The Briedis, the Kairys, and the Astrauskas were families united by their common work, blood, and political convictions. The wives were two sisters and a cousin, and the husbands had worked together harvesting and selling the mushrooms since the end of the battles against the Teutonic invasion. There were twelve people in total, the three couples and their six children. They were following in a small wagon train to the swampy region of the peninsula, just north of Balga. A region that is difficult to access, but rich in several species of edible mushrooms, much appreciated by residents throughout the County. Dead man's trumpet, sulfur shelf, porcine fungus, thistle mushroom, Lenten jar, and on a very lucky day the truffles. The famous truffles of the peninsula. Everyone got good prices in the Market Square, but the truffles were for the richest, those who could pay the most. They more than tripled the expenses of the trip. Harvesting lasted two days and was done on Thursdays and Fridays. This way they could have fresh mushrooms ready for sale on Saturday and Sunday.
The first day was very productive. It was almost ten pounds of truffles, and over forty of the other species of mushrooms. Impressive even for them, used to the task. As the sun went down, they and the children left. As usual, everyone gathered around the campfire and stood enjoying the sunset singing beautiful old songs. It was like a ritual of thanksgiving to the generous Mother Nature, for providing their sustenance. Once finished, the men stowed the packages in the special compartment under the wagon. There each variety was stored separately. Meanwhile the women were preparing dinner, a feast by the way. Lamb leg with cherovies, salted flour paste with mushrooms, a huge roasted sturgeon, caught the day before, and a herring fry. Everyone sat happily hungry around the campfire and attacked the food while talking about the day. At the end of dinner, the men remained around the campfire while the women put the little ones to sleep.
- For the Lady of the Dawn, I would give anything to know what the boys have gotten herself into! Said Arnas.
- That's the way they are! It's not the first time they have lost track of time hunting around Elk. Once they even crossed the border, which caused them some trouble with a tribe of Natangios from Lithuania! Said Jonas between a sip of wine.
- Have they gone that far? Denis exclaimed.
- I don't know, but I'm worried, you know, some things that have been going on and everything else...! Arnas turned darkly.
- My friends, let's not worry, they will show up, they are great hunters and just like us, warriors who know how to take care of themselves. Let's lie down and rest our bodies, because tomorrow we have another hard day's work, and if it's anything like today's, we will guarantee a peaceful winter! Jonas exclaimed optimistically.
Everyone smiled happily and made a last toast, smiling and looking into the forest. Denis first noticed.
- But what is that among the trees, over there to the left of your wagon, Arnas?
Everyone turned around and saw the pair of red eyes that stood out in the darkness some distance away, subtle but visible.
- Come on, two rounds at the One-Eyed Boar for the one who gets it right between those two curious eyes, get your crossbows! Said Jonah, opening the bets.
Everyone ran silently to the wagon and returned with their weapons ready for firing.
- Me first! Declared Jonah, who lay down next to one of the quiver. As he dispatched the arrow into the darkness, the eyes went out and reappeared about 10 meters to the right, further down the road. Everyone blinked without understanding how fast the animal had moved.
- But what kind of thing goes so fast and backwards? Whispered Denis intrigued.
Outraged, they gathered for a triple shot, from which no animal should escape. They heard a loud squeak and then the eyes disappeared.
They ran to where the animal was supposed to be. Nothing. They quickly searched the place, but there was no sign of the carcass. Then a very strange, guttural sound reached everyone's ears. It was coming from the opposite side of the room from where they were standing. When they turned around, they couldn't believe it, the same eyes were staring at them in the darkness further away. They armed their crossbows and went out in pursuit of whatever that thing was, they shoot in mid-race. The thing ran off in the opposite direction at an absurd speed, disappearing into the forest. The three exhausted by the race fired their last arrows with no effect.
- Enough gentlemen, whatever it was, it was much faster than we were! Said Jonas.
- Very strange, it seemed to be playing with us! Whispered Arnas.
- Don't talk nonsense man! An animal playing with three crossbows pointed at it is at least the most mindless animal I have ever seen in my life! Denis grunted.
Back to camp, gentlemen, all this running around has made me even more tired and irritated! Jonas replied.
The day dawned gray, cold and heavy, the sunset of the previous day did not foretell such a gray morning. The couples were already gathered around the fire and heating water for tea while the children remained inside the wagon, looked after by the eldest, Mika, daughter of Marija and Jonas Briedis. Mika's mother took the meal for the children and ordered them to remain inside the wagon until her return.
- I don't want you to go out, there's something crawling around out there and it could be dangerous!
