305

The heavy beast rolls off the sledge and lies motionless on the ice. Fenor has managed to light a torch and is thrusting the flaming brand at the other two Baknar. They are terrified by the fire and quickly turn and flee. You cheer as they disappear and turn to congratulate your brave guides, but are stunned to see that they have already started to skin the dead Baknar. You watch with disgust as Dyce opens the beast from throat to belly with his sharp hunting knife. He quickly pulls back the white fur and scoops out handfuls of thick oil from under the skin. The smell of this oil is horrible, so horrible in fact that even the Kanu-dogs bury their noses into the snow to avoid it. You cannot believe your eyes when the two guides start to rub this vile oil all over their faces and inside their clothes.

‘Baknar oil,’ shouts Fenor enthusiastically. ‘Nothing like it for keeping warm and dry.’ He pulls his hand from the dead beast and offers you a fistful of the putrid jelly.

If you wish to accept his offer, turn to 8.

If the thought of smelling like a vat of rancid cheese does not appeal to you, turn to 281.