Chapter 15 : The Baba Yaga's Cauldron

The group continued their journey through the woods, determined to find a way to defeat the Baba Yaga. As they walked, they came across a clearing with a large cauldron in the center. The Baba Yaga stood beside it, stirring the contents with a long wooden spoon.

The group approached cautiously, unsure of what to expect. The Baba Yaga turned to face them, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"Well, well, well," she cackled. "Look who's come to visit me again. Did you enjoy my little test, children?"

The group remained silent, their eyes fixed on the cauldron. The Baba Yaga continued to stir the contents, a thick green smoke rising from the pot.

"I have a proposition for you," she said, her voice dripping with honey. "If you can answer my riddle, I will give you the key to my hut. But if you fail, you will become my prisoners forever."

The group exchanged wary glances, but they knew they had no choice but to accept the challenge. The Baba Yaga grinned wickedly and recited her riddle.

"What has four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?"

The group pondered the riddle for a few moments, but they couldn't come up with an answer. The Baba Yaga cackled with delight, convinced that she had outsmarted them.

But then Elena spoke up, a hint of a smile on her lips. "The answer is man," she said confidently. "He crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two legs as an adult, and uses a cane in old age."

The Baba Yaga's expression darkened, but she kept her promise and handed over the key to her hut. The group thanked her and quickly made their way to the hut.

As they entered the hut, they were struck by how strange and eerie it was. Strange objects lined the walls, and the smell of herbs and potions filled the air. They searched through the hut, hoping to find a clue that would help them defeat the Baba Yaga.

Suddenly, they heard a noise coming from the stove. As they approached, they saw that the cauldron from the clearing was now bubbling on the stove. It was filled with a thick green liquid, and the group could feel its magical energy emanating from it.

But then they heard a sound from the hut's entryway, and they realized that the Baba Yaga had come to reclaim her cauldron. They quickly hid behind a nearby shelf as the Baba Yaga entered the hut.

She approached the stove and peered into the cauldron. The group watched in horror as she scooped up a spoonful of the green liquid and tasted it. She grinned with satisfaction and turned to leave the hut.

As she passed by the shelf where the group was hiding, they held their breath, hoping she wouldn't notice them. But as she reached out to grab her cauldron, she paused and turned to face them.

"I smell children," she hissed. "Come out, come out, wherever you are."

The group emerged from their hiding spot, their hearts racing. They knew they were in grave danger, but they also knew that they had to keep searching for a way to defeat the Baba Yaga.