LTGD 3
- Muskrat
- Level 21 Elite
- Posts: 10513
- Location: The Secret Places Beneath the Earth
- Title: Keeper of the Hidden Word
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Seeing that he has gained some distance on Ulberth and that the Rathgar chief is choosing to be cautious in the woods, Bjorn slows down to a somewhat more sensible speed, while still pressing ahead and being slightly reckless.
- Grimbold
- Moderator
- Posts: 10309
- Location: Austria
- Title: Professor
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Bjorn drives more carefully now, slowing down a bit but still going through the undergrowth. He easily dodges a low-lying branch and urges his dogs on.
Ulberth goes around the trees but edges a bit closer to the other sled.
Ulberth goes around the trees but edges a bit closer to the other sled.
- Muskrat
- Level 21 Elite
- Posts: 10513
- Location: The Secret Places Beneath the Earth
- Title: Keeper of the Hidden Word
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Bjorn continues through the woods at the same semi-reckless speed. He is feeling a little better, because he has a definite, if small, lead on Ulberth. He knows all too well that the lead could disappear at any moment, so he stays intent on the course ahead.
- Grimbold
- Moderator
- Posts: 10309
- Location: Austria
- Title: Professor
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Bjorn races on through the forest but some thick bushes hinder his way and he has to slow down a bit. Ulberth, going round the trees, is able to make up some of the distance, though still behind Bjorn.
Now everyone can see there is a ditch coming up at the end of the forest.
Now everyone can see there is a ditch coming up at the end of the forest.
- Muskrat
- Level 21 Elite
- Posts: 10513
- Location: The Secret Places Beneath the Earth
- Title: Keeper of the Hidden Word
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Bjorn is tempted to go over the ditch at full speed, but knows that he is not a skilled enough sledge-driver to risk a trick like that. He slows the dogs down and takes it at a safer speed.
Now that he has reached the end of the forest, Bjorn feels some relief that he has not encountered an ambush. Perhaps Ulberth was so confident he could win this race on skill alone that he planned no ambush. Or perhaps the ambushers have orders to strike only on the return if it appears Bjorn will win. He resolves to remain wary.
- Grimbold
- Moderator
- Posts: 10309
- Location: Austria
- Title: Professor
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Bjorn slows down and successfully jumps the ditch, urging his dogs on as fast as he can...
Ulberth goes at the ditch at full speed and also jumps it successfully, coming up right behind Bjorn. Ulberth's sled is only one meter behind and the two dog teams are almost running neck at neck.
Now they are at the top of a long sloping way that goes downwards. It is a kind of snowy ledge (but wide enough to allow for two sleds next to the other) that descends down the side of a steep cliff - sometimes gradually, sometimes more steeply. On the right side, the cliff goes almost straight down, on the left side, the wall of the cliff goes up. At the bottom, a large frozen lake can be seen. The two sleds come out of the forest and onto the slope, picking up speed as they descend.
Ulberth goes at the ditch at full speed and also jumps it successfully, coming up right behind Bjorn. Ulberth's sled is only one meter behind and the two dog teams are almost running neck at neck.
Now they are at the top of a long sloping way that goes downwards. It is a kind of snowy ledge (but wide enough to allow for two sleds next to the other) that descends down the side of a steep cliff - sometimes gradually, sometimes more steeply. On the right side, the cliff goes almost straight down, on the left side, the wall of the cliff goes up. At the bottom, a large frozen lake can be seen. The two sleds come out of the forest and onto the slope, picking up speed as they descend.
- Muskrat
- Level 21 Elite
- Posts: 10513
- Location: The Secret Places Beneath the Earth
- Title: Keeper of the Hidden Word
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Bjorn glances grimly over at Ulberth's sleigh. He has lost almost all the headway he gained in the forest. It would appear that he and the Rathgar chieftain are about evenly matched. Bjorn evaluates the situation grimly--one false move here and he could be tumbling over the cliff. On the other hand, if he does not beat Ulberth in this race, he may well end up dead anyway.
He decides to balance speed with caution, pushing the dogs as fast as he thinks his skill will allow him, allowing for some risk, but not utter foolhardiness.
He decides to balance speed with caution, pushing the dogs as fast as he thinks his skill will allow him, allowing for some risk, but not utter foolhardiness.
- Grimbold
- Moderator
- Posts: 10309
- Location: Austria
- Title: Professor
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Ulberth pulls out his dagger as he picks up speed, going down the slope. Bjorn hits a small rock hidden under the snow and veers a bit to stay on the ledge. Just then, Ulberth easily passes Bjorn's sled in an amazing maneuver. Just when passing, he slashes out with his dagger, aiming for Bjorn! The strike misses as attacking on a moving sled is difficult, but now Bjorn knows that this is no children's game! Ulberth is a bit ahead now, so both can use the full width of the ledge.
- Muskrat
- Level 21 Elite
- Posts: 10513
- Location: The Secret Places Beneath the Earth
- Title: Keeper of the Hidden Word
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Bjorn is shaken--by his near accident, by Ulberth's attack, and the chieftan's moving ahead of him. He grits his teeth and urges the dogs on, doing his best to catch up with Ulberth. As he thinks about it, Ulberth's attack is something of a relief--it may well mean that he didn't expect Bjorn to do so well and therefore none of his men are waiting in ambush. And, while it's possible he might strike Bjorn, it's unlikely he will do so on fast-moving sleds. To be on the safe side though, Bjorn decides to ride Ulberth's tale and try to pass him on the lake, where he can give him a wide berth. Who knows? Having Bjorn right behind him might inspire Ulberth to do something really stupid, out of frustration. He tries to think of some choice insult that might spur such idiocy.
- Grimbold
- Moderator
- Posts: 10309
- Location: Austria
- Title: Professor
- User Class: Scholar
Re: LTGD 3
Racing down the slope, Bjorn edges closer to Ulberth, though he is still a bit behind...