Novrus went still. He was panting from the long hard ski northward. This fatigue would put him at a disadvantage. Against a bear that could be fatal. He let the bear walk on while he caught his breath. Feeling a hunger in his belly Novrus ate as quietly as he could and drank from his water skin. Only then did he glide scouting along the bear’s tracks.
This late in the winter the snow was thigh deep. Perhaps a hindrance to bear and certainly one to Novrus were he not skiing.
After a few minutes Novrus came to the realization the bear was traveling not grazing. After all the berries were long since withered. Novrus would have to pick up his pace to get close to the bear.
As this might take to much time or night come Novrus kept an eye out for an easily defended shelter hide out. Spying one he stopped to assemble it.
Carry as much as we was there were two paths. One was to put the extra gear in the new shelter and try to catch up to the bear. The other to leave the bear in this area, set up the cave then return to the hunt. Novrus weighed his options. It seemed the second one was the more likely to him better in years to come.
Pressing on northward the deep skies grew dark early as they do. It was with some surprise that Novrus had skied to within bow shot of an Owl village. It was the encampment at “Wolf’s tip”.
Valde a shaman and Vivva a housewife came over to greet him. Novrus managed he was journeying to a hunting cave and had passed a bear a few hours to the south. They thanked him for the warning about the bear. They would keep a second guard by the reindeer for a few days. As is tradition when a traveler is welcomed they wished to exchange stories and invited to stay in a safe place.
The village Kota had thick piles of winter animal furs. Those of winter having thicker fur than in the summer. Novrus felt next year he could trade them iron goods for such furs.
As Novrus got closer to the cave he thought it useful to scout around in an arc. To see better the lay of the land while there was good light. In doing so he spotted another cave and skied over to it. The interior was big though with much interior slopes and straight drops. The sort of drops one might get injured on in the dark. Interesting as it was Novrus felt the earlier cave was the better for his purposes.
Now at Pasknopuppi Novrus leaned down to study the snow. A lynx was very recently in the area. It may even be living inside the cave. Cautiously he explored but found the tracks didn’t go into the cave nor was it lurking inside. There was enough daylight to start on improving the cave. Floor boards would need to be balanced over rough ground in the cave. At least you already have a ceiling.
Was it five days? Perhaps. Novrus toiled at the Pasknopuppi cave. By then the area behind the near secret door had a pocket of civilization. Roughly six strides by four or six strides had a gentle wood floor. Twice again at least was the rear of the cave still untouched.
There was storage for firewood, the supplies, room to work and more. A fireplace was built to vent out an opening made toward the inner wall which then would have smoke coil out the front of the cave. As well as warming fires in the summer it could be used to make the cave a smoker. Although uncomfortable to sleep in at the same time. On one side of the fireplace was the wood pile for easy feeding. On the other he had installed a sleeping bunk with a spruce bedding to show the warmth coming of the stacked stones.
Water was currently annoying requiring a few hundred yards downhill to mire pools then back up rocky vista. He had brought a few bowls with him to make such a trip more productive.
Traps were set including one sized to catch the lynx known to be in the area. The other was a noisemaker by the door to the interior. He would leave with these disarmed. There primary purpose was defense while sleeping.
Returning the shelter made to mark the bear trail it was quite likely the bear was long gone. Still Novrus figured large game would come through again. He spent a day improving the camp with trail markers, defensive traps, fire ring and a stock of firewood.
After all that it was time to return to the homestead. No large game this trip. The cave now was a true hunting outpost. Also an emergency shelter for Novrus. It was also an example of those stories you here of people stumbling into a cave finding goods inside. This time they would even find a fireplace and bed!
Back home Novrus scanned the defensive trap. Still as he left it. Then he rushed inside. Quickly he started a fire. He poured water on the hot stones to cause steam. This was also a sauna! Removing his clothes he steamed more water. He leaned back to enjoy coming home.
He indulged further sleeping that night naked between the bear furs.
Upon awakening he dressed then offered meat to the house spirit. A thank you for looking after the homestead during his more than a week absence.
There was chores to be done again. The traps to check. Two birds caught to roast and another burned as too long dead. The pit traps were reset though they still hadn’t got anything. A patrol to make…
… and of course a red foe to be slain.
Novrus was well equipped though one can never know for sure how these will go.
<Novrus red foe 5>
(Note: Regarding improving a cave floor to a building tile, needed for a fireplace and sleeping bunk, see my mod's biy
https://www.unrealworld.fi/forums/index.php?topic=4654.0 )