Having made my way back to my home steading of Thegn Brihtwold and caught up with news, it was a welcome surprise to soon be re-united with the other warriors who looked happy with their recently gained loot. The well talked-over plan was to re-trace the gully up which I first ventured with these stalwart folk in search of a fearsome haegtesse. Lyttleman, Herewulf, Stigand, Nothgyth and I once more advanced deep in to the gully and before long were beset with puklefolk.
My period of rest and meditation in the past week has allowed me to refocus my mind on the ways to Visit the Power of Thunor upon my foes and I was mighty pleased that in the first application of this new knowledge, 3 puklefolk were liberated from their miserable lives on this earth. Fighting on, the brave Nothgyth had been holding the largest puklebeast at bay. At our arrival it gave her the chance to make a fearsome strike which I took advantage of and speared the creature dead. Some wounds were in need of healing. Nothgyth shied away when I got close to her to channel Frigge’s powers to her. I think her scared face makes her think she is somehow ugly, but I only see her as a brave soul, true of heart, and a respected. I have grown quite fond of her in a way. After a short rest, we continued into the steeper gully.
Near the source of this gully’s water was a small step up and again we met resistance. This time the rock-hurling pukelfolk were aided by some kind of bull-boar abomination which charged at Stigand. It was he who had raised his shield to fend the rocks and thus was bowled over by the rushing menace which carried through and knocked me over too. Thunor’s wrath was met out in a scorching blast which fair drained the beast of its will to continue, though it did charge again and was taken down by Herewulf swinging his axe. A pukelman lept on my back and with help and a radiant smite once more from Thunor it and the remaining spawn were driven off. Stopping briefly to search for loot, we encoutered a captive warrior who gave his name as Sweyn. A well built Sweon who begs to join us to exact revenge on the witch.
After resting and healing in this cavern, we set out to find the lair of the witch with Sweyn’s directions. It was not long before we reached this seat of power and a dread malaise came upon us such that we were barely able to raise the will to fight. Herewulf and Nothgyth are attacked by two liches who were impervious to our steel. Though Nothgyth’s obsidian blade did well carve into their flesh and we were all worse for wear by the time they were finished off. I did manage to finally pursue the witch but my very life force was cursed and battered by her words as she escaped deeper into her lair. With Herewulf in sore need of healing and I counted the blessings of Frigge once more for her aid and we rested for a time.
Once more on the trail, some giant toads attacked with sticky tongues darting out and ensnaring Lyttleman. My newly found confidence with sending Thunor’s searing force into this creature nearly proved my undoing as a second toadbeast took a giant bite at my rear. I thankfully escaped by the skin of its teeth, my trews flapping open ripped to shreads! What followed was hard to remember, with darkness and lightning bolts summoned by the witch. As she was grappled she turned into a snake-like being and fell back into a watery pool. The only hope was for Nothgyth and I to topple a small idol on a pedestal and break the spell that kept this nightmare from ending. The fight turns and Lyttleman puts a dagger in the witch’s heart and the battle is won. No sooner had we managed that then I felt transported to some otherworldly place and met with the trapped goddess, the statuesque blond Gefion. Freed from her servitude she asks what I would have as a reward before I was suddenly back on the mortal realm.
This pool of water is not to be searched, as it is the goddesses’ and so we gather from the other fallen. Nothgyth sounding fair of voice and scarred no more, she seems well pleased with this transformation. Though I never found her scars to be any impediment to liking her company I am glad that she is happier in herself.