Day 6 [travel from 3508 to 3408 (barren hills on
west bank, lightly forested hills on east bank), weather worsening, no random
encounter]
The terrain on the east bank of the river becomes less
rugged, more of a hill than a mountain. The weather, however, becomes worse:
the first cold of Mid-Winter sets in. The first snowflakes also appear – early
scouts of the oncoming storms and impassable roads. So, the Circus tries to
pick up speed.
They get their hopes up when they see the outlines of
buildings in the distance at the bend of the river – but as they get closer,
they notice, that there is no smoke rising from the chimneys. It is just the
ruins and remains of an abandoned hamlet, half a dozen empty, dilapidated
buildings. Most are beyond repair. Some might be restored to livable
conditions.
The deserted place gives everybody the creeps. It’s that
uncanny feeling, when a place that should be “lived in” instead stands empty.
“I feel like we are being observed,” shudders Callisto, and glances backwards,
but can’t see anybody. The party decides to not search the buildings, and
instead roll on towards a hopefully populated settlement.
+ [travel from 3408 to 3509 (barren hills on west
bank, densely forested plains on east bank), weather worsening, random
encounter: the Lycanthropes, party not surprised, creatures surprised)
The terrain on the east bank evens out, but the forest
gets thicker. The snowfall intensifies. The branches of ancient trees look like
skeletal arms outstretched against the gray, clouded sky.
Pointy Kid drives the wagon. Griswold volunteered to be
on watch – which means sitting on top of the wagon – not the most pleasant
position in the winter. The others huddle in relative “comfort” inside the
cabin.
“I tell you, I don’t like this Griswold fella,” Callisto
grumbles. “His words are pleasant, but his eyes are just not right. I recognize
this type… He is a liar and a con-man, that’s what he is.”
“Birds of a feather, aye?” Julia pokes him in the side.
“First of all, I’m not a con-man, I’m a con-artist,
and a master of illusions, not a liar. But yes, I’ve seen people like him
before. I bet that tale about his traveling companions getting killed by
monsters is a great big lie. They are either following us, or, hell, for what
we know, he killed them himself and will do the same to us! And why did he
volunteer for watch duty?! In this damn cold?”
“All right, all right, I’ll check on him, just stop
nagging me!” Julia Maxima gives in.
A little trapdoor built into the ceiling leads to the top
of the wagon, the “sentry post”. Julia Maxima climbs up the ladder, and emerges
from the hatch, but not completely yet. She looks around.
Griswold kneels on the roof of the wagon, with his back
to the trapdoor. And he is… waving? Gesturing? Signaling to somebody in the
distance behind the wagon! Julia Maxima barely makes out three figures trotting
after the wagon. Three dark figures… Wolves? WOLVES!
Julia drops back into the wagon and secures the trapdoor
below.
“You were right, Callisto. I’m sorry. To arms, everybody!
There’s a pack of…”
Her words are interrupted by a blood-curdling howl from
above --- which is answered by a choir from the distance.
“…wolves. Or something worse,” Julia Maxima finishes the
sentence and starts donning her chain shirt.
There’s another howl, and the sound of claws scraping
against the roof of the wagon.
“POINTY! Pointy, look out! Behind you!” Sheila screams,
hoping that her voice will penetrate through the wall of the wagon.
Pointy Kid turns around just in time to gaze into the
gaping maw of a gigantic wolf perched behind him over the driver’s box…
Instinctively, he hits it with his only weapon at hand – the whip! The leather
strap would scare any other creature – but this monstrosity doesn’t even flinch
– and it lunges forward – and misses! The sudden movement brings the creature
dangerously close the edge, but it stays on top of the wagon. Pointy throws the
reins and stands up to face the monster. Bamboo the horse needs no urging by
this point, as she feels the horrible smell of the werewolf. She strains to go
as fast as possible.
Meanwhile, below in the wagon Julia Maxima is still
struggling with her chain shirt. Sheila grabs her scimitar. “I cannot let
Pointy fight that… thing… all alone!” She opens up the back window of the
wagon, crawls out, and pulls herself up onto the top. As a trained dancer, she
manages this little acrobatic feat alright… But she also sees that the three
wolves are gaining. Callisto watches in horror at the pursuers and tries to
come up with a clever idea.
Up top, the monstrous wolf prepares for another attack.
But first, Pointy Kid lashes out with the whip once more – this time he tries
to hook it around the creature’s leg, but only causes some mild annoyance.
Luckily, he doesn’t lose his balance. Griswold (or rather, “Griswolf”…) charges
again – but Pointy Kid sidesteps, and the wolf jumps straight off the
carriage!!
Callisto tries to use his only trick, and “throws” his
voice, towards the approaching wolves. On a hunch, he imitates Griswold’s
monotone speech: “Fall back! This prey is no good!” And, to the Grand
Illusionist’s great surprise… the trick works! At least, the three pursuing
wolves stop and look around in confusion.
Sheila and Pointy look below and try to find the wolf.
At the same time, Griswolf “resurfaces” from under the
speeding wagon and snarls at Callisto (who is still standing at the open back
window). And then the monster jumps, tries to latch onto the vehicle – his
vicious claws miss the window just by a couple of inches.
Pointy climbs back into the driver’s box and takes up the
reins. Sheila stays on top of the wagon to see how things unfold.
Griswolf snarls angrily, shakes himself – and turns back
into a person! “You haven’t seen the last of us, carnies!!” he shouts after the
wagon, then, butt naked, runs off into the snow-covered forest to find his
pack.
Julia Maxima finally finishes putting on her chainmail.
“I’m never taking this off again,” she says.
The wagon speeds on, pulled by the panicking Bamboo, in
an unknown direction…
