Chapter 36: Snail Trail

Ann hugged Kat close, feeling the Protector drooling on her shoulder. It was going to be a big day, and she didn’t want to leave the bed. Her blissful procrastination was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Rosalyn peeked through a moment later.

“Good morning! It’s time we get ready for our hunt. Do you two need anything?” their considerate host asked.

“Mmmm, g'mornin,” Ann mumbled back. “Kat’s a bit wiped out. She’s gonna need a minute.”

“Ah, not good with mornings? I’ll get some coffee made. Hopefully that helps. You need anything? Water or whatnot?”

“Some water would be nice, thanks,” Ann replied, sitting and stretching as Kat slipped off her, grumbling at being disturbed. She saw Rosalyn’s eyes go wide as she caught sight of her naked body and winked at the embarrassed Druid.

“I’ll, uh… go get that. Be back in a minute!” Rosalyn squeaked, closing the door quickly.

Ann chuckled, running a hand through her mane of dark grey hair, scratching her ears and fluffing her tail. Her morning maintenance was more than it used to be, but whatever Orenous had done for her meant her hair didn’t seem to tangle, which was awesome when she didn’t have access to easy bathing.

She got up and was in the process of getting dressed when Rosalyn came back in carrying a cup of coffee and water in each hand. Throwing a shirt over her torso, and pulling on some panties, Ann took the cups.

“Thanks. This should get Kat up,” she said as she downed the cup of water.

“Oh, yeah, any time. She always like this? The really deep sleep?” Rosalyn asked, standing around a little awkwardly.

“Definitely. As long as I’ve known her, and Bren’s said she’s always been like this. Actually, here. Just put this next to her side of the bed. It should at least stir her,” Ann said, handing the cup back.

“Oh.. Ok?” Rosalyn took the cup and walked over to the sleeping Alfhindur.

Kat groaned, smelling the coffee, and reached out for the person who’d set it down without opening her eyes. “Mornin, Ann. I ever tell ye ye’re the best?” she mumbled as she dragged Rosalyn down into a hug.

“Eep!” the Druid squeaked as she tried to resist the powerful arms with no effect.

“Mmm, don’ remember ye havin’ horns though. Ye changin’ more? An’… wool?” Kat cracked her eyes open, meeting Rosalyn’s panicked gaze from atop her chest. “Oh, oh shite, sorry! I didn’t mean tae,” she stammered, releasing Rosalyn immediately. The other woman stood quickly, hand clasped together in front of her and looking anywhere that wasn’t Kat.

“No, no. You didn’t know. It’s… it’s quite alright. Yeah. I don’t mind,” Rosalyn stammered.

Ann grinned at the two across the room. Deciding to test her newest skill, she spent the 20 Desire on Lover’s Intuition. She never needed to use something like it for Kat, but she wanted to get to know Rosalyn a bit better. Information entered her mind as she looked at the Ovine. It wasn’t like she got a printout on what she was feeling, but she could interpret things a bit clearer. The way the woman breathed, her posture, the fidgeting with her hands and darting of her eyes back and forth. She was incredibly flustered, but not in a way that she wanted to escape. It almost seemed like she was… waiting? Waiting for someone to make the first move.

Ann smiled inwardly at the knowledge, dismissing the skill before it moved on to Kat. Not something she’d be wanting to use outside of the bedroom. Half the fun of things was figuring out people, getting to know them the old fashion way. It also felt a bit creepy. The vague wording of the skill didn’t seem to limit it to sexual encounters. A useful tool, but one to be very careful with.

“Hey, relax, you two. We’re all girls here,” Ann finally broke the silence with a laugh. “I asked her to put the cup down. Didn’t know you’d be trying to drag me back into bed.”

“I mean, I wouldn’t mind more o’ ye in bed,” Kat laughed back. “But aye, guess it’s time tae be up,” Kat groaned as she threw off the blanket, stretching her muscled arms and back.

Ann and Rosalyn paused, watching the view together, before getting back to other topics. Kat threw a shirt over herself, freeing the two women from their daze.

“So, what’s up fer today? Eh, conversation fer when we’re down wit’ Bren. He seem all right Rosalyn? Know we kinda frustrated ‘im the other night.”

“Oh, he seemed fine to me. Much better rested. That’s for sure. Can’t say I blame him for being exhausted last night, what with the racket you two were causing.”

“Yeah, still feel bad about that. He deserved a warning,” Ann said with a grimace. She knew she’d hate to hear her siblings fucking their partners in the next room.

“Just need tae find ‘im someone tae take ‘is mind off it,” Kat chuckled with a grin.

“I offered to try. Back when we were touring the temples. He realised all he does is hang out with older women all day.”

“Oi, not that old, ye decrepit ol’ hag,” Kat huffed.

“But still sexy, right?” Ann jabbed back.

“I mean, yeah, but still a hag.”

