The large, dog-like beasts quickly regarded the quartet of newcomers with great interest, just as the four Jaghuns that had been escorting the group through the forest also emerged from the surrounding trees.
The curiosity of the two new Jaghuns was certainly piqued, as they sniffed and eyed the newcomers carefully between their spirited bouts of bounding and leaping about Gunther.
Even though his mind urged him otherwise, Lee was gripped by a primal fear. He grew very still, and was quite unnerved by the scrutiny of the fearsome creatures as they set their attentions directly upon him.
Gunther warmly embraced his four-legged companions, vigorously rubbing their massive heads between his large hands. He picked them up by their front paws, such that they stood eye to eye with him, and engaged in many more forms of greetings and gestures of familiarity. Lee could perceive that the woodsman’s spirits were instantly improved by the Jaghuns’ presence.
Erin, Lynn, and Ryan appeared to be very relieved to see the stern man’s suddenly buoyed spirits. For his own part, Lee recognized another dimension to the ardor of the woodsman’s greeting.
The man’s fervent embrace of his creatures was such that he seemed to be reaching for the Jaghun that he had lost, even while seeking a little comfort from those who still remained. When he turned back to them, the sheen on the woodman’s eyes was unmistakable. The woodsman was rife with raw emotion, even though he was making an effort to stifle the expression of it in the face of Lee and the others.
Lee said nothing, not knowing what he could even possibly say at such a time. After a few more minutes, Gunther rose back up to a standing position, as his demeanor quickly grew more serious again.
“We should move onward; we are not there yet,” he announced curtly.
“So we are not done marching?” Erin queried with a petulant tone, continuing to nervously eye a Jaghun that had cautiously approached and begun to sniff at her.
“He is not going to hurt you, and no, we are not done marching. You may be happy to know that the distance from here is short,” Gunther responded firmly, with no trace of humor.
Without another word, the big woodsman started forward with one of the Jaghuns loping along at his side. The others bounded ahead and moved farther off to the sides of the group.
From the first steps into the outskirts of Gunther’s territory, the mood of Ryan, Lee, and Lynn continued to lift up. Though tired, the strain of the march seemed lessened with a destination in range. It was a comfort just to know that there was a physical destination to begin with, after having so recently faced the prospect of wandering aimlessly in the wilds.
At the very least, Lee knew that the end of their day’s travel was imminently approaching. Only Erin remained dour, her face exhibiting a sulky expression as she seemed to be trying to stare holes right through Gunther’s wide back. Her jaw was set firm, and her mouth held tight.
Lee paid her little heed as he focused on his footing through the uneven ground, already irritated enough with her acrimonious attitude. The ground had become noticeably more pronounced in its rises and falls, as they found themselves amid some hills of moderate size. It was to one of the larger hills that Gunther guided the wide-eyed newcomers.
Though the land before Lee had not been entirely cleared of trees, the growth of trees and brush had certainly been purposely thinned to accommodate the woodland homestead that subsequently came into sight. A two-story structure of timber had been built right up against the steep slope of the large hill. The structure was formed around a timber frame supported by thick posts of wood. Horizontal planking covered the spaces within the supportive framing. The steeply pitched roof was densely thatched with straw, and a large wooden door of rough-hewn planks served as the principle entrance to the structure.
There were a couple of small rectangular buildings set off to the right side of the main building. Both were freestanding, shorter in length, and of one level. They were gable-ended, and constructed of timber in a similar fashion to the larger, two-level building. There was also a spacious, fenced holding pen set to the front and left of the building. The space within it was currently empty, and the gate into the pen was closed.
A couple of small Jaghuns, clearly adolescents of their breed, barked, whined, and yipped excitedly at the sight of the returning group. The little creatures brought a rapid smile to Lee’s face, as they expressed their own enthusiasm, albeit in a high pitched, non-intimidating tone that was a far cry from that of their older brethren. One of them tripped over its own legs in its haste to run up to them, going down awkwardly in a ball of uncoordinated muscle and fur.
“Ah, little Skyheart. You have not yet mastered your own body,” Gunther remarked, deftly bending over and scooping up the little creature, cradling it tenderly.
The little beast panted rapidly, and started earnestly licking Gunther’s face. The woodsman put his mouth to the neck of the juvenile creature, and blew while making a humming sound, eliciting an excited squeal from the little Jaghun as it flailed with its paws.
Laughing, Gunther set the young beast back down. “There you go, now try and make sure you can at least stand up!”
The beast padded around Gunther, looking a little wobbly on its chubby legs.
“And you, Darkmane, could perhaps help your sister in this matter,” Gunther quipped, as he greeted the second young Jaghun.
Its movements were a little more sturdy than those of its sibling, Lee noticed, as he watched the creature lick Gunther’s hand. A little thicker and taller of build than Skyheart, it displayed a line of black fur that ran down from the middle of the back of its head, continuing along the center of its back down to its tail. It was little mystery as to how Gunther had come up with its name.