Although the rest of the evening passed smoothly, the event with the strange animal generated much concern. The children went back to sleep, but around lunchtime the weather improved, and the sun came out a little stronger again. Even with the parents' prohibition, the children came out to play around the wagon. Soon everything was forgotten and they were now happily playing with a leather ball that had to hit each other with. Mika being the biggest, always sent the strongest balls, hurting the smallest. This made Arturas the second oldest, deeply angry. At one point, the little girl hit him right in the face. The little boy knelt down and brought his hands to his face.
- You bastard, you did it on purpose, I will get my revenge, you will see! Having said this, he left in pursuit of the little girl. The two disappeared into the forest, under the shouts of protest from the other children.
- Don't run away you coward, come back here! Shouted the boy, upset with rage. At one point almost reaching it, he took aim and threw the ball with all his strength. He hit the girl right in the back of the head, and she fell hitting her face on the ground. The ball fell into a large clump, an indefinable thick mix of plants. The little girl remained lying down and began to cry very loudly, cursing, screaming while spitting dirt.
The boy held her up in fear.
- Mika please forgive me, it was not meant to be that strong, and I overreacted. However...but you made me angry and...!
- Get out of here you stupid, rude, you don't know how to treat a lady and...!
- A lady? Arturas said with a laugh.
- Would you please show me where this lady is? Then I will treat her yes, with all kindness and...!
The boy barely finished speaking, when the ball hit him on the head. Taken by surprise, he turned to the bush where she had fallen. Something inside it moved. Both frozen with fear, they scrutinized every gap in the clump for any sign of one of the children trying to play a trick on them.
- So funny, get out of there now, whoever you are! Mika said hesitantly.
- It's not funny, get out of there; we need to get back to camp! Arturas ordered.
Nothing, no movement, no response. The boy then caught the ball and threw it back into the mysterious clump. A few moments later the ball came straight back into Mika's arms, who grabbed it by pure reflex.
- Djukas is that you? It's not funny anymore, please whomever you are answer now. Get out of there, we need to get back, the others must be worried! Arturas begged.
- If...if the parents come back... before we do, we will get... the biggest beating of our lives! Mika stammered.
- Get out! Arturas shouted angrily, throwing the ball back into the bushes. Then a deep, choked voice came out of it.
- Gedooooouuuuuuutttt!
Hearing that terrifying sound, the children didn't wait any longer; they took the direction to the camp in an unrestrained rush. In the middle of the run, they heard a sort of choked laugh followed by the strange call.
- Gedooooouuuuuuutttt!
Even though they had already gained some distance, they could feel the ball whizzing past their heads.
They arrived at the camp terrified, being greeted with cries of joy and relief by the other children. They were all there, Mika and Arturas were livid, it was none of them inside the bush.
- Where were you, what took you guys so long? Ginka asked sobbing.
- Aren't the parents back yet? Mika asked, between tears of despair.
- No, it's still too early, they must still be in the swamps, harvesting! The girl explained.
- Damn it! Quick, get everyone in the wagon; we have to find a way to protect ourselves until they get here! Arturas spat.
- Protect, protect from what? What's in the forest? Now Djukas was shouting, demanding an answer.
- Nothing.... I mean, everybody inside, I will explain later. Answered the boy with an undisguisable panic in his voice.
Mika gives each of them daggers and machetes; I will use the crossbow from the cart. Keep Mom's bow and arrows. Let's wait for the parents to come back in here! He added.
Therefore, it was done. Everyone took cover using the boxes of supplies inside the wagon, and opened the two windows on the sides of the roof. On the left, there was Arturas with the crossbow, at the back entrance Mika with the bow and arrow, and at the right window, Ginka and Djukas with the machetes.
However, to everyone's relief, nothing happened. Late in the afternoon, the parents appeared in the path leading to the right window of the main wagon. Ginka and Djukas began to shout frantically with joy and were followed by the others. The parents hearing the screams thought of the worst and dropping the entire load, they ran. They were greeted by afflicted hugs from their children, who wept and sobbed as they tried to explain what had happened. They all headed to the main wagon, the women made tea and distributed it to everyone to calm them down. The story told by the elders, coincided with what they suspected. There was something in the forest, and for some reason it was spying on them, following them, and even playing with them. The behavior didn't seem to be that of an animal, it seemed to be human, someone wanting to have fun by scaring them.
- That was scary, I didn't know what it was, but it clearly repeated what Arturas shouted. Get out! Mika said, changing her voice to something that sounded like the sound emitted by the thing. Everyone listened attentively and remained silent and frightened. Denis broke the deathly silence.