“Well, I do look pretty good for being over five thousand years old. Seems like Rosalyn agrees with you too.” Ann laughed, catching the Druid staring at her again.

“I… do. Yeah. I definitely do. In like, an intimidating way? Something that puts me on edge, but I want more of it? I don’t really know what to say. I should probably shut up.” Rosalyn clamped her hands over her mouth, screwing her eyes shut.

Ann just wiggled her eyebrows at Kat, receiving a dramatic eye roll.

They finished dressing and joined Bren downstairs in the living room. He was sitting with his customary pot of tea and a book laid out across his lap.

“Readin’ anythin’ good?” Kat asked as she flopped on the couch, scooping a piece of bread and some cheese Rosalyn had laid out before checking on them.

“Probably nothing you would enjoy,” Bren replied, closing the book. “A history of the kingdom from before the Alfhindur immigrated. It is difficult to pick apart. Ancient Bultrong is not too different from the modern script, however, there are enough syntax changes that it makes for slow reading.”

“Yup, not my thing. So, what’re we doin’ today?”

“I think today should be our hunt for the Snail, yeah?” Ann offered. “We have that stone warding the area from smaller Warped. Rosalyn, how long does that last, actually?”

“I don’t have exact numbers, but I think it’s about a month? Normally we just put together a party when we notice the Warped coming back. It’s not too much trouble if we keep it maintained, but we let it lapse since the population of monsters was thinner than usual,” Rosalyn explained as she took a sip from her cup.

“That is good. Not much pressure on timing, but sooner rather than later would probably be best,” Bren mumbled over a mouthful of bread.

“Aye, want tae get this over with before anyone else runs into the massive beastie,” Kat agreed.

“So, we jus’ huntin’ it down, or do we wanna prepare anythin’ fer the fight? Traps, things we can use tae slow it down. Ye know any places that’d help wit’ tha’ Rosalyn?”

“I think so. It was last seen to the south, and a little west. There’s a ravine nearby that we might be able to use to our advantage. We could, if possible, lure it to the edge and get it to fall in. It’d stop its lateral movement for the most part, and should stop some of its shell spines. It’d give me the high ground too, while Ann and Kat deal with it lower down. Think that might work?”

“It sounds good to me. What if we can’t get it into the pit?” Ann asked.

“Then we have to deal with it as is,” Bren said, cupping his chin in his hand. “I would think using Rosalyn’s Entanglement would be our best bet for reducing its movement, and possibly its reach. From there, it would be up to you three to bring it down while I keep everyone healed.”

“Aye, that can work. Though we need tae do somethin’ about that scream. Ann and I can’t deal wit’ it considerin’ our hearin’. Feckin’ hurts.”

“We could use wax, if any of you have it. Plug our ears so it’s at least better. Not sure if it’d do anything against the concussive force, but at least our ears would be protected,” Ann offered.

“I have some wax in the other room. Also some wool that could work. I’d bet both together would help block out the sound really well,” Rosalyn chirped. “Issue is, that’ll make you two deaf to everything else.”

“We’ll just ‘ave tae deal,” Kat huffed. “We’d go deaf quick anyway, an’ more permanently if we didn’t.”

“True. Guess it’ll be a trade off then. I’ll go put that together. You all get armored up and we’ll head out. Sound good?” Rosalyn asked.

After a round of agreements, Kat and Ann returned to their room, getting back into their gear before returning to the casters waiting for them.

“Here you two go. I wrapped it in paper so it’ll keep until we need,” Rosalyn said as she handed them two bundles of paper each. “Just stuff it in your ears when we get to fighting. Everything else ready?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” Ann said.

They trekked south, taking care to be quiet and cover their tracks as they went. This, unfortunately, meant they made pretty poor time. By the time they reached the ravine Rosalyn mentioned, it was nearing noon.

The ravine was suitable for what they were looking to do. With steep banks and a narrow bottom, it would restrict the Warped significantly. Unfortunately, it was pretty obvious that it was there. None of them believed the Snail to be particularly intelligent, but it was definitely smarter than a Twinwolf or Quillbear.

“So, how do we get it to run into this? It’s been pretty happy to pelt us with ranged attacks if we get away from it. What’s the plan?” Ann asked.

“That’s gonna be my job,” Kat muttered. “I’m gonna have tae piss it off enough it wants tae chase me. From there, I’m gonna be playin’ the dangerous game o’ stayin’ right outside its reach. Baitin’ it until it gets mad enough to charge. Bren, ye remember the thing that killed Arty? Same deal.”

“I remember,” Bren said, a darkness passing over his face. “That may work. It would be better if we could do something to erect a cover. Possibly some bushes or the like to disguise the ravine? Last time you had the sledge to hide behind.”

“I wish I had something related to the wind,” Rosalyn said with a hand on her chin. “It would make creating a cloud of snow a lot easier. Since I don’t, Ann, how do you feel about making one ourselves? You and me can grab a couple bigger bushes around here and kick up the snow in clouds. It’s mostly powder that would billow up pretty easily, especially with the dead branches kinda acting like a broom.”

