Chapter 8 (1/2)

The march through the forest grew more difficult with each step. The closer they went to Meissen, the deeper the snow became. At the moment, the snow nearly reached the knees of the horse – yet they hadn’t even finished half of the journey.

Every now and then, a belly grumble-like cry of an animal issued from the forest. That was a wolf. This time, it was an actual, genuine wolf.

With the long winter approaching, the wolf’s stomach was most likely empty. In order to keep it from sensing them, Ernst’s escort proceeded downwind of the wolf.

The people traveling with Ernst were hunters who lived in this forest. Large and heavy-looking hatchets were balanced on their hips, and they carried pointed, sharp knives. Carrying bows on their backs, they marched through the forest with grim faces. All three of Ernst’s escort were Kleber.

Though they hadn’t yet encountered a wolf, Ernst was slightly worried over whether just these men would be enough against a wolf.

Certainly, all of them had burly and strong physiques compared to Ernst, who suffered from Kleber’s disease. But in his mind, Ernst was comparing them to a Dunbertian’s body.

If that man were here, he would be able to walk leisurely without worrying about the snow catching his feet.

The snow continued to fall constantly.

The snow flew between the branches of the trees, which stood still as if they were dead. Sometimes, a snowstorm blew.

This was the first time Ernst had ever felt so cold in his life. He buried himself in the winter clothing that the villa’s servants had prepared for him to avoid the freezing cold.

Unconsciously, he hunched over. Because of how cold it was, he couldn’t even look in front of him; he couldn’t raise his face to see.

He listened to the sound of the horses and hunters stepping through the snow. This quiet marching was all that he could hear. Ernst started nodding off until one of the escorts woke him. Whether he was asleep or awake, time passed without much difference between them.

Even when he was awake, he dreamed.

In his dreams, there was a warm bath. That giant man of a servant was there. He gently washed Ernst’s body. His fingertips slipped into the hole in Ernst’s backside and scrubbed it. With his large hands, he washed every inch of Ernst’s body, and he touched Ernst’s small manhood. Warm happiness flowed through Ernst.

Only Ernst had a horse prepared for him. With his boy-like slender body, it would take all of his might just to stand in the snow.

They advanced through the woods. They kept on advancing. The snow continued to pile up heavily, but the men marched forward without paying it any mind.

Ernst heard the howls of the wolf coming from far away, and closeby.

At night, they dug holes in the snow and and rested inside. This was the first time Ernst learned that snow could be something warm.

His escorts took turns resting, and they continuously stoked the fire to make sure it wouldn’t go out.