Asprun and the Wuyehanam
I heard the bone-chilling, otherworldly howl. The beast was quickly
gaining on me, so I tried to run faster. But fatigue was setting
in. Fatigue from running. Fatigue from the weight of the furs keeping
out the cold…barely. Fatigue from fighting the deep snow. Still, I
ran. Another howl. Closer this time. Don't look back.
I looked around the desolate landscape for a place to hide. A hole, a
cave, a rock. Anything. Ahead…to the left. An outcropping of rock. I
shifted directions. Go past it. Circle back to it. Maybe the
beast could be confused.
The howl was much louder this time. It was closing in. And…was that an
answering howl? By the gods, no! But the rock was near. I ran
past, slowed, retraced my steps, and leapt, as far as my tiring legs
would allow. It had to be enough.
The landing was cushioned by the expanse of snow around me, swallowing
me. By a miracle I had landed just where I had hoped. I made myself
small, burrowing deeper into the snow. Another howl. It was almost
upon me. And then, for certain this time, and closer, an answer to the
howl.
While the beast was nearly silent on the snow, I could hear a snort,
and breathing. It must be here! But I held my own breath and
reamained silent. More snorting. It was trying to suss me out. Did the
leap work?
Another howl. The companion! But it was closer than it should
be. Maybe? Another snort, and a reply to the companion.
I couldn't see it. No, I felt it. Felt the darkening around me, the
massive presence, and heard the woosh of air as the
maybe-not-companion flew over the outcropping and me. A thud followed
by snarls and growls. The two were fighting! Maybe they'll kill
each other! A thought I shouldn't have thought, cursing its
possibility.
The growls and snarls intensified, with two distinct voices. I
couldn't help but to poke my head up from the snow to look upon the
fight. They were locked in combat. Two massive beasts, each as large
as a bear, but with long legs, an oddly long neck, and a head filled
with teeth like daggers and spikes. Covered in thick white fur. I
couldn't distinguish between the one that hunted me and its
attacker. A massive claw knocked a head away, only for the knocked jaw
to open wide and clamp upon the offending leg. A different howl than
before. One of pain. Sickly green blood began soaking the white fur of
the bitten, staining the snow.
The injured monster stared directly at me, menace in its eyes,
snarled, then turned and gingerly loped away in the direction we had
come from. The victor turned toward me. Out of the kettle, into the
flames! It took one…two…three steps. Sniffed. Snorted. Growled.
A warning? It, too, looked directly at me, staring at me with
red eyes that could almost burn through flesh. Then, suddenly, it
bounded away in a different direction, granting me my life.
— The Journals of Asprun, Book 21, pages 79–83
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