Everyone paused for a minute, considering the proposal.

“It is what the Snail was using to obscure its presence on our first encounter,” Bren said, looking around the area. “And there are enough snowbanks that it would be possible. It would just run the risk of draining your stamina.”

“If it gives us the advantage of the ravine, I’d say it’s worth it,” Ann said, taking another look over the edge.

“All right, in that case, let’s do it,” Kat decided, stretching. “We’ll need tae track it down, but once we do, leave the baitin’ to Bren an’ I. You two hurry yer arses back ‘ere an’ get tae work. Since we don’ have anyone tae message o’er distance it’ll just ‘ave tae work like tha’.”

“Right,” the rest answered as they set off.

It didn’t take long to pick up the Snail’s trail. Trees had been pushed over, vegetation flattened, and a groove dug into the ground by the shell it dragged behind it.

Kat took up the lead as they followed where the thing went, with Bren following her. Ann and Rosalyn stayed behind, ready to bolt as soon as they caught sight of the creature.

As they went, there wasn’t much to be heard in the forest. Anything Warped seemed to be driven away, as expected after the ward was powered. There was the occasional rustling of a bush before a squirrel popped out, some birdsong, but nothing larger.

“You sure we’re going the right way?” Ann asked after about ten minutes of walking.

“Oh definitely. See how the grooves are there? How the dirt is packed and scraped over in that direction? Not to mention how the trees are pushed away and back? That thing pulled itself along using the trees, so that indicates its direction, too,” Rosalyn said as she pointed to the various signs and tracks. “Also that hand print there in the snow. Pointed this direction. Tracks are fresh, though. So we’re close. Kat, it might be a good idea to start making noise. Get the thing’s attention. Ann and I are ready to bolt.”

“Aye, let’s get it goin’,” Kat huffed as she brought up her shield and began slamming her sword against it. The clatter echoed out through the woods, quieting anything else in the woods.

Kat took a deep breath and began to yell. “I’M RIGHT ‘ERE YE BLIGHTER! YE GETTIN’ FLIGHTY AFTER OUR FIRST MEETIN’? DIDNAE KNOW YE WERE SO SHY! I’VE KNOWN MICE WIT’ MORE O’ A BACKBONE!”

She continued her tirade before a tree crashed to the side, and the Snail barrelled out towards them. Wrinkled white flesh writhing as it pulled its hulking form towards Kat as fast as it could manage.

Rosalyn and Ann turned and ran as fast as they could. No second guessing, no looks backward, just the rush of their heartbeats and the impacts of their feet on the ground.

It only took a couple of minutes to get back to the place they’d planned their ambush. Ann grabbed an already cut piece of bush and tossed it to Rosalyn. She took her own shrubbery and started doing her best to create a snow-screen. It was hard work, but once the snow was in the air, they kept it up much easier. Soon, a cloud of snow was glistening in the cold sunlight as the sounds of Kat and the snail got close.

The really unfortunate thing was that they had to be inside the snow-cloud to be both hidden from the Snail, and to keep it going. This meant they couldn’t see what was happening outside their cover.

Kat was close, Ann guessed, gauging the distance by hearing alone. Maybe a hundred feet. She kept swinging the bush, making the snow cloud as large as she could before a piercing scream made her flinch and pause.

“Get outta the feckin way!” Kat yelled.

Immediately, Ann dropped the shrub, turned, and ran in the opposite direction of where she saw Rosalyn before they made the cover. She quickly cleared the cloud just in time to see the back end of the snail disappear into it. Kat wasn’t anywhere to be seen, but Bren was nearby, looking slightly winded.

After a few heartbeats, they heard a screech and a crunch as the Snail hit the hard bottom of the ravine. Looking over the side, Ann could see it had landed on its back and was in the process of trying to right itself, which was taking a bit.

“Well, that was feckin terrifyin’,” Kat laughed as the snow began to settle. “Though that’s not it. Bastard’s tough. Bren, Rosalyn, ye stay up ‘ere. Ann, wit me. Let’s teach this feck how we dance!” With a wild grin to Ann, she stepped off the edge and slid down the wall, rocks and gravel kicking up everywhere.

Mirroring her grin, sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight, Ann waved at the casters before following her down.

As they hit the dirt, the Snail was in the process of getting itself back upright. Both fighters stuffed their ears with the waxy cotton Rosalyn had provided. Nodding to each other, they readied themselves as a reverberating thunk shook the ground. The Snail had righted itself, staring at them with a featureless face quivering in rage.

With a scream, it charged.

But while I've got you reading all this, seriously, thank you. It's been so much fun writing all this and seeing people enjoying it. Believe it or not, this was the first time in a really REALLY long time I wrote anything creative, and people's reactions have been the highlight of last year. I'm excited to keep all this going for so much longer.