The Lumberjack's Beard

 Inspired by the dream logic of Norse mythology.

The lumberjack returned to his cabin atop the mountain and sat by the fire to smoke his pipe.

    “How was your day, Balder?” asked the man’s companion while cutting carrots for stew.

    “Well, Hnoss, I chopped down another ten trees for the Company. Big ones, too. One had a bear in it.”

    “I’m sorry, dear,” Hnoss replied. “I know how much you hate to inconvenience the animals.”

    Balder blew smoke from his pipe and stared into the fire. Guilt was heavy on his mind, layers deep, like river silt. If he didn’t need the money he’d quit the whole business.

    A cool breeze blew in from under the door. Though spring was upon the mountain, the wind yet carried a chill. Balder scooted his rocker closer to the fire.

    “I’ve just got to find another job,” he said to himself, smacking the armrest. Just then, a weasel peeked out from beneath Balder’s beard and sniffed at the air. It dropped to the squeaky floorboards, then wobbled its way over to the kitchen. A moment later an owl flew out. Next came a wolf, closely followed by a wolverine. The wolf, sitting on its haunches, faced Balder with inquisitive eyes. Several more animals emerged from the beard: mink, eagles, foxes, a bear. These in addition to the many others already in the cabin—hares, porcupines, moose, etc.—all of which were hanging about. At Hnoss’s insistence, everyone was to keep out of the kitchen until supper was ready.

    Putting aside his pipe, Balder lifted each of his large feet and took off his boots. A pair of red squirrels dove into them and quickly popped their heads out, chirping to one another from their new hideouts. Balder smiled at them, though halfheartedly. He knew he shouldn’t have brought all these animals home. But what else could he do? The Company was destroying the forest.

    A shaggy raven flew out of Balder’s beard and perched atop his shoulder. The bird, which had only one eye, whispered something into Balder’s ear. At first Balder scowled at whatever the bird was saying, but then he began to nod in agreement.

    The raven vanished, and Balder stood up. His eyes burned like blue fire. Going to the wall, he lifted down a large painting. Behind it, in a hole, was a thick, ornate hammer—gifted to him by his nephews. He took it up, gripping it tightly, and turned around.

    “Hark!” the man announced in his booming voice. “An invitation has been given us. An invitation to form an army. To train for battle. To one day return and end this terrible destruction of our forest! But first we leave this world. Form a line if you accept. Go if you do not.”

    All accepted. They formed a line.

    Hnoss, after going up to Balder and embracing him, joined the animals. Balder raised his hammer.

    One by one, he took them out.

    Their bodies he stuffed into his beard.

    He plunged, headfirst, into the fire.

First published in Weird Fiction Quarterly in 2023. It is exactly 500 words per the guidelines of the publication.