By J.C. Witman
Legend of the Snow Tiger
The world disappeared behind him. The farther Hulbart went up the snow-covered mountain, the more his former troubles became a distant memory. Unfortunately, those troubles were then replaced by new misfortunes. He was on the trail of the giant Crystal Snow Tiger which was said to have roamed the mountains around the kingdom since the beginning of time. Hulbart was charged with the difficult task of bringing back its hide.
As he and those who volunteered to venture with him into the mountains went higher, the colder it grew. The bitter, freezing air nipped at his nose, his fingers grew numb. If it wasn’t for the heavy furs donning his body, the unforgiving weather would have already overtaken him. Hulbart watched as a breath of cold air puffed out of his mouth and dissipated.
“Well Kelby,” Hulbart panted. “We may have lost the others. But perseverance is what we need. It will be enough.”
Taking another step, his foot sunk deep into the snow and he stumbled. Gripping the shaft of the spear in his hand, he used the weapon to steady himself.
“We will find the beast and bring glory to our people, and I will have redemption,” he said. “But we must brave the storm, my friend. It’s for the honor of our kingdom that we hunt this beast.”
A glistening snowflake fell and was soon joined by others. What began as light snow quickly turned into a blizzard. He could barely see his hand in front of his face, but he moved on with determination. Thoughts of how the tiger’s pelt would keep him warm after he slew it and the dream of returning home a hero kept him walking.
Before long, his body began to stiffen and his toes and hands grew numb from the onsetting frostbite. He squinted his eyes trying to look through the arctic fury. Going farther up the mountain, his legs became heavy. Even when using his spear as a crutch, his movement was labored. He turned to speak with his friend only to see he was nowhere to be found. There was only the vast whiteness of the snow-laden wasteland before him.
At that moment, the memories came rushing back. Kelby was not with him. He had not been by his side for some time. Hulbart remembered how he had lost his companions after the food ran out. They had decided to turn around and leave him to finish the task. It was Kelby who had urged him not to continue. He had said that it wasn’t worth his life and he would find another way to restore his honor. But he didn’t listen.
His body shivered. The sudden realization that death would be upon him told him to stop. He couldn’t move. Being this close to the end was not like he imagined. Hulbart wanted to frantically push to survive, but the truth was he was tired. So tired.
Hulbart felt his eyelids grow heavy. They closed for a second before he willed them open. Through the blizzard, he saw two large eyes peering at him. Then, out of the falling snow came a giant feline head. The darkness looked to not touch it as snow fell around the beast. It was not just any creature, but it was the giant Crystal Snow Tiger.
Its massive frame dwarfed him. He had envisioned himself in this situation many times, and always pictured how he would lunge at the beast and pierce it through the heart. However, a fierceness in the tiger’s eyes told him that he would not have stood a chance against such a creature. Not even with a thousand years worth of training.
His fear of dying from the cold and the snow passed away and was replaced by the fear of the gigantic cat before him. He heard a faint growl and he held his breath. In an instant, the tiger pounced on him, pinning him down. He tasted the cold, wet snow in his mouth as he felt the creature’s massive glass-like fangs surround his body and lift him into the air.
With Hulbart between its teeth, the tiger bounded off into the snowstorm. He had no idea where the beast was taking him, but he was sure death was not far away. Hulbart wanted to scream, but nothing came out. After they traveled a distance, he felt the heaviness of the sleep he had fought overtake him. Then there was darkness.
When he opened his eyes, he saw he was no longer in the snow but a dark cave. Instead of the cool dampness he expected, it was surprisingly warm. Terror shook him with the realization the warmth was from the body of the tiger surrounding him. Standing up, Hulbart felt his hand brush up against the poll of his spear. To him, the noise of the rolling weapon might as well have been a sounding gong. However, the purring of the giant, slumbering cat that lay beside him continued to echo throughout the cave.
Hulbart picked up the weapon. Looking down at the spear, he then turned his attention to the mouth of the cave. He stopped. His body trembled. He looked back at the monstrous cat. It was his chance to fulfill his mission. By killing the tiger he could restore the honor he lost by failing to protect his family. Its skin would be a symbol of his redemption. But he sighed and allowed his body to relax. It had saved his life.
“You were right Kelby,” he whispered. “There is another way to restore my honor.”
Wondering over to the entrance of the cave, he looked out into the daylight. He could see the high walls of the city below him. The tiger had taken him home.
Tales From Orin Nodd 