He was lost. There was no mistaking, or thinking he could find his way. The sun was almost lost and he found the mark he'd placed on the tree for the fourth time. Something wasn't right though. He knew he had not turned. He had moved, walking his horse, in a straight line, even brushing some of the tree to ensure he did not turn. But when he reached the tree, at which he'd aimed, there was his mark. Something was influencing the result.
He loosened his sword and kept a hand on the pommel. He pulled some jerked meat from his saddlebag, feeling the weight of the treasure he carried, booty after he killed the man bear in its hole. He recalled the dead bodies as he drank just a few swallows of his vinegary wine. Most of them only half eaten, dried vomit nearby like the creature regretted the kills and vomited up the parts he'd eaten. One had the chain shirt he wore now, beneath his old pauldrons, greaves and vambraces. Another had the jeweled dagger at his belt, while a third had a ring on each hand that attracted him.
He put the feedbag on his horse Jewel. The mare was tired, he hadn't rested like he should pushing on for almost two hours after his normal rest time. He hobbled her and removed her saddle, then rubbed her down and used the brush to smooth her hair. Jewel was his prize, war trained, and a real beauty. She was a mare without compare, carrying him for a year now as he moved through the villages, finding their monsters and taking them out. He would receive no pay for this one. When the bear died, he became a man, dirty, caked with blood and hairy, but a man nonetheless. He would tell the villagers the creature was dead, but he would not bring a trophy and they would not pay. It mattered not. There had been silver and gems enough, even a bit of gold, in the creature's lair.
The immediate problem was his predicament. He pulled forth the magical eyepiece he'd paid a pretty amount for and looked around, activating the magic. Each of the trees glowed with a green glow, a low intensity feeling of magic. There, in the distance, a white spot appeared near a golden circle. He saddled Jewel and took her reins, pulling her behind as he moved toward the white light. His steps became more difficult as he moved forward, and he found the path bending to the side. He pushed himself into the straight line and felt a pop as he and Jewel stepped into the clearing. The white light popped and disappeared as he stumbled into the circle, Jewel right behind and feeling a bit scared. He deactivated the eyepiece and found himself in the middle of a clearing, surrounded by a ring of mushrooms. There was a flash and he covered his eyes.
When the light diminished, he looked around at a different world. In the distance, perhaps a hundred yards away was a small shack, well kept with a sod roof and a well. Beyond the shack was a cliff wall rising to the heights beyond sight in the dim dusky light. Half way to the shack was a white light, bobbing toward it. He swung astride Jewel and gave chase. But the light was faster and streaked into the window of the house. He tied Jewel to the post and pulled open the door, entering the house.
Inside was a more or less standard pleasant living space. A bed stood in the corner, not far from the fireplace. Between was a rough wrought chair on which sat a person, turned away, tending the fire and the pot that simmered there. "Slowly, sir, you have frightened her." came a strange, deep, rough voice from the figure. "In this place, we do not offer force to one another. Do I have your warrant, sir?"
"You do," said the man, "I, Brad of Fe'el do give my warrant that I will not offer harm should none be offered me."
The figure turned and proved to look as strange as he sounded. He was a cyclops, though of the size of a man. His chin was covered with a black goatee, and he had similar curly hair on his chest where it peaked out of the robe he wore. Aside from his brow, the rest of his head was devoid of hair, his ears, only slightly pointed. "I am Gron and yes, I am a real Cyclops."
"But, a Cyclops, they are giants," replied Brad.
"Indeed," he said, "It appears this is a house of accommodation. Sit, have a bite to eat. And you may want to stable your steed. She is weary."
"I shall tend Jewel first," said Brad.