- You know what? One thing struck me in this whole situation. We are having the biggest harvest since we started our business don't you agree?
- Yes, we will certainly guarantee the whole winter and spring with tomorrow's harvest! Arnas declared enthusiastically.
- Exactly, it is logical that we have a fortune here, especially in truffles. It would not be very difficult for a person, or a group of people, to want to scare us and take this rich place for themselves. Making us believe in something haunted or cursed, as that bishop preaches! Denis concluded.
- That's right; they want to see us running away from here, scared like children, with tales of monsters and ghosts. I don't think they know whom they are dealing with, do you agree? Gitana, Denis's wife, spoke up and then shouted with all her strength in the direction of the forest.
- Honor and Fight! Everyone stood up and shouted in unison.
- Honor and Fight, may the winds of revenge blow!
- All right, everyone, let's get ready. Denis and Gitana gather our arsenal. Marija collect all the children in the main wagon and make sure they are well protected. Inga and Arnas set up a perimeter around the camp with spears and bonfires. I will make an approach alarm cord around everything. We will all keep watch in shifts throughout the night, and each will receive a crossbow with a stock of arrows. Whoever that is, will find out what kind of fiber the Prussians are made of! Said Jonas, filling everyone with courage.
- The first round began with Arnas, the rest had returned to their wagons, overcome by fatigue. Everyone except Jonah, who, unable to sleep, was walking around the camp. The surroundings of the wagon looked like a battlefield, reminiscent of the defense systems they had built so many times, some years ago in the first battles of Elk. The man was sitting, leaning against one of the wheels of the wagon with the armed crossbow looking thoughtfully at the fire. Every now and then, he looked away into the forest, looking for the red eyes among the trees. For them, the eyes were the sign of the group that wanted them out of there. The third hour was coming, and the one who would surrender him, was exactly Jonas who was still circulating watching the perimeter. Arnas, overcome by sleep, was dozing snugly in his bearskin cloak, when a small rustling of branches gave the first alert that the alarm line had been triggered. Jonas hearing the noise slowly walked over to where his friend was standing. A louder buzzing caused him to turn his attention to the south side, right in front of the horses. He ran to his friend and abruptly woke him up by bumping into him.
- Something's tangled in the wires, but I can't see what it is! Jonah whispered in distress.
- The bonfires! They are blocking the view into the darkness beyond them. We need to put them out and call the rest in, without alarming the children! Arnas answered.
- All right, I will go get them while your grace puts out the bonfires! Answered Jonas.
As he opened the rear curtain of the wagon, he found everyone awake, including the little ones. The women with guns in their hands and the children cowered in a corner of the wagon, trembling and crying in fright. The scene was heartbreaking.
- Come on, we need everybody out there, only Inga stays and protects the children, we'll take care of these damn bastards, whoever they are! Growled Jonas.
- Surely, no one will get past me! Inga declared, showing the crossbow and rapier at his waist.
- They all came down and formed an arch, with Jonas in the center. They followed in the same formation with the crossbows armed in the direction of the trees.
- All right, everyone, at the slightest sign of movement or anything unusual, warn the leadership, fire and rearm as quickly as possible! Jonas ordered.
- Suddenly, a very loud hissing came from deep within the forest. It seemed that a huge serpent was waiting for them in the darkness. Then a howl and a hoarse roar, followed by a laugh that with its echoes, invaded the surroundings. The sounds seemed to have no clear direction, which made them even more confused.
- What are those damned noises! Declared Arnas, in a tone of voice that did not disguise his dread.
- Calm down friend, they are trying to throw us off balance, take away our concentration, and keep our focus. At the slightest sign shoot to kill! Marija said.
- There, on the right! Shouted Gitana.
About fifty meters away, red eyes appeared, watching them as they had the night before. Then the hissing. As the thing was out of reach, they decided to approach. In the first steps, the eyes disappeared.
- Where did that bastard go? He couldn't have gone far? Denis said.
- There, on the left! Marija said.
- What, it's on the exact opposite side! How did it get there so fast? Jonas exclaimed.
- Whatever it is, it's afraid, get after it! Shouted Arnas, running like a lunatic while his eyes remained impassive in the darkness.
This time they came within the required twenty meters. They fired at the same time in the direction where the thing was. Again, the eyes disappeared.
It can't be! What is it, a ghost, a demon, what is it made of? Denis shouted.
- He can't just vanish like that; the arrows cannot have gone through without doing any damage! Exclaimed Arnas as he loaded the crossbow.
