Chapter 56 - The Deer With the Golden Antlers

General Summary

Plamen and Chonkorchuk (as his translator) follow the hunters toward their encampment by the side of a stream. There, they are led into the tent of a grizzled old medicine man named Yarkai, who tells them that he is not interested in furs - his people are the ones that procure them, and trade them with neighbors to the south. He also shares tales about his tribe's conflict with the Noriki, their desire to shield themselves from the outside world, the cat's help in that regard. He also informs them that there is an epidemic taking a toll on their reindeer herd, and that he would be willing to trade a vision in return for Plamen's help with healing their herd. An additional problem is a horde of blabbering and cajoling spirits - some in the shape of cat-people - that seem to have followed them into the village. Chonkorchuk has been aware of them since they entered, and Yarkai remarks on them as well. They taunt the guests, and the hermit wonders whether they might be responsible for the affliction, and whether they might be led away.
The animal whisperer and his hermit companion head down to the river. They observe that many of the reindeers' fur is covered with a growth of some sort. One of the animals has golden antlers - he is a direct descendant of the King of All Beasts, the shaman tells them. Plamen does cure several of the beasts, and the thankful shaman takes them back to his yurt for a conversation with the spirits. They reveal that spirits have been pursuing them as they progress on their quest. Chonkorchuk sees them following Golden Antlers as he leads them into the woods, and gets the idea that they should lure the spirits away, to save the herd. As payment, Yarkai gives them a couple of carved 'fish teeth', and also releases a Norik named Ilya Gerasimovich, who was caught as a poacher some weeks ago, and has been kept in the camp as a slave. Ilya thanks his liberators, and, as they travel back to their camp, reveals that he is a pilgrim traveling to Alknost to expiate his old sins. He seems like a worthwhile traveling companion - the Yokels, of course, are heading in the same direction. Curiously, he also reveals that he is aware of Reznikov, who he was sent to chase down and bring back for stealing something from the Krinets cathedral.

* * *

Back at their camp, Vasilisa begins the hunt for a new companion. There is a pack of wolves nearby, and she begins to stalk one of the larger specimens. His fellows manage to cut her off from Sobek , who becomes separated from her. Vasilisa engages in an effort to tame him. He tells her that she is welcome to join the pack, which is traveling south to join their lord, who has sent out a call to all wolfkind. After a few miscues, he comes around, and agrees to join her and her companions. Vasilisa proceeds to try to track Sobek and the rest of the pack, but they seem to be long gone.
After Chonkorchuk, Plamen, and their new traveling comrade Ilya return to camp, the newcomer is introduced to Vasilisa. The companions take a rest, and then proceed to strike toward Alknost, partly on foot, partly mounted on Plamen's horses, partly carried by giant birds he summons (and by the transformed Plamen himself). It is a harrowing way to travel for Ilya, who has never experienced anything like it.
On the third day out, they see a strange, golden-brown furred beast with enormous tangled antlers drinking out of a stream. The beast becomes spooked as they approach, and runs into the woods. The Yokels follow, and soon, get the sense that he might be leading them somewhere. Vasilisa cautions against following him for too long, because doing so might bring on divine curses. And the gods are already unhappy with them...

Rewards Granted

• 'fish teeth' [?]

Missions/Quests Completed

• some reindeer cured

Character(s) interacted with

• Kuz' hunters and warriors
• Yarkai the shaman
• Golden-brown furred, antlered beast

Report Date

15 May 2021