|
Mara and other curious guests at the Green Man milled about the reindeer and sledge, discussing the condition of the halters, furs, tack, and sledge itself, trying to read any indications as to what might have happened to Wenda. Most of the animals scuttled, fluttered, and skulked just out of reach of the humans. The dogs and cats trotted in and out between the legs of the humans, trying to make what they could of the smells, look, and sounds of things.
It was well past mid-morning when there came a strange sound from the nearby woods. The two reindeer started and looked wide-eyed for where the noise came from, then began to make the same sound themselves, filled with panic. Another reindeer broke out from the last outreachers of trees and ran full tilt toward the sledge. The humans backed away so as not to be in its path. It was going to crash into the two reindeer and sledge, but suddenly came to a stop not a pace from them. Its eyes were wide with fear. It nosed about in the furs, as if looking for something, or perhaps as if it was trying to hide amongst them; for it burrowed unsuccessfully into them, tripping over the sledge as it struggled. Finally it collapsed.
Then a gasp went up from the crowd. Before their eyes the new reindeer lost its fur. Its snout and horns receded. Its forelegs thickened and grew fingers where hooves had been. Its rear legs changed from hock to hip, the distance from ankle to hoof shrinking until they were human feet.
"Wenda!" Mara cried. She ran forward and helped Wenda cover herself in her furs. "What happened? Are you all right? What turned you into a reindeer?"
"Help me!" Wenda muttered. "It's hunting me! It's coming! It's coming!" She looked about herself wildly.
|