- Let's all calm down, we need to split up, Marija and I will go in the direction of the camp and your mercies go around following the last place where the eyes appeared. Whatever it is, it can't be in two places at the same time, and if it is, then we find out that it is a group. Meet me at the wagons! Jonas declared.
- It is a good idea and at the same time, it is not. I don't know if we should split up now, that seems to be what they want! Gitana said.
- If so, then they did it, but it's the only way we can find out anything! Jonas argued.
Arnas, Gitana and Denis were slowly walking towards the first spot where the thing appeared, southwest of the wagons. They were as alert as they were frightened; a thin, sparse snow began to fall. After a while, Denis nudged Arnas and indicated a point to the right, near a large clump of trees.
- There's the bastard!
Again, the red-eyed creature now made itself visible unceremoniously, despite the poor visibility, its eyes shining like two torches.
- Come on you bastard, you devil from hell, come on I want to rip you apart myself. I will grill your meat, you filthy dog! Shouted Arnas with all his strength, taking out his sword and running towards the thing.
- Arnas, no! Denis tried to stop him, but it was too late. Gitana grabbed her husband's arm and stopped him from going after his friend.
- Domonnnnnnn...! The creature seemed to want to imitate Arnas and let out the last word in the form of a fearful howl as it went on the attack.
What followed then was surreal; Arnas surprised by the creature's reaction, knelt down, pulled out an arrow and fired. The creature, as if foreseeing the movement, jumped sideways at a dizzying speed and turned away. Arnas then set off sword in hand towards the creature in the darkness. Denis and Gitana could not see anything else, they only heard desperate screams. Grunts and roars were interlaced with the sounds of snapping bones and tearing flesh. Then, all was silent.
Disoriented, the couple ran in terror toward the camp. Denis, going further ahead, did not notice when Gitana, while passing a large tree, received a violent blow in the region of the abdomen. Blood poured out in abundance along with the exposed intestines. The poor woman looked at her husband with wide eyes before slamming her livid face to the floor. Denis let out a cry of horror looking at his wife's lifeless body. He almost didn't notice the creature coming out from behind the tree and standing next to her body. There he was the one who had caused the fatal and inclement blow. In shock, he slowly shifted his eyes to the beast, and could see it clearly, but even in his right mind, he could not fully describe it. The torso was uncommonly large, the face was a mixture of human and familiar animal features, but before he could define it, the beast took off furiously in his direction with what looked like a slight smile between its sharp teeth. Denis looked again at his ripped wife lying on the forest floor and angrily raised his crossbow and fired. The arrow passed through the paw that was about to strike him, and then the beast stepped back and squealed. As he turned to Denis, his eyes seemed to have changed from bright red to a pale orange. Even shaken, the beast in one swift movement snatched the arrow from his hand, jumped on Denis and buried it in his right eye. He then stuck his injured paw into the man's chest, lifted his body and threw him away. He stood for a few moments examining the body until it no longer moved, sniffed the air, and took the direction of the camp.
Jonas and Marija, came patrolling all the way back to the wagons, but could not find any sign of the creature. When they arrived, the snow had turned to freezing rain, the flames of the bonfires were extinguished, and Inga was waiting for them at the back of the wagon. She welcomed them in distress.
- By the Northern Light, are your graces all right? Where are the others?
- We don't know, we split up to cover a larger area and after that, we lost contact! And the children? Marija asked.
- They are fine, some sleeping, some awake, but overall calm!
The couple began their rounds around the camp, waiting for the others to return. At one point, a loud roar was heard from deep in the forest to the south. The two of them gathered in front of the horses that were extremely agitated.
- What was that Jonas, it looked like a bear and a big one? Marija said.
Her husband was about to answer something, but they couldn't come to any more conclusions. About eighty meters behind the wagons, they heard the first sounds. Breaking branches, bushes and whatever else was in front, a beast charged toward them.
Suffocated by adrenaline and in shock at what they were witnessing, they both turned to each other and exchanged their last words before the fight.
- Well, let's go meet that thing, if it gets any closer it will scare the horses and we will have an out of control wagon full of children, loose out there! Marija said.
- Okay, let's flank it, go right, and I will go left! Jonas said.
