The Fist of Black Ice

[FunkenGruuvin]

Excerpts from the Diary of Sabrina Maelstorm

As my 10th Summer cooled, my 'first life' came to an end. It wasn't spectacular. It wasn't some profound moment; I got lost. Walking the path down to the mountain pool we drew our water from, for what was probably the thousandth time, I got lost. I was bored. My mind was wandering and I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I immediately thought it was The White Doe. I think I really hadn't seen more than a flicker of a white flower, but my 10 year old mind had turned it into The Magnificent White Doe. So, of course, I followed it. What bored out of her skull 10 year old adventurous daughter of Mountain Highlanders wouldn't? Well, most of them actually. Turns out I'm peculiar that way.

I charge after it.
"There's Her tail, I think." I keep going.
"Ooh! She's very tall!" I speed up a little.
"She moves..... so.... easily!" I'm starting to pant with the effort of keeping up, dodging around trees.
"Is .... she brighter?" No, it's actually getting dark, but the thought of stopping is far more frightening than being lost in the dark.
"I'll... be safe.... if..... I can.... just.... catch up..." Pain stabs me in my side. I'm getting a stitch. I don't realize I'm staggering.

I round a very large tree and fall flat on my face in the dirt and grass, a dull throbbing pain in my left shoulder, sharp stabs of it in my right side. Looking up, I see a large, rounded white stone several strides away. It is so white it seems to glow in the deepening darkness of the night.
"I'll.... be safe..... if I.... can... just.... catch.... up..." I crawl towards the rock....

When I wake, I'm soaked to the bone. The small glade where I had collapsed, fogged in overnight and I am soaked. The sun is just beginning to show itself and I know it will be some time before the fog burns away. I look to the rock. In the grey half-light it isn't nearly as bright, but I discover it is perfectly smooth. I examine it for some time; it seems almost hypnotic. Eventually, a particularly loud growl from my stomach breaks my concentration. Looking around the glade I realize the fog has gone and the sun is high.

I realize how hungry I am, and also thirsty, damp and worst of all; I've not the slightest idea where I am or how to get home. A sudden panic of fear rears up in my mind; a moment of terror before I remember my father's voice and his words stamp it out.

"If'n yeh get lost innae woods and yeh panic, yeh gonnae be feedin' th' critters wi' yeh eyes. Keep yeh head an' yeh keep yeh life." I take a deep breath. Calm returns. At least I've dried out a bit. I feel my belt; my small knife is still there. I let out a sigh of relief. It's not enough to use as a weapon, but I know how to use it to make one.

"First thing first, 'Brina. Make sure yeh innae hurt." I check for sprained ankles, wrenched knees, cuts. The only thing that hurts even a little is the shoulder I struck on the tree that I fell beside.

"Get yeh bearin's. Try to figure where yeh are 'n what's near yeh." The sun is almost directly overhead and with the earlier fog, I've no idea which direction it rose from. I search the ground for my tracks. They're gone. I know if they were there, I'd find them, but they're gone. The panic tries to rear up again. Another deep breath stops it. I listen. I can hear running water a little ways off. I hear birds and insects. Good. Probably means I'm the biggest critter around. "If'n th' little critters is quiet, there's probably summat 'round tha' wannae eat 'em." I relax a little.

"Get yehself te' water. Yeh cannae live wi'out water. Nae any food? Yeh got 'bout six days if'n yeh conserve yeh energy. Yeh got less'n three wi'out water." I start walking towards the sound of water. I find the sound's source quickly enough. A gentle, clear stream gurgles happily. I think I see fish in it. Aye. Good size fish at that.
"If yeh wise, yeh'll remember yeh innae th' on'y critter what's looking for food 'n water." I look on the banks for bear-signs. I'd hate to be in one's supper hall. None that I can see. No tracks, no scat, no flattened bush or grass. I drink. The water is so cold. It's delicious. I drink my fill. My belly quiets.

"Mind me now, 'Brina... If'n yeh get really lost, I mean yeh got no plan which way to get home 't'all, find a safe place near water and set camp. Find a cave or make a hooch th' way yeh Pa showed yeh. Stay put. I cannae find yeh if'n yeh wand'rin 'round in circles an' if'n yeh got no plan, yeh innae gonna find me!"

I look up at the sun. I figure about four hours before dusk sets. I decide to look for a cave. If I loose the light before I find one, I'll climb a tree.