, there's a palpable sense of relief in the air. It's as if the woods themselves are exhaling, finding equilibrium once again," Amala remarked, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction and awe at the transformation unfolding before them.

~~

Suomi's composure had transformed entirely; the biting cold that once affected her now seemed to leave her unfazed. In good health, she moved with graceful ease through the powdery snow, her spirits evidently high.

"You're radiating positivity. Most people from our world would be counting down the days until winter's end, yet you seem to embrace it wholeheartedly," Amala observed, her tone laced with curiosity.

Suomi's eyes lit up as she responded, "My homeland is perpetually blanketed in snow, so this environment brings me a sense of comfort. I admit, even I am not immune to homesickness."

"You once mentioned that your world is a vision of beauty, ensconced in snow throughout the year," Rufus interjected, his interest piqued.

The mere thought of an endless winter made Amala's stomach churn, her mind struggling to grasp how such an environment could bring anyone joy.

Suomi, lost in her memories, painted a vivid picture, "True, the snow is a constant presence, but once every 500 days or so, it all melts away. For a brief 24 hours, the entire world of Kalevala's moon transforms. The silver birches unfurl their verdant leaves, and the thick clouds part to bathe the land in golden sunlight."

Her voice, tinged with nostalgia, conveyed the magic of the moment, "The snow retreats to unveil lush patches of emerald grass, and the frozen waterways yield to the warmth, their surfaces gleaming like mirrors. The once-bare trees explode with life, their branches adorned with delicate leaves that dance in the breeze. The air fills with the sounds of animals awakening from their slumber, celebrating the warmth."

With her eyes sparkling, Suomi concluded her tale, "The people come together, adorned in vibrant attire and floral decorations, embracing the joy of the moment. Music and laughter fill the air as we dance around bonfires, sharing stories and indulging in the season's bounty. It's a day of rebirth and hope, a testament to the endurance of beauty and life, even in the harshest winter."

Their moment of reflection was abruptly interrupted by the village leader, who stormed out of his house, making a beeline for the recently hunted game. He was clearly agitated, his eyes scanning the carcasses as he demanded, "Where is the freshest kill? I need blood! THE BLOOD!"

The hunters exchanged confused glances, but they moved quickly to satisfy his demand, with one collecting a bowl to catch blood from the wooly rhino.

Amala, unable to contain her curiosity, questioned, "Why do you need the blood?"

The village master's response was swift and filled with vitriol, "It is none of your business, you shit-skinned outsider!"

Amala, unimpressed by his derogatory comment, chose to let it slide, her desire to avoid unnecessary conflict outweighing her urge to respond.

Turning to his hunters, the village master barked, "You two, fetch me a fresh kill, now!"

Rufus, Amala, and Suomi observed in silence as the hunters hastily departed, the bizarre behavior of the village master leaving them with more questions than answers.

As they waited, the village leader's agitation became increasingly apparent, his mutterings a clear sign of inner turmoil. Though he kept his thoughts to himself, his distress was undeniable.

"I've had enough. I'm going out there," Amala declared, her patience worn thin.

"I'm coming with you," Rufus added, deciding not to let her go alone.

~~

The pair trailed the hunters' footprints into the depths of the forest, their movements hushed by the thick layer of snow. The woods grew wilder, and the sense of untamed nature intensified as they moved farther from the safety of the village.

They discovered the trail's abrupt end at the base of a large tree. Amala felt something wet fall on to top of her head.

Their gaze lifted to the grisly scene above one of the hunters, strung up, his entrails grotesquely decorating the branches.

"Who—or what—could have done this?" Amala pondered aloud, her hand instinctively finding the hilt of her weapon.

Before Rufus could muster a reply, a low growl resonated through the forest, vibrating the trees themselves. The eerie sound halted abruptly, replaced by the unsettling sight of the ground moving subtly, as though something swam beneath its snowy surface.

"Shhhhhhhhh."

The surviving hunter, unscathed but shaken, silenced them, taking refuge behind a tree in an attempt to remain undetected.

"What is that?" Amala whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I'm not sure, but whatever it is, I have no intention of sticking around to find out," Rufus responded his grip on his sword tightening.

They held their breath, waiting in tense silence until the snow finally settled, and the forest returned to a precarious stillness. The second hunter cautiously emerged from his hiding spot, motioning for them to follow.

With heightened alertness, the group navigated through the dense forest, keenly aware of their surroundings. The forest's eerie atmosphere was palpable, and they couldn't shake the feeling that unseen eyes were upon them.

"What was that thing?" Amala inquired once they were a safe distance away.

"That was a snow screamer—one of the divine beasts of this forest. It has an aversion to anything it deems 'unnatural,'" the hunter explained, his voice laden with unease.

"So by 'unnatural,' you mean us?" Rufus sought clarification.

"Yes. It doesn't reveal itself or prey on others, but if it perceives a threat like us nearby, it will attack, akin to a white blood cell eliminating bacteria. It left my companion up there as both fertilizer and a warning," the hunter stated grimly.

"Is it powerful?" Rufus pressed.

"No one has ever seen its true form, so our chances against it are slim. Luckily, it's mostly dormant throughout the day. Stumbling upon one is extremely rare. We should be safe now, but we need to head back to the village," the hunter urged.

As they resumed their cautious trek through the snowy forest, they remained vigilant for any signs of the snow screamer's return.

The hunter suddenly stopped, signaling for the others to halt as well. He pointed ahead, where an unsuspecting deer grazed.

"You're actually considering hunting that now, for the village master?" Amala asked, incredulously.

"Disappointing him isn't an option, and food has been scarce. We need to feed our people," the hunter responded resolutely.

Amala sighed her expression a blend of sympathy and frustration. "Fine, but we need to be quick and efficient. The moment there's any sign of the snow screamer, we abandon the hunt and return to the village, understood?"

Rufus nodded in agreement, readying his bow and arrow. "Let's do this cleanly and cause as little suffering as possible."

The hunter stealthily positioned himself, using the trees as cover, while Amala and Rufus approached the deer from opposite directions. Suomi, less experienced in hunting, stayed back to assist if needed.

The trio moved with precision, and the deer remained unaware of their presence. The hunter's shot was true, felling the deer swiftly and painlessly. Amala immediately stepped forward, ensuring the animal's quick and respectful demise.

"Nice shot," Rufus complimented the hunter. "Let's get this back to the village, and fast."

They skillfully prepared the deer, committed to utilizing every part in respect of its sacrifice.

The journey back to the village was uneventful; the snow screamer did not reappear. Fortune had smiled upon them, and they returned safely, the strange disturbances left behind.

The village master, now pacified with the fresh kill and its blood, did not press for details. Amala was more than content to leave it at that, her tolerance for the narrow-minded leader already stretched thin.