They followed the vegetation, parallel to the creature's path. In the dim light, they could not define what it was. The thing in turn was running erect and at high speed toward the camp. The two found it all very strange, if it were really a bear, it would only assume this posture now of attack, before that it was physically impossible to maintain it for long. Jonah armed his crossbow and fired. The arrow was going for the head, but the creature bent down as if hit in another part of its body while letting out a roar of pain. Marija anticipating before her husband had hit the animal's ribs. The beast turned to the side where the shot came from and began its pursuit of the woman. Jonas, in turn, went out in pursuit of the beast, but not in time. The monster quickly reached his wife and lifted her in the air like a child. Jonah, without blinking, fired and hit the beast in the shoulder blade. Another terrible roar was heard. The wounded monster had the strength to rip open Marija's throat, almost tearing off her head. He threw the body to the ground as if it were a rag. Jonas horrified and blinded by pain, fired again, only this time the arrow pierced the beast's neck a little to the right of the trachea. The monster put his hand on his neck desperate with pain. He had been mortally wounded. Still he carried himself to Jonas and in one leap was on top of him. The poor man was trying to pull out his sword when the creature buried one of its long-clawed paws into his abdomen, lifting him up. Then he buried the other one and in an agonizing roar ripped the man in half. After that, he fell to his knees while supporting his throat with his paws. Blood came out in profusion, staining the ground red.
Inga, was desperate inside the wagon. Heard the agonizing sounds outside, and felt helpless in the face of it all. Looked at the children and the curtain at the back of the wagon in unbearable anguish.
- Children, wait here, I need to see what's going on!
- No Aunt Inga please don't go, stay with us, we need you! Mika begged.
Touched by the girl's pleading eyes, she spoke to her, trying to convey all the courage the situation demanded.
- Mika, pay attention, your grace and Arturas are now the adults here, the protectors of the little ones. Take care of them, do whatever it takes to survive. I... promise I will be back with your parents soon, okay?
-The girl seemed convinced and encouraged and without choice let the woman go.
Inga stepped cautiously out to the left, towards the horses, but no more than three steps later, she came across a strange creature stroking them. His posture was erect and almost human, his body was slender, his hair was silky, and his delicate features had a feline aspect. The beast seemed surprised to see her, but instead of running away, it remained where it was whispering something in the ear of one of the animals. Inga pointed the crossbow, and was preparing to shoot when in one surprising leap the beast climbed over the side of the wagon and landed right behind her. As she turned around, she felt the deep cut on her throat, and the life draining out of her in the warm blood dripping from her neck.
The lashing reinforcement made in the window of the wagon was cut off sharply. The panicked children began to scream and cry, while Arturas and Mika brandished their swords waiting for the worst. After a few moments, the ball used in children's games bounced on the floor of the wagon. Mika and Arturas looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
- I...It's the ba...? Mika whispered.
- Yes, the damn ball! Arturas hissed, throwing it back out.
Then came the familiar, terrifying growl.
- Gedooooouuuuuuutttt!
The two frozen men could only hope for what would happen. Then, the face of the bush creature appeared in the opening. Everyone screamed and squeezed into the back of the wagon. Arturas in shock could not react, Mika stretched out her arms as far as she could protecting the children. The thing went smoothly into the wagon. Instead of standing upright, she is now on all fours in what appeared to be an attacking posture. He came with his teeth erect and his tongue running between them. Then unexpectedly it pushed the ball with its snout toward Arturas and repeated.
- Ged..oouuu....uuuutttt!
Artura breathlessly looked lost at the toy. The feline seemed to wait a little longer and sitting up began to lick its paws calmly. As there was no reaction, from the children the thing seemed uninterested and at one point, it seemed to have heard something, and in a leap, it left them. After a while, they felt the familiar jolt of the wagon starting to move. Outside, there was a hellish commotion. Startled howls and thumps were given on the sides of the wagon, which nevertheless continued forward. Then everything stopped. A long time later, Arturas, still recovering from the paralysis in which the dread had trapped him, decided to look through the opening to find out where they were being taken. He checked the road, the landscape, and couldn't believe it. He turned to Mika in disbelief and exclaimed.
- We are going back to Balga!
The thing came out of the shadows of the trees. Although the daylight was unbearable for him, with the help of the vital food he managed to stay strong. He walked slowly towards the first corpse, while listening in the distance to the clatter of the servile beasts. He bent down close to the body, inhaled deeply as if in search of a specific smell, and couldn't find it. He moved towards the other body, again bent down and inhaled, sniffing with his nostrils practically glued to the victim's skin. His huge mouth seemed to smile; after all, he had found what he was looking for. He delivered a violent blow to the sternum and opened poor Denis' chest like tearing open a gift package. All his internal organs were exposed. He ruthlessly ripped out one of his lungs and swallowed it in one go. With blood dripping from his jaws, he raised his head ecstatically. He turned back to the body and looked at it with what could be called pleasure. He felt stronger now, and still had the other lung and the main course, the heart.