Chronicles of 'Team B' - Chapters 52 - 53 - On the Borderlands

General Summary

The returned Malina and Merius share stories about their trip, and their discovery of Zhadan Cheslavovich's connivance, though there is nothing that can be done about that at present. At least the mission has a new letter to present to Grand Prince Gintaras. Agapia, for her part, shows off the new hare-summoning trick taught to her by Apraksia.    
The expedition follows Zorina's lead, toward the border between Nor' and Galinda. There were rumors of animated snow statues floating around Shchavel', and after the Serpent Slayers depart, they find that the rumors were true. Less than a day outside the village, Agapia detects an evil presence: three snowmen stand on an abandoned clearing. The wind howls through the hollow, alternating between lamentations and threats. The groans chill the travelers to their very core, Malina summons her fiery wall. Zorina provides support with her bow. The creatures' howling nearly drives Agapia mad with fear. She flees the scene, but eventually, the snow people are subdued and melted, and the hateful spirits animating are driven off, and float away. 
The following evening, the group wanders into a blighted section of forest, such as they had seen earlier on route from Vladykino to Ladeisk. Again, there are sections of dead wood, slime covering trees and bushes, and pools of bright green liquid (and snow) on the ground. As Zorina and Agapia scout ahead, Malina is confronted by two strangers, who have apparently been following the group for some time. They are Didar, a mysterious Kochmak, and Pseudolous, a shapeshifter. Didar is apparently on a mission to guide Arsenii Trofimovich to the right path, though he has never met him, and has only seen him in a dream. His companion is somehow aware of the mission the Serpent Slayers are on, and pledges himself to help make it succeed, though Malina, who shows off her prowess by surrounding herself and the prince with summoned deer, cannot yet fathom why.

Report Date

04 Jun 2021