Gunther looked back to his four new guests. “I do not often have visitors, but there should be plenty of room inside my home for all of you. It may have little in the way of luxuries… but it is a different manner of place than you will find in the villages around this area. I used some ideas that I gained during my former travels. Made some use of a hillside, two-story house design I saw within a Saxan burh, and came up with some things of my own. Took some time to build. Had some failures. But I got it done. It is solid, it is distinct, and this has been my home for some time now.”
Gunther sounded both proud and unapologetic as he spoke of his dwelling. Though Lee knew that there were more than a few stories yet to be told by the woodsman, he saved any questions that he might have asked then for a more opportune moment. Gunther was not forthcoming with anything else, commenting no further on his homestead as he strode up to the wooden door leading into the main, two-level structure.
It was not locked, as Gunther unlatched the door and pushed it open. The woodsman then stood to the side, to allow the others to enter first. Lee led the others as they walked inside the woodsman’s dwelling, slowly filing into the front room.
The air was a little denser inside, something that Lee noted on his first inhalation. Shadow surrounded them in the dim interior, as the bulk of the light coming into the room entered through the door opening behind them.
There were no windows within the walls of the lower level. Despite the low ambience, it could still be seen that the spacious, open room had some wooden shelving fitted along the right wall, and there were a few rectangular chests lying upon the ground. The floor itself was earthen, hard-packed and smooth, though strewn about with some old rushes that lent a musty scent to the air.
The outside wall planks of rough-hewn timber were covered to a large extent on the inside with great, capacious fabrics. Some of the hangings appeared to have designs woven upon them, but in the dimness Lee could not make out much detail.
A shallow pit or small hearth had been dug out near to the center of the room. Lined with stones, it was filled with cold ash and embers left over from the last fire that had burned within it. A large iron pot was currently suspended over the hearth by a chain, which hung down from the center of an iron tr
ipod.
Looking up, Lee saw that there was an opening set high in the ceiling, visible through the second level. A little further light made its way through the opening in the roof overhead, giving highlight to the central, open shaft. Some wooden steps running up from the back of the room, just off to the left, led on up to the second story loft.
The light through the front door also revealed a last, intriguing feature in the room, which quickly drew the interest of the four guests. Lee became aware that all of his companions had settled their gazes upon it, even as Gunther followed the direction of their stares.
There was another large wooden door centered in the rear of the room, set right in the hillside’s outer surfacing.
“Yes, I suppose that doorway looks like a mystery. And yes, it is of importance. I once had a habitation not too far from here… and I relocated myself to this place, after I had learned a little more about these woods. It was a little easier to fashion two levels using the hill, but I chose this particular location for a very good reason, which you will learn about soon enough. But not just yet,” Gunther said, disappointing Lee’s curiosity once again.
The woodsman unbuckled his leather belt as he walked closer to the wall with the shelves, setting the belt with its attached leather pouches down upon the ground. Straightening up, he removed his great hunting bow and leaned it against the wall, proceeding to place his quiver down next to it. Finally, he removed his baldric, propping his sword in its leather scabbard up against the wall as well. Gunther then directed his four guests to set their own weapons and other belongings down, near to his weapons.
“Please feel welcome in my home. It is about as safe as a place can be in this age,” Gunther said invitingly, turning to face the four. “Let me show you where you will sleep. Soon you will eat your fill, though I have only a humble fare, and then you will rest.”
Lee was more than ready to take the woodsman up on both offers. Even Erin seemed not to be overly bothered about the rather stark nature of their surroundings, or at least she kept any misgivings to herself. Under other circumstances, Lee had no doubts that a pompous veneer would have shined forth from the young woman.
“This way,” Gunther remarked.
He gestured towards the staircase, as he moved forward and led them up to the second level loft. It was difficult to make out all of the features in the upper room, but enough light leaked in to reveal that it was fairly barren.
At present, there was just one rather plain, straw-filled mattress, with a rough-spun woolen blanket heaped atop it, and a couple of hides set to one side. Gunther walked over to the end of the room opposite the top of the stairway, and pulled forth several more coverings out of a deep pool of shadow, mostly turning out to be hides.
“It may not be the most in comfort that you may find within this world, but for now you will have to make use of it,” he said, indicating the skins. “I cannot say I was prepared for several visitors, but I have accumulated some extra hides which you may use for warmth, and to cover the floor surface. You may use the mattress as well… though it is for you to decide who amongst you will do so. For the time being, I will sleep below.”
He then bid them well, and informed them that he would see to the preparation of the evening meal. Exiting down the stairs, Gunther left them to their own devices, as he turned his attentions to stoking a fire in the cold hearth.
The others remained silent as they quietly listened to Gunther bustling about the hearth below.
“Not the best I’ve had, I’d say,” joked Lynn in a low voice, looking around the room. Walking to the edge of the room’s central area, she looked up at the square opening above them, before glancing down upon the cooking hearth on the first level. Lee casually strode over and joined her.
He looked up to the ceiling as well. There was a raised square of timber positioned just above the roof opening, designed to deflect the bulk of any rains out, while allowing smoke from the hearth below to exit.
“I would have to agree,” Ryan stated, as he drew up next to Lee, resting his hands on his hips while he looked around. “I come from a poor family, but our little house was a mansion compared to this.”
“Well, I don’t know about you all, but right now I could use some rest, at least until there is some food to be had,” Lee said, as he turned and walked away from the opening.
He pulled one of the large animal skins that Gunther had brought out over to an open space. Lee spread it out along the rough wooden boards that formed the flooring, and lay down upon its surface. He immediately made a little grimace, shifting about as his sore, tired body adjusted to the unforgiving floor surface. He moaned, “Ooohh… I think this is going to take some getting used to.”
He rolled his head to the side, looking to see what the others were doing.
With little hesitation, Erin all but dived down upon the straw mattress. A triumphant look was splayed across her face as she stretched out. “I will take this one. Called it first.”
Lee saw the irritated looks crop up on the faces of Lynn and Ryan, and also observed that Erin was alert enough to take account of them as well. “For the time being,” she quickly added, suddenly seeming a little abashed at her own rash impetus.
“Good diplomacy, Erin,” Lynn said, with a noticeable edge to her voice, as she followed Lee’s example in pulling out another large skin and claiming a spot on the open flooring.
“Wonder where that door downstairs, in the back, goes to,” Erin stated from where she lay, looking back towards the staircase.
“Who knows? Maybe we’ll find out after we get a little of our strength back,” Lynn said.
“I’ll go with that,” Ryan said, unleashing a wide yawn as he dragged a skin over, laying claim to some space that was close to the central opening.
“Be careful,” Lynn said, watching Ryan lie down. “There’s no railing there.”
Ryan smirked, and retorted sarcastically, “I think I’ll be fine… but thank you for your concern, Mother…”
Lee chuckled. If Ryan tumbled over the edge, he would not fall terribly far, and would likely be rewarded with a nice singe. All the same, Lee was not too worried over the likelihood.
Letting their bodies relax, and looking forward to dinner, the full effect of fatigue began to descend upon the four.
Before very long, the first tendrils of smoke wafted up through the opening in the center of the floor, accompanied by a glow of light. Shortly thereafter, the scents of something cooking over the hearth reached up to Lee from beneath. It was enough to make his mouth water, but not enough to rouse him.
Despite the discomforts, all four had drifted into sleep by the time that Gunther unmercifully awoke them with a rather forceful greeting. Lee jerked awake, feeling immediately as if his aching body had begun to turn into stone. He felt the series of cricks in his stiff neck as he turned his head to look towards Gunther.
“Come on, get up now! Evening meal is ready!” the woodsman told them, with little expression to his face. He stood at the top of the stairs, and did not depart until he was sure that they were all waking up.
Many winces and groans were elicited from the four newcomers, as they slowly sat up, stretched, and tried to dispel the greatly increased degree of soreness in their bodies. Lee’s muscles throbbed with the rigidity caused by napping upon the hard floor surface.
Lee grimaced further as he arched his back, filling the air with some audible pops and cracks. Seeing Ryan’s mirthful grin as the youth eyed him, he responded in jest, “You find it funny, don’t you? Time is merciless, and will be my avenger, which I guarantee you will discover someday.”
“I’ll enjoy the here and now, you don’t get out of it that easy,” Ryan retorted. “Come on, Lee, it’s time to eat.”
With a little effort, they all got to their feet and went back down the stairs to the first level.
Gunther had set up the room for the meal. There were a couple of narrow wooden trestles, resting upon plain stools. A few o
ther three-legged wooden stools had been pulled up for the guests to sit on.
A few bowls made of undecorated pottery were sitting upon the wooden planks, filled with a steaming pottage. A large hunk of dark bread rested by each bowl. A small wooden bowl held a full portion of some kind of nuts. A clay jug finished out the general arrangement, next to which was a trio of wooden cups.
“I do not have many drinking vessels, so you will have to share what I do have. It is not the offering of a lord or king, but it will fill you up and bring strength back to you,” Gunther said without apology.
The others took their seats at the various stools. Erin stared down at the bowl in front of her.
“Does this have meat in it?” Erin said, wrinkling her nose slightly.
Lee listened with amusement, knowing what was about to come.
“Oh yes, and you are very fortunate, as it is some of the best western boar that you can find in these woods. It is the same quality of boar that a great thane would be proud to have served to honored guests in a longhall. And it is all I have until I get to attempt another hunt, which you and your friends interrupted. I admit that what I had left is a bit salty, as I had to store what remained from my last hunt, before I left on the sojourn that ended up with finding all of you.
“It seems that you do not know much of this world, but be assured, you will feel strong again in no time. I may have said that I did not have the full meal of a king to offer you, but even a king would be hard pressed to exceed such fine meat,” Gunther replied with a hint of pride. He paused for a moment, before adding in a voice laden with seriousness, “Truthfully, many good men have gotten killed hunting the type of large boar whose meat you will enjoy tonight. It is a very dangerous quarry, for even the best of hunters.”
Gunther’s brow furrowed, and Lee followed the woodsman’s look to see the open grimace spread upon Erin’s face. It was exaggerated by the flickering shadows cast by the fire blazing nearby in the hearth.
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